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‘India proud of you’ ISSUE NO. 379

WEEK ENDING january 14, 2018

- PM Modi tells MPs of Indian origin See story on page 3

Guyana’s Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo (second right) and other PPP/C MPs participated in a conference in New Delhi, India held for Parliamentarians of Indian origin. The meeting was organised by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

US immigration agents target convenience stores to nab illegal C'bean nationals Page 5

Dynamic Govt forced to passengers to make difficult choices to be refunded Page 7

ensure sugar industry’s viability – President Granger

Page 12

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NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘India proud of you’

By Vishnu Bisram

I

ndian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Shrimati SushmaSwaraj told Guyanese and other Parliamentarians of Indian origin at a world gathering last Tuesday, January 9, that the ancestral homeland is proud of their achievements.

Some 141 MPs and Mayors (Chair of Regional bodies) were invited to a conference and reception in New Delhi, India. The conference was held at the Pravasi Bharatya Kendra which was built for overseas PIOs. The meeting was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) under the leadership of Shrimati Sushma-Swaraj and inaugurated by PM Modi. Attendees included Government Ministers, the Vice President of India, Ambassadors in Delhi and other dignitaries.

There are some 280

PIOs sitting in Parliaments of various countries, many of whom are Ministers or heads of governments. The present PMs of Portugal, Ireland and Mauritius are PIOs. Only sitting MPs and mayors were invited to the Delhi meet.

Some 141 Indian origin MPs and mayors from 23 countries accepted the invitation to attend the conference called to boost ties between India and the countries where the MPs are domiciled. Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo were among some twenty four (24) who attended from Guyana. The cost was borne by India.

The forum allows the MPs to connect with their past in India and contribute to the growth of ‘new India’. Besides, it will also help India have more friends in foreign countries rooting for its interest. The Indian Government believes that increasing engagement with the MPs

will help India with having more advocates for its cause on various issues on the global stage. The diaspora has been a very active and strong advocate of India’s cause. It was noted, for example, that Indian di-

aspora has played an important role in pushing for India-centric policies in the US, UK and Canada.

Modi told the MPs: "Your achievements (as legislators in your countries) are a point of pride

- PM Modi tells MPs of Indian origin

for us. Even when you are nominated for political office anywhere, we are very happy. You affect geo-politics and the world and frame laws. Indians watching these developments are very happy to hear about

your achievements."

"No matter where you are, I believe your ancestors will be very happy to see you all here. Everywhere Indians go, they integrate into the diaspora. They continued on page 8

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EDITORIAL

Privatising closed sugar estates

I

n view of the universally acknowledged (save for some members of the Government) acceptance that the contract negotiated with ExxonMobil for our oil was very poorly handled by the Government in the person of the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) opined that for all new contracts in the oil sector, the Government should utilise the services of more expert negotiators.

On the surface, even though it is clear it is playing “catch up,” the Government appears to have learnt that lesson as it prepares to negotiate contracts for the sale of the four estates/ factories in the sugar industry which it unilaterally decided to close. Ideally, it should have followed the recommendations of its very expensive Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the industry, which suggested the Government inject funds to improve all GuySuCo’s assets to a point of sale within three years.

During that time, it would have been able to accomplish more efficiently, even the putatively modest downsizing it has embarked on:- selling Skeldon factory and fields of some 16,000 acres; Wales 8000 acres; Enmore factory with over 10,000 acres, and Rose Hall (Canje) factory and an unknown number of acres of land.

The Government has established a Special Purpose Unit (SPU) under the state’s National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), its divestment arm, to take care of the sale. Since all other assets besides those at Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion have been transferred from GuySuCo to the SPU, it is assumed that the headquarters and other properties would also be on the block.

After a meeting with GAWU, the field and factory sugar workers union, it was revealed that the SPU evidently has decided to operate the sugar entities under its remit, until they are sold. In the meantime, it hired an international accounting and consultant firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), to conduct a valuation of all assets under the control of GuySuCo, in addition to providing other advisory and financial services. Following the valuation exercise, PWC will develop an investment prospectus, and through the SPU, distribute to all interested investors.

At this point, there have already been several “expressions of interest” (EoIs) from several investors, domestic and foreign.

It would appear that PWC has already justified its hiring, since, prior to its services being contracted, there was no word about the SPU operating the estates that were announced as being “closed”. If that were actually the case, then the value of the latter would have become seriously depreciated in the one year or so it would have taken for any serious valuation and negotiation to consummate the sales. In case this did not occur to the Government officials who decided on the unilateral closures, they should take a look at the condition of Wales, which has now been closed for a year. Not only the factory — which has been described as “cannibalized” — but the fields that were abandoned. They have already reverted to “bush,” with the canals becoming clogged up and impassable with vegetation. Savvy investors will have to factor this into their assessment, and reduce their offers accordingly.

For the SPU officials to attempt to keep its other estates as viable entities, they will have to do much better than GuySuCo has been able to achieve for the last decade. And it will not just be a matter of their own inexperience in the sugar industry.

All the factories, for instance, are designed for a certain level of throughput, which cannot fluctuate since the boilers etc are designed to run continuously, and can only be shut down and restarted at tremendous cost, which add to the already high unit production costs. And there is the matter of selling the sugar that would be produced at these high costs. Will the SPU be finding sugar markets on their own, or will GuySuCo be purchasing the high-priced sugar and further increasing their need for subsidies?

Football in the School Yard – Parikwarunau. Parikwarunau, located in Region 9 was founded in 1969 and occupied by six households. The village is now populated by persons who have migrated from different communities. (Photo by Girendra Persaud)

2017: A challenging year for Guyanese E

ven though we are midway through the first month of the new year, the analyses of 2017 are still ongoing. Naturally there will be divergent opinions given the political perspectives with the need to justify the pronouncements. However, from a position of unbiased objectiveness, analysts should find commonality on how profoundly challenging last year was for the Guyanese populace. When all is said and done, the bottom line for the ordinary folk is their bread and butter issue.

For them, their analyses will therefore be guided by such.

A plethora of new taxes were unleashed in 2017 in a continuation of what seemed a trademark of the current administration. The fiscal justification by the hierarchy could not appease the affected masses with the outcry being of additional burdens. The reality of an economy that contracted during the year was therefore unsurprising in that context.

Forced reduction of spending power of the individual had a collective negative national effect.

The dismal shopping during the recent holiday season, which is traditionally a bustling period with tangible financial returns, starkly reflected sentiments felt throughout 2017. In fairness to that year, its financial woes were inherited from related preceded policies which bred uncertainty; a word that inundated various discussions throughout 2017 with national fiscal matters not spared.

Many, including business persons, lamented over the state of the underperforming economy which precipitated uncertainty; and vice versa.

Both the lamentation and the uncertainty have now rolled over to 2018. The findings of the analyses would be simple; new investments were sparse and readily clutched upon

for public relations purposes, businesses contracted with some becoming defunct, the ordinary mass forced to reduce spending as disposable income dwindled and many jobs were lost.

The milieu of these challenges not only exacerbated the uncertainty, but undermined confidence in the economy and governance. The fact that the economy is contracting is no longer disputable as the Administration would have reluctantly noted in its cleverly crafted jargon. The uncertainty was worsened by the closure of some sugar estates and the firing of thousands of workers. These families were plunged into despair and pushed towards the breadline. For them, their uncertainty was compounded by the plight foisted upon them as they desperately search for means of livelihood and survival. Their heart-wrenching situation could be unimaginable for others especially when over the last two decades the country was typified by unprecedented progress.

Then, transformation through modernisation and sound enabling economic environment resulted in the advancement of individual families and the nation as a whole with years of increased and sustained growth. The record housing and construction boom was just one derivative. Today, sadly, its absence has contributed to the current lethargic economic situation which bred the uncertainty that characterised 2017. The crippling crime situation sapped potential investors’ confidence which was already weakened by the reality of the sluggish economy.

Unfortunately, these formidable challenges would not be wished away by whatever celebrations that would have occurred and by the fireworks at the time of birth of 2018. This year will not be spared and the

challenges have rushed over and will linger indefinitely.

The realism of what transpired in 2017 will therefore not allow 2018 to be devoid of these adversities. As a matter of fact, it will get worse and while all are always hopeful, especially at the beginning of any year, hope could be a distant second to uncertainty during this year.

Local economies, especially in areas where sugar estates have been closed, will be decimated. Wales is solid proof of this undesired metamorphosis. The social fabric of affected families and communities will be severely tested as despondency will continue to rise. This is where the need for a massive infusion of resources, including support services to help mitigate these circumstances becomes a national priority.

The uncertainty in the mindsets of the sugar workers epitomises that of the nation and there has to be a genuine commitment and will by the Administration to assist these now vulnerable families in this their time of dire need and not be left abandoned. The administration must not seek solace in their need not to be compelled in this regard which may be premised falsely on casualties of politics. They are Guyanese workers and regardless of perceived political persuasion, the State must honourably lead the mitigation as it does in times of natural disasters.

What unfortunately remains frightening, in the context of recent politics, is the uncertainty over any plan by the State to implement meaningful relief mechanisms.

What seems certain at this point is the lack of will to save the industry and by extension, the plight of the workers and their families and other vulnerable Guyanese. For them, 2018 would not be a happy one.

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

US immigration agents target convenience stores to nab illegal C'bean nationals U

S Federal immigration agents on Wednesday arrested several undocumented workers when they descended on dozens of convenience stores across the country, targeting illegal Caribbean and other immigrants.

The agents descended on 7-Eleven convenience stores before daybreak, arresting undocumented workers and demanding paperwork from managers, in what the Trump administration described as its largest enforcement operation against employers so far.

The sweeps of 98 stores in 17 states, from California to Florida, resulted in 21 arrests, according to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which signalled intensified efforts against businesses that hire unauthorised workers.

“Today's actions send a strong message to US businesses that hire and employ an illegal work force: ICE will enforce the law, and if you are found to be breaking the law, you will be held accountable,” said Thomas D Homan, the acting director of the agency, in a statement.

Homan, the US's top immigration-enforcement official, has promised more scrutiny of businesses that knowingly vio-

late federal laws requiring employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of their workers.

Under President Trump, ICE has significantly expanded immigration enforcement, arresting undocumented Caribbean and other immigrants in their homes or when they check in with US federal agents as part of immigration court cases.

In a statement, 7-Eleven Inc, based in Irving, Texas, distanced itself from the situation, saying that the individual stores are franchises that belong to independent business owners, who “are solely responsible for their employees, including deciding who to hire and verifying their eligibility to work in the United States.”

“7-Eleven takes compliance

with immigration laws seriously and has terminated the franchise agreements of franchisees convicted of violating these laws,” the company said.

If ICE hoped to make a bold statement, it could hardly pick a more iconic target than 7-Eleven, a chain known for ubiquitous stores that are open all the time and sell the much-loved Slurpees and Big Gulps, the New York Times said in a report adding that several 7-Eleven franchises have been steppingstones for new legal immigrants who want to own and run their own small businesses.

ICE called its Wednesday sweep a “follow-up” of a 2013 investigation that resulted in the arrests of nine 7-Eleven franchise owners and managers on Long Island, New York

and in Virginia on charges of employing undocumented workers.

Several have pleaded guilty and forfeited their franchises, and have been ordered to pay millions of dollars in back wages owed to the workers.

According to ICE, federal agents served inspection notices to 7-Eleven franchises in California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington State and Washington, D.C. In all, 16 of the 98 stores visited on Wednesday were in the New York City area, according to an ICE spokeswoman, Rachael Yong Yow, who would not specify the locations.

In Miami Beach, an employee at one 7-Eleven said that while no agents showed up at her store, her boss asked workers to make sure their employment records were up to date, in case ICE continued its visits, according to the Times.

It said agents dropped in on 7-Eleven stores in seven cities in southeast Florida, including Miami Beach, according to Nestor Yglesias, an ICE spokesman; he, too, declined to

identify specific stores.

Wednesday's raids were made amidst intense political battle about a US federal programme that shields from deportation young Caribbean and other immigrants who were brought illegally to the US as children.

Stating that the decision to kill the programme was improper, Judge William Alsup of Federal District Court in San Francisco wrote on Tuesday that the Trump administration must “maintain the DACA programme on a nationwide basis,” as the legal challenge to the US president's decision proceed.

President Barack Obama created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme (DACA) in 2012 to also give young immigrants the ability to work legally in the United States.

President Donald Trump moved to end the programme in September, saying that Obama's actions were unconstitutional and an overreach of executive power.

This has reportedly set off a fierce debate in Washington as Democrats and Republicans spar about how to provide relief for about 800,000 immigrants who could face deportation when the programme ends on March 5. (CMC)

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana entered into crucial negotiations in an almost casual manner

Dear Editor, Writing in 1968, Gordon K. Lewis, historian and political scientist, described Guyana as “a fascinating complex of strident paradoxes”. The events of the last few months serve as an apt illustration of this diagnosis. First, there was the signature bonus, held in secret for the purpose of underwriting a legal defence in our border dispute with Venezuela. Then the festive season began with the largest retrenchment of workers in living memory, with no coherent plan for their immediate welfare or future employment. Finally came the public release of the revised agreement with ExxonMobil, a revision which shows all the foresight of a blind date (though the timely announcement of another promising new prospect offshore may help to lubricate its reception).

For some, these events merit little more than a collective shrug. For others, they raise multiple alarm bells. It is perhaps no coincidence that, writing a generation ago, Lewis also discerned “the disintegration of national consensus” to the point where “the constituent elements of the national debate…are seen by the opposing sides in completely different ways.”

One wonders what Lewis would have made of the proposed ‘miniaturisation’ of the sugar industry and Guyana’s faltering first steps towards a petroleum-based economy.

His book, The Growth of the Modern West Indies, depicts a scenario where “the mammoth Bookers organisation penetrates into almost every nook and cranny of the Guyanese economy and the Guyanese communal psychology alike.” Lewis gives multiple examples of this syndrome and its symptoms.

A few will suffice: 1) A weak state, he notes, is no match for a robust multinational: “in the absence of government planning, lines of development were left to the sugar interest.”

2) At its zenith, Bookers claimed to control, directly or indirectly, the lives of some 80% of the population.

It was, Lewis writes, “a veritable state within a state… an almost separate sovereign kingdom, undertaking and controlling an extensive set of essentially public services which the political state, for want of organisational skills and capital revenue, was unable itself to provide for its citizens.”

If some now find the shackles of the sugar industry burdensome, they would at least concede that, after several centuries of cultivating sugar, we have sufficient

skills, the infrastructure and the labour in place to support the industry. What do we know of oil? This is an industry in which we have no experience and precious little homegrown expertise.

Our record, to date, in deliberations with major players like ExxonMobil displays these deficits. We began by awarding them 600 blocks instead of 60 (in contravention of our own laws). The 2016 revision has failed to address this; and as several analysts have shown, is deficient in many other respects.

There has been some talk of ExxonMobil going out on a limb for Guyana, and of the need for us to show some sort of gratitude for this.

ExxonMobil is a business with a current market capitalisation of US$367 billion.

It has over 73,000 employees and about 2.5 million individual shareholders. As its former head, Rex Tillerson, explained about a decade ago: “We spend (US) $1 billion a day just running our business.”

The writer Steve Coll shows how, across time and space, ExxonMobil has carved out a succession of ‘private empires’ by being better informed, better resourced, and more organised than the governments it deals with, both in America and abroad. What exactly is going to make Guyana the exception to this pattern?

It will take a lot more than bluster and rhetoric.

We are willing to mothball substantial chunks of an existing industry that employs a large portion of our rural workforce with only vague plans afoot for alternatives. We have set aside US$18 million to defend our borders in an international court. Yet we entered crucial negotiations with a petroleum giant, with billions of dollars of revenue at stake, in an almost casual manner.

We lacked preparation and expertise, missed vital opportunities to correct earlier errors, and accepted terms and conditions that may constrain us for decades.

Was there a lawyer present in the negotiating team?

Was there anyone with expertise in the petroleum industry, geology, economics, accounting? Whose data were we relying on for our assessments? Were any analyses and forecasts produced to guide the negotiators?

Guyana clearly has a tendency to cultivate a certain sort of relationship with large multinationals. Does anyone note the parallels between Bookers and Exxon?

Does anyone see how this story is likely to unfold? Are we all asleep at the wheel?

Yours faithfully, Isabelle de Caires

Adams was committed to serving the people Dear Editor, The community of Linden (Region Ten), the PNCR family and the immediate family, have lost a phenomenal woman in the name of Ms Sandra Adams, MS. Editor, I pen this letter with a heavy heart, for it is always difficult to construct words to truly capture the essence of a woman whose life was committed to the service of the people, her party and country with an unrelenting passion.

It is indeed a very shocking and sad occasion for us in this community. We not only mourn and prepare to bid farewell to our dear friend, colleague, mentor and comrade, but we also celebrate a life well lived, and give credence to the admirable service she gave to our community, our party and country.

As a young politician under the tutelage and leadership of Ms Adams in the region, my local and world view of politics was enhanced with remarkable speed.

I got to discover that service to the people is a never-ending task, and at times can be a lonely road.

I learnt to accept that irrespective of how much you do or give, there will always be the unsatisfied, the

disappointed, the disgruntled; you will encounter people who will never be pleased, and will always be critical and ever-ready to oppose for opposing sake; and there are those who are forever thankful, even for the littlest of things, and that is why you keep doing it.

I have learned politics and people are not always what it may appear, and may lead to hurts and disappointments; but despite this, you have to stay true to who you are, and hold on to the principled position of giving service to the people.

“Figgy, is years I deh in this thing, boy,” she would say, accompanied by her usually big, bright smile.

We, as Lindeners, should both mourn and celebrate her life.

Celebrate the fact that we were blessed with so rare a gift of a fellow human being, a Lindener, an activist, leader, patriot, a friend and a comrade, whose presence was always felt and could not be ignored, whose contributions were transformative and developmental. An individual whose approach to certain situations at times was unorthodox, unconventional, and even confrontational; but her in-

tentions were always for the betterment, the improvement, the development of her people and community.

With her enveloping personality, this stylish dresser commanded the audience’s attention wherever she was present. Linden, Region Ten, PNCR and Guyana will miss you, our dear comrade.

Socrates, the Greek philosopher of Athens, posited, “To fear death, my friends, is only to think ourselves wise, without being wise: for it is to think that we know what we do not know. For anything that men can tell, death may be the greatest good that can happen to them: but they fear it as if they knew quite well that it was the greatest of evils. And what is this but that shameful ignorance of thinking that we know what we do not know?”

In the words of the British poet and playwright William Shakespeare, “All that live must die, passing through nature to eternity”. Rest in peace comrade, and may you rise in eternal glory.

Sincerely, Jermaine Figueira Member of Parliament (Region Ten)

No clear policy on natural gas development in Guyana Dear Editor, In response to a news media letter I wrote on natural gas development in Guyana, Minister of Public Infrastructure (MPI), David Patterson, claimed, in a letter to the media on January 3, 2018, that I had presented a distorted perspective on the vision and use of natural gas for Guyana.

Unfortunately, he responded with no clear MPI policy as to how the resource will be developed.

The natural gas under consideration is held in rock formations with crude oil and impurities off Guyana’s Atlantic Coast. The stated proposal is to pump the mixture (oil, gas, impurities) from its underground location to the surface, and separate its components after processing, with the crude oil temporarily stored in tankers while some

of the gas produced being pumped back under pressure into the oil-bearing rocks to force trapped oil to the surface, and the remainder being flared. No statement has been made as to how ExxonMobil intends to dispose of the impurities and wastes.

There is no clause in the Agreement ExxonMobil has made with the Government of Guyana (GoG) which states that the natural gas produced from the oil fields it is exploiting cannot be flared.

However, Minister Patterson has stated that Guyana will not allow gas flaring, and there is no indication that ExxonMobil intends to get rid of the gas generated otherwise.

The alternative to flaring the gas is liquefying it after processing, for storage and distribution — which will be capital intensive

and technically challenging, and may not be a viable proposition; as, in Yr. 2008, gas was being sold on world markets at US$13/million BTU, while at the end of Yr. 2017, the price was US$3.00/million BTU, and this price is expected to drop further.

