Guyana Times International 22-NOV-19

INTERNATIONAL

‘Guyana open for business’ THE BEACON OF TRUTH

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 24, 2019

ISSUE NO. 475

…GO-Invest boss tells foreign investors at oil and gas summit in G/town Page 3

A large gathering of foreign investors at the Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit and Exhibition (GIPEX) in Georgetown

Marcus Bisram remanded on murder charge ...following extradition from US Page 21

Battle for ‘positions’ intensifies between APNU and AFC Page 8

…Granger says ‘negotiations will not be marred by threats’

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Guyana open for business’ …GO-Invest boss tells foreign investors at oil and gas summit in G/town

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he second annual Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit and Exhibition (GIPEX), which will run until Friday, opened at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown on Wednesday.

With Government under the spotlight for Guyana’s poor ease of doing business rankings, the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) is assuring that its operations are being restructured to improve the service it provides for both oil and gas and other sectors.

This was revealed by GO-Invest Chief Executive Officer Owen Verwey during his address to participants at the business summit.

“Guyana is open for business and GO-Invest is here to support you.

We’re here to support your business development, needs and activities that are within the realm of our mandate and capability”.

“The agency has done so before and we will continue to do so. As Guyana prepares to enter the age of oil and gas, this agency has continued improving its capabilities in recent years,” Verwey added.

According to Verwey, his agency’s review will include looking for ways to improve its strategies and resource capabilities. Verwey also explained that this review would not be limited to the oil and gas sector but rather their operations in other sectors will be examined.

“This is to ensure the agency can adequately support businesses in this new era. While this

GO-Invest CEO Owen Verwey

review will include the oil and gas sector, it will fully include the traditional sectors of Guyana, not excluding manufac-

turing, agriculture, forestry, mining, tourism and the fact emerging information technology and outsourcing indus-

tries”.

As of position when it ease of

2018, Guyana’s in the world comes to the doing business

had dropped two places.

According to the World Bank’s 2018 Ease of Doing Business Report, Guyana placed 126th in the global rankings.

To determine this, the Bank looks at indicators such as registering, compliance, taxation and obtaining loans. Besides administrative factors, it also looks at legal measures, such as protection and settlements.

Verwey’s speech was one of several to herald the launch of the second annual GIPEX, which will see approximately 100 companies involved and dozens of booths featuring at the event this year.

Meanwhile, Energy Department head, Dr Mark Bynoe said that for the first time, Guyana has an opportunity for true self-determination. turn to page 15

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EDITORIAL

Denouncing dictatorial rule

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he dictatorship that Burnham created did not creep up on the Guyanese people in the dead of the night but was constructed, brick by brick, in the brightness of day.

It started when he decided in 1967 that he would rig the 1968 elections. His junior coalition partner, Peter D’Aguiar of the United Force, had protested Burnham’s unilateral actions, especially to subvert the Ministry of Finance, headed by himself. Deciding he would not become the PNC’s handmaiden to destroy democracy, D’Aguiar left the Government in late 1967 and denounced Burnham’s incipient manipulation of the electoral system.

Over the last four and a half years, we have seen the present leader of the PNC, David Granger – a Burnham protégé who had helped construct the first dictatorship – act in the same highhanded and unilateral fashion vis-à-vis his partners in his APNU coalition and in government, the AFC. Early in his administration, Granger also signalled his intention to subvert and control the electoral system to ensure he was returned to power. However, unlike D’Aguiar, the leader of the other mini parties in APNU and the AFC refused to confront Granger on his unconstitutional moves, such as unilaterally appointing the Chair of GECOM. In fact, the leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, boasted that he had advised Granger to make the illegal appointment.

Another action disturbing D’Aguiar was the PNC’s insistence on employing only PNC members and not those best qualified for the job. D’Aguiar, who had built a large and successful business conglomerate, protested this was the surest way to ruin the country but to no avail. In the present, the PNC has not only reverted to this insidious practice, but its Chairperson openly boasted: “The only friends I got is PNC so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC”. Sadly, the AFC did not denounce Lawrence’s statement but its Chair, Raphael Trotman, excused it on the grounds that it was “made in the aftermath of the hotly contested LGE” and he had “known and worked closely with (her) for 25 years and has never shown racial or political partisanship”.

It is, therefore, clear that the Guyanese people cannot expect a repetition of D’Aguiar’s principled stance from the AFC. On Monday, they will accept the PNC crumbs and support the coalition into the next elections. But all hope is not lost and was exemplified by the action of Cleveland Hamilton, Deputy Lord Mayor of Georgetown, and a strong supporter of the PNC in 1967. He denounced the PNC’s new ruling elite for the bigotry, corruption, nepotism and favouritism in high places. On bribery, he said: “It is all over the place, and is fast becoming a national scandal. . . . Every citizen’s position is in peril where he may not justly achieve what is bargained for, where he pays far more than he ought, and where even his rights may be delayed or even denied altogether. The harm done in any situation in which bribery, corruption, nepotism and favouritism assume national proportions and is a way of life from top-down, can never be calculated”.

Unfortunately, Hamilton’s stance was taken up by the ordinary supporters who bought the PNC’s argument that if they did not support its policies, the PPP would take office and would “enslave” them. And the dictatorship became entrenched and eventually consumed all. Granger is using the identical lie today and seems to be eliciting the same stolid response. However, by 1977, as the dictatorship deepened its draconian rule, over in Czechoslovakia where a totalitarian regime had been in place since the end of WWI, one playwright, Vaclav Havel, decided he would do what Hamilton had done: speak truth to power.

He said: “If the main pillar of the system is living a lie, then it is not surprising that the fundamental threat to it is living the truth”.

Let us follow Havel and refuse to live the PNC lie so that Guyana can become truly democratic with governments chosen on their performance.

All Smiles from Tipuru in the North Pakaraimas, Guyana (Photo by Girendra Persaud)

Why the WPA sabotaged the inquiry into Rodney’s death?

Dear Editor, Mrs Patricia Rodney’s recent call for the Government of Guyana to make public the CoI report into Walter Rodney’s death has led to a flurry of letters in the Guyana media, a few from the WPA. One issue that came up in Mrs Rodney London speech concerns events surrounding the Government in 2005 agreeing to have an inquiry into Walter’s death. Mrs Rodney was in Guyana in 2005 for the 25th anniversary of Walter’s assassination, this is what she said in her London speech “I was in Guyana attending an international conference on Walter, it was agreed that, yes, we would have a Commission of Inquiry; by the time I got back to Atlanta, I don’t know what happened, but it was quashed”.

Mrs Rodney in her usual dignified manner did not point a finger or mention names.

But it is public knowledge that Rupert Roopnaraine, a leading WPA member was tasked

with developing the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the inquiry. It is well known that the WPA was consistent in its call from 1980 for an inquiry in Walter’s death. The burning questing is why did Dr Roopnaraine not carry out this vital task; why was the intended inquiry “quashed”?

Various commentators in Guyana have accused the WPA of betrayal, suggesting that the inquiry in 2005 was deliberately sabotaged by the WPA. The reason suggested for this “betrayal” of Rodney was the WPA’s desire, at the time, to form an alliance with the PNC. This is a very serious accusation that, to our knowledge, was never seriously dealt with by the WPA. If the WPA is serious in its contention that it remains a Rodneyite party, it needs to properly address this issue.

We also note that Mrs Rodney made some other demands in her London speech, which need to be reinforced:

• Walter’s death certificate states that he was unemployed. This should be corrected as he was not unemployed at the time of his assassination.

• The fraudulent inquest in 1988 held by the Hoyte Government concluded that Walter died of misadventure.

We know from the 2014 CoI that his death was a Statesponsored killing. This too should be corrected.

• The conviction of Donald Rodney, which still stands, should be removed.

• There should be compensation for Rodney’s immediate family, including Donald Rodney.

Yours faithfully, Leland De Cambra and Anne Braithwaite Founding members, Former WPA support group (UK)

Granger must dissolve Parliament by proclamation on or before December 4, 2019

Dear Editor, I read with utter disgust the words of former Minister of State and now Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency that, “the President has not yet signalled when he plans to issue a proclamation in this regard” ie to dissolve Parliament.

Well, Mr Director General, the time to dissolve Parliament was since December 2018 and your caretaker Government has the temerity to tell the Guyanese people after one year

that the caretaker President would dissolve Parliament at his time of choosing, supposedly of eventualities and neither pontification of any merit. Well for your information, and just to reiterate the indefatigable fact, 49.4 per cent of the electorate in the 2015 general elections (of course that percentage was according to GECOM’s final results which is still questionable until the PPP elections petition case is heard) has been very patient thus far and exercising restraint to-

wards your illegal and undemocratic Government.

Further, you people need to be reminded that the PNC – APNU-led coalition Government assumed office in May 2015 by a 0.6 per cent (4506) of the votes lacking a simple majority of 51 per cent (compliments of GECOM – a new meaning; giving enormous conclusions on mediocracy) and won Administrative Region Eight by one vote at the national elections which Continued on page 7

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana, Kenya commit to improving bilateral relations …as 1st Kenyan High Commissioner is accredited

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resident David Granger, on Wednesday, accepted Letters of Credence from Anthony Mwaniki Muchiri, the first High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to Guyana, at an accreditation ceremony at the Ministry of the Presidency.

According to the Head of State, Guyana looks forward to learning from Kenya’s expertise in developing its ecotourism potential and improving wildlife management; having met His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta during his visit to Kenya for the third United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi.

Also during the visit, he had the opportunity to present his assessment of the threat of environmental degradation and its impact on human security.

“Guyana has promulgated a Green State Development Strategy which will see increased emphasis being placed on the protection of the environment, the preservation of its biodiversity, the promotion of the generation of energy from renewable sources and the adop-

High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to Guyana, Anthony Mwaniki Muchiri at the Independence Arch, Brickdam, Georgetown

tion of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation.

Guyana notes Kenya’s National

Climate Change Action Plan, which seeks to address the options for a low-carbon, climate-re-

silient development pathway. The adverse effects of climate change and the vulnerability of

our states are shared national priorities,” the President is quoted by the Department

of Public Information (DPI) as saying.

He added that Kenya’s success in its conservation of wildlife is acknowledged internationally and Guyana can learn from Kenya’s experience and expertise in developing its ecotourism potential and improving wildlife management and protection policy.

Granger, the DPI report stated, said that Guyana looks forward to working closely with Kenya at both the bilateral and multilateral levels to strengthen solidarity through regional mechanisms such as the Caribbean Community and the African Union.

In his remarks, the High Commissioner, Anthony Muchiri, said he will work to foster a closer relationship with Guyana, particularly in the areas of trade and investment. His appointment, the President noted, marks the dawn of a new friendship aimed at bringing the two countries together for the benefit of its peoples.

Guyana and Kenya have enjoyed cordial relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in December 1970.

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBE 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

APNU/AFC busy dividing ministries instead of the commitment of service to nation Dear Editor, Joe Harmon had the temerity to exit a ‘Cabinet’ meeting held 325 days after his party’s Government fell to a no-confidence vote and question whether former President Bharrat Jagdeo could serve as a Vice President in an Irfaan Ali Administration, Harmon said “It is testing the patience of the Guyanese people and their tolerance for lawlessness, because clearly there is a decision by the Caribbean Court of Justice that says that this gentleman [Jagdeo] cannot be the President or Prime Minister. That is really getting through the backdoor”, the irony of his statement was lost on him.

Later that same day, Jagdeo held his weekly press conference and fielded a barrage of questions on diverse issues such as the renegotiation of the Liza PSA; how continuous registration differs from Houseto-House; what’s his

take on relations with Caricom going forward; a smorgasbord of would/ should/could on every national issue. President David Granger is never asked these questions, for he rarely holds press conferences and the few interviews Granger has allowed have been notable for the paucity of new information and lack of specificity on many issues. Granger sloganeers, Jagdeo, in contrast, provides minute details. It has become clear that the Office of the Leader of the Opposition is the hardest working, most cognisant and effective arm of Government.

The Kaieteur News front-page headline for example, “Jagdeo selective on oil contracts renegotiations” is a result of reporters subconsciously channelling the will of the people, a primal scream for help! There is a collective consciousness in Guyana that we are not getting the leadership we need at this crucial juncture.

There can only be a handful of people who believe that the Granger Administration can run a ‘cake shop’ and even those who do expect it to be with the aid of a battalion of highly paid foreign consultants. The only projects undertaken during the Granger Administration have been the continuation of past PPP projects such as the CJIA extension (bungled); the East Coast and East Bank road projects (behind completion deadlines); the Hinterland ICT hubs provided for and funded by the LCDS. Granger could have stuck with and even expanded the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), an innovative, world-leading conservation initiative, instead, Granger abandoned a programme that earned us US$250 million and had the potential to earn even more, in favour of an idealistic, incomprehensible consultant provided Green State Strategy.

For most Guyanese, this is the various methods

we use to ensure our last remaining (green) G$5000 bill is not spent before the next payday, it is an avoidance of the ‘broke’ state.

The majority of our population would benefit for the aforementioned Ogle Bypass road, a project that had US$50 million in financing and an approved design sitting on David Patterson’s desk when he assumed office in 2015, it is 2019, Patterson has not completed a foot of that essential new road, he has delayed, procrastinated and prevaricated in every possible manner.

The road has been redesigned, expanded, and fiddled with endlessly, the cost moved from the US$50 million grant from the Government of India to US$120 million and beyond, it has cost us millions of USD to date but not one yard of the road has been built to date.

As Guyanese sit with growing frustration in the East Bank traffic jams daily, they should consider that the same

level of incompetence has no new Demerara Harbour bridge design approved as yet, again, many millions spent, nothing to show for it; one trillion two hundred million in budgeted expenditure (excluding loans) and no progress is a failing report card.

Granger did not foster talent and capability in his Administration, the genius bureaucrat who got the Berbice Bridge, the Marriott Hotel built and who would have had the Amaila Falls Hydro pushing 168 megawatts of power into our electricity grid by 2018, Winston Brassington, was arraigned on ludicrous charges of selling land at less than market value to the investors of the MovieTowne mall.

The same mall where there was a seeming APNU/AFC convention on opening night.

Granger and his cohorts know nothing about building, they were a poor Opposition, failing to read project documents and instead relied

on newspaper reports to make judgments. The country lost years of progress when APNU/ AFC became the majority in Parliament, it lost its way when they became the Government.

Irfaan Ali has taken up the mantle of leadership in the PPP, his style is team-oriented, and he will expect those who work with him to deliver results based on a well-planned manifesto of promises. Granger and the AFC are huddled in back-rooms dividing the Ministries of the nation’s Government as if they were spoils of war, instead of the commitment of service to the nation. APNU/AFC has delivered nothing because they lack the integrity, work ethic and capability to conceive of and deliver projects on any scale.

The country is crying for leadership with vision, capability, and ability to deliver. Elections are on March 2, 2020.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

Sugar workers have been left behind, and far behind for that matter Dear Editor, The GAWU saw media reports regarding responses of officials from the PNC and the AFC in regard to questions posed by the media about the wage freeze imposed on sugar workers since the coalition took office in 2015.

While the responses by the leading officials are not identical, they are very similar. If a person were reading about the state of the sugar industry for the first time, they would no doubt believe the caretaker Government was an angel and had ‘clean hands’. This, of course, we know is really far from the truth.

According to the Stabroek News article, AFC Treasurer, Mr Dominic Gaskin said Government should not be held responsible for the withholding of the pay rises to sugar workers. He is quoted as saying “GuySuCo is governed by a Board of Directors and if that Board of Directors decided that they can give a raise in pay that is entirely within their remit to do so.”

But, as the Stabroek News correctly pointed out, the Board is appointed by the GOVERNMENT and, therefore, a creature of the Administration, it will be guided, obviously, by the instructions and guidance of the Government. What’s interesting is that the GuySuCo Board apparently has leeway to grant increases but other State agencies which can afford to offer pay increases in excess of what is approved for public servants must swallow hook, line and sinker the Government imposed increases.

Why two different yardsticks we wonder? Moreover, we do not believe that the Government, if it is really concerned about the plight of sugar workers, who are their employees, would not engage the Board and other GuySuCo officials in finding a way to provide the workers a pay rise.

The apparent fact that this hasn’t been done only confirms further that the Government really doesn’t care about sugar workers and their

valid and varied troubles.

Mr Gaskin we did recognise to have said that he felt “…we can all do with a raise in pay but I do not know what sugar workers earn”. Certainly, in our view sugar workers are more than deserving and require a raise in pay. It is sad to know that Mr Gaskin, who occupied a high-ranking Government post, is unaware of what sugar workers earnings look like, we hasten to point out that such information he can probably get by making one call to his colleague, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder.

Guyana Times featured the PNC’s apparent view on the matter. According to that media entity, the party’s Chairperson, Volda Lawrence, is quoted to say “…all the workers of GuySuCo… they’ve never been left behind…”.

It appears the PNC Chairperson did not understand the question as her sentiment is in direct and clear contrast to what the media posed.

The reality is that we are at the threshold of

2020 but sugar workers’ wages are stuck in 2014.

Using, Ms Lawrence’s term, the sugar workers have been left behind and far behind for that matter. The Chairperson went on to say “I’m certain that the Board of Directors would have indicated to all management who have the responsibility to speak with the workers within their domain or under their supervision about the future of GuySuCo and what they’re doing presently and what are the objectives in both short-term and long-term”. It seems that Volda Lawrence has not been keenly following the news, though as a high-ranking State official, she ought to be.

Was she in sync with the news, her ‘certainty’ as she put it would have been withheld as a meeting to discuss the industry’s long- and short-term strategies was abandoned when the sugar unions used the opportunity to express strongly and forthrightly the crying plight of the sugar workers.

She would also know that the GAWU has been

lamenting in the media for many months that its effort to engage the GuySuCo on its future direction has not seen a reciprocal response from the Corporation. While that is important and the Union is still eagerly anticipating it would meet GuySuCo on its direction, it does not negate that sugar workers need a pay rise now and in the future as well. How does Ms Lawrence and clique expect them and their families to survive when they do not enjoy the cushy benefits as she and her colleagues ensconced in the State receive.

While the statements by the coalition officials are recognised and noted, they must be seen for what they really are.

Rather than seeking to right the wrong and to bring justice to the sugar workers, they have found a scapegoat in the GuySuCo Board which they had a hand in appointing. It’s an unconvincing excuse coming from two senior political officials in the Administration. Do they really expect sugar workers to accept that excuse?

If they are then they

must really think the workers are idiots.

The Government and the coalition parties should not behave like they are unspoilt.

They have had a major hand in the state of the sugar industry. They have ignored their own Commission of Inquiry report to not close estates.

They have closed their minds to the real possibilities for the industry’s successful turnaround.

They have, without any credible examination, put 7000 workers on the breadline.

They have disregarded the workers right to severance, an injustice corrected after the court’s intervention.

They have borrowed billions in the name of the industry without a real plan and have mortgaged the Guyanese people’s assets to secure the loan. So today, to seek to convince that they really had the sugar workers in heart and in mind is simply to add insult to injury.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary, GAWU

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WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

GuySuCo cash flow woes deciding factor in bonus for sugar workers – Agri Minister W

ith bonuses for sugar workers in doubt and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) missing targets, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder has noted that the Corporation is so cash-strapped that paying sugar workers a bonus may not be possible.

