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President talks tough against corruption in Police Force

WEEK ENDING February 18, 2018

ISSUE NO. 384

See story on page 3

Heads of the Joint Services and Senior Officers of the Guyana Police Force were in attendance at the Opening Ceremony of the Police Officers' Conference on Thursday (MotP photo)

Corentyne man accused of raping 3-yr-old to face Court soon Page 12

Granger’s comments on top judicial appointments ‘downright dishonest’ – Jagdeo Page 7

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

President talks tough against corruption in Police Force …says Govt will resist attempts to thwart reforms

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uyana’s President David Granger, on Thursday, during his address at the opening of the annual Police Officers’ Conference sent a very clear message to the top brass of Police Force that his administration is very much dissatisfied with the manner in which the issue of corruption is being addressed among ranks.

The President told those gathered that corruption must be tackled from the very top and throughout the Force, saying “if corruption is concealed, it will continue”. He stated that corruption cannot simply be addressed by transfers, promotions or demotions, but must be tackled head on.

The Head of State also said that with the Security Sector Reform Programme ongoing, his administration will con-

front any effort to prevent the reform of the security sector.

The president added that crime is the greatest impediment to human safety and economic prosperity of Guyana, noting that “crime must be curtailed if the people are going to be safe and if the state is secured.”

“My Government will resist any attempt in any quarter to reverse, retard, or to thwart the reforms on which we are embarking. Security reform is not a recent invention in this administration, the need became especially during the period of intense criminal violence”, he added.

M e a n w h i l e , President Granger indicated that he is awaiting the appointment of a Chairman of the Public Service Commission before he can move ahead with the reconstitution of the Police Service

President David Granger being accorded the Presidential Salute upon his arrival at the Officers’ Mess at Eve Leary on Thursday

Commission.

The Head of State told media operatives he is now looking to have this done by next month.

“I had an engagement with the Leader of the Opposition and we’ve settled the Teaching Service Commission

and the Integrity Commission, and we will move onto the Public Service Commission.

Once that is done, I hope as quickly as possible, maybe during February or March, that commission will be in place,” he indicated.

In the latter part of 2017 however, the President had said that he would like to see the Commission in place by the end of that year.

The life of the last Police Service Commission came to an end in September

of 2017 and there have since been calls for its reconstitution.

In fact, concerns were further raised after there were no promotions of senior officers last year.

Before the life of the last Police Service Commission ended back in September of 2017, President David Granger had ordered in July, of that year, that it put a hold on the promotion of senior ranks.

Though that order was followed, the Courts later determined that it was illegal for the President to direct the autonomous Commission.

The new members of the Police Service Commission have already been selected but they are yet to be formally appointed.

The Police Force promoted 204 junior ranks last year.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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Guyana joins the rest of the world in celebrating Chinese New Year 2018, The Year of the Dog. In photo, Miss Tiffany Ann is adorned in Chinese Cultural wear to commerate the event which will be celebrated on Friday February 16th.

Guyana Office Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana.

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EDITORIAL

NY Governor seeking to expand access Coalition Politics to computer science education

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he Cummingsburg Accord was announced on Valentine’s Day, Feb 14, 2015, by APNU and AFC as the culmination of sustained negotiations that would delineate the distribution of power in the government to be formed if their consummated coalition were to win the imminent elections.

But the Accord had wider reverberations for Guyanese politics.

One factor militating against coalitions in Guyana — in addition to the inherent distaste for the mechanism in the Liberal Democratic conventions passed on by the British – is their reluctance to acknowledge that the basis of any effective coalition would be an acknowledgement of representing the ethnic interest of the two major groups. And this is where the APNU/AFC coalition touted itself as different: the APNU implicitly conceded its legitimacy would be augmented if the AFC, with its Indian-dominated Berbice base, were to adopt a common slate and platform.

Many Guyanese, despairing at the ethnic divisions stymieing their country’s development over the last half century, felt this was a bold innovation, especially with the AFC being granted forty percent of the Cabinet positions as well as a Prime Ministership with impressively augmented powers – all spelled out in the Cummingsburg Accord. They felt this “power sharing” arrangement, while not ideal, was a step in the right direction, especially when it was suggested that elements of the PPP might also be drafted into the new Government.

Most disappointingly, however, in the allocation of the spoils after their successful campaign, it became evident that the PNC-led APNU kept neither the letter nor the spirit of the Accord. The number of Ministries was firstly expanded by adding a welter of “Junior Ministers”, thereby diluting the actual powers of the appointed AFC Ministers. In addition, two individuals — touted as “AFC” — received the two most powerful portfolios, Agriculture and Natural Resources, without having been nominated by the party. There was apparently a “Nassau Accord” with the latter.

Then, in a further volte face, the President announced one of the critical new powers granted to the AFC-selected Prime Minister – to Chair Cabinet meetings — would not be implemented because of a “constitutional” bar. While this was arguable, it certainly was not in the spirit of a coalition agreement that was meant to signal real power sharing.

Since then, the AFC leaders have been playing a rather coy game of denying they were denied the powers delineated by the Accord, while demanding that the latter be ‘renegotiated”. Matters came to a head last November when the Canadian affiliate of the AFC quit in disgust in a very public and contentious manner over decisions taken by the party’s leadership that suggested they were not allowed any autonomy in decision-making within the coalition.

At this point, when the AFC leaders demanded that the Accord be renegotiated before its third anniversary, the leader of the PNC and APNU, David Granger, pointed out that the Accord itself stated that such a renegotiation could only take place AFTER the third Anniversary. Technically, this period began on Feb 15, and it is expected that the AFC will be proposing the exact date imminently. All Guyana are awaiting the form and substance of the “renegotiation” of the Cummingsburg Accord, since, as suggested above, the issue of ethnic power-sharing in our country goes beyond the two players who will be at the table.

There are those that assert the PNC has never been committed to real and genuine “political inclusion” going back to its early experience with the UF in 1964-68. They hope history will not repeat itself.

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eaders in technology and education have endorsed Governor Cuomo's proposal to launch New York's largest State investment to expand high quality computer science education by offering teacher support and resources in computer science, especially for the youngest learners, starting as early as kindergarten and creating a continuum through high school.

According to the Governor’s office, the proposal works toward closing the gender gap by giving the youngest learners access to computer science and is part of the Governor's 2018 Women's Agenda.

The Governor proposes a commitment of US$6 million a year for the Smart Start program that will provide grants to schools for teacher professional development in computer science. This investment will deliver high-quality computer science education to schools across New York State by equipping teachers with the foundational skills and training needed to prepare New York's students for the 21st century economy. All schools will be eligible but grants will go to the highest need schools first.

"To keep New York at the forefront of innovation, we must level the playing field for young women and provide them with the tools for success," Governor Cuomo said.

"By expanding access to computer science education, we will close the gender gap and position the next generation of young New Yorkers to lead this thriving industry into the future."

The Governor’s office said that by providing teachers support to become in-house experts in computer science, more students will be exposed to computer science and will self-select into it. Schools that receive an award will work with their Regional Economic Development Councils to tailor the program to regional businesses or future employers' needs.

In addition, the Governor will convene a working group of educators and industry partners to create new model computer science academic standards to be made available to any school. New computer sci-

ence standards will create a foundation for curriculum and enable implementation across the state. By equipping our young people with high quality computer science skills at an early age today, we will prepare them for the highest paying, fastest growing jobs of tomorrow.

Computer science education is more important than ever before. Technology is among the fastest growing and highest paying sectors today, and the number one in-demand occupation in New York State.

Computing occupations make up two-thirds of all projected new jobs in STEM, but even though 93 percent of parents report that they want their child to study computer science, the majority of New York public schools do not offer computer science in the classroom.

It is important to reach students at an early age, as research has suggested that girls are less likely to pursue STEM careers as adults, even when equally talented mathematically.

In addition, there is a wide gender gap in the students studying computer science. In 2015, New York had 3,801 computer science graduates; only 18 percent were female. Only 3,761 high school students in New York took the AP Computer Science exam in 2016; only 25 percent were female. Studies have shown that women who try AP Computer Science in high school are ten times more likely to major in it in college, and Black and Hispanic students are seven times more likely.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said, "We know that computer science and STEM fields are the jobs of the future in today's global innovation economy. It's critical to educate our young people at an early age to prepare them for these jobs, particularly young women who are still often discouraged from nontraditional career paths. This career path can also assure women the financial independence that unfortunately eludes many, forcing them to remain in unhealthy relationships. Coding has become the great equalizer - this program will help close the gender gap in STEM and prepare all students in New York

for good paying jobs in the 21st century."

Secretary to the Governor and Chair, New York State Council on Women and Girls, Melissa DeRosa said, "The jobs of the future are in science and technology, and to close the gender gap in those fields we must start early and provide comprehensive computer science education and resources to the youngest learners. This transformative investment will empower young girls across the state to learn the skills they need to thrive and lead in the 21st century economy."

Hadi Partovi, CEO, Code. org, said, "We applaud Governor Cuomo for his recommended budget that prioritizes and expands access to K-12 computer science in New York."

Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers, said, "By exposing all children to the wonders of computer science and engineering earlier in their school careers, we hope to encourage more of our students, particularly young women, to see these fields as areas where they can compete and flourish. Our educators are eager to work on model computer science standards and to help more teachers become in-house experts in computer science for their schools.

Highlighting these changes as part of the Governor's 2018 Women's Agenda puts resources and attention where it is most needed: ensuring our students, especially young women, are prepared to join and lead in these fast-paced fields."

Tracey Waters, New York State Master Teacher in MidHudson, who became a teacher after a career as an immunologist/microbiologist, said, "Organizing Saturday STEM workshops for girls in the Mid-Hudson region is important to me because when I left my career as an immunologist/microbiologist to be an educator, I knew I wanted my career to have meaning and give back. I share my passion to inspire young women to enter careers that may change people's perspective of women in STEM. My work inspires me to motivate my students to realize what they can achieve." (Excerpts taken from the Governor’s Office website)

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

ExxonMobil shore base facility ahead of schedule – Lars Mangal

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman updates media at the shore base facility in the presence of GYSBI Director Lars Mangal (left) and General Manager Glen Lockwood (right).

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aterials for ExxonMobil’s Liza Phase One development, have already begun arriving in Guyana.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), last week, the first shipment of pipes arrived at the Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI) facility. Director Lars Mangal said: “We’re ahead of schedule below budget and definitely on track to execute, exceed Exxon’s expectations.”

The pipes will be stored and cleaned at the shore base fa-

cility located in Huston, East Bank Demerara. This is occurring even as the facility finalises construction, General Manager Glen Lockwood said.

“The shore base has been constructed in record time we’re just finishing up the warehouse and the pipe wash and other things but we’re getting ready.”

Meanwhile, Mangal gave assurances that the development of the shore base facility has incorporated some 94 percent local content competencies. Some 60 locals are

currently employed in the development phase.

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman said these developments are indicators of Guyana’s closeness to first oil in 2020.

“That’s something to be celebrated, it is not a joke, it is not an illusion, it has started to happen.”

The 28-acre warehousing and logistics base will see services that were previously accessed in Trinidad and Tobago

by Exxon, being brought to Guyana, DPI said.

Immigration lawyer charged with stealing immigrants' identities

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he top lawyer for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Seattle, Washington has been charged with trying to steal the identities of seven people who were in immigration proceedings.

The ICE chief counsel, Raphael A Sanchez, was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, according to court documents filed on Monday in United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.

He allegedly used the personal information “to obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretences” when their cases were under review by ICE, the charging document said.

His fraud attempts allegedly involved American Express, JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Capital One, Citibank and Discover Financial Services. It's reported that they began in October 2013 and continued through October 25, 2017.

The documents said the seven people were at various stages of immigration proceedings when Sanchez had access to their identification

information.

In one instance in 2016, Sanchez allegedly used his work email account to send information to his personal Yahoo account about a person who had migrated from China, identified as R H. The email included a utility bill, images of the biographical page of R H's Chinese passport and R H's United States permanent resident card.

Sanchez also allegedly used, without “lawful authority,” other identification to commit the wire fraud, such as R H's social security number and birth date, the document said.

According to his lawyer, Cassandra Stamm, Sanchez is scheduled to make his first appearance in court on Thursday.

She confirmed Sanchez had resigned from his job effective on Monday.

It was unclear whether any of the seven people whose identities were tampered with suffered financial or legal difficulties as a result of the alleged actions.

ICE said in a statement that its internal affairs office conducted the investigation.

(CMC)

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana’s emerging oil sector has many opportunities for tradesmen Dear Editor, I participated in the just concluded Inaugural Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit and Exhibition, and must congratulate the organizers and participants for making the conference one of meaningful discussion and analysis, and moreover a forum at which pertinent information was shared and burning questions posed. This should provide for a better understanding of the complexities, challenges and opportunities of Guyana’s emerging oil and gas industry.

This should allow local businesses to begin their SWOT analyses (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) as they relate to their becoming players in the oil

and gas industry.

For me, one of the more enlightening panels was titled ‘Doing Business in Oil Field Services, Supply Chain and Facilities Management’.

This panel had main speakers who were representatives of three major sub-contractors of ExxonMobil, and they outlined some of the skills these companies are looking to source locally, the required qualifications of those who could fill these positions, and the processes which potential applicants would have to use to apply for available positions.

In one case, one of the companies disclosed that it had already hired ten (10) University of Guyana graduates who are currently undergoing specialized training in Brazil, and

they will soon be recruiting another 20.

During the discussions, skills such as welding were identified as among those required, and this led me to pose the following question to the panel: Is there scope for Guyanese tradespeople such as welders, electricians, plumbers and carpenters who are competent at what they do, have years of experience, but lack certification? I was happy to hear that all three companies had already taken this issue into consideration and have in place a process for identifying such persons with a view to undertaking what they describe as “a gap analysis” to determine what training, if any, would be necessary to make these persons certifi-

able so as to be engaged in the oil and gas industry.

This should be one avenue of local content which should be of benefit to Guyanese men and women who have acquired on-the-job skills and experience over the years but have not been formally trained. It is my hope that the information and methodology for identifying and accessing these uncertified artisans are widely publicized throughout Guyana, so as to provide an opportunity for all that are interested. It seems to me that this is one area where there will be jobs for a significant number of Guyanese.

It is clear that the oil and gas industry is one where skills certification in order to be engaged is an absolute

must. There can be no issue with this. It brings to mind an experience I had decades ago, while I served as the public relations officer of the then Guyana Liquor Corporation (GLC). As part of an interviewing panel for promoting a distillery supervisor to manager, I asked why the alcohol had to be heated to a specific degree.

The man knew that the alcohol had to be heated to a specific level, but did not know why. He had been working for over 25 years in the distillery.

Yesu Persaud, then chairman of GLC, said to me after the interview, “That man does not have 25 years’ experience, he has had one experience for 25 years.”

Regards Wesley Kirton

President noticeably absent Guyana should establish from oil & gas summit a national register

Dear Editor, I watched the news reports pertaining to the recently-held oil and gas summit at the Marriott Hotel last week and could not help but notice the absence of our Head of State, President David Granger. I read the ideas and concerns coming out of the discussions and searched to read what our President had to say about the event.

I later learnt that President Granger never made the event.

I thought this was strange that at our first-ever oil and gas summit dealing directly with this new wealthy, nation-changing industry, the leader of

our country was nowhere to be seen. I am very surprised that the President did not attend the event. In fact, I would like to know why President Granger did not attend the summit. I would hate to think that the President allowed someone to give him such poor advice or even worse, he chose on his own not to go, at a time when Guyana is making baby steps toward this new and intriguing shift.

Mr President, why did you, the face of Guyana’s leadership, not attend the oil and gas summit?

Sincerely, Winston Mars

Govt should do more to ease the suffering of sugar workers

Dear Editor Thousands of sugar workers of the Guyana Sugar Corporation from Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara Estates will surely face the similarly harsh sufferings we are going through at Wales Estate.

Our children can’t get enough and proper meals; clearly, they are being malnourished. Some of them are forced to become school drop-outs. We are noticing many of the boys are attracted to stealing, while we are not pleased with the behaviour of some of our young daughters.

We did not expect, at the time of our redundancy, that we would have to encounter the present dreadful situation.

Seeing is believing. Those who decided to close Wales, Rose Hall, Skeldon and

East Demerara Estates must answer for the crime they committed against us before an impartial tribunal.

Those workers from Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion estates must take warning, for the Government will not spare their estates, despite the President’s assurance.

We believe that those of us – about 7,000 – who have been pushed to the breadline should obtain some monetary assistance every week. At least the sum of G$19,500 per month – a pensioner’s allowance, though highly inadequate, should be given to us. For 7,000 workers at G$19,500, the monthly sum is G$136.5 million. This is within the possibility of the Government.

Yours faithfully, Liebert Alleyne

for sexual offenders

Dear Editor, I write to express my disgust that there are religious leaders who walk among us pretending that they are normal and virtuous when in fact they are sick in their heads and are guilty of committing heinous acts of rape and sexual assault.

In recent times, there have been countless reports of sexual crimes committed by religious leaders locally, regionally and internationally.

It is particularly disturbing that many of their victims are vulnerable women and children who are members of their places of worship.

It is unthinkable that so many religious leaders violate their positions of trust and authority to abuse women and children who look up to them for spiritual guidance and comfort during difficult times in their lives.

Sexual abuse straddles all religions, but whether it occurs in Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhists or other faiths, it is a vile act of betrayal when perverts, who are put on a pedestal by trusting religious practitioners, choose to target the naive and innocent to commit depraved acts.

To me, what is even more repulsive is when these perverse religious leaders go unpunished and continue to be well respected by their church

members. Worst of all, they are protected by the silence of ashamed and fearful victims and by high officials in their religious circles.

Sexual crimes is a disease in our society, and the laws must be changed so that the perpetrators are punished severely.

I am also calling for a serious approach by society, with a national register of sexual offenders who have served time in prison.

The Police in the respective communities should also have photos posted at their stations if a convicted sexual pervert lives in their jurisdiction. Further, if these people are changing their addresses, then the Police must be informed.

The Police are also caught up in raping people who go to report crimes. They are raping their female prisoners, and even children!

Let us, as a society, take a serious stand to control and eventually stamp out this problem with a no-nonsense approach.

All these sexual crimes beg the question: What is the role of our religious organisations?

Can they do something and help?

Our religious leaders need to move their focus away from politics and other activities, and concentrate on the spiritual upbringing of their congregation members.

They need to focus on teachings that will lead to stopping rape and sexual assault. They need to play a bigger role.

Parents also need to teach their children about what constitutes a good touch and a bad touch.

We all need to play a bigger role. The fact that toddlers are being raped by their family members is a national shame.

Let’s enact legislation that would ease the way for survivors to take legal action against their abusers.

Where is the humanity in us? Let’s do something about it and stop this evil.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan

news 7

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Judicial officers being trained to deal with gamut of legal issues

…in Guyana’s oil and gas sector

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

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cting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards said the Judiciary is proactive and has taken efforts to educate judicial officers on how to deal with the gamut of legal issues that may arise in the Oil and Gas industry.

Speaking recently with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Justice Cummings-Edwards said that to date there have been two training sessions facilitated by an oil and gas expert who lectures at the University of the West

Indies (UWI).

A joint ‘Bench and Bar’ twoday seminar is slated for March 2018, which will focus on the legal and regulatory framework of the Oil and Gas industry and other topics such as the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), the Petroleum Commission Bill and other related matters.

According to the Acting Chancellor, continuing legal education is an important feature of the Judiciary and its efforts to ensure efficiency.

In this vein, the Annual Judges’ Conference was re-in-

troduced and a Magistrates’ Conference introduced.

The annual events take the form of weekend retreats where the judges and magistrates are exposed to professional development courses and are given the opportunity to discuss matters affecting the Judiciary and how these can be effectively resolved.

“We also bring in experts… consultants to be part of the sessions as well as we have a psychologist and coaches helping us to deal with stress, as you know at the end of the day it [profession] could be stressful,” Justice Cummings-Edwards said.

Mediation is another critical focus area for the Judiciary since numerous matters are settled during this process.

“Even in our consideration and dismissal exercise that we had, we were able to send five cases to mediation and they were successful,” she noted.

Importantly too, the Acting Chancellor informed that the Canadian-based Jurist Project is providing training for Guyanese mediators and through this project, Verbatim Recording Units will be established.

Justice Cummings-Edwards highlighted that Judges usually record evidence in ‘long hand’, hence the establishment of these units will allow the swifter disposal of cases.

President’s comments on top judicial appointments ‘downright dishonest’ – Jagdeo

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p p o s i t i o n Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday described comments made by President David Granger with respect to his decision to reject two persons nominated by the President to be appointed as Guyana’s next Chief Justice and Chancellor, as disingenuous and dishonest.

