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Pressure mounts over GECOM appointment ISSUE NO. 369

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017

See story on page 3

...Opposition, civil society stage massive protest outside Parliament

A large group of protesters, supported by Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and other People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarians congregated before Parliament reconvened on Thursday and demonstrated their disapproval of President David Granger’s unilateral appointment of (Rtd) Justice James Patterson as the new Chairman of the Guyana Elections’ Commission (GECOM)

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Pressure mounts over GECOM appointment ...as massive protest greets President on arrival at Parliament

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large group of protesters, supported by Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and other People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarians congregated before Parliament reconvened on Thursday and demonstrated their disapproval of President David Granger's unilateral appointment of (Rtd) Justice James Patterson as the new Chairman of the Guyana Elections’ Commission (GECOM).

Citizens, some representing civil society and the Opposition PPP/C, were very vocal in expressing their displeasure over the recent controversial appointment and held up placards bearing various slogans calling for the President to respect the Constitution of Guyana.

President Granger also addressed the National Assembly

en by the APNU/AFC Administration since it took office in May 2015.

two month recess, but instead held up placards and shouted slogans at

rigging” and “not fit and proper” in clear reference to the recent contro-

amid an in-house protest by Opposition MPs armed with placards voicing their concerns over several actions tak-

PPP/C MPs did not walk out of the House as President Granger was addressing the National Assembly at the end its

times drowning out the voice of the President.

Opposition MPs chanted slogans such as “free and fair elections”, “no more

versial GECOM appointment.

However, the President continued his address as if he was

not bothered despite his voice was drowned out at times by Opposition chants.

Amid calls to have the issue relating to the appointment of the Chairman of GECOM addressed in the new Constitution, the Opposition Leader said that there is need to have strong compliance with the current Constitution now.

Addressing members of the media on Wednesday, Jagdeo said the idea being pitched around by supporters of the current Administration is that the issue could be fixed later, because the unilateral appointment of a GECOM Chairman is a “done deal” and does not have any bearing.

“We need constitucontinued on page 5

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

Guyana's Miss World contestant Vena Mookram got all dressed up in her traditional [Dance of the World] wear and attended the parade at carnival city in Chimelong Bay, China, where this year's Miss World Pageant is being held.

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EDITORIAL

Donor Conference in NY an excellent initiative

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n November, the Caribbean Community (Caricom), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will hold a high-level Donor Conference at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to mobilise international resources for its members devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

This is an excellent initiative aimed at rebuilding the devastated countries and helping the wider Caricom Region improve its resilience to natural disasters. It was announced by Caricom earlier this week that international development partners; friendly countries; NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs); prominent personalities; Private Sector entities and foundations have been invited to participate.

Caricom Heads of Government and the Secretaries General of Caricom and the United Nations are also expected to play a leading role in lobbying for support for the affected countries.

It could be recalled that the powerful Category Five Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit the Region in September causing a number of deaths and widespread devastation in Caricom Member States and Associate Members. Irma, with wind gusts of over 230 miles per hour (mph), damaged or destroyed more than 90 per cent of the buildings on Barbuda – the sister island of Antigua – leading to the complete evacuation of the island; and between 60 and 90 per cent of buildings in Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the Southern Family Islands in The Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Haiti, and St Kitts and Nevis were also affected.

Maria passed two weeks later, hitting Dominica with such fury Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit was prompted to declare that “Dominica is pure devastation”. In essence, the devastation is unimaginable, and currently, much effort is being placed on rebuilding houses and public infrastructure that were destroyed by the hurricanes.

Caricom, through the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), has been at the forefront of the immediate relief efforts. Member States, including Guyana, Private Sector companies and public-spirited individuals have contributed significant quantities of relief supplies. Several countries have also contributed security personnel, health professionals and utility repair experts, among others.

However, these relief efforts are just short term. Experts have predicted that more frequent and extreme weather linked to climate change, like hurricanes and severe flooding, will occur more often.

While we cannot prevent natural disasters from occurring, we can certainly prepare better, so that the impact is reduced. For this reason, it is crucial that in their efforts to rebuild, countries should rebuild better; meaning buildings and infrastructure should be able to withstand the force of natural disasters or minimise the effects as much as possible.

Surely, the decisions we make today will determine our long-term resilience to natural hazards and be critical to people’s well-being in the short and long terms. When we build in hazard-prone areas, or fail to apply the appropriate building codes, people’s lives and assets are put at risk.

With reconstruction costs for the Caribbean nations estimated in the billions of dollars, the UN has said that their economies — often highly indebted and dependent on tourism, fishing and agriculture — need help in setting up a regional emergency insurance fund to soften the impact of disasters.

Disasters require complex responses, drawing on a wide range of skills and capacities. Responses require the cooperation of various stakeholders, including multilateral development agencies, and national and local governments, NGOs, the Private Sector, natural and social scientists, technical specialists and citizens as a whole.

The Donor Conference scheduled for November is, therefore, very timely and, no doubt, will go a very far way in helping countries get back on track. As pointed out by Caricom, the event comes against the backdrop that the impacted countries are Caribbean Small Island and Low-lying Coastal Developing States (SIDS) with inherent vulnerabilities. Most have also been made ineligible for concessional financing from major donors which have categorised them as middleto high-income countries.

It is, therefore, hoped that the Conference will seek to highlight the plight of these small islands, more particularly the threat they face owing to natural disasters and the need to become resilient.

Get tested early for a fighting chance against cancer

…Guyana’s First Lady urges

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s the Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF) and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GTT) close the curtains on the month-long PINKtober activities aimed at raising funds to support the fight against cancer, First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger reiterated the importance of early detection in the fight against the disease and urged both men and women to safeguard their health by scheduling annual medical check-ups.

She made these remarks at the PINKtober closing ceremony, where GTT presented a cheque valued G$4,752,680.00 to the GCF, which was garnered from the myriad fundraising activities.

“I am very happy that GTT has come on board because too often we have been saying that people do not understand the importance of early testing.

So I urge you; especially our younger people, to start having early annual check-ups, that is how you capture all the… infirmities that you might have at an early stage… I urge you

women, especially in relation to breast and cervical cancer; put yourselves first,” she said.

The First Lady further commended GTT for their tremendous Pinktober initiative and encouraged other members of the corporate community to emulate their example as cancer affects all segments of the population. “I hope that [GTT] can influence other members of the corporate community to follow them in this practice of corporate social responsibility,” she said.

Meanwhile, GTT Marketing and Communications Consultant, Ms. Samantha Gooden said that the company took the decision to launch the PINKtober Initiative so that it could make a greater, more tangible contribution to groups and organisations that support those suffering from the disease as well as survivors. “With Pinktober we were able to give first and foremost to our people,” she said.

Ms. Gooden also noted that the company plans to build on the initiative. “GTT continues to be committed to the cause.

We are already in plans and negotiations for Pinktober 2018…

We are going to work with the Guyana Cancer Foundation to ensure that this is a topic that stays alive so listen out for more,” she said.

President of the GCF Ms. Bibi Hassan said the funds will be used to expand the range of support services her organisation provides, which will include prostate cancer screenings in the new year. She too commended GTT for endorsing her organisation’s programmes and for utilising its corporate capacity to raise awareness about the prevalence of the disease in Guyana through the ‘No Bra Day’ initiative, the 5k/10k Walk and Pink Fridays activities, among others.

GTT also collaborated with private sector businesses and other entities such as Pulse Entertainment, which hosted the PINKtober Pretty in Pink Benefit Dinner and Synergistic Blends Choir and Chronix, which will be hosting the Celebration of Life and Smile Guyana concerts, respectively.

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Pressure mounts over GECOM appointment... tional compliance now,” Jagdeo said.

The former Head of State reminded that the Carter Formula has worked for over 25 years and both parties had agreed with it. He also noted that the current formula is enshrined in the Constitution, and therefore there is need for constitutional compliance to take place now.

“We can change the system in the future but until we do that (David) Granger and the others have to act in accordance with our Constitution,” he asserted.

Asked whether he was prepared to submit a fourth list to the President, the Opposition Leader said he would have done so if the President had agreed to comply with the court’s ruling.

Chief Justice Roxane George had ruled that the President is not obliged to select a person from the six names on the list unless he has determined that the persons are unacceptable as fit and proper for the appointment and that he cannot deem the entire list unacceptable if one or more nominees are not fit and proper.

Jagdeo maintained that the President act-

Opposition MPs staged an in-house protest during the President's address to the National Assembly on Thursday

ed in bad faith. He again accused the Head of State of being “untrustworthy”, pointing out that the move is unconstitutional in which he acted in defiance of a judgement.

“He renounced 25 years of common understanding and history between our parties and they are trying to polarise this country once again along the lines of race when this issue has nothing to do with this,” the Opposition Leader

stated.

Responsible debate not race

Another issue of contention raised by the Opposition was the fact that some groups and individuals, who are closely associated to the current Government, have moved away from having responsible debate about the issue and are now actively engaged in making it a race issue.

Jagdeo reminded that the issue has noth-

ing to do with race, noting that while some people wanted to create an impression that his list did not contain any person of Afro-Guyanese background, that idea is false and from reality. “I have seen a flurry of activities delegated in the public media to distorting the fact surrounding the matter of the appointment of Chairman of GECOM,” he added.

Court action

The

People’s

Progressive Party has already filed High Court proceedings to quash the appointment of Justice Patterson as GECOM Chairman because he was not picked from among the 18 nominees and that he appears to be closely linked to the People’s National Congress Reform, the largest partner in the governing coalition.

Civil society, including the business community and trade unions have come out

from page 3

in strong opposition and have slammed the decision taken by President Granger. The Private Sector Commission has since condemned the decision as “dangerous” and a threat to democracy.

The United States (US) has also issued a call for Guyana’s High Court to swiftly settle the ongoing controversy over the appointment of the new GECOM Chairman.

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Many issues on which the AFC is silent

Dear Editor, The poorly-paid teachers of Guyana are now being asked by the Prime Minister to exercise ‘patience’. A quality which was seriously lacking when the Coalition Government gave themselves salary increases ranging from 50 per cent to 100 per cent. These impoverished teachers are also told that the Ministers have now been exercising ‘patience’, since they will not be giving themselves any salary increases for this year and next year! He said that those in Government did not receive ‘a cent’ in increase in 2016 and 2017 and will not receive ‘a cent’ in 2018. This is absurdity to the extreme!

It’s easy to say this when your salary is more than 28 times that of a teacher. That is leaving out all

the perks and other benefits which these people enjoy. A paltry increase of eight per cent is unacceptable for public servants and more so for teachers.

These teachers are the pillars upon which a society is built and their contributions cannot be so easily thrown aside by making them feel that they are being unreasonable and should exercise ‘patience’.

Imagine the expenses which a teacher has to go through. Apart from his/her daily sustenance a teacher has to be properly dressed, groomed and fork out money for transportation to and from work. If that teacher is married, he/she is in trouble financially. The Prime Minister drew a comparison with what he was working for in terms

of US dollars, but failed to submit the hardships he and his family had to endure and what he had to do to supplement his meagre earnings. He failed to also state what the cost of living was in those days. Being a former teacher, one would have expected that his contribution to the plight of the teachers would have been more than a request for ’patience’.

Another aspect which one must look at is the performance of teachers as compared with that of the Ministers of Government. It is a fact that the results at CSEC and the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) Examinations have been improving all the time.

Can we safely say this about the Ministers?

Absolutely not! It’s one scandal after another

and a declining economy, which is being buffered by taxing the people into poverty. When one examines this in light of the tax-free and duty-free concessions of Ministers of Government, this insult is beyond our conscience!

The Prime Minister is now saying that, “if you don’t have revenue, then you can distribute nothing”. It must be recalled that this Government had said that they inherited an ‘empty treasury,’ so the pertinent question is: Where did the revenue come from? They did not even start to work as yet and they inherited an empty treasury, but they had ‘revenue’ to pay themselves stupendous increases in salary. Why did the Ministers not take their increases ‘incrementally’ and ‘hope for

the best’? The teachers must now wait for the ‘oil money’ to flow. Perhaps the Prime Minister can recall the old adage, ‘a bird in hand is worth two in the bush’.

I do strongly believe that the Prime Minister has the ability to do a lot better for the teachers. Why is he progressively alienating and distancing himself from the working-class people of this country? Selfpreservation should not be the deciding factor, but the principles which one should stand for, have stood for, have lived for and have been willing to die for! History can be very cruel to those who turned their backs on the masses!

What is the AFC’s position on this? The Prime Minister is definitely parroting the Government’s

position, but we need to hear from the Leader of the AFC. There are many issues on which the AFC is silent and a silent partnership is counter-productive to national development. The remaining few AFC members should condemn this ‘muted’ relationship!

Teachers should not be asked to wait for two years to have a significant increase in their wages and salaries. I must commend the GTU President, Mr Mark Lyte for standing his ground; teachers should be respected.

Their demands are not unreasonable. “Patience has its limits, take it too far and it’s called cowardice”!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor – Region Six

The imposed edicts of Only the Courts have the authority and Congress Place have mandate to interpret the Constitution done great harm to young people of Guyana Dear Editor, Today, increasingly, the widespread perception is that the young are feeling not very involved or engaged. From my conversations with the hundreds of folks who take the time to communicate with me using the various social media channels, I am being told increasingly that something is really wrong with the economic system in Guyana in 2017.

While youth unemployment is a challenge globally at 13.5 per cent, in Guyana, according to the latest statistics from the World Bank, it was 25.5 per cent in 2016. If their business is under a clear and present danger because of an oppressive business climate locally, the last thing on employers’ minds is the hiring of another staff. So, clearly, the main loser from this policy paralysis emanating from a very distracted Granger regime will be the young.

It is most unfortunate that today there is a pervasive rent-seeking attitude from the small group of people that surrounds David Granger.

Their public attitudes and private utterances on national matters portray a sort of “the transport for the nation we own now, leave us alone so we can collect our rent”. But if the Guyanese people allow them to get away with this strategic recklessness, the fortunes of the young people will be compromised for a long

time to come.

The attempt by the Granger cabal at the monopolisation of the systems of power in the nation totally ignores the fact that they ‘won’ the elections by 4506 votes and even worse yet, the Parliament by a SINGLE vote in Region Eight.

With such a narrow margin, greater collaboration and adherence to the rule of law would have been the expected norm. But what we got instead is Mubarak-ism where a maximum sort of leader walks around in delusion believing that he won 99 per cent of the votes. This is the problem – the septuagenarians and octogenarians in the PNC are living in a fool’s world.

So what next for the youths of Guyana. First off, let us all read more on the ideas put forward by our revolutionary thinkers like Walter Rodney.

The season of peaceful but firm resistance is upon us, because clearly, the attitude of these septuagenarians and octogenarians in the PNC does not represent the will of the people. Actually, the imposed edicts of Congress Place since May 2015 have done great harm to the long-term well-being of the young.

The nation has to pull together to stop this delusion of grandeur in the Granger regime.

The time is now when we must all step up to protect the future.

Sincerely, Sase Singh

Dear Editor, The letter from Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan, who, interestingly enough, signed it, not as a government minister, but on behalf of the People’s National Congress Reform, warrants a response.

This letter is the latest from the PNC and groups (and individuals) linked to the PNC and the PNC-led Coalition government, which seeks to defend President David Granger’s action.

What we have seen is a breakaway from 25 years of established procedure. What we have also seen is a breach of the Constitution. There is no doubt, despite the many attempts by these ‘defenders’ that the Constitution was breached.

Article 161 (2) states that: “The Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person.” The President has said that he relied on the proviso to Article 161 (2), but the proviso says he can only do so, if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list, as provided for in Article 161 (2).

Bulkan attempt his defense of President Granger’s action by saying that, “independently-thinking legal scholars (agreed that) the President’s action was

correct in law, and is consistent with the Constitutional mandate and rightful expectation bestowed upon him by virtue of his office.

Therefore, any assertion that President Granger acted outside the letter and spirit of the law has no merit.” Who are these “independently-thinking legal scholars” Minister Bulkan refers to? The recently matriculated retired Rear Admiral and Presidential Advisor, Gary Best? The Attorney General, Basil Williams, who has demonstrated his incompetence time and time again?

Editor, the fact is that it is only the Courts that have the authority and mandate to interpret the Constitution.

In the case of Mr. Marcel Gaskin versus the Attorney General, in relation to the GECOM Chairperson issue, the Chief Justice, Roxanne George, ruled that, “While the applicant (Gaskin) has not applied for a determination of this issue, it was raised by the Bar Association in its brief which was filed and served on all parties.… it does appear to me that failure to submit a list as provided for speaks to the provision of an acceptable list, as discussed earlier. If by not choosing any of the persons listed the President thereby find the list unacceptable, the proviso to Article 161 (2) would apply and the President should then go on to appoint a judge or former judge or person who would qualify for appointment as a judge in Guyana or the Commonwealth to the post of Chairman of

GECOM. But all of this in in effect academic because more than one list has been sought and provide.”

The Chief Justice is the only independently-thinking legal scholar whose opinion matters in this case. The President cannot rely on the proviso to Article 161 (2) of the Constitution, when the Chief Justice said any discussion about the use of the proviso is rendered “academic” in light of the fact that three lists of GECOM nominees have been submitted to the President by the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

Minister Bulkan also repeats what has been said by the Attorney General, and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, by saying that the President was forced to unilaterally appoint Reverend James Patterson as the GECOM Chairman. This cannot be accepted. It was the President who, according to the Department of Information, promised a collaborative way forward, if he rejected the third set of nominees. On June 12, 2017, President Granger promised that, “A high-level team would be assembled representing the President and the Leader of the Opposition which will begin to work immediately on exploring modalities to bring a resolution to this matter in the event that the list is rejected.” How then was the President’s hand forced?

Also, how can Guyanese accept Minister Bulkan’s reasoning that the President’s action “put an end to the she-

nanigans being perpetrated by Mr. Jagdeo, whose goal it was to have a Chair who would be biased in favour of the PPP.” First, the Opposition Leader held consultations with civil society to come up with the nominees. Second, it is President Granger’s nominee who is politically biased. Reverend Patterson was a pallbearer at the private funeral ceremony for the late PNC leader, Desmond Hoyte.

Reverend Patterson was listed as part of the ‘Rally Around the PNC’ group.

It is Reverend Patterson’s whose integrity is now being questioned after he claimed that he was the Chief Justice of Grenada in 1987 – something that no one seems to be able to confirm.

Minister Bulkan claims that that Local Government Elections are due by December 7, 2018 and a GECOM Chairman had to be appointed. If this was the case then there were qualified and competent professionals who were nominated. Why didn’t the President choose one of them? Will Guyanese ever know the reasons for President Granger’s rejection of the list submitted by the Opposition Leader?

If Minister Bulkan wants to claim that the list submitted by the Opposition Leader was flawed, he should provide reasons to substantiate that claim.

Sincerely, Nigel Dharamlall People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP)

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‘Citizens are already overtaxed’ …Jagdeo says in response to Jordan’s ‘no new taxes’ statement

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promise made by Finance M i n i s t e r Winston Jordan that there will be no new taxes in Budget 2018 has received heavy criticism by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who said the tax measures imposed in almost every productive sector by the coalition Government in 2015 is enough reasons not to introduce new taxes.

Jordan told the media in early October that support will instead be provided to small businesses, including miners and according to him, due consideration will be given to revising Value Added Tax (VAT) on education.

However, on Wednesday, Jagdeo recalled that before the new Government took office, miners did not have to pay Value Added tax (VAT) on machinery and equipment but now they have to. Their Tributors Tax was also increased by 100 per cent mov-

ing from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, and their final tax was increased by 40 per cent.

Further, Jagdeo said also noted that miners have to pay G$2500 for every ounce of gold they declare.

