Guyana Times International 17-JAN-2020

INTERNATIONAL THE BEACON OF TRUTH

FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION guyanatimesinternational.com

P21 ‘I pleaded with him not to stab her, but it was too late’

…woman recalls horrifying details of daughter’s brutal murder

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com

'Coalition Govt destroyed Guyana' …Jagdeo says ISSUE NO. 482

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020

See stories inside

thousands were fired, several sectors in decline and crime on the rise

Guyanese man accused of murdering Queens woman, 92, should have been deported – ICE

Page 3

2

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Guyanese man accused of murdering Queens woman, 92, should have been deported – ICE

T

he brutal slaying of an elderly woman in Queens, allegedly by an undocumented Guyanese man, has sparked a national debate over US immigration policies.

The federal immigration officials are blaming the city’s sanctuary policy for enabling the crime and City Hall, in turn, has criticised the federal officials for using the tragedy to trumpet their immigration agenda.

According to an article in the New York Times, the rape and murder of 92-year-old Maria Fuertes became a flash point in the broader debate over immigration on Tuesday when federal authorities contended that the suspect should not have been in the country in the first place.

Reaz Khan being escorted by ICE

Reaz Khan, 21, had confessed to the slaying of Maria Fuentes,

92, outside her home in Queens after authorities picked him up last week.

He was subsequently charged on Friday with murder and sexual as-

sault.

According to the New York Times, the offi-

cials said the suspect had beaten up his father during an altercation in November that had resulted in his arrest, leading federal authorities at the time to ask New York City to hand him over for possible deportation.

Instead, he was arrested again on Friday and charged with the murder of Fuertes.

In a statement issued by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Tuesday, officials said Mr. Khan was “an unlawfully present Guyanese national” who had been released “due to New York City’s sanctuary policies.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) deportation ofCONTINUED ON PAGE 11

4 VIEWS

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

New York Office 106-15 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica NY 11435 Email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com Tel no: 718-658-6804 Fax no: 718-849-2286 Preferred method of contact via EMAIL Guyana Office Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana.

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

Fax (592) 225-8696 Email: guyanatimesint@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

The fight for political power

N

ow that Nomination Day is over, we know that there are thirteen parties – down from the nineteen that had declared their intention and symbols – that will be contesting the March 2 General and Regional Elections. It is possible that that number may be further reduced since the GECOM Secretariat would have scrutinised the lists for duplications and other transgressions of the rules of the nomination process.

Only three of the parties were able to field candidates in all ten regions and as such claim to be “national” parties. Ironically, the party that joined the PNC-led APNU/AFC and the PPP/C was the URP, which has been around since 1992 but has never been able to garner even close to the number of votes to match the number of signatures which allowed them to compete. It is very unlikely that any of the other new parties would be able to better the URP’s abysmal performance.

But what might encourage them to continue with their seemingly quixotic effort is the role that such other insignificant entities, such as Keith Scott’s National Democratic Party, which was absorbed by the PNC-played to allow the latter to claim “national representation”. They are actuated by the cold calculus of power and actually undermine the necessity for actual democratic legitimacy based on popular support. Can anyone with a straight face say that APNU’s five “parties” and the AFC represent Guyana’s diversity equitably?

We are therefore left with a race in which there are only two parties going into the stretch. On one hand, we have the PNC which seems determined to continue with the charade of inclusivity built with smoke and mirrors of one-man parties. And on the other, we have the PPP, which has eschewed that patently offensive ploy to hoodwink the Guyanese populace. As their Candidate Irfaan Ali informed the latter at their campaign launch, the PPP is using the model of the original PPP, which was founded “three scores and ten years ago”.

To wit, to enter this game-changing election – equivalent to the 1953 one which heralded the political independence movement but this time promising economic independence with the onset of oil – with an agglomeration of like-minded young, bright minds that are more au fait with the demands of a globalised millennium economy. Unlike the absorption of a welter of paper parties that are silenced by the disequilibrium of size between them and the PNC, the PPP’s approach to garner young professionals from across the divides, who bring diverse views to the table where the “old heads” act as mentors, creates a cohesive force that can take Guyana forward.

Even though it could not have been easy, the PPP has convinced most of their old guard that the old must make way for the new, while still retaining a contributory role. This approach obviates the need for the debilitating manoeuvrings within the PNC-led coalition of the various “partners” to jockey for influence – and even attention – from the PNC. The PPP has always been very open about the ancillary nature of their Civic component, which provides a base for those individuals “from various classes and strata” who have not become members of the party, to work together with them.

After experiencing five years of the PNC-model of Government for Guyana, the people are in a position to gauge the aptness of the vehicle their country needs at this juncture. Just as in biology, in politics, form dictates function. It should be self-evident to most open-minded Guyanese that a government that is pulling in two or more directions cannot accomplish what is necessary for the transformation of their long-suffering country. The disgraceful episode where David Granger toyed with Khemraj Ramjattan like a cat playing with a mouse, on whether he would or would not be the Prime Ministerial candidate as was explicitly agreed to, does not give much confidence on what lies ahead if their coalition were to continue in office.

Guyana’s First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, earlier this week, received a courtesy call from outgoing United States Peace Corps, Country Director, Ms. Kury Cobham and the organisation’s Director of Programming and Training, Ms. Yemi Oshodi, at her State House office. Ms. Cobham, who has held the post of Country Director since January 2017, will complete her tour of duty at the end of January 2020.

In picture: The First Lady is flanked by, from left to right, Ms. Cobham and Ms. Oshodi. (DPI photo)

Defying the tenets of democracy

D

uring the APNU/AFC’s official 2020 elections campaign launch at D’Urban Park on January 3, President David Granger is reported as saying that if the coalition were to win the upcoming March 2 polls, his Government will target constitutional provisions for a NoConfidence Motion (NCM).

The State newspaper quoted him as saying, “We are going to reform the Constitution so that the nonsense they tried with us over the last 12 months does not happen again.” The “they” referred to the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Given what was reported, it becomes extremely worrying that the Head of State would refer to the democratic application of enshrined articles of the country’s Constitution as nonsense. His utter disdain for the validly passed December 21, 2018, NCM, as upheld by the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Chief Justice and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), is now common knowledge.

He did not mince words on his dissatisfaction and his government’s resort to the courts to have the NCM motion overturned speaks volumes of his desire to not accept constitutional and democratic processes.

It is also common knowledge that the President defied constitutional procedures and unilaterally appointed Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The CCJ subsequently ruled that his action was unconstitutional and Justice Patterson resigned.

The President’s action over time with regard to the Constitution demonstrates a seeming misinterpretation which many believe may be deliberate to realise his desires. What resulted from that directly conflicted with the Constitution and the rule of law. Justice Patterson’s appointment and refusal to abide

by the validly-passed NCM are glaring examples.

If there was any doubt, his latest indication to once again target the Constitution with regard to provisions for an NCM further confirms his and the APNU/AFC’s reluctance to respect what is enshrined.

In addition, it speaks to a more sinister plan that, in the event the coalition is re-elected following the March 2 elections, it will endeavour to deny Guyanese their democratic and constitutional option of holding the Government accountable through the means of an NCM. When that is examined in its entirety, it becomes extremely difficult not to conclude that APNU/AFC is bent on denuding the Constitution to safeguard its hold on power if re-elected. In other words, the President’s utterances unambiguously speak to a dictatorship.

The two examples cited could have only been realised through dictatorial tendencies.

Yet, in his said address at the campaign launch, he was quoted by the State newspaper as saying, “We are a constitutional government…everything we have done for the last 12 months was in accordance with the law and in accordance with the Constitution”.

The President’s actions and those of the APNU/AFC could only render such a statement as grossly hypocritical. That aside, the totality of what the President and the coalition would have done since 2015 with regard to the Constitution shows contempt for the rule of law with an unbridled tendency to defy the tenets of democracy.

Again, if there is any doubt, the history the People’s National Congress (PNC), which is the lead party in the coalition and which ruled oppressively for almost three decades, will reveal the dictatorial characteristic that suppressed democracy during that period.

President Granger has

been the Leader of the PNC for about a decade now. His actions over the past four and a half years as President seem to suggest that his party’s historical authoritarian disposition remains a hallmark. His remarks in question make it virtually impossible to believe otherwise.

That, therefore, has serious implications for Guyana which is now an oil-producing nation. With democracy being put on notice to be threatened, fears of a repeat of what occurred under the past PNC government’s oppressive rule, are real. Fear, sadly, returned after 2015 as a result of Mr Granger and APNU/ AFC’s wanton disregard for the Constitution.

That fear has since been exacerbated by the recent brazen attacks on PPP’s supporters in Laing Avenue and in other parts as those Guyanese endeavoured to bring awareness to their Party’s election campaign. A few had to seek medical attention. Those unprovoked actions by persons believably affiliated to APNU/ AFC are not just an assault on PPP supporters but on democracy as a whole.

From all appearances, there has been no condemnation of that attack coming from the President or a direct public message to his supporters for them not to engage in such acts. That, along with the President’s and APNU/ AFC’s refusal to abide by the Constitution, evident by the unilateral appointment of Justice Patterson and its actions to invalidate the NCM, exemplify the assault of democracy.

The President’s remarks to target constitutional provisions for the NCM, therefore, speak to a most ominous future if the coalition were to win come March 2. The Constitution is expected to safeguard democracy and freedoms. By threatening to strip it, the President may have hinted of his desire to strip Guyanese of their enshrined rights.

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Granger faces heat over comments on removal of no-confidence motion from Constitution

Political activist and lawyer, Christopher Ram

P

resident David Granger’s recent rhetoric on the campaign trail, which hinted at the possible removal of the NoConfidence Motion from the Constitution of Guyana, continues to raise opposition in many quarters.

In an invited comment, Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman retired Captain Gerry Gouveia informed this publication that he was shocked when he heard the President’s statement which hinted at intentions to remove the provision.

“The President had

always struck me as a man who believed in democracy and who doesn’t change the rules of the game, in the middle of the game, just because it didn’t go in his favour.

And so, it was quite surprising to me to hear the President say that.”

“This provision was used against the (former President Donald) Ramotar Government in 2014. And it is a lawful thing. If members of Parliament lose confidence in the Government, they must have a recourse to do it.”

Gouveia not only noted the importance of the No-Confidence Motion

Political analyst Ramon Gaskin

to Guyana’s democracy but also respect for the Constitution. He also noted that such a major constitutional change should never be left to politicians but rather, the people, through a referendum.

“The Constitution should be respected until it’s changed. And things like that, you don’t change it easily. I don’t think we should allow any politician or political party to change our Constitution without consultations and a referendum.”

“I believe the NoConfidence Motion is there for a purpose and that we should respect

it. I was quite surprised the President made that statement. I did not expect it from him, I’ll tell you that much.”

Very troubling Meanwhile, noted political activist and lawyer, Christopher Ram, also weighed in on the matter when contacted by this publication.

According to Ram, the President’s words heavily imply an intention to remove the No-Confidence Motion.

“That seems to be a logical interpretation and it is therefore very troubling. It would remove one layer of democracy, which would be a very

PSC Chairman, Captain (retired) Gerry Gouveia

backward step,” Ram said, adding that the President already has history when it comes to constitutional compliance.

Political analyst Ramon Gaskin also made it clear that in no uncertain terms, the no-confidence provision cannot be removed off the statutes. He noted its importance across the developed world.

“All over the world, in democratically-elected Parliaments, you have no-confidence motions.

In England, Canada and in the Commonwealth, Germany, Spain and Israel.

And general-

ly speaking, it’s when Parliament does not have confidence in the Government, it cannot continue.”

“You can’t remove it.

You have to keep it. It is a normal feature of democratic constitutions, this question of confidence.

And if the Government does not enjoy the confidence of the Parliament, which is the elected representatives of the people, then you have to get a new coalition or go to the elections to get a new mandate.”

That being said, Gaskin was of the view that there is room for TURN TO PAGE 10

6

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

APNU/AFC list is dominated by the same people who have squandered the country’s reserves Dear Editor, It is an honour to be selected as a candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic for the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

Over the course of the last eighteen months, I have had the pleasure to work with many of the fellow candidates and work it has been as we have struggled with the obduracy of the Granger Administration. At 52, I am one of the older members of the list, which augurs well for Guyana’s future; the destiny of our country should be driven by youth guided by experience. The balance achieved on the PPP/C list is exquisite.

Those of you familiar with my advocacy via the letter columns will know of my fierce passion for honesty, accountability, and transparency in governance. The world has moved to a point where Governments are expected to work in fishbowls and provide unprecedented access to the decision-making process as well as contracts and public expenditure; Guyana under an Irfaan Ali-led Government would see a paradigm shift to openness in all its business. Looking at the team assembled I can assure that capability, competence, intellect and work ethic are well represented. I have

no doubt that the PPP/C team can deliver on the policies, plans and projects outlined in our manifesto. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the opposing lists.

The APNU/AFC list is dominated by the same people who have squandered the country’s reserves in four and a half years, as they have engaged in their Danse Macabre since the fall on December 21 2018, they have racked up an overdraft of a billion dollars per week; at last count, in November 2019 our overdraft stood at G$76 billion, consider it was G$69 billion at the end of October! The Granger cabal has no intention

Stop the political rhetoric that has caused so much confusion Dear Editor, In recognising the intensification of a variety of threats to peace posed by the political tensions that surround the current election campaigns, the Universal Peace Federation – Guyana, wishes to condemn the political rhetoric that is causing great confusion, annoyance, distrust and humiliation within the minds and hearts of the citizens of Guyana.

These unnecessary pains, which are obviously acting up on the emotionalism of some of our peoples, could turn riotous. We have recently seen tensions in Laing Avenue, Sophia and certain parts of Region Five.

It would appear that there is a very thin line that is keeping the side being attacked from retaliating. And, we fear that when or if they do, this could foment into mini riots or even a civil war. We have seen wasted lives and unnecessary pains unleashed on families in countries like Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, the Congo, South Africa, India and Pakistan – where people are being killed, injured and/or destroyed by these uncalled-for incidences. Locally, we saw

such similar incidences in Agricola, when the city was actually locked down. In the late 1990s, just after the elections, some people were brutalised in our city while heading home from work.

The Universal Peace Federation has been involved with dozens of countries around the world to create a state of harmony and peace.

We are, therefore, calling all our political leaders and political parties, especially the more mature ones, to please watch the rhetoric and try not to humiliate one another when they enter the political field.

Also, the Opposition needs to avoid calling for the chasing out of the President, the Ministers or the leaders when they visit certain areas and communities where they predominate. This goes for the APNU/AFC Government as well.

Further, The Universal Peace Federation urges all party members and their respective supporters not to misbehave. All political parties vying for elections need to show maturity, intellect and avoid putting our country to shame. We recommend that these po-

litical parties urgently sign the powerful peace accord that is in the process of being created and stick to the terms and conditions of this accord.

The Universal Peace Federation calls upon everyone to show respect and to have restraint.

Each party has a right to state their case. No one should obstruct or block them from going into any particular area.

Also, people have a right to ask their questions to the presenters. It is unfortunate that this political heckling is a normal part of the Caribbean culture, but the violent boisterous behaviour and insults are uncalled for from the two major parties of Guyana.

In conclusion, we, the members of The Universal Peace Federation wish to remind the Government, Opposition and the general public that we may not always agree with each other, but it is important we respect each other.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr Roshan Khan National Chairman Universal Peace Federation – Guyana

of even appearing transparent, following the rule of law or giving a fig about our parliamentary democracy. The procurement process has been odiously bypassed; the ceiling for sole-sourced contracts increased dramatically and contract splitting has become the new order as the treasury has been emptied of reserves and filled with debt notes once again.

For we have been here before, the PPP/C inherited a bankrupt, heavily indebted poor country in 1992; 153 per cent of our country’s earnings were

used to service debts.

Granger has squandered with the hope that ‘oil money’ will be the panacea for all ills caused. I fear even massive oil revenues could not put this nation back on the road to progress if the geriatric, friends and cronies of APNU/AFC that comprise their list are ever allowed to govern again.

I urge the public to peruse our team list; it is full of successful people from a myriad of professions, who are fully prepared to do the hard work required in the service of our nation. Pele

summed up what is required when he said “Success is no accident.

It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do”.

I reiterate that an Irfaan Ali-led Government would be the embodiment of these sentiments as we work for the love of our nation and its people. Elections are on March 2, 2020.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

State media should not be used for political propaganda purposes Dear Editor, In responding to both Tony Vieira and myself on the subject of broadcast coverage of the political parties contesting the elections, Mr Enrico Woolford has indulged in ad hominem attacks on Vieira and myself, attacking the messenger rather than the message.

I suppose that this will impress the party faithful but it does not address the issue at hand. Tony Vieira, Kit Nascimento and Enrico Woolford are not the issues.

The issue is that both of the Stateowned and operated media, the National Communications Network (NCN) and

the Guyana Chronicle, are being used by Government for political propaganda purposes and this is patently obvious to even the casual observer.

In the period of a General Election, this is particularly pernicious.

In the case of broadcasting which is supposed to be regulated by the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) to serve the public interest and convenience, it is particularly offensive and is in violation of the licence under which NCN is governed.

As I have stated in my letter, “a general election would be neither free nor fair if a contesting party is unfairly denied access

to the broadcast media… or a particular party is favoured access to the broadcast media”. The fact remains that the assets of NCN are being used to favour coverage of the APNU/AFC political rallies by comparison with the PPP/C. It matters not whether this is conducted through the means of public broadcasting on the airwaves or network streaming. It is wrong, it is indefensible and it should attract the attention of the GNBA and GECOM who are ultimately responsible for the conduct of a free and fair election.

With regards, Kit Nascimento

Much at stake in the upcoming polls Dear Editor, I write to urge caution amidst the heightened passions and hollow promises which so often characterise Guyanese elections. This election is perhaps the most monumental in the whole of Guyanese history, for it comes at the same time when our oil industry is taking off. The wealth at stake, and the power of good or evil it will provide those who wield it, will surely set the tone for Guyana’s future.

It is vitally important that the Government keeps those revenues flowing. It seems to be fashionable of late for politicians and other Guyanese to suggest that Guyana could benefit from attempting to reopen and renegotiate existing contracts. Of course, Guyana left some money on the table when they were first negotiated – that much cannot be disputed. But to suggest that we are best suited by reopening them now

seems to me, simply, a farce.

Why, you ask?

Because to do so ignores the bigger picture.

We may be producing oil now, but it is not in any meaningful quantity. That will come later, will the addition of more phases of development in the Stabroek and more discoveries elsewhere. What is the cost of disrupting that? We would also be fools not to consider what is taking place just next door

NEWS 7

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Govt’s closure of sugar estates taking severe toll on communities …families struggling to make ends meet

E

ven as Government seems to have moved on after closing four sugar estates, shattering the lives of over 7000 workers, these workers are still struggling to find stable jobs.

After garnering the support of workers on the sugar belt at the 2015 elections, the APNU/ AFC coalition since taking office has downsized the sugar industry to just three estates – Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion— placing over 7000 workers on the breadline.

Although the incumbent Government had promised to find alternative job opportunities and give lands to these displaced workers to sustain themselves and their families, many of them are still struggling to make ends meet daily.

On Tuesday, a number of these still unemployed workers from the closed Wales, East Demerara (Enmore), Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates, pleaded with the public, government, and private sector once again for assistance.

“I used to be an oper-

Closed Rose Hall Sugar Estate

experienced, which is no different from those of many other retrenched sugar workers.

During an engagement with the media at a press conference organised by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the displaced workers

Wife of retrenched sugar worker, Samila Bacchus

ator at Skeldon, I come out do some nix-nocks job. One-day, two-day work how much you gonna get? I got two kids to send to school, where I am gonna find that money?”

These were the words Ahmad Ahenodeen, an ex-sugar worker, used to describe the hardship

called for alternative job solutions since, according to them, “poverty is at our doorsteps”.

Ahenodeen told reporters, “I am willing to work but where is the job? There is no job in Berbice. This is not Georgetown that you could run here at some hardware store or some big company…But they

need to find some alternative for people working in Berbice, it’s not easy.”

Meanwhile, Samila Bacchus, wife of an ex-sugar worker, explained her fair share of difficulties faced since her husband was sacked.

“If you have to get a work you have to come till in Georgetown and the passage, it don’t work out when the week come so we would, like if we could get something open at Wales…My husband ain’t working, I have children to send to school

where will get G$18,000 to pay water bill; left out light,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of other workers present, Lalloo Tekchand, a sugar worker for 38 years, expressed deep disappointment on the fact that promises of land and training by the incumbent coalition government were never fulfilled. According to Tekchand, these were supposed to make life easier but this is not the case.

Moreover, the former sugar workers contend

that the lack of jobs has paved the way for more illegal activities within these communities.

“Drugs is on the increase, because anywhere you turn you see small children coming out of school and smoking and doing things that they not supposed to do because their parents can’t afford to send them to school…everyday people thief at Wales, you hear people lost something,” one worker conveyed.

Insisting that the sugar industry was

bleeding the treasury, the coalition government had noted that downsizing the sector will make it more economically viable. However, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) continues to perform below par, failing to meet its output targets.

