Guyana Times International 6-DEC-19

INTERNATIONAL THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Page 54

Guyana’s Akshay Homraj set to make ODI debut for USA in Dubai

Decision to recall Ambassadors will be reviewed - former AG

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 8, 2019

ISSUE NO. 477

See story on page 3

Guyana on show in Washington DC

Guyana’s culture, tourism and other products are currently on display at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Centerin Washington DC. The event dubbed ‘Winternational’ is an exciting celebration showcasing the cultural and culinary traditions of Washington’s diplomatic community. The festival features a bustling global marketplace with more than 50 embassies promoting their countries through vibrant and interactive displays of visual art, food, handcrafts as well as travel and tourism. (Photo

by Guyana Embassy in Washington DC)

Guyana named one of the go-to Guyana’s sugar workers places for 2020 down tools over Page 5

….direct AA and JetBlue flights from New York to G/town seen as added incentives

increase in wages

See story on page 10

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Decision to recall Ambassadors will be reviewed - former AG F

o l l o w i n g Government’s announcement that it would be recalling Ambassadors from overseas who it claims have overstayed their time, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall has reminded that because of its illegal status, the Government has no authority to make such decisions.

Nandlall, when contacted, informed Guyana Times International said that the Government was supposed to act as a caretaker Government and announce a date for elections, up until September 19.

“It was a Caretaker Government from the time the No-Confidence Motion was passed, that is, from the 21st December 2018 to three months immediately succeeding that time,

Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Karen Cummings

that is, on or about the 20th March 2019, when elections were to be held under Article 106 (6) of the Constitution.”

“Then the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in its consequential orders delivered on the 12th July 2019, in the No-Confidence Motion

cases, indicated that that litigation placed the constitutional clock on pause, in relation to the three months within which elections shall be held consequent upon the passage of the NoConfidence Motion, as mandated by Article 106 (6) of the Constitution.”

Nandlall referred to the CCJ’s act of referring to a three months’ grace period for Government to hold elections as “judicial benevolence”, but made it clear that the three months’ period has elapsed.

“The first minute into the 19th September 2019, this Government became absolutely illegal, unconstitutional and unlawful. From that moment, it ceased to govern by virtue of constitutional authority.”

“Consequently, every decision and appointment made, every contract signed and awarded and every cent of taxpayers’ dollars spent are illegal, unconstitutional and unlawful.

Even monies budgeted for; they have no authority to spend because those monies were budgeted in accordance with

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

the Constitution to be spent by a Government recognised by the Constitution.”

Nandlall noted that at some point in time, all these decisions that were made including the decision to recall the unnamed Ambassadors from their overseas mis-

sions, will have to be reviewed.

“This is a unit masquerading as a lawful Government and at some point in time, these decisions that are being made, contracts that are being awarded and monies that are being spent, continued on page 7

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

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

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

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

EDITORIAL

The PPP Manifesto

T

he PPP launched what they described as their “mini-manifesto” last Friday. Some may be wondering why the Opposition party would “show its hand so early in the game”, since elections are three months away and the governing PNC-led coalition might be able to “counter” their proposals. But what the PPP has done is to demonstrate very clearly that they do not consider the future of Guyana as a “game” that should be subjected to political oneupmanship.

They are a party that was in power for 23 years, during which the policies outlined in their manifestos were deployed strategically to not only remove Guyana from the stigma of being dubbed a “Highly Indebted Poor Country” but to actually elevate it into the ranks of the “Upper Middle Income Countries”. The visionary “Low Carbon Development Strategy” (LCDS) formulated by then President Bharat Jagdeo, earned Guyana world acclaim for its path-breaking synthesis of eco-friendly initiatives to move Guyana further up the developmental ladder. It demonstrated to the world that “a country could have its environment and eat it too”.

So, we should not be surprised that in is mini-manifesto, the PPP announced, “We will reinstitute the LCDS to help achieve prosperity for our people by deploying earnings from forest climate services to diversify the economy and create more jobs and opportunities utilizing a non-carbon intensive pathway.”

On the other hand, in 2015, the PNC-led coalition implicitly accepted the low carbon pathway but small-mindedly named it a “Green Strategy for Development” while excising one of the major “green” planks that was embedded in the LCDS. This was the “Amalia Falls Hydro-Electric Project” (AFHEP) that was praised by Norway for being the most viable power solution for Guyana and had committed US$80m towards its funding. AFHEP would have addressed the major constraint to the industrialization of Guyana and moving it away from being a primary product price taker: cheap, reliable electricity.

As the manifesto explained: “Energy is key for the economic growth of Guyana and for an improved quality of life for all Guyanese.

The PPP/C is committed to providing affordable, stable and reliable energy to benefit both households and businesses. We will implement a program with an energy-mix that includes hydropower, solar and wind, which will lead to more than 400 Megawatts of newly-installed capacity for residential and commercial-industrial users.” Unlike the PNC that promised “jobs” in 2015, but actually cut 30,000 jobs, the PPP understands that governments must provide the environment for job creation. In a modern, globalized world this means providing cheap electricity for value added jobs.

As such, with the PPP’s articulation of its policies on electricity generation, we can be sure they will fulfill it expeditiously with oil revenues in the offing since they had already taken AFHEP to a point of launching before it was torpedoed by a vindictive APNU and AFC that held a 33-seat majority in the National Assembly during the Donald Ramotar presidency. More concretely they promised in this area: “The PPP/C is committed to implementing the following policy measures: ● Complete the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, moving towards clean, reliable, affordable power supply. ● Produce in excess of 200 MW in the interim, from natural gas. ● Invest in solar and wind systems for off-grid areas. ● Expand the Hinterland Electrification Programme. ● Replace and upgrade solar panels in the hinterland. ● Take urgent action to improve and upgrade the national grid (transmission and distribution).

Develop micro grids for large hinterland villages.”

While the PPP’s manifesto is extremely detailed, with timelines provided, we have used the above examples to illustrate the overarching vision of their development strategy rests on a solid foundation of their achievements in their first 23 years at the helm.

The PNC’s boast of “infrastructural development” - the EC and WC highways, the Mandela/Sheriff St bypass - the CJIA, and the stillborn new Demerara Harbour Bridge - were all PPP’s babies.

There were all PPP conceived projects.

US Ambassador to Guyana Saran Ann Lynch met with students and faculty staff from the University of Guyana and Alcorn State University of Alcorn, Mississippi as they shared plans for future partnership between the two institutions. (US Embassy photo)

Too much lawlessness in Guyana Dear Editor, During the past week, there's been a series of events that took place, and it raises many people's eyebrows.

There's been more than one deadly accident occurring in two days. Is there a rush, or are the drivers just careless/ drunk? Even though there's Police presence all over, the mayhem still continues.

Careless accidents and causing death by dangerous driving attract some serious jail time, and drivers are still killing people on the road. Are they just desperate to get into jail? They could go there without killing innocent people, especially children.

Videos and allegations of school bullying have been circulating on social media for quite a while, but recently, the latest video circulating is of a male student physically assaulting a female student, both attending Richard Ishmael Secondary, based on the news reports from the various news agencies.

Now, our Education Minister has made a statement that has many people peeved at her, and they have launched an attack on her.

While I was attending school, there were many fights. I was even involved in a few, but none was with females, or I never witnessed a boy assaulting a girl in that manner.

Well, her statement has me scared for my children going to school, because she seems to condone what happened to the young lady, and her erroneous statement would only encourage more violence against the female gender!

For a minister to make a statement like that is very embarrassing, especially when Guyana is becoming popular with the oil discoveries and everyone has an interest.

Another video is circulating of females 'busing' down one another; and eventually a fight breaks out, which mani-

fests into a group fight. Sadly, mostly males could be heard in the background either encouraging or saying what they would do sexually to certain females in the scene.

What is really sad to see is that one of the females is seemingly pregnant, and between the crowd and fights, small children/child could be seen. The fight escalates to a point where two of the females ended up in what looks like a middle walk or small trench, and one of the fighters was attempting to drown the other, until another went to the rescue.

The situation could have ended up worse, and I am wondering if those involved would have been prepared to face the consequences?

Editor, the firing of the gun by the security guard at MovieTowne and the quick dismissal of the guard is highly commendable, but then we have to question the sanity of these young men who are given guns by security firms for people's protection. Are they capable of handling themselves properly should an event occur and there are patrons/shoppers around, especially if it's a crime?

Speaking to a few of these guards a couple of days ago at Regent Street, they informed me that they would be glad if someone or a set of persons decided to try robbing anywhere around. Their exact words were, “They don't have race or age; they would make them a strainer”.

Even though that might sound comforting to hear, it is also very scary, because criminals have no particular time when they commit a crime, and should they decide to commit a crime when the place is crowded, then we all would have to pray.

Since under the PPP's time, many security firms were established by private individuals for their own pro-

tection, and most of the security personnel were given a handgun, which they kept on their persons at all times, even if they are not working.

To date, that practice if still ongoing, and I am personally concerned because, as was demonstrated by the security at MovieTowne, they could get carried away and do something contrary.

Finally, Editor, we would see many videos from other countries that show scenarios similar to what is now flooding social media; and, quite frankly, I am under the impression that the overseas videos are motivating our locals to do the same. It's as if they are competing, which is very dangerous, and they have no regard for their actions at said time.

Some could clearly be seen looking to see if they are being filmed, and then starting to act up more.

Then we have cases wherein people are filming the Police when they are executing their duties. some have some serious attitudes towards the lawmen, that started here too.

The sad thing about it here is that these dunces here do not know the law, but they are trying to intimidate or provoke the Police to do something drastic.

What these people fail to understand is that things could get out of hand here, and they would not be given any satisfaction. in other developed countries, justice might be served there, but in Guyana, it's a different situation.

Guyana, stop! Look at where we are heading. All of this is happening because of our careless actions, and it is nothing to be proud of! We are going too fast. It cannot be that we are frustrated, I am wondering if the oil is already flying to our heads.

Yours respectfully, Sahadeo Bates

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana named one of the go-to places for 2020 ….direct AA and JetBlue flights from New York to G/town seen as added incentives

G

uyana has made this year’s Condé Nast Traveler’s list of 20 Best Places to go in 2020.

According to the December 2 publication, the list was compiled “by surveying the magazine’s well-travelled staff, and our hyper-connected network of writers based all over the world,” the Department of Public Information has reported.

It stated that while Guyana has been “under the radar” and “shielded

Rapids near the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development (DPI photo)

Surama resort (DPI photo)

from the masses,” this is about to change with the discovery of oil in 2015.

The country’s diverse population and the capital city’s rustic charm were noted, but it was the richness of its natural beauty that was felt to be a big draw for travellers.

“Venture out to Kaieteur Falls, the world’s largest single-drop waterfall.

At community-owned and-operated rain forest ecolodges in the interior, you might go days

before encountering another tourist,” the article related.

Recent additions to local tour packages were also highlighted, such as “a curry tour in Georgetown” or the opportunity learn more about the country’s centuries-old rum-making history on a tour through distilleries.

Direct American Airlines and JetBlue flights from New York to Georgetown were listed as added incentives for intrepid travellers.

Several criteria were used to determine the list with the objective being to assemble a list that was geographically diverse but with points of interest for every traveller.

Since 2016, Guyana has been gaining worldwide attention as a tourist destination and has received six tourism awards this year: The World’s #1 Best of Ecotourism and a Top 10 Sustainable Destination at ITB Berlin (March 219)

The world’s leading travel and trade show (March 2019) First Place – Welcome back to Nature Video at the Golden City Gate Awards (March 2019) Best in Sustainable Tourism at the LATA Achievement Awards (June 2019) Best in Destination Stewardship at the CTO’s Sustainable Tourism Awards Programme (August 2019) and The Silver – ‘Best of Adventure’ from

International Travel & Tourism Awards at the World Travel Market in London on November 5 2019.

Other destinations that made the Condé Nast list include Armenia, Brazil, Botswana Salt Plains, the Canary Islands, Dominica, Dubai, Okinawa Japan, Slovenia, Sri Lanka’s Southern Coast, Southeastern Australia, Southwest Michigan, and Tangier, Morocco, DPI reported.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

APNU/AFC seem unconcerned about the sufferings of sugar workers Dear Editor, The struggles of sugar workers to receive a raise in pay have continued to attract the attention of the nation and must have tugged at a few hearts as they become aware of the painful situation that exists.

Our Union has with regularity pointed out that the workers’ wages have not been improved since 2014 as the “good life” bunch has not seen it in their heart to grant them any increase in pay.

The GAWU has recognised and appreciates that there is some amount of sympathy for the workers to benefit from increased ratesof-pay, noting that the injustice that has been meted out to the workers has upset very many.

The situation has seen several officials of the Government and the governing parties mak-

ing statements recently to defend a situation which clearly cannot be convincingly defended.

We saw the AFC Treasurer and Mr Granger’s son-in-law, Dominic Gaskin, in the November 16 Stabroek News seeking to distance the Government by saying “I don’t think you can blame the Government if the Board of Directors does not see it fit to give their workers a raise…”.

We also saw on the same day, in Guyana Times, PNCR Chairperson Volda Lawrence reportedly having said: “…that the workers’ unions and GuySuCo would have to iron out any change in wages amongst themselves”. Again, seeking to distance the Government from the issue.

The distancing act continued when we saw Finance Minister Winston Jordan, accord-

ing to a November 20 Newsroom article, reportedly saying “any possibility of a pay increase for sugar workers, who have not seen an increase since the current Government came into office, must be dealt with the board of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)”.

But the Agriculture Minister took the cake.

Mr Holder is quoted in the November 21 Guyana Times as saying “[w]e would like GuySuCo to be able to benefit from the bonus public servants are benefitting from now, in terms of increases. But where will the funds come from?” Holder, whose days are numbered as his party has given up his Ministry, has effectively contradicted what his three colleagues told the media.

In effect, Holder is

saying that the Board is straight-jacketed. We hasten to remind that the Board was appointed by the Government and, therefore, must be guided by the Administration’s policy and stance.

Of course, we should note too that the editorial of the November 18 Stabroek News pointed out “…the Government has shown no willingness to assist even in a one-off payment to sugar workers whose pay has been cut by inflation over the period.” Clearly, as the Stabroek News and others, including GAWU, have pointed out, the Government has, if not anything, a moral obligation to alleviate the troubles faced by the workers who belong to a stateowned corporation.

But so far, the Government has remained essentially unmoved and stoic. Of

Respect for the Constitution is utmost

Dear Editor, Constitutional reform is the cause célèbre of new parties; and indeed, given the events since the 21st December 2018 No-confidence vote, I am inclined to agree with them. Where we differ is on how, why, and for the benefit of whom.

The PNC and the 'new' parties see reform of the Constitution as the work of a special corps of persons who know what is best for all Guyanese.

They would have a small, Government-dominated committee suggest changes, and implement these by way of a majority vote in the Legislature.

The PPP, who made 192 changes to the 1980 Constitution, in its newest manifesto, suggests there be a return to the process utilised for previous reforms, with civil society making up 50% of the committee, 25% Government, and 25%...; therefore, ceding the majority position in favour of a twenty-five percent say in the outcome.

I would go a step further and ask that a referendum be held and all the amendments be voted on individually, to determine the will of the people. I have grave doubts about Guyana's civil society and the voices that supposedly represent it.

The people of Guyana have to be consulted, and then involved directly in the approval process, be-

fore implementation via amendments.

The voices of 'Civil Society', with few exceptions, have been silent on the disdain showed

by David Granger for the Constitution of Guyana.

It took the issuance of a joint statement by the USA, UK, and the EU on 19th September 2019, to the effect that the Government had become illegal and was occupying office as a usurper, for many of them to acknowledge that Elections were past due, and that there was a constitutional crisis.

Some, such as Lincoln Lewis, still refuse to accept that Granger is heading an illegal administration, and is engaging in unlawful conduct daily. Given a chance, Guyana’s business class may be inclined to make self-serving changes in furtherance of cultural hegemony.

The 'new party' people are all concerned about manipulating the electoral process; reforming it to get a seat is an attractive prospect, and is easier than doing the hard work required to win the X of the voters next to their symbols. The new men are all about getting a seat in Parliament, based on perception rather than actual votes. These are visionless parties, whose best attribute is to criticise those who can think,

conceive, and execute development plans for the nation. The PNC and its APNU/AFC acolytes couldn’t care less about adherence to the present Constitution.

Cabinet meetings continue, it is business as usual; any reform from these folks would be to establish a one-party state, elections and election results be damned. Is this what people want?

The Death Penalty is an example where the will of the people and those who represent us in civil society and political organisations diverge. We, the people, are overwhelmingly in favour of the death penalty, the politicians avoid implementation because it can affect the nation's relationships with important partners; civil society members avoid it because it offends their elitist sensibilities. Any mention of the 'Death Penalty' cues the long-dormant voices of the GHRA, Red Thread, TIGI et al.

They are silent on David Granger's egregious transgressions, but are vocal on implementation of one of our laws. How dare the people want something that is enshrined in the Constitution?

‘Reform and remove!’ will be the cry.

Politicians need to stand up for the Guyanese right to set

our society’s needs first.

We are still dealing with barbarians within our walls, and they must be treated harshly.

We have in the current Government men who provided succour to bandits like Linden ‘Blackie’ London and Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins. we are not yet as civilised as other nations. To become ‘civilised’, we need to go through that process of enacting harsh laws and penalties until the criminal elements understand they will pay the ultimate price for their actions.

The PPP has stated it would look at serious reform in the area of inclusive governance. This is reflective of the will of the people. Wording will be crucial, as simple language ‘needing no gloss’ will not suffice post-Granger. The framers of amendments to the Constitution would need all the help they can get to eliminate wilful ignorance in interpretation.

Guyana needs leadership from younger people, who understand the concept of 'Rule of Law 'and who want a return to parliamentary democracy and respect for the Constitution as our supreme guide. Elections are on the 2nd of March 2020.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

course, their actions cannot be delinked from what was printed in the, so far, unreleased White Paper on the Future of the Sugar Industry in Guyana which is dated March 16, 2017. That paper which was, apparently, authored by the Ministry of Agriculture at page 4 says “most of the employees of GuySuCo are supporters of the Opposition political party, the People's Progressive Party (PPP)”.

The sentence is a clear and profound explanation of why the sugar workers are maligned and discriminated against by the Granger

clan. The Government has one sole consideration; that is, whether you are deemed a supporter or not. Remember, Mr Granger said in his interview with Kaieteur Radio recently that “the population of Guyana is not only confined to the sugar estates…” It is yet another clear indicator that the Government really hasn’t any compassion, care, or even concern for the travesty unfolding in the sugar belt.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary, GAWU

Many Guyanese believe the March 2020 elections will not be free and fair Dear Editor, There is no doubt that if the Americans require free and fair elections in Guyana we will have it. That is the sway the world’s most powerful nation hold over our dear old Guyana. For the record I have absolutely no problem with this except that such great power should be exercised for justice and fair play.

The Americans are sitting pretty. They have already secured the oil. As they did with Burhnam they could choose to turn a blind eye. Any indecision or indifference on the part of the Americans will be taken as tacit approval for PNC to execute its own nefarious plans.

The framework is already in place and their agents are standing by.

Guyana’s black gold is making international headlines. Oil companies are listed and stock prices are inextricably linked and move relative to noteworthy events such as the securing of concessions, exploration, discoveries and the monetization of oil fields. For the uninitiated, stock prices reflect, well in advance, the predictable fiscal outcomes of each activity or resource including inactive resources. Oil executives are able to leverage oil assets and their proposed actions with surgical precision. However, the stock market is also very fickle and stockholders could just as easily loose a fortune with the mere announcement that an oil company is corrupt or is engaged in corrupt

practices. It is usually the protracted investigations which take a toll on investor confidence which can make a company vulnerable. The business of oil therefore requires political stability and legitimacy which can only come from a functioning democracy.