“So let Jordan look at the miners in their faces and tell them that there will be no new taxes and there hasn’t been in the past three budgets. Let Jordan look at the rice farmers and say to them that land and water payments will no longer be increased,” the former Head of State lamented.

The Opposition Leader also alluded to the fact that people in the forestry sector are also being taxed. In addition, home builders now have to pay VAT on building materials; something that did not exist under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration.

“But frankly speaking, the damage has already been done to the productive sectors and to welfare and so how

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

come hard time finding new taxes,” he added.

While Jordan promised not to introduce any new taxes, Jagdeo said there is a possibility that there could be increases in the current pool of taxes, something he hopes is not implemented given the already severe burden facing people.

Economic policy

Shifting his attention to President David Granger’s economic policy, Jagdeo, a trained economist, said the President is far from reality in terms of what is taking place on the ground. According to Jagdeo if persons are to travel around the length and breadth

of Guyana like he has done, they will have a greater understanding of what is really taking place. He said having spoken to Guyanese from all walks of life, regardless of political persuasion, race and religion, “you will find that there is a common worry about our future, the loss of welfare the loss of jobs and rising criminality and hopelessness.”

The Opposition has put forward a motion in Parliament seeking to have the Government reverse several tax measures. The motion calls for the restoration of the purchasing power of the people by removing the imposition of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on zero-rated items, new fees and licences, and an increase in taxes which were included in the 2016 and 2017 budgets.

The 3000-word long document extensively lists a number of measures that the parliamentary Opposition believes should be implemented to “stimu-

late the economy and reduce poverty and hardships.”

In that document, the PPP made recommendations for improvements to the tax framework, the finance sector, the business sector, infrastructural development, energy sector, education social services, health, agricultural sector, Amerindian welfare, the sugar industry, the rice sector, the mining sector, the transportation and communication sectors, and the security sector.

PPP Member of Parliament Irfaan Ali in whose name the motion was submitted, argued that the implementation of the recommended policies is critical to the creation of an environment more conducive to the growth and expansion of the economy, the creation of jobs, sending the right signals to the Private Sector, and, improving the welfare of the people.

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High Court trial Guyana Govt making moves to commences for upgrade post offices man accused T of fatally stabbing ‘rival’ Murder accused: Rudolph Singh

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urder-accused Rudolph Singh appeared before Justice Simone MorrisRamlall on allegations that he caused the death of Kevin Harrison at Ideal Road, along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

When arraigned at the High Court in Georgetown, the accused denied the July 12, 2013 stabbing to death of Harrison, by way of entering a plea of not guilty.

A jury of 12 members was subsequently empanelled to hear the case in which a total of seven witnesses are expected to testify.

In the opening addresses, State Prosecutor Narissa Leander implored the jury to keenly observe the evidence which will be presented in the case, urging them to be fair in judgment while Singh’s Attorney, Pamela De Santos highlighted that it was the deceased who armed himself with a knife, got into a scuffle with the defendant, which resulted

in his death.

According to reports that surfaced at the time of the murder, the confrontation stemmed over the two men allegedly being romantically involved with the same woman. Singh had reportedly confronted the woman and Harrison at a shop with cutlass in hand. After the woman left, Singh was said to have pursued her and Harrison followed them.

Reports are sometime later, the two men got into a physical altercation which led to the deceased man suffering 4 incised wounds, allegedly at the hands of the murder accused.

Police Sergeant Richard Marshall was the first witness to take the stand and he testified to taking the report of the murder at the Timehri Police Station at 19:55h on the day of the incident. He told the court that Singh surrendered himself some four days after the incident occurred.

he Government is redesigning the services being offered by post offices to increase its revenue stream.

P u b l i c Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes shared how this would be done at the Guyana Postal and Telecommunication Workers’ Union 21 Delegates (second triennial) Conference at the Union’s East Street headquarters on Sunday.

The Minister has committed to ensuring there was an increase in agency fees. “These services have been totally not looked at, not supported…and it’s about time we changed it,” Minister Hughes said.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the Government is also examining other payment methods for the distribution of pension. The cost has become astronomical for the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC), the Minister acknowledged.

There are also plans to upgrade the infra-

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

structure of a number of post offices beginning in Regions Two (PomeroonSupenaam); Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Minister Hughes noted that the objective was to provide the modern-day services demanded by customers.

“Our vision is that we will utilise more ICT to transform Guyana and particularly, the Post Office,” she said.

Guyana has 67 post offices across the country, and Minister Hughes envisions these being centres for accessing other Government services as well as serving as Internet hubs and

providing other postal delivery services.

Already, the recently-upgraded Kitty Post Office is providing Internet services to the community.

The Government is advancing ICT use in a number of its agencies. Under the Public Telecommunications Ministry, some 94 educational institutions now provide free Wi-Fi. Minister Hughes also noted that the Administration was working to liberalise the telecommunications sector, in order to break the monopoly by the GTT. Meanwhile, the Minister charged the Union to do more to ed-

ucate members on their rights and recourses available to them as workers. The GPTWU Conference is being held under the theme “The Preservation of Rights and the Rule of Law from Exploitation”.

The DPI said Minister Hughes also publicly committed to lobbying for duty-free concessions and subventions for the sector.

Union President Harold Shepherd noted that the last three years have been challenging for the body particularly in defending the issue of workers’ rights.

The Union is addressing a number of industrial relation issues with GTT before the Labour Department.

Shepherd noted, however, through the Government subvention the Union receives, it is working to build the capacity of its members through training. He acknowledged the labour movement and unions “must adapt or become obsolete”, as they work to defend workers’ rights in a world being changed by technological advances.

Consultations held in Guyana aimed at sustaining wildlife

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ith the aim of sustaining Guyana’s wildlife resources and to curb hunting activities, the Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission held a oneday consultation with stakeholders to highlight regulations within the industry.

This comes 14 months

after the passage of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act and issues surrounding the hunting and illegal exportation of birds and other exotic and endangered animals, which still plague the wildlife sector in Guyana.

The consultation exercise at the Everest Cricket Club sought to examine regulations on hunting, trapping, protection, conservation, management and the sustainable use of wildlife. Director of the Department of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers told stakeholders that the consultations were not only geared at observing the stipulations of the Wildlife Act but that it would ensure the people benefit from the preservation of wildlife resources.

“With the onset of climate change and more human activities in wildlife areas, these consul-

tations are not only necessary but represent a critical step in the process for all stakeholders to take action to ensure the sustainability of these resources in light of their broader contribution to the wellbeing of the of not only the country but its people,” Schwiers outlined.

The wildlife Act provides for the establishment of a Wildlife Import and Export Authority, which will be tasked with the management of the international trade of wildlife in Guyana.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon while observing the merits of the President’s green state agenda, told stakeholders that the country’s natural resources should provide the greatest economic, social and environmental benefits to citizens, noting that international obligations must be observed.

“Full consideration

must also be given to the fulfilment of the requirements of our obligations as a party to the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, legal consultant Teni Housty facilitated presentations on legal framework that govern the Wildlife Act while there were presentations by the Wildlife Scientific Committee.

Wildlife trafficking is a criminal enterprise that reaps profits in the billions of dollars and is widely known to cause challenges in security and also cause instability in a country’s economy. There are regulations for penalties for harvesting prohibited species of wildlife, exporting, re-exporting or importing wildlife without permits and the use of prohibited devices and methods to hunt wildlife.

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Cuomo announces enhanced Ease of Doing Business: security measures following Guyana slips 2 attack in Lower Manhattan places – WB report various large public gatherings. DHSES remains in a state of readiness and prepared to disseminate information to our public safety partners statewide as necessary.

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Sayfullo Saipov, the suspect in the New York City truck

G

overnor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that following the apparent terrorist attack in Lower Manhattan he has directed state agencies, including the New York State Police, National Guard, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to increase security at high-profile locations around the state, including airports, bridges, tunnels, and mass transit systems.

According to a release issued by the Governor’s office, additional personnel are being deployed to high-density areas and large public gatherings.

These are precautionary measures, not based on any specific intelligence on ongoing threats.

Uzbek immigrant , Sayfullo Saipov , 29, is being accused of killing eight people when he drove a truck down a New York City bike path on Tuesday. The suspect, told investigators he was inspired by watching Islamic State videos and began planning the attack a year ago, according to a criminal complaint filed against him on Wednesday.

Saipov also said “he felt good about what he had done” and asked for permission to display the flag of the militant group Islamic State in his hospital room, the complaint said.

Saipov faces two charges, one of which carries the death penalty if the government chooses to seek it, Manhattan acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim said. The charges are one count of violence and destruction of motor vehicles causing the deaths of eight people and one count of providing material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization - Islamic State, also known as ISIS. The maximum penalty for the first is death; the maximum for the second life in prison, Kim said.

Governor Cuomo has directed One World Trade Center to be lit in red, white and blue in honor of freedom and democracy.

Governor Cuomo said, "I am deeply saddened by the attack on New York, and I join all New Yorkers in mourning the innocent lives we lost today. New York is an international symbol of freedom and democracy, and that makes us a target for people who oppose our way of life. I want to reassure all New Yorkers that at this point we have no evidence that today's attack is part of a wider plot involving more than one individual”.

Cuomo added: “Out of an abundance of caution, we are stepping up security measures at high-profile locations and large public gatherings while the investigation continues. I want to thank all of the first responders, including the New York State Police, Port Authority Police Department, NYPD, FDNY and all of the other personnel who put their lives on the line every day. I encourage all New Yorkers to go about their business and live their lives without fear."

State Police & National Guard

The New York State Police and the National Guard have also been in contact with federal officials as well as local law enforcement partners, including the New York City Police Department.

At the Governor's direction, as a precaution, the State Police and National Guard have deployed additional resources and increased surveillance of large public gatherings and critical infrastructure including transportation hubs.

Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services

DHSES has been in contact with key local public safety officials following the attack in Lower Manhattan. The DHSES Watch Center, as a precaution, has entered enhanced monitoring mode and has increased monitoring of

Port Authority Police are on heightened alert at all of the agency's bridge, tunnel, rail, World Trade Center and other facilities. Actions include increased patrols and checks of bags, buses, trucks and trains at agency locations. Travelers are reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to police or other authorities.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

The MTA has increased its patrols and surveillance in order to provide heightened protection across all its agencies. The MTA Police Department has stepped up its uniformed and plainclothes presence in Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal as well as other major stations throughout the MetroNorth Railroad and Long Island Rail Road network.

Police canine teams and units with heavy weapons will provide extra protection as well as a noticeable sign of increased security. Railroad customers will also see surge patrols, increased step-on/ step-off patrols of trains, and random bag checks at various locations.

Behind the scenes, the MTA Police Department, MTA New York City Transit security and MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officers share intelligence information and coordicontinued on page 17

T

he World Bank has highlighted a decline for conducting business in Guyana. The report for World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking for 2018 showed that Guyana slipped two places – from 124 in 2017 to 126 for soon approaching 2018.

Doing Business, measures regulations that affect various areas regarding the life of a business or in setting up new businesses. Some of the categories considered to determine ‘the ease of doing businesses were “starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, and trading across borders. The assessment uses various indicators to analyse economic outcomes and identify the appropriate reforms for business regulation.

Under the category

of registering property, Doing Business 2018 found that Guyana has made it easier to transfer property by decreasing the time to transfer a property by allocating higher resources in infrastructure and personnel.

The assessment further found that Guyana made enforcing contracts easier by adopting a new code of civil procedures regulating time standards for key court events.

Assessing how the country stacks up to its regional counterparts, Guyana was behind Jamaica, which ranked 70; followed by St Lucia, 91; Dominica, 98; and Trinidad and Tobago, 102.

The Bahamas was ranked 119 while Belize placed just ahead of Guyana at 121. While, ranking much higher on the Human Development Index than Guyana, Doing Business contends, by way of its ranking, that tourist giant Barbados is

a less favourble nation to conduct business than Guyana.

Barbados’ ranking was 132 followed be fellow Caribbean island nation, St Kitts and Nevis at 134.

The highest placed country for the 2018 rankings was New Zealand which was even with last year’s placement. Asian economic powerhouse Singapore ranked second while the United States came in sixth and the United Kingdom, seventh.

The bottom three nations were Guyana’s western neighbour embroiled in economic turmoil, Venezuela; in addition to Eritrea and Somalia.

Doing Business is a World Bank Group publication and this year’s report is the 15th in a series of annual reports that measures regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it.

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Safety concerns raised Demerara Bank records in wake of drowning 20.6% increase in afterdeaths at Rockstone tax profit for 2017

…Minister Gaskin to meet organisers of Fish Festival Minister with responsibility for tourism, Dominic Gaskin

I

n light of the recent drowning of two persons at the Rockstone Fish Festival on Sunday, Minister with the responsibility for tourism, Dominic Gaskin said that he called a meeting with the various organising bodies to address the issue of safety to ensure that such an incident did not recur.

On Sunday, 50-yearold Gavin Moses and his niece, 13-year-old Kimeanda “Yasha” Prince drowned after going for a swim at the Golden Beach. Moses’s body was recovered in the Essequibo River on Monday around 13:30h and was currently at the Linden Hospital Mortuary.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Minister Gaskin said that this was the first time such an incident has occurred. He noted that the incident highlighted the importance of safety measures.

“I asked for a meeting between the organisers, the GTA (Guyana Tourism Authority) and the Department of Tourism to get a better idea of what occurred and look at what ought to have been in place in terms of safety measures and ensure that in the planning for next year’s event that a lot more emphasis is placed on safety

and that there is a plan to deal with issues like this,” Gaskin said.

“The question about lifeguard is a valid one, because if people are swimming in open waters, should there be a lifeguard? Of course! This

Dead: Kineanda “Yasha” Prince

may be the first time that something like this has happened and it is most unfortunate and it drives home how important it is to have safety measures and we would like to use this as a learning experience,” the Minister added.

Meanwhile, GTA Logistics Manager Carla Chandra said that they had basic emergency services personnel on the ground with the exception of a lifeguard. She said that at the time of the incident, the judging

of the competition was ongoing with almost everyone at the main event area.

Chandra said that the GTA would be working with the community of Rockstone and the other organisers to ensure that signs were placed to warn people of the dangers.

Prince, of Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, and Moses, formerly of Goed Bananen Land, East Canje, Berbice, met their demise on Sunday during the 12th Annual Rockstone Fish Festival.

It was reported that Moses and other rela-

Dead: Gavin Moses

tives had hired a private boat to transport them to Golden Beach – minutes away from the main event area. Whilst there, Prince and two cousins, one being Thalia Clarke, experienced difficulties in navigating through the deep waters.

Moses, who could not swim, went to their aid, but instead went under the water and never resurfaced. The now dead teen was celebrating her birthday on Sunday, and her now dead uncle had celebrated his on Saturday.

D

emerara Bank Limited (DBL) has again ended another financial year on a high note with outstanding performance recorded in all areas of the Bank during its financial year ended September 30, 2017.

The Bank’s profit before taxation is GY$2.4 billion, an increase of 19 per cent over the previous year, while Net Profit rose by 20.6 per cent. DBL, being the only Indigenous Guyanese Bank and the youngest bank among all the commercial banks in Guyana, continues to excel despite the challenges of the banking environment.

According to the bank, the outstanding performances are reflected in the Deposit Base which stands at its highest of GY$57.0 billion, registering a rise of 7.3 per cent when compared to 2016; this compares favourably to the Banking Sector Deposits which declined by 2.49 per cent at the end of August 2017 y/y. Total Loans and Advances increased from GY$24.7 billion to GY$25.5 billion, showing a rise of

Demerara Bank Limited

3.2 per cent over the previous year. Loans and Advances in the banking sector for the period September 2016-August 2017, recorded a marginal increase of just 0.30 per cent. The investments of the bank have remained constant at G$23.2 billion.

Demerara Bank’s listing of its assets at the close of financial year 2017 totals GY$70.0 billion compared with GY$64.0 billion at the end of September 2016.

Interest Income on Investments went up from GY$1.56 billion to GY$1.66 billion; an increase of 6.3 per cent over the previous year while Interest Income on Loans and Advances marginally increased from GY$2.15 billion to GY$2.19 billion; a rise of 1.8 per cent over the previous year. Other Income expanded from G$422 million to G$988 million during the year, showing a rise of 133.8 per cent.

Total Interest Income rose to GY$3.9 billion; 3.7 per cent higher than 2016.

As a result of the bank’s solid performance over the past financial year sharehold-

ers’ earnings per share has increased by 20.3 per cent to GY$3.55 per share. The net worth of the Bank has increased from GY$9.3 billion to GY$11.0 billion, an increase of 19 per cent over the previous year.

The bank noted that it continues to be an environmentally friendly bank and a catalyst for green and clean energy. After the successful implementation of solar panels to its corporate office which allowed the building to be fully powered by solar energy, the bank ventured to install solar panels to its main branch location and is in the process of installing the solar panels at its Diamond branch. The installation of the solar panels has significantly reduced the electricity cost of the bank.

The solid performance over the last financial year was also significantly due to the continued commitment and dedication of the Chairman, Directors of the Board, management and staff of the bank, the financial institution said on Tuesday.

Man charged for causing death of Armstrong brothers …one year later

T

he man who reportedly drove his motor lorry in a dangerous manner causing the death of the sons of Regional Health Officer of Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), Dr Pansy Armstrong last year has now been brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Twentyseven-year-old Ghansham Dass, of Lot 2233 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied the charges read to him.

The charges stated that on October 16, 2016, at Friendship Public Road, East Bank

Demerara (EBD), he drove motor lorry GNN 5355 in a manner dangerous to the public causing the deaths of 23-year-old Jonnel Armstrong and his brother, Phillip Armstrong, of Linden.

According to the defendant’s Attorney, Paul Fung-a-Fat, the accident occurred more than one year ago and Dass was not charged after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) determined that the accident was “accidental”.

He also asked that bail be granted to his client as he was ill, suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.

Prosecutor Arvin Moore had

no objections to bail, but asked that it be set in a substantial amount.

Bail was granted in the sum of G$400,000, and the defendant was scheduled to make his next court appearance on November 16.

The fatal accident occurred around 01:45h when the Rav4, which the brothers were travelling in collided with the truck after the driver reportedly lost control while negotiating a turn on the East Bank of Demerara.

Jonnel Armstrong was an aeronautical engineer and Phillip Armstrong, a medical student.

Brothers Phillip and Jonnel Armstrong

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Decision to pull out was unanimous’ …says President of AFC-Canada Chapter

M

embers of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Canadian Chapter have pulled out from the AFC party, as the fallout over the unilateral appointment of Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) Chairman deepens.

In a letter to the AFC, Secretary of AFC-Canada, Laurence Williams, expressed grave concerns about James’ appointment.

Williams said his party’s group in Canada agreed that the AFC should publicly call for the appointment to be rescinded and for one of the 18 persons nominated to be appointed.

He also stated in that missive that AFC-Canada will no longer be associated with the AFC. However, it said it would “continue to support the Guyanese people’s quest and struggle for national unity, democracy, transparency, accountability and peace and progress”.

However, on Tuesday, AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan and AFC General Secretary Marlon Williams expressed different opinions on the matter. While criticising the move, Ramjattan told sections of the media on Tuesday that the party will not backpedal on the decision based on the opinion of one support group.

But in a new twist, General Secretary Marlon Williams,

AFC General Secretary Marlon Williams

claimed that the letter was “fake” and does not represent the position of AFC-Canada.

Marlon also went on to state that several media entities had contacted him around midnight on Tuesday to clarify whether the statement was true and whether the AFC will support such a call. He again reminded this newspaper that the letter is fake.

“There is a process by which we do things and every statement has a channel that it passes through. All statements are sent to the party and approved by our Vice Chairperson Catherine Hughes and disseminated to

the media by Imran Khan,” the party’s General Secretary said.