Moreover, the sugar corporation has repeatedly cried out about the lack of financing for its operations. This is despite Government securing a G$30 billion bond back in 2018 to aid in GuySuCo’s operations.

While the future of the country’s sugar industry remains uncertain, GAWU last month contended that any turnaround plan must include the reopening of those four closed estates; a promise which the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has made.

PPP has criticised the coalition administration for going ahead and closing the four sugar estates without any fact-based approach which included a socio-economic impact study that was recommended by a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) set up by this Government.

According to the Opposition, the closure of these estates created an economic and social vacuum. To this end, the party has promised to reopen the estates should it win the upcoming March 2 elections.

8 NEWS

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Ali outlines vision to transform Berbice …promises more jobs, deep-water harbour

P

e o p l e ’ s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali guaranteed the residents of the East Berbice-Corentyne region a deep-water harbour if he becomes President following the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

Ali was at the time speaking at the party’s second rally held at Albion on Sunday which saw a massive crowd gathered to listen to their leaders as the party continues its campaign to win the Government.

The crowd reportedly stretched along the Albion Public Road as far as Williamsburg and was described as one of the largest gathering in history at a political rally in Region Six. “We are going to initiate the massive transformational initiative of a deep-water harbour in Region Six. We got the real plans, these are the real plans that will take the country forward,” Ali said to rousing applause.

The presidential hopeful based his presentation on the lack of jobs for Guyanese especially Berbicians.

The issue, he noted has become a major one since the David Grangerled A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government closed two sugar estates in the region, leaving thousands without an alternative plan.

Ali said that the Government placed the sugar workers on the breadline which created a ripple effect and crushed the region’s economy.

“Today your pockets are lighter because this Government has stolen from your pockets. This Government placed you and many Guyanese on the breadline. They created a disaster for many families especially here in Region Six and come March 2 we will fix this.

How are we going fix it?” he questioned.

“By voting PPP/C,” the crowd responded.

He accused the Government of having a morbid obsession with former President Bharrat Jagdeo and his role in the PPP/C. However, he informed that Jagdeo will be a part of the next PPP/C Government, explaining that he brings a wealth of experience and has the skill set to advance

the developmental agenda of the party.

“One of the most important things is the creation of jobs. It is to ensure that our people here and all across Guyana has access to jobs. Jobs that pays well. Jobs that can sustain your family.

Jobs that can increase the welfare of communities,” he said.

He promised to invest in a knowledge-based economy which would see information communication technologies taking centre stage in advancing Guyana.

He went on to state that these new advancements would create a spinoff of new opportunities in every sector.

With Region Six being an agricultural region, the presidential hopeful laid out what he described as a rapid developmental plan for the advancement of the sector. He explained that under a PPP/C Government they would be reducing the input costs to farmers. He noted that since 2015 the costs have risen mainly because the Government continues to implement taxation measures which cripple the farmers.

Under his Government, if elected, Ali promised new jobs in various sectors which would all be intertwined with the agriculture sector. He said that it is now his mission to see Region Six not only become the breadbasket of Guyana but the Caribbean and even further afield.

The massive crowd from all over Guyana expressed their support for the candidacy of Ali and his running mate Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips.

Speaking directly to some of the issues affecting farmers, particularly rice farmers, Ali noted that when he speaks of support to the ailing rice industry he means that he has a plan. Alluding to comments made by President Granger that rice is a Private Sector issue and not Government even after campaigning on increased prices for paddy for rice farmers, Ali expressed that it is not all talk in his camp and that rice is a Government issue, adding that rice farmers deserve better treatment.

“When we say support for rice industry, we are not talking about just reversal of taxes but we are talking about plans to open new markets, extension services, increase in yield and increased profitability. We say it is important for the economy of Guyana and rice is the Government’s business and rice are the people’s business and a PPP/C Government will ensure we support this sector.

“We are talking mainstreaming agriculture in the national life.

We are talking about all the important sectors.

The productive sector as well as the new sectors.

Agriculture has an important part to play and we will invest to ensure we improve agriculture,” Ali outlined.

He noted that investments would also be made in livestock and fisheries by the introduction of new technological support as well as infrastructure. He did not stop there, Ali said that his Government will be using the oil and gas opportunities to their advantage by creating

spinoff sectors in tourism and manufacturing among others.

“Berbice is going to benefit from all of these sectors. We have a clarity of vision as to where and how these opportunities will be created.”

Ali told supporters that by the end of his first term as President he will ensure that every Guyanese student attending the University of Guyana would do so tuition-free.

“We will expand the scholarship programme to 20,000 scholarships per year. We are going to work on a pathway to get students with existing loans written off and we have outlined that in our manifesto. We will ensure a healthy popu-

lation by fixing primary health care institutions…we will put more money in your pockets,” he said.

“We will help the Private Sector to become more energetic and create opportunities and jobs in our country. We are going to build community roads and ensure 100 per cent coverage of treated water in Region Six. We will ensure that there is better drainage and irrigation in the region. We will work on bridging the Corentyne River as well,” Ali added.

PM Candidate

Meanwhile, Ali’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, former Army Chief of Staff, Phillips hit back at the criticism

coming from the APNU/ AFC camp.

Phillips took time to single out APNU/AFC’s Joseph Harmon who recently told supporters that Phillips was ‘Black tokenism’ of the PPP/C. “The PPP/C have a proven track record of development from 1992 when we restored democracy to 2015 when we demitted office. The PPP/C will ensure all Guyanese regardless of race, religion or political affiliation will benefit from the progress after our victory. The coalition is desperate and running scared. Joe Harmon refer to me as African or Black tokenism on PPP list. If you to follow Harmon’s reasoning then he is saying that all Africans on coalition is Black tokenism. We in PPP lead by example and don’t just speak about racial harmony. Check our list of candidates, it is a truly national list. It is a truly winning list,” Phillips declared.

Phillips said he brings to the fore over 36 years of defence and security experience to make Guyana better. He noted that he has a plan to reform the security sector so that Berbicians and Guyanese as a whole can feel much safer.

“They have about five Brigadiers, Admirals and Commissioner of Police with them and this one Brigadier come out of retirement and joined the PPP/C and they running scared…”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Much at stake...

in Suriname. If there is any indication that the reserves there might rival our own, what is to stop oil companies from fleeing Guyana if it seems that we do not respect the rule of law, or that they may get better terms there?

On this latter point, Guyanese should consider the example of Mozambique and Tanzania, the neighbouring African states.

East Africa has seen a budding rivalry between the two, which have both discovered major offshore gas reserves. Yet, it has been a lopsided contest.

Mozambique has moved quickly and decisively, granting attractive terms and arranging for major international operators to get projects online with-

in the shortest possible timeframe. Their regulatory framework and petroleum laws have also been clear and thoughtful, reassuring investors.

Tanzania’s path has been one of errors and misjudgements. Its resources are still in the nascent phase after frequent construction delays for the onshore LNG export facility. The country has also established industry laws which provide no clear roadmap on production, commercial processing, liquefaction, transportation, storage or distribution of its natural gas resources. And amongst the most cited concerns for international investment is a new regulation that would allow the Government to apply laws retroactively, giving them the

FROM PAGE 6

power to renegotiate already-signed contracts.

Much of the Tanzania context should be startling familiarity to Guyanese. We sit now in a privileged and unique position with the advent of oil production. We are the darling of the world’s oil industry. Let us not get carried away with our newfound celebrity and let us not be tempted to rash action when patience and deliberation would serve us better.

Certainly, every effort must be made to wring out as much benefit from oil operations as is possible for Guyana. That does not mean a blunt approach is the best approach.

Yours respectfully, Gregory Lynch

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

NEWS 9

Int’l experts in Guyana to offer technical support to electoral body C

onsultants from the United States-based firm, International Republic Institute (IRI), that will be providing technical support to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), as well as a Ghanaian elections expert, have arrived in Guyana and been briefed

by GECOM. This was announced by GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander on Tuesday, at the conclusion of the statutory meeting.

According to Alexander, at least two of these individuals from Jamaica would have met with GECOM last week.

Commonwealth Senior technical advisor Dr Afari Gyan (centre), during his meeting with the GECOM Chair

GECOM Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward also announced that

Indian elections expert, Dr Syed Nasim Zaidi

“I know of two individuals who have been engaged by IRI and they’re supposed to be technical advisers to GECOM. IRI has made an offer to be engaged in civic and voter education… they met the Commission last week.

Two persons from Jamaica. One was the previous Chief Elections Officer and one is the current IT (Information Technology) person in the Jamaican Elections Commission,” Alexander further explained.

Meanwhile, fellow GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj explained that one of the individuals is Orette Fisher.

Fisher is a former Director of Elections in Jamaica. He resigned from the role in 2018 amid a court case regarding his tenure in office. It was only last year that Fisher was part of the Commonwealth observer mission to Nigeria for its general elections.

Commonwealth Senior technical advisor, Dr Afari Gyan, has arrived in Guyana. In fact, Gyan met with the Chair of

enced election administrator who holds a PhD in Political Science. He served as Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana from 1993 to 2015.

According to his Ghanaian alma mater, he also graduated from the University of Ghana in 1967 with a BA degree in Philosophy. He went on to attain a Master of Arts (MA) degree in African Politics in 1969 from the same university. He also studied in the United States, where he was awarded a PhD in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1974.

Ward also explained that a team from the Commonwealth Secretariat is in Guyana preparing for the full observer mission. She said that Dr Syed Nasim Zaidi, an elections advisor from India who is also expected to join the team, will arrive this month-end.

Canadian elections expert Jean-Pierre Kingsley

the Commission, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, and members of the Commission.

Gyan is a Ghanaian academic and experi-

Dr Zaidi previously served as 20th Chief Election Commissioner of India. He is also a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and

Former Director of Elections in Jamaica, Orette Fisher

has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard.

He has also served as the Director-General of Civil Aviation and as a Permanent Representative of India on the council of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This was before his stint as India’s Election Commissioner and Chief Election Commissioner.

When it comes to external help, GECOM had previously announced it would also be getting assistance from Jean-Pierre Kingsley, a Canadian elections expert. It had been announced that Kingsley was expected to arrive sometime this month.

When contacted by this publication on Wednesday, Ward confirmed that Kingsley arrived since last week and has been meeting regularly with GECOM but will not be fully based in Guyana as he will be travelling back to his home country and then returning.

TURN TO PAGE 13

10 NEWS

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Guyana overtakes Russia with world’s top oil discoveries for 2019 A report from Norwegian research company Rystad Energy is showing that for the year 2019, Guyana was able to overtake Russia as the world’s highest oil producer, in terms of conventional discovered volumes.

According to the report, which was released last week, Guyana discovered an estimated 1.8 Billion Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE) for last year. This, according to the report, would have contributed to oil giant ExxonMobil being named ‘explorer of the year’.

“ExxonMobil can be declared explorer of the year for a second year in a row thanks to its ongoing efforts and results in Guyana, along with significant investments in Cyprus. The supermajor was exceptional, both in terms of discovered volumes and value creation from exploration,” Palzor Shenga, a senior analyst on Rystad Energy’s upstream team, was quoted as saying in the report.

“The US company discovered around 1.07 billion BOE in additional net resources last year. Rystad Energy estimates the value creation from these vol-

Exxon’s Liza Destiny FPSO in Guyana’s waters

umes to be around $2.7 billion, largely driven by the continued success in Guyana,” it also stated.

According to a list of 2019’s top producers in the report, Guyana and Russia are followed by Mauritania (predominantly gas),

then Iran and Cyprus.

They are followed by Norway, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Ghana.

Angola, Indonesia and the United States have fallen out of the top 10 oil finds list for 2019, since Rystad’s rankings were

last published.

Last October, Rystad had released a report in which it cited Guyana as second only to Russia in terms of oil produced in the world. At the time, Russia had discovered over 1.5 billion barrels of oil in its Dinkov and

Nyarmeyskoye oil fields.

The fact that Guyana was the world’s top producer of oil for 2019 comes even as the country has only started actually producing oil last month. However, it was a bittersweet moment as first oil came without

necessary systems like a local content policy or a petroleum commission being in place.

So far, Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Exxon’s local subsidiary, has made 15 oil finds in the Stabroek block some 100 miles offshore Guyana, including four for this year.

Last year, the company made five discoveries.

These discoveries have pushed the total estimated recoverable barrels of oil equivalent to over six billion. In addition, Exxon is moving ahead with its Liza phase two project, which will contain approximately 30 wells.

The Liza Destiny, Guyana’s first Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, arrived in local waters at the end of August.

The vessel will play a key role in oil production.

The oil giant has said that pending governmental approvals and project sanctioning of a third development, production in the Payara field north of the Liza discoveries could start as early as 2023, reaching an estimated 220,000 barrels of oil per day.

‘I want justice for my son’ Granger faces...

– says mother of man who died after being beaten during wedding house robbery

A

26-year-old man is now dead after he attempted to fight off bandits who invaded his cousin’s wedding celebration on Saturday night.

Dead is Rudendra Persaud of Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Reports are that Persaud was at his cousin’s wedding celebration at Nonpareil also on the ECD when bandits invaded the celebrations around 22:30h.

Speaking with Guyana Times International on Monday, Persaud’s mother, Geeta Boodram related she had heard that there was a robbery at the wedding house and she left home to check on him when she was informed that he was beaten.

“I heard about the robbery and I went at the back. My son was with me having we own nice time, and when I came to the back, he went outside after he heard the robbery. Someone come and tell me that your son ah get beat outside, but by time I run out the scene

Dead: Rudendra Persaud

actually close off. I see two guys and I ask them ‘where is my son?’ they say ‘mom, you son get beat up’,” the grieving mother related. She said information was limited and she was confused as to what had transpired.

“Me ah call, me ah call fuh me son and me nah find am, so me tell them look something deh ah deh ground here, let

me see a wah, when meh flash meh phone light, there is meh son lay down deh start to bleed through he mouth. Meh just tek out deh blood and me start holler fuh help,” she said in tears.

She said that residents responded and came to her aid. They then rushed the injured Persaud to the Georgetown Public

Hospital, but he succumbed while receiving medical attention.

The dead man’s aunt, Sunita Boodram said that her neighbour, who was an eyewitness to the crime, saw the men who attacked her nephew, but when he called out their names, he too was beaten.

“Where we live at Nonpareil, it’s like my neighbour’s son, he is the person that identified the guys them and called out them names.

When them call out them names, them start fire lash on the boy them too, so he has several lashes,” the man’s aunt related.

The mother went on to say: “Be honest, I telling you the truth, me nah care if meh son nah burn yet, but meh want justice because I get to understand that these guys them start to get away, and I telling you today that meh want justice fo me son. Meh ah fight hard, because meh son was innocent.”

Persaud, according to family and friends, was a quiet individual.

some reforms to the provision. He noted that in some cases, a NoConfidence Motion does not have to lead to an election if the government can come to an agreement with its coalition partners.

“If the No-Confidence Motion was removed, you’d have no way of testing if the government enjoys the confidence of the house. And from time to time, the government and a coalition do lose the confidence of the house, if one of the partners wants to leave. It happens in Israel all the time. If you don’t have that you wouldn’t be able to test it.”

“However, the problem in Guyana is when you lose the no-confidence vote, the Constitution at 106 requires you to go to elections right away, in three months. In the other constitutions, you don’t have that.

In some countries, the Constitution gives you a certain amount of time to see if you can put together a new coalition and get back the confidence of the house.”

Gaskin, a former Presidential advisor, explained that in some countries if there is a case

FROM PAGE 5

whereby the government cannot secure a new coalition that will have the confidence of the parliament, snap elections are then held.

“If you can secure the confidence of the house with this new coalition without going to elections, then you can continue. But if you cannot put together a group to secure the confidence of the house, you have to go to an election. That’s normally the position around the world.”

At the launch of his campaign at D’Urban Park, President Granger informed supporters that “we are going to reform the Constitution so that that nonsense they tried for us in the last twelve months doesn’t happen again.” Since then, the statement has elicited condemnation from various quarters.

When it delivered its rulings on the NoConfidence Motion cases last year, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had made it clear that former Alliance for Change (AFC) MP, Charrandass Persaud was entitled to vote his conscience and that the NCM was an important part of Guyana’s Parliament.

NEWS 11

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Foreign Envoys urge political parties in Guyana to ensure peaceful elections campaign

W

ith a few weeks to go before General and Regional Elections in Guyana, members of the diplomatic community are urging political parties to practice true social cohesion and tolerance for differing political views during the campaign season.

In a joint statement by United States Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn, and European Union representative Fernando Ponz, which comes just one day after Nomination Day, the diplomatic community is urging the embracing of unity.

“Now the hard work of campaigning begins in earnest. During this election season, we encourage all Guyanese and the leaders of Guyana’s political parties, civil society organisation, business chambers, the media,

Some members of the Diplomatic Community in Guyana were gathered at Umana Yana to observe Nomination Day proceedings

Guyanese man...

ficers assigned to the Criminal Alien Program lodged a detainer with the New York Police Department (NYPD), following their arrest of the suspect.

Detainers are requests by ICE to hold undocumented immigrants who have been charged or convicted of crimes for 48 hours after their release so that immigration agents can pick them up.

According to ICE, Khan, “an unlawfully present Guyanese national”, was arrested Jan. 10 by the NYPD and charged with murder, sexual abuse, contact by forcible compulsion, and sexual abuse against a person incapable of consent. ICE said that Khan was previously released from local law enforcement custody in November 2019 with an active detainer, due to New York City’s sanctuary policies.

“It is made clear that New York City’s stance against honoring detainers is dangerously flawed. It was a deadly choice to release a man on an active ICE detainer back onto the streets after his first arrest included assault and weapon charges, and he now faces new charges, including murder,” said Thomas R. Decker, field

office director for ERO New York.

“New York City’s sanctuary policies continue to threaten the safety of all residents of the five boroughs, as they repeatedly protect criminal aliens who show little regard for the laws of this nation.

In New York City alone, hundreds of arrestees are released each month with pending charges and/or convictions to return back into the communities where they committed their crimes, instead of being transferred into the custody of ICE. Clearly the politicians care more about criminal illegal aliens than the citizens they are elected to serve and protect,” ICE said.

Meanwhile, according to the New York Daily News, Prosecutors say after he was arrested for the crime, the suspect gave conflicting accounts of what happened. At one point he bizarrely claimed he fell down, his belt buckle broke and “his pants fell down and his penis fell near the victim’s vagina but he did not have intercourse with her”.

Khan later told officials he did lift her skirt up and tried to put his penis inside of her and “did not know what came over him,” according to

FROM PAGE 3

the complaint.

In jail Sunday, he tried to recast that comment.

“I didn’t mean I raped her,” he claimed. “I meant when I was with her I don’t know what came over me and I ran.’

Fuertes was a beloved neighbourhood fixture known to take late night walks to collect empty cans and bottles.

Locals often called her “cat lady” out of affection because she housed seven cats and would put food out every day for the local strays.

Khan, who moved to New York from Guyana with his family, had been flopping between friends’ homes since November when he was arrested for jabbing his dad in the chest and arm with a broken ceramic mug.

He was only recently allowed to return to his family’s home and is due back in court Jan. 23 to face assault charges in that case.

On Friday, Khan’s dad declined to defend his son.

He was quoted in another section of the media as saying: “You make your kids, but you don’t make their minds,” father Afraz Khan said.

“We’re very sorry for what happened. Our sympathies go out to that woman’s family.”

religious groups and educational institutions to embrace the essence of unity and social cohesion as enshrined in Guyana’s Constitution,” they stated.

“We urge all parties to promote and support a peaceful and mature elections campaign—one where everyone, regardless of political leanings, is able to express their political views openly,” the statement said.

The diplomats noted that while parties can

and should campaign, they ought to campaign in the spirit of “hearty and respectful competition”. The envoys made it clear that the ultimate objective is free and fair elections that reflect the will of the people.

Ahead of Nomination Day, there were several instances and even a Police report regarding A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) supporters bullying People’s Progressive Party (PPP) supporters.

There was the case of former parliamentarian Harry Gill, along with other members of the PPP/C, who were on Monday last attacked while erecting elections campaign flags at Number 10 Village, West Coast Berbice.

The incident, which was captured on camera, shows persons verbally abusing and physically blocking the team as they attempted to place the flags on the utility poles. Gill, in an invited comment to Guyana Times International, had stated that a formal Police report would be filed and that the international community would be informed of the incident.

This was only one instance where party members were verbally abused. Only recently, several PPP supporters were attacked and abused in Laing Avenue, Georgetown by residents as they were announcing the launch of its elections campaign.

In light of the recent attacks, the Party had written to Police Commissioner Leslie James, asking for swift actions to be taken against supporters of the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/ AFC) coalition who attacked Opposition members and destroyed the party’s impedimenta.

12 NEWS

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Carter Center launches observer mission for Guyana polls

T

he Carter Center has officially launched its observer mission for Guyana’s General and Regional Elections due March 2, while at the same time making it clear they are also prepared for any potential post-election legal challenges.

This was communicated in a statement sent out earlier on Tuesday.

According to the Carter Center, the observer mission has already been deployed around the country. These observers, it was explained, will later be joined by short-term observers and high-level officials from the Center.