In all fairness the Americans, in collaboration with the UK and the EU, issued a forceful statement to this Government, after if fell from office following the passage of the NCM in December 2018, to adhere to the constitution.

However, that was not enough. The Government has ignored the diplomatic community and with the help of GECOM and the Courts including the CCJ remains in office illegally nearly one year later in clear violation of the constitution.

Approximately half of all Guyanese including those in the diaspora are doubtful if the next elections will be free and fair.

It is a blatant injustice that our election machinery cannot be trusted but it is what it is. All eyes are now on the Americans.

Will they accept being rebuffed that their electoral intervention is not needed and send the message that the Government can do as it pleases or will they stand up like before for democracy and chaperone GECOM to deliver free and fair elections?

Their silence or action will make all the difference.

Sincerely, Ravi Ram

news 7

WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Adequate funds at GECOM’s disposal to hold elections – Commissioners I

t seems the Government really has little excuse for not dissolving Parliament as the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) itself has confirmed that it has enough funds for the holding of General and Regional Elections next year.

This was related by Commissioners from both the Government and the Opposition side on Tuesday and comes following claims by the Government that it has not dissolved Parliament yet, just in case GECOM needs additional funds.

Following the conclusion of the weekly statutory meeting, Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj was asked whether the Secretariat had enough funds for the holding of elections scheduled for March 2, 2020.

“As far as I am aware, yes. GECOM has G$8 billion at its disposal,” Gunraj said, though he could not say whether all the money has been released to them.

Government-nominated

Government Commissioners Desmond Trotman, Vincent Alexander and Charles Corbin

Commissioner Vincent Alexander also echoed his colleague, noting that the monies allocated for GECOM are enough to ensure it conducts elections.

“We do not have a problem with funding, as far as I know… If perchance we don’t have enough funds, I think we still have some time to approach Parliament,” Alexander informed the media. Meanwhile, Alexander also noted that GECOM has decided to grant an indefinite

Decision to recall... from page 3

will have to be reviewed, their legality or lack thereof examined and consequential legal actions taken,” he said.

The Ministry’s announcement that it would be recalling Ambassadors follows speculation on the reason for former Director General Audrey JardineWaddell’s removal from the post. The Ministry confirmed that indeed, Waddell has been removed and will be replaced by Charlene Phoenix as their first Permanent Secretary, with effect from December 2.

According to the Ministry, however, there are Ambassadors that have been serving for 20 years, when in fact their tenure is supposed to be 3 to 5 years.

The Ministry claimed that this has impeded the work of younger, up and coming foreign service officers and that the reshuffling was part of “promoting greater efficiency”.

A cursory check on the current Ambassadors’ residence

overseas revealed only a few Ambassadors with over a decade of service abroad. But the Foreign Affairs Ministry has not revealed the names of those Ambassadors who were targeted.

Questions have been raised as to whether there is more to the issue than the Ministry is letting on. For instance, there had been reports that Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Karen Cummings, was being undermined at the Ministry.

Those reports appeared shortly before word got out that Jardine-Waddell was being reassigned. However, it has also been alleged that the technical staff were being impeded from doing their job due to political interference.

Waddell’s reassignment also comes after reports in sections of the media that her contract was not renewed by the Government. When she was asked about these claims, however, Waddell had denied knowledge of such a development.

extension for the thousands of persons who have not picked up their identification cards, to do so. According to Alexander, only approximately 800 persons have collected their cards.

In September, President David Granger announced March 2, 2020, as the date for the hosting of the constitutionally-mandated General and Regional Elections; however, with time creeping up, he is yet to issue a proclamation to dissolve Parliament.

If elections are to be held on March 2, 2020, as announced, then President Granger would have had to dissolve Parliament by December 3, 2019. This is in keeping with Article 61 of the Constitution, which states that election of members of the National Assembly should be done

within three months after every dissolution of Parliament.

It has been almost one year after the successful passage of a motion of no-confidence against the A Partnership for National Unity /Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition government and the constitutionally-mandated General and Regional Elections are yet to be held.

This is despite the Constitution clearly outlining that elections were supposed to be held no later than 90 days after the motion was passed.

On Thursday last, Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, when asked about the dissolution of Parliament, said that would solely depend on the needs of GECOM. “In fact, we have said it is important that

GECOM gets all of the resources it needs to ensure that we have credible elections in March of 2020. So what I am saying is those issues will have to be dealt with before the Parliament is dissolved. I can’t say that Parliament is going to meet today, the next day or whatever but these are the matters that are under active consideration in the Cabinet and so that the dissolution of the National Assembly will be determined in principle measure by the need for GECOM to get the additional resources which it says it wants,” Harmon told the media, adding that there have been attempts to carry on committee business at Parliament.

Last month, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic

(PPP/C) will resume protest action if President David Granger does not dissolve Parliament come this month.

“When the time comes, he will have to dissolve. I’m just making sure that he understands one thing that December 2 is the day… He has to dissolve Parliament; he has to issue a proclamation. Let him delay that and we’ll resume protest because that’s part of the holding of elections – the dissolution of Parliament,” Jagdeo had noted.

Meanwhile, Gunraj also revealed that they met with representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Carter Center, the latter of whom he said is looking to provide assistance with electoral monitoring.

It had previously been said that GECOM had turned away offers of assistance from the UNDP. According to Gunraj, however, Chairperson of GECOM, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, is now reviewing the Terms of Reference (ToR) submitted by the programme.

And while this help was reportedly in the field of Information Technology (IT), Gunraj noted that as far as he is aware, GECOM’s IT systems are operating at full capacity. He was hopeful that GECOM will indeed accept the help it is being offered, wherever necessary.

8 news

WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana accumulates US$15.9M in debt to China in 6 months S

tatistics released by the Finance Ministry show that Guyana’s debt to other countries is US$450 million as of June 2019, with China, through the Stateowned Export Import (Exim) Bank of China, accounting for the lion’s share as Guyana’s largest bilateral creditor.

This was revealed in the Public Debt report for 2019.

Guyana’s bilateral debt, which is money owed on a government-to-government basis, does not include the money it owes to multilateral creditors like the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

In fact, Guyana’s bilateral debt as of June 2019 accounted for just 35.4 per cent of all external debt. So dominant is China’s role as a money lender to Guyana that 17.8 per cent of all of Guyana’s local debt was denominated in the Chinese Yuan currency.

“The growing prominence of China, as a creditor, continues to impact the currency composition of the external debt portfolio, with 17.8 per cent being denominated in

The CJIA expansion is one of the projects that have increased Guyana’s debt to China

Renminbi Yuan as at end-June 2019. This signifies a 0.8 percentage point increase relative to the end-March 2019 share of 17 per cent,” the report states.

The report attributes several Chinesefunded projects in Guyana to this development, including the Cheddi Jagan Airport Extension Project, the East Coast Demerara Road Improvement Project and the National Broadband Project, all of which are funded by the Exim Bank of China.

There is good news

in the report, however, as the Ministry revealed that as of May 2019, millions in debt to Guyana’s regional neighbour, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) had been repaid. According to the report, Guyana’s debt to T&T had in fact matured, which means the principal became due.

“In May 2019, Guyana fully repaid its debt to Trinidad and Tobago, in keeping with the Paris Club Bilateral Rescheduling Agreement signed on October 6, 2005.

Trinidad and Tobago,

which was Guyana’s largest bilateral creditor about two decades ago, generously wrote off US$482.5 million or 90 per cent of Guyana’s

as compared to the first quarter of the year.

According to the report, this is because of repayments to multilateral creditors like the

viously in sections of the media revealing that Guyana owed them US$114.7 million. He had, however, also said that owing to the political and social unrest in the neighbouring country and US sanctions, the money had to be paid into an escrow account.

“At the end of June 2019, the total stock of public debt was US$1.6 billion, a 1.5 per cent increase compared to the end-June 2018 position.

This increase was mainly attributable to higher net flows.”

According to the report, these net flows “were driven by substantially higher disbursements relative to principal repayments between June 2018 and June 2019. However,

The ECD road expansion is another such project

debt as part of the Paris Club arrangements,” the report states.

Trinidad is also cited as one of the reasons the US dollar share of the external debt fell at the end of June 2019,

Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and bilateral creditors like T&T, Kuwait, and Venezuela.

When it comes to Venezuela, Finance Minister Winston Jordan was quoted pre-

the total stock of public debt decreased by less than one per cent from the end of first quarter 2019 position of US$1.6 billion.”

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WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

APNU/AFC moving ahead with major shakeup at Foreign Ministry …3 months before elections

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he Government, which in caretaker mode, through the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Monday announced that a number of ambassadors on overseas missions will be recalled, while the Director General was replaced.

In a statement to the media, amidst reports of a major fallout, the ministry claimed that this move was decided since some ambassadors had been serving beyond the official years they were permitted to serve. In addition, there are reports that attempts to extend the contracts of these ambassadors started the upheaval at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in the first place.

“As it is well known, the tenure of an Ambassador runs to ap-

confirmed that indeed, Waddell has been removed and will be replaced Charlene Phoenix as their first Permanent Secretary, with effect from December 2.

It was explained that Phoenix joined the Ministry in 1996 and previously served as the Director of the Department of the Americas since 2016. According to the Ministry, she also served as Guyana's Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) since November 2017.

“The Government of Guyana has recently undertaken a number of administrative actions with a view to promoting greater efficiency in the discharge of the core mandate and essential functions of the Ministry

was asked about these claims, however, Waddell had denied knowledge of such a development.

The shakeup at the comes just months before the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections after the David Granger led administration lost a No Confidence vote on December 21, 2018.

For the year, Granger, who is now a caretaker president, has reshuffled and even created new positions for a number of persons. Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge was himself reappointed as Foreign Secretary at the Foreign Affairs Ministry with responsibility for the Department of Frontiers and Territorial Integrity and the Department of Trade and Economic

Charlene Phoenix will be the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary

proximately three to five years.

However, for a variety of reasons and factors, some of our Ambassadors have been abroad for as long as two decades,” the ministry’s statement said.

This situation, it claimed, has become an impediment to other younger and rising Foreign Service Officers whose performance and professional competence might require that they should be appointed to the summit of the Foreign Service. The ministry said that a subsequent announcement will be made on the matter.

The ministry’s announcement follows reports on the reason for former Director General Audrey Jardine – Waddell’s removal from the post. The Ministry

of Foreign Affairs, at a critical moment in the nation's history. Among other things, the designation of Director General will be replaced by that of Permanent Secretary as obtains in other Ministries.”

“Ambassador Jardine - Waddell who previously served as Director General within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from June 2015, has proceeded on a period of annual leave pending reassignment.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recognized and expressed its appreciation to Ambassador Waddell for her service as Director General,” the Ministry explained.

Waddell’s reassignment comes after reports that her contract was not renewed by the Government. When she

Cooperation.

The position of Foreign Affairs Minister was taken up by Dr Karen Cummings, who previously served as junior Public Health Minister.

The position of Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency was created for Joseph Harmon, who previously served as Minister of State. The Minister of State is presently Dawn HastingsWilliams, who previously served as Minister of Public Affairs.

Former Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin was replaced by Member of Parliament Haimraj Rajkumar.

The position of Director of Manufacturing and Marketing within the Business Ministry with responsibility for the en-

Former Director General, Audrey Jardine-Waddell

forcement of standards, providing assistance to small producers and access to markets, particularly Eastern Caribbean markets, was created for Gaskin.

Former Minister of Public Service, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine was replaced by Tabitha Sarabo-Halley while Dr Roopnaraine was appointed as Director of Public Service Training

within the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for training standards at the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service, the Guyana Defence Force Staff College and the Guyana Police Force Staff College – a position which did not previously exist.

In addition to those four ministers who resigned, there were some

other reshuffling. Valerie Patterson-Yearwood, the then Minister of Communities with responsibility for housing, was replaced by Annette Ferguson, who was serving as junior Minister of Public Infrastructure.

A new position called Minister of Agriculture with responsibility for Rural Affairs was created for PattersonYearwood.

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Guyana’s sugar workers down tools over increase in wages

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ed by their unions, thousands of sugar workers attached to the Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt Sugar Estates downed tools on Tuesday demanding an increase in their wages.

While some remained at their various posts, some picketed the Ministry of Presidency reiterating their calls as they demand that President David Granger intervenes.

Speaking at the protest line, President of the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand, stated that the Government ought not to ignore the plight of the workers who are em-

Some sugar workers who lined the road in front of the Ministry of the Presidency on Tuesday morning to peacefully protest for a hike in their pay

2014 and we are now in 2019. The last increase

He stated that the APNU/AFC coalition,

fer as a result of the Administration’s actions or lack thereof.

they would discuss with us but we have not been able to address the issue of wages and salary because GuySuCo said they are waiting on further instruction. So we have no commitment from them, no position as to whether they will grant an increase or not but we know that the President makes a difference in this matter”.

Chand further stated that over two months ago, his Union sent a petition to President Granger, and he promised to have that petition addressed by the GuySuCo first and then inform the GAWU afterwards as to decisions being made.

However, to date,

in that regard.

“So we have that, we have no response, and then we have attempts by the Government to hoodwink the public and the workers to say that the Board of GuySuCo will have to decide on this question. The Board of GuySuCo is a creature of this Government and the appointees there are all selected by the Government despite one who represents the Union and whatever they are told to do they will do. To say that the Board will give an increase, as I said, is just not sincere because the Board is incapable of dealing with it,” the GAWU Head added.

Agriculture Minister

Protesters holding a banner that calls for caretaker President David Granger to end discrimination and allow sugar workers to benefit from increases in their pay A sugar worker proudly displaying his banner during the picketing exercise calling for the rights of sugar workers to be upheld

ployed by a State-owned enterprise— the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

“There has been a stagnancy of wages in the sugar belt since

in pay was in 2014. This Government took over in 2015 amid a promise that the workers will receive an increase and sugar is too big to fail”.

OTTAWA, Canada (CMC) — Building on a government commitment made earlier this year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says it is now easier for foreign nationals, including Caribbean immigrants to apply for temporary and permanent resident status within Canada.

On Tuesday, the immigration agency said foreign nationals applying from within Canada for temporary or permanent residence, or to extend or renew their visitor visa or work or study permit, will need to have their fingerprints and photo taken and can do so at any of the 58 designated Service Canada lo-

cations across the country.

“This means individuals will now save time and money by being able to give their biometrics within Canada,” it said in a statement.

It said Canada has collected biometrics (fingerprints and photos) on most foreign nationals applying for temporary or permanent residence since December 31, 2018.

“Having biometrics helps immigration officers verify people's identity, which makes processing applications easier and simplifies entry for legitimate travellers,” IRCC said. “It also makes it easier for officers to stop individuals who pose a risk to

since it took office in 2015, has done more harm than good to the thousands of persons employed in the sugar belt and that many persons continue to suf-

“We are sending a message to the President that you need to award the sugar workers, at last, an increase. We have a claim before GuySuCo which we hope

the Union has not received any feedback from President Granger, other than an acknowledgement of his receipt of this petition and his commitment to respond to representatives of the Union

Noel Holder has already said that sugar workers may not benefit from an increase like the rest of public servants because GuySuCo does not have money.

“Fingerprints and photo collection are recognised as one of the most reliable ways to identify people and are used by more than 70 countries worldwide.

We will enhance the ef-

ficiency and integrity of the immigration system in Canada,” said Marco E L Mendicino, Canada's Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

Canada says it's now easier for Caribbean nationals to apply for resident status the safety and security of Canadians.”

IRCC said people can apply online or by paper as they have always done.

Applicants who receive a biometrics instruction letter will be able to give their fingerprints and photo at designated Service Canada locations across the country by appointment.

IRCC said the appointment must be made in advance through an easy online booking tool at canada.ca/biometrics.

It said applicants, including those in Canada who will be travelling outside the country, can also give their biometrics at a visa application centre (VAC) in any country

that they are legally allowed to enter.

IRCC said Canada has one of the most extensive networks of VACs worldwide, with 160 locations in 108 countries.

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PPP promises to advance Constitutional reform with input from citizens

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s constitutional reform under the current coalition Government has hit a brick wall, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in its 2020 election manifesto has promised that if elected to office, it would advance constitutional reform with the input of the citizens themselves.

In its manifesto, the Party noted the importance of ensuring that the people participate in something as critical as revising the supreme law. The Party referenced the constitutional reform it piloted in the late 90s-early 2000s as an example of the process that is needed.

“We are aware that issues concerning constitutional reform, particularly in relation to a

Under APNU/AFC, constitutional reform has made no headway

national, inclusive governance model, management of elections, fiduciary accountability, enhancing rights of Guyanese and ensuring constitutional language is simple have been raised and discussed in the public domain.

“However, we believe that these, as well as other issues, must be part of a process of widespread consultation with the people of Guyana before being acted upon.

The extensive changes to our Constitution under the PPP/C followed such a process. Moving forward, we are committed to continuous revision of the Constitution,” the Party noted.

“In this regard, we will ensure that the Committee on Constitutional Reform

that will advance the work will pursue nationwide consultation following the model used in the past, that is, with half of the members from civil society and equal representation from Government and the Opposition.

Over the past few years, constitutional reform has been before a parliamentary committee. There is a Constitutional Reform Commission Bill that was to be examined by the Committee. The Bill was published on July 26, 2017, and was introduced in the National Assembly on July 27, 2017, and read for the first time. But there have been accusations made of members of the Committee stalling the process.

Man charged for assaulting ex-lover

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man who allegedly assaulted his ex-lower who went to his house to collect her bed, was on Monday charged and appeared before the Providence Magistrates’ Courts.

Andrew Cumberbatch denied the charge, which stated that on November 26, 2019, at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, he unlawfully assaulted Shaneza Europe, so as to cause her actual bodily harm. He appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves informed the court that the Virtual Complaint went to the 28-year-old man’s home to collect her bed but an argument ensued and the VC was asked to leave the premises.

According to the prosecutor, a scuffle ensued and Cumberbatch dealt

Andrew Cumberbatch

the VC several punches to her face and upper body. The matter was reported to the Police and Cumberbatch was arrested.

In court on Monday,

Cumberbatch claimed that the woman was making sexual advances towards him. He was released on $150,000 bail.

The case will continue on January 28, 2020.

Constitutional reform was one of the main promises that the APNU/AFC coalition campaigned on at 2015 Elections. However, the Administration has been heavily criticized for not delivering the reforms, which was a top priority in its manifesto.

The bipartisan committee on constitutional reform was formed in 2015. The committee comprises Chairman, Attorney General and Minister of Legal

Affairs, Basil Williams, Public Security Minsiter, Khemraj Ramjattan, Education Minister, Nicolette Henry, Natural Resources Minsiter, Raphael Trotman and Public Service Minsiter, Dr Rupert Roopnarine.

Opposition MPs on the committee include Anil Nandlall, Priya Manickchand, Dr Frank Anthony and Adrian Anamayah. The bill was sent to the committee to be examined as it is the body responsible for

dealing with constitutional matters.

The Opposition had raised concerns about the Prime Minister leading the constitutional reform process as they had argued that the PM does not have the clout to negotiate or make any commitments to the Opposition.

Meetings have been minimal, with accusations being made that members are not attending when called to do so.

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Guyana’s Private Sector to set up working group to advance discussions on local content legislation

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he Private Sector Commission (PSC) will soon be establishing a “MultiStakeholder Working Group” inclusive of civil society, labour unions, and political parties in an effort to broaden discussions on local content legislation in light of numerous concerns being raised countrywide about the lack of a local content policy and repercussions of such.