Jagdeo said it is his constitutional right to object to the appointment of any nominee if he believes that a better candidate could be appointed. He maintained that a careful decision was taken after his due diligence process not to agree to the appointments of Justice Kenneth Benjamin and Yonette Cummings-Edwards as Guyana’s next substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice respectfully.

“I’ve always harboured the suspicion, and I’ve spoken publicly about this before, that President Granger has to be liv-

ing in a parallel universe,” the Opposition Leader remarked.

He said for the President to “say that a decision of mine, which does not agree to his nominees for the Chancellor and Chief Justice positions would paralyse the Judiciary, is disingenuous. It is not only disingenuous, it is downright dishonest”.

Jagdeo reminded that for 12 years, the People’s National Congress and the A Partnership for National Unity never agreed to a substantive appointment in the Judiciary as a whole, especially to the Chancellor and the Chief Justice’s posts and that did not paralyse the Judiciary. “To say now that my decision not to agree to his nominees will paralyse the Judiciary is dishonest”, Jagdeo insisted as he promised to address the comment made by the President in more detail during his next media briefing.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Govt refuses to budge …says review of Exxon contract unlikely at this time

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ust over one week after Presidential Adviser on Petroleum, Dr Jan Mangal said Government can review and renegotiate the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil, President David Granger on Monday said Cabinet does not intend to do such at this time.

He noted that the PSA is currently engaging the attention of Cabinet and a decision would be made.

“The contract is an agreement between two parties and these things have to be portrayed carefully. There is no prospect at the said time that it is the intention of Cabinet to review it (the contract) but as I said, it is before Cabinet,” Granger said as he spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the swearing in ceremony of acting Justice of Appeal, Rafiq Turhan Khan.

But Dr Mangal told reporters on the sidelines of an oil and gas forum at the University of Guyana last Wednesday that when situations change and one party to a contract is dissatisfied with the contract it has with another, then amendments can be made. He was at the time referring to the oil contract between Guyana and ExxonMobil, criticising the low royalty, tax exemption and large concession given to the US oil company.

Under the renegotiated agreement, Guyana

President David Granger

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

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall called the President’s statement an abomination and a slap in the face of the Guyanese people. He noted that the PSA is the most important contract entered into by any Government since Independence and called for the immediate review of the agreement since there are several analysis of the agreement that supports that view.

“It is pellucid to any sensible Government that this contract was

a badly negotiated contract… any government that has the people’s interest at heart would want to ensure that Guyana’s interest and the people’s interest are paramount and if that contract does not make those interests paramount then a government would want to have that contract rectified,” Nandlall said in a invited comment.

“This Government seems to be acting in the best interest of ExxonMobil and not Guyana and everything they have said and done thereafter is supportive of that posture.

Therefore, the President’s latest disclosure confirms and corroborates that posture,” he added.

He further stated that the contract is riddled with illegalities and contravenes certain sections of the law.

Based on the 1999 agreement and the new 2017 deal, ExxonMobil is controlling the entire Stabroek Block of about 600 blocks or 10 times more than what Guyana’s laws allow.

However, the oil and gas expert noted that allocating such a huge chunk is contrary to international best practice and creates unfair competition.

Additionally, since the controversial statements were made, the Government has since indicated that Dr Mangal is not authorised to speak on behalf of the President and Cabinet.

Cops hunting suspected mastermind of carjacking ring in Guyana

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Some of the parts unearthed at one of the premises that officers raided

olice say they are seeking a Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown resident who they suspect to be the mastermind behind the recent strings of carjacking busts along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, among other places.

According to the police, investigators on Wednesday night swooped down on the suspected mastermind’s premises and conducted a search during which, the ranks found a black Mazda Axela motorcar with licence number PTT 2794, along with twelve certificates of registration for various vehicles including some that were

seized from the home of the ex-policeman who is currently in custody.

Moreover, the police said that a 52-year-old female was found at the residence and has since been taken into custody.

The woman’s name was reportedly found on two of the seized vehicles’ registration.

Investigations are ongoing.

So far 15 persons have been arrested as the Guyana Police Force makes inroads to clamp down on the theft of vehicles suspected to be stolen or illegally obtained.

ECD pensioner discovered hanging in home

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he body of a pensioner was on Tuesday discovered by his son, hanging in his Cove and John, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home in an apparent suicide.

Seventy-four-year-old Kemraj Ramadar of Lot 3 South, Cove and John, was last seen alive on Monday.

According to reports, the man who suffers from stroke-like illnesses lived alone. He was reportedly last seen when he visited his doctor.

Guyana Times International understands that the dead man’s son,

54-year-old Negnadeo Ramadar, however reported that he visited his father on Monday afternoon and returned on Tuesday morning where he found his father hanging in the patio.

His body was discovered in a standing position with a yellow rope around his neck.

Checks made showed no signs of foul play, however blood was found on the man’s cabinet.

The Police are investigating the matter.

Elderly man granted bail for fatal road accident involving vagrant Woman nabbed with

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eventy-seven yearold pensioner John Haynes was released on G$200,000 bail on Wednesday morning after denying allegations that he killed Morris Jeffery by dangerously driving motorcar HC 184 which he operates as a taxi. According to the police’s case, the accused Alexander Village, Georgetown resident committed the offence on February 10, 2018 on the Brickdam Public Road in the early morning hours.

Haynes, through his attorney, Adrian Thompson, informed Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan that he is a father of three as he peti-

tioned for pre-trial liberty. As Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield had no objection to bail being granted to the defendant, Haynes was ordered by the court to report to the Brickdam Police Station every Friday for the duration of the trial.

The Chief Magistrate adjourned the matter to February 28 when Haynes will make his next appearance at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Morris’ death is another recorded case of fatal accidents, which according to police statistics saw a 20 percent increase.

“Speeding, speeding/

cocaine in handbag at CJIA

Accused pensioner: John Haynes

driving under the influence of alcohol and Pedestrian crossing in the path of approaching vehicles were the main causes of the fatal accidents,” the Police said in a statement earlier this week.

The bag in which the illegal substance was found on Wednesday

R

anks attached to the Customs Anti-Narcotics

Unit (CANU) working at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport

(CJIA) on Wednesday night conducted a search of a female passenger, who was scheduled to travel to the USA and found a quantity of suspected cocaine concealed in her handbag.

The 19-year-old passenger resides on the East Coast of Demerara and was accompanied to the Airport by her mother and family members. The total weight of the suspected drug is 2.660 kilograms. Three persons, including the young woman and her mother, are currently in custody assisting with the investigation.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Desperation kicks in

‘Kidnapped’ child found with father’s relatives in Georgetown …ex-sugar workers say Govt should meet with them to understand their pain

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ight-year-old Anellie Hoyte, who over a week ago was reportedly abducted from the Tuschen Primary School, East Bank Essequibo, has been found in the care of her father’s greataunt at North East La Penitence, Georgetown, according to her mother, Alisha Marcus.

Alisha Marcus said she found her daughter on Monday at the elderly woman’s home, and Anellie has since been taken into state custody. She explained that the elderly woman related she was unaware that it was reported that Annelie Hoyte had been kidnapped, and decided to take the child into her care since she claimed that she was seen wandering the streets of Georgetown.

Alisha Marcus said Annelie Hoyte told her that a male had taken her to the Vreed-enHoop junction in a dark coloured car, and had left her there. The minor then boarded a route 32 minibus, travelled to Georgetown, and was seen by friends of relatives, who took her to the North East La Penitence area.

Marcus, however, noted that Annelie’s story is not adding up, hence she is still in state custody as an investigation has been launched.

The child was allegedly abducted at about 09:00h on Wednesday last, reportedly as she was about to enter the

Anellie Hoyte

school’s compound. She was grabbed from behind by a male, and was placed in a parked, dark coloured car, which then sped away.

Students milling outside of the school witnessed the incident and quickly reported what transpired to a teacher, who then made contact with the child’s mother, and the matter was reported at the Leonora Police Station.

Marcus related that her husband died just over two months ago, and she is alleging that his mother, who resides overseas, has since been attempting to take her daughter from her. In attempting to so do, this woman had allegedly made contact with the Welfare Office in Guyana, where she had accused Marcus of being an unfit mother. A group of welfare officers had carried out an investigation and had found this allegation untrue.

Husband to face Court for brutally stabbing wife

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o u s e w i f e Shenella Marks of Westbury, Essequibo Coast, Region Two is now in serious condition at the Charity Hospital, after being stabbed multiple times about her body by her husband on Monday afternoon.

P o l i c e Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan has said the incident reportedly occurred at about 16:00h on Monday, while the victim was in the vicinity of the Charity Water Front, Essequibo Coast.

The 23-year-old Shenella Marks had reportedly moved out of her matrimonial home at Westbury about a month ago, because of domestic abuse allegedly being meted out to

her by her 36-year-old husband. She had reportedly moved with her eight-year-old son to her parents’ home at Dredge Creek, Upper Pomeroon River.

After being stabbed, the woman was rushed to the Charity Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery. Her husband had initially fled the scene, but was quickly apprehended, and according to the Police, has since confessed to the crime.

Police say the suspect also has a criminal charge of assault committed on his wife pending against him at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.

He is likely to be charged and will appear in Court soon.

The group of sugar workers from all estates on Wednesday

By Samuel Sukhnandan

A

n ex-employee of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is urging President David Granger and his Cabinet Ministers to give up being transported in their luxury vehicles for one day and instead meet with the fired workers, to have a better understanding of the issues they face and their families.

Glen McCloud, an ex-employee of the Rose Hall Estate, said only then will the Government be able to realise the effects of the unconscionable decision they have taken, not only to close sugar estates, but to downsize the industry, putting thousands of people on the breadline.

“Don’t come on the television and talk nonsense that God want this or that. Come and sit with the people. Feel and see where it hurts most, then you are going to realise what is going on.

But when you come and tell we this and that and

jump in your fancy vehicle and gone, it’s like out of sight out of mind.”

McCloud who was accompanied by a small group of ex-workers at the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) headquarters in Georgetown on Wednesday; spoke extensively about the issues facing persons affected by the retrenchment and what could be done to reverse the hardships.

While a lot of non-governmental organisations have already reached out to affected communities, McCloud said no one from Government ever made an effort to meet with the ex-employees on the ground.

“Instead, they getting on the television and telling you about jobs and gas and oil,” he stated.

And although a commitment was made by Government to provide land spaces to these ex-employees to cultivate other crops, they are yet to deliver on this promise. McCloud said, “Up to today we don’t know where the land is.

Nobody has gotten on back to us. All they doing is to get on the television and tell the people what they want but let them tell the public the reality and the truth of it.”

“All we are asking them to do is to come and see where it hurts most. Nothing hurts a man or a family or a father like when your kid gets up in the morning and cry, and when you look at them and you can’t do anything. They know what is depression? They know what frustration is?”

McCloud said he finds it disturbing that the Government which sent large delegations a few days ago to meet with workers came empty handed. The visitors, he said, came just to make speeches filled with sweet words and to take photographs.

“Not one of them took the time to walk the villages and see the evident deterioration which has stepped in the communities; to look us in our eyes and to explain to us why they took such terrible decisions; and to

visit our homes, to see firsthand the paucity of rations, and to see the hardships we and our families face.”

McCloud said while the advice on how to utilise their severance pay is welcomed, he believes that people are being misled to believe that it is a substantial amount. He said investing G$500,000 into a long-term employment option is highly impossible, especially when certain considerations are taken into account.

“Workers simply do not know what to do. We spend our days moving from street to street, village to village, and business to business seeking jobs. Some of us have looked far and wide but simply cannot find one or one with pay that you can survive on,” he explained.

Even some workers who have secondary and technical education have found securing a job difficult. And, in those per chance instances where workers do manage to find a job, they confront continued on page 11

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Opposition says declaring political affiliation for insurance “unconstitutional”

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has described the move taken by some insurance companies to request applicants declare their political affiliation, as unconstitutional and unlawful.

The Opposition Party said that it has been recently informed of this new development, and it is urging the Government to take action to reverse what it described as a “retrograde move”.

It noted that while this new requirement has now been placed on almost all new insurance application forms, there is no reference to any law or regulation that requires this information.

“Some applicants have been told by staff of these companies, that is a requirement under the [Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism] AML/CFT regime for the purpose of State monitoring,” the Opposition said.

While there are provisions in the AML/CFT Amendment Act of 2015 for “Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), the Party said this was a different case.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

A PEP is defined by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as an individual who is or has been entrusted with a prominent public function and due to their position, has some influence.

As a result of this, these individuals are viewed as those who can potentially abuse their influence for the purpose of committing money laundering offences and related predicate offences, including corruption and bribery, as well as conducting activities related to terrorist financing.

Arguing further, the

Opposition said that it was unaware of any law passed in the National Assembly which authorises reporting agencies to engage in the collection of such information.

“In fact, any such law, were it to exist, would be in violation of Article 149 (1a) of the Guyana Constitution which unambiguously states that: “No law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.” The Party further stated that any such law would, therefore, be null and void.

The PPP/C said that Article 149 (2) specifically protects all Guyanese citizens from discrimination on many grounds, including “political opinion, conscience and belief”. Article 147 also guarantees citizens’ right to freedom of association, the right to belong and form political parties.

“Therefore, any request for one’s political affiliation would be in violation of these Articles of the Constitution.

In addition, S18 of the 1998 Prevention of Discrimination Act, which specifically addresses ‘Application forms, etc’, states that it

is unlawful for a person to request or require any other person to provide information relative to their political opinions.”

As such, the PPP/C has urged Government, the insurance companies in question, and related entities, to disclose if this was a new policy, under what statute has it been implemented, and why there has been no public announcement on this new requirement.

Absurd

Attorney and political analyst Christopher Ram has also described the move as unconstitutional. While not commenting specifically on the Opposition’s arguments, Ram told Guyana Times International on Tuesday that it was absurd that any insurance company or banking institution should be given that authority.

“The thing about Politically Exposed Persons is a question of definition and it’s persons who hold positions in political parties and so on. A member of a political party isn’t automatically a PEP,” he said.

When asked whether there was need for a further amendment to the Act, the Attorney said that the question should be asked whether that was necessary or it was being badly applied.

The regulator under the AML/CFT Act is the

Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

Mandated

Meanwhile, Hand-In-Hand Trust Corporation Compliance Officer Paul Braam told this publication that insurance companies and all financial institutions were mandated by statute to fulfil these requirements.

“It is very clear in the Act and what is our guideline to determine what are the status of these persons and whether or not the companies have to do due diligence on them or not,” he explained.

Braam went on to state that it was not just limited to politicians or people with influence in society, but close relatives of those same individuals. He said the guideline was in relation to these persons.

The Hand-In-Hand Insurance official also took umbrage at the fact that specific focus has been placed on insurance companies asking for this information, especially since all financial institutions were covered.

“It’s a judgement call. It depends on how close these persons can be. Remember what the Administration is trying to do here is to rid the country of crime and

Hand-In-Hand Insurance Compliance Officer Paul Braam

when we talk AML/CFT, there is legislation that guides us and how we would treat with those things,” he added.

According to the AML/CFT Act, the requirements are preventive (not criminal) in nature, and should not be interpreted as stigmatising PEPs as being involved in criminal activity or related activities.

Refusing a business relationship with a PEP simply based on the determination that the client is a PEP is contrary to the letter and spirit of Recommendation 12. The PPP/C contends that this definition does not refer to nor require any citizen to state their political party affiliation.

Warden caught smuggling ganja into NA prison

A

26-year-old warden of the New Amsterdam Prison is now in hot water after he was on Monday evening busted with 528 grams of cannabis and 20 packs of cigarettes inside the prison.

This Stanleytown, New Amsterdam resident is now being investigated by the Police for

Some 3.6 kilograms of cannabis were also found in Angoy’s Avenue

smuggling contraband into the N/A prison.

According to the Police, officers are in the process of preparing a case file which will be sent for legal advice.

In a separate matter, Police in New Amsterdam are hunting for two suspects after 3.665 kilograms of cannabis were found hidden

in a clump of bushes in Angoy’s Avenue.

According to information received, the drugs, wrapped in eight parcels, were discovered hidden in a five-gallon plastic bucket at about noon on Monday.

This matter is also being investigated.

news 11

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Desperation kicks in...

Former Rose Hall Estate employee Glen McCloud

the stark reality that it is temporary and their wages are far below what they earned in the sugar industry.

Unfair

Another former employee of GuySuCo, who has given over two decades of his service to the industry, decried the manner in which Government went about its reconfiguration and downsizing plans. Glendon Grant described this move as “unfair”, especially when one is to take into account the social and economic implications this decision has had on many communities countrywide.

“We area in East Canje depends pri-

marily on sugar, the whole of Skeldon and Rose Hall, the whole rural area. That is what we grow up on. And we got so much people done not working and some more people by March month would get them severance and that is it,” he explained.

The ex-sugar worker said by downsizing the industry, the Government has now affected thousands of people’s livelihoods and things could only get worse going forward.

Grant who spoke passionately about the challenges he and his colleagues face said its only time before more people start turning

to suicide and other social ills to deal with their problems.

A former worker of the Wales Sugar Estate said the situation is now having a negative effect on the family unit in many rural communities like his, since there have been several instances where housewives have left their unemployed husbands.

He said not only are people worried about how they will pay their mortgage,

from page 9

lil holes that yah got but how long that will last? I got but seven or 10 friends and them man wife left them the other day. When you get a porter work, give you for a week. It’s a lot of things we got on we head to study.

We got children to go to school and that’s why we wife leffing we and we have to hold up.”

The group of former GuySuCo employees from almost all of the es-

PM Nagamootoo recovering in US before returning to Guyana

P

Retrenched sugar worker Glendon Grant

but also their hire purchase bills, electricity, water and other utilities.

“Now with the severance you might be able to patch up

tates is also urging Government to reconsider its decision to close the estates and have them reemployed with the Corporation.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife, Sita Nagamootoo prior to the surgery

rime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who underwent heart bypass surgery on Tuesday in a United Statesbased institution has pulled through his operation with expectations that he would make a full recovery.

According to information contained in a medical bulletin from Minister of State Joseph Harmon, the prime minister’s surgery was a success.

“Prime Minister Nagamootoo is expected to make a full and complete recovery in the coming weeks, before returning to Guyana. Nagamootoo is resting and recovering with Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo, his children and other family members by his

side,” the bulletin stated.

It was reported on Monday that Nagamootoo required urgent heart bypass surgery. He had recently undergone a routine medical examination in Guyana, and it was revealed that he was suffering from heart-related issues. As such, he was advised to seek further medical intervention, and he brought forward a planned private visit to the United States. He was accompanied on this travel by his wife, Mrs Sita Nagamootoo, and other members of his family.

In the Prime Minister’s absence, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge is acting in the capacity of prime minister.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Corentyne man accused of raping Petroleum Advisor in 3-yr-old to face Court soon favour of politicians

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enior Police officials on Wednesday confirmed that the 24-year-old Corentyne man who was on the run after allegedly raping his 3-year-old relative on Friday last was apprehended and is expected to be charged shortly.

A source told Guyana Times International

that the man was apprehended

by Police a short distance from his Corentyne, Berbice home.

It was reported that on the day in question, the child was left in the care of the suspect’s mother, as the child’s mother went to attend to her farm in the backlands.

On Friday last, the suspect’s mother left the child unattended and it was then that her son allegedly committed the act.

Based on reports, it was when the mother of the child collected her daughter after returning from the backlands, that the girl complained that the suspect interfered with her private parts.

As such, the mother contacted the Police and the three-year-old was medically examined, where it was confirmed that there was sexually penetration. The suspect remains in custody and is assisting with investigations.

ExxonMobil announces 19% reserves growth E

xxonMobil Corporation recently announced that its oil and gas reserves grew by 19 per cent in 2017 owing to growth in several places like the US, the United Arab Emirates and Guyana.

ExxonMobil reported its reserve update following its fourth-quarter earnings, which failed to meet expectations.

In 2017, the company added 2.7 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) to its reserves, which marks 183 per cent production replacement. It brings the company’s total proved reserves to 21.2 billion BOE. ExxonMobil be-

295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs was encountered at its Guyana Liza 1 exploration well.

In late June 2016, Exxon’s drilling results at Liza 2 revealed more than 58 metres of oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs in Upper Cretaceous formations. The well was drilled to 5475 metres, at 1692 metres water depth.

Drilling results confirmed recoverable resources to be between 800 million and 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

The company had announced that it made its third significant discovery in its drilling

lieves that the proved reserves hold significant development opportunities, which can grow shareholder value in the coming years.

Of the total proved reserves, 57 per cent was liquids, which increased by four per cent from 53 per cent in 2016. At the current production rate of the company, its reserves are expected to last for 14 years.

