Guyana Times International 9th November 2018

INTERNATIONAL THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018

ISSUE NO. 422

Bridge takeover sends negative signal to potential investors See story on page 3

…Guyana’s Opposition Leader

Thousands attended the Divya Jyoti's annual Diwali Motorcade last Saturday in Queens, New York (See story and more photos inside)

Huge influx of Venezuelans being managed effectively

– Guyana’s Foreign Minister

Page 21

NY authorities taking tough action against underage drinking Page 11

Ex-Cop gets life imprisonment for raping toddler See story on page 7

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Bridge takeover sends negative signal to potential investors …Guyana’s Opposition Leader

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed his disapproval of Government’s recent move to take over the operations of the Berbice River Bridge and said it could also create a negative image for Guyana to potential investors both locally and abroad.

“This issue about nationalisation and taking over private property, we don’t agree with it because we are seeking similar models to construct other bridges, hydro power and everything else,” Jagdeo told reporters on Wednesday at his weekly press conference.

The Opposition Leader questioned whether there is enough justification for the move taken by Government to nationalise the bridge.

“Could there be some other remedy? The Minister (David Patterson) already had the remedy in the Act. He did not have to sign the toll order,” he

said.

Jagdeo reiterated that any increase in tolls at the Berbice Bridge without the Minister signing the toll order under the Act would have been illegal.

As such, he feels Government should not have made such a rash move to take over the operations of the bridge.

Jagdeo, who is also General Secretary of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), feels that the decision taken by Government could be seen as a clever political move. He said, “it was contrived to get the entire media to play it out until November 12 so there is no focus on the other issues… the bridge issue is now dominating daily news headlines.”

The Opposition Leader reminded members of the media that the issue started with Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) Chairman, Dr Surendra Persaud, who also

happens to be Chair of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and a member of the Alliance For Change (AFC).

But he recognised that the focus has now been shifted, and blame is now being placed on the PPP, even in light of the fact that the BBCI is in breach of the agreement to increase tolls by over 300 per cent and a request made to extend the life of the agreement for 19 years.

Justified

Jagdeo said the request from the company cannot by any means be justified, because it has been made clear that revenue is performing better than what was predicated in the concession agreement.

“So, clearly the company has to justify in very clear detail why it has not met its obligations to the shareholders and the investors, because they are two groups,” he noted.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Further, he made reference to statements made by Finance Minister Winston Jordan who claimed that the project was flawed, and sections of the media that reported that the bridge was used as a cash cow.

Jagdeo explained that the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) had invested in Bond

One of the project G$300 million. The scheme received (not principle payments) G$270 million, a 90 per cent return on their investment. If they invested in treasury bills it would have been far less.

NIS also invested in Bond Two, G$760 million and received G$823 million in return to page 9 turn.

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EDITORIAL

Jamal Khashoggi

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ive years ago, Nov 2nd was declared as the “UN International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists”, against a background of rising violence – and murder – against journalists across the globe. The lack of any organised activity in Guyana by the media fraternity to commemorate the occasion — even though 78 journalists were killed and thousands imprisoned in 2017, and only last month there was the most brutal and gruesome murder and dismemberment of the Washington Post’s Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Embassy in Turkey — symbolises that we who report the news – especially against authoritarian governments – do not realise we are all “Jamal” now.

With the invention of the printing press in the 16th century, the latter gave its name to the reporting of the news, first in pamphlets and then in “newspapers”. By the late 19th century, the press had layed such a pivotal role in sensitising the people to the burning issues of the day that Edmund Burke declared it to be the “Fourth Estate” – alongside the other three estates that defined European society of the time – the nobles, the Church and the “commoners”.

Burke claimed this fourth estate potentially had as much power as any of the other estates.

In the 20th century, with the anti-colonial movement sweeping aside colonial empires with the assistance of their local presses, ironically many of these new states adopted an authoritarian form ostensibly to hasten the development process. In this mode, several of them, including Guyana in the 1970s, demanded that the press hone to the Government’s line on news, and severely curtailed press freedom. But as even the ostensible Liberal states — with their declared commitment to the rule of law and freedom of speech — increased their reach and power, the press and its journalists, who had become the voice of the people against state excesses, were increasingly resented by them to a lesser or greater degree.

It would appear that no matter how well-intentioned governments declare themselves to be in regard to transparency of their operations to the people who appoint them, the tension between governments and journalists is inherent in the unequal power relationship. It is not necessarily that “power corrupts,” but power is assumed to confer to the governors a wider, allencompassing perspective for the “national good”. States frequently invoke the blanket term “national security” to justify their refusal to deal with the press, and journalists have to thread a very thin line to inform the populace about what is going on behind the scenes.

Of recent, there has been a new development in Governmentpress relations with the advent of US President Donald Trump and a wave of bellicose governments. Trump introduced the term “fake news” and used his bully pulpit – especially “Twitter” — to undermine the credibility of journalists covering US affairs and himself. In the wake of this development in the country long seen as the bastion of the free press, other countries have become bolder in suppressing press freedom with accusations of “fake news”.

In reaction to the Khashoggi murder, Trump has spoken out vociferously about “getting to the bottom of the murder”, but has been unwilling to impose sanctions against US ally Saudi Arabia, which has been stonewalling investigators and the world. The power behind the Saudi throne, Prince Salman, who is widely thought to be the intellectual author of the heinous crime, retains Trump’s confidence. Turkey, in whose territory the murder was committed, and who has officially implicated the Saudi Government, is no friend of the free press. Its president has imprisoned 174 journalists, and insisted on life sentences for five of them for reporting on his government’s accretion of power and suppression of the opposition.

All in all, we are in a climate of growing impunity by perpetrators of crimes against journalists, and the murder of Khashoggi has only highlighted the refusal of governments to “walk the walk” after their high sounding “talk”.

We must all demand “Justice for Jamal”, for it could be our turn next.

Graduates of President’s College Class of 2018 were challenged “to transcend barriers” during their graduation ceremony last Thursday. This charge was made by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, as he was delivering the feature address at the institution’s 28th graduation exercise. (This DPI photo shows a section of the graduating class of 2018)

Guyana’s democracy is at stake

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he campaigns for the November 12 Local Government Elections (LGE) are winding down with reminders on the forefront.

This is part of the efforts in the final push to get voters out and is crucial given that much is at stake as claimed by all involved.

Just recently, the mid-term elections in the United States of America were held following what can be described as a very bruising campaign.

In many ways it was seen as a general referendum on President Donald Trump either for or against his policies.

With his party losing its majority in the House of Representatives, more than likely aspects of his agenda would be affected.

Already there are talks by the Democrats of reining him in with a possibility of investigations being initiated. That briefly demonstrates the effectiveness of those elections and the impact it can have on the implementation of policies. It also highlighted how high the stakes were. Americans and the rest of the world will be eagerly following to see how it unfolds.

Same here in Guyana as the upcoming LGE in many ways could be seen as a reflection of Guyanese’s sentiments over the coalition Government. Since it came to office, many have lamented the fact that a once vibrant and growing economy has slowed tremendously.

Numerous entities, large and small, were closed leading to the loss of thousands of jobs.

Many farmers and vendors were saddled with steep increase in fees and licenses exacerbating their challenges.

Economic burdens were further compounded by the implementation of a plethora of new taxes making it very difficult, including those

with jobs, to make ends meet.

The economy is just one of the many areas of concerns as some social services also declined and fear heightened as crime continues to increase.

The LGE therefore will be an opportunity to send strong messages.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) won in a landslide in 2016.

Following the 2016 LGE results, it proceeded to create new Local Authority Areas (LAA) and expand current ones in places deemed to be favourable to it and reduced constituencies in areas seemed favourable to the PPP. This was branded as a blatant act of gerrymandering with the sole intention of increasing Government’s chances and reducing the PPP’s. It was challenged in court.

The attempt to alter the LGE physical landscape to hopefully give the Government some sort of momentum in 2020 can be seen as a strong indication of its growing concern over another PPP landslide victory. That would be an official blow to Government’s popularity reflecting the high stakes at least from its perspective.

One of its minor partners in the coalition, the Alliance For Change (AFC), was taken to court by the PPP for alleged electoral fraud with regard to backers for candidates within the Whim/Bloomfield area in Berbice. Persons affiliated to the PPP claimed they were deliberately misled reportedly

by AFC’s officials into signing the related forms. There were also allegations of some signatures being forged and persons names used without their authorisation. While the case was dismissed, an appeal was filed.

Given the circumstances, one may venture to ask of an alleged nexus between desper-

ation and that incident in view of the waning popularity of the coalition. With the stakes as high as it is, ruling it out may not be easily contemplated by some. All eyes will therefore be on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to ensure a smooth execution of the electoral process on November 12 across the country.

One concern is, as seen when the Joint Services voted on November 2, was the absence of some names from the extracted lists for some polling stations. The expectation would be for rectification

by November 12 of whatever may have been the reason.

Disenfranchisement is unacceptable and GECOM has a responsibility to ensure it does not happen.

By extension, the Government will also not be able to avoid responsibility given what transpired, including the allegations of gerrymandering and the manner in which some leading GECOM officials were appointed.

It was noted that in the past, persons were either told that their names were not on the list or they were not slated to vote at the place where they turned up. Those conveying the information were either from a particular political party or identified by their attire to be reportedly from GECOM. In those cases, some voters were deliberately misled and turned away.

Mechanisms would have to be in place to prevent this and actions taken against those responsible. With the stakes already high, there is the possibility for that practice to be in play. The bottom line is that all eligible voters need to not only turn out on November 12, but to be wary of any and all attempts that could prevent them from doing so. Democracy is also at stake.

NEWS 5

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Heavy rain fails to dampen NY Diwali celebrations

By Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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eavy rains throughout Tuesday (continuing from Monday) including showers well into the evening did not put much of a damper on the Diwlai celebrations in the Big Apple. The heavy showers did affect the lighting of deyas outside of homes and in the public arena in the greater New York area.

However, Guyanese and other Indo-Caribbeans and nationals from other countries decorated the exterior of homes with electronic lights that flickered through the

Guyana mulls direct flights to Africa …in efforts to boost tourism, encourage investors

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he Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is now seeking to partner with African states to have direct flights traverse the countries in a bid to boost tourism.

This was on Wednesday disclosed by Air Transport Management Director, Saheed Sulaman on the sidelines of an event held at the GCAA’s head office on High Street, Georgetown.

“We are always looking to develop relationships with all ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) member states. It’s the only way we can connect to those states and it’s the only way our airlines can get connected to those states so I’d say yes we are looking to develop relationships with those countries and not only those countries in Africa but in Asia, in Europe, we are looking to develop relationships with those countries as well,” he said.

According to him, a few African airlines have since expressed interest in the market.

Asked if he believes the market will be a feasible one, the Director noted that although there might not be enough traffic to operate “you got to start somewhere.”

“The Government doesn’t really access feasibility, the investors do that and the mere fact that we have had interest from two African airlines it means that they are seeing something feasible to engage the GCAA,” he added.

It was explained by him that the present

Director of Marketing and Operations Support, Franklin Vieira and Director of Air Transport Management, Saheed Sulaman addressing media operatives

flight system in Guyana allows for a person to fly to Africa, only after arriving in Europe or the United States.

Sulaman pointed to the fact that the flights will be beneficial in promoting tourism in Guyana, especially at a time where tourism month is currently being observed.

One of the airlines, which is a Nigerian one he said, is a key player in Africa and is even the largest nation in the continent. “To have interest from that nation is a great great step forward,” he expressed.

It was clarified that although Guyana is seeking to have direct flights to Africa, the option of having small stops in between has not been wiped off the table.

“We are awaiting final confirmation from the Government of Tanzania and the Government of Ghana on their availability to sign an air services agreement…we’ve already done our work

and we are awaiting their confirmation.”

He outlined that those agreements will be important to allow for smooth operations between the countries while explaining, “The air services agreement, they are generally template version, pretty much the standard agreement for all countries. What is critical in an air services agreement are the rights that are granted both agreements that we have negotiated; they are what you call liberal or open skies agreement that will allow for any amount of airlines from Guyana or Tanzania to operate between the routes of Georgetown and Tanzania…and Ghana it’s the same principle”.

According to him, “while we may not have something right now, should an airline of Tanzania or Ghana decide we want to fly to Georgetown that instrument is already in place to facilitate that operation”.

darkest night of the autumn when Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, is celebrated.

Rows and rows of lights and rangoli designs, a feature of celebrations in previous years, were sparse this year because of the heavy downpour. Also, the fire crackers noise and sparkles were absent. But the celebrations went on.

Diwlai celebrations were introduced in America by immigrants from the Caribbean and South Asia. The immigrants were inspired by the celebrations institutionalized by their ancestors who came from

India to the Caribbean since the 1830s and from the Caribbean to the USA and other countries where the IndoCaribbeans also introduced Diwali. Some half a million IndoCaribbean people are settled in the greater New York area and tens of thousands more are settled in Florida and some other states; the greater majority are Guyanese. Festivals help to promote and preserve Indo-Caribbean culture.

As one traveled around Indo-Caribbean neighborhoods in Queens, New York, entire streets and neighborhoods were lit up.

The same was reported in Guyanese communities in the Bronx and Brooklyn. Homes and mandirs were adorned with brightly glowing colorful lights of varied designs including those with the deya structure. Lit clay deyas assembled on verandahs and porches protected from the rain. Lit deyas also spread out inside homes and temples accompanied with flickering lights – making the inside of buildings spectacles to behold.

Unfortunately, celebrants had to battle the rain and wind to keep

diyas lit outside. Some used creative and innovative methods like putting deyas inside metal cans to protect them from the rain. And in spite of the rain that forced celebrants inside, it was a festive mood everywhere.

Most Hindus took time off from their jobs to prepare for the celebration.

Elaborate meals were prepared prior to the ceremony.

Family members gathered together for puja or worshipping of Goddess Lakshmi early in the evening. Deyas lit up inside people’s homes, stores, places of worship, and public parks.

Hindus lit their deyas and then feasted on a variety of dishes and delicious delicacies. They shared foods with neighbors and friends as is the custom during the festival.

Many visited the Mandirs some of which hosted cultural programs of singing, dancing and speeches on the meaning of Diwali.

Devotees feasted on a variety of foods prepared specially for the occasion. Celebrants said they had a wonderful time at home and in the mandirs observing the festival.

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Bring in the United Nations Now! The Berbice Dear Editor, We have witnessed the recent chaos on Nomination Day, with it, the many justified ensuing Court battles, which the circumstances signal are likely to continue at the highest judicial decision making authority. The continued disappearances of the Chief Executive Officer at key events and activities during the preparation for the Disciplined Services balloting, clearly points to the realities of the trial and error approach, and much heightened incompetence.

On Monday October 29th, 2018, the Secretariat’s CEO, Mr. Lowenfield, held a briefing with the Political Parties in preparation for the Disciplined Services voting, scheduled to take place on Friday November 2, 2018.

Only heaven knows, why, even up to that point, he could not provide a schedule of

events with clear timelines regarding where and how some key elements would take place.

He promised that he would subsequently deliver further details, which speaks of lack of coordination at the highest echelon of GECOM. Approximately eight thousand persons are listed as registered to vote on Friday, but at the time of the briefing, parties were yet to confirm their final voting numbers. This information is particularly relevant, given GECOM’s report that a great percentage of the voters would be allowed to vote without ID cards, based on the internal Folio positions.

Lowenfield announced that there are 1674 polling stations countrywide and the Chief Election Officer also said that GECOM successfully trained some 10, 700 polling staff whom he expects to run the Local

Government Elections.

There is still the need, however, for the assurance of the nation, regarding the evaluation mechanism employed to ensure the readiness of the persons the Secretariat claims to be sufficiently trained.

This is particularly relevant since many of the Returning Officers under whose authority these persons will be functioning, have proved to be deficient in their preparation.

This is a serious matter, because it is open knowledge that the Commission is constitutionally tasked with the responsibility of hiring all GECOM staff, and there has been the usurping of many elections functions under the current system.

The public is and will be questioning this process further, as we understand that there are many ‘phantom staff members’, who have been allowed to infil-

trate the system for clandestine reasons.