Minister Patterson should note that ExxonMobil has no plan to get into the gas business. Therefore, he should be wary of getting Guyana involved into another “Amalia Falls Hydro-Electric Project” before the many uncertainties are considered and a feasibility study prepared by reputable consultants (unlike those that did the Demerara River Bridge) as to whether a natural gas project is indeed viable for Guyana to pursue.

Yours faithfully, Charles Sohan

Alcohol consumption is a huge public health issue Dear Editor, I am happy to read of the comments by leading consumer advocate Mr Pat Dial in regard to the promulgation of recently enacted legislation to curb tobacco consumption in Guyana. He is right on the money, and I hope the public education process would be intensified by Government and other relevant agencies, to bring the desired effect.

However, in my view — and I am sure there are many others with my perspective — alcohol consumption is a much bigger public health issue than tobacco; it results in murders, suicides, accidents etc, which are generally not associated with tobacco consump-

tion. I therefore call on Mr Dial and the Consumers Association, and other concerned bodies and persons, to bring pressure to bear on the Government — and indeed, all Parliamentarians — to bring urgent legislation in this year to have draconian laws enacted with a view to curbing consumption of alcohol, which has reached worse than epidemic proportion.

These measures should include, but not be limited to, maintaining early closure of night clubs and places that sell alcohol; enforcing laws in relation to who can buy alcohol; increasing taxes on alcohol to make it more costly and prohibitive for persons to buy; enforcing rigidly drink-and-

drive laws; giving incentives to companies manufacturing alcoholic beverages to go into alternative endeavours; carrying out massive public education programs on dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, and including this in a meaningful way for all schools; placing warning labels on all containers/vessels that alcohol is sold in a manner similar to warnings on cigarette packs; restricting advertisements that can be placed at school events etc, and even on public television, unless the health warning is aired prominently either at the beginning or end of advertisements.

Yours sincerely Ashok Ramnauth

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Dynamic passengers to be refunded T

he Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) says it has initiated the process to access a bond for the sum of two hundred thousand United States dollars (US$200,000), which was lodged by Dynamic International Airways, in collaboration with their local handling agent, Roraima Airways Inc. According to the MPI, “the funds will be used to refund passengers in Guyana who purchased tickets to travel on the

erations on October 3, 2017 to facilitate its reorganisation of its Chapter 11 Case under which the airline filed for bankruptcy.

In an issued statement, the airline had said that it remains committed to honouring all outstanding financial obligations whether to passengers, airport authorities or the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.

The voluntary Chapter 11 petition was filed by Dynamic Airways with the

now defunct Dynamic Airways, provided that they have not been able to use the whole or part of same to travel.”

This publication was informed that Roraima Airways Inc has submitted to the MPI, a list of six hundred and nine (609) passengers who are eligible for the refund.

The MPI says it will publish the names of the eligible passengers in the local press, and details for these individuals to uplift their refunds.

Moreover, the MPI, in a released statement, has assured the affected passengers that the Ministry is working assiduously to have the process expedited.

“Passengers eligible for a refund whose names are not published are asked to contact Roraima Airways Inc to access same” said the MPI. Dynamic Airways suspended its op-

United States Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of North Carolina.

This chapter of the Bankruptcy Code generally provides for reorganisation.

Moreover, Chapter 11 allows a debtor to propose a plan of reorganisation to keep its business alive and pay creditors over time.

This includes the lawsuits from Hajj flights that Dynamic operated in 2014 for Air India, and an arbitration award against Dynamic Intl., finding that the airline was in breach of contract by failing to pay commissions to BKP Enterprises in connection with the Hajj flights.

Just a month after filing for bankruptcy, one of the airline’s creditors had moved to the courts to force the airline to liquidate its assists after Dynamic owed some US$1.19 million.

news 7

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Venezuelan woman arrested Americans urged to at strip club in Guyana ‘exercise increased caution’ placed on G$20,000 bail when visiting Guyana

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ne of the women arrested last week when ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) raided the Diamond nightclub based on information received of illegal activities at the establishment, was on Wednesday charged for entering Guyana illegally.

Mariah Alexander Mauchigo denied the allegation against her when it was read to her by Magistrate Fabayo Azore. The charge alleged that on September 20, 2017, at Lethem, she entered Guyana by crossing a land frontier and failed to present herself to

an immigration officer.

According to the facts of the matter, ranks raided the nightclub and arrested 41 foreign nationals.

While in Police custody, Mauchigo’s passport was inspected and found to be without a stamp, and as such, she was charged with the offence.

She was granted G$20,000 bail and is expected to return to the Lethem Magistrate’s Court on February 12. She is also expected to report to the Police Criminal Investigation Department on a weekly basis.

Teen stabbed by bandits on way home from after-school lessons

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15-year-old student of Central High School was stabbed multiple times by two bandits as he was on his way home from after school lessons.

Reports are on Tuesday, the teen was almost a corner away from his Green Heart Street, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown home when he was attacked by the duo.

Guyana Times

International was told that the bandits, who appeared to be in their teens, approached him and one of them then pushed his hands into the schoolboy’s pocket and took away his cellphone.

A fight then broke out among the three, after which the schoolboy was pushed to the ground and dealt several blows to his body.

In a bid to block fur-

ther injury, the teen attempted to bar the stabs with his arm, and the duo still managed to inflict five stab wounds on his right arm.

This newspaper was told that persons in the area saw was transpiring and raised an alarm.

This led to the two fleeing the scene.

Speaking with this publication, the teen’s mother said after learning about the incident, she went to the scene and took her injured teen to the East La Penitence Police Station to file a report.

While at the Police Station, the mother said a friend who saw the incident, decided to drive behind the alleged bandits and saw that they went into a house in the East La Penitence area.

The mother then related this information to the Police, who encouraged her to take the child for a medical and return to the station. The Police have since launch an investigation into the matter. No arrest has been made yet.

T

he United States of America on Wednesday issued a new travel advisory for Americans, warning them to “exercise increased caution” when visiting Guyana due to “crime.”

The travel advisory which has four tiers and is found on the US Department of State website outlines that “Level 1” informs the respective persons to “exercise normal precautions” as it is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk, while “Level 2” encourages “increased caution” for travellers to be aware of heightened risks to safety and security.

Moreover, “Level 3” warns individuals to “reconsider travel” to avoid serious risks to safety and security, while “Level 4” advises clearly that the citizen “does not travel” as it is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks.

The January 10, 2018 advisory, states that presently, in Guyana, violent crimes such as armed robbery and murder is common, and the “local police lack the resources to respond effec-

tively to serious criminal incidents.”

As such, Americans who plan to travel to “the land of many waters” have been warned to be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs, be aware of their surroundings, and to avoid walking or driving at night.

The US Advisory also encourages its citizens to refrain from physically resisting any robbery attempt, in addition to not showing any “signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewellery.”

Furthermore, it was advised that Americans, among other things, “review the Crime and Safety report in Guyana” and “always have a contingency plan for emergency situations.”

In addition to Guyana being categorised as “level 2”, Brazil and Colombia have also attained the same level, while Venezuela and Cuba are listed as a “level 3” risk, with Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and French Guiana being listed as “level 1.”

As of December 2017, the Guyana Police Force said it recorded a 10% decrease in serious crimes up to the period

of November when compared to 2016.

The Force had detailed in a release that “there was a 27% decrease in murder; an 11% increase in robberies where no instruments were used; a 16% decrease in Robbery Under Arms where firearms were used; a 5% decrease in Robbery Under Arms where instruments other than firearms were used a 43% increase in Robbery with Violence; a 47% increase in Robbery with Aggravation; an 11% increase in Larceny from the Person; a 6% decrease in rape; a 3% decrease in Burglary and a 16% decrease in Break and Enter and Larceny.”

Since the commencement of the New Year however, robbery under arms have escalated at an alarming rate with much of the cases being reported, having to do with armed bandits trailing persons from commercial banks and robbing them when they least expect.

Moreover, the perpetrators are becoming more emboldened in their attacks as the robberies are becoming more frequent.

‘India proud of...

from page 3

take up the culture, sports and the other everyday things of their surrounding environment", Modi added.

He added: "Whenever I travel, I like to meet people of Indian origin. I have met many of you like this. The reason is that you are permanent ambassadors of the country. My government has tried to connect to Indians overseas and solve their problems.

Earlier we had different schemes and ministries but now it is all integrated under the External Affairs Ministry. Sushma Swaraj is working for you constantly. Overseas residents can help us in many ways. You send remittances and we are thankful for that.

You can also invest in India. We know your experience is important for the betterment of India. You can take India to the world.

We want to be with you when you succeed".

He reminded the gathering of the greatness of Indian culture. "We believe in 'Vaasudev Kutumbakam' – the world is one. The values of Indian culture and civili-

sation can guide a world gripped in increasing instability. On my suggestion, World Yoga Day (adopted by the UN) was celebrated on such a large scale”.

And on aiding the world, the PM informed the gathering that India is among the first responders in a crisis. ˝In Yemen, we saved not just our citizens but also people from 48 other countries by lifting them out of the war-torn country. Indian soldiers laid down their lives in World War I and World War II even though the country did not have any economic interest in the wars. Our relationship with a country is not based on give and take, it is based on humanity".

Modi thanked the MPs for taking time out of their busy schedule and coming to the conference. He said that he hoped to meet them again next year at the PBD. Before the PM spoke, the External Affairs Minister also showered praises on the MPs.

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Corruption Jordan, Williams unaware main problem of legal action against in T&T police Govt over oil bonus service – ex PM Panday was forced to admit the existence and receipt of the monies after Guyana Times published the letter written to the Bank’s Governor, which exposed the slew of misinformation peddled by senior Government functionaries.

Unaware of legal challenge

Trevor Thomas

By M ichael Y ounge

T

F

Basdeo Panday

ormer prime minister Basdeo Panday yesterday identified “corruption, waste and mismanagement” as the main problems that have been existing in the Police Service for decades.

This was what Panday told a Joint Select Committee on National Security chaired by Fitzgerald Hinds as they examined the report into the T&T Manpower Audit Committee, set up by Prof Ramesh Deosaran.

The report has identified a number of challenges in the Police Service Giving his take on the report, Panday said National Security Minister Edmund Dillon is the general manager of the Police Service so he must manage, as the ultimate responsibility of tackling crime rests on his shoulders.

Having served as national security minister, Panday said he took charge by calling all his heads of departments that dealt with crime on a weekly basis and asked them for their suggestions to address crime and murders.

“Those who were not performing would have to admit before their colleagues that they were non- performers and nobody likes being humiliated in front of their colleagues.”

Instead of using the big stick approach, Panday said he used a management technique to get the job done as it worked “like a charm” which resulted in murders and crimes drop-

ping to its lowest in 20 plus years, under his tenure.

Panday said the Police Service was putting the cart before the horse, as they needed to first look at systems and then find personnel.

He said as far as what he saw the managers in the service were not managing.

“The whole system is corrupt. I don’t blame the people. I blame the system. And the present political system does not allow for control. You need fundamental change. We have a political system in the last six years we can’t even appoint a police commissioner.”

This, he said has got to change to make people accountable.

He said the report shies away from identifying problems in the Police Services stating that he became shocked after reading it.

In this day and age, Panday said police officers were afraid to use technology to advance their training.

Stating that T&T’s police officers are among the highest per capita in the world, yet there was a shortage of drivers to respond to reports.

Member Prakash Ramadhar asked Panday to name two things, apart from Constitutional Reform that he would recommend to bring about accountability within the Police Service, buy Panday said he can’t think of any. (Trinidad Guardian)

he Guyana Government said on Wednesday that it was unaware that legal action had been filed by a private citizen in the country’s top court with the aim of compelling it to deposit the signing bonus it received from US oil giant ExxonMobil into the Consolidated Fund.

The action was filed on behalf of Troy Thomas by Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram in the High Court.

Thomas is the current Head of the Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated (TIGI), Transparency International’s local arm. He wants the court to grant orders directing Finance Minister Winston Jordan to deposit the US$18 million it received in August 2017 from ExxonMobil directly into the Consolidated Fund as is provided for in the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA).

The funds at the centre of the controversy are currently sitting in a special account in the Bank of Guyana (BoG) upon the instruction of President David Granger after Finance Secretary Hector Butts wrote the Bank’s Governor in order to establish the account. The Government

Questioned about the Government’s response to the lawsuit as he entered Parliament on Wednesday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon pleaded ignorance about the action, but not before saying even if it was indeed filed, his Government was not bothered by it. “…But I don’t think it’s something that bothers us in any significant way…the money is in an account which by law we are entitled to put it there…so I am not concerned; I am not worried about the lawsuit,” he explained when questioned by this newspaper.

He would offer no other comment on the matter, but Finance Minister Winston Jordan said that Government would defend its decision to keep the signing bonus separate and apart from the monies in the Consolidated Fund if indeed there was a matter brought before the courts aiming to twist the Administration’s arm to place the monies there.

Highlighting the fact that, according to the media, the matter is now before the courts, Jordan said he was constrained in what he could say about the issue. He said that there have been no deliberations at the level of the Cabinet recently. “…The money is there for a particular purpose and when that purpose comes about, the money will be transferred to the Consolidated Fund,” Jordan remarked before explaining that “the Consolidated Fund is a general purpose fund, you put money in there and it cannot be earmarked…it can be used for any

Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram

and all purposes…you know the Consolidated Fund is in deficit…you put money in there and all it does is reduce the deficit,’ Jordan added.

In addition, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, when questioned by the media about the action said that he had not seen it. He even asked, “Who were the parties to the action”, and when it was filed.

Illegal and unconstitutional

But Thomas, speaking with Guyana Times International during an interview on Wednesday, insisted that he took the decision because he felt that the Government’s move to keep the money outside of the Consolidated Fund was illegal and unconstitutional.

Thomas said that the Government’s handling of the signing bonus and its justification of the decision for keeping it secret were disappointing to say the least, as it also exposed the David Granger Administration’s double standards on the core principles relating to accountability, transparency, and good governance.

“I decided to take the matter so far, because I believe as continued on page 10

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Self-confessed ‘Bishop’ accused AG Williams of raping church member defends President’s pick for S Chancellor’s post reducing the backlog of his written decisions.

“There is no jurisdiction, certainly not Guyana, which is not beset by these issues of backlog of cases,” Williams said in Benjamin’s defence, noting that Guyana is yet to conclude more than 10,000 cases.

Following a meeting with President Granger on January 3, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo asked for time to conduct background checks on Benjamin, before his team meets again with the President to consider the appointGuyanese-born Belize Chief ment of Chancellor on Justice, Kenneth Benjamin February 7.

Sources close to espite reports that Justice the Opposition Leader Kenneth Benjamin was have indicated that he is still connot the favoured candidate ducting his due-diligence on the for the position of Chancellor of background of the President’s the Judiciary, Attorney General nominee and may be seeking furand Legal Affairs Minister Basil ther clarification on a number of Williams maintains that he was matters. the ideal candidate selected by Granger had told a media a review committee and rec- conference that he already conommended by President David tacted the recommended indiGranger. vidual who later accepted the Williams, on Monday, fend- nomination. Diligent work by ed off questions from the media the media revealed that the perabout the circumstances which son the President favoured was led to the selection of Justice Justice Benjamin, who currentBenjamin for appointment as ly serves as the Chief Justice of Guyana’s next Chancellor. In fact, Belize. the Attorney General said he was Jagdeo has already warned not part of the committee but was that even though the President only informed of the selection. has to make the first move to re“I think the President had set solve the decade-long failure to out a process, a transparent pro- appoint a substantive Chancellor cess and he had appointed three and Chief Justice, he would not exceptional luminaries and they allow himself to be coerced into would have dealt with that pro- accepting nominees just to fix the cess,” Williams explained. situation.

However, there are reports President Granger is now that the former Guyana Defence awaiting the Jagdeo’s approvForce Judge Advocate was not the al for the appointment of Justice top choice for the post, but some- Benjamin. how ended up being selected as Article 127 (1) of the the next candidate for the posi- Constitution speaks to the aption. pointment of the Chancellor Pressed to state whether and Chief Justice. It states that Benjamin was not the favoured both the Chancellor and Chief candidate by the review commit- Justice shall be appointed by the tee, the Attorney General took of- President, acting after obtaining fence by the media’s consistent the agreement of the Leader of questions. He said, “I am telling the Opposition. you that that process was conCaribbean Court of Justice ducted by a panel… I know the (CCJ) President, Sir Dennis person identified was Justice Byron, speaking at a Guyana Bar Kennett Benjamin.”

Association event, had severely Sections of the media have re- criticised the non-appointment of ported that Benjamin was not a substantive Chief Justice and ranked number one by the panel Chancellor. based on a points system that was Sir Dennis noted too that no used to shortlist the candidates. substantive Chancellor has been This system focused on experi- appointed since Justice Desiree ence, legal knowledge, manage- Bernard, Guyana’s first female ment skills, suitability and ap- Chancellor, demitted office and proach to legal problem solving, was appointed as the first female among others.

Judge of the CCJ. The Belize Bar Association The acting Chancellor is had threatened to take steps for Yonette Cummings-Edwards who Justice Benjamin to be removed has applied for the post of Chief from office if he had failed to sub- Justice. Acting Chief Justice mit a large number of written de- Roxane George has not applied cisions. But yet again Williams for any of the two posts. also brushed aside concerns about Justice Benjamin’s challenges in

D

elf-confessed ‘Bishop’, Joseph Persaud who was late last year accused of raping one of his female church members was on Tuesday slapped with a rape charge and taken before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The 37-year-old man, of Lot 62 Avenue A, New Scheme, Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was arraigned for raping a 23-year-old woman when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

In court on Tuesday, he was granted G$350,000 bail. As a condition of bail, he was required to surrender his passport to the court and stay 50 feet away from the Virtual Complainant (VC) and her relatives, as well as all witnesses in the matter. Additionally, he is also required to report to the Ruimveldt Police Station on a weekly basis. The case will continue on January 18, 2018.

Reports are Persaud, who officiates at a church in Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, was arrested on November 9, 2017 and taken to the Grove Police Station, where he was informed that a rape allegation had been made against him.

The victim on nation-

Joseph Persaud during his appearance in court on Tuesday

al television admitted that she and the pastor shared a relationship, but after his wife reportedly found out, it ended. She claimed that the pastor had stalked her since the relationship ended and continued to harass her.

On the night of the incident, the victim alleged he stripped her and had sexual intercourse with her against her will.

A report was made to the Police and Persaud was arrested.

Since his arrest, several recordings of phone conversations allegedly between the two were leaked to the media.

On one of the recordings, the voice of a male, purportedly the pastor, was heard begging for the victim to drop the case.

After an initial file was compiled on the matter and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, it was recommended that Persaud be released on station bail.

The DPP also requested additional information from the Police pertaining to several aspects of the case, and the file was subsequently resent.

The final advice was for the pastor to be charged.

Jordan, Williams unaware of legal ...

from page 9

action would end in his favour as he reminded that he was encouraged by the challenge given by the President that he would transfer the money if the court so ruled or advised.

Guyanese money

Thomas said that the money paid by ExxonMobil was not the Government’s money, but the people of Guyana’s money.

The TIGI Head also said that he hoped the Government understood the importance of its role when negotiating future oil deals and contracts that could impact the country’s wealth and progress as scarce oil and gas resources were bartered.

AG Basil Williams

Guyanese we have to start expecting higher standards from our Government,” Thomas related before explaining that thousands of Guyanese had accepted the current Government’s rhetoric about fighting corruption and standing on the principles of transparency and accountability.

He charged that this was what largely led to the election of the coalition Government, as people were tired of the secrecy and executive lawlessness that was taking place, so they voted for a change in the way things were done.

He was adamant that “Guyana loses” when citizens do not challenge the Government whenever there are breaches of laws and procedures that could result in corruption and secrecy.