According to the Council of the PSC, recent calls for legislative protection that were made by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) as well as the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) have gone unanswered and the issue of local content continues to be of major concern to businesses.

As such, the Council, which comprises over 23 Private Sector organisations, convened its Trade and Investment SubCommittee recently to discuss the concerns and to give effect to the call for local content legislation.

Following its deliberations, a decision was made that there be the establishment of the “Multi-Stakeholder Working Group” quite soon.

In September, Trinidadian local content expert, Anthony Paul had alluded to the fact that stakeholders’ calls were being ignored and that the Government’s Draft Local Content Policy (LCP) plan is essentially for foreigners.

Paul, who had been tasked with completing the first two drafts of

Guyana’s LCP, had told the media that the tax breaks being granted to foreign subcontractors in the LCP third draft could only be viewed as “discriminatory to locals” and that this should be addressed either by a review of contracts or by law.

The Trinidadian local content expert is said to have emphatically outlined same in a report that he wrote on the request of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

That international or-

ganisation had commissioned this report for the Guyana Government and it was handed over in 2016. In that document, Paul had stressed that such exemptions undermine Guyana’s local content efforts.

In the same report, Paul had added that any Local Content Policy Guyana pursues should ensure all international oil subcontractors are made to have a local partner.

According to the Chatham House Advisor, it is in Guyana’s best

interest to have a policy, which demands that such foreign companies collaborate with locals to get maximum local content impact.

In February last, Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon had announced that oil consultant, Dr Michael Warner was hired to complete the policy replacing Paul. The cost of that contract was G$22 million, a contract which the Government later admitted was never advertised.

Absent from the third, and supposedly final draft of Guyana’s Local Content Policy, are three key things which stakeholders have long called for.

First, it was found out that there is no recommendation in the draft for local companies to enjoy the same tax breaks that will be granted to the subcontractors and affiliated companies of the oil majors operating offshore Guyana.

Secondly, the document makes no demand for oil companies and their subcontractors to

increase their use of local labour and services over time.

And thirdly, foreign companies will not be mandated to partner with local firms, despite a report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) calling for same.

In fact, the draft policy states, “…it is the policy of the Government of Guyana to not mandate local-foreign joint ventures as a requirement for market access in the upstream petroleum sector, but instead to encourage such alliances…”

With respect to tax breaks, oil companies, their affiliated firms, and all their subcontractors enjoy a range of tax exemptions. They are not required to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) or import duties on equipment and supplies.

In fact, the only tax that is being subjected to foreign subcontractors would be Excise Tax on fuel imports at a rate of 10 per cent. Meanwhile, locals have to pay 50 per cent.

ExxonMobil Guyana supports 7th STEM Conference

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s part of its ongoing commitment to the advancement of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, ExxonMobil Guyana teamed up with the Volunteer Youth Corps (VYC) Inc to stage the Seventh

STEM Conference at the Ramada Hotel in Georgetown last Saturday.

Under the theme “Present Innovators, Future Creators,” the event brought together 400 students from 11 secondary schools in Georgetown. These

schools have been actively implementing the STEM after-school programme facilitated by VYC Inc. ExxonMobil Guyana made a contribution of some G$20 million to support these activities, which are expected to run from September

ExxonMobil Guyana’s Wells Execution Manager Ryan Turton shared his love for STEM and its impact on his career

2019 to June 2020.

Speaking at the event, ExxonMobil Guyana’s Wells Execution Manager Ryan Turton shared his love for STEM and its impact on his career.

Turton, who has degrees in Aerospace Technology and Mechanical Engineering, has worked with ExxonMobil for 13 years in “four different countries on four continents”. “When it became time to consider a career choice, engineering was a natural fit. Growing up on a farm gave me a very practical view of the world and engineering was a career that al-

lowed me to apply fundamental science and mathematics, coupled with technology to solve real-world challenges,” he told the participants.

Meanwhile, he also spoke of ExxonMobil Guyana’s commitment to the social and economic advancement of Guyana by building capacity through activities such as the STEM conference.

“This STEM programme is part of a long-standing partnership with the Volunteer Youth Corps, and by investing in joint efforts such as this we are helping students develop the knowledge and skills to succeed in col-

lege and future careers,” he added.

A team of engineers from ExxonMobil Guyana joined students throughout the day to participate in various exercises and experiments.

ExxonMobil Guyana has partnered with VYC Inc to implement STEM education in schools since 2012. In the after-school programme students are exposed to practical lessons in Physics, Chemistry, Integrated Science and Information Technology.

There is also a three-day Science Camp at a local environmental facility.

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WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Guyana’s natural resources must be utilised to provide jobs, create opportunities for all’ T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) manifesto for the 2020 General and Regional Elections is out and one of the Party’s promises should it return to office is the restoration of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

The LCDS, a brainchild of former President Bharrat Jagdeo, allowed Guyana to earn millions of dollars for deferred deforestation.

When A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/ AFC) came into power, the programme was scrapped and a less impacting one, the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS), was rolled out.

“Guyana’s rich natural resources must be utilised to provide jobs and create opportunities for our people.

They, however, must be utilised in a sustainable manner. Our mineral resources must be used to provide employment to thousands of our people. Our people have a legitimate right to earn from these sectors and to provide for their families”.

The PPP/C, according to the manifesto, is committed to working with miners, miners’ organisations and those who work in the forestry sector and their organisations to ensure that the impact to the environment is minimised.

Highlighting the value of Guyana’s forests, the PPP/C noted its potential to make a positive impact and also impact the fight against climate change.

According to the Party, hundreds of millions of US dollars can still be earned using Guyana’s forests.

“We will reinstitute the LCDS to help achieve prosperity for our people by deploying earnings from forest climate services to diversify the economy and create more jobs and opportunities utilising a non-carbon intensive pathway. We believe that we can earn hundreds of millions of US dollars as we have already demonstrated through the Norway Agreement and create thousands of new, clean jobs”.

“We have to ensure that the benefits from the Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) flow to all Guyanese, particularly Indigenous communities, where the principles of Free Prior and Informed Consent and Opt-In must be rigidly observed,” the PPP/C added in their manifesto.

The Party also noted some concrete measures they will pursue, including establishing an International Centre of Excellence for Biological Diversity.

According to the PPP/C, this centre will promote cutting-edge research while developing and exporting educational services.

The Party also promised that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would have its capacity built, to provide enhanced regulation. In addition, the National System of Protected

Areas would also be enhanced.

According to the PPP, steps would also be taken to decarbonise the transport sector by implementing a mixture of ethanol into vehicles to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Other measures the Party touted were renewable energy technologies and providing incentives for biomass-to-energy projects. The Party promised it would also provide grants for start-up businesses for renewable and recycling projects.

Another measure the Party promised was to implement a na-

tional land-use policy for residential and commercial interests, as well as establishing an inter-agency mechanism for coordination between the forestry, mining, agriculture, settlements and infrastructure sectors.

“This mechanism will serve to address multiple land-use conflicts, foster fair, transparent and equitable land allocation decisions, and address inter-sectoral issues regarding the implementation of land use policy,” the Party explained.

Even though the GSDS was implemented by the coalition govern-

ment, it is largely based on the LCDS. The LCDS is a framework that is intended to incorporate economic development programmes with strategies to promote the fight against global warming.

Along the way, these programmes are supposed to be funded from the Guyana Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+ Investment Fund). But while the LCDS contained concrete measures, the GSDS has been criticised for lacking specificity and tangible goals.

Guyana has always

had a track record of low deforestation rates, a fact that led to the actual setting up of the GRIF fund in the first place under the previous government. In fact, a study done by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) back in 2011 had found that the deforestation rates were a mere 0.06 per cent for 2009 to 2010.

While this minuscule deforestation rate was attributed to primarily to mining activities, it has been acknowledged that mining is a crucial part of Guyana’s economy, representing 21 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2012.

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Former SOCU boss being investigated over missing confiscated gold, cash E

m b a t t l e d Assistant Police Commissioner Sydney James, the former Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), is now under further Police investigation following instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chambers.

This was confirmed by acting Crime Chief Michael Kingston on Wednesday. Kingston explained that the file pertaining to James had been sent to DPP Senior Counsel Shalimar AliHack by the Police some time ago.

Kingston noted that the Police have, as a consequence, been asked to do some more investigations. While Kingston was tight-lipped on the details of the investigation, reports indicate that it may pertain to money and gold that were previously confiscated and went missing while in SOCU’s possession.

The unit has been in

the hot seat for some time with allegations being made against it by persons it would have investigated or had business dealings.

In the case of investigations, last year, the High Court had ordered the entity to return millions of dollars’ worth of cash and jewellery to a gold dealer plus costs after the unit seized the items and failed to charge the individual.

SOCU officials had also faced accusations regarding falsified invoices which had borne forged signatures. This was unearthed after a forensic audit was launched by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) into SOCU’s operations earlier this year.

Other irregularities that were unearthed had included falsified records and missing documents.

According to reports, there was even a case of an official who alleged his signature was forged. In addition, there are reports of listed expenditure being concocted and receipts being backdated.

Former SOCU Head, Colonel Sydney James

The probe into the operations of the white-collar crime-fighting Unit was triggered when the former British adviser to SOCU, Dr Sam Sittlington, made a number of startling allegations against the Unit.

Following the allegations, James was subjected to questioning over allegations of improper spending, as part of the investigation and audit which stemmed after the termination of the British adviser.

Sittlington, an Irish

consultant and fraud expert who was contracted by the British High Commission to provide institutional support to SOCU, was fired in February after it was discovered that he had established a local security company.

The move was considered a conflict of interest since the firm, dubbed the Fraud Company Limited, deals with much the same areas as SOCU. The fraud expert has long contended that he was wrongful-

before the Parliament is dissolved. I can’t say that Parliament is going to meet today, the next day or whatever but these are the matters that are under active consideration in the Cabinet and so that the dissolution of the National Assembly will be determined in principle measure by the need for GECOM to get the additional resources which it says it wants,” Harmon told the media.

In September, President David Granger announced March 2, 2020, as the date for the hosting of the constitutionally-mandated General and

Regional Elections; however, with time creeping up, he is yet to issue a proclamation to dissolve Parliament.

If elections are to be held on March 2, 2020, as announced, then President Granger would have to dissolve Parliament by December 3, 2019.

This is in keeping with Article 61 of the Constitution, which states that election of members of the National Assembly should be done within three months after every dissolution of Parliament.

It has been almost one year after the success-

ly fired.

The parliamentary, Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), has meanwhile maintained that SOCU, which was set up to fight money-laundering and other white-collar crimes, had become a political Unit under the APNU/AFC regime.

The PPP had said that Sittlington was going beyond his advisory role and was taking on executive functions. It was pointed out that Sittlington was going on operations such as raids and arrests.

James was eventually sent on leave by the Government to facilitate investigations and an acting Head of SOCU, Althea Padmore, was appointed.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has said publicly that with all that has happened, James will not be returning.

SOCU was established in 2014 on the recommendation of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and was

intended to be a Police unit operating under the authority of the Police Commissioner but with a close relationship to the FIU. However, besides the fraud allegations, SOCU has failed to secure convictions in the cases it brought to court. It was only in March of this year that contempt of court charges brought by SOCU against eight top executives of GBTI were thrown out by the Magistrates court.

The charges brought by SOCU against Guyana Rice Development Board officials were also thrown out.

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

ful passage of a motion of no confidence against the A Partnership for National Unity /Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition government and the constitutionally-mandated General and Regional Elections are yet to be held.

This is despite the Constitution clearly outlining that elections were supposed to be held no later than 90 days after the motion was passed.

Earlier in November, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will resume pro-

test actions if President David Granger does not dissolve Parliament come December.

Having already set March 2, 2020, as the date for the much-anticipated General and Regional Elections and issuing the election proclamation, pressure has been mounting on the President to also dissolve the 11th Parliament.

The APNU/AFC coalition has been acting as a caretaker government for nearly one year since the December 21, 2018 passage of the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against it.

Nominations Day is January 10 in Guyana

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he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) has announced in a notice published in the media that Nominations Day for the upcoming General and Regional Elections is January 10, 2020.

In the notice published on Saturday, GECOM is calling for all political parties contesting the 2020 General and Regional Elections to submit their symbol for approval. In the notice, GECOM said that the approval of the symbols has to be done before Nominations Day. As such, the deadline for the submission is December

13, 2019.

The notice of Nominations Day comes days two days after Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, when asked about the dissolution of Parliament, said that would solely depend on the needs of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“In fact, we have said it is important that GECOM gets all of the resources it needs to ensure that we have credible elections in March of 2020. So what I am saying is those issues will have to be dealt with

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Former Jamaican PM says major adjustments needed ahead of Guyana’s oil boom

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rom tackling inflation to ensuring everyone gets an opportunity to prosper, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Portia SimpsonMiller, has delivered sound advice for local authorities as they prepare for the oil boom.

Simpson-Miller was at the time delivering the feature address at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) annual awards ceremony on Thursday night at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

Simpson-Miller was the first female Prime Minister of Jamaica, serving from March 2005 to September 2007 and then again from January 2012 to March 2016.

As someone who would have steered the path through some of the most difficult economic reforms in her country, Simpson-Miller cautioned Guyanese leaders that in pursuing this path of economic growth, major adjustments will have to be made.

Inflation

Inflation, she says, is

an issue which has to be addressed, particularly, for prices to remain low and stable.

“Since inflation is the greatest tax on the poor, low inflation is the best gift any Government can give to its people,” Simpson-Miller stated.

Already, a consultant from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr Justin Ram, has urged Guyana to guard against the impact that inflation driven by oil can have on the overall economy and exchange rate.

At a forum held in Guyana in October 2019, Dr Ram explained that the oil and gas sectors tend to drive inflation in the economy.

“And that inflation tends to lead to other workers in the economy seeking wage increases,” he had stated. According to the CDB consultant, while wage increases are desirable, they must be given by the Government in a structured way.

Small businesses Meanwhile, SimpsonMiller, addressing a room full of businesspeople, also underscored the im-

Former Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller

portance of achieving stability in the foreign exchange market.

“This is important for reducing inflationary pressures in the economy and also to enable businesses, especially those that must be able to import to plan their transactions in a stable, predictable environment,” she said.

Moreover, the former Head-of-Government suggested that Government implement legislative changes to ensure local and small businesses are able to successfully participate in bidding for government contracts.

“As your economy improves it is vital that local businesses are not disadvantaged in participating

and prospering,” she noted.

Government had promised to put systems in place to ensure that 20 per cent of all Government contracts are given to small businesses. It is unclear if this system has been implemented.

Transparency and accountability

As she wrapped up her list of advice, Simpson-Miller underscored the importance of developing a system of public accountability and transparency so that there is public trust in Government and national institutions.

The Government has passed legislation for the establishment of a Natural Resources Fund which is intended to safe keep revenues from the oil and gas sector.

However, stakeholders, including the parliamentary opposition, have contended that there is room for too much political involvement in the Fund. In fact, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has repeatedly argued that the mechanisms are not strong enough to prevent politicians from raiding the Fund.

Jagdeo believes that the Fund should be managed by a non-political group, rather than Government, and has since promised to address this matter with urgency, if his party, the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), is elected into Government next year.

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Improved infrastructure needed to develop agri-tourism – Reg 2 businessman U

sing agriculture as a way of attracting tourists to various destinations in Guyana might sound like a plan, but some stakeholders might have differing views on how it can be achieved.

In Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), there is one such individual who believes that key infrastructural and utility services must be developed before such initiatives can materialize in his community and wider region.

During a media visit organised by the Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), owner of Barakatt Lumber,

Daily activities at the lumber yard

Edward Barakatt explained that there are many aspects of infrastructural development

which needs to be fixed.

The main factor would be a central medical facility in the case of an

emergency.

Presently, persons in need of selective medical treatment are medevaced to

the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The Charity Hospital is equipped to handle only minor cases on the Essequibo Coast.

“They got to develop the infrastructure. You can’t just bring tourists.

For instance, you have to have a proper hospital in Essequibo. [If] tourists come around and somebody have an accident or something go wrong, by the time they reach Georgetown, they might die. First, you got to look at health, electricity, water, transportation…All the years we struggling to get a hospital and its ridiculous.

You got to fly people out to Georgetown. They got [one at] Charity but that’s like a first-aid cen-

agriculture and tourism, insisting that Guyana’s future is dependent on the combination of the two sectors.

He had made these statements at the launch of the 15th Annual Berbice Expo and Trade Fair was recently launched under the theme ‘Promoting a favorable business and investment climate’.

“We are going in the right direction,” Rajkumar added while noting that the future of Guyana depends heavily on its agriculture and soon to be the oil and gas sector.

“We will continue to promote these two sectors; tourism and agriculture so in October we will be having an agri-

Owner of Barakatt Lumber, Edward Barakatt

ter,” he expressed.

Transportation also needs major improvement, along with the water quality and supply.

However, Barakatt cited another concern – the exorbitant prices to visit these locations. While the traffic to Guyana is high, the business man noted that many of these are not tourists.

“Most of the people coming to this country is [migrated] Guyanese coming to see their relatives,” he shared.

Barakatt’s Lumber caters to a variety of operations involving different species of wood from Guyana’s forested lands.

He employs several persons to carry out daily operations at the facility.

In August, Business Minister Haimraj Rajkumar had emphasized the need to push

tourism drive where we will be sensitising persons on how they can use agritourism the develop themselves. Region Six has the potential and has been contributing in agricultural sector. All we have to do now is the bridge the two sectors and make one big product; agritourism.”

He also disclosed that the agritourism Expo would assist with the developing a green tourism sector.

“With this coming on stream the private sector will play an integral role in tourism and in agriculture. They will have to come together to plan and plot a way forward so that all the players will be able to have a product that persons in Guyana and those abroad can benefit from,” Rajkumar added.

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Chief Education Officer sent packing over ‘differences with Minister’ – source

…Minister claims he was sent on pre-retirement leave

E

ven as the public is still absorbing the recent removal of a senior functionary at the Foreign Affairs Ministry due to a fallout, it has been revealed that Chief Education Officer (CEO), Dr Marcel Hutson has been sent packing by the Education Ministry.

Reports differ as to the reason behind the decision. Well-placed sources within the Ministry have indicated that Hutson has, in fact, been at odds with Education Minister Nicolette Henry over the handling of various policy matters and that this precipitated the move to send him off.

On the other hand, Henry in a statement said that Hutson is approaching his statutory retirement age. The CEO is statutorily expected to retire on September 1, 2020, the Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

“By which time, he would have attained the requisite statutory age of retirement in accordance with the Public Service Rules. The CEO initiated his retirement process in August of this year, as he would have applied for and also received partial gratuity benefits to which he is entitled,” the statement said.

According to the Ministry, the CEO has standing to his credit 230 days annualised leave and as such, the CEO is required to proceed on pre-retirement leave in 2020 to enjoy all his outstanding leave and benefits.

Hutson’s departure comes only a few days after the announcement that Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Audrey Jardine-Waddell was removed from her post.

It was also announced that the Ministry would

CEO Dr Marcel Hutson

be recalling certain Ambassadors.

For the year, Granger

has reshuffled and even created new positions for a number of per-

sons. Former Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge was himself reappointed as Foreign Secretary at the Foreign Affairs Ministry with responsibility for the Department of Frontiers and Territorial Integrity and the Department of Trade and Economic Cooperation.

The position of Foreign Affairs Minister was taken up by Dr Karen Cummings, who previously served as junior Public Health Minister.