It is clear that like Nominations Day approximately ninety percent of the staff selected to work on D-Day, will be retained and employed by GECOM for future elections work.

The path followed by GECOM is resulting in a retrogression to the dark days when the PNC had all of the Election staff fully under their control. This, no doubt, is a recipe for countrywide resistance towards the necessary remedy of an acceptable balance.

We advocate for the transparency of employment practices at GECOM and the use of electronic methodology as an approach to strengthening the validation of results of elections in Guyana. Bring in the United Nations Now! Sincerely, Neil Kumar

The AFC seems to have now perfected the art of deceit and trickery Dear Editor, Guyanese are now faced with the revival of the Burnham era- not by the PNC, but by the Alliance for Change, a political party whom the electorate had placed their trust and confidence to make ‘the right turn’ away from corruption, cronyism, racial discrimination and vendetta politics. The AFC were supposed to bring in a new political culture which would herald peace and harmony among Guyanese, but since coalescing, it has continued to make all the wrong turns!

Moreover, whatever miniscule shred of respectability had remained in the AFC is now gone forever, and there is not even a glimmer of hope that it can be regained. The curse is now complete, and the AFC is ‘dead meat’. But what is ironic is the fact that the same man who prognosticated that the AFC will be ‘dead meat’ if it coalesces with the APNU is the same man who was instrumental in fulfilling his own prophecy!

I had written to the media, through a TV station in Berbice, with regards to the veiled threats issued by the Minister of Public Security, Mr Khemraj Ramjattan, where he claimed on the Alliance on the Move program that PPP supporters were intimidating people from putting their

names on the AFC’s candidate list. He further said that the Guyana Police Force will be called in to deal with these PPP supporters.

However, it was later found that people were tricked into signing the AFC’s backers’ lists at Whim/Bloomfield, 51/ Good Hope, and many other LAAs. This matter was subjected to a High Court hearing and the Public Security Minister again made a statement on television that he would deal with the person who filed that petition. That person was Safraz Beekam, a PPP candidate from the Whim Bloomfield LAA. Unfortunately, the fact that the case went in favor of the AFC did nothing to allay the insecurity of the AFC. It was time for vendetta politics and to promote a campaign to get voters’ sympathy and to up its smear campaign against the PPP. This is the only way it can swing some votes in its favor. It must be noted that the AFC was thrown into the deep by the APNU and it is now a make or break situation. The AFC must deliver votes to retain its place in the Coalition, failing which, it will be disgraced and unceremoniously kicked out of the partnership and mark the end of the Cummingsburg Accord as it is. It must be noted that the AFC got a bigger share of the pie than they should have gotten

and that must now be rectified by the APNU. Fortunately, the melodrama now playing at Whim will not serve the purpose intended and the hasty press release by the AFC which states that, “The AFC views this as a terror attack both on Ms Permaul and the lives of her children and father and her home. This act is consistent with the old political tactics of fear which is resorted to by certain political entities” clearly implicates the People’s Progressive Party. Why would the AFC go to such a length when the police had not even initiated an investigation into the alleged arson? It is also too suspect when it is considered that it was the alleged victim who actually posed as a GECOM staff and tricked Beekam to sign the backers form, and it was Beekam, a PPP candidate who filed the petition in the High Court.

The AFC must understand that the accusation it is now making against the PPP marked a period when Nagamootoo and Ramjattan were executive members of the PPP, therefore, if they are correct in their conclusion then there should be a commission of inquiry wherein these two former PPP stalwarts must testify to these allegedly nefarious criminal activities. Furthermore, they are now accountable to the Guyanese people to give examples of these

‘acts of terrorism’ alluded to in the press release. In addition, it can also be assumed that these two former PPP members can now be deemed experts in the use of ‘threats and terror’ and therefore have the competence and the power (one is the prime Minister and one is the Minister of Public Security) to unleash these as is evidenced by Ramjattan’s threat to ‘fix’ Beekam.

Mr Nagamotoo and Ramjattan should focus on the trickery which is now being perpetrated within the AFC against its own members. At the 51/Good Hope LAA, a pastor who is an AFC member filled out a backers form with 30 names as the constituency candidate but his Form 13 was scrapped and his backers’ list was attached to the From 13 of a woman who was holidaying overseas and came into the country after nomination was long closed.

The pastor has since engaged the leaders of the party but was told that it was GECOM’s ‘error’.

It is sad and disappointing that the AFC has no qualms and moral scruples and would resort to even trick and deceive its own!

The AFC seems to have now perfected the art of deceit and trickery!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Bridge fiasco is nothing but an elections gimmick

Dear Editor, It has happened just the way we predicted weeks ago, that is the Alliance For Change (AFC) David Patterson riding into Berbice as the knight in shining armour. He has, as it were, came to the rescue of the hapless citizens of Berbice; or is it? I think differently, I see this as another election gimmickry to again somehow squeeze votes out of Berbicians.

This tactic was tried in the lead up to the 2015 General Elections when Nagamootoo and Ramjattan fooled Berbicians into voting for them with that “we will never close the sugar estates” talk. They came as the saviours of Berbice then and quite frankly were believed by some gullible Berbicians who threw their votes on the AFC’s side. The sad reality of all of that is soon after taking office, the same Nagamootoo and Ramjattan sat in council and quickly closed the sugar estates and fired over 5000 workers in the Berbice area. A pretty tough way to love voters who faithfully trusted you and persons to whom you told just weeks before that you were going to protect their wellbeing?

So let us fast forward to 2018, here we have an AFC point man, Dr Surendra Persaud, speaking of a 365 per cent hike in bridge toll – this time coming on the very same day of another election. Isn’t it odd that something like this could happen at election time? Even if you have half a brain, you could see through this intricately woven ruse of the AFC in another attempt at pandemonium politics. The trick is first get Berbicians all hyped-up into a panic mode by that announcement of a steep toll rise, then Patterson would ride into town with that rescue package of his.

Note his words, “in light of the planned increase in tolls, the Government yesterday assumed temporary control over the operation of the Berbice River Bridge and promised to retain the present toll structure as it seeks to find an amicable resolu-

tion to its ongoing dispute with the concessionaire the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI).”

Very nice words for the fools they mistakenly believe Berbicians are?

Now what is Patterson telling us? Is he telling us that they are going to eventually buy over the bridge and the affairs of the said bridge would be managed by his Government?

I don’t think so, I think Patterson is rehashing an old Burnhamite illegal law which gives him the right to forcefully take over private property.

This policy of Burnham was practiced to good advantage when that party was in Government.

They bullied a number of private business owners into giving up their properties without compensation, the same situation the BBCI Company is faced with right now.

This further tells you that this matter is going to have serious legal implications in the longterm.

Now, I deliberately left out the words “threat to public safety” used by Patterson and this is my main concern at the moment. I am in the least interested in Patterson and his Government’s publicity stunts, they are all about surviving what is an inevitable situation them, so try any which way to put up a good show to the public; in this case the Berbice public.

However, what I am most concerned about is the fact that this “control” of the bridge they are talking about does it entail a financial control also? Would all the maintenance and affiliated costs of this bridge’s smooth operation be adequately addressed? For a Government that is known for its non-economic, backward stance in management of anything, is this bridge affair in for that kind of treatment also? These are legitimate questions that require urgent answers.

So, would my heart be in my hand when I face another crossing over this bridge? Yes I will, the point is with this present Administration I have all reasons to be fearful?

Respectfully, Neil Adams

NEWS 7

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Opposition bemoans slothfulness of SOCU in dealing with allegations against Min. Patterson ...plans to re-file private criminal charges against Govt Ministers

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

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eneral Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Bharrat Jagdeo is again questioning the slothfulness of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) having publicly committed to question Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson over the sole sourcing of a G$148 million Demerara Harbour bridge contract.

Jagdeo on Wednesday said the PPP will be refling private criminal charges against several Government Ministers.

The Public P r o c u r e m e n t Commission (PPC)

Former Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

had flagged Minister Patterson for requesting from Cabinet that the contract be sole sourced, instead of being processed through the Procurement Board as the law dictates should be done.

Earlier this year, the PPP had filed private charges against the Minister and four of his Cabinet colleagues but Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack discontinued the charges over the contentious D’Urban Park Project.

It was contended that the Ministers allegedly breached the

Ex-Cop gets life imprisonment for raping toddler

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GUILTY: Deon Aaron

former Police Officer was on Thursday morning jailed for life after he was found guilty of raping a 3-year-old girl by a 12-member jury.

The 53-year-old man, Deon Aaron of Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was handed the heavy sentence by Justice JoAnn Barlow at the High Court.

Justice Barlow had delayed sentencing until November 8 for a probation report.

It was reported that on March 16, 2016, at said Friendship, the accused sexually penetrated the child.

The accused was reportedly entrusted by the child’s mother with taking care of her when he committed the act.

Later, the toddler reportedly cried out for pain in her private area and upon inspection, it was discovered that she had been molested.

The matter was reported to the Police and he was arrested and later charged.

The victim at the sentencing called Aaron a “bad man who hurt her”.

However, the accused continues to maintain his innocence.

He will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years in prison.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Procurement Act in relation to the expenditure of G$906 million in public funds to a private company.

Now that the PPC and Auditor General have issued findings highlighting breaches in the procurement process regarding Government-signed contracts, Jagdeo signalled on Wednesday that his party intends to write the Police on the matter with corresponding documents. The Opposition Leader’s commitment comes after the DPP’s public disclosure in April that her reasoning for discontinuing the charges were based on the position that allegations should have been reported to Police in the interest of “good governance.”

“We want to see if the DPP will still look at these charges now that an audit report is out because she said she is for the cause of good governance, I don’t know what kind of good governance that is but that was the excuse” Jagdeo said.

The Party already sent one matter to the Police implicating Minister Patterson for breaches to the procurement process by the awarding of a G$148 million solesourced contract to Dutch company, LievenseCSO for a feasibility study into the new Demerara

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton

it was illegal. The Police didn’t have to do much more investigation, they could’ve used the report to put the allegations to Patterson and then charge him by now, they should’ve invited the whole Cabinet in like they did to talk about what took place at the other Cabinet… they promised that,” Jagdeo revealed. It was subsequently announced that SOCU would be investigating the contract award.

Previous charges

Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack

River crossing.

Jagdeo said he is surprised that the Minister has not yet been called in by SOCU – the very unit that called several Ministers of the former President’s Cabinet on multiple occasions.

“We deposited it with SOCU and asked for an investigation, already two months have passed, and Patterson did have to go into SOCU as yet and this is an investigation done by the constitutional body, the Public Procurement Commission and it was found that

On April 19, 2018, the PPP filed cases in the names of two Members of Parliament (MP) – Vickram Bharrat and Juan Edghill – against Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton for misconduct in public office. This was in relation to the sole sourcing of drugs and other pharmaceuticals for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation from privately owned, ANSA McAL Trading Limited and the rental of a house in Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown to be utilised as a drug bond at a cost of G$12 million monthly. The use of the building has since been discontinued, after several millions were expended.

8 NEWS

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

T&T oil company accused of discriminatory hiring practices A

bout 30 Guyanese seafarers have vented their concerns over the recent move by ExxonMobil subcontractor, Ramp’s Logistics, to hire Trinidadians instead of Guyanese to work on the oil rig.

The discrimination was raised at the recent Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) open space meeting on oil and gas, held at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, where members of the Guyana Seafarer’s and General Workers Union (GS&GWU) protested against actions of the Trinidadian company.

The event was hosted to give the public the opportunity to express their opinions on how the oil revenues can be utilised to benefit all Guyanese.

One of the main issues raised by the GS&GWU was the concern that the sub-contractor is recruiting Trinidadians over

Guyanese who meet the job requirement.

They highlighted that the vacancies were advertised in the newspapers for able-bodied seamen (Ab), ordinary sailors (OS), captains, mates, engineers and riggers. According to the Union, while many skilled Guyanese had applied for these positions, they are rarely picked.

The GS&GWU claimed that some 2000 qualified seamen are available in New Amsterdam alone.

The company has denied the allegations saying that it has in fact hired over 70 per cent Guyanese.

Earlier this year, the Union had written to Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge about the alleged discrimination which was transpiring. They believe Trinidadians are being hired on more favourable terms than the Guyanese and are being paid high-

er for the same quality of work.

Additionally, the other issue revolves around the payment and non-payment of taxes; payments in foreign currencies and preferential travel arrangements for foreigners.

The Union also disclosed that these persons are allowed to work in Guyana without possessing a Guyanese work permit, whereas all Guyanese seamen are required to obtain a work

permit as a condition of permission to obtain employment in Trinidad.

In a recent incident which is dubbed as an act to “disparage” locals, a seaman in New Amsterdam received a call to ‘immediately’ visit the Georgetown office.

However, when he arrived, he was told his job had gone to a Trinidadian and he was not hired, the union alleged.

At the conclusion of the discussions in New Amsterdam, it was as-

sured that evidence to substantiate the allegations would be provided to the Guyana Human Rights Association.

The allegations made by the GS&GWU has once again bring to the fore the issue of local content, which has been a very controversial matter since ExxonMobil discovered oil in Guyana.

It has been argued that the primary aim of the local content policy should be to ensure the education, inclusion, and advancement of as many Guyanese as possible in the oil industry.

The draft local content policy has been criticised in recent months for lacking provisions which would safeguard against exploitation by companies, especially since there have been intensified reports of the local companies being bypassed for contracts and services with foreign companies being fa-

voured.

According to the draft local content framework document, the policy seeks to address the suite of opportunities that may arise and the approaches to be taken in selecting and developing opportunities related to enhancing the capabilities of Guyanese nationals and businesses through training and well-tailored social contributions for greater impact and benefits among others.

Earlier this year, following the closing of the inaugural Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit (GIPEX), the Private Sector Commission (PSC) vowed to continue pushing for an effective local content policy that would benefit all Guyanese.

The second review of the local content policy is expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year.

Father, son, nephew freed of President attempted murder charge Granger

recovering

… analyses of illness still incomplete

P Freed: Rajnarine Ishree

Freed: Kumar Ishree

Freed: Sandeep Toolsie

father, his son and nephew were on Wednesday set free on an attempted murder incitement by a Berbice jury.

The three, Rajnarine Ishree 48; his son Kumar, 21; and nephew Sandeep Toolsie, 19; all of Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, were accused of attempting to murder Henry Garret, 28, of Number 23 Village, Berbice.

The prosecution’s case, which was presented by Sate Prosecutor Mandel Moore, stated that on March 12, 2016, Garret was at a wedding house at Bush Lot and left to check on his bicycle and as he was heading back to the celebrations, the three men approached him and asked, “What a 23 man ah do ah Bush Lot.” The men were accused of ambushing Garret and beating him with paling staves until he fell

unconscious.

During the trial, Prosecutor Moore called six witnesses, including two Police Officers. One of the witnesses, Garret’s cousin Mukesh, told the court that he was at the wedding house and he noticed persons running towards the door. He said he too ran outside and saw his cousin lying on the dam.

He told the court that he picked Garret up in an unconscious state and took him to the Fort Wellington Hospital.

Meanwhile, Garret in his evidence, said he was beaten by the Ishrees’ and Toolsie. He said when he regained consciousness, he was in the Fort Wellington Hospital.

The three men maintained throughout the trial that they were not the ones who injured Garret but rather it was other persons at the scene of the inci-

dent.

Attorney Tagenarine Ramroop representing the Ishrees’ argued that the music had stopped and as a result, persons began fighting. He said those fighting were not invited to the wedding and were put out of the celebrations.

Toolsie was represented by Attorney Arudranuth Gossai.

Garret had said that he was friends with the bridegroom’s father. He said he was not invited but it is customary for persons in nearby communities to turn up at wedding houses without being issued with an invitation.

Meanwhile, after considering all of the evidence, the jury found the accused not guilty on a wounding with intent indictment. They also found the men not guilty on the attempted murder indictment.

A

resident David Granger is resting comfortably at an official residence following an intensive series of tests by specialist doctors immediately after he arrived in Cuba on October 30.

This was revealed by the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday evening.