In an interview with this publication on the sidelines of an event, Holder acknowledged that sugar workers are supposed to be able to get their bonuses once sugar production targets are met. However, he also noted that GuySuCo’s cash-flow woes could be a deciding factor.

“The incentives are built-in. But GuySuCo doesn’t have funds. We would like GuySuCo to be able to benefit from the bonus public servants are benefitting from now, in terms of increases. But where will the funds come from?”

Holder questioned.

“Funding has always been an issue. Funds were going to GuySuCo and all the estates, in a loss-making situation, have denied the (leeway) for spending for other parts of the Government.

Now we’ve right-sized, funds are being released for other parts of the Government. And we’d like GuySuCo to do well enough so all the workers can (benefit)”.

Holder posited that with the necessary input, fully functioning factories, markets in the Caribbean Community (Caricom), white sugar and good prices for that sugar, GuySuCo can turn its fortunes around.

“The factories are old.

It’s a question of getting

Some of the workers protesting for increased wages and salaries

the necessary (equipment) to retool them.

That’s posing some challenges. But it’s not insurmountable (once) the funds are available. And there have been some delays in divesting the four estates that were closed. They were supposed to be divested and the funds made available to GuySuCo”.

When it comes to details about the divestment, including funds and the allocation of land for former sugar workers to farm, Holder referred such questions to the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

GuySuCo and NICIL

Granger must dissolve... from page 4

saved the APNU/AFC coalition Government from being a minority in the National Assembly when there are countless spoiled votes for the PPP which were never recounted and even though the PPP won the regional elections to take control of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

For edificatory purposes, it should be known that as a caretaker, under any conditions, you don’t own anything as it belongs to somebody else, likewise a Government does not own a country,

so the PNC and its functionaries should not attempt to impose and pose as the rightful owner of Guyana. Accordingly, let good sense and political maturity prevail at this time and as such, the caretaker President must dissolve Parliament by proclamation on or before December 4, 2019, allowing 90 days up to March 2, 2020, for holding of General Elections and let the Guyanese people choose a new Government.

Sincerely yours, Paul Ramrattan

have been at loggerhead for some time over the divestment process.

At one point, NICIL’s Special Purpose Unit (SPU) Head, Colvin Heath-London, had said that GuySuCo failed to account for how they used the money allocated to them, something GuySuCo had denied.

GuySuCo had, in turn, blamed NICIL for divesting the assets of various estates but not informing them; much less, turning the proceeds of the sale over to

GuySuCo. There have even been accusations that certain items were undervalued.

Figures released earlier this month by the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU) had indicated that sugar production was lagging in all three functioning estatesAlbion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt.

Meanwhile, GAWU had subsequently indicated that it received a memorandum dated October 29 from the

GuySuCo stating that the Corporation had decided to extend the ongoing second sugar crop to December 20, 2019.

“Our Union in a statement of October 25 did point out that the Corporation could not have realised its production target by the time the crop was set to end. Of course, in that statement that based on the performance of the Corporation during the crop, thus far, we estimated that the target may not be realized at

Albion and Blairmont Estates”.

“The Corporation, in its memorandum, said ‘there is the possibility of some Estate[s] carrying over canes into 1st Crop 2020’. It seems to say, from our point of view, that the sugar company is anticipating that not all the canes would be harvested and, thus, the crop target will be missed. Time, of course, will ultimately answer this question,” GAWU had said.

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WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Battle for ‘positions’ intensifies between APNU and AFC …Granger says ‘negotiations will not be marred by threats’

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eader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), President David Granger on Wednesday said that ongoing negotiations to revise the Cummingsburg Accord should not be marred by deadlines or threats.

The Accord— the deal which the APNU signed with the Alliance for Change (AFC) to contest the 2015 General and Regional Elections— will expire next year. Hence, the two coalition partners have been in discussions for several weeks now to negotiate a revised agreement but have hit several snags along the way.

In fact, the AFC at a press conference last week said that if these talks are further delayed, then it will move ahead with launching the March 2, 2020 elections campaign on its own. A threat which did not sit lightly with the APNU leader.

Granger told reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday that the agreement is determined by the negotiations, not by deadlines.

He reminded that these negotiations are being done in a four-stage

APNU’s David Granger and AFC’s Khemraj Ramjattan

process, which includes a set of core principles that have already been agreed upon by the two parties and should not be violated.

“The most important principle is that any agreement should be in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana.

That is not subject to deadlines or threats.

We will abide by the Constitution,” Granger contended.

He pointed out that for the whole of October and to date in November, the two coalition partners have been communicat-

ing, meeting and negotiating, and the question of a deadline imposed on these talks will not necessarily bring about the best outcome.

“I am very confident that were we to sit without noise, sit down soberly and quietly, we will arrive at an outcome which is the best for Guyana.

From the onset, I’ve pointed out that we have a process. That process is based on principles and we should not allow the preoccupation of personalities to derail the importance of seeking an agreement based on prin-

ciples,” the APNU leader posited.

Last week, the AFC said that they are in the process of ironing out ministerial allocations and parliamentary postings, which were supposed to be done at a meeting on Monday between the party’s PM candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan, and Granger.

After missing its November 10 deadline, the minority party had agreed to another meeting to finalise the single outstanding issue. It had noted that following that final meeting, it will launch its elections campaign beginning this Saturday.

But while Monday’s meeting was not held, Granger maintained that the agreement outlines that there should be a joint campaign.

“So I cannot understand why, in spite of that agreement, there should be an attempt to have separate campaigns. It’s one campaign. It’s one coalition, not two coali-

tions. We’re going into one government, not two governments. So I don’t understand who made that suggestion and why should it be made at this stage of the discussions or the negotiations,” he stressed.

Moreover, President Granger told reporters that the APNU held an Executive Committee meeting on Monday instead, where they came to “certain conclusions”.

It was reported that APNU executives were not happy about the posture taken by its minority coalition partner.

Nevertheless, Granger indicated that he, along with PNC Chairperson Volda Lawrence, will be meeting the AFC team led by Ramjattan and accompanied by General Secretary David Patterson – which they refer to as the “High-Level Inter-party Committee” – sometime this afternoon (Thursday), where they are expected to deal with the distribution of post-

ings.

According to the APNU Leader, he wants to form a new government and National Assembly that is “honest and efficient”.

“That is the aim of negotiations… We would all like negotiations to be concluded as early as possible but we’re seeking the best outcome for the people of Guyana.

That’s my mission: to give Guyana a government which is honest and efficient,” he asserted.

The APNU/AFC coalition was toppled by a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) in December 2018 when AFC parliamentarian Charrandas Persaud crossed over and voted in favour of the Oppositiontabled motion.

This, coupled with the AFC’s poor performance at the November 2018 Local Government Elections (LGE), has not given the party much to take to the table with its coalition partner; hence, weeks of contentious negotiations to come up with a new agreement.

The 2015 Accord had catered for the APNU to get 60 per cent while the AFC gets 40 per cent of the allotments in the Ministerial, Parliamentary and Regional Democratic (RDC) postings.

Currently, the AFC has the Ministries of Agriculture, Business (and Tourism), Natural Resources, Public Infrastructure, and Public Telecommunication as well as the Prime Ministerial post.

However, reports are that the AFC may not receive the same portions, having lost its advantage.

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GECOM fails to reach consensus on H2H data following ‘marathon’ meeting I n what was described as a ‘marathon’ meeting on Wednesday afternoon at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Commissioners would have left the discussions with inconclusive decisions on a number of discoursed topics – including that of the House-to-House Registration data.

After exiting the five-hour-long deliberations at the Kingston, Georgetown h e a d q u a r t e r s , Opposition-nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj expressed that they could not reach a consensus on the usage of the House-to-House data – a process which was halted since August 31. This is even though Chairperson Retired Justice Claudette Singh had prophesied a pronouncement by this week.

Gunraj asserted, “It was a marathon meeting. We had a lot to discuss. We’re actually talking about the interrogation of the House-toHouse data at this point.

Our discussions currently, as long-winded as they were, are still incomplete. There is nothing definitive that we give at this point”.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo would have also met with the Chairperson on Tuesday, where issues regarding this data were discussed.

Apart from this, the Commissioner told media operatives that many of the matters discussed

GECOM Chair Claudette Singh (centre) and other commissioners

ended with an inconclusive outcome.

“The issues that we were informed that the Opposition Leader spoke to the Chairman about was that same House-toHouse data but our decisions today were inconclusive on that…Most, if not all of our discussions, were inconclusive”.

During last week’s meeting, Gunraj had explained that they were getting proposals regarding the committal of the House-to-House Registration data. This, he said, was being examined but further noted that the Secretariat has proposed committing the data to the National Register of Registrants (NRR).

He had reiterated his opposition to doing this, noting that while the Secretariat had pointed to the information being posted for public scrutiny, no clear order was ever made in reality by GECOM to inform the public about what they were supposed to do with

the information. He also noted that to his knowledge, no objections were made to the data.

When H2H started this year, it was without the input of the Opposition. In fact, the only party that scrutinised the enumerators during the exercise was the ruling party, as the PPP was not even invited to participate.

This, together with the surreptitious nature in which the exercise started under the backdated order of the former Chairman James Patterson and the fact that many people boycotted the exercise, has fuelled suspicion about GECOM’s insistence on using the data.

A decision was taken recently by GECOM to post the House-to-House data at its registration office for persons to inspect and then use as a reference to make changes to the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE). At the time, the Opposition was opposed to this deci-

Man gets life sentence for murdering uncle

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fter being found guilty for the brutal murder of his uncle back in 2017, 29-year-old Dwayne Tappin was on Monday handed a life sentence when he made his final appearance for the presentation of his probation report.

The murder convict had initially pleaded not guilty to the capital offence of murder when his trial commenced last month.

However, a 12-member jury unanimously found him guilty of the indictment on October 18, 2019, which had stated that on August 6, 2017, in the county of Demerara, he murdered 51-year-old Randolph Seenauth, his uncle.

Tappin a former member of the Guyana Defence Force, was handed the sentence by Justice Sandil Kissoon, who ordered that he serve 40 years behind bars before becoming eligible for parole.

According to previous media reports, Seenauth’s head was found lying between the living room and kitchen.

His body was later discovered in the bedroom.

The gruesome discovery was made

Murder convict: Dwayne Tappin

after Police were summoned to the scene by neighbours who heard a loud commotion in the man’s home which he shared with his nephew.

The accused, however, turned himself in a few hours later. He was charged and remanded to prison.

Following a Preliminary Inquiry (PI), the prosecution presented sufficient evidence against him to stand trial in the High Court for the murder.

State Prosecutors Abigail Gibbs and Mandel Moore presented the State’s case.

sion since the H2H data would be inaccurate.

The PPP subsequently complained in a statement to the media a few weeks ago that after checks on the H2H list posted by GECOM, it was found that the list is littered with mistakes and duplicate names.

“There are thousands of names duplicated on the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) and thousands of persons who are under the voting age of 18. Our investigations would have found too, that dozens of persons listed as New Registrants cannot be found at the addresses listed and this is a serious cause for concern –

fuelling the worry that there are many non-existent persons on the list published by GECOM”.

When the decision was made to halt the Houseto-House Registration, the Opposition Leader had responded to plans to merge the data with the existing database, insisting that it would push the hosting of early elections to a later date.

He argued that there is a much faster and simpler way of ensuring that everyone, including new registrants, gets on the voters’ list, that is, through Claims and Objections (C&O).

House-to-House data Meanwhile,

when

asked on Wednesday about the same Houseto-House data garnered, Government-nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander also established, “That matter is still to be finalised”.

He also announced that the Commission has given some leverage on the appointment of temporary staff and the production of fresh Identification (ID) cards.

“We discussed the question of the deadline for submissions of symbols, the potential Nomination Day but those are matters which the Secretariat will officially make public announcements on. There was some discretion on the question of the staff, which has been a burning issue. We’ve given some leverage to the Secretariat to proceed on the matter of staff.

There was the question of discussion on ID cards and again in that regard, there was some leverage in the framework of time and with the resources available to make a determination. These are temporary appointments for people to do tasks associated with the post,” Alexander disclosed.

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WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Troy Resources sends almost 400 workers packing

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fter days of uncertainty on the way forward, Australian mining company Troy Resources has taken a decision to dismiss almost 400 workers, a month after it suspended major parts of its operations following

“The Board has thus decided that all personnel currently stood down will be terminated as from this week.

This decision was made with reluctance and will, nevertheless, assist employees by providing a termination pay-out.

reported that 386 workers were sent off base with their jobs in limbo until the company could decide on a way forward while the company kept over 100 of the remaining employees on the ground at its mining operations in Karouni,

Troy Resources offices in Karouni, Region Seven

the death of one of its employees.

According to an internal memo that was circulated, workers who were initially sent off were told that they would be released by the company as of this week and paid their severance

by Friday, November 22.

“It is expected that Troy will go back to re-hiring employees as needed for a start-up in the near future and Troy hopes most current employees will be available and willing to return to work,” the memo further stated.

It had initially been

Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

Last week, top officials from Troy Resources had revealed that a decision on the future of the company would be made when the Board of Directors meet. Guyana Times was reliably informed

that that meeting was held on Sunday and that a decision would be announced soon.

During an interaction with the media while facilitating a tour, Troy Resources Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ken Nilsson had spoken of pressure being brought on his company. Nilsson spoke about the financial cost being incurred to keep the remaining operations functioning.

“In a normal month, our total operating cost is around US$4 million, plus we have (arrears to pay). So, we need about US$5 million. About US$3 million goes back into the local economy in the form of wages, purchases and all the suppliers. So, US$3 million is not going back into the economy. You will see the effect of that next month.

“So, the total loss for us last month – since September, our total cash inflow is roughly US$6 million, so we have no inflows. For the last month, we lost around that. So it costs us a lot of money. To get the money, we need to produce a minimum of 4000 ounces per month.

And we’ve not produced 4000 ounces (in a while).

To be comfortable we

Troy Resources Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ken Nilsson

need US$5 million. We could survive on US$4 million,” he said.

It is understood that all but its exploration activities were suspended in the wake of the death of geologist Ryan Taylor in a mining pit accident. Nilsson had explained that it costs a hefty sum per day to maintain the remaining workers in the downsized operation.

“It would have been very easy for me to say, ‘shut everything down, put it in cold storage until things have settled

down’. But we choose to believe no, we can sort this out. I don’t have issues with Governments.

Everyone is doing what they have to do,” he had explained.

“Without doing anything, I can last another month. But I cannot go back to production without having a source of money to back you up.

I need to be sure that if anything goes wrong or a mechanical problem [arises], I need to have a piggybank of money to back me up,” the CEO had said.

Army gets G$180M high-tech, long-endurance drones

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he Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is set to benefit from five hightech, long-endurance drones to the tune of G$180 million, which will significantly enhance the security of the country’s borders, maritime space and coastland.

According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency’s Public Information and Press Services Unit, a demonstration exercise of one of the drones was done at the GDF’s Base Camp Ayanganna Headquarters.

The release stated that drones were catered

for in the 2019 National Budget and would be funded through the G$14 billion, which was allocated to the GDF. In January 2019, President Granger had indicated that some of the money allocated to the Force would be used to purchase drones for border and other types of sur-

One of the drones which will be purchased by the Guyana Defence Force (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

veillance.

Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West said the acquisition of the drones will significantly enable the Force to fulfil its functions and mandate, particularly as it works towards effective transformation for total national defence.

“Based on that programme, we have the acquisition of technology to enhance communication and to ensure that we can improve security as well. We are happy that the Defence Board did approve of this acquisition and that the demonstration was successful.

It will be used not only to patrol our porous borders but we will also be able to monitor close shore and we would be able to do some amount of anti-piracy patrols as well. Further, we will be able to do some patrols in the Georgetown Harbour, the Essequibo and Berbice river mouths. We will also be able to do coastal patrols as well and some degree of urban patrols in some towns, Linden, Mahdia and in the interior locations,” he is quoted as saying.

Brigadier West also said the drones will assist the Force in mon-

itoring activities in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) where numerous illegal airstrips and abandoned planes were discovered in recent years. “It will also support the whole Smart City Solutions as well because wherever there are blind spots in the system, the drones will be able to pick up there,” he said.

Additionally, Commander of Signal Corps of the GDF, Lieutenant Colonel Roger Nurse said the purchase also caters for training, capacity-building and knowledge transfer.

news 11

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Former Chief Justice hailed for selfless service to nation

…at final farewell

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he sun gleamed over the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception on Brickdam, joining hundreds of others paying their final respects to one of Guyana’s finest legal minds who recently lost his battle with cancer.

Former Chief Justice Ian Chang was laid to rest on Tuesday.

“May the angels lead you into paradise and may you have eternal peace,” were the words of Fr John, who called to order the service for Chief Justice Chang, who lost his battle with cancer and died at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital on November 16.

Those among the attendees included Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Prime Minister (acting) Khemraj Ramjattan, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Retired Justice Claudette Singh, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Attorney General and Minister

marks of the priest, he noted that “From dust, you were born brother Chang and dust you shall return”.

The former Judge served in the capacity of acting Chief Justice for 15 years at the Demerara High Court.

Justice Chang went off on annual leave in December 2015 ahead of his February 2016 retirement. Justice Chang presided over some highly-controversial constitutional cases in Guyana.

Additionally, Justice Chang had presided over the presidential term limit case.

The constitutional challenge case was led by Georgetown resident Cedric Richardson in February 2015 and sought the court’s interpretation on the National Assembly’s changes to Article 90 as it related to four restraints on the freedom of choice by citizens at national elections.

In that case, he had ruled that the presidential term limit was un-

The casket bearing the remains of the former acting Chief Justice being brought out of the Brickdam Cathedral on Tuesday

by four Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) advocates.

The legal challenge arose after four transgender persons

Persons gathered at the late former Chief Justice Ian Chang’s funeral

of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, among others.

He was labelled as “a man of honour who lived a life of selfless service to Guyana, who impacted the lives of many persons”.

Those present joined in the singing of hymns and scriptures as they shared one final moment with the former Chief Justice.

In the closing re-

constitutional since sovereignty resides in the people and not in the Parliament as it does in Britain; as such, certain fundamental clauses in the Constitution that serve to define its substantive nature can only be altered by a referendum of the people.

Another constitutional case over which Justice Chang presided was the challenge filed

were detained, convicted, and fined by a city Magistrate after their February 2009 arrest in Georgetown. The transgender persons filed an appeal of their conviction.

Another famous and impacting case that Justice Chang was called upon to preside over was the constitutional challenge that persons who were

on a political party’s list of national candidates cannot sit in the National Assembly as non-elected members.

In that partic-

ular case, Justice Chang’s ruling prevented Citizenship Minister Winston Felix and Minister within the Social Protection

Ministry Keith Scott from sitting in the National Assembly as technocrats.

12 news

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Tough times for families of sacked sugar workers in Guyana …children forced to find odd jobs to support schooling

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ver since the Wales Sugar Estate closed – leaving thousands of workers without jobs, many of their children are now forced to find odd jobs around the community to offset expenses for their schooling.