ExxonMobil spent more than $6 billion in 2017 to increase its presence in the Permian Basin. The company added more than 800 million BOE to its reserves in the basin.

The Upper Zakum field in the United Arab Emirates contributed another 800 million BOE. The company’s Guyana assets provided proved reserves of 3.2 billion BOE, where it is partnering with Hess Corporation HES and others.

The company’s press release stated, “ExxonMobil’s resource base totalled approximately 97 billion oil-equivalent barrels at year-end 2017, taking into account field revisions, production and asset sales.”

In May 2015, Exxon confirmed more than

explorations offshore Guyana. Its partner, Hess Corporation, had noted that the Liza 3 exploratory well’s net value could be US$6.2 billion based on calculations from the Bank of Montreal (BMO) Capital Markets.

Drilling on Payara began on November 12, 2016, with initial total depth reached on December 2, 2016. In January of 2017, the oil giant had announced it had struck some 95 feet of oil reservoirs in its Payara-1 well, targeting the same type of reservoirs as the well’s Liza counterpart.

Oil was discovered in the Turbot-1 well in October of 2017. According to the oil company following the discovery, the well reservoir was 75 feet deep. Drilling has been ongoing at the Turbot well since August 2017.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and hold a 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 per cent interest.

having less control of oil industry

F

or Guyana to be successful in the oil and gas industry, the oil must be kept offshore with no thoughts about an oil refinery, at least for the first years and revenue from the oil sales should be used to develop the infrastructure of the country, according to the Presidential Adviser on Petroleum, Dr Jan Mangal.

“We have an opportunity now to not get too much in bed with oil. The way to do that is to keep the oil offshore, oil shouldn’t come ashore. All Guyana should focus on in the next 10 years is revenue. Get the revenue and with the revenue transform Guyana,” Dr Mangal told a gathering at the University of Guyana last week.

He was at the time presenting a discussion on the Government’s vision for the oil and gas sector. He told the gathering that there are many examples for Guyana to follow where it comes to what not to do in relation to managing its petroleum industry.

He made specific reference to how Trinidad and Venezuela managed their industries, resulting in the collapse of the Venezuelan economy and the “quandary” Trinidad now finds itself in.

He noted that oil is not needed to transform Guyana, rather it is just the revenue that is needed.

“Bringing oil ashore now would be a shock to the system in Guyana. Guyana will be too tied to the oil industry… Guyana needs to go in and pull in a bunch of experts into Government and my intention was to build a team up but unfortunately the resources are not there to do that but we are working on it,” he said.

Dr Mangal explained that by bringing the oil ashore at this point it would foster no change since most of the jobs would be given to foreigners.

He further stated that Guyana does not have the technical expertise to take up work in the oil refinery, if built, hence the reason an oil refinery would be ideal after the first five years of production.

“Guyana has zero capacity to deal with oil and gas. There are some basic things we need to learn, we need bills, we need technical people in the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Ministry of Finance and they are not here. It has been two years now and go look in the Ministry of Natural Resources and see how many foreign technical experts are there – zero,” he underscored.

“It is better to take the revenue, transform UG and hospitals and it will be beneficial

Dr Jan Mangal

for local people. Guyana is at a stage now because of global warming and rising sea levels where it has to decide where to invest,” Dr Mangal added.

He further explained that the leadership of Guyana now needs to decide if it is time move more inland in light of global warning and rising sea levels.

“So we have to keep the oil at a distance and getting the revenue and maximise the revenue and then not squander it, spend it wisely,” he said.

Take control from politicians According to the Presidential Advisor, politicians only think from election to election and as such, the control of the oil and gas sector should be taken away from them in order to prevent the industry from being further divided racially and politically as well as creating uncertainty in the decision-making process.

The Presidential Adviser indicated that he has already brought that up with the Administration to ensure that there are steps to combat that.

“In my presentation to Cabinet last year March, the way I try to scare them or convince them is to say that we have to get it right now. You don’t know who is going to be elected at the next election so this is the opportunity now to set up the most robust systems that are more robust against meddling by politicians, so let’s set up strong systems now where we remove too much decision-making by politicians,” Dr Mangal informed.

“The industry should be managed by civil servants. If we take that path, changes in Government will not impact the oil industry. If politicians are managing your industry, then come election time the industry is going to come to a standstill and six months after the elections, there won’t be anyone working in the industry; scrambling to find people,” he added.

In March 2020, ExxonMobil and its production partners are expected to begin bringing up oil – an estimated 120,000 barrels per day – from 17 wells offshore Guyana.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Nandlall questions AG’s “sudden silence” on law school

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everal weeks have passed since Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams has said anything about plans to set up a law school in Guyana. In fact, his predecessor, Anil Nandlall, is questioning the Minister’s sudden silence on the matter and has described this action as “unacceptable”.

The Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) said in a scathing statement on Sunday that the AG’s information about the process still did not seem to add up, and hinted that he may be untruthful about it. The MP again also rubbished claims made by Williams that Guyana received permission.

Nandlall noted that the Council of Legal Education (CLE) met over a week ago in Barbados, and the AG attended. Having attended the meeting of the Council where the matter was scheduled to be addressed, the AG is obliged to inform the nation on the outcome, Nandlall insisted.

The former AG recalled that Williams resolutely maintained in the media that Guyana was granted permission to establish a local law school.

This contention of the AG was, however, contra-

PPP/C MP Anil Nandlall

dicted by the Chairman of the Council, Reginald Armour, who revealed that there was no record to prove that the CLE ever granted Guyana any such permission to set up a local law school.

“Both the Chairman of the CLE and the AG told us that the matter was placed on the agenda for the Council meeting, which took place last week. A week after, we have not heard a word from the AG, who was hitherto very vociferous and emphatic on his position that the Council granted Guyana permission. He doggedly held firm to this position, notwithstanding his inability to produce any evidence of this alleged permission,” Nandlall recalled.

Nandlall also pointed out that former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl

Singh, was dragged into the issue, as Williams had stated that the former Chancellor had knowledge of this alleged permission.

However, Justice Singh later denied having any such knowledge.

Only recently, Nandlall told Guyana Times International that the said issue was a straightforward one that has been made ambiguous, complex and confusing by the alleged lies being peddled by his successor, who has, in fact, given several different statements regarding the same issue.

One major concern for Nandlall is the move taken by Williams to proceed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with what he described as two unrecognised institutions.

The CLE did indicate that Guyana was

not granted permission although the AG declared several times that Guyana did obtain permission in 2017.

Williams has attacked CLE Chairman Armour, claiming that he (Armour) responded to a request from Nandlall to have the matter of Guyana establishing a law school put on the CLE agenda.

While the AG has named Guyana’s committee for the setting-up of

the law school, he said he was not yet ready to inform the CLE. When contacted on Monday for a comment on the issue, Williams told this newspaper that he planned to hold a press conference to discuss that issue, among other things. He could not provide a date for the press conference.

Government announced in January 2017, it would start a proj-

ect to establish the JOF Haynes Law School of the Americas. This school is being established through a public-private partnership between the Government of Guyana, the Law School of the Americas (LCA) and the University College of the Caribbean (UCC), and will add to the existing options available to holders of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Heroic: 7-yr-old honoured US$100M capital fund for Guyanese entrepreneurs launched for saving brother …Govt urged to liberate Guyanese from burning home of “digital constipation”

G

T

Young Kissan Henry with Crime Chief Paul Williams and others after receiving the award

here has been a widespread outpouring of love and commendation for the bravery and quick-thinking shown by seven-yearold Kissan Henry after she managed to save herself and her four-year-old brother from a fire while they were at home alone.

In recognition of her bravery, the Guyana Police Force on Saturday presented her with a plaque and a bottle of perfume. The simple presentation was done by Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Paul Williams, on behalf of the Commissioner and other members of the Force.

“The Force has recognised her bravery and brilliant thinking from a humanitarian standpoint at such a tender age.”

This initiative was the brainchild of Crime Chief Paul Williams.

Last Monday evening, Kissan and her younger brother were asleep in their two-storey Glasgow New Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, home when a fire erupted.

However, the seven-year-old was awakened by the smell of smoke and after realising the house was on fire, she immediately wrapped her brother in a blanket and eased him through a window as far as the blanket could reach and then dropping him the remaining six feet.

She then followed by jumping

through the window; 14-feet to the ground, fracturing her leg in the process. Kissan then screamed for help and neighbours rushed over, kicking open the door to get to the fire. The fire service subsequently arrived and was able to extinguish the small blaze.

At the time of the fire, the Police said the mother of the two children was at a “drug block”. Neighbours claimed they contacted the woman, informing her about the fire and she said she was on her way. By the time the mother arrived, the Police and fire service were already on the scene. After seeing the crowd, the woman reportedly told the driver to turn around and leave the area. On Wednesday, she showed up to the Police station in the company of a welfare officer.

According to residents, the two minor children are left unattended and locked in the house for several hours on many occasions.

A few months ago, the four-year-old boy was hospitalised after being burnt with hot portage when his sister attempted to make breakfast for him.

The Childcare Department had visited the home after reports of child neglect. However, on the last occasion, they allowed the children to continue living with their mother after the children’s grandmother had promised to take care of them.

The children are now in the care of an aunt.

uyanese entrepreneurs will soon have the opportunity to access financing as a Guyanaborn businessman and telecommunications expert, Mike Singh on Saturday launched a US$100 million venture capital fund at the 2018 Digital Wealth Creation Summit.

Singh, who was one of the featured speakers at the event held at the Marriott, which saw the attendance of hundreds of persons, said that many brilliant ideas died because very often borrowers did not have the collateral to access loans.

While declaring that sometimes banks “kill entrepreneurship”, Singh, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Telkom Caribe Group, a telecommunications company based in Miami, Florida, announced the setting up of this fund to the applause of a receptive audience of mostly young people.

Singh, whose business has offices in Abu Dhabi and South Africa, was critical of Government’s efforts to promote and capitalise on the use of modern digital technology.

He shared with the audience how surprised and shocked he was that almost the entire hinterland region was without Internet.

The Indigenous people of Guyana account for 12 per cent of the total population, and they should demand from Government that they too are connected, he said. “If I were them, I would have hold whoever is in power and say that ‘don’t fix the net, we’re not voting for you’. They are Guyanese too and they are being left behind,” he told a cheering audience on Saturday.

Speaking of his experience of working and travelling to different

Telkom Caribe Group Chairman and CEO Mike Singh

countries around the world, Singh said even Afghanistan in the midst of war had Internet service, but the Kaieteur National Park had “literally no Internet there”.

The businessman and philanthropist said for the coastal region, the bandwidth was also poor and stated that it must be improved in order for Guyana to reap the full benefits of digital wealth. “What we need is fibre. We don’t need 50 megawatts, we need one gigabyte,” he asserted.

Singh continued, “Because you cannot fuel innovation and wealth creation in the country in the Internet age unless you have bandwidth. Bandwidth helps to fuel intellectual capital growth and innovation. Your competition is not here in Guyana, but some man from India, or Shanghai.”

While declaring that many jobs would be replaced with technology in the near future, Singh said before Guyana could begin to create Internet wealth and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies, “we need to solve the bandwidth quagmire and liberate the people of this country from the digital constipation they are forced to live with”.

Intellectual capital

Another important topic Singh touched on was the need to safeguard intellectual cap-

ital of locals. The businessman is of the strong opinion that the laws in relation to this are sadly inadequate. He has advised that policy decision makers have more discussions around this with the aim of trying to set a stage for this to take effect in Guyana.

This area, he claimed, has the potential to create massive wealth.

Singh also raised concerns over the country’s reluctance to embrace fully the new Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6).

This most recent version of the Internet Protocol (IP), the communications protocol that provides an identification and location system for computers on networks and routes traffic across the Internet, is already being used in many countries, especially those in the developed world.

The Summit, which was hosted for the second year, was aimed especially for entrepreneurs (whether veteran or aspiring); service professionals; students; or anyone who has a burning dream and desire to do what they love and to relentlessly pursue their dreams.

Some of the speakers and presenters included: Dr Rosh Khan, the brain behind the event who is the CEO of the Masterclass Institute and SocialRankMedia as well as the local franchise holder/lead consultant of FranklinCovey; Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes; Gabriel Abed, the founder of Bitt.com, a Barbadosbased blockchain startup; Ramesh Persaud, the CEO of the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED); Valrie Grant, founder and Managing Director of GeotechVision, and Samantha Sheoprasad –a 2017 recipient of the Queen’s Young Leaders Award.

A section of the gathering at the Digital Wealth Creation Summit held over the weekend

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Guyanese businesses urged to up game W

ith the inaugural Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit now completed, some are still questioning how they can benefit from the oil and gas sector. According to the Guyana Office for Investment, there are in fact ways to get a foot in the door.

At a press conference on Friday, GO-Invest

Chief Executive Officer Owen Verwey was asked about ways in which persons who may not have participated in the summit can capitalise on the industry.

“What they should do to get themselves prepared to take advantage of these opportunities? I think, first and foremost, we don’t have enough of a corporate culture,” Verwey pronounced. “We

have that culture where it is a one man show and standardisation is still to raise its level. Not that we don’t have that in Guyana, but the actual practise of it in all aspects of business is very important. Record keeping, traceability, those are key aspects we need to do.”

He added that making oneself informed, aware and educated as to what is going on, what is required in the industry, is also important, adding that this is very important in the embryotic industry. “(The industry) is heavily technologically driven. So what you know today is not necessarily the same thing that will be required tomorrow. So it has to be a continuous process of you updating your knowledge and your level of understanding. Thirdly, we see the bigger businesses expending funds to come to this market to learn something.”

Opportunities

As such, Verwey noted the importance of businesses positioning themselves to take advantage of opportunities like the summit provided. These opportunities, he said, include chances to network with other businesses. He also

posited the potential of other industries forming themselves into syndicates.

“They need to be going out there and networking, whether it’s in the oil and gas industry or other industry. They have to be working to learn and to look for the additional opportunities that are out there,” “Last but not least,” the GO-Invest CEO suggested; “(explore) the possibility of some of the smaller guys in Guyana consolidating with others, as is currently happening in the mining industry, the syndicates.

These small mechanic shops or welding shops may have to start considering things like that that will help to up the scale of their operation, bring efficiency to them, and help manage their cost of training and cost of operation.”

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Red House lease revocation challenge to come up for hearing next week The Red House

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he legal challenge to President David Granger’s revocation of the 99-year Red House lease, by its occupant, the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre

Inc (CJRCI), is slated to be heard next week Tuesday at the Supreme Court.

The case has been before the courts over the past 13 months following the Head of State’s eviction order. It was recently disclosed via notice that the matter is fixed for hearing before acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, wherein counsel for the plaintiff, Anil Nandlall and Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams, the named defendant, were both listed to appear.

Since March 2017 then acting Chief Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards had ruled that the High Court has jurisdiction to hear the Red House lease revocation matter. In the prior month, the Attorney General had presented arguments which supported his claim that the court had jurisdiction over the case since the lease was revoked

by President Granger.

Williams had also noted that no civil action could be brought against the Head of State if he executed the functions of his office, under Article 182 of the Constitution.

However, the court had ruled that while the President himself was immune from legal suits, his actions were not.

This determination was highlighted in the aftermath of an injunction that prevented President Granger from evicting the occupant.

In late December, he gave the occupant of Red House 48 hours to vacate the premises, a move which Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had described as “unconscionable and vindictive”.

At that point, the move was not in isolation as a ‘back-and-forth’ erupted between the coalition Government and the occupant. The Research Centre was established in 1999 to promote research into and

publish materials on the life, work and ideas of late President Dr Cheddi Jagan. The prime land on which Red House sits was leased to the CJRCI for 99 years for G$12,000 per year.

Former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Donald Ramotar had disclosed that he approved the lease in his capacity as President of Guyana.

He was President from 2011 to 2015.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Administration was initially adverse to the small fee being charged and had started engaging the directors of the Research Centre on the possibility of transforming the Red House into a hub for all former Presidents.

The Management Committee, which included former President Ramotar, had strongly objected to this move, and told the Government to find independent sites for the establishment of similar research centres for the other Guyanese leaders.

Ramotar had posited that former Presidents Desmond Hoyte and Forbes Burnham never shared the same ideology and philosophy of Dr Jagan and contended, therefore, it would be a “total dishonour” for Red House to be converted into a depository for all past Presidents.

It was subsequent to these comments that AG Williams opined that the lease was invalid, after which President Granger moved to revoke the said lease.

The Attorney General had expressed statements to the effect that the lease was not executed in accordance with Section 13 of the Deeds Registry Act but his predecessor, Nandlall, had, however, reasoned that a leasehold interest is “property” in law.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Govt satisfied with performance of diplomatic missions abroad T

By Michael Younge

he Guyana Government says it is satisfied with the performance of its diplomatic representatives overseas, but there is still room for them to deliver better performances given the scope of their responsibilities and the requirements of the overseas missions that they are serving.

Speaking during an interview last Thursday, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge admitted that he was satisfied with the quality of work being done by the country’s diplomats overseas following Government’s decision to appoint a new batch of representatives after a strict selection process which began in March 2016.

“I would say that I am satisfied, but that does not mean we don’t want to see them do much better,” he remarked.

Guyana currently has close to 20 overseas missions as compared to the 17 that traditionally existed under the former Administration. The Director General within the Ministry, Audrey Waddell had explained that back in 2016, there were 12 Embassies and High Commissions, and five Consulates.

Either an ambassador or a high commissioner heads 12 of Guyana’s 17 overseas missions, but

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

Guyana’s Ambassador to Belgium, David Hales

the official title of any of the 12 heads depends on the customs of the country in which they serve.

As a result, Minister Greenidge explained that the success of the mission was based on the quality of service it delivered based upon the situation at hand and the progress being made at the level of the mission on matters of interest to the President and people here.

He said that he was particularly pleased with the service of Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, David Pollard and the other staff serving the mission there. Greenidge has recently visited that country as part of a delegation on Government business.

“The visit that we passed you some information on, in relation to India shows that in that particular mission which had almost fallen into an abyss prior to the election of 2015, you

can see a very vibrant mission there, interfacing with the Private Sector in India…held in high esteem by the authorities on the Indian Government side…it’s a very pushy mission and one in which you have an ambassador who is very new to diplomacy, but good staff that have the background, but it is good,” he related.

Greenidge said that you could see evidence of economic diplomacy at work at the mission in India as he praised the gains that were being made.

Turning his attention to foreign missions in Geneva and Brussels, the Foreign Affairs Minister lauded their effectiveness following their work that saw the Swiss authorities invite Guyana to participate in a discussion with some 20 countries out of 164 other Member States of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in

Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, David Pollard

the lead-up to the Davos Meeting.

“We were party to a discussion about the future of the issue at hand and it is indication of the weight that the Organisation ascribes to Guyana.

I think that is an indication that work is being done and we have good reasons to be proud of the work that these missions have done,” he explained.

He also admitted a “good deal of work” was being done in New York with respect to consular services and outreaches to the Guyanese community there.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry back in 2016 announced six diplomatic appointments to the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Belgium, Cuba, and Suriname.

The announcement comes 10 months after the A Partnership

Guyana’s Ambassador to China, Bayney Karran

for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government took office.

David Hales is serving as Guyana’s Ambassador to Belgium. Hales was a former Director at the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat.

Businessman and long-standing People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member Frederick Hamley Case is serving as Guyana’s High Commissioner to the UK. He replaced Laleshwar Singh, who served in that capacity for over 20 years under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly under the PNC, Clarissa Riehl is serving as Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada. She replaced PPP/C member Harry Narine Nawbatt. Also

appointed was Bayney Karran as Guyana’s Ambassador to China.

Karran has a wealth of experience in foreign policy and diplomacy and has served as Ambassador to the US; the Organisation of American States (OAS); Venezuela; Chile; Colombia; Ecuador and Mexico.

Former Political Assistant to President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Halim Majeed was appointed Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba. He replaced Attorney Mitra Devi Ali, while Esther Griffith holds the post of Consul General in Nickerie, Suriname. The Foreign Affairs Ministry had also announced that Ambassador Ivan Evelyn, former Ambassador of Guyana to Brazil would replace Griffith as the Chief of Protocol.

Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela is Cheryl Miles.

Meanwhile, President Granger had said that his Government wanted to ensure “that there is balance, that there is competence and the interest of the country would be put first above party or other interests” in selecting the local diplomats.

“If we are to advance that thrust of economic diplomacy, we have to look for the best. That’s why it is taking so long,” he is quoted as saying.

50 years of friendship, cooperation between Brazil and Guyana

– collaboration in defence, health and infrastructure

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his year will mark 50 years of friendship and strong bilateral ties between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Federative Republic of Brazil, during which there has been cooperation in the areas of defence, health and public infrastructure between the two South American neighbours.