The position of DirectorGeneral of the Ministry of the Presidency was created for Joseph Harmon, who previously served as Minister of State. The Minister of State is presently Dawn HastingsWilliams, who previously served as Minister of Public Affairs.

Former Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin was replaced by Member of Parliament

Haimraj Rajkumar.

The position of Director of Manufacturing and Marketing within the Business Ministry with responsibility for the enforcement of standards, providing assistance to small producers and access to markets, particularly Eastern Caribbean markets, was created for Gaskin.

Former Minister of Public Service, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine was replaced by Tabitha Sarabo-Halley while Dr Roopnaraine was appointed as Director of Public Service Training within the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for training standards at the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service, the Guyana Defence Force Staff College and the Guyana Police Force Staff College – a position which did not previously exist.

39.2% Guyanese teens use at least 1 alcoholic drink monthly – PAHO report

G

lobally, alcohol consumption contributes to the premature death of millions of persons on an annual basis, and in Guyana, the excess use of alcoholic substances results in further complications of illness as well as fatal accidents countrywide.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, at a recent medical conference held at the Texila American University, stated that Guyana is internationally and locally recognised as a “rum-producing country” but that more stringent measures have to be put in place to safeguard citizens of all ages against the harmful effects of consuming alcohol. “…in our deliberations, with the agreement from the Spirit and Wine industry participants who we encouraged to work together with us, to come up with a strategy. The focus for excessive alcohol consumption will be on avoiding persons, especially underage persons, access to alcohol. So, any sale to minors will be a no-no, we should all be the Police Officers ensuring that this does not happen,” Dr Shamdeo said.

He stated that the culture of many Guyanese is to have alcoholic beverages at social or celebratory events but

that even among adults, the statistics focused on alcohol consumption are soaring.

“It is estimated at 36 per cent for us (adults) here in Guyana. That is definitely too high”.

Online initiative

PAHO/WHO Resident Representative in Guyana, Dr William Adu-Krow

that adults need to desist from exposing children to such liquids for various reasons.

“I implore on parents to please don’t serve alcohol to your underage children even if it is a birthday party. Now we are in the Christmas season, that will be a regular part of every event to have a few drinks but please make sure that we don’t serve alcohol to our underage students,” the CMO urged.

Teen alcohol consumption

Meanwhile, Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Resident Representative in Guyana, Dr William

Adu-Krow, took the opportunity to disclose startling statistics about the prevalence of children using alcohol on a regular basis in Guyana.

He stated that a recent survey conducted revealed that of the scores of 14-year-old students interviewed, 39.2 per cent of them reported that he/she consumed at least one alcoholic beverage within a 30-day period.

A whopping 79 per cent of the students who participated in the survey stated that they had consumed their first alcoholic beverage before the age of 14.

Additionally, the PAHO/WHO Resident Representative added

Earlier this year, PAHO, worried that the rates of alcohol disorders among women are much higher in the Caribbean in comparison to other regions across the globe, launched a new initiative online with the hope of providing healthcare workers with technical skills needed to identify and address alcohol consumption in expectant mothers and women in the reproductive ages.

According to a Caribbean media report, this online course, “Women’s health and pregnancy: holistic approaches to preventing problems relating to prenatal exposure to alcohol”, will provide health workers with the latest, evidence-based information on health promotion strategies for pregnancy, the early detection of alcohol use in pregnancy and how to support women to reduce alcohol use.

“Alcohol use in pregnancy presents a significant risk for both pregnant women and their foetus, leading to a number of negative outcomes such as miscarriage, low birth weight

Guyana’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

and preterm birth, and can lead to foetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which are irreversible,” Senior Advisor on Alcohol and Substance Abuse at PAHO, Dr Maristela Monteiro, had stated.

It is vital, she added, that healthcare workers have access to the latest research in order to implement appropriate interventions before women become pregnant, as this will ensure the best outcomes for mother and child.

PAHO had reported that historically, men have been the “bigger consumers” of alcohol and suffer from more alcohol-induced consequences but there has been an increase of females who drink larger amounts of alcohol and

more often.

“This is particularly significant in the Americas, where 3.2 per cent of women aged 15 years and older are estimated to have an alcohol use disorder, which is two and a half times the global average of 1.3 per cent. This puts them at increased risk of a number of other health problems, including breast cancer, heart disease and stroke. It is more difficult to reduce or stop drinking when a disorder already exists, and even more difficult during pregnancy”.

It said globally, the prevalence of alcohol use in pregnancy among the general population is 9.8 per cent, while in the Americas, including the Caribbean, this figure is 11.2 per cent.

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President says “Iwokrama must change to survive”

R

eflecting on the floods, savannah fires, depleted forests and contaminated waters that presently pervade Guyana, President David Granger has opined that the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation must change if it was to survive the coming decades.

He shared this position during the 30th anniversary of the organisation, which manages one million hectares of Guyana’s rainforest, set aside particularly for preservation.

Speaking at the ceremony at the Umana Yana, Georgetown on Saturday evening, Granger stated that Guyana’s biodiversity was more precious than the boon of oil and must be protected from further

exportation of wildlife.

According to Granger, policies aimed at lowering deforestation rates and enhancing timber monitoring will also be announced.

Guiana Shield

The famous Iwokrama Canopy, which is nestled in the protected rainforest

He added Iwokrama would not be allowed to become a lifeless monument or museum or,

“The Centre, as a result, has been unable to access adequate assets to execute its mission fully. The Centre is here to stay, however, and remains relevant to the national responses to local and global environmental threats. It is part of the solution to the adverse effects of climate

change – such as the extreme weather; rising sea levels, precipitous levels of biodiversity loss, and diminishing freshwater supplies – to which the world is seeking solutions. It is immense, impressive, irreplaceable; it provides priceless environmental and ecological services

to the earth and remains vital to the protection of the world’s biodiversity, fresh air and freshwater supplies,” he expressed.

There are plans to place another two million hectares under conservation, in keeping with the commitments under the Paris Agreement and to enforce a ban on the

He reminded that Guyana is at the centre of the Guiana Shield, regarded as the last remaining tract of pristine rainforest in the world.

The Shield spreads across a distance of 2.7 million square kilometres and across other countries such as Suriname, Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia within the South American continent.

As it relates to revenues from the oil and gas resources, Granger said funds would be injected into the protection of the protected areas, including Iwokrama and the Konashen Protected Area. The latter comprises 7000 square kilometres which was accredited to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.

Cops probing “criminal attack” on teacher by parent

T

President David Granger

threats which cause irreparable physical damage.

As such, the Iwokrama Rainforest must breathe under a new covenant and adapt to change in order to fight extinction. He added that a document was in the making, which would speak to education and research, becoming a cornerstone for students in the botany and wider biology fields.

“Iwokrama must change to survive; it can no longer subsist under the old covenant which played a pivotal role over the past 30 years … Dinosaurs became extinct because they could not adapt to change. If organisms cannot change, they cannot survive.

Change is imperative and indispensable for improvement. Iwokrama will not survive unless it adapts to the challenges imposed by climate change. Change is taking place at a rapid pace and is improving our knowledge of the environment.

Institutions which do not prepare for the continuous changes in the environment will become irrelevant,” the President insisted.

worst, a timber grant or gold mine, adding that a new covenant would be crafted to ensure Iwokrama’s survival and success, in perpetuity.

The new covenant will be functional rather than ornamental.

The Iwokrama covenant was sealed in November 1995 with the signing of the agreement between the Guyana Government and the Commonwealth Secretariat for the establishment of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development.

This agreement had a central aim of: “undertaking research, training and the development of technologies which will promote the conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rain forests in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general.”

However, the President divulged that this mission has not been fully accomplished by the Centre due to other global situations in the past which diverted funding.

he Education Ministry on Sunday said that the attack on a teacher at the Winfer Gardens Primary School last Wednesday was “unacceptable” and constituted a criminal act.

In a statement, the Education Ministry stated that since the incident was criminal in nature, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has launched an investigation to bring clarity.

The Grade One teacher was attacked and beaten by a parent, whose child is a student in her class.

“The Ministry of Education condemns, in the strongest possible way, the unfortunate and unacceptable incident which occurred at the Winfer Gardens Primary School on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 between a teacher and parent. This matter has been promptly placed for attention and action by the Guyana Police Force since it is criminal in nature,” the statement read.

Until the probe is completed, several actions will be taken to ensure that the security of students and teachers are not compromised.

On Friday, a parent indicated to Guyana Times International that they were not allowed to enter the school before classes commenced. This

Winfer Gardens Primary School

sparked many outspoken concerns about the smaller students, who entered the school last September.

“Several internal approaches, including strengthening of security at schools, are being adopted by the Ministry in an effort to deal with this matter without prejudicing the ongoing investigations which have been launched by the Guyana Police Force,” the Ministry stated.

Meanwhile, teachers were cautioned to abide by all policies set out by the Ministry for public schools.

“The Ministry, in the same vein, wishes to remind parents to ensure that they always act responsibly as they are the first role models for their

children. Teachers are also reminded to always act in accordance with policies and due procedures that have been established. The Ministry cannot and will not tolerate violence in our schools.”

On the said day of the incident, the teacher, Yolanda Jackson, was visited by the parent within the confines of the school, located on East Street, Georgetown.

An eyewitness indicated that a verbal confrontation ensued between the teacher and the woman.

Shortly after, the physical attack started in the presence of students.

Teachers and students who witnessed the incident detailed that Jackson was “dragged on the floor”,

“kicked”, “punched” and “slammed” by the lone parent and the entire confrontation lasted several minutes. While the teacher’s injuries were not critical, she was bleeding from the head with “cuts and bruises” about her body. She received stitches for the cut to her head.

While the motive behind the attack was not clearly determined, it is alleged that the assailant’s child was recently beaten severely at the hands of the teacher. Photos surfacing on social media showed the five-year-old’s swollen fingers and marks across the upper arm.

Nevertheless, educators at the institution clearly expressed that “violence is not the answer”.

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Berbice man gets 4 years jail, fined G$27.6M for trafficking over 100lbs ganja J

airam Lallman of Fort Ordnance Housing Scheme, East Canje Berbice, Region Six (East

ted that on December 2, 2019, at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, he had 46.59 kilograms of cannabis in his posses-

Narcotics Unit (CANU) swooped down on a car that originated from Berbice and found the illegal substance. The car

Some of the parcels containing cannabis that were found inside the vehicle

Berbice-Corentyne) was sentenced to four years imprisonment and slapped with a G$27.6M fine for trafficking of 102 pounds of cannabis when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Lallman, 35, admit-

sion for the purpose of trafficking.

In a plea of mitigation, Lallman apologised for his actions and begged the court for leniency.

Based on reports received, at about 20:25h on the day in question, several ranks attached to the Customs Anti-

was intercepted behind the Botanical Gardens, Georgetown.

According to the drug enforcement body, Lalman was transporting the cannabis from a location in his county to a “given” location in the capital city.

However, his vehicle was intercepted by the

CANU ranks before he could make the drop-off.

When the car was searched by the CANU ranks, they discovered several parcels of the cannabis that had been wrapped in clear plastic and then covered with black plastic bags weighing over 102 pounds.

Lalman was immediately arrested and taken to the CANU headquarters for further grilling about the crime.

Meanwhile, as a result of the bust, three others were hauled in by CANU for questioning.

In June of this year, while giving an overview of last year’s performance of the Unit, CANU had reported that there was a vast increase in cannabis seized by CANU during 2018, with the spike seen mostly during the June to August period which coincides with the summer vacation.

According to statistics provided by the drug enforcement body, the unit had seized 171.58kg cocaine, 543.256kg cannabis, 532.8 grams ecstasy, 304 grams of heroin, and 100 grams of

Jairam Lalman, was caught by ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU)

crystal methamphetamine and 39 grams of cannabis in 2018 against the 291.089kg cocaine, 123.799kg cannabis and 1.602kg of heroin seized in 2017.

The CANU had added that for this year, ranks

had upped the ante in combatting the trafficking and sale of illicit substances in Guyana and that more and more operations were being done to nab the culprits who are engaged in the world of drugs.

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Communities need to take more active role in battle against HIV/AIDS – PANCAP Director

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s Guyana joined the rest of the world in observing World AIDS Day on Sunday, the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and Aids (PANCAP) is rallying its efforts to place much-needed emphasis on the need for communities to be involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

year’s theme is “Communities Make the Difference”, in recognition of the contributions of communities to the AIDS response globally.

The advocacy of these social units has brought about the establishment of many notable projects such as Global Fund, and the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV and AIDS, all in an effort to address the

PANCAP’s Director, Dereck Springer, who was at the time giving remarks at the agency’s World AIDS Day observance exercise 2019 at the Caricom Secretariat on Friday.

“The observance of World AIDS Day is an important opportunity for stakeholders to recognise the essential role that communities have played and continue to play in the AIDS response at the interna-

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka leading this year’s World AIDS Day walk (DPI photo)

World AIDS Day was observed on December 1, and this

global epidemic.

This was according

to

tional, national and local levels … and so community activ-

ism was what was responsible for the establishment of this organization called PANCAP; it is that was responsible for the first UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV and AIDS, which was held in June, that really called attention to the world that HIV is an developmental issue not an health issue,” Springer noted.

The Director further expressed optimism on PANCAP’s, and other partnering agencies’ efforts to reduce risks and vulnerability to the incurable disease.

“But I hope that this tradition that we have now established will continue and that we will continue to see bold leadership in the response to HIV in this Caribbean region … and so within the Caricom Secretariat, we hope that we can ensure that we reduce risks and vulnerability to HIV,” Springer asserted.

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary-General at Caricom, Dr Douglas Slater, in expressing hope that HIV/AIDS would be eradicated by 2030, also acknowledged the difference communities could make, especially at a time when finances to fight the disease are reduced.

“This year’s observance is occurring at a time in our Region’s history where there’s

PANCAP Director Dereck Springer

reduced donor funding for HIV and AIDS, our Governments and civil society organisations face the task of adapting their life-saving initiatives in an environment of reduced financing from development partners for HIV prevention, support, and treatment,” Slater highlighted.

Back in September, it was revealed that an estimated 8200 persons are infected with HIV, with only 93 per cent knowing their status. This was as the country surpassed the target in the UN’s AIDS “9090-90” target.

On Sunday, the World AIDS Day observation commenced with a walk hosted by the National AIDS Programme Secretariat, among other events.

Another road death: Teen biker dies after colliding with truck

Dead: Deshon Morris The scene of the accident on Tuesday evening

A

President David Granger, on Thursday, received a courtesy call from Ms. Sandra K. Shivdat, AA, Founder and Director of Restoring Hope International Incorporated. President Granger and Ms. Shivdat discussed education research and the work her Foundation has been engaged in (MotP photo)

n 18-year-old cyclist is now dead and his pillion rider was injured after the motorcycle they were riding collided with a truck at Industrial Estate, Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown.

Deshon Morris of Lot 4 East La Penitence, Georgetown was pronounced dead on the spot while Keon Granville, 27, of Phase 2 Lot 1 East Ruimveldt was treated and sent away.

Based on information received, the accident occurred at about 20:00h and involved motorcycle CJ 6021 and motor lorry bearing registration number GTT 2073 with trailer number TEE 6391 owned by Muneshwers Limited.

Police preliminary reports stated that the motorcycle was proceeding north and as the truck approached the intersection

in the vicinity of National Hardware, the driver failed to stop.

As such, the vehicle ended up into the path of the motorcycle. As a result of the collision, both Morris and Granville fell onto the roadway and received injuries about their bodies. Morris was subsequently pronounced dead.

The young man was a student of Bertram Collins College. He was reportedly heading home when the accident occurred. The truck was laden with pipes.

Nevertheless, the young man’s body is at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting a Post-Mortem.

At the scene, the mother and other relatives of the dead teenager were inconsolable. The driver of the truck was taken into Police custody and is assisting with investigations.

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he Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) targets the immune system weakening the defence system against infections and diseases. As the virus destroys and impairs the function of immune system cells, infected individuals gradually become immunodeficient.

Immunodeficiency results in increased susceptibility to a wide range of infections, cancers and other diseases that people with healthy immune systems can fight off. The most advanced stage of HIV infection is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which can take from 2 to 15 years to develop depending on the individual. AIDS is defined by the development of certain cancers, infections, or other severe clinical manifestations.

To raise awareness to tackle AIDS, December 1 was designated World AIDS Day since 1988.

It is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and to mourning those who have died of the disease. Government and health officials, Non-Governmental Organisations, and individuals around the world observe the day, often with education on AIDS prevention and control.

World AIDS Day is one of the eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organisation (WHO), along with World Health Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Immunisation Week, World Tuberculosis Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Malaria Day and World Hepatitis Day. This year World AIDS Day is observed under the theme “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Community by Community�.

World AIDS Day was first conceived in August 1987 by James W Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the WHO in Geneva, Switzerland. Bunn and Netter took

it, and agreed with the recommendation that the first observance of World AIDS Day should be on December 1, 1988. Bunn, a former television broadcast Journalist from San Francisco, had recommended the date of December 1 believing it would maximise coverage of World AIDS Day

by Western news media, as that date was sufficiently long after the US elections but before the Christmas holidays.

In its first two years, the theme of World AIDS Day focused on children and young peop l e . While the choice

their idea to Dr Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now known as UNAIDS). Dr Mann liked the concept, approved

ple living with HIV at the end of 2018. As a result of concerted international efforts to respond to HIV, coverage of services has been steadily

theme was criticised at the time by some for ignoring the fact that people of all ages may become infected with HIV, the theme helped alleviate some of the stigma surrounding the disease and boost recognition of the problem as a family disease.

Key facts HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 32 million lives so far. However, with increasing access to effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, including for opportunistic infections, HIV infection has become a manageable chronic health condition, enabling people living with HIV to lead long and healthy lives.

There were approximately 37.9 million peo-

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increasing. In 2018, 62 per cent of adults and 54 per cent of children living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries were receiving lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART).

A great majority (82 per cent) of pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV also received ART, which not only protects their health, but also ensures prevention of HIV transmission to their newborns.

However, not everyone is able to access HIV testing, treatment and care. Notably, the 2018 Super-Fast- Track targets for reducing new paediatric HIV infections to 40 000 was not achieved. Global targets for 2020 are at risk of being missed unless rapid action is taken.

Due to gaps in HIV services, 770 000 people died from HIV-related causes in 2018 and 1.7 million people were newly infected. In 2018, for the first time, individuals from key population groups and their sexual partners accounted for over half of all new HIV infections globally (an estimated 54 per cent) in 2018. For eastern European, central Asian, Middle Eastern and North African regions, these groups accounted for around 95 per cent of new HIV infections.

Key populations include: men who have sex with men; people who inject drugs; people in prisons and other closed settings; sex workers and their clients; and transgender people.

In addition, given their life circumstances, a range of other populations may be particularly vulnerable, and at increased risk of HIV infection, such as adolescent girls and young women in southern and eastern Africa and indigenous peoples in some communities.

Increased HIV vulnerability is often associated with legal and social factors, which increases exposure to risk situations and creates barriers to accessing effective, quality and affordable HIV prevention, testing and treatment services.

Over two thirds of all people living with HIV live in the WHO African Region (25.7 million).

While HIV is prevalent among the general population in this region, an increasing number of new infections occur among key population groups.

HIV can be diagnosed through rapid diagnostic tests that can provide same-day results. This greatly facilitates diagnosis and linkage with treatment and care.

There is no cure for HIV infection. However, effective antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) can control the virus and help prevent onward transmission to other people.

At the end of 2018, an estimated 79 per cent of people living with HIV knew their status. An estimated 23.3 million (or 62 per cent of all) people living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 53 per cent had achieved suppression of the HIV virus with no risk of infecting others.

