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Mom found guilty of poisoning her 2 kids WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018

ISSUE NO. 388

…collapses in Court

See story on page 3

GUILTY!

Awena Rutherford (centre) was found guilty of poisoning her two children on Thursday

Three suspected New York murder bandits shot suspect to be dead by Cops extradited Page 11

Page 14

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NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Mom found guilty of poisoning her 2 kids

GUILTY!

…collapses in Court

T

wenty five-year-old, Awena Rutherford has been found guilty, by a 12-member jury, of killing her two children on 27 March 2014.

After the decision was rendered, Rutherford was heard screaming and she subsequently collapsed on the courtroom floor.

After 20 minutes had expired and the woman was still on the floor, Justice Navindra Sing left the bench and adjourned the matter for Friday at 1pm for sentencing.

Rutherford who was on trial for fatally poisoning her two children maintained that she thought

she was buying cold tablets for them.

Represented by Attorney Adrian Thompson, she is accused of giving her children, oneyear-old Jabari Codogan and four-year-old Odascia Codogan, 2 halves of one carbon tablet which caused their deaths on the day in question.

The accused also drank two of the same tablets and was hospitalised for several days.

“Who would go to the Plaisance Bus Park to buy cold tablets from a man that sells rat poison?” was the question State Prosecutor Tiffini

Awena Rutherford was found guilty of poisoning her two children

Lyken had put to the 12 member-jury during her closing address at Awena Rutherford’s manslaughter trial on Wednesday.

During Wednesday’s hearing, father of the two deceased children, Jabari Codogan Sr, testified via Skype from Brooklyn, New York, USA, that he supported his children even after he separated from Rutherford and that

he communicated with them every day. The senior Codogan told the court that he was never told they were suffering from a cold but did admit under cross-examination that his son, Jabari, was treated for asthma-related conditions.

The overseas-based man had also stated that on the day of the deaths, he received a text message to call Rutherford on her

number, but related that he did not have credit to do so. The father witnessed the post-mortem examinations of the children at the Georgetown Public Hospital and attended their funerals on April 6.

The accused and the children were staying with her sister, Monica Sealey and her husband Curt who both testified before the jury that they never no-

ticed any cold symptoms in the children on that fateful day.

G o v e r n m e n t Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh confirmed that the children died from pesticide poisoning by way of ingesting aluminum phosphide which is commonly known as carbon tablets.

Prosecutors Shawnette Austin and Abigail Gibbs also appeared for the State.

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EDITORIAL

Learning from the past A What does Tillerson’s exit mean for Guyana Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo took time off his schedule earlier this week, during his engagements with residents of various communities in Region 3, to take a selfie with a supporter.

t Babu Jaan, as the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) commemorates the death of their founder Dr Cheddi Jagan, there are lessons to be gleaned from his experience that can serve Guyana in the present. And this is as it should be. We inevitably look back at history to seek answers to questions posed in our present from the experience of those who preceded us. The answers may not be identical to those that were proffered in the past, but at least they may suggest a particular approach to be taken.

When Jagan was born in 1918 after WWI, Indian immigration had just been discontinued but it would be another two years that the last indentured contracts would expire. Both his parents had arrived as “child immigrants” and for his father to have risen to the position of “head driver” by the time he sent Cheddi to study at Queens College in Georgetown, he must have been an incredibly resourceful individual who would have had a great influence on his oldest son. Even though he was tied to a sugar plantation on the periphery of Georgetown, this did not prevent him from perceiving that education was the way up and out from that “total institution”. And that he chose the very best of what was available at the time – where the sons of the elite were groomed for leadership, meant he did not accept his humble beginnings disqualified his offspring from aspiring to that status.

Today, the sugar industry is in ruins, brought there through a combination of the evolution of global production and trade and by the machinations of vicious politicians in Guyana. The People’s National Congress (PNC) in 1964 saw the sugar workers who supported the PPP and Jagan, as a force that must be destroyed so they would be unchallenged in the political realm.

The levy that was imposed on the sugar industry, which was soon nationalised, sucked all profits out so that the necessary modernisation to reduce the cost of production was never even attempted.

But the lesson of Jagan’s life is now even more relevant: the children of sugar workers must seek to become educated for the new economy that the discovery of oil could make possible.

But just as those who reaped the profits of sugar – first Bookers and then the PNC – never used it to develop the rural sugarbased communities, it has now become clear this new PNC-led Government will continue in the same mode. The mass firing of thousands is only the beginning: the aim is to ensure those communities remain as hewers of wood and drawers of water.

Over the last two and a half years one has to only look at who have been selected for scholarships; internships and fellowships to take over the mantle of leadership.

So like Jagan – senior and junior – the sugar workers and their children will have to achieve by their own efforts. Jagan returned from his studies as a professional – a dentist – and was therefore able to remain independent to chart his own destiny. And not so incidentally to also dedicate himself to right the wrongs that were so obvious all around him. So it was then and so it will have to be again. And maybe it is for the best: they will not be at the mercy of the PNC as they were during its first incarnation when it nationalised 80 per cent of the economy.

The PPP at Babu Jaan will have to enunciate a vision that takes the above into focus. The struggle ahead is not just “political” in the narrow sense it has come to be understood but “political” in the fundamental sense of appreciating that all relations are “political” in the apprehension of its unequal distribution and the need for justice to be done.

The struggle ahead therefore must be waged on all fronts: in the words of Antonio Gramsci, a war of position and a war of manoeuvre must be conducted simultaneously.

Mr Rex Tillerson.

By Sase Sigh

A

fter eight years of being criticized by the Obama administration, the oil and gas industry enjoyed a remarkable renaissance in Washington upon the appointment of a “true-bred” oilman as the new Secretary of State in the person of Mr Rex Tillerson.

However, on March 13, 2018, President Trump relieved Mr Tillerson of his command of the State Department. This action sent ripples through Washington DC, even though it was expected. He was seen as a very competent professional who had the potential to get big things done. NOW WHAT! What we saw this week is the confirmation of the fact that the US Executive Cabinet serves the President.

Constitutionally, he is entrusted with the power to fire and nominate whomever he wants to serve the agenda as espoused by the Office of the President that he will continue to occupy until 2020. Some may want Trump to be impeached but that is a fool’s agenda because he will be there until 2020.

In Foggy Bottom, the oil and gas industry had a personal friend in Mr Tillerson. The scale is expected to tilt against the oil and gas industry be-

cause Mr Mike Pompeo’s has a different agenda; Trump’s agenda (the Middle East, Asia and Europe). For these trump boys the rest of the world appears to be “sh*t hole places” which are low priorities for them.

This development means a lot for Guyana because Mr Pompeo will be focused on the agenda of his boss. Between Mr Pompeo and Mr Jim Matthias (Defence), they will take the international fight to the Iranians, the North Koreans and anyone else who does not understand that the United States has 11 of the world's 20 aircraft carriers with 2 more under construction.

The closes rival is China with 2. These Trumpites understand the full meaning of this reality and diplomacy is not their forte.

Whether their agenda is good for the United States is not the remit of this letter, rather my focus is on what all of this means for Guyana.

Although Guyana has the potential to produce 500,000 bpd from 2021, most of which will be processed in the USA, this is less than 5% of the America national oil imports.

Thus Guyana is not really a strategic priority for the USA on the oil front or for that mat-

ter any front.

It was an open secret that Mr Tillerson had it in for Venezuela after that country nationalized their assets for the paltry sum equal to the book value causing a multi billion financial loss.

Further his successor lost the case to Venezuela in appeal court, so there is1.4 billion reasons why Mr Tillerson was going to use Guyana as leverage to buy less from Venezuela and de-fund the Chavistas.

With Mr Pompeo coming to the role, all that strategy is out the window. This situation creates the window of opportunity for the forces that are struggling for free and fair elections and elections to be free from fear in Guyana to leverage.

But there is a big “IF”. Will the PPP who are the clearly the most organized group against the burgeoning dictatorial actions of the Granger regime deliver on this “IF”.

Can they focus the Pompeo administration by taking the oil question out of the equation by respecting the fact that Team Granger messed up and promise to respect all contracts signed by the Granger administration? “IF” they can promise the Americans that, I am convinced in my conviction, like Hoyte was instructed, Granger will be told firmly that he has to deliver free and fair elections and elections free from fear.

It would be especially important to reflect on the fact that a former CIA man, George H. Bush was the one who pushed Guyana to democracy in 1988. Guyana again has another CIA man who has the power to deliver the knockout punch to those who are hell bent of stealing elections in Guyana.

Can the opposition in Guyana again leverage a friend in Washington DC?

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Govt upbraids US envoy

…over “misinformed” statements about oil and gas sector

O

ne day after United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway called for Guyana to redouble its efforts to ensure the establishment of a strong and independent fund, similar to a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), which would see the country’s development safeguarded as it continues to benefit from the emerging oil and gas sector, the Government issued a strong statement upbraiding the foreign diplomat.

In a strongly worded statement issued by the Finance Ministry on Wednesday, Government said as a new oil producing nation, Guyana is ahead of many countries, having already taken the initiative to establish a fund of this kind. Even Norway, which today is promoted as a model country in petroleum resource management, did not create a SWF until several years after its first oil.

“This of course does not mean that the establishment of such a fund is not immediately necessary, but rather, it demonstrates the Government’s commitment to good governance, transparency and accountability, by ensuring that a legislative framework is in place to safeguard our national patrimony, prior to

the commencement of oil production,” the statement said.

While Government said it values the comments from bilateral and multilateral partners on the draft content of the SWF, and welcomes further engagement and support, it noted, they would “recommend that our partners exercise restraint when pronouncing on Guyana’s national priorities, and to refrain from making premature statements on its petroleum resource management, given the existing challenges of managing expectations and avoiding the Dutch Disease,” referring to the Ambassador’s comments.

Ambassador Holloway on Wednesday insisted that the establishment of a revenue and investment fund was necessary if Guyana is interested in effectively managing the windfall and monies that will flow from the oil and gas sector which should be utilised to boost the country’s overall growth and development.

His comment was made via an Op-Ed that was published by the US Embassy on their website and social media pages. The diplomat explained that Guyanese will ultimately have to make decisions on the type of development model they

Finance Minister Winston Jordan with US Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway

wish to have in place as he warned that a “rainy day fund” was simply not enough to secure the country’s future transformation.

Ambassador Holloway also expressed the view that as conversations and discussions continue about what needs to be done to properly manage the oil and gas sector, it was important that the SWF which is being proposed by the David Granger Administration remain “independent, nonpartisan, transparent and inviolable”. He also explained that the fund would realise investments in education, health, infrastructure, ag-

riculture, and security as he stressed that its urgency cannot be understated.

According to him, difficult decisions are ahead whether that involves identifying the right talent to manage the fund or even making the difficult decision to borrow at concessional rates that will not be available tomorrow to develop the present. However, the investment today will pay off tomorrow.

But the Government said the establishment of a SWF is already a designated priority for their Administration. They said also that the suggestions contained in the Op-Ed may have given the impres-

sion that the Government and, by extension, the Finance Ministry, under whose remit the drafting of the legislation for the SWF falls, has not made significant progress on this important piece of legislation.

“That impression is misinformed. Consequently, the Ministry wishes to use this opportunity to remind the citizens and other stakeholders that the foundation for the establishment of the SWF began since 2016. This was announced more than a year ago at the opening of Guyana’s National Seminar on Preparing for First Oil, which was facilitated by Chatham House,” it added.

Moreover, the Finance Ministry said Minister Winston Jordan has made it clear Government’s intention to develop a fund to govern the use of petroleum resources as a key legislative priority. He also highlighted the objectives of such a fund as: to advance critical development and investment needs within the country (via the national budget); to address issues of stabilisation of the economy, and to ensure savings were made to guarantee inter-generational benefits from the extraction of this natural resource.

Those objectives, according to Government, reflect a comprehensive framework that will guide the prudent management of future oil revenues for the benefit of current and future generations, in keeping with the Government’s agenda.

Therefore, Government’s investment expenditure will be driven by the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) and, by the development priorities articulated and implemented through the National Budget, which has an established consultation cycle of its own.

Back in January this year, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman explained that the fund was being scrutinised by several international agencies, regional stakeholders and local experts in various field as systems are put in place to manage the oil and gas sector.

In developing the draft SWF legislation, the Finance Ministry is receiving support from the Commonwealth Secretariat. A green paper on the subject will be published in 2018, and consultations will occur subsequently. The legislation is intended to be laid in Parliament by the end of 2018.

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Everyone, regardless of political affiliation, must have unbiased access to the State organ Dear Editor, It is public knowledge that my contract with the State-owned Guyana National Newspaper Limited (GNNL) for the column “Eye on Guyana with Lincoln Lewis” was terminated. This did not come as a surprise to me for recent developments suggested that the powers that be were not comfortable with my points of view, particularly those that sought to hold them accountable as a caring representative, inclusionary Government that is just and fair.

Let me state upfront as a trade unionist I understand it is the right of any employer to terminate a contract. What bothers me most is not the mere termination of the contract which is within their right to so do; it is the insidious nature of the act that suggests that Guyana is not moving forward. This termination is interpreted by me as an act of suppression in the Stateowned newspaper that is responsible to the people of Guyana, but continues to see Government moving to manage and control.

It is time for change where every citizen and group, regardless of political affiliation, be given un-biased access and coverage in the people’s organ. A strong and astute government functioning democratically should have the ability to counter views and create an environment of public education and gain support for their programmes, which will only happen if people see these as progressive and beneficial to them. In reality this Government’s weakness is its inability to avoid public consternation on basic matters and requirements that speak to good governance. In fact, many in this government are thin-skinned and petty.

In this information/ communication era the Government should be mindful that they cannot stop the people’s desire for transparency, inclusion and accountability which international ex-

pectations and relations are built on. It is backward and counter-productive to want to do otherwise.

Society expects successive governments to do better than its predecessor because it is based on discontent with the predecessor that the incumbent would have gained power. State media, fundamental rights and freedoms suppression are some of the things the people expressed their discontent with prior to May 2015. These must not now continue under this Administration and they must know they will not have our silence or support. Many supporters and well-wishers are being done an injustice and rightfully feel dissatisfied.

For two years I have written the Sunday column “Eye on Guyana with Lincoln Lewis.” In my lifetime as a trade unionist I have discharged of my duties without fear or favour through successive governments and oppositions. I have held all and sundry accountable.

I will not stop now. The termination of this column will not still my interest or activism- it will not still my voice, for as long as there are politicians, leaders or anyone whose action threatens society’s well-being that is conducive to labour’s survival they shall hear from me. My eye remains focused on Guyana.

This opportunity is taken to thank the many who have supported my column throughout the years and those who offered valued advice, including those who have expressed concern for the implications to society and development.

It would be naïve to think that the Editor-inChief Nigel Williams unilaterally disposed of myself and David Hinds as columnists in the State newspaper. Hopefully he will not be made the fall guy for adhering to what is evidently political interference.

Sincerely, Lincoln Lewis

Quality of persons being recruited in the public service below par Dear Editor, The media on Match 13 carried two letters side by side; one was forthright in its description of the public servants whose incompetence, aptly described as “asleep at the wheel” resulted in Guyana losing ‘a significant part of the export basket of fishing products to the US; the other was a long dilation on management theories using sophisticated language (typical of Churchill calling a spade an agricultural instrument) to describe the various stages of managerial action/inaction in the public service which lead to success or failure in spite of the

massive inputs of training provided to the public servants by high-powered local and international training providers.

It is patently obvious from the latter that the public service is bogged down by its own indulgence in ‘splitting hairs’ over the meanings and application of various aspects of public policy with an over-kill on ‘strategizing’ (whatever that omnibus term may mean!) rather than focusing on effective, timely implementation and service delivery.

What I think was even more surprising/disappointing was the notation that public policy

analysis is designed “to teach government officials and public servants to read critically; think analytically and write concisely in all sectors”. I was always under the impression that these basic competencies were necessary pre-requisites for entry into the service. If scarce resources must be devoted to providing public servants with these basic skills and competencies, then one has to question the initial selection criteria and decision-making on selection for entry into the service.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

Govt should market Guyana’s oil potential a bit better Dear Editor While growing plantain and making plantain chips would replace imported plantain chips and save a little foreign currency it would not replace the foreign currency lost through the “downsizing” of Guyana’s sugar industry.

While the APNU+AFC Government of President David Granger focuses on saving foreign exchange, it is not focused on gaining foreign currency.

This Government has not really thought about Guyana’s oil potential.

It has been nearly three years now since oil was discovered offshore Guyana, and we have only had one major investment forum to attract investors to Guyana.

Clearly, what the Government can do is to market Guyana’s oil potential a bit better, by travelling abroad to sensitise most of the major oil producing countries to our oil potential — which it

has not done.

It is good that we have oil, but if we are not going to market and sell the oil, but wait for foreigners to do it for us, then Guyana would remain underdeveloped.

It is not just about oil. It is about using the oil discovery to market our other industries, like rice, sugar, bauxite, gold, fisheries, timber, etc. It is about marketing Guyana’s potential.

Yours faithfully Sean Ori

APNU/AFC Govt wants control of the Judiciary Dear Editor, President Granger has once again proven to the world that he is a Burnhamite dictator and he is going to rule this country as an autocratic leader. Success or failure of that style of leadership would depend on whether the established entities allow it and, the final say which rests in the hands of the people. So far, most of the established bodies are giving him stout resistance as well as educated advice, while the people of this country are eagerly awaiting their say come next election.

Either way, he will fail because autocrats or dictators – whatever your call them – cannot succeed in a democratic society.

In this regard, I shall delve into the most recent of decisions taken by the President. In his latest pronouncement, Granger in his usual autocratic style had submitted two names for appointment to fill the positions in the Judiciary; that is the Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice.

These two positions were sent to the Leader of The Opposition for his immediate approval. He had submitted two names: Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

and Justice Kenneth Benjamin as Chief Justice and Chancellor respectively. The Leader of the Opposition rejected the names, stating that he needed more time to study the two appointees.

At first glance, one could have that rush-to-judgment approach in saying that the Opposition Leader is playing politics or the usual delay tactics of stifling the smooth process of the justice system, but is this the case? This is certainly not the case, and Article 127 of the Constitution is on the side of the Opposition Leader where it expressly states that the President “must concur” or come to an agreement with his Opposition colleague. Mr Granger is not about meaningful consultation and the arrival at mutually acceptable personalities, he is all about himself and what he wants to see done in the Judiciary. It is a situation where he wants total control of the judicial arm of government. The Judiciary is the last bastion of hope for our nation’s democracy and equal justice, and we are not about to give it all up to Granger. We are going to resist it at all costs.

Now, the President has been

clever in his submission of the two names, offering the two as a “package”, one being an acceptable individual, Mrs CummingsEdwards, while the other, Mr Benjamin is the unacceptable one. His is the subtle way of getting his guy selected to the high office.

So, why foist Mr Benjamin on us is the question and the answer goes without saying he is on a drive to have another “yes man” on his list of appointed persons, those whom he can manipulate and control into decisions for his own narrow political purposes. This is not going to happen in view of the fact that the Bar Association has come out condemning these unilateral decisions of Mr Granger.

Finally, Guyana has had its fill where illegal appointments, unilateral appointments, the trampling of the Constitution and all forms of illegalities from this government are concerned. We are at the crossroads where good governance is concerned. The voices of reason must ring out! The time is now!

Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams

news 7

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

68-yr-old woman murdered in suspected robbery attack T

he community of Belle West, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was plunged into a state of shock after the body of a 68-yearold pensioner, which bore a stab wound to the neck and another to the head, was discovered in her home on Wednesday morning.

Dead is Ursilla Padarta, called “Data”, of Lot 566 Belle West, Canal Number Two Polder, WBD. The discovery was made some time after 07:00h by a carpenter who had returned to discuss the construction of a septic tank that the woman planned on doing.

According to the Police, the woman was killed between 19:45h Tuesday evening and 07:30h Wednesday morning. The murder weapon – an ice pick – was reportedly found in the house.

When Guyana Times International visited the scene Wednesday morning, Padarta’s nephew, Naresh Singh, related that his aunt had called another relative to talk about the work she had planned on doing some time on Tuesday evening and that was the last time they heard from her.

“At the time, the relative take the information from her (Padarta) about the things she has to get up to do the work and she said that the contractor was there at the same time. Then this morning before the relative could have sent the stuff over, the contractor came over and he found the body and raised the alarm,” Singh related.

The nephew went on to say that when the carpenter arrived at the house, the door was locked from

Dead: Ursilla “Data” Padarta

the outside. Singh believes the woman was killed after the phone call on Tuesday night.

“She was sitting on the chair with a stab wound to her neck so it gotta be that it happen last night, because, too, her door wasn’t close from inside; it look like she was watching TV or something and wasn’t ready to lock up as yet,” he said.

According to neighbours, the pensioner who lived alone usually locked up late at night. They do not recall hearing or seeing anything strange the night before.

Meanwhile, as the Police are considering various theories based on information received from witnesses, this publication was told that the woman collected approximately G$123,000 in cash, which was sent by her grandson from overseas, from her daughter on Tuesday to do the work. Her handbag, which contained the money,

cellphone and other documents, was missing. The house was not ransacked.

This newspaper understands that the carpenter, who discovered the woman’s body, could not be found for questioning by Police.

Padarta was reportedly fond of the man and would usually cook for him and allow him into her house to watch television.

On the other hand, this publication was also informed that investigators were also on the hunt for a known junkie in the village who had an argument with the now deceased woman on Tuesday and was heard threatening to “deal with her” later.

While neighbours could not say the reason behind the row between Padarta and the individual known as “Lapar”, they suspect he might have gone to steal from the woman. According to nearby residents, he was last seen around the area earlier on Wednesday shortly after the discovery was made.

The neighbours called him a “big smokie” and “thief man” in the village, while bemoaning the fact the Police never took reports against him seriously.

“The Police don’t pay attention to he … people does make report, but they didn’t do anything, all they does say they need more evidence and now look what happened,” one man lamented.

Nevertheless, the body of Padarta is currently at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination scheduled for Friday.

Guyanese man nabbed at JFK airport with 20 live finches

One of the finches in the secured tube-shaped enclosures

A

Guyanese man, who attempted to smuggle 20 live finches, popularly called “Towa Towas” into the United States of America was busted upon arrival at the JFK International Airport. The birds were found well secured in his carryon luggage.

According to information received, the man travelled from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on March 3 and during a search by the US Customs and Border Protection officers and agriculture specialists at the JFK airport, the birds were found.

US law enforcement officers found the birds in tube-shaped enclosures.

The birds were seized and put into quarantine while the man was fined US$300 and refused entry into the US. He was put on the next plane back to Guyana.

Based on a report in the Dailymail.co.uk, Leon Hayward, Acting Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations reiterated that “CBP’s agriculture specialists protect our country every day from pests and diseases, the introduction of an animal or plant borne pest or disease could have a devastating impact on America’s agricultural industry”.

However, local authorities have launched an investigation as to how the birds passed security checkpoints at Guyana’s main port of entry.

This is not the first time birds have been smuggled into the US via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Some time back, several birds were intercepted upon arrival at the JFK Airport in hair curlers.

8 news

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Stakeholders must work together to ensure US fish ban is lifted

…says private sector head

A

recent ban imposed on the export of all Siluriformes fish and fish products (catfish species) from Guyana could have a significant impact on local fishers, but the Private Sector Commission (PSC) believes this matter could be addressed if companies work along with Government to ensure that the ban is lifted.

PSC President Eddie Boyer claimed that there was some discussion on the issue when it was brought to his attention that some containers of fish were rejected by the United States authority. He said the failure of these exporters to meet

PSC Chairman Eddie Boyer

the requirements may have triggered the imposition of this ban.

“I would imagine that the exporters would

try to resolve this as early as possible, bearing the fact that these bans happen from time to time. And we have to work quickly to resolve it – Government, private companies that are exporting because it is not something that has not happened before,” he stated.

However, a private fishing company owner told Guyana Times International that the issue that must be looked into was what caused the ban to be imposed.

According to the businessperson who asked not to be named, said the Agriculture Ministry, which has responsibility for the fisheries sec-

Veterinary Public Health Unit Director, Dr Ozaye Dodson

tor, should have ensured quality assurance.

Chief Fisheries Officer Denzil Roberts

told sections of the media that the ban was imposed after it was found that the local Siluriformes fish and fish products’ inspection system was not equivalent to the US inspection system. Roberts was also able to confirm that the Veterinary Public Health Unit of the Public Health Ministry was not able to satisfy the requirements demanded by the US. Guyana was unable to comply with several US conditions mainly due to factors such as modification of inspection procedures and outdated regulations, including those governing fisheries products, which Guyana is in the process of revising. The Health and Agriculture Ministries have general oversight and responsibility for the sector and monitor and verify the quality of products.

The businessman contended that the Government should have known long before that these systems needed to be updated and improved, because compliance was a major issue when it came to exports to the US. He maintained that the Government erred in a major way by not preparing these companies to comply with the standards set out by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Roberts told the media that the Ministry was now working on “trying to fix these deficiencies”, by modifying the Inspection Procedures manual and the regulations among other things. The Fisheries Department and the Veterinary Public Health Unit are working together on this.

Although describing the ban as a “big blow,” Veterinary Public Health Unit Director, Dr Ozaye Dodson has said that the imposition from the US export market was just a temporary technical barrier to trade. Dr Dodson said the move by the USDA was a “protectionist measure” by that country’s public health system lobbied for by the catfish farmers who have invested heavily to develop the industry there.

Guyana’s Veterinary Public Health Unit has been mandated under the 2002 Fisheries Act and the Fish and Fishery Product Regulations of

Chief Fisheries Officer Denzil Roberts

2003 with guidance of the inspections manual to monitor, inspect and certify vessels, landing sites, fish processing establishments and fishery products for the local and export markets.

Dr Dodson said there were daily inspections and certification of the catfish products to guarantee their “wholesomeness for human consumption”.

The US Food Safety Inspection Services (FSIS) asked Guyana to provide the relevant documentation to verify this country’s inspection system equivalence to the US standards or its equivalent public health system. Dr Dodson claimed that Guyana complied with the request.

However, the country fell short of the US standards in three areas: firstly, on the issue of the presence of inspectors; secondly, there was insufficient documentation detailing verification of each step in the sanitation and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) process and thirdly, there was insufficient documentation specifying how the industry manages adulterated catfish products.

New US standards for import of catfish species demand the presence of inspectors at plants for one hour during an eight-hour shift. Dr Dodson explained that Guyana’s inspection system utilised a “risk-based approach”, which is a European Union (EU) standard.

Guyana was among several countries banned recently from the US catfish export sector. The other countries were Bangladesh, Canada, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese fishermen losing millions Wife, friend …US Govt says Guyana was notified of new regulations since Nov 2015

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ased on the numerous concerns raised with regard to the recent ban imposed on the export of all Siluriformes fish and fish products (catfish species) from Guyana which is costing local fishermen millions, the United States (US) Government through its local embassy has said the Government was notified in advance of changes to the regulations so as to allow for the preparation for its eventual implementation.

The embassy said the US Government takes very serious-

ly the protection of the world’s waterways and marine life and is constantly updating our regulations and processes to ensure that waterways and marine life are protected. As such, a few years ago, they changed the process of complying with its local food safety regulations regarding fish and shrimp, among many others.

“We notified the Government of Guyana of these pending changes in November of 2015, more than 18 months before they were to go into effect. We even gave Guyana an extension until February 3,

2018 to comply with the new regulations,” the Embassy said in an issued statement Wednesday.

According to the US, most countries in the hemisphere have now complied with the regulations and it believed that Guyana eventually can and will comply as well. “We understand that the Government of Guyana is working on complying, but it has not fully met the standards of the new processes associated with the regulations and until it does, we cannot accept any catfish from Guyana,” it noted.

The US has in the past offered technical assistance to the Government to help Guyanese fisherfolk to comply. It said this offer still stands, but explained that it cannot be accomplished overnight. “Our goal is to ensure consistency in food safety regulations across products and countries and to protect marine life for future generations. This is a goal which we are sure all Guyanese share,” it concluded.

Guyana was among several countries banned recently from the US catfish export sector.

Cops hoping to arrest suspects in Linden footballer’s murder soon gun, before a loud explosion was heard.

The two men were then seen fleeing in the victim’s Nissan Bluebird motor car bearing registration number PVV 2057. The 32-year-old businessman was subsequently discovered with a suspected gunshot wound to the head, his throat slit, his hands bound and mouth gagged.

He was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Linden Hospital Complex,

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Dead: Romel Gomes

lmost three days after former national footballer Romel Edison Gomes was found dead in his Buck Hill, Linden shop, Police are yet to make an arrest.

E Division (LindenKwakwani) Commander Anthony Vanderhyden told Guyana Times International on Wednesday that investigations were continuing with investigators depending on the assistance of persons in the community to identify the suspects.

“Some people are helping us and so we are trying to build the profiles of the suspects with the aim of making arrests as soon as

possible,” Commander Vanderhyden related.

Meanwhile, following a post-mortem examination conducted on Wednesday morning, State Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh gave Gomes’ cause of death as gunshot injury to the head.

The 32-year-old businessman was discovered unconscious in a pool of blood on Monday evening. He was at the time in his shop, which is attached to his Lot 53 Buck Hill, Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden home.

Based on information received, Gomes was seen arguing with two males, one of whom was armed with a hand-

where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Detectives have since retrieved a bloodstained kitchen knife and a spent shell from the scene. The victim’s bedroom was also ransacked, but the Police were unable to determine whether the motive was robbery.

Meanwhile, Gomes’ stolen motor car was found abandoned at One Mile Wismar on Tuesday morning.

found guilty of 2012 murder of US citizen

week vacation. However, five days later, Majid’s battered body with the scalp missing was found on the Number 63 Beach. When the man’s body was found, Abdulla had already returned to the United States.

When relatives enquired why he did not return, she told them that her husband was Dead: Abdool Shakeel Majid enjoying himself in Suriname fter a trial which lasted more than and that he had urged one month at the her to return home as Berbice Assizes, a wom- her daughter was ill. an and her friend were However, she was arfound guilty of murder- rested after she returned ing her husband, Abdool to Guyana when her husband’s body was found.

Shakeel Majid in 2012.

During the trial, the Majid’s wife, Hemwattie Abdulla, court heard that bloodalso known as “Annie” stains and sand were and her friend, Seerojini found in the trunk of the Permaul known as car that the couple had “Usha”, 49, were ac- rented. Detectives had cused of unlawfully kill- also retrieved Abdulla’s ing Majid, a US citi- driving permit from the zen, whose battered car.

The court found that body was discovered on the Number 63 Beach, Abdulla murdered her Corentyne on April 26, husband for the money which he had received 2012.

Special Prosecutor after an accident in the Ganesh Hira repre- US and got Permaul to sented the State while assist her in executing A t t o r n e y s - a t - L a w the plot.

The women were both Mursalin Bacchus and found guilty as the trial Arud Gossai represented Abdulla and Attorney-at- concluded at the Berbice Law Nigel Hughes repre- Assizes on Tuesday.

Justice Sandil Kissoon sented Permaul.

Majid and his wife will pass sentence on had arrived in Guyana March 29, 2018 at the in April 2012 for a two- Berbice High Court.

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DPP returns file on “Otisha” “Serious implications” for liquor case to Police, recommends operations due to downsizing additional investigative work of sugar industry – DDL boss

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Cross-dresser Otis “Otisha” Pearson

he Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has returned the file with regard to accusations of paedophilia against popular cross-dresser, Otis ‘Otisha’ Pearson, to the Guyana Police Force advising that additional work be conducted.

The Police said the file was returned on Monday with the advice that additional investigative work be done.

They have since released Pearson who was in custody since March 6.

Pearson was taken into Police custody on March 6 after the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) forwarded the findings of its investigation of paedophilia claims against the sex worker. The Police’s investigation is still on-

going and the file was sent to the DPP for legal advice.

However, on Friday last, the Police sought an extension to detain the sex worker for an additional 72 hours as they await legal advice and wrap up their investigation.

The CC&PA’s investigation stemmed after Pearson went on national television, after he was released from Police custody for another incident, and claimed that he has “a little boy” for every day of the week.

Following that claim, photos of the cross dresser and a teenaged boy were leaked to social media site, Facebook, sparking outrage.

To pacify the situation, Pearson, in the presence of Joel Simpson – founder of the Society Against

Sexual Orientation and Discrimination (SASOD) explained that the term “little boy” is usually thrown around in the transgender community and denied being involved in sexual relations with any underage boy.

This view was supported by Simpson who said his organisation does not condone such relations and that he was aware of the “little boy” euphemism.

The surfacing of the photos and subsequent response led to several persons calling for an investigation into the incident and accused Pearson of being a pervert.

Back in February, the CC&PA closed its investigation into the alleged misconduct by Pearson.

It was discovered that the boy was below the legal age of consent, which is 16 and became a victim of bullying after the photos were leaked.

According to CC&PA’s Director, Ann Green, the Agency has gathered statements from a number of persons, including the young man at the centre of the controversy, and as such, it is expected to move ahead with the case.

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he downsizing of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has had “serious implications” for the liquor operations and as such privately-owned Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has been forced to diversify operations to mitigate the potential effects of a minimised sugar industry.

This was amongst the challenges, albeit a very good performance, that the DDL Group faced last year, Chairman Komal Samaroo said in the company’s 2017 Annual Report.

He pointed out that, domestically, the economy was revised downwards last year and a significant contributing factor was the contraction of the sugar industry, which produced 137.298 tonnes in 2017 compared to 183.615 tonnes produced the previous year.

According to the Chairman, given the implications from the downsizing, the Group has been exploring all options as it seeks to mitigate any potential adverse effects of such downsizing.

“It is, in this context, that our strategic decision sometime ago to diversify our business must be seen as the right course of action by the Group. However, our core business is rum production and molasses is a key raw material for such production.

DDL has expressed to the Government an interest in investing in the Enmore Estate to continue molasses production there. If that proposal does not prove to be economically feasible, DDL may have to source molasses from foreign suppliers to ensure adequate and reliable supply,” Samaroo detailed.

The challenges of the company extended internationally as the Chairman explained that while global economic growth strengthened in 2017 to 3.7 per cent compared to 3.2 per cent in 2016, countries that depended on commodity exports continued to be hard hit, experiencing sharp declines in foreign earnings.

He added too that with regards to the rum category, the cumulative annual growth was estimated at only 0.5 per cent that growth being confined to the premium and super premium segments, while the standard segment was projected to experience

DDL Group Chairman Komal Samaroo

marginal decline.

“Given these projections, the Group’s strategic decision to premiumise its Eldorado Rum brand was certainly well timed,” the Chairman posited.

Regardless, the DDL Group managed to rake in a total of G$19.569 billion in revenue last year, representing an increase of G$1.460 billion or eight per cent over that of 2016. The revenue from both the domestic as well international markers showed steady growth, the Chairman said.

Group profit before tax for 2017 was G$3.551 billion compared to G$2.920 billion for the previous year, an increase of G$631 million or almost 22 per cent.

Earnings per share were G$3.38 in 2017 compared to G$2.85 the previous year. Additionally, Shareholders’ Funds increased by 13 per cent in the year, while net debt to equity ratio at the end of the year improved from 22:1 in 2016 to 13:01 in 2017.

With regards to the Group’s subsidiaries, Distribution Services Ltd (DSL) achieved G$396 million in profit before tax in 2017 compared to G$358 million the previous year, an increase of about 10.6 per cent. According to the Chairman, this company has been the major focus of its diversification plans. “This subsidiary has outgrown its present distribution facilities and a new warehouse and distribution centre is presently being constructed at Plantation Diamond. This 12,000 square feet new modern facility, including cold storage and offices, is projected to cost approximately G$1 billion and is scheduled for completion in the second half of this year,” Samaroo detailed

in the report.

This trend continued onto the Demerara Shipping Co Ltd (DSCL), which recorded an operational profit before tax of G$132 million in 2017 compared to G$102 million the previous year, an increase of 29 per cent.

However, the profit-gaining performance eluded the Tropical Orchards Products Company Ltd (TOPCO) which endured the loss of the Education Ministry’s School Feeding contract that was handed to a foreign company.

According to the Chairman, while the company steadily increased its sales on the domestic market, it suffered a loss of G$53 million during the year compared with a loss of G$16 million the previous year.

Nevertheless, in January 2018, the company was awarded the School Feeding contract for the first three months of the year and Samaroo said they are hopeful for its renewal.

On the other hand, DDL’s overseas subsidiaries also performed well contributing G$212 million in profit before tax compared to G$185 million the previous year. Demerara Distillers St Kitts-Nevis Ltd recorded a profit of G$23 million; Demerara Distillers USA Inc recorded a profit of G$37 million; Demerara Distillers Ltd Europe recorded a profit of G$95 million, and Demerara Rum Co recorded a profit of G$57 million.

Going forward, Samaroo said the Group’s diversification will gain momentum in 2018 with several major projects, still at the planning stage, that would significantly expand revenue from non-alcoholic products.

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Autopsy confirms man found dead in city hotel ingested poison

New York murder suspect to be extradited news to me,” the man stated.

Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs Marcus refused bail on the grounds that the accused is a flight risk. Thomas will return to court on March 20, where he will hear the full disclosure of the official statements.

The deceased man was said to be attending a party in Richmond Hill when he was approached by a group of men that he previously had

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post-mortem examination conducted on the body of 74-year-old Michael Rajnauth, whose lifeless body was found in a city hotel room over a week ago, has revealed that he committed suicide.

The autopsy was conducted by State Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh on Wednesday morning, following which the cause of death was given as pesticide poisoning.

Rajnauth, a food vendor of Lot 548 Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was found motionless in a room at the K&VC Hotel on South Road, Georgetown last Wednesday some time around 13:30h.

According to reports, the man had checked into the room last week Tuesday, and paid to utilise it for 24 hours. However, when his time expired around noon the following day, the receptionist reportedly called the guest, but there was no answer.

Other staff members sought to knock on the man’s door, but again, received no response. The Hotel Manager subsequently ordered staffers to enter the room.

It was then that the elderly man was found clad in only a grey three-quarter pants, lying lifeless on the bed. A white substance suspected to be poison was observed around the bed and on the floor near the man.

There were no signs of violence on the deceased’s body, Police had said.

Wanted by US authorities, Troy Thomas

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31-year-old Guyanese national was on Wednesday remanded to prison, in order to be extradited to the USA soon.