During a visit to the village last Saturday, parents who were sent home from the sugar industry indicated that it was very difficult to send their children to school, owing to transportation expenses and other supplementary spending for textbooks and studying materials.

One parent, who gave her name as Urmila, stated that since her husband was dismissed, her 14-year-old son has been working in the afternoon to earn some extra money.

“When he come home from school, he does do some extra work round here, and then Saturday and Sunday, he does find a lil’ work to do – mason or anything that he could manage. Right now, he father does only work sometimes ‘cause not every time people does get work. He used to go over at Uitvlugt a couple morning but then they tell him that they don’t have anything,” she indicated.

Meanwhile, a few houses away, an elderly man named Chotoo (only name) told Guyana

The closed Wales Sugar Estate

Times International that his son was retrenched and he has been supporting his grandson’s schooling.

“He got to travel to go to school in Canal Number Two. He got to pay about G$300 a day travelling plus little money for a snack, so if it wasn’t for me, he would have got to drop out from school,” the elderly man relayed.

Meanwhile, other young teenagers have

resorted to selling ‘bird seeds’ and produce from their families’ kitchen gardens to offset educational expenses.

Thousands of dismissed sugar workers are finding great difficulty in securing alternative jobs following their retrenchment. In early November of 2018, the National Assembly gave approval for almost G$2.5 billion to cater for the remaining severance to 4723 sug-

ar workers, and Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln had also ruled in favour of the ex-employees, saying that they should be paid with interest in the range of four to six per cent.

It took the court over a year to initially hear the Wales severance matter after the workers, their families, union and other supporters were protesting for their legally-entitled benefits.

Aside from Wales

Estate closing in December 2017, the closures of Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore were all finalised as part of Government’s cost-cutting measures. The latter three were later reopened under small operations as part of the Administration’s move to attract private investors.

In recent times, hundreds of acres at Wales were leased to a company for coconut cultivation and processing despite

Government’s promises of opening up the land to the retrenched workers for farming.

Only on Saturday, most of the sacked workers related that they were still struggling to find jobs, awaiting the promise that they would be granted the plantation lands as assured.

Some said that they were disappointed and dismissed the possibility that they would ever get land after hearing that a large portion was already “given away”.

In 2017, the workers were promised by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government that lands from the Estate would be given to them to engage in farming and other agricultural activities to earn a living.

Two years later, these lands have not been distributed to the former sugar workers and hundreds of acres have now been leased to private persons, including recently, 700 acres for coconut cultivation and processing.

The Wales Estate on the West Bank of Demerara was one of four – Enmore Estate in Demerara, and Rose Hall and Skeldon in Berbice— which were closed under the current Administration, leaving thousands jobless.

Sophia man to spend 17 years behind bars for killing brother in 2016

DEAD: Dexter Jules

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man who fatally stabbed his brother during an argument back in 2016 on Monday confessed to the unlawful killing when he made his first appearance at the Demerara High Court before Justice Sandil Kissoon.

Represented by Attorney Robindra

Mohabir, 35-year-old Orin Jules opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. The charge read that on June 18, 2016 in the county of Demerara, he killed Dexter Jules, 23, of Lot 634 D Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

According to reports, on the day in question, the younger Jules was involved in a heated argument with his brother.

In the midst of same, the now convicted killer armed himself with a knife and stabbed his sibling several times about his body. The incident reportedly occurred at a shop Dexter operated in Sophia.

The older Jules was apprehended by public-spirited citizens as he tried to escape after the stabbing and was hand-

JAILED: Orin Jules

ed over to Police.

After taking several factors into consideration, Justice Kissoon sentenced Jules to 17 years in prison for the crime.

The State was represented by Prosecutors Abigail Gibbs and Mandel Moore.

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

news 13

Tourism authority calls for ban on wildlife trade in Guyana P

resident of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mirta Ramkumar has called for a ban on wildlife trade and the commercial use of wild meat.

Ramkumar made the call at the launching of the “Explore Guyana” 2020 Magazine on Friday at MovieTowne, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

According to Ramkumar, this is not the first time THAG has called for a ban on the trade and commercial use of wild meat.

He said that himself and members of the tourism organisation have used all public avenues to reiterate the call.

“We cannot proudly call ourselves the number one eco-tourism destination if we involve ourselves in unsustainable practices and immorality,” he said.

Meanwhile, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Brian Mullis explained that Guyana has become one of the “hottest and upcoming” travel destinations since 2019, and people are coming to these shores not only because of the new oil sector.

“It’s because of Guyana’s long-standing sustainability agenda which is increasingly becoming important in an age of over-tourism, flying change and climate change”, he said.

Mullis vocalised that even though we are deemed the best travel destination, Guyana must make necessary adjustments to im-

Director of (GTA) Brian Mullis, President of the THAG Mirta Ramkumar, Trenia Butts, Executive Director of THAG unveiling magazine cover

prove as a country and to maintain that status.

“We have to maintain a focus on collaboration and continuous improvements.

Partnership is the key to our continued success… this has led to a lot of positive outcomes in a relatively short amount of time.”

Explore Guyana The cover of Explore Guyana 2020 features the Iwokarma rainforests, an idea that came after a thorough thought of climate change, preservation of the environment, sustainable development and the landscape of Guyana’s rainforests.

Giving a background on why the rainforest was chosen, publisher of the magazine, Lokesh Singh explained that in 1989, with the world under pressure talking about climate change and the protection of the envi-

ronment and the demolishing of the forests of the world, Guyana committed one million acres of pristine rainforests to be the Iwokarma rainforest reserve.

He further explained that the 22nd edition of the magazine was also created with the thought in mind that it is usually said that the company would always feature a bird or waterfall. However, this year they strived to do something different.

Meanwhile, the new edition featured four Guyanese personalities on its pages with major events and festivals of Guyana for each month of the year.

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WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

news 15

Marine Ball marks 244th birthday of US Marine Corps

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he US Marine Security Guards marked the occasion of the 244th anniversary of the forming of the United States Marine Corps at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.

Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch was the guest of honour and the guest speaker was Retired Colonel Brian Chin.

Ambassador Lynch hailed the Marine Security Guards for their dedication to protecting US Embassies around the world and their role in ensuring the safe and secure conduct of US diplomacy.

Currently, 182 US Embassies are guarded by US Marines.

The Ambassador read a greeting from the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, thanking the Marines for their professional integrity and service to their nation.

Ambassador Lynch and her husband, Dr Kevin Healey, with the Marine Corps

‘Guyana open for... from page 3

“This self-determination is being driven by a clearly defined Green State agenda; a soon-tobe completed revised legislative framework for the sector; a contextually relevant and appropriate local content policy; a new product sharing contract template; completion of 2D and 3D seismic surveys for better decision making with regards to remaining blocks and unallocated areas offshore; completion of a Natural Resource Fund framework, completing the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, and building the capacity at all levels along the value chain, particularly amongst our young people and those in the technical, vocational education and training institutions. A people-centred approach remains our modus operandi for realising our development ambitions. Our peoples remain our most treasured resource,” he said.

“It is within this context therefore, that the department remains committed to promoting businesses that are aligned with our National Development Strategy and aspirations, are of a strategic nature, and respect our laws. Our goal is for no-regrets investments. As a department, we seek to encourage increased local content and job opportunities that will allow our people to participate fully and [access] good quality jobs,” Bynoe added.

GIPEX 2019, which

was organised by private company Valiant Business Media, will last for three days and close on Friday. Besides the various presentations that will be made on doing business in the sector, participants will be afforded an opportunity to network, exchange ideas and possibly form partnerships between local and international companies.

According to Valiant Chief Executive Shariq Abdul Hai, this year’s summit features a wide cross-section of companies. It was explained that some companies are at a start-up stage while others are established world players. Abdul Hai noted that coming out of last year’s event, a need was identified to include more local businesses in the summit.

GIPEX is aimed at facilitating networking and providing investment opportunities for companies across all sectors associated with the petroleum industry in Guyana.

In 2018, the summit was deemed a success as it attracted global participation from more than 600 delegates and 200 international and national oil and gas companies.

This time around, the international and national oil and gas companies involved and setting up their own booths included Exxon, Tullow, Hess and Century Tamara Energy Services, a partly Guyanese-owned company.

16 news

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Taxi driver accused of raping 12-yr-old girl to face High Court trial

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eville Thomas, a taxi driver attached to a popular Georgetown taxi service, was on Monday committed to stand trial at the Demerara High Court after a prima facie case was made out against him for the rape of a 12-year-old girl.

Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, who conducted the Preliminary Inquiry (PI), ruled that after perusing the entirety of the evidence, she was satisfied that substantial evidence was presented against Thomas for the offence he was charged with.

As such, she informed him that he would face a Judge and jury at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes.

Thomas, of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, made his appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plead to the charge which read that between April 1 and 30, 2019, at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), he engaged in

Neville Thomas

sexual penetration with a 12-year-old child.

Based on information, the 32-year-old was hired to transport the victim to and from school.

It was reported that on the day in question,

Thomas picked up the child from school and took her to a hotel in Diamond, where he had sexual intercourse with her.

The child complained to her parents, who made a report to the Police Station.

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Several job opportunities open to Carnegie students …as First Oil looms

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tudents of the Carnegie School of Home Economics are expected to benefit significantly after several overseas companies have indicated their interest in providing jobs for qualified students.

This statement was made by the Principal of CSHE, Myrna Lee, at the launching of the three new programmes on its curriculum – caring for the elderly, childcare management, and housekeeping.

“Guyana will be experiencing first oil in the near future, CSHE has linked with new offshore partners who have indicated the interest in hiring qualified individuals [students] to serve their companies”, she stated.

Lee, however, did not reveal the names of the companies but rather stated that they will be made public at a later time.

Nevertheless, the newly launched programmes are intended

to provide quality services in Guyana and will be offered as fulltime and evening programmes to new students at the school of Home Economics.

Representative of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar in his remarks said that some of these courses are highly underestimated and with Guyana’s booming development, the courses offered by CSHE has great potential to boost the country’s tourism sector.

“As we emerge as an oil and gas economy, tourism is going to employ the vulnerable in our society… if we are to look at the value of a housekeeper in the hotel sector, we have a number of repeat guests that come to boutique hotels and lodges. If you ask what is the reason for repeating, it is because of housekeeping and the way they were treated”, he said.

Some students of Carnegie

M e a n w h i l e , Director, Council of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Floyd Scott explained

that there is a lack of skills in the programme that is being offered by CSHE and noted that if the country is not fully prepared to provide

quality services to tourists, Guyana will not benefit as a nation.

Students of the newly added programmes at CSHE were advised

to take full advantage of the programmes offered since they are expected to benefit tremendously as Guyana develops.

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WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

High Court throws out SARA’s claim against GBTI

By Jarryl Bryan

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he State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) has lost another bout against the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), with the High Court throwing out its claim seeking over G$200 million from the bank in a

the bank’s headquarters, it was the fourth-highest of 14 bids. It further claimed that GBTI’s purchase price of G$224 million is less than the most recent valuation of the property at the time.

However, the court ruled in favour of the bank on the grounds that SARA did not present a

SARA Director, Dr Clive Thomas

case pertaining to the acquisition of land.

The legal proceedings were filed back in August by SARA, which sought G$274.1 million plus interest from GBTI for the bank’s acquisition of land at High and Young Streets, Kingston, where its headquarters now stand.

In the claim, SARA alleged that when the bank bid for and acquired the right to purchase this land which now holds

well-grounded cause of action together with the fact that the Agency was not the properly constituted legal entity to bring the case.

The court ruled that since the case was not brought by a Managing Director or Deputy Director, as set out in the State Assets Recovery Act 2017 that formed SARA, the proceedings filed in the statement of claims were rendered void.

According to the court,

such claims can only be brought by either of the aforementioned people.

In an interview with this publication, one of GBTI’s lawyers, explained that since the process to appoint the SARA Director was flawed, its locus standi was also flawed.

“The legislation itself said that court proceedings will be brought by the Director and the Act provided that the Director shall be a corporation sole, meaning the Director has corporate authority. The case was not brought by the Director; it was brought

by SARA itself.”

“Now the Act also provided that the Director had to be appointed in a certain way, that is he has to be appointed by a decision of the National Assembly. And the person who was appointed must be someone recommended by the appointments committee of the National Assembly.”

The lawyer explained that SARA Director, Dr Clive Thomas was neither appointed by the National Assembly nor recommended by the appointments committee.

According to the attorney, Thomas’ appointment was thus unlawful.

“Not being a lawful appointment, he was not a corporation sole. But in

any case, he did not bring the proceedings. The SARA agency brought the proceedings. So on that basis, the court dismissed the case,” he said.

In light of this, SARA was ordered to pay costs to the bank in the tune of G$200,000. It is understood that SARA was represented by Attorney Ronald Bostwick. Efforts to contact Dr Thomas were futile. The matter was heard before Justice Franklin Holder.

Section 106 (2) of the SARA Act states that “within a period of not more than four months from the date of commencement of this Act, the Parliamentary Committee on appointments on the notification by the Minister shall recommend to the National

Assembly a person to be appointed as Director of the SARA.” When the SARA bill of 2017 was passed, Dr Thomas was at the time the Head of the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU). The agency was renamed but despite the bill setting out the process for appointing a Director, Thomas was kept on as the Director of SARA. This is not the first case brought by SARA against GBTI. It was only in March of this year that contempt of court charges brought

by SOCU against eight top executives of GBTI were thrown out by the Magistrates’ Courts.

That matter stemmed from October 2017, when SOCU charged the bank’s

Directors with contempt based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The contempt proceedings stemmed from the bank’s failure to comply with a production order made by acting Chief Justice Roxane George on August 29, 2017.

GBTI had contended in its application for the variation of the order granted by Justice George that countless efforts were made to gather all the documents requested but it was discovered that some were either destroyed or could not be found. The documents were pertinent to the US$500 million Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) probe that was being conducted by SOCU.

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WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Barbados looking to expand categories of people who can become citizens C

iting a declining population, a growing elderly group that imperils National Insurance Scheme funds, and a need for economic growth, Cabinet is to expand the categories of people who can become Barbadians, Home Affairs Minister Edmund Hinkson has revealed.

By January, a new bill to amend the Immigration Act will go before ministers that on passage in Parliament would bring into law the most sweeping changes in the pathway to citizenship since Independence in 1966.

At a ceremony to formally induct new citizens in the Horatio Cooke Auditorium of the National Union of Public Workers, Hinkson outlined seven areas of immigration change that Cabinet approved and will now make their way into draft legislation.

More changes are being contemplated and are to be an-

nounced later, he said.

The key changes to the citizenship law the Home Affairs Minister highlighted are: – Citizenship will be available to a grandchild or a great grandchild of a Barbadian citizen. Currently only parents are allowed to grant citizenship by descent to their offspring.

– Permanent residents may be able to receive citizenship after “three years ordinary residence in Barbados” or a total of 1,095 days. Ordinary residence will be defined as lawful residence for half of the year, 183 days in every year.

Hinkson said: “This will be another platform for people to become citizens of Barbados other than by birth, descent, adoption or marriage.”

– Permanent residents who have already been living here for more than seven years will be “grandfathered into citizenship” – Spouses and dependents

Barbadians, Home Affairs Minister Edmund Hinkson

who accompany a CARICOM Skilled National living and working here would be entitled to first become permanent residents and then ultimately

citizens by way of time spent in Barbados. Skilled nationals living here for the past seven years will be able to apply for permanent residence.

– Cabinet has agreed to reduce the length of time of those who marry Barbadians can register for citizenship by marriage – even though the Constitution currently entitles women who marry Barbadian men an automatic entitlement to register as a citizen. Hinkson did not indicate whether any constitutional amendments were coming.

– A two-stage route to merit-based citizenship through permanent residence will be available to people who “who have highly desirable employment skills, who are willing to open a business, or who have substantial capital, money, willing to invest significantly in our economy and hence providing much needed employment to Barbadians”.

– Those who can prove they have been residing in Barbados for four years will be eligible for permanent residence.

(Barbados Today)

5 Haitians deported for illegal entry to Guyana

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ive Haitians, who admitted to entering Guyana illegally, were charged and deported when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.

Deported are Jean

Tonion Louis, 27, a mason; Ronald Saint Cyr, 27, a teacher; Jesudonne Clerveau, 29; Soliny Dossous, 35 and Bladimyr Pierre, 25.

They all appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and

pleaded guilty to the offence, which stated that on November 18, 2019, at Springlands, East Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), they entered Guyana by sea without presenting themselves to an immigration

officer.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield informed the court that the five Haitians arrived at Springlands from Suriname and were proceeding to Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-

Upper Essequibo) when ranks acting on information intercepted them.

The court heard that the men were questioned about their arrival into Guyana and could not provide legal documentation of entry. In court

on Wednesday, the five were also fined $40,000 each. Failure to pay the fine will result in them serving three weeks’ imprisonment. The Chief Magistrate also ordered that they are deported to their country of origin.

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WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Marcus Bisram remanded on murder charge ...following extradition from US

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fter being extradited to Guyana from the United States on Wednesday evening, murder accused Marcus

Magistrate's Court on Thursday, where he was charged with the 2016 murder of Berbice native Faiyaz Narinedatt.

DEAD: Faiyaz Narinedatt

Bisram made his first appearance at the Whim

Bisram was wanted by local police for the

murder of Narinedatt, a carpenter.

Narinedatt was beaten and ran over with a motorcar at the alleged orders of Bisram, after the carpenter declined sexual advances that were made by the overseas-based Guyanese.

The body of 27-yearold Narinedatt was later found on the Number 70 Village Public Road on the Corentyne.

It is alleged that five henchmen – Radesh Motie, Diadatt Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, Orlando Dickie and Niran Yacoob – were instructed by Bisram to dump the body and make his death seem as a result of vehicular accident. While two of the men had confessed to the killing, Bisram’s mother and sister were accused of offering bribes to investigating ranks to dissolve the case.

The Guyana Police Force came in for severe criticism after several ranks in Berbice were implicated in a plot to cover

REMANDED: Marcus Bisram appeared at the Whim Magistrate's Court on Thursday

up the murder. All of the accused have since been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the murder after a Berbice Magistrate found that a prima facie case has been

made out against them.

On March 7 2017, a warrant was issued for Bisram by the judicial system in Guyana and since then, he has been fighting his extradition.

Last year, he lost his extradition case; however, he filed an appeal, which was also lost.

During his court appearance on Thursday, Bisram was not required

Cop among 4 charged with Matthews Ridge gold heist

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our persons were on Tuesday jointly charged for an armed robbery, where a businessman was relieved of several containers of fuel and a quantity of raw gold at Matthews Ridge Airstrip, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini).

Baldeo Francis, 37; Ramesh Singh, 45; Leon Campbell, 26 and 27-year-old Kurt Nedd; a police officer appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and were not required to plead to the charges.

It is alleged that the quartet on November 11, 2019, at Matthews Ridge, North West District, being in the company of each other and armed with guns, robbed Jose DeCosta of G$95,000 cash and a quantity of raw gold valued at G$18M, belonging to Deonarine Sookram, a businessman.

It was further alleged that on the said date at Skull Mountain,

The men who carried out the heist

Arakaka, North West District, Francis had in his possession one .223 rifle and two 9mm pistols when he was not the owner of a firearm

licence at the time.