Between 2000 and 2018, new HIV infections fell by 37 per cent and HIV-related deaths fell by 45 per cent, with 13.6 million lives saved due to ART. This achievement was the result of great efforts by national HIV programmes supported by civil society and international development partners. (WHO, UNAIDS)

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From on high…

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…into politics hen a big storm is brewing, you can tell ahead of time by the cockroaches streaming out of the ground. With what some have dubbed “the mother of all elections” scheduled in three months, the intensity of the coming political storm can be judged by the number of political players coming out of the woodwork. They can’t be called “political parties”, since none of them has shown that they’ve got ANY following on the ground.

All we see are “leaders” gathered in airconditioned rooms in G/town pontificating on how they’ll solve whatever they feel ails Guyana. In one instance, we had a single “leader”, who chaired the press conference; got up and introduced himself as the leader of his party, and thanked non-existing “members of the head-table”!! Either we have very confident or very delusional citizens in this land! Take your pick.

The latest to throw, if not their hats then their collars, into the rings – and you know dear reader, elections in Guyana are three ring circuses! – is a group of pastors. They announced they represent the “People’s Republic Party” (PRP). Guess they couldn’t call themselves the more obvious “Pastors Political Party”, since the acronym “PPP” is already taken!! That they insisted they’ll be “governed by godly principles” was expected, but your Eyewitness wondered not so idly as to whose “God’s principles” they meant.

Having been subjected to many bible-thumping harangues as a kid, he knew these pastors rejected all other gods as “false” – so there went Allah and the 350 million gods of the Hindus out of the door.

But since Christianity’s the major religion in Guyana, one suspects the pastors weren’t risking much if they alienated the latter’s benighted adherents!! But then your Eyewitness read that the pastors weren’t going to be harvesting souls, but pursuing “job creation, economic development, and diversifying the economy”!

Whatever happened, he wondered, to the injunction from sweet Jesus Himself, when asked whether taxes should be paid to the Roman State: “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's"?? On this the Catholics (Thomist or Gelasian doctrine) were as one with the Protestants’ Lockean way of separation of church and state. Even though the Gelasians did scoff at earthy rulership, which they held to be inferior to ruling in heaven!

But is it possible that this is a radical bunch of pastors who agree with Gandhi’s interpretation of Jesus’s instruction about religion and politics?? The Mahatma claimed that Jesus's whole preaching and practice point unmistakably to non-cooperation, which necessarily includes non-payment of taxes.

Take that, you blood-suckers!!

If this is so, then your Eyewitness says (with raised, clenched fist!) “Right on, pastors!!” …taken for a chump Learning that the drone company is a start-up and the drones are “experimental”, your Eyewitness reprises his initial reaction when Ramjattan broached the subject years ago. He assumed Ramjattan was talking about those drones the US deploys from deep under the mountains of Nebraska to take out targets in, say, Afghanistan. Ramjattan did say the drones would fly “hundreds” of miles out and then back!

Never in his wildest dreams did he think Ramjattan meant drones that are used by American farmers to check on their crops, or oil pipeline companies to check on their…well…pipelines!!

The longest-range drones from Skyfront fly 60 miles tops…in over five hours max!! Exactly where will Ramjattan situate the soldiers controlling the drones in the bush to get the best use of the range??

But more to the point: how come Ramjattan’s paying US$165,000 for a drone that costs one third of that to customers in the states??

Is he feathering his nest before he’s dumped?? …solving the “gay problem” The pastors party signalled they won’t be party to the evolving Guyanese consensus on LGBTQ acceptance. They insist marriage is a “union of a biological man and a biological woman”.

And don’t recognise the rights to “gender fluidity”.

What’s next?? Bun dem??

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“This is critical medicine,” SASOD says ahead of PrEP introduction

By Lakhram Bhagirat

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uyana’s premier Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) activist group, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) is starting its own movement in the fight against the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Guyana.

SASOD has been advocating for the introduction of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), to the most at-risk group – the LGBT community, for over three years now. However, very little has been done in that time, causing the organisation to start its own movement with the introduction of the critical medicine.

SASOD’s Managing Director, Joel Simpson, during an interview with the Sunday Times Magazine, indicated that the intention was to launch the drug during the 2019 World AIDS Week celebrations.

PrEP is a pill that can reduce the risk of contracting HIV in persons who are HIV-negative. The daily pill, under the Truvada brand, can result in 90 to 98 per cent protection against the disease and caters mainly for those whose partners are HIV-positive.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a pre-exposure prophylaxis is for people at very high risk for HIV to lower their chances of getting infected. A combination of two HIV medicines (tenofovir and emtricitabine) is approved for daily use as PrEP to help prevent an HIV-negative person from getting HIV from a sexual or injection-drug-using partner who is positive.

Studies have shown that PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV if it is used as prescribed. PrEP is much less effective when it is not taken consistently.

When taken every day, PrEP is safe and highly effective in preventing HIV infection.

With that information at hand, SASOD conducted a study on the drug and produced a report, which was submitted to the National AIDS Programme Secretariat as well as the Public Health Ministry in a move to advocate for the introduction of PrEP. The study included 47 persons from Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) targeted the level of knowledge, attitudes and delivery preferences in relation to PrEP. SASOD is considered a pioneer in the fight for human rights, especially those of the LGBT community. According to SASOD, during the study, it was revealed that while a majority of the respondents were interested in the benefits of the pill, they were concerned about the costs attached and the HIV stigma that follows when seeking information about PrEP. SASOD has been in constant contact with the Government in relation to the introduction of PrEP, but, according to Simpson, things have been moving very slowly.

“A huge challenge when working with bureaucratic agencies like Ministries is that things are moving very slow, quite often too slow … this is critical medicine. This is an urgent medicine and we don’t feel the sense of urgency from the health bureaucrats,” Simpson related.

World AIDS Week officially starts today (December 1), and it is during this week that SASOD will officially launch its service introducing the drug on the local market.

Though, not available in Guyana, many at-risk persons have been travelling overseas and sourcing the drug as a means of protecting themselves against the risk of contracting HIV. SASOD, in collaboration with a private clinic based in Georgetown, will be introducing the medication and is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday.

“We are at a place where we decided that it is time for our communities to take action and we are embarking on a partnership with a Private Sector agency to start bringing PrEP at a reasonable cost and making it available for those who can afford to pay for the drugs.

PrEP will be available at the private health clinic in Georgetown from Monday to Friday and on Saturday at SASOD’s Duncan Street, Lamaha Gardens office.

“We recognise that everybody who needs PrEP will not be able to afford it, but we also want to show that there is a great deal of demand. We want to demonstrate that it is going to be successful in the Guyanese context in preventing new infections, especially among persons who think they are at high risk for HIV and hopefully that will encourage and inspire the Government to expand their PrEP programme beyond serodiscordant couples,” Simpson said.

Government’s response

The Public Health Ministry earlier announced that it would be introducing PrEP to vulnerable groups. The Ministry’s introduction would have targeted sero-

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

discordant couples (a situation where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is not) through a public-private partnership.

“While it is a start, it is not sufficient. It is not enough and we don’t think we can wait any longer to bring critical lifesaving medicines to our communities. So, this is one way we have decided to move ahead to bring PrEP to Guyana and to bring PrEP to a section of the population that can afford to pay the cost for the tablets,” Simpson told the Sunday Times Magazine.

While Government has trained a number of health professionals in the distribution and management of PrEP, it is yet to operationalise its plan to have those target groups catered for.

“In our view, it suggests that it would operationalise till the end of the year and it would take about six months to a year before they decide to expand and we cannot wait any longer. We have been directly advocating for PrEP for over three years now. We did research extensively and we have decided to move ahead,” SASOD’s Head noted.

A direct effort to reach out to the Ministry for an update on its programme provided futile. However, just last year Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud has since indicated that Government was cautious about introducing PrEP, since

SASOD Managing Director Joel Simpson

it may increase risky behaviour.

In August, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence was quoted in the local press as saying “The Ministry stepping out in this particular venture (introducing PrEP) in terms of creating another space allows persons to have their own choice of access to services. We believe it certainly will work towards the benefit of our people. It certainly will help us in terms of reaching persons and keeping persons in the system and utilising the services available.”

SASOD’s introduction of PrEP will see the medication offered at a cost no higher than $10,000.

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u m a n Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) targets the immune system and weakens the defence systems against infections and some types of cancer. As the virus destroys and impairs the function of immune system cells, infected individuals gradually become immunodeficient. Immune function is typically measured by CD4 cell count.

HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 32 million lives so far. By the end of 2018 there were 37.9 million people living with HIV. Due to gaps in HIV services, 770 000 people died from HIV-related causes in 2018 and 1.7 million people were newly infected. In 2018, for the first time, individuals from key population groups and their sexual partners accounted for over half of all new HIV infections globally (an estimated 54 per cent) in 2018. For eastern European, central Asian, Middle Eastern and North African regions, these groups accounted for around 95 per cent of new HIV infections.

At the end of 2018, an estimated 79 per cent of people living with HIV knew their status. An estimated 23.3 million (or 62 per cent of all) people living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 53 per cent had achieved suppression of the HIV virus with no risk of infecting others.

Between 2000 and 2018, new HIV infections fell by 37 per cent and HIV-related deaths fell by 45 per cent, with 13.6 million lives saved due to ART. This achievement was the result of great ef-

forts by national HIV programmes supported by civil society and international development partners.

On this note, in September, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence revealed that 500 new HIV cases were recorded in 2018. Some 8200 persons are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Guyana.

This was revealed by Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence on Monda at the launch of World Aids Day 2019, which is to be observed on December 1.

“Our statistics reveal that there are 8200

children, adolescents, youths, women and men living with HIV. In 2018, about 500 new infections occurred in Guyana mainly from key populations and young people.”

The Minister was keen to note that of the 8200 persons living with the virus, 93 per cent of them know their status, making Guyana the only Caribbean country to achieve the first 90 of the United Nation Aids (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 target ahead of the 2020 timeline.

The 90-90-90 target aims to diagnose 90 per cent of all HIV positive persons, provide antiret-

roviral therapy for 90 per cent of those diagnosed, and achieve viral suppression for 90 per cent of those treated by 2020.

When it comes to the other targets, 73 per cent of infected persons are presently on treatment and 81 per cent have so far achieved viral suppression so they can no longer transmit the infection to their partners.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, during his 2019 Budget presentation, said that the incidence of HIV appears to be rising, with the 20-29 age group showing the highest incidence – 32 per cent of all newly-reported cases in 2017.

“This disease also relies on our lifestyle choices, specifi-

cally our decision to use protection, commit to continuous testing and diligently follow treatment prescribed. The Government will continue its public awareness, surveillance and follow-up programmes. We have committed to the international 90-90-90 Treat All Policy towards the eradication of HIV,” he said.

To combat HIV and non-communicable diseases, Government has allocated $1.6 billion for family health care services in 2019.

In Guyana, HIV accounts for over 200 deaths annually, with over 8500 people living with the infection. The key populations most affected by HIV in Guyana include sex workers, transgender persons and prisoners.

Government has been making every effort to tackle the increase in HIV cases; however, there are several issues along the way. Because of the disparity between the coastland and hinterland, health care is not accessible to all as was reported when it was revealed that pregnant women in the hinterland regions are not receiving HIV tests.

This would have been quickly addressed, as it was explained that the lack of testing is owed to some lapses in the delivery system resulting in the late delivery of the testing kits.

The revelation was one of the official findings of the Study on Indigenous Women and Children in 12 communities, conducted by the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry in collaboration with UNICEF. The study was conducted in villages located in all the administrative regions, including Akawini, Santa Mission, St Cuthbert Mission, Moraikobai, Orealla/Siparuta and River View.

The global goal is to eliminate HIV by the year 2030 and achieve the 90-90-90 plan whereby 90 per cent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status, 90 per cent of the persons who are tested are treated and 90 per cent of those who are treated go into virus suppression.

Youth activists have been calling for a comprehensive sexual education curriculum to be introduced in public schools, noting that it can go a long way in educating children holistically. The Government has made very little strides in the area despite repeated calls from various sections of society.

WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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FEATURE 35

he crisp air of the Pakaraimas is just one of the major reasons for living in the picturesque village of Paramakatoi, which is located on the left bank of the Kawa River in the North Pakaraimas. The beautiful settlement is one of the largest and most developed of Amerindian communities in Region 8 and functions as a regional centre for the catchment area.

The village has just a little over two thousand residents from the Patamona, Makushi and Wapichan tribes and is bordered by Kato, Taruka and Tuseneng villages. The villagers is heavily dependent on subsistence farming, hunting and fishing for their livelihoods. In addition, some are also involved in cattle rearing, small-scale trade in local crafts and mining.

The people of Paramakatoi go far out of the title to hunt, fish and gather materials. They know that Siparuni is the key area for those activities and is described by the residents as their supermarket. However, the esidents are worried about the potential threat posed by extractive industries in Siparuni and Tipuru to their future food security.

The Village is a closely knitted one with everyone looking out for each other. Being one of, if not the, largest developed Amerindian settlement, the village of Paramakatoi has schools for their children as well as health care and makes it an ideal place to visit. (Photos by Ajay Mootoosami)

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dvent is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas (or sometimes from the 1st December to Christmas Day!). Advent means 'Coming' in Latin. This is the coming of Jesus into the world. Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas.

There are three meanings of 'coming' that Christians describe in Advent. The first, and most thought of, happened about 2000 years ago when Jesus came into the world as a baby to live as a man and die for us. The second can happen now as Jesus wants to come into our lives now. And the third will happen in the future when Jesus comes back to the world as King and Judge, not a baby.

Advent Sunday can be from the 27th November (which it was in 2016) to the 3rd December (which it was in 2017)! Advent only starts on the 1st December when Christmas Day is on a Wednesday (which will happen in 2019)!

No one is really sure when Advent was first celebrated but it dates back to at least 567 when monks were ordered to fast during December leading up to Christmas.

Some people fast (don't eat anything) during advent to help them concentrate on preparing to celebrate Jesus's coming. In many Orthodox and Eastern Catholics Churches, Advent lasts for 40 days

and starts on November 15th and is also called the Nativity Fast. (Advent also starts on November 15th in Celtic Christianity.)

Orthodox Christians often don't eat meat and dairy during Advent, and depending on the day, also olive oil, wine and fish.

There are some Christmas Carols that are really Advent Carols! These include 'People Look East', 'Come, thou long expected Jesus', 'Lo! He comes, with clouds descending' and perhaps the most popular Advent song 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel!'

Advent symbolizes the present situation of the church in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2), as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate his eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. Israel looked back to God’s past gracious actions on their behalf in leading them out of Egypt in the Exodus, and on this basis, they called for God once again to act for them. In the same way, the church, during Advent, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people. In this light, the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” perfectly represents the church’s cry during the Advent season: O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appears.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

To balance the two elements of remembrance and anticipation, the first two Sundays in Advent look forward to Christ’s second coming, and the last two Sundays look backward to remember Christ’s first coming. Over the course of the four weeks, Scripture readings move from passages about Christ’s return in judgment to Old Testament passages about the expectation of the coming Messiah to New Testament passages about the announcements of Christ’s arrival by John the Baptist and the

Angels.

There are several ways that Advent is counted down but the most common is by

a calendar or candle(s).

There are two types of candle(s) that are used to count down to Christmas Day in Advent. The first looks like a normal candle, but has the days up to Christmas Day marked down the candle. On the first of December the candle is lit and burnt down to the first line on the candle. The same is done every day and then the rest of the candle is burnt on Christmas day. I use one of these candles to count down during Advent.

An Advent Crown is another form of candles that are used to count down Advent. These are often used in Churches rather than in people's homes. The crown is often made up of a wreath of greenery and has four candles round the outside and one in the middle or in a separate place. Sometimes a more traditional candelabra is used to display the five candles.

One candle is lit on the first Sunday of Advent, two are lit on the second Sunday and so on. Each candle has a different meaning in Christianity. Different churches have given them different meanings, but I was taught the following: The first represents Isaiah and other prophets • in the Bible that predicted the coming of Jesus.

• The second represents the Bible.

• The third represents Mary, the mother of Jesus.

• The fourth represents John the Baptist, Jesus' cousin, who told the people in Israel to get ready for Jesus' teaching.

The middle or separate candle is lit on Christmas Day and represents Jesus, the light of the world. In many churches, the color purple is used to signify the season of Advent. On the third Sunday, representing Mary, the color is sometimes changes to pink or rose.

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WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

No leads one month after Essequibo Coast pensioner went missing Elections…

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…and the PNC Manifesto iffed that the PPP were first off the blocks with their Manifesto, the PNC petulantly accused the former of cogging from their playbook!! One isn’t sure why the PPP would want to do that, since the few accomplishments the PNC coalition managed to scrape together were all PPPconceived projects they inherited. Like the CJIA and ECD/WCD highways. And even then, they managed to screw up the airport by conspiring with the Chinese company to fob off a shoddy makeover, rather than a new, modern structure. Like the ECD highway, the CJIA remains unfinished.

A PNC spokesman claimed they’re putting on the finishing touches to their manifesto. That’s rather surprising, since not completing 95% of what they promised in their 2015 Manifesto, they could’ve as well reissued the untouched and unused document!!

But they’re obviously ashamed of their failure to accomplish even their own modest plans, since the fella announced they’re naming their new manifesto a “Decade of Development” – starting from 2020.

Why wouldn’t they have promised to complete the 2015 one? Is this the way governments operate -every five years, throw out the old plans and start from “scratch”?? They have a name for this: “running on the spot”!! And as the name suggests, at best, we’ll all be right where we began every five years under the PNC!!

So, let’s take a look at that old Manifesto which had been launched with such fanfare and so much promise.

That opened up with a summary of the Cummingsburg Accord with the PNC and AFC. How much of that agreement was executed? Did PM Nagamootoo get to chair Cabinet, or be responsible for Domestic Affairs, as promised under the rubric “Shared Executive Responsibilities”??? How many “Ministerial Appointments” did he recommend to Granger? What about that “Government of National Unity”? Did that even glimpse the light of day? The promise about “Reforms of the Local Government System; Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches of government” had excited a lot of interest. Why did they remain stillborn?? Weren’t they going to be the result of “Constitutional Change” that would be tabled in the National Assembly within 9 months??

There was also going to be “the curtailment of immunities, pension plan and other inequities of the presidencies”. Yep! You read that right! Did that get blotted on Granger’s copy?? As a “youth man” himself, your Eyewitness’s interest was piqued at the promise of “ensuring all State Boards have a youth representative on them.” Any appointment?

But you get the idea; don’t you, dear reader?? If so many of the crucial promises of the PNC coalition – forget just filling potholes! – were not fulfilled, why trust their new promises??

Fool me once… …and integrity One big promise of the PNC coalition was ensuring the “integrity” of their government officials. With trumpets blaring, Trotman promptly announced a “Code of Conduct” that would guide the said members.

Even though it was long on aspirations and short on specifics, folks felt it was a start. But as scandal upon scandal broke over the government – Durban Park; Ansa Drug Contract; pharma bottomhouse; DHB design bid etc etc - like the waves of the Atlantic at the Kitty foreshore, one understood why the Code of Conduct was never even given official imprimatur!!

Then there’s the Integrity Commission. This was finally appointed THREE YEARS after the PNC took office!! But when it revealed that the president was among the majority of government officials who refused to file their asset declarations, your Eyewitness knew this Commission was in trouble.

And lo and behold, so it was!! The Chairman just revealed that the government has starved it of funds, so that it can’t even publish the names of the transgressors!!