Troy Thomas of 34 Second Street Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, is wanted for murder in the USA. It is alleged that Thomas on December 11, 2011 killed Keith Frank, 21, outside a party at South Richmond Hill, Jamaica, New York. The man was wanted by US authorities since their investigations commenced in 2012.

The fugitive was arrested around 02:00h on Wednesday at his Liliendaal address by ranks of the Guyana Police Force. The man’s arrest came as a part of an intelligence operation that began in January of this year.

Meanwhile, popular make-up artist Lolita Callendar, called “Lola” of

was shot about a mile from a hospital.

However, he had already succumbed by the time he arrived at the medical facility.

Kyte reported that she had also been hearing rumours that Thomas who has not been formally charged with a crime, has fled to Miami or to Guyana.

The dead man is also a Guyanese who migrated to the United States at the age

Lolita Callendar, called “Lola”

East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, who Police wanted for threatening behaviour and who is suspected to have harboured the fugitive, has been arrested and is assisting with the investigation.

An attorney appearing on behalf of the US Government pleaded with the court to deny bail, noting that Thomas is a flight risk. The court heard that the address that was on GECOM’s file for Thomas – 242 Gordon Street, Kitty – is an abandoned property and the Immigration Authorities have no record of Thomas’ re-entry into Guyana.

Additionally, when Thomas was first arrested, he gave his name as Marvin Williams and only admitted his correct name to Police when he was being interrogated.

When allowed to speak, Thomas did not have much to say other than a request for legal representation. “This is

Keith Frank’s mother holding his picture

an altercation with. Frank was subsequently shot to the torso.

Guyana Times International understands the misunderstanding between Frank and the Guyanese men was as a result of dancing and females.

The dead man’s mother, Carol Kyte, said that her son, who was father to an eightmonth-old baby at the time,

of 12.

Frank’s life in Queens began at MS 8 in Jamaica. He then attended Franklin K Lane High School for a time, but eventually transferred to Queens High School of Teaching, Liberal Arts and Sciences in Glen Oaks.

Authorities are hoping to have Thomas’ extradition arranged by March, 23.

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Undefended Hinds roasts Govt’s handling of sugar industry man freed of

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ecent interest in the local bauxite industry is an indication that the decision taken by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) under the late former President Cheddi Jagan was favourable; the bauxite industry continues to provide employment and economic opportunities for communities and the country as a whole.

This conviction was expressed by former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on Sunday as he addressed thousands of persons gathered at Babu Jaan in Port Mourant, on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice, to observe and celebrate the centenary birth anniversary of the late Guyanese President Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

Hinds declared this Government’s handling of the downsizing of the sugar industry is unprecedented, and does not take into account the multiple effects that decision would have on the lives of thousands of families in Guyana.

“When we got into Government, we were met with problems in bauxite,” Hinds, who served as Prime Minister alongside President Dr Jagan in 1992, recalled. He said it is a fact that the previous People’s National Congress (PNC) Administration had plans to shut down the industry if the managers could not find a way to make bauxite profitable.

“It was to be shut down. And when the managers reported to us in 1994 that they couldn’t find a way to make bauxite profitable, we had that commitment to close it down; but we did not close bauxite, we handled it in a way which showed that we understood that all Guyanese are Guyanese,” he added.

While blasting the coalition Government’s handling of the sugar industry, Hinds said, “We are not at all

Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

convinced that they see all Guyanese (as Guyanese); (that) they see sugar workers as being as any other people in Guyana.

That is one of our big problems with the way this Government has been handling this problem,” he lamented.

An impassioned Hinds spoke about the developments that have since taken place in the bauxite industry and the Guyanese economy as a whole. He believes that the progress made under the PPP Government in the 23 years it was in office is doubtlessly commendable and transformational.

Hinds said this could continue if his party is returned to Government at the 2020 general elections.

Several Canadian mining companies operating in Guyana have pledged to invest tens of millions of US dollars in expansion projects in Guyana. This announcement was made at the just concluded Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) held in Toronto, Canada.

Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Goldfields Inc., Scott Caldwell, has said that company plans, with the introduction of underground mining, to boost annual gold production to 300,000 ounces by 2022.

He said the company plans to conduct training and development of the Guyanese workforce.

Government currently receives eight per cent royalty on all the gold mined.

Government officials think the company’s ongoing expansion augurs well for Guyana, as well as the company’s shareholders and stakeholders.

For the period that it has been operating locally, Guyana Goldfields Inc has spent approximately US$50 million in the local economy to acquire goods, and services such as hauling of freight, engineering, and contract mining.

Despite Government’s move to close several sugar estates, many civil society bodies and other interest groups have been urging it to rethink its position and to implement plans that would address the welfare of workers; or at least put measures in place to cushion the effects of the closures.

In November 2017, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) announced plans to retrench thousands of workers. GAWU says the downsizing and subsequent closure of sugar estates would lead to the loss of more than 15,000 jobs, and the potential threat of poverty to between 50,000 and 100,000 persons.

The Special Purpose Unit (SPU), which forms part of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), has been mandated to conduct evaluations, surveys, and inventory assessments before any steps are taken to actually sell the estates. Those activities have already commenced.

WCD sea defence works halted T

emporary works being carried out by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on four sections of the West Demerara (WCD) sea defence structure which were destroyed by recent high spring tides have been halted due to shortage of materials.

In an interview with Guyana Times International, Chairman

by placing boulders to fill the gaps.

“What we’ve been told is that rap-facing protecting has been done; that is actually boulder face protection,” Ambedkar noted.

Two construction companies were hired to mend the seawalls and construct drainage along the area. The chairman said members of the CDC were present at the

halted due to shortage of materials, Ambedkar explained.

“What we’ve been told is that the machinery that were working there have been removed.

They are awaiting new materials, and as soon as those materials are available to them, they will be going back on site,” the chairman explained during a visit by Guyana Times

child sexual activity charge

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lenroy Frank was on Monday acquitted of a child sexual activity charge at the Sexual Offences Court.

He was found not guilty by a 12-member jury, which considered the evidence presented over a few days of trial and made its decision following about two hours of deliberations.

Frank had been charged with engaging in sexual activity with a female relative in the county of Demerara.

Guyana Times International understands that the child was eight years old and the matter allegedly occurred in January 2013.

However, the jury panel was of the view that Frank was not guilty despite the arguments presented by lead Prosecutor Narissa Leander and Seeta Bishundial and Orinthia Schmidt.

Frank opted against legal counsel and defended himself during the trial. Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall presided over the Demerara High Court case.

…shortage of material cited

Massive waves hit the Uitvlugt sea defence with blinding force

A section of the seawall that was repaired using boulders

of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) of Uitvlugt/ Tuschen, Vishal Ambedkar, explained that the CDC, in collaboration with the Public Infrastructure Ministry, has effected temporary repairs along the seawall

site during the repairing of the sea defence, but he cannot definitively say whether they had physically participated in the works being done.

The equipment used to repair the breakages was removed on Monday, and works have been

International.

Asked when the sea defence structures would be permanently fixed, he noted, “The Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, has indicated to us that they will be sending a team from the respective agency (to look) at the

sea defence, to do an assessment of what needs to be done.”

Residents of the area are presently still engaged in cleaning-up activities, and damages are still being assessed.

Ambedkar said that residents were informed that another high tide will occur around Easter.

He added, “With climate change, it’s evident that the situation that occurred here will definitely happen again. Our task here at the NDC will be trying to minimize the effects of flooding in the future.”

The NDC of Uitvlugt/ Tuschen has always assisted with the cleaning

of drains and the removal of garbage along the coast. Ambedkar noted that the Minister of State had also informed last week that compensation will be given to the residents, but it is not known whether all damages would attract compensation.

“There will be need for financial assistance based on our assessment, so that persons can have their livelihoods restored,” he told this publication.

PPP MP Irfaan Ali also stated that a letter which provided an update on the flooding, together with a list of emergency actions which

should be taken to assist residents at the earliest opportunity, was sent to Minister Patterson.

Guyana Times International saw a copy of the letter, which highlighted that the Tuschen-Uitvlugt area had received immense damage, and that many other villages in the area had suffered enormously from the flooding, thus damages should be assessed there as well. The villages mentioned included Hague, Cornelia Ida, Anna Catherina, Leonora and Stewartville. (Rupadai Seenaraine)

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

PM Modi for Guyana visit later this year …Guyana ideally placed to become a ‘solar state’ – Granger

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resident David Granger has said Guyana’s ‘green’ development thrust is not merely about environmental and economic security, but is also about energy security.

Speaking at the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Founding Conference and Solar Summit held on Sunday in New Delhi, India, the Guyana Head of State told world leaders that Guyana is strategically located in relation to the Equator, and that puts this country in an ideal position to become a ‘solar state’.

“Its [Guyana’s] strategic location in the Tropic of Cancer and a mere 6.8 degrees north of the Equator makes it suited for solar energy generation. It enjoys an average of 12 hours of daylight all year round, with consistently high levels of solar insolation,” he detailed.

President Granger told the high-level forum that Guyana’s low population density of 3.5 persons per square kilometre (km2) and the fact that many of its hinterland communities are small and isolated make

Heads of State and delegations who attended the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Founding Conference and Solar Summit held on Sunday. In front are Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron

solar energy a necessary response to the challenges of its demography and geography.

He explained that the development of solar energy-generation options by reducing the negative effects of the use of fossil fuels would ensure improved air and water quality while mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

“Guyana has begun to transition to increased solar power generation and use. Solar farms are

being planned and established, solar-powered street lights are being installed, and Government buildings are increasingly being equipped to use solar energy. Incentives are being offered to encourage this transition to solar technologies,” he explained.

“Guyana has the physical conditions for increasing (solar power) generation, but needs technologies to develop capacity in the solar energy sector. Much more

needs to be done in other fields, such as education, communication, transportation and housing,” the Head of State detailed.

President Granger called on the ISA to ensure that sun-rich states such as Guyana have access to the necessary solar technologies; and urged this international body to ensure that small states benefit from investment, innovative technologies, photovoltaic infrastructure, in-

formation-sharing, and the dissemination of scientific and technological data.

He said the ISA represents a leap forward towards ensuring that solar power becomes more accessible and more affordable to more people.

“Small states are limited not only in size, but usually also in human resources, technology and capital. Small states need support in the form of investment, innovative tech-

nology, infrastructural photovoltaic systems, and capacity-building in order to close the technological gap with larger and richer states.

The International Solar Alliance, from the start, should support the energy ambitions of the small sunbelt states by promoting investment-financing mechanisms for solar technologies,” President Granger said.

He pointed out, too, that the ISA must promote information-sharing and technology transfer relative to solar energy, and capacity-building in the solar energy sector.

Guyana signed and ratified the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance on January 30, 2018. The President has described the ‘Alliance’ as an essential element in ensuring energy, economic and environmental security.

The ISA Framework Agreement was launched on November 30, 2015.

ISA is an action-oriented international and inter-governmental organisation that aims to continued on page 21

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Three suspected bandits shot dead by Cops

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t least three men, suspected to be bandits, were on Thursday shot dead by Police ranks on the Kingston Seawall Road in the vicinity of the GNS Sports Complex ground in Georgetown.

According to in-

formation reaching this newspaper, police ranks, acting on a tip off had started trailing the alleged bandits prior to them being killed.

A senior police official said that the police were conducting an “operation” when they came under fire.

After the crime scene was processed and the bodies were taken away, a police officer described the men as “trunkers” who break into vehicles and steal property.

Investigations are ongoing.

Chase-Greene reelected Mayor …as protestors call for her, King's removal

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ncumbent Mayor Patricia Chase-Greene has been re-elected as Mayor of the City of Georgetown while Councillor Akeem Peter has ascended to the post of Deputy Mayor, replacing AFC's Lionel Jaikarran who was openly critical of the Council.

This decision was made on Thursday during an in-house election at City Hall, where scores of protesters gathered in the blazing sun outside holding placards in their silent protest against the Mayor and Town Clerk, Royston King.

The protesters which consisted of several members from the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) made continuous calls for the Town Clerk and Mayor’s removal, deeming them incompetent for their positions within the Georgetown Municipality.

The protest was this time instigated by the recent decision of the Mayor and APNU Councillors to disallow the “vote of no-confidence” motion made by Former Deputy Mayor, AFC's Sherod Duncan against the Town Clerk, Royston King.

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Man freed of 2013 murder of miner …at Five Star Backdam

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arlon Marion Freeman, who was for the past several weeks on trial for murder, walked out of court a free man after a 12-member jury unanimously found him not guilty on Monday.

Freeman was accused of murdering miner Timothy Adams at Turtle Creek, Five Star Backdam, North West District (NWD) on December 22, 2013. The

jury considered evidence presented by the prosecution on the allegation that Freeman killed Adams before stealing his gold, following a confrontation between the two.

Despite several weeks of trial and many witnesses, the jury contended otherwise, returning its verdict after some two hours of deliberations. After the accused was freed, he embraced his relatives at the High

Court in Georgetown.

This publication understands that following one of the court hearings earlier this month, a male relative of the deceased miner allegedly threatened Freeman, reportedly indicating that he would be killed if he is freed of the charge. The Judge was informed and statements pertaining to this allegation were provided to investigators.

Meanwhile, when

Freeman was freed, he told this publication that he was glad to be a free man. He also claimed that he was “set up” for the murder by another miner. When presiding Judge, Justice James Bovell-Drakes told him he was “free to go”, Freeman thanked the jury for returning a notguilty verdict.

His lawyer, Folio Richards had called Wendy, Kellon and

Murder accused: Marlon Freeman

Sylvester Freeman as witnesses to support her client’s case.

The prosecution’s case was built on a Police caution statement, wherein it was cited that Freeman killed Adams, because he thought the miner was going to pull a gun after he had confronted him over money that was owed to him.

Police Detective Corporal Bryan James had testified that in giving the caution statement – which he had penned for the accused – Freeman said he first went to work with his uncle at Five Star Backdam, but after they “got wrong”, he went to work at Gavin Blacks’ mining camp.

According to the caution statement, Freeman, a pork-knocker, was promised G$5000 per day

by Blacks, but after three

weeks had passed, he was paid only G$30,000.

He had enquired from Blacks about his money, and sometime after lunch on the day in question, he bought a “piece of weed” and then saw Adams coming to the camp about 15 minutes later.

According to the caution statement, Freeman also enquired of Adams about money he too owed him, saying: “Big man, wam to me money?”

“I see he go to he waist, and I didn’t know if he had a gun or wah, but I had a spoon which I sharpen and I just jook he by he neck and he fall down. After I see he ain’t moving, I get nervous,” the Police claimed the defendant told them.

It was said that he then allegedly left the scene. The caution statement then cited Freeman as saying that the gold he later gave a female was not taken from the deceased man, but it was gold that he had in his possession.

When Adams’ relatives heard the verdict, they were stunned. One female was even seen sobbing after hearing that Freeman was acquitted.

The miner’s cause of death was given as haemorrhage and shock, compounded by blunt force trauma to the head.

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APNU/AFC Govt lacks energy, vision to develop tourism sector

…says former tourism minister

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eople’s Progressive Party (PPP) frontbencher in the National Assembly, former Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, has come out swinging at Government’s handling of the sector since its ascension to office.

In a blunt assessment of the coalition’s performance, this Member of Parliament expressed disappointment that, since 2015, management of the sector has been marked by a lack of “energy and enthusiasm.”

According to Ali, the tourism sector holds much potential for Guyana, but there is need for a tourism policy

Former Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali

to be guided by a strategic approach that is not limited to developing and marketing Guyana as a product, but caters to partnering with the private sector. He urged that that approach be devoid of political considerations.

“I’m very disappointed, over the last three years, with the lack of energy and enthusiasm and strategic vision in relation to the tourism sector. As Minister with responsibility for this sector some years ago, we developed a strategic approach in creating an enabling environment to ensure the tourism product is marketed and developed to meet certain targets,” Ali declared.

“We also have some natural advantages in our multi-cultural society and our biodiversity. What is interesting is that a number of initiatives undertaken by the previous Government have been shelved, and there seems to be no alternative, no vision, in relation to this sector,” Ali lamented.

He related that the former administration had, over the years, developed a number of signature events, which are now either being de-emphasized or ignored by the coalition Government.

“Take, for example, the Rockstone Fish Festival, the emphasis on birding, the Guyana Festival, Phagwah, Diwali, the Wedding Expo, the Safari ….these (are) all products that took time to nurture, and we have supported these products. We need to continue to embrace these products,” he explained.

He opined that the sector has become dormant because the Ministry of Business, which has oversight of the tourism sector, lacks the energy and vision necessary to take the industry forward. Noting that the local experience continues to be underes-

timated, he urged that a national discussion on tourism be held.

Under Ali’s stewardship as Tourism Minister, Guyana made significant strides towards the promotion of Sustainable Tourism, and had been recognised for its efforts. Guyana’s North Rupununi, Region 9, has justified the resources poured into its development by copping the 2012 Caribbean Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award.

The award from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and Travelmole (CTO/ Travelmole) was accepted by Guyana’s Rupununi Learners Inc, for improving the quality of life of the region’s inhabitants.

In 2011, this award was shared by the Surama Eco-Lodge, also located in the North Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). This tourist destination was recognised by the CTO for harnessing the economic power of the visitor industry in a responsible and sustainable way.

The 2011 award was shared with Harrison’s Cave in Barbados.

Guyana’s Karanambu Lodge Inc was among the big winners of the TravelMole 2013 sustainable tourism awards handed out by the CTO. The country, for the second consecutive year, emerged as the big winner, copping three of the six prizes presented.

These awards pointed to the hard work and commitment of stakeholders in Guyana, and to the policy direction of the Tourism Ministry and Authority.

In January, Guyana hired US Expert Brian Mullis as the new Director of Tourism.

Indranauth Haralsingh had previously been performing the duties of director. It was explained that Mullis, a US citizen of California, was chosen from seven applicants.

High drama at City Hall

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Father fined G$100,000 for beating teen daughter …as Mayor throws out nowith steel pipe confidence motion against King

A

father who beat his 16-year-old daughter with a steel pipe and other objects was on Monday hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Idenco Frederick admitted that he indeed severely beat his 16-yearold on March 5, 2018 at East La Penitence, Georgetown.

The Court heard that

Frederick took up a scrubbing board and dealt the teenager several lashes. She attempted to escape him, but he pursued her and in the process, took up a steel pipe which he used to continue beating her.

The teen went to school the following day and a teacher observed marks of violence about her body and called the Welfare Department.

A King and a grin

By Lakhram Bhagirat

Fredericks attempted to question his daughter, who came home late from school.

However, the teenager reportedly gave rude responses to her father, which annoyed him and prompted him to snatch her by her hair and throw her to the ground before he proceeded to deal her several slaps.

The young woman reportedly told her father “why you nah kill me and done?” which further angered him, the court heard.

It was reported that

A medical examination carried out on her showed multiple wounds and abrasions about her body. According to Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore, the Police were called, and the father was arrested and charged.

After having an in-camera discussion with the young lady and her mother, Magistrate Judy Latchman fined the father G$100,000.

If he defaults on paying the fine, that will result in one month’s imprisonment.

PM Modi for...

from page 13

maximise the harnessing of solar-energy potential, modernise energy systems, universalise access to energy, accelerate economic development, and alleviate poverty.