“The mission will observe and examine key aspects of the electoral process, including the pre-electoral environment, status of the Guyana Elections Commission’s preparations for elections, and campaigning.”

“Teams of long-term observers are currently deploying across the country and will later be joined by short-term observers and high-level leadership to observe voting, counting, and tabulation procedures,” the Center further explained.

Their roles will in-

but he has vowed to fight against any form of election rigging.

But President David Granger has brushed aside suggestions that he would follow in the footsteps of the late President Forbes Burnham. Burnham was accused of rigging elections to stay in power. He ruled Guyana from 1964 until his death in 1985.

Parties

Jason Carter, a Carter Center representative and grandson of former US President Jimmy Carter, was in Guyana only last year helping to mediate disputes

clude observing voting, counting and tabulation procedures by GECOM staff. The Carter Center also noted that they are prepared for any eventuality post-elections, including mediating any potential legal challenges against the results.

They also assured that periodic updates will be issued to inform

the public of key findings.

At the end of their mission, an independent assessment of the electoral process and whether it followed international standards will be issued.

The Carter Center’s announcement comes following GECOM issuing ads for local observers to send in applications. So far, reports indicate that

10 local observers have applied for observer status.

Speaking to the media after Tuesday’s statutory meeting, GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj explained that the closing date for expressions of interest for local observer status is today. The applications, he said, will be reviewed on January 16.

Several organisations have already applied to become observes of the “Mother of all” elections due to widespread fears of rigging.

People’s Progressive Party General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo had stated that these fears ex-

pressed by various pockets of people across the country are not unreasonable and points right back to previous rigged elections which occurred in Guyana under the leadership of the People’s National Congress (PNC).

He added that some of the key players during that period in the 1980s are still prominent in the current Government which gives more reasons why citizens across Guyana may have that level of fear about election rigging.

Jagdeo has in the past called on Guyanese to be alert and work hard toward preventing this

Meanwhile, it was announced after Tuesday’s statutory meeting at GECOM that 11 parties were cleared by the Commission to take part in the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

A total of 13 parties had initially sought to take part in the elections.

It is understood that the two parties which failed to meet the requirements were the National Service Party and the National Independent Party (NIP). According to GECOM’s Commissioner Sase Gunraj, the Secretariat tried to work with these parties to ensure they were compliant.

“Those letters will be sent off by the CEO to inform them. But even prior to today, I understand, it was reported to us that they were informed of their defects and given an opportunity to remedy them,” he explained.

When it comes to balloting, Gunraj said that a decision has not been taken as yet. However, he explained that there is a timeline for this that will be adhered.

Ali outlines vision... he declared.

He noted that the PPP/C Government of which he will be a part has a plan for the crime situation that is plaguing Berbicians. He went on to note that the crime rate is high and Police capacity is low throughout Guyana and that needs to be fixed.

He noted that they will equip and improve the operational efficiency of the Guyana Police Force as well as the effectiveness of the Community Policing Groups.

Phillips went on to say that Region Six has a role to ensure food security in Guyana so that the country does not only depend on oil and gas to improve the economy.

He noted that the PPP/C manifesto outlines the five-year plan to improve every sector that was destroyed by the current

Administration.

“We will pursue a policy of land allocation reform in this region. We will explore climate-smart agriculture and technological support; we will improve farm to market roads and improve prices. We believe in quality health care for all Guyanese so we will put an end to drug shortage and upgrade and expand health services in Guyana. We will improve conditions of work and services for public health workers,” Phillips outlined.

Like his running mate, Phillips also spoke about the lack of jobs in the region and throughout Guyana. He noted that this lack of opportunity is one of the major contributing factors of the high crime rate in Guyana.

“Jobs is a big concern.

We have to replicate the

FROM PAGE 8

Port Mourant Training School model throughout Guyana. Crime will decrease if more youth will be given job opportunities,” the Brigadier noted.

“Today we have economic mismanagement and health care is worsening…since the NoConfidence Motion in December 2018, the coalition Government has shown scant regard for our Constitution and rule of law. They tried to make fools of us with fancy mathematics but we are not fools.

We should have this General and Regional Elections long before now. It was a hard and uphill struggle to get to this point. This election is about restoring rule of law in Guyana, it is about restoring democracy,” Phillips added as he roused the crowd.

NEWS 13

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

‘It meant so much to me’ …EBD youth says on being the first to test Guyana’s oil when we got the first sample of Guyanese oil on the FPSO.” And for the former Covent Garden Secondary School stu-

F

Shivnarine Outar

or Shivnarine Outar, it was the opportunity of a lifetime. The offshore laboratory technician, employed by Nalco Champion, was the first person to test the first sample of Guyanese crude oil as it came through the Liza Destiny Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

“So many things can happen from that crude that is right there in front of me and I was fortunate enough to capture that moment,” said Shiv, as he is fondly referred.

“Nobody can take that

from me right now, never!”

The 28-year-old recalled eagerly waiting for hours on December 20, 2019, the day Guyana produced its first drop of oil. “We were making sure our apparatuses are correct, we made sure our instruments are calibrated, and our sample boards are all prepared and ready,” he related. “I had to be all suited up, as a safety precaution with a mask, gloves and boots everything, the whole nine yards just to get a sample of this Guyanese oil. The moment finally came at 9:34 pm, that’s

Int’l experts in...

FROM PAGE 9

Kingsley, whose appointment was announced back in October, is being funded by the Canadian Government.

The former Canadian Chief Electoral Officer served from 1990 to 2007 during which he participated in many significant international development missions aimed at promoting democratic electoral processes through cooperation, capacity building, and mu-

tually beneficial relationships.

He also provided electoral assistance to several Caribbean countries, including Trinidad and Tobago. According to his profile on the Canadian elections body website, Kingsley was proactive during his term in office, recommending and promoting key initiatives to make the electoral process more accessible.

dent, this was a moment of pride, yet unbelievable and caused “goosebumps”. “I’m actually reliving the moment right now,” he said look-

ing down at his arms. “I was almost emotional, it meant so much to me, and it meant so much for my family and for the Guyanese population.

I looked at the oil and said ‘what the….?’ I was so proud…I am so proud right now”.

Shiv has been emTURN TO PAGE 22

14

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

NEWS 15

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Youth gets life sentence for stabbing girlfriend 41 times

J

ustice Sandil Kissoon on Tuesday handed a life sentence to Shivanand Roopnarine of School Street, Grove, East a Demerara, who brutally stabbed his 18-yearold girlfriend Alissa McPherson to death in April 2015.

Roopnarine, 26, pleaded guilty to a murder indictment presented against him by State Prosecutors Tiffini Lyken, Tuanna Hardy and Nafeeza Baig.

He could be eligible for parole after serving 20 years’ imprisonment.

Attorney Siand Dhurjon pleaded with the Judge for a lesser sentence for his client. He highlighted that Roopnarine was under the influence of alcohol

when he committed the offence.

The man was on the run for one year before being captured by the Police.

He was reportedly heading to Mahdia, Region Eight and while at the checkpoint at Mabura, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), he was asked to produce a form of identification.

It was at this point that Police recognised the young man and made the arrest. It was while in custody he confessed to the crime.

According to reports,

Shivanand Roopnarine

Berbice man found guilty of raping 8-yr-old seeks to set aside 25-year jail term court heard. He subsequently had sex with the child and left.

The next day she informed her mother who reported the matter to the police. The child was taken to the hospital where it was observed that she had bruises on her vaginal wall and anus. The accused was arrested and charged.

The Court of Appeal will commence hearing arguments from State Prosecutor Natasha Backer on February 11.

A

Talbert McPherson

West Coast Berbice (WCB) man, who was found guilty of having carnal knowledge of an eight-year-old girl in 2014 and sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment by Justice Navendra Singh has moved to the Court of Appeal to have his conviction set aside.

Talbert McPherson, 42, of Hopetown, was found guilty of raping and sodomising the child between August 12 and 13, 2009, at Number 30 Village, WCB. The matter was called before Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards, with Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory, who commenced hearing arguments from McPherson’s lawyer, Arudranauth Gossai.

The lawyer in his submissions asked the court to set aside the conviction. In seeking the court to not order a re-

trial, the lawyer submitted that there are factors to be considered such as public interest. He added that the summing up by the trial Judge Navindra Singh was not balanced but rather favoured the prosecution’s case.

The probation report had stated that the child lived with her mother, aunt and a cousin at No 30 Village. She knew the accused because he is a relative.

The prosecution’s case had contended that the child’s mother, took her to her grandmother’s residence to stay for the night. The court heard during the trial that earlier that night she watched a movie with her grandmother after which she and her cousin retired to bed. She was lying on a mattress with others when she saw a shadow. The light from outside was shining in the room and she recognised the person to be Talbert McPherson, the

McPherson left her home and went to a party in Sophia with a male friend.

While at the party, McPherson was confronted by Roopnarine, who accused her of cheating on him with the male friend.

However, McPherson denied, and Roopnarine took her to the back of the yard, pulled out a black object from the waist of his pants and stabbed her.

McPherson was discovered in the toilet area with stab wounds and she was rushed to the Georgetown Public

Hospital Corporation where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

A post-mortem report later revealed that McPherson was stabbed 41 times about her body.

During his address to the court, a remorseful Roopnarine begged his girlfriend’s family for forgiveness.

The Judge considered several factors before handing down the sentence: the age of the deceased, the manner in which she was killed and the fact that a weapon was used.

16 NEWS

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Coalition officials talk up Govt’s achievements since May 2015

A

Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), held its public meeting in Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Sunday as supporters braved rain to listen to coalition leaders’ electoral pitch.

Taking the platform as the main speaker was Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon. During his address, Harmon stressed the importance of persons going out to vote on Election Day. “We have to mobilise. We have to come out and vote. A real victory translates when people come out to vote.

We have to understand what is at stake. What is at stake is the future of this country. So, we cannot make a mistake now and leave anything to chance,” Harmon said.

Harmon also made a pitch to young people. According to him, young people are the present, not just the future. This is despite the fact that his party has been criticised not only for its geriatric Cabinet,

Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates David Granger and Khemraj Ramjattan along with other supporters on Nomination Day

but also for the majority of its candidate list recently submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“We have established technical schools across the country for people who can do things with their hands. We have established vocational schools,” Harmon highlighted during his presentation.

Harmon, who is a Pouderoyen native, also claimed that during his government’s time in of-

fice, the community has seen development, both in infrastructure and job opportunities. He used the Disciplined Services as an example.

“Pouderoyen has seen tremendous development since we came into office,” Harmon said. “We’ve invested in electricity, street lights, infrastructure.

When we used to have rainfall, Main Street would flood. It doesn’t flood anymore.”

“Many of you here

used to look for work in the Disciplined Services as last resort. Now we have a different kind of people in the Force.

They can develop themselves, with real bachelor’s and master’s degrees,” he said, a reference to the batches of officers who have been attending and graduating from the University of Guyana.

Harmon also dropped important information for APNU supporters, on the need for them to dou-

ble check their names on the voters’ list. He urged them to make sure they were on the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) and if they were not, to follow up.

“Let me tell you something … the list is out – the Preliminary Voters List. When you check that list and don’t see your name, take your pink slip and go to the GECOM office (and give them your details).

They have to take that information and put it

in, so it can go on the final voters list. So do not despair,” he said.

Meanwhile, former APNU/AFC parliamentarian John Adams, in his address to party supporters, addressed comments from People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali that he would send President David Granger into retirement.

Adams also sought to argue that under the APNU/AFC Government, during their four and a half years in office, there has been progress in various sectors. As an example, he pointed to education and even addressed the Government’s controversial decision to yank the G$10,000 Because We Care Grant that was implemented by the former Government.

“The PPP is saying that we stopped the G$10,000 cash grant.

This was a one-off initiative,” Adams said, going on to cite the five B’s programme. He also spoke about increases to pensions as a sign of progress.

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19 , 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

17

18 NEWS

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

APNU/AFC ‘destroyed’ Guyana – Jagdeo P

eople’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo has railed at the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition over its mismanagement of the affairs of Guyana.

Jagdeo was at the time addressing a huge crowd at the Albion Community Centre, where the PPP/Civic held its rally on Sunday.

The former President said that since entering into power in 1992 and restoring Guyana to a viable and democratic state, this would be the first General and Regional Elections that the PPP/C would be contesting as the Opposition. However, he said that they did not feel as though they were in Opposition given the significant support they have garnered over the past five years.

“It doesn’t feel that way because you know a day will come when we would resume development and when we would take back this country and continue to grow it…Given the history of PNC – how they rigged elections in the past under Cheddi Jagan, many said we have to leave this country, we will never have a future here.

And I said to them, our time will come again.

Our time is coming again and on March 2, the time will come again.

“We knew the Administration would be repressive; we knew it would be undemocratic; we knew that they would go back to anti-development policies because of the same nature of their economic philosophy. We knew we would see a decline of living standards

in this country, because they believe in consumption not accumulation.

Spending not building up, this is the old PNC at it. They believe in tearing down bonds of friendship. They believe in partisan behaviour.

On the other hand, we believe in bringing people together…we knew that they were going to self-destruct,” Jagdeo said as the crowd roared in agreement.

The Opposition Leader said that the Government cannot raise taxes by over G$88 billion per year and then go on to squander it. He pointed out the hypocrisy in the coalition’s camp by informing them current Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo would be receiving a bigger pension package when he demits office than he did after being President.

Jagdeo reminded that it was Nagamootoo who campaigned on his pension package, telling supporters back in 2015 that he would never become greedy once elected to office.

“They took away incentives from the hard-working people, people who created the wealth for them to splurge on. Thousands of miners lost their jobs because of taxation. Many people in the forestry industry they lost their jobs, can’t feed their families. In agriculture, it was a pure all-out assault on people in rice but more so in the sugar sector. They just destroyed the lives of so many people without a care, without a conscience. They did it because they simply do not know how to administer a country,” he explained.

The former President said that the APNU/AFC

Administration failed to realise that it had to save resources for the “rainy days”. He outlined the assault on the country’s reserves which amounted to almost G$1 billion. He identified the G$20 billion in gold that the PPP/C left which the coalition already sold.

In addition, he accused them of bankrupting the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and other State entities.

“In the meantime, you would think with spending so much money that they would do better for healthcare, but you’ve heard the stories of deteriorating health care, deteriorating education. Crime is on the rise. All the sectors are in trouble. Thirty thousand people lost jobs.

What is it that they have to offer?” he questioned.

He noted that the APNU/AFC coalition could not talk about progress it has made since there was none to show and so far, it has failed to present, to the people, a plan for the future. He went on to rap the coalition for its obsession with Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali and himself.

He called out the Government for lying to

the sugar workers and by extension, the citizenry about the promise of a good life.

“Many will go to jail” Jagdeo said that the current government is one of the most corrupt in the world with their leader being incompetent. He noted that the current Prime Minister remained a rubberstamp while the new candidate for the PM slot, Khemraj Ramjattan, was even more “useless” than Nagamootoo.

“Imagine when you destroy so many families. When the most corrupt government in the world now, Granger’s Government. Every single one of these ministers can go to jail and many will go to jail when the PPP wins office,” Jagdeo declared.

He noted that the coalition continued to be shameless in its approach to the citizenry, reporting that following its public meeting in Santa Rosa, Moruca, the Indigenous residents there complained about the quality of life. He slammed the Government for its use of the words “honesty” and “decency”, noting that

there was not a single shred of honest and decent leadership in that party.

Speaking about the indecency, Jagdeo pointed out that former AFC parliamentarian Charrandas Persaud and Executive Veerasammy Ramayya used to peddle the lies of the coalition, but after a few years, they developed a ‘conscience’ and severed ties. It was Persaud, who delivered the critical ‘yes vote’ in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018 which ultimately toppled the Government.

Incubating young leaders

Jagdeo, who has been in politics for decades, said one of his roles as the PPP General Secretary was to mould the young leaders in the Party, a job he takes seriously.

“Every race has a place in our Party and has a right to make progress in the country and we in the PPP/Civic is the only Party that can deliver this for all of our people. Because of that, we will not only win power on March 2; we will stay in power for another 20, 30, 40 years in the

future.

“We will stay in power because our message is unifying. It is a message of development for all the people. It is an inclusive message. We will stay in power because we are incubating. That’s one of my jobs as General Secretary of this Party.

Another generation of leaders, look at them, young people ready for the future. In our Party we are doing that. At the governmental level, we had young people at the forefront,” he said.

Jagdeo said that unlike the Government, the PPP/C is a Party for the people with only one message of inclusiveness.

He accused President Granger of being the weakest leader in the history of Guyana – an assessment he made based on his track record. He said that Granger needed to move away from being the ceremonial President and “roll up his sleeves and work”, since it is the only way for the country to make progress.

He expressed his confidence in Ali, noting that he was the best candidate to lead Guyana forward.

“We can’t have a president who said crime is not really increasing in this country. He is out of touch with the reality of life. He is out of touch and there is nothing decent about a man who openly defies the rule of law.”

Jagdeo encouraged supporters to mobilise their bases and come out in their number on March 2 and vote the current Administration out so that Guyana could see the progress it so deserved.

Woman accused of dousing lover with hot oil faces attempted murder charge

A

woman who allegedly poured hot oil on her partner last week was on Monday remanded to prison on an attempted murder charge.

Thirty-year-old Latoya Angel, a salesgirl of Gangaram Village, East Canje, Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

The accused will appear in court on January 15, 2020.

Reports are that the couple had a heated argument and the woman was allegedly assaulted by the man.

The woman then waited until the victim was asleep, picked up the hot pot of oil from the stove and dumped the scorching liquid on the

Suspect: Latoya Angel

man.

Upon hearing the screams, neighbours rushed to his rescue and

took him to the hospital. The police were summoned and the woman was arrested.

NEWS 19

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Brothers remanded over Bisram’s murder case: Matter returns to Berbice, brutal murder of newspaper new Magistrate assigned vendor

T

A

cting Chief Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus on Wednesday overruled submissions made by attorneys for murder accused Marcus Bisram to have the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) conducted at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

On Monday, attorneys Glen Hanoman, Sanjeev Datadin and Dexter Todd requested that the case remained out of the Berbice jurisdiction since accusations were made that the Magistrate in that district was biased.

To support the request, the lawyers told acting Chief Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus that the bias and prejudiced behaviour from Magistrates in Berbice

Remanded: Marcus Bisram

the case.

However, when the matter was called on Wednesday, it was reassigned to another court

Dead: Faiyaz Narinedatt

has promoted the submissions.

The defence counsels further submitted an application to have State Prosecutor Stacy Goodings removed from

in Berbice. Bisram will now have to appear before Magistrate Renita Singh at the Whim Magistrate’s Court. The case will continue on January 20.

On December 16, 2019, during an appearance at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court, Magistrate Alex Moore recused himself from hearing the case. This was after instructions to this nature were given to him by Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards.

Bisram is accused of ordering the death of 26-year-old carpenter, Faiyaz Narinedatt, some three years ago.

Following a long and unsuccessful legal battle to fight his extradition, Bisram arrived in Guyana in November last.

Bisram was initially charged in absentia, while five others— Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diodath Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, and Niran Yacoob— have also been committed to stand trial for the murder of Faiyaz Narinedatt.

hree brothers are accused of killing Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) newspaper vendor Sham Munilall, also known as “Paperman”.

The men – Carlton and Carl Carter and Delhoya McKenzie – appeared on Wednesday before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. It is alleged that the trio killed the 48-year-old man on January 10 at Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, during the course or furtherance of a robbery.

Reports are the incident occurred at about 20:00h at Munilall’s Lot 61 First Street, Queenstown, Essequibo Coast home.

This newspaper was told that Munilall was at the front of the yard with a neighbour doing bar-b-que when the two bandits, both wearing helmets, and one armed with a gun and the other with a cutlass, scaled the fence from the southern side. They attacked his wife, Rita, who was at the front door of the flat house.

Upon seeing his wife captured by the ban-

Sham Munilall, also known as “Paperman”

dits, who were trying to gain entry into his home, Munilall attacked the perpetrators with a rake he had retrieved from the front of the yard.

In retaliation, however, the gunman opened fire at the father of two, shooting him four times about his body before escaping by scaling the fence again.

The 48-year-old man was hit to his chest, shoulder and right side abdomen, causing him to collapse. He was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival.

The trio was remanded to prison and the case will continue on January 29 at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

20

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

NEWS 21

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

‘I pleaded with him not to stab her, but it was too late’ …woman recalls horrifying details of daughter’s brutal murder

A

ccusations of infidelity ended in murder on Wednesday when a Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD) man stabbed his reputed wife to death and then attempted to take his own

life by ingesting a poisonous substance.

Dead is Bibi Zameena Ali of Lot 15 Old Road, Crane, WCD, who was accused by the suspect of being unfaithful to him.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the

Dead: Bibi Zameena Ali

dead woman’s mother, Rashpattie Persaud, recounted that she was awakened by her daughter’s screams on Wednesday. The woman recounted that she rushed out of her bedroom and saw her sonin-law stabbing her daughter. The grieving mother said she too started screaming and pleaded with the man to stop but it was too late.