And they’re all supposed to be honourable men!! …and symbols All parties planning on competing in the next elections must register their symbols with the Elections Commission by Dec 13. Can’t have conflicting symbols.

So, who’ll back off from using the “Scales of Justice”?? JFAP or TCI??

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t is now almost one month since 73-year-old Philommena Alfred went missing after visiting the bank with her husband in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Although the pensioner suffers from amnesia, family members are still puzzled about her sudden disappearance.

Alfred’s granddaughter, Devika Ashby said on Saturday that family members, Police Officers and regional officials who participated in the search have halted the three-week exercise since there have been no leads.

“My family members search up to the 27th of this month, but did not find any trace; the Police did went and help my relatives to search, but nothing not even a trace … only God knows what happened to her. It's a very hard situation,” Ashby stated.

While expressing some hope

Still missing: Philommena Alfred

that her grandmother may be alive, Ashby noted that persons were consistently contacting family members informing them that they saw the missing pensioner but she said in many instances, the calls were hoaxes.

This publication had previously reported that Alfred and her husband, 76-year-old George Alfred, left in the company of each other to visit Republic Bank’s Anna Regina location about 11:00h on November 4, 2019.

Upon arrival at the Bank, the man left his wife outside and headed inside to conduct a transaction. However, upon his return, she was not there.

The 73-year-old was last seen wearing a black flowered dress and family members are still urging anyone with information regarding her whereabouts to contact 666-7651 or the nearest Police Station.

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The beat goes on…

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…in Suriname he case was brought since 2007; but, at long last, Desi Bouterse was convicted of murder for the execution of 15 Surinamese citizens who’d been rounded up and murdered in 1982. In 1980, he’d been the leader in the “Coup of Sergeants” that had violently ousted the democratically elected President Henk Aaron from office. Suriname had enjoyed only 5 years of peaceful independence from the Netherlands.

Bouterse had appointed himself head of the Military Council, and had proceeded to handselect pliant presidents for Suriname while he ruled behind the scenes. It was the same year Burnham had created his “special” constitution, making him a “constitutional” dictator for life. It was the same year also, of course, that he’d organised for his main opposition leader, Walter Rodney, to be assassinated, along with two other members of the latter’s party.

Both leaders of the two Guianas had seized power and had subverted democracy - and by not such different routes. Bouterse was just cruder in his seizure and execution of power, but Burnham ruled with no less an iron hand. There was a failed coup attempt against Bouterse early in 1982, and a few months later, he organised the execution of the 15, whom he insisted were behind it.

It is quite possible that if Burnham hadn’t decapitated the head of the WPA in 1980, a similar coup or a popular uprising might have been organised here. In 1979, a band of WPA activists from West Demerara, led by Ivan Sookram, had been arrested and tortured for collecting weapons and planning such a coup.

It wasn’t until Dec 2007 – 25 years after the murders – that the trial for the “December Murders” was started. Time longer than twine, especially for murder, which has no statute of limitations. By early 2012, one of the accused persons decided to tell the truth: that Bouterse had actually participated in the killings, but by then Bouterse had entered electoral politics and become President in 2010. His party promptly passed an Amnesty Law before his erstwhile confederate could testify!!

Back in 1999, Bouterse had been convicted in absentia for drug trafficking in the Netherlands, but couldn’t be extradited because of Surinamese law. The threat of a murder conviction didn’t faze Bouterse, who revelled in his outlaw reputation.

The point about all of this for us in Guyana is that David Granger and the PNC were nurtured in the same dictatorial mindset of Bouterse, and really don’t give a damn about their reputation in the international community. They know that once the direct interests of the big powers aren’t affected, they’ll turn a blind eye to all sorts of excesses.

Rigging elections is the least of their fears!! …in Guyana The PPP launched their mini-manifesto on Friday.

Your Eyewitness wasn’t surprised it was given short shrift by the dailies - other than this newspaper.

Problem is, the PNC and AFC ruined the whole point about manifestos after 2015. The PPP is driven by a programme that’s honed for months by the party, in consultations with all sections of society. Everybody helps to draft the manifesto, including the candidate who’ll be executing it in office.

There are no surprises about what the PPP will do in power; it’s all there in black and white in the manifesto. In the PNC’s first iteration, Burnham crafted grandiloquent “Five Year Plans” with fancy themes like “Feed, House and Clothe the Nation!!”

Since all of then invariably failed, no one took them seriously. During the PPP’s 23 years, however, that party faithfully kept to its plans - and rescued Guyana from the PNC’s destruction.

But while the PNC/AFC imitated this in 2015, they deep-sixed all meaningful promises - like constitutional change.

So now the PPP has to overcome this jadedness. …with PNC’s ineptness Former Jamaican PM Portia Miller advised the PNC Government that they should give local companies priorities over foreigners in the new oil economy.

Doesn’t she realize the PNC sees this as “strengthening their enemies”?

WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Off to India: India's High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa interacted with and briefed 57th Know India Program participants from Guyana.

From diverse background, this group comprises of eager, bright youth willing to learn more about India, going to Delhi and Himachal Pradesh

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Businessman accused of attempting to smuggle G$7.3M in raw gold faces bribery charge

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businessman, who was charged on November 25, for attempting to export G$7.3M in raw gold through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), was on Thursday, slapped with a bribery charge at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Forty-four-year-old Vibert Marks of Lot 95 Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied the charge which alleged that, on November 18, 2019, at the CJIA, he corruptly offered an agent, Dominic Smart, a CANU officer employed by the State of Guyana, G$100,000 as a reward for forbearing to investigate him (Marks) an act in relation to his principal’s affairs.

Marks was represented by Attorney-at-law Glenn Hanoman who asked that his client be released on reasonable

bail.

Facts presented

by Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers stated that on the day in question, the defendant, who is a permanent resident of the United States of America, was an outgoing passenger at CJIA destined for the USA. However, he attempted to bribe the rank but was unsuccessful and as such, he was arrested and subsequently charged.

The Magistrate, after listening to the facts, released Marks on G$100,000 bail.

The condition of the bail is that he reports every week at SOCU Headquarters. He was instructed to make his next court appearance on January 6, 2020.

Marks was charged previously for being in possession of raw gold weighing 974.13 grams valuing G$7.3M without an export license. He denied the charge and was granted G$200,000 bail.

26-yr-old jailed for 3 years for stealing woman’s underwear, cash

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Vibert Marks

JAILED

wenty-six-yearold Yudhister Samjawan of 158 Third Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, who was accused of breaking and entering a woman’s home and stealing a pair of her underwear, along with a cellphone and cash appeared before Senior Magistrate, Dylon Bess in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The charge read that on October 4, 2019, at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, the taxi driver broke into the dwelling house of Yanti Stephens and stole one phone valued G$35,000, a pair of female underwear valued G$400 and G$50,000, belonging to Yanti Stephens.

The Police prosecutor told the court that on October 4, the woman was awoken by a noise and as such, she

got out of her bed to investigate when she found Samjawan crawling on her floor.

The court heard that the woman then raised an alarm and the man fled the scene hiding in a nearby trench.

According to the prosecutor, the police were subsequently called and during a search of the area, they found Samjawan hiding in a trench alongside the street.

The underwear was found in his left side pocket after a search was carried out on his person and Stephens’. The defendant was then arrested and the charge was instituted.

After finding sufficient evidence against Samjawan, Magistrate Bess ruled that he be sentenced to three years behind bars.

WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 43

Times Media Group employees recognised by PAHO/WHO

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xecutive Member of the Guyana Press Association (GPA) Denis Chabrol on Sunday night called on those in authority to break the cycle of preferential media access, especially when it comes to promoting matters of national interest, such as health and social issues.

His call comes in light of challenges media workers continue to face in accessing public officials for information on a number of developments and matters of national importance.

“The GPA has been informed and I have been asked to make mention of this tonight (Sunday) by a number of our colleagues who are participants in this year’s awards that they have experienced great difficulties in accessing information from the relevant Government agencies in spite of repeated efforts,” Chabrol said during his remarks at the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Clare Forrester Media Awards for Excellence in Health Journalism.

“In this regard, the GPA urges those who have been refusing to speak with members of the media from certain media houses to take corrective action.”

“Put aside your differences and preferences of media houses over others…We must find a way to break the cycle of limitations on preferential media access when one party or the other is in Government or the Opposition,” Chabrol expressed.

The Media Awards competition is an annual initiative aimed at keeping health issues at the forefront.

When it began in 2014, there were just about 30 entries. This year, PAHO/WHO received 132 submissions, of which 122 were processed due to number of challenges.

Every year, journalists, photographers and videographers are recognised for their work in the field of health journalism.

Among the winners this year are Guyana Times and Evening News assistant editors/ senior journalists, Lakhram

Berbice teen charged for killing ‘drinking buddy’ over raw gold

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Nelson Cambridge

n 18-year-old was on Wednesday remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to face a murder charge.

Nelson Cambridge, a miner of Number 40 Village, West Coast Berbice, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. The charge stated that between November 29 and November 30, 2019 at George Creek, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), he murdered Romel Roberts.

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers stated that on November 29, 2019, the two men were “washing down” the production of the dredge when they

found 4.5 pennyweight of raw gold, which they split equally.

The court heard that the men subsequently began imbibing and a short while after Roberts accused Cambridge of stealing his gold. A scuffle subsequently ensued and the accused allegedly took out a knife from his waistband and stabbed the victim several times about the body before making good his escape.

The injured man was picked up and rushed to the Mackenzie Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Magistrate remanded Cambridge to prison and the case was scheduled to continue on December 11,2019.

Guyana Times senior journalist/assistant editor, Lakhram Bhagirat and Evening News Editor, Devina Samaroo were on Sunday evening awarded by PAHO/WHO for excellence in health journalism. Mr Bhagirat won 2nd place for print news feature while Ms Samaroo won first place for best online feature and television feature

Bhagirat and Devina Samaroo.

Bhagirat won second place for his print news story on prostate cancer which was published in Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

Meanwhile, Samaroo won first place for best online feature and best television feature with her story on access to safe abortion services which were broadcast and publicised on the Evening News and INews Guyana.

Chief Judge, Dr Paloma Mohamed noted that the competition has been growing in volume and quality, and journalists are developing a better understanding of health-related topics.

“Journalists are developing a more sensitive and broad range of understanding of what health journalism is about and,” she said, explaining that health journalism deals with more than just “diseases” but rather, can cover matters such as migrant and climate change.

44 news

WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Mother of young accident victim calls for more serious penalties against reckless drivers

By Devina Samaroo

F

ollowing an accident that has changed her daughter’s life forever, a mother is calling on the authorities to send a stronger message to reckless drivers.

While her little girl was fortunate enough to survive the crash, this parent believes the penalty against the guilty driver was too lenient.

Adalia George, 11, was struck down on November 19, 2019, as she was making her way across a busy road using the pedestrian crossing at Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

After spending several days in a hospital bed, Adalia has been discharged, but her life has changed forever.

She is still experienc-

Allison Arthur

ing excruciating pain, is unable to use her hands, and cannot walk properly.

The young girl suffered a fractured neck, broken shoulder, and bruises about her body.

Her mother, Allison Arthurs, is still uncertain about the future that now awaits her ambitious child.

Adalia is a pupil of the Soesdyke Primary School, where her mother has been teaching for over 10 years.

At the time of the accident, the young girl and her siblings had just disembarked a minibus and were waiting to cross the road by the pedestrian crossing.

According to Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) footage seen by Guyana Times International, a vehicle finally stopped for them to cross. The vehicle appeared to have had on its hazard lights.

However, as the group of people were halfway across the pedestrian crossing, a speeding motor car struck them down.

The little girl’s body was thrown some distance ahead. She was tak-

en to the Diamond hospital and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The driver, according to the mother, has made no contribution to the child’s medical bills.

The matter was heard at the Providence Magistrate’s Court; the driver pleaded guilty and, as a consequence, was given six months in jail while the maximum penalty for the crime was 12 months.

Allison believes the penalty is too weak and it does not send a strong enough message to reckless road users.

“I am feeling the consequences of the accident right now and I am very, very annoyed about the fact that maximum penalty is 12 months. That

Adalia George

needs to be reviewed because a lot of people are taking this thing as a joke,” the mother expressed during an interview with this publication.

“The Magistrate did the best he could; I admired how he tried and he did what he had to do… but for them (drivers), they don’t see the seriousness. They would cry and shed a lot of tears in

court and what else can the Magistrate do?”

There has been a sudden increase in road fatalities. In fact, within a period of seven days, 12 persons lost their lives in road accidents.

Allison believes this is so because drivers are, for some reason, extremely reckless, and there is not a strong enough deterrent for them to operate otherwise.

“Somebody has to be used as an example to the others,” the mother contended.

“I am admonishing that road users, especially our drivers, to look out for the children, look out for the elderly persons, look out for everyone, and slow down, because one day, it may be your relative and your child. And what I’m going through, you may go through worse than that,” she said.

Prison Officer lands in hot water after being caught with ganja in underwear

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nother prison officer performing duties at the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was caught with a quantity of marijuana stashed in his underwear during a search conducted on Sunday.

Reports are that about 06:45h, the prison officer was subjected to a mandatory search when he reported for duty, and he was immediately detained.

According to Guyana Prison Service (GPS) Director Gladwyn Samuels, the Police were called into investigate.

The prison officer in question had been serving the GPS for eight months to date.

Samuels said that after being caught, the officer claimed that he committed the illegal act after being “pressured” by an inmate, who repeatedly requested that he supply him with the illicit substance.

“The officer said he would like to warn other officers to make use of the systems in place to report such issues so that they can get the needed help.

The prison administration will continue the efforts to have all such persons outfitted with the uniform of our inmate population,” the GPS Director added.

Just two days ago, a 39-year-old law enforcement officer serving at the GPS and stationed at the Lusignan Prison found himself in hot water after he was caught with cannabis in his possession while on duty.

He was detained after the illicit substance,

weighing 348 grams, was discovered.

The GPS Director had told this newspaper that the staff at the prisons would be searched sporadically but regularly.

In recent times, several raids and searches were conducted on the various prisons throughout the country, and numerous contraband items were discovered and seized.

Some officers of the GPS were implicated for receiving ‘bribes’ or ‘payment’ to allow such items to pass through their rigid checks.

Earlier this month, ranks of both the GPS and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) conducted a routine search of the Mazaruni Prison where a number of contraband items were discovered.

These included three SIM cards, 10 cellular phones, 59 packs of cigarettes, six pairs of scissors, 11 improvised weapons, eight lighters, two smoking utensils, eight chargers, eight pieces of broken mirrors, and more than 1400 grams of cannabis.

Also, a recent search at the New Amsterdam Prison unearthed several improvised weapons among other prohibited items.

Police found three improvised weapons; 65 packs of cigarettes; 19 razor blades; 10 grams of marijuana; six improvised chargers; five grams of fronto (a tobacco wrapper leaf); 20 metal spoons; five bottles and a bucket of locally made wine; Digicel SIM cards; one improvised smoking utensil; and two cellphones.

WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

45

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WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Weak governments create instability, and are a big obstacle to progress

By Donald Ramotar

P

olitical parties are mushrooming in Guyana these days. We have far more political parties than any other country in the Caribbean, and one of the highest numbers of such parties in the Commonwealth. The last count showed that Guyana has some 20 political parties.

Why is it that so many parties are emerging on our political scene? No doubt, some would interpret this as a testimony of our “democratic” society. Some outsiders, unfamiliar with our political history and today’s realities, would think that democracy is flourishing in Guyana.

That would have been true during the period 1992 to May 2015.

However, we have since seen a great decline in democratic practices. Accountability has almost totally disappeared, and the regime has shown scant regard for our Constitution and the rule of law.

Moreover, racial and political discrimination are rampant in our country.

I am sure that even the most ardent supporter of the APNU+AFC regime would have to admit that, using the yardstick of abiding by the Constitution and respecting the rule of law, Guyana is the most undemocratic regime in the region.

As this article is being prepared, we see all the signs that the regime is preparing to rig the upcoming elections, scheduled for March 2020, and perpetuate itself in power. This is more a case of history repeating itself.

Yet, the growth of political parties in our society is natural, and had we begun to have free and fair elections much earlier, this spurt in the amount of parties may have happened long before now.

Even though we see the proliferation of parties, this is not the limit. More parties may well emerge before the 2020 elections, and possibly even after. The reason for this growth is, no doubt, the electoral system that we have. Proportional Representation (PR) encourages the rise of many political parties. This system is alien to almost all of the Commonwealth countries. Almost all these countries have the Constituency system, popularly known as the “First Past the Post” system. This is

the system that obtains in the United Kingdom.

It was adopted by almost all the countries of the Commonwealth and many others outside of the Commonwealth.

The “First Past the Post” system creates conditions for strong political parties to contest specific areas, where the people’s representative would be well known. It is widely recognised as a more representative system, demands more accountability, and delivers better representation to the masses, the electors.

This was the system that we had up to 1961. It was replaced in 1964 by Proportional Representation (PR).

The record would show that the quantity of parties was much less before the PR electoral system was introduced.

In 1953, three (3) parties contested the elections; they were: the People’s Progressive Party, National Democratic Party (NDP) and the People’s National Party (PNP).

Independent candidates also participated for various constituencies. In fact, 86 independent candidates took part.

In 1957, five political parties: PPP (J), PPP (B), NLF, UDP, GNP, and six independent candidates contested.

In 1961, three parties contested: PPP, PNC, and UF; no independent candidate took part in those elections. This was the last elections wherein the “First Past the Post” method was used.

In 1964, the first elections held under the system of Proportional Representation (PR) seven parties contesting. They were: PPP, PNC, UF, Justice Party, Guyana United Muslim Party; Peace, Equality and Prosperity Party (PEPP), and National Labour Front.

From these first elections under PR, we see a growth in the quantity of parties emerging. Some were organised on religious grounds: GUMP and JP, and other smaller interests.

As is well known, the PR system was not imposed on us because the British thought that it was a better system. Indeed, this system first arose in the United Kingdom, but was discarded as unsuitable. Up to today, the British still have the Constituency system, so do the overwhelming amount of Commonwealth coun-

Donald Ramotar

tries.

Many politicians have a negative view of it. Harold Wilson, a former Prime Minister of UK, described it as a “fiddled arrangement.”

The main fear was that it would create weak government.

The first objective of the Colonial Power in imposing the Proportional Representation system on the then British Guiana was to remove the PPP from office before Independence, and to install a coalition of the PNC and the United Force. They did not want a political party that was truly independent, and sought to manage the country in the interest of its people, as the PPP had tried to take control in a post-colonial Guyana.

That was not the only reason. The British had in mind another reason that was not so obvious as the first; it was the removal of the PPP. That other reason was to ensure that our country would always have weak governments. They envisaged that no one party would be able to take the government, that we should always have coalitions. By this method, they felt that control of the government would always be in the hands of the Colonial Power or the United States, that had replaced Britain as the main power in the world.

It was a forged arrangement to keep a multi-racial, multi-cultural society divided.

The idea of changing

the electoral system to PR arose for the first time after the victory of the PPP in the 1957 General Elections. At first it was rejected by almost all. It was mooted by Anthony Tasker, who was then a nominated member of the Legislative Council.

Tasker later became the head of Bookers operations in British Guiana.

As a representative of Bookers, he had every reason to keep the society divided.

The British rejected it then, they felt that it was not the best form of representation.

Burnham also showed scant attention to it at that time. It was raised at the 1960 Independence talks, but did not find much support. It is clear that the British had not yet considered it.

However, after the victory of the PPP in the 1961 General Elections, the call became persistent.

