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2% royalty too low WEEK ENDING February 11, 2018

ISSUE NO. 383

- President’s Petroleum Advisor

…‘He doesn’t speak for us’, says Gov’t See story on page 3

A section of the large gathering at the opening of inaugural Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit and Exhibition (GIPEX) 2018 at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, Guyana. GIPEX 2018 is aimed at providing a networking platform for existing petroleum companies, service providers, equipment companies and investors through which interested parties will be informed about the many opportunities and developments in Guyana’s oil and gas sector.

Cops torch huge ganja farm in Berbice Page 38

President to request further consultations for appointment of Chancellor, CJ

…after Opposition Page 17 Leader rejects nominees

Justice Kenneth Benjamin

Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

2% royalty too low

- President’s Petroleum Advisor … ‘He doesn’t speak for us’, says Gov’t

By Lakhram Bhagirat

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contract is an agreement between two parties and when one is dissatisfied then the terms of that agreement could be reviewed and amended, according to the Presidential Adviser on Petroleum, Dr Jan Mangal.

Dr Mangal made the statement while speaking to reporters following a discussion on the Government’s vision for the oil and gas sector at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus on Wednesday.

“A contract is an agreement between two people and both parties need to be comfortable.

If one party becomes really uncomfortable it will be changed.

Guyana is a sovereign country, the evidence out there from around the world is that when situations change, like look at

Dr Jan Mangal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith

the price for natural gas, people sign contracts for natural gas at very high price longterm contracts, the price for natural gas has dropped drastically, people are renegotiating those contracts,” he stated.

He added that if a contract is amended then the oil companies would contend that Government is discouraging investments, but noted that investments ought to be weighed compared to the lev-

el of comfort with the contract.

He explained that if Guyana decided to amend its contract with ExxonMobil then there will be the perception that it does not know what it wants but noted that

he believes otherwise.

“We have to be careful not to simplify too much. It is not black and white, there could be a whole lot of grey area in the middle,” the petroleum expert noted.

When asked about whether he thinks the contract should be renegotiated, Dr Mangal stated that while he has his views he is not ready to pronounce on that publicly but did say it is a topic of discussion with the Government.

“Last year the focus was getting the contract out so Guyana could get a comfort level of what the contract was about. The process has just started; it will probably take some time for the people to do analyses and Guyanese as a whole to decide what they want to do… sticking with things how they are or continued on page 9

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

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

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

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

Representatives of one of the boots; Pakaraima Flavours, at the Guyana International Petroleum Summit and Exhibition (GIPEX) which opened on Wednesday at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.

EDITORIAL

Those crime CoIs APNU/AFC Govt using CoI as a tool

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resident David Granger is also leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC), which is the overwhelmingly largest “partner” in A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the larger partner of the coalition Government, on whose behalf he has launched what has been described by his official spokesperson as the first of a number of Commissions of Inquiry (CoIs) into what the President has labelled the “Jagdeo era” killings.

The nested, Matryoshka-like President began by launching a CoI into the Lindo Creek Massacre of June 2008, the last of a long series of massacres that occurred in the first decade of the millennium. This is not a very auspicious beginning to investigating what is universally acknowledged as the most challenging period in our 50 years of independence.

Firstly, there is the answer to the question posed by the Bard: to wit, there is a lot in a name. If the President were serious about seeking to bring some kind of closure to what he has also described as “the troubles”, he would not seek to make the CoI “outcome determinative” through his very transparent ‘labelling’ technique. Would Mr Granger, say, go along with describing the Jonestown mass suicide as a “Burnham era” mass suicide? An even better case can be made for Burnham’s involvement in that horrific killing of 909 souls since he facilitated Jim Jones and his cult at every step of the way in their lemming-like action. An even more recent event, the PNC’s objection to the People’s Progressive Party’s motion to launch a CoI into the “assassination” of Walter Rodney as being “outcome determinative”, should remind Mr Granger that serious Inquiries should not be politicised ab initio.

Secondly, there is the matter of starting at the end of the killing cycle that riveted the country for over a decade. It is rather elementary to grasp that the Lindo Creek killings at a minimum may be involved with the other atrocities and, therefore, it would make more sense from the standpoint of explanatory value if the Inquiries could start from the beginning of the cycle – namely 1997. Mr Sam Hinds, who was both President and Prime Minister around that time, wrote a letter in which he gave reasons for that starting point.

The PNC had protested the PPP win at the internationallyobserved December 5, 1997 elections and staged mass protests that got out of hand on several occasions. On January 12, 1998, for instance, hundreds were beaten and assaulted in Georgetown and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), in an abundance of caution not to be ethnically provocative, issued a caution to “supporters of the PPP” to avoid Georgetown. From that horrific incident onwards, criminal matters continued to careen out of control as robberies, kidnappings, murders, arson and protests escalated.

With the Mash Day 2002 Camp Street Prison escape of five hardened, convicted criminals that ratcheted up the crime wave, criminal matters took an overtly political turn when the criminals, now ensconced in Buxton, defined themselves as “African Freedom Fighters”. In the sarcastic words of WPA executive Eusi Kwayana, they were being guided by “political sophisticates”. As hundreds were killed in a confusing crossfire between the Buxton gang, Phantom Gangs and drug gangs, there were many who feared for the continued existence of the Guyanese State, as the official institutions of law and order were made into bystanders.

If there are to be CoIs that will benefit Guyana and not merely serve to settle old scores or cover up the sins of those who have been involved in the criminality but are now part of officialdom, we must start at the beginning of the political crime wave which began in January 1998. There are too many loose ends that have already been exposed to the public such as full-page ads taken out by one of the drug dealers as well as a most incriminating tape by a senior politician and a senior police officer after one of the most gruesome massacres – at Agricola.

Closure must be brought to all the killings.

for political harassment Dear Editor, The PNC-led APNU regime has announced its intention to set up another Commission of Inquiry (CoI). This time, it is to ‘probe’ the killings of mainly criminals, which took place during the crime waves of the more recent past.

Included in that period was the assassination of Sash Shaw, former Minister of the PPP/C Government. The regime obviously has some plans to use this for some political gains in a Hitlerite tactic to create conditions for its actions of repression. Remember Adolf Hitler had the Parliament burnt down to unleash repression on the left and democratic forces, mainly communists, in Germany just before World War II? We saw this APNU regime applying the CoI method to clean out the professional leaders of the Police Force. The intention is to control the Force by putting persons who would take PNC/APNU diktat. In a word, it is the beginning of the de-professionalization of the Police Force; it is being prepared to be repressive.

One of the outcomes that this regime is looking for is the excuse to harass and frame PPP/C leaders and members. It is also to distort that period, and to hide its own role in the crime waves that we had experienced at the beginning of this century.

It is for another reason, too: they want to use this to promote their own racial line about the killings of ‘young black men’. This is because they have recognized the great dissatisfaction among all our people, including among Afro-Guyanese, where they draw most of their support.

The APNU+AFC stewardship has led to a lot of sufferings of all our people, particularly the low income category. Pushing the racial line to feed racial sentiments in our Afro-Guyanese masses serves to call on them for racial solidarity, and to ignore the pressure they are coming under from this incompetent and corrupt regime.

That is the only logical conclusion to which one can arrive when the realities of our country are examined dispassionately.

If, for instance, they were really interested in finding the truth of any matter, they would not have closed down the Rodney Commission of Inquiry as one of their first acts after taking power. Indeed, they were afraid of be-

ing summoned to give evidence to that CoI. After all, Minister Harmon was the number two man in the military intelligence, and President Granger was the Commander of the GDF at the time of Rodney’s assassination.

Secondly, we know that the PNC — which is the main, almost the only, force in the APNU — historically has used crimes to pursue its political goals. The X13 Plan of the 1960s (1963 to 1964) was an early manifestation of this.

Moreover, documents released from the US State Department and the British Foreign Office show that the British Governor Ralph Grey and the US representative here at the time, Carlson, were preparing to find ways to prevent charges from being laid against Forbes Burnham should he be investigated and found culpable. They managed to suppress things before they reached that stage.

Fast forward to more recent times, and it is clear that the PNC, in the 1990s and onwards, was using criminal elements to sabotage the work of the PPP/C Administration. We had arson of ministries, of schools, and of other government buildings.

Whenever there was a spike in crime, the hands of the PNC could be detected in fanning the flames of violence. The Linden (Blackie) London period, for instance, showed that London was getting support from the PNC. Recall, too, that when he perished in confrontation with the Police, the PNC did its best (or worst) to try to incense people by mainly pushing a racial line. PNC equipment and stage were used in organizing London’s funeral. It was attended by the then Leader of the PNC, Desmond Hoyte, and many other leaders of the Party, some of whom are Ministers today.

It has also been said publicly that when the five dangerous criminals escaped on February 23, 2002, they first went into Congress Place to hide. They managed to get into the PNC band, which did not go into the National Park, but turned away at Duncan Street and went into the PNC Head Office compound.

Another important point to ponder is: where did the criminals get the high-powered weapons to create the carnage that they did? No armory of the Army or Police was broken into, yet the

criminals had high powered military weapons and seemingly endless bullets.

Of interest would be the roles of now Minister Winston Felix and Mr. Edward Collins, respectively Police Commissioner and Head of the Army in that period.

It is now clear why the criminals could have committed all sorts of crimes and live freely, even though the Army had established a base in Buxton.

We recall that the criminals had left Buxton and attacked Rose Hall Town, where the PPP was holding its Congress. They killed several persons in that town, using chainsaws to cut openings.

Balram Khanai, a young PPP militant from Essequibo, was murdered there. They went back into Buxton without the Army and Police seeing anything. Felix and Collins were the senior persons in those bodies at the time.

Minister Basil Williams and at that time Police Commissioner Winston Felix have never given an explanation to their now public conversation, wherein Williams, Chairman of the PNC, thanked Felix, the then Commissioner of Police, for diverting attention from the PNC when the Fine Man Gang murdered eight (8) persons at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

Felix had admitted that he did turn things away.

In relation to Sash Sawh, we know that he was murdered by the Fine Man Gang. Some of his property was found with gang members when they were stopped by the Police.

The time that he was brutally murdered coincided with the period when we were going to the elections in 2006. It was clear that the intellectual authors wanted to drive fear in the PPP before the elections. However, that backfired on them.

Make no mistake, Sash is a martyr who fell in the fight for consolidating democracy and social progress.

Clearly, therefore, the APNU cannot really want to find the truth. What they are doing is trying to distort the truth and use any CoI that they would set up as a tool for political harassment.

This is a well-known Hitlerite tactic!

Yes, we are about to witness another fraud in the form of CoI by this regime.

Donald Ramotar Former President

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘I finding life real hard’

…retrenched estate worker says facing tough times sending 3 children to school

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fter being retrenched by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) since 2016, former Wales Sugar Estate cane harvester Michael Chootoo has outlined the many challenges that have affected his ability to provide for himself and his family. The worker, who showcased signs of being at his wit’s end over the non-payment of his severance, indicated to Guyana Times International in a recent interview that the education of his three children is being hindered as he “barely” has enough money to send them to school.

“It affecting my family a lot and meh pickney dem could barely get to go school. If I did get my severance, I coulda tek meh money turn over and do

a lil business and get a lil profit,” Chotoo decried.

The former worker further observed the difficulties of not affording to pay for the many assignments that his children have to complete and he also noted the unfavourable conditions under which he has to send them to school. He noted that the ages of his children are 16, 14 and nine.

“Right now my children’s boots aint got nothing underneath, they just going with the top. One of them crying because she say she will stop go to school because she got to get G$600 to do assignment to carry in today – me can’t afford that, me an got nothing at all.

Right now I take some trust from some people and I can’t afford to pay,” the man noted.

He called on the sugar company to pay the Wales workers their termination benefits, claiming that the few hundred workers attached to the former West Bank Demerara entity are being bullied.

“I really need my severance and is bullying with GuySuCo because they come and tell me bout meh severance and I agree to take me severance and not to go to Uitvlugt. They bullying us,” Chootoo stressed.

In a show of much annoyance, the retrenched worker related that he deserves his severance after devoting almost 30 years of service with the sugar company.

“Right now I frustrated with GuySuCo. I waiting on severance since 2016.

I work with the estate for 28 years and it hard now

from since then to now.

Other estates come behind and closed down and done get their severance and I an get nothing yet.

The people at Wales angry over their treatment… is months and a year finish and we can’t get nothing,” Chootoo expressed.

As with his colleague Stanley Felix, the dismissed worker observed the strain on family life which was brought on by the closure of the Estate.

“Nuff time my wife make attempt to leff me because is three children that got to go to school and it hard. Every day, they coming home with assignment an I got to find money for them to go to the Internet [café] because I can’t afford to put Wi-Fi in my house and now the lil money when I work a fine job and save, I got to

Several fired cane harvesters holding up placards during the peaceful picketing exercise held outside the Ministry of the Presidency

take out and it ah finish,” he pointed out.

“Right now I cleaning people drains and doing other people yard just to upkeep me. It very hard, hard, hard right now,” Chootoo stressed.

The father of three is hopeful that the High Court can call up the severance matter, some 10 months after the case was filed.

On December 31, 2016, the Wales Estate was closed. GuySuco has since snubbed the Wales workers when it announced on Tuesday that they are not entitled to severance payment.

Acting GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Paul Bhim, has declared that these workers were not entitled to those benefits.

Bhim maintains that GuySuCo has honoured all its obligations regarding the payment of severance at the Wales Estate.

He told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that cane cutters were offered jobs at the Uitvlugt Estate and they were at risk of self-termination because of their refusal to take up this offer.

However, the workers argued that they were being pressured

Former sugar worker Michael Chootoo

by GuySuCo when they were aware that the Uitvlugt Estate was located more than 20 miles from Wales. They still contend that this move is contrary to the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act. By refusing to adhere to the “Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act” GuySuCo is treating the Wales cane cutters like indentured servants.

Of the approximate 4800 workers dismissed in the latest firings, only 1600 fired sugar workers who are eligible to receive G$500,000 or less in severance pay have been paid in full, while the others would be paid 50 per cent of the amounts due to them.

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Preference for merit-based immigration reform Dear Editor, A large group of IndianAmericans rallied outside of the White House in Washington DC on Saturday to support President Donald Trump’s proposal to reform the US immigration policy on green card sponsorship. The proposed reform would affect family sponsorship immigration from Guyana and other countries.

Guyanese Americans and others oppose the reform and want the current system to remain but with an expedited timetable for issuance of green cards.

The DC gathering is a rare pro-Trump rally that attracted marchers (with technical skills) from all over the country who are supportive of the President and who supported him in the

Presidential election in 2016.

The protesters complained the immigration system is rigged against them.

Currently, a US citizen or green card holder can sponsor family members – spouses, parents and siblings. Under Trump’s proposed immigration reform, sponsored immigrants will be based on merit (skills) rather than on family connection. The marchers supported the ending of what the Trump administration calls chain migration and the so called diversity lottery system. The marchers claim that skilled immigration is needed to help make America grow to attain better standard of living. They pointed out that under the current system unskilled im-

migrants get preference over skilled ones.

The proposed Trump reform will benefit skilled immigrants from India, Asian countries and European countries which is the preference of the President.

The DC rally was organised under the banner of the Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC), an organisation led by Chicago-based businessman Shalabh Kumar. Mr. Kumar is very close to Mr. Trump who attended a Diwali rally in October 2016 in New Jersey.

President Trump also hosted Diwali celebration at the White House last year.

In Saturday’s rally, the Indian Americans raised slogans in support of the

President’s proposal to implement the “merit-based” system. The marchers at the rally called for a discontinuation of country quotas for Green Card approvals. Under the current system, Indian applicants for green cards under the family sponsorship are at a disadvantage. Currently, green cards are capped at 9,800 per country except for a few countries. There are some 50,000 green card applicants per year for India.

Indian Americans feel “merit-based” preference for immigrants would tilt the balance in their favour because most Indian Americans are skilled – the largest number of engineers, scientists, medical personnel, mathematicians are

of Indian descent. Some thirty per cent of America’s skilled immigrants come from India.

But many Indian skilled relatives have to wait two decades for their appointment date for a Green Card.

Some of the slogans mentioned at the rally included: “Trump loves India", “Indians love Trump”, "Cut Green Card Backlog".

Nearly half of the one million Green Cards issued every year goes to close relatives of American citizens regardless of their skills and the Trump administration wants to restrict this practice. But he faces resistance from Congress and lobby groups.

Yours truly Vishnu Bisram

How could senior Govt By law Wales workers are officials agree to the terms and entitled to be paid severance conditions of the Exxon Contract Dear Editor, The absurd and outrageous nature of the Exxon contract which has been highlighted by a number of persons in the public domain triggers the impulse to shout ‘incompetence!’ and similar expressions to describe the grossly imbecilic nature of this agreement. But, if we consider for just a minute, the people in the coalition cannot, by any remote standard, be considered stupid.

The President was a former Brigadier-General schooled in military strategy abroad, and a career historian and lecturer, I was made to understand. The Minister of Foreign Affairs was a former Minister of Finance, the Minister of State is a very bright gentleman who was a lawyer by profession, and the Minister of Natural Resources was also a career lawyer who also served as Speaker of our House.

It is virtually impossible for any of these four gentlemen not to have been privy to the agreement before it was signed. With at least two of them being former practising lawyers, it would have been impossible for them to ignore what I can only refer to as the gross asininity of the Exxon contract. Here we have four of probably the most senior men in the coalition Administration perusing this contract, familiar with its contents, being aware of their own limitations in respect to their capacity to professionally evaluate it, yet still being able to recognise the ridiculous nature of

the contract, and still agreeing to give the goahead for the Minister of Natural Resources to sign an agreement.

Something is wrong here. No one has yet come up with an acceptable explanation for what we are seeing unfolding with respect with this contract. But I submit that something is definitely wrong. It is very easy to consider corruption in all its modern complexities at work here, but is it more than this?

What has the coalition Administration agreed to that is not written in the contract? The gross financial imbalance and loss for Guyana as a sovereign state indicates that something more than meets the eye is amiss.

In light of the litany of flaws in the contract, which even includes the Minister of Natural Resources acting on behalf of Exxon in at least one instance – a clear conflict of interest and impossibility in such contracts, it seems very understandable that the Minister of Foreign Affairs owned up (a likely story) to advising the coalition that the agreement should remain secret.

In respect to the Minister of Natural Resources signing an agreement which clearly puts him in opposition to the interests of Guyana, by what stretch of the imagination and outlandish notion could these four senior men of the coalition agree to the Exxon contract being signed and enforced? How could the President himself agree to this? And why is the

coalition insisting that the contract remains in force?

I submit that Guyana is being conned in a very big way, and the coalition Administration, by agreeing to this contract – in addition to its hard-headed stance on VAT and other policies which make it so much harder for Guyanese, including neglecting to address our unemployment and joblessness among our youths in a major way, its violation of the basic human rights of the recently-retrenched sugar workers, and its wilful breach of our laws in relation of honouring contractual severance arrangements with employees, notably the retrenched sugar workers – has declared itself unfit to govern.

All Guyanese, particularly those owning and controlling resources and in decision-making positions have to seriously take stock of what is unfolding and make preparations. Because running a country is a long game which requires a plan. And if anything, else, we have to get ourselves organised right now.

In respect to the contract itself being in force, Ramon Gaskin recently pointed out that Exxon discovered oil in its allotted blocks long after its exploratory rights apparently expired. Competent individuals could investigate whether this is not a basis on which to void the entire contract.

Yours faithfully, Craig Sylvester

Dear Editor, My attention was drawn to a Guyana Times article of February 7, 2018, captioned “GuySuCo snubs Wales cane cutters – says workers not entitled to severance pay”. The article stated, inter alia, that approximately 400 cane cutters who were attached to the now closed Wales Estate may never receive a severance according to the acting CEO, Paul Bhim.

The CEO declared that they are not entitled since they are at “risk of self-termination because of their refusal to

fers were in the context that the estates were all operating estates. In the case at point, Wales is closed. The extant law, therefore, supersedes the provisions in the agreement, because workers’ jobs at Wales have been made redundant.

There are a few fundamental points in the aforementioned clause of the TESPA. First it speaks of “re-employment” and “immediately prior to the termination”, which clearly means that the service of the employee has to be terminated and then be re-employed, if re-em-

take up the offer” of working at Uitvlugt Estate. I gather the CEO meant the workers would have voluntarily terminated their services. Further, the CEO “argued” that his position is being supported by the collective labour agreement that exists between GuySuCo and the sugar union –the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).

The CEO stated that 120 Wales’ cane cutters have taken up the offer to work at Uitvlugt Estate in similar capacity.

It would appear that since these workers have taken up the company’s offer, the others were, and are, obligated to do likewise, and their refusal therefore constitutes the voluntary termination of their service.

I would think the company would have been properly edified on the provisions of the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act (TESPA) that states under Section 21, clause 4 (b) that the payment of a severance will not apply where the employee “unreasonably refuses in case of redundancy to accept an offer of re-employment by the employer at the same place of employment or within a radius of 10 miles therefrom under no less favourable condition than those such employee enjoyed immediately prior to the termination”.

Editor, even if the collective agreement makes provision for the transfer of employees within estates, such trans-

ployment meets the full requirements of this clause. It is obvious therefore that a severance allowance will have to be paid for the services at the point of termination, before re-employment takes its course.

Secondly, re-employment must be within a radius of 10 miles therefrom (therefrom means the original place of employment). Uitvlugt is reportedly 20 miles away from Wales Estate (the original place of employment). The law, therefore, protects the 400-odd workers from being compelled to work at Uitvlugt Estate. Their refusal, therefore, cannot be considered that they have voluntarily terminated their service. It matters not if sufficient amount of productive work is available at Uitvlugt. It is for the company to convince the workers, in all forms and inducements, to accept the offer to work at Uitvlugt. It cannot impose upon them to work at Uitvlugt.