“I hear a screaming and somebody just holler ‘mommy, mommy’ and I jump up. My grandson was already awake and he go in the room and he tell me his father was about to stab is mother again, so I talk to him and I said gave me the knife, but he not giving it to me…so I go on my knee and start to cry and beg him to give me the knife and I hold his hand and take the knife away from him. I told him go outside let me look after my daughter but I didn’t know my daughter was already dead,” Persaud explained.

Meanwhile, the wom-

Woman torches home after argument with brother

N

The remains of the torched house

alisa McKenzie, a mother of two, decided to risk everything she owned on Monday evening when she intentionally set her Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home ablaze following an argument with her brother.

This publication visited the scene on Tuesday and spoke to McKenzie’s relatives who explained what transpired.

Dianne Johnson, the woman’s cousin’s stated that McKenzie had an argument with her brother with whom she and her two children shared the home.

But while Johnson is unsure of what caused the argument, she added that around 23:30h, the woman made the first attempt to set the

house on fire by placing clothing on her gas stove. However, a relative intervened and put the flames out.

Mackenzie, determined to finish what she had started, then ventured into her bedroom and reignited the flames, which completely destroyed the one-storey wooden structure located at Lot 28 Sisters Village, WBD, and scorched another house situated in the same yard.

“She and her brother had this argument, and she went upstairs and put some clothes on her gas stove and light it…she go into the bedroom and she lock the door, front and back and light the fire in the front room,” Johnson explained.

The cousin shared

that after committing the act, the mother of two fled before Police ranks and firefighters arrived at the scene.

“When I came out here is didn’t see her… her house was already gone and they were trying to assist in bucket brigade and so on here, before the fire reel got here.”

M e a n w h i l e , McKenzie’s brother, Matthew Thomas told this publication that this was not the first time his sister committed such an act, while noting that he was not at home when the fire started.

“This is normal thing, she burn down a house before…I stand up at the corner and I hear the shouting, the fire start first and dem boy out the fire, she lock up the fire and start a next fire.”

an’s sister, Amanda (only name given), in between tears shared that prior to Ali’s death, the suspect, on numerous occasions, would threaten to take her life but regardless, she did not make a Police report.

place and start chuckup she and suh, and she had to getaway and hide from he, but we never expect this,” the woman recalled.

The mother of three was described as a hardworking woman who

with nobody. When she come home she gon hustle mek she thing dem cook she fancy food for she children dem, she was a very, very good mother and wife and she ain’t deserve it,” the sister said.

The victim’s mother, Rashpattie Persaud and her three children

“Every time he does threaten she, the last time they had some problem that was last month, he go till at she work-

cared for her children.

She leaves to mourn her mother, siblings and three children.

“She don’t live bad

Meanwhile, the suspect is hospitalised and under guard at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

Mother of 12-yr-old girl who died mysteriously in hammock calls for 2nd autopsy

T

he parents of a 12-year-old girl who died as a result of asphyxiation due to bronchoaspiration of gastric content are calling for a second autopsy.

This call was made as the funeral of Ashley Ayanna Agard of Lansdale Village, East Bank Berbice, was postponed to facilitate the second autopsy.

On January 6, Agard’s body was discovered lying motionless shortly after she was rocking in a hammock.

According to the police, the Vryman’s Ervin Secondary School student who did not attend school on the first day of school was found in a motionless state in the hammock.

Last Tuesday members of the community reported that the hammock allegedly had a large hole and a fouryear-old was spinning the hammock with the 12-year-old inside when the incident occurred.

The dead child’s mother, Samantha Downer told this publication that she is not satisfied with the results of the autopsy.

Meanwhile, ranks

Dead: Ashley Ayanna Agard

of the Sisters Police Station on Friday donated cash, food and drinks to the parents. The first

autopsy was conducted

by Government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh.

22 NEWS

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Holder bowing out

...says making way for ‘younger blood’

A

dmitting that the current batch of Ministers is perhaps the “oldest” to ever govern the country, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder said it is time he retires from politics to allow the younger generation to take over – something he believes his colleagues should also do.

“At 74, it’s time I give way to young people,” he told Guyana Times International during an exclusive interview on Monday.

Holder, whose wife, the late Sheila Holder – along with others – founded the Alliance For Change (AFC), was not among the candidates on the coalition Government’s lists it submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Nominations Day. “Since last year I told my party, the AFC, that I was not able to come back and I told His Excellency [David Granger] that I will call it a day,” Holder said, explaining it is time for others to get the opportunity to contribute to the development of the country.

In fact, he contended that many Ministers and other persons currently in positions of authority are not young people.

“This current Government is probably the oldest Government this country has ever had!”

“After independence,

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

the first set of people to run the country are [Forbes] Burnham and [Cheddi] Jagan. They were in their late 30s and early 40s. And then you skip a generation and you came to the [Bharrat] Jagdeo lot… they were much younger, 30s and early 40s,” Holder explained.

“The [David] Granger Administration has a fair amount of mature people, myself included. You got people like [Winston] Felix, who is in his late 60s, Prime Minister [Moses] Nagamootoo,

who turned 70 the other day, Carl Greenidge, who is late 60s, [Joseph] Harmon is 65, you see what I mean?”

“So, I believe it’s time for us, having brought some maturity to the system, it’s time that we move on and hand over to the younger generation,” Holder expressed.

The APNU/AFC Government has been constantly criticised, especially by the parliamentary Opposition, for sidelining youths, particularly since the majority of its Cabinet members

are above the age of 50.

In fact, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has welcomed fresh and youthful faces on its candidates’ lists whereas the coalition would have, for the most part, recycled old blood.

‘Pleased’

Holder was appointed Agriculture Minister at the start of the coalition’s term in office in May 2015.

It was under his watch that the four sugar estates were shut down, sending thousands of persons on the breadline. These are the Wales Estate, the Enmore Estate, the

Skeldon Estate and the Rose Hall Estate. Asked if he had any regrets about the decision or the way in which it was executed, Holder replied in the negative.

“I’m quite happy…I am very pleased,” Holder said.

“Sugar harvesting and cane-cutting are not ideal occupations. People prefer to do other things.

So, if you want to maintain your industry, that 10,000 employees you got now, in another year or two, it will become less by natural declension. So how will we harvest the cane, so we have to move to mechanisation,” the Agriculture Minister ex-

‘It meant so... ployed by Nalco Champion since April 2019 and rotates onto the FPSO every 28 days. He and his “back-to-back” colleague Rajiv Indarjeet entered a friendly competition over which one of them would be the one to witness first oil.

“Fortunately, I was there and I can assure you he shares that moment with me. He was up waiting with me that night just to get the news”.

The two were trained in the United States, Singapore and Brazil before taking up their roles on the FPSO. They are receiving further mentorship by experienced personnel whom they will eventually replace.

From what they call the “cortex” of the FPSO, Shiv and Rajiv test the quality of Guyana’s oil against certain benchmarks. “The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has been doing a lot of work with the American Petroleum Institute (API) and so we are the guys on the FPSO making sure those specifications are met,” he explained.

The 28-year-old, who was once responsible for testing the quality of another of Guyana’s valuable commodities — El Dorado Rum, has a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Guyana and an MBA through

plained.

“So, I am quite happy with what we’ve done with the sugar industry,” he posited, assuring that with the current Government’s plan, the industry will “become viable again”.

The closure of the estates, however, was widely criticised by numerous sections of society, including the Private Sector and the parliamentary Opposition.

The move sent thousands on the breadline and scores of communities into depression, many of which are still, to this day, unable to recover.

But Holder posited that he has done more, under his tenure, than oversee the closure of the estates.

Among of his achievements, he said, are the appointment of a Chief Agricultural Officer – a position which did not previously exist, the passage of the Food Safety Act, and making several semi-autonomous agencies like the Guyana Rice Development Board and the Pesticides and Toxic Chemical Control Board self-sufficient and self-financing.

Regarding regrets, Holder said he was unable to make other semi-autonomous agencies, like the Hydromet Office, self-financing.

But he hopes whoever takes over the mantle, be it the current or a new Government, that the Agriculture Minister will continue on the “progress” he made for the sector.

FROM PAGE 13

Nations University.

He was raised in Soesdyke on the East Bank of Demerara by a supportive family who instilled drive and dedication in him. “When I go on the FPSO, they are the reason I want to work safely and come home.”

Meanwhile, Shiv sees oil production as an opportunity for himself, family and other Guyanese to thrive. He seemed optimistic about its potential to transform the country and improve people’s lives.

“Be patient,” he advised others. “Oil is here to stay for a long time so be patient, keep looking for the opportunities and they will come.”

NEWS 23

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Dual citizen Bandhu withdraws from election contest ...Shuman yet to relinquish his

J

ust days after Nomination Day, Presidential Candidate for the United Republican Party (URP), Dr Vishnu Bandhu, has withdrawn his name from the contest after knowingly signing a statutory declaration form attesting that he was not a dual citizen when, in fact, he is.

Dr Bandhu signed the statutory declaration form on January 10, Nomination Day. On Tuesday, it emerged that he was, in fact, a dual citizen and had written to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) asking to withdraw himself from the election contest.

Article 155 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana states: “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who (a) is, by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state”.

Section four of the Statutory Declaration Act, Chapter 5:09 states that “Everyone who makes a declaration according to this Act containing any statement false in fact, which he knows or believes to be

Former United Republican Party (URP) Presidential Candidate Dr Vishnu Bandhu about to present his party's list to GECOM

false or does not believe to be true, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and shall be liable to imprisonment for one year”.

When asked on Tuesday what action will be taken against Dr Bandhu and whether Police will be called in, Government-nominated GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander conceded that this is a possibility.

“In the first instance, if Dr Bandhu is not eligible, what GECOM will essentially do is not approve him as a candi-

date. There is no other action GECOM will take in direct relation with Dr Bandhu,” he said, though he acknowledged that if the Police got involved, this is an indirect action on GECOM’s part.

Another candidate, who has in the past been known to be a dual citizen, is Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) Presidential Candidate Lennox Shuman. Shuman was on record last year announcing that he would be taking steps to relinquish his Canadian citizenship.

When asked, Alexander

noted that GECOM has no confirmation that he has completed the relinquishment process.

“We have not verified that he has relinquished his citizenship. He’s advised us, by virtue of information in the public domain. What GECOM will do is seek further clarification from him,” Alexander explained.

M e a n w h i l e , Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj was also asked about the situation with Dr Bandhu. While he indicated that Chief

Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield has been instructed to follow up the matter, he steered clear of confirming if the Police would be called in.

“I think it is URP that has indicated that the Presidential Candidate is a dual citizen. And he has indicated a desire to withdraw from the process as a candidate,” Gunraj said, also confirming that Dr Bandhu did sign the statutory declaration form on Nomination Day. The Commissioner was asked what would be GECOM’s course of

action, since Dr Bandhu by signing the declaration form while knowing he was a dual citizen, despite what the law says about dual citizens running for high office.

He was also asked what mechanism GECOM has in place to weed out dual citizens.

“We have given certain instructions to the Chief Elections Officer, which we have every confidence he will implement,” was all Gunraj would say, declining to confirm whether the Police have been called in.

“The Commission does not have a mechanism to verify one’s citizenship. What do we do?

Do we write to all 200 countries in the world to inquire whether (candidates) are citizens of those countries? I’m not sure if we can do that.

There is the statutory declaration and there are certain ramifications as a result of a false declaration”.

When asked about Change Guyana’s former Prime Ministerial candidate, Nigel Hinds, Gunraj indicated that Hinds did not offer himself up as a candidate on Nomination Day. As a consequence, he is in the clear.

24 NEWS

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

GECOM Chair assures elections will be credible A

mid concerns about some activities currently being conducted by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh on Friday reiterated that she will not allow any misdemeanour to take place.

“I will not sell my integrity for all the oil in Guyana,” she told reporters as she arrived at the Umana Yana for Nominations Day. “Only one way I know and that is the correct way,” Justice Singh posited.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had on Thursday expressed concerns over the inclusion of unverified persons on the Revised List of Electors (RLE).

Initially, some 20,000 persons were listed as new registrants from the now-scrapped House-toHouse Registration.

The parliamentary Opposition had, however, found that these “new registrants” included duplicates, persons who were already registered, or in some cases, dead.

After some double-checking, it was found at 16,000 persons

Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, GECOM, Justice (rtd) Claudette speaking to the large media contingent gathered at Umana Yana on Nomination Day (DPI photo)

were actually “new registrants”.

Following pressure from the Opposition-nominated Commissioners, GECOM staff had embarked on a field verification activity before including the 16,000 persons, that were reg-

istered, on the List of Electors.

From that exercise, 10,000 persons were verified, leaving 6000 unverified. GECOM, despite protest from the Opposition, decided to include those persons on the RLE – a move which was not approved by

the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

But the GECOM boss defended the move. She told reporters on Friday that “there was no evidence that those people were not registered…

We needed that evidence and if that evidence were to surface tomorrow, we

will deal with it”.

Responding to the GECOM Chairperson’s assertions, Jagdeo on Friday argued: “that is not true.”

He told media operatives that he can name at least four names and corresponding addresses. “If you go there you

will not find a single house there. So, we have the evidence and it was shared at GECOM.” “If you are going to go on [a] verification exercise to verify 16,000 names, your own staff says ‘we have only been able to verify 10,000’, it means the other 6000 remain unverified,” Jagdeo contended.

Moreover, he reiterated concerns regarding changes GECOM is making to the National Register of Registrants (NRR).

“This surreptitious access to the NRR to start altering people’s particulars, addresses, names, etc, using the unverified database, that too is a dangerous thing,” he said.

GECOM had explained that it is updating persons’ names and addresses based on information received from the House-to-House Registration exercise.

Jagdeo said the international community has already been informed of these concerns.

The Opposition has long contended that the House-to-House exercise was largely unsupervised and would produce flawed results.

Nigel Hinds quits as PM Candidate over dual citizenship P rime Ministerial Candidate of Change Guyana – one of the newest small parties looking to contest the upcoming March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections – Nigel Hinds has withdrawn his candidacy.

In a statement on Sunday, Hinds explained that he has received treatment of a medical condition that he learnt of in November 2019 would require him to retain his United States citizenship – which would disqualify him from running for office since Article 155 of the Constitution of Guyana does not allow a dual citizen to be elected a member of the National Assembly.

“To my friends and supporters, it is with much sadness and disappointment that I now withdraw as a candidate to represent Change Guyana as the Prime Ministerial Candidate…

I was hoping that subsequent diagnostic tests

Nigel Hinds, who is greeting Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield before his party presented its lists of candidates, has said that he is still committed to the party’s cause

would be favourable.

However, the prognosis requires further medical intervention that is

best done in the United States, where I’m also a citizen,” he stated.

Nevertheless, Hinds

went on to note that his commitment and involvement in the campaign to have Presidential

Candidate Robert Badal elected at the upcoming polls and to propel Change Guyana into be-

coming the leading political platform for all Guyanese remains undaunted.

“As a co-founder of Change Guyana, I will continue to do my utmost to ensure we keep working to unite Guyana towards a multiethnic, multicultural and multiracial society that focuses on inclusive and accelerated economic and social development across our beautiful country,” the missive from Hinds detailed.

Only on Friday, 13 political parties including Change Guyana submitted their lists of candidates and nominators to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for approval to contest the upcoming elections.

According to a timeline of activities that follow Nomination Day, parties had up until the day after (January 11, 2020) to notify the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, of any withdrawals of candidates.

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Florida university in Guyana outreach

T

he Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida is reaching out to Guyanese students, offering them the chance to discover careers in non-traditional areas, such as arts, media, and technology.

Sandra Lizama, a representative of the University who is currently in Guyana, has encouraged students from various schools to take advantage of the programmes and scholarships that are available for Guyanese students at the foreign institution.

Lizama has said that her coming to Guyana will not only bring awareness to Full Sail, but awareness of careers in other fields.

She said she has already visited other Caribbean countries and, from experience, has found that many persons still gravitate towards traditional fields.

She has pointed out that there are other career areas of which people can take advantage.

“Besides, the Full Sail University focuses on arts, media and technology, and the relationship of business in these fields,” she added.

Full Sail University Representative, Sandra Lizama

During her stint in Guyana, Lizama is expected to deliver presentations at the Mae’s Secondary School, Georgetown International Academy (GIA), School of the Nations, Marian Academy, and the Bishops’ High School.

According to reports, the presentations should cover all the programmes offered at the university, some of which include computer animation, visualisation and simula-

tion, game design, media and communication, among others.

Lizama disclosed that there are scholarships available to Guyanese students, and anyone interested can contact her at sandra.lizama@fullsail.com She has said that she is willing to give information, guidance on the application process, or even to help introduce these non-traditional areas of study and careers to parents.

NEWS 25

26

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

27

28

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

FEATURE 29

Celebrating 167 years of Chinese Arrival in Guyana atively large influx of immigrants, bringing the local Chinese population to a peak of 10,022 in 1866. Subsequently only two boats arrived with Chinese immigrants, one in 1874 and the other in

he first set of Chinese indentured immigrants arrived in Guyana on January 12, 1853. They came as a form of cheap labour to replace the freed slaves.

According to the records, plantation owners

boys and arrived in Georgetown on January 12, 1853. A total of 51 passengers died on the journey.

The same Company recruited another 352 men and boys later in the year and they were shipped from Amoy on the Samuel Boddington on November 25, 1852 and arrived in Georgetown on March 4, 1853, after a voyage which lasted only 98 days during which 52 passengers died.

(On this journey, the Chinese mutinied and almost managed to take control of the ship).

Most of the Chinese who arrived during this period were assigned to estates in West Demerara.

The British Guiana Government expressed concerns about the physical quality of the Chinese who were recruited and also about the large number of boys who were apparently passed off as adults. Subsequently, the Government withdrew the bounty payment to the recruiting planters on August

in Guyana began expressing interest in having Chinese labourers from the onset of emancipation but recruitment formally began in 1851. Because of the long travel distance from China, at first Chinese were not recruited since it was cheaper to transport Indians.

While it cost a planter 13 British pounds to transport an Indian labourer from Calcutta or Madras, the cost was 15 pounds to transport a Chinese immigrant from any of the Chinese ports.

But because of the growing need for labourers for the sugar estates, some planters decided to recruit Chinese especially during the period between 1848 and 1851 when Indian immigration was suspended.

In August 1851, the British Guiana Government agreed to pay the planters a bounty of $100 for each Chinese landed in the Colony. The following month George Booker, one of the sugar estate owners, arranged for the first shipment of Chinese to work as indentured labourers.

The 115 men and 39 boys who were recruited were transported from the port of Amoy on the Lord Elgin. The ship departed on July 23, 1852 and after a journey of 177 days arrived in Georgetown on January 17, 1853. On this difficult voyage 69 of the passengers died.

Another ship, the Glentanner, chartered by Hyde, Hodge & Co, left Amoy with 305 men and

1, 1853.

Earlier that year, James White, who had been the recruiting agent for the British Guiana Government in India, was appointed as Emigration Agent for the British West Indies in China. However, he was dismissed in June of the following year mainly because he failed to recruit any Chinese labourer.

In 1853 also, the British Government had decided to support a governmentsponsored recruitment programme, but by May 1854 the British Guiana Government decided to halt immigration from China due to the transportation costs which had increased by over 66 per cent and also because of the failure to recruit women.

Chinese women began arriving in 1860, but in small numbers. The period from 1860 to 1866 saw a rel-

1879. After this Chinese immigrants came of their own free will and at their own expense.

The Chinese proved to be good workers on the estates to which they were indentured for a fiveyear period. The distribution of Chinese labourers to the sugar plantations in the three counties of Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo was made by the Immigration Agent-General, who based his decisions on the quotas submitted by the plantation owners several months previously. Families were kept together in the distribution.

Guyana’s first President was a Chinese man named Arthur Chung.

For the entire period of 1853 to 1879, a total of 13,541 Chinese landed in Guyana. (Excerpts from guyana.org)

T

30

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Bullyism…

W

…and the PNC hile the incident might appear small, it has great significance in what it reveals about the fundamental nature of the PNC, which has unfortunately remained true since the 1960s.

Knowing that it’s been the tradition in Guyana for parties to register on Nomination Day on a “first come, first served” basis, three small parties camped out in front of the Umana Yana overnight, to ensure they wouldn’t be lost in the circus to come later in the day.

But as was plaintively recorded by a member of ANUG – one of the early birds – when he went up to the booth as the first to register, he was told the PNC (let’s not kid ourselves about any “coalition”) had already been signed in as “first”!! The fella didn’t take this lying down: he questioned the GECOM CEO, who was in charge of the operation, and was told, “Sorry, there’s nothing I can do about it”!! And imagine the fella insists that “GECOM is an autonomous body”!!!

What the incident reveals is that the PNC is, was and always will be a BULLY to every individual, institution or body in Guyana. What could be more domineering than seeing a queue in place to initiate a supposedly DEMOCRATIC election, out of left field someone jumps the line and insists they must be treated first?? This thuggish behaviour doesn’t just violate democratic norms but the norms of common decency and morality.

While some have commented on how amiable the PNC treated the PPP, after an initial skirmish, it has been truly said that you judge someone’s character not by how they treat their equals, but their “inferiors”. What would it have cost the PNC to allow those three minnows to register ahead of them??