Thomas said that he expected that the

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana still awaiting word from UN boss on border controversy

By Jarryl Bryan

F

ar from December 31, 2017 (Old Year’s Night) being the deadline when Guyanese should have known if the border controversy with Venezuela would head to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), it was in fact only the beginning of the road to a final settlement.

Speaking to Guyana Times International during an interview, Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Audrey Jardine-Waddell related that even the Government was waiting for the final word from the United Nations.

According to Waddell, UN Secretary General António Guterres still has to make a deliberation on the best way to resolve the controversy.

This will, however, be after his special representative to Guyana tasked with handling the border controversy, Dag Halvor Nylander, submits a report on the matter to him.

“We’re still awaiting the decision of the SG. That’s where we are now. December 31st is

Flashback: President David Granger at the time of a meeting last year with UN Secretary General’s representative Dag Halvor Nylander

(actually) when the process ended,” Waddell explained. “We’re awaiting that report. We don’t receive the report. That was part of the process. You submit the report to the SG, the process ending on the 31st of December and the SG will make his decision.”

Last year, a meeting with representatives from both sides was organised by Nylander.

The meeting was aimed at providing a chance for the two Governments to arrive at a solution.

Appointed in February

2017, Nylander had visited Guyana a number of times to hold talks with President David Granger and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, among others.

The Guyana delegation to the General Debate of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly had also met with Guterres, as well as Nylander, in September of last year. Informal discussions were also held with Venezuelan counterparts.

Relations between

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

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

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

Venezuela, with almost 40 times the pop-

ulation of Guyana and a territory that is several times bigger, purported to claim in 1968 the entire territorial sea of Guyana by means of the Leoni Decree, which has never been withdrawn.

In 2015, the Government of Guyana requested then UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to take steps towards resolving the controversy. In 2016, as a consequence of a stalemate on the matter, the outgoing Ban agreed with his successor, Guterres, to continue

to use the Good Offices Process until the end of 2017 as a means of arriving at a settlement.

It is with that intention that Guterres appointed Nylander as an envoy to resolve the border controversy.

According to the mandate of the Personal Representative, “If, by the end of 2017, the Secretary General concludes that no significant progress has been made towards arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy, he will choose the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement, unless the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela jointly request that he refrain from doing so.”

It is understood that if the Secretary General decides to refer the matter to the ICJ, this referral is not contingent on agreement from Venezuela. In a previous statement on the matter, the Foreign Affairs Ministry had noted that this referral does not require Venezuela’s approval beyond what is allotted in the 1966 Geneva Agreement.

12 news

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Govt forced to make difficult choices to ensure sugar industry’s viability – President Granger …dismissed sugar workers to be given 50% severance pay this month, other half by year-end

G

President David Granger

overnment has announced that it will pay 50 per cent of the severance benefits to dismissed sugar workers by the end of this month. This commitment represents over G$2 billion in severance payments.

This announcement was made in Parliament on Wednesday when Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo read a statement from President David Granger. However, he said that the remainder will be paid in the second half of the year.

This move comes one day after disgruntled workers attached to the former Rose Hall Sugar Estate protested for their severance payment as they demanded that the Government get its act together.

Eight hundred and fifty workers, whose last day of employment was December 29, 2017, on Tuesday protested the non-payment of mil-

lions of dollars, which are collectively owed to them by the David Granger Administration and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

According to the President, GuySuCo is not being dismantled. He claimed that Government is working actively to ameliorate the impact of retrenchment on workers’ liveli-

hood.

As such, it will also move to embark on an extensive review of expenditure in every sector to the extent of reducing ministerial budgets in order to find funds to enable sugar workers to receive their severance pay; and, set aside $100 million to provide small loans for entrepreneurial activities for these people.

While noting the invaluable contribution of the sugar industry to the development of Guyana, the President said Government will continue to work towards returning the reformed sugar industry to profitability and improving the personal income of sugar workers.

Already, he said, Government has embarked on the training of employees to work in new operational fields across the industry in places such as the field

workshops and providing services.

Some 500 employees from the West and East Demerara estates will be retrained in fields such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, mechanical and electrical works and in small business enterprises, the President said.

“The Government has acted resolutely and responsibly to protect the livelihood of workers, to preserve the viability of rural communities and prevent the further financial depletion of the country’s Treasury,” he added.

Both the current and past Governments, the President said, have struggled to maintain the industry’s viability; by implementing several initiatives. He referred to the work done under the People’s Progressive Party to engage international advisory, technical and managerial corpo-

rations such as BookerTate Ltd, Bosch Projects (PTY) and Global Cane Sugar between 1992 and 2015.

In addition to that, a new factory at Skeldon in the East BerbiceCorentyne region was built at a cost of US$212 million and G$48 billion was expended in financial support to the industry since 2011, while G$32 billion was spent over the past 30 months, which when calculated sums up to a rate of about G$1 billion a month.

“This Government cannot sustain the sugar industry in its current state. It has had to make difficult choices in order to ensure the industry’s viability,” the Head of State added.

Granger recalled that one of the earliest measures included the convening a Commission of Inquiry into the state of the industry in October 2015; publishing a

State Paper on the future of the industry in May 2017; and creating a Special Purpose Unit to manage the reform of the industry in June 2017.

“I iterated – in my address to the 71st sitting of the National Assembly on 2nd November 2017 – that: The sugar industry is being consolidated; it is not being closed.

We will explore all options… to ensure a viable industry, mindful of its impact on the nation’s rural economy and its residents.”

The Government, he added, will also continue to engage the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union, National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees, the Corporation, other major stakeholders, but most importantly the workers themselves.

Workers and their families protesting for severance payments on Tuesday

56-yr-old commits 2 remanded for Brazilian suicide at Golden Fleece miner’s murder

A

56-year-old housewife from Lot 8 Golden Fleece Public Road on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) reportedly committed suicide on Tuesday after suffering from prolonged mental illness. Dead is Dewantie Rampersaud whose body was discovered by her husband around noon on Tuesday hanging from a rafter in one of their bedrooms.

Information received indicates the deceased was living with her husband and two grandchildren in a wooden and concrete house. The deceased husband, Doroop

T

Rampersaud, said he last saw his wife alive around 09:00h on Tuesday.

After the shocking discovery was made, an alarm was raised and the Police was summoned. There was no mark of violence on the deceased body. The body

was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital where doctors pronounced her dead after which her body was transported to the Suddie Funeral Home where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

wo men held in connection with the death of the Brazilian miner who was found murdered in February of 2016 at Fish Creek, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) was on Tuesday taken before the Bartica Magistrate’s Court slapped with a murder charge.

Phillip and Fidel Williams were not required to plead to the capital charge which stated that on February 9, 2016, they murdered Naldinho DeCosta Souza.

They were both remanded to prison and were scheduled to return to court on January 10.

Reports are DeCosta Souza’s throat was slit when he was attacked by four men.

Following investigations, a wanted bulletin was issued for Fidel Williams, who was implicated in the murder by his close relative, who is presently serving a prison sentence at the Mazaruni

Remanded: Fidel Williams

Prison for a robbery offence.

On Tuesday last, Fidel Williams was caught by lawmen and reportedly confessed to being one of the four men who was involved in the incident.

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Camp St Prison unrest

Teixeira blasts Ramjattan for poor leadership T

he Parliamentary Opposition spared no effort in criticising Government and laying full blame on their feet for the disastrous Camp Street Prison fire and unrest which took place last year.

Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, who moved a motion in the National Assembly on Wednesday, claimed that the law enforcement officials were unprepared and ill-advised.

“The issue is leadership and acting responsibly. You give leadership and you didn’t on that day. None of you! And I am not going to blame the prison and army and police. I am not!” she told the Government MPs in the House.

The motion written

by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill calls on Government to launch a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the unrest and make new changes to the local prison system.

Teixeira, a former Home Affairs Minister, told the House that law enforcement officers are not to be blamed for this incident, since the buck stops at the Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan.

The Opposition Chief Whip said as head of the country’s security sector, he ignored numerous warning and signs before the unrest, and essentially failed to act to prevent the disaster from happening.

“The situation was completely unavoidable…You (Ramjattan) sat on your laurels and did nothing!” she posited, noting that the matter could have been handled in a much safer and efficient manner.

Teixeira contended that the Minister should have been made to resign since the first disaster at the Camp Street Prison in 2016. But even more so, preventative measures should have been put in place following the 2016 unrest that killed 17 prisoners at the same Camp Street penitentiary.

She explained that following the 2016 unrest, a COI made several recommendations which were not implemented

by Government to avoid such a situation from happening again.

The Opposition MP noted too that during the COI, another riot erupted and yet, the Government failed to take precautionary measures to ensure the situation did not reoccur.

Reference was also

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

made to the Inter American Commission on Human Rights statement which urged Government to take action to protect prisoners’ right and address overcrowding situation.

She also blasted the Minister and the entire Government for its poor direction and leadership after the incident which eventually resulted in the escape of an additional 13 inmates at Lusignan Prison.

The Opposition Chief Whip pointed out to the House that the motion was put off for almost five months but the questions are still relevant since the Government has remained mum on how they went about addressing the issues and still have multiple questions to answer in this regard.

“And I believe that the issue of non-disclosure, of not telling the people of what is going on and the reluctance of this Government to hold everything to you is so extraordinarily dangerous for the nation’s public safety and is also undemocratic,” Teixeira argued.

The Opposition feels that this incident highlights the Government’s incompetence in handling matters of national security and as such wants the administration to take full responsibility for the incident.

She said, “These events and the ineptitude of the Minister and in fact the entire Government, these events are an indictment of your collective inability to address the issues of security and public safety, to manage our economy, to bring the good life to our people.”

Teixeira continued, “No matter which way you twist it, these were the worst incidents that have ever taken place in our prison system. The worst that have taken place in the Caribbean and Latin America. The

burning down of an entire prison…It is important and we have to stop pretending that this is just business as usual.”

The Government, she said, came into office with a campaign promise that they had the answers to crime and se-

curity and committed to fixing it, yet within the past two years there has been an increase in some serious crimes, which includes: murders, robbery, rape, which is showing no signs of letting up.

Meanwhile, Minister Ramjattan while addressing Parliament late Wednesday evening claimed that the Opposition’s arguments were baseless and lacked substance. He also asserted that whatever could have been done in the current circumstances, with whatever resources were available was done to the best.

While he also took responsibility for both the 2016 and 2017 fires, Ramjattan said these incidents do not warrant

him to resign from his position as minister. “I said I am responsible.

I’ve always said that and I hold myself responsible, but does not mean because you’re responsible, mean resignation.”

While calls have been made to launch a COI into the 2017 prions unrest and fire, the Minister said the Government will stick to its initial promise to have it done when the two remaining escaped prisoners are recaptured. “At this point in time, we will not have an inquiry. Until such time that these prisoners are recaptured, it is not going to be done,” Ramjattan told the House.

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Don’t allow Govt and GuySuCo to drive you into a state of hopelessness …Armogan tells mourners at Rose Hall estate field supervisor’s funeral

Residents and colleague sugar workers bidding farewell to Joseph Mohabir during the funeral service B y A ndrew C armichael

R

egion Six C h a i r m a n David Armogan is calling on residents of East Canje and its environs to brace themselves for difficult times ahead.

Speaking at a funeral service for the late Joseph Mohabir on Sunday, Armogan urged the community to unite and support each other. He said suicide is not the answer.

Mohabir, 38, was found hanging from a rope by the neck at his Lot 51 Reliance, East Canje, Berbice Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) home on Old Year’s Night.

It is believed that the GuySuCo field supervisor took his life after the estate’s closure made him feel unable to cope with the fact that he would no longer be able to provide for his family.

Workers attached to the estate were given termination letters which stated that their last day of work was Friday, December 29.

On Old Year’s Day, two days after his service was terminated, Mohabir was found hanging. At his funeral service, Armogan said a difficult two and a half years lie ahead. He added that committing suicide, turning to drugs, alcohol or violence is not the solution to the problem facing the community. “We have to brace each other and support each other, and we have to remain strong; because,

in two and a half years’ time, most of you will still be alive.

Therefore you have to continue to go on with your lives. This period is going to pass.”

He told the mourning family and supporting friends and colleagues of the dead estate worker and their families that at the end of the next two and a half years, the good times will return.

He urged them to take note of what has been happening, saying that they should not allow the Government and GuySuCo to drive them into a state of hopelessness.

Several hundred villagers attended the funeral of Mohabir.

Since his death the community had come together in support of the affected families.

Addressing the displaced workers, Armogan noted that in communities with high levels of unemployment, as is the case of East Canje now, there will be more crime and illiteracy. “Because children cannot go to school, you will have more prostitution, alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and all sorts of problems in the home.”

Armogan is advocating that Government provide some form of social Assistance, so that the affected families could receive needed counselling. “Because a lot of them have taken it to heart and they can’t deal with it,” he added.

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Stabroek Market gets solar powered lights T he Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), over the past few weeks, has installed 12 solar powered street lights around the Stabroek Market square area.

The eastern facade of the Market was also outfitted with energy-efficient lights.

According to GEA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Mahender

Sharma, the project cost some G$9,611,000.

“This project is in keeping with the Government of Guyana’s ‘Green Initiative’, which is in keeping with the Agency’s vision to provide reliable energy in an environmentally, socially and sustainable framework,” Dr Sharma noted.

Head of the Project, Kenny Samaroo, ex-

plained that LED technology was more efficient than fluorescent (CFL) technology, and the change would result in an almost 50 per cent reduction in energy consumption.

Moreover, Samaroo noted that based on the existing street lights tariff, the 12 solar powered street lights will result in annual energy savings of

Stabroek Market square

about 4205 kilowatt hour (kWh), resultant annual cost savings of about G$184,170 and 2523 kilogram of avoided CO2. The computed simple payback period, when compared to a similar installation using utility powered 80W LED lamps, is six years.

The second component of the intervention will result in annual energy savings of about 19,710 kWh, resultant annual cost savings of about G$1,321,950 and 11,826 kg of avoided CO2. The computed simple payback period is 1.6 years.

“The initiative was in keeping with the Agency’s mandate to carry out research into all sources of energy, including those sources presently used in Guyana, for the generation of energy and securing more efficient utilisation of energy and sources of energy…,” Samaroo explained.

Another component of the project was the replacement of the 750 compact fluorescent lamps that lined the eastern facade of the Market, with 7-Watt LED bulbs.

The lights are controlled by a light sensitive circuit, which switches the lights on in the evenings and turns them off at dawn. As part of the energy conservation features of the initiative, the technology dims the lights by 50 per cent when motion is not detected and it returns to 100 per cent brightness when motion is detected.

One advantage of the systems, Samaroo added, is that the lights are not powered by the utility, thereby avoiding the use of fossil-based energy from the grid and the associated costs.

The GEA will continue to monitor the installations and provide technical support and maintenance.

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Cocaine laced hammocks: Woman gets 3 years jail, fined G$18M

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Left: Tiffany Collison and the four hammocks

he Guyhoc Park woman who attempted to post four hammocks saturated with cocaine through the Eugene F. Correia International Airport in September of 2017, was on Thursday sentenced to 3 years in prison and

fined G$18 million when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Tiffany Collison initially pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read in court on October 3, 2017. However, at the end of the trial, she pleaded guilty before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

Her charge alleged that on September 20, 2017, she attempted to traffic 6.742 kilograms of cocaine.

CANU’s Prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford de-

tailed that under her mother’s identity, the accused attempted to post four hammocks via DHL shipping.

However, the hammocks which were destined for the United States were discovered to be laced with cocaine by a CANU rank at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

As such, a wanted bulletin was issued for Collison who days later surrendered to CANU with an Attorney.

CDC, UNESCO kick off Youth engagement for Community Disaster Risk Management Programme

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he Civil Defence Commission (CDC) through funding to the tune of US$15,000 from the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) has commenced the implementation of the pilot Youth Engagement for Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Project in three regions across Guyana.

According to DPI, the project, which is geared towards promoting disaster risk management awareness among youths while ensuring their active involvement in DRM, will focus on a total of three secondary schools in DemeraraMahaica (Region Four), East Berbice- Corentyne (Region Six) and Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo (Region Nine).

The first implementation is being done with 30 Grades Seven to 10 students from the St. Ignatius Secondary School, Region Nine from January 9 to 12, 2018. These students represent 15 indigenous villages in Region 9. The St. Cuthbert’s Secondary School in DemeraraMahaica and Vryman’s Erven Secondary School in East Berbice-

Corentyne are the other schools that will benefit from this project, which is expected to run throughout 2018.

The training places focus on the training of facilitators, an in-school training programme with selected participants and the implementation of a micro-project.

Acting Director General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, in an invited comment, said that the two agencies recognised that much education and awareness can be achieved through the tutelage of youths and as such, the idea for the training was born.

Mr. Craig said that it is the expectation that those exposed to the training can become agents of change for the organisation as Guyana, the Caribbean and the rest of the world continue to grapple with the effects of climate change, global warming and an increase in natural disasters.

Coming out of the training sessions, Mr. Craig said that each of the targeted schools is expected to implement a disaster risk management project at the end of their training, DPI said.

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

The Flaws of the Exxon Contract – Part 1

By Charles S Ramson, Attorney at Law, Oil and Gas Consultant

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resident David Granger, as leader of the Government of Guyana, is ultimately responsible for re-negotiating the contract with ExxonMobil – a contract which will see Guyana missing out on earning well in excess of US$10 billion more, or over GS$2 trillion Guyana dollars more in revenue. This article is the first in a series of articles which would seek to identify how Guyana lost out in the re-negotiated contract with ExxonMobil, and in so doing, argues that this is the consequence of the APNU-AFC government’s determination to “go it alone” by excluding the political Opposition from assisting in the development of the oil and gas sector at this stage of its infancy.

The contract with Exxon will trap Guyana for decades to come, even after the APNU-AFC loses power a la the situation with GT&T’s 40-year monopoly of Guyana’s international voice and data traffic awarded by the PNC in 1991, which has severely restricted the liberalisation of the telecommunication sector in Guyana for decades, causing Guyana to have some of the highest telecommunication rates in the region.

In fact, Article 32 of the contract with ExxonMobil, which the APNUAFC government has signed, has already trapped Guyana, since it states that there can be no re-negotiation of the contract unless ExxonMobil agrees. This, it goes without saying more, is flaw number 1, and will see not only the lost revenue amounting to billions of US dollars from the unfavourable fiscal terms of the contract, but the loss of an opportunity for another Government to correct the flaws in the now extant contract.

It is important for readers to understand that ExxonMobil is a company and not a charity, and the governing principle for any company is to maximise shareholder value.

Any deviation from that principle by any officer of a company is a serious dereliction of duty, likely to result in termination. This means that ExxonMobil is obligated to seek to obtain the best deal possible for its shareholders all around the world.

It is also the job of any officer of ExxonMobil to seek to persuade the people of a nation they contract with that the deal was a “fair deal”. Exxon has essentially acted exactly the way it should act, and its shareholders should congratulate their negotiating team because they were able to obtain a pretty good deal on their behalf.

On the other hand, it is the job of Government, as agents of the people of a country, to get the best deal possible on their behalf. Comparative facts on bargaining position evince definitively the Government’s profound asymmetry of expertise, information, and financial resources when compared with ExxonMobil. Before Exxon and Mobil merged, it was originally Standard Oil, founded by John D. Rockefeller in 1870 (the source of wealth of one of the wealthiest families in human history – Rockefellers) while this is Guyana’s first experience with commercial quantities of oil. ExxonMobil’s revenue for 2016 was almost US$220 billion, while the entire wealth of Guyana for 2016 was US$3.5 billion, making ExxonMobil’s

Guyanese must play part in promoting Mashramani to the world …says Coordinator

Charles S Ramson

revenue about 65 times larger than Guyana’s entire GDP. This naturally creates what in law and economics is referred to as an “inequality of bargaining power,” and will almost never result in Guyana getting a “fair deal”, judged from the perspective of the Guyanese people, unless oil and gas is treated as an apolitical issue.