Burnham fell in line after the British, having been pushed by the Kennedy Administration, finally gave in to the demand for Proportional Representation as the way to change the government in British Guiana. The records now released from the Foreign Office in London show that they had decided to impose that system on the colony after President Kennedy’s visit to the UK in 1963.

While in the late 1950s and 1960s the British supported Forbes Burnham instead of Cheddi Jagan, and actually installed him,

they did not totally trust him. Recall in Arthur Slazenger’s book, “John F Kennedy 1000 days in the White House”, he said that he had agreed with the British assessment of Burnham as being an opportunist, racist, and demagogue intent only on personal power.

That is why they wanted to keep him on a leash, to have him depending on them by forcing him into a coalition arrangement.

That British plan did not envisage the rigging of elections. Burnham, having assessed the international situation, felt confident that he could ditch his coalition partner and the British and Americans would not do anything about it, because the alternative was the incorruptible, principled Cheddi Jagan and the PPP. He was right. Neither the US nor the UK tried to stop him from carrying out some of the most massively rigged elections in the world.

Instead, they continued to finance him. At the same time, with their silence, he was able to maintain a façade of democracy.

The rigging of elections and the growing dictatorial rule prevented the growth of many political parties, as PR characteristically encourages. This was seen very early on in the period of the PNC in power.

Just before the elections of 1968, the PNC got rid of the United Force from the coalition. By the time

the UF had withdrawn from the coalition, it could not bring down the Government, because the PNC had managed to control the majority of votes in the Parliament.

They did that by massive bribery and the encouragement of corruption of the ministers of Government, particularly those ministers from the United Force.

The case of Mohamed Kassim, the then Minister of Works in that coalition Government, is a classic example. Mr Kassim was from the UF. His party leader, Mr Peter D’Aguiar, who was then the Minister of Finance, reported to the Parliament that Kassim could not account for five million dollars. He strongly suggested that the money was stolen.

Mr. Burnham, the Prime Minister, promptly got up and said that he had authorised the spending. Kassim immediately crossed the floor and joined the PNC. That is how the PNC got its first majority in the National Assembly.

Before that, some PPP parliamentarians were also bought over by the PNC through a combination of pressure and enticements.

Having seen all of that manoeuvring, people knew that the PNC was about to rig the elections of 1968. As a result, no new party emerged.

Only four (4) parties contested those elections.

They were: the PPP, PNC, UF and GUMP. A fall from seven (7) in 1964.

In 1973, elections again saw only four parties contesting.

They were: PPP, PNC, Liberator Party, and a new party: the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM).

The Liberator Party was a fusion of the UF and a group called ‘Liberator’. It was headed by Dr Gunraj Kumar, a prominent and popular medical doctor. The PDM was led by Llewellyn John, a former Minister of Home Affairs in the PNC/UF Coalition. He was key in the rigging of the 1968 elections. He fell out with the PNC and created his own party.

In 1980, the contesting parties fell to three (3): the PPP, PNC and the UF. This was a demonstration that the situation was seen as hopeless by many who probably wanted to contest.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Long knives

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…at Foreign Affairs decade ago, who would have thought that Guyana would be getting top billing in the media of every developed country in the world? The massive oil finds by Exxon did the job, and while we rightfully scrutinise Raphael Trotman’s role in the giving away of the store on the “negotiations”, we have to admit we’re getting some really good publicity as the world now beats a path to our door.

But just as we’re becoming known in the world for something other than Jonestown and its 900+ suicides, the caretaker PNC government has decided to shake up the entire edifice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Now, why would they want to go down this road, when the interests of our country in the international arena demand heightened protection?? Didn’t Trotman himself give the excuse of the Venezuelan border controversy as the reason he didn’t look at the fine print?? And isn’t the World Court going to decide in March as to whether they have the jurisdiction to hear the very case??

The PNC’s reason for sacking the Director General is that they’ve decided to do away with the position and replace it with a Permanent Secretary!! This excuse is even lamer than the one given by Trotman for his blunder on the oil contract!! Why couldn’t the incumbent Director General be given the new designation?? Why had they at first denied that her contract wasn’t being renewed?? Then there’s the decision to recall and replace 5 ambassadors to top drawer countries like Canada and China etc.

Knowing the beast we’re dealing with, we can be sure there’s more in the mortar than the pestle – and the PNC’s pestle has always been nothing to sneeze at!! So what is it since right off the bat, the PNC Government is breaking all the conventions of what a caretaker Government is supposed to do – which is just to mind the store. Not fire all the staff to rehire God knows who. But this is par for the PNC, which is willing to flout the LETTER of the Constitution, much less its spirit!!

The reason for the shakeup in the Foreign Service is that, knowing they’ll be booted out come next March, they’re gonna promote some stalwarts into the now vacant positions, then cry “racism” or “witchhunting” when the PPP has to revamp the staffing to deal with the demands of our heightened new role in the foreign arena. Remember the brouhaha when the PPP had to retool the same Ministry after the 1992 elections?? Multiply that by 1000 because of their chagrin at not getting their grubby little hands on the oil funds.

The move’s a land mine for the PPP!! …in the coalition If you’re getting the feeling that a lot of folks in the coalition are lying low since they aren’t popping up in the dailies as you’d expect them to do with elections in the air, well, take a bow!! But why the low profile?? And the answer is that the long knives we see being wielded in Foreign Affairs are also busy at work weeding out some old faces who the PNC feels haven’t been pulling their weight.

Right off the bat we know if the AFC has to throw some bodies under the bus after their renegotiated (imposed?) Accord, then imagine what folks like JFAP, NDF, NFA and WPA have to do!! Does anyone really think Jaipal Sharma’s gonna be back when it was bandied about he was about to do a Charrandas? Think about why he offered to do a Hara-Kiri! Or what about Keith Scott and his foot-inmouth tendency?? Does anyone even KNOW what the NDA is??

And we’re only talking about the fringe elements!! …against WPA Just when you thought the age of magic was long gone with Harry Potter and Hogwarts, we had the Rodney sign magically reappear at the National Archives!!

Or, with Christmas in the air, is it a miracle? By a “big stick”??

47

Manifestos and voting in Guyana

T

he release of manifestos is as much a part of the Guyanese electoral scene as “bottom house meetings”: both are geared to persuade the voting public where to put their X’s on elections day. With the former, the party offers in writing a “plaster for every sore” that afflicts the body politic but hopefully imbued with an overarching, comprehensive vision. “Bottom house” meetings, are more about informing the party faithful why not to vote for other parties and are generally no-hold-barred affairs, exemplified, for instance,

by PNC Chair Volda Lawrence’s comment that “her friends are PNC people and she’ll only give them ‘wuk’”.

Like most of our practices, our manifestos hark back to the European/British origins of our institutions – especially after WWII when the pioneering PPP was launched. The programmatic approach came out of the radical leftist politicians’ insistence that “root and branch” changes were needed across the spectrum to deliver a “brave new world”. In Britain, the Labour Party shocked the Conservatives – with Churchill at their head – and in 1953, the PPP did the same to the older political formations here.

Manifestos became de rigueur from then.

Generally, there are three aspects to manifestos: intra-party purposes, electoral purposes, and governance purposes. Parties typically have dedicated manifesto committees that solicit views from within and without the party, but ultimately the manifesto is ratified by the party.

This intra-party process was critical when ideology dominated our political scene and consensus had to be reached among the various “wings” of the party on policy issues. In 1955, Burnham, for instance, split from the PPP to eventually form the PNC, because he claimed that Jagan and his followers were too “leftist”.

But the disappearance of ideological differences between the PPP and PNC after 1989 – when the neoliberal premises of the “Washington Consensus” were accepted (however reluctantly) by both

parties, raises the question of the relative importance of what are called “valency” versus “position issues” in reference to the “electoral purposes” of manifestos. The term “valence” is used to highlight the significance of consensual issues – those on which there is agreement on the ends of politics by the parties, such as lower crime or economic growth or corruption. This is contrasted to “position” issues, on which voters and parties are divided on the ends of politics – such as delivering economic growth through Government intervention into the economy versus the present market fundamentalism.

From the comparison of the PPP manifesto versus the last one from APNU/AFC, there has clearly been a conver-

and 2011, for instance, the AFC was able to pull ethnic voters from both the PPP and the PNC because they convinced those voters they were more credible on the valency issues of corruption, security, rice and sugar wages etc, through their strategy of “holding a balance” between the PPP and PNC in the National Assembly.

When they merged with the PNC in 2015, it is conjectured that the AFC brought, as promgence of the two parties ised, their “Indian” supon “valency” issues: they port into the coalition to both declare, in effect, carry them over the tape. they want to deliver “the Some saw this as a posgood life” as represent- itive step in Guyanese ed by the western de- politics since an Africanmocracies. So how do we dominated Government choose between them? had the opportunity to In Guyana, it has been demonstrate it could generally conceded that move away from ethnic voting is overwhelming- clientelistic politics and ly influenced by the eth- bring the “good life” to nic origins of voters: one all ethnic groups. Its blacommentator had aptly tantly partisan appointdubbed our elections as ment policies immedi“ethnic censuses”. But if ately upon taking office, that is so, what exactly however, followed by its will manifestos – which callous treatment of sugdescribe the precise poli- ar workers, destroyed cies the parties will take that hope.

It is up to the PPP to to deliver the “good life” convince the majority of – do? the electorate that it is The manifesto is supmore competent to delivposed to convince electors – especially erst- er the consensus valency while ethnic supporters issues than the PNC-led of another party – of coalition for governance the greater competence purposes since the manof the said party to de- ifesto now becomes a soliver the “goods” they all cial contract with the enagree on. Between 2006 tire populace.

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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ctor Akshay Kumar says he started working with a lot of new directors because the big ones never took him in their films.

“The big directors didn’t take me, so I had to work with the new ones. That’s the truth.

When big people don’t take you, you have to start your own journey,” Akshay said in a group interview.

“Raj is my 21st new director. I feel the greed for good work is far more in a lot of new directors than the old ones. It’s a do or die situation for them, that if this doesn’t work we are finished.”

When asked if the big directors didn’t work with him as they went to the Khans, Akshay said he wouldn’t know about that.

“They went to the people who deserved. I would say I didn’t deserve much so I got it my way.”

While Good Newwz is backed by filmmaker Karan Johar, Akshay’s next is a biopic on Samrat Prithiviraj

B

Chauhan, produced by Yash Raj Films.

When asked what has changed over the years that the big production houses are teaming up with him, the 52-yearold actor said, “I still don’t have big directors.

They (YRF, Dharma) are producing films with me, not directing it.”

Akshay says when he collaborates with debutants, he completely trusts their vision and the script.

“My input is nothing.

I am not a guiding force.

They come, do their own work. I trust the script, the screenplay. If that’s set, 60 per cent of your work is complete. The rest depends on the director, how he takes it ahead.”

Also featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kiara Advani and Diljit Dosanjh, Good Newwz is scheduled to release on December 27. (Indian Express)

is never gonna be going anywhere,” Virat Kohli said.

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil featured Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma in the lead and starred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in a significant role. It

was helmed and produced by Karan Johar.

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil was a critical and commercial success. It minted an impressive Rs 237.56 crore at the box office. (Indian Express)

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ctor Ajay Devgn, who has scored a century in Bollywood with his latest venture Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, said it is best to remove the two zeros after one as his 100th film gives him the same anxiety as his first.

Devgn, who is playing the titular role in the film, said there are many warriors lost in the pages of history and it was important to tell their stories to the world.

“We had probably read just two paragraphs about Tanhaji Malusare in history books. I am sure many in Bengal do not know about him.

That is why the tag ‘unsung warrior’ is a part of the film’s title,” he told reporters at a press conference here.

Tanhaji, the 50-yearold actor said, was just the beginning of a series of many more such biopics on other unsung heroes of the country that he would want to make.

Asked about his experience of working with Saif Ali Khan, who his playing his bete noire Uday Bhan in the film, Devgn said he could not have thought of a better actor to fit in the role.

“We two got along really well during the shooting of ‘Kachche

ollywood star Anushka Sharma has many fans and her husband-cricketer Virat Kohli is one of them. In a recent interview with India Today, Virat revealed his favourite Anushka movie.

Stating that Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is his absolute favourite film of Anushka, Virat said that the character she plays in the film (Alizeh Khan) is the one he keeps coming back to and even watches a few clips of on YouTube every now and then.

“Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, hands down. That character for me is my most favorite ever. I mean I still tell her often even now. Sometimes I sit down and open Youtube and watch that sequence of when she has cancer and the whole thing where Ranbir (Kapoor) comes back…. that song is etched in my heart. It

Dhaage’ and ‘Omkara’. I wish we did more films together.”

Talking about wife Kajol, who is paired opposite him in the film, the two-time national award winner said, “It felt like home”.

The actor, while speaking about the preparation that went into the film, said, “It was important to understand the mindset of a warrior before playing him on screen. You need to have the psyche… that’s tough.”

On a question about the recent threat by a politician, who claimed that Devgn’s latest outing distorted history, the actor said it was wrong to make such comments without seeing the film.

He also said that certain events have to be dramatised while mak-

ing a film.

“You might know two significant incidents about his life, but how do you move from that one incident to the other?

Not everything is written. You have to dramatise it a bit,” he said.

Devgn, who has been in the industry for nearly 30 years, said he loves coming back to Kolkata, where he had shot two of his critically-acclaimed films ‘Yuva’ and ‘Raincoat’.

“I am here for the past four days and I must have gained 4 kg, relishing the sweets here,” he quipped.

Asked to describe his 100-film journey in one word, he said — “satisfying”.

‘Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior’ is set to hit the theatres on January 10.

(Indian Express)

lia Bhatt on Sunday said she felt guilty for being a “terrible sister” for not understanding Shaheen as much as she should have during the latter’s battle with depression.

The actor said she got more clarity on her sister’s mental state after reading her book “I’ve Never Been (un) Happier”.

Alia, who accompanied Shaheen at a session on mental health, had multiple breakdowns while talking about what her sister went through.

“I am suddenly feeling very nervous. I am very nervous that I am going to start crying any minute because once we start talking about my sister and her…,” Alia said, choking.

The actor broke down and was consoled by her sister.

“I feel extremely proud, heartbroken and overjoyed at the same time.

Even though I’ve lived with my sister my whole life, 26 years, I only understood what she was going through after reading her book.

“That makes me feel, on so many levels, so terrible as a sister. I feel like I didn’t put myself out there enough to understand her, to think about what she was going through,” Alia said.

The actor was speaking at ‘We The Women’ curated by Barkha Dutt.

Alia said on a subliminal level, everyone understood that there are certain situations which are different for Shaheen, but her book made her understand what she was going through.

“What makes me really emotional,” Alia broke down again, and added, “I always believed that she is the most brilliant person in the family but somehow she never believed it herself. That always broke my heart.

“Not just me, everyone feels like this for her, that when Shaheen walks into a room, it’s like a star is there because genuinely she with her mind, emotional quotient, the way she makes you feel, it’s of another extreme.”

When asked if she feels guilty for not being sensitive, Alia said, “I was sensitive but I do feel guilty for not understanding her as much as I should have. I do understand much better now.”

Shaheen, however, said understanding what depression means can be a task for people.

“It is impossible to know the intricacies of it (depression) unless you’ve gone through it… What she’s reacting to is that. Maybe she didn’t understand the intricacies. I don’t think she has anything to be guilty for, at all.” “…It has been 20 years now, for me depression is chronic, it’s even now.

Talking about having times when I don’t want to live, it happened to me a couple of months ago. I hadn’t felt that in a really long time. It had been a really long time since those thoughts and feelings came back. I attempted suicide when I was 17-18 as well,” she added.

Alia said when a person whom one loves with all their heart goes through depression, it’s impossible to not get emotional.

“The reason I didn’t want to cry was because it’ll become ‘Alia sheds a tear.’

But it isn’t about that. I don’t want it to become the focus but I’m sorry I just can’t help but cry. I love her so much, with all the muscle and cell in my body.” (Indian Express)

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R

obert Pattinson hopes his starring role as Batman in the upcoming Matt Reeves-directed standalone won’t trigger the fandom similar to the Twilight series as he has grown old and boring now.

The 33-year-old actor said he does not want to go through the fan pressure like he did while playing Edward Cullen in Twilight movies, when he essays the role of the caped crusader in The Batman.

”There’s a part of me that just thinks it’s impossible to be what happened with Twilight because it was so sudden.

I’m hoping it won’t be people hanging out outside my place. I just think I’m kind of boring and old now,” Pattinson said in a teaser for his interview with ‘TODAY’.

Pattinson’s last acting gig was Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse, which was released in the US in October.

(Indian Express)

M

artin Scorsese’s sprawling crime epic The Irishman has been named best picture by the National Board of Review.

The awards, announced on Tuesday by the National Board of Review, handed Netflix its second major honor in Hollywood’s quickening awards season. On Monday evening, Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story won best feature at the IFP Gotham Awards, which honor independent film. Both movies are widely expected to eventually reap numerous nominations at the Oscars, with either potentially landing Netflix its first best-picture win.

The Irishman also took best adapted screenplay, for Steven Zaillian’s script, and an icon award for Scorsese, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.

The board, as it typically does, otherwise spread its awards around to help fill its annual gala with stars.

Quentin Tarantino

took best director for Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood. Best actress went to Renee Zellweger for her performance as Judy Garland in Judy.

Adam Sandler won best actor for Josh and Benny Safdie’s upcoming New York thriller Uncut Gems.

Brad Pitt, widely seen as the Oscar front-runner for his co-leading performance in Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, won best supporting actor. The National Board of Review also threw its support behind Clint Eastwood’s upcoming docudrama on the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park bombing, Richard Jewell, giving it best

supporting actress for Kathy Bates and breakthrough performance for Paul Walter Hauser.

The picks by the National Board of Review, a long-running organization comprised of academics and film professionals, have in recent years seldom lined up with eventual Academy Awards winners. But its best-feature choice last year, Green Book, went on to triumph at the Oscars.

Other awards included: best ensemble to Rian Johnson’s whodunit Knives Out; best screenplay to Uncut Gems; best documentary to Maiden, about a historic all-woman sailing

D

ownton Abbey producer Gareth Neame has revealed that the conversations about a possible sequel are already happening.

The Downton Abbey movie released in September, three years after the show ended on television.

“We’re working on what the story is, and when we might be able to make it. But it’s the same as the first time around: We have to try to get everyone back together again. And that was very challenging,” Neame told The Hollywood Reporter.

The movie adapta-

tion featured the return of many favourites from the original cast, including veteran actor Maggie Smith as indomitable Violet Crawley, Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley, Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates, Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, Allen

Leech as Tom Branson, Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley and Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley.

Neame said the team started vaguely thinking about the second film closer to the release of the first movie.

“But we were kind

crew; best foreign language film to Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite; best animated film to How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World; best directorial debut to Melina Matsoukas (Queen & Slim); and Roger Deakins (1917) for outstanding achievement in cinematography.

The board additionally bestowed its freedom of expression award on both the Death Row drama Just Mercy and the Syrian war documentary For Sama.

The awards will be handed out in a ceremony in New York on January 8, hosted by Willie Geist.

(Indian Express)

of holding our breath.

The reaction to the film, the press tour in the US and the build-up to release were so strong that we’d been thinking about it. And then it was clear from the first weekend that this was worth taking very seriously.

“It’s not one of those shows that came from TV and then flopped in the cinema. So I think that will give everyone comfort that, yes, we know it works. But the challenge will be, is everyone available at the same time?

Can we make deals with them? That will be the challenge,” he added.

(Indian Express)

concludes shooting for 2019

J

ames Cameron’s much-awaited Avatar 2 is done filming for the year 2019, with the makers sharing a behind-the-scenes photo from the film’s set.