According to a statement from the Ministry, the President was receiving treatment at the Centro de Investigaciones Medico Quirugicas (CIMEQ) in Havana.

Clinical analyses are still incomplete, the statement noted.

“The Head of State has responded satisfactorily to medical interventions over the past week, however, and is recovering well. President Granger wishes to assure all citizens that he is receiving the best possible medical advice and attention. The President wishes to thank Guyanese for their expressions of concern,” the statement said.

Government on October 29 issued a terse

release, stating that President Granger would be going to Cuba for almost a week.

People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) General Secretary Amna Ally, in an interview with sections of the media, assured that the President was not expected to undergo surgery.

She also informed that the President called a meeting with Cabinet Ministers from his PNCR party on Monday last.

In May of this year, Granger and the First Lady, Sandra Granger had travelled to the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to undergo what was referred to as their annual medical check-up. At the time, and in response to reports in the press, the Government had revealed that the couple did their examinations under a Caribbean medical insurance scheme at the Good Health Medical Centre.

Those results, Government had said, indicated a clean bill of health.

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

‘Made in Kwakwani’ - adding a dash of flavour

– Kwakwani women agro-processors empowering themselves

K

wakwani women are answering the call of President David Granger to diversify and are processing and bottling viable raw material ingredients.

The women of this small Region 10 community are empowering themselves financially as they pioneer the first agro-processing business

ing venture, made from ingredients found right within arm’s reach. She very carefully selects and manually processes onion, garlic, various green leafy herbs such a thyme, eshallot and celery with a dash of pepper, ginger, salt and already packaged powered seasonings to make her one of a kind bottled green seasoning.

ents and the high-quality of her product.

As the demand grew quickly, assistance was sought from others within the community.

Realising that communal entrepreneurship is more beneficial to the development of the entire community, Dequoy opted to share her agro-processing skills with others, making it a women’s

Lavern Padmori showcasing her bottled pepper and all-purpose seasoning

Nathelyn Benn-Dequoy showcasing some of her bottled pepper sauce

in the area, and train others to follow their example.

Nathelyn BennDequoy’s 'Made in Kwakwani’ line is a small-scale manually manufactured pepper sauce and green season-

Benn-Dequoy makes five gallons of seasonings within days, as large quantities are also pre-ordered. Similarly, bottled seasonings can be found in groceries.

Dequoy noted that residents love her ingredi-

empowerment movement.

She was amazed by the response as other women came on board to make it a community project. “It was always my heart’s desire to see this movement in my

Bridge takeover sends negative...

FROM PAGE 3

The company also invested G$500 million for subordinate debt (loan stuck) G$456 million and is now owed G$207 million. Preference shares invested was G$950 million. They were paid back G$163 million and are owed G$507 million. Some G$80 million was invested in common shares with zero returns so far. “…these are the only instruments that have had a return on investment,” he added.

Agreement modifications

Jagdeo said if there should be modifications to the existing agreement, he would support a two- or three-year extension or even for the tolls to remain the same until the life of the agreement ends.

The BBCI has criticised the Government’s unlawful move to take over the bridge and has demanded answers from Minister David Patterson.

It noted that based on the legal advice it received, Toll Order 2018 to take over operations of the Bridge was unlawful under the Berbice River Bridge Act.

Slap to public-private partnerships

However, the Government’s unilateral decision did not go down well with BBCI Vice Chairman Paul Cheong, who on Monday told this newspaper such an arbitrary move was a slap in the face of all public-private partnerships.

Speaking with this publication on Monday, a very livid Cheong said, “The decision came as a shock to us and, so we are working with our lawyers to weigh our legal options. This is a slap on the whole Private Sector… this is something bigger than toll increases… it is a slap to all public-private partnerships… it was a model project for private-public partnership and so the Government will have to be responsible in its actions.”

But on Monday, several members of the Private Sector were on edge, as, according to a leading businessman, the move by Government did not augur well for investors in Guyana.

Dip in confidence

Last week, the World Bank’s 2018 Report signalled a dip in investors’ confidence in Guyana. This year, Guyana placed 126th in the global rankings.

Last year, Guyana ranked 124th, while in 2015, the nation ranked 140th.

The Ease of Doing Business Index is one of the most comprehensive studies done by the World Bank.

In determining ease of doing business, the World Bank looks at key indicators such as registering, compliance, taxation, obtaining loans and similar factors such as administrative procedures. It also looks at legal measures, such as protection and settlements.

community, and I have encouraged other women and taught them the necessary skills to manage similar businesses because when I am not around, other women will be able to fill in and keep the customers supplied,” Dequoy noted.

One of the women who was taught by Dequoy and now makes her own bottled seasonings and peppers is Lavern Padmori. She commenced her agro-processing venture two years ago and can today testify to its expansion.

Padmori says her imme-

diate goal is to focus on the quality of both the product and the packaging, as she believes this will attract more customers.

Branching out

After realising the many benefits of agro-processing, Dequoy began making local processed fruits by utilising the surplus of fruit in the community. “I decided to take those fruits and process them. Today, I send over 400 pounds of locally processed fruits to New Amsterdam to sell; I send to Canje,

East Coast and neighbouring villages such as Aoriama,” she related.

Dequoy believes that this agro-processing venture can also be the answer to social ills such as teenage pregnancy, school-drop outs and unemployment in the community. She is calling for the relevant authorities to initiate training programmes in the community, in order for young girls to learn similar skills in agro-processing and empower themselves. (Story and Images: Vanessa Braithwaite (DPI))

10 NEWS

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

PPP says not in support of hike in property taxes W

ith just a few days left before the 2018 Local Government Elections (LGE) are held, the Opposition is questioning why the two main coalition partners have been mum on possible increases to property rates and taxes especially, since its Government hired a North American company to assess the current rates.

As all parties intensify efforts in the final days leading up the polls; Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters at his press conference at his Georgetown office on Wednesday that candidates from both the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and AFC (Alliance For Change) are basically silent on the impending increases on property taxes.

“APNU and AFC are not saying anything about ‘no tax increases’ at the local level. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has made it clear that we will not support any increase at the local levels because these communities are already overburdened with taxation at the national level,” Jagdeo outlined.

The Georgetown Mayor and City Hall

GECOM chair appointment case goes to CCJ

T

he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), in accordance with Section 6(c) of the CCJ Act, Chapter 3:07, has granted leave to Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha to challenge the Guyana Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold the appointment of Justice (retd) James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The Guyana Court of Appeal’s ruling, handed down on October 19, 2018, upheld the High Court’s ruling that President David Granger was well within his rights when he unilaterally appointed Patterson as GECOM Chairman.

Mustapha has been ordered to, within the next three months, lodge G$750,000 with the Supreme Court Registrar as security costs. Additionally, he would have to conform to the requirements of Rule 10.6 (2) (b) of the amended CCJ Rules by providing a list of documents which he proposes to be included in the Record of Appeal.

He is being represented by Attorney Anil Nandlall, while Government is being represented by Solicitor General Kim KyteThomas.

Chief Justice Roxane George ruled on June 9 that the Constitution of Guyana allows for the President to unilaterally appoint someone to fill the position of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Justice George’s ruling came after the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had, on October 23, 2017, filed an injunction to have the court rescind the unilateral appointment of Justice (retd) James Patterson as Chairman of GECOM. The motion was filed in the name of PPP Executive Secretary and Member of Parliament

Retired Justice James Patterson receives his instrument of appointment from President David Granger at his swearing-in as chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission

Zulfikar Mustapha just days after President David Granger had made the announcement in regard to Patterson.

The Appellate Court’s unanimous ruling was handed down on October 19 by acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards and fellow Appellate Court Justices Dawn Gregory and Justice Rishi Persaud.

The Appellate Judges agreed with Justice George that Justice Patterson’s appointment was not unconstitutional. They said the President was empowered to appoint a Judge, retired Judge, or someone with the qualifications thereof if he deemed the Opposition Leader’s list unacceptable.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had sent to the Head of State three lists each comprising of six nominees he had proposed to be considered for the post of GECOM Chair, but this totality of 18 names was rejected by the President, who declared that the named persons were unacceptable.

Justice Gregory, in her decision, observed that the manner in which the three lists were submitted did not achieve consensus.

Justice Persaud determined that any move towards unilateralism was wholly unacceptable, could lead to abuse, and would not be motivated by good faith.

He, however, outlined

that there was nothing to suggest that the President acted “unconstitutionally, illegally or unreasonably in appointing the retired Judge as GECOM Chair.

“The appointment of a former Judge results itself in impartiality and fairness, and can only lead to establishing the intended balance prescribed for as a whole,” Justice Persaud had observed.

C h a n c e l l o r Cummings-Edwards had declared that Mustapha’s case had no bearing in affecting the elections process, as the challenge to Justice Patterson’s appointment was filed well before the date before LGE was proclaimed.

The most senior Judge had, however, outlined that once the President found the list to be in what the framers of the Constitution opined as “not acceptable”, he could select a Judge, retired Judge or one that holds the relevant qualifications.

Justice CummingsEdwards in fact held the view that this decision was in keeping with the proviso to Article 161(2) of the Constitution. She declared that Justice George’s High Court decision upholding the appointment was correct.

She had also observed that the retired Judge was qualified to serve in the chairman’s post, having served in the Commonwealth, with Guyana being included in this grouping.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

where the APNU/AFC coalition won a majority in the 2016 LGE has long been complaining about being unable to meet financial obligations from current property rates and taxes. These comments were picked up by which later hired Canadian firm Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to assess the tax rate in not just the city but countrywide for approximately G$330 million.

He however reminded reporters on Wednesday that following the 2016 LGE, the PPP had not increased any taxes, whereas some APNU/AFC stronghold areas such as New Amsterdam saw in-

creases for property rates and taxes. The former President feels APNU and AFC candidates are deliberately avoiding the issue as he expressed that the property tax issue should play an integral part of the LGE discussion. In any case, he stated that PPP officials and representatives are currently on the ground across the various Local Authority Areas (LAAs) as the Party has a message he feels will resonate with all Guyana.

Jagdeo has been noted saying for quite some time that Government has been increasing too many taxes – about 200, he in fact says. When the Party launched its campaign in

September, he had said no tax increases for properties, but Government had, however, outlined that rate hikes would be up to local officials after the valuations were complete. It was in 2017 that Finance Minister Winston Jordan revealed that efforts were being made to ensure the stability and self-sufficiency of the Local Democratic Organs (LDOs), to reduce dependence on subventions from Central Government.

The Government has expressed its dissatisfaction with the national valuation system, noting that it showed an extended neglect of the Local Government system.

Over 1600 to graduate from UG this week

M

ore than 1600 s t u d e n t s are expected to graduate at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus’s 52nd Convocation, to be held on November 10 at the National Cultural Centre.

For the first time in the history of the University, the certificates, diplomas and degrees will be awarded at three ceremonies held on the same day. The increase in the number of ceremonies, from two last year, according to the University, is due to the large number of graduating students and the desire to avoid having very long ceremonies, while still maintaining the personal touch whereby each graduand crosses the stage and shakes the hand of the Chancellor.

The first ceremony will be held at 09:00h, and will feature the faculties of agriculture and forestry, earth and environmental sciences, and education and humanities, with the graduation address delivered by Professor David Phoenix, Vice Chancellor

of London South Bank University, one of the leading British universities with which UG is developing relations.

The second ceremony, for the faculties of engineering and technology, health sciences and natural sciences, will be held at 13:00h.

The feature address will be delivered by Guyanaborn Professor Norman Munroe, Director, Office of Student Access and Success and of the Center for Diversity in Engineering and Computing at Florida International University.

The largest of the three ceremonies will be held at 17:00h, and it will involve the Faculty of Social Sciences and the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI), the two largest units of the University.

The keynote speaker will be Attorney-atLaw Kamal Ramkarran, a University of Guyana alumnus of the Class of 1997, who is a partner at Cameron and Shepherd.

The more than 1600 students will graduate with master’s, bache-

lor’s and associate degrees; diplomas and certificates. The ceremonies will honour graduates from 116 academic programmes in UG’s eight academic units.

This year marks the first time that students will graduate through SEBI since the launch of the School in 2017.

The prospective graduates would have been third-year students in the Faculty of Social Sciences, pursuing programmes that were transferred to SEBI. Notably, also, will be the graduation of the first batch of students from 12 different programmes offered at the University.

At the Berbice campus convocation, where more than 200 students will graduate on November 17 at the University Square at Tain, the keynote address will be delivered

by University of Guyana alumna from the Class of 2016, paediatrician Dr Bibi Areefa AlladinKaran, a Berbician who is a lecturer in the School of Medicine and a practitioner at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

NEWS 11

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

NY authorities taking tough action against underage drinking N

ew York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the results of joint efforts by the State Liquor Authority and the Department of Motor Vehicles to combat underage drinking and has pledged to take tougher action against those found to be involved in breaking the law.

According to a release from the Governor’s Office, during this enforcement effort in the months of August, September and October, SLA sent underage decoys to 506 establishments, citing 141 for illegal sales to minors. In addition, DMV investigators arrested 271 people under the age of 21 attempting to use false identification to purchase alcohol.

"Underage drinking can lead to bad decisions and dangerous situations that can have lifelong consequences or needless tragedy," Governor Cuomo said. "Through on-going enforcement efforts, we will continue to crack down on this dangerous behavior and target businesses that break the law by selling to minors and underage adults."

The SLA conducted 41 underage details in 30 counties, with investigators sending underage decoys into 506 locations holding liquor licenses, including restaurants, bars, grocery stores, convenience stores and liquor stores. The decoys were able to purchase

alcohol at 141 businesses listed here. The 365 businesses refusing to sell to underage decoys are listed here.

During the investigations, SLA investigators entered the licensed premises separately from the undercover minor to observe and verify when illegal transactions occurred.

Licensees charged by the SLA with underage sales face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, with fines starting from US$2,500 to US$3,000 for a first-time offense. Repeat offenders also face potential suspension or revocation of their licenses.

DMV investigators made the following arrests for use of fake IDs: Capital Region - 31 arrests 9 arrests during the Luke Bryan concert at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) 2 arrests at the Kid Rock

concert with Brantley Gilbert at SPAC 8 arrests at the Zac Brown concert at SPAC 12 arrests at the Varsity Lounge in Albany Central New York - 21 arrests 2 arrests at the Kid Rock concert at the St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview in Geddes 17 arrests at The Red Jug, The Dark Horse Saloon, and Harry Tony's, all in Cortland Finger Lakes - 91 arrests 13 arrests at the Dierks Bentley concert at the Darien Lake concert facility 34 arrests at the Jason Aldean concert at Darien Lake 7 arrests during an investigation at One Nightclub and Vinyl in Rochester.

18 arrests at the G-Eazy concert at Darien Lake 6 arrests at Somerton's

Public House and Dragonfly Tavern in Rochester 13 arrests at The Red Jug Pub and Stone Yard Brewing Company in Brockport Long Island - 36 arrests 14 arrests at the Brad Paisley concert at the Jones Beach Theater 22 arrests at the Billboard Hot 100 concert at Jones Beach Southern Tier - 44 arrests 44 arrests at Moonies Tavern and Silky Jones Bar, both in Ithaca Western New York - 48 arrests 24 arrests at The Steer and the Main Place Bar in Buffalo 24 arrests at Old Main Inn, Sunny's Bar and Muldoons, all in Fredonia The fake identifications seized during these arrests were from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Maryland, Delaware, California, Ohio, Illinois, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Florida.

The crackdown is part of Operation Prevent, a DMV initiative conducted all year long that targets not only bars and drinking establishments, but concerts, events and other underage hot spots. During an Operation Prevent sting, DMV investigators work with the SLA and law enforcement to check identification docu-

ments. Patrons found to be using fake IDs can be arrested and have their license revoked for a minimum of 90 days or up to one year.

Vincent G. Bradley, Chairman of the New York State Liquor Authority, said, "Preventing the sale of alcohol to minors remains a priority for the SLA. These large-scale enforcement efforts with our partners at the DMV and local law enforcement will continue to be part of our proactive measures to prevent alcohol abuse among our youth."