The political Opposition, the PPP/C, through its leader Bharrat Jagdeo, has wisely affirmed the position that the nascent oil and gas sector needs to be treated as apolitical, but the APNU-AFC Government has paid lip service to this notion of “working together,” and the re-negotiation of the contract with Exxon was a perfect perennial example of how the APNU-AFC Government’s words do not match its action. If the APNU-AFC Government was serious about treating oil and gas as an apolitical issue, then it would have engaged the PPP/C, as the political opposition, and involved them in the process of re-negotiating the contract with ExxonMobil.

Flaw 2: Long exploration period and minimal relinquishment requirement The Stabroek Block is one of the largest in the world at 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres), yet the contract requires ExxonMobil to relinquish only 20% after the first renewal period (which adds up to 7 years), with a long exploration period (10 years) and a light work commitment (1 well in year 1 to 4, and one additional well in each of the subsequent three-year extension options).

When one considers the size of the Stabroek block, the propitious geology of the Stabroek block, combined with the less favourable geology coming from some of the drilling logs from the other blocks, the current value of the quantity already found (around US$220 billion) with the likelihood of becoming bigger, the fact that Guyana is the second most prospective oil and gas basin in the world, the possibility of the serious de-emphasised use of oil in the next 30-40 years, Guyana will end up losing billions of US dollars in exploration and production investment, auctioning rounds, signature bonuses, and the high possibility of discovered oil which will never get an opportunity to see the light of day when it becomes uneconomical to produce.

Part 2 will seek to highlight further flaws of the contract with ExxonMobil, which could have been avoided had the Granger government not been so myopic in its approach to re-negotiation. There is an old African saying: if you want to go fast go alone, but if you want to go far go together.

G

uyanese are being called upon

by Mashramani Coordinator Andrew Tyndall to take ownership of the country’s National celebration observed on February 23.

Tyndall, during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), said that given the symbolism of Mashramani – a celebration after hard work and the date on which Guyana gained the status of a Republic – it is a festival not only for the participants but for all Guyanese.

“We have worked hard as a people and we have come a long way, (it is) our 48th anniversary. Let us come out and celebrate and let’s take ownership of Mashramani,” Tyndall stated.

According to the Coordinator, Guyana has adopted several cultur-

al aspects from other countries; hence he is advocating that Guyanese do the same and promote Mashramani to the rest of the world. Tyndall explained “we need to also develop our own culture so that we could export that culture to the world. Mashramani is ours, we have to own it! Mashramani is only going to get better when all Guyanese come on board and recognise that it is something that belongs to us and we all have a responsibility for its development.”

Tyndall reiterated his call for Guyanese to come out in their numbers and support Mashramani. He opined, for the festival to be a success, it cannot be left to the Ministry’s planning committee or just the participants to achieve this goal.

Advanced ICT training school to open soon

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Public telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

he Centre of Excellence in Information Technology, an advanced Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training school is expected to be commissioned March 2018 at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen campus.

The Centre will provide training that “bridges the gap between the Public and Private Sector,” Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes explained in a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI). “We have several individuals in the Public Sector that need retraining and constant upgrading to skills, but also it provides training that the Private Sector needs.”

According to the Minister, the agreement for Technical Cooperation signed between UG and the Ministry

involves educational development, which this centre is ideally designed to deliver.

The sum of G$144 million of G$4.696 billion of the National Budget will see this project being established, with assistance from the Government of India and the eGovernment Agency.

The National Data Management Authority (NDMA)/eGovernment Unit and UG will share educational resources, especially in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.

The University will share its teaching resources while NDMA will provide the necessary expertise when needed. ICT-based research, Operations Research, Ideas to keep the ICT Legal and Regulatory Framework up to date, ICT Project Management, and Data and Communications Networks and Enterprise Solutions in support of courses on the curricula will be shared.

Minister Hughes disclosed that there would be two trainers from India on one-year contracts who would be instructing the students and sharing their knowledge with local trainers.

The Centre, the Minister explained, is one step closer to preparing Guyanese to deal with the training issues. “It will be from a basic introductory level up to programming, to the development of apps.”

The objective is to “prepare citizens and the Public Sector for training that is relevant to the services that we are talking about providing”, Minister Hughes said.

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‘I stood up for a just cause’ – Edghill University Dean,

By Michael Younge

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pposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Juan Edghill says he is “made of steel” and does not feel sanctioned in any way by the Government’s move to have him suspended from the National Assembly following a much-publicised incident which saw the Speaker describing him as “out of order”.

Edghill, speaking with Guyana Times International recently, said the PPP/C knew that there was, what he described as, “a diabolical plan” afoot to have him silenced through coercion and bullyism, and he vowed to not be pressured or bullied by any political party or the Speaker of the National Assembly while representing the people of Guyana.

“I don’t feel any way sanctioned so to speak by not being able to attend Parliament. If that is the intent of the Speaker and the Government, they have failed miserably. I feel honoured because my cause is a just cause and that just cause has been known by people locally, regionally and internationally. I have been unable to an-

PPP/c MP Bishop Juan Edghill

swer all the calls, emails and other forms of communication of support that have come from lawmakers, church leaders, social activists and ordinary citizens, because what led to my suspension was bringing to public notice the unwillingness of Government to allow for transparency and accountability,” he explained.

Edghill said that while he believed in following established rules and parliamentary principles, standing up for what was just and right would always take precedence in his book. He recalled the ruling of the Speaker that he was “out of order” before disclosing that “he did not mind being out of order because he was advancing a just cause”.

“I never contested the Speaker’s ruling…I will abide by the so-called punishment but look at it from this perspective, if Rosa Parks had given up her seat, you know what would have happen to blacks and the civil rights movement today?”

Edghill contended.

He said he was cognisant that the Government engineered the controversy so that his character may be maligned, but the incident has backfired on the political pundits in the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) camp.

Addressing the issue of the apparent extension of his suspension which should have ended last month, the PPP/C parliamentari-

an said that the motive was clear. He relayed that the Speaker’s unilateral decision to interpret the motion moved

by Government’s Chief Whip Amna Ally spoke volumes.

Speaker Dr Barton Scotland and Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs wrote Edghill last week explaining that he could not attend Wednesday’s sitting of Parliament because there was some confusion as to when his suspension actually took effect. This is despite the fact that Ally’s motion was quite clear on the date when the suspension would end.

But the letter said that the suspension took effect from the 80th sitting even though Edghill was barred from entering Parliament on the 79th sitting.

Edghill believes that this was deliberately done because he would have to address Parliament when it would meet on Wednesday, as the first order of business on the order paper was a motion which he submitted on the fatal Camp Street Prison fire and fiasco.

“This is an attempt to interfere with the motion being debated and silence continued on page 23

friend attacked by gunmen in brazen robbery

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ean of the College of Medicine at Texila University in Guyana, 38-year-old Krishna Mohan, along with his friend, 26-yearold Nandha Kishore, were on Saturday afternoon stopped by gunmen

ceeding along the road in motorcar PTT 570 when two perpetrators, who were standing on the roadway armed with a gun and a sharp instrument, stopped them.

As Kishore began to enquire what the matter

while proceeding along the East Bank Demerara (EBD) road, and robbed of over G$200,000 worth of cash and valuables.

The victims, both of Lot 565 Montrose Street, Continental Park, EBD, were attacked at around 13:15hrs on the Continental Park access road. Details surrounding the incident indicate that the two were pro-

was, the two men quickly boarded the car and held the two at gunpoint.

The men then quickly relieved both Kishore and Mohan of their cash and valuables before making good their escape.

The matter has been reported to the Police, and a search operation was launched in the area, but an arrest is yet to be made.

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British expert returns as SOCU advisor …despite questions over his remit

A glass of wine

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Dr Sam Sittlington

espite previous complaints from the main political Opposition party in Guyana, the People’s Progressive Party, UK white collar crime expert Dr Sam Sittlington is back for another stint working with the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

This was made known from a missive sent out by the United Kingdom High Commission office. In the missive, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn invited media operatives to a “meet the press” day on January 9, where Dr Sittlington will be introduced as a financial investigations mentor and advisor to SOCU. F o l l o w i n g Sittlington’s initial appointment, SOCU, in a bold move, had arrested and questioned a number of top officials from the previous Government.

Among those arrested and questioned were former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, and former Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon.

Other former Government officials questioned included former Prime Minister and former President, Samuel Hinds; former ministers Priya Manickchand, Irfaan

Ali, Clement Rohee, Robert Persaud and Dr Jennifer Westford.

One commonality with their questioning was that it was in relation to property purchased at the Sparendaam seawall area on the East Coast that is commonly known as “Pradoville 2”.

While the current Administration contends that the transaction is a criminal act because of the belief that the land was sold below market value, the PPP has argued that subsidised housing has always been a part of the legacy of the People’s Progressive Party, and that countless Guyanese have benefited from lands sold below market value.

No further action was ever pursued against these former officials, and the arrests prompted resounding cries that the executive has been giving orders to SOCU to attack former Government officials as part of a witch-hunting exercise. Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had threatened charges against former Government officials just one week before SOCU arrested some of the former officials.

Two days after these events, Ramjattan, along with SOCU Head Sydney James and Dr Sittlington, had a rendezvous at a popular city café, and were seen clinking glasses in an extremely celebratory atmosphere in the dimly lit establishment.

Ramjattan later confirmed to Guyana Times International that he and the SOCU officials had been having some drinks at the popular spot, which usually is not opened to the public after dark. According to Ramjattan, he had gone to “have a glass of wine” with the SOCU officials as they celebrated Dr Sittlington’s work in Guyana, since the expert had been due to leave soon.

Motive

At a subsequent press conference, Jagdeo had questioned the motive behind the gathering, noting that “to drink wine immediately after arrests were made warrants a fullfledged investigation”.

According to the Opposition Leader, given that the coalition Government has launched several Commissions of Inquiry, President David Granger should do the same with regard to this matter, since it threatened the country’s independence and dignity.

Questions have also been raised about whether or not Sittlington was operating under the auspices of the British High Commission in Guyana, and his role in SOCU. British High Commissioner Quinn had said that Dr Sittlington was “at SOCU in an advisory and training capacity, and not in an operational role.”

‘I stood up for a just ...

from page 22

me from speaking in the Parliament.

However, I have since handed over the motion to our Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira,” Edghill revealed.

Asked whether he had concerns about the Speaker’s impartiality in the future when it came to him, given the recent incident, Edghill responded in the negative, but not before explaining his reason for adopting such a stance.

“The Speaker is not my political enemy. I am an elected representative of

the people of this country. The Speaker cannot share those same sentiments. I will not be getting into a fight with the Speaker. He is a mere conduit of the wishes of the Government, so whether he can be described as impartial or not is for the citizenry to decide,” the Opposition MP explained.

He said that the incident which was meant for evil has resulted in good for him.

‘Guyana received a bad deal’ …Gaskin says of Exxon contract

By Samuel Sukhnandan

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s part of the new agreement signed with U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil, the Natural Resources Minister will have to file the company’s tax returns with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), something outspoken political analyst and economist Ramon Gaskin has described as “foolish!”

According to Gaskin, this agreement which the Government signed on to makes the Government look silly in the eyes of many, and only puts the Minister (Raphael Trotman) in a bad situation, where he has now become the oil company’s “water boy”, who has to provide a receipt of payment to the company at the end.

“The tax return to the GRA must be filed by the Minister because he is the ‘water boy’ and ‘messenger boy.’ And he has to show a receipt from the Commissioner General that the taxes have been paid in full… he takes to Exxon and says, ‘boss, here is the receipt; I paid it’,” the political analyst said.

The new contract states that ExxonMobil and its partners shall provide the Minister

Political commentator and economist, Ramon Gaskin

with its income tax returns, to be submitted by the Minister to the Commissioner General of the GRA, so the Minister can pay income tax on behalf of ExxonMobil and its partners, as provided for under Article 15.4.

Another contention raised by Gaskin is that Government has not named the individuals who negotiated both the 1999 and 2016 oil contracts on behalf of the Government. While they have said that a team from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission was responsible, no one has been named.

But, more importantly, Gaskin, a trained lawyer, told Guyana Times International last Sunday that both ExxonMobil and the Government are in breach of the laws gov-

erning this sector. He noted that the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act sets out the provisions for companies operating in this sector.

He has said that while it is noted that a prospecting licence for exploration in Guyana allows the oil company to get more than 60 blocks, in the case of ExxonMobil, that company has more than 600 blocks.

“This is ten times the amount allowed by the laws of Guyana.

ExxonMobil has 60,000 square kilometres of territory — 12 times the size of Trinidad and 40 times the size of Barbados,” Gaskin claimed.

And he pointed out that while this same law stipulates that each company is allowed only 10 years maximum to explore for oil before they have to leave, Exxon has been here for close to 17 years now.

Gaskin maintained that Exxon’s “prospecting licence was up since 2009, and according to the Petroleum Act, they should have left already.

Both the old 1999 and new agreement signed with ExxonMobil violates the laws of Guyana in many areas, and that continued on page 24

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Ramkarran warns of increased poverty, crime due to closure of sugar estates

Former Speaker of the House, Ralph Ramkarran, SC

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uyana is on the cusp of becoming an oil producing nation, but there are immediate socio-economic issues that must be addressed. And chief among them is the potential fallout from the sacking of thousands of sugar workers as Government moves ahead with its divestment programme.

This is according to political commentator and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran. In his recent writings, Ramkarran has urged that the Government not lose focus of its immediate priorities … ensuring that the vacuum created

from massive unemployment is not filled by poverty and crime.

“The dismissal of thousands of sugar workers will intensify poverty and crime across Guyana, particularly in the areas affected by the closures. Communities will deteriorate, drug taking and alcohol abuse will intensify, and the economy will suffer from reduced spending. All of this will impact negatively on economic growth for 2018,” he stated.

“By the time divestment concludes and some job opportunities emerge, the damage to the communities and their inhabitants would

already have occurred.

There is no immediate potential investment in Guyana’s economy on a scale large enough to absorb the dismissed sugar workers, or even a portion of them, that will make a difference to their dire situation,” he posited.

He has acknowledged oil’s potential for economic transformation in Guyana, but is urging persons to temper their hopes for the future with the realities of today.

Ramkarran noted that any impact the new oil industry would have

tire generation of sugar workers and their families would have traded in a decade of productive labour with a decade of deprivation and poverty.

“It appears that Guyana stands to receive US$300 million a year for the first five years after production commences, and a little over that sum for the twenty years thereafter. The size of Guyana’s economy is US$1.2 billion. This means that Guyana’s economy will increase by one-fifth (its size) as a result of oil revenue.

Estate ended operations, and many workers have since to be paid severance, after refusing to take up employment at Uitvlugt Estate, some 22 miles from the West Bank Demerara estate.

2017 was in fact marked by protests from the workers.

Those workers have been affected, and thousands more family members and those from surrounding villages have also been affected by the impact of the closure. One year after, the retrenchment of nearly 4000 workers at-

In its end-of-year statement, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) highlighted that, come 2018, there would in fact be 5000 sugar workers left unemployed if Wales is factored into the current numbers. The body is of the view that this action will have “serious repercussions” for this year.

Last year, the PSC had even proposed for Government to enter into public-private partnerships to invest in and manage selected estates. Government has remained steadfast that estates at Rose

A gathering of sugar workers from Wales

may be a decade in the making, thus he fears that by this time an en-

“This will be a significant boost, but by no means a spectacular transformation. This figure is probably based on production of 100,000 barrels a day. It may well be that Exxon would produce far more than that amount for various economic reasons. While all of this is in the future, Guyana has pressing economic and political problems that require immediate solutions,” Ramkarran cautioned.

Sugar workers

As early as December 2016, Wales Sugar

tached to Rose Hall, East Demerara and Skeldon Estates was revealed, and those employees have expressed fear of facing a fate similar to what their former colleagues at Wales faced, who are still awaiting their outstanding packages.

Many civil society bodies and other interest groups have been urging the coalition Government to rethink the closure of estates, and to implement plans that will tackle the welfare of workers.

Hall, and Enmore will cease operations, while Skeldon would be privatised. Meanwhile, only three would be kept in operation – at Albion in East Berbice, Blairmont in West Berbice, and Uitvlugt on the West Coast of Demerara.

In light of this and the potential impact on the operations of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), that company has since submitted an expression of interest (EoI) to Government for the potential purchase of one of the sugar estates.

‘Guyana received a bad...

from page 23

should be noted.” He contends.

Having read the entire agreement, Gaskin says he is now of the opinion that Guyana received a bad deal, one even worse than some African countries, including Angola, had received.

“When you read the agreement…Who is going to pay compensation for damage to the environment in cases of a spill?” he questioned.

“There is nothing in the oil contract about insurance, expect that ExxonMobil is self-insured. “So if they destroy the (fishes, marine life) out there, you will have to go to him and make your claim (the same guy who just did it).

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

However, in the African agreements, the oil company is required to hire an independent international company to do the assessment, and not to self-insure.

“While it should be a legal requirement to provide a performance bond and guarantees, we allow them to provide them-

selves (Exxon), rather than from an independent financial institution or bank,” Gaskin pointed out.

Another issue raised

by Gaskin is the provision for site visits. “The Minister has to give a seven-day notice, and also pay for his own expense and transportation. We should have people out there on the rig every day, seeing what’s taking place to guarantee that what we are getting is fair.”

The Commonwealth Secretariat has been advising the Ministry of Natural Resources since 2013 on the legislative and institutional reforms required to regulate Guyana’s emerging oil and gas industry.

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Former soldier denies murdering ex-boyfriend’s mother

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Abiola Jacobs being escorted by prison officers at the High Court on Tuesday

12-member jury was empanelled before Justice James Bovell-Drakes at the opening of the Demerara Criminal Assizes on Tuesday to hear the case of Abiola Jacobs, who denied that she killed her estranged boyfriend’s mother, Donna Taylor, over the differences she had with the woman’s son.

Jacobs, who was a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Private at the time of the woman’s demise, entered a not guilty plea when the murder indictment was presented by State Prosecutors Lisa Cave and Mandell Moore.

According to reports, the then 55-year-old Taylor,

a housewife, was attacked on January 31, 2014 while in bed after 23:00h. Her throat was slit after she was dragged to the back of the Agricola, East

Murdered Agricola housewife, Donna Taylor

Bank Demerara flat that she rented. Her hands were also bound, and she was found by a neighbour lying in a motionless state.

Taylor’s overseasbased friend, who was staying in the upper flat, Samantha Sabatt was injured after she jumped from the window of the two-storey house when persons invaded the Lot 1617 Agricola property.

Taylor’s cause of death was given as shock and haemorrhage due to incised wounds compounded with blunt trauma to head. Jacobs, of 55 Evans Phillips Park, Agricola, was arrested by Police just days after the woman’s attack and was subsequently charged with her murder.

At the opening of the trial, Taylor’s son, Bertum Taylor Junior, testified to the relationship he shared with Jacobs and to the events that led up to his mother’s demise.

About 14 witnesses are expected to testify during the trial. The accused woman is being represented by defence counsel Adrian Thompson.

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pond.

These photographs depict a few of the Rupununi petroglyphs.

The markings on the rocks are highlighted with white chalk so the image can be easier seen. Unfortunately, decay of these prehis-

toric artefacts is becoming more rapid and is of great concern to the national heritage.

Weathering is a dominant cause of decay in most cases, whilst in some cases the rock being in a water body poses a

challenge for conservation. In contemporary times the greatest challenge however, is the damage caused by persons who have no care for such heritage items. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Fairview (North Rupununi) - The petroglyphs are on the bank of the river (Essequibo) in the Iwokrama reserve. Again, because of the erosion by water, these petroglyphs are becoming less distinct. A number of rocks are marked, one is depicted here.

B y L ennox J H ernandez

P

etroglyphs are picture-writing images (pictograms - a pictorial symbol for a word or phrase; or logograms - a sign or character representing a word or phrase) created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, or abrading. Petroglyphs are found worldwide and the term is usually used in the context of prehistoric peoples.

Guyana has its own

petroglyphs and these are strong evidence of human presence here as much as 7,000 years ago (our Indigenous peoples). The late Dr Denis Williams (19231998) is still our greatest exponent on this subject, culminating in his posthumous publication, “Prehistoric Guiana”.