However, AFC-Canada Secretary Williams told Guyana Times International on Tuesday that the missive is not fake, and the content of the letter was decided on following a meeting with members. He went on to state that he was in communication with Ramjattan via email minutes before the statement was issued.

“Our meeting last Friday evening was well attended, with full capacity with the exception of few. We had a unanimous decision which we had to go public. We also informed the Leader (Raphael Trotman) and the Chairman (Ramjattan) of the AFC before we went to the press,” he explained.

This publication also made contact with President of the AFC-Canada Tameshwar Lilmohan who also debunked claims made by the party’s General Secretary and said there is no such protocol where a support group like AFC-Canada where the group cannot freely express its own opinion.

He said the political Diaspora group has been in existence for over 10 years and has provided both financial and intellectual support to the AFC. He went as far as to say that AFC-Canada has contributed over Cdn$75,000

AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan

to assist the party in their political campaigns and other initiatives.

Lilmohan, who is also a member of the AFC’s national executive committee, said the meeting unanimously passed the resolutions and also expressed disappointment with Ramjattan for rushing to make a statement rejecting the proposal by the group without first giving it due consideration or having a meeting between the executives of the party to discuss the matter in depth.

“It begs the question what respect you have for your supporters and members who

have actually financed your catapulting into Parliament.

If you are going to immediately on your feet fail to give due consideration to our request, then you can tell me what respect they have. I am asking for them to give due consideration to the matter and look at it in collaboration with other resolutions,” he added.

Other resolutions, referred to in the letter, are the need to rewrite the political agreement between the AFC and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to ensure legal enforceability with specific time limits for its implementation and the immediate commencement of constitutional reform and the enactment of a reformed constitution before the next general election.

Concerns were also raised about the functioning of the Valentine’s Day 2015 Herdmanston Accord. AFCCanada recommended that the party assess its very survival and purpose of existence because it has no independent collective representation in Government and its support base is decimated.

The group also called on all party members and supporters in Guyana and the Diaspora to hold the leaders of the party accountable to the high ideals, morals and aspirations that the party was founded upon.

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

T&T man remanded to Govt putting systems prison in Guyana over in place to prevent fake kidnapping plot oil spills – Trotman

S

awak Maraj, the 33-yearold Trinidadian, who, along with others, reportedly faked his kidnapping was on Monday hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

With his father present in the courtroom, Maraj appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan where he denied the charge of faking his own kidnapping.

He denied that on October 27, 2017 at Madewini Resort, Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), he gave false information to the Police that he had been kidnapped and US$700,000 demanded for his release after which Police carried out an investigation and prove the claim to be false.

He also denied that he conspired with others on the same day at the same location to commit a felony, that is to say, he knowingly conspired to obtain US$700,000.

The mechanical engineer was represented by Attorney Nirvan Singh, who stated that his client was being subjected to negative publicity by the media.

According to Singh, the charges against his client are baseless and what seems to be successful crime fighting by

Sawak Maraj

the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is not.

He maintained that Maraj entered Guyana in search of employment, but was kidnapped. In a bail application, the lawyer told the court that Maraj has been made a victim twice – once by his abductors and then by the Police.

He petitioned for bail to be granted, disclosing to the chief Magistrate that his client’s travel documents are with the Police and as such, he is not a flight risk.

Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore, however, objected to bail being granted as a result of the seriousness of the offence.

He also noted that the accomplices, allegedly also Trinidadian, of the accused have still

not been arrested by Police. He explained that if placed on bail, Maraj might use the opportunity to escape. As such, the prosecution’s submissions were upheld, and Maraj was remanded to prion until November 16.

Reports are that the Trinidadian arrived in Guyana and was scheduled to check in at the Ramada Hotel, Providence but never showed up there.

According to reports, the parents of the victim were contacted in Trinidad via cell phone by an unknown person who indicated that their son was in custody in Guyana and a sum of money was later demanded for his release.

A photograph of the man shirtless with a cutlass to his neck was sent to his parents as proof of his detention.

However, following investigations by the Police, it was reported that Police swooped down on a Madewini resort and found the man relaxing comfortably with his alleged accomplices.

Detectives then began to unravel an apparent scheme by the man to extort money from his relatives.

Police have since issued wanted bulletins for two accomplices.

A

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

lthough Guyana is poised to become a large oil-producing nation by mid-2020, experts have advised Government to make all the necessary preparations from now, so as to prepare the industry to become safe and efficient. One such piece of advice concerns making preparations to prevent an oil spill.

As such, Government has taken the advice and is moving ahead with these preparations. Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has disclosed that this process has started with several major governmental agencies that would come up with a comprehensive plan to deal with any such issues.

Trotman revealed that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is the lead agency

GECOM fallout: AG Williams calls on Ram to reconsider resignation

I

n the wake of the resignation of Chartered Accountant and Attorney Christopher Ram from his post on the committee negotiating the establishment of the JOF Haynes Law School, Attorney General Basil Williams has issued a plea to Ram to reconsider the move. Williams, who was at the time being interviewed on the Focal Point by Public Information Coordinator Beverly Alert, took care to stress that he was not making this call on his behalf.

The Attorney General invoked the plight of local law students in seeking to beg Ram to return to the table.

“I would suggest to him he shouldn’t abandon the negotiations. It’s not about the AG, it’s about the law students,” he stated. “As you know, it’s a hard time they’re experiencing in Trinidad. The cost to study there is TT$94,000 (G$3 million). So we need to get this thing done.”

Ram had announced that he was stepping down from the committee, just one day after Major General (retired) Joe Singh announced his own resignation as a presidential adviser.

Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram

Both Ram and Singh were on the lists submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to President David Granger to consider for the post of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman. Their resignations came days after President David Granger reached outside the 18 nominees to appoint retired Justice James Patterson.

While Singh remained reticent about the motives behind his resignation, Ram was highly critical of Government choosing Justice Patterson for the post. The vocal anti-corruption advocate described

the appointment as blatant disregard for good governance.

A number of individuals and organisations spanning a wide cross-section of society have also soundly criticised and condemned the President’s unilateral decision, including the Guyana Bar Association; the Berbice Bar Association; the Private Sector Commission (PSC); the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

Criticism has also come from the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and members of the Diaspora. In addition, the political Opposition filed a legal challenge in the courts on Monday, seeking to revoke Patterson’s appointment.

Law school In January of this year, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the University College of the Caribbean (UCC) and Law College of the Americas (LCA) to open a law school in Guyana.

The undertaking was expected to come to fruition in 2018.

that is formulating the national response plan. But the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) are also assisting.

In addition to that, Guyana will receive assistance through the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). But most importantly, Guyana will also receive assistance from the United States Government through the Energy Governance Capacity Initiative.

Although US oil giant ExxonMobil has not made any commitment to cover the cost for any possible oil spill, Trotman claimed that the company has a responsibility to prevent accidents and to respond to any such incidents that put Guyana at risk or that proves dangerous.

However, just last week, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said Guyana was currently unprepared for the possibility of an oil spill the likes of which was currently afflicting neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago, but the Administration was acutely aware of its shortcomings and was actively working with partners.

“I would not say that we are ready; we are not ready for that as yet, but I believe we are in the process of acquiring sufficient information that will (enable us) to put processes and structures in place to deal with the eventuality of an oil spill,” Harmon had told media operatives.

Speaking to Guyana’s drive to become prepared for the eventuality of an oil spill, Harmon drew reference to an upcoming conference at which the Director of the Department of the

Environment would be participating, and said “these are some of the issues being dealt with”.

According to the Minister of State, “We are still in the early stages of preparation.

We have been getting the advice of best practices from countries around the world.” He told the press that oil spills were the result of accidents, and as such, “it is the way how you prepare for these accidents that are important”.

According to Minister Harmon, the Department will be using the caucus to focus on the processes, and it was going to look at the processes for dealing with oil and the environment. He said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was gearing up for that and gave his assurance that there would be increased focus on environmental protection as 2020 neared.

Environmental activist Annette ArjuneMartins has, in recent weeks, been at the forefront of questioning the absence of, and calling for, policy/policies related to oil and its impact on the environment.

Questioned on the need for a single person to be identified for singular responsibility for the sector, Minister Harmon pointed out that the Natural Resources Ministry was responsible for all of the country’s natural resources, including oil and gas.

Harmon said that an environmental study undertaken by the EPA has found there was a 10 per cent likelihood of an oil spill occurring offshore Guyana, as part of the ExxonMobil exploration activities, reaching shore. The report concluded that an oil spill was possible.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has conducted oil spill modelling to evaluate the range of likely spill trajectories and rates of travel.

The location of the project at 190 kilometres (120 miles) offshore, prevailing northwest currents, the light nature of the Liza field crude oil, and the region’s warm waters would all help minimise the severity of a spill.

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

High Court Judge denies request to have Bisram’s murder charge withdrawn H

igh Court Judge Gino Persaud on Tuesday ruled against the application to have the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) withdraw the case against high-profile murder accused Marcus Bisram, who is currently awaiting extradition from the United States.

One day after his absence angered Justice Persaud, Bisram’s lead Attorney, Sanjeev Datadin appeared at the High Court to defend his application to have the matter withdrawn before the Judge who was initially set to rule on Monday. However, despite the lawyer requesting to withdraw, Justice Persaud ruled against Datadin withdrawing at this late stage, citing that the court has the duty to stand against ‘dubious methods’ that could bring the justice system into disrepute.

On September 25, 2017, Datadin filed an application on behalf of Bisram’s mother, Sharmilla Inderjali, to quash the murder charge against Bisram on the grounds that one of main witnesses for the prosecution recanted his statement, a contention which the lawyer maintained outside of court on Tuesday.

The Judge however observed that the Attorney’s notice of discontinuation, which was filed on Friday, was an

Deceased: Carpenter Fiyazz Narinedatt

Murder accused: Marcus Bisram

Lead Attorney for the defence, Sanjeev Datadin

Justice Gino Persaud

abuse of process. As such, Justice Persaud struck out the entire case, highlighting that there was “material non-disclosure” on Datadin’s behalf, since he did not include in the affidavit that he made an application in December last to stop the DPP from advising the Police in the Bisram murder probe.

Justice Persaud stated that an applicant is required to present all facts, even if they are against the said applicant, adding that the court must be approached “with clean hands” when seeking prerogative relief.

“The application of 2016 was not disclosed to this court and it was only through the

court’s records that it was detected,” the Judge explained.

In his judgment, he further noted that there are clear legal provisions to discharge orders nisi when there is material non-disclosure, without going into the further merits of the case.

Justice Persaud struck out three orders nisi; one of which sought to prevent the three respondents – the DPP, the Chief Magistrate and the Commissioner of Police – from pursuing the murder probe against Bisram. As the orders nisi were discharged, Datadin was also ordered to pay the State by way of the three respondents, G$250,000 in court costs.

Marcus Bisram was charged in absentia last year for the murder of 27-yearold Number 70 Village, Corentyne, Berbice carpenter Fiyazz Narinedatt, who was killed after he rejected Bisram’s sexual advances. The five other men charged for the November 1, 2016 killing of Narinedatt are Radesh Motie, 39; Diadatt Datt, 18; Harri Paul Parsram, 49; Orlando Dickie; and Niran Yacoob, 37.

Two of the accused men had reportedly confessed to investigators that they were ordered by the overseas-based Guyanese businessman to dump the carpenter’s body on the Number 70 Public Road to make his death seem the re-

sult of a hit-and-run accident.

Additionally, the businessman’s mother and sister were also charged and remanded to prison after they allegedly offered bribes to Police ranks to “duck the case”. The accused’s mother, Inderjali, was recently charged for witness tampering.

Since the commencement of the preliminary inquiry in Berbice, several persons have been accused of witness tampering and Nariendatt’s family stated outside of court on Tuesday that they are constantly living in fear that they could be shot and killed at any moment due to the influence Bisram has with money and power.

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Border controversy:

Guyana, Venezuela agree to meet again F

ollowing an overthe-weekend meeting between officials representing Guyana and those representing Venezuela in examining the border controversy between the two neighbouring nations, a mutual position has emerged that, in the near future, another meeting between the sides would be convened as part of ongoing talks to resolve the border controversy between the two neighbouring South American states.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge met with his Venezuelan counterpart on October

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

28 and 29 to discuss the controversy. Their meeting was held at the United Nations (UN) Head Office in New York.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that Mr Dag Nylander, Personal Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, had facilitated those discussions, organised within the framework of the Good Officer’s mandate entrusted to the Secretary-General under the Geneva Agreement of 1966.

The Foreign Ministers and their delegations exchanged views on issues related to the controversy with the aim of exploring options for a full agreement for its solution, the release noted.

“They also reaffirmed their commitment to the Good Offices process, and reiterated that their Governments will remain actively engaged with the Personal Representative.

The parties (have) agreed to meet again, to continue discussions within this framework and to explore options for the resolution of the border controversy,” the missive from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Relations between Guyana and Venezuela have worsened ever since oil giant ExxonMobil announced in 2015 that it had found oil in Guyana.

Venezuela has staunchly been against oil exploration in Guyana’s Stabroek Block, where multiple oil deposits were found by ExxonMobil.

In fact, the Venezuelan National Assembly had, in March 2017, approved an agreement to reject the oil exploration activities.

Venezuela, with almost 40 times the population of Guyana and a territory that is several times bigger, claimed, in 1968, the entire territorial sea of Guyana by means of the Leoni Decree, which has never been withdrawn.

In 2015, the Government of Guyana had requested then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to take steps aimed at resolving this controversy. In 2016, as a consequence of a stalemate on the matter, the outgoing Ban Ki-moon agreed with his successor, António Guterres, to continue using the Good Offices Process until the end of 2017 as a means of arriving at a settlement.

It is with this intention that Guterres appointed Nylander as an envoy to resolve the border dispute. The mandate of the Personal Representative is that, “If, by the end of 2017, the Secretary-General concludes that no significant progress has been made toward arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy, he will choose the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement, unless the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela jointly request that he refrain from doing so.”

M e a n w h i l e , Venezuela, once an economic powerhouse in the region because of its oil revenues, has been dealing with issues such as a spiralling economy and civil unrest. And despite the border controversy, there have been several instances when Guyana has either been called on to render Venezuela assistance, or has offered such assistance.

Back in May of this year, Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Her Excellency Reina Diaz, had called on Guyana to support her government’s efforts to end the unrest ongoing in Venezuela. While there have been varying reports, most have put the death toll from those unrests at over 100.

Ambassador Reina Diaz noted that at the international level, Guyana can support the actions taken by the Venezuelan Government to resolve the situation in that country; and in this regard, Venezuela has already seen support from the region, including from CARICOM governments and CILAC. However, Guyana’s assistance did not stop there, as Government announced in September that it would be providing medical assistance to Venezuelan nationals following an outbreak of measles in that Spanishspeaking country.

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Guyana records 92 road fatalities so far for 2017

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Traffic Chief Dion Moore

s families continue to mourn the loss of eight lives following two road accidents in recent weeks, Traffic Chief of the Guyana Police Force, Dion Moore, has announced that the country is fast approaching 100 road fatalities for the year thus far.

It was while speaking at the launch of National Road Safety Month 2017 that Moore told the media despite the decrease in the number of roads accidents resulting in the loss of lives, the total number of road fatalities recorded by the end of October is just short of 100.

In doing so, he outlined that, “We’ve already have 92 persons who have lost their lives on our country’s roads as a result of 79 fatal accidents. This is in no way acceptable, even though we are at the moment, a 20 per cent decrease in fatal accidents 16 per cent decrease in deaths.”

On that note, the Traffic Chief went on to say, “Yes some would say that figures are reducing but for us, one death is always too many.”

This report comes shortly after a motorcar collided with a paddy laden truck on the Corentyne Public Road, resulting in the death of a mother, her two sons and two family friends.

This incident is paired with a tragic mishap in Vreed-en-Hoop which led to the demise of three youngsters, just one week later.

In light of these massive tragedies, Moore further highlighted the main causes of death on

Guyana’s roadways.

“We have already recognised that speeding is the main contributing factor to accident, coupled with driving under the influence of alcohol.

There has been a growing trend that a lot of drivers are engaged in texting and driving or engaged in a cellphone call. Those are forms of distraction that would encourage you to be involved in an accident.

Let us refrain from those practices,” underlined the Traffic Chief.

Even with that being established, persons are pinning the blame for these recent incidents on damages to the roadways and poor infrastructure.

However, the Traffic Chief is urging the public to practice caution, especially when driving, noting that such simple strides are at times all it takes to save lives.

Pleading to road users he stated, “Even though a speed limit would be of a particular number, if the road in such a state that you cannot drive at that speed, then reduce your speed. In busy areas reduce your speed. At markets, at intersections, reduce your speed. We all have a role to play.”

Meanwhile, having recognised the alarming statistics, the Guyana Police Force continues to promote its “Safe Way” initiative, established over a year ago.

This is aimed at creating safer roadways for both pedestrians and persons travelling in vehicles, with the ultimate goal of keeping the number of road fatalities on a constant decline.

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jamaica seeking CCTV systems Body of 50-yrold male for secondary schools found hanging M

inister of Education, Youth and Information Senator Ruel Reid indicated yesterday that the Government is currently seeking to procure closed circuit television (CCTV) systems for secondary schools.

Senator Reid made the statement yesterday in response to questions from the press at the post-Cabinet briefing at Jamaica House regarding reports of indiscipline at Anchovy High School, St James, which resulted in the dean of discipline being beaten and injured by a group of female students.

“We are currently looking at procuring such a capability.

Overall, that is what our medium- to long-term programme is going to be in regards to aiding our school administrators to better manage the issue of safety and discipline in the schools,” he said.

Reid first made reference to Government’s consideration of utilising the technology in maintaining discipline in the schools during the launch of the National Association of Deans of Discipline in Montego Bay in July.

He said then that the Government would be going for the highest grade technology with analytical and artificial intelligence capabilities to assist the schools in identifying weapons brought on the campuses, as well as students who are high-risk.

Minister of Education, Youth and Information Senator Ruel Reid

He noted that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has partnered with his ministry by providing grant funding of US$3 million for a Safety and Security in Schools Project, which would include procuring CCTV technology.

He said that USAID would provide the funds over two years, and that the National Education Trust would act as coordinator for the project. The prime objective of the initiative is to implement measures to transform schools and their immediate surroundings into safe zones.

But Reid said yesterday that his ministry had not received any direct request from Anchovy High

for increased security, or whether the reported incident had anything to do with the safety and security of the school.

He said that it appeared to be an issue of self-discipline where the students were concerned, and that there was already a remedy to deal with that. He pointed out that he could not see how the safety and security of the school could arise in that situation.

However, he said that if the school needed additional support for its security, the ministry would provide it.

“The CCTV camera network is needed right across the educational system for accurate surveillance of the schools, and we are currently looking at procuring that capability,” he said.

Classes at the school’s main campus resumed yesterday, following Tuesday’s suspension, which was triggered by the beating of the dean of discipline by a group of female students.

The school board was forced to suspend classes for 1,200 students in grades 9-11, following a number of violent events among the female students on the school grounds, during their lunch break on Monday.

A video of the incident, involving the beating of the dean of discipline, went viral on social media hours after the fracas. (Jamaica Observer)

Night operations resumes at CJIA

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ight operations will resume at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Friday, November 3, 2017, a release from the CJIA stated.

Operations were interrupted from October 13, 2017, on specific days to facilitate the amalgamation of the existing main runway to a new Taxiway, which when completed will be able to accommodate parking positions for

large aircraft.

“The critical part of the merger is completed, and aircraft flight operations will be able to resume nightly operations from 18:00 h tomorrow,” said Andre Kellman, the airport’s acting Chief Executive

Officer.