It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, he had in his possession 120 rounds

of ammunition when he was not the owner of a firearm licence enforced at the time.

The men’s attorneys contended that their cli-

ents were not part of the robbery nor did any of the men confess to carrying out such an act.

Police Prosecutor Ceon Blackman objected

to bail being granted to the men on the grounds of the serious nature and penalty of the offence.

It was reported that the victim and his workers were at the Matthews Ridge Airstrip awaiting a plane to travel to Georgetown when he was pounced upon by the men who were armed with AK47 guns.

The businessman was relieved of the items mentioned and the men made their good escape.

However, the matter was quickly reported and Police, acting on information, stopped Francis’ vehicle. A search was then conducted in his vehicle and the raw gold was found in a container. He was then arrested and based on the information he provided to the Police, the other men were later arrested.

The Magistrate remanded the men and set November 26 for the next hearing.

Nedd was a Police Constable at the time of the incident.

22 NEWS

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GECOM, broadcast authority meet to discuss media monitoring partnership

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xecutives from the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) met last Thursday to discuss collaboration for the upcoming March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections.

Attending the meeting on behalf of the GNBA were Board Chairman Leslie Sobers, Board Member and Chair of the Monitoring and Compliance Committee Jocelyne Josiah, Board Secretary Violet Boyal, Head of the Monitoring and Compliance Department Christina Bianchini, and Public Relations Officer Joel Ally.

On GECOM’s side were Chairman Justice Claudette Singh, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, and Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward.

Sobers gave a synopsis of the mandate of the GNBA and the scope of the authority with respect to its monitoring

parameters and capacity.

The Chairman alluded to the fact that GECOM has a wider mandate as it relates to monitoring during the elections period, and it is the intention

GNBA and GECOM at the meeting

of the Authority to collaborate with the Guyana Elections Commission and the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) during the elections period.

He went on to explain that the Authority, similar to the ERC and GECOM, monitors for content that may incite racial hatred or crime and public dis-

order, with respect to broadcasting. He pointed out that enshrined in the Broadcasting Act, there is a fairness doctrine which means that broadcasters, when deal-

ing with controversial issues, must cater for balance and fairness with respect to treatment, time and space allocation.

Board member Josiah informed GECOM representatives that there is an entire department at the GNBA that monitors content. She proffered that the Code of Conduct for GECOM needs to be reviewed and updated in preparation for the upcoming elections; GECOM representatives agreed.

PRO Ally informed the meeting that the populace is gradually moving away from the mainstream media and social media is continuously growing. He added that reporters in addition to signing on to the Media Code of Conduct should also reflect those principles stipulated in the Code of Conduct when posting content and opinions on social platforms; being cognisant of the fact that they have an influence on their followers.

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WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

631 murders occurred since Coalition Govt took office

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whopping 631 murders have been recorded in Guyana between 2015 and 2019, although the APNUP/AFC Government held out that the crime situation in Guyana was under control.

According to Acting Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Michael Kingston, in the year 2015, there were 149 murders and in 2016, this figure was slightly reduced to 142.

A further reduction to 115 murders was recorded in the year 2017 and in the following year (2018), there were 111 murders countrywide.

However, with less than two months away from 2019 end, there have been a total of 114 murders recorded in Guyana, with disorderly murders dominating the list of the types of murders committed.

“In 2015, we have a total of 64. For 2016, 2017 and 2018 they are all over the figure of 50.

And so, far for 2019, we are at 63”.

He explained that data retrieved by investigators reveal that disorderly murders frequently occur in interior locations such as Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine and that

Acting Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Michael Kingston

this form of murder is of major concern to law enforcement officials.

“This is resulting from the heavy drinking and sporting. It is a known fact that it is not easy to contain this kind of murder.

But we are partnering with our stakeholders at the moment in order to minimise this kind of behaviour within the interior locations”.

The Crime Chief (acting) also noted that in the interior locations, when the numbers of

disorderly murders from those regions are added, the final figure is higher than the total number of disorderly murders committed in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), which caters for the largest population regionally.

Meanwhile, according to the Acting Crime Chief, with murders that occurred during the commissioning of robberies, there was a reduction when compared to 2018.

“In 2015, we started

off at 24. We went up a bit to 28 in 2016 and in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019, there has been a reduction. For domestic murders, in the year 2015 we started at 21, for 2016 we came in line again with 21 and in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 there has been a reduction with an exception of 2018, there was an increase up to 25”.

As it relates to execution-type murders, in 2015, while there were 11 cases, in 2019, only 4 have been recorded to

date. However, Kingston added that in the category of unknown murders, in 2015, there were 28 cases recorded but this has been greatly reduced with only 14 documented for this year.

Meanwhile, over the five-year period between 2015 and 2019, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) managed to seize 567 illegal firearms throughout the 10 administrative regions in Guyana.

According to Kingston, in the year

2015, 115 firearms were seized, 110 recovered in 2016, and in the year 2017, a total of 119 firearms were retrieved.

Last year, the GPF seized 140 illegal firearms and for the year 2019 to date, there were 83 illegal firearms recovered.

“So far, we have seized 54 pistols, 16 revolvers, 9 shotguns, two rifles, one sub-machine gun. We also pay keen attention to the origin of these firearms.

And so far, the research has shown that most of our firearms entered Guyana from neighbouring country Brazil with 177 illegal firearms”.

He noted that the second most popular country, which those illegal weapons are being sourced from, is the United States of America with 162 being seized in the last five years.

Additionally, there is a notable number of illegal firearms that the GPF was able to recover but the Force is unable to determine where those weapons were sourced from.

“Some of the firearms that we recovered does not have any serial number. It is being filed off. As well as where it is made, that is being filed off,” Kingston added.

24 news

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

“We need to be the pioneers of our future” - UG valedictorian urges peers

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ineteen hundred and eighty-five (1985) students on Saturday graduated from the University of Guyana (UG) during two separate ceremonies at the institution’s Turkeyen Campus, Greater Georgetown.

After being conferred with degrees and diplomas in their respective study areas, the now new graduates of the University of Guyana (UG) were on Saturday morning urged to take control and ensure that the country and its citizens obtain what they truly deserve from the booming oil and gas sector.

This charge was delivered by one of this year’s

Valedictorian Shane Rampartab

President’s Medal, directed part of his fervent speech to his fellow graduates. He reminded

a change. No more promises. No more expectations. We need to be the pioneers of our future…

Guyana Times/Evening News senior journalist, Jarryl Bryan receives his Diploma in Communication from Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr Edward Greene

valedictorians, Shane Rampartab, during the first of two ceremonies of the University’s 53rd Convocation ceremony.

In addressing students from the faculties of Agriculture and Forestry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Education and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Natural Sciences and the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE), Rampartab took time to acknowledge the reasons behind his success while offering encouraging words to both present and future students of the institution.

Rampartab, who now holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, and is the recipient of the

of the country’s anticipated national development and the responsibilities set out for them in ensuring this goes in accordance with what society expects.

He added that one should not be overly contented with the country’s present state but rather desire change, which starts with each person especially the younger population.

“We cannot allow ourselves to fall victim to corruption. We cannot fall into the trap of nepotism and favouritism…but I must remind you we cannot afford to be complacent, complacency breeds stagnation.

We are the ones who have to be proponents of change if we want to see

Remember to hold yourselves accountable for the future of our country,” he noted.

Meanwhile, former United Nations special envoy, Professor John Edward Greene, who was appointed as UG’s new Chancellor, was officially installed during the morning ceremony as the institution’s 10th Honorary Head.

In his remarks, the incoming Chancellor emphasised the need to work with both internal and external stakeholders to build a University that makes a difference locally, regionally and internationally.

“I know that as Chairman of the Board, I must work in partnership with the Vice

Chancellor, currently the management transmission team, I must work together with all stakeholders within and outside the University in building what I call an accountability to the future. An accountability to the future is understanding what core values of the University are and promoting them.

Enhancing creativity to what I call a new geography of learning and then building a viable and relevant University that makes a difference to our community, nation, region and world.”

His address was complemented by his first duty as Chancellor that is conferring the degrees and diplomas to the graduating class of 2019.

Meanwhile, at the second segment of UG’s 53rd Convocation ceremony held on Saturday afternoon, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards urged the graduands to continue along the path of success and development in their future careers post-University life.

She stated that their achievements on Saturday were because of the dream that each graduand had to ensure that he/she was better equipped with knowledge and education to contribute to both self-development and a better society.

“Your success today demonstrates that you did not put a limit on what you can do and that is commendable. You had that desire, that passion and energy even, to succeed.

It demonstrates the willpower to succeed, that determination, that perseverance which has brought you to this stage today.”

According to Justice Cummings-Edwards, the journeys that each

Valedictorian, Karishman Narain, who received the President’s Medal and the Prime Minister’s Medal

graduand endured would not have been easy since they would have had to face challenges in various forms, but the discipline that they maintained is testimony to the fact that each person can overcome any obstacle as long as they remain focused on their goal(s).

Such qualities are necessary for each graduand in any career or field of work that they would want to now pursue, she added.

Meanwhile, female medical student, Karishma Narain, who graduated on Saturday with a 4.0 Grade Point Average received both the President’s Medal and the Prime Minister’s Medals.

Narain, who is this year’s second valedictorian, in her brief charge to fellow graduands, urged that they continue to equip themselves with the necessary skills to complement the education they have received and plan on receiving at higher levels in their futures.

Additionally, Registrar of UG, Nigel Gravesande, noted that this year’s graduation exercise is historic in

many ways.

“The 2019 graduation exercise consists of the largest numbers of graduates from the University of Guyana.

It is historic because the faculty with the highest number of graduates comes from the Faculty of Social Sciences with 507 graduates. It is historic because the programme with the highest number of graduates is the Diploma of Public Management with 126 students and it is historic because in the history of our convocation it is the first time that the UG is conferring the Master’s degree on a sitting Commissioner of Police.”

Guyana’s Top Cop, Leslie James, received his Master’s Degree award in Public Administration on Saturday evening at the UG Turkeyen Campus and Deputy Police Commissioner, Maxine Graham, also graduated.

Guyana Times Senior Journalist, Jarryl Bryan, also graduated with his Diploma in Communications.

(Leah Hernandez and Kristen Macklingham)

A section of the graduants on Saturday night during the 53rd Convocation ceremony at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus

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uby Maria Mingo is living proof that age should never be a barring factor on self-advancement. Mingo is an avid WhatsApp and Facebook user and keeps up with the latest social media trends as she goes about her daily life.

Born November 8, 1919, Mingo celebrated her 100th birthday in fine style with a grandiose celebration at her Haslington North, East Coast Demerara home. She

chose to celebrate her remarkable achievement with family and friends.

The high spirited senior citizen is a mother of 11 children, of which eight are alive.

She explained that she outlived siblings and her family has a history of enlarged liver. She added that her now-dead sister also lived up to 100 years.

Kicking off the grand celebration, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other relatives, some of whom arrived from the United States and Canada, gathered at her Haslington home. On November 9, her life was celebrated accompanied by her family and friends at the Golden Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church on the East Coast of Demerara, where she worships.

Later that same afternoon, she was treated with to a gala dinner at the conical palm-thatched benab – Umana Yana. Meanwhile, the curtains of celebration were then brought down the following day with a monumental birthday night celebration at her residence.

Speaking with the Sunday Times Magazine, Mingo said that she feels okay for a 100-year-old. However, she is faced with some health issues such as arthritis, circulation of the blood and is unable to see in her left eye.

“That doesn’t stop me, I still exercise in the morning, I walk to the gate and come back…. Sometimes I read without the glasses...I can even thread a needle”, she said.

The centenarian highlighted that she enjoys knitting, fixing puzzles, reading her bible and doing crosswords to pass time. She even added that she can use social media sites such as Facebook and Whatsapp. “ ...yes that is how I talk to my grandchildren overseas, I was even just speaking to my grandson from overseas, he was telling me why he couldn’t come”.

Aunty Ruby, Ms Mingo or “Granny” as persons would normally call her, stated that she grew up in Gibraltar East Berbice. She moved around Guyana and only settled after she got married. Growing up, education played an integral role in her life.

Like any child, Mingo remembers spending hours engrossed in games of hopscotch with her friends.

Mingo related that she could not remember her father and does not know what he looks like. However, she was told that he died by drowning when she was still a toddler. Moreover, she said her father’s death did not affect her and her siblings’ punctuality at school. She said her mother ensured that they were always on time for school.

“One thing my mother thought us was to pray she would always make us pray and she always made us read a Psalm from the bible before going to bed...because of that I read all of the Psalms and I know all of them. My mother even taught us to [be] respectful to everyone, we had to address everybody by Brother or Mister or Miss”, she said.

FEATURE 29

Meanwhile, she added that of her elder brothers, Cecil and Harold, were forced to leave school early to help support her mother. She said she wanted to attend the Carnegie School of Home Economics, but her family could not afford it.

At 18 years old, Mingo related that she relocated to Springlands where she lived with her aunt and husband. During that time she was able to get a job in New Amsterdam as domestic help with a Caucasian family.

At the age of 24, she got married to her husband, Wilbert Mingo, and they lived as man and wife for almost 49 years. She related that her husband was a man of integrity and invested in his children’s education. At one point, Mingo remembered being diagnosed with breast cancer but she refused to accept that fate. She explained that she spent six weeks in the hospital and even in her sick state she would visit other patients.

“My son Royston use to say why when I come I don’t see you at your bed. I would get up and go to each bed and pray for that other person on the next bed.”

Furthermore, she added that she is a Canadian citizen, but re-migrated in 2014 because she loves her country. She added that her wish is, when the time comes, to die in her home country.

When asked about her support system, Mingo said her family is her biggest supporter. She added that apart from family, people in the community, neighbours, and her church members would always visit or call her to know how she is faring.

When asked what her secret to living this long is, Mingo stated “God, prayer, and support. There is also a hymn that encourages me, the name is Trusting Lord Jesus, Trusting in only thee. None of us isn’t perfect, we all make mistakes”.

With her memory intact, Mingo lives alone and can do all her chores on her own.

However, family members and helpers would take turns in assisting daily.

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WEEK ENDING november 24 , 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Killing them…

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…not so softly he Stabroek News did yeoman service to the nation in publishing a list of 420 persons murdered as a result of the “troubles” after the Mash Day Jailbreak of Feb 23, 2002 and after Sept 2006. According to their analysis, which came out of their records, 151 of those persons had been murdered by bandits; 239 were killed during confrontations with Police and in unexplained circumstances, while 30 were security officers who lost their lives.

These figures obviously didn’t include the garden variety murders which hover around 100 annually, since the total number of murders during those years was 898. SN promised to continue with the figures up to 2008, when the last of the gang members had been finished off by the Police.

The “just the facts” approach might put a spoke in the wheels of the PNC’s decade-long propaganda onslaught that accused the PPP of killing “400 black youths”. The “dossier” they compiled actually had 449 names allegedly killed between 1993 and 2009.

It’s been pointed out without any effect that the PNC had included the names of many of the innocents who’d been killed by the bandits. And these certainly weren’t “Blacks”, but Indians like Ramdeo and Sita Persaud, who were gunned down as they relaxed in their hammocks under their house in Annandale, next door to the bandits’ hideout in Buxton. While the Police killed were mostly “Blacks”, they were all killed by the bandits!!

It really doesn’t give a flavour of the times, does it?

The Canadian Immigration Service has a piece on the Web: “Calling themselves the Five for Freedom, the convicts stated that their mission was to defend the rights of the Afro-Guyanese, and since their breakout, the group has been linked to a number of crimes, including the murder of at least a dozen mainly IndoGuyanese civilians, the assassination of several top police officials and a machine-gun attack on a police station.”

They quoted an analysis of GIHA, which showed another racialised selectivity of the bandits between 2002-2003: “Of 460 incidents of robberies, assaults, and kidnappings, 330 were directed at Indians, Indian businesses and Indian families. 31 Indians were killed

by Black bandits. Twelve people were kidnapped, all Indians, by Black bandits. Two of the kidnapped were killed.” Yes, it was a time of horror for this country.

By starting in 2002, the report missed the PNC actions that led to the carnage. While protesting the results of the Dec 1997 election in Georgetown, hundreds of Indians were beaten by roving mobs on Jan 12, 1998. This outrage segued into arson; blocking of roads at Buxton; killings of a father and son behind Buxton; kidnappings, and other murders.

It was the execution of Desmond Hoyte’s strategy dubbed “slow fyah; mo fyah”!! …with sacrifice??

So Jaipaul Sharma – representing his father, CN Sharma of the “Justice For All Party”, in the APNU coalition – insists he’s “prepared to give up (his) position as a possible MP and Minister of Government after the 2020 Elections in the interest of all Guyanese.”

Awwww! Isn’t that noble?? Or is it??

The way your Eyewitness heard it, the PNC types (who call the shots in the coalition) suspect that Sharma was about to say, “Yes! Yes! Yes!!” on that fateful night of Dec 21, 2018 in the hallowed halls of the National Assembly. Charrandas just beat him to it!! Whether it’s actually so or not isn’t the point.

Perception IS reality, and the perception that he’s a fifth columnist inside the Trojan Horse (to mix a metaphor!) has already made the PNC decide that there ain’t no place for the son of CNS. His effort to save face should be emulated by Ramjattan, since even if he gets the PM’s nod, it’ll be a poisoned chalice!! …without comment Isn’t someone going to parse the 600-odd murders that took place during the PNC’s watch of 2015-2019 to determine what sort of youths have been killed??

Or are murders under the PNC all kosher??

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WEEK ENDING November 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Utamu Belle

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oung, talented Linden deejay Terry Fortune is doing more with his skills than just musically entertaining the crowds. The enterprising young man has developed his deejaying skills into a business for himself, by establishing his very own Marketing Agency.

The young entertainer has proven that you can utilize your talents to become marketable and create employment for yourself and others.

Fortune, who is well- known as “DJ Terry” started deejaying approximately 8 years ago. While this is a passion which he has nurtured and grown to love, he has always been actively involved in community development projects.

Fortune, a former Wisburg Secondary School student. is presently the Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Road Safety Coordinator of the Fundraising Committee. In addition to that, he holds a number of other portfolios which includes Public Relations Officer of the Connections Youth Group and Founder and Marketing Manager for his own business Connections Marketing Agency.

Fortune describes being a deejay as a “God-given talent” since he was born into a family of numerous musicians.

“Since about 2000 I started playing around music. I always had that passion. Interacting with international artistes, I would have realized that you can bring something different to entertainment that Guyanese can actually utilize and I just ran with it.

I never stopped. I have my online radio station, my website that we have created,” he told the Sunday Times Magazine.

Fortune explained that ‘Connections’ was a name that his father came up with and is one used on all of his brands.

“We have a sound system named Connections Sounds, we have an online radio station, we have Connections Marketing Agency,” he boasted.

The new Marketing Agency which is located at

West Watooka, Wismar was birthed and established in 2016 but officially got up and running approximately 2 months ago. The agency specializes in graphic design, social media and online marketing, email marketing, branding and design, event marketing, media planning, product packaging, search marketing, web development, and promotional CD’s.

The idea for his business, he explained, came about after he became aware of the need for such an agency in the community. This was to propel to his community to greater heights. Hence, the reason to incorporate his skills.