With the visit of Brazil’s Defence Minister Mr. Raul Belens Jungmann Pinto and a high-level delegation on February 9, this 50-year-old relationship is set for further strengthened cooperation and collaboration.

In December 2017, during President David Granger’s State visit to Brazil, the two countries inked two agreements in the form of the Complementary Agreement to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Federative Republic of Brazil. Thus was created the “Guyana-Brazil Joint Commission to Develop Infrastructure Projects” and the Complementary Agreement to the Basic Agreement on Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Guyana and the Federative Republic of Brazil for the Implementation of the Project “Technologies to Reduce the Effects of the Drought in Region Nine of Guyana.” The construction of the long-awaited Linden-Lethem Road is one of the key projects expected to be advanced under this agreement.

President David Granger and Brazilian President Michel Temer look on as Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and the Brazilian External Affairs Minister Aloysio Nunes add their signatures to the Agreements

In an interview at the conclusion of that meeting, President Granger had said that, for decades, both sides had envisaged a route through Guyana which would provide better development prospects for investors to come from the Caribbean into Brazil, and from Brazil into the Caribbean.

“This is something that has been long discussed. And in fact, in some parts of the Rupununi, roads were actually aligned, but we never had funding to complete it. The infrastructure agreement we are entering will be focused on fulfilling that obligation to building a road

between Lethem and Linden. Brazil has done its part; Brazil has built a bridge under President Luiz DaSilva, and the road literally comes right out to the bridge. We need to do our part, so that is a very important agreement that was signed,” he said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge explained that, in July 2017, he and Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had met with their respective counterparts to discuss moving the project forward. At that forum, it was agreed that both countries would provide financial resources for the engineering

and design of the road.

Minister Greenidge had explained at that time that this road link is a critical piece of infrastructure that holds great potential in terms of integrating the two countries and improving trade.

In terms of the second agreement, the Brazilian Army will be working closely with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to develop its Engineering Corps. This collaboration will see the drilling of artesian wells in Indigenous communities in villages such as Para Bara, Achiwib, Karaudarnau, Aishalton, Awarewanau, Shea and Mururanau.

“As we know, Rupununi is susceptible to droughts and floods, so we want to remove that uncertainty and have a system under which the communities — there are over 50 villages in the Rupununi — could be supplied with fresh water continuously during the year. And Brazilian terrain across the border is similar in many respects. So there is not only going to be a supply of physical infrastructure, but there’s also going to be a transfer of technology,” President Granger said.

New Embassy

During their visit to Brazil in July 2017, Minister Greenidge and Minister Patterson had also turned the sod to mark the construction of a permanent building for the Guyana Embassy in Brazil. This was done in an effort to further solidify the relations between the two nations.

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Sacked Wales sugar workers facing extremely tough times F

ormer Wales sugar worker Arvin Bradford has decried the financial strain that has been facing his family over the past year.

The Free and Easy, West Bank Demerara (WBD) resident told Guyana Times International that since the closure of the estate, he plants his land with cash crops.

But, he gave all indications that his life was not what the name of his village suggested as his earnings now were not sufficient to take care of his wife and children.

“Twenty years I worked with [Guyana Sugar Corporation] GuySuCo. Right now, I struggling. I got a lil’ piece of land and by time I plant that out, everything done sell out and eat out. Four pickney me got and that not easy to maintain. The smallest one is couple months,” he expressed.

He explained that one of his children attended nursery school while the others attended primary school.

Bradford contended that not having em-

bution to Guyana.

“It seems to me like cane cutters [are] nothing in this country. I feel neglected because without we, there woulda never be a sugar industry…nobody could get pay, nobody wouldn’t get a job, no sugar to make, no molasses to sell, but the hardest set of workers ain’t getting nothing,” Bradford detailed.

He then highlighted that the surrounding Estate villages were suffering as there were “more sellers than buyers”.

Despite the calls and even protests by Wales sugar workers and their families, GuySuCo announced earlier this month that those employees were not entitled to their termination benefits.

This was declared by acting GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Paul Bhim, who maintained that GuySuCo honoured all its obligations regarding the payment of severance at the Wales Estate. He told the Department of Public Information

Former Wales sugar worker Arvin Bradford

ployment meant that his youngest child was born into a situation of poverty. Bradford said in 2016, he was injured but afterwards he was not offered suitable work or compensation from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

“They forcing people to go to Uitvlugt but I ain’t going nowhere. Here become redundant and they supposed to pay we off. From 2016, I get

a head injury while working for GuySuCo; I do a head scan and I ain’t get nothing from NIS,” he stressed.

He further explained that he was given a referral by the hospital that he could perform “light labour”, but was not offered such tasks at Wales and he instead opted for severance as the entity was being closed.

He said sugar workers were being neglected despite their contri-

The Wales Sugar Estate

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

However, the workers argued that they were being pressured by GuySuCo when they were aware that the Uitvlugt Estate was located more than 20 miles from Wales.

They still contend that this move is contrary to the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

AFC yet to formally approach APNU to review coalition deal …President insists agreement can be allowed to expire if not reviewed now

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ome three months after announcing plans to review the coalition deal with its governing partner, the Alliance For Chance (AFC) is yet to formally approach the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) for this to be done.

“I have not received any word from the Leader of the Alliance For Change,” President David Granger, who is the Leader of the APNU, told reporters on Wednesday.

The APNU and AFC celebrated their third anniversary since signing the “lovers’ deal” which formed the coalition that

AFC Leader Raphael Trotman

is now governing the country.

However, the AFC of recent has come under fire for the submissive role it has been playing since joining forces with the APNU. In fact,

the top leadership of the AFC had decided back mid-November to revise its governing agreement with its coalition partner.

But according to President Granger, his party is committed to the coalition and the Accord.

“What I can assure you is that the A Partnership for National Unity, which I led, has had several meetings and in the event that the Alliance For Change would like to meet or to discuss, we’re quite prepared,” he stated.

The Cummingsburg Accord has a lifespan of a minimum of three years and a maximum of five

Bajan firms to explore trade with Guyana

W

ith the prospect of new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) looking tenuous, a number of Barbadian manufacturers and service exporters have launched an exploratory mission to Guyana to seek new trade and market opportunities.

According to the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) will be facilitating ten recently formed companies from the island as they seek to network with local businesses.

BIDC has actually been working with GO-Invest on behalf of the companies on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed between the two agencies, in order to explore trade and agency collaboration.

The companies themselves were drawn from the food and beverage, information technology, construction, garment and fashion, footwear, media publishing and health and wellness fields. The group will be accompanied by three BIDC officers, and will be in Guyana from February 11 to Valentine’s Day. “It is hoped that useful networks will be forged, excellent working relationships will be born, and the foundation for new trade will be laid,” GOInvest said in a statement. “Over the (past) five years, Guyana has received an average US$23 million in (imports) from Barbados every year. Exports (grew) by some seven per cent since 2013.

“Guyana exports approximately

The Guyana Office for Investment

US$13.7 million to Barbados, with export growth estimated at 44 per cent over the corresponding five-year period. (Group members) participating in this exploratory mission are all recent graduates of BIDC’s export readiness training programme, designed to equip new and potential exporters with the knowledge, tools and strategies to successfully expand their businesses into new markets.”

The participating firms are Artel Cimtect Inc (construction), Bibi’s Snacks Inc and Eve’s Creations (food and beverage), Carepoint Solutions (ICT), Eastlanders Manufacturing (craft), Locks Protector (Hair accessories), Regal Elegance (Garment sector), Spa E’scentials and the Healing Power of Touch (Health and Wellness) and Thorne Publishing and Productions (Media Publishing).

The MoU in question was signed under the previous administration in 2014, during the GuyExpo Investment forum. BIDC is a statutory agency of the Barbados Government, with special responsibility for export development and promotion, and the establishment and expansion of business enterprises.

It was formed with the aim of contributing to the diversification and growth of the Barbados economy through new investment, increased exports, and employment creation by fostering the development of competitive manufacturing and related services companies.

The gathering at the PNCR’s General Council on Saturday at Congress Place

years, and was focused primarily on the General and Regional Elections.

As such, the Head of State explained that the AFC has several options, including allowing the agreement to proceed as is until its expiration in two years’ time.

“All I can say at this point in time is that there is no compulsion that the Accord be reviewed… (The AFC) can allow it to expire in 2020 or it can make request for a meeting but the A Partnership for National Unity is committed to coalition politics and I would say that the advent of the coalition into Government has been good for Guyana – we are better together and we would like to see the Accord continue,” Granger opined.

Last month, AFC’s Leader Raphael Trotman

told reporters at a press conference that the party has already identified a team that will represent their interest in talks with the APNU. The Cummingsburg Accord Review Committee (CARC) has eight members which include Dr Vincent Adams, Dr Rohan Somar, Marlon Williams, David Patterson, Joel Edmond, Sherod Duncan and one representative each from the party’s Women for Change and Youth for Change.

The AFC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has mandated that the party’s leadership formally write to APNU with regard to the review and revision of the Cummingsburg Accord. Trotman had committed to doing so to initiate discussions with its coalition partner. But

several months have passed and Trotman is yet to write the APNU. This process had to be completed by the third anniversary of the signing of the Accord, February 14, 2018.

On the other hand, following the AFC’s decision to review the Accord, the minority party in the coalition Government went on to announce last month that it is considering contesting the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) separate from the APNU. However, when contacted on Wednesday, Chairman of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, indicated that the party will be discussing these matters and make the necessary decisions at their National Executive Meeting which will be held on Saturday.

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Conservationist questions Guyana’s level of preparedness for an oil spill

By Jarryl Bryan

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he Oil and Gas sector has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the major disadvantages is the widespread destruction to the environment an oil spill can cause.

According to a notable environmental activist, Guyana’s safeguards against an oil spill still leave much to be desired.

According to long time conservationist Annette Arjoon, there is still no comprehensive national oil response plan. This is even as ExxonMobil’s commercial production of oil is slated to begin two years from now.

“Am I satisfied that enough preparations are in place for an oil spill? The answer is no, for many reasons,” she related, during an interview with this publication on the sidelines of the Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit.

“We’ve only been privileged to have a look at the (oil agreement with Exxon) two months ago, and there’s very little as regards the environmental safeguards,” she de-

Conservationist Annette Arjoon assists one of the several beached whales Guyana has seen on its shores over the past few years

clared.

“Apart from that and a few discussions that the oil spill response plan is being developed, we’re yet to have a comprehensive national oil spill plan, which will only be the beginning of a long journey,” she continued. “But then you need people who are trained to be a part of that national response.

I do know that our Civil Defence Commission is the focal agency with re-

gard to response, with MARAD (Maritime Administration Department).”

Arjoon expressed the hope that the Marine Conservation Society will seek partnerships with those agencies in order to play its role.

However, she was also concerned that enough is not being done to get persons, such as residents of Region One (Baraima/Waini), involved in the conversa-

tion.

Region one is home to Shell Beach, one of Guyana’s National Protected Areas. The beach is renowned for being a nesting site to four of the world’s seven sea turtle species, most of which are endangered. They include the Leatherback, the largest of all living turtles whether sea or otherwise, and perhaps the best known one; while the Hawksbill, Olive Ridley and the Green Turtle are the other species. These all seek refuge at the beach.

“Thus far, they (Region One residents) have not been invited to participate, but I do look forward to (them engaging) in the months to come, and also for Exxon itself to (visit). As much as they’ve done simulation oil spill response training in the man-made lake at Splashmins, the condi-

tions in Region One in our marine waters are vastly and dramatically different,” she said.

“So I urge (Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited and) the relevant partners to also go into Region One to get this done. We have a robust regional administration. We have the Mayor and Town Clerk who are veterans in that area. We have the Shell Beach rangers who have been doing this work for decades. We have all the raw elements that are ready to participate,” she detailed.

That said, she acknowledged that Guyana’s oil industry is still fairly raw, and so observed that in the coming months, only time will tell whether certain standards have been reached regarding Guyana’s oil spill preparedness.

Capacity

Last year, it was announced that the Audit Office of Guyana (AOG) would commence a number of environmental audits in 2018. These audits, Auditor General Deodat Sharma had said, would analyse the capacity of the country’s relevant agencies to protect the environment and endangered species of animals in case of a disaster.

Asked what areas the environmental audit would cover, Sharma had identified Region One. “As you know, North West (Region One) has the four turtle (species).

We have to preserve those, because we don’t want to have an oil spill and it could be danger-

ous. I remember several years ago, there was the cyanide overspill. It had an effect on the environment in the interior.”

This is a reference to the cyanide spill in Guyana in 1995. In gold mining, cyanide is used as an extracting agent for the ore. In the case of Guyana’s cyanide spill, the highly poisonous material spilled out of a reservoir into the Essequibo River.

Guyana does not have to look far to see examples of the long term effects of oil spills.

Effects from an Exxon oil tanker spilling millions of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Alaska (popularly known as the Valdez oil spill) in 1989 are still felt today on the environment. And cleaning up oil spills can costs billions of US dollars.

For instance, British Petroleum’s (BP) expended approximately $14 billion in clean-up costs after its Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded and sank in 2010.

The disaster killed eleven persons on board and nearly five million barrels of oil were released underwater before the well was capped.

In 2016, President David Granger commissioned Guyana’s first oil spill response operation service at the Gaico Wharf at Nismes, West Bank Demerara.

Gaico Oil Spill Response Operation Services, a name coined by Komal Singh, was set up as a pre-emptive measure against probable spillage once production commences in the future. The company has previous experience in construction.

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Opinions of young people should not be limited

By Ashley Anthony

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oung people are an incredibly important part of our society. Yet, for some reason, many of us feel undervalued. We feel sort of shortchanged: too young to be taken seriously, but too old to not be doing something meaningful. But then how can we do something meaningful if we aren’t taken seriously?

Undervaluing youth happens at every possible level. It happens in the home, at school, in the workplace, and even in the community. Young people are stereotyped as being irresponsible and naïve, and thus their opinions are valued less. In the home, it could be something as simple as not letting a teenager have agency over how they want to study. As a parent, you might feel that the best way for them to study is to have a rigorous schedule and stick to it, despite your child telling you that this doesn’t work for them.

Ignoring their protests could actually be counterproductive. Perhaps if they were given more control over how they studied, they would be able to design a schedule that helps them function most effectively. I’m not saying that you should release all parental control, but I am saying that as children get older, they should be given more control over their lives. How can we expect young people to have confidence in themselves if their own parents do not trust them to manage their time effectively to pass their examinations?

At the school level, the principle is roughly the same; younger people have less of an impact simply because of their age. Arguably, the most important person within a school is the student. Yet, students often have few avenues for expression. Our schools usually do not have student body councils and thus there is no organised body that represents the student’s interests, ideas or concerns to the principal and other teachers.

If a student has an idea for a school improvement project, there is often no existing system through which they can submit the idea, or if there is such a system, it isn’t widely publicised. I think this is truly a shame.

Students are the ones who know best the inconveniences they face, and when given the chance, sometimes they come up with truly brilliant solutions. A great example would be “Lictor Live” of Queen’s College. The project was proposed at a student conference hosted by the alumni of Queen’s College, and it served to solve the problem of poor information circulation within the school. After receiving the support of the alumni, the project blossomed into one of the school’s most active clubs. Students report on activities within the school, and post pictures and articles to the official Facebook page “Lictor Live”, which now has amassed a following of over two thousand people. If those students had not been given an audience, that idea would have never been realised. I am not saying that every idea has to be implemented, but that there should be more opportunities for youths to propose such ideas.

At the community level, the idea is similar, but not exactly the same. Youth are often chastised for being apathetic about social issues, but then when we attempt to become politically active, we are often told that we are too young to know what we are talking about. It’s frustrating. The political opinions of young people shouldn’t be limited to just what their parents or families tell them. They should be able to do their own research, and to respectfully challenge the opinions of those older than they are. Being young shouldn’t make us less relevant.

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Déjà vu minority rule

By Ravi Dev

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hat is unfolding in Guyana is a return to the rule by a minority regime, which was practised by the PNC between 1968 and 1992. The PNC had then inherited the colonial state — pretty much a “crown Colony” governorship, with all its apparatus intact — in 1964. It then not only maintained the structural pattern of domination established by the British, but once Burnham jettisoned his junior coalition partner, the United Force, in 1968, he successfully increased the extent and reach of that domination. While he attempted to maintain a façade of “multiracial governance” – as is now happening with the Indians from the AFC — the critical difference was that an African and Coloured middle-class elite had replaced the departed Whites as the mediating minority group in charge.

Burnham did not balk at utilising the “control” form of governance for the ethnically fractured Guyanese society.

The scholar Ian Lustick in Israel had proposed the model in a normative sense, and had suggested that one of the competing groups in a deeply divided society such as Guyana may seize the state and maintain hegemonic control over the entire society. This is what Burnham was allowed to do, since his constituency dominated the state’s coercive institutions and the bureaucracy. He pointed out to them the alternative was to be ruled in perpetuity by the majority Indian segment under Cheddi Jagan.

Lustick contrasted this variant of authoritarian rule with another approach, consociationalism, which described and sought to foster a cooperative approach to governance in severely divided societies. Even though there had been sporadic attempts by both Jagan and Burnham to work out some form of consociationalism, those attempts never went anywhere. With the benefit of hindsight, Burnham, having been underwritten by the US, had no need to compromise. When he decided to rig elections after 1968, the Americans even proposed selling him electronic voting machines which could be programmed to perform that trick quite efficiently.

Burnham went with the simpler and less obvious route of the overseas vote

and proxies domestically.

Granger’s PNC government also seems to have elections under control, since they have abjured wooing crossover votes.

The armed forces were expanded tenfold by Burnham, with a ninety percent African membership to provide the coercive basis for the PNC’s rule. By 1976, they had reached the staggering ratio of one armed personnel to every thirty-five civilians. The present PNC of David Granger is already quite advanced in this move, with the Peoples’ Militia, the Reserve, the Cadet Corps in place. It would appear that rather than resuscitating the National Service, the new Youth Corps will play that mobilizational role.

During the 197089 period, private goonsquads that supported the PNC wreaked havoc on the civilian population – especially on Indians. By mid-1985, anti-Indian depredations had reached such staggering proportions that one political activist, Eusi Kwayana, wrote that “it had a flavour of genocide”. According to Fr Andrew Morrison of the Catholic Church, in his book, Justice, the House of Israel – a PNC-backed group that was armed by the party, formed the core of the “kick-downthe-door” bandits. It was this type of banditry that segued effortlessly into large scale kidnappings, robberies and murders between 1992 and 2001, after the five “freedom fighters” took over. There are alarming signs that the rate of armed robberies are increasing in the present. What’s ahead?

During his watch, Burnham nationalised 80% of the economy, and provided rewards far in excess of the “Guyanesation” the middle class PNC elite had hoped for. Not only was their class expanded, but they obtained a powerful device to keep dissent in line. Party membership and support for the Party’s position became prerequisites for maintaining a job. In Burnham’s words, those who were fired stayed fired. The Co-operative was to be the vehicle for rewarding the lower class African Guyanese, and was to be the cornerstone of the economy. In the present, the revenues from oil in the post 2020 era will provide the wherewithal to repeat the elite experiment. Over G$25 million

have already been allocated to four African villages – Buxton, Ithaca, Mocha and BV — to jump start their agricultural co-ops.

Indian-based organisations were co-opted through the opportunism of their leadership to rubber stamp the PNC’s policies. These leaders were placed in highly visible but essentially powerless positions to create a façade of a non-racial Government. Nothing different today.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

I

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger is pictured with members of the STEM Guyana team

n f o r m a t i o n Technology (IT) Technician and Coordinator of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Guyana Project, Karen Abrams explained that the main mission behind the local Project is to 'unlock the world class potential of Guyanese youth'.

“We understand clearly that if our young people are not prepared to contribute to a world driven by technology, they will simply be left behind. There is a sense of urgency today that is driving the same level of youth preparation activity throughout the entire developing world.

We are adamant that Guyana will not be left behind,” Ms. Abrams announced.

Alluding to the collaboration behind the Project, the Coordinator explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine,

that the STEMGuyana programme has many stakeholders whose response has been overwhelmingly positive.

She said too that, although the team has endured many challenges, the overall support received has “dwarfed” the obstacles.

“The Ministry of Public Telecommunications has supported our mission by loaning students laptops during our 2016 inaugural robotics camp, to donating to the cost of sending the Guyana team abroad to providing internet service to our clubhouse where we expose young people to robotics and coding.

The MPT also recently co-sponsored our recent Training Seminar where we prepared 50 persons to be STEM coaches in their own communities,” she explained.

Ms. Abrams also lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Education

for co-sponsoring the new Grade six practice test mobile app which STEMGuyana created. “We’re also working with the Education Ministry’s NCERD Science Department to rollout STEM competitive leagues nationally (robot building and programming and Scratch Programming)” she added.