The movie’s official Twitter account shared the photo on Saturday to mark the end of live-action filming for the year.

“That’s a wrap, Na’vi Nation!. It’s our last day of live-action filming in 2019, and we’re celebrating with a sneak peek,” the post read.

The picture offered a glimpse at a craft called the Sea Dragon.

D

aniel Craig is back as James Bond in No Time To Die, and if the trailer is anything to go by, it will be a fantastic farewell for this 007. The film has all the elements that we associate with James Bond movies.

Swanky cars, dapper suits, sleek action, a love story and of course, a nasty villain. Rami Malek plays the antagonist in the film, and if his look here suggests anything, then this will be the harshest villain that Craig’s Bond has ever faced.

Alongside Craig and Malek, the film also stars Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw,

“Check out this photo of the aft well deck section of the Sea Dragon, a massive mothership that carries an array of other sea-going craft in the sequels,” the post further read.

Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Sam Worthington, Kate Winslet, Oona Chaplin, Stephen Lang and David Thewlis are starring in the film which is a sequel to Cameron’s 2009 fantasy action film.

Avatar 2 will release worldwide in December 2021. (Indian Express)

Rory Kinnear, Jeffrey Wright, Ana de Armas, Lashana Lynch, David Dencik, Dali Benssalah and Billy Magnussen.

Lashana Lynch plays another MI6 agent in the film. She could be the next 007, but the trailer keeps that ambiguous.

Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, No Time To Die has been through enough trouble during the making. The film was initially being directed by Danny Boyle who left the project early on. With many mishaps on the sets, the film went through a lot during the shooting process as well.

No Time To Die releases in April 2020.

(Indian Express)

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Chris Gayle set to feature in second half of BPL season B

PL side Chattogram Challengers expect Chris Gayle to be available for them after he recovers from a hamstring injury. Gayle is likely to play in the BPL after January 4, after which Chattogram will have three league phase matches remaining.

"Chris Gayle has a hamstring niggle," Chattogram's managing director KM Rifatuzzaman, said. "He will need a bit of time to be completely fit. He was always going to play in the BPL and even though we will not have him for the entire campaign, he will be available in the latter part."

Chattogram had picked Gayle at the BPL draft on November 17, but exactly a week later, at a press conference in South Africa, Gayle had claimed that he wasn't aware of it.

Three days later, with Chattogram unsure of Gayle's arrival, BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury confirmed that the board had fol-

WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

lowed the correct procedure and that Gayle had indeed signed on for the draft. And now that his team has confirmed his participation, Gayle is likely to turn up for Chattogram if he is fit in time.

Gayle has played in every season of the BPL, appearing for five teams including Rangpur Riders for whom he played in the last two seasons. He has scored the most hundreds in the tournament's history, including a devastating unbeaten 146 against Dhaka Dynamites in the 2017 final.

Although Gayle has made no further comments on his BPL commitments since his Mzansi Super League exit, his agent in the Indian sub-continent (except IPL), Rudradeep Banerjee, has confirmed that he has agreed to travel to Bangladesh in January. Banerjee, who represents Second Innings Sports and Entertainment, said Gayle was aware of joining Chattogram in the

BPL draft, but subsequent events had cast doubts over whether he would play in the tournament.

"In the MSL he picked up a niggle for which his doctor has advised him rest of at least two weeks," Banerjee told ESPNcricinfo.

Gayle, according to Banerjee, had also made it clear to the franchise that he would be "taking a break" during the Christmas-New Year period to spend time with his family. "That kind of puts him out for December. He would be free for maybe a game or two, but then to fly in to Dhaka and back to West Indies doesn't make sense."

Banerjee said "an arrangement" has been reached with Chattogram for Gayle to "come and play [BPL]" from January 4. "If he would have been fit he would have played the first leg, would have gone home on December 23 and come back again on January 4."

(ESPNCricinfo)

Nepal's Anjali Chand makes history with figures of 6 for 0

N

epal women 17 for 0 (Shrestha 13*) beat Maldives women 16 (Niyaz 9, Abdhulla 4, Chand 6-0) by ten wickets Nepal's Anjali Chand set a new record for the best bowling figures in women's T20Is, claiming 6 for 0 - yes, you read that right - to skittle Maldives out for 16 at the South Asian Games in Pokhara.

Maldives, incidentally, were playing their first-ever international game. Chand was making her debut too.

This was also the first time that a bowler

Anjali Chand

had picked up six wickets for no run in any international match. The previous record for best figures in an innings in women's T20Is was held by Malaysia's Mas Elysa, who returned 6 for 3 against China in January.

After Maldives opted to bat, they slipped to 15 for 4 at the end of the Powerplay. Chand then made it 15 for 5 in the very next over when she dismissed captain Zoona Mariyam for a duck. That began her wicket-taking spree, and Maldives added just one run to their tally by the

time they were wiped out at the start of the 11th over. Karuna Bhandari took 2 for 4 in her two overs to back up Chand, who needed only 13 balls to complete her six-wicket haul.

Barring opener Hamza Niyaz (9) and wicketkeeper Hafsaa Abdhulla (4), no other Maldives batter opened her account. Twelve of Maldives' 16 runs came via fours.

Nepal needed a mere five balls to knock off the target and seal victory with 10 wickets and 115 balls to spare.

(ESPNCricinfo)

WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Jaguars…

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Foo happy with return season – signals intention on 4-Day selection

By Brandon Corlette

A

mature Jonathan Foo, playing with resilience and determination, scored consistently for the Guyana Jaguars team in the Colonial Medical Insurance Regional Super50 Cup. Fresh from a brilliant return rocking the Guyana Jaguars colours in that tournament, the 29-year-old Foo has described his comeback season as a good one. He finished the season with 334 r u n s from eight matches, averaging 55.66, the highest among Jaguars batsmen.

In an exc l u sive interview with Guyana Times Sport, Foo disclosed that h e still has a lot more work to do.

“Judging from a few games, I could have finished and take my team across the line”, Foo explained.

Asked what’s next on the horizon for his cricketing career, Foo hinted that he is available for all formats of the game.

“Knowing that the 4-Day tournament is right around the corner, I will try to keep putting runs on the board and keep my fingers crossed,” he disclosed.

During Foo’s second homecoming to Guyana Jaguars setup in List A cricket, eyebrows were r a i s e d when he batted in the lowermiddle order and scored consistently.

Foo scored two half-centuries, including an unbeaten 97 against the powerhouse Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. He said he was willing to play the role the team required of him.

“Batting in the lower-middle order, it’s pretty much challenging, because it depends on the kind of start we get, and the position we are in at the said time. But, as I mentioned in one of our earlier interviews, I am ready to take up the challenge and play whatever role the team wants me to play,” Foo declared.

Foo distinguished himself as a mature batsman when he finished the tournament with a supreme strike rate of 113.22, having slammed 11 sixes and 26 fours in the season. He demonstrated the art of consistency, and grabbed opportunities with both hands. Having made his List A debut since October 2011, this Super50 tournament was a grand return for Foo. His Super50 campaign included scores of 28 against the West Indies Emerging Players, 36 against Red Force, 39 against USA, and an unbeaten 17 against Windward Islands Volcanoes. Playing the teams for the second time in Group B, Foo chalked

up 67 against Emerging Players, and 09 against Volcanoes, which was his only failure. In his penultimate game in the Group B clash, Foo slammed a brilliant 97 against Red Force, and signed off his season with 41 against USA. Reflecting on his undefeated 97 from 92 balls at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad, which spanned 138 minutes and was laced with six fours and four sixes, Foo said he was happy at being promoted to number four.

With Raymon Reifer missing that match due to his wedding, Foo made the most of his promotion.

“Against Trinidad, I was happy for the promotion to step up at number four, and I decided to grab it with both hands even though the pitch had a fair bit to offer the spinners.

I know once I survived that testing period, I can make up at the back end.

Eventually, I finished the innings with a strike rate of over a hundred. It would have been a great achievement for me if I had gotten my first century for Guyana, but I wasn’t thinking of making a century, and I wasn’t disappointed not getting it at the end; all I wanted was to get the team to a decent total and to give the bowlers something to work with”, the humble Berbician explained.

Having dominated the Cricket Guyana Inc. One Day 50 Overs Jaguars Franchise league, the Albion-based batsman extended that dominance in the Super50 and experienced similar success.

With hard work and consistent scoring, Foo’s future in Guyana cricket looks to be a bright one.

Jonathan Foo bats in the Super50 (CWI photos)

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West Indies jump in Test rankings; Holder has eyes on top 5 spot J

ason Holder’s plan to move the West Indies into Test cricket’s Top 5 has already started to bear fruit. Following the comprehensive nine-wicket win over Afghanistan last week and Pakistan’s defeat to Australia on Monday, Holder’s team has leapfrogged the Pakistanis on the ICC Test match rankings table.

A check on the ICC website https:// www.icc-cricket.com shows West Indies on 81 points – one ahead of Pakistan. Following last week’s win at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, Holder said the result had significance and called on his players to aim for the fourth or fifth spot. The tall allrounder has maintained his position as the top-ranked allrounder in Test cricket, now he wants to see his team move up to a top spot in the overall rankings.

Based on the way they have played in recent years – including their comprehensive win over England to regain the Wisden trophy – Holder is confident his team is good enough to finish in the top bracket of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship.

West Indies Memorable Test Match! Bowls England out for 77.

“I think by the end of the Test Championship, I don't see it being impossible for us to be fourth or fifth in the world. That would be a significant achievement in a two-year period,” the captain told members of the media.

“We have some tough series coming up. We have England in England then South Africa coming to the Caribbean, then we have a trip to New Zealand all good cricket sides … but I don’t think it's beyond us to beat them.

We have to make sure we keep building and developing. Once we do that, we can compete with any side in the world. A realistic target in two years would be to be ranked three or four in the world.”

West Indies Test schedule for next year starts with them defending the prestigious Wisden Trophy with three Test matches in England in June at the Oval, Edgbaston and Lords.

This will be followed by two at home in July and August at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia as South Africa play red ball cricket in the region for the first time since 2011. They will close out the year with two matches in New Zealand from late November into early December.

Holder ended the year as the leading batsman for west indies with 344 runs in five matches at an average of 49.14 runs per innings. His best score was the monumental 202 not out when they beat England in the first Test in Barbados.

He had the second most wickets (20 at an average of 17.25) behind Kemar Roach, who was the

team’s best with 27 wickets (average 18.07) in six matches. The best bowler figures this year were 8-60 by Roston Chase in the win in Barbados followed

by Rahkeem Cornwall with 7-75 last week.

“I’ve said it in the last couple of series we have played, more responsibility needs to be taken by our batters. We have shown glimpses of brilliance, which is all well and good, but consistency is the name of the game,” he said.

“In order to be a worldclass team, you have to be consistent with your batting.

You have to get 20 wickets of course, but you have to set it up with the bat. First innings count for a lot. If we can put teams under pressure with our first-innings scores, more often than not, West Indies will be up there among the top-ranked sides in the world.

(CWI)

Test Match Results 2019 v England

WI won by 381 runs – Kensington Oval, Barbados WI won by 10 wickets – Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua WI lost by 232 runs – Daren Sammy Stadium, Saint Lucia

v India

WI lost by 318 runs – Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua WI lost by 257 runs – Sabina Park, Jamaica

v Afghanistan

WI won by 9 wickets – Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow Test Match Schedule 2020 West Indies to England (Wisden Trophy Series) June 4-8: 1st Test – The Oval, London June 12-16: 2nd Test – Edgbaston, Birmingham June 25-29: 3rd Test – Lords, London South Africa to West Indies July 23-27: 1st Test – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad July 31 to August 4: 2nd Test – Daren Sammy Stadium, Saint Lucia West Indies to New Zealand November 26-30: 1st Test – venue to be determined December 4-8: 2nd Test – venue to be determined

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Kohli back at No. 1 in Tests; big jumps for Warner, Labuschagne

T

he baton of No. 1 Test batsman in the world has changed hands between Virat Kohli and Steven Smith again, with Kohli surpassing Smith following a century in his team's inaugural day-night Test, against Bangladesh in Kolkata. While Kohli led the Indian batting effort,

Smith failed to go past 36 in Australia's home Tests against Pakistan, resulting in the swap at the top.

The good news for Australia, though, is that David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne, who were in red-hot form against Pakistan, moved up to No. 5 and No. 8 respectively.

Warner compiled the second highest individual score for Australia in Test cricket, going past the 334-run mark of Donald Bradman and Mark Taylor in Adelaide, finishing on 335 not out as Australia declared their only innings.

Only fellow opener Matthew Hayden has a higher mark for

Australia: 380, against Zimbabwe in 2003.

Warner's mammoth innings followed a knock of 154 in the first Test of the series, in Brisbane, resulting in him jumping 12 places up the rankings overall.

Labuschagne, meanwhile, was ranked as low as 110 at the start of 2019. His year took a dramatic turn when he became Test cricket's first concussion sub during the Lord's Test of the Ashes series, slotting into the game in place of Smith - who had taken a blow to the helmet from Jofra Archer - and going on to score a matchsaving, last-day 59. That won him a place in the XI even when Smith returned, and he produced scores of 74, 80, 67, 11, 48 and 14 through the rest of the Ashes. His best was yet to come, though. In the home Tests against Pakistan, both innings victories, Labuschagne scored 185 and 162, completing a sensational charge into Test cricket's top ten batsmen.

The Smith v Kohli race to No. 1 has been in overdrive ever since the former returned from his ball-tampering ban in mid-2019 and went on to have a stunning Ashes campaign. Smith

had toppled Kohli during that series, in September, before Kohli scored a double-hundred against South Africa to return to within one rating point of Smith. Now, as things stand, Kohli is five rating points clear of Smith. Smith will have the chance to overtake him once again when Australia take on New Zealand at home from December 12. India do not play Test cricket

again till they tour New Zealand early next year.

Among others to gain in the latest updates were Babar Azam, the Pakistan batsman who hit 97 in the first innings of the Adelaide Test to move up two places to No. 13, while England captain Joe Root returned to the top ten after a week outside it following his innings of 226. That helped him move up from No. 11 to No. 7. (ESPNCricinfo)

T20 party animals West Indies dance into India’s dungeons

By Brandon Corlette

W

earing the label “the party animals”, the two-time defending T20 champions, West Indies are known for setting T20 matches on fire. But of recent, especially against India, they have thrown up at this party called T20 International cricket.

On Friday, December 6, the men in maroon will walk into the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, India to meet the hosts in the first of three T20Is from 09:30h local time. India have enjoyed an unbeaten run against West Indies in their last six matches home and away, and without a doubt, they have proven to be the better team on both occasions.

Despite having a host of T20 stars in their line-up, West Indies’ win percentage in T20s since June 2016 is 30.77, which is only above Zimbabwe at second to last. The misery continues for West Indies, who won only one of their last five T20 bilateral series. That win came against Bangladesh, 2-1, in a home series.

Since those disastrous outings, the Caribbean team have

some fresh recruits and some big names returning. Captain Kieron Pollard is the most notable return. In their most recent T20 series, against Afghanistan, they lost 2-1.

The selectors have shown faith in the same bunch of guys to face an uphill task in the T20s against India.

West Indies would want to forget their last visit in India, especially their T20 series.

They were whitewashed 3-0 at the hands of Rohit Sharma and company. In that threematch series, Darren Bravo’s 71 runs and Nicholas Pooran’s half-century were the minipositives in the batting de-

partment. Pooran will be not eligible for selection until the second T20 when his ban expires.

For India, Sharma, who led the team in that series, scored a brilliant 111*, which was the highlight of the series with the bat. The Caribbean team failed to make amends in their T20 series in the USA and Guyana against India. It was a similar 3-0 result in August, but that series was a mini-resurgence for new Captain Pollard. The big Trinidadian, who enjoys a fruitful year with the bat in T20 matches in 2019, scored 115 runs, the most across both teams in that series.

In 2019, Pollard scored 1299 runs across all T20 matches played around the globe at a strike-rate of 146.94 and an average of 35 in 56 outings. West Indies’ success in T20s has been the opposite of Pollard. The men in maroon hold the worst balls per dismissal (14.4) and the worst balls per wicket (15.10) rate among teams in the world.

To cap off the ordinary performance by West Indies in T20s against India, they have struggled against wrist spin.

In 109 overs of wrist spin, West Indies have lost 48 wickets. Cometh the wrist spin threat, cometh Kuldeep Yadav

and his partner in crime, Yuzvendra Chahal. The latter needs three wickets to become the leading wicket-taker for Indians in T20Is. West Indies will have to turn the tide and rekindle their fire in T20s, having last tasted a win against India in the shorter format in 2017.

Undoubtedly, West Indies have some good players who can crash Team India’s party in the three-match T20 series, commencing from Friday.

West Indies T20 Squad: Kieron Pollard (Captain); Fabian Allen; Sheldon Cottrell; Shimron Hetmyer; Jason Holder; Keemo Paul; Brandon King; Evin Lewis; Khary Pierre; Nicholas Pooran; Denesh Ramdin; Sherfane Rutherford; Lendl Simmons; Kesrick Williams and Hayden Walsh Jr. India T20 Squad: Virat Kohli (Captain); Rohit Sharma (Vice Captain); Shikhar Dhawan; KL Rahul; Shreyas Iyer; Manish Pandey; Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper); Shivam Dube; Washington Sundar; Ravindra Jadeja; Yuzvendra Chahal; Kuldeep Yadav; Deepak Chahar; Mohammed Shami; and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

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Guyana’s Akshay Homraj set to make ODI debut for USA in Dubai U

Akshay Homraj

SA's new Australian firstclass imports, Ian Holland and Cameron Stevenson, who left impressive footprints in the just concluded Regional Super50 tournament in the West Indies, have been named in the 14man strong USA touring party for their World Cup League 2 campaign in Dubai.

The duo are well in line to make their ODI debuts alongside former Guyana Under-19 keeper Akshay Homraj who also been named in the squad as USA's first-choice keeper. Announcement of Homraj's inclusion meant there is still no room for former vice-captain Jaskaran Malhotra who has been overlooked for the 50over tournament for the second time.

USA’s selection panel led by Ricardo Powell opted to drop Sagar Patel and Jessy Singh who were the only homegrown players in the squad that toured

Trinidad apart from the vice-captain Steven Taylor.

Sagar failed to make any notable contributions opening the batting in the three matches that he played on the tour, scoring 34 in three games with his highest being a scratchy 22. Jessy might have a reason or two to be flustered at the selection process after being cast aside in favour of Elmore and Stevenson.

Jessy bagged a four-wicket haul in his last ODI against Namibia in September and sporadically appeared in only four of USA's 8 Super50 games in the Caribbean.

The team management have kept faith in the curr e n t batting unit despite continued batting failures starting from World T20 qualifiers in Bermuda.

USA have played 18 competitive games ever since, with the batsmen crossing the 50-run mark only eight times in as many games.

A part of the reason

for that might also be the constant game of musical chairs being played around with the opening positions.

It looks almost certain that Monank Patel might get the nod to open alongside Xavier Marshall once again as Monank looks a far more effective player in leading USA's batting effort from the top of the order.

USA have always banked on their bowlers to win them games but it is about time the batsmen step up to take responsibility with batting conducive conditions in the offing in the UAE. USA sit pretty at third position in World Cup League 2 points table.

They get their campaign underway on December 8 against UAE at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Squad: Saurabh Netravalkar (capt), Steven Taylor, Karima Gore, Ian Holland, Akshay Homraj, Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Xavier Marshall, Monank Patel, Nisarg Patel, Timil Patel, Cameron Stevenson, Rusty Theron. (cricbuzz)

WEEK ENDING december 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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