Fortune noted that his passion for marketing grew in 2005 after he completed a marketing course and decided to broaden his knowledge in Barbados in 2007. He is of the view that that standard marketing is in demand in Guyana. As such, he decided that upon his return home he would move in this direction.

“I see it as a need in Linden because business in the whole, generally need a facility to actually take it to a higher level- to that national level or international level. So, I see the need for it and I just decided that I should just establish my business...We use strategies which could be beneficial to the public.

“As you know, music or entertainment as a whole is something that the world at large grasp on. So, one of our solutions to marketing issues is the use of promotional mixtapes. So, me as a deejay already would do some promotional mixtapes, putting on some of the popular music that the general public would embrace highlights these businesses,” he said.

Having done numerous crash courses both locally and overseas, Fortune has developed his skills and continues to do so. He is using the knowledge of the local music scene to further advance the interests of his clients.

“I learned a lot during my years of being in entertainment, in terms of

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how to create websites, blogs, promote businesses, how to actually engage the public...engaging companies and putting them on that international platformthat’s my main objective.

Linden and Guyana at large have the potential for international businesses,” he posited.

But the young entrepreneur explained that the main challenge for him is people seeing and understanding the potential and objective of the business. Nevertheless, he plans on expanding its horizons to greater heights.

“I’m aiming to establish it internationally, give everybody on the global market a taste of Connections Marketing Agency. You can promote businesses, artistes, events,” he said.

His advice for young entrepreneurs like himself is to stay focused and optimistic.

“You just have to believe in yourself and try to push for what you believe in. Getting people to understand your dreams is not easy but you have to do you. The challenge is usually execution. When you execute your dream, you don’t need an explanation.

People will see it. If they don’t see it they will hear it,” he said.

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WEEK ENDING November 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

children have the right infrastructure, resources, teaching and parental support in order to have a quality education, and go on to lead productive, happy lives. This is complemented by the Foundation’s livelihood programmes that work to create secure incomes. The organisation also helps to improve agricultural practices and market awareness for farming communities.

One of the newest areas the organization started work in is Emotional Intelligence (EQ).

According to PsychCentral, emotional intelligence or referred to as emotional quotient is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict.

Emotional intelligence helps y o u build stronger relationships, succeed at school a n d work, and achieve your career and personal Give Another Chance Foundation founder, Miranda Thakur-Deen goals. It can also help you

By Lakhram Bhagirat to connect with your feelings, turn intenive Another Chance Foundation (GACF) was tion into action, and birthed from the concept of charity begins at make informed dehome. Though it has been in existence for cisions about what just over eight years, GACF’s founders have been matters most to you. engaged in charity work for longer than that time.

With that in mind, Miranda Thakur-Deen founded GACF to supMiranda teamed up with severplement the work she has been doing throughout al other organisations as well as experts and held Guyana. The non-profit, non-governmental organithe first EQ walk in Guyana last year. Along with zation has a track record for helping to improve the the walk, there was a poplives of children across the country. up festiGACF is commitval which ted to providing baattracted sic education from over 600 pre-school to unipersons. versity, and healthIt was care to underprivthe first ileged children in time emorural and urban comt i o n a l munities. It is the beawarelief of the organisaness was tion whether you are raised addressing healthand chilcare, poverty, popudren were lation control, unemallowed ployment or human to truly rights, there is no betexpress ter place to start than w h a t in the corridors of edthey felt ucation. According to the GACF Facebook page, the vision is to provide children and young adults with the building blocks for a better future.

With mindfulness and the courage to inside. They were make a change, the Give Another Chance connected to experts Foundation has accepted the responsibility to prowho would go on to advide children and young adults with the building dress the issues faced by blocks for a better future. Their main aim is to proyoung people. vide them with the necessary resources and tools to Riding on the sucensure that every child is given the chance to evolve cess of the first EQ into a productive citizen. walk, Miranda and her The GACF has persons from various disciplines team at GACF began on its staff. The aim of this is to tackle issues in outreaches to schools in a number of areas to better equip communities to collaboration with the find long-term solutions to poverty through innoexperts and they have vative education and livelihood projects, which embeen able to place the power an individual to earn a livelihood. Its goal is spotlight on emotional to increase awareness on a range of issues – from intelligence. healthcare to appropriate social behaviour to un“We felt that the derstanding one’s rights, and in the process help, spotlight needed to be persons become better citizens. placed on the emotionThe Foundation works on self-reliant projects al wellbeing of our children. We have nevwhere its education programmes focus not just on er heard about so we knew we needed to do that. By access, but on attainment – ensuring vulnerable

G

tack-

ing emotional intelligence we feel that we will tackle mental health because once we have emotionally intelligent children then there will be less suicide and suicidal thoughts,” Miranda said.

“We at GACF are of the opinion that

Emotional Intelligence can play a part in curbing mental health and Suicide.

As such implementing Social Emotional Learning in the school systems is good for our nation’s children.

Pop-Up Festival is all about growing the skills for a better life and a better world. Grow Friendship, Reduce Conflict, Grow Self-Awareness, Reduce Volatility, Grow Connections and Reduce Isolation.

We are excited to bring this to you for another year,” Miranda informs.

The pop-up festival runs until noon today.

The POP-UP Festival honours the United Nations “Universal Children’s Day” and “Convention on the Rights of the Child”.

People have worked toward this aim for hundreds of years - and sadly, we are still far from it. In the worst cases, children are growing up in bondage and privation. But even in the best cases, vast numbers of children are growing up with basic rights imperilled -- rights to their wellbeing, social and emotional safety, and a chance to build a healthy life. While many nations are working to protect the most basic rights of physical safety, our world is far from where it needs to be for us to sit back and feel 100 per cent proud of the way our world’s children are treated.

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

T

he Guyana Golden Lives Organization (GGLO) is inviting you to join in observing Children’s Grief Awareness Day on November 21, 2019. As a not-for-profit organization that provides support to bereaved children in Guyana, GGLO will be organizing a series of activities to draw attention to issues involving childhood loss and the need for special support services for bereaved children.

To mark this special day, GGLO

invites the members of the public to wear a blue ribbon or item of blue clothing, as this is the colour dedicated to the cause. Photos of employees, volunteers and students in their blue ribbons or clothing may then be sent to GGLO's social media account or email address for publication. They are advising to use the hashtags: # Hold ingOnToHop e #NewWaysToCope # G G L O #CopeGrowDevelop # H u g s #EverydayHero #CGAD. There has been much media attention on the increasing number of suicides and homicides, particularly, deaths caused by domestic violence, in Guyana. These reports and statistics, however, seldom give us insight about the trauma that these untimely deaths cause to the children who are left behind. The

reality is, that when a parent or loved one dies, children lose a sense of security and safety; the impact is immense and can be carried into adulthood. Additionally, surviving relatives are often left to bear the financial and emotional challenges of caring for a grieving child.

GGLO’s Vision: To assist in providing comfort and support of all kinds to children across all divides who have suffered bereavement in Guyana.

GGLO’s main objective is, there-

FEATURE 35

fore; to promote the rights of widows/ widowers and orphans through the provision of support services specifically created to respond to the psychological, emotional and financial distress of children and families recovering from the loss of a parent or loved one. They provide practical support to grieving children and families through mentorship, scholarships and financial assistance. In addition, the Organisation also engage in community advocacy and support research on child bereavement in Guyana. Since its founding, GGLO has supported over thirty bereaved children across Guyana by meeting their diverse needs and are working towards offering assistance to many more families and communities across the country.

They are inviting everyone to join the campaign on November 21, 2019, to show support for the thousands of grieving children in Guyana and contribute to their work in other ways if you are able to do so. The theme is “Be an Everyday Hero- in support of grieving children”.

GGLO hopes to collaborate with the NGOs and Department of Youth across the region to create empowerment sessions/activities to equip young people with the skills to deal with loss. They would be less vulnerable to gangs and other social ills.

Through joint efforts, GGLO is hoping they can raise awareness about the need for special care and attention to be given to grieving children.

Bereavement is an overwhelming experience for people of all ages but for

children, it is especially challenging.

Events for Children's Grief Awareness Month: • Grief Symposium • Grief Awareness 'pop-ups' to share useful resources • National Observance of CGAD

by MOE in schools across Guyana • Retreat for the families we work with • Children’s Grief Awareness Day

36 FEATURE

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Preserving our literary Heritage By Petamber Persaud

(Extract of a conversation with Laura Johnston Kohl and Jordan Vilchez, Guyana, March 2018, both are back in Guyana on the 40th anniversary of the Jonestown episode. Kohl has already published one book on Jonestown with another forthcoming while Vilchez is preparing two books for young adults.)

P

P No one book can account for a people’s history. Parts of our history are still stored in diaries and memoires and in foreign archives. However, sometimes we are fortunate to have people who are still alive and in our midst and to whom we can turn to fill in the gaps. So it is with great satisfaction to meet both of you who are survivors of Jonestown.

Much of what we know about Jonestown came to us in various formats – books, films, social media. But there are missing pieces. I was not there, you were… let’s talk about the healing process.

LJK I lived in Guyana for about two years – one year in Georgetown and I loved every minute of it and then I moved to Jonestown. I travelled back and forth when I moved into Jonestown and I was one of the people who thought I would always live in Guyana – I loved it. I remember once when driving a car on what we called the wrong side of the road and I remember thinking that I would not have to remember to drive on the other side because I was never going back to the United States so I can forget all that training; thinking I would live here forever and have a long life.

Jonestown was like a utopia for me – a community of mixed races, there were young and old, black, white, brown, Asian and everything and I wanted that part of me to continue. And when Jim Jones started spiralling down and falling apart and becoming mental ill and drug addicted and all the other things going on with him, I still did not think the community was at risk, so after everything happened when 918 people died that day, I went back to the United States traumatized. And it took me twenty years to come out from under that rock – I said something happened on my watch, what was that. I also found out recently that people who were part of the Holocaust after WWII, many of them took twenty years to come out and say we have to be vocal so that it doesn’t happen again.

And so at twenty years, I reconnected with the survivors and then I wrote my own book, my autobiography Jonestown Survivor: An Insider’s Look PP When was that published?

LJK 2010.

I wrote about my whole process. I think what I know today, if you are traumatised, first you have to take care of yourself to get on steady ground. Then you try to include your community and then you look at the greater community. And now on the 40th anniversary, as I look at it, I realise that I have not heard the Guyanese voice, enough, in the whole review of what happened in the People’s Temple because the kindness of Guyana allowed us to be supercharged and build

Jordan Vilchez

this enormous community in just three years. So I came back to Guyana to reconnect with the Guyanese voices – answer questions and maybe talk about some of the rumours; discuss it more fully – I am a teacher, I teach six-graders so when I find a student who has a question, I love to follow their curiosity. So that’s one of the things we are doing by coming back – we are finding out about the curiosity and reflections from the people of Guyana who were involved with the People’s Temple so intimately especially out in the North West District by Port Kaituma.

PP Jordan, your opening thoughts.

JV Well, I came to Guyana when I was nineteen, first to Jonestown – everyone that came in, first went to Jonestown and most stayed. I was fortunate to also come out and spend time in some of the outlying areas like Georgetown, Linden and New Amsterdam and get to know the people of Guyana well. For me, coming back here, I wanted to see Jonestown or the area that was once Jonestown for...perhaps...the last time. Something was left unfinished without having seen it again so I was able to do that and it was very healing in a way I probably wouldn’t know until I get

Laura Johnston Kohl in her younger days

back home. But the other reason is I also wanted to connect with the Guyanese people who had always been kind and opened up their hearts to us, every single Guyanese I have met was very friendly and welcoming. And as Laura said the Guyanese perspective hasn’t been taken into account and the damage that the incident had on Guyana was large and I wanted to acknowledge that. So our trip here has been better than I could have expected. People have been really receptive and the conversations have been rich – I feel like along with my healing we can all heal together because the Guyanese people are victimised as well and together we can go further than just leaving it as this thing that happened, what more can we do together to learn from it and be open to creativity in ways we haven’t thought of before.

PP Two things: Laura you talked about the beauty of Guyana and its hold on you, and Jordan you too, and I am happy for that.

The other thing: in my line, I always question the text – there is not much coming from Guyana except for Eusi Kwayana....

LJH He is a good friend of mine. His perspective helped me opened up looking for the Guyanese perspective. He wrote his book A New Look at Jonestown: Dimensions from a Guyanese Perspective and he had asked me to write the foreword. I read the book and just loved it...you see when I was healing, I talked first about it was me then a little bit bigger and finally it was the bay area of San Francisco and California. I didn’t pursue it, I didn’t widen it enough. When Eusi wrote his book, he talked a lot about Guyana, he talked a lot about things bigger than Guyana – a global perspective of how a rich entity can come into a country and have no regulations, restrictions or overview because they seem so powerful, donating a lot of money and different efforts in a community. So what Eusi did, he expanded it as wide as it could be; it is not only a Guyana issue, it is not limited to the Western Hemisphere, it is really a global issue. So he included rich texts of historians and economists, people who had the perspective and data to prove his point which is saying that Guyana is not alone in having an outside force come in and really wreck havoc. That started me thinking that there must more Guyanese who have opinions but I don’t have much contact with them. So I wrote my book and started doing a blogs on my Facebook page targeting all the people living in Guyana. So I get this rich feedback – thousands of people would look at my blog and hundreds of people would respond: Oh, yes, I saw the Guyanese man shot at the airstrip; a bullet whiz by his leg and injured him or somebody saw a truck leave.

There is so much we haven’t even explored on the surface not even the deeper issues. So we have to start with the surface but even while we were here we had a community meet at Port Kaituma, inviting everyone to ask any question and we tried to let them know anything was fine. They came – 35 or so people came - they had all the questions, they brought up the rumours; it was a very friendly, open and active and wonderful gathering that we could look each other in the eye and what about that and Jordan or I would try to explain or agree with them that it was ridiculous or whatever...because we have a lot in common – we all

saw the madness from one point or the other....

PP One point or the other. Any new information coming out of that meeting?

JV There are a lot of rumours flying around after all these years – gold, money....

LJH Supplies of cement going into Jonestown.... on the roads available at that time; it seems unlikely.

You know, in a period of three, we created a community of three huge dorms, a pavilion, a school, a library, 52 cottages, housing 1,000 people living in Jonestown.

The makeup of Jonestown was about one third children, about one third seniors. [The children] were pretty much in school, or doing gardening, or cleaning the greens we brought in or sowing. And then there was a workforce about one third kept busy feeding 1,000 people three meals a day!....

Cement? No time for cement – only rumours....

JV This also shows you that without contact, all kinds of ideas come forth. Over this long period to time, people hadn’t the opportunity to speak to anybody.

LJK The Jonestown Institute is the most profound source of information....

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

Smart Mouth I never did know when to shut my mouth, So I guess it’s no shock to feel it smarting against your back handed swing, But to be honest, I bet it hurt you more, does it sting?

Can you feel it in your bones?

Copper taste against my tongue, I’m choking on my own blood, Does my manic laugh horrify you?

This Cheshire smile plastered across my face, Do my cheekbones slice your knuckles?

That’s going to leave a bruise, Not that you care, Twisted my head back by my hair, My body is peppered in greens, purples, blues, But with the way you turn your head down you’d think I was the one abusing you, When you wrap your meaty fingers around my windpipe does it give you pleasure?

What goes through your mind while you’re holding my life in your hands?

How many of my ribs have you cracked upon your feet?

Only to lick my thighs later like a treat, One of these days it’ll be my fingers around your neck, And I won’t stop squeezing till your dead, Until then use my body to your hearts content, This dangerous dance, Like egg shells beneath my soles, I’m waiting for you to slip on the blood you painstakingly draw from me blow by blow, And in your own sick way you actually love me.

Convinced the only way to save me is to hurt me, But I’m not that sick or twisted to believe the words you croke out, One day very soon it’ll be you who shouts, Ya I never did know when to shut my mouth, So I guess it’s no shock to feel it smarting against your back handed swing.

By Anonymous

NEWS 37

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Hospitals in Guyana to use new device to reduce maternal, child deaths

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ore than 40 midwives from both the private and public sectors benefited from a training programme hosted by the Public Health Ministry and the Midwives Association.

The programme, which brought together practitioners from the 10 administrative regions of Guyana, was aimed at preparing nurses and midwives for cases of postpartum haemorrhage (bleeding after childbirth).

At the event, held at the Guyana Nurses Association (GNA), facilitator Dr Narine Singh explained that one-third of the country’s maternal deaths were a result of postpartum haemorrhaging, something that the public health sector has been battling for some time.

However, with the aim to equip midwives with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent such deaths by effectively managing a haemorrhage, the health sector has decided to implement a device that is not new to many parts of the world – the pneumatic anti-shock garment.

According to Dr Singh, the Ministry has

introduced the use of anti-shock garments.

“This is a specific piece of equipment we can use when the patient is bleeding and helps to stabilise the patient. This was a piece of equipment donated by [Pan-American Health Organisation] PAHO and given to all of the hospitals’ birthing centres in the country, so that if there is a need to transfer the patient, we can use this anti-shock garment so that the patient can be stabilised until the patient meets where they can be managed more effectively,” he explained.

L i k e w i s e , Georgetown Public

21-yr-old jailed for assisting father to escape from custody

A

21-year-old farmer who helped his father to escape from lawful custody was on Wednesday sentenced to one year in prison.

Samuel Domingo, of South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper T a k u t u - U p p e r Essequibo), appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on March 27, 2019, at Katoonarib, South Rupununi, he assisted Eustace Domingo to escape from custody.

At the time, the elder Domingo was being questioned in relation to the murder of Reginald Thomas.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that on the day in question, the defendant went home and found out that his father had been arrested.

This angered the defendant, who armed him-

self with a knife which he used to free his father from a Rural Constable and the Toshao.

According to the Prosecutor, the father and son quickly escaped through some bushes and fled to Brazil.

The Prosecutor further stated that the defendant was recently arrested for the offence while his father was yet to be found.

It was reported that in March 2019, Eustace Domingo murdered Thompson while imbibing at a shop.

The two men got into a heated argument which resulted in Domingo arming himself with an axe handle, with which he dealt Thompson several lashes to the head.

The injured man was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Lethem Public Hospital. He was later transferred to the Boa Vista Hospital in Brazil, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Assistant Director Celeste Gordon, who was also responsible for the ma-

ternity unit, explained that this initiative was considered a powerful one since many lives at the GPHC specifically

would be saved.

“This knowledge is very important for my midwives at Georgetown Public Hospital, it will improve our practice which we need at this time … the pneumatic shock garment is very important; recently, we’ve been having a rise in postpartum haemorrhage and I think this is going to really help in our delivery of care. This will help our mothers to have a safe delivery,” she explained.

Mandy LaFleur, nursing and midwifery consultant within the Public health Ministry, said the Ministry planned to train all midwives in the health sys-

tem. According to her, this is to ensure that the training is effective, as strict monitoring of how maternal cases are dealt with will be done.

“We want to build their capacity [the midwives’] with the knowledge, skills and capacity so that they can go back into their communities and be able to share this information with their colleagues,” LaFleur said.

Meanwhile, she confirmed that this training programme would be conducted monthly to educate nurses across the length and breadth of Guyana, reducing the deaths of infants and mothers in the country.