In addition to aggressively enforcing underage drinking laws, the SLA continues to promote education and training for licensees to avoid violations. This fall, the SLA and the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association are again hosting a series of free compliance trainings throughout the state. Trainings began on October 29th in Buffalo, with additional seminars planned in Canandaigua, Melville, Nanuet, Lake Placid, Syracuse and in Dryden.

These day-long programs for bar, restaurant and tavern owners and their staff focus on the legal responsibilities of selling alcohol and provide training in practical skills to help licensees and their employees fulfill their legal responsibilities, including preventing sales to minors.

12 NEWS

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Activist calls for more support for small businesses in Guyana

A

s the second annual Women’s Leadership Conference kicked off on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, organiser of the event and Community Health Care Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Abbigale Loncke has said she believes more ought to be done for small businesses.

Loncke shared her view on entrepreneurs seemingly being tossed aside, stating, “I think that we need to start a conversation on how we are going to open avenues for women to get more access to capital that are readily avail-

able, because a lot of women have small businesses that they cannot go into the bank and say okay, I have a sweetie shop I need you to help me expand.”

She believes the Government should do more for them to help jump start their businesses.

In fact, she noted that the above scenario would evince laughter and that person’s request would be turned down. It was on this note that the CEO pointed to the need for help to be given to women trying to make a livelihood.

“The Government needs to come into play, but I also see it coming through partnerships

Panelists, entrepreneurs and sponsors at the event

Early Childhood Development Centre opens in Linden

and collaboration,” she added.

The event this year is focused on leadership in business for women.

Monday’s session was headlined with speakers such as Mings Products and Services CEO Stanley Ming, Small Business Bureau CEO Shamane Headley and several others.

Loncke gave a brief history of how the Conference came about.

“The idea came about by us stepping into a different dimension in terms of us having oil or discovering oil and the rice in our economy. I realised that not a lot of women are a part of the conversation in business development in Guyana

and so this conference this year was birthed through that,” she explained.

Loncke sought to point out the importance of the Conference as it will address juggling business and motherhood, hence focusing on mental health and how the law would impact them.

Pregnant T&T woman killed days before due date The Early Childhood Development Centre

A

n Early Childhood Development Centre has officially been opened in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

One of several opened in various regions across the country, the centre is an initiative of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA). The doors of the centre were officially opened on Monday to facilitate its first intake, though it had been commissioned some time ago.

This facility has the capacity to cater for 45 children aged between three months and six years, but it currently has a little more than 20 children already registered.

The centre’s opening was attended by numerous officials, including the Region 10 District Education Officer (Nursery) Yolanda Menthis, who explained that the facility aims to provide cheap, affordable educational services for working parents and their children.

“The centre is a Government initiative to provide cheap, affordable daycare services for

young people in the area, so that they can go back to work and have their children in a comfortable environment… Today, the first day, we had children actually coming in to start the daycare services,” she noted.

Menthis added that the centre, which is equipped with seven childcare providers and a supervisor, has a structured timetable which caters for children to learn basic educational skills.

She said the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and Department of Education would also provide supervisory services from time to time.

She encouraged those who have already registered their children to have them attend the center.

Executive Officer for Early Childhood Development at the CCPA, Lavern Thorne, who was also present, noted that the centre will provide opportunity for parents to seek employment.

She said caregivers have a mandate to ensure that children are well taken care of, and she noted that activities will be engaged in to fos-

ter the children’s development.

“Everything that is going to be done has to be done through play, because play is the medium through which students learn at this age. The supervisors will have to ensure that everything that is being done relates to their development and the services that are going to be offered here are of high quality…

“We would have put together a training module to give them the basic training that they would need in order to care for these children. We have caregivers who are presently at the University of Guyana pursuing the Early Childhood programme that is being offered there. So, we’re hoping that all the caregivers that are here will access that programme, and they all will be trained and qualified to care for children,” she added.

The centre will be opened from 07:00h to 17:00h daily. It was built by the Basic Needs Trust Fund, in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

Danielle Yearwood and her husband Ricardo Daloo

Danielle Yearwood was almost nine months pregnant when she, her unborn son and the child’s father were murdered in Wallerfield on Monday afternoon.

Yearwood, 19, and husband Ricardo “Mamoo” Daloo left their home at La Plata Gardens, Valencia, earlier that day so she could undergo her final ultrasound when they were attacked by gunmen in

Wallerfied around 4 pm.

When a news team from the T&T Guardian visited the couple’s home almost 24 hours after the incident, relatives were still trying to piece together.

“The police were not helpful. They ran us when we wanted to see the bodies and did not give us any information. I needed to see because it still feels surreal,” Yearwood’s sister

said as she explained she and other relatives only learned of the incident on social media.

She criticised the unnamed person who posted a grisly photo of the couple after they had been shot several times.

“Who does that? Don’t they care how the family feels?” she asked, as she also called on police to be more sensitive to victims’ families at crime scenes.

Yearwood’s relatives also questioned whether more could have been done by police to save the couple’s unborn baby, whom they had already planned to name Rishard Akim Daloo.

“She got shot in her head and the bodies were on the scene for three hours. We don’t know if they could have saved the baby if they had gotten rushed to hospital,” one of Yearwood’s male relatives said.

Yearwood’s family said she was excited for the baby to be born after she found out she was pregnant less than a year ago.The relatives were clearly emotional as they spoke of Yearwood and the baby while still surrounded by decorations and gifts that were used for her recent baby shower.

(Trinidad Guardian)

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Court orders retrial for man accused of killing friend

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he Appeal Court of Guyana on Monday overturned the decision of Justice Navindra Singh, who sentenced Redrick Alexander, called “Bumpy”, to 56 years in prison after a jury of his peers found him guilty of murdering his friend, Carl Thomas, known as “Dog”, back in November 2010.

Alexander’s sentence had been handed down in April 2014 after a murder trial in the High Court. However, he appealed the verdict and the corresponding prison sentence imposed upon him.

When his matter came up for hearing, his attorney, Nigel Hughes presented arguments before acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards; Appellate Justice Dawn Gregory and High Court Justice Brassington Reynolds.

After the presentation, the acting Chancellor adjourned the hearing for five minutes before returning to court and announcing that the Court has accepted the grounds

of the appeal.

As such, the Court set aside both the conviction and the sentence, and ordered a retrial at a future sitting of the Demerara Assizes. The decision was read by Justice Cummings-Edwards.

Attorney Teshanna Lake appeared for the State.

According to reports surrounding the case, Alexander had known Thomas since they were children and lived like siblings. However, on November 3, 2010, at John Street, Lodge, the two men engaged in a heated argument over clothes that Thomas claimed went missing.

In the midst of the argument, Thomas was stabbed once to his abdomen, and he was then rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he later succumbed while receiving treatment.

Senior State Counsel Judith GildharieMursalin had prosecuted the case in 2014 and she had called seven witnesses to testify.

Alexander, who had been represented by Attorney Hukumchand Parag, had given an unsworn state-

ment from the prisoner’s dock. This meant that he could not be cross-examined by the prosecution nor face questions from the judge or jury when he led his defence.

When Alexander’s trial concluded, he protested his 56-year sentence and had pleaded with Justice Singh for a reduction.

The accused was 61 years old when he was convicted four years ago.

The prosecution’s main witness had been Lear Porter, a grocery shop owner, of John Street, Lodge, who was the brother of the deceased Thomas. During his testimony, he recalled that around 18:00h on the day in question, he was in his grocery shop when he heard the two men arguing. Porter had also noted that they had been calling each other “cross”. Reports had stated that when Thomas entered his yard after being on the road, Alexander walked up, drew a knife from his waist and allegedly inflicted the fatal stab on Thomas. Reports were that Thomas’s intestines were protruding after the attack.

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LGE 2018: Berbice pastor accuses AFC of using him as a “scapegoat” A Corentyne, Berbice pastor is accusing the Alliance For Change (AFC) of using him as a “scapegoat” and of now asking him to be silent, but he said that he could not be quiet, since the party has caused him to fool his entire congregation.

Pastor Lieon Benjamin, in an interview with Guyana Times International, said that he was the AFC’s candidate for Constituency Number One in the Good Hope-Number 51 Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). According to him, after he obtained all the required signatures and documents, he noticed that his name was removed and replaced with the name of a close associate of one of the party’s executives.

Benjamin said he made the discovery that he was not the AFC candidate for the constituency when the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) released the names of candidates contesting the November 12 Local Government Elections (LGE).

According to Benjamin, he had given his documents to an AFC executive, who claimed that the party had approved and submitted the list.

However, when GECOM published the names of candidates, it was changed.

Pastor Benjamin said that he had got members of his congregation and villagers to support him and now they were accusing him of tricking them.

Murriel Brusch, who signed in support of Benjamin, said that she supported the pastor as the candidate and not the person whose name suddenly appeared on the list as the AFC candidate for the constituency.

When this publication contacted the person whose name appeared as the candidate for the constituency instead of Benjamin, she initially agreed to the interview, but after a short conversation with an AFC executive, she returned and said that she has nothing to say on the matter.

Meanwhile, Benjamin told this newspaper that several top officials from the party have telephoned him asking that he not go to the media.

“I can’t do that, because the people in the village who I went to believe that it is I who tricked them,” he said.

According to Benjamin, he signed on the candidate’s form and received 22 backers.

“I gave it to (name withheld) who took it to Georgetown and it was confirmed that everything was okay. When it came back, I don’t know what happened, but from then on we don’t know what transpired.”

Guyanese among 11 caught on video entering T&T illegally

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ORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Trinidad and Tobago police have detained 11 people — eight Venezuelans, two Syrians and a Guyanese — after a video of people jumping off a boat and running to the beach in Erin, south-west of Port of Spain, was circulated on social media.

Police said that the 11 foreigners were detained at a local hotel in the area and that the 37-year-old owner had also been held pending further investigations.

In a statement, the police said that the detention of the illegal immigrants was part of an anti-crime exercise.

Earlier this week, the video on social media showed the people jumping off a boat and

running to the beach, with bags in their hands.

Minister of National Security Stuart Young, speaking on television, described the video as disturbing, adding that the authorities were working on increasing border protection.

Young also said he would take to Cabinet a number of initiatives to deal with the situation regarding the country's border.

The statement said the police searched the hotel and arrested seven men and four women ranging from ages 18 to 55 years.

It said that those detained have since been handed over to the Immigration Department in San Fernando.

Pastor Lieon Benjamin

He said the persons who he had gone to in order to get their signatures were backing him and not necessarily the AFC. “Because I am the pastor in the area and they were looking for someone in the area who could have done certain

things for them. We have some trenches in the area that have bush for years and the last person that was there did nothing, so they think that I was the fittest person to represent them,” he added.

This is not the first time persons in Berbice,

Region Six are accusing the AFC of tricking them.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had filed a legal challenge after it found what the Party alleged to be “fraudulent” names on the GECOM list.

Legal proceedings began after 50 persons in the Whim-Bloomfield Local Authority Area, Berbice alleged that they were tricked into signing the AFC LGE list for their area.

Shafraz Beekham, of Letter Kenny Village, Corentyne, and 49 other persons from the Bloomfield-Whim, Corentyne area, filed affidavits saying they were

misled into believing that they were supporting a party of their choice when in reality, they actually were “misled” into signing AFC’s nominator lists. The PPP’s legal suit was filed on behalf of Beekham.

Berbice High Court Judge, Justice Navindra Singh ruled that there was no evidence of fraud, trickery or threat, and noted that there was no basis to ask the Chief Elections Officer to strike out the names of the nominators from AFC’s Lists of Candidates. However, the PPP has since appealed the ruling.

(Andrew Carmichael)

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Nagga Presidency!!

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atiricus could barely conceal his joy as he hurried over to the Back Street Bar. Three years ago, he’d taken a lot of flack from his best friends after he decided to stick with his leaders Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat when they joined up with the Pee-‘n-See. And matters didn’t improve any when the Pee-‘n-See stiffed Nagga Man on the extra powers that would’ve come from the President. Now it was all about to change!!

“So wha’d you fellas say now?” crowed Satiricus, as he and his buddies huddled around their table with their beers.

“Wha’ yuh a talk ‘bout, Sato?” said Cappo, “Me’riddle, me’rridle m’rie?”

“I’m talking about my leader Nagga Man becoming President of this great Republic!”

Satiricus said, as he slapped the table with his open palm.

“Ow, Sato,” said Bungi, “Da all yuh t’ink ‘bout?

Yuh na worry ‘bout de President?”

“Yeah, that’s rather cold, boy!” observed Hari.

“Look chaps, the President only gone up for a check-up,” said Satiricus. “He’ll be back in two weeks.”

“Suh Nagga Man guh be President fuh two week!” chuckled Cappo. “Wha’ yuh t’ink ‘e can do?”

“Well, ‘e guh get fuh chair Cabinet two time!” interjected Bungi before Satiricus could answer.

“At last!!”

“Al’yu laugh!” said Satiricus amiably. “Nagga Man can do a lot of things in two weeks!”

“Like what?” demanded Hari.

“Well he could give out all kinds of goodies to his old supporters in the sugar belt,” said Satiricus.

“And win them back at the LGE fu vote KFC!” “Whe’ Nagga Man guh get de money fram?” asked Cappo, truculently.

“From that $30 billion they borrowed for GuySuCo,” said Satiricus smugly. “Where else?”

“Lemme get dis strai’t,” said Bungi with an incredulous look. “You tink Nagga Man guh get Cabinet to ‘gree fuh spend $30 billian pan suga worka?”

“He can do anything! He’ll be the President!” said Satiricus. “Why not?” asked Satiricus.

“Because Nagga Man never ever showed he has the stones to take risks!” observed Hari with a smile.

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Guyana’s economy being mismanaged by APNU/AFC – Ali G

uyana’s performance on several economic indices is cause for worry. From the state of the foreign reserves to its ranking on Human Development Indices, former Minister and economist Irfaan Ali believes that the country was being mismanaged on a serious scale.

Commenting on the economic health of the country, Ali pointed to tax collection and the contraction in various traditional economic sectors.

When it comes to the increased tax collection, Ali noted the effects this has had on ordinary families.

“Since taking up office in 2015, the Government has failed miserably in managing the nation’s key traditional sectors of rice, sugar, bauxite and timber. Tax collection has increased by more than G$45 billion. In other words, since taking up office, this Government took away an additional G$271,000 in dispos-

able income from each family.”

The effective tax rate increased by more than eight per cent, Ali added, pointing that contrary to claims of reduced taxes by the Government, if one took into account the 200plus new tax measures, this Government increased taxes by more than eight per cent.”

Guyana Times had reported findings from the recently-released 2017 Auditor General Report, which had showed that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) collected more taxes than was even anticipated.

In the end-of-year budget and reconciliation report, it noted that the projected revenue for 2017 was G$186 billion. Instead, Government actually collected G$195 billion in current revenue. This figure includes duties, as well as levy, personal income and withholding taxes.

The highest earnings came from the internal revenue cat-

Economist and Member of Parliament, Irfaan Ali

egory. Personal income tax collection grew by G$2.5 billion. This, according to the Government, is because substantial arrear payments were recovered from self-employed persons through various initiatives. One of the initiatives the GRA has been implementing is a tax amnesty.

Non-performing loans

Ali also delved into non-performing loans, noting that these have increased considerably. This, he noted, is indicative of businesses failing and defaulting on their loan repayments. Another economic symptom, Ali pointed to, was the drop in average return on equity of the major commercial banks.

“Return on equity of our major commercial banks in Guyana fell from an average of 22.3 per cent in 2014, to 3 per cent in 2017, which is a sign of acute economic hardship,” the former Minister related.

“The gold reserve fell from G$25 billion in 2014 to G$3 billion, as of September 2018.

Government deposits at the Bank of Guyana fell from G$21.4 billion in 2014, to an overdraft of G$61 billion as of September 2018,” he said, adding that this was a sign of overspending.

In addition, Ali pointed to the decline shown by the inter-

national reserve at the Bank of Guyana. He related that this fell from US$652 million in 2014 to US$447 million, as of August 2018. This, Ali stated, is indicative of trying to make up for falling foreign currency earnings from traditional exports.