This Solar Summit was hosted jointly by the Governments of India and France.

Meanwhile, President Granger and Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi have pledged to strengthen the historical ties between Guyana and India through increased cooperation. During a bilateral meeting held in New Delhi, India, Prime Minister Modi told President Granger that India is willing to do whatever it can to support Guyana’s development and pointed out that there are many areas for cooperation, particularly in the sugar and oil sectors.

Guyana’s Head of State visited India to attend the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Founding Conference and Solar

news 21

Summit.

During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the scale of Guyana-India relations and agreed to continue discussions when Prime Minister Modi visits Guyana later this year.

President Granger also used the opportunity to update his Indian counterpart on the developments regarding the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy and expressed his appreciation for India’s support for Guyana on this matter, for which a final resolution will be sought at the International Court of Justice.

This meeting follows closely on a visit to India, in January of this year, by a delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge during which Guyana and India signed three cooperation agreements-one on renewable energy, one on cultural exchange and the framework agreement on ISA.

M

onday afternoon was filled with drama in the Chambers of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) as Mayor Patricia Chase-Green kicked out a motion of no-confidence brought against Town Clerk Royston King at the statutory meeting held then.

Despite admitting to not seeking legal advice, Chase-Green utilised legal advice sought

by King to throw out the motion. This motion of no- confidence in King’s abilities was tabled at Council’s last statutory meeting, on February 26, by Alliance For Change Councillor Sherod Duncan, and it had been seconded by Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikaran.

King took it upon himself to seek the legal advice of former Magistrate Maxwell Edwards, who noted that the Council has no power to discipline the Town Clerk.

Rather, it is the mandate

of the Local Government Commission to so do.

According to the legal advice, which was seen by this publication, the “motion, if passed in its present form, would be otiose, nugatory, incompetent, and effectual and of no legal effect (an exercise in vain)” for a number of reasons.

One such reason is because, according to the law, “a Town Clerk cannot be disciplined by the City Council, but only by the Local Government Commission of the LGCA [Local Government Commission Act], which

by Ministerial Order (as gazetted) became operations on 23 October 2017.”

As such, the legal advice recommended that Duncan “amend his motion by removing the vote of no-confidence wording”, and for him to allow another Councillor to move for an amendment.

Following the reading of the advice, it was put to a vote for the Council to decide on whether it wanted to accept or dis-

Mayor Patricia Chase Green

regard the advice. With 15 councillors accepting the advice, it was then adopted, and Duncan was advised to state whether he would like to amend the motion. He responded in the negative.

“I will not change a line, a word, a full stop.

I will not amend any of it. Thank you,” Duncan noted.

Following that statement, Duncan said he was quite taken aback that before he could have spoken on his motion, the legal advice was read.

The Mayor then asked the Councillor whether he wants to amend his motion, but her question was met with only silence.

“The motion in its original form would not be allowed. Could I have that ruling be recorded?

The motion in its original form would not be allowed, after having the approval and agreement from the majority of the councillors sitting here to accept the legal advice by attorney-at-law and former Magistrate Mr Maxwell Edwards,” Chase-Green ruled.

Slap in the face

Councillors Sherod Duncan and Lionel Jaikaran leaving the meeting

In his motion, Duncan cited provisions in the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chap 28:01 that places the responsibility and duty of ensuring that the Municipality is managed in a “professional and competent manner by a qualified Town Clerk,” on councillors. He noted that it was based on that provision that his vote of no confidence against King stemmed.

The motion stated that King has acted outside the interests of the citizens of Georgetown and has shown gross disrespect for the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chap 28:01. Duncan cited several instances of the Town Clerk’s disre-

gard for Chap 28:01.

Following the ruling, both Duncan and Jaikaran asked to be excused from the meeting.

Duncan explained that the fact that King is allowed to sit in on a meeting to discuss his ineptitude and to bring legal advice to state that it cannot be discussed is “incredible.”

“I find that very surprising — that legal advice would be accepted from the husband of a sitting councillor on a motion that has not been heard, which was placed on the agenda, but the legal advice is heard first (in order) to shut down the motion. I find that very bizarre, and it is a slap in the face of local democracy,” he said.

Responding to the advice that the Council does not have the authority to discipline the Town Clerk, Duncan said his motion did not call for any disciplinary action; rather, it expressed his lack of confidence in King’s abilities to manage the capital city.

“A no-confidence motion is what it says: you have no confidence in the Town Clerk. The motion never called for his dismissal, it never called for his suspension; it is plainly stating that you have no confidence because of his performance on the job; that is all. By the very nature of it, we called for no disciplinary action in the motion,” Duncan noted.

He has since indicated that he would be seeking legal advice before proceeding further.

The kicking out of Duncan’s motion has also signalled a divide between the Coalition partners, since most of the APNU councillors were heard disagreeing with the contents of the Motion.

22 NEWS

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Top Cop maintains “Fine Man” gang responsible for Lindo Creek killings

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o l i c e Commissioner Seelall Persaud on Tuesday denied Police involvement in the June 2008 Lindo Creek killings, maintaining that the eight men were killed and their remains subsequently burnt by notorious prison escapee Rondell “Fine Man” Rawlins and members of his gang.

The Top Cop, who is on pre-retirement leave, appeared before the Commission of Inquiry into the Lindo Creek killings where he maintained that a team of officers, led by him, did not venture into the Lindo Creek area.

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

Persaud, who was Crime Chief at the time, told the sole Commissioner, Retired Justice Donald Trotman that in June of 2008 Police Commissioner Henry Greene provided

him with a map identifying Christmas Falls in the upper Berbice River area and informed him that notorious criminal Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins was in the area hiding out with his gang.

He said that he was then instructed to head an operation to arrest the prison escapee.

Persaud related that he mobilised a team of six other officers and a number of civilians who were knowledgeable about the area and then ventured to the Christmas Falls area. The officers were Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken; Deputy Superintendent Withrite, Inspectors Layne and Narine, Assistant Superintendent Lowenfield, and Deputy Superintendent Nurse.

He said that they were all armed and took a boat with them.

The team arrived about 17:00h on June 5, 2008 and spent the night on the right bank of the Berbice River. The CoI heard that the next morning, a team led by Hicken crossed the river, made their way above Christmas Falls – which is in the Berbice River, and were engaged by a gang of men.

“I thereafter crossed the river using the same

boat and observed that there was a body of a person I later learnt to be Otis Fefe (one of Rawlins’ gang members)…with what appeared to be a gunshot injury to his face, and I also observed that the ranks would have seized nine firearms consisting of rifles, handguns, and shotguns and a quantity of ammunition,” he related.

Persaud told the CoI that he then contacted Commissioner Greene and informed him of the engagement and they were told to retreat to allow the Joint Services to pursue the escapees. He further related that they retreated on June 6 and arrived in Georgetown later the same day.

Additionally, the Police Commissioner said that he played no other part in that investigation and as such, he could not definitively say whether any Police rank was dispatched to the Lindo Creek area, but maintained that his team did not venture to that area.

“My ranks were not at Lindo Creek. They were at Christmas Falls.

I am sure they were not there because we left on the 6th and arrived (in the city) on the 6th,” he said.

He added that the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) led the investigation into the Lindo Creek killings and he played no part in the initial process. The CoI heard that following the discovery of the burnt remains of the eight men, one Cecil Arokium made claims that his workers were murdered by Joint Services ranks resulting in a visit to his Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo home from then acting President Sam Hinds and a team from the OPR who took a statement.

Persaud related that he was later instructed to take over the investigation and explained that the file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who advised that the case be closed.

Persaud said that the advice was based on the fact that they had evidence that the eight men were killed and their remains burnt by Rawlins and his gang. He further stated that he remained convinced that the Police played no part in the men’s death; hence, the reason for closing the file.

Commissioner Trotman asked Persaud whether he was surprised at the DPP’s ad-

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud on the stand

vice. Persaud said that he was not surprised because the Police had evidence to prove that the men were murdered by the criminal gang – most of whom were now dead.

Persaud’s answer to the question caused Commissioner Trotman to express his surprise at the advice of the DPP. He also asked the Top Cop whether he felt the need for a coroner’s inquest into the incident, but Persaud informed that he saw no need for it, reiterating that the men were killed by “Fine Man” and his gang.

Under examination by the Commission’s Attorney, Patrice Henry, Persaud could not produce any evidence or

definitively say that a post-mortem examination was conducted on the men’s remains. He also related that the men’s remains were ordered buried after the DNA results came back identifying three of them.

Persaud said that the identified remains were of Torres, Harry and another man whose name he could not recall. The CoI was told that the relatives of the three men were informed so that burial could be arranged and only one family responded, indicating that they could not afford funeral expenses; hence, the funeral parlour was instructed to bury the remains.

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Legal fraternity throws Harmon, Ramnarine differ support behind acting on Top Cop candidates A Chancellor, CJ

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Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

he local legal fraternity is calling for the confirmation of acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, and acting Chief Justice (CJ), Roxane GeorgeWiltshire.

President of the Guyana Bar Association, Kamal Ramkarran, on Friday made this declaration, and it was received with resounding applause from an audience packed with legal luminaries, who gathered for the inaugural Guyana Oil and Gas Law Training Development Conference that was put together jointly by the Judiciary and the Bar Association.

The conference is the brainchild of acting Chancellor, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, who along with the acting Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire, worked on putting together the content of the programme.

According to the GBA President, the local judicial sector is on the right path under the leadership of Justices CummingsEdwards and GeorgeWiltshire.

“This is what happens when you have two dynamic women heading the Judiciary, who care enough about filling the gaps in our collective knowledge by adding to their heavy work load of hearing cases all day, as well administering the legal systems and improving it by planning something of this magnitude, and seeing it through to reality. I’m sure that you will all agree that this is exactly the sort of energy

and capacity we want from the heads of our Judiciary,” he posited to loud applause from the gathering.

The GBA President further added that not only are the two female justices doing a tremendous job in regard to reducing the backlog and making improvements in the Judiciary, but it is also evident that their thinking is

Cummings-Edwards for the top judicial post, and for demoting her to the Chief Justice position.

Justice Cummings-Edwards was appointed acting Chancellor and Justice George-Wiltshire acting Chief Justice in March last year.

The Bar Association last month called on both the Head of State and the Opposition Leader to break the impasse and arrive at a resolution, while warning that the unconstitutional appointments of a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice would have “embarrassing consequences”.

“The current climate surrounding the offices of the Chancellor and Chief Justice is repugnant and shakes the public confidence in the legal system. It further unfairly undermines the dignity of the offices and office holders.

In the circumstances, we urge the parties

Chief Justice (CJ), Roxane George-Wiltshire

outside the box, as is evident in the hosting of the oil conference.

President Granger is now seeking legal advice on the way forward in regard to the judicial appointments, after his nominee for the Chancellor position, Justice Kenet Benjamin, was rejected

by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, whose approval is needed for a substantive appointment under Article 127 of the Constitution.

The Head of State had subsequently underscored the “necessity” of having substantive appointments.

H o w e v e r , Government has since come under fire for overlooking Justice

to work to break the impasse and arrive at a consensual resolution, discharging their duties to the nation and in keeping with the spirit and intent of Article 127 of the Constitution, which was amended from its original form to foster collaboration,” the GBA had said in a missive.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Friday threw its support behind the position taken by the Association, expressing concern over the fact that the President and Leader of the Opposition were unable to come to an agreement on the appointments after a lengthy process.

cting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine had said senior ranks in the Force are dwindling; a scenario with direct implications on candidates to take over as Police Commissioner.

However, the Government is contending that far from lacking leadership, the Guyana Police Force has a number of competent officers who can take over from Ramnarine, in due course.

This assertion was made by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, during a post-Cabinet press briefing. At present, Deputy Commissioner Ramnarine is again serving as the acting Police Commissioner, pending the retirement of the substantive Commissioner Seelall Persaud, next month.

“There’s an acting Commissioner right now.

And I suppose in the fullness of time, having a look at all the circumstances; the President will make his determination as to a substantive Police Commissioner.”

“But I can say to you there are in the Police Force some excellent officers who all can fit the role of Commissioner of Police,” Harmon informed the media. Outgoing

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine

Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud recently had a passing out parade in his honour. The parade was held under a cloud of controversy; however, as ahead of the ceremony the State media published a damaging report on the veteran officer.

It was reported in the State’s newspaper that Persaud, on January 29, 2018, responded to an application previously made in his name, approving his business – Professional Outdoors Supplies – as a registered firearms dealer. Reports

revealed that the outgoing Top Cop granted approval for two-gun licences for a 9mm Pistol and 12, 16 or 20-gauge pump-action shotguns.

Asked whether it was ethical for him to make this move just a few weeks before his retirement, the outgoing Commissioner had pointed out that the business would have only become operationalised in May, after his retirement.

Steps have since been taken to have the dealership licence revoked.

Police Service

continued on page 24

24 news

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Ramjattan admits to limited monitoring of deportees by Police

…as US report shows rise in deportations to Guyana

By Jarryl Bryan

S

ome 137 Guyanese were last year deported from the United States of America (USA) for various offences. They have returned to their homeland – Guyana — but any procedures for reintegrating them into society without incident are limited at best.

Additionally, for those who would have committed criminal offences, there is little monitoring of them when they return to Guyana.

This publication spoke to Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan in a recent interview, and he admitted that there is no formal reintegration or monitoring procedure for these deportees.

“We don’t have any process of really reintegrating them,” he related. “We try as best (as is possible) to let them go back to their families. They check with the Police for a couple of weeks. There isn’t an institutionalised reintegration process,” the

minister explained.

“As far as I know, there was kind of an experimental pilot project that was supported initially years ago, but when they’re deported, they come back to their country of birth because they are citizens of Guyana. And that’s more or less the situation.”

The minister was also asked how many persons were deported for committing violent, criminal offences. Ramjattan noted that while he believes the Enforcement and Removal Operations Report (ERO) report was accurate, he has not yet been able to do a formal analysis of its findings.

“Not having proper documentation is a criminal offence,” Ramjattan explained.

“If they are convicted for murder, if they’re convicted for rape or whatever, those are all criminal offences.

America deports exclusively, in my opinion, for criminal offences.

All of them were criminals.

undocumented criminals back to Guyana.

“We will have to put measures in place to ensure deportees do not try to perpetrate crimes when they get back here, but it is something we must prepare for,” he had stated during an edition of “The Public Interest”, a televised programme now on an extended hiatus.

ICE

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

“There are Guyanese who misbehaved over there, committed offences,” he further related. “Some were jailed for some time, then sent back. Some were immediately sent back for a variety of offences.”

Over the years, a number of deportees have been fingered in a number of criminal activities ranging from assault to murder. In some instances, they were even deported af-

ter already serving time for criminal activities.

P r e v i o u s l y , President David Granger had expressed some level of concern about Guyana’s ability and capacity to handle any possible influx of Guyanese being deported from the USA. He had explained that a better approach to the situation would be for the US to provide ample time and adequate notice before sending the

The report in question is the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations Report (ERO) for the fiscal year 2017.

Documented therein is that a total of 137 Guyanese were deported from the USA in 2017.

This is a hike compared to 93 persons who were removed and sent back home in 2016 for various criminal offences.

ERO identifies, arrests, and removes aliens who present a danger to national security or a threat to public safety, or who other-

wise undermine border control and the integrity of the US immigration system.

When US President Donald Trump was elected to office in 2016, it did not take long for the administration to pursue a more forceful crackdown on illegal immigration.

Last year, he issued Executive Order 13,768, Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States (EO), which set forth the Administration’s immigration enforcement and removal priorities.

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) February 20, 2017 memorandum, Enforcement of the Immigration Laws to Serve the National Interest (implementation memorandum), provided direction for the implementation of the policies set forth in the EO. An executive order was even signed by President Trump, which threatened the grant of federal aid to countries that do not take back deportees promptly.

Harmon, Ramnarine differ on Top Cop...

from page 23

Commission

When Ramnarine had informed the media that the number of senior ranks within the Force was dwindling, he had stressed that the reconstitution of the Police Services Commission was being eagerly awaited.

This is so that 2017 promotions can go ahead. On the matter of the Police Service Commission, Harmon noted that the matter was still at the National Assembly.

“The Police Service Commission is still at the National Assembly.

There are recommendations to be made to his Excellency, the President.

I believe that the committee (of Appointments) which is chaired by (Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George) Norton has met.”

“They are required to make their submissions to the National Assembly and then those recommendations come to the President. We have urged that the National Assembly give this more attention so that we can have the commission constituted in the shortest possible time. It is very

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

important that we have that commission.”

The life of the last Police Service Commission came to an end in September 2017 and there have since been calls for its reconstitution.

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

New members of the Police Service Commission have already been selected but they are yet to be formally appointed. It was in January of 2018 that Ramnarine had called for

the body to be put in operation as soon as possible.

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

Though that order was followed, the courts later determined that it was illegal for the President to direct the autonomous Commission. The Police Force promoted 204 junior ranks last year.

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PPP confident of sweeping 2020 polls … Jagdeo says every effort will be made to block attempts to rig He said the fear of election rigging was understandable, especially given the fact that elections were rigged in the past by the People’s National Congress (PNC).

The PPP General Secretary, therefore, urged supporters not to allow this fear to paralyse them. “We must fight to prevent it,” he told the gathering.

The Opposition Leader warned supporters to look out for the ‘race card’ be-

B y S amuel S ukhnandan

P

e o p l e ’ s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed confidence in the party gaining victory at the next General Elections due in 2020 and has urged every Guyanese to be on guard against attempts to rig the process.

During his address to the thousands of Guyanese gathered for the late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan’s centenary service, which was held at Babu Jaan, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne),

ing played up during the next elections.

However, he said the PPP was a party of national unity and one that was open to people of all colours, races and creeds.

While admitting that the PPP has a large Indo-Guyanese base, he said that his party was largely supported by Amerindians too.

The PPP has also been welcoming more people of AfroGuyanese descent into the party, who have

GECOM database.

“We are not confident about the integrity of the database within GECOM, so we will have to make sure that that database has not been tampered with. We have to cross check the 2015 database with that one they have now to see if that has some unusual patterns.”

Jagdeo said his party has already requested that GECOM conduct an independent verification of the database. GECOM

turned to it for support on a number of matters.

Apart from that, he said the PPP was gaining more support not based on colour but on sound policies.

“We must form a compact with civil society,” he said while urging every Guyanese to fight against every form of oppression and racism being touted by opposing groups and parties.

Stressing the importance of citizens getting registered, Jagdeo said that a recent exercise done by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) showed the highest number of people who registered in this cycle, more than ever in several PPP stronghold villages.

“So, that’s a good sign, but we need to step up the sign in next cycle.

We have to start preparing the logistics to bring every single one out,” he added.

The former Head of State told the gathering that the PPP would continue to fight for several areas of concern, one being the

published a list on February 3, 2018, but according to him, an old list was provided to the Party on February 6, 2018. For this and other reasons, Jagdeo believes that there would be a need to verify the information to ensure that it was correct and reflected updated statistics.

“We have to work on enhanced biometrics, because if we don’t get an electronic form of voting, people going to polling stations will not get an extra ballot unless they are verified. We have to find a way of scrubbing the list and getting dead people off and make it transparent,” he added.