Williams defined three types of petroglyphs in Guyana: the Enumerative or Aishalton type; the Fish Trap type; and the Timehri type.

Later, he discovered what he determined was a sub-type of the Enumerative Type which he named the Cuneiform Type.

Simply put, the Enumerative Type gives an account of prehistoric events, while the Fish Trap type is associated with a severe drought in South America about 4,000 years ago – this particular petroglyph represents types of fish traps, indicating the type of fish that are found in a nearby

Sand Creek - The Petroglyphs are on the bed of the Minisaruwau River, a tributary of the Rupununi River, and are easily seen in the dry season, but not so easily depicted because of erosion over the centuries.

Music cart vendor to spend 10 years behind bars for murdering friend

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Aishalton - Because of the shape of the rock itself and the markings made on the surface, this rock is known as the Alligator (the name “Caiman” would be correct).

Rupunau - According to the villagers, the petroglyphs on this rock signify the journey of people by water, similar to the Aishalton rock. It also enumerates the animals which lived in the rivers such as turtles, snakes and fishes. The rock is about 1.7 metres (5 ft 5 ins) high.

wenty-nine-year-old, Quincy Messiah, who in November of 2014 murdered his friend following an argument, was on Wednesday sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the crime by Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court.

After considering the facts of the case presented to him by State Prosecutors, Tiffini Lyken, Abigail Gibbs and Natasha Backa, Justice Singh told the accused, a former music cart vendor, that no excuse can justify his actions on the fateful day of November 28 2014, when he murdered Trevor Ragabeer.

Both men, Messiah and Ragabeer resided at Lot 9 Camp and Durban Streets, Georgetown.

On the day of the incident, the men had an argument over a hammock which was being used by both of them, when Ragabeer reportedly made a comment about Messiah's mother.

Messiah’s mother was killed in front of him at the age of 7.

This reportedly angered him (Messiah) and as such, he took up a knife and dealt Ragabeer several stabs about his body, killing him.

Attorney for the accused, George Thomas told the Court that because of the trauma faced by his client at a young age, when his mother was murdered in front of him, Messiah was unable to get over his past which resulted in his actions on November 28.

He begged for leniency reminding the Court that the accused has accepted ownership of the crime that he committed.

Messiah told Justice Singh that he

Quincy Messiah

was sorry for his actions and revealed that he was affected mentally.

He further revealed that since his imprisonment, he has been taking anger management classes.

Prosecutor Gibbs however objected to leniency being granted to the accused noting that a lack of education, a troubled past and growing up without a mother cannot be used as justification for taking a life.

Justice Singh in making his deliberation said that he noted that the accused did indeed have a troubled past which triggered him when he was told about his mother by Ragabeer.

He recommended that Messiah receive special counselling.

He then sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment with time served to be deducted.

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Cocaine in plywood Duo in hot water over alleged attempt to bribe CANU rank

Rajesh Kissoondyal, called “Paddle”

T

wo men, one of whom is charged for conspiring back in 2016 to trafficking 48 kilograms of cocaine concealed in plywood, are in hot water after they allegedly attempted to bribe an officer attached to the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU).

The men have been identified as Rajesh Kissoondyal, called “Paddle”, 47, of Lot 12 South Section Canal Number 12 Polder, West Bank Demerara, and Shamkumar Hariprashad, 38, of Lot 67 Alliance, Canal Number 12 Polder.

Kissoondyal was hauled in for questioning in connection with the drug find two years ago at Lot 37 Yarrowkabra, LindenSoesdyke Highway, East Bank Demerara. He was arrested by CANU ranks while at a funeral last week. However, while in custody, it is alleged that he, along with Hariprashad, made the offer to the anti-narcotics agent for the former’s release.

They were both charged for attempting to pervert the administration of the law and arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.

The charge stated that the defendants on January 5, 2018 at Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, with intent to pervert the administration of the law under the Provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Chapter 10:10 offered CANU

Shamkumar Hariprashad

Officer Lyndon Thompson the sum of G$1, 495,000 for the release of Kissoondyal, who was in custody pending an investigation into a trafficking narcotics allegation.

They were both remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and were scheduled to return to court on January 25, 2018.

M e a n w h i l e , Kissoondyal was additionally slapped with the offence of facilitating the trafficking. He is being accused of knowingly or having reason to believe that between April 1, 2016 and April 21, 2016, he handled parcels, packages or other things, that is to say, sheets of plywood containing narcotics – 48.554 kilograms of cocaine – with a view of procuring the commissioning of trafficking in the said narcotic. The 47-year-old man was remanded to prison following his arraignment by Magistrate McLennan.

He will also return to court on January 25 on this offence.

In court, Kissoondyal’s and Hariprashad’s Attorneys made unsuccessful bail applications.

The almost 50 kilograms of cocaine was unearthed on April 20, 2016, when agents from the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) Drug Enforcement Unit, along with the Port Control Unit, were examining the consignment of plywood at Yarrowkabra.

The consignment of 5/8 inch plywood was destined for Florida, USA.

It was reported that during the examination process, anomalies were detected; hence, a decision was taken to search individual sheets of plywood, 320 in total. Upon checking, the cocaine was stashed in neatly carved holes in the plywood.

The GRA officials had become suspicious of the contents of the consignment based on the behaviour displayed by the consignee’s representatives during the examination process. The men were reportedly trying to hurry up the examination process, claiming that they needed to get the shipment out as soon as possible.

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uyana Premier is a young company, but one that is surely making its mark in communities. Led by its mission to empower youths and communities, Guyana Premier believes that “the key to true empowerment is through self-elevation and making the most of one's education at a tender age is essential to this since good buildings are built on strong foundations”.

That belief is what the energetic team at Guyana Premier lives by and is what motivates them to want to give back to society.

In July 2017, the marketing brand held its annual ‘Back to School Drive’, providing supplies to 250 underprivileged children living in rural Guyana.

Later in October 2017, it was Guyana Premier who claimed the runner up position in The ScotiaBank Vision Achiever Live Business Pitch Competition.

In December 2017, Guyana Premier reached out once more in keeping with their promise to empower youths and enhance education by hosting their first annual ‘Medical/ Dental Outreach and Christmas Cheer’. On December 16, 2017 the team of young entrepreneurs and volunteers journeyed to East Berbice to bring much-needed medi-

cal and dental care to the children in specific areas. Also in keeping with the Christmas season, the children present were treated to a ‘Christmas Cheer’, which involved a packed programme with food and gifts.

The team took to Belvedere Primary School where 70 children were identified as coming from particularly disadvantaged homes in the community and invited to be a part of the day’s activities. Their families were also allowed to join as a few activities planned were family oriented.

A team of three doctors were present and were able to talk to the children and their parents, after which they were provided with essential medical and dental supplies. In addition to this, the mothers who were present were given the opportunity to learn more about the various forms of cancer and the importance of early screening thanks to the presence of Bibi Sheonarine and the Sar&B Foundation.

Free pap smears were also provided to those who were willing to be screened for cervical cancer.

What’s better than learning about your health and how to take care of yourself? Having a little fun while doing it of course, which was

Children display gifts received from Guyana Premier

exactly what the children were treated to.

As soon as they had finished with the doctors, all of the children came together for an afternoon of cheer and merry making.

Snacks were aplenty and it was evident from the glee in the children’s faces that they were truly grateful. After lunch, there was a brief talent show, and gifts were finally distributed to all of the children present.

There was not a sad face in the room that afternoon.

When asked what prompted him and his team to want to give back, chief operations officer of Guyana

A few members of Guyana Premier spreading Christmas cheer last year

Premier, Dave Lalltoo said, “It was a promise that we just had to keep and we couldn’t be more pleased.”

The team, consisting of Guyana Premier’s Marketing Executive, Omesh Balmacoon, its Events Coordinator, Yohlanda Kerr and its volunteers, Oslene Bailey, Dr. Joshua Ramah, Dr. Sara Scott, Dr. Afua Alder were all joy on the day as well as they interacted with the parents and children.

The team also expressed much gratitude from a number of businesses without whose support none of the activities would have been possible. These

included: ScotiaBank Guyana, Java Coffee Bar, Branderz Guyana, Shermol Cleaner Services, Hallmark Guyana, C&L Construction Company, The Outdoor Store and Pet Shop, New GPC, Vish Pharmacy and Bibi’s Halal Corner and the Guyana Medical Relief.

In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Dave mentioned that for 2018, Guyana Premier will be targeting 1,000 underprivileged children for its ‘Annual Back to School Drive’, which also entails a ‘summer’ workshop for 250 children. The main aim is to enhance art and

craft, while at the same time empowering children to be creative.

“Also another big thing is Guyana Premier will be partnering with Sar & B Nonprofit Foundation and Gicing Hope Foundation to do fundraisers in order to offer free pap smear and cancer screening to Guyanese especially in disadvantaged communities. This will be done continuously,” Dave noted.

For more information, visit Guyana Premier on Facebook.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

One of the volunteer doctors works to create a better society via Guyana Premier

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A bygone era immortalised in cherished photos M

emories of British Guiana, specifically from 1959 to 1961, are forever cherished in timeless photos by Philip Llyn-Jones, a contactor from England who came to work here in Guyana.

The photos tell of a time when Georgetown was a “Garden City” and people enjoyed the simplicity of life.

Llyn-Jones’s daughter Pauline Grimshaw generously shares his photos with Sunday Times Magazine.

In an interview with this publication, Grimshaw recalled that her father worked for a small British construction company near London; he was a quantity surveyor. The company he worked for in London was contracted by Sprostons Ltd of Georgetown (she presumes) to help with the aluminium smelter con-

RH Carr midstream

Troubled by…

S

British Guyana Fire Brigade (left) next to Stabroek Market

struction, which may have been completed in March 1961.

“We would have arrived approximately two years before that, in 1959. On completion of the work we went back to England where my father spent the rest of his working life. My mum, dad, my younger

brother and I came to British Guiana. My father enjoyed the experience of living and working in another country.

He had been overseas during World War 2 and he worked in the merchant navy immediately after the war for about two years. He loved the bush and borrowing a

Land Rover sometimes at weekends to explore.

He also liked the river and the RH Carr,” Grimshaw recollected.

Grimshaw and her family lived at Watooka.

She had her first trip on the RH Carr (a Britishbuilt steamboat) when she was eight years old.

Her father had taken several photos of the steamboat as it worked on the river.

“I was eight years old when we arrived and ten years old when we returned to England.

I went to a Canadian school in Watooka, now part of Linden. We travelled on the RH Carr from Georgetown down to Linden (which we called Mackenzie) as there was no road then,” Grimshaw reminisced.

While in British Guiana, Grimshaw enjoyed travelling on the RH Carr. Although she cannot remember much about the steamboat, she relies on her father’s photos to help jog her memory.

Reminiscing on life in British Guiana, Grimshaw said she remembers the “tropical flowers, swimming, kiskadee birds, the sun, blue sky, fabulous clouds, the bauxite trains behind our house and the Cannonball trees”.

Grimshaw returned to Guyana with her husband, John, and took many photos of the now derelict RH Carr on the Demerara River in Linden, which have sparked interest overseas to “save and preserve” the vessel.

Philip Llyn-Jones died in 2005 at the age of 85. Grimshaw remembers her father to be a “keen photographer” who even developed and printed his own photographs (though not while he was in British Guiana).

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

…Gas pains

eems there’s no end to the troubles Trotman inflicted, not just on Guyana, but on even his Cabinet colleagues — with his bumbling venality on the oil and gas contract he “renegotiated” with ExxonMobil in the Stabroek Block. Ever since the cover was blown on the peanuts he accepted as a “bonus” on the 3.5 billion bbl of oil and counting, it’s been nothing but damage control.

After the giveaway on the oil, it’s becoming clearer every day that the situation on the gas is even worse! The Minister of Public Infrastructure’s been given the task of yanking Trotman’s size six shoes out of his mouth. You know what they say about shoe size! But Trotman so loves to keep his mouth pursed, it’s almost impossible!! First of all, even Trotman couldn’t change the fact that the contract was a “Production Sharing Agreement”.

Meaning Guyana keeps ownership of the oil and gas and SHARES A PERCENTAGE WITH THE OPERATOR – here ExxonMobil.

Now who in their right mind would give the Operator the “right” but not the “obligation” to process the gas after it uses whatever it needs to generate power for its FPSO and inject back into the field to push up more oil and gas? Trotman did; so we know he wasn’t in his right mind. Prospects of engorged bank accounts does have a tendency to make folks bassidy!! As everyone — even consumers — knows, ever since the US started exploiting its shale reserves, the market for petroleum gas has collapsed. Ask TT about it!! They were the US’ biggest supplier of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) until the US burst THAT bubble! From being an importer, it became the biggest supplier of LPG to the world — even as the price fell to less than ONE QUARTER of its old price.

So what Trotman allowed Exxon to do with its “right but not obligation” is to enter the gas market if prices were to rise. In the meantime, it’s off the hook since Trotman gave it five years to submit a development plan for gas – while it pumps oil in two!! And unlike what Patterson’s said, Exxon doesn’t have to bring the excess gas to our shore from the FPSO. And not so incidentally, Exxon isn’t giving gas FREE at that point – we OWN all the oil and gas!!

Now Patterson should know that a pipeline from a hundred+ miles off shore plus a liquification plant don’t come cheap. We’re talking about BILLIONS in US dollars!! And with our market for LPG being so small, we’ll have to export the excess?

With markets being primarily China and India… how will we ship it? …unguarded cemeteries Some may say derisively that Town Clerk Royston King is full of “it”, and from the report on his latest initiative, he seems determined to confirm those accusations. Imagine, the man proposed to have guards placed at the Le Repentir Cemetery. No… he wasn’t daft enough to try to justify that move by claiming he was protecting the good citizens of Georgetown from “jumbies”. For that he’d have to bring in the “Jumbie Busters”- of which Guyana has plenty. They call themselves “obeamen”!

No…King said he was guarding against desecration of the tombs and such like IN the cemetery. Now your Eyewitness doesn’t have anything against the dead; but as someone who has need to be in Georgetown EVERY day, he wishes the Town Clerk would deploy some more Town Constables to guard against the desecration of the living!! And he’s not even talking about things like robberies and holdups.

What else but “desecration” would you call what goes on at the bus park?? …Granger’s judicial pick?

Why is anyone surprised President Granger ignored his expert panel’s recommendation for the Chancellor’s position based on experience, legal knowledge, management skills, etc?

That’s just their perception against the President’s. And we know whose perception trumps!!

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

AG shifts blame on delay of Law School on CLE Chairman

I

n an attempt to provide some clarity on what may have led to the delay in Guyana acquiring the permission to set up a law school, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams has now shifted blame on Chairman of the Council of Legal Education (CLE), Reginald Armour.

While Williams insists that the CLE had in 2017 given Guyana approval to establish this school, he said Armour had principally stated that the Council should defer the establishment of more law schools.

There are presently three laws schools in the Caribbean offering the Legal Education Certificate (LEC). These are the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica, the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago, and the Eugene Dupuch Law School in The Bahamas. The AG told a press conference on Monday that Armour had placed the issue of

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams

whether Guyana had received approval for the establishment of a local law school on the CLE’s agenda last year.

According to him, a press statement was also issued in this regard without the Council’s approval.

But more than that, Williams is alleging that former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, was behind Armour’s move to put the matter on the agenda. This, he

Linden Hospital now offering urological services Dr Brian Niles

argued, was an unprecedented move, since the CLE Chair did not consult with him, but rather with an Opposition member.

Further, Williams asserted that such a move taken by a treaty organisation could have implications for the Chairman. As such, he hinted that Guyana could perhaps take this matter to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to have that body consider Armour’s perceived handling of this issue.

“We don’t know what the motivation of Mr Armour (was), but certainly I don’t believe he is acting in a manner in which a person who is a custodian of a member organisation should; because, as far as I know…the agenda is set by people in the sitting Government, and not people from the Opposition,” he posited.

He continued, “If this Chairman continues to act in the manner in which he is acting

Council of Legal Education (CLE) Chairman Reginald Armour

— against the interest of Caricom — we would have to take the matter to the Heads (Heads of Government) again; but I am not sure Guyana (would) be comfortable with such a person remaining in office to chair this organisation.”

The AG went on to state that the CLE Chairman’s action is unheard of, particularly coming from a person in an international public service organisation “… and we are wondering

whether it would be in our interest for the person to continue (serving in that capacity).”

Williams also reiterated that a Review Committee cannot overrule a decision taken by the Council in 2017 in regard to the issue.

The Attorney General had, in early December 2017, said in a statement that the CLE Chairman was relying on a report of a Review Committee to state that the CLE never gave permission to Guyana to establish its own Law School after decades in the belief of the Guyanese legal fraternity.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall had queried if graduates of this proposed law school would be eligible to practise anywhere else in the Caribbean or the world, or whether graduates would be qualified to practise only in Guyana.

He also questioned the quality-control scrutiny, or steps taken to

verify and authenticate the academic integrity and standards of the partners that would be assisting Guyana to set up the school.

Government, in January 2017, announced it would start a project to establish the JOF Haynes Law School of the Americas. The project comes after some two decades of lobbying for an alternative to the three existing laws schools currently servicing the Caribbean region.

The JOF Haynes Law School is being established through a publicprivate partnership entered into 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).

The feasibility study for the establishment of the School here is yet to be conducted.

Hinterland residents to be trained in aviation T

T

he Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) at Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is now offering urological services, which cater for both medical diagnosis and surgical procedures.

The services, which commenced at the Hospital last November, are currently offered in the second week of every month, from Monday to Thursday, targeting both males and females.

Medical services are being provided by Urological Surgeon Dr Brian Niles.

Speaking with Guyana Times International, while the clinic was being held on Monday, Dr Niles said one of the most common issues dealt with currently was prostate diseases such as prostate cancer and prostate enlargement. Others include urinary retention commonly called “stoppage of water” due to enlarged prostate, kidney stones and sexually-related issues including impotence, erectile dys-

function, pelvic pain, total and urinary incontinence.

According to Dr Niles, the urology clinic has, so far, received great support from members of the community.

His first surgical operation since the commencement of the clinic was scheduled for Tuesday last.

Dr Niles further pointed out that there were challenges such as the unavailability of prescription drugs and equipment. With regard to the former, he noted, however, that there were pharmacies within Linden where the drugs were available if they were unavailable at the LHC. In relation to the lack of equipment, he said, this is still the discovery stage; therefore; the Hospital’s management is working to have those on board.

“We’re working with the hospital administration now to get the equipment on stream as soon as possible,” he said.

he Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is expanding its training to include hinterland residents being trained as air traffic controllers.

One of the Authority’s 2018 projections is the training of a minimum of 20 hinterland residents as air traffic controllers.

Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Egbert Field, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that hinterland residents would benefit from this training exercise.

Field explained that the air traffic control programme will commence by April of this year. “A new course will start, and we will be targeting some of the outlying regions when it comes to applicants for the training course,” he disclosed.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan had, in his 2018 budget speech, announced that Government was negotiating with a multilateral donor to secure a US$15 million loan, to finance a project under which the Lethem airstrip would be upgraded into a regional hub and international aerodrome.

Field has said that

GCAA Director General, Lieutenant Colonel (ret'd) Egbert Field

with this venture coming on stream, the GCAA would be training new air traffic controllers in order to address the current shortfall and have an adequate number of officers in place.

“At the moment, our capacity doesn’t allow us to do inspections, so this will assist us in not only relieving the shortage which we suffer from right now, but also assist in the movement of aircraft in the Lethem region,” he advanced.

The DirectorGeneral emphasised that as the aviation sector prepares to enter a

new phase, the authority is ensuring that hinterland communities are not left out.

Guyana’s Civil Aviation Training School (CATS) received its accreditation last July, enabling it to offer courses approved and recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

With enhanced equipment and the new state-of-the-art, threedimensional simulator, it is also the aim of the GCAA to conduct several courses this year.