“In 2018 thus far, the Government used up in excess of US$137 million. Forestry and bauxite sector loss in excess of US$37.8 million and US$86.6 million in foreign exchange, during the period 2014 to 2017, which is G$25.8 billion.”

Ali also noted that to finance the Government budget deficit, the State borrowed G$22.7 billion between the years 2014 and 2017 domestically, an increase from previous years. He described this as funds that could have otherwise gone to local investors to expand their businesses and create jobs.

Huge influx of Venezuelans DPP withdraws murder charge being managed effectively against CPG member – Guyana’s Foreign Minister

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i t i z e n s h i p M i n i s t e r Winston Felix on Monday commended the efforts of the National MultiSectoral Coordinating Committee in managing the influx of Venezuelan refugees, successfully averting potential crises that are symptomatic of migratory activities.

This Committee comprises various Government agencies and international bodies such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); I n t e r n a t i o n a l Organisation for Migration (IOM); PanAmerican Health Organisation (PAHO) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

Taking into account that the influx of migrants was a relatively novel challenge that the Government was faced with, the Committee’s work has significantly stabilised the situation by ensuring that assistance is directed to where it is most needed.

Coordination with the international agencies has also paved the way for the acquisition of food and other relief items and the introduction of helpful tools such as the Displacement Tracking

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

Matrix (DTM), which hitherto, was not available to the Government.

“Support from the international community assisted us in bringing focus to a number of areas … These sessions [fortnightly Committee meetings] bring together a number of issues which can enable us to plan and move forward with our administration of migrants. When we started, all we knew was that people were assembling here and there, but since then we have been able to provide some sort of temporary shelter for some, while others have been finding shelters for themselves … The coordination has been extremely useful in creating an understanding of what the migrant issues are,

what the Government is doing and what the international community is doing,” Minister Felix is quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying.

However, he also said that there was no room for complacency at this stage, noting that there were still areas that required much more work, particularly as it related to the settling of migrants in Region One (BarimaWaini).

Meanwhile, at Monday’s Committee meeting, it was disclosed that the current number of documented migrants stood at 2943.

These persons have also been screened and vaccinated by personnel from the Public Health Ministry.

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ony George, the Community Policing Group (CPG) member, who was previously charged with the murder of 15-yearold Ricardo Singh, is now a free man after the charge was withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The Police Prosecutor had previously requested that time be granted by the court for additional statements to be obtained after the charge was laid on October 16, 2018.

However, Attorney Dexter Todd strongly objected to any delay in the commencement of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) on the grounds that the charges were bad in law and there was no evidence to substantiate the charge. After the charge was read, the Prosecutor sought an adjournment to Monday, November 5.

When the case was called on Monday, the prosecution withdrew the murder charge.

The charge had alleged that the 28-year-old man murdered the teen of Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on July 9, 2018, in the vicinity of the Soesdyke Public Road.

According to Police Prosecutor Simone Payne, the victim was with several friends at a wedding house at Soesdyke, EBD on July 9, when an altercation ensued.

Singh was subsequently arrested

by George and was later placed in the tray of the Police vehicle to be escorted to the Police Station. The prosecution was contending that the accused and another male Rural Constable were on their way to the Police station when George allegedly stopped the vehicle, exited with the teen, and reportedly told the driver to leave.

The body of Singh was discovered in the wee hours of July 9 with several stab wounds, including one to his

Tony George

abdomen.

Based on reports received, the former Diamond Secondary School student and his friends had left their respective homes on that fateful Sunday with the intention of “taking a lime” at the Linden-Soesdyke Highway Junction, but had instead gone to the wedding house, which was close by.

The young man, who would have been celebrating his 16th birthday three days after that incident, was subsequently found in a nearby trench with his intestines protruding. He was picked up and taken to the Diamond hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, this publication had reported that the young man had been misbehaving at the wedding house, and the Police had been called in to intervene. However, at the time, members of the Community Policing Group (CPG) had been patrolling the area, and as such, they had reportedly arrested the young man.

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Guyana’s Amerindian land titling project moving at snail’s pace …Only 5 demarcations completed since 2015

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ollowing concerns of the Opposition P e o p l e ’ s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government has been dragging its feet over Indigenous land titling, it has been disclosed that only five demarcations have been completed under the current Administration.

This number is in disparity with the overall 93 villages that have been demarcated overall.

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock made this admission via written responses to the Opposition in the National Assembly last week. Allicock also admitted that some 32 villages have pending applications for extensions.

Minister Allicock had previously revealed that only 26 per cent of the Amerindian Land

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock

Titling Project had been completed.

This prompted members of the PPP/C side of the House to call out the Government for being unable to issue new land titles since taking office in 2015. In the written responses presented by the subject minister, he revealed that US$2.9 million out of a US$10.7 million agreement for the implementation of the Amerindian Land Titling and Demarcation Project was spent. This project, which conclud-

ed in 2016, came under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

Allicock further outlined that US$1.4 million or 53 per cent of expenditure was spent on demarcation while another 43 per cent was spent on grievance redress mechanisms, information management and project management. However, it was during a sitting before members of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources in May when the subject Minister

observed that no new titles or extensions were issued. As such, the PPP/C asked the Minister how many communities applied for titles or extensions and he responded that only five demarcations were completed under Government’s tenure.

These included a 2015 application for Batavia, which was completed in 2016, and completed demarcations of Tuseneng, Chinoweing and Paramakatoi, as well as Four Miles, which had been in the process of being demarcated. When further questioned on those communities awaiting demarcation during the period under review, the Opposition was told that 10 villages have not been demarcated.

Minister Allicock’s explanation was that consent was not provided by these villages.

He also noted that some 32 villages have applied for extensions to their original demar-

cated areas while six villages have applied for recognition to be demarcated as village entities. In total, 93 villages have been demarcated. The Minister said in his written responses that as time progressed, each demarcation case would become “more difficult and complex”, since mining concessions which were allocated over time have infringed on “rights, title and interests” of the Indigenous.

Questioned on how the remaining funds for the project will be allocated, Allicock said that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) sent an intermediate extension request for December 31, 2018 to the Ministry of the Presidency to allow for consultation. Members of the National Assembly were also told that stakeholder consultations started with the Ministry; Indigenous Non-Governmental

Organisations (NGOs); UNDP and the National Toshaos Council (NTC) on October 11 to chart the way forward and determine, among other things, the extension deadline.

The Kingdom of Norway provided the US$10.7 million for the project in 2013 under the PPP/C Government for the project.

The NTC has repeatedly criticised Government for failing to issue the titles, although Government had said that it needed an extension on the life of the project. Opposition Member of Parliament and former Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai had argued strongly that from the information provided on the project, it seemed that the land titling process was at a standstill. Allicock had denied that the Government was dragging its feet on the matter.

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obesity and inequality on Guyana prepares to host major Hunger, the rise in the C’bean - UN report int’l aviation conference S

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s Guyana observes Tourism Month in November, representatives from 192 countries are expected to visit for one of the largest aviation conferences in Guyana.

This was on Wednesday revealed by senior representatives of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) during a press conference hosted at the agency’s head office on High Street, Georgetown.

The conference is expected to have some 192 Member States of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) participate as was related by Director of Marketing and Operations Support, Franklin Vieira.

It is slated to be held

in Guyana at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown from November 21 to 23, 2018.

The conference is being held under the theme “Promoting connectivity for sustainable air transport development”.

It was pointed out during the meeting on Wednesday that air transport played a vital role in linking many coastal areas and communities in the hinterland and in connecting States to regional and global markets. In facilitating travel, air transport generates economic growth and development and even provides jobs among other benefits.

“The objective of this meeting is to come up with practical solutions

to the air transport challenges that we are facing in the sector internationally,” Director of Air Transport Management, Saheed Sulaman told this newspaper.

According to him, one of the challenges in the aviation sector is connectivity between States. He, however, noted that this month’s Air Transport Meeting would also address issues such as harmonising the regional air transport regulatory framework as well as the liberalisation of air cargo through regional and global approaches.

Although only 25 countries have confirmed attendance, the GCAA said it was looking forward to having fruitful discussions during the three-day event.

A N T I A G O , Chile (CMC) — A new United Nations report says for the third consecutive year, the number of people chronically hungry has increased in Latin America and the Caribbean, while 250 million — 60 per cent of the regional population, are obese or overweight, representing the biggest threat to nutritional health.

Speaking at the launch of “The 2018 Panorama of Food and Nutrition Security” report in Santiago, Chile on Wednesday, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Regional Representative, Julio Berdegue, said it was an “appalling” threat to health overall, affecting women and indigenous groups the most.

“The Panorama,” published annually by FAO, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP), explores strategies to halt the health threats posed by hun-

ger and malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean.

According to the report, hunger, malnutrition, lack of micronutrients and obesity largely affect lower income families, women, indigenous communities, Afrodescendants and rural families.

The report says that the principle causes of malnutrition among the most vulnerable can be traced back to changes the food systems have experienced in the region, from production to consumption.

With a greater strain on the demand for nutrient-rich food like milk and meats, the report says many resort to less costly options, which are often higher in fat, sugar and salt.

“Obesity is growing uncontrollably,” Berdegue said.

Maria Cristina Perceval, who serves at the regional director for UNICEF in the region, said stunting correlates closely to inequality and poverty levels, adding that being chronically overweight “is also increasingly affecting the

poorest children.”

She underscored that lower income families have unequal access to healthy diets.

The report says that obesity has become the greatest threat to Latin America and the Caribbean when it comes to nutritional health conditions.

Nearly one in four adults are obese and more than seven percent of children below the age of five are overweight – higher than the global average of 5.6 per cent, the report states.

To address the exacerbation of hunger and obesity, a “multisectoral approach is needed,” said PAHO Director Dr Carissa Etienne, adding that the solution requires addressing social factors, just as well as water quality and access to health services.

In response to growing malnutrition, the UN said partner authors on the report have called on countries to implement public policies that combat inequality, while promoting health and sustainable food systems.

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Antigua and Barbuda vote against CCJ, PM disappointed S T JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC) — Prime Minister Gaston Browne has expressed his “utmost disappointment” at the failure of his administration to get voters to support the Trinidadbased Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as Antigua and Barbuda's final court.

In a referendum on Tuesday, the preliminary figures released by the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) showed that of the 17,743 votes counted, the “No” vote secured 9, 234 as against 8,509 for the “Yes” vote.

Antigua and Barbuda's final court is the London-based Privy Council and the island had hoped to join Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Guyana as the only Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries that have so far made the CCJ their final court.

The CCJ also operates as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the 15-member regional inte-

Prime Minister Gaston Browne

gration movement.

“We knew that getting 67 per cent of the votes was an extremely daunting task, practically un-achievable without the support of the main opposition party,” Browne said.

“The support of the opposition was very important to mitigate against the natural inclination of electors to vote no in a referendum and this is a point

that I raised during the initial consultation (on the CCJ),” he added.

But the leader of the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), Harold Lovell said that the results of the referendum should be viewed as a personal assessment of Browne's stewardship.

“This was really a referendum about the prime minis-

ter….In Antigua it was a referendum about Gaston Browne and he was not able to bring out not more than 8,000 people …even though they were talking about he is going to command his people to do this and do that” Lovell said that of the 20,000 odd people who voted for the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) in the last general election held earlier this year, “only 8,000 came out and yet he is now blaming the United Progressive Party.

“Our position was take the politics out, let us build a coalition of people and listen to people and go forward with that approach. Cursing people,… calling people backward, stupid, dunce that type of thing, that's not how you build a successful coalition,” Lovell said.

He said the UPP would continue to support constitutional reform “and we believe this is a time when we must listen to what people are saying”.

But Browne told reporters that the opposition had succeeded in undermining the de-

sire to replace the Privy Council accusing them of spreading lies and instilling fear in the population.

Browne said the results showed that “no one” won in the end.

“The outcome even though disappointing was not surprising. I am satisfied that my government discharged its responsibility by making the option available to the people of Antigua and Barbuda to make justice available to all at the Apex level and to bring our final court to the Caribbean.

“My biggest disappointment is the impact of this failure on future constitutional reforms. It is unlikely that my government will, in the circumstances and in the absence of political maturity and magnanimity pursue any further constitutional reform in the near future,” Browne said.

ABEC said that 33.5 per cent of the electorate voted in the referendum and that the “No” vote had secured 52.04 per cent with the “Yes” vote gathering 47.96 per cent.

Jamaica: Female Majority of illegal female immigrants to Trinidad work in sex trade taxi driver shot dead

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45-year-old female taxi driver was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon along the Tollgate main road in Clarendon.

The driver Claudia Nadine Thompson, who hails from Ebony Park in the parish, and plies the Race Course to Ebony Park route was shot by unknown assailants close to 1 p.m.

Her death has left relatives and friends in shock as they try to come to grips with her killing.

Thompson was described as a friendly person, one who looked out for the children in the community and who had a ‘million friends’.

Councillor for the York Town Division, Uphell Purcell, said the killing in the division is becoming unbearable.

“It is too much than we can bear, and even as the citizens are tightlipped on what is happening, it is unbearable to every single person,” he told Gleaner Online.

Purcell said Thompson was someone who had been operating a taxi for many years in

the area and the way she lost her life is of great concern to him.

“She is actually someone who is carrying the financial burden for the family. It is really unkind of those who have taken her life like this,” he said.

Purcell informed that a few days ago, another youngster was “taken out” and it has been an ongoing problem. “I am calling on the youngsters to stop it. The police always on spot but as soon as gunmen see the police out, they do their wrong,” he said.

Purcell said the children are now frustrated and traumatised and he has no idea what is going to happen in the community.

He made an open plea for the young people in the community “carrying the guns to stop it”.

“We cannot allow the citizens to be taken out of the society like this. It is unbearable to even your own family. Stop it, it cannot continue,” is the impassioned plea coming from Purcell. (Jamaica Gleaner)

edros councillor Shankar Teelucksingh estimates that up to 75 per cent of female immigrants who enter the Trinidad and Tobago illegally end up being sex workers.

He made the comment yesterday during a telephone interview on CNC3’s Morning Brew, as he commented on a viral social media video depicting what appears to be Venezuelans nationals landing illegally on a beach at Los Iros.

Noting that such an occurrence is not an unusual occurrence to them on that part of the island, Teelucksingh said he was happy someone recorded it.

“What happened yesterday – it is now proof – and I’m happy someone took a video and circulated it throughout for the authorities to see what is taking place in the peninsula at this point in time,” he said.

He explained that he had made several calls for the relevant authorities to tackle the issue but was yet to get action.

“The Prime Minister did speak about it – of the illegal ports of entry – so they are fully aware of the situation. However, this is a day to day, not only Venezuelan illegal personnel but you would have seen other issues affecting the Icacos/ Fullerton area, which is the illegal importation of animals,” Teelucksingh said.

“It is something I have been calling on all the authorities in the Cedros Security Complex, the Minister of National Security, who was the MP at the time since 2015 before the cabinet reshuffle, and it just went unnoticed.”

Cedros councillor Shankar Teelucksingh

He said the latest figures indicate that at least 1,200 to 1,500 passengers circulate legally through the Cedros port weekly, with comparative figures for those who circulate through illegal ports and are mostly women and children.

Despite Minister of National Security Stuart Young’s claims last month in Parliament that there is no refugee crisis, the councillor believes otherwise.

“I am saying at this point in time that we are in crisis…recently it was reported in the media where Venezuelan nationals were abused and so on – and if we don’t call this a crisis, then something is definitely wrong.

I cannot understand what they are waiting on to call it a crisis.”

The responsibility of this, he said, falls on the Minister of National Security to investigate.

Several attempts to reach both Minister of National Security Stuart Young and Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith for a comment on the issue were unsuccessful yesterday.

However, the matter was addressed at yesterday’s police press briefing, where it was confirmed that 11 illegal immigrants had been arrested during raids in the area spurred by the video. However, the police said they could not confirm whether the persons arrested were the same individuals who had arrived illegally on the vessel in the video.