The entire project when completed will see a transformation of the Timehri facility including a new Arrivals Terminal Building, two boarding bridges with the provision to install additional bridges at a later stage, increased duty free shops; improved parking facilities and a renovated Departures Terminal.

Cuomo announces...

from page 9

nate their threat response with other police and security agencies to ensure a seamless web of protection throughout the region.

New York State Police and the New York National Guard members have been assigned to high-profile MTA locations for more than a year, and they are helping secure these locations as well as reassuring the public that the authorities are dedicated to ensuring their safety. The MTA closely monitors large public events that occur in or near its facilities and will provide heightened awareness of activities there.

The MTA works closely with the NYPD to secure New York's subways and buses, and MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officers are using a mix of visu-

al and technological surveillance to ensure safety at its seven bridges and two tunnels in New York City.

"If You See Something, Say Something" New Yorkers are reminded to stay alert to their surroundings, and to report any suspicious activity. Reports can be made to the Counter Terrorism Center at the New York State Intelligence Center via its terrorism tip line: 1-866-SAFENYS (1-866-723-3697); or by email: ctcenter@nysic.ny.gov.

New Yorkers can also download See Something, Send Something on your smartphone to inform authorities of a potential threat. Visit https://www. ny.gov/programs/see-something-sendsomething for more information.

in Corentyne home

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he deteriorating body of a 50-year-old man was found hanging from the ceiling of his Fyrish, Corentyne home on Wednesday by police and his relatives.

Dead is Dewan Ramnarine who is suspected to have committed suicide.

According to information received, Ramnarine has been residing alone in the home he once shared with his wife- who reportedly moved out some months ago after falling ill.

Neighbours told law enforcement officials that the man seemed “down” lately but they thought nothing of it. The 50-yearold man was last seen by persons in the village on Monday last.

This newspaper understands that on Wednesday, one of his

neighbours woke up to a foul stench coming from Ramnarine’s house. As such, he reportedly called on the now dead man’s relative who resided a short distance away, to check on the man.

When the relative arrived, the door of the home was found to have been locked from the interior and as such, the police were quickly informed and summoned as the family member began fearing the worst.

The door was reportedly forced open and it was there that Ramnarine was found hanging.

His body was cut down and taken to the Port Mourant Hospital’s mortuary to await a post mortem examination.

An investigation has been launched into the matter.

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Newly-established Local Govt Commission commences work

…Mortimer Mingo elected Chairman, Andrew Garnett deputy

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he newly-appointed Local Government Commissioners met for the first time on Tuesday and unanimously elected former Chairman of Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), Mortimer Mingo, as Chairman and union leader Andrew Garnett as deputy chair.

The Local Government Commission (LGC) is now set for the execution of its constitutionally-mandated functions.

Just over a week ago, President David Granger swore in the first set of Commissioners for the Commission according to the Local Government Commission Act. Guyana’s first-ever Local Government Commissioners to oversee Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and municipalities are Mingo; Garnett; former Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Chairman, Clement Corlette; senior executive of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Marlon Williams; educator Joan Ann Romascindo; former Town Clerk of Georgetown, Carol Sooba, and former

President David Granger (centre) with the members of the newly sworn in Local Government Commission.

From left are Norman Whittaker, former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development; trade= unionist Andrew Garnett; former Region 4 Chairman Clement Corlette; Joan-Ann Romascindo; former Town Clerk for the City of Georgetown Carol Sooba; former Region 10 Chairman Mortimer Mingo; former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Clinton Collymore and Marlon Williams.

Government Ministers Norman Whittaker and Clinton Collymore.

On Wednesday, Mingo said that the first task of the Commission was to identify a suitable location for the establishment of its office. In addition, the Chairman said that they were in the process of working out their budget, since the national budget was to be presented in the National Assembly later this month.

“The first task of the Commission is to identify a suitable premises in which we are going to

conduct our business. We are close into the budget cycle and we are required by the law to submit our budget to the Minister of Finance to have those estimates included in the budgetary estimates of Guyana, which would be laid over in Parliament during the budgetary debate for approval,” he said.

He added that the Commission would be meeting again on Friday to further deliberate on the effective functioning of the constitutional body while addressing other issues such as

staffing and the approval of a seal. He said that they were hoping to conclude those activities before the end of the year so that they would be in a better position to address the issues that they would encounter.

“No issues have been brought to the Commission as yet, and we are not going to go out there seeking for issues; once the issues are brought to us, we would look at those issues, deliberate on them and make a pronouncement on them,” Mingo said.

The Chairman noted that

the first meeting was a cordial one with all the Commissioners committing to working to solve the issues plaguing the local government organs.

“This Commission is tasked and empowered to deal with all matters in relation to the regulation of local government organs and staffing of local government organs, and dispute resolution within and between local government organs and in particular, we shall monitor and review the implementation of regulations and policies of all local government organs,

including policies of taxation and protection of the environment,” the Chairman said.

In addition, the body is tasked with the monitoring, evaluation and making recommendations on the policies, procedures and practices of all local government organs. The body is also tasked with investigating any matter under its purview and proposing remedial action to the Communities Minister whenever and wherever necessary.

“I want to reassure that we intend to carry out our duties and responsibilities in keeping with the letter and the spirit of the law as enshrined under the Local Government Act. We intend to be transparent in our deliberations and we intend to keep the public fully informed of our work and what we intend to do in order to enhance accountability and transparency for good local governance,” the Chairman further added.

The Commission was established after pressure from civil society and the Opposition following Local Government Elections in 2016.

High-level task force established to resolve teachers’ salaries dispute

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he high-level task force comprising representatives from the Ministries of Education, Finance, Communities, Public Service and the Presidency and, on the other hand, representatives from the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), have been formed and met for the first time on Wednesday. However, the work of the task force will commence within the next few weeks following the formulation of the Terms of Reference (TORs).

In a joint statement, the Government and the GTU said that the mandate of the task force is to examine outstanding problems with a view to their timely resolution and to propose a new, multi-year agreement between the Government and the Union. The task force is expected to meet on a weekly basis.

The first meeting was chaired by Education Minister Nicolette Henry and was attended by GTU’s President Mark Lyte; GTU General

Secretary Coretta Mc Donald; GTU Treasurer Samanta Alleyene; and GTU Administrative Secretary Lancelot Baptiste.

On the Government side was Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson; Education Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Adele Clarke; former Chief Education Officer Geneveive Whyte-Nedd; MoE Legal Officer, Kellyann Hercules; Ministry of Presidency’s Political Advisor, Frederick Mc Wilfred; Department of Public Service Senior Personnel Officer, Gail Williams; Finance Ministry Finance Secretary, Dr Hector Butts; Permanent Secretary of the Communities Ministry, Emil Mc Garrell.

All future meetings would be chaired by Whyte-Nedd.

The Union had accused Government of sidelining and disrespecting them, resulting in the Union threatening a countrywide strike if the Government failed to take decisive actions to address the concerns

Education Minister Nicolette Henry with members of the high-level task force

of the representative body. The strike was called off following a meeting with President David Granger and Union representatives.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to the establishment of a high-level task force and teachers will receive an interim salary increase ranging from six to eight per cent, retroactive to January 1, 2017.

President Granger proposed that the dis-

cussions take a holistic view on the improvement of the education sector. The Task Force will therefore also take account of the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the education sector in Guyana and other matters relating to the well-being of teachers and students. The intention is to have these issues addressed.

The issues of concern to the Union include the

stagnated negotiations between the GTU and the Education Ministry.

The negotiations focused on, among other things, increased teachers’ remuneration and outstanding payments.

Additionally, the Union had expressed concern about a memorandum that could see teachers having to work during their designated lunch period. Earlier this year, the GTU contended that teachers

across the country were anxious to know when they would receive benefits of the proposed fiveyear agreement.

In the previous agreement, the GTU managed to get a five per cent increase over the course of five years for teachers countrywide, but is hoping to see implementation of 45 per cent in 2017 and 50 per cent for the following three years (2018-2020) for all categories of teachers.

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Govt promises teachers interim salary increase of 6-8%

By Samuel Sukhnandan

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eachers will receive an interim salary increase ranging from six to eight per cent, retroactive to January 1, 2017.

This decision was made following a meeting between officials of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), President David Granger and several top Government officials at State House on Monday.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to the establishment of a high-level task force comprising representatives from the Ministries of Education, Finance, Communities, Public Service and Presidency and representatives of the Union.

GTU President Mark Lyte disclosed that the first meeting of the Task Force was set for Wednesday, November 1, 2017 after which a decision would be made on the timeline for the work of the Committee.

He said the meeting also led to the planned two-day teachers’ strike being called off.

“We would like to say now coming out of this meeting and fruitful discussion, the way forward on this…the President exhibited a lot of interest in what was going to be happening and we believe that we have reached a point where we can safely say that the Union will no longer be going forward with the strike that was planned for Thursday and Friday,” the top GTU official told media operatives.

Asked whether he thought that the stand taken by the Union helped to fast track this meeting with the President and led to the setting of the committee, Lyte responded in the affirmative. “We believe that the action taken was one that was needed, because it seems as though no one was

Executive members of the Guyana Teachers Union making their way out of State House on Monday following a meeting with President David Granger and other top Government officials

really paying attention to the interest of the teachers other than talk in public forum (about) teachers’ interest, but we feel coming out of today’s meeting, the President has been made aware of several things that were decided at different forum that in our view never went to the level that we thought it would have been placed.”

In a joint statement issued on Monday, it stated that Education Minister Nicolette Henry has consented to taking the issue of the composition of the Task Force to Cabinet.

Apart from that, the Task Force will hold its first meeting to establish timelines for its meetings and the completion of its work. The Union has also agreed to provide a complete dossier of its financial and non-financial submissions

by Wednesday, November 1, 2017.

It was also noted that President Granger proposed that the discussions take a holistic view on the improvement of the education sector. The Task Force will, therefore, also take account of the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Education Sector in Guyana and other matters relating to the well-being of teachers and students. The intention is to have these issues addressed.

During a meeting on Thursday, October 26, a delegation from the GTU staged a walkout during discussions about a proposed multiyear agreement. Present at that meeting were Education Minister Henry, Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson and team, while the

Union had its President, General Secretary Coretta McDonald and other union members present.

According to the Ministry in a statement after the meeting, the walkout was prompted

by Minister Henry informing the Union that Government could only offer teachers the same increases it offered all public servants. Dissatisfied with the response, the GTU President decided that the meeting should not continue and together with his colleagues left the boardroom.

According to the Ministry, the GTU had informed them it had no problem with the Government’s approach to non-financial issues, based on the last meeting the Union had with officials. The problems reportedly arose from the financial aspect of discussions

which included salary increases, debunching, allowances and duty-free concessions.

Lyte stated that the walkout resulted from the Government not addressing the Union’s substantive proposal. While noting that they remained open to talks with the Government, Lyte revealed that the Union would have commenced a countrywide strike from this week.

The GTU President had said that after more than two years, officials at the Education Ministry remain reluctant to have a sit-down with the Union and discuss debunching payments. He had noted that the teachers were becoming more frustrated by the day, and warned of the consequences if the teachers decided to down tools to make their voices heard.

The issues of concern to the Union include the stagnated negotiations between the GTU and the Education Ministry.

The negotiations focused on, among other things, increased teachers’ remuneration and outstanding payments.

Additionally, the Union had expressed concern about a memorandum that could see teachers having to work during their designated lunch period.

Earlier this year, the GTU contended that teachers across the country were anxious to know when they would receive benefits of the proposed fiveyear agreement.

In the previous agreement, the GTU managed to get a five per cent increase over the course of five years for teachers countrywide, but was hoping to see implementation of 45 per cent in 2017 and 50 per cent for the following three years (2018-2020) for all categories of teachers.

Cocaine found in rice bags in container destined for Belgium

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The parcels containing cocaine that were unearthed in the rice consignment

he interception of an outgoing shipment over the weekend has led local authorities to the discovery of some 147 pounds (66.8 kilos) of cocaine, randomly hidden in sealed 45-kilogram bags of rice destined for export to Belgium.

Guyana Times International understands that city businessman Andre Poonai,

of Golden Grains Investments Limited, has since been arrested and taken into custody to assist with the investigation.

According to reports, the raid commenced at the John Fernandes Wharf, Water Street, Georgetown since Friday, October 27, 2017.

However, the narcotics were uncovered just before lunch the follow-

ing day. The containers were scheduled to leave Guyana Friday evening.

During the exercise, the officers unloaded and searched the five ricefilled 20-foot containers, and discovered taped parcels containing a white powdery substance in some of the rice bags.

The suspected cocaine was weighed. The bust was a collaborative effort between agents

of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Revenue Authority’s Container Control Programme (CCP).

According to CANU, the broker responsible for the rice consignment remains in custody. The businessman reportedly gave a Barr Street, Kitty, Georgetown address on the shipping documents, but it turned out that no operations were being carried out there.

Back in August, Narcotics Police in Jamaica found cocaine with a street value of over J$100 million in a shipment of rice that travelled from Guyana through the Dominican Republic.

It was reported that the Police, accompanied by members of the Customs Contraband Enforcement Team, conducted a snap opera-

tion at the Kingston Container Terminal and immediately trained their focus on cargo from specific containers. During the examination of a 40-foot container, a total of five leather

bags were revealed to be hidden among the shipment.

The bags had a total of 78 parcels, each containing the white powdery substance.

One of the rice bags in which the cocaine parcels were concealed

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Opposition MP says Govt policies contributing Security guard charged for manslaughter to increased poverty in Guyana

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recent InterA m e r i c a n Development Bank (IDB) report has placed Guyana at the top of the list of regional countries that have high levels of poverty.

The IDB has also noted that this contributed to the high crime rate in Guyana and other countries with extreme poverty.

Former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill has claimed that the policies of the David Granger-led Administration were the main contributing factor to this development and things could only get worse given the decision the Government has taken to send home thousands of sugar workers by year-end.

Speaking about the proposed plan to lay off thousands of sugar workers, Edghill told Guyana Times International on Monday that this was only helping to add more people to the poverty line and this would in turn contribute to other issues. He noted that the move was senseless and did not bode well for Guyana.

“By the layoffs and

Former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill

closure of estates, firing of over 1000 Amerindians and the slowdown of the economy, that is causing small businesses to reduce staff and no foreign direct investment; these are all issues that will trickle in and this is not helpful to Guyana and the people that live here,” he said.

The former Minister pointed to the issue with the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on lumber at different stages of production which continues to affect many small and medium-scale loggers. Edghill claimed that this move has led to many people in Linden, Ituni and Kwakwani being laid off or closing down their business-

es, as they could no longer operate under such heavy taxes.

“If you go these villages, the people there who used to be involved in some level of logging are no longer able to work. And that is because they have doubled taxes from 10 per cent to 20 per cent. They are no longer meaningfully engaged and that alone could tell you that they are finding it difficult to pay their loans and some people are already finding it hard to get jobs,” he explained.

According to the IDB’s Reformulation, Upgrade and Expansion of Road Network report, compiled under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme, 26.6 per cent of the population were “multi-dimensionally poor”. The IDB compared this with a regional average of 18 per cent.

The report, which focused primarily on infrastructure and housing, went into detail about the real cost of housing deficiencies. The IDB noted that these shortfalls were perceived to contribute to crime rates.

“In Georgetown, pover-

ty is evident in various measures of the standard of living and housing deficits,” it stated.

“Twenty-nine per cent of the population lives in overcrowded housing (of) over two people per room.”

“Criminality in Georgetown is also high, 33.8 murders per 100,000 people; above the regional average of 26, perceived to be exacerbated by the lack of community facilities and public spaces. Basic infrastructure in new and established housing sites developed incrementally by [Central Housing and Planning Authority] CH&PA,” it added.

The report acknowledged the work of the CH&PA, noting that there were programmes enabling housing construction and extensions by upgrading infrastructure, and allocation of land and titles. But it noted that much more needs to be done. The IDB also noted that local Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) lack sufficient institutional capacity for long-term site management.

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security guard attached to the Hopkinson Security Service was slapped with a manslaughter charge and later appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.

Christopher Ambrose, of Lot 1324 Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), the 55-year-old was made to stand before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

It is being alleged that on October 24, 2017 at Seven Hour, Butterfly Backdam, Cuyuni, he unlawfully killed Raimar Batista DeSouza.

The defendant was represented by Attorneyat-Law Latchmie Rahamat who pleaded his case, explaining to the Chief Magistrate that her client was defending himself from the now de-

ceased man, who was at the time attempting to kill him.

She noted that if the defendant had not defended himself, he could have been killed

by DeSouza. Attorney Rahamat asked that bail be granted to her client on these grounds.

Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore had no objections to bail, but requested that the defendant lodge his travel documents at the Bartica Police Station.

Magistrate McLennan granted bail to Ambrose in the sum of G$500,000 and asked that he report to the Bartica Police Station every Friday, pending the outcome of the matter.

Ambrose is scheduled to make his next appearance on November 16, 2017 at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Berbice mason dies 3 weeks after being brutally chopped …by man of unsound mind

By Andrew Carmichael

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mason of Williamsburg, Corentyne, East Berbice (Region Six), who was brutally chopped about the body — especially to the neck — by a villager of ‘unsound mind’ some three weeks ago, and had been battling for his life in hospital, has succumbed.

Fifty-four-year-old Mohamad Aslam was reportedly chopped to the upper part of his body several times on October 3 at Williamsburg, after running to his wife’s rescue. He reportedly received more than 30 chops from his attacker, and was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital, where he was treated before being transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital. However, because of the severity of the wounds, he was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital; but, on Sunday, he succumbed to his injuries.

Recounting the incident, his wife, Basmattie Aslam, also called ‘Urmila’, explained that, on the day in question, her husband had gone on an errand while she was at home cooking. “I go outside to the road for a piece of wood for the ‘fireside’ and I see him (husband) coming and I see a man coming, but I didn’t pay him (the man) no mind. Just as I bend down to pick up the wood, he (suspect) start to broadside me. I run inside, and he run behind me with the cutlass; and I run to the side and my husband run behind and try to take away the cutlass, and the man give him one chop to the neck and he fall down.”

According to her, the attacker, who lives a mere four houses away, then turned his attention on her again, and continued to lash her with the cutlass; and her husband got up again to rescue her.

Dead: Mohamad Aslam

“Since he get up he get another chop to the other side of the neck,” she said, adding that her husband was dealt several more chops as he lay helpless on the ground. “He (murder suspect) only aiming chops to the neck all the time,” she said.

When the man was finished chopping her husband, she said, the man calmly walked away. Neighbours say the man is of unsound mind.

The grieving widow — a mother of two, who had been married to her husband for 30 years — said that following the news of her husband’s demise, she was visited by the mother of her attacker, who has been charged with attempted murder – a charge which is now expected to be changed with the death of Aslam. The suspect is currently on remand.

Sex workers, 2 others remanded for robbery

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ith their trial for the alleged armed robbery of two presidential security guards still pending, Kevin Forester and Godfrey Cox have once again found themselves before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a similar charge.

The charge was read by principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, stating that on October 24, 2017, Forrester, 21, of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Cox, 19, of High Street, Kingston, robbed Virtual Complainant (VC) Victor Bess, at Croal Street, Georgetown of G$158,000 in cash.

Forrester and Godfrey appeared just as they were arrested on the job – attired in skimpy female clothing.

The defendants alleged being mistreated

by Police following their

arrest, as they did not disclose what they were being arrested for and denied them telephone calls to their family in breach of their fundamental rights.

Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves objected to bail being granted, citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offence and the penalty attached to same.

Moreover, the two defendants were out on bail pending the outcome of the aforementioned robbery trial.

According to the Prosecutor, the probability of the defendants committing further offences or absenting themselves from court in the event they are released on bail is quite high under the circumstances.

This case will be called again on November 20, 2017 and the pair will spend time in prison in the meantime.