But no!! The PNC must always be first, highest and indeed, PARAMOUNT!! It wasn’t even ironic that the Appellate Court over which the PNC once flew their party flag to signify their paramountcy over the judiciary, is right next door to the Umana Yana!!

The bullyism of the PNC extends within and without and as such inevitably influences the behaviour of its supporters. Contrary to the choirboy image he carefully cultivates, Granger learnt his bullyism from Burnham himself after he was handpicked to be the political indoctrination officer of the GDF. From Granger’s bullying of the AFC to accept a degutting of the Cummingsburg Accord to disdainfully dismissing a judgement of the High Court – in the form of the Chief Justice – as “her perception” and I have mine – to the present harassment of PPP supporters and hauling down their party flags, these form one seamless fabric of PNC bullyism!

They will intensify their bullyism as their end becomes nigh!! …and constitutional change Your Eyewitness hopes Lincoln Lewis appreciates the irony of him baldly claiming on January 12 in his KN Column that, “It was massive prolonged street protest in 1997, led by Leader of the Opposition Desmond Hoyte, that put in train actions to achieve a more inclusionary political culture.” “Massive”?

“Prolonged”? What happened to “violent”?? It’s like calling WWII a “massive, prolonged skirmish”!!

On January 12, 1998, after weeks of the mentioned “PNC protests”, more than 200 Indian-Guyanese were savagely beaten and assaulted in the streets of Georgetown by supporters of the PNC, in full view of the Police, yet no arrests were made. These attacks, made on Indian Guyanese because they “looked like PPP supporters”, followed PNC protests against the PPP’s victory in the December 1997 elections”. As the International and EU Observer Mission wrote, “In the wake of VIOLENCE on the streets of Georgetown, CARICOM dispatched a goodwill mission to Guyana in January 1998.”

The Herdmanston Accord and constitutional reform were the poisoned fruit of PNC violence.

…racism PNC’s James McAllister claimed if the PPP wins the election, “Guyana could expect a fate like Equatorial Guinea – “where a small elite takes all the oil money and the majority remain in poverty.”

Gasp!! Isn’t this comparison “racist” according to Greenidge?

31

32

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

G

uyana is a melting pot of cultures and one of the most unique nations in the in the Caribbean region. It is unique in the sense that nowhere else can you find the level of cultural integration we have here. It is perhaps one of the goods that came out of the colonial period since it sets us apart from others.

FEATURE 33

riod 1853 to 1879, a total of 13,541 diverse Chinese landed in Guyana, bringing with them various religions, different languages and varying beliefs.

The Chinese came as the

China Trading (New Building)

Lei Fashion

One of the identifiable cultures in the melting pot is that of the Chinese people. The Chinese came to Guyana after the colonial masters lost their slaves and was looking for cheap labour to further enrich themselves. So as a replacement for the lost slaves, they created the indenture system under which the Chinese came.

Ever since they landed on January 12, 1853, the Chinese have been adding their culture to the fabric of what would ultimately become the Guyanese society. Now, some 167 years later, one cannot imagine what Guyana would be without the Chinese people.

We would not have the every famous chicken fried rice that almost every Guyanese crave nor would we have been exposed to the dragon dance among other things.

There is no denying that the Chinese people have aided in the transformation of the Guyanese economy as well. In 2018, President David Granger alluded to the contribution of the Chinese to the Guyanese economy noting that their contribution could not be downplayed.

During the entire pe-

smallest group of indentured labourers and were distributed to the sugar plantations in the three counties of Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo.

“Engrained neatly in the fabric of the Guyanese society are contributions

by Chinese that include the tasty cuisine that continues to be popular in Guyana and which is talked about in many other countries; folklore and the language which continues to be spoken by natives and is even taught here at the Confucius Institute,” Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton had stated while speaking about the contribution of the Chinese.

The Chinese were astute businessmen who operated grocery stores and were druggists, butchers, hucksters, cart and boat cab owners, barbers and

New Thriving Chinese resturant

laundrymen, among other things. Their contribution to commerce can still be seen today with various businesses across the country.

In almost every village along Guyana’s coast one can find Chinese restaurants and grocery stores. In the city, the Chinese owned stores creates employment for a number of Guyanese as well as goods and services to the public.

The Chinese’s contributions are not only limited to business but also in the sport arena. They first started the Chinese Sports Club which is now the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club. Among the sporting disciplines of the club were cricket, tennis, basketball and hockey. The club shone in hockey back in 1961 when eight of its members were selected to tour with the national hockey team which won the first and only Quadrangular Hockey Tournament among British Guiana, Trinidad, Jamaica and Barbados. The club went on to have the leading hockey team in Guyana, winning all the hockey tournaments in 1974.

The Chinese have been fully integrated into the Guyanese society and have been able to excel in virtually every area, including in academia, the legal and medical fields. Some notable Guyanese Chinese includes the first President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the late Arthur Chung; former Chief Justice the late Ian Chang; entrepreneur Stanley Ming; General Surgeon, Dr Wallace Lee, and Mathematician Claude Lee. Over the years, the strong, comprehensive programme of bilateral cooperation between Guyana and China has resulted in Guyana benefiting from the services of the Chinese medical doctors and technicians, the donation of equipment to the health sector, the educational work of the Confucius Institute, the support given to the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service, infrastructural support for the expansion and renovation of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the widening of the East Coast Demerara Public Road, and the donation of vehicles and other equipment to the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force.

34 FEATURE

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

U

nlike the art of ancient Egypt, India, and Babylon, that of China has developed without interruption from antiquity up to the present. Chinese art is richly diverse and highly comprehensive, encompassing all forms and styles. Entering the treasure house of Chinese art is the start of a marvelous journey through calligraphy, painting, sculpture, architecture, music, dance, drama, film, crafts and folk arts.

Painting

Traditional; chinses painting uses brushes to apply ink wash and pigment to think silk or paper, which is then mounted on scrolls. This form of painting attaches the highest importance to fluidity and expressiveness of line, and is deeply influences by calligra-

The Monument to the People’s Heroes in Beijing’s Tian’anmen Square

Guanyin, the Buddhist goddess of mercy and compassion

phy. This is because both art forms utilize essentially the same tolls as well as similar brushstrokes. Traditional Chinese artists use minimal line to portray their subjects.

Representing form is merely the basis for revealing essence.

Even today, students of traditional Chinese painting practice brushstrokes as part of their training.

Although early Chinese painting was primarily religiously oriented, it was imbued with real-life atmosphere and generally used people as its subject material. Starting in the 7th century AD, during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), Chinese painting started to be influences by philosophical thinking. Advocating harmony between Humanity and Nature, the new school of

paining called for breaking the bonds of concrete imagery, and rather using symbolic themes to represent the interior world.

As a result, subject matter gradually changed from religious figures to natural scenery, including “mountain and water” landscape painting and “bird and flower” genres.

Along with this change in thematic content, an increasing number of artists emerged who were outstanding in both painting and calligraphy. The brushwork inscriptions that started to appear on paintings at this time were an expression of the merging of the tow art forms. These inscriptions described the theme of the painting, using highly poetic language and beautiful calligraphy to deepen the appeal of the work.

Classical Chinese artists

believed that paintings should not be limited by the actual colour of their subject matter.

For instance, bamboo could be portrayed using only black ink.

As a result, the use of colour decreased and painting solely with ink became increasingly prevalent. Ink wash painting made full use of the tinting and bleeding effects that could be achieved with brush, ink and water, transcending the limitations of realistic colour and offering artists greater creative freedom.

Following the Tang-Song period (612-1276 AD), “mountain and water” landscape became one of the primary genres of Chinese painting.

Unlike Western painting, traditional Chinese painting does not employ a single focal point.

Rather, most Chinese landscapes utilize a shifting perspective to portray a continuous sweep of connected views, such as mountains and rivers or a long city street. These paintings, mounted on long horizontal or vertical scrolls, allow the viewer to appreciate panoramic vistas that cannot be seen from a single perspective.

Contemporary Chinese

painting, influences by the ideas and techniques of Western art, gave rise to reforms in traditional chinses painting and brought a new infusion of vitality to the genre.

The works of artist Xu Beihong (1895- 19-53 AD) are representative of this trend. The emergence of new schools of realists painting, deeply imbued with the spirit of popular life, also exerted a strong influence on traditional Chinese painting.

As these transformations occurred, Chinese artists drew from the combined spirits of Chinese and Western art to create new styles of oil painting that preserve the unique features of traditional Chinese art. The delicate waterscapes of contemporary painter Wu Guanzhong (b. 1919) are a case in point, bringing a vision of classical beauty to the eye of the modern viewer.

Sculpture

“Sculpture is the forerunner of all art.” This saying truly describes the Chinese sculptural arts. Jade carvings of people, pottery figurines of young women, and sculptures and carvings of animals appeared in China as early as the

Terracotta army of Qin Shihuang

Neolithic Age (c. 12,000-2000 BC). As china flourished and became more powerful, the spirit of its magnificent culture directly invigorated the sculptural arts. The mighty underground terracotta army of Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221207 BC), as well as the massive and majestic Buddhist sculptures of the Yungang and Longmen grottoes, have all served to bring China’s extraordinary sculptural tradition to the eyes of the world.

Discovered in 1973, the terracotta army of Qin Shihuang, the first Qin emperor, bears witness to the extraordinary level of early Chinese sculpture. The army includes of a wide variety of soldiers, no two alike, all with highly realistic carved faces and unique expressions. These figures must have been created by a large number of artisans otherwise the figures cannot display such richly varied technique.

The statues found in China’s grottoes and temples represent the epitome of traditional Chinese sculpture.

These sculptures often feature beautifully carved clothing, and skillfully portray the form and dynamism of their subjects. Chinese carvings of Guanyin, the Buddhist goddess of mercy and compassion, with her exquisitely draped robes, kind and loving gaze, and quality of sanctity and serene beauty, rival Raphael’s paintings of the Sistine Madonna.

The concepts and techniques of Chinese sculpture continued to develop during the 20th century. The Monument to the People’s Heroes in Beijing’s Tian’anmen Square is one of the representative works of modern Chinese sculpture. The monument consists of ten engraved panels, each of which represents a certain historical event. Each engraving can stand on its own, while taken as a whole, they offer a comprehensive depiction of China’s revolutionary history.

FEATURE 35

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

W

indsor Forest is a small village on the West Coast of Demerara and it is also the first village the Chinese indentured immigrants settled it. Today, the village is predominantly occupied by Indo-Guyanese with very little trace of its Chinese heritage.

However there is a monument in the compound of the Windsor Forest Primary School that is dedicated to the Chinese immigrants. Windsor Forest is also the home of Guyana’s First President, Arthur Chung.

Photographer Dexter Ceres recently visited the village and took these photos.

The Chinese Commemoration Monument

The Windsor Forest Primary School

One of the many kokers in the in village

One of the many Chinese Restaurant in Windsor Forest

One of the Churches

36

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

PRESERVING OUT LITERARY HERITAGE

The audience was into the action riday, December 20, from the start as 2019, Georgetown, both the Opposition Guyana, six feet and Preposition below sea level: first oil Teams battled it out and it made headlines, with emotion and locally and afar. gesticulations that Friday, December paid dividend, even 20, 2019, Paramakatoi, without the translaGuyana, 3,000 feet above tion, we would have sea level: also flowing at a followed the direcblistering pace was a detion of each presenbate on indigenous lantation. guages conducted totally There were conin Patamona. This is ansensuses between other first for Guyana yet the Preposition it did not make the news.

Team and It did not make the news Opposition Team on but it did move those who a few issues for inwitnessed the debate. stance both agreed For those who witthat the indigenous nessed the debate, it was languages must be a treat, an engaging treat. preserved and one All elements of a classy way to do this is for debate were present - the the languages to be thrusting and parrying, documented, docuthe flow of the Patamona mentation was of Language (Ovid Williams upmost priority. gave a live/running transHowever, the dislation for the benefit of the agreements fell in ‘mudheads’ of the coasttwo main areas for lands/nonPatamonainstance it was the speaking attendees only) , responsibility of the the articulation (no, these indigenous peoples were not scholars nor orato preserve the lantors but a people in tune guages by keeping with their language, in then in usage and Best Speaker Molly Simon tune with their body – innate functional and the foqualities, in tune with their culture and their identi- cus of Government should be on more important things ty), the crowd engagement with each side, each salient like improving or providing necessary amenities for point presented was cheered. Yes, you could also laugh indigenous peoples. A big issue was that speaking inand heckle in Patamona. digenous languages only poses a barrier in communiBefore the start of the event, the air was filled with cation especially in the job arena and in the field of edexcitement as people despite the wet and slippery ucation where examination papers are set in English. conditions trickles and thronged towards the venue After the break, there was an informative culturwhich could not hold everyone so people were stand- al item showcasing people who were Patamona of difing around or seated on their ATVs outdoors. The din ferent ethnicity – Blacks, East Indians, Chinese and of exchanges in the language was a sign that sparks Europeans, some who came and, in order, to survive and live in such an environment had to learn Patamona like the shop owner/immigration agent, Sammy.

In the end, the Preposition Team won the debate which meant that the moot also won the day as pointing the way forward, and just as well for the minister in the Ministry for Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Hon. Valerie Gorrido-Lowe was present and the ball was lobbed into her court. In the end, there were no losers for on this momentous day everyone walked The three judges away with heads held high and pride beating their would fly during the debate. breasts.

The opening items on programme were designed The International Year of Indigenous Languages to set the stage for a quality debate. The prayer in is a United Nations observance in 2019 that aims to Patamona by Pastor Roy Edwin was poignant, so too raise awareness of the consequences of the endangerwas the reciting of the National Pledge by all standing ment of Indigenous languages across the world, with reverently , capped by an elucidating overview of the an aim to establish a link between language, developdebate by Ovid Williams, who also introduced the team ment, peace, and reconciliation. (From UN website) from Georgetown and [those identifies ] were urged to It would be remiss if I failed to highlight at least stand to be acknowledged. But it was the moderator, one part of the printed programme under the heading Lennox Aaron, who did an outstanding job keeping the ‘keeping in touch with your roots’ which states ‘learnball in play throughout the event and we were off like ing to speak in the mother tongue is very important for an ATV with Ovid Williams doing live translation for a child’s overall development’ for it ‘benefits the child benefit of team from Georgetown. in many ways ...it connects him to his culture, ensures The moot: ‘Indigenous Languages hold tremen- better cognitive development, and aids in the learning dous benefits, not just for Indigenous Peoples, but of other languages’. for all Guyanese, hence, it’s the responsibility of the Guyana must be commended and should be given Government to ensure that the languages are pre- a citation by UN for executing the mandate of that auserved and promoted nationally’. gust body. Even unto the last days of 2019, this counBy Petamber Persaud

F

Both teams with trophies

try was in full and active support of the UN call for the year 2019 to be designated ‘International Year for Indigenous Languages’ by hosting a debate in an indigenous language with the moot ‘Indigenous Languages hold tremendous benefits, not just for Indigenous Peoples, but for all Guyanese, hence, it’s the responsibility of the Government to ensure that the languages are preserved and promoted nationally’. Yes, Guyana sitting at 6 feet below sea level should be commended for elevating such an issue to the height of 3,000 feet in the air - a fitting end to the year.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

True Wealth

The supreme existence of love and affection effortlessly blinded me That I had no realization that among us, Poverty was reigning.

Very poor, yet wealthy Because you see, true wealth resides in the heart Ours was a perfect embodiment brimful of contentment Of love Of happiness And freestanding of hate and jealousy.

Poverty is somewhat perceived as a curse by some But in our minds, we free -handedly accept it with a smile As a blessing that taught us how to value Cherish And harmonize happily.

As kids, it led us to true fun In which exploration of now rejected childhood activities It was our only teacher with farming and fishing being our only institutions.

Baggy, ragged and little amount of clothing was our all-time fashion run For young and old But never attempted to disturb a thought of ours as being poor.

So called houses made with cast off materials were seen as our palace A happy one One in which leaves were our silver platters and our fingers as multiple gold spoons Our cups as beautiful mugs and glasses And tree branches as our dreamland place.

Upon reflection The place of our kind of poor remains my favourite place to be Since happiness resided in the little things For the reality is that true poverty wanders in the heart.

By Nickalos Mobin

NEWS 37

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Urgent steps needed to save Region 6 rice industry – Armogan

R

ice is under threat in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) if immediate measures not taken to provide water to farmers who operate in the 52-74 area and on the front lands along the Corentyne coast.

Regional Chairman David Armogan is blaming the Regional Executive Officer, Kim Williams-Stephens, for refusing to assist farmers even after President David Granger reached out to them.

Since November last year, the Region Six administration has been experiencing difficulty in terms of having enough money to purchase fuel for the pumps at Manarabisi and Black Bush Polder.

Regional Chairman David Armogan explained that the REO and the Superintendent of Works had since last year stated that there is enough money and that they had enough fuel for those pumps to last until the end of the year.

The two had anticipated that in January, funds would be released to buy fuel so that they can continue to pump water for the farmers.

Fuel budget

Speaking with reporters at his New Amsterdam office on Tuesday, Armogan said because of his experience, he insisted that the funds nor the

fuel were adequate once they were pumping at full capacity.

The pumps in the Black Bush Polder will burn 1200 gallons in a 24-hour period and the pumps at Manarabisi, about 600 gallons over a 24-hour period.

“I decided after I spoke with both of them that we need some additional funds to purchase more fuel but they kept insisting that there is enough fuel in the system to last until the end of the year.”

The Chairman penned a letter to President David Granger pointing out that the fuel budget had been cut and as a result, the regional administration had run out of money to purchase fuel for the irrigation pumps.

He said that he subsequently met with the Director of Budgets and at the end of that meeting, it was determined that the G$30 million which he had requested was not going to be adequate.

The administration had also received G$2 million from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to purchase fuel which was utilised in December.

“They believe that if you work two pumps at Manarabisi and one pump at Black Bush Polder, that will be sufficient to satisfy the needs of the farmers. They do not understand

the Corentyne coast are currently under threat.

According to the Chairman, unless all of the pumps are put into operation almost immediately, many of the rice farmers will lose their crop.

Farmers cultivating in the 52-74 area and those operating on the front lands have already indicated that they have started to lose their crop.

Those who operate in the Black Bush Polder said their rice is also under threat.

Armogan explained that efforts were being made to take 500 gallons of fuel in the Black Bush Polder; however, it is not even enough for half of a day’s pumping.

Not a favour but an obligation

Region Six Chairman David Armogan

the intricacies of the system. I do not think they have a good idea of what is happening in the rice sector,” Armogan said.

“At Manarabisi, they have only been operating two pumps which are inadequate to supply the roadside farmers with water.”

Lack of water

On Monday, more than 50 rice farmers went to the Superintendent of Works explaining that their rice is dy-

ing because of a lack of adequate water.

“If one week passes without water, the entire crop will be lost,” Armogan explained.

“I don’t know if it is a deliberate attempt the frustrate those in the rice industry or it is that people do not understand what they are doing to ensure that the water keeps flowing into these different areas.”

About eighteen acres which are under rice cultivation on

“It is the Government’s obligation to ensure that farmers have enough water to grow their paddy – it is not a favour but an obligation,” Armogan reiterated.

About 10,000 acres were not cultivated this crop because the administration started pumping water late.

He said the Government should sanction those who were negligent in the execution of their duties.

Forty-two thousand acres are under cultivation this crop, as against 52,000 last crop. (Andrew Carmichael)

Guyana working to strengthen legislative framework on children’s rights

A

s Guyana works to strengthen its legislative framework on children’s rights, focus is being placed on the changing economic conditions as a result of the country’s petroleum sector.

This was highlighted at a stock-taking meeting organised by the Legal Affairs Ministry in partnership with the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Guyana.

The meeting featured key representatives from the Government and civil society bodies who engaged in critical discussions on shaping the way forward to improve local legislative framework for children.

Guyana is the first country in the Americas to sign on to all four HCCH Children’s Conventions that deal with child maintenance, child adoption, child abduction and child protection.

According to Country Representative of UNICEF, Sylvie Fouet, this progress comes at a time when the country is experiencing a change in its economic environment.

“At a time speaking of an oil economy and of migration flows, these are two examples which may propel the use of these Conventions. There is a need for local action to ensure that the best interest of children comes first,” she posited.

This view was also shared by Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, who emphasised that the interests of children must be paramount. He noted that the family law has changed significantly as a result of issues such as globalisation and migration, which Guyana is now compounded with in light of its ongoing oil explorations and discoveries.

“The increasing oil exploration in Guyana has contributed to increased migration patterns and consequently the change in family dynamics.

Therefore, recognising that the legal landscape has changed, Guyana has chosen to embrace the protection that the Hague Conventions on Family Law brings, especially to children. As our Constitution recognises, the best interest of the child must always be paramount and when confronted with this changing world, the Hague Conventions al-

low Guyana to ensure that the child’s interest remains paramount,” he posited.

To this end, Williams noted that the Ministry’s Drafting Division has commenced working on a bill to give the 1980 Child Abduction Convention the force of law in Guyana. The Abduction Convention applies where one parent of a child removes a child out of the jurisdiction without the consent of the other parent and provides for the expeditious return of the child.