(Trinidad Guardian)

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Boondoggle…

O

…on contracts ne of the greatest failures of this PNCled Government has been their abysmal monitoring of contracts for executing their work programme. There isn’t a day that goes by when there isn’t a nasty revelation of billions paid to contractors for work done so shoddily it invariably costs more to fix the mess. Remember Durban Park “Jubilee Park” that was going to be built by a newly formed Homestretch Development Inc (HDI) – involving Rupert Roopnarine?

They spent G$550 million of money collected from the public, for which they never accounted; then had to be bailed out with another billion dollars paid from the Public Treasury to new contractors and the MPI! And it’s still falling apart!

Then, of course, there’s the Indian Arrival Monument in Berbice, built by that new contractor from Linden, which fell down like the walls of Jericho without even a bugle being blown!! The Auditor General’s Report for 2017 of course revealed poor or non-existent monitoring of so many contracts the Government might well have plastered the structures with G$5000 notes to save themselves some time!!

And now they’ve grandly announced that from the 1st January next year, they will be awarding 20 per cent of all Government contracts to “small contractors”!!

That’s less than two months away!! Now, if the Government can’t monitor all these massive contracts to ensure performance, how will they ensure they’ll get value with these fly-by-night “small” contractors??

And the answer, sadly, is “value for money” is furthest from the minds of the PNC-Government officials when they’re doling out these contracts. Rather, it’s all about money for the boys and money for their pockets. It’s the “20 per cent boondoggle”!!

They didn’t even bother to check if the proposal is legal – and were pulled up short by Mrs Corbin of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC). She explained that the law governing procurement will have to be changed to allow this dramatic move. She also pointed out that this 20 per cent Government contract reservation for “small business” is a form of “affirmative action”. In the US, which laid the way in this policy area, 10 per cent of Government contracts were reserved for Black and minority-owned businesses TO RECTIFY HISTORICAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THEM. Your Eyewitness figures the present PNC-led Government want to make their SMALL CONTRACTORS INTO REAL CONTRACTORS, after they failed in their first iteration to make the “small man into the real man”.

But, in the US, these “minority contractors” had to first show they had the capability – especially equipment and skills — to do the job! Is the Government going to demand this? And most crucially, the US Government didn’t pussyfoot around insisting that standards be adhered to.

Knowing here you have to be “born PNC”, will party cards be necessary?! …and singing for suppers Even the friends of Nagamootoo – few as they are – have bemoaned how far he’s willing to debase himself for the few pieces of silver thrown his way! Imagine this man – even while acting as President of the Republic – could bring himself to write: “History would record that this APNU+AFC Coalition Government has opened its huge, generous heart to sugar workers”!!! While fired sugar workers in his native Berbice are at best kicking paddy on the roads. But Nagamootoo quoted from a commentary your Eyewitness made a year ago about the “70 companies” his Government boasted were lined up to buy the closed estates! Your Eyewitness made the point that if the buyers went into sugar and succeeded, they’d make the Government look stupid.

But if they diversified into “other crops”, cane cutters wouldn’t necessarily become farmers.

Now that there have been only FIVE bids, we’ll soon find out, won’t we?

…and Nagamootoo’s ignorance Your Eyewitness had analogised the highly skilled cane cutters to Ballet Dancers in “Swan Lake”.

Nagamootoo claimed the comparison was to “dancers at an opera”. Doesn’t he know the difference between Ballet and Opera? How uncouth!!

Then he took exception to describing cane cutters’ motion as “practiced”. Guess he doesn’t know “practiced” can be an adjective! How untutored!!

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Linden Mayor proud T&T urged to remain of accomplishments earthquake alert during her tenure A s her tenure draws to a close, outgoing Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell believes that the foundation has firmly been established for the incoming Council; as the present body has made several strides in moving the Linden Town Council forward from the position it was in three years ago.

Mayor Arrindell told the Department of Public Information (DPI), many of the issues, including dealing with millions of dollars of debt as well as an internal system that needed much strengthening, have been dealt with collectively as a Council.

As she prepares to demit office, Arrindell is very proud of this fact.

She described her nine months tenure as purpose-driven with several solution-based initiatives coming to fruition.

Many of the successful initiatives benefited the administrative aspect of the Council and the municipality at large, including improved garbage collection and aesthetic enhancement of the offices; her very own signature project - the Junior Mayor programme.

This initiative, one that Arrindell has personally invested in has received positive feedback and continues to gain momentum amongst Secondary School students.

“That project has been my baby and it is evolving well so far.

We do hope the new Council stays on board with this programme as it is something new to Guyana, that will serve to help our children be more open, more articulate, be able to stand up for themselves,” she noted.

Junior Mayor, Devon Beckles is currently shadowing Arrindell while his junior councillors are visiting schools from which students will be selected to form a student council body. The students who are receiving a stipend from the Council, are also working on several community projects.

Over the last nine months, Arrindell has made overseas trips to the United States and

P Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell

Africa, where she was able to network and continue the process of twinning the township of Linden with other towns abroad. Former Mayor Carwyn Holland began the conversation for twinning with the city of Chongqing in China and Newark U.S.A. Arrindell said that she was able to take those discussions further. The Mayor visited the city of Newark as well as Stonecrest Georgia where initial discussions of twinning were done. She also noted that none of the overseas trips was funded by the Council.

The visits allowed the Council to open doors for investment opportunities, business, educational sponsorship, philanthropic and medical outreach support amongst others.

“One of the things we will gain from that twinning, is that we will be able to utilise the knowledge of how they built their riverfront park and of course we can use that to develop our riverfront, more so we are moving towards tourism, the Council has voted towards the twinning of Newark and so we will be able to pass that on.”

The visits also allowed the Council to join the Sister City International which is an organisation that allows cities from developed and developing countries worldwide to

interact and share best practices. “Linden will have the opportunity to gain knowledge, training and support in many areas, this will augur well for the municipality and improve its efficiency of service to the town,” Arrindell noted.

During her tenure, Arrindell said that the Council would have also succeeded in the clearing of the dyke that allowed for the beautification of the township, collaboration with the Humanitarian Assistance Programme and New Horizons will see the building of a woman’s home and community training centre, and the introduction of the CIIP project at Bamia created employment for residents of that community amongst other things.

“The past six months have seen the Council really evolve… I believe that in this final term, the Council came together and we worked strategically to improve not only the standard of the workers in the municipality but also improve the township,” Arrindell noted.

The mayor is urging all eligible Lindeners to exercise their democratic right to vote on November 12 and elect a Council whom they deem best suited to continue the process of development. (Reprinted from DPI)

ORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — The Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Wednesday said that Trinidad and Tobago must continue to ensure that all necessary measures are in place to respond appropriately to any large magnitude earthquake which may potentially cause significant damage and loss of life.

The SRC said that the oil-rich twin-island republic would continue to experience earthquakes in keeping with the pattern expected after it experienced a 6.9 magnitude quake in August.

Trinidad and Tobago has over the past nine days recorded quakes with magnitudes ranging from 4.2 to 4.5 and the SRC said that “moderate to strong earthquakes such as these, are usually associated with af-

tershocks, with those at shallow depth producing a higher number.

“The earthquakes currently being recorded, in the Gulf of Paria, with some being felt, is in keeping with the pattern expected after such events. The other areas around Trinidad will continue to produce their normal annual magnitude output; on average, we expect just over 50 events of magnitude greater than 3.5 every year.

On August 21, the country was rocked by a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 causing widespread panic and damage to several buildings. No one was killed.

The SRC said that the quake, which occurred off the coast of eastern Venezuela, about 130 km west of Port of Spain, with a depth of 127 km, was widely reported as felt in Trinidad and

Tobago and neighbouring islands.

It said that in addition, during the period 26th-28th January, 2018, there was a burst of more than 20 earthquakes in the Gulf of Paria, about 70 km south-west of Port of Spain; the largest was of magnitude 5.3 km.

The SRC said that the activity currently being recorded has little bearing on the larger magnitude earthquakes, like the one that occurred in 1766 with a magnitude of 7.9 “that can happen at any time.

“Therefore, we here in Trinidad and Tobago, along with all relevant, regional agencies and communities, must continue to ensure that all necessary measures are in place to respond appropriately to any large magnitude earthquake which may potentially cause significant damage and loss of life,” the SRC added.

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I

n the early days, we would see women with their brooms, buckets and cloths perched on ladders or tables stretching to reach every nook and cranny of their houses to ensure that it is cleaned to perfection, as they prepare for the arrival of Ma Lakshmi. It is believed that the goddess of wealth visits every home that is illuminated with little oil lamps on what is believed to be the darkest night of the year.

The festival of Diwali is one that is most-anticipated by the Hindu community, since it is a time for reflection and shining light on the darkness in their lives. It is a time when they are at their most forgiving and it signals the start of a lot of new things. In some cases, even new traditions.

According to the Bhagavad Gita, change is the law of the universe and we have indeed seen change as the only constant when it comes to how we celebrate the Festival of Lights. In the earlier days, there was a certain level of community when it comes to the celebration. Everyone would come together and chip in to make the celebration one that was for all.

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As time changed so did society.

Today, we see the disintegration of the level of community when it comes to certain aspects of Diwali. Back then, it was taboo to say that you are going to buy all your sweets and savoury snacks from a caterer or restaurant as opposed to labouring all day preparing them. Of course, back then, very few women had full-time jobs and those things were expected of them.

But as time progressed, expectations dropped and now, it is perfectly fine to have a caterer cater to the needs of you and your family.

Over the years, people have found their own reasons to make Diwali unique. Traditional celebrations would entail laborious cleaning of the house weeks in advance, lavish preparations including sweets and savouries, and the purchase of new clothes for the family. In the days gone by, people would do most things themselves, and little was left to purchase. Other than the clothes, ladies preferred completing all other arrangements at home.

Sweets were prepared at home by the ladies, the cleaning was done with

the help of the men, and the arrangements were made with the children.

While we know Diwali as a time to greet everyone and share special moments, the build-up to Diwali was special in the early days. Men would gather together weeks in advance to find ways to make Diwali special. Ladies would work together to make sweets and food, making this truly a community occasion.

The Hindu community, particularly, has changed the way in which they celebrate Diwali now. There was a time when the only lights that illuminated the yards and homes of Hindus were those of the little earthen lamps powered by coconut oil or ghee. But now the scenes are different with houses elaborately wrapped in fairy lights twinkling away without the threat of

being doused by the wind. We are seeing fewer diyas being lighted to illuminate the pathways and more ornamental lighting taking centre stage.

Also, one of the biggest changes, in the Guyanese context, is the virtual disappearance of the little mud diyas that were usually made on Deepavali day or the day before and left in the sun to bake.

They are hard to find in homes since it is much easier to pick up some clay diyas from the supermarket.

Despite all the changes, Diwali still remains relevant in today’s society, because it fosters unbreakable bonds and reignite the camaraderie and togetherness in us. So go out there and light a diya, despite your religious beliefs, and illuminate your heart so there is space for more people in it.

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Dr Vishnu Bisram

M

onsoon on the Fingers of God, written by a Guyanese residing in America, is a thoughtful collection of poems relevant to Guyanese and other Caribbean people, the Indian sub-continent, and the UK. This collection of poems revolves around several topics, issues, and places. The collection is laden with a lifetime of experience and a finely honed craft, which the poet Sasenarine Persaud of East Coast brings to bear with full force on his writings.

Sasenarine is an essayist, novelist, short story writ-

er, and poet. He was born in Guyana, and lived in Canada and Florida.

This is his fourteenth book. He has a long history in writing and in poetry. He served as Vice President and Chair of the membership committee of the League of Canadian Poets, on the Board of Directors of the Scarborough Arts Council (Toronto), and on juries for the Toronto Arts Council and the Ontario Arts Council.

The title poem, “Monsoon on the Fingers of God” is a tribute to the great sitar maestro, Ravi Shankar and his historic and electrifying appearances at Monterey and Woodstock. This poem places the focus on Shankar’s genius as a musician and what he meant for American and world music, rather than the contemporary penchant on scandals that dominate news.

Several poems deal with matters pertaining to the United Kingdom in which references are made to Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland and other parts of the former British Empire, including India.

Indeed, Scotland and the

UK are touchstones for this collection but mention is made of so many other places. The poetry encourages an engagement with historical events, challenges, joys, emotions, and fears. Some of the subjects are on parents and children, historical events like slavery and indenture, and joyful memories of nature and sports as well as issues of faith. There is a consistent tone of introspection, grief, exploitation, abuse, and of overcoming hardship (like slavery, indentureship, migration, settling in a new

strange place, etc.).

The topics are effec-

tively and skillfully addressed.

Sasenarine Persaud writes with eloquence, rhythm and musicality evident from the first page.

In Scotland and the UK just prior to the 2014 Scottish referendum to separate from the UK and to affirm their identity and language, the author poet comes face to face with his own angst regarding identity and language – namely, his community’s migration from India and its 180 years presence in the Americas.

He reflects on his Indian ancestors more dramatically so when he comes upon a Roma (Gypsy) beggar in the heart of Edinburgh, who is a splitting image of his greatgrand mother, “Nani” (“Roma in Edinburgh”).

But why be surprised?

India is all around, in the numerals on street signs, in the language of yoga, and the Roma themselves, who are after all a people of Indian origin, discriminated in Europe for centuries because of their dark skin and their Indian language, Romani: “How could you/ make this trek from Rajasthan or UP? How could I? he rhetorically asked.

Except in a language we share with the world - yogayogayoga - through Anglo-Saxon cousins/ Sanskrit; or these numbers on streets and hotels/ storefront markers, Hindu Numerals/ Arabs borrowed from India zero-invented…”

The poem concludes questioning a multiple faceted identity: “…how do you compute/ BritishGuianese-GuyaneseCanadian-AmericanIndian”.

The book presents his unique and inimitable poetry and word usage. Sasenarine opens the book with a couple of short poems followed by longer ones and then shorter ones. It is an effective mix on varied subjects (children, memory, karma, Scotland, etc.) written with different styles with well-chosen words. Sasenarine is a poet armed with a lot of knowledge and experience in his craft. And this book is a thoughtful and deep meditation on identity and migrations. Almost all the poems are relatively short – less than a page or a maximum two pages - except a couple that are quite long.

There are poems with obvious lyrical rhythms (“Approaching Day’s End”) and others that are simple freeverse structures as in “Master Batsman” and “Tiger Tiger” both tributes to iconic cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

What he says of Chanderpaul, likened to the grace of the Bengal tiger is equally true of his own writing: “Do not be fooled by a cat’s easy gait/ heading for water at dusk, or dinner, bat’s repast another century, where glasses are tinted/ and made of Lord’s sand, where it is acceptable/ to mistake tiger for crab and diamond for dishwasher.” If a master batsman makes batting seem easy and effortless, so too the master poet. But don’t be fooled by that “easy gait” which has come from diligent commitment, practice and dedication to craft.

There is lyrical poetry in personal emotions and feelings from the poet though out this collection such as in “Sugar and Tea”, and elegant strophes (stanzas of varying line-length), as in the poem, “To a Kashmiri Child in a Hindu Refugee Camp in Delhi”.

Each poem is on a different scene, subject, thought, and realization, and occasionally, what appears to be carefully wrought prose rather than rhymes or rhythms in stanzas or verses. Each

poem is a self-contained narrative or description; almost each is short. The book itself is divided into two sections.

The poems are written in free verse, sometimes with rhyming couplets; in whatever style, the work demonstrates mastery of several poetic forms and techniques.

There are metaphors and allusions and an occasional epigraph. Use of alliteration and extended metaphors are skillfully used.

Poetic language is concrete and evocative, with memorable lines or phrases like “—My bonnie lies over the ocean. My bonnie lies over the seas— in sun/ tomorrow we will again trawl ocean” in the poem titled “Fisherman Returning”. The several devices used by poets are integral to poetry writings and Sasenarine uses them effectively in this collection.

The poems rely more

FEATURE 35

on content than on style.

The poems are not written in any overt complex style, which is appealing. There are lyrical rhythms and clean freeverse structures. The language is deceptively simple as in the lines in the poem numbered “15”: “I cannot/ name the village from which my father’s father’s/ father’s father’s father came. And still, I do not/ envy you – grass eyes – and yet we have love/ a language we cannot give love until we love”.