Meanwhile, Dwayne McCloud, 23, and Lindon Benjamin, 30, both of Albouystown, Georgetown were slapped with a similar charge of armed robbery. It is alleged that the men while armed with an offensive weapon – a pair of scissors – robbed VC Gary Dickenson of a cellular phone and a quantity of items valued at G$23,000 at King Street, Georgetown on October 27, 2017.

McCloud told the court of Magistrate Judy Latchman that he was a labourer by trade, while Benjamin was a 30-year-old father of five, employed as a mason with no previous or pending matters before the courts.

P r o s e c u t o r Gonsalves objected to bail and the Magistrate remanded both defendants to prison until November 20, 2017.

High-level Conference to mobilise resources for hurricane-ravaged CARICOM States set for November

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he Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (CARICOM), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will hold a High-level Donor Conference on 20-21 November at UN Headquarters in New York to mobilise international resources for its Members devastated

by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, a release from the CARICOM Secretariat stated.

This initiative is aimed at rebuilding the devastated Members as the first climate resilient countries in the world and helping the wider CARICOM Region improve its resilience.

International Development Partners, friendly countries, NGOs, prominent personalities, private sector entities and Foundations have been invited. CARICOM Heads of Government and the Secretaries-General of CARICOM and the United Nations will also participate, CARICOM said.

The powerful category 5 hurricanes Irma and Maria hit the Region in September causing a number of deaths and widespread devastation in CARICOM Member States and Associate

CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell

Members.

Irma, with wind gusts of over 230 mph, damaged or destroyed more than 90 percent of the buildings on Barbuda – the sister island of Antigua – leading to the complete evacuation of the island; and between 60 and 90 percent in Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the southern family islands in The Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Haiti and St. Kitts and Nevis were also affected. Maria passedtwo weeks later, hitting Dominica with such fury, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit was prompted to declare that “Dominica is pure devastation”.

CARICOM, through the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management

Agency (CDEMA) has been at the forefront of the immediate relief effort. Member States, private sector companies and public spirited individuals have contributed significant quantities of relief supplies. Several countries have also contributed security personnel, health professionals and utility repair experts, among others.

CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell of Grenada and Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque led assessment teams to badly affect islands.

Given the level of devastation and in anticipation that the frequency and intensity will become the new normal, the Region has recognised the need to build back better for improved resilience.

November’s Donor Conference also comes against the backdrop that the impacted countries are Caribbean Small Island and Lowlying Coastal Developing States (SIDS) with inherent vulnerabilities. Most have also been made ineligible for concessional financing from major donors which have categorised them as middle to high income countries, the release noted.

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Food and Drug Laboratory complex to be established in Guyana …as moves being made to comply with int’l food safety standards

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Food and Drug Laboratory Complex is slated to be established at the University of Guyana’s (UG) Turkeyen Campus following a ground-breaking ceremony, the Department of Public Information (DPI) has reported.

The new complex will lessen Guyana’s dependence on external laboratories to conduct analysis which has restricted access to some international markets. It will also allow for improved monitoring, regulation and compliance with international standards required to penetrate these markets.

Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence,

on Monday explained that with new export requirements for European markets, particularly for seafood products and the implementation of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the US is ensuring the safety of its food supply. This is being done by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it.

Therefore, products which do not comply with the law, will be rejected.

“The International Arena is rapidly changing and Guyana does not want to remain obsolete.

We must be competitive, we must be robust and be

Volda Lawrence, Minister of Public Health and Professor Ivelaw Griffith, Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Guyana turning the soil, at the site for the Food and Drug Laboratory Complex

able to respond to challenges such as those soon to be presented”, Minister

Lawrence explained.

“Discussions between the Government

Analyst and Food and Drug Department (GAFDD) and Faculty of Natural Sciences and Health Sciences, UG have been on-going since 2014, and have proven fruitful, Director of the GA-FDD”, Marlon Cole said.

The GA-FDD is the unit that facilities the analysis, licensing and certification of locally produced export commodities such as rice, sugar, rum, seafood, processed foods

and pharmaceuticals. It is also responsible for ensuring the distribution, marketing and production of commodities (local and imported) meet the highest quality and safety standards.

Approximately G$117M was allocated in the 2017 National Budget for the consultation, and construction of the lab.

Cole said there is an ongoing conformity assessment and the long-awaited facility’s construction, will begin early next year.

The GA-FDD has been preparing the local agro-processing industry to meet the FSMA standards, through requirement training workshops for local manufactures and producers. This will allow the department to expand and move forward in the exportation industry.

Meanwhile Professor Ivelaw Griffith, Vice Chancellor and UG Principal observed that in building relations such as these, his vision of a research park is well underway, DPI reported.

Prison survey report under review

Citizen Security Strengthening Project Manager, Clement Henry

T

he prison survey, which is being facilitated by the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme’s (CSSP) Component Three and the University of Guyana, has been submitted.

This was disclosed by CSSP’s Project Manager, Clement Henry during an interview with the Department of Public Information.

Henry said the report was submitted on October 27, 2017, and is currently being reviewed by the Guyana Prison Service and CSSP’s project team.

He explained that before the report’s recommendations can be taken on board, they must fit all Terms of Reference and be carefully analysed by the stakeholders.

He pointed out, however, that the recommendations and findings of the survey will soon be made

public.

The sum of US$74,200 has been allocated for the survey. Faculty members from UG’s Turkeyen and Tain campuses, including medical and legal personnel, mathematicians, criminologist and social workers comprised the core team that led the survey. Additionally, 30 students from the university were trained in data collection to assist the team in conducting the survey.

The survey is part of Component Three of the CSSP, which seeks to finance sustainable re-entry initiatives by assessing rehabilitation and reintegration needs across the prison system; develop a rehabilitation and reintegration model based on the needs assessments and the outputs of the survey; develop a case management programme to support and track inmate progress and offer training to Guyana Prison Service (GPS) staff on delivering rehabilitation and reintegration services.

The CSSP is a five-year programme that aims to contribute to a reduction in crime and violence in Guyana, especially in targeted communities and among youths, by increasing their human and s`ocial capacity.

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ocated in the Mazaruni River, a tributary of the Essequibo River, is the cascading beauty Marshall Falls.

The Falls is within reach from Bartica by a boat, about 30 minutes of travel.

The boulders in the middle of the Mazaruni River create the effects of the Marshall Falls rapids.

It is unbelievably scenic and exquisite, especially for nature lovers.

It has an immense amount of water falling to the wide pool below the Falls, creating a natural “Jacuzzi” of clean, cool water for a relaxing dip.

Marshall Falls is described as a “nature lover’s paradise”.

Water flowing from the Falls

Crossing the triptrap bridge at Marshall Falls

Cascading black waters at Marshall Falls (Photo

by Darrell Carpenay)

Tranquil rainforest setting (Photo by Elicia Bolton) Water gushes over the rocks, a natural therapeutic jacuzzi

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More Jamaican lottery India contributes scammers plead US$1.1M to Antigua guilty in US court following hurricane

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our more J a m a i c a n s have thrown in the towel in the US courts, pleading guilty to their involvement in a lottery scam that bilked at least 90 Americans out of more than US$5.7 million.

Dario Palmer, Alrick McLeod and Kazrae Gray all pleaded guilty to conspiracy under deals with federal prosecutors, while Kimberly Hudson signed a deal and is scheduled to plead guilty on November

T

his country’s Miss Universe T&T pageant first runner-up Martrecia Alleyne is now being considered to replace stripped delegate Yvonne Clarke.

The local franchise holder for the pageant, Jenny Douglas, was weighing this option yesterday after she stripped Clarke of her title over an alleged breach of contract nine days before she was due to leave for the international event in Las Vegas.

Less than two weeks after winning the title, Clarke was told via email from Douglas that she would no longer be able to represent the country.

But during a press conference at the St James studio of soca artiste Fay Ann Lyons yesterday, Clarke demanded an apology from Douglas, saying she did nothing wrong in seek-

20. No sentencing date has been set as yet.

Their guilty pleas bring to 10 the number of defendants who have admitted to the crime. Another accused is negotiating terms of a deal, according to the Associated Press.

In return for the guilty pleas, the government is dropping fraud and money laundering counts.

The suspects are accused of calling victims about bogus lottery winnings, per-

suading them to send advance fees to receive the purported winnings, then keeping the money without paying out anything to the victims.

The latest four to plead guilty were among eight Jamaicans who were extradited from Jamaica to North Dakota to face the lottery fraud charges.

The charges allege the scam bilked mostly elderly US residents. (Caribbean360. com)

ing sponsorship on her own, including from Lyons. She claimed she was left with no choice after all she received from Douglas was an “old black dress” and an admission they did not have “all the resources” to get her to the competition.

“I asked her if there was anything else the franchise could give me beside a dress and she (Douglas) said no. I did not do anything without the authorisation of the franchise holder. She even sent me letterhead from the Miss Universe TT which to this day I did not use,” Clarke maintained at the press conference.

She said Douglas told her she could seek sponsorship from anyone locally “except from the Government.” She said from day one of the local pageant she felt something was wrong, as there were several “hiccups” along the way.

This, she said, prompted her to document all her conversations with Douglas, including taping telephone conversations. she was Saying forced to dip into her personal finances to prepare herself, Clarke said through a friend she was told to approach Lyons for help.

Lyons, Clarke said, had been instrumental in getting her a plane ticket, professional hair and make-up artists and even organising several professional photo shoots.

As she went through hardship getting sponsorship, Clarke, who broke down in tears at some points, said she also offered advice to Douglas regarding how to deal with issues on social media.

“I said to Jenny digital media management is important because she was getting into feuds with citizens on

CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell of Grenada and Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque had toured the devastated islands. Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Mr. Gaston Browne joined the Delegation for the tour of Barbuda where Government’s assessment shows more than 90 percent of the buildings on the island were destroyed.

T

he Government of India has contributed US$1M in support of various reconstruction projects in Antigua and Barbuda following Hurricane Irma.

According to a press release from the High Commission of India in Georgetown, the sum was committed through the United Nations Office for South – South Cooperation, UNDP, which manages the India – UN Development Partnership Fund, to initiate the conversation with the relevant authorities of Antigua and Barbuda for

an appropriate project identified by it.

The funds for this also have already been released so that the project could start as soon as the Government of Antigua identifies it, following consultation with the concerned UN authorities, the release stated.

Additionally, the release said that India has contributed a sum of US$100,000 as a part of assistance for relief and rebuilding in the aftermath of the disaster caused to Antigua and Barbuda as a consequence of hurricanes in September 2017.

Yvonne Clarke, who was disqualified from representing T&T at the Miss Universe 2017 Pageant, responds to questions from the media during yesterday’s press conference. At left is soca artist Fay-Ann Lyons. PICTURE SHIRLEY BAHADUR

social media about the way in which the franchise was being run. I told her to avoid social media conflict because it not only brings the Miss Universe pageant into disrepute but it also brings me, as a delegate, into disrepute,” Clarke said.

“The reason why I am so hurt by this was because when T&T was bashing her and saying she was unprofessional I was the one who supported her.”

She also accused Douglas of deliberately withholding her contract after she signed it some months ago.

Douglas also hinted that Clarke may not have had a US visa but

yesterday Clarke said she did.

Lyons, who also spoke, said she too wanted an apology from Douglas, as all she did was help a “beautiful and talented young lady” realise her dream.

She described the incident as unfortunate, saying too many times “we as a people” refuse to support each other.

“I was very disappointed because some people had some ridiculous comments to make,” Lyons said.

In a statement yesterday, Douglas said, “The Miss Universe T&T committee has voted unanimously to disqualify Miss Yvonne Clarke from represent-

ing Trinidad and Tobago in this year’s Miss Universe 2017 Pageant competition.

“We are saddened by this turn of events, however, we have to maintain our strict contractual agreements. We will, however, make sure another suitable representative will go and who will abide by the Miss Universe T&T rules and regulations under their contractual agreement.”

In an interview with Guardian Media, Douglas also accused Clarke of making statements which “misrepresented” the franchise and of “being on television and begging for money.” (Trinidad Guardian)

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Attorney-at-Law Brandon Scott De Santos:

‘Be strategic and resourceful’

By Akeem Greene

R

ecently admitted to the bar, Attorney-at-Law Brandon Scott De Santos’ passion is being a proficient criminal defence lawyer and providing his insight into ‘correcting some wrongs’ in the local justice system.

Brandon was admitted to the bar on October 13, 2017 by Justice Sandil Kissoon after his petition was read by mentor, Senior Counsel Bernard DeSantos, of whom he is now attached at the Chambers of De Santos and Associates and has no familial relations to.

In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Brandon admitted that his desire to become an attorney did not originate from a “fairy-tale inkling”, rather was prompted by family, teachers and other supporters to get on this career path.

“To be honest, I didn’t dream of it. There wasn’t any miraculous story that got me here. I think the best way to explain it was that a lot of people, such as my teachers, parents and even high school friends, believed that studying law was a good fit for me. It’s through their encouragement that I am now an Attorney-atLaw. But what I’d like them to know is that getting here wasn’t only about arguing and proper speech. While those are important, I believe that the ability to be strategic and resourceful is even more important,” he pointed out.

The former Bishops’ High School student demonstrated proficiency in criminal law both at

Brandon flanked by his proud parents, Patrick and Suzanne De Santos, after being admitted to the bar

the University of Guyana (UG) and Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS). He said that he “enjoyed the content”, hence excelling.

Brandon stated he is “privileged and extremely lucky” to have received guidance from Bernard De Santos, SC, who is well-known locally for his criminal law practice.

“My choice before admission to the bar was criminal law, and working at the Chambers of De Santos and Associates has solidified my desire,” the 24-year-old declared.

Support system

In the Caribbean, the approximate number of years to qualify as an attorney is five years three to attain a Bachelor of Laws degree and two for the Legal Education Certificate. This means an arduous journey of long hours and sleepless nights. However, with the support of his family and others, Brandon was able to succeed.

“Overwhelming support came from my family: my parents, siblings [four of them], my aunt and uncle and cousins in Trinidad and Tobago,

with whom I stayed from 2015-2017 while attending HWLS. Also my colleagues, particularly Kurt Da Silva, who was an immense help to all the recent graduates of HWLS. “At UG, Professor Keith Massiah and the late Professor Sheldon McDonald encouraged me vastly. Prof Massiah encouraged me to push on when I considered dropping a subject I was worried I could not get a good grade in. He refused to accept me in that second course and told me that it matters not what I do, that I was a student that would excel wherever I applied myself. I was most happy to prove him correct when I got an A in the course, which I initially thought was daunting.

Mr McDonald taught me the importance of being to the point and being well-structured and not to succumb to the fear of impending examinations (which would now be surrounding circumstances such as timelines compliance, appearing against Practitioners with vast experience and appear-

ing before the sternest of Magistrates and Judges),” he recalled.

Though graduating from UG with a distinction in 2015, Brandon admitted he had thoughts of “giving up” while at HWLS. Though his challenges were few, Brandon said that the “hardest leg” of his academic journey was living in Trinidad and getting accustom to the culture there.

“The only time I thought of giving up was when I was in Trinidad; however, the consideration of time and money spent to get there and knowing this was the final hurdle always encouraged me. I found motivation by telling myself if others did it in the past, so could I,” Brandon remembered.

that it should be legalised. However, in my respectful opinion, the current sentencing for possession is too stringent, particularly since possession of marijuana is what is sometimes referred to as a victimless crime.

within the limits of the law, which I will do at the risk of public rebuke,” he said adamantly.

Preparation

The “best advice” the newly-appointed attorney can give is to “prepare, prepare and pre-

A desire to effect change

The attorney said there is a need to further develop the legal system in Guyana; however, if it was a perfect system then there would be no need for attorneys. In his opinion, Guyana needs to adapt (within reason) to the needs of an everchanging society.

“An example I can think about off the top of my head is the current marijuana situation. I am still not convinced

Counsel Brandon De Santos (right) with mentor, Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, after his admission to the local bar

“I find myself in a quandary because on one hand I prefer to stay out of the public domain, but my intention to practice as a criminal lawyer will see me being placed exactly there. Maybe I’ll be berated by the public, but I know it is my duty to represent my clients

pare”.

While the young attorney plans to continue furthering his studies, for now he aims to get as much exposure as he can to other areas of law, such as administrative and public law, family law and environmental law.

After losing his daughter to cancer, Leslie Black vows to help others fight against this disease

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man of strength, which transcends beyond the physical and is embedded in his very spirit, Leslie Black feverishly commits his time and his more than two decades of expertise as an athletics coach to push both himself and others to in the fight against cancer.

This “GTT Pink Warrior” has dedicated much of his time to working alongside the Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF), something he was inspired to get involved in after losing his daughter to cancer.

In the year 2012, tragedy struck Leslie’s family when his daughter died from Stage 4 cancer. His family had first become aware of his now late daughter’s illness when she had begun spitting up blood in 2008. She was taken to various doctors and specialists and began treatment soon after being diagnosed with the illness.

Unfortunately, the cancer continued to spread, leaving the entire family devastated after her un-

Leslie Black

timely death.

Having had the experience of how cancer changes the lives of not only its victims but their loved ones as well, Leslie wants to encourage both men and women to ensure they are getting their regular check-ups.

Most persons, he stated, would wait until something happens to them before they get a checkup and this can be dangerous as often, there are no immediate symptoms of the disease.

When his daughter had become ill, Leslie searched for ways he could become involved in the fight against cancer and it was then that he began working with the Guyana Cancer Foundation. Every year since then, Leslie continues to offer his help and support to the GCF. Doing more this year, Leslie decided that his contribution in helping to spread awareness would be made through offering his experience of being a coach. This he did at the recently held Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) 5k/10k walk/run.

Leslie met with participants for a half hour every day where he offered training free of cost.

Leslie’s aim was to not only help these persons, but to create a lasting impact on the exercise habits of those participating. GTT recognises these efforts made by Leslie and has pledged to continue to support him in his philanthropic visions. (Press release and photo from GTT)

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Preserving our literary heritage

be heard. We try to live up to that rule, but of course, there are limitations imposed by the collection of sources at hand, and our Reference Library has still a lot more to grow, but we try to do our best at all times.

By Petamber Persaud

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ery often, and too often with immense gratification, I get the urge to put aside the reading of current books in preference to delving into those published a while back, especially reprinted rare and material. out-of-print This browsing is not too difficult for me for I am accustomed to ‘marking up’ my own books, highlighting words, phrases and extracts of interest.

For instance, while flicking through “Beacons of Excellence: The Edgar Mittelholzer Memorial Lectures – Volume 3, 1986 – 2013”, I stumbled on the following passage: One of the most exciting things about literature is the way earlier texts… are rediscovered or re-read in the light of new developments in writing and reading. Writing, in other words, is not a once for all time act that closes with the final full stop, and nor is reading a fixed or stable single act of passive reception. Reading is fluid, adaptive, processual and constantly changing according to the needs of the times.

The above passage was delivered by Dr Jane Bryce in 2013 at the 15th lecture series of the Edgar Mittelholzer Memorial Lectures and published by the Caribbean Press in 2014. The “Beacons of Excellence”, in three volumes, were compiled and edited by Andrew O. Lindsay.

The idea of The Caribbean Press surfaced during Guyana’s hosting of Carifesta X in 2008. The idea was later fleshed out by for-

Edgar Mittelholzer

mer President, Bharrat Jagdeo, and Professor David Dabydeen. Within months, the idea was manifested with the printing of the first 12 titles of The Guyana Classics Library, which included “The Discovery of Guiana” by Sir Walter Raleigh, first published in 1596; “The Coolie, his right and wrongs” by John Edward Jenkins; “Canoe and Camp Life in British Guiana” by Charles Barrington Brown; “The Chinese in British Guiana” by Sir Cecil Clementi; and “Guianese Poetry: covering the hundred years’ period, 1831-1931” by N. E. Cameron.