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Moving…

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…up or down? our Eyewitness had reason to check out UG’s 2019 Graduation goings-on. The powers that be were very particular about matters and insisted it was actually a “Convocation” – which he understood to be a formal gathering of clergy or students and other credentialled folks. In this case, UG students were to be credentialled with 1985 degrees, diplomas and certificates and such-like – which were to be “conferred”. Having never been to one of these shindigs before, your Eyewitness’ interest was piqued.

But all it did was to confirm what he’d always figured: UG was just as Third World as the rest of the country. Even as they imitated what they must’ve seen in one movie or another on how the First World does it. That big hall in which the graduates are assembled along with their teachers who’d imparted all that learning over four or five years?? UG had strung together five or six large tents under which were arranged a couple thousand plastic chairs. The stage in front was a ramshackle affair and the dignitaries didn’t look too dignified in their faux medieval get-up.

What with them squinting into the sun and fanning their faces with their programmes to ward off the hell-like temperature.

The visitors, including your Eyewitness, were guided into chairs on the periphery and a motley crowd it was who’d eventually gathered. They’d brought enough babies and urchins to not only give him a headache but ensure that he’d just hear snippets of what was said from the stage, even if he’d wanted to. The “big screen” TV in front of his gathering was kaput and all he could see were the backs of the media camera crew. The sweaty gathering had to wait until the PM Nagamootoo arrived – and that took a while since he’d moved out from his home in Liliendaal and gone to “town”. He gathered from the feature speaker – the Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary who decided that 33 wasn’t the majority of 65 – that if there’s “no pain; there’s no gain”. Adversity brings growth and all that.

Your Eyewitness doesn’t know about that: people who put you down produce hate, either for yourself or for those who made you suffer. And adversity is equally likely to cause bitterness, frustration, and distrust – nearly the opposite of personal growth.

Just look at what the vindictive politics of the PNC has wrought over the past four years to those who they’ve neglected.

But back to the convocation. There was much boasting and bragging about the “largest” number of graduated coming from the “social sciences”.

Your Eyewitness wondered how they’d fare in the new oil-based “green economy”. …the bar There’s one newspaper that has persistently gone after the International Oil Companies (IOCs) for their actions following the contract the Government signed with them in 2015. And no matter what your Eyewitness and others have pointed out, they keep on barking up the wrong tree. When Granger’s Nassau pal Raphael Trotman, Minister renegotiated the PSA, he knew oil had been struck.

The fields had been “de-risked” so he could’ve set his own terms for Guyana since Exxon had just given up on prospects in the Arctic and the Canadian oil sands. Their reserves had fallen to historic lows.

Furthermore, the 1999 PSA signed by Janet Jagan had expired and the GoG wasn’t bound to the old terms – signed when no one knew oil was under the Atlantic.

Yet Trotman, who was supposed to be working for us Guyanese, gave away the store and yet the said newspaper doesn’t say a word about his treachery!!

Since when we can move the bar and insist that companies don’t have to maximise their shareholders’ value??

What about value for us by the PNC?? …on The most erudite legal scholar of Guyana – for all times – Chief Justice (rtd) Ian Chang passed away.

No other jurist has even alluded to the “basic structure” doctrine he invoked and which can block the PNC’s constitutional adventurism.

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 41

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Men have pivotal role in building stronger societies – Dr Lee tells men’s forum

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cores of male employees attached to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) were on Tuesday admonished to acknowledge and act the role of being the most significant example in today’s societies.

This charge was delivered during the agency’s inaugural symposium for its male employees at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

This was part of its celebration for International Men’s Day 2019, held under the theme “Making a difference for men and boys”.

The day, which is celebrated globally, not only seeks to recognise the work of men but also the importance of their wellbeing, responsibilities and the issues they face.

As such, at Tuesday’s event, GWI’s Board Director, Dr Wilbert Lee dedicated his keynote address to the vitality of change among men and how it should be done.

With this being the foundation of his remarks, Dr Lee placed emphasis on the need for a change of mind (the way we think), noting that this

ciety can look up to” Dr Lee asserted.

Meanwhile, in expressing value for GWI’s male workforce, Managing Director of company, Dr Van WestCharles highlighted a countrywide and indi-

GWI’s Board Director, Dr Wilbert Lee during his address

is the only way men can truly impact society.

“As this society is about to change, and it will change overnight.

We’re told that next year, 2020, the economy will grow by some 86 per cent, that’s phenomenal. But how are we as men prepared for that…. so if we’re really going to make an impact or make a difference as we celebrate International Men’s Day, our thinking has to be affected. Our thinking has to change, we cannot continue along the same path that we’re travelling.” He stated.

To this he added that such a change is crucial to produce stronger homes, communities and

the society as a whole, a responsibility most fathers and husbands especially do not embrace but rather abuse, according to him.

“So we have to build strong homes if we’re going to build a strong nation. And building a strong home has a direct correlation with fathers, husbands being in a home. We can’t build it no other way …we need to find or we need to develop in our societies men with chest. Men who will have strong moral values, men who wouldn’t see the need to sexually molest their daughters, men who would protect their families and men who the so-

vidual role of ensuring that the younger generations do not repeat past mistakes.

“It is important for us, as a country, as a people to be able to see how best as we move forward to ensure that the

young boys coming up do not make the mistakes that many of us would’ve made. We need to also reflect how we can improve our own currency so that our contributions can be valuable.”

42 NEWS

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

159 children placed into foster care homes in Guyana thus far in 2019

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ne hundred and fifty-nine (159) children were placed into foster care while 37 were adopted thus far for 2019.

This was disclosed during an interview with Senior Probation and Social Services Officer Monique Meusa as the Social Protection Ministry and Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) observe foster care month under the theme “every child deserves a champion: become a mentor or foster parent today”.

Every year, November is set aside for this celebration.

With respect to foster care, the Social Protection Ministry has developed a national al-

Theme for foster care month

ternative care policy for children and it is currently working on a strategic five-year action plan for the implementation of this policy.

As such, the focus of this plan is the deinstitutionalisation of children through the promo-

tion of family-based care and minimising the need for children to have outof-home care by providing training, education, financial and other support for parents which enable them to provide better care for their children.

However, the Ministry now has tangible resources to prevent unnecessary separation of children from their families with the establishment of the new Children and Family Care Centre.

In addition, these youths will be housed in the same residence where there is a high degree of care, support, structure, supervision, and services that are needed to aid in their positive growth and development.

Meusa told Guyana Times International that in 2017 the mentorship programme was launched with several success stories where children were able to excel in their examinations

and went on to pursue their tertiary education. “… of course, we are calling on the public to come on board and be mentors. If it is that you cannot open your home and provide that space for a child you can come on board and be a big brother. It’s like a big brother big sister programme so you can come on board and have that child with you and give them the support and care that they need,” she added.

She also noted that this programme is geared for older children who are ageing out. As such, emphasis is being placed on the foster care group home.

The new foster care group home initiative is

intended to benefit adolescent youths who are deemed in need of formal care (particularly from the Children Court).

Meanwhile, the embodying vision for the group homes is to provide a therapeutic, intimate family-like care setting for a maximum of six (6) youths to one group home provider.

Meusa added that the legislation is adequate to protect these children since it takes into consideration every harm that can be done to a child and also has systems in place to deal with such, ranging from the sexual offences act to neglect and physical abuse.

Assistant Director Tiona October noted that the organisation is similar to that of a psychologist who provides support to children who would have suffered trauma.

To pull down the curtains on foster care month, a boot day will be held at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on November 27, 2019.

Muesa urged the general public to come on board, join the programme and become a foster parent or a mentor.

NEWS 43

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

CCJ President Man found guilty of murdering praises Justice pensioner appeals 100-year sentence Chang’s A contribution to Caribbean’s jurisprudence fter being sentenced to a total of 100 years in prison for the murder of Danrasie Ganesh, a Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD) pensioner, in February of this year, 26-yearold Collin Allen is now asking the Court of Appeal to reverse the decision made by the High Court to impose the aforementioned sentence on him.

In his appeal, Allen is maintaining that his trial was executed in a biased manner and as such, the number of years given is unreasonable.

However, with the aid of video evidence, State Prosecutors Tuanna Harding, Abigail Gibbs, and Teriq Mohamed had argued that the woman, also known as “Carmen”, lived alone at Lot 121 Montrose, East Coast Demerara, and on the day in question, Allen invaded the property.

He reportedly entered the house through a window after which he attacked the woman. CCTV footage obtained from Ganesh’s home was used as evidence during the trial and revealed a male in the woman’s house hitting her on the head with a tyre wrench, kicking,

T

CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders

he President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders, has stated that the former acting Chief Justice of Guyana, Ian Chang, has made an important contribution to the development of Guyanese and Caribbean jurisprudence, according to a CMC report.

“The judicial and legal profession in Guyana has lost a true champion of the law. Justice Chang will be sadly missed,” Justice Saunders was quoted by CMC as saying in a statement for Justice Chang, who died at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital in Guyana after losing the battle against cancer.

Justice Saunders said Chang has to his name, “several outstanding judgements that are indelibly recorded in the law reports”.

“These judgements span an impressive range of subject areas, again demonstrating the breadth of his knowledge of the law and his utter devotion to it,” Justice Saunders said, adding that he had known Justice Chang for more than 50 years dating back to their years as students at the Law Faculty of the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI).

“Ian’s passion for the law, for legal argument, for interrogating the most esoteric nuances of the law is legendary. It was no surprise to me that he ultimately achieved high judicial office in his na-

Late Chief Justice (acting) Ian Chang

tive Guyana,” Justice Saunders was quoted by CMC as saying.

Justice Ian Chang was laid to rest on Tuesday.

Those among the attendees included Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Prime Minister (acting) Khemraj Ramjattan, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Retired Justice Claudette Singh, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, among others.

Justice Chang was labelled as “a man of honour who lived a life of selfless service to Guyana, who impacted the lives of many persons”.

The former Judge served in the capacity of acting Chief Justice for 15 years at the Demerara High Court.

Justice Chang went off on annual leave in December 2015 ahead of his February 2016 retirement. During his tenure as a Judge, he presided over some highly-controversial constitutional cases in Guyana.

Dead: Danrasie Ganesh Murder Convict: Colin Allen

and stomping her.

Allen later escaped but was apprehended three weeks later.

According to a caution statement given by Allen shared in court, he was paid some G$700,000 to kill the pensioner and steal property documents.

Allen, also called “Bonus”, formerly of Cemetery Road, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, was found guilty of murdering the 77-yearold woman on August 1, 2015, in

her East Coast Demerara home.

Following the verdict, Allen’s lawyer, Rachael Bakker, was reportedly left speechless while the convicted murderer maintained his innocence.

With respect to the 100-year sentence, Justice Navindra Singh initially gave 60 years to the accused but added 10 years for premeditation, 10 years for excessive brutality, another 10 for accepting money to kill the woman, and a further 10 years for being brutal to the woman who could have barely walked.

44 news

WEEK ENDING NOVember 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

CARICOM reiterates position on Venezuela T

he Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (CARICOM) grouping has reiterated its commitment to finding a peaceful solution to the political and economic crisis in Venezuela, where opposition forces have renewed their call for the removal of President Nicolas Maduro from office.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here, said that a four-member CARICOM delegation, including Trinidad and Tobago's Foreign Affairs Minister Dennis Moses, as well as the CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin La Rocque met last weekend in Mexico to discuss the crisis in the South American country.

“We reiterate our commitment to contribute to the efforts of the Venezuelan people to find a peaceful and democratic solution to their differences, in order to achieve peace and stability. We call on all actors to return to the path of a broad, credible and inclusive dialogue for that purpose,” according to the Declaration issued at the end of the meeting.

The Declaration reiterates the commitment of the signatories of the Montevideo Mechanism to contribute to efforts to find a peaceful solution to the problems confronting Venezuela through dialogue.

CARICOM has said in the past that the he Montevideo mechanism provides a guide to achieve peaceful res-

CARICOM Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

olution. Its core imperatives are dialogue, ne-

gotiation, commitment, and implementation.

“Further, the signatories reject the invocation of the InterAmerican Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance in treating with the challenges of Venezuela and recognize the usefulness of confidence building measures in advancing the dialogue,” the Declaration noted.

It said that given that other initiatives have not yet been fruitful, “we underline our position in favour of a dialogue based on impartiality and trust, as proposed by the process by the Kingdom of Norway.”

“We reiterate our concern about the humanitarian situation in Venezuela, urging all parties to guarantee the protection and respect for human rights,” the Declaration added.

The meeting also agreed on a “roadmap for future action”.

Last weekend, opposition party supporters took to the streets chanting “We are not afraid,” in the largest anti-government demonstration in months.

Political observers say while the action did not appear to match the anti-Maduro protests earlier this year, it still amounted to a major uptick from the smaller

scale protests of recent months.

The demonstrators said they felt inspired by the uprising in Bolivia that saw a divided opposition unite, win the backing of the military and force the resignation of former president Evo Morales, a staunch ally of Maduro.

CARICOM has maintained its non-interference and non-intervention in the internal affairs of states, prohibition of the threat and use of force, respect for sovereignty, adherence to the rule of law, respect for the constitutional framework and democracy, and the right of people to self-determination are core principles, which should not be violated.

V e n e z u e l a ' s Opposition Leader, Juan Guaidó, has declared himself the interim leader of the South American country and has been promptly recognised by several countries including the United States, Canada and some Latin American states.

But Russia, China and Cuba are among countries that are supporting Maduro, who was sworn into office in January this year for a second consecutive term as president. (CMC)

Dominican remanded for forged passport

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26-year-old Dominican, who allegedly forged his passport and was permitted entry into Guyana through both the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the Eugene F Correia, Ogle International Airport, was on Wednesday charged and appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Jose Alberto Medina appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied both charges which alleged that on November 18, 2019, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Timehri, East Bank Demerara, with intent to defraud, he uttered to Suresh Smith, an immigration officer, one forged Republic of Guatemala passport in favour of himself, purporting to show that same was issued by the Guatemala Immigration Department, knowing same to be forged. It was also alleged that on November 18, 2019, at the Eugene F Correia, Ogle International Airport, with intent to defraud, he uttered to Niketa Azore, an im-

migration officer, one forged Republic of Guatemala passport in favour of himself, purporting to show that same was issued by the Guatemala Immigration Department, knowing same to be forged.

In court on Wednesday, Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield said that Medina arrived in Guyana via Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) using his Guatemala passport. The Prosecutor said that he then proceeded to the Eugene F Correia International Airport, where he boarded a flight to Barbados using the same passport.

The court heard that upon arrival in Barbados, the Immigration Officers noticed that Medina’s passport was forged and denied entry into the country. As such, he was sent back to Guyana and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where he admitted to the offence.

He was remanded to prison and the case will continue on November 21.

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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46 NEWS

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Completion of national oil spill plan delayed

By Jarryl Bryan

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he National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) was supposed to be completed by early November but that has not materialised. According to a top official from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), a number of factors have caused the plan’s completion to be pushed back.

In an interview with this publication, CDC Director Major Kester Craig explained that one major factor in the delay was the additional comments they got from various stakeholders. Another factor was the manpower and resources that were diverted by the CDC to combat the recent effects of overtopping and flooding in coastline communities.

These contributors included the operators themselves, such as ExxonMobil, Tullow and Repsol, as well as local government bodies like Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) and Government agencies.

“At the last conference, I had indicated that the national oil spill plan should have been completed and sent to Cabinet for review and approval. We had some setbacks, mainly because tremendous comments after we circulated the plan to several stakeholders that we are going through and reviewing and trying as much as possible to incorporate”.

“Because at the end of the day, we want to ensure we have a plan that takes into consideration the entire needs of all those stakeholders, ensure there is transparency and ensure we account for the entire large stakeholders, not just at the national level but the community level,” he add-

CDC Director, Major Kester Craig

Participants at the simulation exercise at Splashmin’s Resort, Linden-Soesdyke Highway

ed.

To give an idea of the amount of feedback they got, he explained that at one point, dozens of stakeholders were reviewing the document section by section. And according to Craig, the CDC was asked to review certain sections of the plan.

Craig explained that owing to the numerous comments, they had to come up with a system to weed out repetition and optimise the recommendations coming in to ensure that they were in line with international best practices.

“But what also happened, about a week after the plan, Guyana was impacted by overtopping of sea defences and the Civil Defence team was actually engaged day and night, for

almost two and a half weeks, responding to emergencies and real-life events,” Craig also explained.

“So because of that, we had to change our course of action and place more emphasis on real issues, which would directly impact the environment and the livelihood of people.

But now that we’ve regained some normalcy now, we’ve begun putting some effort into completing the plan”.

No impediment

Nevertheless, Craig assured that the lack of a completed policy does not stop the relevant authorities from acting in the unfortunate event of a spill. Moreover, he promised that the plan would be ready

and presented to Cabinet by the time first oil arrives.

“Even though the plan has not been approved, it’s still an operational document. Which means the players that developed the plan are aware of their roles and responsibilities. So if, God forbids, something should happen, people know what they have to do in terms of responding and coordination”.

Since Exxon announced its oil find in the Liza-1 well in the Stabroek Block in 2015, a pertinent question has been the capacity of the relevant agencies to protect the environment in case of an oil spill.

It is a topic that has regularly been raised at public lectures.

An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study

had found that while an oil spill was possible, factors such as the location of ExxonMobil affiliates’ operations, combined with the region’s water temperature would minimise the effects.

Originally scheduled for 2020, the projected start of first oil production has been moved up to next month. A Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel has already arrived in Guyana’s waters, with Dutch firm SBM Offshore constructing a second one for offshore Guyana.

Work has been ongoing on the oil spill plan since last year, with the CDC leading the way and engaging relevant stakeholders over a number of months. The third draft of the plan was recently released for perusal. Among the components of that draft was a three-tier system of dealing with oil spills.

There is a tier-one level that deals with the local and facility-level response; the tier-two level is a national response to the oil spill and the regional and international response to an oil spill.

Hundreds participate in World Children’s Day Awareness Walk

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inister of State Dawn HastingsWilliams on Sunday joined representatives, supporters and other well-wishers of the Give Another Chance Foundation (GACF) in their Second Annual World Children’s Day

Awareness Walk and pop-up festival The GACF aims to provide basic education from pre-school to university, healthcare and community support to underprivileged children and youths in rural and urban areas. The

group believes that one of the best places to start addressing matters of healthcare, suicide prevention, poverty, population control, unemployment and human rights is in the corridors of education.

This year’s festival

Minister of State Dawn Hastings-Williams, former Mayor of Georgetown Patricia ChaseGreen and a young supporter of the festival, along with others along the route to D’Urban Park

A section of the marching band along the proceeding along Brickdam, Georgetown as Give Another Chance Foundation (GACF) hosted its Second Annual World Children ’s Day Awareness Walk and Pop-Up Festival

was themed, “Promoting children’s well-being, children’s rights and SDGs”.

It honoured the United Nations’ “Universal Children’s Day”, which will be ob-

served on November 20, 2019, and recognised the “Convention on the Rights of the Child”.

The walkathon started at the Parliament Building, proceeded East

along Brickdam, turned North onto Vlissengen Road, East onto Homestretch Avenue and into the D’Urban Park where the festival was held.