“Therefore, the Convention provides recourse for the aggrieved parent to approach the courts for relief. Where there is extensive crossborder movement, particularly in a country with porous borders, all the necessary steps should be taken to secure the protection of our children.

As we are all aware, child abduction causes psychological damage to both the child and the parent.

Moreover, when a child is abducted and taken to another country issues such as different legal systems come into play,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the Legal Affairs Minister noted that there has been a substantial increase in

Participants interacting at Wednesday’s stock-taking meeting held at the Marriott Hotel

requests of international adoption applications both from family members and strangers in respect of children who are citizens of and residents in Guyana.

“Therefore, it is important to ensure that our laws reflect the international best practices to dealing with these issues,” he contended.

Williams further posited that the implementation of the Hague Adoption Convention into domestic legislation will necessitate a review, improvement and expansion of the existing Adoption Unit of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CCPA) and the operations of the Adoption Board. He added that it will also enhance the procedural arrangements involved in the adoption process and provide more opportunities for capaci-

ty development in the department.

“The co-operation provisions of the Convention provide the basic framework for the exchange of information and for the necessary degree of collaboration between administrative authorities in the Contracting States.

Already, we have an Adoption (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to give this Convention the force of law in Guyana and a working draft of Hague Adoption Regulations outlining the procedural aspects of the Convention,” the Legal Affairs Minister stated.

Nevertheless, Wednesday’s high-level stock-taking exercise was held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown and saw participants engaging in defining a multi-year action plan towards both the implementation of

the HCCH Conventions and the applicable articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

HCCH Representative Ignacio Goicoechea lauded Guyana’s move to engage partner countries, many of which are eager to share their experiences with Guyana on implementation of these conventions.

“No state that joins a new convention will have all the matters resolved from day one… There is no unique model for every country in the world.

These conventions need to match with the child protection system of each country. And I think the task for us is to try to swiftly and efficiently accommodate the international conventions with the current system of child protection and the judiciary system,” the HCCH Representative stressed.

38

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Like a bad penny…

O

…Nagamootoo keeps showing up ne of the persons who stuck out like a sore thumb on Nomination Day to your Eyewitness was Moses Nagamootoo. What exactly is his role going forward in the PNC-led coalition? Shouldn’t that role be determined by the AFC which brought him to the dance to begin with?? Well, that party resoundingly rejected him as the nominee for the coalition’s PM slot and, instead, chose Khemraj Ramjattan.

He then asserted he was not competing for any position in the party. So, who exactly who gave him any sort of standing to represent the AFC going forward?

The truth of the matter is that Nagamootoo’s loathed by even the few AFCites left. After all, he’s so consistently and intensely brown-nosed Granger after given Larwah by the PNC – instead of a Prime Ministership on steroids as promised – it was downright mortifying!! Even for the AFCites who’ve already crossed over the River Styx!!

But Nagamootoo knows what he’s doing. He’s always been a sycophant – starting with Cheddi and Janet when he was in the PPP and used to carry the latter’s handbag at the mirror!! Has any man sung the Jagans’ hosannas as loudly as Nagamootoo?? Even their own son – prodigal as he might be – never called them “Ma and Pa” so ostentatiously and simperingly!!

Not that the Jagans were fooled: they never appointed him to any high office when they were still around. They knew from long (and bitter) experience, he was a “talk man” and not a “do man”.

But this is exactly the quality that Granger and the PNC were looking for. They never intended to give any real power to anyone who was not “born PNC” – and were pleased when Nagamootoo accepted the Larwah he got, without even a whimper. He’d do anything for that salary, air-conditioned quarters and those outriders!! So suddenly, just when Harry and Meghan were ditching the British Royals, Nagamootoo was pronounced “royalty” by the PNC!! Bigger than Clive Lloyd!!

Did you see the armchair he was seated in at Hopetown when poor Ramjattan had to perch precariously on that plastic chair?? Royalty, boy!! It’s your Eyewitness considered view that Nagamootoo will still be appointed as PM by Granger – if by some fluke (or rigging) he were to capture the Presidency. It’s not only that they neither trust nor like Ramjattan (they don’t – and it has nothing to do with being shifty-eyed!) but they love Nagamootoo so much!

Nagamootoo’s the man who’ll go along with the succession plan. He’s a “Polka” expert – that 19thcentury Bohemian dance with three steps and a hop!

Ramjattan, on the other hand, only knows the “Conga”: three steps and a kick!! …living off the PPP Now that the PNC will be forced to boast about their “record”, it’s time the Guyanese people understand something. It’s not for nothing that their refrain was immortalised in their D’Urban Park launch in calypso – “Give David more time”!! They’ve done precious little over the past five years! And it’s not that they didn’t know what to do!! Their glossy manifesto – which fooled many Guyanese – were chock full of plans.

The point is, the PNC is just like Nagamootoo – they can talk the talk but can’t walk the walk!! They think they can take some book learning and translate it into achievements. Look how they torpedoed our oil contract negotiations by sending Trotman to negotiate with Exxon’s battery of experienced lawyers. The PNC was impressed that Trotman has an MA from Tufts!!

The Texas lawyers just skinned up this neophyte!!

But even the few “accomplishments” – the WCD and ECD Highways, Mandela bypass; CJIA modernisation etc were all initiated by the PPP who left them in the Pipeline.

Including the two they couldn’t get around to – the DHB and the Ogle-Diamond bypass!!

The PNC is hapless and hopeless. …getting last lick From the moment they acceded to office, the PNC’s been consumed by corruption.

Is that G$826.7M contract for Yarrowkabra Secondary School their last lick?!!

NEWS 39

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

ORDER AGAINST REMOVAL OF NRR NAMES

Ruling on matter will violate Constitution – lawyer tells Appeal Court S

enior Counsel (SC) Ralph Ramkarran is contending that the electoral process was triggered last month when President David Granger issued the election proclamation and further argues that once the “elections train” has left the station, then any issue relating to this process should be dealt with via an election petition.

Ramkarran was at the time rebutting final submissions made by Attorney General Basil Williams in the appeal case filed by the State to challenge the August 2019 decision by acting Chief Justice Roxane George, who blocked the removal of persons from the National Register of Registrants (NRR) Database. The High Court case was filed by chartered accountant Christopher Ram last year after the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) sought to conduct a House-to-House Registration exercise with the aim of creating a new database.

The AG argued in court that this matter has no relations to the upcoming March 2 General and Regional Elections since the Notice of Appeal was filed in September 2019 and the election proclamation was issued by the President three months later in December.

“The matter is not an elections matter in any shape or form but it is strictly speaking to a constitutional issue as to and whether residency is a fundamental pre-requisite of voting in Guyana,” Williams submitted.

He went on to point out that the case has public interest as it deals with rights of electors to vote. “…This matter is a serious matter of national public interest. It rose

in the past, it arises now and it will arise in the future. And so the court will be properly in order to accept the jurisdiction,” the AG contended.

However, Ramkarran reiterated submissions for the Appellate Court to decline jurisdiction.

He argued that there is no way to escape the fact that this is not an elections matter and that all election-related issues have to be dealt with via an elections petition.

According to Ramkarran, that electoral process was ignited when the President issued the election proclamation.

“Whether it’s proclamation day or nomination day, we’re beyond those now… Once the elections train leaves the station, every issue has to be determined by way of elections petition,” he posited.

The Senior Counsel went on to tell the court should it proceed to give a decision while on the “election train”, then it will be ruling on an elections matter that ought to have been properly litigated by way of an elections petition, after the conduct of those elections and within the stipulated days as outlined in the Constitution.

“If you do litigate it now, Your Honour is violating two principles – one, it is not an elections petition; and two, it’s a matter that ought to be determined after the elections… The simple answer is to decline jurisdiction… Your Honour has no option, in my respectful view, other than declining jurisdiction and giving the opportunity to the appellant to start the matter after elections by way of elections petition…,” Ramkarran insisted.

Alternatively, the SC suggested that the

Appellate Court consider putting the matter down until the upcoming elections are over, and then go ahead and treat it as a petition and rule on it.

However, acting Chancellor, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, who is leading the presiding appellate panel which includes Justices Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory, indicated that they would require leave from the High Court to hear an elections petition.

“For a matter to commence as an elections petition, we have to have leave [from the court]

below… [We can’t give leave because] we’re not the court of original jurisdiction,” the Judge stated.

Flexibility exists

But Ramkarran, a former Speaker of the National Assembly, pointed out that the flexibility exists for courts to make things possible within the framework of legality.

“Your Honour, these things are all possible.

They are possible within the rules I believe.”

Justice CummingsEdwards told the parties at Wednesday’s

session for final submissions that the court will take their arguments into considering in determining how it proceeds.

Parties will be informed of the date when the appellate panel is ready to hand down its decision.

In her August ruling, Chief Justice George ruled that while the H2H Registration is not unconstitutional, it is unconstitutional for qualified persons to be removed from the list – which is what the exercised aim at doing by creating a new database of registrants.

Pointing out that the

“right to vote and the right to be registered to vote are sacrosanct”, the High Court Judge said, “residence requirements from citizens is no longer a qualification for registration”.

As such, she noted that it is unconstitutional for qualified persons to be removed from the list if they are not in the jurisdiction or not at their residence during the registration exercise.

She further stated that only deceased persons and those otherwise disqualified under Article 159 (2) (3) or (4) are to be removed.

40

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

NEWS 41

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Guyana celebrates 167 years of Chinese arrival …memorial to be erected in Region 3

J

anuary 12, 2020, marked 167 years since Chinese arrived in Guyana as part of the indentureship programme. They have, ever since, been making tremendous contribu-

Memorial will be commissioned at Windsor Forest in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). The sod was turned for the beginning of construction.

On Monday, to com-

first settled in Guyana.

During the ceremony, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Guyana, Cui Jianchun spoke about his Government’s support in strengthening

programme of bilateral cooperation has resulted in Guyana benefiting from the services of Chinese medical doctors and technicians, the donation of equipment to the health sector, the

People’s Republic of China Ambassador to Guyana Cui Jianchun

Architect's impression tions to the diversity of Guyana.

In commemoration of this event, a Chinese

memorate the anniversary, a simple ceremony was hosted at Windsor Forest, where Chinese

bilateral relations with Guyana.

Over the years, the strong, comprehensive

educational work of the Confucius Institute, the support given to the Bertram Collins College

of the Public Service, the donation of scientific equipment to the tune of G$50 million to the Cyril Potter College of Education, infrastructural support for the expansion and renovation of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the widening of the East Coast Demerara Public Road, and the donation of vehicles and other equipment to the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force.

Chinese indentured immigrants arrived in

British Guiana aboard the ship Glentanner on January 12, 1853. The first 262 were joined, five days later, by an additional 85 indentured immigrants who disembarked from another ship, Lord Elgin.

Windsor Forest is a small village on the West Coast of Demerara and it is also the first village the Chinese indentured immigrants settled in.

Windsor Forest is also the home of Guyana’s First President, Arthur Chung.

42

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

NEWS 43

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

'Not interested in any ministerial posts' – Jaipaul Sharma

C

u r r e n t Junior Public Infrastructure Minister, Jaipaul Sharma has confirmed his exit from the Justice For All Party (JFAP) that was started by his father CN Sharma, while noting that he will also turn down any future ministerial roles should the incumbent Government be reelected.

Sharma made this public statement in response to reports in sections of the media that his name was submitted by President David Granger as a People’s National Congress

(PNC) candidate for the National Top up list, rather than a JFAP candidate.

“It should be noted that my intention was to take a break from politics. I would have mentioned this to a few persons months ago much to their dissatisfaction and sadness and they all tried their best to change my decision but if anyone claims to know me, they probably would say when I make a decision, I do it,” Sharma said in his statement According to Sharma, he was reminded by both APNU and JFAP in the

GTT joins fight against cervical cancer

A

s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is being observed worldwide, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has collaborated with the Public Health Ministry’s Chronic Disease Unit to bring more awareness, prevention and promote Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) screening and treatment.

P i n k t o b e r Coordinator at GTT, Diana Gittens explained that this is the first cancer awareness project GTT has pledged its support to for the year, and the company is set to support many more cancer awareness projects throughout the year.

“Too many women have lost their lives because of the late diagnosis of cancer. Not only their families are affected, but the entire nation feels the effect,” Gittens said.

Gittens encouraged all women between ages 21 to 65 to stay on top of their health by getting a regular pap smear or VIA screenings.

“We will continue the chant that early detection saves lives because we want to save and help as many persons in Guyana to fight against cancer,” she stated.

Doctor at the Chronic Disease Unit and Coordinator of the event, Dr Martin Campbell said he is grateful for GTT’s partnership on the project.

He added that the observance is very impor-

tant because the disease is the second-highest reported cancer in Guyana.

According to the Coordinator of the event, Dr Martin Campbell, the Unit started its VIA screening outreach at Goed Intent Health Centre and will continue this drive at various Health Centres in Regions Three, Four, and Five to conduct screenings throughout the month.

The cervical cancer awareness activities will conclude with a grand health fair on Main Street, Georgetown on February 4, 2020, from 9 am to 3 pm.

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix – the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.

There are several types of cancers, however, the two mentioned below are the main ones.

Squamous cell carcinoma – This type of cervical cancer begins in the thin, flat cells (squamous cells) lining the outer part of the cervix, which projects into the vagina.

Most cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma – This type of cervical cancer begins in the columnshaped glandular cells that line the cervical canal.

Sometimes, both types of cells are involved in cervical cancer.

Very rarely, cancer occurs in other cells in the cervix.

Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Jaipaul Sharma (DPI photo)

run Day date that

up to Nomination to sign the candiform. He claimed he never did be-

cause he had intentions of walking away from politics.

Sharma related that

at some point in time, he decided to make the jump from JFAP to PNC. He noted that when this was communicated to the General Secretary of JFAP, who it is understood is the wife of the party founder, Savitri Sharma, tensions rose.

“The GS of JFAP was not happy with my move and asked if I was resigning because the leader of JFAP wanted her to be the Minister after the elections and she offered to remove herself as a candidate if I promise to withdraw my resignation.”

“I said to the GS of JFAP that I have made my decision and it had nothing to do with her or my father’s

decision to make her the next Minister of Government,” he said, adding that he “would not take any Cabinet Minister position if offered to me after March 2, 2020, or Minister within Ministry position.”

Sharma, who first entered the coalition Government as Minister within the Ministry of Finance, was moved to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure as a Junior Minister last year. Sharma’s move was to fill a vacancy left by the previous Junior Minister, Annette Ferguson, who was shifted to the Ministry of Communities as the subordinate of the substantive Minister.

44 NEWS

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Guyana’s sugar workers wait in vain for pay hike

I

t has been over two months since an estimated 3500 sugar workers from fields and factories of Albion, Blairmont, and Uitvlugt estates have petitioned the caretaker President for him to intervene in an anticipated pay rise to sugar workers and to date no word is forthcoming.

The workers’ bargaining agent, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) noted that the President has committed that he would send the petition to the GuySuCo to receive their advice before offering a response.

But GAWU is contending that the President has received a proposal on the way forward, but has not acted on it to date.

“In our January 6 correspondence, the GAWU pointed out to Mr Granger noting that a quarter of a year had elapsed, expectedly, the sugar company would have offered its advice and he would have formed his own opinion. Indeed, the GAWU has learnt that the President has received from GuySuCo, some weeks ago, several proposals regarding a pay rise to sugar workers. Those proposals, we learnt too, were also resent to the President recently,” GAWU stated.

Moreover, the Union cited that both GuySuCo and the President are not following through on their promises.

“Our Union is also aware that the GuySuCo CEO, Dr Harold Davis (Junior) was represent-

GAWU General Secretary Seepaul Narine

ing this matter to the Government. In fact, the CEO, when we met him on November 20, 2019, felt that he would have had an answer on the matter by mid-December, 2019. That timeframe elapsed and after follow-up by the GAWU, the Corporation subsequently undertook to provide a response by the end of 2019. That also lapsed and the GAWU has reminded the GuySuCo that a response is outstanding,” the Union remarked.

The Union is of the strong belief that the entire sugar policy of the coalition Government was done with one intention – that is to punish the sugar workers, their families, and their villages.

“The GAWU has

said before, it appears, the President and his Administration had really no intention of even considering the sugar workers and their families’ plight and wellbeing. While holding that strong belief, we felt it was also appropriate to give the President an opportunity to respond.

The fact that he has not even acknowledged our follow-up letter though is known for his acknowledgement of correspondences, much less offering a response, in our view, is justifying our suspicion.”

The sugar workers and the GAWU noted that they are disappointed, but would continue the struggle to ensure fairness, equity and justice are served.

Barbados Governmemt hires law firm to help it dig for corruption

Attorney General Dale Marshall says those found to have been involved in corruption will face the courts. (File photo: BGIS)

A

ttorney General Dale Marshall says the government is digging to find evidence of corruption at several state entities, and has promised that when the proof is unearthed, some people will face the courts.

Marshall assured that Barbadians will get it the “blood” they’re seeking, once investigations by Londonbased law firm Fulcrum Chambers Ltd. are completed.

He said the Mia Mottley-led administration had engaged the services of the “very reputable law firm” which “has specialized in doing corruption and bribery cases both in England, the United States and other parts of the world”, and the firm had completed a three-month scoping study.

That study, the Attorney General said, examined the financial dealings of state

enterprises and other departments to identify those areas where there is prima facie evidence of corruption, so as which would inform a more in-depth and intensive investigation stance to be taken by the Government.

He said the consultants from Fulcrum are expected to deliver their report to the Government early next month.

“I know that Barbadians want blood, I suppose,” Marshall said. “They want to know that some people face the courts, and I guarantee, some people will face the court. They have to face the court, but you don’t carry to court a man based on hearsay, you carry a man to court based on proof.”

The Attorney General gave the assurance as he led off debate on the Integrity in Public Life Bill in Parliament which would be relevant to TURN TO PAGE 46

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

45

46 NEWS

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Guyana’s first LGBTQ+ place of worship launched

T

he lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+ (LGBTQ+) community has not traditionally been welcomed into churches with open arms and has continued to experience discrimination at its highest that negatively impacts all aspects of their lives.

But the Hope of Christ Anglican Church has become the first church in Guyana to include LGBTQ+ persons in its congregation.

The all-inclusive church, which holds services at Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) on Duncan Street, Georgetown every first and third Sunday of each month at 10:00h, is aiming to provide a place of worship for people of all races, genders, and sexualities, along with getting the message of love, inclusiveness, and affirmation to the people.

Founder and Pastor of the church,

Founder and Pastor, Marvin Livan

Marvin Livan, explained that he decided to launch the church owing to the neglect and rejection of the LGBTQ+ community from traditional churches based on their sexual orientation.

“We started the all-inclusive church

for those like myself who have been kicked out of their local church based on their sexual orientation or gender identity and they don’t serve in the church or have any purpose in the church anymore. It is for those LGBTQ persons who are Christians that have been home, away from church and away from everything and away from the calling on their life,” Livan added.

Livan also added that as a result of rejections persons in the LGBTQ+ community faced, it has stifled their ministry, hence the church is all about reviving that ministry.

“Last week, in our service, we had somebody from the LGBTQ community that their latent was exposed within our circle and I tell you even me was amazed when I humble myself when someone is praying for me. The gift of that person was buried down there due

to discrimination and rejection from the church that he used to attend and that gift was unveiled at the service,” Livan explained.

The Pastor added that the response from persons has been overwhelming while noting that the church is being operated by the Holy Spirit, which has seen a great movement with the congregation during the first service.

“Persons cannot wait for the next service. During our last service, the power of God came down and he is doing mighty things. The anointing was so rich in the worship. I believe it was God mandate and I worked with God’s mandate because if I hadn’t worked with God’s mandate, I would have gotten a hard time with everything that we did and is presently doing,” the Pastor cited.

Americans are swarming Jamaica for mushroom drug sessions in pricey rural retreats Reprinted from Jamaica Gleaner

H

undreds of Americans are flocking Jamaican shores annually to get a high from magic mushrooms in pricey rural retreats, but the naturally occurring hallucinogen presents dangers and local authorities warn that importation of the fungal drug is illegal.

Magic mushrooms are also marketed to Jamaicans on Instagram for $1,500 per gram, and can be purchased in shops or on the streets of Negril and other resort towns.

Several mushroom retreat centres currently operate in Jamaica.

One such operation is run by Eric Osborne, founder of MycoMeditations, who told The Gleaner that more than 600 people have visited his retreats.

Osborne said that he has been studying mycology – the study of fungi and their biochemical properties – for more than 20 years and is well aware of the stratospheric highs that magic mushrooms can drive.

Visitors to his highflying retreats are mostly from the United States, but also include travellers from Australia and European nations where the cultivation, manufacture, possession, use and supply are illegal.

Retreats run for one week, with 15 persons per group, with costs ranging from US$2,300 to US$10,500.

MycoMeditations is registered with the Companies Office of Jamaica.

Osborne operates retreats in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, and Bluefields Bay in Westmoreland.

Later this year, he intends to open an outpatient day

service in Kingston for locals.