But regardless of these concerns, Jagdeo said the PPP would no doubt win the next elections especially since the voters gained by the coalition Government in 2015 have now returned to his party. He said the odds of the coalition Government returning to office after 2020 were slim for other reasons as well.

he vowed to work tirelessly to block any attempt by the ruling A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition to rig the next elections as he predicted a major sweep for his party at those polls.

In a passionate speech to observe the 100th birth anniversary of the late Guyanese leader, Jagdeo said that the work in this regard has started, and called on all PPP/ Civic supporters to be vigilant.

“We are not laying down and taking it for granted that they won’t rig…We will block those,” he said.

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NICIL to pay woman G$30M after forcibly acquiring land

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he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has upheld a G$30 million court award of compensation to Deorani Singh on behalf of the estate of Mohan Pirtram Singh whose land was compulsorily acquired by the State over 35 years ago.

However, the substantive appeal which carried the matter to the CCJ was dismissed by the Trinidadian-based court on Tuesday. The Attorney General (AG) and the State-owned National Industrial and Commercial Investment (NICIL) were the two named respondents.

The court found that none of the Appellant’s grounds of appeal succeeded and dismissed the appeal. The regional judicial arm however indicated that “the forensic reality is that the State was content to accept the decision reached by the Court of Appeal (judgment award) and, accordingly, it did not disturb that decision.

The Georgetown property, which was at the centre of contention, was the site where Mohan Singh operated his business until his death in 1980 and the then State entity, the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC) Limited, leased the property for five years. In a judgement summary issued by the CCJ on Tuesday, it was observed that the State, under the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act Chapter 62:05, compulsorily acquired the land from the Singh estate.

It was in 1984 that the State first sought to enquire from the High Court as to how much compensation should have been paid the original owners. A court ruling some three years later, in March 1987 fixed compensation in the amount of G$578,000 less the sum of G$496,850.13 which was already paid over to estate representatives which indicated that the

total compensation was some G$1,074,850.

Further background into the decades-long case pointed that the said property was leased to Citizen’s Bank by GPC. Afterward in 2003, the property was taken over by NICIL. However, it was in 1997, some six years prior that Deorani Singh filed a High Court motion, challenging the State’s compensation, arguing that her and the estate’s fundamental rights and freedoms as observed by Articles 40 and 142 of the Constitution were “contravened”. She petitioned the court to have the acquisition declared as unconstitutional, null and void and to no effect.

Singh’s motion was heard in the High Court in 2002 and a judgement was delivered in 2010

by Justice Roy which viewed that the acquisition was unconstitutional and that passing the transport from the estate to GPC was a nullity. However, the then AG appealed the trial Judge’s decision but the Appeal Court upheld the High Court’s ruling and awarded G$30 million damages for the contravention meted out to Singh.

The CCJ highlighted that both the State and GPC “considered themselves as the lawful and genuine owners” of the property and that there was “considerable work done on the property” and two transfers of ownership. The court contended that it would be a “great injustice” to permit the appellant, Singh, to see an order to pronounce that the property was never acquired or vested in the State.

The CCJ however opined that there was significant delay in the judicial process as the constitutional motion was heard five years after it was filed in 2002 and judgment delivered in 2010 due to a missing file. The appeal was filed in 2010 and oral judgement was given sev-

en years later in 2017 before the CCJ heard the matter in February 2018. The respondents were awarded basic costs.

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T

he animals and plants that live in the wild have an intrinsic value and contribute to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of human well-being and sustainable development. World Wildlife Day was celebrated in 2018 under the theme “Big cats: predators under threat".

The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, in his message pointed out that the solution to saving big cats and other threatened and endangered species is conservation policy based on sound science and the rule of law. “It must also give full consideration to the needs of local people. When local communities and economies benefit from wildlife conservation, strategies are much more likely to succeed,” he said.

Big cats are keystone species. Protecting them also protects the vast landscapes they inhabit and the wide variety of life they harbour. It is a gateway to protecting entire ecosystems that are crucial to our planet’s health.

World Wildlife Day is used as an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people. At the same time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.

Given these various negative effects, Sustainable Development Goal #15 focuses on halting biodiversity loss.

Big cats are among the most widely recognized and admired animals across the globe.

However, today these charismatic predators are facing many and varied threats, which are mostly caused by human activities. Overall, their populations are declining at a disturbing rate

can survive less than 10 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity.

due to loss of habitat and prey, conflicts with people, poachi n g and il-

leg a l trade.

For example, tiger populations plummeted by 95% over the past 100 years and African lion populations dropped by 40% in just 20 years.

But a range of measures are underway to arrest this decline.

In an effort to reach as wide an audience as possible, the expanded definition of big cats is being used, which includes not only lion, tiger, leopard and jaguar -- the 4 largest wild cats that can roar - but also cheetah, snow leopard, puma, clouded leopard, etc. Big cat species are found in Africa, Asia, and North, Central and South America, representing a virtually global distribution, and representations of big cats, such as for car logos, by sporting clubs and the fashion industry, are used globally.

According to the United Nations (UN), over the past century we have been losing big cats, the planet’s most majestic predators, at an alarming rate. World Wildlife Day 2018 provided the opportunity to raise awareness about their plight and to galvanize support for the many global and national actions that are underway to save these iconic species. Through World Wildlife Day big cats will generate the level of attention they all deserve to be sure they are with

for gener- ations come.

us to

Guyana’s wildcats

Six of the 36 wildcat species that exist in the world roam the largely pristine forest and natural corridors that exist in Guyana.

• Jaguarondi (Puma yagouaroundi) also known as the Eyra or Otter cat.

The body of jaguarondi is covered with uniformly coloured fur.

Depending on the habitat, colour of the fur can be reddish, grayish or black to brownish.

Unlike many other South American cats, jaguarondi spends majority of time on the ground, usually in dense vegetation or heavy bushes.

They are very vocal animals producing 13 different sounds for communication and can jump 6.5 feet in the air to catch a flying bird. Jaguarondi is a mainly diurnal (active during the day) animal.

• Margay (Lepardus wiedii), also known as the Tree Ocelot, Climbing Ocelot, Little Ocelot or Tigrillo.

Margay’s fur can be grayish to cinnamon in colour. It is covered with black-ringed rosettes.

They have large eyes adapted to night vision since they are nocturnal (active at night). They

Unlike o t h e r cats, margay is able to move down the tree, with its head going before its feet. This is possible because it has flexible ankles of the front feet that can be rotated for 180 degrees.

• Oncilla (Lepardus tigrinus), also known as the Little Spotted Cat, Tigrillo, Tiger Cat or Little Tiger Cat The body of an oncilla is covered with beautiful fur that can be tan or ochre in colour. Upper side of the body is covered with dark rosettes while the lower side is pale and contains a few spots. Its tail is covered with black rings

and ends with black tip.

One fifth of all oncillas are completely black.

Young animals produce a unique purring sound, while adult animals produce a gurgling sound when they meet each other. Oncilla is active at twilight (crepuscular animal) and night (nocturnal animal).

• Jaguar (Panthera onca), also known as the Tiger, Pouss, Turtle Tiger Jaguars are the largest of South America’s big cats. Most jaguars are tan or orange with distinctive black spots, dubbed “rosettes” because they are shaped like roses. Some jaguars are so dark they appear to be spotless, though their markings can be seen on closer inspection.

• Puma (Puma concolor) also known as the Cougar, Panther, Mountain Lion, Red Tiger, or Deer Tiger The Puma is the fifth heaviest of wildcats after the lion, leopard, jaguar and tiger. They have a plain coloured fur ranging from tawny to silver grey or reddish brown with lighter patches on their underparts including the jaws, chin and throat. The name of a male is referred to simply as a ‘Puma’, while the female is referred to as a ‘she-Puma’ and the young are called ‘cubs’.

•Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) also known

as the Tigrillo, Painted Leopard, Hagtiger, or Dwarf Leopard.

The Ocelot is much larger than its cousins the Margay and the Oncilla, although they bear a striking resemblance. Twice the size of the average house cat, the ocelot is a sleek animal with a gorgeous dappled coat. These largely nocturnal cats use keen sight and hearing to hunt rabbits, rodents, iguanas, fish, and frogs.

They also take to the trees and stalk monkeys or birds.

It is important to note that all wild cats in Guyana are protected in accordance with the Third Schedule of the Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations (WMCR) 2013. Therefore, trapping, killing or injuring of these animals is a crime that is punishable by law.

Guyana will also join the rest of the world in celebrating International Day of Forests (IDF), on March 21st, 2018. The global theme is , 'Forests for sustainable cities,' and will focus on how forests and trees in urban areas regulate temperature and water flows, provide nutritious foods and shelter, cleanse the air and foster community cohesion and individual well-being, among other benefits. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Ocelot captured on cameratraps near Yupukari village

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Govt backs call to boost public sensitisation on oil & gas sector

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overnment has admitted that more can be done to sensitise the public on various areas of the oil and gas sector, especially residents of far-flung rural communities and areas outside Georgetown.

In an interview with Guyana Times International, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin expressed support for more sensitisation exercises across the country, noting that they did not even have to take the form of expositions and summits. He revealed that he has made promises to approach the Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD) in this regard.

“Certainly, I do (support the call)… I certainly agree that information on the oil and gas industry needs to be made available to all 10 regions in Guyana. In fact, I was in Port Kaituma over the weekend and we had a discussion at a town-hall meeting with residents and business persons. And they were concerned with getting information on the opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

“I have promised them that I would discuss that with the (CLBD). So, I agree it is important to have this information disseminated as wide-

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin

ly as possible. And there are a number of ways this can be done. It doesn’t necessarily mean we have to host GIPEX [Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit & Exhibition] in every region, but there are other ways of getting the information out.”

He acknowledged that such information would have to be both relevant and beneficial to locals. This means, he noted, local companies having access to experts in the oil and gas industry.

CLBD

When the ExxonMobilfunded CLBD first opened, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had said he strongly recommended that workshops be held throughout the 10 Administrative Regions to inform the citizenry of the opportunities on offer.

Areas of opportunity include marine operations, safety equipment, fabrication, inspection, civil construction, warehouse, and last but not

least, catering.

According to CLBD Project Director Patrick Henry, the Centre would conduct courses such as financial management alongside IPED and other partners, among other initiatives.

“The Centre has a supplier registration portal,” Henry had related to the media.

“And we ask that businesses come in (and) register in the portal. From there, we’ll do assessments of businesses. We’ll run training classes to help them in areas like understanding the offshore oil and gas sector, and see what opportunities they have.”

“We’ll help them in areas such as safety, health, and the environment. (We’ll give them) an overview to understand what that means for the oil and gas sector as well as other sectors. And then we’ll conduct courses through our partners. (Courses) like financial management or supply chain management training, which allows them to access the opportunities upcoming,” he added.

ExxonMobil, its contractors, the broader oil and gas industry, and the Government would be able to utilise the CLBD for sourcing local vendors and services.

Now that it has opened the CLBD, ExxonMobil will, over a three-year period, work with DAI Global to transition the CLBD into the hands of Guyanese management.

GIPEX

Asked directly about GIPEX, Gaskin noted that the Business Ministry only assisted with the coordination of the Natural Resources Ministry organised event.

But he noted that the event was from all accounts a success.

“From all accounts, I’ve been told it was a very successful summit,” he said.

“Those who attended seemed very satisfied. My understanding is there were a number of meetings between local private companies and foreign companies and there have been a number of joint ventures discussed.

“I don’t know if we have any signed contracts and signed arrangements, but certainly, there have been discussions about joint ventures and I believe there are expectations that from the summit will come a number of joint ventures.”

The GIPEX summit was held at the Marriott Hotel with hundreds of foreign and local delegates last month.

Junior Finance Minister defends “inexperienced” GuySuCo Board

D

espite criticisms that the newly appointed Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Board of Directors lack the skills to manage the sugar industry efficiently given the crisis facing the industry, Minister within the Finance Ministry, Jaipaul Sharma has defended the competence of the individuals who have been handpicked by the Government as he believes they bring a wide cross-section of skills and

new ideas.

The new GuySuCo Board members are Colvin Heath-London (Chairman); Fritz McLean, Komal Singh, Verna Adrian, Vishnu Panday, Annette ArjoonMartins, Arianne McLean, Roshan Khan, and George Jervis.

Sharma said the Board of Directors at GuySuCo is a policy direction body that could help to change the industry’s performance and bring some order to the manner

in which the Corporation operates. “Once you have the skillset to manage, I don’t see any problem with that,” the Minister asserted.

According to Sharma, the previous GuySuCo Chairman, Professor Clive Thomas, had no experience in sugar either but that was not a problem.

Importantly, however, is the fact that a representative from the General Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU) sits on

Minister within the Finance Ministry, Jaipaul Sharma

the Board. That person would have extensive experience in the sugar industry and an intimate understanding of the role of GuySuCo. “If you told me that the management doesn’t have experience in sugar then that would have been a different story but a board is a set people with different skills set that could add to and contribute to the industry and the company’s improved performance,” Sharma contended.

Asked to offer his view on criticisms that the number of Board members remains the same even though they will be left with the responsibility of three sugar estates when the remaining four are closed, the Minister told Guyana Times International on Wednesday that the number is suitable for any of the scenarios.

“You want a wide skillset when you are making decisions so the Board will have sub-committees and if you have a board of three or four people, who will head these sub-committees? Then you have meetings where people don’t attend and we are assured with those numbers that you will have a quorum,” he added.

Sharma also noted that the new Board is made up of young people, something that people were demanding. He said with the inclusion of these people, it will add a new dynamic to the Board and it will allow these young professionals to serve in a leadership capacity who can bring new ideas.

Further, Sharma noted that the criticisms about GuySuCo being placed directly under the National Industrial and Commercial Investments

Limited (NICIL) which has direct responsibility for the Corporation is not a matter of micromanaging but the intention is to bring some coherence to how the industry is ran.

He said, “The issue was always in relation to cooperation. The (Special Purpose Unit) SPU never had the cooperation of the last Board and they did what they wanted to do and they had several objections. There was also confusion between the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Agriculture.”

“So we will now have greater cooperation. The persons from SPU are sitting on the Board itself so there is no confusion of the right hand doing this and the left hand doing this. I am really happy with the new Board structure and I will wait and see how successful they will get,” Sharma said.

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-Youths involved in community enhancement

By Chevon Lim

T

he community helpers of the Non Pariel Green House Club

maybe very young and lacking in terms of experience, however, the participants are set-

ting an example for adults in their community. These vibrant young people are in-

A model depicting the Non Pariel Green House Club

Taking a break from their voluntary efforts

Work in progress

volved in the first Pilot project - recycling old tires and discarded plastic bottles to build a Community Training Centre. The funding was awarded by the Ministry of Education - Youth Innovation Project (YIPOG).

According to the Project Officer, Mr. Romel Putulall , given that the volunteers understand the benefits of having a community center and ground, the youths from the community are voluntarily working on this project. “ We are making awesome progress and very soon the Non Pariel green house club will be completed,” he told the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

Alluding to the main functions of the

group, Mr. Putulall further explained that the long term goal is to become involved in more environmental projects. The management committee, he added is comprised of members aged 18-45 years, while youths of all ages from the community are involved in the project.

Even though the project is not yet completed, the Project Officer lauded the efforts of the young volunteers and encouraged others to become involved, whether it is through volunteering or sponsorship for the completion of the project. “ I would like to encourage everyone to come out and help,” he stated .

The Group had received a grant from the

Ministry of Education - Youth Innovation Project (YIPOG) in 2017, of $4 million.

The overall total of the project cost approximately 9 million.

The group is registered as an NGO and is managed by a Committee of 12 persons, which includes two (2) representatives from the Buxton/ Foulis NDC - Mr. Jagdeep Singh - Vice Chairman of Buxton and Ms. Sharmilla Prashad - Councillor.

Putulall added that most of the young volunteers are between the age range of 7 to 18 years, who willingly worked on weekends- Saturday and Sundays to get the job done. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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Jaguar in Guyana – (Photo by Niels Poul Dreyer focusingonwildlife.com)

By Chevon Lim

Jaguar (photo from gotoguyana. org)

G

uyana is in a privileged position of having a healthy jaguar population, which provides ideal opportunities for research and development of strategies to promote the conservation of the species.

It is within this framework that the Iwokrama Research Centre and global wild cat conservation organization, Panthera signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at the development and implementation of actions for the science and conservation of jaguars in Guyana. The Iwokrama Research Centre has been recognised as a key area for Jaguar conservation in Guyana, and research conducted over the years has proven this area, particularly the forest and road to be prime habitat for jaguar sightings.

The MOU, which was signed in 2016, signalled a commitment made by the two parties to collaborate on education, research and practical applications for conservation of Jaguars in Guyana with particular reference to the Iwokrama Forest and road. More so, it allows both institutions to jointly develop and implement strategic actions for the science and conservation of jaguars in Guyana, framed under Panthera’s Jaguar Corridor Initiative.

The organisations work closely with government agencies including the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency, Wildlife Division, and Guyana Protected Areas Commission amongst others. In particular, programmes are delivered through education, research and practical conservation applications including sharing information and developing additional co-operative plans to survey for jaguars, educating the

public on the value of jaguars and other wildlife and mitigating conflicts between jaguars and people.

Globally, jaguar populations are on the decline mainly due to the loss of habitat and conflict with people. As a result, these animals are listed as a ‘near threatened’ species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Panthera first started work in Guyana in 2011 through the jaguar conservation studies in the Rupununi where it was established that the connectivity of the Amazon Rainforest throughout the Rupununi, Iwokrama and other adjacent areas in the northern habitat of the jaguar is important for the long-term conservation of Guyana’s natural heritage.

Founded in 2006, Panthera is an organization devoted exclusively to preserving wild cats and their critical role in the world’s ecosystems.

Panthera’s team of leading biologists, law enforcement experts and wild cat advocates develop innovative strategies based on the best available science to protect cheetahs, jaguars, lions, leopards, pumas, snow leopards and tigers and their vast landscapes.

Panthera works alongside a wide variety of stakeholders in 50 countries around the world to reduce or eliminate the most pressing threats to wild cats thus securing their future and ours, the release said.

Most of the work has been done so far in the Rupununi as the savannahs serve as a hotspot for biodiversity and is potentially a crucial area for connecting Guyana’s jaguar populations with those of the Amazon. Conceptualized

by Dr. Rabinowitz, the Jaguar Corridor Initiative is the backbone of Panthera's Jaguar Program, which seeks to connect and protect jaguar populations ranging from Mexico to Argentina to ensure the species' genetic diversity and survival.

Jaguar relocation

Late last year, villagers from Fair View, the only community within the boundaries of the Iwokrama Forest, contacted Iwokrama’s Management regarding a jaguar they had trapped.

It was reported that the jaguar was a frequent visitor to the village and was hunting dogs in particular. The Village was understandably fearful as the attacks were becoming increasingly frequent.

Iwokrama immediately contacted the Environmental Protection Agency and the Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission for assistance. A number of other partners were also engaged for advice including Panthera, Protected Areas Commission and Matt Hallett (University of Florida) who is currently conducting PhD research on Jaguars in Guyana.

Soon after, an expert staff team of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission arrived at

Fair View and with the assistance of Fair View residents and qualified Iwokrama Rangers, were able to secure the animal in a special cage for transfer. They later successfully relocated the animal to another area within the Iwokrama Forest- away from the village of Fair View.