While pointing to the benefits of the initiative, with regards to removing the barriers and encouraging women to work and study in STEM fields, Ms. Abrams said, “I can only speak to STEMGuyana's work; we have seen excellent representation of female interest in our robot building programmes, our last year technology exhibition and in the recent training seminar for STEM club programmes”. She also expressed the hope more girls would participate

Frist Lady, Sandra Granger and Co-founder of STEMGuyana, Karen Abrams, with two Grade Six students displaying the app on their tablets.

The students were among the 60 that tested the beta version of the app in phase one of the app roll-out last year (Photo courtesy DPI)

in the leagues and tryout for the national robotics team.

Empowering young women and youths

M e a n w h i l e , the STEMGuyana Coordinator emphasised that participating in STEM activities is important for young girls,

by getting rid of gender stereotypes and roles which are strong influences on Co-founder of STEMGuyana, Ms Karen Abrams t h e Bartica, along with behaviors of both boys community stakeholdand girls in our society. ers underwent a one“Let us enroll our day training workshop girls and our boys in in Science, Technology, STEM clubs, let us E n g i n e e r i n g , highlight and applaud Mathematics (STEM) girls who perform well and Robotics, aimed at in Math, Science and equipping them with Technology arenas. Let technological skills, us highlight the current which would assist in work of women in STEM providing modern solufields and make them tions to the challenges role models. Let us pro- of transitioning Bartica, tect girls against sexual C u y u n i - M a z a r u n i and other assaults and (Region Seven) to the make learning environ- first model ‘green’ town ments both in and out- in Guyana and the side of school safe for all Caribbean. The training students,” Ms. Abrams was a collaborative efurged. fort between the Office of In addition to the Climate Change (OCC), many benefits of the pro- Ministry of Education, gramme, she noted too the Ministry of Public that it is especially im- Telecommunications and portant for children in STEM Guyana. historically underper-

Students from the Buxton-Friendship, East Coast Demerara area who participated in the STEMGuyana Robotic Camp at the Friendship Primary School in 2016

as females make up fifty per cent of the population and the vast majority of future jobs will involve technology on some level. “If half of the population is not properly prepared to participate in the technology industry at all levels, then Guyana's productivity and future development will be seriously handicapped,” she said, while pointing out that it would be “impossible to properly develop any nation with 50% of its brightest resources under-utilized, marginalized or socialized out of the development process”.

She said too that a primary focus is to encourage girls in STEM

forming schools to be given access to opportunities which could change the trajectory of their lives. She added that, while STEMGuyana is well aware that not all youth will be interested in technology, their goal is to ensure that for those who have the interest, the opportunities are available to them.

“I am especially happy about the community internet hubs where young people can go to organise themselves into technology clubs, and use the resources available to learn, compete and prepare themselves for the future,” she stated.

Just last week, twelve teachers from

Karen Abrams is the Co-founder of STEMGuyana, a nonprofit entity responsible for unlocking the worldclass technology potential of Guyanese youth.

Her goal is to bring programming, robotics and math enrichment to every community of youth in Guyana so that young people in Guyana will be able to live up to their potential. STEMGuyana is a 50- membership Diaspora group, which partners with local stakeholders to prepare young people to use their creativity, brilliance, and innovative spirits to create technology solutions for problems in their community.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Brazil pledges support for Guyana in border dispute A

s Guyana readies itself to make its case for the resolution of the Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), it has been assured of the support for all diplomatic measures including a judicial settlement from the world court by its southern neighbour, Brazil, which has time and time again indicated that it has no interest in changing settled and established boundaries on the continent, the Ministry of the Presidency (MotP) reported.

Guyana continues to enjoy friendly relations with Brazil and in a tangible demonstration of this commitment, the two countries, in November last year, undertook a project to remark the borders they share. This exercise solidified the friendship between the two countries and a demonstration of mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty.

President David Granger described Brazil, over the past 50 years, as being a guarantor of Guyana’s territory.

Brazil’s support for Guyana was again reaffirmed in December last year, when President Granger met with the President of Brazil, Mr. Michel Temer. Following that State Visit and Guyana’s attendance at the MERCOSUR

Summit held in Brazil at the same time, Minister Greenidge said that Brazil was updated on Venezuela’s contention that the 1899 Award is null and void, and informed that the country remains resolute in its original position.

“The matter was raised with Brazil as per normal. As neighbours, we always have exchanges on this. The President gave them an update as to where we are, and Brazil has not indicated any movement from its traditional position, which is that the boundaries of the subcontinent should remain where they are,” he said.

This past week has been a particularly important for the future relationship of Guyana and Brazil, particularly since both countries are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic ties, the MotP said.

On Friday, President Granger said that his conferral of the Cacique’s Crown of

Honour, Guyana’s third highest national award, on Brazil’s Defence Minister, Mr. Raul Jungmann Pinto, represents Guyana’s gratitude not only to the Minister for his personal diligence in the strengthening of ties between the two countries but his nation’s show of commitment to the preservation of South America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, the promotion of respect for international law and the inviolability of treaties, international peace-keeping, humanitarian and disaster relief and the consolidation of defence cooperation with Guyana.

During their visit, Minister Jungmann and his delegation again placed on record Brazil’s support for Guyana.

Minister Jungmann said that Brazil has the third largest border in South America and the world at large and it has frontier with 10 countries. He noted that Brazil wants to see the

controversy with Venezuela resolved permanently and in a diplomatic manner, which can be achieved at the ICJ. This, he said, is vital for the stability of the South American continent.

In 2015, two decrees issued by Venezuela purported that country’s claim on most of Guyana’s exclusive economic zone, Ambassador Lineu Pupo De Paula of Brazil said, “I firmly believe that in the 21st century there is no place for old territorial disputes. Guyana has the right and I agree that the Government has a duty to seek the development of the country. The common goal should be the welfare of all peoples of the region.

South America is a place of peace and will continue to be because Brazil will not accept any turmoil in its borders.”

Meanwhile, with regard to preparatory work on the matter to be taken ICJ, Minister Greenidge said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its advisory team have had meetings with lawyers to map out options, the MotP said.

Pensioner on G$100,000 bail for breaking woman’s arm

A

Charlestown, Georgetown man was on Monday released on G$100,000 bail when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for breaking a woman’s arm.

Joseph Stewart, of Lot 2 Charlestown, Georgetown, appeared before city Magistrate

Virtual Complainant (VC) had an argument at his premises and he requested that she leave.

However, Adams refused to do so which prompted Stewart to take up a piece of wood and strike her about her body, breaking her hand.

Adams was rushed to the Diamond hospital, where she was treated

Judy Latchman and denied that he struck Oslyn Adams causing her the injury.

The charge read to him stated that on February 8, 2018 at Russell Street, Charlestown, he unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm on Adams.

According to the prosecution’s case presented by Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore, the 68-year-old man and the

for the injuries that she sustained.

In court, the VC indicated that she and the pensioner have entered into an agreement whereby he has volunteered to compensate her for her injuries.

However, Latchman placed Stewart on G$100,000 bail and told Adams to reconsider whether or not she wanted to pursue the matter.

The case will continue on February 26.

Crime, high unemployment hampering economic growth in Caribbean (CMC)

E

conomic growth in the Caribbean is being hampered by high unemployment among young people regarded as the highest in the world and crime, according to a IMFBlog, a forum for the views of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff and officials on pressing economic and policy issues.

In its “Chart of the Week,” the IMFBlog noted that the 2008 global financial crisis had an especially strong effect on the unemployment rate for those between the ages of 15 and 24, which jumped on average by five percentage points between 2007 and 2013, from 21 per cent to 26 per cent.

“In some countries, for example, the Bahamas, Barbados, and Jamaica, youth unemployment rates are nearly three times that of those aged 30 and over”.

The IMFBlog noted that the difficult job market has led to an increase in crime in many of the islands.

“In several Caribbean countries, crime has risen sharply since 2004 and murder rates are now among the highest in the world.

“More specifically, violent crime in the Caribbean is significantly higher than in any other region, with 6.8 per

cent of the population affected versus a world average of 4.5 per cent, according to a recent IMF book, Unleashing Growth and Strengthening Resilience in the Caribbean,” the IMFBlog added.

It said that about 40 per cent of the Caribbean population identifies crime and security-related issues as the biggest problem facing their countries, even more than poverty or inequality.

According to the 2012 United Nations Caribbean Human Development Report, young people are both the primary victims and perpetrators of crime in the region.

Victims of violent crime are mainly between the ages of 18 to 30 and from lower levels of income, while 80 per cent of prosecuted crimes were committed by people aged 17 to 29 years.

The IMFBlog argued that efforts to fight crime will require an integrated solution.

“Balancing crime suppression programmes with prevention, including youth vocational training that increases job opportunities in the formal sector and keeps youth off the street, targeting interventions in high crime areas, and developing indicators to more accurate monitor the effectiveness of anticrime programmes can deliver good results.”

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Black History Month Series:

Guyanese Writers of African Ancestry, part one T

ginalisation and even gender inequity, fighting the ‘same cause’ by re-writing and righting history.

Carew is best known for his novel Black Midas, first published 1958. As a cultural historian, he wrote Rape of Paradise, Moscow is not my Mecca, Ghosts in my Blood, Grenada, the Hour will Strike Again and Fulcrums of Change; setting history right, contrary to Euro-centric bias designs previously forced upon us.

here are as many ways to celebrate as there are appropriate ways to celebrate. The tenor of Black History Month should be celebrated with books.

Here’s a short (but by no way a comprehensive) list of Guyanese works and their authors which could be used to commemorate the above.

Ivan Van Sertima

They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America, written by Ivan Van Sertima, published 1977, was one of those controversial books that stabbed at misconceptions about Africans.

Van Sertima knew what he was doing when he set out on that scholarship ‘many people feel a certain kind of happiness when they read my book.

A certain kind of shadow lifts. The psyche of blacks is raised. No man who believes his history began with slavery can be a healthy man. If you lift that shadow, you help repair that damage’.

Educator, researcher, critic, writer, poet, Ivan Van Sertima was born in 1935, in Kitty Village, British Guiana.

He competed his early schooling in Guyana and entered the world of work as a Press and Broadcasting Officer, Government Information Office. For higher education, Van Sertima attended the London School of Oriental and African Studies, London, England, where he studied African languages and literature and during which time he also he learned to speak Swahili and Hungarian fluently.

O. R. Dathorne

Norman E. Cameron

Educationist, mathematician, historian, poet, dramatist, sportsman, cultural activist and social reformer, Norman Eustace Cameron was born in New Amsterdam, Berbice, in 1903, not far from the birthplaces of Edgar Mittleholzer and Wilson Harris. Although Cameron was blessed with a ‘light but pleasant tenor voice’, he was a trailblazer, pioneer and pacesetter. All of this due in no small way to the fact that his father’s great thirst for knowledge rubbed off on him and his mother’s wonderful organising ability grounded in religious tenets was foisted on him.

As a trailblazer, pi-

oneer and pacesetter, Cameron did what had to be done, filling the lacuna in many areas.

His magnum opus The Evolution of the Negro a subject shunned by thinkers on the British colonial portion of the world, published while yet in his 20s was one such significant feature of his contribution to society.

Jan Carew

‘The Gentle Revolutionary: Essays in Honour of Jan Carew’ edited by Joy Gleason Carew and Hazel Waters is the book paying tribute to a man who lived and worked in many places, with the singular fixation to right wrongs of discrimination, mar-

Dathorne is better known for his novels Dumplings in the Soup, and The Scholar-Man, describing the academic world in Africa but he also published academic works including the following: ‘The Black Mind: A History of African Literature’, University of Minnesota Press, 1974.

‘African Literature in the Twentieth Century’, University of Minnesota Press, 1976.

‘Dark Ancestor: The Literature of the Black Man in the Caribbean’, Louisiana State University Press, 1981.

His work experience influenced his writing: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, assistant professor, 1959-63; University of Ibadan, Nigeria, associate professor, 1963-6; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Milton Magai Training College, 1967-70; University of Sierra Leone at Njala, English Department, chair and professor of

English literature and Black literature, 196770; Yale University, visiting professor, 1970; Howard University, Department of African Studies, professor, 1970-1; University of Wisconsin, Department of Afro-American Studies, professor, 19701; Ohio State University, Department of English, professor, Department of Black Studies, professor and co-director, 19717; University of Miami, Caribbean, African and African-American Studies Program, director and professor of English, 1977-87; University of Kentucky, English department.

Beryl Gilroy

Writer and educator, Beryl Gilroy was born in 1924, in Springlands,

Berbice, Guyana, later becoming the first black head teacher in Britain.

Beryl Gilroy who gained her doctorate in counselling and ethno-psychology wrote two historical fiction books Steadman and Joanna(1991) explored the history of the Caribbean and the African Diaspora in the period of slavery and Inkle and Yarico 1996.

Gilroy is better known for her novel, Black Teacher.

In part two, we would take a look at the works of contemporary Guyanese writers of African ancestry who are still at work.

Responses to this author please telephone 226-0065 of email: oraltradition2002@yahoo. com

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G

uyana is the first country in the Caribbean to have a national policy which emphasises the importance of science education.

‘The purpose of science in the context of sustainability is to understand and clarify the dynamics of what is required to prevent ‘the human system’ – individual and collective, physical, social, economic, cultural and psychological – from destroying the environment on which it depends (Maiteny and Parker, 2002 p. 15). ‘Technology seeks to provide instruments and means for achieving particular human aims, wants and purposes in line with the prevailing norms and values of the society concerned’ (Maiteny and Parker, 2002 p. 24). Additionally, engineering will be required in the application of scientific knowledge and to make adjustments in its operations to accommodate sustainability. Education in mathematics teaches critical thinking for addressing the issues of sustainability and making adjustments for it.

This integration of STEM is essential to the development of sustainable solutions for schools and communities. Therefore, education in the scientific meth-

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Zuil Secondary School –received US$5,000. Their project, the Paddy Husk Particle Board, was also judged to have the Best Presentation and to be Most Relevant to Sustainable Communities.

The establishment of STEM clubs as “challenge labs” and experimental spaces opens up new pathways of thinking and acting, and especially invites youth to engage and lead in a multitude of ways.

UNESCO’s Global Micro-science Experiments Programme

One approach used by UNESCO to make a difference in science education is its Global Micro-science Experiments Programme which provides developed and developing countries alike with new teaching tools. This Global Micro-science Experiments Programme is an affordable, hands-on science education project that gives primary, secondary and tertiary education students the opportunity to conduct practical work on a micro-scale in physics, chemistry and biology, using microscience kits that require small amounts of resources and energy. These kits are accompanied by manuals for both teachers

Sagicor Representatives and Regional Winners from Left to right: Anderson King, Vice President, Corporate Communications & Marketing, Sagicor Life Inc, Barbados; Susan Browne and Sasha McDowell - 1st Runner Up - Barbados; Athina Indar and Jerome Rampersaud - Regional Winner - Guyana; Maria Pech and Wilson Mendoza - 2nd Runner Up - Belize; and Marlene Chin, Manager, Corporate Communications, Sagicor Life Inc Trinidad & Tobago. (photo courtesy sagicorvisionaries.com)

implementation, Guyana’s model is being adapted and expanded with great success by other Caribbean territories such as Belize, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago.

The above initiatives in education show that Guyana has already begun to work toward Education for Sustainable Development, and thus, is not

First Lady Sandra Granger is pictured with students from Friendship Primary School who participated in one of the ICT programme last year , facilitators and Coordinator of STEM Guyana project, Karen Abrams

od allows students to be more mindful of their lifestyles and the ways in which they contribute to issues of sustainability, while equipping them with the tools to fix this. Guyana participated in the Sagicor Visionaries Challenge (SVC) 2014, the aim of which is to encourage secondary school students to utilise STEM, in whatever way they can, to develop effective, innovative and sustainable solutions to challenges facing their communities or schools. This is intended to stimulate national awareness and enthusiasm among secondary school students, teachers and parents as we seek to enable tomorrow’s leaders to build a more sustainable Caribbean. This approach facilitates the participation of all citizens and stakeholders in sustainable development driven through education.

Team Guyana was announced the Regional winner from a field of eight competitors.

Teacher Jerome Rampersaud and student Athina Indar collected the Regional Champion trophy and their school – Abram

and students which detail the experiment procedures in clear and concise language for the most effective utilisation of the resources. The implementation of the UNESCO Micro-science Experiments Programme was intended to address the dire shortage of science laboratory space and equipment in many poor developing countries.

In 2011, Guyana was selected as a pilot country by UNESCO to implement its Global Micro-science Experiments Programme. The Micro-science Programme was merged with the Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) approach. IBSE mirrors the scientific method. This implementation promotes the development of competencies such as critical thinking, imagining future scenarios and decision- making in a collaborative way. This approach fits well with Education for Sustainable Development which seeks to deliver quality education and promote lifelong learning through the ESD learning pillars.

As a result of the successful

starting from a zero point with this Policy. This Policy provides the framework for the integration, expansion and monitoring and evaluation of these initiatives. As factors that influence sustainability change, Education for Sustainable Development would also require change. Monitoring and evaluation of these changes becomes vital. This process of monitoring and evaluation would identify areas for improvement which will lead to the review of this Policy for appropriateness and suitability over time.

Guyana has recognised that STEM subjects are core subjects to a complete secondary education. Consequently, an attempt is being made to have all students become familiar with the STEM principles (Science and Technology Policy, 2011).

According to the Ministy of Education, the foundation laid at the pre-primary and primary levels will be reinforced and expanded at the secondary level.

This will facilitate learning that will equip students with functioning knowledge of the issues relating to sustainable develop-

ment, including climate change, the environment and social realities.

Secondary education will seek to build capacity to develop solutions for these issues in an integrated manner by understanding and applying the social, physical, psychological, cultural and scientific principles involved. The use of STEM to solve problems in schools and communities will be encouraged, along with the application of research and inclusive decision-making. Students will learn to recognise their obligation to the human species and other life forms threatened by unsustainability, and become active agents of change. In keeping with the whole-school approach to ESD, students as well as teachers will engage in and lead ESD practices in their schools and communities.

Emphasis will be placed on STEM education for girls since it is well known that women are an underutilised resource and consistently disadvantaged by misguided traditions. Students should develop an understanding of how today’s decisions affect the viability of tomorrow’s society.

The aforementioned efforts cannot be implemented without adequately educated and trained teachers in STEM. All teachers must have a basic understanding of STEM to relate to sustainability. Teacher training institutions must implement a flexible and locally relevant curriculum. This curriculum must be revised to reflect currency of development in knowledge pertinent to sustainability.

Tertiary-level institutions must facilitate the transition of new knowledge in ESD which reflects the changing issues of sustainability and furnish constant curriculum reform.

The STEM initiative, which is being implemented in schools all across Guyana, runs parallel to the President’s National Endowment for Science and Technology (NEST) programme. The programme has its genesis in the presentation of $1M cheques to several schools in 2016, including Berbice High School, Queen’s College and

President’s College, to improve computer and science laboratories, as part of the Head of State’s push to promote STEM education through investment.

In June 2017 $1M cheques were presented to 13 secondary schools under NEST. According to the subject Minister, Nicolette Henry the focus on STEM education, though in its early phases, is beginning to bear fruit. She noted that students are now exposed to hands on interactive experiences in the classrooms enabling them to better relate to the new areas of knowledge.

The success of the STEM Guyana team at the 2017 First Global Challenge is testimony of the value of these kinds of investments by Government and the Private Sector for the development of STEM education.

The team placed tenth out of 165 competing countries.

But STEM education is not just for the secondary level. The $50M Youth Innovation Fund (YIF) that was introduced in the 2017 National Budget caters to young people who wish to advance their creative ideas in the field of science and technology.

The programme, which focuses on both in and out of school youth, is in keeping with the Government’s ‘green’ agenda and will focus on solutions for the reduction of fossil fuel usage and the STEM programme.

Under YIF, young people across Guyana can begin to tap into their creative abilities with the use of modern technology to explore how they can contribute to the development of ‘green’ technology and the increased use of clean energy.

The in-school component is aimed at raising awareness among primary and secondary level students by having them participate in competitive activities that will challenge them to create solutions to address current global challenges, while utilising STEM subjects. Out-of-school youths will be required to submit proposals of projects, which they believe can benefit their communities.

(Excerpts from www.education. gov.gy) (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Preserving…

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…dead meat?

nquiring minds wanted to know what’s the status of the long demanded “re-negotiation” of the Cummingsburg Accord between APNU and AFC. The demand, of course, had been made after Nagamootoo discovered he’d gotten what his erstwhile comrade in arms, Donald Ramotar, indelicately described as “larwah”, when in fact he’d been promised “largesse” of power.