In all fairness and in sincere application of the law, the 400 workers at Wales are entitled to their due severance. The sugar company should not, and cannot, deny these workers on the absurd claim that their refusal to work at Uitvlugt means that they have voluntarily terminated their service.

Yours faithfully, Selwyn Narinedatt

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Bartica teachers, community reps receive STEM training for ‘green’ development

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welve teachers from Bartica, along with four community stakeholders, underwent a oneday training workshop in Science, Technology, E n g i n e e r i n g , Mathematics (STEM) and Robotics, aimed at equipping them with technological skills, which can assist in providing modern solutions to the challenges of transitioning Bartica, Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven) to the first model ‘green’ town in Guyana and the Caribbean.

The training, which also saw the participation of five other persons, drawn from the Lusignan/Good Hope Learning Centre and The Deaf Association of Guyana, who are training to become STEM Guyana Club Coaches, is a collaborative effort between the Office of Climate Change (OCC), Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications and the STEM Guyana, was held in the Ministry of Public Telecommunications Boardroom and facilitated by Founder of STEM Guyana, Ms. Karen Abrams and her daughter, Ms. Imah Abrams.

Ms. Karen Abrams, Founder of STEM Guyana facilitating one of the sessions.

Noting that robotics itself offers innovative possibilities for developing waste management and energy generation solutions among other things, Project Manager of the Bartica Transitioning to National Energy Security Project, Mr. Gavin Bovell, explained in an invited comment that the OCC is cognisant of the fact that science and technology play a critical role in developing solutions to many common issues.

Taking this into context, he said that the OCC in June 2017, launched a US$650,000 pilot project, for the purpose of establishing a reliable

point of reference for the existing state of energy use in Bartica.

The financing was received from the Government of Italy in support of the Model ‘Green’ Town, Bartica Project. The data generated from this project will be used for future measurements and predictions for evidence-based decision-making and pursuance of projects and programmes. One of the components of the five-component project focused on sensitisation and awareness among the populace. It is in this context, he said that the project was born, to not only raise awareness but

also equip the residents, particularly students with the relevant skills to help find viable solutions.

“For the sensitisation, what we planned to do is to go into schools and have hands-on activities. So we thought it interesting and timely that the STEM Guyana team was here in Guyana already and so we decided to collaborate to sponsor 16 persons to be trained so that they can go back into their communities and schools and train students. We believe that this is important because the kids can go back into their communities and come up with solutions

using the applied skills that they would have received that they can come up with their own solutions,” he said.

The pilot project, under which today’s workshop falls, is divided into two phases. In phase one, which is currently being implemented over a period of 12 months, energy audits and public awareness exercises are being completed, along with the establishment of an energy data management centre.

To the degree possible, some small-scale demonstrations have also commenced. In phase two the information gathered will be used for the scale up of projects.

Ms. Abrams, in an invited comment, said the STEM Guyana is pleased to be a part of the project.

She noted that if Guyana is to fast track its development and compete globally, it is important that citizens be exposed to such programmes so that they can formulate solutions to solve issues ranging from the environment to agriculture to health care.

The younger Ms. Abrams echoed these sentiments noting that citizens can be empowered through technology to find solutions to

everyday problems. “We want to prepare and empower them to utilise technology to develop dynamic solutions to problems they face within their communities and so this morning, we really want to hammer home that. We will be focusing on the coach platform, judge system, scratch programming, help them to create animations, the fundamentals of robotics and programming of robots,” she said.

One of the participants, Mr. Ron Ghanie, a teacher from the Three Miles Secondary School, said that while he is not versed in Information Technology he is looking forward to leaving Georgetown with the knowledge and skills to help make a change in his community. “I do not know much about scratch programming [a free programming language and online community, which allows persons to create their own interactive stories, games, and animations] but I am looking to take that away with me.

I hope that when I get back to Bartica, I can inspire my students to partake in activities that we can embark on. This is a really, really great idea,” he said. (MOTP)

8 news

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Business community not sleeping’ – Private Sector head … says steps being taken to grasp opportunities from emerging oil sector

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s the first-ever oil summit and exhibition was launched on Wednesday, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) spared no effort in reminding Government of the need to be transparent in its work especially, as it relates to the oil and gas industry as it called for the establishment of a good governance system to oversee the sector.

In delivering his address, PSC Chairman Eddie Boyer urged that the Government ensure there were a well-managed Sovereign Wealth Fund and a transparent Petroleum Commission.

Boyer said that the PSC has been paying keen attention to the sector and would play a large part in its development.

The PSC Head said his organisation would like to see stability of Guyana as a democracy “and our interest in the oil and gas sector maintained with clear frameworks of sector development, strong local content policy and a well-managed Sovereign Wealth Fund”.

Boyer declared, “The Guyanese business community, though inexperienced, is not sleeping.

We are aware of the de-

Guyana’s first-ever oil summit and exhibition, GIPEX 2018, was launched on Wednesday at the Georgetown Marriott by Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman in the presence of his ministerial colleagues and other officials

velopments and we are educating and informing ourselves about this new sector to grasp every opportunity. We will continue to expand on that in the coming months.”

He also used the opportunity to encourage the several hundred delegates attending the conference, to see Guyana as an investment opportunity not only in oil and gas but in other critical

sectors.

In her remarks, Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) Chairperson Patricia Bacchus urged investors to cultivate strong business relations with the view of tapping into the oil and gas industry.

“This forum is also critical to the development of meaningful sector and cross-sector relationships, as it provides

the opportunity for networking among those involved in oil and gas, and those involved in the provision of related products and services,” she explained.

Similarly, for participants, especially Guyanese participants interested in operating in this new sector, Bacchus said they would benefit from relevant expert presenta-

tions through which insight into the sector’s best practices could be gained and then subsequently manifested in the way business is done in Guyana.

While noting that Guyana has recorded stable macro-economic growth over the last eight years, she also pointed out that there has always been a dire need to diversify the economic base.

“The advent of the oil and gas sector is, therefore, regarded as a significant step in the country’s economic diversification efforts, and we hope that it is the springboard through which wider economic diversification can be facilitated,” she added.

The GO-Invest Chair said though Guyana, with its young economy, provides immense opportunities for investors, and she urged all the participants to view the gaps in the economic activities not as shortcomings but as opportunities. “GIPEX provides a forum through which the emerging oil and gas sector can be carefully explored, with a view to determining the various economic opportunities along the value chain, which are ripe for invest-

ment.”

No-show

Meanwhile, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman delivered the keynote address although President David Granger was listed to deliver the address.

Prior to that, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge gave brief remarks. While a few Cabinet Ministers were present, the President was notably absent.

No reason or explanation was given for the President’s absence at such an important national event, which was heavily promoted by the Government.

Trotman told the opening that while Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is relatively low, he also believes in the predictions made by leading global economists that there will be growth of 2000 per cent within two decades.

“At this juncture in our national development, being at a place where we will travel on a fast and furious trajectory, we don’t want simply to be known as an oil-producing nation, but rather as a country that took its resources and revenues – and used them to fashion continued on page 9

Increase in complement of judges among notable achievements in Guyana’s Justice Sector - says Acting Chancellor

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ollowing her appointment in March 2017, Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards said there have been several notable improvements in the justice sector, primar-

ily an increase in the complement of judges.

During an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Justice CummingsEdwards said three judges were appointed to the Court of Appeal and an-

other is soon to be appointed to the High Court.

The Acting Chancellor pointed out that these appointments were made based on recommendations by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), even though the life

of the Commission came to an end in September 2017.

It was clarified that the interviews were conducted prior to the expiration of the JSC. “Of course, it takes time for persons to fill the post, they may have to wrap up their respective jobs… and we have to make space to accommodate them in their respective offices. At least three of them [appointments] were delayed simply because of some logistical factors which had to be taken into account,” Justice Cummings-Edwards was quoted as saying by DPI. The opening of a new wing at the High Court in Georgetown was another noteworthy improvement for the judiciary since it now has five courtrooms, which accommodates the two Land court judges, who were removed from their Brickdam, Georgetown location, where they were sharing a space with the Public Service Appellate Tribunal.

The Acting Chancellor said space was insufficient, thus, the new wing at the High Court was a welcomed initiative.

Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag).

She acknowledged that soon there may be a need for more space since the pace of litigation has increased.

At the Court of Appeal, three Justices of Appeal have been appointed and therefore additional accommodation will be necessary.

Justice CummingsEdwards explained that “we have in train and monies were allocated for that, to accommodate additional courtrooms, a larger library, an office for the Judicial Service Commission”.

Both the Executive and Legislature were written to by the Acting Chancellor, requesting an

increase in the complement of judges by four at the Court of Appeal.

With the proposed extension to that Court, at any given time there can be two panels of judges sitting, she posited.

“For a full bench, you need three judges at a minimum so if we have nine you can have two panels with three judges sitting on each at minimum determining the case in that way we will be tackling many matters per day, per week during a given period which the court sits.”

This, it was highlighted, will contribute to the reduction in existing backlogged cases, DPI said.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

2% royalty too low... looking for another solution,” he explained.

“It is part of my remit to push for transparency so I don’t want to be in a situation where information is withheld from citizens and then they develop mistrust or further mistrust of the industry. We need Guyana and Guyanese to be comfortable with what they have and the direction they take. So, the way to do that is by putting information out there and not withholding information,” he noted.

Dr Mangal informed that following the release of the contract in December of 2017, he is now in the process of organising a team of experts to review the contract for the Government to decide a way forward.

“I am pushing to get experts… to get support from the IDB, IMF, etc to go and do thorough review of the contract. Some of them already have reviewed the contract so it’s the case of doing more of that and getting results and then for Government to look at the results and decide what to do,” he related.

When asked if those reports should be made public, the oil and gas expert said it is his belief that all things should be made public so as to encourage transparency.

Low royalty

Under the renegotiated agreement, Guyana receives two per cent royalty on earnings from ExxonMobil’s oil sales while the US oil giant would not be required to pay taxes on its share of the profits and according to the President’s Petroleum Adviser that is low compared to global standards. He also raised concerns about the system used to negotiate that agreement and also the expertise of the persons doing the negotiating.

“What we can do is look at what are the international norms.

Royalty, when you look around, is more between 10 and 20 per cent, not two per cent. Tax is usually 20-30 per cent in some places, the production split of 50-50 is not too bad,” Dr Mangal noted while responding to a student’s question about whether the Government negotiated a fair contract.

“If a process was followed then we would know who was involved, knew their competencies, expertise and that they went there to bat for Guyana. A lot of people in Guyana right now are questioning that,” he added.

The presidential advisor said generally oil companies are very powerful and experts in everything they do and they know how to influence governments to a “T” but would buckle under public pressure and as such he encouraged Guyanese to engage in “intelligent debates” on the future of its oil and gas sector.

Large concession

Based on the 1999 agreement and the new 2017 deal, ExxonMobil is controlling the entire Stabroek Block of about 600 blocks or 10 times more than what Guyana’s laws allow. That was raised by a law student of the university who sought to get clarification and Dr Mangal’s opinion on the control of such a large concession.

“It is not good for one company owning too much of your acreage. Exxon already owns over 50 per cent of the acreage in Guyana.

That’s not good for Guyana,” he said.

“The other thing to consider in Guyana that this is a first project. Guyana is trying to attract international investment, however, Guyana needs to also remember that the Stabroek Block is a huge block and that contract promises the whole block. It could be that all of Guyana’s oil is in the Stabroek block… So if this was a small block then it would be okay to say oh well let’s leave it to the next block we will get a better deal but the block is a huge block so Guyanese needs to weight the tradeoff with that situation of the blocks and trying to attract foreign investments,” Dr Mangal added.

He noted that in some countries, they mandate competition and control who the blocks are allocated to while recommending that a review of the block allocation be done.

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Govt’s response

However, mere hours after

Man on G$40,000 bail for slapping pregnant ‘child mother’ gowa Wellington was hauled before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday on an assault with intent to cause actual bodily harm charge.

The 47-year-old of Lot 110 North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the offence which stated on January 21, 2018, at about 17:00h an argument broke out between himself and the Virtual Complaint, Tamika Kennedy, who is the mother of his children.

from page 3

It is alleged that the duo had an exchange of words over Wellington purchasing pampers for their child, after which, the visibly pregnant woman was dealt several slaps to the face.

Kennedy made a report to the Cummings Lodge Police station and Wellington was subsequently arrested.

Wellington was granted G$15,000 bail on the verbal assault charge and G$25,000 bail for causing bodily harm.

He is also scheduled to appear in Court Nine on February 22.

Mangal delivered his comments on the controversial ExxonMobil contract, the government sought to dissociate itself from his positions.

“The Ministry of the Presidency puts on record that Dr. Jan Mangal, Presidential Advisor on Petroleum, is not authorised to speak on behalf of His Excellency, President David Granger or the Government of Guyana,” the Ministry of the Presidency said in a one-line statement issued on Wednesday evening.

Mangal delivered his presentation in his capacity as Presidential Advisor on Petroleum as was stated on the University of Guyana programme for its “Discussion on the Government of Guyana’s Vision for the Oil and Gas Sector”.

He was introduced by that designation and at no time did he say whether or not he was speaking in his private or official capacity.

Mangal’s latest short-term contract expires in March.

Dr Mangal has a Doctorate in Offshore Geotechnical Engineering from Oxford University and a Bachelor in Civil Engineering from the University of Edinburg. He worked in the marine and oil and gas industries for over 18 years, where he spent 13 of those with US oil giant, Chevron, working on major projects in the USA, West Africa and Asia.

GIPEX Summit

The University of Guyana hosted the discussion on the day the inaugural Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit (GEPEX) opened and his absence from the event was notable.

When asked about that, he told reporters that he was never invited to the event despite his boss, President David Granger, being listed as one of the speakers.

“I was not invited to go so that’s the main reason. If you looked at the website, you will see President Granger picture was there. I would assume he was invited,” he said.

However, the President was a no show at the event.

US House Democratic leader holds floor in advocacy of Caribbean 'Dreamers'

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Nancy Pelosi

nited States House of Representatives Democratic Leader Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday held the floor of the House for over eight hours advocating for Caribbean and other “Dreamers.”

Her marathon monologue — highly unusual for the House, which has no equivalent to the Senate filibuster — appears to have set the record for the longest continuous speech in the chamber, dating to at least 1909, according to the New York Times.

The report said her marathon speech tied up the House into the evening, delaying debate on a bill intended to spur competition in the mortgage market.

It also demonstrated, yet again, why Pelosi, 77, of California, re-

mains one of the most enduring — and to many, infuriating — figures in Washington, the Times said.

It said Pelosi's speech came as Republicans were scrambling to pass legislation to keep the government open.

A short-term funding bill expires at midnight Thursday.

About 800,000 young unauthorised immigrants are protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme that President Barack Obama instituted and President Donald J Trump plans to end in March.

Pelosi said she was protesting lack of protection for the Dreamers, who were brought to the US as children and have been shielded from deportation by DACA. (CMC)

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Man jailed for 40 years for Govt establishes Guyana Youth Service raping woman at knifepoint – merges key youth programmes, organisations

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President David Granger meeting with his Ministers at State House to discuss the establishment of the Guyana Youth Service

resident David Granger on Wednesday convened a ministerial meeting to discuss the establishment of the Guyana Youth Service (GYS) which will now be responsible for consolidating all of the youth programmes and organisations to offer a standardised education and training curriculum and is expected to significantly improve youths’ marketability and prospects for gainful employment.

The Ministers who attended the meeting at State House were Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock; Social Protection Minister Amna Ally; Education Minister Nicolette Henry; Minister within the Communities Ministry with the responsibility for Public Affairs, Dawn Hastings-Williams; and Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton, under whose responsibility the GYS will fall.

President Granger said at the end of the training offered by the GYS, a graduate must be able to employ him

or herself as well as be qualified to find employment in any organisation.

He noted too that while the GYS will fall under the purview of the Social Cohesion Ministry, there will be formal and informal liaisons with Ministries that are currently involved in implementing youth programmes.

Some of youth programmes to be consolidated include the Hinterland Employment and Youth Services (HEYS), the Youth Entrepreneurship and Skills Training Programme (YEST), the President’s Youth Choice initiative (PYCI), the President’s Youth Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG), the Youth Apprenticeship and Entrepreneurial Programme (YAEP), the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) Initiative, the Skills and Knowledge for Youth Employment (SKYE) and the Guyana Youth and Social Entrepreneurship Programme (GYSEP).

F

orty-one-year-old Julius Branker will likely spend the rest of his active life behind bars after he was on Wednesday sentenced to 40 years imprisonment by Sexual Offences Court Judge Simone Morris-Ramall who deemed him unremorseful, after a panel of 12 jurists unanimously found him guilty of rape.

The heinous act occurred on February 15, 2014, in the county of Demerara by Branker who is a grandfather.

The evidence detailed that armed with a knife, he broke and entered the victim’s house while she was lying in bed with her 18-month-old toddler and committed the act in the child’s presence.

The jury considered the evidence presented over the last few days

by State Prosecutors Shawnette Austin and Seeta Bisundial. The panel returned their decision after two hours of deliberations after Justice Ramlall had summed up the case in the afternoon session.

Upon hearing the verdict, Branker fell to his seat in the prisoner’s box and appeared as though he was crying.

After he composed himself, he maintained his innocence, saying “I am not guilty of this case,” adding that his mother

Jailed: Julius Branker

and other relatives could have vouched for his whereabouts.

Defence counsel Maxwell McKay meanwhile simply said that his client supports his grandchild and three children. McKay also stated that his client was a model prisoner and has firm religious beliefs. Prosecutor Austin however indicated that Branker was on remand for break and enter and larceny.

The victim’s address to the court was presented by Red Thread Support Officer Halima Khan who emotionally related that the woman continues to deal with the trauma she suffered from the harrowing attack.

“Honestly, I forgive him but you can’t be hurting women so. I get nightmares, I am always shaking. I remem-

ber what happened to me and it is a shame. I don’t know how to have relationships,” the mother observed.

“I feel nasty and I cannot get over it. He needs help and he should turn his life over to Christ,” the victim further related.

As the High Court Judge considered her sentence, there was cutting silence in the courtroom which was broken by a light cough that was heard throughout the room. In handing down her sentence, Justice Ramlall said she considered the nature of the offence and that he violated the woman whereby he broke into her home in the wee morning hours and held a knife to her side and threatened her life. The judge further pointed out that the child ended up “under the act” even though it was not clear how the child got there.

Justice Ramlall opined that Branker who had “no remorse” also showed disrespect for the jury’s verdict and did not ask the court for mercy or advise his counsel in this regard. She encouraged him to change his life and sentenced him to the serve 40 years in prison but stressed that he will only be eligible for parole after serving 35 years of his sentence.

‘Business community... and carve a nation that is geographically and strategically positioned to produce the food required for the 48 million people who are projected to live in the Caribbean by 2050 – just over 30 years from now. And that’s just the projected context.”

Trotman said the wave of investment in all kinds of sectors had already begun and the evidence was everywhere. “In boardrooms across the world, Guyana is the talking point as the place to be.

“My humble word of advice to local entrepreneurs is to be prepared for a level of investment and hive of business activity that is unprecedented.

Upgrade your skills and knowledge, improve the standards of your business, form alliances and partnerships, get ready to compete with the best for

from page 8

they are already here on your doorstep.”

The inaugural Guyana International Petroleum Exhibition and Summit (GIPEX) has attracted local and international business executives and operators in the oil and gas and ancillary services sectors. These groups and individuals will have the chance not only to network and form alliances, but also to build capacity through the sharing of expertise and experiences as the country gears for oil production.

The 300-plus delegates and more than 100 companies have much to expect from the activities on the agenda for the balance of the summit. About 57 per cent of the companies that supported GIPEX 2018 are young Guyanese companies.

7 arrested over cocaine in fish unearthed at CJIA

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anks from the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) stationed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Tuesday evening unearthed a quantity of cocaine stashed in partially frozen fish.

The shipment of fish was scheduled for export to the United States. Based on initial investigations, seven persons were taken into custody as the investigations continue.

The company which was used to ship the fish is from the West Bank of Demerara.

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Main witness gives account of what he knew of G$550M cocaine bust T

he lengthy testimony of the key witness in the G$550 million cocaine bust of May 2017 at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) on Tuesday began before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

The key witness, Hakeem Mohammed, gave his testimony to the court against the five accused – Tazim and Nazim Gafoor; Sherwin DeAbreu; bike racer, Stephen Vieira; and wanted man, Naraine Lall – as to his involvement in the trafficking of some 84.9 kilograms of cocaine discovered by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks in a shipment of wood in front of his Lot 227 Zeelugt, EBE premises.

Leading the witness, CANU’s Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford questioned him in the presence of Attorneys for the accused, Glenn Hanoman, Latchmie Rahamat, and Dexter Todd.

However, in his attempt to halt Mohammed’s testimony, Hanoman turned to his knowledge of the Evidence Act Section

From left: Sherwayne DeAbreu, Stephen Vieira, Nazim Gaffor and Tazim Gafoor

59, disclosing to the witness that anyone called to give evidence that will expose him to criminal charges could refuse to do so.

This did not deter Mohammed from revealing what he knew of the drug trafficking group.

He gave his account of events which led to the day of the discovery of the drugs by the CANU ranks.

Mohammed testified that he was hired

by Naraine Lall to work at his sawmill in Parika, EBE, to assist with electrical issues and clean-

ing machinery.