Iwokrama Research indicates that the Iwokrama Forest supports healthy populations of jaguars and their prey; both within areas designated for wilderness preservation and sustainable utilisation.

Although Fair View Village exists within the Iwokrama Forest, humanjaguar conflict happens only intermittently; it is generally mitigated by support from Iwokrama, the actions of

The forest is zoned into a Sustainable Utilization Area (SUA) and a Wilderness Preserve (WP) in which to test the concept of a truly sustainable forest where conservation, environmental balance and economic use can be mutually reinforcing. The IIC collaborates with the Government of Guyana, the Commonwealth and other international partners and donors to develop new approaches and forest management models to enable countries with rainforests to market their ecosystem services whilst carefully managing their resources through innovative and creative conservation practices.

Iwokrama brings together 20 local communities (approximately 7,000 people) who are shareholders and partici-

Jaguar about to be transported after been trapped

village leadership and the tolerance of local wildlife by village residents.

Environmental and other organizations such as Iwokrama, Conservation International-Guyana, World Wildlife Fund -Guyana, National Toshaos Council can also assist with linking communities to the relevant government regulatory bodies. It must be emphasized that the Jaguar (Pantera onca) and all of the other five species of cats in Guyana are protected by law.

(Photo and excerpts from DPI)

About Iwokrama

The Iwokrama International Centre (IIC) was established in 1996 under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat to manage the Iwokrama forest, a unique reserve of 371,000 hectares of rainforest “in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general”.

The Centre, guided by an international Board of Trustees is unique, providing a dedicated well managed and researched forest environment.

pants in the IIC’s sustainable timber, tourism, research operations and forest management activities through complex co-management and benefit sharing arrangements; Scientists and researchers engaged in ground breaking research into the impacts of climate change on the forest and measuring the scope and value of its ecosystem services; and A portfolio of sustainably managed and certified business models using innovative governance systems which include participation of the private and public sectors and the local communities, earning income from the forest and its natural assets whilst employing international social, environmental and economic best practice, whilst still keeping abreast of the ever changing thinking on funding for environmental projects in the face of climate change and the perennial scarcity of international finance.

This alliance and the Centre’s work programmes are committed to showing how a rain forest can be used for real sustainability, real climate change protection and real community benefit.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Not even…

I

…a cuirass?

n case you wondered why Europe’s indignant about the Tariffs Trump slapped on aluminium and steel imports, just consider the outright ban on our catfish family – gilbakka, cuirass, hassar (yes, it’s a catfish!) and “catfish”.

It’s all about restricting world trade, which isn’t kosher. For hundreds of years, these developed countries had been pushing “free trade” — which means not imposing measures that would increase costs at the point of entry — when THEY had stuff they wanted to push down our throats. But now that the shoe’s on the other foot, they’re throwing up barriers faster than you can say “Mexican Wall”!!

Now, after WWII, there were attempts to regulate these regulations – first by GATT and then the WTO — and to approve some “reasonable” ones. Trump tried to justify his tariffs by claiming the exception of “national security”!! They don’t have enough steel to make those drones they fly over Afghanistan?

Now, if importing steel and aluminium cheaply was undermining American “national security”, why make an exception for Canada, who’s the largest exporter to them? Jeez!!

Sadly, the REAL reason for Trump’s action is to influence an election that’s going on right now in Pennsylvania – where several factories that were big in steel manufacturing had to be closed down because the imports were cheaper. So other countries (not to mention US consumers, who will have to pay higher prices for stuff that has steel or aluminium) will have to suffer just so the Republicans don’t lose a Congressional seat!! But then the Americans do have a saying: “All politics is local”!

And you can’t get more local that this ban on our catfish family! Ostensibly, the Americans are saying the WTO allows restriction trade because of “sanitary (animals) and phytosanitary (plants) threats. These are: “Measures that are applied to protect human or animal life from risks arising from additives, contaminants, toxins, or disease-causing organisms in their food; to protect human life from plant- or animal-carried diseases; to protect animal or plant life from pests, diseases, or disease-causing organisms; to prevent or limit other damage to a country from the entry, establishment, or spread of pests; and to protect biodiversity”.

To make this stick for catfish, the US had to change the rules of the game by moving it to an agency that imposes much stricter tests!! But like with the steel and aluminium tariffs, there are domestic reasons for the sly move. In this case, the US catfish producers in the US southern states of Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas, facing cheaper imports from Vietnam, pressured the federal government. And presto!!…the ban!!

But look at it this way: We’ll now be able to afford gillbakka here!! …an explanation You could’ve knocked your Eyewitness over with a feather!! Here, on the front page of this newspaper, was splashed a picture of President Granger kowtowing to the “racist” and “genocidal” Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi!! Well, at least that was how his Director of Public Information (DPI), Imran Khan, had described Modi and his government after Jagdeo and 21 MPs of Indian Origin went to India on a PIO meet!

And imagine the Guyanese delegation had Indians from the PNC and AFC also!!

And not only that. Granger, the very proud person of African descent, jetted off to India even though he’d been slated to deliver the keynote address to the global meet on the “International Decade of People of African Descent” at the Marriott!! And guess who he handed over his presidential baton to – none other than Carl Greenidge, who almost took him to the mat for the PNC leader’s spot.

So is Modi kosher now that Granger has genuflected to him? …Government owned UG just gave over 10 acres of its prime real estate in perpetuity to the private-public JOF Haynes Law School, being pushed by AG Basil Williams and two private-school outfits from Jamaica. And we don’t even know if a contract was drafted, much less signed!! Exxon redux??

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Shell Beach Scenery - (photo

by Marco Farouk Basir)

-Securing the future existence of marine turtles in Guyana

By Chevon Lim

T

he Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS) was established in 2000 with the primary mission of ensuring the future existence and population recovery of all the four species of marine turtles known to nest in Guyana, while addressing the needs of the communities. Engagement of the indigenous communities in alternative income projects to reduce their dependency on harvesting of sea turtle meat and eggs was an integral element in the successful launch and continued existence of North West Organic line of products which can be found in the leading supermarkets today.

GMCS was founded by its President Mrs Annette Arjoon-Martins, who managed and spearheaded many communi-

thematic areas of work include biodiversity surveys, community outreach, and the design and delivery of environmental education and awareness programs.

Shell Beach Protected Area (SBPA)

SBPA is one of Guyana's protected areas managed by the Protected Areas Commission; other protected areas include the Kaieteur Falls National Park and the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area (KMPA).

The SBPA, along with KMPA, was created in 2011 after the passage of the Protected Areas Act in 2011.

SBPA is in the northwestern part of Guyana in Region 1( Barima-Waini) and stretches over 120 km (75 miles) of beaches

ing ground for four of the world's threatened species of marine turtles namely, the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and green turtle (Chelonia mydas). They visit the beaches from February to August each year. Turtle monitoring takes place at Almond Beach during this period. It also has a diversity of other animals and birds. (Reference: SBPA management plan, 2014) Since the area was declared a protected area it falls under the management of the Protected Areas Commission which has continued the programme of recording and tagging of marine turtles, data collection on all field based monitoring activities.

It takes a team effort to protect the four species of marine turtles known to nest in Guyana

Education and Awareness; GMCS works with stakeholders at all levels to promote awareness of the need to protect the marine turtles and natural resource

assisted in having no fishing zones implemented at the most populated nesting beaches and the respecting of same by the local fishermen.

Marine turtle nesting and monitoring activities will begins in February and concludes in the later part of August.

Activism

A previous rescue mission; in the photo the drowned Leatherback turtle was brought ashore by GMCS representatives

ty outreach programmes pertaining to the conservation of the marine turtles, in collaboration with the local stake holders, governmental and donor agencies.

GMCS’s mission is part of a global effort and involves the tagging and monitoring of the nesting marine turtles and awareness campaigns which has played a major role in the declaration of Shell Beach as a Protected Area.

Legislation now governs the illegal take of all the endangered species from within that area and persons caught in illegal acts will face the consequences of the law.

According to the current GMCS President, Mrs. Arjoon-Martins, other aspects of GMCS

and mudflats along the Atlantic coast. The coastal beaches are made of fragmented shells rather than sand, hence the generic name shell beach.

Shell beaches can be found in Suriname and French Guiana, which also have marine turtle nesting grounds. The SBPA covers an area of 123,055 hectares (1,203 sq km, 304,074 acres). In the inland portion of the protected area, it is bound by the rivers named Moruca, Barabara, Biara, Baramani, and Waini.

SBPA is special because it has Guyana's largest and most intact mangrove forests considered the most important ecosystems to the security of biodiversity in the Guiana Shield. It is also an important nest-

GMCS Past Projects

Several other projects include a Monitoring Programme; this involves the empowerment of the resident Amerindian peoples to be the stewards of the resources upon which they ultimately depend. GMCS actively employed persons from the Waramuri, Santa Rosa and Almond Beach communities, who would ordinarily have been turtle hunters or consumers, so that they can experience an alternative to killing the animals. In addition Community Development seeks to identify economic alternatives for user communities as a means of achieving sustainable livelihoods.

Environmental

management of the area.

GMCS has, over the years, trained numerous teachers from neighbouring communities in promoting conservation messages in the classroom Research; GMCS organizes and conducts research that will promote the protection and conservation of cultural, natural and archaeological resources within the Shell Beach area.

Human intervention and engagement, such as fishing activities in the nearby coastal waters and in front of nesting beaches, contributed to the loss of many adult turtles that had been caught accidently and drowned in nets. However this was resolved by collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture which has

Annette Arjoon is a pilot, aviation and environmental advocate; she is the President of the Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS) and the National Air Transport Association (NATA) Her expertise in designing and implementing alternative livelihood programs for the indigenous communities that depended on sea turtle meat in the Shell Beach Protected

Annette Arjoon Martins

Area resulted in her being awarded the Anthony Sabga Caribbean Award for Excellence in Public and Civic Service in 2009.

She was the recipient of the Golden Arrow of Achievement, one of Guyana’s National Award, in 2017 for her contribution to environmental protection.

She is the Chair of the Environment Committee of the Private Sector Commission and the PSC representative on Thematic Area 2: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Expansion of Environmental Services: stewardship of natural patrimony of the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS).

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Marginalisation and Anti-African Racist discourse

T

he following was first offered in 2008 and republished several times. I have always marvelled that, because I have also spoken out against anti-Indian racism by some African-Guyanese, I have been branded as “racist”.

The abused can also become abusers.

“In our estimation, the African experience in the “New World” defines the word “marginalisation” in conjunction with “racism”.

Following the powerlessness of the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas to withstand the labour demands and diseases of the Spaniards (evidenced by ninety percent of then dying off in the Caribbean within decades of Columbus’s arrival) the Christian Church recommended the importation of Africans as slaves. As opposed to the Amerindians, they could discern no sign of a “soul” in the latter group – deeming them beyond salvation. They

were fair game for slavery – or extermination, for that matter.

The enthusiastic entry of the English into the trade dragged 3.1 million Africans to the West Indies, but only 2.7 million survived the Atlantic crossing. That only 600,000 survived at “Emancipation” in 1834 offers a clue to their living conditions, and the ravages of the Middle Passage.

The appallingly barbaric treatment, which included the most vicious physical

brutalisation, destruction of families, wrenching away of languages and cultures etc., impelled the creation of some sort of rationalization, since Europeans insisted they were “civilised”.

Early on, slaves working alongside white European indentured slaves were simply defined as soulless “heathens,” and could be kept on the margins as such.

It was when they started to convert to Christianity that colour became the marker to distinguish them from the “mainstream”. “Race” as we now know it was created and transmuted into racist practice that relegated and maintained Africans to the margins of society.

As I wrote in 1993, “Race and racism, as we know them today, are very modern constructs arising out of a European 18th century discourse that ran parallel with the European conquest of the rest of the world, and especially with the justification of African slavery.

Notable rationalists such as Hume, Kant and Hegel were involved in the project, which gave a social significance to physical markers. This is illustrated in Hume’s position that, “negroes…are naturally inferior to the whites”, and Kant’s view, summarised by his comment, “this fellow was quite black …a clear proof that what he said was stupid.” My contention is that “race and racism” are part and parcel of the “Western

Enlightenment,” exported as one weapon in the European arsenal of imperialistic conquest.”

“African and Black” was constructed as the binary opposite to “European and White”, and, like all dualities, it is not possible to eliminate one without the other.

Racism is not a phenomenon that ended with the abolition of slavery – and it has not ended, even though many assert that “race” has no objective existence.

It persists in the totality of its relations that have become imbricated on the sinews of the civilization that we all practice. Its panoptic gaze has taken in other “natives”, but its emblematic and defining instance remains African racism.

Following Foucault, one can consider racism as a discursive field that incorporates beliefs, descriptions and actions, and the principles on which racist institutions are based. The discursive formation would include the normative rules and norms – including laws and moral rules about how we “ought” to act towards each other.

In the words of Cornell West, racist discourse is a product of the “structure of modern discourse… the controlling metaphors, notions, categories and norms that shape the predominant conceptions of truth and knowledge in the modern west.” As I wrote in 2006, West

By Ravi Dev

assures us that “there are the lingering effects of slavery and past discrimination in the continued attack on black humanity and racist stereotypes which are designed to destroy black self-image”. This, if true – and I believe it is – would perpetuate the continued marginalisation of Africans in the world, including in Guyana.

To appreciate the parameters of its continued impact on the marginalisation of Africans in Guyana, one must inquire into the extent to which the premises of the old discourse of race and racism have survived into our particular socio-historical conjuncture, and continue to influence our thinking and narratives. To suggest how difficult this project would be is to consider that even the empirical sociological tools we would probably use — such as, say, social psychology — are all contaminated with premises of “races”, “racial differences” and “racial attitudes”. But the task must be initiated and programmes initiated to eradicate the cancer of racism. We would all be liberated.

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By Chevon Lim

araudarnau, Deep South Rupununi is cowboy country. Over 1000 persons, mainly Wapishana Amerindians reside in the community along the banks of the winding Rupununi River. In English, the name means Snake Hill. The community is located in the Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine , close to Aishalton. In addition to many friendly residents, the village has several schools and churches, a health post, several shops, a rice mill and a peanut butter factory. During the day, most of the villagers are at work; farming is the primary activity in the village.

However, at the day’s end and on weekends, the streets come to life.

Karaudarnau, Sawariwau and Mururanau are the three Wapichan communities in Region 9 that have embarked on a pilot programme to develop quality bilingual education for primary school children, with the aim of adequately responding to the needs of the indigenous children as well as passing on wisdom and traditions of their culture.

Indigenous peoples have been part of the Rupununi landscape for millennia.

Anthropologists have discovered PaleoIndian petroglyphs, dated to be several thousands of years old along the course of the Rupununi River. Before the colonization of Guyana and the Rupununi region, the Makushi Amerindians, WaiWai and the Wapishana all inhabited the area. The Makushi migrated from what is now known as modern Brazil and Venezuela, to the northern areas of the Rupununi River, over four-hundred years ago. The Makushi Amerindians continue to live in the Rio Branco savannahs and northern Rupununi, surviving off of the abundance of fish, wildlife and forest resources of the area.

The Rupununi River, also known by the local indigenous peoples as Raponani, flows through the Rupununi region. The name Rupununi originates from the word rapon in Makushi (a dialect of one of the communities), which is a black-bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) found along the river. (Photos by Girendra Persaud )

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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A chance to celebrate beautiful, border-pushing women

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f you’re familiar with my articles, women’s rights and equal access to opportunities are something that I hold dearly to myself. I have written about women in Science, women in ICT, the dangers of catcalling, among others. So, of course, I had to write about International Women’s Day! International Women’s Day, celebrated last Thursday, was done under the theme “#pressforprogress”. Since the last International Women’s Day, the world, I believe, has undergone a sort of revolution. Movements such as #metoo, #timesup have been pushed to the forefront. Women all around the world used the hashtags to point out abuse of power, and more particularly sexual abuse in the workplace; as well as to call for change.

Notably, last Thursday as well, former Bishop’s High School teacher Coen Jackson was charged, and remanded to prison for engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of sixteen. When that story broke, I was both horrified and simultaneously encouraged. I was angry at the things that students said Jackson had done to them, how he had misused his position as their teacher, how he had sexually groomed students, and especially how many people claimed that his actions were common knowledge. Yet I was also inspired by the response of the public. The public refused to let this slip idly by, staging protests and truly calling for a change.

This type of public responsibility gives me hope.

It makes me feel as though we, as a society, are progressing. Yet — I am sure, sadly — there are many other teachers like Jackson; teachers who prey upon their students, teachers whose “behaviours” are excused, since they are so good at their jobs. I hope that Jackson serves as an example that no one is untouchable. I hope that how this case was handled gives other girls the courage to come forward. And I hope that we continue to believe our girls when they

are brave enough to speak out.

By Ashley Anthony International Women’s Day is, I think, important, as it gives a chance to reflect upon the strides we have made in women’s rights, and serves as a reminder that we still have so much further to go.

It is a chance to celebrate beautiful, border-pushing women.

Personally, on this day, I like to think about the women who push forward in male- dominated fields such as Science and Engineering; in particular Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics. I think this is because I have seen first hand how negative stereotypes about girls can affect their performance and participation in those fields. It is not okay to tell a girl that she should be better at reading than she is at mathematics. It is not okay to be surprised when a girl is better at mathematics than her male classmates, and it is definitely not okay to doubt a girl’s abilities simply because she is female.

I know that such responses may seem small and insignificant, but they add up. They say to her that it’s weird that she thinks she would be successful in those fields. They say to her that, because you are female, you should expect that this should be difficult for you.

Breaking into a male-dominated field, even for an extremely determined girl, is hard. It isn’t hard because we can’t handle the work, but it’s hard because we can’t handle the culture. Women have first to break past their own negative views of themselves, then they have to convince everyone else around them, and keep them convinced every day. Female scientists tend to be doubted more, credited less, and ultimately valued less. Yet, we have to #pressonforprogress.

Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, and may we raise them.

Soldier, mother charged for assaulting pregnant Cop

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soldier and his 46-yearold mother found themselves before Magistrate Judy Latchman charged for assaulting a pregnant Police Officer.

Twenty-five-yearold Dwayne Winter of

Lot 68 Duncan Street, Campbellville, and his mother, Simone Winter, of Lot 528 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, denied that they committed the act.

It is alleged that on February 11, 2018 at South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, the Winters unlawfully assaulted Shauntey Hunt whereby a breach of peace was occasioned.

Dwayne Winter initially entered a guiltywith-explanation plea; however, following his explanation, a notguilty plea was entered.

He accused Hunt of slapping his mother which caused him to retaliate.

Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore had no objections to bail being granted and this was granted in the sum of G$20,000 each.

Both defendants are expected to reappear on March 19, 2018.

Foot and mouth disease…

T

…spreading

rotman just can’t leave well alone, can he?

Now that the energy portfolio – read oil and gas – has been plucked from his grubby little hands, he seems driven to find excuses for his embarrassing demotion. Namely that his giveaway on the oil contract with Exxon was so egregious, it made the rape of the Sabine women look like a friendly tussle!!

The fella seems to forget it was he who’d boasted about his “negotiation prowess” and he was going to take Exxon to the mat!! He took them to the mat, of course, but unlike the case with the Honeymooning Couple, it was soon clear he wasn’t the one “on top”!! At the time Your Eyewitness concluded he was delusional. But since he refused to reveal the details of the “deal” he’d made – save his boast he’d DOUBLED the royalty rate the PPP had accepted – your Eyewitness didn’t realise the depth of his deceit.