Leader of the AFC, Raphael “Nassau” Trotman, however, said there ain’t going to be no list of rectificatory demands submitted to APNU the day after Valentine’s Day, as everyone assumed. After all, Nagamootoo’s nagging about the crumbs he received rather than the milk and honey (not to mention Pharaoh/Executive’s staff of power) the Accord promised started right after he discovered he was neither going to chair Cabinet nor be in charge of “governance”! He and Ramjattan were real miffed that the fatted calf was being killed for Harmon, while Moses had to make do with “larwah”!

After a year of grumbling and muttering and getting further sidelined, on May 1 (Labour Day!!) 2017 a high-level, impressive sounding “Cummingsburg Accord Review Committee” (CARC) from the AFC top tier had been constituted to enumerate the ways in which the AFC had been “dissed” and to demand what APNU would do about it. The team was made up of Dr Vincent Adams and Dr Rohan Somar (from foreign), GS Marlon Williams, former GS David Patterson, Joel Edmond, Sherod Duncan (the man who would be Mayor), a Woman For Change and a Youth For Change.

So, imagine your Eyewitness’ surprise when “Nassau” Trotman hemmed and hawed on the demands and said the National Executive Council (NEC) had been scheduled to meet this coming Saturday they’d “decide on the way forward”!!

What’s to decide?? Didn’t the party already draw a line in the sand? Or have the blue waters of “Nassau” washed away the line?

From where your Eyewitness sits – as far away as possible to get perspective (and not so incidentally, to avoid that smell of dead meat!) – it’s clear the Nassau Accord between PNC-leader Granger and AFC-leader Trotman has trumped the Cummingsburg Accord. When asked about that Accord’s “review clause”, Granger pointed to its “sunset clause”, and assured all and sundry Trotman would handle it. Of course he will!!

“Nassau” Trotman, after all, has extensive experience in “renegotiations”!! Look how well he did with the Oil Contract! Two years later folks are still compiling a list of his giveaways!! And that’s why Granger can lie back like the Cheshire Cat that just swallowed the canary!!

His man from Nassau’s got it covered!! But the question is, can he cover the stench of the “dead meat” the AFC’s become?

Then again, does it matter?? …culture Your Eyewitness is more than a tad amused by the storm in the (enamel) teacup over the lyrics in one of the entries in the Junior Calypso Monarch competition. Someone complained it was vulgar.

The composer then published the lyrics via the letter pages and to be honest, how different from the norm is “So I took out ma dog and put licks in her cat”? The “dog”, the fella explained, was made of “leather with some balls inside”. Or about another (female) neighbour inviting him over and “pushing her saltfish into his mouth”?

Now wasn’t it the King (Sparrow) himself who spoke about telling a kid his name was “Ben-wood Dick” who’s looking for the kid’s sister Mildred, and had “gi’e she already”?? Or when he sang about wanting to see “Miss Mary ‘one pound” – big and hairy one pound”? The fact of the matter, the majority of calypsos have always been smut – thinly disguised as “double entendres”. Is we cul-cha!!

Why no one’s complaining about what passes for “dancing” during Mash. Dogs in heat have more decorum. …unpatriotic anonymity Why doesn’t Go-Invest expose the person who warned away investors from our sinking Guyana?

They said the fella tried to blackmail them.

So it’s also a Police matter?

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38 FEATURE

By Chevon Lim

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n order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/70/212 declaring 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The UN has recognised that over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science.

Unfortunately, the UN also recognises that women and girls continued to be excluded from participating fully in science. According to a study conducted in 14 countries, the probability for female students of graduating with a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and Doctor’s degree in sciencerelated field are 18%, 8% and 2% respectively, while the percentages of male students are 37%, 18% and 6%.

"On this International Day, I urge commitment to end bias, greater investments in science, technology, engineering and math education for all women and girls as well as opportunities for their careers and longer-term professional advancement so that all can benefit from their groundbreaking future contributions." the UN SecretaryGeneral, António Guterres stated.

While there have been many notable contributions from women in science the world over, the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine would like to honour several Guyanese women who are pioneers in their field of study.

Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins Conservationist, Pilot Mrs. Annette ArjoonMartins is a nationally and

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Annette and Green Marine Turtle

cal UNESCO office in encouraging gender balance in their programmes.

“We need to do much more nationally. I must applaud the European Union for making it mandatory that there must be at least 30% of women on the boards of agencies which receive their funding,” she added.

internationally acclaimed conservationist; a successful commercial eco-tourism operator; a mother of two; and a qualified airplane pilot, who has been a driving force in marine conservation and mangrove replanting projects in Guyana. She was recently awarded the Golden Arrow of Achievement, which has added to many other local and international accolades. Mrs Martins also serves as Chairman of the Mangrove Action Committee (MAC).

Mrs. Arjoon-Martins hails from the Pomeroon.

She was born to Carmen Murray, a resident of the Pomeroon with relatives at Moruka, and Mr. Yacoob Ally, a sawmilling businessman.

She attended primary school in the Pomeroon, and then moved to Georgetown for secondary education, which she received at the Dolphin Secondary School on Broad Street, in Charlestown.

She left Guyana in 1977 for Codrington High, an English boarding school for girls in Barbados, where she completed her academic education with distinction in 1982.

Her father was in the timber industry, and around this time, he bought an aeroplane to make his operations more efficient.

This incidentally marked the beginning of the domestic airline, now known as Air Services Limited (ASL).

At age 18, Annette undertook training as a private pilot at Briko’s Flight School in Trinidad, which saw her become a licensed pilot. She returned home, worked with the timber business for three years, but found the aviation business more interesting. She then managed ASL for ten years.”

She explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that while her career as an Environmentalist and Conservationist has been easy, she has faced the biggest obstacles in the aviation industry, which she pointed out, may be attributed to it being a traditional male dominated industry.

Nikita Innis Aeronautical Engineer 27 year old Nikita Innis has overcome numerous obstacles on the road to her becoming one of the few female Aeronautical Engineers in Guyana. Growing up in Matthew’s Ridge, Region one (Barima Waini), she saw herself being a future doctor, teacher or pilot.

According to Nikita, her career choices were motivated by the needs of the community at that time.

Her childhood days were filled with numerous activities; she recalled being involved in athletics, dancing and camping through her involvement in the President Youth Award of Guyana (PYARG).

With high hopes of giving back to her community, Nikita was afforded the opportunity to study engineering at the Aeronautical Engineering School, a chance she readily embraced.

She revealed that it was her father’s urgings that motivated her to study engineering; although not her first career choice, she embraced the opportunity to work around planes.

During an interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, she pointed to the importance of support and said “Draft a few back up plans but don’t get discouraged along the way. If you aren’t blessed to have parental support system that I (and many others) have had, create your own: purposefully seek out mentors who have succeeded despite the odds. Throw out the perfectionist in you; perfection is an illusion.”

While she acknowledged that working in a male dominated profession comes with challenges, she is encouraging young women to use the challenges as motivation to achieve their goals. “The most certain way to succeed is always try just one more time,” she urged.

Alluding to the improved access to education and opportunities for girls in such fields of study, Nikita acknowledged that more emphasis is being placed on fe-

“The challenges have magnified during my tenure as the President of the National Air Transport Association, an association with a mandate of advocacy for equity, accountability and transparency in the aviation sector. My tenacity of sticking with facts and deep belief in the truth being my shield has protected me. I am aware that the policy makers who have done their own due diligence and are aware of what needs to be changed will take corrective measures and this gives me satisfaction that I would have made some progress before the end of my tenure,” Mrs Arjoon Martins explained. According to the Aviator, she has overcome these obstacles by being true to herself and the people she deals with and “remaining committed to what is fair and what is right.”

On sharing her vision for the future generations of Women and Girls in Science, Mrs. Arjoon Martins said, “My vision for the future generations of girls in science and in particular, those that are interested in pursuing a career in the aviation industry, is to not limit yourself to administrative duties in reservations or flight despatching.

Aim higher as you can also achieve your aeronautical engineering or Commercial pilots’ licence. The sky is really no longer the limit either as our University of Guyana has recently opened doors beyond what was available in my time and are now offering a diploma in aviation management.”

Equal access She noted too that in Guyana, we are still quite behind in equal access for girls. She said “A quick review of the women in senior management positions, on boards of our large corporations and in cabinet can attest to this gender deficit. How many regional chairwomen do we have?” She noted that there has been some progress, and she acknowledged the recent positive development of the Department of Environment and our lo-

Nikita Innis

male empowerment, as the progress of gender equality has quickened. This, she explained, has resulted in more women being qualified and employed in male dominated areas.

“I applaud women and young girls who are interested in pursuing careers in science and technology. Yes you will fail, get up and keep fighting! As a girl interested in science and technology you may be tested, labelled (nerd) or bullied. Don’t let it stop you from achieving your dreams,” Innis advised.

She emphasised too that success will require an early commitment which echoes the advice that she heard growing up “Just because someone says you can’t achieve something does not make it true. Ignore the naysayers and chase after your goals despite the critics. Don’t be afraid of failure because failure is imminent; accept and prepare for failure,” the young Engineer added.

Her words of encouragement to young women and girls pursuing their dreams are, “The climb toward success will be gritty and at times so steep that you will cling on for dear life. CLING my dear, this too shall pass.

Never stop achieving.”

Dr. Latoya Gooding

Nikita has worked as a technician at the local airline, Air Service Limited, and now holds a position at Fly Jamaica.

Dr. Latoya Gooding – Oncologist Born on November 17, 1988, she is the fourth of seven children born to her parents Franklin Gooding and Audrey McKenzie, Dr Gooding attended primary school in Bartica, after which she moved to Georgetown to pursue her secondary education at Central High. It was while still at primary level that she decided she was going to become a doctor, because of her desire to save lives.

Alluding to her interest in Science, she explained that while she knew she wanted to be a doctor, her performance in Science was not as strong. Her teachers then encouraged her to fall into the business stream, despite her desire to be in the Science stream.

“I had to literally take my mommy to school to tell them [teachers] that I wanted to do Science and that is how I got accepted into the Science stream and I never regretted that decision,” Dr Gooding explained.

Although the mother of one is hopeful that her life could be an inspiration to young

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people unsure of their path in life, she advised, “Success does not come easy; it requires hard work and dedication. Once you believe in yourself you will be able to achieve whatever you put your mind to. I believed I could become a doctor since I was in primary school and look where I am today!”

She explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that she jumped at the first opportunity to apply for a scholarship offered through the then Public Service Ministry to study Medicine in Cuba.

While waiting on approval, she reapplied at the GPHC for a job, and this time was retained as a clerk in the Matron’s office.

Despite the challenges on May 7, 2015, the young doctor joined the barely functioning Oncology Department at the GPHC. The Oncology field for some reason excited her, and so she decided she too wanted to experience the training.

Before proceeding to Cuba in 2006, the aspiring doctor was the holder of a certificate in Basic Oncology Nursing.

Dr. Gooding then founded a Cancer Foundation named ‘The Giving Hope Foundation’ which is located at Ketley and Drysdale Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown, and through which members have been reaching out to persons throughout the country.

Ms Juanelle Marks – Computer Scientist, Instructor

Juanelle Marks is currently an "Instructor" in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Guyana (UG). During an interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the young Computer Scientist explained that while she has only held that posi-

Ms Juanelle Marks

tion for five (5) months now, she is actively involved in the delivery of the CS based courses at the University.

“My work primarily involves the preparation and presentation of lectures on CS based courses. However, my other duties include, but are not limited to serving on the three-member Final Year Project Coordinators body; functioning as a primary or secondary supervisor to various students who are conducting their final year research and project and serving as an advisor to one or more of the clubs in the department,” she revealed.

Alluding to her early influences, Ms Marks explained that while there is no 'direct' connection between her parents’ influence and her pursuit of the study of Computer Science, their parental mentorship and, most importantly, the personal value systems they embedded all played a major role in influencing her aspirations and resulting successes. “I come from a very humble background.

My parents are not academics per se. My mother is a very modest housewife and my father is a skilled, certified welder,” she shared. My dad, Mr. Michael Anthony, for one, played a very, very instrumental role in encouraging academic excellence as a "girl" into my psyche.

So, from a very young age, I’ve always been driven to attain academic success through diligence, self-discipline and hard work,” Marks revealed.

She pointed to several other individuals who inspired and influenced her.

“Marks added that after

leaving high school, she entered the teaching profession, where she served for over nineteen years.

“Each head teacher under which I served was a key mentor. They each grew me in some positive way.

My last HM Ms. Vernel Razack-Giles still is one of my go-to persons, especially when i am in doubt and need a source of motivation.” she added.

She said too that during her career as a woman in technology, mentorship came mainly from the lecturers, now her colleagues in the Department of Computer Science, University of Guyana.

“They all were a source of great encouragement and support to me. They still are!” Ms Marks stated.

Vision for the future

Alluding to her vision for the future generations of girls in Science, she explained that while persons generally think of the ‘'Science and Technology' field, it is imperative that they envisage the active involvement of “both boys and girls”.

“During my tenure at the University of Guyana, the ratio of male to female syudying computer science was always high (possibly 6:1). In the year I completed my BSc. Computer Science, I was the only graduating female from my batch of about twenty students.

I envision this gap between male and female grandaunts, especially in Computer Science, drastically reducing and possibly balancing out. With the advocacy of women in Science and Tech over recent years, I believe this is slowly becoming a reality,” the Computer Scientist emphasised.

In relaying her message to young women thinking of pursuing studies along the field of Computer Science, she said, "If you are really passionate about IT or CS, don't just "think" about pursuing studies in the field .Do it! Be assured that that there is already a community of women in science and technology out there ready and waiting to welcome you."

eradication of the existing bias against "girls in tech" so that tech is not seen as a "guy thing".

“Equal access will create opportunities for more girls to freely decide/choose whether or not they wish to pursue studies in the field. As computing technology continues to evolve, the world needs more persons skilled and knowledgeable in the various aspects in this field,” Ms Marks said, while she emphasised that females can play a very vital role in driving the spread of Science and Technology literacy among young children and youths. “ Ms. Karen Abrams come to mind,” she added.

Tracy Persaud – Research Scientist, NAREI Tracy joined the institute in 2007 when it was named National Agricultural Research Institute. She began her career at NAREI as a Research Assistant.

However, after completing a Masters in Environmental Management in 2015, she was promoted as a Research Scientist. She is now an important member of the Soil Management and Farm Mechanisation Department.

According to information on the Institute’s website, Tracy’s involvement in the other crops sector is no accident. In fact, it appears that she was born to be part of the sector.

Her second encounter with agriculture occurred at the North Georgetown Secondary School, where she wrote Agriculture Science at CSEC. And, as destiny would have had itTracy followed in father’s footsteps. She pursued a Diploma in Agriculture at Guyana School (GSA) of Agriculture. Having successfully completed her tenure at GSA, Tracy went on

Equal access

She also pointed to the need for the complete

Tracy Persaud

Ms. Petal Punalall-Jetoo

to attend the University of Guyana.

At NAREI, Tracy prepares and implements research projects on rehabilitation of degraded soils, crop diversification; supervises the work of Research Assistants within the department; and supervises the work in the soil chemistry laboratory- where soil samples provided by farmers are tested.

According to Ms. Persaud, of all the areas she could have specialised in she chose Environmental Management because it helps to promote behaviours that make a positive impact on the planet, while enforcing regulations and developing solutions to potential environmental issues in Guyana or worldwide.

NAREI emphasises that in a world where there is limited involvement of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), the Institute continues to be a gender inclusive organisation.

Ms. Petal Punalall-Jetoo National Science Coordinator (NCERD)

Ms. Petal Punalall-Jetoo is the National Science Coordinator and heads

the Science Unit within the Ministry of Education NCERD, Guyana. She is responsible for designing, implementing and monitoring programmes that improve K-12 science education.

She introduced the Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) pilot project for Primary Schools in collaboration with the Caribbean Academy of Sciences (CAS) and UNESCO. Ms. Punalall-Jetoo is a member of CAS and is part of the teacher training team. She is also the country representative for the Caribbean Science Foundation.

She coordinated the development of a television series that focused on Biodiversity Awareness and Climate Change. Ms. Punalall-Jetoo led the reintroduction of the use of the Microscience experiments kits for biology, chemistry and physics through collaboration with UNESCO for secondary schools.

Prior to her career in science education Ms. Punalall-Jetoo worked with the Guyana Sugar Corporation Incorporated – GuySuCo as the Regional Process Technologist (Demerara). She was responsible for sugar production and quality in the four Demerara Estates.

In addition, Ms. Punalall-Jetoo coordinated the establishment of GuySuCo’s Quality Management System which achieved ISO 9001 certification in 2005 for its Blairmont Sugar Estate.

As an Associate Consultant with Delphi Consultants, Trinidad she provided the technical support that led to the establishment of the Quality Management System which is certified to ISO 9001:2008 requirements for the Guyana’s flour milling company – Namilco.

She is a trained lead auditor in ISO 9001 and ISO 22000.

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44 travel & tourism

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com A view of the Ranch

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t is removed from the vehicular sounds of Lethem but close enough to enjoy the Savannahs and sights of the Kanuku Mountains. It is also known for being a stop on the Rupununi birding circuit where several types of birds can be spotted. Manari Creek flows a few steps from the Ranch itself and offers up a refreshing swim or boat ride. So whatever, your preference Manari Ranch welcomes you.

Margaret Orella (nee Melville) was the daughter of Rupununi Ranching pioneer HPC (Harry Prideaux Colin) Melville.

Her father Harry Melville, a Scottish man born in Jamaica, had come to Guyana and settled in the Rupununi in 1890, with a small herd of cattle he bought from a Dutchman named De Rooj. There he developed a flourishing ranch at Dadanawa and had two Wapishana wives, Mary and Janet and between them 10 children. Margaret was born to Janet in Deep South at the source of the Rupununi River on 27th November 1902.

When Roman Catholic Bishop Galton and Fr. Cary-Elwes made their first visit to the area in 1909 all the Melville children were baptized.

In 1926 Margaret Melville married Theodore Orella, a man from Spain and they settled at Manari seven miles from Lethem and they too developed a flourishing cattle ranch.

Her husband died in 1947 and the responsibility for running the

Margaret Orella (nee Melville)

ranch fell to her alone. A gentle, but strong and determined character, she went on managing the ranch. When her cattle herd was hard hit by foot and mouth disease in 1961, Margaret found alternative solutions to keeping the ranch going by making its spacious rooms available for the accommodation of guests, and so the Manari Guest House was born.

Margaret Orella died at her Manari Ranch on August 6 after a long illness. She was hospitalized in St. Joseph’s Mercy hospital and requested to be taken from her bed back to Manari where she had lived for 50 years, refusing to leave the earth so far away from her beloved home.

Today her legacy lives on through her descendants. Manari Ranch, now run by Lissa Orella still provides excellent accommo-

dation and a base near Lethem from which the picturesque Rupununi savannah could be explored.

Rupununi Music and Arts Festival After three years of being hosted at Rock View and following discussions with colleagues in Government, sponsors, local residents and the Festival Team, the 4th Annual Rupununi Music and Art Festival will be held at Manari Ranch, near Lethem, Region Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo) this time around. The three-day event is scheduled for February 1618. According to the Team, Artistes from Guyana will be joined by performers from Brazil and Suriname; the lineup will include Gavin Mendonca , a young Guyanese Musician, Feed the Flames (FTF) , a Heavy Metal band based in Georgetown, Ruqayyah who is a Musician, singer-songwriter of both Guyanese and Surinamese heritage, Nachgana Academy of Dance group and performances from Jazz and Poetry One Stool (Japos), a social entrepreneurship / movement among many others.

The Rupununi Music & Arts Festival is an outdoor camping music event taking place in the lush grasslands of the Amazon in Guyana, South America. It lasts three days and allows space to unwind and enjoy traditional, folk and contemporary music in a stress-free environment. It offers the space to chill; it’s a ‘wicked’

A picturesque view of the Manari Creek

weekend of music and dance, celebrating the beauty of human existence. The Festival team is encouraging patrons to “come with an open mind and spirit to have a wonderful time” and share a positive attitude bringing to life our belief in Guyana’s motto. (photos courtesy Visit Rupununi) (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

One killed, 2 escape death in T&T shooting

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Image of the facilities in the early days

enyse Bailey grabbed her three daughters and hid in her bedroom after a gunman opened fire on her house, killing her son-inlaw and injuring another relative on Monday.

Che Romeo, 27, of Circle Drive, Embaccadere, died after being shot three times about the head and chest.

Police found more than 30 spent shells, fired from an automatic 9 mm pistol at the scene.

Kerry Clarke, 34, suffered three gunshot

wounds to the left leg while Bailey’s husband, Marlon Legendre, escaped injury.