He ran a gourmet mushroom farm in the United States for almost 10 years but was busted by the authorities for his involvement in underground psychedelic work there.

“I was reported to the authorities, arrested, lost my farm. That’s not the reason why I came to Jamaica, but it kind of expedited my move here.

“I was incarcerated for just a week but it was long enough,” said Osborne, who was placed on probation for two years. His felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanour, he said.

A visitor to the island for almost two decades, Osborne runs a farm that hires eight Jamaicans. Fifty per cent of his retreat staff are also locals, he said.

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or simple shrooms, are illegal in more than 50 countries. Checks with local officials did not ascertain whether the use of the mushrooms in Jamaica was outlawed by statute.

Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin, a natural occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I drug under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which are flagged as not approved for medical use and which present the potential for abuse, especially if not administered under medical supervision.

LSD and heroin also fall under this category.

As at February 2018, there were 184 state parties to the convention, including Jamaica.

The convention had suggested a scheduling system so that countries could classify drugs

Eric Osborne

into different categories of harm; limit their use to scientific and medical purpose; and impose import and export restrictions. Although psilocybin is scheduled, the mushrooms themselves are not.

Wonder fungus has dangerous side effects But magic mushrooms can cause a range of mild to serious side effects, including nausea, nervousness, paranoia, panic, hallucination, and psychosis. Effects can be felt 20 to 40 minutes after using the drug and can last up to six hours, The Gleaner understands. Some research suggests that the high from magic mushrooms may extend for up to 12 hours.

“We always start them pretty low just because it’s kind of an assessment dose, we want to see what their initial response is but we also want our clients to get the most out of every

session,” said Osborne.

The mushroom rave has caused 40 per cent of retreat participants to suffer ill effects, Osborne admitted, insisting that few have neared the risk of self-harm.

He said that he could “only think of a handful of responses that could have become dangerous or really problematic” having dispensed 3,000 doses of the mushroom ‘medicine’ in the last five years.

“Its safety, if managed properly, is comparable to nothing else that we know of, but it is extremely important that we ensure the public knows that this medicine … is extremely unpredictable and it is essential to have someone with you that understands the process,” Osborne told The Gleaner.

“It can make you think you are dying. It can make you think that you have absolutely lost

your mind. It can also make you realise that you are connected to God and the universe and everything. There’s lots of beautiful epiphany that can come from it,” said the American, who revealed that he screens participants for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and psychosis.

Osborne, who is not a clinical physician or psychiatrist, claims that

the drug has helped people with suicidal depression, extreme anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, amid other problems.

However, Sanniel Wilson-Graham, chief plant quarantine/produce inspector in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce Agriculture & Fisheries, informed The Gleaner that it was illegal to import magic mushrooms and that a no-objection notice would have to be issued by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Cynthia LewisGraham, director in the Standards & Regulation Division of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, confirmed that psilocybin mushrooms were not endemic to Jamaica.

“Should the mushroom be imported into the island without the requisite permit, the importer would be in breach of the Jamaica Customs Act,” she said.

“If the product is being imported for medicinal use or for clinical research, an import permit from the Ministry of Health and Wellness would be required. This import permit is only issued when the requirements for safety, quality and efficacy of use are met.”

Barbados Governmemt hires law...

TURN TO PAGE 44

members of Cabinet including members of the House of Assembly and the Senate; Permanent Secretaries; heads of departments in the public service and holders of public office of the same grade as that of heads of departments; chairpersons of state-owned enterprises; chief executive officers, general managers and other executive heads of

state enterprises; magistrates; the Director of Public Prosecutions; the Auditor General; and members and senior officers of the Integrity in Public Life Commission.

Breach of the legislation can result in sentences ranging from BDS$5,000 (US$2,500) or two months in prison or both, to BDS$20,000 (US$10,000) or two years in prison or both.

47

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

A “centre force”

Candid… N O

…race talk ne of the challenges we have in Guyanese politics is that while everybody knows voting is driven by “race”, there’s still a significant number of folks who don’t think we should talk about it in the public sphere. Your Eyewitness would give these presumably well-minded people the benefit of the doubt that they’re not just sticking their heads in their posterior aperture. They seem to believe if you talk about race, it’ll “inflame” passions and matters may get out of hand – especially during the combustible elections period.

Now there’s no question this is one possibility – but will a curfew on race change anything? Or will it simply drive it to under the “bottom houses” or its modern equivalent – social media – where it has always created the most toxic results? Your Eyewitness believes that to try to stop a discussion based on the lived reality of people is doomed to fail. And race – or ethnicity, if you will – IS the lived reality of all Guyanese. You may try to “rise” above the categorisation, but others will treat you based on their perception of you, which is more often than not racial/ethnic – and force you to react. We cannot escape the sociological fact that our “identity” is defined by those around us. As Cornell West reminded us since 1993, Race Matters!

The way to go about addressing our discursive dilemma on race is not to silence it, but to allow reasoned discussion about the issue and its effects in the public space so that the “other” can try to appreciate your reality. Also, as the ERC has done, we can all call upon the political leaders to denounce racebaiting in whatever shape or form. Right now, with the campaign only two weeks old we are witnessing the bottom-house/social media toxic exchanges, but thankfully, also a more positive public discussion from leaders and opinion shapers.

From the PNC platform a week ago, Joseph Harmon, the heir presumptive in the PNC set-up, dismissed the PPP’s selection of Brigadier (Rt’d) Mark Phillips as its PM candidate as “Black Tokenism”. But this week at the PPP’s Albion Rally, Phillips shot back: “Harmon, if we are to follow his reasoning, he is telling you that all non-Africans on the (Govt) coalition are mere tokenism and we don’t believe that. We believe everybody has a right to support which party they want to support”!!

Now this discussion goes to the heart of the dilemma of politics in Guyana: how can the two major parties, which are both ethnic based – convince the “other” that they are truly represented?

With no ethnic group constituting a majority, Guyana’s fate hangs on the answer!! …appraisal of Chinese Sunday was “Chinese Arrival Day”. As one of our “six peoples”, the Chinese – like all the others – have made significant contributions to this nation. And it’s high time this is recognised by one and all. Back in the day when Burnham’s dictatorship was in full swing, he mandated that all organisations bearing ethnic labels were to get rid of them. The East Indian Cricket Club became “Everest Cricket Club” and the “Chinese Sports Club”, “Cosmos Sports Club”.

But it seems it’s now OK to be Chinese publicly again. But the question being raised around the country is “which Chinese?” There is the distinction being made between “our” Chinese – descended from the 13,541 souls who arrived between 1853 and 1879, and the “new” Chinese who’ve flooded our shores with the rise of China as a major world power. Some say that these new Chinese immigrants are a strategic fifth column encouraged by the Chinese Government to supplement their economic investment and expansion across the globe.

Should we worry? …appraisal of ERC While it’s good the ERC has called upon leaders to eschew divisive rhetoric, shouldn’t they be taking a more pro-active stance against the violence that’s been committed against PPP activists and their flags?

How long will they be taking the false equivalence cop-out??

ow that Nomination Day has come and gone, after all the buzz about the need for a “third force” to deny both the PPP and PNC a majority and use their strategic few seats like jujitsu in the National Assembly to steer development in a non-partisan direction, the opportunity was allowed to slip away. There will now be eleven small parties to contest the elections of March 2 against the PPP/C and APNU/ AFC. Frankly, I was not surprised at this outcome. Early in 2005, we had written: “ROAR believes it is time for a “centre force” to be created and nurtured. What is this centre force? For one, it’s not a “third force” that feels it can wish away the PPP and PNC. It’s a force that should seek to occupy the political, social, and cultural ground between the PPP and PNC – hence “centre”. Today, in Guyana, there are a number of political parties outside the ambit of the PPP and the PNC – GAP, WPA, ROAR, UP, JFAP, etc that can begin the process of creating this centre force. These could be joined by the parties now in formation by other committed Guyanese. What would be some of the incentives for these parties to work together?

“There’s the experience of The United Force with the PNC that demonstrates the inadvisability of the smaller parties seeking a coalition arrangement with the behemoths. There’s the matter of “the disequilibrium of size” when it comes to coalitions between parties of vastly different strengths. It matters not the good intentions of the parties to the coalitions. If a mosquito joins forces with an elephant it should not be surprised when it is taken for granted or even ignored during crucial decisions. Then there’s the “iron law of oligarchy” – in all organisations power will accrete in the hands of a few – and we can be sure the few won’t come from the ranks of the mosquitoes.

“What would be the ground rules for a centre force? Firstly, they should not get together simply to deny the PPP

or PNC the Government.

And secondly, their success would depend on whether the principals in the abovementioned groupings can rise to the need of the moment and work on a common program for Guyana. The issue would then be not whether the PPP or PNC forms the Government but that either of them would have to negotiate with the third/centre force on the basis of what’s good for all of Guyana.”

The above-mentioned groups – plus several others – did come together but decided to call themselves the “third force”. We agreed on five “Core Principles” that would guide our relation-

ship with each other and the Guyanese people and proceeded to work on a common programme.

The Chairmanship was rotated among the leadership of the parties and there were regularly scheduled meetings.

But the initiative was aborted and I believe the reasons for that failure might have played a role in the present dispensation.

First, there was the question of leadership and egos. One group – the newcomer that was to become the AFC – insisted that they should lead whatever endeavour that ensued. It was not clear to others then as to why this should be so and the long-estab-

lished WPA was quite scathing about their insistence.

Secondly, there was the question of strategy: whether the group should be open to joining with the PNC, which had launched its “big tent” initiative. This was pushed by the WPA and as a matter of fact, ROAR and GAP pulled out of the group after the WPA and several others met with the PNC. Eventually, ROAR, which had been taken aback by what they considered to be racist reasons for denying leadership to the Amerindian party, GAP, coalesced with the latter, conceded them the “presidential” spot but they managed to only secure one seat which by common consent was given to GAP. The AFC was formed after the breakup of the Third Force and went on to significant success because of their foreign assistance. But ironically, they have now destroyed themselves because they ignored the rationale for a “third or centre force”.

We suspect efforts to craft coalitions among the present new partiers might have foundered on the same rocks of leadership, egos and strategy and will prove fatal to their chances in March.

They refused to hang together and will hang separately.

48 BOLLYWOOD

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

K

ick 2, starring superstar Salman Khan, will release in December 2021, director Sajid Nadiadwala has revealed.

Nadiadwala said he will soon finish the script of the much-awaited sequel to 2014 blockbuster Kick.

But before Kick 2 hits the screens, Salman and Nadiadwala will return for Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali, slated for Eid 2021 release.

“I had started writing this film even before I started with ‘Kick 2’. Salman and I are collaborating after six years

and it feels just like our ‘Judwaa’ days back then.

‘Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali’

is a film with a very different approach and we are sure the audience

A

ctor Deepika Padukone’s decision to visit JNU to express solidarity with students who had been attacked was a “personal” one, Chhapaak director Meghna Gulzar said on Monday while stressing the need to separate the personal from the professional.

The fimmaker also urged the audience to “divert the lens” and to look at the reason behind making the film based on the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal.

Chhapaak, which stars Deepika in the main role, catapulted to national headlines after the Bollywood A-lister showed up at a public meeting in the campus three days before the release of the film. She did not speak but stood silently behind student

A

fter Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, Saif Ali Khan is set to star in Jawaani Jaaneman. Billed as a quirky family drama, the Nitin Kakkar directorial will also mark the debut of Pooja Bedi’s daughter Alaya F. On Tuesday, at the launch of “Gallan Kardi”, Saif interacted with the media and spoke about his experience working in the film. Sharing that he has been wanting to do age appropriate roles, the Dil Chahta Hai actor said, “Producer Jay Shewakramani had shared this idea with me a couple of years back.

Recently, when I was

will love to see Salman in the avatar we have planned,” the filmmaker said in a statement.

“We are yet to lock the female co-star post which we will start working on the shoot dates.

‘Kick 2’ will happen in December 2021, I am in a process to finish writing the script,” he added.

The filmmaker last September said that Kick 2 will not be releasing on Eid 2020.

Kabhi Eid, Kabhi Diwali will be written and produced by Nadiadwala and Farhad Samjhi will direct.

(Indian Express)

leaders. The actor, who also turned producer with the film, was both lauded and trolled for her visit to the varsity.

“We have to be able to separate between the personal and professional. What somebody does in their personal life and what they have

done as a professional in a film needs to be looked at separately,” Meghna told PTI in a telephonic interview when asked to comment on Deepika’s much discussed visit to Jawaharlal Nehru University.

“While they are trying to separate the lens

of personal and professional, if one can slightly divert the lens back to the reason why we made the film and what we are trying to talk about and bring to light… I think it is important,” she added.

Chhapaak released on January 10 along with Ajay Devgn-starrer period drama Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior.

“This is a distribution decision that was taken by the film’s distributor and I think they believed that both films are very different and will find their audience. I think that also came from a place of faith in the film.

Considering how populated our film release calendar is, it is extremely difficult to find a solo release,” Meghna added.

Chhapaak also features Vikrant Massey and Madhurjeet Sarghi.

(Indian Express)

thinking about my career, I felt I wanted to do an age-appropriate role, maybe play a father but it had to be something interesting. That’s when I connected with Jay again on this film.”

He added, “I had met Nitin Kakkar for another film which did not work out but I really enjoyed talking to him. And when Jay told me he has got Nitin onboard, I was really excited. Nitin really added a lot more value to the script and somehow made it really commercial and entertaining. It was a very enjoyable experience.”

Lauding his young

co-star Alaya, Saif Ali Khan said, “What made it easier and most special was this brilliant girl. I think it has to do something with the new generation. They come so prepared, compared to what we were when we started. I really felt that she was like the best I have ever worked with. I have worked with Shah Rukh Khan, and it was amazing. And Alaya had the same energy.

We have done really long scenes at one go and she had no problems. It was incredible.”

Excited about receiving compliments from Saif, Alaya F shared, “I am just very flattered at

the moment. I am quite emotional and it means a lot coming from him.

Honestly, I could give my best only because I was surrounded by people who are the best. They enabled me to do better.

Every day on the set was fun. When I came back from shoot, I felt so rewarded. I am grateful I got to work with these talented people.”

Jawaani Jaaneman is a coming-of-age story of a man-child (Saif Ali Khan), who suddenly discovers that he has a daughter (Alaya F) from his former lover (Tabu). The film will hit theaters on January 31.

(Indian Express)

B

ollywood star Ajay Devgn says he stays away from social media because as an actor one should be known for their work, not for what they post online. Devgn, who is basking in the success of his latest release Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, believes social media has washed away the mystery around stardom.

“The stardom era has been washed (away) by social media now and by actors themselves, who constantly keep sharing information about their lives. Earlier, we would imagine how they lived, what they did but now people think they (stars) are just like them.

“I am not too much (active) on social media.

I believe an actor should be known for their work and not for social media activity. Wherever I go, I get respect and that makes you feel good. I have always done my own thing,” the actor told PTI in an interview here.

Tanhaji… is Devgn’s 100th film and the actor, who began his career in 1991 with Phool Aur Kante, considers himself lucky to have stayed relevant for audiences thanks to his varied film choices.

“I have been lucky to be doing different kind of roles and they have worked too because so many actors struggle to do different things.

“At that time nobody was doing a film like Raincoat’. I just wanted to try out different things, hence I did it. There was no fear whether it will work or not. I am glad my risk paid off. A lot of people advised me against such films but today almost everyone is doing such films and they are work-

ing.”

Of all the 100 films that he has acted in his 29 year-long career, historical films like The Legend of Bhagat Singh and Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior have touched him the most.

“Something like ‘Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior’ or ‘Legend of Bhagat Singh’ makes you think that how is it possible that such sacrifices are made by people? We can’t even think of (it). They must be different people, what they think and how they function. Country came first for them.”

Tanhaji…, also featuring Saif Ali Khan, Kajol and Sharad Kelkar, has earned Rs 61.93 crore in its first weekend. The actor will next be seen in Maidaan, Bhuj: The Pride of India, Chanakya and a film with Luv Ranjan.

In Maidaan, there won’t be any romantic angle, said the actor.

“It is a fabulous story, director Amit Sharma has done a great job.

Times have changed, storytelling has changed.

There are no deliberate commercial elements added to a film today, be it a song or the romantic angle. Maidaan has been very moving and emotional journey for me.”

Ajay said there is still some time for Chanakya to go on floors.

“I will finish work on ‘Maidaan’ and ‘Bhuj’ in three to four months.

These two films will release in 2020. ‘Chanakya’ we will start later in the year,” he said.

About Luv Ranjan’s film, which also stars Ranbir Kapoor, Ajay said it will also start shooting by the end of the year.

(Indian Express)

HOLLYWOOD 49

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

B

reakthrough singer Billie Eilish will be the voice of the theme song for upcoming James Bond film No Time to Die, becoming the youngest artiste to write and record a song for the iconic film franchise.

Eilish, who turned 18 in December, has recorded the song for the 25th Bond film, No Time to Die, which debuts in theaters on April 10. She wrote the song with her brother Finneas.

The untitled new

A

n R-rated Star Trek film by Quentin Tarantino might not be a reality as the filmmaker says he is not keen to direct it but is happy to share notes.

Tarantino has been for the longest time attached with the project, which he was reportedly developing with JJ Abrams, the director of two Star Trek films.

But in an interview with Deadline, the 56-year-old director said it is now unlikely that he will direct it but hopes

song does not have a release date.

“It feels crazy to be a part of this in every way. To be able to score the theme song to a film that is part of such a legendary series is a huge honor,” Billie Eilish said in a statement Tuesday.

“James Bond is the coolest film franchise ever to exist. I’m still in shock.”

Eilish is riding high after her successful 2019 debut album, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”, which featured the No. 1 hit “Bad

Guy.” She’s competing for six Grammy Awards at this month’s show, including the top four prizes: album, song and record of the year, and best new artiste. She was 17 when she earned those four top nominations, making her the youngest artiste in Grammy history to achieve the feat.

“When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” was Spotify’s moststreamed album of 2019.

(Indian Express)

that Paramount studio still makes it.

“I think they might make that movie, but I just don’t think I’m going to direct it. It’s a good idea. They should definitely do it and I’ll be happy to come in and give them some notes on the first rough cut,” Tarantino said.

the project.

“I might be steering away from it, but we’ll see. I haven’t completely decided, or talked to anyone involved. Nothing is official,” Tarantino had said.

In 2017, The Revenant screenwriter Mark L Smith was roped in to write the script.

It was reported that Tarantino and JJ Abrams will produce and Tarantino may direct the Paramount Pictures project, which would mark his tenth feature project. (Indian Express)

The filmmaker, who is currently up for two Oscars for his last movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, had previously said that he might be “steering away” from

O

scar-winning filmmaker Spike Lee was on Tuesday announced as the jury head of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first African-American to lead the distinguished panel at the annual film extravaganza.

Lee succeeds two-time Oscar winner Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, who had also created history after becoming the first Mexican to serve as jury president, reported Variety.

The 62-year-old filmmaker has been a regular at the film gala ever since his first film She’s Gotta Have It premiered at the 1986 edition where it won the youth prize at Directors’ Fortnight.

He later returned at the French Riviera with six other films — Do The Right Thing (1989), Jungle Fever (1991), Girl 6 (1996), Summer of Sam (1999), Ten Minutes Older (2002) and BlackKklansman (2018).

For BlackKklansman, Lee had kickstarted his festival campaign with the Cannes, culminating with the 2019 Academy Awards where he won an Oscar for best adapted screenplay.

“To me the Cannes Film Festival (besides being the most important film festival in the world no disrespect to

R

obert Downey Jr may be appearing in Scarlett Johansson-led Black Widow as Tony Stark aka Iron Man but the Hollywood superstar insists that his Marvel journey has ended once and for all.

Downey Jr amassed fame and fan-following after his appearance as Iron Man in 10 Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies.

anybody) has had a great impact on my film career. You could easily say Cannes changed the trajectory of who I became in world cinema,” the filmmaker said in a statement.

“In this life I have lived… my biggest blessings have been when they arrived unexpected, when they happened out of nowhere,” he added.

Lee said he was “shocked, happy, surprised and proud all at the same time” when he was offered the opportunity to preside over the jury.

“In closing I’m honoured to be the first person of the African diaspora to be named President of the Cannes Jury and of a main film festival,” he added.

Lee’s appointment as Cannes jury head comes a day after the Academy Awards were criticised for lack of diversity in its nominations.

The Oscars snubbed actor Awkwafina for performance in the Chinese-American drama The Farewell as well as Lupita Nyong’o for horror movie Us. Greta Gerwig, who expected to receive a nod in the best director category, was also overlooked.

The 73rd edition of Cannes Film Festival will be held from May 12 to 23.

(Indian Express)

He ended his stint with 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, though he will be coming back for one last time for Black Widow, which is set in the past.

In an interview with Extra TV, where he appeared alongside his producer-wife Susan Downey, the 54-year-old actor was asked whether he will be donning the suit of armour in a future Marvel movie.

Anything could happen… As far as I’m concerned, I hung up my guns and I’m good to let it go. I also think that Marvel is on this journey now, they’re trying a bunch of other stuff and you know, I’m excited for them to see how all that goes,” Downey Jr said.