The Authority is in the

process of enhancing and upgrading all the facilities in the school, so that students’ training requirements can be satisfied.

“This course, which will start in April, will be the first for this year; and in the last half of the year, another course will be done. We’re in the process of shortlisting students to undertake the course. At the same time we’re running introductory courses, we’re also upgrading our air traffic controllers in air control and other courses they need to do,” Field said.

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Preserving our literary heritage by Petamber Persaud

For the Love of Books, Part Two the evolution of Guyanese culture from the days of colonialism and slavery to the present time.

Part one of this article featured the following books: ‘The Indentured Servants from Bengal to Bush Lot to Belize’ by Karan Chand, ‘Karma Curry’

by Jerry K. Durbeej, ‘Stories set in two Countries’ by Madan M. Gopal, ‘Red Coconut: Bridging the Racial Divide’ by Habeeb Alli, ‘Junta: The Coup is On’ by Ken Puddicombe and ‘Guyanese Writers of Indian Ancestry’ by Petamber Persaud.

We, lovers of literature, can say goodbye to 2017 – the year marking the centennial end to indentureship and the second year of International Decade for People of African Descent - with satisfaction, knowing that some of the books published in this year will follow us into 2018 while others will stay with us decades beyond.

From its inception, the book was treated with respect, even with awe, for man valued the book very highly with regards to its potential as a tool of education and instruction, as a repository for storage and retrieval of information, as a custodian of traditions and languages, as a forum for art and entertainment, stimulating the imagination and improving memory, a source of inspiration, among other usages. And the book has lived up to expectations even in its new forms and formats.

Below are some of the books that crossed my desk during 2017:

Aspects of European-Guyanese Heritage” compiled and edited by the Guyana Heritage Society et al.

This book contains 43 aspects of European/Guyanese heritage showcasing the influence on and contribution to the country via the Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, French and British through specialist scholarships on architecture, language, religion, foods and beverages, discovery and exploration, flora and fauna, his-

“National Bibliography of Guyana” by the Ministry of Education/GOG

Sister Noel Menezes with her book, 'Guyana and the Wider World' (GINA photo)

tory of wars and colonisation, sugar and slavery and a cursory mention to indentureship.

The book was a collaborative effort among three entities, namely, the European Union, National Trust of Guyana and the Guyana Heritage Society, all of which are deeply involved in the safeguarding particular parts of and, by extension, the world’s heritage.

West Indian history and literature” by Frank Birbalsingh

This very useful document contains 88 reviews of books by eighty-one authors, of which more than one-third are women writers. The themes explored are wide-ranging with far-reaching effects, coming from way back in the past and reaching into the present, including exploitation, incoherence and innovation, psychological mimicry, identity, universal transience, emigration and the diaspora, divisions in race, colour and class, independence and its aftermath.

And the scope of coverage/ scholarship extends to numerous countries, all with varying cultural, social issues and

political backgrounds, even though all of these countries share a commonality in sugar, slavery, indentureship and colonialism.

Guyana and the Wider World”

by Sister Noel Menezes

This is a collection of articles written and addresses made by Sis. Menezes covering a variety of interests, including education, religion, indigenous issues, Portuguese in Guyana, short histories of educational institutions and a few biographies.

Sr. Menezes is the author of several books including Goodall's “Sketches of Amerindian Tribes”, “British Policy towards the Amerindians in British Guiana, 1803-1873”, “The Amerindians and the Europeans”, “Amerindian Life in Guyana”, “Scenes from the History of the Portuguese in Guyana”, “The Portuguese of Guyana: A Study in Culture and Conflict”.

“The Guyanese Culture - Fusion or Diffusion?” by Rudy Insanally

This is another insightful scholarship by a career diplomat with panache for languages. The book attempts to trace

The “National Bibliography of Guyana” is a very ambitious and commendable production despite a few lapses.

The foreword written by Ms. Debra Lowe gives a background to the compilation and eventual completion and publication of the current national bibliography. Ms. Lowe writes that the compilation of this national bibliography “has a long history which began on the 9th October 1945 when His Excellency the Governor, Sir Gordon Lethem K. C. M. G. appointed a Committee for the purpose of ‘compiling and publishing a Bibliography of British Guiana’.” Almost five decades later, Dr. James Rose enters the picture during his tenure as Chairman of the National Library and ViceChancellor of the University of Guyana making overtures to the National Trust and the Department of Culture to complete the bibliography.

Eventually, the project gained impetus as part of plans for the celebration of Guyana’s Golden Jubilee of Independence when “the idea… was presented to the National Commemoration commission as a marquee Jubilee Project and it was readily embraced”.

Subsequently, in 2015 a new committee was formed, leading to the document that is now in the public’s domain.

“Mahaica Belle Rings” by Collette Jones-Chin

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

Responses to this author please telephone 226-0065 of email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com What’s happening: Over GYD$1,000,000 in prize money up for grabs in the 2018 issue of The Guyana Annual. New closing date for entries to the various competitions is January 15, 2018. For further information go to The Guyana Annual on Facebook or email: theguyanaannual@ gmail.com (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Economic…

L

…genocide?

incoln Lewis earned his trade union spurs in the bauxite industry, and no one can accuse him of not representing bauxite workers above and beyond the call of duty. As General Secretary of the TUC, he accused the PPP of committing “economic genocide” against the bauxite workers after 1992, even though the industry had been brought to its knees by the PNC after they nationalised it in 1970. Just before the PNC demitted office in 1992, it had split the Linden operations from the Berbice ones in preparation for an IMF-mandated privatisation programme.

The African-Guyanese bauxite workers were the mirror image of the mostly Indian-Guyanese sugar workers in their political support — respectively PNC and PPP — and went to the extent of even naming their town after Burnham (“Linden”). In 1992, as the PNC started firing workers at Linden, Lewis successfully negotiated a “retrenchment” package for them.

But after the PPP took over the privatisation programme, Lewis specifically identified the bauxite workers as “Africans,” and introduced a racial slant to his accusations of “genocide”. This became even more incendiary after ethnic violence broke out between 1998 and 2008. There’s no question the bauxite workers were hard hit by the firings of private entities that were brought in; but the PPP did administer a multi-billion-dollar Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP), funded by the EU, that was designed to make the fired bauxite workers independent.

LEAP worked with CIDA, GO-Invest etc to foster new economic opportunities and create a revolving credit fund — LEAF. By 2009 when the LEAP programme ran out, the PPP government funded and launched its own Demerara Enterprises (DEN) to continue LEAP’s activities. Yet, Lewis kept up his “economic genocide” accusations.

The shoe, of course, is now on the other foot with sugar. The PNC-led government didn’t even follow its CoI’s recommendation to wait 3 years to privatise the troubled industry, and then have the new owners do the firings. They unilaterally sacked 5700 mostly Indian-Guyanese workers, but WITHOUT ANY PROVISION OF ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT! Two fired workers have already committed suicide, and social despair has overwhelmed Wales – closed a year ago. But your Eyewitness has a question for Lincoln Lewis, the alpha trade unionist. While, to his credit, he’s pointed out and criticised the PNCled government for their callousness towards sugar workers — and even pointed out the POLITICAL implications — he’s studiously avoided labelling the firings as ECONOMIC GENOCIDE. But yet, from his OWN statements about the PPP and bauxite workers, a far stronger case can be made for so describing the tragedy in the sugar belt.

Isn’t “genocide” for the (Indian-Guyanese) goose the same as “genocide” for (African-Guyanese) gander? …giveaway rationale?

Guyanese are slowly, but surely, waking up to the enormity of the sell-out of their oil patrimony by Raphael Trotman. Today, an economist who can’t be accused of being “PPP” — in fact, he played a key role in bringing about the APNU-AFC wedding — calculated that Guyana should’ve received a bonus of US$238 million, rather than the paltry US$18 million. This is almost a QUARTER OF A BILLION IN US GREENBACKS that was lost to Guyana’s development!!

More to the point: a fraction of this could’ve been used to stabilise the sugar industry, while a more humane exit plan was designed and implemented to save the tragedy unfolding in the lives of sugar workers. After all, that’s what a bonus in the oil and gas industry is all about; it’s an accepted method to get revenues up front. Which could’ve been available even before the closure of Wales.

But the PNC wouldn’t have passed up on a bigger bonus just to destroy the PPP’s base, would they? …conundrum Chris Ram, a most qualified analyst, lawyer and accountant, commenting on the oil contract signed (you can’t call taking dictation “negotiation”!) by Trotman, said new announcements of oil discoveries should make us “weep, not rejoice”.

We’re just reminded how Trotman pimped away our wealth!

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SOCU overwhelmed with over 300 cases – British expert

By J arryl Bryan

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ith questions raised about the Special Organised Crime Unit’s (SOCU) effectiveness in bringing successful cases against those it is pursuing, British white-collar crime expert Sam Sittlington has revealed that SOCU is inundated with forensic audits. Despite this, however, some of his proposals to lighten the workload are not being implemented.

Sittlington made this revelation during a press conference hosted by the British High Commissioner, Gregory Quinn, on Tuesday, officially announcing his return. The Advisor, who had worked with SOCU last year in a

similar capacity, lamented that recommendations like hiring inhouse legal counsel for SOCU and special prosecutors to assist the Police Legal Advisor (PLA) are languishing in much the same way as some of the cases he left.

“I do not make decisions on behalf of SOCU,” Sittlington related. “(But) there’s a number of recommendations I made last year, which although approved, have not yet been implemented. The five special prosecutors that we have also have private practices so they are conflicted between two different areas.”

“Ideally, we want one good lawyer in SOCU who can work

UK High Commissioner Greg Quinn (left) and white-collar crime expert Sam Sittlington

with the cases … they can finalise a case be-

fore it goes to PLA (Police Legal Advisor)

or DPP [Director of Public Prosecution] to try to quicken that actual process of getting that case to court,” Sittlington noted.

The Advisor also noted that conflict sometimes arises between the PLA, the DPP and the special prosecutors. At the end of it all, Sittlington acknowledged that undue delays were unfair to those being investigated from a human rights perspective.

He noted that he could meet with these individuals and institutions, in order to mediate a way forward.

Asked point blank whether PLA, Justice Claudette Singh, was being reluctant in pursuing cases, Sittlington expressed disagreement.

Sittlington pointed out that with only four forensic audits resulting in court charges, SOCU presently has to deal with 26 forensic audits that could result in over 300 cases.

Of these, he said, an estimated G$170 billion could be at stake.

In addition, Sittlington revealed that SOCU is handling a number of referrals from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

Ramifications

Quinn, who accompanied Sittlington during the press conference, explained the ramifications for Guyana seeming soft on money laundering cases. According to Quinn, the United Kingdom while providing assistance to the Government could not do everything.

“All we can do here is providing guidance, mentoring to a fundamental part of Guyana’s ability to be anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism,”

Quinn explained, noting that this is something everyone should be concerned about.

“Because if Guyana is not seen to be addressing (money laundering), that has (a) potentially significant broader impact to Guyana’s standings globally, not just in the financial market, but also as to how other countries around the world see Guyana,” Quinn related.

In a previous interview with Guyana Times International in September of last year, SOCU head, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sydney James, had made mention of cases being delayed. He had revealed that since being handed over 20 forensic audit reports, the Unit had managed to complete investigations into three of these matters.

Those matters were their investigations into Pradoville 2, the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) and the Commonwealth Reports for which former Attorney General Anil Nandlall was charged.

James had noted that SOCU’s other investigations were still a work in progress. He had revealed that in some cases they were awaiting legal advice.

Pressed on the delay, James questioned whether he had the authority to find out reasons for the delay from the Police Force’s Legal Advisor.

F o l l o w i n g Sittlington’s initial appointment last year, SOCU in a bold move had arrested and questioned a number of top officials from the previous Government.

These arrests were in connection to property purchased at the Sparendaam seawall area on the East Coast that is commonly known as “Pradoville 2”.

While the current Administration contends that the transaction is a criminal act because of the belief that the land was sold below market value, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had argued that subsidized housing has always been a part of the legacy of the People’s Progressive Party, and that countless Guyanese have benefited from lands sold below market value. No further action was ever pursued against these former officials and the arrests prompted resounding cries of ‘witch-hunting’.

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Pouring water from the Krishna River

By Indrawattie Natram

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rowing up, I had travel to many places in the Caribbean and North America, but one country that has always been captivating to me is India. Colourful and diverse, India is definitely a must-see destination – one I was fortunate enough to cross off on my bucket list.

With a population of approximately 1.3 billion people, this country needs to be experienced with all the senses. The spice-filled air when entering the markets, tasting the myriads of flavours of Indian cuisines or admiring the neat tea-leaves filled hillsides, my time in India was truly a magnificent experience.

I was given one of the most golden and prestigious opportunity through the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India 44th Know India Programme. The programme’s main objective is to familiarise the Indian Diaspora youth, age group 1830 who have contributed positively to the development of their country, with the land of their ancestors. The programme provides a unique forum for students and young professionals of Indian origin to visit India, share their views, expectations, experiences and to bond with contemporary India.

The 44th Know India Programme saw 40 participants from nine countries, namely Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, Mauritius, Myanmar, Guyana, Israel, Malaysia, South Africa and Suriname.

The first and last phase began with participants exploring the capital city, Delhi, by visiting historical monuments, religious locations, universities, NGOs, industrial sites, cultural training institutions, and learning the art of Yoga.

Delhi, which is considered the soul of India, can be easily differentiated from other states due to its usual hustle and bustle. On arriving in India, the lights of the city were enthralling. My tours included visiting the Jama Mosque – which was built in the 17th century and is known to be one of the largest and well-known mosques in India. The mosque is flanked by Red Fort on one side

and the old city of Chandni Chowk on the other.

Other interesting places visited were Red Fort, Raj Ghat (which lies on the banks of the River Yamuna), Humayun's tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan (The President House), Akashardham Temple, National Museum, Laxminaryan Temple and the Lotus Temple.

One of the locations I felt more privileged to be at is the Akshardham temple. The architectural design is indescribable. The Hindu temple complex displayed millennia of traditional Hindu and Indian culture, spirituality and architecture.

The Akshardham experience was truly an enlightening journey through India's glorious art, values and contributions to the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind.

Taj Mahal

I then visited Agra, a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India.

Agra was truly inspirational. It is home of one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal symbolizes the love of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Taj Mahal is adorned with white marble cladded with the finest ex-

At theTaj Mahal

ample of the Mughal architect, a style that combines elements from Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish, and Indian architectural styles.

Andhra Pradesh

The second phase of the trip was a visit to Andhra Pradesh, one of the 29 states of India.

There I was able to experience the different cultures in Viyayawada, Rajahmundry and Visakhapatnam.

Visiting this state was monumental for me because it is where my ancestors came from and resided. Andhra Pradesh has major cultural landmarks including Triumala Venkateswara Temple, an ornate hilltop shrine to Hindu Vishu. Its beaches are pristine and the people were hospitable. The team on arrival were greeted to tassa drumming and draped with fresh rose garlands.

My visits also included Telegana, one of the largest states in south India known for its hospitality and mul-

The India Gate

ticultural and pluralistic society; Hyderabad, the capital city and the fifth largest city in India; and some wonders such as Char Minar, Faluknama Palace, Chowmahalla Palace, Qutub Shahi Tomb, Golcoda Fort, Warangal Fort and Thousand pillar temple.

With its phenome-

nal, ancient buildings, history, delectable cuisines, India was an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. Blessed with natural beauty and biological diversity, India has much to offer tourists, students and those who are seeking to connect with their ancestry.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Women’s Wednesdays Guyana

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o m e n ’ s Wednesdays G u y a n a (WWG) is a weekly web-based broadcast in which conversations surrounding the experiences of women are done. The conversations often bridge the gaps between race, class, gender, and sexuality and how they all relate to the Guyanese experience.

WWG was born out of the formation of a Caribbean alliance of activists. This alliance came about following the Life in Leggings Regional Caribbean March. WWG’s host, Akola Thompson, was the organiser for the Guyanese leg. Guyana participated in this march along with eight other Caribbean coun-

A

tries united in the fight against sexual harassment and violence. Out of the alliances formed, activists from across the Caribbean began collaboration with each other and sought sustainable ways to do their civil society work.

Bahamian rights activist, Alicia Wallace last year began a monthly-based broadcast called ‘Women's Wednesdays Bahamas’.

Recognising the importance and need of such platforms in Guyana, Akola contacted Alicia and shortly after began the creation of ‘Women's Wednesdays Guyana’.

Currently, WWG is streamed live from its Facebook page. The reason for having a live programme, ac-

t a time when many cultural forces continue to stand in the way of women pursuing careers in the science and technology fields, Dr. Shabana Amanda Ali is proving to be a great role model for young female scientists.

A self-professed “multidimensional student of life”, her work speaks volumes of her level of commitment to the field of research science. After witnessing the decline of her grandmother’s health due to osteoarthritis, Ali decided to dedicate her career to finding a solution for the debilitating disease.

In an interview with Ali done by Guyanese Girls Rock, Ali talks about her b a c k ground, passion for research,

Women's Wednesdays Guyana host Akola Thompson (right) and founder of Equality Bahamas and Women's Wednesdays Bahamas, Alicia Wallace

cording to Akola, is so that viewers are able to ask questions in real

and the significant contribution she is making to the STEM field.

Ali said her family moved to Canada from Guyana when she was the age of two. She has since returned to Guyana twice, where she still has relatives and the house where her father was raised.

Currently residing in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Ali completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Toronto in 2007. She then pursued a PhD in Medical Science, also at the University of Toronto. After completing her PhD in 2014, Ali completed her first Postdoctoral Fellowship at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. She is currently pursuing a second Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University Health Network in Toronto.

“I am a scientist pursuing research in arthritis, a degenerative disease of the joints that causes pain and disability. My approach to research is unique since I have a background in both basic science (analyzing genetically modified mice) and applied research ( c o n ducting interviews with a r thriDr. Shabana Amanda Ali t i s

time and have them answered.

However, WWG is currently look-

ing into other more effective ways of streaming and maintaining its programme due to several constraints and glitches within the current working model.

“While we only began our broadcasts in October 2017, the response to it has been exceptional and a bit surprising. Many are happy to have a platform where they can learn and discuss issues that are too often considered ‘taboo’. So far we've covered several hot-button topics such as gender-based violence, abortion, postpartum depression, rape and sexual health and pleasure.

The topics discussed on Women's Wednesdays are not meant to be limiting and as such

patients). I have dedicated the past 10 years of my career to discovering the underlying causes and potential treatments for osteoarthritis,” she noted.

Her inspiration behind pursuing her field is due to her passion for knowledge. A career in research has allowed Ali to maintain a persistent quest for knowledge.

She is excited to go to work each day knowing she will learn something new, that she is surrounded by extremely talented people, and that her research might improve the care of arthritis patients.

“I chose to focus my research on arthritis because I watched the toll this disease took on my grandmother. Suffering from arthritis for over 40 years now, she has lost much of her function and independence. Unfortunately there is no cure for osteoarthritis and this truly motivates me to do what I do – improve the way in which arthritis care is delivered in order to prevent others from having to go through what my grandmother goes through daily,” the doctor recalled.

Ali has received multiple awards over the course of her studies, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Kirkley Postdoctoral Fellowship in Musculoskeletal Health Research and Innovation in 2015 at Western University. She has also received over $100,000 in competitive awards and scholarship in support of her research over the past 10 years.

The award-winning scientist’s long-term goal is to have an independent research programme with an interdisciplinary focus on arthritis. She plans to use her

vary widely,” Akola explained in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

As an activist and advocate, Akola said her job usually deals with her having to provide information. However, audiences are often limited, so the messages resound in an echo chamber.

Platforms, such as WWG, give activists a direct link to a larger audience.

Akola’s hope is to build WWG into an easily accessible information hub for Guyanese men and women at home and in the diaspora.

For more information, visit Women's Wednesdays Guyana on Facebook. (Guyana

Times Magazine)

Sunday

unique skillset to bridge gaps between basic science and applied research in order to improve translation of research findings from laboratories and clinics into communities. Ali believes that the breadth of experience she brings to her work, from both her professional and personal life, gives her the capability and motivation to achieve this goal.