Several of the poems were written to remind readers of specific messages or subjects as in those titled: “Roma in Edinburgh”,” Karma Mornings”, “Head Cover”, “A Sheep’s Life”, “The Scott Monument”, “Referendum”, “Searching for El Dorado”, “Sugar and Tea”, “Burial Grounds”, “Fisherman Returning” etc. Each poem captures the emotions of histor-

ic events (like indentureship, searching for gold in colonial times, burial, massacre in Sri Lanka, voting, etc.) in a way that makes the descriptions both personal (like the writer experienced them) and universal (history of so many colonial societies).

Readers get to understand history, politics, and religion, and the poems deepen the readers’ view of the subjects. The thoughts and insights in the poems are that of a very perceptive, educated, and skilled writer who knows his subjects and who seems to have spent a significant amount of time perfecting his writing. No doubt, this work is a voice of tranquility and unmistakable originality. The writer is applauded for the extraordinary collection of poems that demonstrate “Monsoon on the Fingers of God”.

36 FEATURE

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eepawali, Deepavali, or Diwali is the biggest and the brightest of all Hindu festivals. It is the Festival of Lights: deep means "light" and avali "a row" to become "a row of lights". Diwali is marked by five days of celebration, which liter-

ally illuminates the country with brilliance and dazzles people with joy.

The Diwali festival occurs in late October or early November.

It falls on the 15th day of the lunar Hindu month of Kartik, so it varies every year. Each of the five days in the festival of Diwali is marked with a different tradition. What remains constant is the celebration of life, its enjoyment, and a sense of goodness.

Historically, Diwali can be traced back to ancient India. It most likely began as an important harvest festival. However, there are various legends pointing to the origin of Diwali. Some believe it to be a celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, to Lord Vishnu.

Others use it as a celebration of her birthday, as Lakshmi is said to have been born on the newmoon day of Kartik.

Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama (along with Ma Sita and Lakshman) from his 14-year exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and set off firecrackers.

Each day of Diwali has its own tale to tell. The first day of the festival, Naraka Chaturdasi, marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife, Satyabhama.

Amavasya, the second day of Diwali, marks the worship of Lakshmi when she is in her most benevolent mood, fulfill-

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ing the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who, in his dwarf incarnation, vanquished the tyrant Bali and banished him to hell. Bali is allowed to return to earth once a year to

light millions of lamps and dispel darkness and ignorance while spreading the radiance of love and wisdom.

It is on the third day of Diwali, Kartika Shudda Padyami, that Bali steps out of hell and rules the earth according to the boon given

by Lord Vishnu. The fourth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.

Some people refer to Diwali as a five-day festival because they include the festival of Dhanteras (dhan meaning "wealth" and teras meaning "13th"). This celebration of wealth and prosperity occurs two days before the Festival of Lights.

The tradition of gambling on Diwali also has a legend behind it. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband, Lord Shiva. She decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the ensuing year.

All of the simple rituals of Diwali have a significance and a story behind them. Homes are illuminated with lights, and firecrackers fill the skies as an expression of respect to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, and prosperity.

The spiritual significance of Diwali Beyond the lights, gambling, and fun, Diwali is also a time to reflect on life and make changes for the upcoming year. With that, there are a number of customs that revellers hold dear each year.

Give and forgive. It is com-

mon practice that people forget and forgive the wrongs done by others during Diwali. There is an air of freedom, festivity, and friendliness everywhere.

Rise and shine. Waking up during the Brahmamuhurta (at 4 am, or 1 1/2 hours before sunrise) is a great blessing from the standpoint of health, ethical discipline, efficiency in work, and spiritual advancement. The sages who instituted this Diwali custom may have hoped that their descendants would realise its

Govardhan Puja, a celebration by Vaishnavites on the fourth day of Diwali. On this day, they feed the poor on an incredible scale.

Illuminate your inner self.

The lights of Diwali also signify a time of inner illumination.

Hindus believe that the light of lights is the one that steadily shines in the chamber of the heart. Sitting quietly and fixing the mind on this supreme light illuminates the soul. It is an opportunity to cultivate and enjoy eternal bliss.

benefits and make it a regular habit in their lives.

Unite and unify. Diwali is a unifying event, and it can soften even the hardest of hearts. It is a time when people mingle about in joy and embrace one another.

Prosper and progress. On this day, Hindu merchants in North India open their new account books and pray for success and prosperity during the coming year. People buy new clothes for the family. Employers, too, purchase new clothes for their employees. Homes are cleaned and decorated by day and illuminated by night with diyas. The best and finest illuminations can be seen in Bombay and Amritsar. The famous Golden Temple at Amritsar is lit in the evening with thousands of lamps.

This Festival instils charity in the hearts of people, who perform good deeds. This includes

From darkness unto light...

In each legend, myth, and story of Diwali lies the significance of the victory of good over evil.

It is with each Diwali and the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts that this simple truth finds new reason and hope.

From darkness unto light – the light empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds and brings us closer to divinity. During Diwali, lights illuminate and the scent of incense sticks hangs in the air, mingled with the sounds of firecrackers, joy, togetherness, and hope.

Diwali is celebrated around the globe. If you are away from the sights and sounds of Diwali, light a diya, sit quietly, shut your eyes, withdraw the senses, concentrate on this supreme light, and illuminate the soul. (Patil, SM. "Diwali: Festival of Lights Light Up Your Life)

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T&T urged to remain earthquake alert

P

ORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — The Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Wednesday said that Trinidad and Tobago must continue to ensure that all necessary measures are in place to respond appropriately to any large magnitude earthquake which may potentially cause significant damage and loss of life.

The SRC said that the oil-rich twin-island republic would continue to experience earthquakes in keeping with the pattern expected after it experienced a 6.9 magnitude quake in August.

Trinidad and Tobago has over the past nine days recorded quakes with magnitudes ranging from 4.2 to 4.5 and the SRC said that “moderate to strong earthquakes such as these, are usually associated with aftershocks, with those at shallow depth producing a higher number.

“The earthquakes currently being recorded, in the Gulf of Paria, with some being felt, is

in keeping with the pattern expected after such events. The other areas around Trinidad will continue to produce their normal annual magnitude output; on average, we expect just over 50 events of magnitude greater than 3.5 every year.

On August 21, the country was rocked by a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 causing widespread panic and damage to several buildings. No one was killed. The SRC said that the quake, which occurred off the coast of eastern Venezuela, about 130 km west of Port of Spain, with a depth of 127 km, was widely reported as felt in Trinidad and Tobago and neighbouring islands.

It said that in addition, during the period 26th-28th January,

2018, there was a burst of more than 20 earthquakes in the Gulf of Paria, about 70 km south-west of Port of Spain; the largest was of magnitude 5.3 km. The SRC said that the activity currently being recorded has little bearing on the larger magnitude earthquakes, like the one that occurred in 1766 with a magnitude of 7.9 “that can happen at any time.

“Therefore, we here in Trinidad and Tobago, along with all relevant, regional agencies and communities, must continue to ensure that all necessary measures are in place to respond appropriately to any large magnitude earthquake which may potentially cause significant damage and loss of life,” the SRC added.

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O

ne of the things that m a k e G u y a n e s e , particularly the

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Hindu community, distinctive when it comes to celebrating the Festival of Lights is not the brightly

illuminated yards and houses or the bursting of elaborate fireworks, rather it is something as simple

as the annual Diwali Motorcade.

You can travel the entire world and would never witness

such a spectacle as that organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) as part of its annual Diwali Motorcade.

This year, Diwali will be celebrated on November 6 and the series of countrywide motorcades has already begun.

We can expect to see people of all walks of life as well as different nationalities enjoying the scenes of the brightly lit floats all sending a message that goes hand in hand with the significance of the Diwali festival.

Thousands of people would line the streets along the routes the Motorcade would take and also pack the converging sites as they experience the cultural explosion organised by the GHDS. The Motorcade is now entrenched in our traditions since it has been around for

almost 45 years now.

Like the celebration of Diwali, the Motorcade has evolved over the years with more floats taking part, all trying to outshine the other.

The preparation that goes into hosting the countrywide motorcade is nothing short of herculean, since some mandirs and organisations would start making their floats months prior to the date of the Motorcade.

The common theme portrayed is that of the return of Lord Rama along with Ma Sita and Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile or that of Maa Lakshmi seated on the lotus flower showering her blessings on the world. She is the representation of wealth and prosperity, and it is believed that when worshipped on Diwali Day, a prosperous life is guaranteed.

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Energy Director says Change of Govt will not affect Linden to Lethem road Guyana’s best days are ahead project – Brazilian official

A

s e n i o r Government official from Brazil’s External Relations Ministry has reassured that the commitment to build an all-weather road from Lethem to Linden remains a priority for the country even with a change of Government in Brazil.

Head of the Division of Venezuela, Colombia and Guyana, Ana Beatriz Nogueira, recently said, “the organs responsible for infrastructure in Brazil are aware of the strategic importance of the Linden-Lethem road.”

She further explained that while some key appointments are political in nature, the Secretary of Infrastructure assured that the necessary budgetary arrangements have already been made.

“They have a technical corps that is not usually affected by political changes,” she said.

Norgueira led a delegation of some 30 officials from various agencies in Brazil to meet with Guyanese counterparts at the Seventh Meeting of the BonfimLethem Border committee that was held in Bonfim on October 30 and 31, 2018.

Meanwhile, Chief Transport Planning Officer in Guyana’s Public Infrastructure Ministry, Patrick Thompson, provided an update on the project during discussions.

“The paving of 454 kilometres of the Linden to Lethem Road and the construction of a deep sea port remain priorities on the infrastructure agenda for Guyana,” he

E

dison Chouest Offshore officially opened its office in Guyana on Friday evening under the name G-Boats Incorporated.

More than 60 Guyanese are employed with the company whose vessels supply the operations of ExxonMobil and its partners offshore.

Director of the Energy Department, Dr Mark Bynoe, along with Finance Minister Winston Jordan officially opened the office located on the corners of Quamina and Carmichael Streets, Head of the Division of Venezuela, Colombia and Guyana, Georgetown.

Brazilian Ministry of External Affairs, Ana Beatriz Nogueira Dr Bynoe in his keynote address noted that expressed. tion for a deep-sea port better days are ahead for The Linden to close to the mouth of the Guyana.

“Occasions like these Lethem roadway is being Demerara, Essequibo or continue to demonstrate done in phases, starting the Berbice River. with the approximateDespite political the positive strides the ly 125 km section from changes in Brazil, the country is making as a Linden and Mabura border committee made place for doing business, Hills. Some US$120 progress on a number investors’ confidence and million has been guar- of issues including the emphasising that the anteed by the United reestablishment of the benefits from the oil and Kingdom Caribbean Bilateral Commission on gas sector will redound to I n f r a s t r u c t u r e Police Cooperation and Guyana and Guyanese,” Partnership Fund Drugs with its first meet- Dr Bynoe is quoted by (UKCIF) and the ing set for March 29, the Department of Public Caribbean Development 2019. During the discus- Information as saying.

G-Boats was incorBank (CDB). sions, representatives In his update at in the security forces of porated in Guyana in the meeting, the Chief both nations commit- January 2016. Daniel Business Planning Officer stated ted to working closer to LaFont, that a recently identified curb cross border crime. Development Manager Edison Chouest international engineer- Brazil has agreed to of- for ing firm is expected to fer training in the initial Offshore, said that he is begin the design process instance to 10 Guyanese in January 2019 which Police Officers in idenis expected to last for 10 tifying vehicular theft. months.

The two sides were also The Guyana-Brazil able to agree on collaboJoint Commission on ration to combat plant Infrastructure is pursu- diseases, particularly ing the detailed designs the Carambola Fruit Fly, for Phase 2 of the proj- which has had implicainister of State, ect, which is the 320-km tions for trade.

Joseph Harmon section between Mabura Other areas dison Saturday asHills and Lethem. cussed were health, ed- sured the residents of Meanwhile, a study is ucation, environment, Bartica, Region Seven being conducted by a firm judicial cooperation and (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) that from the Netherlands the International Road Government would conto determine the loca- Transport Agreement. tinue to strengthen lo-

Director of the Energy Department, Dr Mark Bynoe

extremely pleased to be working in Guyana.

LaFont noted that already more some 67 Guyanese are employed in entry-level positions on vessels as riggers, cooks and oilers with the opportunity for advancement. There are 10 boats working under the G-Boats name.

There are two Guyanese serving as first mates, positions just below the Captain. Three persons are working in the newly opened office and the company is looking for three more individuals to work in the office, LaFont noted.

“We are training them to move up … to higher positions. More drilling rigs means more employment,” LaFont noted.

President of the

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar, noted that the introduction of G-Boats signals intent in the transferal of the safety and standard of operation to other industries. He also commended the use of local content.

“I’m happy to know that the population of ships… means more jobs for Guyanese and more offshoot of services that will be provided by Guyanese,” Indar said.

Edison Chouest, a Louisiana, USA, was birthed 58 years ago.

Today, the company has more than 200 vessels worldwide including offices in Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago and employed some 10,000 persons.

Local democracy key to realising ‘good life’– Harmon

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cal democracy so that all citizens could enjoy ‘the good life’.

Minister Harmon was at the time addressing Barticians during a community outreach held at Tarzie’s Square, in the town.

“We are here because we believe that local democracy can only be strengthened if you have democratic renewal and democratic renewal starts with regular Local Government Elections,” Harmon said.

“If you have representatives within your community that do not perform, you get the opportunity to say goodbye and welcome new ones, this is what we believe in and very early in our administration, President David Granger said that we are going to have democratic renewal in our communities… The previous Administration

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

disbanded over 38 local democratic organs and in their places put IMCs (Interim Management Committees) and Bartica was a casualty of that high-handedness,” Minister Harmon continued.

While in Bartica, Minister Harmon led a walkabout where he met with residents of the town. He also engaged members of the business community.

Also present at the community meeting were Social Protection and Social Cohesion Ministers, Amna Ally and Dr George Norton respectively.

Minister Ally, through the Public Education Transport

Service (PETS), an initiative of President Granger, distributed 30 bicycles to schoolchildren in Bartica.

Meanwhile, Dr Norton announced that Government would soon complete a playground in Bartica and a synthetic track was earmarked for the town.

“We can bring back Bartica and put it on the sports map where we really deserve to be … this Government is so much concerned with the state of affairs of our youths that only recently we signed a contract for two synthetic tracks … the next track should be in Bartica,” Norton stated.

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Getting murkier…

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…in sugar divestment our Eyewitness was thrown for a loop when he learnt DDL pulled out of the bidding for Enmore Estate at the last moment. When DDL discovered the production from the three “grinding” estates couldn’t supply them with enough molasses to produce their world-class rums, they worked with the SPU to restart the Enmore operations to supply the rest, didn’t they?

What did they learn?

Now, no matter how you slice it or dice it, DDL’s a very well-run outfit, and it behooves the SPU – if no one else — to examine clearly why DDL chose to remain on the side-lines and not the “middle walk”! They said they couldn’t “find a model that would fit with (their) current investment and development strategy”. What this means, in your Eyewitness’s estimation, is the SPU and Price Waterhouse structured a deal that just doesn’t make financial sense.

Most likely, they demanded too much money for factories (LBI was included?) that were cannibalised and fields that have been allowed to revert to bush. DDL said they’ll wait to see if anyone else will buy Enmore on the present terms, and then buy molasses from them. Why buy the whole cow when you can buy milk as you need it?

Let others pick up the big tab; spend millions (US!) to fix up the factory, and then struggle to attract a labour force for the fields!! And if perchance they produce any sugar, they’ll produce the molasses as a by- product, which DDL can snap up.

DDL went on to say if there were no takers, then they’ll make another bid. Meaning, of course, they expect the SPU/Price Waterhouse will revise the “model” – read “asking price”.

But your Eyewitness isn’t so sanguine about some other bids – especially that one by the Trini company which has specialised for the last 50 years on importing car parts and fixing engines.