The actor will next appear in Dolittle, which is set to release on January 17. (Indian Express)

50 SPORT

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

ICC awards: Ben Stokes named player of the year

E

ngland allrounder Ben Stokes has won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC player of the year after playing starring roles in the side's maiden 50-over World Cup triumph and onewicket win in the Leeds Test during the Ashes in 2019.

In a World Cup final for the ages, Stokes struck an unbeaten 84 off 98 balls to help England tie with New Zealand's 241. He then made eight off three balls in a Super Over shootout, which also ended in a tie, but England eventually won the title on boundary count. Stokes also produced a similar stellar display in the longest format, his unbeaten 135 off 219 balls helping England secure an improbable chase of 359 from 9 for 286 at Headingley.

Australia quick Pat Cummins and India's white-ball vice-captain Rohit Sharma scooped up the other top honours, winning the Test player of the year and ODI player of the year awards respectively.

Cummins'

Ben Stokes

Australia team-mate Marnus Labuschagne, who closed out 2019 as the leading run-getter in Test cricket, was named Emerging player of the year, while Scotland's Kyle Coetzer was recognised as the Associate player of the year.

Cummins had put in a number of strong performances in Test cricket in 2019, including match-winning five-

wicket hauls against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

His hot form was also central to Australia retaining the Ashes away from home in 2019. The 26-year old had gone wicketless in a mere three innings out of 23 Test innings in the past year. In all, Cummins took 59 Test wickets in 2019, 14 more than any other bowler.

Rohit had reeled off

648 runs in nine innings at an average of 81 and strike rate of 98.33 in the World Cup in the UK. Only Sachin Tendulkar

(673) and Matthew Hayden (659) have scored more runs than Rohit in a single edition of the World Cup.

Ireland clinch...

Ireland tear up the match-up rulebook West Indies know how to chase 10 runs an over, and they were going about it clinically, reaching 105 for 2 at the halfway mark. Evin Lewis, carrying on his rich form from the ODIs, had scored 53 of those runs before falling to a Craig Young slower ball in the ninth over, and Shimron Hetmyer was taking the baton from him, clattering two sixes to get to 21 off 14.

Ireland had used George Dockrell's leftarm spin against two left-hand batsmen in the eighth over, and Hetmyer and Lewis had hit him for three sixes and taken him for 21 runs. Now, in the 11th over, Dockrell came back with one left-hander still at the crease.

A single to Kieron Pollard first ball brought Hetmyer on strike, and he immediately hit the next ball for six, clearing long-off with ease.

That ball was outside off stump, but within Hetmyer's hitting arc.

Dockrell moved his line wider, Hetmyer tried to take on long-off once more, failed to get the desired elevation, and nearly offered the fielder a catch.

When he came back on strike for the last ball of the over, Dockrell dangled up another ball wide of off stump. Hetmyer went for it again, failed

to connect cleanly once again, and this time long-off moved in quicker and dived forward to take a low catch.

At the start of the 15th over, West Indies needed 59 off 36 with seven wickets in hand, and Pollard on 31 off 13, striking the ball beautifully. Ireland brought the offspinner Simi Singh back into the attack.

Pollard had hit Simi for a six and a four in his previous over; could Andy Balbirnie have turned to the legbreaks of Delany instead?

As it happened, Simi decided to bowl legspin himself. The first ball was punched back to the bowler. Pollard went after the second, went a little too hard at it, lost his shape, and holed out to long-on. The shot may have come about because West Indies had played out five dots in a row, with Josh Little tucking Nicholas Pooran up for room in his previous over, and foxing him with his pace variations.

Bravo falls narrowly short of fairytale finish Pooran's struggle continued into the 17th over, when Dockrell, continuing to bowl a wide line to the left-handers, beat him three times in a row. He was anxious, looking to hit the ball too hard, and was on 12 off 19 balls at the end of that over, with West Indies needing 43 off 18.

Having swung one

Rohit's India teammate Deepak Chahar's 6 for 7 against Bangladesh in the Nagpur T20I, which also included a hat-trick, was chosen as the best T20I performance of the year.

Chahar's figures are also the best ever best ever in men's T20Is. England's Richard Illingworth, meanwhile, won the David Shepherd Trophy for the umpire of the year. India captain Virat Kohli, who had claimed three major awards last year, won the spirit of cricket award for asking fans to cheer for Steven Smith and not boo him - at the 2019 World Cup, when the Australian was returning from a oneyear ban for his role in the Newlands balltampering scandal.

(ESPNCricinfo)

FROM PAGE 51

way, the match immediately swung the other, with Sherfane Rutherford clattering a pair of sixes, over longoff and wide long-on, off the first two balls of the next over, bowled by Barry McCarthy. Pooran came on strike for the fourth ball, and suddenly discovered some clarity, carving McCarthy for a pair of fours through the off side, and launching him for a straight six in between.

The seesawing wasn't quite done yet, though, with Pooran picking out deep backward square leg in the next over, and Bravo coming in and playing out successive dots off Young in a 19th over that went for just three runs.

This left West Indies 13 to get off the last over, which would be bowled

by Little. Rutherford fell first ball, miscuing a legside heave, before Bravo put the pressure back on Ireland with a trademark pull-whip for six. Seven off four became five off two, and another pullwhip brought the stadium off its feet only for a sudden hush to descend as the ball disappeared inside deep midwicket's hands. Hayden Walsh had to hit a six to win it, or a four to tie, but Little nailed a blockhole ball that he simply couldn't put bat to, and Ireland, despite all the lost momentum, were over the line. (ESPNCricnifo)

SPORT 51

Ireland clinch thriller thanks to Paul Stirling's 47-ball 95 WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

I

reland 208 for 7 (Stirling 95, O'Brien 48, Bravo 2-28, Cottrell 2-37, Pierre 2-45) beat West Indies 204 for 7 (Lewis 53, Pollard 31, Little 3-29, Young 2-31) by four runs Ireland had come desperately close to beating West Indies in the second match of their ODI series. On Wednesday, they actually got over the line, in one of the strangest and most seesawing T20 games you'll see.

They looked like they were running away with it for the first quarter of the match, thanks to a barnstorming 47-ball 95 from Paul Stirling, but West Indies clawed their way back with a brilliant display of T20 bowling smarts led by Dwayne Bravo, who was playing his first international match in three-and-ahalf years.

Instead of a target in the 240-250 range, which looked eminently possible at one stage, West Indies were set 209 to win. They were always in touch with their required rate, with every member of their top

Paul Stirling

six getting among the runs, but they somehow not least thanks to some brave bowling choices and brilliant catching from Ireland - fell narrowly short.

SCOREBOARD West Indies Innings (target: 209 runs from 20 overs) LMP Simmons c Dockrell b Little 22 E Lewis c Tector b Young 53 SO Hetmyer c Balbirnie b Dockrell 28 KA Pollard (c) c Dockrell b Simi Singh 31 N Pooran †c Delany b Young 26 SE Rutherford c Dockrell b Little 26 DJ Bravo c Delany b Little 9 HR Walsh not out 0 K Pierre not out 0 Extras 9 (lb 2, w 7) TOTAL 204/7 (20 Overs, RR: 10.2) Did to bat: KOK Williams, SS Cottrell Fall of wickets: 1-37 (Lendl Simmons, 3.3 ov), 2-93 (Evin Lewis, 8.6 ov), 3-114 (Shimron Hetmyer, 10.6 ov), 4-150 (Kieron Pollard, 14.2 ov), 5-194 (Nicholas Pooran, 18.2 ov), 6-196 W (Sherfane Rutherford, 2 19.1 ov), 7-204 (Dwayne 2 Bravo, 19.5 ov) 0 2 BOWLING O M R W 1 Simi Singh 4 0 36 1 0 BJ McCarthy 4 0 55 0 JB Little 4 0 29 3 CA Young 4 0 31 2 GH Dockrell 4 0 51 1

Ireland Innings (20 overs maximum) PR Stirling c Lewis b Walsh 95 KJ O'Brien b Bravo 48 A Balbirnie (c) c Williams b Pierre 7 GJ Delany b Bravo 19 HT Tector c Bravo b Pierre 2 GC Wilson †b Cottrell 17 GH Dockrell not out 5 Simi Singh c Lewis b Cottrell 0 Extras 15 (b 1, lb 2, nb 2, w 10) TOTAL 208/7 (20 Overs, RR: 10.4) Did not bat: BJ McCarthy, JB Little, CA Young Fall of wickets: 1-154 (Kevin O'Brien, 12.3 ov), 2-156 (Paul Stirling, 13.2 ov), 3-162 (Andy Balbirnie, 15.2 ov), 4-164 (Harry Tector, 15.4 ov), 5-199 (Gareth Delany, 18.3 ov), 6-208 (Gary Wilson, 19.5 ov), 7-208 (Simi Singh, 19.6 ov) BOWLING SS Cottrell K Pierre K Williams DJ Bravo HR Walsh KA Pollard

O 4 3 3 4 4 2

M 0 0 0 0 0 0

R 37 45 48 28 25 22

Sensational Stirling, brilliant Bravo Of the eight batsmen to have got past the 2000-run mark in T20Is, David Warner has the best strike rate, 140.85.

Who's second, at 139.77?

You've read the headline of this report, so ou know who it is. And yes, Stirling has played a large proportion of his T20Is against nonFull-Member or lowerranked-Full-Member teams. But he can do it against the top teams too.

Just ask West Indies, who seemed in utter disarray when he was in the middle. At the six-over mark, Ireland were 93 for no loss. No team had previously scored that many runs in the powerplay of a T20I game for which ESPNcricinfo has ball-by-ball data. The pitch in Grenada was flat, but Ireland's openers were also in rare form, with Stirling punishing anything in his arc with clean hits down the ground, and Kevin O'Brien pulling even marginally short balls for six.

At the 12-over mark, Ireland were still on course for a gargantuan total, with Stirling and O'Brien having moved them to 153 for no loss and set a new record for Irish first-wicket partnerships.

But this was Bravo's comeback game, and he wasn't going to let it slip by without making some noise of his own.

His first over had gone for 18, with Stirling taking his first three balls

for 4, 6, 6. He was picking Bravo's famous slower ball out of his hand, holding his shape, and launching him dismissively down the ground.

This pitch wasn't one

for floaty slower balls, so Bravo went to his other famous weapon, and fired in three yorkers in a row. O'Brien kept out the first two, but he couldn't stop the third one, dip-

ping late with a tiny bit of inward swerve, from crashing into his off stump.

That ball was the start of a dramatic midinnings slump that saw Ireland losing 4 for 10, including the wicket of Stirling - who for once miscued a slog-sweep in an innings full of mighty slog-sweeps - in 19 balls.

Bravo began the slide, but equally important was the quickish turn and variety of Hayden Walsh, whom Ireland's batsmen struggled to pick.

Gary Wilson and Gareth Delany got Ireland moving again with a 35-run stand, in 17 balls, for the fifth wicket, but Bravo came back and conceded just four runs in the 19th over, which included another dipping yorker to bowl Delany, and Sheldon Cottrell finished off with wickets off the last two balls of the innings, having conceded only six runs off the over, to suck away their momentum again. In all, Ireland only made 55 in their last eight overs.

TURN TO PAGE 50

52 SPORT

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

T20 Series: Bravo says match fitness no concern V

eteran all-rounder Dwayne Bravo does not believe his match fitness will be a major issue in the Twenty20 International series against Ireland which starting today (Wednesday) in Grenada, and said he was anxious to make his presence felt in the squad.

The 36-year-old has played little competitive cricket of recent after a finger injury ruled him out of last September's Caribbean Premier League.

His only real action since then was his campaign in the T20 League in Abu Dhabi last November when he helped Maratha Arabians capture that title.

“The good thing about me at this stage of my career is that, yes, a lot of cricket is important, but for me because of the experience I've gained over the years, I'm more concerned about my health, my fitness,” Bravo, who was this week recalled to the Windies T20 squad following a three-andhalf-year break, told i95 FM here.

“So I spend most time working on my fitness.

I do a lot of gym work.

Obviously I had the broken finger where I still do therapy for my finger just to keep getting it stronger.

“Over the years I know that despite not playing much cricket, I can still go there and compete and contribute in a very good way. For example, look at the last T20 league —I hadn't

played any cricket in four months prior to that and I was still able to go there and deliver and win the title.”

He added: “Since announcing my return in December, my mind and motivation was on this series and now that I'm selected I'm very happy. It's an exciting young team [and] going in there I'll be the oldest person obviously, but that's good.

“I have a very good professional relationship with all the players there and I'm just happy I've gotten the opportunity to work with them now.”

Bravo, a deceptive seamer, has taken 52 wickets from 66 T20 Internationals and is widely considered one of the finest exponents in the shortest format.

In announcing his return earlier this week, chief selector Roger Harper said the Trinidadian had been recalled with the “specific intention of bolstering our 'death' bowling”, and Bravo said he believed this was an area in which he could make an impact.

“Death bowling is an art and not much people around the world really have nailed death bowling to a 'T',” he pointed out.

“If you ask anyone in world cricket to name five good death bowlers in the last decade, my name will come up along with Lasith Malinga, Mitchell Starc and these guys. I don't have to prove anything to anyone. My stats are there, what I've done over the years is there for everyone to see.

“Recently you can see that's where West Indies have been faltering. If you look at the 50-over World Cup, the series in India — both in T20s and ODIs — we lack a really, really proper death over specialist but this is my current motivation, to try and work with the current bowlers that we have.”

Bravo will reunite with fellow countryman and 'best friend' Kieron Pollard, who was appointed white-

ball captain ahead of the Afghanistan series last year.

Both players have played together extensively throughout the years and Bravo said he expected that chemistry to continue.

“I'm looking forward to it. I'm happy that he is the captain. As most people would say, it's a bit late but for me nothing happens before its time and I think now is the right time as I said to him when he was offered the captaincy,” Bravo said.

“This is a very good time to take over because the team is at the bottom and they can't go lower than it is now. I think the partnership with him and [head coach] Phil Simmons, the relationship that they both have… they can only work together and get West Indies cricket going upwards.

“As you can see in a very short space of time with the results that have been happening on the field and the attitude, a lot of things have started shaping up in a positive way. I'm very happy that now I have an opportunity to also be a part of a great rebuild in West Indies cricket.

“Pollard is my best friend so definitely [with] all my experience, we both collectively can actually work together. It's just about how we can contribute and make things better for the younger players and also for the West Indies team.” (CMC)

Top performers... nament was excellent and was very competitive. He noted that the games were clean and fun, and said it is his wish that the tournament would be staged again, because it has been a while since the East Coast had been involved in competitive football.

He described this tournament as an excellent start, and said he is optimistic that it would return bigger and better in its second edition.

Manager of the 592 Beer Brand, Seweon McGarrell, described the tournament as having brought action and hype through the five weeks of intense football that was played with competitive spirit and with results beyond his expectation.

McGarrell declared it the goal of ANSA McAL to bring people togeth-

er through the hosting of such tournaments, and he expressed hope that these tournaments would teach the younger generation the value of discipline and cooperation.

McGarrell also disclosed that the positive feedback ANSA McAL had received has influenced the decision to make the event an annual one; and he urged players to be prepared for the 2020 edition.

Brand Manager of Rush energy drink, Triston Freeman, said: “Rush was the official energy drink of the 592 Tournament, and the energy drink is willing to support any other tournament in Guyana. We are here for sports, we are supporting sports, and we want to help communities and Guyana move forward with

FROM PAGE 54

sports with the Rush energy drink.”

Friendship claimed the top prize of G$500,000 and the inaugural Championship Trophy, while Golden Grove pocketed G$200,000 and a trophy as the runner-up team.

BV won G$150,000 and the third-place trophy, while Paradise walked away with G$100,000 and the fourth-place trophy.

The MVP of the tournament was Dillon Wright, while Shawn Adonis was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Both of these individuals are residents of Friendship.

Among the major sponsors of this tournament were Bakewell, ExxonMobil, the NSC, Flavours Boss, and the Colin Talbot Construction Services.

SPORT 53

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

National Table Tennis Championships rescheduled to January 24 T

he National Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships have been rescheduled and are now set for January 24 to January 26, 2020 while the senior edition has been confirmed for January 31 to February 2, 2020.

The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) has thus released

– senior edition to commence January 31 a statement which said, “The GTTA would like to formally notify members of the table tennis fraternity and the general public that due to several issues beyond our control, the GTTA National Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships and Senior Edition are now scheduled at the above date at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The GTTA wishes to apologise for any inconvenience caused due to the change in scheduling; we look forward to your continued support for the rest of our 2020 calendar.”

The Junior and Cadet Championships will engage male and female players in the 18 and 15 age categories, with a novice’s compo-

Pollard pleased by 'total team game' following whitewash nent while the Senior Championships will engage senior men and women with an Under-21 men and women and B and C Class component.

The national championships are the premier domestic tournament and are used for the crowning of national champions and serve as a key component for establishing ranking and selection among other benefits. With the

FILE: Kieron Pollard Captain of West Indies and Keemo Paul of West Indies during the 1st One Day International match (ODI) between India and the West Indies held at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on the 15th December 2019. Photo by Deepak Malik / Sportzpics for BCCI

C

aptain Kieron Pollard has praised West Indies for executing a “total team game” after they beat Ireland by five wickets in the third OneDay International (ODI) on Sunday to complete a 3-0 series whitewash.

“We ticked all the boxes in each and every department — in the batting, bowling and fielding,” Pollard said afterwards.

“It is something we didn't do in the first couple of games. We got over the line in Barbados in the second ODI and we didn't really bat well in the first ODI to get the score. I think today, playing that total team game was good in all aspects for us.”

West Indies arrived here with a 2-0 series lead but with less than convincing performances in the double-header in Barbados, where the batting especially came under the microscope.

Set an easy target of 204 at Grenada National Stadium, West Indies were powered by Evin Lewis, who struck 102

off 97 balls to complete his third ODI hundred.

Significantly, it made up for his heartbreak in the opening match when he was left stranded on 99 not out as West Indies chased down 181.

Pollard said he was particularly impressed with the level of responsibility displayed by the left-hander following the loss of early wickets.

“It's always great to get a hundred. He was very disappointed he didn't get the hundred in Barbados but what is for you is for you and what will happen in time will happen,” Pollard noted.

“Today was his day and I think he batted beautifully; he anchored the innings right throughout till the end.

Once Hopey [Shai Hope] got out, someone had to take that responsibility and he being one of the elder statesmen…he took that mantle, and it's good to see guys taking responsibility.”

The whitewash was the second in three months for West Indies following an identical result against Afghanistan

last November.

For Pollard, the victory was his seventh in nine ODIs as captain, and he stressed it was important the side continued to develop and achieve their targets.

“It's just a matter of putting plans in place and getting guys to do things consistently and getting guys to trust the process,” he explained.

“At the end of the day you have to trust the process and trust the system and be honest and trust the people around you as well. You have to make the guys feel comfortable so they can go out there and perform.

“We're trying to empower the youngsters with that responsibility of being accountable — simple things like that outside of the cricket.

We're working hard on the cricket but a lot of conversations are taking place outside of it.”

West Indies now turn their attention to the three-match Twenty20 series which bowls off on Thursday here. (CMC)

continental qualification event for Games of XXXII Olympiad scheduled for April 15-April 19, 2020 and the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics scheduled for August 2020, many of the regional and international scheduled activities have been advanced.

This will see the Caribbean Junior and Cadet Championships scheduled for March 2020, the Caribbean

Senior Championships scheduled for April 2-April 8 in Havana, Cuba as the qualification event for the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships in Houston, Texas, USA and the Continental Olympic qualification event being held early in 2020. This will provide greater impetus to the national championships.

54 SPORT

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Top performers rewarded

Manager of the 592 Beer Brand, Seweon McGarrell

By Timothy Jaikarran

W

hen the proverbial curtains came down on the inaugural 592 Inter-Village Football Tournament, the Friendship Village football team were crowned champions of the event, after recording a compelling 1-0 victory over their Golden Grove counterparts.

That action took place on Wednesday, January 1st 2020; and on Monday, January 13, 2020, the prizes for the top performers were handed over to the respective teams at the Beterverwagting prem-

ises of the ANSA McAL company.

Speaking at the simple handing-over ceremony, promoter of the event, Eon Havercone, aka Father Moey, made the following comments: “I would say the 592 Tournament was a success. Even though we had a few hiccups, it never overshadowed the tournament.

“We want to thank all the sponsors that came on board and stuck by us to the very end; and it ended on a high note, far greater than what we expected.

“East Coast have welcomed this tournament, and are eagerly waiting

Manager of the Rush energy drink Brand, Triston Freeman

The victorious Friendship team

Promoter of the tournament, Eon Havercone, aka Father Moey

for the second edition of this tournament. When we saw the support that this tournament had, we knew that football was alive on the East Coast.

“I just want to say congratulations to the teams for their performance, and to everyone for the work they put in… It is our main goal to make football play again on the East Coast, as it is an important tool.

This sport keeps a lot of youths off the streets, and football can be used to help them.”

Also making remarks, captain of the Friendship side, Okeme Edwards, said the tourTURN TO PAGE 52

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

55