In addition to her research, Ali is an active volunteer with the Arthritis Society in Toronto. She also recently authored a scientific article titled: “Evaluating the design and reporting of pragmatic trials in osteoarthritis research, published in Rheumatology, Volume 1, Issue 1”.

Her encouragement to youths is: “I would share with others some truly valuable advice that was once shared with me (by a random older woman sitting at the table beside me in a food court) – don’t be discouraged. When you encounter people (or even your inner voice) telling you that what you’re trying to do can’t be done, use it as motivation to prove them (or yourself) wrong. Work hard, stay focused, and surround yourself with people who inspire you to be your best self. Be positive and collegial with everyone you encounter, because in science as with many careers, your network will help you succeed.”

You can follow Dr. Ali’s journey on twitter @Amandality as she continues to make huge strides in her research to find a cure for osteoarthritis.

For the full interview with Dr. Ali, visit http://guyanesegirlsrock.com (Guyana Times Sunday

Magazine)

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Aerial view of Saddle Mountain Ranch (Photo from www.bushmasters.com)

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ocated three hours south of the border town of Lethem, through rivers and remote land, lies Saddle Mountain.

Saddle Mountain is the backdrop to a Guyanese-owned working cattle ranch.

Days at Saddle Mountain Ranch are spent riding horses, rounding up cattle and relaxing while taking in the fresh, sweet air of the savannah. There is also a small creek nearby for a cool dip.

Though there isn't any electricity, phone or mobile coverage, and things are Saddle Mountain Ranch

quite basic at the ranch, a small solar-charged battery provides lights in the evening, and a water pump in a well provides running water to the house.

Visitors of the ranch can also climb Saddle Mountain, a tough, but short climb.

The view from the top really puts it in perspective how in the middle of nowhere the ranch really is.

For birdwatchers, a trek to the mountain might provide an opportunity to see the four-inch Red Siskin bird. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine) Saddle Mountain is said to be culturally and spiritually significant to the people living in its vicinity (Photo from mike.teczno.com)

Breathtaking landscape of Saddle Mountain

Scenic view of the mountain

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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46 news

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Goldfields announces recordbreaking performance for 2017 spite undergoing four scheduled down days in November 2017 for a mill liner change.

“The operational improvements and capital investments made throughout the year in the mining fleet, bulk emulsion delivery sys-

C

high grade asset and exceptional cash flow generation, Caldwell said.

“We look forward to continuing this strong performance into 2018 by delivering an improved mine plan that reduces overall capital and operating costs and further

sus a total debt balance of US$60 million.

The company plans to issue an updated mine plan, along with 2018 production and cost guidance and an updated reserves and resources statement later in the first quarter of this year.

US$197,000 on community projects and donations to Guyanese organisations.

During October 2017, the Natural Resources Ministry said it was moving ahead to achieve its projected target of 700,000 ounces of

Guyana Goldfields Inc President and CEO Scott A Caldwell

a n a d i a n owned Guyana Goldfields Inc has announced a recordbreaking performance for 2017, with a production of 160,500 ounces at its Aurora Gold mine, which means the company has achieved the lower end of its production target for the year.

The company also had a record fourth quarter with respect to ore tonnes mined, tonnes milled and gold produced. Gold recovery also continued to trend favourably, with gold recovery for the month of December of 92.6 per cent representing the

highest monthly recovery in the company’s history.

According to a report, the Goldfields Inc plans to release the 2017 operational and financial results before market on Friday, February 23, 2018. During that same day, the results and details of its performance will be discussed among partners and interested groups.

President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Scott A Caldwell has said that the fourth quarter was the strongest quarter for gold production in the company’s history, de-

The Aurora mine in Mazaruni Guyana where Guyana Goldfields operates

tem, and logistics haulage fleet are yielding operational efficiencies which are expected to translate to lower unit costs in the fourth quarter,” he added.

To date, Aurora has proven to be strong, with

improves cash flows.”

The Aurora mines are the biggest in Guyana, with the company’s presence helping to push gold declarations to a record 700,000 ounces for the last two years.

The CEO said the company was well-positioned financially to grow near-term production and significantly increase exploration efforts, with an unaudited cash balance of approximately US$75 million at the end of the year ver-

The Aurora mines achieved commercial production in January 1, 2016 which saw output of 151,600 ounces of gold, in line with the company’s upwardly revised guidance of 140,000 to 160,000 ounces.

Since the start of production in August 2015, the company said it has paid US$26.5 million in royalties to the State and purchased US$84.1 million in goods and services from local businesses.

It says it has also spent

gold declared for the year 2017, reporting a 475,202 gold declaration thus far. The National Budget had set a target of 694,000 ounces, but the Ministry was aiming for 700,000 ounces.

In 2016, gold declarations surpassed 700,000 ounces, with a production of 705,820 ounces of gold. All miners were lauded for the recordbreaking declaration for 2016 and were asked to recommit to breaking records again in 2017.

Woman jailed for 12 years for murdering push cart vendor over G$1000

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wenty-seven-yearold Vanessa Baird was handed a 12-and-a-half-year prison sentence on Tuesday after she admitted to killing 43-year-old push cart vendor Percival Williams, on December 21, 2013 over G$1000 at the Parika Stelling, East Bank Essequibo.

Represented by Defence Counsel, Mark Conway, the mother of one, in tears, asked the court to be lenient with her so that she can return to care for her seven-year-old child.

According to the State’s case which was presented by Prosecutors Abigail Gibbs, Natasha Backer and Tiffini Lyken, Williams was given G$1000 by his would-be killer to pur-

chase Chinese food for her and her son. At some point however, she asked Williams, a former Hague, West Coast Demerara resident for the money that she gave him and the two exchanged expletives after he did not comply.

Baird held onto Williams’ jersey and a

scuffle ensued and she then stabbed him in the lower chest area. The prosecution further relayed that the accused in her caution statement admitted that she had taken the knife from another person and committed the act.

Williams immediatecontinued on page 47

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Mo’ radio; Mo’ payoffs

S

atiricus was hoping the new year would see the fellas easing up on his case. Heck, it was a free country, wasn’t it? So what if he’d voted for “change” and had gotten “exchange”? He reckoned his leaders Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat didn’t have any experience in government, and would pick that up in time and do better. At least that was the thought he shared with his friends at the Back Street Bar. “Budday!” exclaimed Cappo. “If dem na gat experience and dem t’ief mo in two year dan de PPCEE t’ief in 23 year, me na wan’ gi’e dem mo’ experience!!”

“I’m not talking about “thiefing”!” said Satiricus huffily. “I am talking about not having experience in negotiating contracts and things like that.”

“So after the Wood Stadium contract, the warehouse contract, the pharma contract and now the oil contract,” asked Hari plaintively as he nursed his beer, “when will they get enough experience?”

“Well at least they gave out more radio contracts like they’d promised,” smirked Satiricus.

“They’re learning.”

“Yea! But wha’ dem l’arn?” asked Bungi, who was listening carefully. “A only dem fr’en who bin gi’e dem money in FUCOP get radio stashan!”

“Trot Man explained that was “political investment” bai!” snickered Hari. “Payback time!!”

“C’mon fellas, give the Government a break!” exclaimed Satiricus. “More radio stations mean more freedom of speech!”

“Suh how come only Mook Lall and de Shart Man get radio sta-shan” asked Cappo. “Goat bite de Stabber News?”

“And de guvment check if dem ‘fit an’ prapah’ fuh run radio sta-shan?” demanded Bungi before Satiricus could answer.

“What do you mean?” asked Satiricus.

“That’s what the law demands – good character!” assured Hari. “People who did backtracking and messing around shouldn’t get radio stations.”

“An’ Sato, me friend, Nagga Man gat nuff experience wid da!” explained Cappo. “Na fuget da bin ‘e jaab wid Chuddi!”

“Na worry, Sato. Yuh guh l’arn,” assured Bungi. “Ev’ry fowl does feed pan ‘e own craw!”

Woman jailed for 12 years for murdering...

from page 46

ly fell to the ground and was pronounced dead at the Leonora Cottage Hospital. His post-mortem examination showed that he died from perforation of the lung and heart due to stabbing.

Reports back then were that Williams had converted the money to his own use.

In making pleas of mitigation, Baird’s attorney observed that at the time of the incident, the woman was encountering financial difficulties being a single parent.

Conway highlighted that his client has reflected on her actions and has

improved her ability to have self-control. The court also heard that the woman now attends church services, sewing and drama classes whilst being incarcerated.

Presiding Judge Navindra Singh, noted that it did not make sense to kill Baird in the manner which he lost his life. He encouraged her to seek out anger management classes as she continues the rehabilitation process. Baird’s time spent on remand awaiting trial will be deducted from her overall sentence.

Don’t go breaking your heart

47

By Anu Dev

“Fast food is popular because it’s convenient, it’s cheap, and it tastes good. But the real cost of eating fast food never appears on the menu.”

-Eric Schlosser

W

hen I first arrived in Trinidad, I was amazed at all the different types of fast food places they had: McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, Pappa John’s, Wendy’s and a whole host of others. At the time, Guyana only had a couple.

And then I came across a 2013 report that Trinidad was the number 1 obese nation in the Caribbean and the 6th most obese nation in the world. Guyana was way, way below them.

Was there a connection between the two facts?

There sure was! And the connection wasn’t just a matter of correlation – it was causation. What had happened was that the First World countries – especially the leader, USA — had wised up to the connection between fast food and obesity, and had started to regulate them.

That, of course, meant paying more attention to any number of factors – which in turn meant less profits.

Just as the cigarette manufacturers had done a few decades before, their fast food chains didn’t

waste any time moving down to the Third World.

In only the last two years, surely, you’ve noticed so many of these joints coming here to Guyana?

In the First World countries, the fast food industry’s being pressured to offer “healthy” options on their menus, and it’s mandatory to display the number of calories in each item of food. Like McDonalds in the States now also offers salads and wraps — never mind that the dressings for the salads probably have more calories than the burgers.

Now, don’t get me wrong: I get the allure of fast food. Who doesn’t?

It’s tasty; a high fat- andsodium content pretty much guarantees that. And of course it’s fast. Lying in my dorm room too tired (and lazy…mostly lazy), to cook, sometimes I give in to the urge to pick up my phone and order pizza.

And fast food’s so much cheaper than healthy food.

When I’m ordering pizza, the person at the end of the line usually talks me into upgrading from a medium to a large pizza “for just $5 more” through some

ongoing deal. I usually end up with a rather unhealthy amount of pizza, most of which I end up having to freeze for later.

I once had to turn down a free large pizza when I ordered a medium one.

The Papa John’s worker seemed to think I was quite daft to turn down a free pizza, but as I tried to explain to her, I really had no need for both a medium and large pizza.

There’re always deals and promotions going on in these fast food places.

I’ve never been offered a free larger head of broccoli when I buy broccoli. And I guess that’s why a lot of people prefer to go the fast food route, even knowing how unhealthy it is. And it’s incredibly unhealthy.

One piece of chicken thigh from KFC has 290 calories, with 190 of those calories coming from fat; and it has 850mg of sodium — that’s 35% of your daily value. And many people don’t just get one piece of chicken; they get fries, soda, biscuits and more chicken.

In school, we’ve covered the systems of the human body and the type

of strain your body goes through when you charge up on these fast foods.

Your arteries get clogged, your heart has to strain to pump blood through those clogged arteries, and you’re more susceptible to developing diabetes, hypertension, or suffering a heart attack.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the prevalence of obesity among adults in Guyana is 16.9%; and that’s pretty low, especially compared with Trinidad’s whopping 30%.

But if we keep on welcoming fast food chains into our country, and boast about it as “development”, we may well end up going the route of Trinidad; or even passing them.

Do your heart a favour and choose wisely when planning your meals. As with anything, moderation is key. A bit of pizza once in a while won’t hurt, but if it becomes habit, that when it’s a problem.

A political problem…

I

…demands a political solution t’s great when you’re the Government, isn’t it? Look at the high-priced Bajan lawyers – Queen’s Counsels to boot! — that Basil Williams just had sworn in to help him out in the “Case of the Foisted GECOM Chair”.

And yes, dear reader, you read that right – the lawyers never practised before the Guyanese Bar, and had to be “sworn in” a couple days before! These fellas don’t come cheap; they’re Bajans!

Now, Lord knows the AG needs all the help he can get. Lawyers, like boxers, are rated by their wins against losses, and Williams has been 0 to 15 as of now!! Why should Guyanese taxpayers pay for Williams’s ineptitude?

He’s AG only because he’s the PNC Chairman, and not so incidentally – as the Mafia would say; he knows where the bodies are buried. Right, Bannuhs?

Your Eyewitness won’t comment substantively on the case, since Justice George-Wiltshire asked that it not be tried in the public arena. Your Eyewitness has the greatest respect for this jurist – even though the Government obviously does not. How could the Government ask her to apply for a position she’s already accepted? The President’s unilaterally advertising for applicants was insulting in effectively rescinding her appointment. Justice George’s professionalism, learning and commitment to the law speak for themselves — since the days when she was a public prosecutor. But maybe that’s the point, isn’t it? How dare she rule against the President’s unilateral decisions to rescind leases to those Region 5 farmers which the PPP had granted?

But returning to the GECOM Chairman’s appointment: this really isn’t a legal matter, is it? The Carter-Price formula was devised to address a POLITICAL problem back in 1992. After the PNC had rigged elections in 1968, 1973, 1980 and 1985, with the connivance of the GECOM chairs — who were all judges — the criteria was broadened to include “other fit and proper” persons.

And more to the point, the lack of trust engendered in the Opposition parties after being cuckolded so

many times, the appointees had to come from a list the Opposition Leader would provide.

This was designed to enforce political compromise, since the Opposition Leader’s list had to include persons whom the President couldn’t object to, and obviously, the former would pick persons not unobjectionable to himself. Of the three lists of six submitted by Jagdeo, it shocked the sensibilities of even PNC supporters that past GECOM Chair and ex-Army General, Joe Singh, was unacceptable to Granger!!

That the matter has reached the courts means the political arrangement has broken down.

The Justices cannot raise this POLITICAL Lazarus from the dead. Rigging is constructively back!! …not an economic one Your Eyewitness isn’t surprised no one in Guyana cares about the tragedy unfolding in Berbice after 4000 sugar workers were fired by GuSyuCo – which is owned by the Government. Actually, it should be “no one in Georgetown cares”…but since to those who matter, for all intents and purposes Georgetown is Guyana, it’s all the same, isn’t it? It’s not just Berbice…Wales’ 1700 were fired last year, and that also didn’t create a ripple!

The President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Mohamad Raffik, however, exclaimed in disgust: “You just cannot send home 4,000 people and you have no alternative.” But Raffik’s premise is all flawed: to the Government, sugar workers were fired and not given alternatives not because they were “people,” but because they were “voters”. The wrong kind of voters: voters who never voted for them, but generally for the PPP. When Jagan was negotiating a coalition with Burnham in the seventies, one of his criticisms was the PNC’s “racial discrimination”.

Burnham replied, “Comrade, it’s not racial, just political!” …gets an economic solution The one “political” problem that can be solved economically is when a POLITICAL investment wasn’t repaid to a media owner — who then exposes the dirt.

The Muckraker’s owner was just awarded a radio licence!

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Anushka Sharma’s new poster will send chills down your spine

Anil Kapoor, Karan Johar, Abhishek Bachchan and others attend Farah Khan’s birthday dinner

F

A

fter a fairytale wedding with Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli in December, Anushka Sharma is coming to haunt us in our dreams in a never-seen-before avatar this Holi. We are talking about Anushka’s upcoming film Pari.

Releasing a brief yet chilling teaser of the film, Anushka Sharma wrote on Twitter, “Sweet dreams guys…” The teaser also reveals the new release date for Pari which is March 2.

The posters of Pari which were released last year had already created a lot of buzz among movie goers.

Anushka’s haunting stare and scarred face was not something one could easily forget. Now in an extended version of the same, the teaser shows Anushka become a bloody and lacerated version of herself. The stoic expression also continues, but with gory red eyes this time. The tagline of the film reads, “Pari, not a fairytale.” If the 18 seconds clip has made us so excited to see Anushka in this new avatar, we wonder what will happen when the trailer is released.

A new poster has also been released by the makers recently where for the first time, we stand face-to-face with

the supernatural force that haunts Anushka’s character in the film. It has been long since Bollywood saw a good big-ticket horror film and Anushka’s Pari is promising exactly that till now.

Talking about Pari’s release date, the film was earlier scheduled to release on February 9 and clash with Aiyaary which stars Sidharth Malhotra, Rakul Preet and Manoj Bajpayee in the lead roles. However, now with the new release date, Pari could clash with Sushant Singh Raput and Jacqueline Fernandez’s Drive. Since its announcement, details about Drive have been tightly kept under wraps and except for the release date, not much has been revealed by the makers.

With no big-ticket films lined up for March, the shift of the release date could indeed be a smart move on the part of the makers. Pari is being bankrolled by Anushka’s home production Clean Slate Films and it is the third film to be produced by them. The previous ones being Phillauri and NH10.

Anushka, on the other hand, is currently busy shooting for the Aanand L Rai movie Zero, co-starring Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif. (Indian Express)

Twinkle Khanna: ‘PadMan’ has a man talking about something that even women shy away from

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kshay Kumar’s PadMan may be clashing against Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavat but that doesn’t mean the buzz about this R Balki film has subsided even one bit. Based on the life of Arunachalam Murugunatham, the man behind making cheap and affordable sanitary pads for the women of his village, PadMan is bankrolled by Akshay’s wife Twinkle Khanna who had earlier written a story about the same in her book The Legend of Lakshmi Prasand.

The makers have now

released a video titled ‘Meet Pad Man – The Superhero’ and it is giving us some wonderful insights about the making of this film. Talking about what motivated her to take up the project, producer Twinkle Khanna reveals, “It was a man talking about something that even women shy away from.

It was also about the transformation from being an uneducated man to an innovator. These things about the story gripped me and here we are now.”

There are also glimpses of some never-seenbefore scenes from the

film, like the one where Akshay tries on the sanitary napkin, when he has the ‘sharam’ conversation with his mother and other scenes with Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte. And all in all, it has given us even more reasons to book our tickers for this January 25 releases.

While Sonam plays Akshay’s teacher Rhea in PadMan, Radhika plays Akshay’s wife.

Akshay’s character, on the other hand, is named Lakshmikanth. In the video, Radhika also talks about how with PadMan, Balki wanted to make a content-driven yet an entertaining film, one that people can relate to.

Even Akshay is all praises for Balki. He says, “To speak to a crowd and teach them without being preachy is a gift which Balki has.”(Indian Express)

ilmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan turned a year older on Tuesday. And it was good friend Anil Kapoor who decided to make the 53rd birthday of the ace-choreographer special. The Fanne Khan actor who had to meet Farah for a small lunch turned it into a big bash and had Bollywood stars turning up at Farah’s residence in Mumbai.

Those who made it to the Om Shanti Om director’s birthday bash included Abhishek Bachchan, Navya Nanda, Karan Johar, Tabu, Jackie Shroff, Rajkummar Rao with girlfriend Patralekha, Shilpa Shetty and others.

Earlier it was being reported that Farah wanted to have a quiet birthday celebration with just close friends and family in attendance. But it was

on Anil’s insistence that Farah agreed on a star-studded party. A source close to Farah told Mid-day, “Farah and Anil go back a long way, and fondly call each other Papaji. She wanted to have a birthday lunch with Anil, but he goodnaturedly refused and insisted on her hosting a soiree.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Anil who fondly calls Farah ‘Papaji’ wished his dear friend on Twitter as he tweeted, “Happy Birthday, Papaji! @TheFarahKhan Making us all dance on her command she’s the ringmaster we all know, love & fear :p Your craziness can never be replaced! Lots of love!” Anil and Faran have worked together in films like Tees Maar Khan, Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate, Pukar and My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves among others. (Indian Express)

D

eepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan wowed the audience with their chemistry in Shoojit Sircar’s hit 2015 film Piku. So, there is a lot of excitement around the duo’s second on-screen outing in Vishal Bhardwaj’s upcoming directorial.