While there, he testified to seeing various men including DeAbreu, John Corby, one called “Rasta” bringing cocaine, which were hidden in garbage bags and which were shown to him

by Tazim Gafoor, at the sawmill. Tazim Gafoor, he was told by Lall, was his partner.

He revealed that Vieira who they (employees at the sawmill) called “white boy” would visit the sawmill to inspect the cocaine operation. According to Mohammed, he saw him

at least four times.

The cocaine was stashed in a special room at the sawmill and later transferred into the consignment of wood which he (Mohammed) used a machine to dig out.

He testified to assisting Tazim Gafoor and “Rasta” in stashing the cocaine inside the wood.

After being properly concealed, the wood was left to be shipped.

However, on the day of the bust, he explained that his brother drove the truck which contained the wood with the cocaine while he

drove another truck with five bundles of wood to the Guyana National Shipping Corp (GNIC) dock.

The truck being driven by his brother however broke down on its way. Mohammed revealed that it was later that he was told by Tazim Gafoor and Vieira that they had document issues and the truck had to turn back.

He noted that on that said day, that is May 12, 2017, the reported broken down shipment of wood was taken to his residence to be

kept when CANU ranks showed up and made the discovery.

Following his testimony on Tuesday, the accused was crossed examined by Attorneys Latchmie Rahamat and Nigel Hughes.

Rahamat and Hughes in their questioning suggested that the story Mohammed told to the court was made up.

The matter will continue on February 10.

The five accused were all charged and remanded to prison in May of 2017 with aiding Hakeem Mohamed between March 1 and May 12, 2017, in trafficking 84.9 kilograms of cocaine at Narine Lall’s Sawmill at Lookout, Parika.

They were all later granted bail.

Wanted man: Naraine Lall

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Govt downplays concerns of a rejected ICJ ruling

A diplomatic three-way handshake: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, then UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and President David Granger

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overnment is downplaying concerns that with the recent referral of the border controversy to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Venezuela may choose not to recognise the court’s ruling.

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, binding international obligations compel Venezuela to accept whatever ruling comes its way. Speaking to the media on Monday, he noted that whether Venezuela chose to come to court or not, Guyana would press on for a final, legal resolution.

“The international community has a forum and that’s the United Nations,” Greenidge explained. “The decision has been made that the problem before us is a legal problem. Therefore, it is to be resolved by the highest court in the international arena. The arbitral award was an award handed down and signed by Venezuelans.

“The boundaries were marked by Venezuelans and Britons, not by Brazilians or Germans or people from Iceland … representatives from the Venezuelan Government. This direction is to resolve an alle-

gation that an international treaty is null and void. And it doesn’t matter who doesn’t want to support their argument.

It is a legal issue.”

While there are concerns that the ICJ can only offer an advisory opinion, Greenidge noted that this opinion would still carry weight.

According to Greenidge, an advisory opinion solves Guyana’s problems regarding perception of Guyana’s rights and sovereignty.

“The appropriate body to decide on the validity is the court. Once the court pronounces on that, it solves our problem of perception and people’s understanding of our rights and our borders and our sovereignty. It’s quite clear.”

“An advisory opinion will say this treaty is still in existence. Nothing has come to displace it. That is fine. We’re not setting out in the court to get the court to go and mark boundaries. That is not the issue,” the Foreign Affairs Minister stressed, adding that “it is very comforting (to investors) because it is not for a country to decide unilaterally what its obligations are. It is not a Venezuelan law

or a Guyanese law. It is an international treaty and you are obliged, under the UN framework, to honour international law. That is very comforting.”

Secretary General António Guterres last week referred the border controversy to the ICJ. This is in accordance with the framework left by his predecessor, Ban Ki-moon. While the referral has been hailed

by Guyana, Venezuela is another matter entirely.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has since said publicly that his Government did not agree with the decision, and that continued negotiations would have been preferable. It is understood that now that the matter has been referred to the ICJ, this referral is not contingent on Venezuela’s agreement.

In a previous statement on the matter, the Foreign Affairs Ministry had noted that this referral did not require Venezuela’s approval beyond what was allotted in the 1966 Geneva Agreement. Guyana will now have to procure international lawyers to present its case on the international front.

Faith-based leaders to tackle HIV/AIDS F

orty faith-based leaders and representatives of key populations from across the Caribbean will, between February 7 and 9, participate in a consultation on the Right to Health and Wellbeing for All in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The forum is being hosted by the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP).

The consultation is the first of its kind in the Caribbean and is one of the 15 actionable recommendations stated in the Declaration of the PANCAP Consultation of Caribbean Religious Leaders held in Trinidad and Tobago, February 1-2, 2017.

The objective, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported, is to create an ideal space for faith leaders and key populations to discuss ways of collaborating to reduce AIDSrelated stigma and discrimination. It is hoped too that there would be a respectful and productive dialogue between faith leaders and key populations including sex workers, the LGBT community, and other stakeholders.

The consultation will also seek to establish a mechanism for enhancing partnerships between the key populations and religious groups; articulate clearly the major determinants of stigma and discrimination and the requirements for the Partnership to remove these barriers. The promotion of a viable legislative environment with regard to human rights, human sexuality, and human dignity will also engage the attention of participants.

PANCAP is the mechanism that

Surinamese among non-Guyanese utilising local healthcare services

Teen charged for stealing P adopted father’s gun

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teenager who allegedly stole his adopted father’s gun along with ammunition was on Monday arraigned before city Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer to the offences.

Chris Pollard, 17, of Lot 46 D’Urban Street, Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts and pleaded guilty to the offence.

However, he changed his plea to not guilty when Magistrate Latchman cautioned him that his guilty plea would send him directly to prison.

The charges against him stated that on January 28, 2018 at David Street, Kitty, he stole a .32 pistol, along with 10 matching rounds of ammunition valued G$252,600 from Peter Pollard.

Prosecutor Arvin Moore revealed that the teen visited his father and stolen the weapon and ammunition from under his pillow where they were being kept.

He was apprehended

by Police and reportedly immediately admitted to the offence.

As such, he was remanded to prison until February 26.

provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, in collaboration with the Regional Consultative Steering Committee for the Implementation of Recommendations to end AIDS by 2030.

According to the Caricom Secretariat, the three-day event will include highly interactive discussions on the gaps in the Treatment and Prevention of HIV with emphasis on access to data in order to address the prospects and requirements for achieving 90-90-90 targets by 2020; prevention gaps with special reference to public education and reducing stigma and discrimination faced by key populations.

Chair of the Regional Consultative Steering Committee for the Implementation of Recommendations to end AIDS by 2030, Canon Garth Minott underscored the critical need for religious leaders and representatives of key populations to share testimonies of their experiences in working with each other. He explained that the purpose was to identify models of collaboration or partnership between the groups, which have positively benefited People living with HIV and reduced AIDS-related discrimination.

The overarching purpose of the consultation is to create a regional partnership between religious leaders and key populations to advocate, lobby and monitor regional governments to ensure they adhere to all international agreements that protect the right to health.

Jevaughn Stephens

ersons from neighbouring countries continue to receive medical services at the New Amsterdam Hospital in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Director of Health Services in the Region, Jevaughn Stephens told the Department of Public Information (DPI), this was largely due to the fact the Hospital’s data entry forms do not require information on the person’s nationality.

“So, you realise they’re not Guyanese based on their accent and sometimes some are honest enough to tell us their nationality. Our data form is not designed to capture nationalities. It is designed this way because we do not want to discriminate; however, we do want to give free healthcare to everyone,” Stephens explained.

Nationalities benefiting from

free healthcare services here include Surinamese, Brazilians, and Haitians.

Stephens said given the fact that the bulk of Guyana’s healthcare was free, this large influx, of particularly Surinamese, remained constant.

According to Stephens, last year, 13 Surinamese gave birth at the Port Mourant Hospital while approximately nine Haitians received health services at New Amsterdam Hospital.

He noted that offering free healthcare services to non-nationals was not illegal and was in keeping with the mandate of not discriminating. However, this may result in drug shortages, which is currently being addressed by the Public Health Ministry.

Along with these issues, there are many referrals from the Skeldon Hospital in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice). “They (Skeldon Hospital) send a lot of their patients over here, especially for maternity treatment.

Most persons having their first child would leave Region Five and come to Region Six for their delivery,” the Director of Health Services explained.

He pointed out that this may be as a result of the expertise of the obstetricians and gynaecologists attached to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

In 2017, the Government stated that plans would be implemented to monitor the number of Surinamese who travel to Guyana to seek free medical attention at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Decision on border controversy will be binding’ - Sir Shridath Ramphal

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s Guyana prepares to head to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a final settlement of the border controversy with Venezuela, the country’s legal adviser, Sir Shridath Ramphal said on Wednesday that Guyana must make all the necessary preparations and equip itself so as to get the best outcome possible, since everything is now at stake.

Speaking on the sidelines of the GIPEX Summit, the renowned Guyanese diplomat told the local press that the matter is of significant importance to Guyana, as it has been discussed at lengths for several decades.

Asked whether the legal expense could be an encumbering factor towards having this issue resolved, he said, “If you go to court there must be some legal expenses but what is at stake for Guyana is everything.

Legal expenses are miniscule compared to everything to that’s at stake.”

Sir Ramphal said whether Venezuela decides to go to the ICJ or not, Guyana will be moving forward with the ma-

ter. He also noted that the controversy would not be heard by the ICJ in an advisory capacity.

“It is not going to be in an advisory capacity. Unfortunately, some pretty wild things have been said in Guyana which are far from legally accurate and this is totally different from the advisory position that is possible under the Charter. Don’t be misguided by these wild opinions. This is not a time for Guyana to argue these issues in Guyana and with Guyana,” he added.

Legal team

The former Foreign Minister of Guyana and former Commonwealth Secretary General also revealed that the legal team that represented Guyana in the matter involving the boundary dispute with neighbouring Suriname could be retained for the Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy.

Sir Ramphal said because of the success of this team, it may be worth “reassembling” them to ensure that Guyana gets the best possible result.

“What I think we

Former Commonwealth Secretary General and Guyana’s Legal Adviser for the Guyana Venezuela border controversy, Sir Shridath Ramphal

are likely to do is to reassemble the team that was so successful with Suriname. This is not the moment to discuss those details, but they will be released in due course,” he stated.

The team which was headed by Paul Reichler, a partner in the Washington office of law firm Foley Hoag LLP, was successful in that matter which was eventually settled by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in

2007.

Asked to give his opinion of the time frame in which this matter could be resolved at the ICJ, he said, “It is a very difficult question because it can depend on what Venezuela ultimately does that can determine the length of time, the character of the proceedings. It could be shorter if they persist they are not involved and if they change their minds, and it’s a fullfledged hearing, it could

be longer. But you are talking about a matter of years.”

He further explained that the ICJ would hear the case under the United Nations Charter and the Geneva Agreement of 1966 that had provided for, among other means, mediation and judicial settlement.

The coalition Government had said that it has plans to use a signing bonus of US$18 million received from ExxonMobil to stand the expense of a legal team.

The money was however kept in a secret account at the Central Bank.

This information was exposed by private media companies, including this newspaper.

After years of mediation, the United Nations (UN) last week announced its decision to finally send the ongoing border controversy between Guyana and neighbouring Venezuela to the ICJ. According to the UN’s Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, the decision came after careful analysis of the good offices process.

Dujarric explained in a statement that enough progress was not made

towards a solution on the controversy. As a result, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres referred the matter to the ICJ. This is in accordance with the framework left by his predecessor, Ban Ki-moon.

However, Guterres did not rule out the continuation of the good offices process of the UN to complement court proceedings. In addition, the Secretary General also committed to accompanying both Guyana and Venezuela in their bid to settle their differences.

President David Granger has since welcomed the Secretary General’s decision to refer the matter to the world court. According to Granger, “Guyana remains confident in the correctness of its case (and) looks forward to the reaffirmation of the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award before the (ICJ).”

The Head of State reminded that Guyana’s position has always been that the basis of the controversy is a legal question and as such, should be resolved peacefully and conclusively through a legal process.

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‘Let the Court decide’ …Agri Minister says on Wales workers’ call for severance D

espite being protested against at the Ministry of the Presidency and the High Court, Government has remained steadfast in its decision not to pay severance to Wales cane harvesters, as they feel this would add to the already huge severance bill that is currently before them.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder told Guyana Times International on Monday that the matter is a legal one. The minister did not buy into questions in relation to whether Government would consider paying the severance to these workers. He maintained that the Government has already taken a position.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) had indicated that, during discussions with President David Granger and members of the Cabinet, they had vowed to withdraw the court matter for any guarantee that the Wales workers receive their severance.

Asked if consideration would be given to the issue on that basis, Holder reiterated that the matter is before the courts. He, however, stated that careful consideration has to be taken into account because

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

making such a move, as it could potentially cost the Government to be placed in a bad situation.

“We have to be very careful with this; because if that is done, then every single person who has been transferred from Rose Hall to Albion and Rose Hall to Blairmont could have the same argument and therefore the severance would be G$5 billion to now G$10 billion,” he told this newspaper.

Minister Holder asserted that Government would stick with the current process of having the court decide on the outcome. He recalled that prior to the closure of the Wales estate in 2016, an offer was made to the cane harvesters to work at the Uitvlugt Estate, but the workers refused.

GAWU had said that the workers were being

pressured by the stateowned Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) when they are aware that the estate is located more than 20 miles away from Wales. The Union still contends that this move is contrary to the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act. The workers’ argument was that it would have been uneconomical for them to travel beyond 10 miles for work, and that there was not enough harvesting at the estate to cater for the large workforce that Wales intended to send home.

The workers are pushing for a date to be set for a court hearing. They promised to put pressure on both Government and the Court to move swiftly to have the matter involving the former cane harvesters of that estate heard as speedily as possible.

GAWU lawyer Ashton Chase had compiled and filed documents for the matter regarding the non-payment of severance packages to hundreds of sugar workers to be called up at the High Court.

Several of these former cane harvesters picketed on Thursday last, as they re-

Some of the former cane cutters protesting for their severance last Thursday

newed calls for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government to pay their long overdue severance immediately, as they declared that President David Granger’s Government had failed them.

This picketing exercise has added to the mounting complaints and massive denunciation the coalition Government has already received over the past few months, — since the announcement of the downsizing of the sugar industry and the firing of thousands of workers whose livelihoods depend on this key sector.

Close to 1,600 fired sugar workers who are eligible to receive

G$500,000 or less in severance pay have been paid in full, others would be paid 50 percent of the amounts due to them.

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had put Government on blast for its decision to pay the sacked sugar workers their severance payments in two tranches.

A move by Opposition Leader Bharat Jadgeo as well as others had on multiple occasions outlined it as being illegal.

According to Jadgeo, the Government knew that over 4,000 severance letters were issued even before Budget 2018 was passed, and had made no provision for severance, hence the move to approach the National Assembly recently for

additional funds.

In what is described as the largest retrenchment by a private or public corporation in recent history, state owned GuySuCo, as part of its plans to restructure the sugar industry, has dismissed in excess of 4,500 sugar workers from various estates.

Even as workers at Wales fight for their severance, hundreds of sugar workers and senior persons in the sugar industry are dissatisfied with the way the GAWU had handled the sudden closure of sugar estates along with severance benefits and other issues relative to the sugar industry, and they are calling on GAWU President, Komal Chand, to resign.

Doctor testifies as murder trial of ‘Pretty Boy’, ‘Dangles' continues

T

he High Court trial of Edward “Pretty Boy” Skeete and Nabadingi “Dangles” Gobin continued before Justice Navindra Singh on Tuesday.

Emergency physician, Dr Esaun Reid testified to the injuries he witnessed when Ryan Clementson was rushed to the Accident & Emergencies Section of the Georgetown

Public Hospital.

Skeete, a mason of Lot 309 Independence Boulevard, Georgetown, and Gobin, a taxi driver from 1049 Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt,

Accused: Edward “Pretty Boy” Skeete

had denied murdering 25-year-old Clementson of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara, between July 14 and 24, 2015 at Tucville, Georgetown.

Dr Reid told the court on Tuesday that when the patient arrived, he was wet and without a shirt, with a gunshot injury to the right thigh which was actively bleeding. The expert witness told the jury that the injury was a few millimetres in diameter.

Defence Attorney Nigel Hughes, in his cross-examination, sought to es-

Accused: Nabadingi “Dangles” Gobin

tablish doubt as to what object actually caused Clementson’s injuries as he could not recall seeing an exit wound or warhead. Under re-examination by Lead Prosecutor Narissa Leander, the doctor explained that not all gunshot injuries have exit wounds.

After some back-andforth exchanges between the defence and prosecution, Dr Reid completed his testimony and a voir dire (trial within a trial) commenced and continued into the afternoon

session.

The men on trial are accused of opening fire on Clementson and his friend Ayodele Solomon on July 14, 2015 near the Turning Point Snackette in Tucville. Clementson succumbed almost two weeks later from cardiac arrest following surgery.

Skeete and Gobin are represented by Attorneys Hughes and Mark Waldron while State Counsels Leander, Tiffini Lyken and Abigail Gibbs are presenting the State’s case.

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Port Kaituma man to spend 15 years behind bars for killing brother

A

fter admitting to stabbing his own brother, Richard France, to death on December 12, 2013 at Falls Top, North West District (NWD), Neville France was on Monday sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment by High Court Judge James BovellDrakes.

The Judge said that

the court must dispense justice, while being mindful of the circumstances that led to the man’s death, as both men were intoxicated at the time of the deadly altercation.

The Judge’s comments came after France’s lawyer, Siand Dhurjon, pleaded for leniency, saying that the deceased’s brother was the aggres-

sor and referenced similar court cases where the accused in those matters were given sentences of under 10 years. However, Justice Bovell-Drakes observed that the sentence could not be too short even as Dhurjon conceded that the public was “clamouring for justice” moments before the Attorney petitioned the court to temper

justice with mercy.

Justice Bovell-Drakes in handing down the sentence said that the court was satisfied that it was Neville who used the knife to kill his brother after he took it away from him.

“Your mistake was that you used the knife on him,” the Judge stressed, adding that both brothers were found to be aggres-

sive.

“You and your brother both acted senselessly, but I am unable to concur with Counsel (Dhurjon) to impose a sentence of five or six years. The circumstances are too grave to exercise such leniency.

The court has a weight of responsibility,” the veteran Judge observed.

He started with a base sentence of 62 years and subtracted 20 years for the age Richard was at the time of his death.

The Judge also took off five years for the time the accused spent awaiting trial and another 10 years for not wasting the court’s time by pleading to the lesser count of manslaughter. A further 12 years was subtracted in light of his Attorneys’ plea in mitigation. This computation gave a total of 15 years for which France must serve.

According to the facts of the case, a drunken Richard France was arguing with a neighbour when the accused, Neville, intervened, and his brother instead turned on him, striking him with a brick. A scuffle ensued and Neville took away a knife his brother had and stabbed him.

In a probation report read by Probation Officer Remesia Lewis, the de-

Neville France will spend the next 15 years behind bars

ceased was described as having suffered from “mental issues” and was in the habit of cursing people on the road. His father reported that Richard had injured him in the past.

Meanwhile, Lewis reported that the accused, Neville France, had begun consuming alcohol from age 12 and this continued into adulthood, affecting his relationships.

The father of three, who is illiterate, was, however, described as a good prisoner who has taken steps to curb his alcohol use.

The accused said that he was sorry for his actions which occurred on a day that he consumed vodka while his brother was using High Wine.

Both siblings were said to be alcoholics by persons known to them. State Attorneys Lisa Cave and Mandell More presented the prosecution’s case.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

President to request further consultations for appointment of Chancellor, CJ …after Opposition Leader rejects nominees

P

President David Granger

resident David Granger is expected to write Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo for another round of consultations before the appointment of a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice, Minister of State Joseph Harmon told sections of the media on Thursday.

“The President took the decision that he is going to write the Leader of the Opposition… and that the work of the judiciary will not be held in abeyance or will not be stymied by any interventions whatsoever,” Harmon said.

The development came in the wake of the Opposition Leader’s not finding favour with the nominees proposed by the President about a month ago.

“Mr Jagdeo’s rejection is constitutional; the president’s powers are also constitutional and there is a provision in the law which provides in the event that there cannot be agreement -because the requirement is for agreement – there is a second level which now requires meaningful consultation,” Harmon told media operatives.

“So I believe that is the next step we’ll have to go to,” Harmon added.

Jagdeo has rejected the appointment of Justice Kenneth Benjamin as Chancellor of the Judiciary and Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards as Chief Justice following their nomination

by President Granger.

In a letter dispatched to the media late Wednesday evening and addressed to the President,

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Jagdeo said, “I have duly considered the two nominees for whom you seek my agreement for appointment as Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice, respectively, in accordance with Article 127 (1) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.”

However, he noted that his decision was made following due diligence done on the candidates. “As promised, I have done the requisite due diligence. It is with deep regret that I inform you that I am unable to offer my agreement to the appointment of Mr Justice Kenneth Andrew Charles Benjamin, as Chancellor of the Judiciary and Madam Justice Yonette Decina CummingsEdwards, OR, as Chief Justice”.

Jagdeo also defended a report that was published by the Department of Public Information (DPI) with the headline: “Opposition Leader a no show at scheduled meeting with President Granger.” Accompanying the article is a picture with the President, along with Attorney General Basil Williams and Minister of State Joseph Harmon seated at a table staring at three empty chairs across the table.

The Opposition Leader said, “This odd photograph bears the caption: ‘No Show’. It is accompanied by a brief statement explaining that the Leader of the Opposition did not show up at a meeting with the President which was scheduled a month ago, to take place today (Wednesday).”