First, he insisted Exxon didn’t HAVE to agree with the need for a renegotiating and he had accomplished some sort of legerdemain to bring them to the table. He’s still pushing that line even though we know – after he and his government were dragged kicking and screaming to reveal the (sordid) details of the contract – the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) had a time element that had expired. But the excuses now shifted to WHY he’d rushed to sign without proper advice or help.

And now he’s not only ventured further into the realm of the delusional, but is undermining our national security. Speaking to the Bar and Bench’s seminar on the oil sector, he concocted a new “reason” for his bumbling: Maduro’s decree over our waters on May 27 (not May 26 as Trotman claimed) to include the Liza find. “It is important for Guyana to move to production as quickly as possible, so we could assert when we got to court that production was taking place within the territorial waters of Guyana. If it was that there was no production, it would be a matter for dispute as to where the realm stood. So, getting to production was strategic, because it had to do with sovereignty.”

So let us go through this slowly. We’ve never conceded there’s ANY merit in Venezuela’s claim that the full and final award was affected. THIS, in fact, was just a CONTROVERSY Venezuela created.

And that’s why we wanted to take the matter to the World Court. Now, why would we want to now STRENGTHEN something that was already ironclad??! Hasn’t Trotman now introduced an element of doubt into our position?

The old saw applies here: if it ain’t broke, DON’T fix it!! Especially when it’s just to save (Trotman’s) face!! …in the AG’s Chambers When will someone take care of the embarrassment into which the Attorney General seems hell bent on imposing on his Chambers permanently? First, there was the quality of the (legal?) advice he was giving to his principal – the President and the Cabinet. He was then given five legal “luminaries” to show him some light. Didn’t help though! And the cases he insisted on pursuing which were more like personal vendettas than anything else just made him appear more vindictive than he already was.

Now he’s really gone over the edge into raging, full-time megalomania. He claimed he wasn’t invited to the Bar and Bench’s oil seminar and, therefore, issued a decree that no one on his staff could attend.

Turns out he was, in fact, invited but had declined because he would be “out of the jurisdiction”!!

He obviously thought the event should’ve been postponed until he returned!!

Seems like it’s not only Ramjattan who thinks he’s the Sun King!! …in the Presidency Now why should the President want to break up the present stellar judicial team of the incumbent Chancellor and Chief Justice just to parachute in an old army squaddie?

If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. Please!!

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

A tribute for the late Dr Cheddi Jagan

By Rev Gideon Cecil

A great soul was born on Guyana’s soil, From parents who lived in poverty tears and toil.

His path was rough from his birth to his death, Where he lived and died for his nation in no regret. He struggled for all Guyanese to be free, In sweat and tears he fought for our liberty. For us to always remember the Father of our Nation, He fought for one and all without discrimination.

If we will understand our hero Cheddi Jagan, And give each other love and a helping hand.

We will live as one people and one nation, With the same destiny for our souls to be free.

Let’s remember our liberator and mourn together this day, And join our hearts together to sing and pray.

For us to remember he was a man of patience, He ruled our nation with a clear conscience.

If we will comprehend this great son of our soil, And emulate his vision to walk an extra mile.

We will build a bridge over hate, greed, and war, And live in love to reach heaven’s twinkle stars. O great soul of my country; you came and went away!

For this nation to think of your great name and pray.

In the ages to come your words shall be our song, For us to remember you for our souls to be strong.

You left this nation to mourn and weep for you, And my soul to think of you in everything I do.

O what manner of faith you possessed for 28 years!

When you struggled for my nation in blood and tears.

Your name will be a light in every Guyanese heart, And your words of wisdom shall never depart.Your face we will remember as a smiling rose, And your immortal words even though your eyesare closed.

May you be like a Lincoln, Gandhi, and Nehru As a true statesman in everything you do.

So long as history lives, your name will live, As the Father of my blessed country Guyana.

You liberated a nation for a new nation to be born, For us to remember Cheddi Jagan as a noble soul reborn.

Pharma chameleon

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atiricus was in a good mood. His leaders Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man had managed to keep off the political radar all week and he figured he wouldn’t get the usual “tantalising” at the Back Street Bar, where he was headed. He greeted the waitress when he entered with a hearty, “Happy Women’s Day!” but got a surly “What’s to be happy about with your government?” for his troubles. He decided to leave well alone as continued to the back table, still smiling.

“Hey Sato!” exclaimed Bungi. “Like yuh get wan bonus or wha’? Me a see all yuh teeth!”

“Naah!” Satiricus replied just as jovially. “The bonus is locked away to fight our case against those Venezuelans.”

“Fram wha’ me hear, de bonus like wan iceberg,” observed Cappo. “What do you mean?” asked Hari.

“De US$18 million a jus’ de tip,” grinned Cappo.

“De piece wha’ pass anda de table ten time mo’ big!”

“So what else is new,” said Satiricus, who didn’t want to go down that road.

“Well, I see your government said they won’t extend that pharma warehouse deal,” said Hari.

“Me guh wait and see,” said Bungi cynically. “Da chap gat mo’ seed dan baigan! Wan Minista resign and HE still deh!!”

“That’s how those Pee an’ See fellas operate,” said Satiricus carefully, hoping to keep out of the line of fire.

“Stap rite deh!” exclaimed Cappo. “Na Nagga Man seh if traffic heavy pan de Eas’ Bank, de “Battam HouseWarehouse” guh rush de drugs to de Big Haspital?”

“Yes, Sato,” said Hari quietly. “What will happen now?”

“An’ na only da,” interjected Bungi as Satiricus struggled for a retort. “Nagga Man also seh if fiah bu’n dong de Diaman’ Warehouse, de battam house warehouse guh save ev’ry t’ing!”

“Well things do change, you know,” Satiricus fumfered desperately. “Maybe the traffic situation has cleared up on the East Bank?”

“Yuh rite, Sato, t’ings does change,” agreed Cappo.

“Like yuh leada Nagga Man mout’!”

“He’s like a regular chameleon,” snickered Hari.

“Pharma Chameleon!!”

By Petamber Persaud

Riding high on top of choppy waves he pebbled into play with his first book, Pulling the Punches: Defeating Domestic Violence, Luke Daniels now creates a tsunami with his new book, Defeating Domestic Violence in the Americas: Men’s Work by contending that domestic violence is ‘politically motivated violence in support of patriarchy’, pointing out that the social structure is designed whereby mainly men are put in charge of state apparatus and mainly men becoming policy makers, holders of high offices, heading other organisations like military, political, religious, social, endowing them with wealth and power exercising control, sometimes absolute control. Daniels also shows how this pandemic of violence thrives in a climate of inequality, machismo, and lack of respect fuel by the socialisation for violence in the movies, violent video games and in sports like boxing.

Although this book focuses on the Americas (referring to the Caribbean, Central, South and North America), the ground rules are the same for any society in which domestic violence is allowed to prevail and fester. By constantly using the phrase ‘men’s work’ with supporting facts and figures, the author repeatedly emphasises that domestic violence is not only a women’s issue.

The phrase ‘men’s work’ is pregnant with all manner of connotations for individuals who are burdened by historical baggage thrust upon them and contemporary constraints of neo-liberal society. The phrase ‘men’s work’ points fingers directly at governments which are led mainly by men and whose role it is to protect its citizens (the UN proclamation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, December 10, 1948).

Governments have access to resources and have the power to end violence and as the author contends ‘it is a dereliction of duty to pass the buck to charitable organisations, women’s organisations or non-governmental organisations (NGOs)’.

This book challenges men, especially men in government, to take the responsibility serious-

ly of ending all violence by putting forward ‘solutions for government to bring an end to socialisation for violence’. This book, like his first, rests firmly on the conviction that there is a beginning and there must be an end.

To this end, the author gives a detail his-

tory of violence, hoping that ‘raising awareness about our history of violence will help towards a positive change in attitudes and behaviours’.

One commentator says, ‘Daniels roots his analysis on the systemic violence intrinsic in the process of discovery, conquest, exploita-

tion, slavery, colonialism and its corollary in the Americas: the rise of ...imperialism’.

Along the way, the author demolishes many myths about violence towards women and hints at solutions: end inequality, defeat machismo, provide justice, enforce domestic violence laws, control violent TV programmes, protect young people from violent video games and support art and culture that promote non-violence. Defeating Domestic Violence in the Americas: Men’s Work is made up of ten chapters with notes, an introduction, a bibliography, and an index, all designed to bring elucidation and elicit action in such a way as to vindicate the book’s premise: there is a beginning and there must be an end.

This book may not win a popularity contest but it will be one of the books that will make a difference to our world.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Studios are taking female Shah Rukh Khan’s wax figure to join Madame Tussauds Delhi filmmakers seriously S today: Lara Dutta

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rom winning the Miss Universe crown to navigating her way in Bollywood, coming up with a prenatal yoga series and now debuting on television, Lara Dutta Bhupathi has enjoyed various roles in showbiz. She s a y s w i t h i n creasing participation of women behind the cameras, there’s a change visible in the entertainment industry.

“I think the whole scene is changing because of more participation of women, and so there are that much betterwritten parts that women are getting in films. I think the younger lot — Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone and Kangana Ranaut — they are really lucky to be a part of Indian cinema at a time when more women filmmakers are telling stories that deserve to be told.

“This is only improving the image of our women in Indian cinema,” Lara told IANS in an interview.

She pointed out how since she produced the film Chalo Dilli, the number of female filmmakers has increased.

“They are coming up with the right story and thankfully, studios are ready to invest money and taking female filmmakers seriously. On the other hand,

actors like Kangana and Anushka are also producing their own films. I think that is how we are getting more and more empowered,” she added.

While some of the iconic filmmakers like Mira Nair and Aparna Sen have represented Indian cinema on the global platform in the past, in the last few years names like Zoya Akhtar, Alankrita Shrivastava, Gauri Shinde and Konkona Sen Sharma have gone behind the camera for movies.

Actor Anushka has backed some offbeat films like NH10, Phillauri and the latest Pari under her home production, while Priyanka Chopra is producing a slew of regional films. And who can miss out Ekta Kapoor.

Though heroines tend to get typecast in a mother’s role after a certain age, it is interesting how at 39, Lara gets to play a strong professional like her part as a lawyer in Azhar, and as an art gallery owner and curator in Fitoor.

On this, she said: “I never made a strategy to choose a certain kind of role, but yes those are the kind of roles I am offered. Maybe, filmmakers believe that I can bring something more to such characters in a film. Honestly, I do not analyse them that much.

“I think that is why I have done a variety of roles from a lawyer to a village woman and a mad character in a comedy film like Singh Is Bliing.”

Lara is making her debut on Indian television with a dance reality show titled High Fever… Dance Ka Naya Tevar. (Indian Express)

Aamir Khan on being a superstar in China: My popularity in China happened by accident

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n the Chinese entertainment world, Mr Perfectionist of Bollywood Aamir Khan has become a superstar. His fandom is not restricted by physical boundaries and people across the borders are in awe of his work.

After winning over Indian moviegoers, the content of his movies – 3 Idiots, Dhoom 3, PK, Dangal and Secret Superstar left an impact on the Chinese audience and did exceptionally well on the ticket counters. The earth-shattering box office collection of Aamir’s films Dangal and Secret Superstar in China have made him a force to reckon with at the Chinese box office. While Dangal has minted a total of $193 million, Secret Superstar, which stars Aamir in an extended cameo, has collected $117 million in China.

But for Aamir, his popularity in China cannot be credited to Dangal and Secret Superstar. For him, it is

Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots which made the people of China realise his potential as an entertainer. “My popularity in China happened by accident. Not many people know that it all started with 3 Idiots (2009), which reached Chinese homes through piracy. I guess they really related to the subject of the education system. Then they followed my work, including PK, and even the TV show Satyamev Jayate,” Aamir told Hindustan Times.

Apart from the content-driven scripts of his film and his perfection in his art, for Aamir, the total collection of his films in China supersedes the Indian collection because of the major difference in the number of screens in the two countries. He said, “When Dangal released in China, they already knew me and my work. Also, the reason why the films did such business in China is the sheer number of screens. In India, we have around 5,000 theatres, while in China there are 45,000. Even though there isn’t as much difference in the population of the two countries (approx 1.35 billion in India and 1.4 billion in China). I play a cameo in Secret Superstar, even then the film was released by the exhibitors in 11,000 theatres in China. Just imagine the scale.”

With such smashing success of his films, the fans of the actor both in India and China are eagerly waiting for what he has in his kitty next. (Indian Express)

uperstar Shah Rukh Khan’s wax figure will be the latest to get featured at the Madame Tussauds Delhi. This would be the second figure of Shah Rukh to be displayed in his signature pose besides other iconic celebrities, in a special interactive zone. The first figure was launched in London in 2007.

Managed by Merlin Entertainments, Madame Tussauds in Delhi has wax figures of famous personalities from sports, cinema, politics, history and music. “Given his massive fan following across the globe, and because he is a popular celebrity and loved by everyone; it was a prestigious choice for us to bring Shah Rukh Khan’s figure to Madame Tussauds Delhi,” Anshul Jain, General Manager,

and Director, Merlin Entertainments said in a statement.

Wax figures of cricket icon Kapil Dev, Milkha Singh, singer Asha Bhosle, Shreya Ghoshal and yesteryear actor Madhubala among others have already been unveiled by the museum.

While on the work front, superstar Shah Rukh Khan is busy prepping up for his upcoming film Zero which also stars Katrina Kaif and

Anushka Sharma in the lead.

In the film which is helmed by Anand L Rai, Shah Rukh will be seen portraying the role of a vertically challenged man who falls in love with a superstar which will be played by Katrina. This film will also mark the last movie of late actress Sridevi who will be seen in a special appearance in the film. (Indian Express)

‘Hichki’ actor Rani Mukerji: My hiccup in life was my stammering during childhood

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ust a week before the release of her film Hichki, Rani Mukerji said she, like others, had faced hiccups in the early stages of her life. Rani, who came to the city to receive the Pride Of Bengal (Aparajita 2018) award, said she used to stammer in her childhood.

“There is no life without hiccups.

My hiccup in life was my stammering during childhood. But we must overcome the hiccup and turn that into your strength,” she said. About the Siddharth Malhotra directed Hichki, she said, it is such a film that has the potential of both educating and entertaining the audience.

“Hichki has an important message. And it is an honour to get such an award over a week before the film’s release,” she said about the award.

Hichki features Rani as Naina Mathur,

B

ollywood actor Narendra Jha, known for his work in films like Raees, Haider and Kaabil among others, passed away on March 14. He was 55. Confirming the news to indianexpress.com, Jha’s family member said, “Narendra Jha passed away at his farmhouse in Wada this morning at about 5 AM. He suffered a massive heart attack.”

Narendra Jha was in Wada with his wife Pankaja Thakur as he needed rest after suffering from a minor attack a few days ago. His medical treatment was going on in Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai. His wife Pankaja, who is also the former CEO for Central Board of Film Certification, had even taken a leave of four months to be with Narendra at their Wada farmhouse.

Born in Madhubani, Bihar, Narendra Jha started his career with the television industry and became a known face with shows like Begusarai, Ek Ghar Banaunga, Supercops vs Supervillains and others. He ventured

a self-motivated teacher who suffers from Tourette syndrome.

It is a neurological disorder characterised by repetitive, stereotyped and involuntary movements.

Stating that she found the new status of motherhood fulfilling, Rani told the audience, “This is a new innings of my life – the next 22 years – as mother and as an actor. This phase comes after 22 years of acting career.” Rani said she has been trying to introduce her husband Aditya Chopra to Bengali habits and language. “But he is yet to learn how to eat ‘ilish machh’ (hilsha).”

Actor-director Nandita Das, who got the ‘You Inspire’ (Aparajita 2018) award, said, “Why this award is special to me? It tells me whether you are called an actor, social activist, director, be as you are. Feel confident in what you are.” (Indian Express)

into Bollywood with 2012’s Funtoosh.

Following which, he was also cast in Neta Ji Subhash Chandra Bose: The Last Hero by Shyam Benegal. He came to limelight with his role as Dr Hilal Meer, Shahid Kapoor’s on-screen dad in Haider. He also essayed supporting roles in movies like Force 2, Mohenjo Daro and Humari Adhuri Kahaani. He was recently seen shooting for Salman Khan’s Race 3.

The film and TV industry are mourning the death of Narendra Jha. Actor Hrithik Roshan, who shared screen space with him in Kaabil, wrote on Twitter, “He was a dream to work with. What an actor. This is absolutely shocking. Narendra jha you will be so missed. Rest In Peace my friend.”

Director Hansal Mehta also wrote, “What a shocker! Narendra Jha? This profession is truly a killer.”

Narendra Jha married Pankaja in 2015 in a quiet ceremony near Nashik.

(Indian Express)

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ home release includes silent film version

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ans of Star Wars: The Last Jedi buying the movie for home use will also get access to a cut of the movie where the only audio is of John Williams score.

The music-only edit was revealed by the film’s director Rian Johnson on Twitter, who called it his favourite special feature.

The catch, however is that to access it, customers will have to sign up for the Movies Anywhere app, the Disneybacked digital movie aggregator which is the exclusive home for the score-only of Last Jedi.

Williams has teased a potential retirement from the franchise following next year’s Episode IX. Star Wars: The Last Jedi is Rian Johnson’s second installment in the third Star Wars trilogy. It stars Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Adam Driver.

The Disney blockbuster became just the fourth film to open above $200 million domestically. Aside from The Force Awakens ($248.8 million), the others are The Avengers ($207.4 million) and Jurassic World ($208.8 million).

The film received four nominations at the recently held 90th Academy Awards, including Best Original Score and Best Visual Effects. It was also nominated in two categories at the 71st British Academy Film Awards.

A sequel, provisionally titled Star Wars: Episode IX, is set to release on December 20, 2019.

Being directed by JJ Abrams, Episode IX will conclude the story of Rey and probably the entire Skywalker saga that began with 1977’s original Star Wars (The New Hope). Due to polarised reaction to The Last Jedi, Disney and Lucasfilm would want to play safe with this one. (Indian Express)

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Eddie Murphy roped in for ‘Twins’ sequel, confirms Arnold Schwarzenegger

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ddie Murphy has joined the cast of the Twins sequel, confirms actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Schwarzenegger revealed this during a panel discussion at South

by Southwest when he confirmed that Murphy, 56, was set for the longawaited sequel titled Triplets, reports deadline.com.

He said the film’s script is finished. He

also spoke on the physical differences between the three triplets in the movie, saying that it is about “Funny thing that happens in the mixing of the sperm”. The original 1988 film, which was directed and produced

by Ivan Reitman, saw Schwarzenegger, 70, and Danny DeVito, 73, starring as twins Julius and Vincent Benedict, who were separated at birth.

Schwarzenegger

opened up about the idea of Murphy joining the cast in the past, and said that it was something everyone was on board with. “Eddie is hilarious.

We’ve met several times, and I think we all want to do it, but some things take time to get off the ground,” he said.

The original film that released in 1988 film was directed and produced

by Ivan Reitman. It had Schwarzenegger and DeVito playing unlikely twins Julius and Vincent Benedict who get separated at birth.

The film went on to become a cult classic and it looks like the studios now want to cash in on its popularity after so many years.