Each title carried its own scholarly introduction and a series preface.

The series preface, written by Jagdeo, is instructive and informative. This preface declared that “The Guyana Classics Library will republish out-of-print poetry, novels and travelogues so as to remind us of our literary heritage, and it will also remind us of our reputation for scholarship in the fields of histo-

ry, anthropology, sociology and politics, through the reprinting of seminal works in these subjects. The Series builds upon previous Guyanese endeavours, like the institution of CARIFESTA, and the Guyana Prize.

I am delighted that my government has originated the project ….so that all Guyanese can appreciate our monumental achievement in moving from Exploitation to Expression…”

While searching for material of interest concerning the National Library, which is celebrating its 108th anniversary - ‘In Service To The Community’ - I discovered the following pieces in Kyk-over-al, issue 8, June 1949: The Reference Department The policy of all libraries is that no one should be allowed to leave without having either received the information for which he came or the knowledge where he may find it…the words “No”, “We haven’t it”, “I don’t know”, should never

The Young People’s Section The other day while looking through a book on sewing … I came across a scrap of material with some stitching one it. This had been demonstrated in the book and obviously the borrower had been painstakingly practicing what was shown. This set us thinking and gave us an idea. The word “competition” kept going through our minds. With

the result, we soon hope to have a competition…Any piece of work, which they have done…and which they learnt through a library book, we shall ask to be presented to us for a display at an exhibition at which two prizes…We aim at encouraging them to be interested in what they read…

In a previous article about the National Library, I highlighted the contribution of Andrew Carnegie indicating that “his is not the only name of substance nor is his most fundamental gift of establishing the library the only noteworthy contribution carrying the library into its 108th anniversary this September in the year 2017”, infer-

ring that there are many other signal and significant contributions. For instance, the first 50 years in the life of the library, its destiny fell into the hands of the first two librarians: Ms Emily Murray (1909 – 1940) and Ms Ruby Franker (1942–1962).

When we think about books and libraries, we seldom spare a thought for the custodians of books and libraries.

These custodians play the most vital of roles in maintaining the relevance of books and libraries. (To be continued) Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

Public Free Library (British Guiana), now known as the National Library

Threats to withdraw from Border Commission a good indicator of Opposition’s unpatriotic stance

M

inister of State, Joseph Harmon says the Opposition cannot be trusted to be guardians of the nation’s patrimony.

According to DPI, Minister Harmon, speaking over the weekend at the Clonbrook Primary School, noted that recent threats by the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo to withdraw from the Border Commission, is a good indicator of the Opposition’s unpatriotic stance, as he urged the citizens not to trust the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and its leader, with the country’s patrimony.

“They are unpatriotic and do not have the country’s border and territorial integrity at heart”, Minister Harmon stated.

Jagdeo had made

threats to leave the Border Commission following a meeting between himself and President Granger, during which he was informed of the President’s unilateral decision to appoint retired Justice James Patterson as the head the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM.) In his address to scores of residents of Anns Grove and neighbouring communities, the Minister of State reminded that the opposition was bent on creating divisions since losing the May 2015 elections. “After the PPP lost, they tried to do all kinds of things in that election (2015).

They tried to push in fake statement of polls and all those kind of things, but every time they put in the fakes, the people pushed it out.

Then they say they want recount of A, B and C, and when that didn’t work they said they don’t want Surujubally.

Since then we recognised that they are sore losers and we recognise that you are going to have problem with this party, that believe they have the transport for Guyana.”

“The fact of the matter is that after the 2015 elections, the PPP who felt that they have the transport to Guyana and should never have left office, were defeated by the A Partnership for National Unity / Alliance for Change (APNU / AFC) coalition, but they couldn’t accept that because when you got a transport, you feel you are entitled”, Minister Harmon was quoted

by DPI as saying.

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The building during its Queen’s College years (circa 1949-1951)

ver the years the building at the corner of Vlissengen Road and Brickdam Street, once described as “handsome and hospitable”, was at first an orphan asylum; then the site for Queen’s College, one of the country’s premier schools, before it became the current address for Guyana’s health ministry.

The lot 1 Brickdam St. building standing today is a rebuilt edifice, after a July 2009 pre-dawn fire destroyed the original historic timber construction.

The Orphan Asylum, known officially as the Orphan Asylum and School of Industry, was established in March 1852 by the British colonial government, after the government acquired the land from an Edward Carberry in 1838.

It originally housed juvenile offenders, orphans and destitute children. In 1906 it was considered “undesirable” to mix destitute children with offenders, and offenders were removed to an Industrial School.

14 years who were “not idiots or lunatics” were eligible. The Ordinance also advised however that children whose parents were both dead would be given preference over those who had at least one parent.

The orphan asylum began by accepting children for six months at a time. By 1905, children were being accepted for two years, and by the end of March 1909 there were 61 boys and 30 girls in the institution.

Upon attaining the age of 14, they were apprenticed out at the discretion of the director, for no more than five years.

The Orphan Asylum was maintained from the public

SW view of the MOH (2001)

Black and white photo of Ministry of Health, Brickdam (1995) Photo courtesy LJH

It became an Orphan Asylum, where children whose parents were dead, too poor to provide for them, in prison for petty crimes or ill in hospital and unable to look after them, were taken in.

According to the Ordinance establishing the institution, such children no older than

treasury; it was also supported by a “two per cent duty on all public sales”. In 1903 it came under the supervision of the Chairman of the Poor Law Commissioners.

According to “The New Local Guide of British Guiana”

(1862) both boys and girls were “instructed in reading, writing and arithmetic”. Boys were further taught agriculture and other trades the asylum’s director thought “proper”, while girls learned “plain sewing, cooking, washing, scouring, and all other matters of domestic economy.”

The Orphan Asylum was closed in 1917 and, when a government committee on education in British Guiana recommended that same year that Queen’s College be relocated to the Orphan Asylum Buildings and Ground in Brickdam, students of Queen's College moved into the building in 1918 and remained there until 1951.

It has been reported that while at Brickdam, a pavilion was erected in 1920 from funds provided by the Combined Court, but begun by the proceeds of school concerts.

Subsequently, when the school moved to its current Thomas Lands site, the building became the headquarters for the Ministry of Health (MOH) up to today.

Joseph Hadfield, a wellknown architect of the time, is said to have designed the colonial block of the original building. Then Chief Justice William Arrindell is said to have founded and promoted the Orphan Asylum during his career as colony lawyer and legislator.

Epiphany…

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…by Prezzie

rezzie’s unilateral choice of Justice Patterson as GECOM Chair business isn’t only working like a Rorschach Test to uncover the mindset of Guyanese society as a whole, it’s also producing epiphanies for the political players. Take Prezzie’s pronouncement on Jagdeo’s third list: “I realised at that stage that after the submission of three lists that there was an intention on the part of the Leader of the Opposition to submit a list that is not going to be acceptable.”

Really?? If this isn’t an epiphany rivalling the one dropped like a boom on Saul on his way to Damascus, what is?

The question is “What exactly was the “booming voice” producing Prezzie’s revelation?

After all, that third list had been submitted fully 51 days before and Prezzie hadn’t displayed any wrestling with demons in

his conscience.

The Court had already cleared up Prezzie’s misconceptions on the guiding Article 161 (2) about only Judges and those qualified to be Judges needing apply for the position. And in any case, the AG now had a battery (a bench?) of five eminent exJustices – including one James Patterson – to advise him to advise Prezzie on any remaining cobwebs.

In fact, Prezzie was so clear on the way forward, he’d even suggested a Joint Committee be put together by him and Jagdeo to cut the Gordian Knot if he couldn’t make up his mind on the third list. This implied the matter was more of a technical application of the criteria that he’d crafted and given to Jagdeo. That the criteria were very specific – like the applicant/nominee must have “wide experience” in electoral matters and so on.

Your Eyewitness believes Prezzie’s epiphany was connected with Diwali – since it was on Diwali night he made his “about turn” – as they say in the army. The problem was, Prezzie had once again not been properly advised – this time by his Minister of Public Security.

Unlike what most devotees of the Goddess in Guyana had done, Prezzie lit his light the night before, while darkness was still growing!! And, as is now very clear, the message in his epiphany became all murky and he reversed himself on every point he had made on the GECOM affair.

Rather than keeping his word to Jagdeo and waiting “as long as it takes” to select a suitable candidate, Prezzie then suddenly picked someone, whose CV he hadn’t even seen but hours before, someone who didn’t have ANY experience on electoral matters, someone who’d been advising the AG on

the job for which he was hired etc…etc…

Your Eyewitness hopes Prezzie will now appoint five eminent astrologers/ astronomers to advise Minister Ramjattan on the Diwali date henceforth!!

…by PM

But it wasn’t only Prezzie who had a muddied epiphany because of the Diwali snafu.

Seems his Prime Minister had also suffered from the syndrome when he weighed in on the derailed teachers wage negotiations (And while he may be a POLITICAL lightweight, our PM certainly isn’t advoirpoidally challenged!!).

Asked about the Minister of Education giving short shrift to teachers’ wage requests, the PM – who boasts about once being a teacher – intoned, “They are the ones who I believe deserve our commendation of a thank you

from the bottom of our hearts.

They have done well in these difficult times.” Done well?!! A “thank you”??!!

What’s this man talking about? As the Americans would say about “thank yous” when they’d asked for something concrete, “That and a dollar would get me a coffee!”

Meaning, the “thank you” ain’t worth squat when you need money to buy something.

Is the PM proud to remember how low teachers have been brought from when they were pillars of the community?

…on GEA

SOCU’s been investigating the GEA and asked for some documents. Told they can come over to look since they were too voluminous, SOCU swoops down with a highly-publicised search warrant!!

Was this misdirection for its GMC’s case been thrown out?

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Artist Ron Savory

"Rupununi Landscape, Caiambe Trees" 1976

R

"Forest Path, Night Fall" 1996

onald Cecil Savory comes from a long line of explorers and pioneers in Guyana.

His antecedents and current achievements make him the perennial Guyanese and Caribbean

"Forest Study" 1973

man, exploring and evoking his world through his art.

Savory was born in 1933 in British Guiana.

After leaving college he worked at several jobs before becoming a civil servant in the crown solicitor’s office.

He then transferred to the Department of the Interior in 1959. After serving a few months at the head office, he was posted to Kamarang in the Upper Mazaruni in October of 1959 where, as a Class 2 clerk to the assistant district commissioner, he was expected to be typist, radio operator, weather reporter, weather station record keeper, trade store supervisor, and run the show when the commissioner was off station.

He later resigned from the service and was appointed administrative officer in the British Council. His work in amateur theatre, and activity as an artist earned him a British Overseas Development training stint in television and radio production with

"Savannah Wind, Sandpaper and Anthill" 1979

the BBC in 1968. He worked at the Guyana Broadcasting Service from its inception as a producer/announcer, until becoming self-employed in 1974.

Savory’s vocation as a painter began shortly before joining the Working People’s Art Class, run by the late E.R. Burrowes, operating in 1957from Smith’s Church School on Hadfield Street. There were several teaching attachments: Guyana School for the Arts, St Margaret’s School and Cyril Potter College of Education. He was coordinator for the 1972 Carifesta Visual Art exhibitions.

Several factors, including two terms of working in the Guyana interior, influenced his interest in indigenous art and the landscape of the hinterland.

Savory was arguably the first in contemporary Guyanese visual art to offer sustained interpretation of the landscape of the interior, to the point where it was acknowledged as his primary source and subject matter.

The artist’s engagement with the landscape and with a wider subject matter, then, including the literature of outstanding Caribbean writers and poets which forms the theme of the current exhibition, reveals the particular and universal instinct of the artist.

He absorbs, comments on and interprets their vision – whether imaginative storytelling or documentary record - of exploration, adventure, discovery, of the social as much as topographical experience of the Caribbean: the exhibition’s listing here including the most celebrated as well as the less well known of our writers and poets, and including,

"Rocks and Water Landscape" (Orinduik) 1977

"Mangrove" 2007

"Kamarang" 1962

since his first exhibition on this theme in Portof-Spain in 1982, a wider reference to younger writers such as Augier and Hippolyte of St. Lucia, his adopted home

since migration in 1980.

Savory migrated to St Lucia in 1980 with his family and continued to practice creatively. (Photos courtesy of Castellani House)

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Orwellian world…

O

…in Guyana

ur European colonial masters introduced us to the notion of “sovereignty”, which describes where in the polity POWER should reside.

Around the time, they “discovered” us (evidently, we’d been lost or misplaced!), sovereignty was defined as residing in the Monarch. He’d been decreed by God to rule and his orders were to be obeyed to the “T”! If you dared disobey, it was” “Off with his head!!”

But a strange thing happened over the next few centuries. Ordinary Europeans – especially the ones exploiting the “colonies” – outside of the nobility started improving their material circumstances and soon demanded a share of sovereignty – making rules for themselves. And so, after a gap of 2000 years with Ancient Greece, “democracy” came to Europe!

And the Kings were decreed not to be so divine as not to take advice from the people – through their representatives.

Now we natives, of course, weren’t as advanced as the Europeans and so had to wait another hundred or so years until we’re tutored in the ways of governing ourselves. So, by 1966, we were declared ready for our “democratic” right to share in our governance and share in the “sovereignty”. Heck…our Constitution declared that sovereignty RESIDED in we, the people!!

But, as we know, Burnham and his PNC decided we weren’t REALLY ready…we were still lacking in the nuances of democracy and he had to “mould” our destiny by rigging elections for the next 20-odd (VERY odd!) years. By bringing our country back to a “state of nature” so “we the people” could live like “noble savages”! Burnham, of course, had to make the ultimate sacrifice and accumulate all sovereignty in himself! Poor fella! There were some recalcitrant souls, of course, who chafed at the demands of “noblesse oblige”, which would allow the “small man to be the real man”!

Now after the PPP managed to return to office in 1992, they had the temerity to remove the PNC’s debt burden, expand the economy and move us from a “Highly Indebted Poor Country” into a “High Middle Income Country” etc, etc by holding democratic elections in 1997, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2015. In the last one, of course, the PNC returned to power – they had the troops to guarantee not just “office” but POWER – and promptly promised to return us to the path marked out by the Founder Leader Burnham.

And it’s against this background we can understand Prezzie’s unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chair – he has to “mould” us further.

It goes without saying, of course, he’ll have to sacrifice himself and allow all sovereignty to flow into his bemedaled body!!

…in Sugar

In Orwell’s “1984”, written in 1949, he describes the totalitarian future he saw lying ahead for mankind.

Well, after what proved to be a false start by the PNC between 1968 and 1985, it’s clear (even if you hadn’t seen the argument above) by the headline in the Chronic, we’ll all be goose stepping in unison soon.

Here it is, three sugar plantations are going to be shuttered, at least 7000 workers are losing their jobs –which will put at least 30,000 men, women and children on the breadlines and the Chronic announces in banner frontpage headlines: “Future looks sweet for GuySuCo”!!!

Like in “1984”, the PNC believes, “…if all others accepted the lie which the Party imposed – if all records told the same tale –then the lie passed into history and became truth. ‘Who controls the past’ ran the Party slogan, ‘controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.’

But what the PNC forgets, is Orwell also wrote: “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”

Guyanese must speak truth to power!! …and teachers After the teachers said “enough is enough” to being given Larwah one more time, they threatened to strike.

But after a meeting with Prezzie, they recanted!!

In the days of Divine Kings, peasants also fell on their knees in HIS presence!!

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

British Guiana at the Paris Exhibition 1878 T

he Paris international exhibition of 1878, held to celebrate France’s recovery from the Franco-Prussian War, was the largest exhibition the world had yet seen, occupying 66 acres. France’s own exhibits formed half the items on display, while those of the British Empire made up another third.

The exhibition was attended by 13 million visitors from all over the world and was seen by exhibitors as an important means of attracting trade and investment, of showing off new technological or artistic achievements, of celebrating the riches of their

respective cultures and of stimulating both national pride and a spirit of international co-operation.

At the time of the Paris exhibition, British Guiana’s economy was dominated by cane sugar, though some diversification was beginning to emerge, a trend that would sharpen in the 1880s, as sugar prices fell and efforts were made to exploit the mineral resources of the colony, such as bauxite.

In 1876 British Guiana exported a total of 213,951,360 pounds of sugar (as opposed to 66,667,776 pounds 25 years earlier) and the colony as

a whole enjoyed a modest revenue surplus. Public expenditure on managed immigration schemes (principally indentured labour from India) was beginning to fall, but health and social welfare expenditure was on the rise.

This catalogue to British Guiana’s exhibits, while naturally devoting a large amount of space to sugar production, suggests that the colony was anxious to present itself as rich in other natural resources and full of potential for the investor.

Exhibits included not only different types and grades of sugar and rum,

Kaieteur Falls from British Guiana at the Paris Exhibition: Catalogue of Exhibits; To which are prefixed some illustrative notices of the colony. London: Edward Stanford, 1878 [FCO Historical Collection T802.G1 BRI]

but other crops, such as cassava, coffee and cocoa, around 90 different timbers

and examples of Carib and Arawak craftwork, such as pottery, baskets and table

mats. The introduction uses statistical data to stress the colony’s economic health and potential and takes pains to counter the prevalent perception of its climate as ‘unhealthy, and prejudicial to Europeans.’

The frontispiece shows the Kaieteur Falls, one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. In 1870 Charles Barrington Brown, a British government surveyor, became the first European to see the Kaieteur Falls. (www. kingscollections.org)

Illustration of the magnitude of the Paris Exhibition

“T

he Guyana Story” by Odeen Ishmael stated that one of the major problems that Georgetown

ed with the use of the labour of hundreds of slaves.

According to Ishmael, in the town itself smaller canals branching off

Trench, dug by Mr. Ward of Industry to connect with No. 3 Canal; this was to be enlarged and continued

The Lamaha Canal in 1870

Lamaha Canal under construction circa 1800s

faced was the availability of water for domestic use.

Ishmael reported that in 1825 one of the leading citizens, Dr Michael McTurk, proposed the construction of a canal to bring water from the Lamaha Creek, some distance south of Georgetown.

The author added that the proposal won support from both the central government and the town council, and by 1829, a canal from the Camuni Creek to Georgetown was complet-

from the Lamaha Canal were dug and these provided the supply of wa ter to the residents. It was not until 1885 that the people of Georgetown began to get their water supply through

pipes after mechanical pumps were purchased by the council.

“The Story of Georgetown” by James Rodway mentioned that “it appears there was already a small canal at the back of Cuming’s Lodge known as Ward’s

to the Lamaha Creek at the expense of the estates, and a connection made for the town by a trench 12 ft wide on the level, 6 ft at the bottom, and 5 ft deep...”

Rodway went on to say that on “October 29, 1829, an Act for the better preservation of the Lamaha Fresh-Water Canal and Reservoir within the precincts of Georgetown recites that a canal and reservoir have been formed”.

40 news

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

2000 set to graduate from University of Guyana in Nov

By Ashraf Dabie

S

ome 2000 students are expected to graduate from the University of Guyana during the 51st Convocation at the Turkeyen Campus, which is slated for Saturday, November 11.

The UG graduation this year will see a number of developments, including for the first time in the history of the university, graduands emanating from certificate, diploma and degree programmes being awarded at two separate ceremonies.

This is as the graduation ceremony for students attached to the Faculties of Agriculture

and Forestry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Technology, will be held at the National Cultural Centre on the said date, while for those from the Faculties of Education and Humanities, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences, the ceremony is set for the Turkeyen Campus, also on November 11.

Booked to deliver the feature address at the first ceremony is Dr Dhanpaul Narine, who is a distinguished educator and journalist based in New York while Ambassador Rudolph Michael TenPow, who studied Modern Languages,

will give the keynote address at the ceremony set for the Turkeyen campus.