However, Jagdeo said having

Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

received no information confirming the meeting for Wednesday, which he said is a usual practice; he dispatched three letters which contain his response to issues raised at the last meeting.

Minister Harmon was later contacted about the letters and stated that he remains ready and willing to meet with the President at a mutually convenient time.

President Granger had announced at his first press conference in two years, in December last year, that he has accepted a proposal from a committee that had been set up to review and interview applicants interested in the top judicial post after it advertised locally, regionally and internationally.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader in another missive to the President noted his approval of the appointment of members of the Integrity Commission. “I offer no objection to the four persons whom you have identified for appointment to the Integrity Commission, in accordance with Section 3 (4) of the Integrity Commission Act Cap 19:12, Laws of Guyana. “I consider the totality of our engagement on this issue to be in satisfaction of the requirements of “consultation” as contemplated by the letter and spirit of section 3 (4)…”

Under the Integrity Commission Act, the President is to appoint a chairperson and other Commissioners. Although the number of nominees has been identified, the names were never disclosed.

Justice Kenneth Benjamin

Guyana must be prepared to deal with high influx of migrants – UN

W

ith commercial production of oil slated for 2020, a regional representative of the United Nations’ International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is anticipating a time when Guyana will have to deal with a spike in the influx of migrants and re-migrants. IOM Regional Coordinator Robert Natiello, speaking during the opening of a consultative session with Government officials on Monday, posited that those present may know someone who migrated in search of education or otherwise, but even now, Guyana was a destination country as foreigners come here to work.

“As yet, Guyana has not been seriously affected by the large movements of peoples.

However, there is no country that has not, to some extent, been affected by human mobility and Guyana is no exception. Primarily, (this work is) in the mining and logging sectors in the interior.”

Guyana is projected to grow with the production of oil as economic opportunities increase with the development of infrastructure and accompanying services.

Natiello noted that the country was “likely to become a magnet for immigrants and for returning Guyanese looking for new opportunities. There’s important evidence that Guyana is becoming a country of transit, as citizens from other countries enter Guyana and then begin an often perilous migration journey.”

According to Natiello, however, return migration comes with its own unique sets of challenges. He noted that in order to effectively manage migration, a combined approach from Government and civil society is needed.

“Migration constitutes one of the megatrends of the 21st century. It will continue to be one of the key factors of all economic and political scenarios worldwide throughout the remainder of the century.

It’s important to know that in order to achieve its ambitious goals, the global compact has to be able to listen to, consider and respond to the interests, priorities and experiences of

IOM Regional Coordinator Robert Natiello

Governments and other stakeholders in different regions of the world.”

With the adoption of the New York declaration for refugees and migrants on September 19, 2016, member states of the United Nations agreed to embark on the road towards the development of two global compacts. The first one was on the protection of refugees and the second on the issue of safe, orderly migration.”

IOM is an inter-governmental organisation that works with UN Member States to ensure safe and orderly migration. The Organisation concentrates its work on four broad areas of migration management: migration and development, facilitating migration, regulating migration and forced migration.

Guyana has not only experienced migration of its skilled and unskilled workforce in the past, it has most recently experienced an influx of migrants and remigrants from Venezuela.

Venezuela, once an economic powerhouse in the Region driven by oil revenues, has had to deal with issues such as a downwardly spiralling economy and civil unrest. And despite the border controversy, there have been several instances where Guyana has either been called upon to render assistance or has offered such assistance.

There have been persistent reports of a shortage of basic services in Venezuela including health services as a result of the failing economy and unrest that has gripped the nation. Back in May of 2017, Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Reina Diaz had called on Guyana to support her government’s efforts to end this unrest.

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Lindo creek massacre

‘Handpicking commissioner with close ties to a serving Govt Minister sending wrong signal’

– Analyst

Retired Justice Donald Trotman

W

ith the appointment of a sitting Government Minister’s father as the lone Commissioner for the Commission of

Inquiry (CoI) to be conducted into the Lindo Creek massacre of 2008, the inquiry has now taken on a “Kangaroo” trial appearance.

This is according to economist and political analyst Sase Singh, and is in reference to a juridical proceeding that does not follow accepted standards of justice.

According to Singh, who is a former executive member of the Alliance for Change, handpicking a commissioner with close ties to a serving member of the current Government is sending the wrong impression.

Retired Justice Donald Trotman, 80, took the oath of office before Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan in the presence of Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Wednesday. Following the ceremony, he promised to conduct the inquiry with fairness and impartiality.

He is the father of Natural Resources Minister and Alliance for Change (AFC) Chairman Raphael Trotman.

Previously, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had urged the coalition Government to seek reputable and independent Commissioners for its inquiry.

Singh explained there is a perception that current President David Granger partook in certain activities back in 1973 – activities that a properly constituted CoI would unravel. While calls for an extended CoI have seen the Government being hesitant, Singh questioned the rationale behind choosing retired Justice Donald Trotman to head this CoI. “Who we choose to do this CoI have to be independent people. Now perception is everything in politics. So you chose the father of a serving Minister to do the job?

Yeah, right,” he continued. “(And) what about the period of ‘Mo fiya, slow fiyah’ under (former Opposition Leaders Robert Corbin and (Hugh Desmond) Hoyte?

GIHA (Guyana Indian Heritage Association) has compiled a whole compendium of evidence highlighting violence against the Guyanese people. Does Mr Granger care?”

According to Singh, ethnic mistrust has proliferated among Guyanese for much too long. He noted the need

Sase Singh

to resolve this distrust so that Guyanese can move forward as a multi-ethnic and religious country.

“The APNU/AFC, in the 2015 campaign, said that they plan to replace political hostility with unity,” Singh reminded.

“Is this Lindo Creek CoI going to carve out that unity? If the intentions are national unity, then let us go for national unity. For 60 years, not 6 years, Guyana has been disunified politically. So how (do we) assess such a problem?

“We identify issues, take appropriate political actions, and resolve the challenges in a time-driven framework…healing the nation and contributing to social cohesion in a focused manner. This knee-jerk, piece-meal CoI is not going to eradicate 60 years of distrust.”

Rationale

When asked why the Government has only moved to start with the Lindo Creek massacre but not those that took place in Lusignan and Bartica, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had tried to downplay the issue. To defend the Government’s position, Harmon claimed that the massacre was still fresh in people’s minds.

He explained that the CoI would also have the benefit of researchers. While the Commission will have its own staff, staff working for Government are also engaged in researching other local massacres.

Sometime between June 12 and 24, 2008, miners Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Compton Speirs, Horace Drakes, Clifton Wong, Lancelot Lee, Bonny Harry and Nigel Torres were shot and killed, and their bodies burnt at the Upper Berbice River mining camp which was being operated by Leonard Arokium.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Lindo Creek probe has its own GuySuCo needs to political objective – Texieira be diversified, not downsized – Ramsaroop G Mechanization

Opposition Economic Advisor, Dr Peter Ramsaroop

By Jarryl Bryan

I

n one of the few times he has publicly addressed the issue, Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Chairman Dr. Clive Thomas recently defended the “downsizing” of the sugar industry by pointing to the possibilities of a regional Common External Tariff (CET) and United States markets.

But according to Financial Analyst Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, an Economic Advisor to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), this is a plan fraught with implications for Guyana’s economy. He emphasized that what Guyana needed was an ambitious diversification plan for GuySuCo, and the PPP had conceptualized such a plan prior to 2015.

Dr Ramsaroop questioned the quality of advice the coalition Government has been receiving, noting that advice like Thomas’s recent utterances are long on theory and short on practicality.

“Dr. Thomas continues to demonstrate his lack of working business management (knowledge). His advice to Granger and the Government has essentially torpedoed the entire economic situation in Guyana, with rippling effect not just on people’s well-being, but it has affected numerous other industries.

“Sugar needed to be managed in its entirety, with diversification as proposed by the PPP in (its) 2015 – 2020 (proposal). A well-thoughtout plan had been started prior to 2015 in order to ensure a successful diversification transition by 2020. The PPP/C had planned a minimum investment of G$20 billion for the viability of the industry,” Ramsaroop revealed.

Ramsaroop explained that the PPP’s plan entailed investing in the continued modernisation of the existing factories; investing in sugar refinery and distillery facilities; generating more packaged and specialty products; and increasing mechanisation of the industry in a bid to boost production.

It is understood that, with mechanisation, jobs would not necessarily have been cut, but rather job specifications would have changed and new opportunities for workers would have been created.

This also runs counter to the Government’s contention that the PPP had no plan for the industry.

“We actually needed to grow more sugar cane with a goal of 400,000 tons by 2020. The key — which Dr. Thomas failed to understand — is not just about lowering the cost of the remaining estates, but about what a diversification plan would have done for the industry. Our goal was to expand packaged sugar to 50,000 tons by 2020, and expand the production of bottled molasses as a commercial product for the local and international markets,” the financial expert disclosed.

“In addition, the goal was to expand the Albion Ethanol Plant to produce up to 50,000 liters of ethanol per year, and to be able to use other substrates, including cassava,” Dr Ramsaroop explained.

“The economic downturn in our economy is directly linked to the bad advice that Dr. Thomas has given, and the failed policies of the Granger Government,” he charged.

In an interview with the state media, Dr. Thomas, an economist, had claimed that the three estates Government would leave operating — Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt — can still make a positive contribution to the economy, and be competitive.

“We are hoping that, in the end, it can produce what we call plantation white sugar, which we can sell to the other CARICOM region, and have a Common External Tariff (CET) which will protect the sale in that market,” Dr. Thomas was quoted by the media as saying.

A CEF is a multilateral arrangement between a group of coun-

GuySuco Chairman Dr. Clive Thomas

tries where the same customs duties regime, import quotas and other trading barriers remain constant. It is supposed to sustain and protect the profitability of trade within the group.

Dr Thomas expressed hope that a CET, combined with the limited access Guyana has to the United States market and Guyana’s own domestic market, would make GuySuCo profitable. He spoke of the possibility that Guyana could secure a price of between 25 and 28 (US) cents per pound of sugar. At present, the world price for sugar is 14 US cents per pound.

“We are hoping to drive the cost down to that level in these three remaining estates. With the most productive estates being utilised by us, we will get a better price and (be able to) lower cost,” an optimistic Dr. Thomas was quoted as saying.

Already, the closure of the estates and the sacking of workers are having an effect on the economy, and even Government has acknowledged this.

Blaming missed production targets from sectors, including sugar, Finance Minister Winston Jordan recently announced a downwards revised economic growth target.

Jordan said the economy was expected to grow by 2.9 per cent, having failed to meet the revised growth projection of 3.1 per cent for 2017. The initial projected growth of the economy was 3.8 per cent, but this was revised by midyear to 3.1 per cent after the economy had grown by only 2.2 per cent by July.

Sugar output in Guyana fell by nearly a quarter from last year, with close to 140,000 metric tonnes being produced in 2017. This is the lowest output in over two decades.

overnment’s decision to launch an investigation into the Lindo Creek massacre which claimed the lives of eight miners has been described as a strategic move targeting joint services officials who had been at the helm of administration at the time of that incident.

This is the view of former Home Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira, who once served as a presidential adviser.

She told Guyana Times International in a recent interview that while the Opposition supports such a probe, it is one that must be questioned because the motive behind starting with just one inquiry may have its own political objective.

“Their target isn’t their sitting ministers; their target is the joint services, (whom) they have never forgiven; those men who tried in the worst crime wave to handle the situation, and those who remain loyal to the Government of the day — not to the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) — as required by the Constitution,” she opined.

“Some of those chaps were never forgiven because there was another under-plot, which was the plot to get rid of the PPP; and the whole crime wave surrounding that plot to get rid of PPP (lasted) from 2002-2008,” she continued.

The former minister noted that there have always been calls from all sides of the political divide to have a comprehensive Commission of Inquiry (CoI) covering a wide range of incidents that saw several people being murdered. This, she noted, should have also included incidents that occurred during the 2002-2008 period.

She recalled that when President David Granger had been Opposition Leader, he had, in 2012, tabled a motion in Parliament calling for an inquiry into incidents that had taken place specifically between 2002 and 2010, but did not include the worst crime spree, starting with the prison break at Camp Street in 2002.

“We had proposed amendments to the motion that instead called for a Reconciliation Commission that allowed victims and their families…people who had inside information, to feel there was a level of trust and confidence to come forward and not be prosecuted,” she reminded.

Opposition MP and former Home Affairs Minister, Gail Teixeira

While again questioning the move to have the Lindo Creek massacre alone investigated, Teixeira recalled that the People’s National Congress (PNC), the major party in the coalition Government, had in 2008 stated that collusion of the joint services was responsible for the massacre.

The former minister said that ever since then, neither the PNC nor Granger, its current leader, ever placed any significant emphasis on having both the Lusignan and Bartica massacres probed. She therefore believes that it is deliberate to have inquiries started with the Lindo Creek massacre.

Teixeira has also noted recent statements made by President Granger when he stated that the CoI into the Lindo Creek massacre would help to “unravel” the other issues that had to do with the crime wave.

“Unless he knows something we don’t know, we don’t quite see how that can be possible.

And even from a political point of view, where children are murdered, from a political and moral perspective — you’ve just had the Lusignan anniversary and you had a minister talk about a comprehensive CoI — and next two days you say we will have it in parcels, and Lindo is set up,” she told Guyana Times International.

The Opposition MP has said she finds it shameful that the Government would attend that 10th anniversary ceremony for the Lusignan massacre victims and not give a commitment to conduct a probe into that specific incident that saw innocent adults and children

brutally killed.

Impartiality

Another major issue for the Opposition has to do with the partisan manner in which the CoI was established. While noting that she has nothing against retired Justice Donald Trotman who was recently appointed as the lone person to conduct the Lindo Creek CoI, Teixeira said she finds it very worrying that Government would appoint someone who is the father of a sitting Cabinet minister. Apart from that, the Opposition MP noted statements made by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who said recently that the CoI would have to decide whether senior officers have to be sent on leave.

“CoI just sworn in with one man, and here is the mega-minister and chief right-hand man to the President (Harmon) saying some people might have to go,” she added.

She said that statement alone sends a negative message that would cause people not to have any trust and confidence in the Commission.

Further, Teixeira said the issue of impartiality must be pointed out also, because she recalled that when the PPP Government had launched CoIs into the disturbances in Line and the assassination of former Working People’s Alliance leader Dr. Walter Rodney, the then Opposition had been consulted. “We had bipartisan consultation, and they also helped to decide the Terms of Reference”, she said.

However, in the case of the latest CoI, like the others that were launched, the Opposition was never included.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Canadian-owned Guyana Goldfields to pump US$120M into underground mining H aving already reaped the benefits of opening-pit mining, the Guyana Goldfields Inc. is looking to expand its operations in Guyana by constructing the country’s first underground mine.

This development should occur within the next four years, and the investment would see a whopping US$120 million being pumped into the project.

This was revealed

by President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Canadian-owned mining company, Scott Caldwell. He said on Saturday that several studies have already been completed, and the company is now awaiting a feasibility report that would determine the commencement date.

Caldwell explained that the company had initially forecasted starting underground mining in four years’ time, but has decided to bring forward those plans.

“Our previous (outlook) was four years from now, so it would have started in 2022…

(But) this study is looking at starting sooner than that,” he disclosed.

“We’re working on the

President and CEO of Guyana Goldfields, Scott Caldwell

numbers right now, but it would be sooner than 2022, I just don’t know the number yet, but we wanna move it forward,” he explained. “So we are working on that study right now; it will be published at the end of the month,” the CEO stated.

Since commencing operations, the Guyana Goldfields Inc, which operates the Aurora Gold Mine, has touted its intentions of starting underground mining.

According to Caldwell, starting the operations sooner than its initial forecasted date would allow for longer time to train and get the workforce up to speed on underground mining.

“Underground mining is a lot different, obvi-

ously, than open pit mining, and there is not a lot of underground mining experience in Guyana as yet. So we need to do quite a bit of training to get the workforce up to snuffle on that,” the CEO noted.

This will be Guyana’s first underground mining operation as well as that of the Guyana Goldfields.

The company is looking to be the premiere underground miner not only in Guyana, but in all of South America.

“It’s our future, so that’s where we wanna go,” he asserted.

According to Caldwell, who has extensive experience in underground mining, the company would have to retain some expatriate trainers for the first phase, and then gradually move on to the Guyanese workforce, which would have to be trained.

“Typically, what you would do is bring in contract miners and they would help you with the training programme, and then you would train (local workers),” he explained.

“We trained countless Indonesians in that

country for underground mining in US, Canada and all around the world.

It’s gonna take a while, ‘cause you gotta be safe and efficient; but it can be done, and I know our workforce can be trained to transition from surface to underground…

We will start with training at a very leisurely rate. In other words, training very slowly, and work our production up,” Caldwell posited.

He added that when work commences on the underground operations, there would be need to increase the workforce by between 75 and 100 persons, which would augur well for Guyana, as it would create job opportunities.

Questioned about the risks and safety measures of such operations, Caldwell asserted that this type of mining is a

“very safe, very efficient” practice. He explained that the company has to transition from open pit mining to underground mining primarily because of the Cuyuni River.

Caldwell noted that a higher quality of gold lies below the base of the Aurora Mines but the company cannot expand the pit further because of the Cuyuni River, so the other option is to go underground. This method, he added, would result in less disturbance to the environment.

“So it’s a long lifeline in underground mine… (and) we are excited about getting down there and start mining,” he indicated.

Moreover, Caldwell stated that in order to start driving tunnel underground, the company has already expend-

ed some US$4 million to conduct studies, all which found positive results about the operation. In fact, he noted that several million dollars have also been spent on risk analysis and drill testing, including hydrology testing, soil testing, rock mechanics, and so on. “We’ve done all of that work… all risk analyses were done, so it’s just a question of when we’ll start; and we’ll know the answer by the end of the month,” he reiterated.

In a feasibility study report released by Guyana Goldfields just over a year ago, it was stated that the development of the underground operation was scheduled to commence in 2022, with first production expected in 2024 at the cost of US$129 million.

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 23

Boy saved by 7-yr-old sister GuySuCo defends from burning house stewardship of pension A fund

…despite several concerns fund may be in crisis

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Acting Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo, Paul Bhim

here have been major concerns expressed regarding the status of the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo’s) Pension Fund, which is said to be at crisis level, but GuySuCo’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Paul Bhim, has defended the sugar company’s stewardship of the fund by stating that certain untruths about the fund are being circulated.

Bhim told Guyana Times International on Monday there are currently two pension funds for sugar workers. One is for all unionized employees, and it is fully funded by GuySuCo, and there is another for senior staff. In the case of the General Employees’ Fund, the Hand-inHand Trust Corporation is the trustee.

Asked about the status of that fund, Bhim said, “It is there…still operational.” Probed further to find out whether the fund is in fact in deep trouble, Bhim said that prior to the recent retrenchments, the fund was properly managed and everything was intact.

“There was no problem. The fund had a surplus, and the last evaluation was done in 2016,” Bhim told this newspaper.

But asked further to provide a financial figure for the fund, Bhim declined to comment. “I can’t give you all the details. Before the evaluation, there was no problem with the pension fund,” he declared.

He, instead, told this newspaper that there is usually a three-year valuation exercise done, and the next one was

due in June 2019, but had to be brought forward to this year due to the massive changes.

Bhim stated that the valuation would be conducted following the completion of the entire retrenchment process. “…because we need to know exactly how many employees will remain in that scheme. Don’t forget that the retrenchment; once all is done, we will do an evaluation and determine where we are,” Bhim said.

Despite the vague comments provided by the GuySuCo senior executive, several employees – past and present – have expressed concern about the status of their full pension benefits.

A source close to the company’s financial management told this publication on Monday that the company has been examining the fund ever since the retrenchment process started. According to the source, with the dismissal of workers, the fund has been destabilized.

However, Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company has been tightlipped on the matter when contacted by this publication.

Reports are that the Employees Retirement Benefits are in negative territory by G$1.1 billion as opposed to G$2.4 billion in 2014, according to the 2015 financial statements produced by GuySuCo. A GuySuCo source had told this newspaper that the fund has seen a constant decline over the past few years, and the closure of the estates will add enormous pressure on it.

“It was under severe pressure before, and

now that GuySuCo is now retrenching, several employees who would have been eligible for the pension may suffer,” the source opined.

It was also noted that the scheme, which is open to salaried employees of GuySuCo who would have been contributing to the pension scheme, may have been severed.

“That will be an onerous pressure to the scheme, because you have new people who are coming in to receive a pension,” the source added, noting that this was a major worry for many fired employees.

Meanwhile, a former employee of the Corporation had told this newspaper also that Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) pulling out from the fund has added pressure to the fund.

The employee, who asked not to be named as well, is of the firm view that Government had to be aware of the dilemma.

He said this on the basis that there was no likelihood that foreign investors would have joined the fund, as the Financial Act currently prohibits certain levels of offshore investment.

According to the former employee, there is likelihood that the scheme will lose its viability to provide a pension for those who are already receiving a pension, because of the lack of investment portfolios.

“The pension is already burdened by those already receiving a pension, and it will be exacerbated by the additional people who will now become eligible for pension as a result of being severed from the company,” he added.

While the pension fund had been in trouble before the new Government took office in 2015, there was no move made to stabilise the fund, especially in light of plans to downsize the industry.

Asked to comment on the status of the fund on Wednesday, President David Granger said he was unaware of the issues relating to the fund, and has not been apprised of information about it.

four-year-old child was on Monday evening saved from a burning house at Glasgow New Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) by his seven-year-old sister.