Recently, it was also reported that Terminator star Schwarzenegger will play a significant part in the screen adaptation of the cult short Kung Fury. The movie will also see Michael Fassbender in a pivotal role. (Indian Express)

The Conjuring writers roped in to rework Die Hard 6 script We are a modern patchwork

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riters Chad and Carey Hayes, known for the script of horror film The Conjuring, have been roped in to rewrite the script of Die Hard 6.

The film will also feature actor Bruce Willis, who has been a part of the franchise since the first instalment.

Len Wiseman is still on board to produce and helm the new movie, which is currently titled Die Hard: Year One, re-

ports femalefirst.co.uk.

Although not much is known on the plot of the film, it has been dubbed a “part-prequel, part-sequel” and will see Willis reprising his role as the wisecracking police detective John McClane.

Half of the movie will see McClane as a rookie police officer in the early 1980s, with the rest of the movie being set in the present day.

Willis, 62, first starred as McClane in the 1988

classic movie, which was based on author Roderick Thorp’s novel Nothing Lasts Forever and was last seen as the character in 2013 in A Good Day To Die Hard.

Last month, Willis revealed that the film is still going ahead and the script had been written.

But it has now emerged that the Hayes brothers are working on a rewrite.

The Conjuring is a supernatural horror film, the first one in The Conjuring franchise.

Starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, it is the story about Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren who help a family which has been terrorised by a dark presence in their farmhouse.

Its sequel, The Conjuring 2, released on June 10, 2016 while its third instalment is currently in development.

(Indian Express)

family - Orlando Bloom

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rlando Bloom has said he and former wife Miranda Kerr have an amicable relationship and are like a “modern patchwork family”. The 41-year-old actor, who has son Flynn with the supermodel, said after a lot of bitterness they finally decided to be civil to each other.

“Miranda is a wonderful mother, and Flynn gets on great with her new husband. We are a modern patchwork family. When holidays come we are all together. We are still very close, but now more like brother and sister.

Whether you make life mutually hell is a conscious decision. We decided to be nice to each other,” Bloom told the new German issue of GQ Style magazine.

Kerr, 34, recently married Snapchat

CEO Evan Spiegel. Bloom said he knew that his career would hold less importance for him once Flynn came long as he wanted to be a present parent in his child’s life.

“Our experiences in the first years of our life influence everything. When I realised that, I knew that I would work less. I knew that I could not simultaneously shoot big movies and build the basic trust of my child. ‘Carnival Row’ is now my first big project which requires me to be away for several months and can only visit. But now that’s okay,” he said.

Recently, the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star was rumoured to be dating singer Katy Perry. (Indian Express)

Guillermo del Toro announces scholarship for aspiring Mexican filmmakers

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scar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, who was in his native city for the week-long Guadalajara International Film Festival, announced a scholarship for aspiring Mexican filmmakers.

During the festival, del Toro is imparting a series of free master class-

es to thousands of fans, reported Variety.

After his first masterclass, the organisers announced the creation of the Jenkins-Del Toro International F i l m Schola rship , a 60,000 dollar annual award for an aspiring Mexican film-

maker to study abroad at a prestigious film institute.

“If we change a life, if we change a history, we change a generation. The first push is very important,” said del Toro, who will oversee a jury that awards the scholarship at the Guadalajara film fest each year. Del Toro and fellow countrymen Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity) and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Birdman) regularly produce films from

up-and-coming Mexican filmmakers.

The director, whose romance-fantasy film The Shape of Water took home four Academy Awards last week (out of a whopping 13 nominations), also announced that his “At Home with Monsters” exhibit will hit museums in Guadalajara and Mexico City next year.

The exhibit features 500 drawings, paintings and con-

cept pieces from del Toro’s works, including life-size sculptures of monster figures.

Oscar-winning production designer Eugenio Caballero, who worked with del Toro on “Pan’s Labyrinth”, will be curating the collection.

The Shape of Water won the Academy Award in these categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design.

(Indian Express)

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

'Make full use of the opportunity' …Warriors’ Operations Manager urges three youngsters added to the team

By Kizan Brumell

T

he Management of Guyana Amazon Warriors welcomed three local cricketers to the franchise with an official contracting signing in the Boardroom of Queens Atlantic Investment Incorporated, Industrial

League (CPL) which runs from August 8 to September 16.

Present at the simple ceremony was the team’s Operations Manager Omar Khan who welcomed the three young talented players and urged them to put their best foot forward since given such a genuine op-

[Christopher ] Gayle, [Ramnaresh] Sarwan and so on that the greatest achievement is for a cricketer to play for his country”.

He urged the players not to become complacent with their selection, but instead use the opportunity to better their game from be-

Guyana Amazon Warriors Operations Manager Omar Khan (second right) stands with the newly contracted players, Akshaya Persaud (left); Romario Shepherd (second left) and Sherfane Rutherford (Carl Croker Photo)

Operations Manager Omar Khan makes a point during the contract signing ceremony (Carl Croker Photo)

Site on Wednesday.

Romario Shepherd, Akshaya Persaud and Sherfane Rutherford will join the Warriors for the sixth edition of the Caribbean Premier

portunity to showcase their ability.

Khan said, “Since I’ve managed West Indies for quite a number of years, I always told the bigger named players;

ing amongst professional cricketers and keep their fitness at a peak level.

Khan further posited, the franchise believes local players will have the edge in these playing

conditions among other well revised aspects.

While Shepherd joins the Warriors for the first time, Persaud and Rutherford have been included in the previous seasons on a developmental basis.

All three players were very appreciative of their selection and disclosed that they want to make a difference in the Warriors squad and give the supporters that championship win since

Guyana has fallen short of the title on several occasions.

Guyana has reached the final of the Biggest Party in Sport on three of five occasions but was never able to seal the deal.

This year the National Stadium, Providence will hosts a total of seven matches; five home games and two scheduled semi-finals.

Guyana Amazon Warriors Squad : Sohail

Tanveer, Shoaib Malik, Chadwick Walton, Cameron Delport, Rayad Emrit, Imran Tahir, Jason Mohammed, Luke Ronchi, Veerasammy Permaul, Roshon Primus, Shimron Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo, Gajanand Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, Saurabh Netravalkar and Akshaya Persaud.

Gayle, Yuvraj worth the money 'even if they win twothree games' – Sehwag

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ot many owners would consider INR 2 crores (USD 308,000 approx) for two days' good work a worthwhile investment but in T20 franchise cricket, that appears to be "a bargain."

One of the more bizarre sights at the IPL auction was a man with 10,000 runs going unsold until he came up for the draw a third time. It seemed like a sign that the Chris Gayle brand had taken a hit. Similarly, Yuvraj Singh was dealt a pay cut of INR 5 crores (USD 772,000 approx) from his 2017 contract. There were indications that both players - aged 38

and 36 respectively were on the wane but Kings XI Punjab will be happy if they can win them even a handful of games in the new season which begins on April 7.

The team's mentor Virender Sehwag gave his resounding support to both Gayle and Yuvraj on Tuesday, saying "It is great that they have come to us at their base price (INR 2 crore for both). It is surely a bargain. Who knows if there were more bidders, they could have gone as high as USD 1 million. They are big names and match winners, even if they win two-three games for us, we would get the return on investment."

Gayle is currently with the West Indies, assisting their efforts to qualify for the World Cup. Last Tuesday, he struck his 23rd ODI century, a boundary-laden effort against UAE. And in December last year, he pummeled 146 not out off 69 balls in the final of the Bangladesh Premier League and proclaimed himself as the best batsman in history.

Yuvraj has not played international cricket since the end of the Champions Trophy in June 2017. But he is eager to play not only this season of the IPL but a couple more. He CONTINUED ON PAGE 52

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Allicock, ‘We’ve got a good blend Lewis of youth and experience’ confident of Warriors qualify for …Permaul bringing home the title this year CAC Games W M

By Clifton Ross

arque amateur boxers Keevin Allicock and Colin Lewis lived up to expectations and qualified for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games after some robust performances at the qualifiers being held in Tijuana, Mexico on Monday.

Allicock defeated Panama’s Leonel Gutierrez by unanimous decision while Lewis won via split decision against Carlos Tobar from Guatemala in the quarter-finals.

The Commonwealth youth silver medallist will have his bantamweight semi-final bout on Thursday against

Sport on Tuesday “they both looked solid but they are some areas they can improve”.

Blake who coaches Allicock at the Forgotten Youth Foundation gym in Albouystown, pointed out, “he [Keevin] got tired in the last round and lost some pace after going hard in the first two rounds. He needs to tighten his defence and stick to his best attribute which is being elusive”.

The coach noted the Cubans are “flat-footed and could easily change their style at will which means Allicock will have to be cautious.

R e g a r d i n g ‘Superman’ who hails from Guyana Defence

Guyana Boxing Association Technical Director Terrence Poole is flanked by Colin Lewis (left) and Keevin Allicock after their victorious bouts on Monday evening in Tijuana, Mexico

Cuba’s Robeisy Ramírez who is a product of the highly renowned Cuban School of Boxing and a two-time Olympic gold medallist.

Lewis who is nicknamed ‘Superman’ will have his work cut out against Costa Rican Eduardo Sanchez in the junior welterweight semi-final this afternoon.

Though the opponents are of high quality, the duo’s one week training camp in Mexico City has proven to be ample preparation given the results to date.

More so, experienced national coach Sebert Blake, who watched both fighters intensely via the live stream told Guyana Times International

Force gym, Blake underscored the importance of him using his length to his advantage and increase his punch combo as many of the boxers in his weight group seem to be shadowing him.

“Instead of just landing the upper-cut he can look at a left hook and some jabs and then land the powerful upper-cut”.

The duo are under the guidance of Guyana Boxing Association Technical Director Terrence Poole. CAC Games will be held from July 19- August 3 in Colombia. Prior to those Games, both fighters are expected to attend the Commonwealth Games from April 4-15 in Australia. (Akeem Greene)

ith the Biggest Party in Sport just months away, senior Guyana Amazon Warriors spinner Veerasammy Permaul is backing the slightly new-look side to finally deliver the elusive title to their Guyanese fans in the sixth the edition Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) One of Guyana’s leading bowlers and one part of the spin twin along with Devendra Bishoo, who is also his Warriors teammate yet again this season, Permaul told Guyana Times International Sport on Tuesday, that he is most certain the Warriors can finally win the title which has eluded them for five years.

“It always a pleasure to be a part of the Amazon Warriors, I want to thank the franchise for keep their trust and belief in me and hopefully this year’s we can bring glory to this nation by winning our first CPL title”.

The Warriors, like most franchises have undergone changes over the years, however, with franchises retaining a few of their key players who might have been good to them over the seasons, Permaul credited his future team for yet again having the ideal blend of talent coming into the tournament.

“I think we got a really good team mixed with both experience and youth. Once we can play together as one unit when it comes to batting, bowling and fielding; I see no reason we can’t have a successful year”.

With 35 wickets under his belt from 50 innings and 2013 being his most successful CPL to date having bagged 10 wickets overall, his skill and effectiveness over the years has far outweighed his overall returns.

As a bowler with international experience and one of the Caribbean’s leading wicket-takers, the former Guyana skipper believes that it is crucial for him now as a senior member to be more consistent going forward.

“It’s always important for me to perform, every opportunity I got I always try to make it count and being a part of the Amazon Warriors is my home. For my franchise playing at home always drive me to perform, to see the fans and supporters happy, this is a very

The left-arm spinner said they must find a way of getting over the line at the final hurdle and this could be the year they achieve such a feat

important tournament for me. I always look forward to it and I’ll always go out there (field) to give my all, which is 110%”.

While the recent player draft saw the Warriors placing trust in a few of their soldiers such as; Rayad Emrit, Bishoo, Luke Ronchi, Sohail Tanveer, Gajanand Singh, Chadwick Walton among others, a few new faces will have their opportunity to shine this year.

Two of those in particular; all-rounders Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd are among the Amazon Warriors newbies.

Both players have been exceptional for the Guyana Jaguars, especially during their title defense in the Regional 4-Dayers and Permaul believes their addition to the squad is a great thing.

“I think we got some very talented youngsters in the squad this year.

I’ve been fortunate to play with both Rutherford and

Shepherd for the Guyana Jaguars, they both are extremely talented and exciting all-rounders and I can’t wait to see both of them in action at CPL because I know they can deliver”.

Despite being dubbed fan-favorites over the history of the CPL; the Warriors who embody passion and aggression regardless of the make-up of their team, have managed just two finals; both of which ended in high fashion not in favour of the Warriors.

Concluding his interview, the 28 year-old said his team needs to find a way to break the latter stage hurdles which have been afflicting the Warriors.

“The most important thing to me I think is that we need to find a way to get past the semis and finals because we always play excellent cricket in the round stages but for some reason we are not able to go the extra couple

hurdles”.

When quizzed about what advice he would give to the newcomers as well as the seasoned guys, the spinner tossed one up by urging his teams to know their roles and stay focused.

“We got a good team on paper but it’s all about how you execute on the field in all departments (batting, bowling and fielding).

He continued, “Always try to be ahead of the game and keep the momentum, every player should understand their role and what is required of them in any given situation. Once we can tick all the small boxes in the process all the big boxes will take care of themselves.”

Permaul and company will look to get themselves organized in the months ahead with gala tournament set to bowl off August 8 with its first string of matches being played in Guyana.

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Afghanistan stay alive after spinners' brilliance sets up narrow win A fghanistan 198 for 7 (Rahmat 68, Nabi 31, Holder 3-39, Paul 2-29) beat West Indies 197 for 8 (Hope 43, Samuels 36, Mujeeb 3-33, Nabi 2-43) Afghanistan nearly bottled what should have been a straightforward chase of 198, but the insurance provided by the brilliance of their spinners just about bailed them out in their SuperSixes clash against West Indies. Throughout the 47.4 overs that the chase lasted, it always seemed like Afghanistan would pull this off one way or the other. And yet, they never managed to eliminate the apprehension that accompanied as one batsman after the other perished in their dash towards an early finish.

Where a cool head and common sense was the demand of the hour - the asking rate was always in control - rash judgement and impulsive strokeplay took over. In the end, they managed to hang in there, scraping through by three wickets, to hand West Indies their first defeat of the tournament, and keep their own campaign alive.

The second-innings

indiscretions were a far cry from the topclass performance that their spinners put in.

Facing a must-win in every remaining match, Afghanistan presented their best selves yet

Indies were coming into the game with an average first-innings score of 307 in the tournament.

But Afghanistan's opening pair of pacer Dawlat Zadran and offspinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Nabi became the first Afghanistan bowler to 100 ODI wickets, as West Indies limped to an underwhelming 197 for 8.

Mujeeb and Dawlat complemented each

Najibullah Zadran as Afghanistan further established their ascendancy - reinforced by the fact that Rashid Khan, the team's best bowler, made his first appearance as late as the 23rd

in the tournament to rein in a powerful West Indies line-up. The circumstances couldn't be seemingly any more averse to bowling. These were pristine batting conditions, with the sun beating down on the Harare Sports Club, and a surface that came with a thin layer of sheen.

To add to that, West

demonstrated the old adage: well-begun is halfdone.

Having seized the early advantage with the wicket of Chris Gayle, Afghanistan were relentless. Mujeeb's 3 for 33 underpinned what ended up being a spindominated innings, with as many as 39 overs coming from the slow bowlers.

Mohammad

other perfectly. While Dawlat had the West Indies batsmen on a leash by continually probing away in the channel outside off, Mujeeb flummoxed them with a whole array of variants. Inside his first two overs, West Indies had been subjected to conventional offbreaks, carrom balls, topspinners, and a googly that smashed the top of an unsuspecting Gayle's off stump.

It wasn't until the eighth over, when Evin Lewis swept Mujeeb hard through fine leg for the first of four fours in nine balls, that West Indies began to find momentum.

That was, however, immediately snuffed out

by Nabi, who struck with his first ball. Nabi's delivery came on with the arm and hit Shimron Hetmyer's pad, but not before it had brushed the inside edge that the umpire had failed to spot.

Lewis' misjudgment in calling for a suicidal single in the next over had him run out to a direct throw from

over.

Marlon Samuels and Shai Hope arrested the slide with a 55run fourth-wicket stand, but it was an association where a lack of strikerotation was all too evident. With the duo progressing at three to the over, Rashid could afford to hold Mujeeb back for a third spell.

West Indies' only bright passage came during Jason Holder's burst of 28, but he fell to a sharp catch by Najibullah at long-on off Mujeeb that sent them right back into their shell. Hope, who survived an extremely close leg before shout against Rashid on 18, barely made Afghanistan feel the pinch. He alone ate up 55 dots, and picked an inopportune moment to get out - in the 43rd over, with West Indies searching for acceleration, when he was the set batsman.

Like Afghanistan, West Indies' bowlers were sharp and accurate to begin with. Keemo Paul, the debutant, struck with his first le-

gal delivery, getting Javed Ahmadi to play all around a length ball that straightened, and trapped him leg before.

But the rash strokes began costing them soon after, Mohammad Shahzad slashing a wide delivery to cover.

Rahmat Shah then played the most important knock of Afghanistan's innings.

His trio of boundaries off Carlos Brathwaite in the 14th over signaled that Afghanistan were getting a move on. He found two able partners - first in Samiullah Shenwari, with whom he added 66 for the third wicket, and then in Mohammad Nabi, who helped him add 49 for the fourth wicket.

It took a brilliant diving catch by Hetmyer at deep square leg to end the second of those associations. In their 93ball association, the duo had played out nearly 10 overs of dots. Still, with 66 needed off 84 balls with six wickets in hand, this was Afghanistan's game to lose.

Rahmat continued to eat away at the target until, in trying to force a cut, he picked out backward point. Now, Afghanistan were feeling the jitters for the first time in the chase.

Najibullah and Gulbadin Naib took them closer with handy cameos, but perished to profligate shots. It was Afghanistan's batting depth that eventually got the job done: Rashid, with an ODI average of 21, bats at No. 8; he saw them through.

West Indies were culpable of their own share of lapses. They dropped catches of Rahmat, Shenwari, Nabi and Rashid. In all, the reprieves cost them 58 runs: damage that is irreversible when you're defending 197.

(ESPNCricinfo)

Gayle, Yuvraj worth the money 'even if they win...

FROM PAGE 50

also has a deep connect with Kings XI, being a Punjabi boy himself. He had captained the franchise in previous years and now adds to a strong core of local talent.

"Last few years, our Indian players were not that good, except Wriddhiman Saha and Axar Patel," Sehwag said. "That was one gap.

If you want to win the IPL, you have to have good Indian players. We have four to five of them

this time. We were also struggling with Indian batting line-up, which could hold the innings together. Guys like [KL] Rahul, [Karun] Nair and Manoj Tiwary can hold the middle order. Then, we have explosive openers in Gayle and [Aaron] Finch, and down the order, we have David Miller. Hopefully, they will do well against spinners," Sehwag reiterated his support to R Ashwin,

who will lead Kings XI in 2018, saying "I have always felt that a bowler-captain can win you more games. If 8,10 or 15 runs are needed in the final over, only a bowler can you win that game.

The way a bowler-captain thinks, he can also help other bowlers on the field. That is why I am a great fan of Kapil Dev, Imran Khan and Wasim Akram, who all made great captains."

(ESPNCricinfo)

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