47

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The genesis…

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…of the corruption magine Hamilton Green complaining about “corruption” in the “bureaucracy”!!! It’s like Hitler complaining about the lower number of Jews in Germany!! Reminding us that he’d been around since the 1950s, he complained: “…our society, as from the closing years of the 20th century, has become so corrupted that in many areas, things don’t happen unless some bureaucrat receives a ‘small piece’”.

Now while Guyanese would fervently agree with Green, there are two significant gaps in his assessment: his refusal to not mention the “big ones” in Government and the origin of the corruption to begin with. On the first, he ignores the old Guyanese folk wisdom: “the fish starts to stink from the head” and on the second, he studiously locates the start of the corruption “from the closing years of the 20th century”, rather than from the moment the PNC slid into power in 1964 on its corrupt Faustian bargain with international forces that wanted the PPP out!

The British had used the bureaucracy to rule over the colony and had insisted on incorruptibility and efficiency into its membership. It would’ve been unheard of for a colonial bureaucrat to risk his civil servant status by accepting a “small piece”!! Burnham changed all of that, not because he wanted bureaucrats to be corrupt and inefficient, but because these were the inevitable outcome of the changes he initiated as he established his dictatorship!! They were unintended consequences but no less potent.

He achieved control of the bureaucracy through a process of “politicisation and de-bureaucratisation”: Weberian criteria of bureaucratic development such as objectivity, precision and continuity, discretion and qualification for office were abandoned. Through the doctrine of “party paramountcy”, the Orwellian titled “Office of the General Secretary of the PNC and the Ministry of the National Development” (OGSPNCMND) oversaw the ideological “purity” of bureaucratic training and performance. It was “jobs for the boys”!

Political loyalty became the sole criterion for measuring competence, suitability for hiring or for making recommendations.

A “party bureaucracy” was developed parallel but superior to the state bureaucracy at every level and they assumed many state functions, especially in reference to hiring and firing. State employees were monitored for adherence to Burnham’s line; dismissals accompanied transgressions. Multiple hierarchies of bureaucracies were created, which were granted overlapping jurisdictions— creating bureaucratic infighting.

By the time the economy collapsed, the demoralised bureaucrats could only survive on their “small piece” extorted from the hapless populace. Corruption had become power and absolute corruption was absolute power at all levels of Government!!

And this has never been rooted out: the PPP feared riots and reprisals and Granger’s return brought back the Burnhamite subversion of the bureaucracy.

Remember the Volda Principle?? …of AFC as PNC’s doormat Once again, the AFC’s threatening to go “solo” at the polls if their demands on the PM candidate and number of Ministries aren’t met by the PNC by Monday. The last time they made similar threats for the Local Government Elections, the PNC called their bluff and they were left in their nakedness for all and sundry to see!! It wasn’t a pretty sight…not being able to win a single constituency and even losing in Ramjattan and Nagamootoo’s own home villages!!

So, dear readers, pay no heed to the AFC’s fulminations, they’re holding the weakest hand possible. All their cards are Jokers!! How can the PNC take Ramjattan seriously when, since 2015, he’d been bending over forwards just to please them?? It was the AFC’s plan to close sugar?? It was Ramjattan who’d proposed the unilateral appointment of Patterson??

What else can the PNC think of them but “worms” when they show no backbones and brownnose so vigorously?

The PNC knows that the AFC has nowhere to go.

Hence their hubris!! …of Bolivia’s crisis It doesn’t matter what you call the ouster of Evo Morales in Bolivia; he overreached when he didn’t follow the Constitution and even his supporters came out against him.

They insisted on a return to constitutional rule. Will PNC supporters do less here?

For reconciliation in Guyana

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n the ongoing debate on the merits and demerits of “ethnic” representation by some of our public intellectuals, those who insist there are specifically “ethnic” concerns and issues that must be articulated and represented are dubbed as “tribalists”. Now I have always been deeply offended when this particular term is used in odium and contrasted with being “nationalist”.

Firstly, it connotes the image of societies that have tribes, especially in Africa, as irredeemably backward and violent and need to get on with it to become “modern” and develop into a “state”.

But what is the modern “nation” – constructed in Europe – but the “tribe” writ large? And which tribe has been more violent than, for instance, those same nations as they fought their “world wars”? Witness the survival of European “tribalism” in the Brexit phenomena through the different reactions of the English, Scots, Irish and Welsh, not to mention the about-to-be-expelled Eastern Europeans.

Rather than condemning the phenomenon, therefore, our elite opinion-makers ought to try to understand the wellsprings of ethnicity and ethnic aspirations especially. The norm of not publicly conceding the pre-eminence of ethnicity in Guyana is one result of the ideological blinders imposed by a Eurocentric scholarship to which most of the opinion-shaping elite still subscribes. Modern social science developed in a Europe that had already ‘solved’ its ethnic problem by transmuting it from a ‘national’ problem into an international one when they formed more or less ethnically homogenous states.

“State” and “nation” were generally synonymous to the early European theorists who focused on economic cleavages rather than ethnic ones, which were peripheral to their reality. The few who did, such as JS Mill, pessimistically concluded that: “Free institutions are next to impossible in a country made up of different nationalities”.

The dominance of ethnicity over class in most multi-ethnic societies does not imply that class is negated; they both exist objectively and subjectively. The two interact dynamically

and as to which preponderates depends on the situation and context.

The transformation of class and ethnicity from analytic categories into social groups is a contingency that involves the same set of actors, and where the class and ethnic motives may either conflict or reinforce each other. In multiethnic, multi-class societies such as Guyana, situations which pose perceived threats to the survival of a group, be it violence or domination by other groups, tend to evoke “ethnic” responses while local economic issues, which pose threats at the individual level, may evoke a “class” reaction.

Ethnicity is particularly susceptible to politicisation since it fulfils the instrumental economic demands of “class” while simultaneously

satisfying the affective, emotional, cultural and moral needs of its group members (ethnic interests). In a world of scarce resources and all-pervasive governments, ethnic political entrepreneurs do not find it difficult to persuade fellow group members that their economic interests are better served if their group controls the state. The affirmation of themselves as a people and the economic interest served, mutually reinforce each other.

Ethnicity is based on the perception by a group that it possesses common traits, primarily cultural and ascriptive, and common origins, which, taken together, make them distinctive from other groups. Objectively, when, as in Guyana, the ethnic groups are from different races, the

exclusiveness of each group is indisputable as the cultural markers of different religions, mores, and social institutions become reinforced by the disparate racial characteristics of skin colour, hair texture, etc.

The cultural basis of ethnicity makes it impossible to compartmentalise from other aspects of life – political, social, and economic. Instead of disappearing, as most had postulated, the opposite has occurred with ethnicity; as the modern man searches for meaning, struggles against atomisation and seeks transcendence.

“The ethnic group is the only social institution that defines and accepts persons for what they are and not by what they do.”

Subjectively, the individual’s perception of self and identity is formed in the early years of socialisation, when typically, the ethnic markers themselves become a part of the individual’s identity. In our estimation, therefore, political and other leaders have to acknowledge the legitimacy of ethnic concerns and deal with them objectively rather than pretending that they are distasteful and must be swept under a rug.

“Reconciliation” as we understand it, is needed between our ethnic protagonists in Guyana.

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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FFI 2019 opening ceremony was an evening to cherish as megastars Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth came together under one roof. At the event, Rajinikanth was honoured with the Icon of Golden Jubilee award.

During his thankyou speech, Rajinikanth tagged his Hum co-star Amitabh as his inspiration.

“The honourable chief minister of Goa, honourable minister Prakash Javadekarji, my inspiration Amitabh Bachchanji, all dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen, good evening to everybody. I am extremely happy to receive the International Film Festival of India’s prestigious Icon of Golden Jubilee award,” the actor said.

“My heartfelt thanks to the Indian government for honouring me with this award. I dedicate this award to all my producers, directors and technicians who worked in my films. And above

all my fans and my Tamil makkal,” Rajinikanth concluded.

Later, IFFI 2019 organisers also bestowed an honour on chief guest Amitabh Bachchan.

After thanking the audience for their constant support and love, Amitabh opened up about the bond he shares with Rajinikanth, which left the latter a bit emotional.

“Thank you for inviting me to the event

and bestowing upon me such a big honour. It is the blessing of my father and mother. I am standing in front of you today because of all the directors, writers, producers and music directors. But I am most grateful to my fans. In all phases of my life, you have supported me. I am indebted to you for all the love. I won’t be able to repay the debt. I don’t want to repay the debt as I would like to keep this love with me

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ctor Rishi Kapoor says it is important to recognise the role of artistes and cinema in the country as they have contributed immensely to its cultural, financial growth.

The 67-year-old actor completes 50 years in the industry next year.

Asked whether he looked at his career with fulfilment, Rishi told PTI, “That is something the people have to say. I don’t. But I have to wait for you people to say that this man has been working for 50 years, but no one does that (talk about contribution).

“The government doesn’t.

That’s the tragedy. The govern-

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runal Thakur, who has previously starred in films like Super 30 and Batla house, has joined the cast of Shahid Kapoor starrer Jersey.

“I am super excited to play the lead opposite Shahid in Jersey.

When I saw the original film, I was bowled over by its passionate emotional journey. It felt like I had lived a full lifetime of experiences in those two-plus hours,” Mrunal Thakur said in a statement.

always,” Big B said.

After thanking the government, he thanked his “friend and talented actor” Rajinikanth.

Senior Bachchan said, “Thank you so much Rajini for being with me and being an incredible source of inspiration. Such a humble human being. Came up from such humble beginnings. It is incredible that we have him here with us today, inspiring us every day and night.

Thank you so much Rajiniji. Thank you once again, ladies and gentleman. I have no words to express my gratitude to IFFI for honouring me today and for also having a retrospective of my films which should be starting tomorrow.

I am grateful that you have chosen me and my films for a retrospective.

I hope to see some of you there.”

The 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has kicked off in Goa. The film fest will conclude on November 28.

(Indian Express)

ment changes but this sadness remains.”

The actor said it’s about time a

culture is set in where people from the field of arts, culture and even business are given their due recognition from the government.

“I can talk about entertainment tax, how much we contribute. If cinema wasn’t there, a large chunk of money in the national treasury wouldn’t have been there. I am tired of saying this… acknowledge the role of artistes and cinema in the country. But they land on deaf ears, what can I do,” he added.

Rishi will be next seen in The Body co-starring Emraan Hashmi and Sobhita Dhulipala. The film is scheduled to be released on December 13. (Indian Express)

“So deep was the effect of the film on me that I couldn’t get it out of my heart the whole night, so I immediately watched it again the next day.

I can’t wait for Hindi audiences to experience a similar impact,” she added.

G o w t a m Tinnanauri, who helmed the original film, will be directing the Hindi version as well. Regarding the casting of Mrunal Thakur, the director

said, “After Shahid came on board, I only had Mrunal on my mind for the lead opposite him. I loved her performance and confidence in Super 30 opposite Hrithik Roshan and felt she’s perfectly fit for the part in Jersey and will do full justice to the role.”

Jersey is an official remake of the Telugu film of the same name, which starred Nani in the lead role. The film follows the story of Arjun, a talented but failed cricketer, who decides to return to cricket in his late thirties. He also wants to fulfill his son’s wish for an Indian jersey as a gift.

The film is being jointly produced by Allu Aravind, Aman Gill and Dil Raju.

Jersey is scheduled to release in August 2020. (Indian Express)

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ctor Emraan Hashmi says he wants to strike a balance between films and web, and says he hasn’t given much thought about working more on streaming platforms.

This year, the actor made his digital debut with Netflix’s Bard of Blood.

Emraan played Indian intelligence agent Kabir Anand in the series, based on Bilal Siddiqi’s novel of the same name.

“But as far as doing a lot of OTT, that’s something I haven’t given much thought. I am selective about it as you have to balance it out. If you’re so readily available on OTT platforms then why would someone come and see you in a cinema hall?” Emraan told PTI in an interview.

The 40-year-old actor said the second season of the espionage drama is currently in the scripting stage and it is the only show he is committed to on the digital medium.

“For me, ‘Bard’ was about exploring this worldwide audience with Netflix. I got a lot of offers for OTT platforms during that time. I get them even today. But I’ll only be committed to the second season, whenever it happens. It is still being written, I don’t know when it’s going to start.”

The show, backed by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, also featured Sobhita Dhulipala, Viineet Kumar, Kirti Kulhari, Jaideep Ahlawat, among

others.

Bard of Blood was met with mixed reception upon its debut but Emraan said he is happy with the audience response.

“Where probably that bit of criticism came in…

By design the show was made to cater to a certain audience and penetrate into the mass centres too. We were juggling with two things… But what we were setting out to do, we accomplished that.”

Despite a “few critics” who weren’t impressed with the series, the actor said he was flooded with texts and calls after people watched the series.

“I get a lot of positive response when I go out and people say the show was amazing, that they binge-watched it. People I haven’t heard from in 10 years suddenly start messaging me saying they’re hooked.

“I take that as a sign of a hit show. There are a few critics who would shoot holes, but the audience doesn’t see it that way. A lot of people have liked it. They don’t sit down to find things in it.

They enjoy the journey,” he added.

Emraan will next be seen in Jeethu Joseph’s The Body, featuring his Bard of Blood co-star Sobhita, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, among others.

The Hindi remake of the Spanish film of the same name, The Body is scheduled to be released on December 13. (Indian Express)

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

HOLLYWOOD 49

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isney film Frozen redefined the meaning of ‘true love’ for the younger generation. In a chat with indianexpress.com, Frozen 2 director duo Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck revealed the reason behind turning the idea of true love on its head.

Elaborating on it, Chris said, “I was just pitching an idea. Trying to show that the act of true love was not only a kiss from the prince. We have done that, and we have done it very well.

The question was what can we do differently.

There are many forms of true love, and one of those is familial love. The family has strength. And we wanted to explore the love between family members, especially two sisters. The studio was thrilled about that. We knew that it was going to be the act of true love.

It is going to be just be-

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tween these two sisters,” the director said.

Jennifer Lee chimed in, saying that she was thrilled about the idea of introducing ‘sister love.’

She said, “As a writer, it was the most delicious idea. We talked a lot about relationships.

We were able to differentiate between what we see, what we feel and what turns out to be the reality. Like the guy who walks in and looks like perfection isn’t (perfect) nine times out of 10. It’s not how it works.

With family, the power is deeper and overwhelming. Fairy-tales help to feel without taking on that journey.”

Animated films often tend to celebrate women and the power they hold much more than other films made across the globe.

Sharing her two cents on the same, Jennifer Lee said, “I don’t think I

ctor-filmmaker Elizabeth Banks says the audience, especially men, bought tickets for women-led comic book films such as Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman, as those movies belong to the “male genre”.

Banks’ latest directorial, Charlie’s Angels, opened last week to good reviews but the film failed to crack nine million dollars at the box office.

Prior to the movie’s opening weekend, the director told Australian outlet Herald Sun that if the action spy comedy, starring Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska, bombs, it would reinforce a stereotype that men don’t watch films with women doing stunts.

“Look, people have to buy

can break it down to one thing like that. I think every film reflects the filmmaker themselves and the time that they were made in. For me, the best thing is when people get different things out of them. I tend to get nostalgic for a lot of classic films for many different reasons. So, I won’t be able to generalise in a good way.”

Frozen 2 will see Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, and Santino Fontana return to voice their respective characters.

Sterling K. Brown, Evan Rachel Wood, Alfred Molina, Martha Plimpton, Rachel Matthews and Jason Ritter join the film in the sequel.

Frozen 2 will hit Indian screens on November 22. (Indian Express)

tickets to this movie, too. This movie has to make money. If this movie doesn’t make money it reinforces a stereotype in Hollywood that men don’t want to see women do action movies,” she said.

The 42-year-old also stars as one of the Bosleys in the movie and has produced it too.

Banks added that Captain Marvel, led by Brie Larson, and Wonder Woman with Gal Gadot in the title role, went on to rake in the moolah as such films fall in the “male genre” of comic book movies.

“They’ll go and see a comic book movie with Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel because that’s a male genre.

So even though those are movies about women, they put them in the context of feeding the larger comic book

t’s been over two decades since Titanic was released and despite director James Cameron, and leading lady Kate Winslet’s repeated efforts to settle the iconic door controversy, people keep questioning the climax where Jack freezes to death.

Fans have long argued that Rose (Winslet) should have made room for Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) on the floating piece of lumber after Titanic’s sinking.

Rose, who lay atop the door, survived in the end while Jack, who held on to the edge, froze to death in the icy Atlantic waters.

Now singer Celine Dion, the legendary voice practically synonymous with the 1997 epic film thanks to “My Heart Will Go On”, has weighed in on the matter, saying Jack didn’t need an invitation to climb on the floating door.

Host Jimmy Fallon asked the Grammy singer on The Tonight Show what she thought of the controversy.

She jokingly got annoyed as it was a “long time ago”.

“Don’t put me in trouble. What if they want to do a Titanic No 2?” she further quipped.

When Fallon prodded, she gave her viewpoint on why the entire debate was baseless.

“First of all, if you look closely to the pic-

ture, Rose is maybe dead or totally frozen and she’s not quite all there.

Okay? Second of all, he doesn’t need an invitation,” Celine Dion said.

“Come on baby, make yourself comfortable!

Jump in, you know? And then, who did not think about this guy who is in the middle of the frozen ocean and that maybe all his body is so frozen that he didn’t have the strength to jump in for my love,” she added.

James Cameron once said Jack’s death was inevitable as it was a part

of the film’s script.

“The answer is very simple because it says on page 147 (of the script) that Jack dies. Very simple,” he said.

However, Kate Winslet admitted “he could have actually fit on that bit of door”.

In an interview in July, Leonardo DiCaprio was coaxed by his Once Upon a Time in Hollywood co-stars Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie to address the controversy, but the actor refused to get drawn into the debate. (Indian Express)

world, so it’s all about, yes, you’re watching a ‘Wonder Woman’ movie but we’re setting up three other characters or we’re setting up Justice League’, she said.

“By the way, I’m happy for those characters to have box office success but we need more women’s voices supported with money because that’s the power. The power is in the money,” she added.

After reports of Charlie’s Angels well-below box office collections started coming in, Banks took to Twitter, saying she was “proud” of the film.

“Well, if you’re going to have a flop, make sure your name is on it at least 4x. I’m proud of #CharliesAngels and happy it’s in the world (sic),” she tweeted on Tuesday.

(Indian Express)

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Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin become first West Indies players to join women's Hundred

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tafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin have become the first West Indies players to sign up for the wom-en's Hundred, joining Australians Jess Jonassen and Rachael Haynes and South Africa's Mignon du Preez as each of the competition's eight teams unveiled a new marquee player on Tuesday.

Dottin will play for London Spirit for the competition's first season, starting in July next year, and Taylor has signed for Southern Brave, while du Preez is headed to Manchester Originals.

Jonassen links up with Australian captain Meg Lanning and coach Matthew Mott at Welsh Fire, while Haynes will play for Oval Invincibles and experienced Australian batsman Elyse Villani will head to Trent Rockets.

England's Georgia Elwiss and Alice Davidson-Richards will play for Birmingham Phoenix and Northern Supercharges respectively.