Reports are the two young children were asleep in the two-storey concrete and wood home when the fire started.

However, the elder sibling was awakened by the smell of smoke and having realised that the house was on fire, she immediately wrapped her brother in a blanket and eased him through a window as far as the blanket could reach and before dropping him the remaining six feet to the ground.

She then made her way out of the burning building by jumping through the same window, which was 14 feet from the ground, fracturing her leg in the process. She then screamed for help and neighbours rushed to her assistance. She was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she was admitted.

Guyana Times International was told that the fire might have started from a candle, which the children’s mother lit in the room before locking them in the house and going out.

Neighbours rushed over, kicked open the door to the home and formed a bucket brigade to put out the fire.

Meanwhile, the Fire Service arrived and was able to extinguish the fire.

This publication was told that neighbours contacted the mother of the children and informed her that her house was on fire.

By the time the mother arrived, the Police and Fire Service were already on the scene. After seeing the crowd, the woman reportedly told the driver of the vehicle she was in to turn around and leave the area. A section of the crowd

The four-year-old in the arms of a neighbour at the scene on Monday night

tried to stop him, but their efforts were in vain. The Police are now looking for the mother of two.

The residents were high in their praise for the quick response of both the Police and fire department.

Meanwhile, residents said that on many occasions the two children were left unattended and locked in the house for several hours.

Some neighbours recalled seeing the seven-year-old girl on the street after 01:00h in the morning a few days ago looking for her mother.

A few months ago, the four-yearold was hospitalised after being burnt with hot porridge when his sister tried to make breakfast for him.

The Childcare Department in the Region was notified and had visited the home after reports of child neglect were made.

On the last occasion, they allowed the children to continue living there after the children’s grandmother had promised to take care of them.

The children are now in the care of an aunt.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

City Constable charged for alleged rape of 16-yr-old boy

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Accused: Clifton Pellew

Lance Corporal attached to the City Constabulary accused of raping a 16-year-old boy was on Monday remanded when he appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The corporal, Clifton Pellew, stood before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

The charge stated that on August 15, 2017, at the Constabulary Outpost at City Hall, he engaged in sexual activ-

ity with the minor.

According to reports, the teenager who had been taken into custody after he was found loitering was taken to the outpost on Regent Street when the incident occurred.

Another officer attached to the City Constabulary, Quacy Baveghems had reportedly witnessed the crime and reported to his supervisor; the information was subsequently conveyed to Mayor Patricia

Chase Green and Town Clerk Royston King.

However, as an investigation began into the matter, it was discovered that Baveghems did not make a written entry of the incident in the station diary.

Pellew and Baveghems were fired, after receiving a letter signed by the Town Clerk.

Mayor Chase Green had said that the decision to dismiss the officers came following the discovery of new evidence.

Following protests by activists in Guyana and calls for Pellew to face the courts for his crime, the matter was handed over to the Police who sought legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Guyana Times International was told that after reviewing the file, the DPP has advised that Pellew be charged with the rape of a child under the age of 16 years. Protesters also called for the Mayor and Town Clerk to be criminally charged for failing to report the matter immediately.

UG defends hike in fees …admits Council only approved fees after implementation

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mid the recent widespread protest of students, the University of Guyana has defended its move to increase the administrative fees. The reason for this decision by the administration was also explained.

The University released a statement on Sunday which revealed that the increase in various service fees was approved by a Special Meeting of the Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC) since Thursday, June 1, 2017. The Committee is a statutory chapter of the University Council. This Council is said to include members of the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS); the Private Sector; the Trade’s Union Council; the Ministries of Education and Finance; the administration; civic bodies, and the campus unions.

There was also the construction of a modern Student Social Complex, which is yet to be commissioned in the 2018-2019 academic year.

Furthermore, it was also disclosed that the service hours of the Bursary and Registry have been extended, with Saturday openings, and improved WiFi access for areas such as the Dennis Irvine Hall and the Tain Campus.

An Undergraduate Research Programme was created that funded travel conferences for students to Trinidad, Georgia, Florida and other places. Fifty-six student leaders were also the first beneficiaries of an Etiquette Training Programme for Student Leaders which was financed from the Vice-Chancellor’s Fund.

With these environmental and educational improvements of the

University of Guyana students

According to the statement, the new fees were sanctioned after a comparative analysis revealed that the administrative fees of the University were lower when compared to other tertiary institutions. It was also stated that it has been almost a decade since these fees were last adjusted.

In addition, the University emphasised that various improvements have been materialised within the past two years to accentuate and directly enhance the ‘learning environment and educational experience’ of the students. As such, the administration was compelled to raise the service fees.

These enhancements included classroom improvements with the introduction of fans and the insertion of new PA systems in lecture halls. New bathrooms and air-conditioning were added to the George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT). Air-conditioning was also introduced to the Small Lecture Theatre (SLT).

University, the administration believed that it was necessary to release a statement to show why the service fees were increased.

Students of the institution were against the hike in fees and the UGSS had expressed its disagreement with this decision, as it would financially affect some students. It demanded clarification and believed that there was a need for consultation among the student body. All of this was in light of the fact that students were not informed of the hike in service fees and complained to the UGSS of paying extra monies for supplemental examinations. A petition was created by the students with the title ‘increase the services, not the fees’ which over 200 persons have signed so far.

Nevertheless, the new increased administrative fees will be implemented by March, 1, 2018 for current and prospective students of the University of Guyana.

GTT Manager robbed at gunpoint …after being trailed from city bank

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GTT Manager is now counting his losses after he was attacked in his yard by a lone gunman who reportedly trailed him from a city bank.

The Manager, 43-year-old Roderick Dyer of Bent Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, was robbed around 20:30h.

Guyana Times International was informed that Dyer visited a bank located on Robb Street, Georgetown where he withdrew cash.

He then proceeded to his motor car

and drove home, parking in front of his Bent Street home.

Dyer then exited his vehicle and proceeded to his yard where he was pounced upon by the lone gunman from behind.

The perpetrator reportedly held onto his neck, placed a gun to his face and relieved him of G$30,000 and valuables amounting to G$210,000. The man then quickly made good his escape in an unknown direction. The matter was reported and the Police were said to be investigating.

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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Elderly woman robbed of vehicle, valuables as bandits invade home

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senior citizen was on Tuesday attacked and robbed of cash and valuables, including her motorcar by two masked men in her South Ruimveldt, Georgetown home during the wee hours of the morning.

The victim has been identified as 71-yearold Joy Proctor of Rosa Drive, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

According to informa-

over her money and jewellery.

The other perpetrator reportedly placed a pillow over the woman’s head before proceeding to ransack her home.

After the ordeal, which lasted some 15 minutes, the bandits made good their escape with the woman’s silver/ grey Dualis motorcar bearing licence plates PWW2862, in an unknown direction.

tion received, Proctor occupies the upper flat of her two-storey wooden and concrete home.

At around 21:00hrs on Monday, the woman secured her house and retired to bed.

However, at around 02:30hrs on Tuesday, the pensioner said that she was awakened by the feeling of being choked.

Proctor recalled that the masked man who had his hands wrapped around her neck began to threaten her and demanded that she turn

They also managed the relieve the elderly woman of one Sony flat screen television set, one laptop, three tablets, two Samsung cellphones, a quantity of gold jewellery valued at G$500,000 and G$22,000 in cash.

In all the woman estimates that over G$6M was stolen from her.

Inspections at the scene revealed that the suspects gained entry into the home by removing several louvre window panes located behind the house. (Ramona Luthi)

Cop lands in Court for slapping woman

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Policeman who slapped a woman while in a minibus was on Wednesday fined G$10,000 when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Police Constable Robert Hendricks was charged for slapping the woman on January 26, 2017, while at High Street Georgetown.

The court was told that the Constable, who is stationed at Brickdam Police Station, assaulted Shonnette Smith after she objected to him touching her in the minibus.

The prosecution informed the court that the Policeman was seat-

ed in the conductor’s seat next to the Virtual Complainant (VC) when he placed his hands around the woman and she pushed them away.

However, Hendricks placed his hand again around her and Smith brushed them away a second time.

The court was further told that the officer became angry and placed his hands around the woman’s waist and told her if she moved his hands again: “I guh put a box in you.”

Smith subsequently removed his hands and was dealt several slaps to her face.

Failure to pay the fine will result in the cop serving three weeks in prison.

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

The PNC and Crime Inquiries

By Ravi Dev

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ast month, I wrote about the 20th anniversary of the Ethnic Riots of Jan 12, 1998. I referred to a very polemical letter I had written a week after the tragic event, “The accord rewards the PNC for jettisoning the rule of law”.

The PNC had refused to accept the internationally certified results of the December 1997 elections that gave victory to the PPP. In the wake of its protests demanding the resignation of President Janet Jagan, more than 200 Indian Guyanese were beaten on that day in the streets of Georgetown. The intent was to demand the politicians examine the fundamental contradictions that provoked such eruptions from our people, than just use “Inquiries” to cast blame, as the present PNC CoIs are meant to do.

“The PNC went into the elections under some misguided notion that they could wean away enough votes (with the help of the micro parties), from the PPP to win the elections outright. (When they lost), they proceeded to do what the PNC can do best – destablizing the PPP. Seeking ex-parte injunctions, staging marches, closing down businesses and governmental offices, appealing to “kith and kin” in the disciplined forces, they were bent on forcing the PPP to conclude, as they had in 1964, that they could not govern the country, and for the PNC to step into their shoes.

In tandem with these activities, they made escalating demands, as will all bullies when they see their victim backing down. The PPP has gone beyond what even the PNC had been asking for. For instance, the proposals for constitutional reforms and a truncated term of office were suggested by the PPP on its own, according to Mr Ralph Ramkarran of the PPP. The PPP misjudges the PNC…the PNC will be satisfied with nothing less than total power. It is not interested with sharing power with the PPP, which Mr Ramkarran informs us is implied by its offer of constitutional reform.

Hoyte was following his mentor Burnham in absolutely rejecting this option. As soon as the CARICOM team had departed, Hoyte, while ad-

dressing his “Religious Rally,” declared that he would accept nothing less than the PPP out of office. The PNC can, and will, manufacture any number of reasons to abrogate the Accord during the “Forensic Audit” phase.

And it is because of this dichotomy between what is said and what is meant by the PNC that this Accord and any other initiative will eventually founder. For we are further nurturing the cynicism created during the PNC’s dictatorship, which surrounds our political processes and institutions. We are perpetuating the morally debilitating practice wherein we knew the dictator was lying, the dictator knew he was lying, but we all pretended we were dealing with the truth. Pretty soon, very few of us could even distinguish the lies from the few truths that might have come our way.

Truth became whatever the dictator said was true.

Guyana will never be capable of sustained development (in its wider sense) unless we destroy this culture of lying and make-believe, and the participants in the political process are seen as legitimate by all Guyanese. This condition does not now exist. If we cannot deal with truth, however harsh it may be, then we will always be interacting with each other with distrust and suspicion. There have been several commentators who have lauded President Mandela and the post-apartheid South African accommodations which have allowed that country to move forward.

None of these accommodations and progress, however, would have been possible without the establishment of their Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Its work has not been to settle scores, but to bare to all peoples the past of the present players. South Africans can then, in reconciliation, put that past behind, make choices — political and otherwise — and have confidence in the system.

For the overwhelming number of Indians in Guyana, they have no confidence in the PNC because of that Party’s sordid record during its illegal dictatorship.

Murders, rapes, discrimination, theft, lootings, and riggings by

individuals who today cant and carp of “forensic audits” leave a bitterness in mouths that amounts at times to nausea. These cannot be swept under, or brokered away, by any “Accord”, especially after January 12th. Guyana will see no real progress without a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”

In the midst of the present PNC “Crime CoIs,” we repeat our warning.

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olda Clementson was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. She decided to visit the doctor after noticing that something was wrong with her body.

“One day at work I spoke to a friend who encouraged me to visit the doctor,” she explained. After the visit, Golda was given the bad news by her physician. She explained “He then told me that something was wrong.

But I wasn’t surprised as I knew that something must be wrong.”

While she noted that since her diagnosis it has been an uphill battle, the Cancer Survivor is encouraging every-

one to get in the habit of checking with the doctors. She said, “Do not be afraid to make a visit.

Second thing is observe your body, what it is telling you. Get a close connection with your body so you will not miss the signs. Develop the attitude of making checks.”

Anna De Morias, 53 years of age was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer, which progressed to stage four. She was diagnosed in 2008 in the right breast and developed cancer in her left breast in 2015.

Alluding to how she felt after hearing her diagnosis, Anna said, “I saw death when I was diag-

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Cancer Survivors band together (from left ) Anna De Morias, Thirteen year old Shelly Debideen, Marcel Bourne and Maureen Stuart

nosed in 2008.

My whole world crushed, but I was brave enough to tell the doctor to take off the breast right away.” She explained too, that it was through her own vigilance that she was able to detect that something else was wrong, the second time around. “The second time I was in Georgetown and I just felt a pain in my breast that was making me uncomfortable.

I decided to go to the doc-

Cancer Survivor , Golda Clementson

tor. I told him about the pain and we did an examination.” She maintained that this has saved her life.

Anna was told by the doctors that she had six months to live, but that did not stop her from fighting and believing that she would get better.

She also attributes her recovery to the tremendous support she received. “I had tremendous support from the husband and my entire family. I could tell anybody I had a lot of support, my family, my husband was there for me in every situation.” Anna is encouraging others to seek medical help and to take care of their bodies.

She reminded persons to listen to what their bodies are telling them, and attributes her survival to her own persistence . She explained, “If I didn’t take that pain seriously what would have happened?

Right away you should go to GPHC; they have the best care there in the Oncology department.

Do not take any chances get up and get right away.” Anna also encouraged men and women to choose their diet wisely and advised them to “cut out those things that are unhealthy”. “We have to be very careful with how we eat,” she shared. She said too that surviving the disease has caused her to have a different outlook on life. “You have to learn to forgive,” Anna said. Anna now supports other victims and survivors through several support groups.

Marcel Bourne was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2015. She explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that one morning, she came out of the bathroom and conducted a breast self-examination and she felt the lump. “I visited the doctor and explained what she I going through

and had a mammogram.

At first I was told it was fatty tissue. As time went by, I took another opinion at the GPHC; then I was directed to have a biopsy done,” Marcel explained.

She then discussed the diagnosis wither family and explored all the options, eventually deciding to remove her breasts.

“When I read the results I cried. Although I didn’t question, why me?

When I started Chemo it was hard. It wasn’t easy but the nurses and doctors were like a family,” Anna added.

She said too that she had a very good support system, in her children and friends. She is also reminding persons to be vigilant with their health.

“I want to encourage everyone to check themselves. This morning I met a man with Breast cancer. It was shocking as I didn’t know men get Breast Cancer,” she said.

Meanwhile, Maureen Stuart was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer, in 2017. Her Biopsy report showed that it was Cancer. “My options were very open, before I did the surgery after I recognised the lump,” Marcel explained. According to the breast cancer survivor, she had been experiencing on going issues for some years, but after noticing different changes, she went for further check ups. She maintained that something was not quite right and then was diagnosed. Because of this, she is encouraging others to pay close attention to their body.

She said, “Be persistent and even if you have to go for a second opinion.” Marcel said too that her battle with the disease has changed her life, especially her eating habits “I want to tell others who are experiencing some discomfort, always

check your body from top to bottom, if you find anything abnormal, go check.

If you know that something is wrong , be persistent,” Marcel emphasised.

Thirteen year old Shelly Debideen was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer at the tender age of nine. Shelly, now age thirteen, is indeed a fighter. She shared her experience with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

“I experienced swelling in my tummy and fever; I visited the doctor many times without a diagnosis. At the time I had entered Grade 6 and I was forced to stay home from classes,” Shelly said.

The teenager was first diagnosed in Region 1(Barima Waini) and later referred to Georgetown. She said too that her treatment was not too hard. “It was not too bad but, I would never want to pass through it again, I experienced hair loss, nausea and muscle pains,” she shared. Shelly bravely recalled that she felt scared when she first heard her diagnosis, but credits her family support for her strength to fight the disease.

She is now encouraging persons to never give up. “Many people die from Cancer but you have to get up and try for yourself,” Shelly stated. The teenager now volunteers at various cancer outreaches.

GPHC Oncologist Dr. Latoya Gooding explained that, while cancer awareness activities often advocate screenings, their intended target audience is not usually children.

Shelly’s case is rare – she was the first such case diagnosed in Guyana – but cancer in children is not.

Among the children living with cancers in Guyana, leukemia is the most common diagnosis. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Miss Earth Guyana Committee members (from Left) Mr. Myron Stephens (Events Coordinator), Mr. Dave Lalltoo (National Director), Dr. Latoya Gooding (Assistant National Director) and Dr. Omesh Balmacoon (Managing Executive)

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iss Earth Guyana, which is set to be held in April 2018, is an annual national pageant to determine Guyana’s representative for the international segment, Miss Earth; this event is an environmental themed beauty pageant that promotes environmental awareness and focuses mainly on the 'Beauties With a Cause' concept. This platform gives each participating beauty the opportunity to choose an issue plaguing the environment, which is close to their hearts, in an effort to bring about an active change to it. Miss Earth is one of the three largest pageants in the world.

However, even before the contestants have qualified the local Organsiers have revealed that this year’s Pageant has at its heart, a cause dear to all. Members of the Committee, Mr. Myron Stephens

(Events Coordinator), Mr. Dave Lalltoo (National Director), Dr. Latoya Gooding ( A s s i s t a n t National Director) and Dr. Omesh B a l m a c o o n ( M a n a g i n g Executive) were all too eager to share this information with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

“The main part of the Pageant is called ‘Beauties for a Cause’. Contestants chose a particular platform, for instance, water pollution; they identify an issue and see how they can make the change. They actually have the opportunity to go out there and implement active change. This

is something we are very passionate about,” Dr. Balmacoon explained.

Alluding to the connection between the Miss Guyana Earth Pageant and the fight against cancer, the Managing Executive added, “We know that ninety-five per cent of all cancers are caused by environmental factors, so we are hoping that for this year at least, we can incorporate this aspect. At the same time, while the girls will be raising awareness about other issues, they will also be raising awareness about Cancer.”

Meanwhile, the National Director Mr. Dave Lalltoo emphasised one of the main reasons the Committee became involved in the Miss Earth Pageant, was the ‘Beauties for a cause’ platform. “We don’t want to get involved in something that, in the end, will bear no fruit.

We can use that cause to help Guyana,” he said.

More importantly, Mr. Lalltoo revealed that eighty per cent of their earnings go towards assisting underprivileged children and disadvantaged communities.

It was this drive to make a difference, that lead to the collaboration with the Giving Hope Foundation. He explained, “So we wanted to give back to Guyana and Dr. Gooding came into the picture and she had a bigger cause, and we will be looking at Cancers and the environment and incorporating the

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two agencies. We are looking at big things for Miss Earth.”

“It’s all about the environment and raising awareness about issues affecting the environment. What Miss Earth does, it gets straight to the issues and gives young women the opportunity to be advocates for the Environment,” the National Director added.

Alluding to the correlation between the Pageant and raising awareness about Cancer, Dr. Gooding emphasised that the contestants will be given the chance to “make something happen”. “Ninety-five per cent of all cancers are caused by environmental factors. If we make healthier choices we can be able to decrease our risk of developing Cancer,” she reminded.

Application for the Pageant closes on Feb 22nd; the Committee members are urging young ladies to become involved and embrace the opportunity to participate in the truly “authentic Guyanese product”.

Apart from a strong emphasis on environmental protection programs, Miss Earth also aims to showcase and promote various tourist destinations. Every year, 80 to 90 candidates from all over the world compete on beauty and knowledge of environmental issues. The winner of the International Segment will serve as the Ambassador to environmental protection campaigns worldwide.

Now on its 17th year, Miss Earth continues to build its reputation as the most relevant and worthwhile beauty event in the world, setting a legacy of beauty and responsibility. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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Authorities taking tough action against squatters in Guyana

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GLSC Commissioner Trevor Benn

he Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) plans to ramp up its work to remove squatters from across the country, as it has now been inundated with reports of incidents with affluent people in society also being accused of partaking in this illegal practice.

GLSC Commissioner Trevor Benn told Guyana Times International on Tuesday that it has

been observed by the Commission that there have been rampant squatting taking place along the reserves in Georgetown. Benn said along the area stretching from Bourda to Mandela Avenue every single land owner has extended their fence.

“And these are people with knowledge, money and who should understand that they should not squat. One of them is a senior businessman,

who even went to the courts to prescribe for the land,” he explained.

He added that as a result of this illegal act, the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown did not have access to clean the reserve which is posing a major problem to keeping the area clean.

Benn said, “So, squatting is not a poor people thing. It’s everybody squatting. It has become rampant and it has to stop and we will go after people as much as we can. We have a no-compromise policy when it comes to squatting.

“People should not squat. The law said so,” he asserted.

The Commissioner noted that the GLSC recognised that people have been forced in many cases to squat because of the length of time it takes to process land application.

“We have applications here dating back to the early 1990s that haven’t been processed and we

Squatters at Broad and Lombard Streets, Georgetown

have hundreds of new applications we receive from new applicants, so we are under pressure,” he told this publication.

According to him, in an effort to move on with their lives, some of these applicants have taken it upon themselves to squat. “However, this is not just people who are really desperate for a piece of land and they squatting, many business people with lots of money, with lots of land already owned, have been squatting forcing

their way on lands and we have seen that only recently here,” he further added.

The Commission said it observed that there was a significant increase in squatting along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway and in Port Kaituma among other areas. Squatting has taken place on lands already leased for industrial, commercial and residential land use, and on reserves, which constrain development of some areas and delay processing

of land applications.