In commenting on this significant change, Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith relayed that, “Our graduating classes have grown tremendously over the years, and having one ceremony has meant having extremely long ceremonies, with some graduates and guests leaving before the ceremonies conclude.”

Griffith, who lobbied for the enhancement, further noted, “Creating two ceremonies allows us to maintain the tradition of having every graduand cross the

Flashback: A scene from a previous UG graduation

stage and shake the hand of the Chancellor, and maintain the so-

lemnity of the occasion, while reducing the length of the ceremony.”

Additionally, the Vice Chancellor pointed out that unlike previous years, all students graduating with diplomas will be adorned with academic robes, along with those graduating with Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees.

Another new feature at this year’s Convocations will be the use of ceremonial gonfalons, which are banners, often shield-shaped, that hang from crosspieces on top of poles. These banners are usually carried at the head of the Convocation procession and identify the different Faculties within the university from which students are graduating.

On this note, Professor Griffith highlighted that the “adoption of this feature, which is found at mature universities across the world, will enhance the elegance and pomp

of the ceremonies”.

Ever since the University held its first graduation in 1968, the institution has become a leading provider of tertiary education in the country, producing on a yearly basis, a number of professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills ready to venture into the local, regional and global job markets.

UG graduates have gone on to assume senior positions in major Public and Private Sector agencies, both in Guyana and across the world.

Meanwhile, the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education, the extra-mural arm of the university, is scheduled to hold its graduation ceremonies for its four centres as follows: Georgetown Centre on November 25; Linden Centre on November 26; Anna Regina Centre on December 2 and the New Amsterdam Centre on December 9, 2017.

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

feature 41

Rockstone Fish Festival 2017: Lindener walks away with top prizes

By Bhisham Mohamed

R

avin Persaud of Amelia’s Ward, Linden was adjudged the winner of the 12th Annual Rockstone Fish Catching Competition, held last Sunday.

Accompanied by two relatives, he and his boat captain, Ryan, ventured out into the Essequibo River at about 5:00hrs on Sunday in their bid to cop the prize for the largest catch.

Ravin Persaud and his team upon winning the top prizes

Ravin Persaud displaying his catch

It definitely paid off, and he was awarded the cash prizes for the biggest catch of the day — also the biggest catfish caught — weighing approximately 65 pounds and measuring approximately four feet in length.

Upon being awarded the prizes, Persaud thanked his team for the efforts they had put into the trip, and praised the boat captain who had taken them around to fish.

Described as a fanatic for fishing, Persaud has been participating in this competition for years, and would previously have won similar prizes.

Fishing, he noted, had become part of his life from an early age.

Now that the 2017 festival is over, he will commence preparing for the 2018 event.

However, another competitor, “Fish Brow,” received prizes for the biggest lukanani caught, and also for the second largest catch.

Speaking with Guyana Times International, an elated “Fish Brow” disclosed that he has participated in the event every year.

He feels more persons should participate in this fish-catching competition, as this would make the event more competitive.

Several ancillary events were held during the course of the day. The water meloneating competition, for instance, drew a large crowd of spectators, each cheering on his/ her favourite contestant. One Mario won that contest, for which

there was a cash prize and a trophy.

Apart from the various competitions, the ‘deejay’ did an excellent job in mixing the tracks, causing everyone to gyrate to good music. Games for the kids were a challenge, since there was only the trampoline. Some expressed the view that since the event is family-oriented, more activities should have been planned for all ages.

Whilst some were busy catching fish, some were having a ball in the sun and heat. President of the Rockstone Tourism Association, Ms Lynette Benn, told this newspaper that a lot of work had been invested in the success of the event. She said that at one point the committee had reportedly even considered cancelling the event because of the deplorable state of the road.

She also noted that with direction from the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), the association was able to regroup and continue planning for the event.

She explained that the heavy downpour on Saturday caused a number of planned activities to have been cancelled.

Ms Benn was, however, happy with the turnout, and promised to work harder for greater success of the festival next year.

Those who stayed at the event until the sun set were treated to live stage performances.

The 2018 Annual Rockstone Fish Festival is billed for October 27 and 28.

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44 fashion

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese designer launches

M

odels hit the runway in over 130 exotic pieces from the “Shape” 2018 collection, bringing to life the creative vision of local fashion designer Donna Ramsammy James as she again stole the limelight in Guyana’s local fashion industry.

The 20th annual staging of “My heart beats in Africa”themed fashion show, which exhibited both male and female attire incorporating the softness of Asia, the depth of Africa and the colour of the Caribbean, was inspired by James’s recent visit to Nairobi in Kenya, East Africa.

Guests attired in glamorous Africant h e m e d outfits gathered on the lawns of Herdmanston House in the cool atmosphere of Sunday evening in obvious anticipation of the muchtalked-about event.

The two-hour-long mesmerizing fashion show saw several sequences featuring the diverse fashion trends of various African tribes, every design exquisite and unique.

Following the glamourous presentations, the genius behind it all, James, took to the catwalk to express her undying appreciation to supporters. She disclosed that the proceeds of the show go to the Guyana Relief C o u n c i l (GRC), and she called u p o n

Chairperson of the organisation, Mrs. Yvonne Hinds, to graciously accept the cheque.

Designs were available for purchase.

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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Scenes from the protest over GECOM appointment

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Diabetes: Prevention is always better than cure

By Anu Dev

I

’m rotating through general surgery again, and I’m seeing a lot of the same types of patients I saw last year, especially patients coming in with “diabetic feet”.

“Diabetic feet” refers to the characteristic changes seen in the feet of people with diabetes. Diabetes affects the blood vessels and nerves of the feet (and everywhere else in the body) and inhibits your body’s innate capacity to heal; which to a large extent depends on blood being

S

atiricus was very troubled.

He’s been following the increasingly bitter debate that followed Prezzie’s bold action to break the political logjam. And Satiricus figured that was a pretty good metaphor, since he’d seen how his uncle dealt with logjams when he brought logs from

“Diabetes taught me discipline.”

– Sonia Sotomayor supplied to the wound.

Because of the nerve damage, diabetics don’t really detect pain as readily as non-diabetics.

So if, for example, they stepped on something sharp and injured their foot, they mightn’t even notice the injury. And because of the reduced blood flow and the consequent reduced ability to heal, there’s a greater risk of the wound staying open and becoming infected.

Diabetes also affects your ability to fight off

infections, so the infection might spread to the entire leg, and to the bone. The infection could also spread to the blood, leading to a life-threatening condition called sepsis. Since diabetes affects the blood vessels of the feet, the blood supply to the feet is compromised. And if the tissues aren’t getting enough blood, they’ll eventually die. Some people end up having to have an amputation of a toe, a foot, or even an entire leg.

People with wounds

the interior. Wasn’t pretty – but drastic intervention was necessary.

“Wha’ yuh mout’ a hang dong suh laang, fa?” asked Bungi as Satiricus took his seat at the Back Street Bar. “Man, don’t you see how this thing becoming racial?” replied Satiricus.

“Which t’ing?” asked

Cappo, slyly.

“Don’t play the fool with me, Cappo,” said Satiricus with some heat, “You know damn well I’m talking about Prezzie’s decision.”

“Sato, you know everything in Guyana ‘racial’,” said Hari. “Even with your KFC party.”

“What you mean by that?” asked Satiricus sounding even more heated.

to “diabetic feet” need specialist care from doctors and nurses who are experienced with this condition. When I was in Guyana, I was happy to learn that there is a specialised unit in Guyana to deal with “diabetic feet”, since there has been an upsurge in diabetes worldwide, which I am sure has increased our already historically high rate.

So if you know that you’re diabetic, you should take care of your feet, to prevent injury and infection. You should inspect your feet daily. Check for cuts,

blisters, redness, swelling, or if your nails are getting brittle and thicker. Keep your feet clean. Use a moisturizer to keep dry skin from itching or cracking. Try to avoid walking barefooted, even indoors, to avoid stepping on anything that could cause a cut or a bruise.

And one of the most important things is to keep your diabetes under control.

Prevention is always better than cure, so it’s important to take care of your feet, to prevent injury and infection. And if your foot does get in-

Anu Dev jured, or if you notice an ulcer forming, you should see your doctor.

I’ve seen so many patients who come in so late with the infection spread so far that the only solution was amputation.

Finding identity “Well, nah yuh leadah Nagga Man seh how he bring in 11% Indian las’ election?” answered Bungi. “An’ da how ‘e tu’n Prime Minista? Da racial!”

“I don’t think we’re talking about the same thing,” said Satiricus huffily.

“But a de same t’ing!” insisted Cappo. “An’ a wan good t’ing!”

“It’s a good thing for us to be dividing into two racial camps?” demanded

Satiricus. “Budday!! Abee always divide in two camp when elek-shan time!” observed Bungi. “Jus’ dem pala-tishian like fuh pretend abee a bhai-bhai!”

“That’s righ,t Sato,” said Hari. “People now becoming honest.”

“Nah…dem pala-tishan still na ‘anest,” said Bungi.

“Yuh na see a only wan set a people a write fuh de Pee an’ See an’ anadda set a write fuh de Pee-an’-See?”

“Even those who said there was no such thing like ‘race’!” chuckled Hari.

“But I’m afraid this thing will get out of control,” said Satiricus.

“Nah worry, Sato,” said Cappo. “Ev’ryt’ing guh tu’n right by Chrismuss when abee drink ginja beer and eat black cake!!”

“Den abee guh see abee a waan!” said Bungi.

They clinked their bottles to that!

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a supermom, says Abhishek Bachchan A

ishwarya Rai Bachchan is regarded as one of the most beautiful women in the world.

But for her beau Abhishek Bachchan, she is much more than just being an ageless beauty. In a recent interview with a leading publication, Abhishek shared an insight on how Aishwarya does everything for their daughter Aaradhya and has become a “supermom”.

Sonakshi Sinha says would love to share screen space with Shah Rukh Khan

“When she became a mother her career took a backseat.

Today, she does everything for Aaradhya. She is supermom. Soon after Aaradhya was born, the media went at her about her weight gain.

A

would definitely want to share screen space with him,” she added.

The film, co-produced

by B.R. Studios, also stars Sidharth Malhotra and Akshaye Khanna and is all set to release on November 3.

‘Ittefaq’ is adapted from the 1969 film of the same name that was produced by B.R. Chopra and directed by Yash Chopra. The 1969 film starred Rajesh Khanna, Nanda and Iftekhar in lead roles.

Ittefaq marks the first time when Sonakshi Sinha and Sidharth Malhotra will be working opposite each other.

This will also be the first time when the three leads share the screen together. (Indian Express)

to her as the most beautiful woman in the world, and I know she is immensely grateful for the love. She values her fans and enjoys the adulation as well as the trappings of her career.

Even with the hectic travel schedules and erratic work hours, I’ve never heard her complain about front or back of the plane, Maruti or Mercedes. Her focus isn’t on the trivial.

It’s these things that leave me charmed,” said Abhishek.

Aishwarya turned 44 on November 1 and she visited Siddhivinayak Temple with daughter Aaradhya Bachchan and mom Vrinda Rai. (Indian Express)

Yami Gautam wants to do a costume drama or a dance-based movie

A

fter working with Shah Rukh Khan’s production house, Red Chillies Entertainment, Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha says she harbours a dream to share screen space with the superstar himself. Shah Rukh Khan and filmmaker Karan Johar have co-produced Sonakshi Sinha’s forthcoming thriller, ‘Ittefaq’.

“I would love to (work with him) as well! Other than being the superstar that he is, I think he is a wonderful and humble person! Possibly the most chivalrous actor I’ve met,” Sonakshi Sinha told IANS. “He has been my producer on Ittefaq. So I’ve worked with him in that capacity, but I

Nasty things were written, which really upset me,” Abhishek said. ”Water off a duck’s back,” said Aishwarya when she saw me perturbed.

Abhishek added, “Anyone who knows her would know that she has never spent a day in the gym.

The only time was when we were shooting Dhoom 2 (2006), and Uday Chopra, Hrithik Roshan and I dragged her.”

The Guru star also shared that he has never seen her complaining about anything even with the hectic travel schedules and erratic work hours.

“Till date people refer

fter the success of Kaabil, actor Yami Gautam says she wants to explore the world of a costume drama or be part of a dance-based movie.

Asked about the kind of projects she is looking for, Yami told IANS in an email: “Costume drama or a dance-based movie.”

jective answer to this question.

But I feel if there is a role that I love and love the team, then I would take it as it comes,” said

The actor, who talked about the importance of consuming a healthy breakfast through a live Facebook session, is willing to change her physical appearance as long as a project is convincing enough.

“It totally depends. It’s not easy, but I cannot give a sub-

the model turned actor.

Apart from her work, the Sanam Re actor is also known for being fit. She says she makes a “conscious effort to stay fit and feel good”.

“The kind of profession I am in, and the active lifestyle we all lead, requires us to be on our

t o e s all the time.

Which is why it becomes all the more important to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Keeping fit is not about a good core, or a good body, it is a lifestyle choice which reflects every day. It even translates to little things like good skin and hair, amongst others,” Yami said. Recently, Yami made news when she posted a long note and kept it general by writing, “matter surrounding two of the biggest stars in our industry.” However, it was known that she was referring to the infamous controversy and legal battle between Hrithik Roshan and Kangana Ranaut. (Indian Express)

Sagarika Ghatge thinks it’s ‘ironic’ that she’s in a relationship with a cricketer

S

agarika Ghatge, known for her role as a hockey player who was dating a cricketer in Chak De! India, will soon be getting married to Indian cricket star Zaheer Khan in real life. The actor finds an irony in the whole plot, and says planning a wedding is exciting but stressful too.

“Like everybody who is getting married, I think there is always stress, yet there is a lot of excitement because it’s a wedding that you are planning. So, we have all those emotions going on right now,” Sagarika told IANS over an email.

The actor, who inaugurated the flagship store of Inc. 5, a footwear brand, in Mumbai on Wednesday, got engaged to Zaheer in April. There are reports that they will get married in November, and will hold a reception on November

27.

But she preferred to remain mum on her wedding plans, and skipped the question.

Talking about her relationship and the connection with the Chak De! India role, she said: “When I think of it, there is an irony in that, but it’s definitely not planned. I don’t know how to look back at it, but we can definitely call it ironic.

“More than me, a lot of people think of it like, ‘Oh my God, she is actually marrying a cricketer because she dated a cricketer’. But that was a movie, this is my real life. So, I don’t know how I can associate both.”

Sagarika says she got associated with Inc. 5 due to Zaheer, who announced his retirement from international and first-class cricket two years back as the country’s

fourth-highest wicket-taker across formats.

“I think Zaheer has known Rajesh (Kadam) for a while and he met up with me saying that they are launching a new store. I was more than happy to be a part of it and come to see the collection because the brand sticks to simplicity and is contemporary and I think that’s what I am about in terms of the way I dress.”

If we talk about her professional life, Sagarika has been very selective about her projects. She has featured in a Marathi film Premachi Goshta, Hindi film Jee Bhar Ke Jee Lee and Punjabi film Dildariyaan.

She also faced her fears through TV show Khatron Ke Khiladi – Darr Ka Blockbuster Returns.

Sagarika says it is very im-

portant that she believes in the project before she takes it up.

“I think every project that I have done has always helped me grow as an actor. So, that’s why I chose a Marathi film after a film like ‘Chak De…’ because I knew doing that Marathi film would help me grow as an actor because I got to work with somebody like Atul Kulkarni, who I respect a lot in terms of the kind of body of work that he has done.

“So, I choose my projects in whichever way it helps me bring out something new in me. So, maybe that has made me do selective films, but I hope to do a lot more films now.”

At the moment, she has a bilingual film called Haadsa in her kitty. “It will be releasing early next year. That’s pretty much it,” she said.(Indian Express)

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Justice League actor Henry Harvey Weinstein’s effigy to be burnt as part of an annual tradition in London Cavill: ‘Even if Marvel

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36 feet effigy of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein will be burnt to ashes at a bonfire night celebration in Kent near London. The Edenbridge Bonfire Society, which chooses a celebrity to go alongside the traditional effigy of failed plotter Guy Fawkes every year, said the Hollywood mogul was the “overwhelming choice” for 2017, reports telegraph.co.uk.

The giant figure was unveiled on Wednesday in preparation for the annual event on Saturday.

It is a yearly tradition for Britishers in memory of Guy Fawkes’s 1605 failed plot to blow up Parliament.

Harvey Weinstein is facing allegations ranging from sexual harassment to rape from several women. A spokesman for the charity described the choice was “lighthearted” and added that there was “nothing funny” about the ac-

didn’t exist, we’d struggle’

H

cusations surrounding Harvey Weinstein, who is the subject of police investigations in both the UK and the US. “As with last year, there were many strong contenders for this year’s celebrity, particularly in the political and cultural world,” the spokesperson said. Other wellknown figures whose effigies were burnt in the past years include Cherie Blair, Katie Price, Gordon Brown and Russell Brand.

Ever since New York Times and New Yorker

published a series of reports that had detailed information of various sexual harassment incidents, as many as 76 women have accused Harvey Weinstein of inappropriate behaviour which had been ranging from requests for massages to intimidating rape threats. Rose Mc Gowan, Angelina Jolie, Lupita Nyong’o, are some of the Hollywood actors who have openly spoken about their harrowing experiences.

(Indian Express)

ollywood actor Henry Cavill, who portrays the role of Superman in DC movies, has confessed that the approach of the DC Extended Universe has not necessarily worked. The 34-year-old actor has revealed that he understands why they haven’t always been well received by fans and critics. Cavill noted, “Even if Marvel didn’t exist, we’d struggle.

There was a style they [DC] were going for, an attempt to be different and look at things from a slightly different perspective, which hasn’t necessarily worked.” Adding, “Yes, it has made money but it has not been a critical success; it hasn’t given everyone that sensation which superheroes should give the viewer.”

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. star shared that Patty Jenkins` Wonder Woman, has

shown the way forward for the DC Extended Universe.

He said that the critically acclaimed movie marked the “first step in the right direction” for the franchise.

“I think it is a wonderful time for the female hero. It is the perfect setting in social politics right now, we need it, we want that perspective, and ‘Wonder Woman’ has struck at the ideal time and has become a phenomenal success, which is fantastic. I feel like now the right mistakes have been made and they haven’t been pandered [to], and we can start telling the stories in the way they need to be told,” explained Cavill.

“It is even better to

come back from a mistake or stylistic error into the correct vein because it will make it seem that much stronger.

‘Wonder Woman’ was the first step in the right direction,” he added.

Henry Cavill will be next seen reprising the role of Man of Steel in Zack Snyder’s Justice League alongside Gal Gadot, Ben Affleck, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller and Ray Fisher.

The movie is slated to release on November 17.

(Indian Express)

Eddie Redmayne and wife Hannah Cindy Crawford openly talks about sexual harassment with her daughter Bagshawe expecting their second child

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upermodel Cindy Crawford makes sure she discusses sexual harassment in the fashion industry with her daughter Kaia Gerber, even though she thinks the business has changed. Crawford has had a “conversation” with her 16-year-old daughter about the topic. She hopes her children are in a “new environment” where sexual harassment issues happen “less”.

“It’s about having a conversation. It’s awareness.

And hopefully she’s in a new environ-

ment, where (sexual harassment) will be less,” Crawford told hollywoodreporter.com about how she protects her family.

Her comment comes in the wake of sexual assault allegations made against film mogul Harvey Weinstein.

She said she never discussed sexual harassment when she embarked on her modelling career, and though she was “hit on” by males, she “always knew” how to get herself out of an uncomfortable situation.” I don’t have a ‘Me too’ moment. It’s not like guys didn’t hit on me, but I always knew how to get myself out of the situation. The more conversation about anything is how we move forward as a society,” Crawford said.