Vishal Bhardwaj on Tuesday launched a song “Sakhi Ri” from Kay Kay Menon starrer Vodka Diaries. The song is crooned by his wife Rekha Bhardwaj.

In a media interaction after the event, when Bhardwaj was asked about his film with Deepika and Irrfan, the

ace filmmaker expressed his excitement to work with the two talented actors.

Vishal Bhardwaj said, “I had written the script a couple of years back and now I am directing it. I am totally looking forward to

working with Deepika (Padukone). I have loved the work she has done and she is so beautiful.

The camera loves her.

And with Irrfan (Khan), I am doing a full feature film after a very long time. After Maqbool, I have worked with him briefly in Saat Khoon Maaf and Haider. So, I am quite excited that I am getting to do a full film with Irrfan.”

While Vishal Bhardwaj and Irrfan Khan have worked together before, this project marks Vishal Bhardwaj and Deepika Padukone’s maiden collaboration.

(Indian Express)

Sonam Kapoor spotted shopping for wedding jewellery in Kolkata

G

iving credence to reports of Sonam Kapoor’s impending marriage to Delhi-based entrepreneur Anand Ahuja, the Bollywood actor, who will be seen next in PadMan, was on Tuesday spotted shopping at Raj Mahtani’s jewellery store in Kolkata. A source tells us Sonam was accompanied by her rumoured beau Anand’s mother.

Raj Mahtani’s fine jewellery store is the one-stop destination for brides who want to buy outfits (On offer are Manish Malhotra and Anamika Khanna creations) and matching jewellery.

After Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli took the nation by storm with their ‘secret’ wedding in Italy, reports emerged that Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja will tie the knot in April at the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur.

When asked about the marriage rumours, Sonam told Pinkvilla, “In my

10 years long career, I have never spoken about my personal life. Veere Di Wedding will release in May and then before that I have Padman and then Dutt too, where do I have time for anything else? I will soon begin shooting for Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s next in February, March.”

The couple recently welcomed 2018 with a trip to the city of love – Paris.

Much to the delight of fans, both Sonam and Anand shared photos of the holiday on their social media handles.

While the two have not accepted their relationship till date, they have been spotted together numerous times and the comfort they share hints at something more than just being best friends. Anand Ahuja has also been an integral part of Sonam Kapoor’s family and has also been seen at some family functions as well. (Indian Express)

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Oprah Winfrey expresses gratitude to all the women who have endured years of abuse

O

prah Winfrey spoke about Hollywood’s inequality and addressed the sexual harassment issue in her speech after receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards. The celebrity said that it is time to speak up against the years of abuse that women have gone through at the hands of the powerful in showbiz.

Oprah said, “I’m especially proud and inspired by all the women who have felt strong enough and empowered enough to speak up and share their personal stories. Each of us in

this room are celebrated because of the stories that we tell. And this year we became the story. But it’s not just a story affecting the entertainment industry. It’s one that transcends any culture, geography, race, religion, politics, or workplace. So I want tonight to express gratitude to all the women who have endured years of abuse and assault because they, like my mother, had children to feed and bills to pay and dreams to pursue.”

She further continued, “It’s here with every woman who chooses to say, “Me too” and every man, every man who chooses to listen. I want all the girls watching here now to know that a new day is on the horizon. And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say, “Me too” again. Thank you.”

The Golden Globe Awards were held at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. (Indian Express)

Black Panther’s new clip is all about some new characters and loads of action

T

he wait for Black Panther is becoming more excruciating by the day.

Ever since the King of Wakanda appeared in Captain America: Civil War fighting alongside Iron Man’s faction, fans have been waiting for his standalone film.

Well, the movie is a little more than a month away, and the videos Marvel Studios have been releasing steadily are making us fidgety with the wait. The latest clip gives us a couple of never-before-seen shots.

The clip starts with

Martin Freeman’s CIA agent Everett K. Ross interrogating Andy Serkis’s Ulysses Klaue.

“You’re telling me,” Ross asks Klaue, “the king of a third world country runs around in a bulletproof cat suit?” Klaue replies, “Why don’t you ask him yourself? Because he is right outside.” Letitia Wright, who appeared recently in Black Mirror’s fourth series’ last episode, is playing the sister of T’Challa (Black Panther’s real name) and she gives a mocking bow to her brother.

The thumping rap music

plays in the background.

One thing one can glean from various Black Panther clips is that the final battle that every superhero movie has is going to occur in a futuristic city downtown.

Another thing you can see is that it is going to be absolutely spectacular with neon lights bokeh in the background and Black Panther and his foes engaged in action.

There are aerial battles between aircrafts too but most of the battle would be on the ground, since Black Panther, while agile and nimble like a feline, is not exactly much of a flyer. Although the villains of the film, Michael B Jordan’s Erik Killmonger and Ulysses Klaue are allies, it is not clear who will be the final villain of the King of Wakanda.

Black Panther will hit theatres on February 16. (Indian Express)

Priyanka Chopra joins the ‘Time’s Up’ movement through social media

E

ven though Priyanka Chopra did not attend the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles, the actor is lending her support to the Time’s Up initiative that was launched on New Year’s Day to battle sexual harassment in workplaces and to fight for gender equality.

This year, at the Golden Globe Awards, the colour black was chosen as a way for the movie and TV industry to make a statement against a pervasive culture of misconduct.

The 35-year-old took to social media to share a picture of herself wearing black and wrote alongside, “Today we wear black. Wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever you’re doing… join us #TimesUp #WhyWeWearBlack” Priyanka Chopra posted two images on Instagram. While in one, she was seen wearing black. In the other one, she posted text that read, “On Sunday we wear black. To stand in solidarity

with women and men everywhere who have been silenced by discrimination, harassment or abuse. Wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever you’re doing. Join us. #TimesUp.” The Time’s Up campaign is a coalition of 300 Hollywood women-actors, directors, producers, writers, agents, and entertainment executives-who have also established a $13 million legal defense fund to provide support for women and men who have experienced sexual harassment or abuse in the workplace.

Oprah Winfrey gave a memorable speech with Time’s Up as a theme when she accepted her Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes. Oprah said, “It’s here with every woman who chooses to say, “Me too” and every man, every man who chooses to listen.

I want all the girls watching here now to know that a new day is on the horizon.” (Indian Express)

Hollywood 49

Meghan Markle shuts down social media accounts

K

ensington Palace confirmed Tuesday that Prince Harry’s fiancee Meghan Markle has shut down her social media accounts in line with royal tradition.

The American closed her Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. The palace said Markle “is grateful to everyone who has followed her social media accounts over the years” but “she has not used these accounts for some time.” No worries, though, for royal watchers. Kensington Palace has accounts of its own.

Word of the change came after the two visited a community radio station in Brixton that trains youngsters in media skills. Hundreds of people lined the streets to welcome them. It was the couple’s second official visit since they announced their engagement in November.

Markle, best known for her role as an ambitious paralegal in the hit U.S. legal drama “Suits,” surprised many when she shared her feelings for Harry in a September cover story for Vanity Fair. Asked about the media frenzy surrounding their courtship, the 36-year-old said: “At the end of the day I think it’s really simple … we’re two people who are really happy and in love.”

Describing Harry as her “boyfriend,” Markle said that while she expected that she and Harry would have to “come forward” about their relationship at some point, the two were just a couple enjoying time spent with each other.

The U.S. actress and the queen’s grandson will marry May 19 at Windsor Castle. (Indian Express)

‘The Shape of Water’ leads nominations for BAFTA awards

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uillermo del Toro’s fantasy The Shape of Water leads the field for next month’s British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards after securing 12 nominations on Tuesday.

World War II drama The Darkest Hour and comedy-drama Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri each got nine nominations. Blade Runner 2049 and Dunkirk both received eight. Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water star and Frances McDormand in Three Billboards got Leading Actress nominations. Daniel Day-Lewis and Gary Oldman were among the nominations for Leading Actor.

“I am incredibly humbled by such a nomination. It is very special to be honoured by BAFTA. It feels like a gift from my homeland and I am very touched by it,” Hawkins, who is British, said in a statement.

The Shape of Water was also nom-

inated for best film, cinematography, costume design and visual effects. Del Toro was nominated for both directing and original screenplay awards.

Christopher Plummer received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his portrayal of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty in Ridley Scott’s “All The Money In The World”. Plummer took the role on four days’ notice after Scott decided to cut a completed performance by Kevin Spacey following allegations of sexual misconduct against the actor.

The Death of Stalin, was nominated for Outstanding British Film, on a list that included Lady Macbeth, God’s Own Country, and Three Billboards, which was directed by Briton Martin McDonagh.

Both Three Billboards, and The Shape of Water, have awards momentum behind them, both having won in major categories at the Golden Globes in Los Angeles on Sunday. (Indian Express)

50 sport

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

CPL gives massive boost to Guyana’s economy

– over US$14M injected in 2017

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he Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has announced the tournament’s economic impact for Guyana. The 2017 event, which took place between 4 August and 9 September last year, created a total economic impact of US$ 14,183,035 in the country.

This figure has been arrived at by using organiser spend, visitor spend and media value and was calculated

for Hero CPL by worldrenowned researchers, SMG Insight.

In addition to that economic impact figure the Hero CPL created 492 jobs in Guyana. The tournament also filled 4097 hotel rooms during the event and broadcast matches played in Guyana to a cumulative TV audience of 19.1million.

There was significant value for Guyana in terms of the country be-

ing given that coverage through the television broadcast of the event.

The total brand exposure for Guyana has been calculated at US$ 3,294,323 with more than 37 hours coverage of the country across the tournament.

The Hero CPL spent just under US$ 1million in Guyana during the 2017 event with over 40% of that figure going to local staff and suppliers. This organiser spend represents a 17%

Cricket-crazy fans packed in at Providence during the Hero Caribbean Premier League 2017

increase from what Hero CPL invested in 2014.

Speaking about the report from SMG Insight the Hero CPL Chief Operations Officer, Pete Russell said: “Guyana is a hugely important market for Hero CPL and we are delighted to have such a strong set of figures to share with the country. We know that we will continue to see excellent numbers from Guyana, a country that loves its cricket and has been so supportive of Hero CPL over the years.”

First started in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.

Combining broadcast and digital

Chief Operations Officer Pete Russell

viewership over 197 million fans watched the 2017 season to make it one of the fastest growing leagues in world cricket. Trinbago Knight Riders are the current Hero CPL champions

and the other competing teams are Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Stars and Jamaica Tallawahs.

8-lane synthetic track for Linden

By Utamu Belle

A

ssistant Director of Sport Melissa Dow-Richardson has announced that instead of a four or six lane synthetic track proposed for Linden, the community is on the cards to receive an eight lane synthetic track, complete with security fencing.

She made the disclosure on Tuesday, as she, along with a team comprising officials of the Public Infrastructure Special Projects team and the Buildings team within the Ministry of Education made their third site visit to discuss the synthetic track in the presence of Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland.

Evaluation works continue to move apace on the setting up of synthetic track, slated to be constructed at the Bayroc Ground at Wismar.

According to DowRichardson, the team is working towards completion of the track by this year-end.

“What I can say is that this project is unique… the company responsible for it, they’ve already sent in their consultants, they’ve already sent in their engineer and they have done evaluation… the site identified is suitable, it’s actually quite welcoming. They’re expecting us to forward the surveys to them…and we have a hope and expectation to begin work in this region within this

Assistant Director of Sports Melissa Dow-Richardson presents Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland with a sports magazine following the synthetic track discourse on Tuesday

first quarter, certainly in February,” she said.

The Assistant Director of Sport added that she foresees the Linden track creating an environment for competitive development and training among national athletes in a high altitude environment.

Mayor Holland, who had initially proposed a sixlane track, noted how ecstatic he was by the news. He said this will boost the sports capacity in Linden tremendously.

“If you’re looking at development, we need an eight-lane track. That would give us full competition standard…We can have the National Championships there…

I know this will be very impactful for Linden as we can now look at our timings effectively. We have the second fastest 400-meter runner in the world in Linden…We

have Compton Caesar and they’re expected to be heading to the Commonwealth Games, these things will help them for international meets…With the eightlane, we can do well.

With Linden being a sports loving community, we can host international meets,” he pointed out.

Holland further proposed for a training centre, an upgraded pavilion and a football area during the discourse on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Lawrence Menthis of the Public Infrastructure Ministry Special Projects unit said the team will focus on having the ground totally surveyed and the soil tested. A team was expected to visit the site on Wednesday to conduct tests.

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Biggest Party in Sport’ to bowl off in Guyana …5 matches likely for Providence

By Clifton Ross

C

hief Operating Officer (COO) of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Pete Russell confirmed that the sixth edition of the “Biggest Party In Sport” will bowl off in Guyana and that the cricket crazy nation will also see an increased number of matches being played at Providence.

Russell who spoke exclusively to Guyana Times International Sport on Wednesday during an official visit to Guyana said that in addition to the tournament’s curtain raiser being held in Guyana there is a pos-

The entertainers add to experience at CPL matches

sibility that the Guyana Amazon Warriors will

Caribbean Premier League Chief Operating Officer Pete Russell

the

overall

unforgettable

have ‘two bites of the cherry’ at home.

The COO said that

the local franchise will likely host three matches at Providence at the start of the tournament and will wrap up the competition with an additional two matches towards the back end of the five-week tournament.

According to Russell, Guyana will indeed be hosting the opening matches this year, making it a first for the country since the launch of the competition back in 2013.

The COO noted that while the previous player-drafts were held in the Caribbean, this year may

GCF season pedals off January 28

T

Jamual John will be looking to start 2018 on the front wheel when he competes in GCF’s first Points race on January 28

he Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) 2018 calendar of activities will kick off come January 28 with the staging of its first “points” race.

This will see the top cyclists of the country converging for the first time in the New Year as they each seek to prop up their individual chances of drawing first blood in the sense of racking up points.

Jamual John was last year’s most consistent rider after tallying the most points across all GCF races ahead of Paul DeNobrega; the two had a great rivalry in

2017 and will be sure to provide great entertainment this year as well.

However, DeNobrega will want to push himself further while John has already signaled his intention of crowning 2018 with more success than 2017, the latter has already started a rigorous training regime and will be hoping to carry over his form from last year.

Not to be ignored is the ever evolving Alanzo Ambrose who proved his self to be a formidable opponent last year as he pushed John and company to the limits even winning the last points race of 2017.

This year should make for intriguing contests as all the cyclists will seek to develop and push each other in their quest to reach the pinnacle of success in 2018.

On January 27 the cyclists will get some much needed track time in as National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohamed is organizing a meet at the inner circuit of the National Park; the feature 35-lap Schoolboys Invitational race will be sure to attract the country’s top cyclists and provide top quality entertainment for cycling fans and enthusiasts.

The crowd has asked for more CPL and in 2018 more matches are planned for Providence, the home of the Guyana Amazon Warriors

see the March 1 draft taking place in London.

While Russell did not fully confirm London as the final destination he was upbeat, stating that the London time is prime for most audiences especially in Australia, New Zealand and in India and the other parts of Asia where there are likely to have a lot of eyeballs.

Also, the COO added that it was critical for more young players to be introduced to the CPL as it is in their plans to use the league as a direct feeding system into the Windies team.

He pointed out that emphasis will be placed on roping in more Under-19 players as they have been making significant impacts over the seasons while some of them have even gone onto play for their countries at the senior level or West Indies.

Regarding teams’ player retention rule and salary cap, Russell said that no changes were made to the rules, adding that CPL wants to build a fan base for its die-hard followers with regards to minimizing players being shuffled

around the respective franchises every season.

From a financial perspective, Guyana recorded some US$14 million or 2.8 Billion Guyana dollars in turnovers from last year’s CPL, prompting the COO to hail the tournament’s value as a marketable product which has been slowly reshaping the landscape of the sport Regionally.

This year’s CPL is set to bowl off early in August and will run up until September the same window period that was used in 2017.

52 sport

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Hetmyer hoping to play his part in ensuring Windies is Number 1 again

By Akeem Greene

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raced with an overwhelming amount of talent Windies newest batting prodigy Shimron Hetmyer knows a successful future lies ahead but it will not come easy and calls for him to further adapt to the rigours of international cricket.

W h i l e there is no question of the arsenal he posses

The 21-year-old wants to make the number three position his own in years to come ©Sarah Ansell / Stringer

with the willow, his five Tests to date has yielded a high score of 66 against hosts New Zealand in a series late last year.

Batting at number three, the dashing lefthander took a toll on seasoned campaigners Neil Wagner and Trent Boult but just as the picture was being painted for a maiden ton, he lobbed a catch to extra-cover.

With an appreciation for his positive approach, the player is conscious that he needs to find the equilibrium to his innings.

“Yes I’m trying my best to balance [my aggression] off as much as I can with the head of the batting coach [Toby Radford]. I try as much as possible to focus on my job which is scoring runs,” he explained.

Reflecting on his highest Test score, an innings which spanned 89 deliveries, eight of which were fours and two travelling for maximums, he summarised it as “playing his natural game.”

“Well after I got out in the first innings in that way, I went back and had a talk with the

coaches and they told me to play my natural game and have a clear mind set as well, so I just executed well.”

Captaining the regional youth team to ICC Word Cup glory in 2016 and playing 24 First-Class matches (debut in 2014) for Guyana Jaguars would have been the weight of his CV for the intricate number three position but for the 21 year-old, the challenge to succeed is what propels him to never give up.

“Well I don’t really see it as something difficult but rather as a challenge for me and I’m taking as much advice as I can from the rest of the team to conquer the challenge.”

In his first three Tests, a home series against Pakistan, he had a high score of 25 and accumulated 96 runs in six innings. Ultimately, it was an opposite reflection of the vast talent he possesses and questions become lingering over his readiness for the level of the sport.

Though not flatteringly, he answered any possible critiques with an improved showing in the two Tests against New Zealand, by being the regional team’s second leading run-scorer with 122 at an average of 30.50.

“I didn’t really make that much of a change [from Pakistan] actually because the pitches there [in New Zealand] were really good with the ball coming on and was a bit easier to play my shots”.

Fast growth

On the Blackcaps tour, he made both his One Day International and Twenty20 International debut

which a capped the rollercoaster experience for the Guyana Cricket Board player senior male cricketer of the year.

“It was a great experience with my age and everything.

Like being 21 a n d play-

ing f o r W e s t Indies in all formats. Yes, it was actually surprising.”

Now having a taste in all the formats, battling it out for

five-days remains his most favoured since it carries a nostalgic value from his years of watching the former greats play. His modern idol is Australian pocket-rocket David Warner.

With an actionpacked year of cricket scheduled for Windies, the man from Canjie,

With what looks to be a long road ahead, the young batsman is conscious of areas he needs to improve

Berbice plans on filling his appetite with runs to prolong his promising career.

“Well I’m going to try to get as much game practice I could get and make some big scores in the process. I try to focus more on making runs than anything else since I want to play as long as I can and make the West Indies number one again in all formats.” An improved showing by himself and the Jaguars in the upcoming Super50 is first priority as he hopes to stake a claim for a 2019 50-over World Cup spot should the regional side be successful at the qualifiers in March.

Dandrade wins Suriname’s Bigi Broki Wacka 10K

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rinidad and Tobago-based Guyanese athlete Lionel D’Anrade got 2018 off to a great start for his homeland flying the Golden Arrowhead high in Suriname over the weekend. He copped his fifth win in the “Bigi Broki Wacka 10K” road race finishing first out of 389 participants in a time of 38 minutes 19 seconds.

This was the 38-year-old’s fifth win in the annual event after participating in the competition for the past decade, finishing second on a couple of occasions behind the likes of former National Champions, Cleveland Forde, Cleveland Thomas and Kelvin Johnson.

The last time D’Anrade won the event was two years ago (2016), however the seasoned veteran failed to defend his title last year finishing fifth.

He rebounded nicely this time around in the absence of Forde and Thomas.

Lionel D’Anrade

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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