The Lands Commission also observed that squatting has been facilitated by persons illegally selling lands in various areas and squatters pay money without receiving titles or agreement for the lands. The Commission has said that all squatters, including those who are encouraging squatting, would be prosecuted and new squatter settlements would not be regularised.

T&T judge rules: Facebook users will pay $$ for their defamatory posts (Trinidad Express)

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woman who published defamation claims about a family on Facebook, will have to compensate her victims.

On Monday, Justice Frank Seepersad ruled that Jenelle Burke made a series of unsubstantiated libellous statements that caused the family to suffering “shame and embarrassment” since those statements were false and may have been seen by thousands.

Burke published posts stating that the family was engaged in incestuous activities.

The messages stated that the father of the family was a rapist who would engage in sexual relations with his stepson and daughter who is a minor. Telephone numbers belonging to the family members as well as their photographs were attached to the posts. One of the posts also stated that the minor, who was seven years old at the time, was involved in prostitution at her school.

At the court hearing before Justice Seepersad, the family members denied that such activities had ever taken place.

The posts even resulted in officers of the Child Protection Unit visiting the family on one occasion to carry out

investigations into the allegations which they eventually found to be untrue, the mother of the family testified.

According to their claim, the family was once friends with the woman but, because of a dispute, she began making continuous insulting remarks towards them.

A number of police reports were made, but the insults continued.

In February 2016 the family first became aware of the Facebook posts on Burke’s page, before they took screen shots of them and printed copies which are being used as evidence in the case.

In her defence statement, Burke admitted that the messages were posted on her wall but denied she was the one who did so. She contended it may have been placed there by someone else who may have had access to her account.

She said as soon as she saw the posts on her page, she deleted them.

Burke however chose not to go into the witness box to be cross-examined by attorneys for the family.

In delivering judgement in the Hall of Justice,, Port of Spain, Seepersad stated: “The damage which social media postings can have is significant, as the disseminated material cre-

ates a perpetual imprint in cyberspace and there is no deletion or rectification which can be effected with respect to information uploaded to the World Wide Web, quite unlike a print copy of a book or newspaper, the copies of which could be destroyed”.

He said: “The reach and permanency of social media is such that extreme caution has to be exercised by its users. The law needs to be pellucid, so that all concerned must understand that social media use has to be engaged in a responsible way. Anonymity cannot obviate the need to be respectful of people’s rights and users cannot recklessly impugn a person’s character or reputation. Words in any form or on any forum, matter and must be used carefully and not impulsively. Within the public purview there is a misguided perception that the interaction over social media with flagged friends whether on Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Viber, is private. This notion has to be dispelled. Such communication once uploaded becomes public and the said communication enjoys no cover of privacy protection. The advent and continued use of social media now results in a circumstance where the rules, regula-

tions, rights, and responsibilities which govern traditional media must be applied. Social media ought not to be viewed as an unregulated media forum and anyone who elects to express views or opinions on such a forum stands in the shoes of a journalist and must be subjected to the standards of responsible journalism which govern traditional media” Justice Seepersad said that in the case, the defendant did not dispute that the posts were on her Facebook account but she ran the “Shaggy defence” by saying “it wasn’t me”.

Her pleaded case outlined that the account was set up in 2010 by named parties who all had access to same. She said that she did not publish the posts but removed same when they were brought to her attention. Social media accounts must be jealously guarded, just like a bank account and access to same should be restricted, as it is a forum where views expressed will normally be attributed to the owner of the account.

One must be mindful that although the account is private, the posts emanating from the account occupy a public space and the content of these posts will be subject to public opinion and scrutiny as will

Justice Frank Seepersad

the persons to whom the posts refer. Inevitably, if what the posts contain are malicious falsehoods, then those falsehoods can translate to realworld damage to someone’s reputation. A word of caution is also extended to those who knowingly republish or “share” posts containing defamatory content. There must be some measure of restraint, if only to reconsider the accuracy or plausibility of truth in a post before its dissemination which is especially true of sensational and outrageous posts which can possibly cause irreparable harm”.

Justice Seepersad described Burke’s Facebooks posts as reckless and scandalous.

He said:” It is difficult to fathom how any right thinking member of society would contemplate to publish words such as those posted on the Defendant’s Facebook account. Sadly howev-

er, far too often, social media is used as a forum to engage in this type of irresponsible and cruel discourse. This state of affairs cannot continue unabated and the Court therefore has elected to mould and apply the common law in a manner which gives some degree of protection to citizens.

There is entrenched in local parlance the phrase, “You will pay for your mouth”. Given the technological revolution which now characterises modern life, this traditional phrase has to be subject to an update and all social media account holders need to understand that they may now have to “Pay for their posts”, if it is established that their posts are defamatory”.

Justice Seepersad ruled that Burke pay to her victims damages and costs which shall be assessed by a Master in Chambers at a later date.

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Gaslighting…

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…Guyana on crime wave

n the 1944 movie “Gaslight,” Ingrid Berman plays the role of a hapless housewife whose husband manipulates her into believing she’s crazy. One of his tricks was dimming the gas lights in the home then telling her she’s imagining things. The term stuck to describe all those narcissistic and psychotic manipulators who mess with peoples’ minds to make them doubt themselves — and of course believe the manipulator, who’s pushing his own agenda.

And it’s not just a technique that’s used by men or women in abusive relationships; politicians use it all the time to make you cast aside even opinions you formed through personal experience. They frequently use “the big lie” so confidently you begin to wonder! Take PNC leader David Granger – who’s also the President of our Republic – who just announced he’s going to launch Commissions of Inquiry into crime spree!

Previously, he’d spoken about the crime wave and its mass killings in the first decade of the millennium as “the Troubles”, but suddenly he’s transformed that into the crime spree. This is an example of repeating the gaslighting Big Lie so often (and you can now see the phrase daily in the Chronic!) you begin to doubt what you know to be the truth.

And what’s that truth? It’s all on the public record. The “troubles” began after the PNC – with Hoyte as the leader – refused to accept that the 1997 elections were won by the PPP, even though ALL overseas observers, including the Carter Center, had once again certified them as “free and fair”. The PNC launched massive protests in Georgetown to remove Janet Jagan as president as they “wuk pon she”.

Hoyte described his strategy as “Slow fyaah”, and it played out as periodic marches in Georgetown; then there were attacks and arson on IndianGuyanese stores following a day of brutal beatings of ordinary members of that community on Jan 12th 1998. The PPP capitulated and had their president resign, cut their term of office by 2 years, altered the constitution to reduce the powers of the presidency, and increased the powers of the Opposition etc EVEN THOUGH THE PNC-DEMANDED “FORENSIC AUDIT” SHOWED NO BALLOT TAMPERING! Hoyte then ratcheted up his strategy and described it as “Mo’ fyaah”. Murder, kidnappings, robberies and banditry were added to the actions taken to oust the PPP government. The 2002 Mash Jailbreak by 5 convicted killers took matters to a whole new level after they holed up in Buxton, called themselves “Freedom Fighters” for African Guyanese, and launched attacks on the Police and Indian Guyanese.

Any other version is gaslighting! Screwing with your mind.

The “Troubles” should most correctly be dubbed “The Mo’ fyaah killings”! …on oil contract While the new PNC government – you really think the AFC, WPA and the other nonentities in the “coalition” have any influence?? – has refined gaslighting to a whole new level, Raphael Trotman has to be given pride of place with his defence of his Oil Contract! First there were all the Big Lies as to why the contract couldn’t be released; then, with the bonus, there were some dark hints about “national security” concerning our border. That queasy feeling you had all along? That’s a hint you were being gaslighted.

Since then, there hasn’t been a day passing when a new revelation on giveaways doesn’t get a gaslighting “explanation”. The latest one has to do with the Petroleum Commission which is supposed to be the REGULATOR of the sector, as well as monitoring of production etc. The question is: why should such a body also collect revenues? Isn’t this a recipe for corruption? “I’ll report lower production and you put some cash in my overseas account”!!

And that’s why you’re queasy the GRA’s not collecting all revenues? …on Crime COIs You also know you’re being gaslighted when the Government insists on starting the “Mo fyaah killings” inquiry from the end.

It’s not that they just have it ass-backwards; they’re messing with your minds!

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38 news

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Cops torch huge ganja farm in Berbice Antigua Parliament

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passes Bill to allow possession of small amounts of ganja

team of law enforcement officers commanded by a Superintendent on Wednesday conducted a fifteen hour long drugeradication operation at Ebini, Upper Berbice River.

According to information from the police, the operation saw an estimated 300,000 cannabis plants ranging between 6 inches to 5 feet in height, 150,000 kilograms of dried cannabis, a number of nurseries with about 100,000 seedlings and 4 camps being destroyed by fire.

Moreover, a single barrel shotgun, three live cartridges, a water pump and a chain saw which were found during the operation, have been seized and lodged.

Investigators are in the process of tracing the ownership of the approximately 10-acre plot of land.

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4 Venezuelans who entered Guyana illegally ordered deported

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our Venezuelans were on Wednesday deported when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

Maria Tores, Edis Herrera, Sihai Herrera and Yisneidi Sidram all pleaded guilty to the illegal entry charge which stated that on February 2, 2018, at Cuyuni Essequibo River; they entered into the country by sea and failed to produce themselves to

immigration officers.

On February 6, police on patrol duties at Two Miles Pataro, Bartica, made contact with the Venezuelans and asked that they produce travel documents, which they failed to do.

As a result, they were all arrested and escorted to the CID headquarters where further investigations were carried out and revealed that they illegally entered

the country four days prior.

The Four Venezuelans were fined G$30,000 each and deported by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Because of its porous borders, Guyana continues to grapple with the influx of illegal immigrants.

Only recently a Venezuelan man drowned while trying to swim across the border in search of food.

ntigua and B a r b u d a ’ s Parliament has given the nod to a Bill decriminalizing the possession of up to 15 grammes of cannabis.

The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill, passed on Tuesday by the Lower House, will also allow a household to have up to four plants.

able. It is, in essence, a part of the culture of the country…

“I want to make it abundantly clear that my government is not advocating the use of cannabis; we are against anything that is smoked.

We do accept, though, on the other hand, that marijuana utilized in different forms has signifi-

Prime Minister Gaston Browne said cannabis is used by a large section of the population, and decriminalization is a form of re-balancing as authorities look to deal with the issue directly.

He also disclosed that a poll conducted before the decision to move to decriminalization had indicated that 70 per cent of the population was in favour of going that route.

“The use of marijuana is now socially accept-

cant medicinal benefits and certainly we’ll move pretty quickly to ensure that we legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes,” Browne said.

He also indicated that there would be a public education campaign to sensitize people about the dangers of abusing the drug.

The Bill has to be passed in the Senate and gazette before becoming law. (Caribbean360.com)

Excitement building for Mash 2018 float parade – Coordinator A

s the clock winds down to the annual Mashramani float parade, the Social Cohesion Ministry is confident about receiving a high number of entries for the competition.

M a s h r a m a n i Committee Coordinator Andrew Tyndall on Wednesday expressed hope that the number of Mash bands will be high despite the low number of entries received so far.

“We would have received 11 registration forms; also there are a number of agencies and private companies who would have been calling in for information of how they could be a part of the process,” he stated.

When questioned about the small number of entries, Tyndall explained that this amount was common around this time of the Mash season.

“Around this time this is what registration nor-

mally looks like, probably next week heading

up to the 16th, a lot of companies will bring in

their registration forms,” he explained.

To date, the calendar of Mashramani activities is said to be “running smoothly”, with a number of major events such as the Soca Monarch, Calypso, Chutney, Panorama and the Children’s Mashramani competitions still to be completed. These events are all a prelude to the grand Mashramani float parade that will be held on February 23.

This year, the float parade will have a new route, which will see revellers beginning on Thomas Lands, west of Albert Street, then proceeding on to the first judging point at the National Park, then the parade will proceed east along Thomas Lands, south into Vlissengen Road, then into D’Urban Park using the Vlissengen and Hadfield Streets entrance.

fEATURE 39

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this monster. Otherwise it is very difficult,” Dr. Ghazi stated.

High Risk Populations

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n the Caribbean and South America there are 96,000 women who die every year from breast cancer and 36,000 who die of cervical cancer.

According to the Cancer Institute's Outreach Director, Dr. Syed Ghazi, because of that these high numbers, a myriad of programmes have been adapted and are being implemented in partnership with Regional and International Organisations.

“We are partnering with other Cancer Organisations in the Caribbean Region; it is a health Caribbean coalition. Under a Grant from Australia, we are running campaigns in Guyana. Every year we choose certain regions and screen at least 1000 women. Last year we were in the top three recognized institutions who were successfully implementing this campaign,” Dr. Ghazi explained. He

The team at the Cancer Institute of Guyana

emphasized too that the main purpose and target is to eliminate cervical cancer by 2025.

Partnerships

Dr. Ghazi also praised the work and collaboration with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). He said, “The good thing is whatever disadvantages we have, we have team work. I appreciate the Ministry of Health and the GPHC for always cooperating.”

He emphasized too that the Institute’s work does not cease when a programmes end, but rather it’s a continuous process.

In fact, he divulged that members will be venturing on February 15, 16 and 18 to Madhia, to facilitate screening and a general outreach. “That is how it is done, cooperation and partnerships.

These things are necessary to fight this disease,” Dr. Ghazi stressed.

More importantly,

Dr. Ghazi and Dr Sayan Chakraborty standing next to the Brachytherapy machine

he explained that the Institute offers treatment to patients who could not afford it; as a result there are now a large number of survivors. He said, “The patients come from various groups. It gives us a certain pride that we are making a difference”

Cervical Cancer Awareness

Alluding to the success of the recently concluded Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January, the Institute’s Outreach Director said that there was a great response from the public.

He revealed that during the just concluded campaign, four hundred patients were screened at the Cancer Institute.

“The idea of creating awareness besides seminars and such is to offer something to the community. We are doing real things through donor agencies locally and abroad and we do not let anyone go with-

out treatment,” he said as he revealed too that the Institute is the only Centre offering radiation therapy.

Importance of Treatment

He expressed concern over the taboos out there that radiation therapy kills a person. “I have given this message often and I think it is reaching people. People now understand that the chemo and radiation therapy are targeted to the abnormal cancer cells and not the normal cells. If you were to choose between death and life, you would choose life.”

Dr. Ghazi maintained that the side effects for this kind of treatment is similar to some other medication, as soon as you stop taking the medication, the side effects go away. He had strong words for those persons who are creating a scare and persuading persons not to take the chemo therapy. “These patients come to us in later stages, maybe after a year when we cannot save them. Do not let anyone distract you from the normal course of treatment.”

In expounding on the seriousness of the disease, in all of its forms, he emphasized that cancer is not the disease or affrication of certain people “Cancer is like a monster which can show up and anytime, anywhere, any race. No one is immune. The community as a large has to join hands.

The government, corporate Guyana and health care organizations need to join hands and beat

The Cancer Institute's Outreach Director pointed out that every cancer has risk factors for example; cervical cancer is more susceptible in women who have had multiple pregnancies, multiple partners, and engaged in early sexual activity.

Based on these factors and the previous history, Officials then determine which communities or parts of the community are more susceptible or at risk for certain kinds of Cancers.

He explained, “Prostate Cancer in America is most common in Afro Guyanese population. This is where we are making a difference, by continuously doing things and campaigning for early screening.

Now we see a lot of women coming for screening, breast cancer and cervical cancer. I also see some men, though they are few, we are trying to break that ice.

I hope that soon we will also see more men visiting the institution.

It is not at an alarming rate but Prostate Cancer is common in men.”

lar pap smears. He said too that screening for Prostate Cancer in men starts at fifty years but in Afro Guyanese population, the screening starts five years before that. He is therefore encouraging men and women utilise the free services at the various Health Centers across the country.

Dr. Ghazi also pointed to the many benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle choices. “Diet is very important; people should watch what they consume, primarily junk food. It’s a big factor not only for Cancer but Diabetes and Hypertension,” he stressed. The Director is therefore encouraging the population to make their lives green. He said, “Guyana has been blessed with a wide variety of fresh vegetables that everyone should consume more. Try to make your life green, green is good” Dr. Ghazi reminded that there is an

Early

allDr Syed Mujahid Ghazi

Detection saves Lives

He also advocated for persons to understand how vital early detection is in the fight against cancer and in the bid to reduce mortality associated with the disease.

“The problem is if you don’t get screened you might miss something that is there. Screening doesn’t mean that you come to the Centre when you get signs and symptoms. It is already too late then. Regular checkups are prescribed.”

According to Dr. Ghazi, a woman over forty years should get a mammogram and should not question the need to have this procedure done. Similarly, women should have their regu-

out war on the dreaded disease. He stated “Cancer is a monster and there is a war. This is a terror which is slipping in our populations without us even knowing it.”

He therefore urged everyone to declare a war on Cancer. He also noted that for the efforts to be a success there must be the necessary partnerships and collaboration with Health Officials and Corporate Guyana.

“More collaboration is needed to ensure that a wider percentage of the population can access health care. We need to put funds into programmes that save lives.” he encouraged.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

40 feature

Cancer mortality in Guyana

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ccording to the Ministry of Public Health’s data, Guyana ranks highest with cancerrelated mortality rate of 46.9 percent and a mortality rate of 21.0 per 100,000 persons, when compared to the Caribbean Region. In fact, in Guyana, cervical cancer alone kills an estimated 100 women every year, making it the leading cause of cancer mortality among local women.

The global state of affairs is farther reaching with some 530,000 new cases of cervical cancer detected annually and killing approximately 266,000 women or 50.2 per cent of the total cancer victims.

According to the publication ‘ A Profile of Cancer in Guyana – 2003-2012’, Data from most of the developing world is severely lacking in quality and completeness, thereby posing a major challenge for individual countries to effectively plan and implement prevention and control programmes.

According to the report, the notification of Cancer is not manda-

tory in Guyana; most data is collected by staff of the Guyana Cancer Registry, with a few institutions reporting data to the registry.

Many of the risk factors identified for cancers are smoking, physical inactivity, dietary patterns, reproductive behaviours and infectious agents.

During the observance of World Cancer Day, the Public Health Ministry usually collaborates with a number of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and the private sector to host cervical cancer screenings through Visual Inspection using Acetic Acid (VIA) method and sensitisation sessions.

Cervical cancer, a cancer arising from the cervix, is linked to several risk factors, mainly the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), chlamydia infection, early sexual activity and multiple sexual partners.

Ministry of Public Health medical outreaches have been conducted in several areas over the years including, Orealla, Region (East Berbice/ Six

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Dr. William Adu-Krow, PAHO/WHO Guyana Representative

Corentyne); Kabacaburi, Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) and Sophia, Region Four (Demerara/ among many others.

The Ministry is finalising a comprehensive cancer prevention and control programme for the country. This will aid in ensuring that common risk factors for cancers, such as tobacco and alcohol use, physical inactivity and unhealthy diets are addressed.

When the Ministry of Public Health released a Cancer Surveillance Report in 2015 which

highlighted the recorded state of cancer over the period 2003-2012, it was revealed that in excess of 6,000 individuals were diagnosed with cancer.

It was reported, then, that while on a global scale lung cancer was deemed the leading cause of cancer deaths; in Guyana breast cancer was responsible for the highest number of cancer related fatalities. Cervical cancer has reportedly since taken the lead.

The Cancer Surveillance Report had

revealed that there were 1,090 cases of breast cancer over the period under consideration in the report. Following the prevalence of breast cancer was cancer of the cervix which accounts for 1,014 cases; prostate (865 cases); colo-rectal (440 cases); uterus (325 cases); stomach (240 cases); lung (233 cases); liver (219 cases); ovary (212 cases) and lymphoma (136 cases).

Data out of the Cancer Registry, drawn from both public and private medical institutions, suggest that since

access to treatment has been near non-existent more than half of those inflicted with the disease died.

Dr. William AduKrow, PAHO/WHO Guyana Representative stated that Cancer is the leading cause of death in the Americas.

He said that in 2012, cancer accounted for 1.3 million deaths, 47% of which occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The number of cancer deaths in the Americas is projected to increase from 1.3 million to 2.1 million between 2012 and 2030.

Meanwhile, the overall cancer mortality rate in LAC is 107/100,000 and within the region the highest rates are observed in Uruguay, Barbados, Peru, Argentina and Chile, with the exception of Guyana. The most common cancers in the Region include: stomach, prostate, lung and colorectal cancers in men; and cervical, breast, stomach and colorectal cancers in women. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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44 travel & tourism

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hile accessing this spectacular waterfall is challenging, one explorer, Tal Ely journeyed to Guyana and visited the falls last year, and detailed his amazing adventure, on Lonely Planet website (the largest travel guide book publisher in the world).

“I heard of the name from a local guide, he was the one who offered me the hike to the hidden gem,

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

et and peaceful. This was a voyage of a unique quality, one that made Guyana a different country for me.” He wrote, as he avidly described the warm and friendly nature of the villagers and the impact of the first glimpse of the waterfall.

He explained, “No words can describe the arrival to the falls. I have been to the bottom of the Kaieteur gorge as well, and the mere distance The outstanding Oshi Falls

Left): Monty Expedition at Oshi Falls (From Members of the “Lost Worlds” ondo) derm won by to Greaves. ( pho Halls, Bosie Vincent and Patrick

the hardly visited Oshi Falls. The villagers are kind and inviting, curious and respectful, qui-

you arrive in Oshi to where the waters crash is far closer, which gives an entirely different sensation, a

true feel of the raw power, as if entering a storm.”