Kaia made her fashion week debut during the Alexander Wang show earlier this year, but Crawford has said she

wished she could have delayed her child’s career from taking off so quickly.

Cindy Earlier, Crawford had announced plans to retire on Instagram. Her fans were simply unable to handle that they were witnessing the end of an era in the world of glamour. “Every year, I tell my kids I’m retiring. It’s a running joke in our family. And yet every year, opportunities pop up that really excite me. While it’s true that I’m eager to shift my focus a bit to concentrate on my businesses, friends and family — I’m not making any final statements (not all headlines tell the whole story!).

I have loved being part of the fashion industry for the past 30 years — and if that time has taught me anything, it’s this: never say never. Thanks for all the support, I’m so excited for what 2016 holds! xo Cindy ,” she had said in an Instagram post last year. (Indian Express)

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scar-winning actor Eddie R e d m a y n e and his wife Hannah Bagshawe, are expecting their second child together. “Eddie and Hannah Redmayne are delighted to confirm they are expecting their second child,” the 35-year-old actor’s representative said in a statement issued to People Magazine.

Eddie and Hannah are already proud parents of 16-month-old daughter, Iris Mary Redmayne. The popular Hollywood couple had tied the knot in December 2014. The theme of their wedding was Winter Wonderland.

The ceremony was attended by close friends and family.

Just two months later Eddie Redmayne took home the Oscar in the Best Actor category, for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. In 2016,

he had been nominated in the same category again for his role in The Danish Girl, but it was actor, Leonardo Di Caprio who broke his Oscar jinx and finally won the coveted award for his role in The Revenant.

On the work front, Eddie Redmayne is currently working on the sequel of JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them.

The first part of the film, which released in 2016 had won an Oscar earlier this year in the Best Costume Design category. Eddie Redmayne,

who had always been a fan of the Harry Potter franchise was thrilled to be a part of Rowling’s magical world. Although the film did not have the three main characters (Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger), but with the magnificent creatures and the same old background score even if in parts, Fantastic Beasts had a magical charm of its own. This was enough to excite a Potterhead who had been thirsting for a new story ever since the last film of the Potter franchise ended in 2011.

(Indian Express)

Beyonce and Donald Glover roped in for Disney’s live-action Lion King remake

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eyonce, Donald Glover, James Earl Jones and John Oliver are joining the cast of Walt Disney’s new live-action film version of The Lion King, the studio said.

Directed by Jon Favreau, the movie follows the storyline of the 1994 animated film, in which a young lion named Simba grows up in the African savanna after his uncle Scar conspires to ursurp his father Mufasa’s place as king.

Earl Jones reprises his role as Mufasa, while the young Simba is voiced by Donald

Glover, who recently starred in Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, lead actor in Twelve Years A Slave, takes the role of the villainous Scar. While Beyonce lends her voice to Simba’s childhood friend and love interest Nala, Golden Globe-winning actor Alfre Woodard voices the character of Simba’s mother Sarabi.

Bollywood trade analyst Taran tweeted the full line-up of the film. He said, “Presenting the star lineup for Jon Favreau’s new take on

Disney’s 1994 classic animated film #TheLionKing… July

2019 release.”

Comedian

Seth

Rogen

takes on the character of Simba’s warthog friend Pumbaa, while Oliver plays Zazu, the hornbill adviser to Mufasa. “It is a director’s dream to assemble a talented team like this to bring this classic story to life,” said Favreau, who has also directed Disney’s The Jungle Book live-action remake, which saw actors interacting with characters enhanced by computergenerated imagery.

The film is expected to hit US theaters on July 19, 2019.

(Indian Express)

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Regal Masters whip NY Hustlers

…Speedboat power away from Regal All-Stars

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he curtains came down on the inaugural Prime Minister’s T20 Softball Cup with two exciting and highly competitive finals at the Everest Cricket Club ground on Sunday.

A colourful crowd, including Honourable Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife Sita Nagamootoo, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport Dr. George Norton, witnessed the thrilling encounters that saw Regal Masters and Speedboat All-Stars winning their respective championships.

In the first final of the day, Regal Masters defeated New York Hustlers by 24 runs in the Masters category.

A match-winning 68 from opener Mahase Chunilall and a fluent half century from Eric Thomas allowed Regal Masters to post a challenging 199-4, batting first. The in-

Regal Masters played masterfully well to lift the first-ever Prime Minister’s T20 Softball Cup

form Chunilall and Mahendra Hardyal put Regal Masters on course with an opening stand of 96 before Hardyal who hit one four and a six was removed by E. Dodson for 28. Chunilall and Thomas continued to frustrate their overseas opponents as they took the score to 172 with level-headed batting. Chunilall struck one four and four maximums before he was caught off former Guyana U19 player

Troy Gobin. The lefthanded Thomas continued to attack and clobbered one four and six sixes in scoring 53.

Dodson claimed 2-56 for NY Hustlers who made a valiant effort to push for victory. D. Chumney and former Everest and Guyana First Class player Shameer Sadloo added 32 for the opening strand before Chumney was taken of Parsram Persaud for 19. Sadloo and Gobin, two of NY Hustlers most danger-

ous batsmen, steadied the chase fairly before Sadloo was removed by Thomas for 36 (3×6).

Gobin was then bowled by Laurie Singh for 23 (3×4,1×6) leaving the score at 88-3. Regal Masters then picked up a few quick wickets to restrict the scoring, but Chob Richmond and Roy Matura kept their team in the hunt with a seven-wicket stand of 49 before Matura was bowled by Hardyal for 24 after hitting three sixes. Richmond remained unbeaten on 44 with two fours and three sixes as NY Hustlers finished on 175-8. Thomas was the pick of the bowlers with 3-23. NY Hustlers collected G$100,000, medals and a trophy for their efforts while the champions pocketed G$500,000 along with a trophy and medals.

In the AllStar grand finale, Speedboat registered a

55-run win over Regal All-Stars in a gripping encounter. Speedboat rattled up 182-9 after they were inserted. Anand Bharat and Lennox Marks put on 24 for the opening stand before Marks was bowled by Amir Nizamudin for 15; Fazal Rafiek uprooted the stumps of Vikash Dhaniram (09) while Nizamudin bowled Greg Singh (15) before Esau accounted for Bharat for 24 leaving the score at 98-4.

Speedboat then lost captain Wazir Hussain (02) who was bowled by his brother-in-law Safraz Esau, but Ricky Sargeant and Shazim Hussain propped up the total before Hussain was run out for 27 (1×4,3×6).

Sargent made 21 as Esau claimed 3-38, Rafiek 2-40 and Nizamudin 2-42.

Regal Allstars were off to a terrible start when the in-form Sachin Singh (01) was

bowled by Greg Singh, Richard Latif (04) was removed by Kishore Smith, Rafiek (04) had his stumps disturbed

by Singh, Esau (06) was bowled by Mark Harold while Patrick Rooplall was dismissed without scoring leaving the score on 39-5.

However, Navin Singh and Sewchand Budhu attempted to keep their team in the hunt with a stand of 33, but the run out of Singh for 15 and the dismissal of Budhu for 25 cemented Speedboat hold on the game; no other batsman managed double figures as Regal AllStars were bowled out for 127 in 17.4 overs.

Smith had 3-20 and Singh 2-26.

The pumped up winners won G$600,000, a trophy and medals while Regal All-Stars settled for G$100,000 and similar silverware.

Also in the presentation ceremony, Chunilall who was named Most Valuable player of the Masters Tournament received a 55-inch television set while Safraz Esau won the prize in the All-Star category and rode away with a Hero Motorcycle.

The tournament which was organized by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc and ran under the patronage of Prime Minister Moses Nagamottoo started on Friday last with a total of 18 teams across the two categories.

Carl Crowe confident of clearance for Hafeez's remodeled action

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Mohammad Hafeez in his delivery stride with a remodelled action (AP photo)

he man who helped correct Sunil Narine's action is confident that tests will find Mohammad Hafeez's action to be legal. Match officials reported Hafeez for a potentially suspe

ct action after the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi. The mostrecent instance amounted to the third time in three years that Hafeez has been reported in international cricket.

On Wednesday, in Loughborough, he underwent the ICC test that will determine whether his action is in breach of regulations. continued on page 51

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Consistent Singh delighted with batting performance

Avinash Singh with his top-batsman trophy at OSCL presentation and award ceremony recently in Toronto

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legant righthanded opening batsman Avinash Singh expressed delight with his top-batting performance after the completion of the 2017 Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) tournament. Singh, who hails

from Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, demonstrated his consistency with an aggregate of 270 runs from 14 matches representing Better Hope Sports Club in the A Division.

“I [am] extremely happy with my perfor-

mance this season especially topping the batting; the hard work certainly paid off and I will remember it for a very long time,” Singh commented.

His highest score of 84 came against his former teammates and Singh mentioned that was a memorable innings but noted he was more than determined to get a three-figure mark; however, he also expressed satisfaction with his average of 33.75.

“Playing in the OSCL for the past 13 consecutive years and still able to make an impression is pleasing; I know the competition was going to be very stiff and most batsmen would have also wanted to dominate, but it was a great honour to head the list,” the 42-year-old versatile allrounder declared.

Despite his team had to settle at the number five spot with 47 points from their allotted 14 matches, Singh felt they played excellent cricket from the commencement of the tournament. Dant emerged as the champions with 67 points from

the same number of games.

“We played as a team throughout the tournament but as I said there was always stiff competition but the guys showed great enthusiasm and no doubt we can be the victorious side in 2018,” Singh related. In addition to the 20-over category, Singh made an impact too in the 10over version where he was named MVP in the Consultation final.

He also reflected on his previous outstanding performances during his softball cricketing career featuring for various clubs in the OSCL competitions.

In 2006, Singh was the top batsman with 457 runs in the B Division while he came in third with 276 runs at the A Division in 2010. The following year, Singh was again prolific chalking up 573 runs back at the B Division.

Meanwhile, since the formation of the OSCL in 1996, a large number of Guyanese cricketers have been representing different teams and showcasing their talents with also resounding performances.

Carl Crowe confident of clearance for... from page 50

Carl Crowe, a former Leicestershire spinner and now a spin-bowling consultant, however, is confident Hafeez's action will withstand biomechanical scrutiny.

As well as Narine, Crowe helped Hafeez return from a one-year bowling ban, working with him during a brief stint in England last summer. Though he only spent a day or so with him this time before his test, Crowe felt a distinct difference in the faulty action he worked with last year and now.

"He seems more balanced, and is using his body more efficiently, more effectively," Crowe said. "That's often an issue with guys who have issues with an arm being flexed. They need to be more efficient with their body, and one or two things we did [last year] helped him do that.

"Did we do any work on his action at the moment? No. There are one or two things we've discussed in terms of skill development - not necessarily action development - because we're confident he doesn't necessarily really need that."

Results from the

test are expected within a couple of weeks but whatever they show, the frequency with which Hafeez has been reported only to then return represents, in some ways, unchartered territory for the ICC's approach and protocols in dealing with suspect actions.

Twice already his action has been found to be illegal and each time he has rectified it and returned.

At the moment, the first time a bowler is reported and his action subsequently found illegal, he can correct it and, if it passes another assessment, return to bowling immediately. If he is reported and his action found illegal again within 24 months of the first instance, he is automatically suspended from bowling for 12 months. This is what happened with Hafeez in 2015.

At the moment, if Hafeez's action is found to be illegal - for a third time - he will be treated effectively as a first-incident case. That is, he can rectify his action, pass a test and return anytime.

Since the ICC clamped down on illegal actions

in 2014, no other bowler has been reported three times.

Additionally, Hafeez was reported once back in 2005 when protocols were different in allowing bowlers to return, and then again in a T20 Champions League game - outside of international cricket - in September 2014. Crowe once worked with Jenny Gunn, the England bowler whose singularly complex bowling action was at least partly responsible for the ICC's standardization of testing protocols and development of testing labs across the world. But he doesn't think there is anything in the biomechanic set-up of Hafeez's action that could be a trigger for umpires.

"Every bowler has different degrees of flex in their arm," Crowe said.

"Many bowlers have idiosyncracies in their action that make it look a certain way. I'm not sure, to be honest, if there is anything particularly wrong about Hafeez's action.

"When we worked together in 2016, he was very keen to take on board any kind of techniques that would help him become more effi-

cient. My view is that it's about being a better bowler. It can't be that I am bowling with a straight arm now but disappearing. I've worked a lot with Narine over the years, and the performance has got to be high.

Same with Hafeez - last year, when we worked together it was about being a better bowler, not just with a straighter arm."

Given his importance to their limitedovers revival - they won the Champions Trophy in June and became the number-one ranked T20 side on Wednesday - Pakistan will draw whatever comfort they can from Crowe's confidence.

"He's been playing, since he's remodeled his action, all over the world and I'm confident his action been the same for a while. I'm confident that he'll go fine, that his flex won't be a problem.

"To the naked eye, of course, it is difficult to tell, but from what I can tell, I am confident. It's been a consistent action since I've seen him. I've played back his action on my phone in slowmo and am confident."

(ESPNCricinfo)

Beaton to play One-Dayers against Sri Lanka “A”

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Ronsford Beaton

uyanese speedster Ronsford Beaton has been included in a Windies “A” 13-member squad announced by the Selection Panel of Cricket West Indies for the three Oneday matches against Sri Lanka “A”, starting this week.

Beaton is among four players that did not play in the preceding 3-match “Test” series which Sri Lanka “A” won 2-1. The others are: Windward Islands Volcanoes allrounder Kyle Mayers, along with the Jamaica Scorpions pair of Andre McCarthy and Odean Smith, a member of the West Indies Under-19 side that won the ICC Youth World Cup last year in Bangladesh.

Commenting on the squad, Chairman of the CWI Selection Panel, Courtney Browne said: “The squad builds on our last President’s XI squad which played against England earlier this year with Jahmar Hamilton retained as captain.

“Players coming into the square are those to replace the players that have moved up to the senior team or those that are not available at this time.”

He added: “Our ‘A’ Team programme is a stepping stone to our se-

nior team and the panels want to encourage players to focus on consistent performances.

“With a full year of One-day International matches coming up next year, including the ICC World Cup qualifiers next March in Zimbabwe, this is another opportunity, along with the Regional Super50 Cup next January, for players to present themselves for any places available in the senior team.”

Windies “A” squad reads; Jahmar Hamilton (Captain), Sunil Ambris, Ronsford Beaton, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Sheldon Cottrell, Montcin Hodge, Damion Jacobs, Reynard Leveridge, Kyle Mayers, Andre McCarthy and Odean Smith.

Graeme West is the Head Coach while the rest of the Team Management Unit is also unchanged. They are Graeme West (Head Coach), Dwain Gill (Team Operations Manager), Corey Collymore (Assistant Coach), Khevyn Williams (Physiotherapist), Zephrynus Nicholas (Fitness Coordinator) and Dinesh Mahabir (Video Data Analyst).

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CAC team confident ahead of Qualifiers in Jamaica

By Michelangelo Jacobus

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mere two weeks after taking part in the International Pan American Championships on home soil, the Guyana Men and Women’s hockey teams will be jetting off to Jamaica to compete in the qualifiers for the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) being hosted in Kingston.

Speaking to Guyana Times International Sport exclusively, Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) boss and Women’s coach, Philip Fernandes revealed that due to commitments and in some cases retirement of senior ladies the women’s squad is a mixture of new faces and experience.

Fernandes explained; “we have lost some of our senior ladies to retirement or unavailability due to work commitments and so we have several new faces who will be making their international debut this tour.”

However, the GHB head expressed; “I am confident that the experience of our remaining senior ladies will be able to anchor the newcomers and work cohesively to produce good results.”

While only the top two finishers will qual-

ify for the CAC Games in Colombia in 2018, Fernandes believes “Guyana is favoured to take one of those spots but will face strong challenges from hosts Jamaica and Puerto Rico who also have a lot of experience at this level. While the tournament comes at a difficult time for our teams as we were committed to indoor training for the past several months, we hope that at least the core of the team will be fit and ready for this competition.”

With players such as Minsodia Culpepper and Nicole Eastman making their debut at the recently concluded Pan American Championships, Fernandes pointed out that the experience would have been good for them.

Eighteen-year-old Tamala Glenn and 19-year-old Bushani Kaladeen will be the debutants on the upcoming tour; the debutants will be exposed to a high quality of competition and conditions.

This Fernandes reasoned would be an advantage to Guyana if they succeed at the CAC Qualifiers to book a spot in Colombia, 2018.

“If Guyana is success-

Robert France will captain the Men’s National Team in Jamaica

ful in qualifying for the CAC Games, the exposure of these young players will be valuable going into that tournament as it means they would be more familiar with the conditions and expectations of athletes at the International level.”

Prodigy Aliyah Gordon has recovered from her injury that was sustained during the Pan Am Championship and is included in the Guyanese squad.

Meanwhile, the Men’s side has retained almost the entire squad that finished fourth at the Pan Am Championships two weeks ago.

Prolific striker Robert France will once again captain the side; included in the team is veteran defender/midfielder Dwayne Scott.

The Branford brothers, Aroydy and Rayon will also be vital players for the Guyanese.

Both the men and

women’s teams will be in action on Sunday (November 5). The men take on Puerto Rico while the women face Panama.

Only the top two finishers in both competitions will qualify for the CAC Games in Colombia, 2018.

The female squad

reads: Briawna Gordon (Goalkeeper), Gabriella Xavier, Latacia Chung, Minsodia Culpepper, Marzana Fiedtkou, Kerensa Fernandes, Trisha Woodroffe (Captain), Marisha Fernandes, Maria Atkinson Monroe, Nicole Eastman, Bushani Kaladeen, Shebiki Baptiste, Aliyah Gordon, Ulrica Sutherland, Tamala Glenn, Ashley DeGroot.

The male squad: Melroy Scotland (GK), David Williams (GK), Hilton Chester, Kareem McKenzie, Marvin Dannett, Rayon Branford, Aroydy Branford, Dwayne Scott, Andrew Stewart, Jamarj Assanah, Jason De Santos, Randy Hope, Orlando Semple, Robert France (Captain), Mark Sargeant, Jael Gaskin, Meshach Sargeant, Steven Xavier.

Coaches: Men’s Coach Robert Fernandes, Women’s Coach Philip Fernandes

Jaguars focused on developing future stars for the West Indies

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File photo of Leon Johnson. (Image courtesy: WICB/Randy Brooks)

ince the comm e n c e m e n t of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) for the 2014/2015 Regional 4-Day season, Guyana Jaguars have been ‘team consistent, winning three successive titles.

However, in that period, they have only successfully seen the elevation of Rajendra Chandrika, Vishaul Singh and Shimron Hetmyer to the senior West Indies Test team.

Barbadian-born Raymon Reifer is currently part of the Test squad while Keon Joseph has become a consistent face in the West Indies ‘A’ teams.

Ronsford Beaton who was part of the “A” team

has been included in the Windies T20 squad recently but is yet to wear an international cap.

Guyana have not only won titles but they have dominated oppositions both at home and away. Despite this encouraging fact, captain Leon Johnson revealed that they are more focused on developing future stars for the West Indies.

“Our assistant coach, always stresses to the players that he doesn’t want to see them just play for Guyana their goal must only be performing for Guyana and then playing for West indies and also doing well for West Indies,” Johnson said.

The first season of the

PCL Regional 4-Days began in November 2014 just two months after Johnson made his Test debut against Bangladesh. The stylish left-handed batsman has since played eight additional matches, a disappointing stat for a batsman with enormous potential.

“The focus is not always on winning a championship, we don’t set out at the start of a season to win a championship, that more comes down to the end of the season when we realise we have done well and is to push for the title.”

He added, “We always encourage each other to do well go on to play for the West Indies.”

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