West Indies captain Taylor will play alongside New Zealand star Suzie Bates and England internationals Anya Shrubsole and Danni Wyatt at Southern Brave, where former England cap-

Stafanie Taylor

tain Charlotte Edwards will be head coach.

"The other three players we've already announced are very strong and it's going to be such a great competition," Taylor said. "I'm really looking forward to working under Charlotte Edwards again.

"There's also a strong Caribbean vibe in the men's team at Southern Brave - with Andre Russell, Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan - so it will be nice to play alongside them and hopefully both teams can have success."

Du Preez, who has previously played in the Kia Super League, was looking forward to returning to do-mestic competition in England.

"It's going to be something a bit different but it's obviously all about trying to take cricket to as many people as possible and as players that's something we want to support," du Preez said. "I look forward to coming back to the UK next summer and being a part of Manchester Originals."

The announcement means that the eight teams have each announced four members of their 15-strong squads.

Team head coaches have until May 31 to settle on their lineups. (ESPNCricinfo)

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WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Ball tampering: Pooran 'will learn from his mistake' - Steven Smith S

teven Smith believes his former CPL team-mate Nicholas Pooran will learn a lot from his recent suspension for ball tampering, while revealing how much the Newlands scandal had helped him to understand his own mental limits and the need for regular breaks to enhance his decisionmaking.

Pooran became the latest player to be found guilty of ball tampering - the second after Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal following that Cape Town Test and was suspended for four T20I matches.

Smith had previously played alongside Pooran for Barbados Tridents, and the former Australia captain said that 24-year-old Pooran would gain plenty from the introspection forced by the offence and its penalty.

"Everyone is different, every board is different, and the way they deal with certain issues.

For me, I copped it on the chin... it is what it is. I know Nicholas, I've played a bit of cricket with him and he's a talented player and someone with a bright future," Smith said. "I think he'll learn from his mistake and move past it.

"I don't feel hard done by. It was a long time ago now. I've moved past it and I'm focusing on the present. I played with him in the Caribbean league at Barbados. I think he's going to be an exceptional player in white-ball cricket."

Reflecting on how the scandal had influenced him, Smith said he was now far better at recognising where he was at mentally and whether he needed a break from time to time. Entering the fateful Cape Town Test of 2018, Smith had actually admitted "maybe now my mind is not in as good a space as it was", yet was compelled to push on through the fatigue accumulated over a summer where he did not get much time to rest. He is now optimistic that he and others will benefit from the painful lessons that followed.

"I'm able to I think catch my mind, where that's going and the decisions I'm making are a lot more clear with what I'm trying to do," Smith said. "Every deci-

Video footage showed Nicholas Pooran scratching the ball with his thumbnail (Getty Images)

sion you make has got an outcome, good, bad and ugly, whatever, I'm able to think of how it's going to look before I make that decision a lot of the time.

"Of course, I'll still make mistakes, I'm a human being, we all do.

But being able to catch yourself and the way you're thinking is something I've learnt and something I'll continue to work on and continue and get better at."

While at pains to ensure it did not sound like he was making excuses for what transpired at Newlands, Smith said the current discussion around mental health, following the decisions of Glenn Maxwell, Nic Maddinson and Will Pucovski to take leave from the game, reflected a growing understanding of how important it was to have a good idea day to day of where cricketers, and particularly their captains, were sitting in terms of their personal wellness.

"I think that's something that we're getting a lot better at," he said.

"Communication with the coach, relevant people that are involved where we can have those honest conversations with about how we're tracking. It is a pretty hectic schedule nowadays. It's bloody tough to sustain it for long periods of time, particularly I think for the fast bowlers. It's extremely difficult what they put themselves through. It's great that those conversations are happening and we're

trying to keep guys as mentally and physically fresh as they can be.

"Don't get me wrong, that's no excuse on my behalf. No excuses there.

But I think it's great those conversations are happening. We fill out daily how we're feeling,

haviour, if you're feeling ill or not sleeping well or feeling a bit off, they're aware of it. That can sort of start a conversation. Why is your sleep bad? What's going on?

Why are you feeling a bit off today? It's good that they do that. It's good for guys' mental health and wellbeing as well."

The Gabba Test will mark another milestone for Smith on his road back from Newlands, being his first Test match at home since his ban.

He will be seeking to maintain the stunning performances he reeled off in England to help Australia retain the Ashes, while also beginning a summer in which he is likely to return to South Africa for the first time since the scandal as part of the limited-overs team.

"I'm pretty chilled about everything at the moment," he said. "I've obviously been back playing for Australia for a little while now and even my first Test back in England I didn't think too much of it. I was just playing a game and do-

Nicholas Pooran will learn from his mistake and move past it, feels Steven Smith (Getty Images)

how we slept... the sleep gets a big red every now and again. We fill out a wellness thing every day.

The coach and psych and head of team performance look at our markers daily and it's upon us to be honest in the way we go about that as well.

"They can see how we're tracking and if there's a change in be-

ing what I love.

"It's great to be playing my first Test back in Australia, I'm excited about that. I've had some success personally at the Gabba and we usually play pretty well as a team here. I'm excited about getting back out there.

Hopefully we can have a really successful summer." (ESPNCricinfo)

Lewis leaps into Top 10 ICC T20I rankings

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Evin Lewis

vin Lewis’ recent good showing in the T20 International Series against Afghanistan has seen him move into the Top 10 of the ICC rankings for batsmen in this format. The left-hander had scores of 68, 14, and 24 which earned him a jump of seven places and into seventh position – making him the only West Indian in the top bracket. Lewis has done well in the T20I format with two centuries against India – in 125 not out Jamaica and 100 in Florida, as well as 91 against Pakistan in Trinidad, CWI has reported.

There was also a rise for two West Indian bowlers who performed well over the three matches.

Kesrick Williams completed a successful return to international cricket as he ended as the leading wicket-taker with eight wickets for 71 runs off 12 overs. This earned him a jump to

Number 23 in the rankings released on Monday.

Sheldon Cottrell, the left-arm new ball bowler has broken into the Top 20. He bowled well in all three matches with a best of 2-29 in the final match on Sunday night.

The next white ball assignment will be three One-Day International and three T20 Internationals against India in December.

With the white ball formats completed the west Indies and Afghanistan will now switch their attention to the Test match, which will be played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, from November 27 to December 1. It will be the sixth Test match for west indies this year and first away from home.

They beat England 2-1 at home to regain the Wisden Trophy but suffered 0-2 series defeat at the hands of India in the Caribbean, CWI reported.

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India down West Indies Women 5-0 in series whitewash Story and Photos by Brandon Corlette

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disappointing series concluded yesterday when India Women in clinical fashion registered a 61 run win to clinch the T20I series 5-0 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. Batting first, India scored 134-3 while West Indies were restricted to 73-7 in a clueless chase.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, India lost both openers with only 17 runs on the board. India lost the aggressive 15-year-old Shafali Verma for nine runs, including one sweet six; Hayley Matthews took a sharp return catch to remove Verma, followed by stand-in Captain Smriti Mandhana who scored seven, holing out to long-off from an Anisa Mohammed delivery.

Jemimah Rodrigues was partnered

by Veda Krishnamurthy, but the lights were out after 3.1 overs, with the score on 17. This power outage was the second of the series as the handful of spectators only in the Red Stand waited in disappointment. Power resumed after a 20-minute break with Rodrigues and Krishnamurthy playing the ball on its merit, capitalising on the ordinary fielding by the West Indies.

The duo saw India surpass the 100-run mark in the 17th over; Krishnamurthy reached her maiden T20I fifty from 43 balls in the penultimate over. In that same over, the duo reached the 100-run partnership batting India into a strong position.

Rodrigues reached her hard-working fifty from 55 balls, but soon after she fell, attempting a sweep shot off Aaliyah Alleyne; her stumps were de-

The victorious Team India

stroyed with the score on 134-3 in the final over.

That 117-run partnership put India in a firm position while Krishnamurthy ended unbeaten on 57 from 48 balls, including four boundaries. Matthews ended with 1-23 in four overs, Mohammed had 1-26 in her four while Alleyne snatched 1-23 in her quota.

Chasing 135 to win, a new-look West Indies opening pair trotted out to bat in the persons of Natasha McLean and Kyshona Knight. McLean got things underway with a huge six into the scoreboard, pulling right-arm seamer Mansi Joshi. Failing to rotate the strike, McLean holed out to the

mid-wicket boundary, heading back to the pavilion for nine. Chedean Nation, who entered this match with 56 runs, more than any West Indies batter, was dismissed for a first-ball duck.

Nation played a wild swipe to a full

straight ball with the score on 13-2 at the end of four overs. At the end of the power play, West Indies were struggling at 18-2, with Chinelle Henry surprisingly partnering Knight. In the 10th over, West Indies lacked intent and lost Henry for a 14-ball six when she was caught behind. At the half-way stage in a chase that never got underway, West Indies were reeling at 29-3.

Matthews, batting at number five, partnered Knight but her stay was a short one. She was bowled all ends up by Pooja Vastrakar for two at 314. Knight’s painstaking knock of 22 came from 39 balls hitting two fours.

She became the fifth wicket with the score on 53-5 at the end of over number 14; 10 runs later, Guyana’s Sheneta Grimmond ran past one and was stumped for five with the score on 63-6.

Shabika Gajnabi was then run out for three as the batters continued to fall like dominoes.

Shemaine Campbelle stayed until the end with an unbeaten 19 from 23 balls, but West Indies fell miles short of the target, ending on 73-7 in 20 overs.

Anuja Patil ended with 2-3 in yet another dominant display by the Indian bowlers.

Guyana’s Ronsford Beaton suspended from bowling in Super50 with immediate effect

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ricket West Indies (CWI) has confirmed that the Opinion Report by an Independent Assessor at Loughborough University has found the bowling action of Guyana Jaguars pacer Ronsford Beaton to be illegal and, as such, he has been suspended from bowling in domestic West Indies matches with immediate effect, according to CWI. The assessment revealed that Beaton’s deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees’ level of tolerance

Ronsford Beaton

permitted under playing regulations. Beaton will remain suspended until such time as his action is found to be legal, either by an Opinion Report from Loughborough University or by an independent analysis from an accredited testing centre, in accordance with the CWI Regulations for Dealing with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions, CWI said.

He is expected to undergo remedial work supervised by the Jaguars franchise and can apply

for a reassessment after modifying his bowling action in accordance with the Regulations.

The 27-year-old Beaton was reported for a suspect bowling action during the Jaguars’ game against the United States last Monday in the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup. Beaton’s action was cited by match officials after he bowled eight overs for figures of 0-37 during the game at the Queen’s Park Oval, which the Jaguars won by 13 runs.

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Maloney excels at GMR&SC Clash of Champions – Team Mohamed’s remains spotless

No-ball or not?

Cummins' wicket sparks debate

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Team Mohamed’s has maintained its dominance in the Superstock and Supersport classes with British riders Richard Cooper, Daniel Linfoot and Harry Truelove

he SR3 Radicals had their second run at the South Dakota Racing Circuit when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) hosted their Clash of Champions tournament last Sunday.

Current British F4 Champion Zane Maloney participated, and put on an impressive display in the quickest class of the day. The 16-yearold swept the threerace SR3 Radicals Cup on Sunday in demanding fashion, and this was the GMR&SC’s premier event of the year.

Maloney’s weekend was quite impressive.

He acquired the pole position for the first race, which he won three seconds ahead of Trinidad & Tobago’s Luke Bhola.

In the second showdown, due to the rules

governing the reverse grid in the Radicals’ Cup, Maloney started at the back of the pack, but was already in control of things by lap 4, racing toward the 15-lap limit.

As expected, he dominated the third Radical race, lapping a couple of competitors in the process.

In the Superstock and Supersport classes, it was business as usual for Team Mohamed’s daredevils, who remained undefeated, with British riders Richard Cooper and Daniel Linfoot sweeping their respective classes, while Harry Truelove rode in second only to Linfoot.

In the Group Four category, 2017 and 2018 CMR&SC Champion, Andrew King of Guyana, showed his superiority with a clean sweep of

that class, despite some fight from Mark Maloney and fellow Guyanese Stefan Jeffrey.

Suleman Esuf of Barbados swept Group Three, while his brother Ahmed picked up one win in Group Two — after Guyana’s Rameez Mohamed had won the first race but was derailed in his second race because his rear bumper was rammed.

The Choke Starlet Cup races saw Motilall Deodass picking up a win, a second and a thirdplace finish, accumulating points which may be enough to see him dethrone reigning champion Annand Ramchand for the overall championship and $500,000 first prize.

Following the action, GMR&SC President Rameez Mohammed

briefly commented on the well-attended event.

He said: “The event was very successful. I feel pleased with all the hard work the office staff put out.

It was very competitive.

We had drivers from Barbados, Trinidad, Canada and the UK; so, in all, it was a great event.”

B.M Soat Auto Sales, Mohamed’s Enterprise, KFC, Tropical Shipping, Valvoline, ANSA McAL, Motul, ExxonMobil, Japarts, and Air Services Limited were the major sponsors of this event.

Use pic from folder Team Mohamed’s has maintained its dominance in the Superstock and Supersport classes with British riders Richard Cooper, Daniel Linfoot and Harry Truelove

big debate was sparked on the opening day of the Gabba Test when third umpire Michael Gough allowed Pat Cummins' dismissal of Mohammad Rizwan to stand, ruling there was no conclusive evidence to call a no-ball on replay.

After Cummins found Rizwan's edge in the 55th over, the dismissal was sent to the TV umpire, Gough, to check for the no-ball.

Numerous slow-mo replays were used, which did not appear to show any part of Cummins' foot behind the line but, eventually, the wicket stood.

While the convention in the game has been that the benefit of doubt goes to the batsman for line calls, in the scenario of no-balls being checked by the third umpire the ICC instructs umpires to give the benefit of the doubt to the bowler.

"I'll look at the scoreboard, it says a wicket.

It's the closest one I've had. Not sure what happened," Cummins told Cricket 360. "I never like that feeling when they go upstairs after a wicket. Marnus [Labuschagne] said 'that's fine', I wasn't

that confident but 100 metres away from the screen it's hard to tell sometimes. I was a little nervous before they put the finger up."

Waqar Younis, the Pakistan bowling coach, acknowledged it was a tight decision but came down just on the side of Cummins having overstepped. "It's a tough one, it's hard to say it was or wasn't a no-ball.

Touch and go, could have gone to either side.

When you look at it closely it might be just over the line. To be fair I think it was a no-ball."

The view in the commentary boxes was that Cummins had got away with the decision. "I think that's the wrong call. I think it's a no-ball and should be recalled," Jason Gillespie said on ABC Radio.

On Channel 7, Ricky Ponting said: "I had a look at a lot of replays and I could not see any part of his foot land behind the line. Glenn McGrath's beside me with his fast-bowler hat on saying there's definitely just a millimetre behind the line.

I couldn't see it. It has not landed behind the line. Anyway, I'm obviously seeing things."

(ESPNCricinfo)

Emerging Players stumble with USA defeat in Regional Super50 W

est Indies Em ergin g Players stumbled in their bid for a semi-final spot in the Super50 Cup when they went down by 43 runs to unfancied United States here Tuesday.

Asked to chase a seemingly straightforward 217 at Brian Lara Stadium, Emerging Players suffered a batting meltdown and were bundled out for 173 in the 45th over.

Kevin Sinclair top scored with a breezy 44 off 46 deliveries batting at number seven, while the in-form Joshua DaSilva struck 31 off 46 but his side never really recovered from a position of 94 for six in the 27th over.

Left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige finished with three for 34 but it was the fast bowling pair of Cameron Stevenson (2-27) and Elmore Hutchinson (2-

28) who made the early inroads into the innings.

Opting to bat earlier, USA battled their way to 216 for nine off 50 overs, with Timil Patel getting 35, Stevenson hitting a swift 33 off 23 balls and Monank Patel chipping in with 27.

USA struggled to get partnerships going and slipped from 63 for one after Sagar Patel and Steven Taylor both scored 22 in a 39-run, second stand, to find

themselves stumbling on 82 for four in the 22nd over.

Nisarg Patel (17) and Monank pushed the score past 100 in a 36run fifth-wicket stand before a second clatter of wickets, and USA needed Stevenson's enterprise at the end to get beyond the 200-run mark.

Leg-spinner Yannic Cariah (2-35) and leftarm spinner Camarie Boyce (2-40), both fin-

ished with two wickets apiece.

Emerging Players started badly in reply when Gidron Pope fell to the first ball of the second over without a run on the board, and even though there was a recovery courtesy of a 34run second-wicket stand between DaSilva and Kimani Melius (19), the innings faltered again at 59 for five in the 17th over.

Sinclair, who struck

two fours and three sixes, then added 35 for the sixth wicket with Roland Cato (17) and a further 38 for the seventh with Dominic Drakes (28 not out) but the innings eventually collapsed with the last four wickets tumbling for 41 runs.

Emerging players remain on top of Group B, but tied on 16 points with second-placed Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and Guyana Jaguars. (CMC)

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WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

CONCACAF Nations League…

Guyana finish 2nd after 1-1 draw against Jamaica T

he Golden Jaguars pulled off a stunning 1-1 draw against regional football powerhouse Jamaica on Monday night, thanks to some impressive work by goalkeeper Quillian Roberts.

The drawn result following the encounter with the Reggae Boyz was a vast improvement on the 4-0 thrashing that the Jamaicans handed the Golden Jaguars in their first CONCACAF Nations League meeting back in September, at the Leonora Track and Field facility.

The starting XI comprised Captain Samuel Cox, Terence Vancooten, Matthew Briggs, Callum Harriott, Keanu MarshBrown, Clive Nobrega, Daniel Wilson, Daniel Kadell, Trayon Bobb and Emery Welshman. Once again, Head Coach Marcio Maximo opted to go with Quillian Roberts as his custodian for the night, and he turned out to be the hero of the match.

The Group C, League B action went down at

Quillian Roberts (with ball) was a hero for the Golden Jaguars

the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where both sides struggled to find the back of the net in the early minutes of the game.

While Jamaica had a handful of trial-and-error attempts, Guyana’s first real shot at the goal was made by Marsh-Brown after an assist from

Welshman. However, the shot was tipped over the crossbar by Jamaica’s goalkeeper, Akeem Chambers.

Welshman then took matters into his own hands in the 45th minute when he fired a shot past the Jamaican custodian from the edge of the box.

Guyana ended the first half in the lead, 1-0.

As expected, the Reggae Boyz fought hard to level the score and did so quickly. Minutes after the resumption, Javon East found the back of the net with a Bobby Reid assist to

equalise.

Thereafter, the Jamaicans had more chances at the goal, but Guyana’s goalkeeper, Roberts, jumped and dived to prevent the ball and the net from having a meeting. Jamaica’s Ricardo Morris tested Roberts three times, but could not get past his

safe pair of hands, resulting in the 1-1 draw.

While Jamaica finished first in the group and will automatically advance to the 2021 Gold Cup, Guyana’s secondplace finish has given them the opportunity to play the Gold Cup qualifiers, for the 2021 tournament.

Guyana’s Samuel Cox (8) hustles Jamaica’s Peter Vassell during the Golden Jaguars’ 1-1 draw with the Reggae Boyz

WEEK ENDING november 24, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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