The Río Oshi (also spelled Ushi, Utshi or Uitshi) makes a dramat-

ic plunge into a broad ampitheater deep in the Guyanese jungle. The waterfall, commonly known as King George Falls or King George VI Falls, was first reported by Danish scientist Paul A. Zaul in 1938 in a book called, “To the Lost World,’ describing his adventures in the spectacular highlands of Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil.

Later he became a prominent author, writing many articles to geography magazines and taking great pictures of the natural world.

Oshi Falls it is located on the Kamarang River in southern Guyana. It is estimated that the falls is roughly 524 feet in height, however, according to experts, it is possible that

the falls could approach 700 feet. The spectacular waterfall is considered as the 19th highest waterfall in the world.

According to the World Waterfall Database, this “world class waterfall” has great potential. A few years ago an expedition succeeded in reaching the falls. It was organized by a team of explorers and companies, including Bosie Vincent, Patrick Greaves and broadcast production company "Electric Sky Productions", with the participation of Monty Halls and Leo Houlding. The aim of expedition was to produce a new "Discovery" channel series named "Lost Worlds" depicting some of the least explored areas of the world.

Vicinities of Oshi Falls definitely fall into this category.

Patrick Greaves wrote: "The area was absolutely incredible, truly untouched. However, the falls were far more challenging than we initially predicted. The area around the base simulated conditions close to a hurricane and were truly ferocious and the rock which formed the waterfall was new to even the climbers, like shale rock it was thin and broke away easily. This made climbing extremely dangerous and eventually we abandoned this attempt and instead descended down from the top in order to see what life lived around the cliff."(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Story about Shea Rock: The story about the big, black, round rock in the old, old days

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he Shea Rock is a mountain peak in South Rupununi, Guyana.

There are many stories that surround this unique rock formation. It has historically been a sacred place for the Wapishiana nation. The early settlers in the area coined the name the “Shea” (or “Swelling” when translated to modern English) rock. Visitors and locals alike can join the annual South Rupununi Safari for the opportunity to visit this historic attraction.

People said that there was a young boy who lived with his parents. One day he became sick. His parents tried everything they could to cure him and he never got well. Instead his illness got worse; his body swelled and swelled each day. When his mother saw her son’s condition she was so helpless she started to cry for her son. She said “Son I have tried all my best, I don’t know

what more to do.” She went on crying.

Maybe I will ask you to burst. Just as she said that she slowly saw the sick boy BURST out. So that is how the boy vanished from his mother’s sight to be that big black rock which remains in Shea village. The original name was sheaaan tau or sheaa tau which really means swollen rock. (Story courtesy Visit Rupununi Guyana) Shea Rock is a 676 ft / 206 m mountain peak in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, Guyana. Based on peakery data, it ranks as the 41st highest mountain in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo and the 138th highest mountain in Guyana. The nearest peaks are Wiwitau Mountain, Kalishadaker Mountain, Tamboro Mountain, Kuddewaitau Mountain, Darukoban Mountain, and Makawatta Mountain.

(Photos by Kyle Joseph)

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46 feature

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Preserving our literary heritage

Mahaica Belle Rings by Collette Jones-Chin

B y P etamber P ersaud

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lthough this book is a memoir, set during the late 1970s and running into 1980, in Mahaica – a rural village in Guyana – it is written in such a way redirecting our attention to social issues still traumatizing and influencing our responses in the 21st Century. Some of those issues include racial animosity and racial harmony, the role of the family, the death and dearth of community spirit in action, growing pains, dealing with sickness and death, the influence of superstition, the use of storytelling and folklore, overcoming fear, reaching for the stars - to be precise, parents and guardians steering their charges in that direction.

The book also touches on internal and regional migration and re-settlement.

Unlike many other local books, this one treats the subject of regional migration and re-settlement in some details by showing how the author’s ancestry in form of her grandfather came from the island of St Vincent to Guyana and was part of a movement forming a new village, River View Housing Scheme.

In order to get to the above setting of the story, the reader must first deal

with the title which as intriguing as well as a drawing card, skillfully crafted – who is this Belle and what is this belle ringing about, from what platform

is this belle been rung, and how we are to listen to this bell - is the bell a bell of alarm, bell of information, bell of youth crying for attention or a combination of

all the above.

The book’s 178 pages are divided into five lengthy chapters which portray minute details of the people, places, events, emotions, actions and responses, some aspects of the books are very revolting in the depiction of sickness and death while other aspects are humourous like the grandfather almost starting a race war over seeking compensation for the lost of the author’s plait which was cut off by a fellow schoolmate.

More pronounced than the other two aspects are pleasurable moments like freedom to enjoy and bask in a darkened night when there is a ‘blackout’ power outage, and to be on one’s own, to make choices, to aim for the stars, away from stars pointed out by guardians, to be able to dabble in the arts. All of the above situations are juxtaposed into those five chapters as the author chronicles the most memorable four years of her ‘tweenaged’ life.

This memoir unfolds in chronological order starting on the 10th birthday of the author when the grandmother reveals to her how her biological mother was killed while trying to help her biological grandfather.

These were poignant moments when the author

draws closer to her surrogate ‘mummy’ and ‘daddy’ so it was difficult for the author to witness and not be traumatized by first the sickness and death of her ‘daddy’ and later her ‘mummy’. But those challenges only served to mould the author’s character into the person she envisioned for herself – a person free to choose the arts over science.

That was not however the final liberation of the author; she had to start anew – leaving the rural scene to live in the city with her father and his new wife, something she never wanted.

This is an extraordinary book, a book in which the author draws on all her skills and talents and accomplishments as an educator of many decades, a model, an artist, and a dramatist, to accomplish such a feat. But as she confessed after working in the other art forms, she wanted to try her hand at writing a book and she successes handsomely with Mahaica Belle Rings.

Responses to this author please telephone 2260065 of email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Teen shot Bottoming out while stealing with Bottoms up coconuts

47

By Anu Dev

A

17-year-old labourer was on Tuesday shot once to his chest by a licensed firearm holder after he reportedly attacked a businessman at his Strathspey, East Coast Demerara (ECD) property.

The teenager, of Coldingen, ECD, was reportedly in the process of stealing coconuts when he was confronted by the businessman and in retaliation, the teenager reportedly attacked the businessman with the cutlass that he used to cut the coconuts.

The businessman whipped out a pistol and discharged a round, hitting the teenager to his left chest. Another teenager who was working along with the injured teen was also found on the businessman’s property with a donkey cart. He was arrested by the Police.

The injured teen was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. He is in stable condition.

The businessman has been detained and is assisting with investigations.

Severance S

atiricus was slowly wending his way to the Back Street Bar when he ran into Kurpat, who had just collected his severance pay after the Government closed the sugar estate where he had worked for nine years. Kurpat was very glum. He’d been a “security guard” – which was the same as the “watchman” he used to be before they changed his title. He reminded Satiricus they hadn’t changed his wages after the change of title, and his severance pay sucked. Satiricus insisted he take a beer with the fellas.

“Kurpat!!” exclaimed Cappo, when he espied Kurpat coming towards their table. “Laang time me na see yuh, Budday!!!”

“Well, yuh bin a live life in Landan in Nyu Yark,” said Kurpat sourly. “Yuh know dem fyaah all abee, right?”

“Abee know,” interjected Bungi. “Good t’ing Cappo tek me fuh buil’ house when ‘e come back fram Nyu Yark.” ”But didn’t they just pay out severance pay?” asked Hari. “Why so glum?”

“Hari, yuh know wha’ ‘severance” mean?” asked Kurpat.

“Yeah. When yuh chop off something,” Hari answered. “Like when you “sever” a man hand with a cutlass!”

“Well, da wha’ dem do abee,” said Kurpat bitterly.

“An’ yuh know how much dem gi’e me fuh chap me aff from me wuk?”

“Yes, if you don’t mind,” said Satiricus. “How do they calculate severance? I hear it’s a big amount!”

“Big?? Big?? Budday, da wha’ dem seh,” said Kurpat.

“Waan week pay fuh de fus’ five year, an’ two week fuh de nex’ five year.”

“Suh since yuh wuk nine year pan de estate, yuh get 13 week basic pay, right?” asked Cappo. “None ovahtime.”

“Suh imagine me get t’ree mont’ watchman pay fuh min’ me and me fam’ly fuh de res’ a abee life,” said Kurpat bitterly. “G$129,000!”

“What will you do, Kurpat?” asked Satiricus anxiously.

“Wha’ me can do?” Kurpat asked with a shrug. “Tek out me pickney dem fram school; look fuh wan nex’ watchman jab, an’ wait fuh 2020.”

Because alcohol is encouraged by our culture, we get the idea that it isn’t dangerous. However, alcohol is the most potent and most toxic of the legal psychoactive drugs – Beverly A Potter and Sebastian Orfali

T

he odds of alcohol being present in a big way at a teen party are pretty much as high as the odds of the WICB making another brainless selection decision. Very high. It’s no secret that the young people of our country are already competent connoisseurs of alcohol despite their ‘tender’ years. On average, three out of every five adolescents might be able to rattle off the finer points about having Tequila versus a shot of Grey Goose – a talent, I am told, that comes only with experience.

And this is not just the case in Guyana; we’re following a worldwide trend, which makes the situation much more alarming: And it’s driven by huge amounts of advertising that target the youthful demographic to “normalise” drinking.

Studies show that youths who drink before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence and two and a half times more likely to

have “rum till I die” as their mantra, than those who wait until the age of 21.

Though it’s now clear that alcohol wreaks havoc on our innards (not to mention our minds) and kills us slowly, everybody drinks! It’s cool. And if slow, voluntary death isn’t motivation enough to ease off the alcohol, there’s always the comforting thought that we’ll get so drunk that we’ll attempt to fly, profess undying love for Kanye West or do something just as dimwitted that we won’t have done if we were in our right minds.

Why then, do they do it? Many people drink to relieve stress, remove inhibitions, to just ‘fit in’ or because they claim to enjoy the taste. Whatever the reason for teens drinking, these reasons may be highly correlated to the fact that for most teen drinkers, their parents drink, or are OK with drinking. The child then grows up believing that this is the acceptable thing to do. In some cases,

the parents themselves encourage their child to drink.

One could look at the implications of alcohol consumption from both social and health standpoints.

Socially, especially in Guyana, many people drink until they’re drunk. In essence, it is the drunkenness that’s offensive since, if the person wasn’t drunk it would have been the same as dealing with a person drinking water. It’s when the person is in that drunken state that they cannot fully control their mental faculties, emotions and actions. Domestic violence and suicide are both highly correlated with alcohol abuse.

It appears then, drunkenness is the problem; not the drinking.

In societies such as in Italy, where despite the fact that the children are exposed to drinking at a young age, they have very low instances of drunkenness.

This is because their society

frowns upon DRUNKENESS. They are socialised to drink if they want, but in MODERATION. Ironically, it is in the countries that strongly castigate drinking as a sin that though they have a fraction of their population avoiding alcohol like the plague, there are also those individuals who drink (and since they’re already frowned upon for drinking), they feel that they might as well go the whole hog and get totally “wasted”.

Where do we stand, Guyana? Will we accept drinking in moderation where we avoid the nasty aspect of alcohol abuse – drunkenness? Or will we continue to forbid drinking totally and produce a segregated society with veritable saints and devilish alcoholics? For me, after reviewing the damage excessive alcohol does to our internal organs, I’ve decided not to take the plunge. While I have no aspirations to sainthood, I rather want to keep my liver and sanity into adulthood.

Different strokes…

W

…for farming

ales Estate was closed down in December 2016.

1700 persons were thrown onto the streets… even though the Government/GuySuCo insisted that 300+ of them should go to Uitvlugt, 22 miles away, to cut cane. They’re still fighting for their severance pay that’s legally owed to them. The Govt disputes this and the matter is in court.

At the time the estate was closed, representatives of the workers and several civil society groups had suggested to the Government that it lease the land to the workers and facilitate their transition to cash crop farmers.

The Government turned a deaf ear in addition to a Nelson’s Eye to the now fired sugar workers’ plight — which has become a crisis a year later. In that year, the Government fired another 4000 workers from Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon. To that 5700 jobless add another approximately 2000 workers who supplied labour on private cane farmers’ holdings that supplied cane to the closed factories. The Government also refused to transition these workers into farming, even though the drained and irrigated lands were also reverting to “bush”.

But while these 7700 persons — who could’ve easily been transformed into farmers because they’re experienced working in the fields — were being made destitute, the Government, interestingly, was working overtime to facilitate farming elsewhere. In December 2016, as Wales was being closed, the Government plunked in US$3.8 million (GY$760 million) into the Caribbean Development Bank to receive a US$10.4 million (GY$2.1 billion) loan/grant to encourage farming in 4 villages. The Government said it would throw in another US$2 million or GY$400 million, bringing the pot to G$2.5 billion!!

The villages chosen were Buxton and BV on the East Coast; Ithaca on the West Bank of Berbice, and Mocha, East Bank Demerara. It should surprise no one that those villages are populated by PNC supporters!! Since 2016, the Government has been working diligently to organise

the 1200 farmers they claim reside in these village into coops to farm the “2500 acres of abandoned lands” there.

That is: the Government will plunk in G$1million/acre to reclaim abandoned lands, when over 25,000 drained and irrigated lands are being abandoned!! Not to mention the aforementioned 7700 fired workers!!

Now your Eyewitness isn’t unsympathetic to the needs of the PNC villages…but Jeez! – can’t the largess be spread around a bit more equitably? And it’s not that those villages have not been helped before. Take Buxton. Wasn’t it helped during the 28 years of PNC rule, 1964-1992? Then, in 2003, wasn’t it one of the “depressed” villages helped out by the Hoyte/Jagdeo 2002 dialogue? And in 2010, didn’t the PPP clear canals, clear 600 acres land, gave scholarships to the GSA, provide seeds, etc to farmers?

Shouldn’t all horses be led to water? …on crime CoIs During the troubles, there were a host of massacres, and not only the three frequently mentioned – Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek. If we go by the definition and account in an APNU 2013 column, “…the murder of four or more victims at one location within one event,” there were the 2002 Kitty Nathoo Bar (4 persons); the Feb 2006 Agricola-Eccles massacre (8 persons); April 2006 LBI massacre (4); Aug 2006 Bagotstown/Eccles (8). But the burning issue is: what’s behind these massacres!

So why did the PNC start with Lindo Creek, the last massacre? The one-man CoI said the mother of a Lindo Creek Massacre victim wrote a lette. Well, your Eyewitness salutes the mother, but he believes that for Justice to maintain her reputation of being blind (as in being impartial) she has to perform her mission according to objective criteria — and start at the beginning.

The CoIs should begin with the background that created the mindset to the commission of the massacres – the PNC post 1997 protests! …for City Hall Imagine, the Mandarins of City Hall want to seize a city playground to convert into an exclusive housing compound for themselves, and the citizens of Georgetown aren’t storming the barricades.

So venality is OK when it’s our own?

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Priyanka Chopra on relationship status: I’m currently single

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here is no stopping our very own global sensation Priyanka Chopra. She became a household name abroad with her stellar act as Alex Parrish in Quantico and wowed fans even more in the hit franchise Baywatch. With two more Hollywood films in her kitty currently, her transition from Bollywood to Hollywood has been nothing but smooth.

In a recent interview with Filmfare, the usually tight-lipped actor opened up about her relationship status. And not just that, she even accepted be-

ing in a very committed relationship in the past year. Here’s what she said, “Right now, I’m single. Of course, I’ve been double ya! What do you think I’m a saint? But recently, I’ve been single.

Let’s just say that! I’ve been single after a really really long time. I get a lot of attention. But I don’t know what to do with it. Of course, I like it. I’m a girl and I’m vain.”

Also, when the Baywatch actor was asked if she dated anyone in America, the actor responded in the affirmative.

She also specified that it wasn’t any of her Quantico co-stars because all of them are married. And on being further probed if she found anyone interesting in the past year, Priyanka said, “No, I haven’t. I’m a serial monogamist.

I was in a very committed relationship.

But since almost a year, I’ve been single. I’ve met a bunch of people. I’ve gone out with people. I let someone woo me but no… My mind hasn’t exploded, not yet!”

On the work front, apart from A Kid Like Jake and Isn’t It Romantic?, Priyanka has been bankrolling regional films with her home production Purple Pebble Pictures. The actor is also in between choosing scripts for her come back to Bollywood. (Indian Express)

F

ilmmaker Ram Gopal Varma says that India will become as powerful as America when superstar Rajinikanth becomes the Prime Minister of the country. “In the context of India’s position in entire world of some 200 countries only when Rajinikanth becomes the PM of India is when India will become America by actually rising from 2.zero to 200. zero,” Varma tweeted on Monday night.

On December 31, 2017, Rajinikanth had announced his plans to float a political party and follow spiritual politics. The actor had earlier said his party would contest for all the 232 assembly seats in the state.

The actor said he was entering the arena as politics and governance in Tamil Nandu had turned so bad that the state has become a laughing stock.

He said it was time to “change the government, change the system”.

“I did not have political ambitions

when I was 45, so will I have it when I’m 68? I am not doing this for any post.

I do not come for money or fame, as I have enough of it. But the politics has become so bad that rest of the world is laughing at us,” Rajinikanth said at a fans meet-and-greet in Chennai recently.

On the work front, Rajinikanth is looking forward for the release of his magnum opus 2.0, which would mark Akshay Kumar’s debut in South film industry. While Ram Gopal Varma just finished working with American porn star Mia Malkova for God, Sex and Truth. RGV was even booked for obscenity for the film, on a complaint by a social activist in January.

A case under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 was booked against him for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form. (Indian Express)

Deepika Padukone receives Failure keeps you a gift from Rekha grounded: Kriti Sanon

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ctor Kriti Sanon says ups and downs in career gives you reality check and keeps you grounded. “I think when you go through a failure, you also realize the value of success and it also somewhere keeps you grounded. It also gives you a reality check — that there are going to be ups and downs in life and it’s not going to be smooth always; but as long as you’re doing what you believe in, you’re doing things for a right reason. I’m taking up a film because I genuinely love it or genuinely want to work with those people, or I love the character — as long as I’m true to that, it doesn’t matter.

“I feel successes and failures are easily forgotten and you move out of it… what you learn in the process is much more important,” added the actor, whose films Dilwale and Raabta did not do great business at the box-office, but whose “Barelli Ki Barfi” was a roaring success.

“There are too many people around who will try to pull you down. Who will try to discourage you and tell you it’s too big a dream and you can’t do it… but I think you need to have a filter and constantly remind yourself how much you love doing what you do so that you never give up on hope,” she said.

Talking about the hurdles that she

A

ctor-TV personality Maniesh Paul says he doesn’t feel he has been stereotyped in the comic zone in showbiz. “I don’t think so that people have slotted me in the comic category. I am getting different kind of films like Baa Baaa Black Sheep, my next film. It’s not just a comedy, it is a thriller.

faced in making it big in the industry, she said the main thing was the “mental hurdle”.

“It was all about insecurities… about having a safe career. And me being a good student and all… to leave the job offers and go into an industry which was so uncertain, where so many people are trying out their luck,” said Kriti.

“So, I guess the first hurdle was to believe in myself; that I could do it and I really wanted to do it. While I was modelling and doing TV commercials, I realized that I could act and that I enjoyed doing that. So, I wanted to give it a chance and go ahead with what my heart wanted to do. I think it’s very important to enjoy what you’re doing and ensure you invest in your talent because when you are happy doing what you do, you give it a lot more and you gain a lot more from it,” said Kriti.

(Indian Express)

“I am doing a lot of action in that. So people are giving me different kind of work and yes, I think till now I am doing decent in that,” Maniesh told IANS in a recorded response. He

D

eepika Padukone is on cloud nine post the success of her recent film Padmaavat. She has been thanking her fans and contemporaries who supported her throughout the controversies the film had faced.

Now, Deepika is over the moon as she has received a personal note and a gorgeous saree from veteran actor Rekha.

A source close to Deepika shares, “Deepika was elated to receive a handwritten note along with a gift from Rekhaji. It was a heart touching letter from the veteran actress who expressed her awe and appreciation towards Deepika’s performance in Padmaavat.”

This is not the first time that Deepika has received a token of love and appreciation from Rekha. Earlier too, Deepika was gifted with a gor-

has earlier featured in films like Mickey Virus and Tere Bin Laden 2, which got a lukewarm response at the box office.

Asked if it bothers him, Maniesh said, “I d o n ’ t

geous silk saree after the release of Bajirao Mastani. In fact, at her childhood friend wedding, she had worn the same saree and turned heads for looking absolutely gorgeous.

Talking about the film, Deepika said in an interview, “For me, it is the success of womanhood in so many different ways. The film is also a celebration of the fact that this is the most expensive Indian film ever been made with a female protagonist. I view that as a victory. Not just for myself but for women in films.”

“In many ways, the film is a turning point in my career and yet I was willing to put that on hold to address a much larger issue…,” she continued.

(Indian Express)

only believe in box office success. I am an entertainer, and whatever comes my way, I give my 100 per cent. All I want is that people should love my films.”

Maniesh Paul recently appeared in a single released

by T-series alongside Salman Khan’s alleged girlfriend Iulia Vantur. The song titled Harjai

has received a lot of appreciation from the entire industry as well the fans. He is also prepping up for his film Baa Baaa Black Sheep alongside Manjari Fannis and Anupam Kher. The comedy thriller film which is helmed by Vishwas Paandya is set to hit the screens on March 9, 2018.