The gunman, who wore a black outfit with white shoes, ran up a hill and escaped. No one got a clear view of him.

Recalling the incident yesterday, Bailey said she had just returned home and got into bed with her three daughters when she heard gunshots rattling the house around 8.45 pm.

Legendre was sitting in the porch while Romeo and Clarke were sitting

on chairs in the front yard when the gunman came.

The men fled as the gunshots rang out.

Her 17-year-old son, who was asleep in another bedroom, also hid.

Bailey said her husband and son-in-law had no enemies and she did not know what triggered the incident. Saying she was thankful her husband made it out of the gunfire alive, Bailey said she was now praying for an end to the violence. (Trinidad Guardian)

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President convenes special meeting with GDF top brass over defence concerns

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n the wake of the recent visit by a highlevel delegation from neighbouring Brazil last Friday, led by Brazilian Defence Minister Raul Jungmann Pinto, President David Granger on Monday convened a special meeting with the high command of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to discuss ongoing defence concerns.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who was also present at the meeting, which was held at State House, explained that the purpose of this follow-up meeting was to review the discussions that emanated from the deliberations with the Brazilian delegation and to prepare the GDF to chart the way forward in terms of defence cooperation.

Visiting along with the Brazilian Defence Minister were Justice Minister Torquato Lorena Jardim and Minister Head of Institutional Security/ Presidency of the Republic, General Sérgio Etchegoyen.

During the meeting with Guyana’s Head of State, the Defence Minister called for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing border controversy between Guyana

S President David Granger meeting with the top brass of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Monday

and Venezuela.

Minister Jungmann outlined the need to promote peaceful relations among nations on the South American continent.

“Like in anywhere else in the world, there is no place for force or opposition… but we have to enforce international rights of sovereignty…(and) we will need to make an effort to get it done,” he stated, adding that it was imperative that Brazil and Guyana work together for justice to be had peacefully.

According to the Defence Minister, “Brazil believes in the establishment of borders within all ways; the

principle of diplomacy; respect for sovereignty; independence; and our endurance between us and our neighbours.”

The Brazilian Defence Minister asserted that his country did not believe in the use of force. In fact, he pointed out that for a century and a half, Brazil has not had any conflict with its neighbours, nor had need to resort to the use of force in determining issues between itself and its neighbours in South America to preserve its existence on the continent.

During the visit, President Granger conferred the Brazilian Minister with Guyana’s

second highest award, the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH).

Prior to Friday’s investiture ceremony, Minister Jungmann and his team met with several Government Ministers, during which the two countries committed to review the September 2012 Joint Communiqué, which followed the official visit to Guyana by Ambassador Celso Amorim, then Defence Minister of Brazil.

The review is intended to update the agreements in that document, and bring them in line with present-day realities, as well as to deepen defence cooperation.

Oil good life

ometimes Satiricus enjoyed his job as a newshound. Here it was he’d gotten the chance to see the future, and to be honest with himself, he rather enjoyed it. His editor had sent him to cover the Big “Oil Summit” at the Marriott, and right off the bat he was impressed: he had to be ‘accredited”!!

Normally, when the local business big-wigs have their “summits”, you could just show up and – BINGO!! – you were in!

As he swaggered into the Back Street Bar, he was humming the tagline “Money in the land with the Yankee dollar bill!!” from the old Merrymen cover of “Big, Big Bamboo!”

“Eh! Eh! Sato bai!! Like yuh get lucky or wha?!” exclaimed Cappo as Satiricus dropped into his seat.

“Yankee dallah bill?” enquired Bungi. “Like yuh get money fram far-in or wha’??”

“Better than that, fellas!!” exclaimed Satiricus. “Better than that!!”

“What could be better than money from foreign?” asked Hari. “You win the Lotto?”

“Even better, fellas!” said Satiricus as he took a swig of his beer. “My leaders Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat, with the help of Trot Man, have brought the good life to Guyana!!”

“Like yuh run-aff again, Sato!” accused Bungi. “Yuh leadah dem fyah six t’ousan suga-worka and abee get “good life”??”

“Fellas, I just came back from the Oil Summit,” said Satiricus breathlessly. “And you should see all these big-time foreign executives with their PowerPoint presentations!! It’s like we’re in America!!”

“Oh!!” said Cappo. “Suh hummuch a dem guh hyaah Guyanese?”

“Yes!” exclaimed Bungi indignantly. “Las’ week abee bin a de Jaab Fair and 800 people put dong dem name. Yuh know how much a dem get wuk?”

“No!” admitted Satiricus.

“NONE!” said Bungi. “Suh me, too, wan’ fuh know if de Summit gat jab fuh abee!”

“Well, it’ll take time, you know,” said Satiricus slowly.

“Sato, my friend, these foreigners are here to get jobs for themselves,” said Hari. “Your leaders must make sure they create jobs for us.”

“Suh abee gat fuh wait fuh de “good life”, Sato?” asked Cappo.

Satiricus became quiet.

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Teen electrocuted by fallen live wire

Missing the point…

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…and the boat on judiciary

ere we go again! Gridlock! This time it’s on the appointment of the Chancellor and Chief Justice – the two highest officials in the Judiciary. As your Eyewitness has taken pains to belabour, one of the unfortunately unwelcome features of our system of governance is the fusion of the Executive with the Legislative branch – leaving only the Judiciary to prevent a permanent, existential dictatorship after every “democratic” election.

If the Executive were to have unfettered power to appoint the members of the Judiciary, then Lord help us!!

For this reason, the President can only appoint ordinary judges, who’ve been nominated by the Judicial Service Commission. For the aforementioned two apex officials, there’s a special CONSTITUTIONAL (Art 127 (1) ) feature which brings in the Opposition Leader: he HAS TO AGREE to the nominees of the President. There is absolutely no ambiguity on this one!!

This is a critical feature meant to increase the impartiality and integrity of the Judiciary on the assumption that, in a country as fractured as Guyana, there at least ought to be agreement on that final bulwark of our democratic governance by the “two sides”. Recognising, however, that the Opposition Leader and the President might not find agreement on the nominees, and to prevent the former from having an absolute veto on these key appointments, the Constitution makes provision (Art 127 (2) ) for the President to make temporary appointments until agreement can be reached. The selected individuals are said to be “acting”.

However, as we found in the last set of appointments, the “acting” appointments lasted for more than a decade!!! Honestly, this doesn’t do the Judiciary any good as far as reinforcing its legitimacy to the populace.

Only recently, the President of the CCJ – and our Bar Association — had to bemoan the then status quo, only to have no change when the incumbents retired and new appointments were made. If two generations of Guyanese will not have the experience of witnessing substantive Chancellors and Chief Justices in action, they can be forgiven for believing that that branch of Government is as polarised and partisan as the fused Executive/Legislative branch.

On the Opposition Leader’s rejection of the President’s two nominees, the President says he’ll have to seek “legal advice”. From whom? His Attorney General?

The fella’s already steered him wrong on so many occasions, in spite of being given five legal “old heads” as advisors!! And advice about what? The President has only one route open to him – the “acting” route. To suggest otherwise, as the President’s spokesperson has done, is only to muddy the judicial waters and further delegitimise the credentials of our Judiciary.

Let’s not have our top Justices belittled as being qualified only for the Academy Awards! …on Dutch Disease It’s hard to believe someone can stick their foot into their mouth as often as Raphael “Nassau” Trotman! It’s as if he enjoys hopping around on the solitary foot left!!

Addressing the Oil Summit, the man whose Ministry cosponsored the event told the participants that Guyana’s focus isn’t only on oil, but also on food production to ensure a balanced economy!!

He certainly must’ve had the foreigners rolling on the floor laughing their a55 off!! These are business professionals. Before coming to Guyana they would’ve had such thorough briefings on the Guyanese economy as to make Trotman’s head spin!! Every one of them knows that “Dutch Disease” – where other sectors of the economy are neglected in favour of oil — is the existential threat facing Guyana; and that the Government fired over 5,700 workers in agriculture with no plan in place to employ them in alternative food production!!

“Nassau” Trotman confirmed he’s all bluff and no substance. ROFLMAO!!! …on advice OK, so we’re the new kid on the (oil) block. “Nassau” Trotman’s oil contract proved THAT!! But what’s with the President and his oil advisor? Why have a professional available and ignore his advice??

Is it all a pappy show …like the sugar CoI?

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Electrocuted teen: Vivek Bridgemohan

teenager met his death on Sunday evening after a Guyana Power and Light electrical wire fell on him at Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Dead is 17-year-old Vivek Bridgemohan of Lot 18 Alliance, Canal Number Polder. Reports are the teenager went to a shop to purchase an item for his father and on his way home, he stopped to chat with a friend. It was while chatting with his friend that the electrical wife fell on him.

He was picked up by his father who was summoned to the scene and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His father, Nazoor Azeez in tears told

Guyana Times International that his son chose to go the shop towards Belle West instead of going in the opposite direction due to the distance. The father recalled being in his bed at about 19:00h when one of his son’s friends frantically called out to him informing the family of what had happened.

The father rushed to the scene and attempted to save his son, but it was too late. “After I see meh son with the wire on

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occurred explained that she heard screams in the area but due to the darkness, they saw nothing when they looked out. It was until another young man shouted for help that they realised something was wrong.

She added that the young man’s hands and abdomen were severely burnt. From all indications, after the wire fell on the young man, he attempted to slap it off but instead slipped on a bridge.

“The live wire fell on him and due to the voltage, it burnt him severely,” the woman stated.

Guyana Times International understands that officials from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) have visited the home of the young man and have extended their condolences to the relatives. The teenager leaves to mourn five siblings, his parents and other relatives.

(Bhisham Mohamed)

The area where the teen met his demise

Cop accused of raping female colleague after night out at hotel n 18-year-old female Special Constable was allegedly raped by a colleague in the wee hours of Saturday at a Werken-Rust, Georgetown hotel after a night out together.

The rank claimed that after a night of partying together, she, along with the Constable, booked a room at the hotel since they were too drunk to drive home.

However, about 03:45h, the male Constable forced himself on the female rank despite her resistance.

Reports are immediately after the act, the woman lodged a complaint at the Brickdam Police Station and the alleged rapist was arrested.

She was further taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was examined by a doctor, who confirmed that she was sexually penetrated.

The Constable is presently in custody assist-

top of him, I used a piece of board to remove it but me too get shock… like the shock get me so confused, I pick up meh son and put he in the car and drive to the hospital,” he explained.

He noted that as he picked up his son, he felt his body jumping which meant that he was still alive but soon after, there was no pulse and no movement.

Azeez noted that as soon as he reached the hospital, the doctor examined the young man and pronounced him dead.

“The doctor tell me that it had to be that my son heart give away because of the shock,” he added. The young man usually assists his father when he goes to sell at Bourda Market, in Georgetown. In addition, he assisted around the house and also in the farm.

A woman who resides a short distance away from where the incident

ing with the investigation.

The file is expected to be sent for legal advice.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan: The ultimate Yash Chopra romance

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s there a more popular romance saga than that of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan? We think not. The Shehenshah of Bollywood had first laid his eyes on Jaya on a magazine cover and had thought that the actor embodied every trait of the ‘perfect’ woman.

The megastar had revealed the same during an interview with Simi Garewal on her show, Rendezvous with Simi Garewal.

The two finally met on the sets of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 1971 hit Guddi. Jaya later told the media that she was in complete awe of Bachchan, and she fell

for him soon after.

“I was introduced to him on the sets of Guddi.

I was impressed by him and somewhat in awe as he was Harivanshrai Bachchan’s son. I fell in love with him very soon,” the actor had revealed during an interview.

While Jaya was already a big name in the industry, Bachchan was still trying to find his foot in showbiz. It’s been reported that Bachchan’s heart began beating for Jaya during the shooting of the 1972 film Ek Nazar.

In 1973, the couple reportedly wanted to go to London to celebrate the success of Zanjeer, but apparently, Amitabh

Bachchan’s parents didn’t approve of the trip as the stars were not married to each other then. The two soon tied the knot and travelled to UK together. But it was not all a bed of roses for the star couple. Their relationship, just like every other marriage, had its share of ups and downs.

A few years later, it was reported that Amitabh and Rekha were in a relationship.

The two had allegedly grown close to each other while shooting for the 1976 flick Do Anjaane.

Rekha had even begun wearing sindoor. The rumours of the stars’ affair were kept alive until Yash Chopra’s romantic drama Silsila. The movie, which featured a love triangle, starred Rekha, Amitabh and Jaya in lead roles. Talk about art mirroring life. But it was apparently, after the movie, that Bachchan decided to choose Jaya.

And the rest, as they, is history. (Indian Express)

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai: When the star son met the beauty queen

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bhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai are the ‘it’ couple of the Hindi film industry. While Abhishek was engaged to Karisma Kapoor at one time, Aishwarya had a tumultuous affair with the Bhai of Bollywood, Salman Khan. Both Abhi and Ash ended up together because they thought they were a great match.

The two didn’t fall for each other right off the bat though. There was some conversation, which bloomed into a solid friendship, which further blossomed into love. The actors had starred together in movies Dhai Akshar Prem Ke and Kuch Naa Kaho.

But things really started to move in the right direction while they were shooting for Umrao Jaan and Dhoom 2. And while filming Guru, they realised they wanted to

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verything that Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor does becomes news, and more recently, the couple’s son Taimur Ali Khan has been stealing a fair share of his parents’ spotlight.

But let’s begin from the beginning. How did the two fell for each other, what followed?

Apparently, Kareena and Saif’s romance start-

spend their lives together.

Abhishek reportedly proposed Aishwarya with the same ring the two had exchanged in the movie, Guru. Now that’s romantic. The two exchanged vows on April 20, 2007.

Despite trying their best to keep things intimate, the wedding was covered intensively by the media. Many celebrities were not invited to the grand wedding.

In fact, Bollywood had gone out on a limb and called them discour-

ed on the sets of the movie Tashan. According to reports, Kareena found Saif attractive and was the first one to make the move.

“He will never make the first move. I was the one who kind of pushed all the right buttons, and plus when I made the first move he was like, I can’t believe that Kareena Kapoor is doing this. It was like an entire building had crum-

teous for not doing the same. After their wedding, the two starred in the Mani Ratnam movie Raavan together.

On November 16, 2011, the couple was blessed with their daughter Aaradhya. Aishwarya took a break from movies for a few years and made her comeback with the action-thriller Jazbaa in 2015, where she starred alongside Irrfan Khan.

And more than a decade later, their love is still going strong. (Indian Express)

bled on his head,” Kareena was quoted as saying by Cosmopolitan.

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he third installment of the Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster franchise has been locked for release on July 27 this year.

Actor Sanjay Dutt made the announcement on Valentine’s Day. Sanjay Dutt shared a still from the film and wrote along, “#SahebBiwiAur Gangster3 to hit the screens on 27th July, 2018. Mark the date!

Produced by Rahul Mittra, Directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia and Presented by Raju Chadha.”

In the photo, Sanjay Dutt is seen sitting with a gun in front of a table which has a couple of shot glasses.

Tigmanshu Dhulia, who has described the film as “naughty, crispy and twisty”, tweeted, “‘Saheb Biwi aur Gangster 3’ ‘ek nayi shararat’ is releasing on July 27.”

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The first installment of Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster was released in 2011 and starred Jimmy Shergill, Mahi Gill and Randeep Hooda. The film revolved around a royal family of Uttar Pradesh.

Its sequel titled Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns was made in 2013. Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 also features veteran actress Nafisa Ali, who will play Sanjay’s mother.

Sanjay Dutt has been shooting for Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Saheb Biwi Aur

rithik Roshan is all set to treat his fans with yet another unconventional film Super 30 which is based on the life of mathematician Anand Kumar, who trains underprivileged students for IIT entrance exams.

On February 5, Hrithik had wowed one and all by unveiling the first look of the film. Talking about his getup, it looks like Hrithik has completely immersed himself into the character of the Bihar-based mathematician.

R o s h a n is currently busy shooting for the film in Varanasi, and the latest leaked photos from the sets present the Kaabil actor in a non-bearded and younger avatar. Sporting a blue shirt and moustache, Hrithik can be seen carrying a backpack and standing beside a boat probably on the banks of river Ganga in Varanasi. With a rugged face and tired expression, Hrithik’s de-glam appearance has left us excited for Super 30.

Headed by Kumar, Super 30 is an educational venture wherein he trains 30 deserving, economically backward

The two reportedly were in a live-in relationship and dated for five

Gangster 3 for quite a few months now. The actor’s look from the movie had been revealed earlier by trade analyst Taran Adarsh. And there were other pictures as well from the sets of the movie which had been shared by the cast and crew.

Sanjay’s chemistry with his co-star Chitrangada Singh was also seen in a photo.

Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 also stars Mahi Gill, Kabir Bedi and Deepak Tijori.

(Indian Express)

students for the entrance exams of IIT, IIT-JEE. Helmed by Queen director Vikas Bahl, Super 30 also features Kumkum Bhagya fame Mrunal Thakur. The film is set to hit the cinemas on January 25, 2019.

Hrithik had revealed his look from the film through a tweet recently.

He wrote, “And the journey begins..

#Super30.”

Expressing excitement over his biopic, Anand Kumar had said in a statement, “I am happy that Hrithik will play me because he is the best choice for the role. His dedication towards his work and the kind of versatility he exhibits as an actor is very inspiring. Being a rooted and passionate person myself, I feel that he will bring an emotional depth to my life on screen.”

(Indian Express)

years before deciding to make things official. While Kareena and Saif didn’t necessarily shout about their love from the rooftops, Saif did grab quite a few eyeballs when he got the actor’s name tattooed on his forearm.

The two tied the knot on October 16, 2012, looking every bit glamorous and royal as it had been expected. While both had

been in high-profile relationships before falling for each other, everything took a backseat when the stars got together.

On their wedding day, Kareena wore Saif’s mother Sharmila Tagore’s saree.

And now the two have the cutest child together, who gets all the love and attention a child could ever want and more. The perfect love story. (Indian Express)

Hollywood 49

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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ohann Johannsson, an award-winning composer and producer who combined classical sounds and modern electronics on the acclaimed soundtracks to The

Theory of Everything and Sicario, has died at age 48. His manager Tim Husom announced that Johannsson was found dead Friday in his Berlin apartment. More details were not immediately available.

“Today, I lost my friend who was one of the most talented musicians and intelligent people I knew,” Husom said in a statement Saturday.

Rosalie Voss, who runs the

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arvey Weinstein whistleblower Rose McGowan has expressed her condolence to her former manager Jill Messick who had committed suicide on Wednesday. According to her family, Messick had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and struggled with depression for years. Rose McGowan was one of the scores of women who had come forward to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual mis-

conduct.

McGowan posted a photo of earth as seen from outer space on Instagram as her tribute to Jill Messick. “For Jill: May your family find some measure of solace during this pain. That one man could cause so much damage is astounding, but tragically true. The bad man did this to us both. May you find peace on the astral plane. May you find serenity with the stars,” she captioned the photo.

European office of Redbird Music, told The Associated Press that the cause of death was currently unknown and that police were investigating. “We are waiting to find out more in the coming days,” Voss said. Voss said Johannsson is survived by a daughter in Copenhagen, Denmark and family in Iceland.

A native of Reykjavík, Iceland who started out as a rock guitarist, Johannsson won a Golden Globe and received Grammy and Oscar nominations for his score for The Theory of Everything, the 2014 film starring Eddie Redmayne as physicist Stephen Hawking.

Johannsson also received an Oscar nomination for the 2015 movie Sicario.

His score for Arrival, a 2016 release, brought him Golden Globe, BAFTA and Grammy nominations. Last year, he worked with Darren Aronofsky on Mother! which starred Jennifer Lawrence. Johannsson also recorded several albums of his own, including Fordlandia and Orphee. (Indian Express)

Messick’s family had released a statement after her suicide saying she taking her own life was “collateral damage in an already horrific story.”

Explaining why she did not come forward to justify herself, the statement continued, “She opted not to add to the feeding frenzy, allowing her name and her reputation to be sullied despite having done nothing wrong. Seeing her name in headlines again and again … along with Harvey’s desperate attempt to vindicate himself, was d evastating for her.”

The statement had also accused McGowan of slandering Messick.

“Over the past few months, many women have come out with allegations against Harvey Weinstein, including Rose McGowan, who has repeatedly spoken with the press, striking out against not only her alleged attacker, but a great many others. One of them was Jill, who chose to remain silent in the face of Rose’s slanderous statements against her for fear of undermining the many individuals who came forward in truth.” (Indian Express)

‘Black Panther’ may become the highest solo opening film in Marvel Cinematic Universe

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lack Panther, Ryan Coogler’s standalone film on the African superhero T’Challa who first appeared in Captain America: Civil War, is all set to become the highest standalone opening weekend earner in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hollywood’s leading tracking service NRG has readjusted their previous forecast that had pegged the film’s opening weekend collection at 150 million dollars, which was still a huge sum considering Thor: Ragnarok, a hugely successful movie by all counts, had earned 122.74 million dollars in its opening weekend.

Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Andy Serkis, and Lupita Nyong’o, T’Challa returns to his homeland Wakanda and finds himself and his throne in danger from multiple sides. T’Challa has multiple enemies, two of whom are Michael B Jordan’s

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ustrian filmmaker Michael Haneke does not really approve of the “witch hunt” which has followed the #MeToo movement. The Oscar and Palme d’Or winner told Kurier, “Any form of rape or coercion is punishable. But this hysterical pre-judgment which is spreading now, I find absolutely disgusting. And I don’t want to know how many of these accusations related to incidents 20 or 30 years ago are primarily statements that have little to do with sexual assault.”

The director, who is popular for films like Amour and The Piano Teacher, said that people would probably start referring him as “Haneke, the male chauvinist pig” after his comments about the popular social media movement.

Erik Killmonger and Andy Serkis’s Ulysses Klaue. He also has allies in his family, and Dora Milaje, the all-family special-forces group led by Danai Gurira’s Okoye, and one of its operatives is Lupita’s Nakia.

This is just an estimate, and estimates can be way far off sometimes.

But we should keep in mind that Black Panther, thanks to highly positive reviews, has already gained immense press coverage and has broken a record or two in ticket sales. It currently holds a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the review aggregator site that assigns an average score on the basis of positive or negative reviews.

The consensus reads, ” Black Panther elevates superhero cinema to thrilling new heights while telling one of the MCU’s most absorbing stories — and introducing some of its most fully realized characters.” (Indian Express)

The filmmaker thinks that the current debate surrounding the movement is not based on facts and that lives and careers are getting destroyed as a consequence.

“The blind rage that’s not based on facts and the prejudices that destroy the lives of people whose crime has not been proved in numerous cases. People are simply assassinated in the media, ruining lives and careers,” Haneke said.

The famous filmmaker thinks that the #MeToo movement has been blown out of proportion, and is of the opinion that the “witch hunt” should be left in the Middle Ages.

“This has nothing to do with the fact that every sexual assault and all violence — whether against women or men — should be condemned and punished. But the witch hunt should be left in the Middle Ages,” the filmmaker said in the interview. (Indian Express)

Luther star Idris Elba proposes to girlfriend Sabrina Dhowre

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ctor Idris Elba is engaged to his girlfriend Sabrina Dhowre. The 45-year-old actor got on one knee and asked for Sabrina’s hand in marriage during a packed screening of his new film Yardie in Dalston, East London.

The Rio Cinema, where the film was being shown, took to Twitter to make the announcement.

“Another @riocinema first!

Still five days to Valentine’s Day but @idriselba went down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend live on stage this morning before a preview of

his film #Yardie… She said yes and there was much clapping and cheering. (sic)” the tweet read.

The news comes after the

Luther star had said that he had no plans of getting married. Elba has been divorced twice, first from Kim Norgaard and Sonya Nicole Hamlin.

The British actor had started seeing Miss Vancouver in 2014, but had not publically said anything about his relationship with the beauty queen.

The news is especially surprising as the star had earlier said he didn’t want to tie the knot.

“Am I ever gonna get remarried? I don’t think so. Yeah, I don’t think so. Marriage is an institution of sorts. And I’ve done it. It’s not for everybody. It’s not my life’s calling,” In July last year Elba had told ESSENCE magazine.

He shares daughter Isan (16) with Norgaard and another son Winston (three) with former girlfriend Naiyana Garth.

(Indian Express)

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Nepal's 'miracle' takes them into World Cup Qualifiers

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t 4:57 pm on a late Wednesday afternoon, Canada offspinner Nikhil Dutta was in the midst of flying from the bowling crease to the third man boundary, doing a Rashid Khan-style airplane celebration after getting Aarif Sheikh - Nepal's last recognized batsman - out stumped.

Behind the dark clouds of thunder and lightning in the backdrop of Wanderers Sports Club, the sun appeared to be fading on Nepal's tournament.

With 51 runs needed off 47 balls to win, No. 10 Karan KC - who had yet to score - was about to be joined for Nepal's last stand by 16-year-old Sandeep Lamichhane, who had earlier sustained a right knee injury that played a part in not bowling his full quota of overs.

What followed was one of the most miraculous endings to an ICC tournament match at any level as Karan struck an unbeaten 42 off 31 balls, including eight off the final two balls, to seal one of the greatest victory's in Nepal's history. Canada, who started off the tournament with three straight wins, needed just one more over either Namibia or Nepal to clinch a spot at the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. Instead, they

fell short in the must gutwrenching circumstances imaginable.

The first sniff of hope that Nepal had during the final wicket stand came at the end of the 44th over against Dillon Heyliger. The medium pacer sent down a full delivery that Karan drove through the line 30 yards over the short straight boundary at long-off and into the Wanderers car park. The equation was reduced to 40 off the last 36 balls, but it was an warning shot across the bows that Nepal was not about to lie down.

Instead, Karan continued stirring the chase back to life. At the other end, Lamichhane clung on by any means necessary. A poke at Dutta two balls later produced an edge that flew between keeper and slip. When he got on strike to Cecil Pervez, he faced a bouncer barrage before finding a single that led to another boundary from Karan to end the 46th.

With three overs left, the darkness cleared and the sun began to shine once more on the pair in the middle. Karan heaved Pervez over deep midwicket in the 48th and then clattered another six back over Satsimranjit Dhindsa's head to bring the equation down to 13 off eight. Canada had kept a slip in to

Karan KC is hoisted into the air by his team-mates after rallying Nepal to a miracle win (ESPNCricinfo/ Peter Della Penna photo)

Lamichhane but spread the field for Karan, a strategy that proved costly when he edged the next ball just wide of a diving Hamza Tariq behind the stumps for four.

A single to end the over left Karan on strike needing eight off six.

Nepal's squad, which had been scattered between the dugout and the boundary, nestling into superstitious positions, became hoarse in their support. Canada's bench, which had come to the boundary edge 20 minutes earlier with a Maple Leaf flag unfurled ready to charge the pitch, now sat silent.

As Canada's most experienced death bowling specialist, Pervez was tossed the ball for the final over. He had put Canada on top early in the innings knocking over

Nepal's top three, including a pair of well directed short balls to claim vicecaptain Gyanendra Malla for 9 and captain Paras Khadka for a golden duck on back-to-back deliveries in the seventh over, a gut punch to Nepal's prospects of chasing at 22 for 2.

Now, Canada's World Cup Qualifier fate was in the palm of Pervez' right hand and he was flawless over the first four deliveries, sending down four pinpoint yorkers, two of which barely missed leg stump with Karan backing away. With eight off two needed, one more yorker would effectively clinch the match for Canada as the momentum seesawed back their way. But Pervez got his length fractionally long as Karan backed away to carve him 10 yards over the extra cover rope.

With UAE having defeated Namibia five minutes earlier to put both teams at six points, it meant a single would produce a tie to put both Canada and Nepal on seven points and move both into the World Cup Qualifier. However, a result either way for Canada or Nepal would clinch a spot not just for

the winner but for UAE as well.

Pervez got his length right once more, but the line was a shade off as Karan missed a flick down the leg side that was signaled a wide to level the scores. Running in for a redo, Pervez sent down a knee high full toss that Karan whacked through midwicket to commence a spring to the wicket from the Nepal squad and a simultaneous collapse to the ground for Canada's eleven on the field.

While Lamichhane also dropped to his knees to give praise up above, Karan was hoisted up and carried for an impromptu victory lap around the infield. Khadka, whose dismissal seemed to spell doom for Nepal's chances of a successful chase, was speechless as his teammates carried on celebrating around him.

Karan was named Man of the Match, leaving Canada opener Srimantha Wijeratne's first innings century a footnote in the history book of this tournament. Wijeratne's bat was wielded like a magic wand against Nepal's bowling unit with deft deflections, uppercuts and finally a scoop over the

keeper to bring up three figures. He carried his bat for 103 off 152 balls in searing heat after Canada had been sent in.

In particular, he repelled Lamichhane during the legspinner's incisive initial five-over spell in which he claimed 2 for 7.

After Lamichhane's fifth over concluded, he left the field with a knee injury, and the problem continued to bother him when he returned as he was smacked hard

by Tariq in his first over back into the attack for a pair of straight sixes.

Three more ineffective overs continued to give Canada confidence heading into the final part of the innings. Basant Regmi did well to keep Canada pinned down at one end with 3 for 34 but when Wijeratne walked off at the halftime break having recorded the first century of the tournament, it seemed destined to be a match-winning one.

But as ICC match referee Dev Govindjee said later at the postmatch presentation, "If you didn't believe in miracles before, you might start after today."

(ESPNCricinfo)

Guyana’s Karatekas plotting course to Olympics

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The Guyana Karate Federation (GKF) is investing heavily in the young prospects

uyana Karate Federation (GKF) President Amir Khouri confirmed that the 2018 Junior National Championships will kick off on July 8 with the Senior leg set for September 30 2018.

Khouri, who was recently reappointed GKF President told Guyana Times International Sport on Wednesday that the two main events which are used as criteria for National selection, will kick off a few months apart at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

Khouri said that with the 2020 Japan Olympics fast approaching, it is important for the local fighters to start getting themselves in order. He said that due to the ongoing basketball programme among other activities, the Juniors which are usually held in May were forced to July.

The senior instructor said that these two events will be very important as it will allow them to identify the best on the local scene from the various clubs.

Khouri pinpointed the Senior’s as extra important due to the high concentration of prized martial artists who represent Guyana in that level.

Apart from the two major competitions, Khouri said there will be numerous mini-tournaments in between leading up to the summer events. Also,

the GKF President said he was gearing towards working closely with the government in 2018 as he seeks to improve standards of the federation and its fighters.

With numerous overseas assignments per year, Khouri said that he hoped for more backings from the government who could help aid in offsetting travel expenses which will help to generate more international exposure for the local karatekas.

Regarding the Olympics, the sensei added that the cost to travel from Guyana to Japan is roughly USD G$2,000 but hopes that when the time comes the deserving fighters will be able to represent their country at the highest level of martial arts and help put Guyana on the map.

Meanwhile, Khouri said that he will be seeking out further help from the government as it relates to internationally recognized equipment, more specifically the matting which is used in the dojos.

He said that the GKF are on quest to ensure that Guyana will be well prepared should the time arrive when they are needed to represent Guyana as ambassadors on the world stage of martial arts. (Clifton Ross)

Sport 51

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4 countries, 14 bouts billed for February 25 P

lans are going full steam for the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) in conjunction with McDonald Promotions Patrick Ford Memorial boxing card slated for February 25 at the National Gymnasium.

The card initially was slated for February 17 but GBA President Steve Ninvalle told Guyana Times International Sport flight issues caused the date to be shifted but confirmed fighters from St. Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago will attend.

Fourteen bouts, two of which are female fights are carded for the event which is being laced with many eyes due to some of the fireworks anticipated.

Guyana’s marque youth fighter and Commonwealth Youth Games silver medallist, Keevin Allicock will touch gloves with Trinidad’s Christopher de Freitas in the bantamweight bash.

Another crowd attraction should be the highly anticipated junior welterweight grudge match between Guyana’s Collin ‘Superman’ Lewis and St Lucia’s Nathan Ferrari. The boil-

here we will provide accommodation and meals which entails providing the canvas and the pillow for him [Nathan Ferrari] to sleep.”

He added, “We expect what Lewis will do what he did in the Caribbean championship when he stopped Ferrari, they of course thought it was fluke but we will show it is not”.

The GBA further explained the card was name after Forde in keeping with their new routine of honouring top pugilist from the country.

Ford died at age 56, won sixteen consecutive professional bouts at the start of his career in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Nigeria, between 1978 and 1980.

Keevin Allicock After stopping Eddie ing water stems from Lewis flooring Ndukwu in August 1980 to win Ferrari at home on his way to gold at the Commonwealth (British Empire) the Caribbean Boxing Championship featherweight title, on September in 2017.

13, 1980, Ford lost a majority deciNinvalle commenting on the bout sion to Salvador Sanchez for the World expressed “I have stated unequivocally Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight to my college from St Lucia that while title in Texas. One judge had the bout they may be paying airfare to meet a draw at 145–145.

On February 14, 1981, Ford was knocked out

by Eusebio Pedroza in a failed attempt to win the WBC featherweight title. After losing his next two fights, Ford retired in 1987.

Collin Lewis

Mumbai to play Yadram headlines Chennai Super Kings 2017 EBSC Awards in IPL season opener ceremony

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efending champions Mumbai Indians will face Chennai Super Kings in the IPL opener on April 7 in Mumbai. Super Kings will also play the last match of the league phase, which ends on May 20, against Kings XI Punjab. The IPL has also decided not to alter the tournament's regular match timings with afternoon matches scheduled for a 4pm IST start and the evening matches commencing at 8pm.

In a welcome change, all the double headers - 13 in total - will be played over Saturday and Sunday. In the final schedule released by the IPL on Wednesday, 44 matches during the league phase will be played in the evening, while the remaining 12 games will be start in the afternoon.

In addition to the home bases of the eight franchises, Indore will be the ninth venue, playing host to the home games of Kings XI. Apart from the tournament opener and the final, Mumbai will also host the first qualifier.

Incidentally the venue for the other two play-offs - the eliminator and the second qualifier - remains unnannounced. The main reason behind that was because the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) sent a letter to IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla, demanding

the two play-off matches be played in Pune, home of last year's runner-up Rising Pune Supergiant.

In the letter, MCA president Abhay Apte told Shukla that he was merely asking the IPL to stick to the norm and allot the Eliminator and second qualifier to the home base of last season's runner-up. A final decision on the issue is likely to be taken by the IPL Governing Council at its next meeting.

Meanwhile, the IPL acquiesced to the franchises' demand of sticking to the original match timings and not alter it. In January, the Governing Council had approved the proposal worked out with the host broadcaster Star - that afternoon matches would begin at 5.30 pm, and evening games would commence at 7pm. The immediate repercussion of that move, the franchises argued, was the second innings of the first match and the first innings of the second would overlap on doubleheader days.

According to an IPL official, one solution was to start the day match at 3.30pm to "avoid" the overlap. That, however, was not a feasible solution considering the IPL is played during peak summer and the franchises did not want the players to suffer in India's unforgiving heat. (ESPNCricinfo)

EBSC President Parmanand Dindyal with top awardees Bhaskar Yadram (right) and Vivian Albert by President Aleem Hussain his side (newsroom photo)

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he Enterprise Busta Sports Club (EBSC) 2017 awards ceremony was dominated by West Indies Under-19 all-rounder Bhaskar Yadram and local batting star Vivian Albert; who snared majority of the awards.

Yadram, the 18 year-old West Indies U19 player who was a part of the team during the recently concluded ICC Youth World Cup in New Zealand, walked away with the coveted Cricketer-of-the-Year award, along with three others.

The hard-hitting opener was rewarded for his many strides including; his selection to the Guyana senior team and the West Indies Youth side, which toured South Africa and Zimbabwe in 2017.

He also made his maiden List A appearance, turning out for the Windies U19 side in the Super50, playing eight matches, emerging as the Man-of-theSeries in South Africa as the leading run-scorer with 205 runs in five innings with two fifties and a best of 81.

Albert carted away four awards after an outstanding all-round year as he topped Enterprise’s batting charts with 637 runs with a best of 150 not out and 24 wickets.

Meanwhile, several persons were hailed for their contributions to the success of the club. Seemangal Yadram, V. Gobin and Khalel Mohamed were recognized under the category of Outstanding Helper, while Curators Chatterpaul Singh and V. Gobin were given medals for their work in 2017.

Club Secretary, Chandrapaul Tickaram, was also honored by President Parmanand Dindyal for his dedicated and hard work during the past season. Additionally, the club presented trophies of appreciation to News Room Sport Editor/News Anchor Avenash Ramzan, Guyana Times/ TVG Sport Editor John Ramsingh and Kaieteur News Sport Reporter Zaheer Mohamed for their coverage of the club’s activities during the past 12 months.

Several businesses and individuals partnered with the EBSC to pull of the ceremony. They are Muneshwar Hardware, R.P Construction, Star Sports, Rajesh Woodworking and Construction, Puran Lumber Yard, Harry Sanichara, Navin and Sons Construction, Factory Price, Trophy Stall and Super J’s Fashion.

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Eastman rides to historic R&R double

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The historic double began on Saturday in the National Park when Hamza Eastman (second left in photo) had to battle hard to get to the front

eam Cocos talisman Hamzah Eastman showed great strength and stamina to crown a fruitful weekend on the saddle winning the R&R International double.

The historic double began on Saturday in the National Park when Hamza Eastman (2nd place in photo) had to battle hard to get to the front In the process, he successfully defended his road race title on Sunday making it the first time in the event’s 27-year history that a rider has won it back to back.

The race which started at Schoonord, West Bank Demerara and turned back at Bushy Park and back to the point of origin for the finish, saw Eastman completing the 46-mile route in a time of one hour 43 minutes and 14 seconds (01:43:14).

He had to fend off fierce competition and heavy rain but did so just ahead of Paul De Nobrega (Team Evolution) as

was the case on Saturday when the riders tackled the inner circuit of the national park.

We Stand United’s Deeraj Garbarran recorded his best finish of the season to finish third while Trojan’s Romello Crawford clocked in fourth and Jamaul John (Cocos) and Christopher Griffith (Evolution) finished the top six in that order.

Meanwhile, in the Juniors division, Adelie Hodge was successful while Briton John who won the equivalent of the event in the national park the previous day settled for second and Ajay Motilall completed the top three.

We Stand United’s Mario King notched up his first win of the season in the mountain bike category ahead of Shane Bourne.

Also, Junior Niles was dethroned as Warren “40” McKay stole top honours in the veterans’ category.

India rise to No. 1 in ODI rankings

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fter winning their first bilateral series in South Africa, India have climbed to the top of the ODI rankings for the third time in six months. India overtook South Africa - who will finish the ongoing series ranked second - after beating them by 73 runs in the fourth ODI in Port Elizabeth. India are also the topranked Test team.

India had become the No. 1 ODI side after taking a 2-0 lead in the series, but had to win four of six matches to retain that ranking after the series. If India win the final ODI, they will finish with

India are the No. 1 ODI team

123 rankings points, and South Africa with 117. South Africa had to either tie or win the ODI series against India to stay at the top of the rankings.

India's series win means England could move past South Africa, to No. 2, if they beat New Zealand 5-0 in the upcoming ODI series. Afghanistan, meanwhile, have also climbed past Zimbabwe to No. 10 on the ODI rankings after winning the third ODI in Sharjah on Tuesday, but will have to win the series to retain that position.

(ESPNCricinfo)

Windies could play T20 series in Houston

(CMC)

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est Indies are set to play a Twenty20 International in the American city of Houston for the first time later this year, as part of a Tri-Nations Series involving Pakistan and Bangladesh.

An unnamed senior Pakistan Cricket Board official told the Indian Express newspaper the series, scheduled for August, had been finalised following discussions between PCB chairman Najam Sethi and Cricket West Indies president, Dave Cameron, on the sidelines of the recent International Cricket Council meeting in Dubai.

The series, which will also see matches also played in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a reciprocal tour to follow on from the highly anticipated threematch tour carded for March/April when Pakistan are expected to host the Caribbean side.

“It (US series) is an arrangement for this year and we will see how things pan out later on,” the official was quoted as saying.

PAKISTAN SERIES WIN So far, every T20 International to be played on United States soil has been staged at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, with the most recent action being a two-match series between the Windies and India two years ago.

The proposal for a match to be hosted in the southern United States represents a further incursion into the lucrative North American market.

Only last year, the PCB had announced a five-year agreement that would have seen the Windies tour Pakistan annually for a three-match T20 series, with Pakistan contesting reciprocal series in the US, involving the Caribbean unit.

But the PCB said this year they had been forced to scrap the agreement because it would not have been financially viable.

Meanwhile, the PCB have finalised the dates for the upcoming Windies tour, with matches scheduled for March 29 and 31, and April 1.

“Venues will be decided later but initial plan is to hold them in Lahore,” the PCB official informed.

The PCB are hoping to have international tours of Pakistan resume, following an eight-year break after the Sri Lanka team bus was attacked by militants on its way to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore back in 2009.

Following a three-match Independence Cup series involving a World XI last September in Lahore, the ICC praised Pakistan for its handling of security, noting that the success of the event sent a positive message to the international community about safety in the country.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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