(Indian Express)

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Hollywood 49

Getting too old for this: Jamie Dornan on ‘Fifty Shades’

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eality TV star Kylie Jenner has given birth to her first child. The 20-yearold star shared the news with her fans on Instagram and said her “beautiful and healthy baby girl” was born on February 1. Kylie did not publicly identify the baby’s father. She is currently in a relationship with rapper Travis Scott. “I’m sorry for keeping you in the dark through all the assumptions. I understand you’re used to me bringing you along on all my journeys.

My pregnancy was one I chose not to do in front of the world,” Kylie posted.

“I knew for myself I needed to prepare for this role of a lifetime in the most positive, stress free, and healthy way I knew how. There was no gotcha moment, no big paid reveal I had planned. I knew my baby would feel every stress and every emotion so I chose to do it this way for my little life

and our happiness,” she added.

Kylie also said the phase of her pregnancy was “the most beautiful, empowering and life-changing experience” for her. “Pregnancy has been the most beautiful, empowering, and life changing experience I’ve had in my entire life and I’m actually going to miss it.

“I appreciate my friends and especially my family for helping me make this special moment as private as we could. My beautiful and healthy baby girl arrived February 1st and I just couldn’t wait to share this blessing.

I’ve never felt love and happiness like this, I could burst! Thank you for understanding,” she added.

Kylie has been dating Scott since earlier this year after splitting from her on-again, off-again boyfriend Tyga in April. (Indian Express)

DC’s ‘Shazam’ goes on floors, reveals synopsis

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amie Dornan has said he is getting “too old” for the Fifty Shades franchise.

The 35-year-old actor, who plays billionaire BDSM addict in the film based on the popular book series of the same name by E L James, told Lorraine Kelly on her show that the third film would be the “last one”, E! News reported.

“I don’t think there’s any…I mean there’s no other books. (E L James) wrote the first two books again from Christian’s perspective, but I guess we’ve already seen…

We’ve done those films, the same story, so they won’t do that again.

Unless Erica keeps writing, but Dakota (Johnson) and I are… Particularly me, I’m gettin’ too old for… For this,” Dornan said.

The actor said he likes how his character has grown over the course of time. “I think I like him more now than I did in the first movie. I think

he’s gone through quite a big change in his way and how he is with people.

He’s opened up a lot

by Anna and I think he’s just a better version of himself,” Dornan said.

The film directed by James Foley

also has actors Rita Ora, Marcia Gay Harden, Luke Grimes, Victor Rasuk and Jennifer Ehle, among others, reprising their roles. It is set to release on February 9, few days ahead of Valentine’s Day 2018. (Indian Express)

It’s not your average sweetheart story: Lupita Nyong’o on her character’s relationship with Black Panther

A

fter all that DC’s Extended Universe has gone through, the upcoming movie slate does sound good to the ears.

After Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa, Shazam will hit theaters in the summer of 2019. It appears that the film is already in production and even the official synopsis has been revealed.

Shazam is directed by David Sandberg, who is better known for his horror movies.

Shazam is about a child who can get superpowers by just shouting Shazam! after which he turns into an adult superhero, though his mind stays that of a child. This adolescent mind inside an adult frame can create lots of comedy as you can probably guess. The titular character will be played by Zachary Levi, who is also known for doing lots of comedy in films and TV shows.

DCEU has been criticised for being too dark as compared to the lighter Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Wonder Woman and now Justice League are the only films that had an optimistic tone.

But it seems Warner Bros (the film is being produced by New Line Cinema, an arm of Warner Bros, and not directly it) has their answer to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor: Ragnarok.

The official synopsis of the film says, “We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson’s (Angel) case, by shouting out one word—SHAZAM!—this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult Super Hero Shazam (Levi), courtesy of an ancient wizard.

Still a kid at heart—inside a ripped, godlike body—Shazam revels in this adult version of himself by doing what any teen would do with superpowers: have fun with them! Can he fly?

Does he have X-ray vision? Can he shoot lightning out of his hands?

Can he skip his social studies test?

Shazam sets out to test the limits of his abilities with the joyful recklessness of a child.

But he’ll need to master these powers quickly in order to fight the deadly forces of evil controlled

by Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Strong).”

Shazam is set for an April 5, 2019 release.

(Indian Express)

Mark Ruffalo aka Hulk hints at ‘final exit’ after Avengers Infinity War

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couple of days ago, Hollywood actor Mark Rufallo wrote on Twitter about his “final exit” while captioning a photo of him on his last day on Avengers: Infinity War film set. Does it mean it really will be his last movie in Marvel Cinematic Universe? Or he is just dissembling?

Although untitled Avengers 4 movie will not be the last Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, it will be the end of

the narrative that began with Iron Man in 2008. After that we may see either a full reboot or a new Avengers ensemble made up of new and younger superheroes like Black Panther and Spider-man. The latter seems more likely, since Black Panther and Spiderman franchises have just started and it would not make sense to just dump them.

The acquisition of Fox by Disney

B

lack Panther is on the verge of its release and to promote the much-awaited film, Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o and Michael B Jordan along with director Ryan Coogler are in Seoul for the Black Panther Asia Premiere. Actor Lupita Nyong’o plays Nakia in the film who is T’Challa’s trusted ally and love interest in the film.

T’Challa and Nakia’s relationship is nothing ordinary, in fact, it is quite far away from the stereotypical love story.

Lupita spoke about her character and said, “I think what makes her unique is she has a very quiet sense of power. The fact that she’s a spy means she has to be subtle and to have an impact without necessarily pulling attention and she has special relationship with

T’Challa.”

After the events of Captain America: Civil War, T’Challa is all set to be the King of Wakanda and in this time Nakia’s counsel and support prove quite useful for his character. Lupita further said, “What I love about their relationship is that it’s not your average sweetheart story, damsel in distress, they have a history. The fact that she’s a reliable ear for him and gives him counsel in a way that he appreciates and values. I think that’s what makes Nakia and her relationship with T’Challa so refreshing.”

Apart from Nakia, T’Challa trusted team also includes his sister Shuri played by Letitia Wright and Okoye played by Danai Gurira. (Indian Express)

too has complicated things. Disney now owns X-Men and Fantastic Four characters. Hugh Jackman, after denying that he will don the adamantium claws of Wolverine, has hinted that he is contemplating the role again after Logan. The deal has not been finalised yet, and it is unlikely that we will see Avengers and X-Men rubbing shoulders anytime soon. And we do know at least one major character will die

in Infinity War. Will it be Hulk? Hulk may be a powerhouse with almost limitless strength, but Thanos is known to destroy entire planets through a flick of his fingers. And with more and more Infinity Stones in his Infinity Gauntlet, he is nigh invincible. He can kill Hulk pretty easily.

But if Hulk was going to die, would Mark Ruffalo reveal it in a Tweet? Was it carelessness or just a way to throw people off his trail? Hulk has not been included in most of the lists of superheroes likely to die in the upcoming film, so his death may come as a huge surprise. And not a pleasant one. The character saw depth and development it deserved only in the last MCU film Thor: Ragnarok, so it will be all the more tragic for him to die before a proper closure. (Indian Express)

50 sport

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Fitzgerald sweeps National Darts championships

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Oval to host historic 'pink ball' Test

Sudesh Fitzgerald takes aim during the final day of the championships on Sunday at Duke Lodge

udesh Fitzgerald continues to be the prized asset of local darts as he won his tenth National title when the Guyana Darts Association (GDA) concluded the 2018 championships at Duke Lodge, Kingston on Sunday.

The left-handed thrower, swept the individual awards and even played a handy role in his Better Hope Champs dominance of the team event.

His list of accolades in the three-day event ranged from, singles champion, men’s doubles, most 180’s, highest check out (170 points), most hundreds (76), shortest game (11 Darts) which essentially catapulted him to the most

valuable player title. His compatriots in the team event were Anthony Bissondyal, Andrew Balchand, Hemwantie Amyan, while GT Falcons comprising of Dr Terence Joseph, Victorine Chandro, Shondel Hyles, Nicholas DeCares and Nicholas Young came second followed by Bank of Guyana’s Adrian Damon, Melissa Smartt, Fidel Hunter and Sean Fenty.

Fitzgerald’s teammate in the mixed doubles where they brought third was Hemwantie Amyan.

However, Amyan was the female MVP and female singles champion; second was Rosetta Hiralall third place Melissa Smartt.

GDA President Sheik

Yaseen disclosed the championships were well run and it gave the association a look at possible players to represent the country at this year’s Caribbean championships which will be held in Trinidad and Tobago during the month of July. Fitzgerald who is South American champion will also look to defend his Caribbean title at that event.

Yaseen also expressed immense appreciation to Duke Lodge who gave them occupancy for event free of cost and the support of Kalayan Construction Company, Millennium Manor Hotel, Rubis and Trophy Stall.

K

ensington Oval will host the Caribbean's first ever day-night Test when West Indies host Sri Lanka in the final Test of the threematch series at the historic venue, Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed.

West Indies have already played two day-night Tests, also widely referred to as “pink-ball Tests”, but are yet to play one at home.

The Caribbean side have featured in two of eight such matches – the first against Pakistan in Dubai 16 months ago and the second against England last August at Edgbaston.

Sri Lanka will open the May 30 to

June 27 tour with a two-day tour match in Trinidad before clashing with the Windies in the opening Test at Queen's Park Oval starting June 6.

However, the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia, originally scheduled to stage the final Test, will now host the second match starting June 14.

The Oval will now host the final match of the series.

Sri Lanka have toured the Caribbean three times but have never played a Test at the Bridgetown venue.

(CMC)

IPL-style T20 League in Sri Lanka slated for 2018

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ri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that an IPLstyle T20 tournament in Sri Lanka is in the offing, with the board stating that plans are also underway to resurrect the Sri Lankan Premier League later this year.

SLC, meanwhile, is looking at next month's Nidahas Trophy as a testing ground of sorts for maximising Sri Lankan cricket's international exposure, ahead of the launch of any domestic T20 league.

"We believe we have the best package, we've got the best formula, we've got the best position to present the next Lankan premier league," SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala said. "The Nidahas Trophy is going to give us that platform, the The Nidahas Trophy is going to give us the place where we have never ever seen our country's cricket being positioned in the global market."

The Nidahas Trophy, which is being held to commemorate Sri Lanka's 70th year of independence, will see Bangladesh and India take part alongside Sri Lanka in a T20 tri-series from March 6 to 18.

As the tournament is outside of ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP), for the first time since 2004 SLC have indepen-

Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala (ESPNCricinfo/ Getty Images photo)

dently negotiated media and broadcasting rights.

The series is expected to be broadcast in over 150 countries both terrestrially and digitally, resulting in the largest ever viewership for a tournament hosted by the SLC. DSports and Channel 9 have been granted broadcasting and media rights for India and Bangladesh respectively, while ITW will be streaming the tournament live online to 150 countries.

"Digital markets have never been exploited by Sri Lanka before, but now we have secured the digital rights separately," Sumathipala said. "So we are getting worldwide, worldclass platforms, taking Sri Lankan cricket into your mobile phone, into your home, in an unprecedented network of expansion.

"The territories and areas that we're going

with this tournament we have never ever been to before. This tournament will be viewed, listened, and read by more than any tournament ever held in Sri Lanka.

This tournament is going to have a huge presence globally, and as a result of that you will see more and more people will want to be partnering Sri Lankan Cricket in years to come."

Aiding SLC in this endeavour is sports marketing agency Lagard re Sports Asia, who, according to talks within the executive committee of SLC, may be retained for offering their services for any proposed Sri Lankan Premier League.

"We're in discussions at the moment, but our matter in hand at the moment is the Nidahas Trophy, which we still have several aspects to finalise," Sumathipala said. (ESPNCricinfo)

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Ninvalle optimistic of boxing’s presence at 2020 Olympics

By Akeem Greene

G

uyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle is on the positive side of the fence as it relates to the lifeline of boxing at the Olympic Game and particularly the 2 0 2 0 Games scheduled for Tokyo.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle “If you are askgious Games stems from ing me if I think boxing an online article appearwill not be included I ing on Sunday. According would say no, I don’t see to an article published by it not being a part of the Reuters, “Boxing could Games; I am very opti- be knocked out of the mistic this issue would 2020 Tokyo Games if the be rectified through rig- International Olympic orous work by both par- Committee (IOC) is not ties and a compromise satisfied problems with will meet,” Ninvalle the sport’s finances and told Guyana Times governance are sortInternational Sport on ed out, IOC President Monday.

Thomas Bach warned.”

The questions surHowever, accordrounding the sport’s ing to Ninvalle the ispresence at the presti- sue is not alone based on

the finically instability of International Boxing Association (AIBA) but the fact that the IOC wants the association to once again reduce the number of male divisions and increase the female.

“IOC has been asking among other things for AIBA to reduce the amount of male divisions and increase the amount of female, the entire congress has no problem with the increase in female division but rather decrease in male divisions,” the AIBA Executive Member explained.

The sport of boxing has been at the Olympic Games since 1912 but now finds itself in a predicament heading into the 2020 Games He added, “We would decrease divisions a couple years ago; I think two of the divisions that

The sport of boxing has been at the Olympic Games since 1912, but now finds itself in a predicament heading into the 2020 Games

were being considered to be removed were 49 kg and 52 kg and if those come out it means that [Keevin Allicock] one of our best prospects for I Olympic medal would not make it.”

Boxing has been contested at every Summer Olympic Games since its introduction to the programme at the 1904 Summer Olympics, except for the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm because Swedish law banned the sport at that time. The 2008 Summer Olympics were the fi-

nal games with boxing as a male only event.

Since the 2012 Summer Olympics women’s boxing is part of the programme.

With the strong history of strength for male boxing, IOC’s request has been meet with strong opposition.

“Out of the 109 countries present at Congress [held January in Dubai] it was a unanimous decision not to remove the categories.”

He continued, “We signalled to the IOC, we are willing to com-

promise and bring some parity as it relates to the male and female divisions; female boxing only became and Olympic spot in 2012 and it would be hard to bring it in line with the males who have been since the early 1900s.”

The GBA boss further highlighted the population of female boxers are quite small especially in the Caribbean but they will attempt through discourse to find a compromise.

Magnum ‘Mash Cup’ futsal

Top teams continue to dominate S

everal of the country’s futsal teams continued to make their mark in the inaugural Magnum ‘Mash Cup’ Futsal tournament being held at the National Gymnasium.

Tuesday’s second night of action saw the usual suspects etch their names on the score sheet paving the way for some battling victories.

Linden unit Swag Entertainment dished out a 5-1 route on Albouystown ‘A’ led by Shane Luckie’s hat-trick via gaols in the 4th, 5th and 17th; support came from Romel Matthews (12th) and Colwyn Drakes (16th) while Malachi Nelson (19th) was the lone marksman for the opposition.

Showstoppers edged Sophia in a seven goal thriller. Trayon Bobb’s brace was more impacting than Sophia’s Akeem Jaikissoon double. Bobb netted in the 6th and 10th while Jaikissoon converted in the 12th and 19th but West Demerara Showstoppers had support from Dexroy Adams (2nd) and Delon Lanferman (11th) which made the difference since only Dwayne Lowe offered any other sparks of glory for Sophia with a 7th minute conversion.

Meanwhile, the match of the night between Linden’s NK Ballers and Leopold Street was too tight to decide a winner,

The Back Circle and MBK All-Stars match only had one goal but, it was non-stop action between the two sides at the National Gymnasium on Tuesday evening

ending 2-2. Ballers early surge was led by veteran Rawle ‘Boney Man’ Gittens with goals in the 4th and 5th. His efforts were undone by equalisers from Okeene Fraser (10th) and Omallo Williams (15th).

In another closely fought match, Stephon McLean 14th minute goal made the difference for Back Circle in their clash with MBK Allstars while Albouystown ‘B’ got the better of Broad Street winning 2-0; Sean Turney (1st)

and Sherwin Fordyce (4th) were on the mark.

Ol Skool Ballers edged New Market Street 2-1 due to strikes from Ronell Roberts(10th) and Fabian Crawford (18th); Orlando Ricketts (3rd) scored for the losers.

North East La Penitence and Alexander Village could not get ahead of each other ending 1-1. Shem Porter scored for the village unit in the 10th while Alwyn Porter equalized in the 17th.

Kingston and Buxton

Diamond also played to 2-2 score since Delon Wright’s double (1st & 11th) was levelled by Simon Emmanuel (6th) and Nigel Denny (14th).

Future Stars won via walkover from Champion Boys.

Over G$800,000 in prize monies and trophies are up for grabs in the tournament which is being held in collaboration with Legacy Entertainment.

The winning team will receive G$400,000 while first runner-up will col-

lect G$200,000, the third place finisher will pocket G$100,000 and fourth place G$50,000.

Action continues this evening from 19:00 hrs with Ol Skool Ballers playing Rugby Team followed by Albouystown ‘B’ and MBK All-stars.

Silver Bullets then clash Buxton Diamond and Tiger Bay against Alexander Village followed by Swag Entertainment and YMCA All-stars.

North East will come up against Hustlers

while Nk Ballers battle Mocha after which Channel 9 Warriors will be engaged with Champion Boys. Future Stars then face ANSA McAL All-stars and Sparta Boss in action with Kingston.

The final four matches pit Back Circle with Broad Street, Gold Is Money against New Market Street followed

by Leopold Street and California Square and the final encounter being Bent Street versus Albouystown ‘A’.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

CPL Player Draft set Western for March 1 in London Tigers on the hunt for Elite League glory

Rafael Edwards (centre); Andre Murray Jr and another teammate engaged in intense drills at Tuesday’s training session

By Akeem Greene

H

The 2017 Player Draft took place at the Lone Star Hotel in Barbados after which CPL staff and officials from the six franchise teams captured the moment (John Ramsingh photo)

ero Caribbean Premier League has confirmed that the highly anticipated Player Draft will take place on Thursday March 1. This will be when the six franchises will select their lineups for the sixth edition of the tournament which will take place between August 8 and

September 16 this year.

As ever, the Hero CPL will have the best cricketers taking part in the tournament, from around the world as well as from across the Caribbean. The window for this year’s event means that there are no West Indies fixtures that clash with the Hero CPL so the

very best West Indian players will be available for selection.

This year the draft will take place in London, which is a reflection of the global nature of the tournament. With owners and sponsors from around the world investing in the Hero CPL and the Caribbean as a whole

having the draft in London helps from a logistics point of view and helps sell the region to a global audience.

Speaking about the upcoming draft Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of Hero CPL, said: “Our draft is such an important date in the Hero CPL calendar. It is when we get to find out who will be coming to join the ‘Biggest Party in Sport.’ We know that the quality of players that we have coming to this year’s tournament will generate a huge amount of excitement.

“While the Hero CPL is about bringing the Carnival atmosphere to cricket, the quality of the sport on display is just as important. The world-class cricketers that will be selected on March 1 are what make the cricket at Hero CPL so special.”

This year marks the first time that this very important aspect of the Hero Caribbean Premier League will be hosted outside of the Caribbean. In 2017, the Player Draft took place at the Lone Star Hotel on the West Coast of Barbados in a carnivallike atmosphere right next to the beach.

In 2017, the Guyana Amazon Warriors acquired the services of 18-year old Afghanistan leg spinning sensation Rashid Khan who had an impact in his debut season.

Trinbago Knight Riders are the defending champions after beating first-time finalists St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the 2017 final at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy which hosted CPL matches for the first time last year.

W

ith four new acquisitions and two inactive players set to turn the switch, Western Tigers Football Club are setting their sights on winning the third season of the Guyana Football Federation Elite League.

At the January Transfer window they roped-in the talented quartet of Daniel Wilson, Quason McAulay, Anthony Sancho and Rafael Edwards.

More so, star players Hubert Pedro and Devon Millington are set to resume duties after their absence for the first two matches and add to the likes of Collin Nelson, Cleon Forrester, Linden Picket, Randolph Wagner and Andrew Murray Jnr. Now with a fountain of some of the country’s best players, Head Coach Calvin Allen firmly believes the only thing to measure their success is on winning the league in their first year.

“We are aiming to win the tournament; I know it’s our first year but there is nothing wrong with ambitions, we are looking pass the top two and we are looking to come out as champions. We have a very strong squad from the inception and we proved that in the [Georgetown Football] Association Leagues and tournaments; with the addition of these players I don’t think we have any excuse but to go for it”, he revealed to Guyana Times International Sport on Tuesday at their adopted training area in Rasville.

The West Ruimveldt unit, currently sit fifth on the 10-team points table with four points from two matches and with nerves now settled, Allen believes the players must show the desire to do well from the “get go”.

“Judging from our first match against Guyana Defence Force we were a bit timid in the first 25 minutes but after that we flowed well.

From that aspect it is just to get the guys going from the get go and the match against Milerock we saw some improvements”.

Reflecting on his signings, Allen felt they are top quality but still missed on signing other key players but for now he will focus on building the team chemistry.

Regarding having to train next to busy the Mandela Avenue with the balls constantly rolling into the bustling traffic’s path, the coach vented it was far from ideal given they cannot get to do training with field goals but said it has to suffice since their ground is in dire need of rehabilitation, an issue which the club’s Executives are trying to address.

Getting the job done

Wilson, a Golden Jaguars International and former Alpha United player explained he was as happy to return from Suriname club Nishan FC and use his exploits to help Tigers achieve championship glory.

Can they achieve their coach’s aspirations?

According to 24 year-old, they certainly can.

“We have what it takes, the players have all it that it takes but we have to come out and show it and not just talk it. I wanted to play some football back home and bring glory to Western Tigers; I’m here to listen and execute”.

With a 1-1 score line against Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and then a 2-1 victory over Linden’s Milerock, Tigers are scheduled to play their third match against the star-studded Fruta Conquerors on February 16 at GDF Ground, Camp Ayanganna.

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