Your Eyewitness could swear the SPU said they give the greatest weight to the demonstrated ability of bidders that could show how they’ll run the entity. And they were impressed by these fellas: who never ran a sugar operation in their lives, and never showed interest in the Caroni sugar operations that were shuttered nearly two decades ago?

Something ain’t kosher. Especially when the outfit had, a year ago, already submitted a bid to Go-Invest which just didn’t make sense. And talking about “kosher”, is that other bidder Kadem the Jewish condiment maker, who started out bottling grape juice? And no takers for Wales? …in LGE elections Everyone and their (political) uncles conceded that the turnout in the LGE by the Disciplined Forces was “poor”. Meaning “miserable”! Now, if you have forces that have been explicitly called “disciplined” and who’re supposed to be patriotic and trained to obey orders, but yet don’t show up to exercise their franchise, something’s radically wrong with our country!!

Now all it would’ve taken to ensure a high turnout was for the officers in the GDF, GPF, Fire Service and Peoples Militia to give a direct order to their charges!! So the officers didn’t give the orders? If they didn’t, then something is wrong with the officer corps and their understanding of their role in a democracy – especially when most of them will end up running the Government!! And if the order was given but the troops didn’t obey, we have an even bigger problem!! Is this “poor turnout” going to be repeated if the Vennies pour across our western border? What’s going on here?

We expect President Nagamootoo to launch a CoI to find out!! …on the succession While we all expect the President to return all chipper and all that, we’ve got to plan for the worse. So will Nagamootoo be allowed to be President till 2020?

God forbid!!

How the vote will go

47

By Ravi Dev

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he Disciplined Forces just voted in the LGE. While the turnout was light – as it usually is at LGEs – the pattern will follow historical trends — as will the vote on Nov 12 — and cleave along ethnic lines. The AFC will be wiped out. Those who rail against this tendency foist on the general Guyanese population an awareness of politics and its nuances, and an integration of that knowledge into their political behavior, which investigators have found absent in even the most highly “sophisticated” populations in the world.

In 1964, Philip Converse published a landmark paper, “The Nature of Belief Systems in Mass Publics”, which for the first time provided hard evidence – from extensive polling data collected by Michigan University Survey Research Centre – of the almost total lack of familiarity by ordinary voters of esoteric variables such as “ideology” in making their choices in elections. This shook the world of democratic theorists to the roots, since they had always assumed that the informed and knowledgeable voter formed the bedrock of modern democracies. More recent investigators in this new

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millennium, following up on Converse’s work, have shown that average voters are actually unaware of even elementary political information, such as what policies are being offered to them in “manifestoes”, and what were the rationales behind them, much less knowledge of ideologies.

In politics, or of any subject for that matter, there would always be a bell-curve distribution on the possession of knowledge of the given issue. That is, there would be some individuals who are very well versed in the subject, even if in relative rather than absolute terms. In politics, these are typically the political elites – especially those ensconced in Universities and think tanks – who are the ideologues. Research has shown, however, that the problem with these ideologues is that their worldview is influenced inordinately by the tenets of their ideology.

They literally see only what their ideology tells them to see. Contrary data and findings are dismissed as “anomalous”, and a few even dismiss the messengers as being “biased”! Luckily, their numbers are always very small – some 2 per cent at maximum.

So what does the gen-

eral public depend on in making up their minds to vote? One should not equate “political ignorance” with ignorance tout court. Generally, according to Converse and his successors, they go on the basis of their feelings about members of “visible social groupings” (in Guyana, read ethnic groups/race), “the nature of the times”, political parties etc. The voters would have experienced specific circumstances, which guide them in choosing what, on their hierarchy of needs, they believe to be most threatened.

Typically, voters form a heuristic or shorthand summary in determining their political behaviour and voting choices. In Guyana, we have labelled this heuristic the “Ethnic Security Dilemmas”. This use of a heuristic has been demonstrated in many polities. I have written about the “Black Utility Heuristic” in the USA that emanates from the notion of a “linked fate” that is shared by most African- Americans, regardless of their class position. Based on their history, most AfricanAmericans are still convinced that their individual fate is linked with the fate of the group.

Now that they’re losing their majority, whites

have also adopted this position.

In terms of the votes for the AFC in the 2006 elections, this had more to do with the frustrations of many Africans with the leadership of the PNC and their strategy for change than any fundamental change in their heuristic. It was the same for the “crossover” Indian voters in 2011 and 2015. If a party is out of office for any sustained period, its constituency will look around for alternative leadership. This does not mean that there are not “non-racial” Africans or “non-racial” Indians. But based on the data from voting patterns, they are few and far between.

There is talk, as usual, of the imminent launch of another “third force”. With the meltdown of the AFC and the regrouping of the PNC in the APNU coalition, there might be some support for this gesture – which is all it will amount to – from the small number across the divide, dissatisfied with Montagues and Capulets.

Cinderella Estate

atiricus was happy as he wended his way to the Back Street Bar. He’d been waiting for two years to get some news about what was going to be the fate of the closed down sugar estates. It wasn’t just that two of his best friends had been sugar workers; he still lived in a village where sugar had been king.

Sugar was a way of life that few understood, but Satiricus did; and would miss its passing.

And now the good news that bids had been received for the abandoned estates.

“Let’s take a drink for the good news!” said Satiricus as soon as he sat down. “The sugar factories will be grinding again.”

“Who seh so?” demanded Cappo brusquely.

“It’s in all the papers!” said Satiricus in surprise. “Didn’t you read about the five bids?”

“Five BIDS!” pointed out Bungi. “Bid na mean BUY!” “The boys are right you know, Sato,” said Hari. “There’s many a slip between the cup and the lip!”

“Well, I was just happy all those fired workers would get their jobs back,” Satiricus

explained.

“Sato, pick sense fram nansense,” said Cappo. “If new people buy de estate, yuh na t’ink den guh pay people less, fuh mek prafit?”

“Yes Sato, jus’ like w’en slavery done,” suggested Bungi. “Dem bring in all dem people fram all ova de worl’ fuh wuk fu less!”

“But all of you ignoring Wales didn’t even get a bid!” said Hari. “Why, you think?”

“Can’t figure out why,” said Satiricus, looking at Cappo and Bungi. “You fellas know?”

“Budday, dis guvment a de fus people in de worl’ who fus’ bad ta’k de t’ing dem want fuh sell!” grinned Cappo.

“Remember how dem seh de Wales fact’ry ole an’ bruk dong?” piped up Bungi.

“An’nobady can grow cane deh?”

“Yeah,” said Hari. “I remember now the Government said most of the bridges and D&I at Wales were broken down!”

“But why would they do that?” asked Satiricus in bewilderment.

“Ask Nagga Man an’ Rum Jhaat,” suggested Cappo. “Pure spite, Budday!”

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

When Aamir Khan made fun Akhil Akkineni’s ‘Mr Majnu’ of his ‘Thugs of Hindostan’ to release in January co-star Amitabh Bachchan A

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rust Aamir Khan to share some interesting anecdotes about his co-stars while giving interviews. Ahead of his Diwali release Thugs of Hindostan, the actor interacted with a group of journalists at his posh residence in Mumbai.

Apart from sharing that he took tips from Shah Rukh Khan on how to behave in front of Amitabh Bachchan, the Dangal actor also shared that he had laughed at Bachchan’s picture years ago as a kid. Aamir shared, “I remember as a kid, a film magazine carried a double spread page filled with passport size photos of people who wanted to become actors.

Once me and my siblings, along with the servants, opened the page and laughed at all the pictures. We were like, ‘yeh hero banenge’. And you guys won’t believe, one of the photos was of Amitabh Bachchan. I clearly remember that we made fun of his photograph the most.”

As the room roared in laughter, the 53-yearold further said, “These

passport size pictures anyways look a little bad. And as Amit ji started climbing the ladders of success, we would discuss how we made fun of him.”

If you thought Aamir would have kept this a secret from Big B, you are mistaken. The actor shared with a smile, “Once on the shoot, I shared the story with sir. He was most amused and laughed at it.”

Talking about working with Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan said, “It was really amazing. We had planned on working together twice before but it didn’t work out. I was very excited and nervous about working with him. Amit ji is a very warm and generous person. He makes you comfortable and is very easy to work with.

He is so well behaved that you don’t feel intimidated. However, he has got a very dry sense of humour. You don’t know whether he is joking or not. It takes time to understand that.”

When a journalist asked if he took up the film only because of

Bachchan, the Sarfarosh actor said, “No, that’s not how I work. I have to be attached to the script first. My character and dialogues were great.

Everything was very detailed and well-written, so I had to take it up.”

Aamir Khan also shared the feedback he received from Amitabh Bachchan for his performance in Thugs of Hindostan. “He recently watched the film and called me. We spoke for close to 30 minutes. He shared that according to him, it was my best performance. Amit ji really liked my accent and he said that I had the perfect pitch. He also told me that he would see the film, again and again, only to see my performance. I must admit, I was truly thrilled hearing it,” shared the National Award-winning actor.

Releasing on November 8, Thugs of Hindostan also stars Katrina Kaif, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Lloyd Owen, Shashank Arora, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Ronit Roy among others.(Indian Express)

I’m proud that my Simmba is marrying my Meenamma: Rohit Shetty wishes Ranveer and Deepika

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fter wrapping up the shooting of his upcoming film Simmba, director Rohit Shetty wrote an emotional post for his actor Ranveer Singh wishing him and Deepika Padukone on their wedding. Sara Ali Khan also thanked Rohit and Ranveer for the Simmba experience. Filmmaker Rohit Shetty has wrapped up the shooting of Simmba, starring Ranveer Singh and Sara

Ali Khan.

Rohit took to his Instagram and wrote an emotional post. Calling Ranveer his ‘kid brother’ and Simmba, “an adventurous journey”, he ended the note with the most adorable line – “I am proud to showoff today that my Simmba is marrying my Meenamma”, wishing both Ranveer and Deepika on their upcoming wedding.

While this is Ranveer’s first film

with Rohit, Deepika has worked with him in the blockbuster Chennai Express. Ranveer was left with a lot of gratitude. He later also reposted the note on his Instagram handle. The boys of Golmaal including Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Kunal Khemu and Shreyas Talpade also shot for a special sequence in Simmba. The actors took to their social media handles and shared photos and videos from the shoot.

Simmba has been produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions. It also stars Sonu Sood and Ashutosh Rana. Rohit’s close friend and actor Ajay Devgn also makes an appearance in the film, which is slated to release on December 28.

(Indian Express)

ctor Akhil Akkineni is getting ready to entertain moviegoers with Telugu film Mr Majnu.

Helmed by Tholi Prema fame Venky Atluri, the romantic drama also stars Nidhhi Agerwal. She made her Telugu debut recently with Naga Chaitanya and Madhavan starrer Savyasachi. On the occasion of Diwali, the makers of Mr Majnu announced the release month of the film with a new poster. Production house Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra (SVCC) took

to Twitter and wrote, “Wishing you all a happy Diwali. Mr Majnu is gearing up to steal your hearts in Jan 2019.”

Confirming the same, director Venky Atluri also tweeted, “Happy Diwali folks. Let’s meet

in theaters in January 2019. Mr Majnu.”

Mr Majnu also stars Nagababu, Jayaprakash and Hyper Aadi.

Produced by BVSN Prasad, the film has music by Thaman. (Indian

Express)

Inside Sanjay Dutt’s Diwali bash

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anjay Dutt and wife Maanyata Dutt kept this year’s Diwali party a private affair inviting only family members and close friends. The actor will be next seen in Toolsidas Junior, a Ashutosh Gowariker production. Diwali parties in Bollywood has always been a star-studded affair. Among the most popular Diwali parties hosted in B-Town is that of beautiful couple Sanjay Dutt and Maanyata Dutt. However, ditching the traditional Diwali party, actor Sanjay and Maanyata celebrated the festival of lights with a small puja at their Pali Hill residence this year.

This small celebration, with only their family members and close

friends, was held in midst of the actor’s hectic shooting schedule.

Sanjay will be next seen in Ashutosh Gowariker’s production, Toolsidas Junior. The shooting of the film began over the weekend. Besides, Dutt is also juggling the shoots of Torbaaz, Prasthanam and Kalank.

The ravishing duo was dressed up impeccably for the Diwali puja.

Sanjay Dutt was seen

wearing a crisp pathani suit, and wife Maanyata was looking stunning in a long black kurti.

The colour black has apparently become this year’s Diwali colour. Celebrities like Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Karan Johar among others were spotted wearing black colour outfits at actor Shah Rukh Khan’s grand Diwali bash. (Indian Express)

Kapil Sharma: This Diwali is more special as Ginni is also part of the celebrations

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iwali celebrations hold an important place in Kapil Sharma’s life. The actor-comedian, who remains busy throughout the year with his shows, says that Diwali is the time when he likes taking a break to spend some time with his family. Kapil, who is gearing up for the new season of The Kapil Sharma Show, is also prepping up for his wedding with longtime girlfriend Ginni Chatrath on December 12.

Sharing his Diwali plans exclusively with indianexpress.com, Kapil, in an email interaction, said, “Every Diwali is special for me.

It is a time when I am surrounded by my family and loved ones. This time, it is even more special as Ginni will be a part of the celebrations in Amritsar.”

Going down memory

lane, the actor said, “I clearly remember, my father hated that we burst crackers. But as a child, I was extremely stubborn.

He would eventually give in and buy me firecrackers. But I made sure never to burst them on the day of Diwali. I thought my cracker’s noise would get lost. So I would burst it the next day for it to stand out. These are some sweet childhood memories. But now I feel responsible towards the environment and animals. So I have pledged to make it a green and noise free Diwali.”

Sharing a Diwali message for his fans, the comedian said, “This Diwali, ditch the crackers and spread love, laughter and light.

Please try and keep the noise down, as it scares and disturbs animals. I really want to wish each and every one of you a very happy Diwali. Keep laughing always.”

Lastly, when we asked him if he could be a cracker, what would he be, Kapil said, “I am a laughter bomb! Because all other crackers are not eco-friendly.” (Indian Express)

Hollywood 49

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Idris Elba named Avengers 4: Is this the most People Magazine’s heartbreaking theory so far? sexiest man alive T

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ne of Britain’s bestknown stars, Elba won a Golden Globe for his lead role in BBC television detective series Luther, played a Norse god in Thor and appeared in US television series The Wire.

Actor Idris Elba, who James Bond fans are campaigning to be the next person to play 007, was named the sexiest man alive on Monday

by People Magazine. The London-born actor, 46, said he didn’t believe it when the magazine told him.

“I was like, ‘Come on, no way. Really?’” Elba told the celebrity publication.

“Looked in the mirror, I checked myself out. I was like, ‘Yeah, you are kind of sexy today.’ But to be honest, it was just a nice feeling. It was a nice surprise — an ego boost for sure.”

One of Britain’s bestknown stars, Elba won a Golden Globe for his lead role in BBC television detective series Luther, played a Norse god in Thor and appeared in US television series The Wire. Other actors and singers who have been given the title by the maga-

zine’s editors in recent years include Blake Shelton, Chris Hemsworth, Adam Levine, George Clooney and Channing Tatum.

Only two other nonwhite men – AfricanAmerican star Denzel Washington in 1996 and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, whose mother is Samoan and whose father is black Canadian, in 2016 – have won the title since People started the feature in 1985.

Fans have been campaigning for Elba, the son of African immigrants to Britain, to take over from Daniel Craig as secret agent James Bond in the lucrative movie franchise after the next Bond film, due for release in 2020.

Elba in August stoked the rumors that he was set to become the first black actor to play Bond when he posted a cryptic message on Twitter using one of the character’s best-known lines – “My name’s Elba, Idris Elba.” Days later he flatly denied it was going to happen, however. (Indian Express)

Shrek franchise to get a reboot

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he original Shrek series had four films and were based on a misunderstood and ostracised ogre who gets inundated by fairy tale creatures and goes on a quest to get back the quiet he had in his swamp. Shrek is getting a reboot, according to Variety. Its spinoff, Puss in Boots, will also get the same treatment. Chris Meledandri, the man behind Despicable Me films, is helming the reboots. The original Shrek series had four films and were based on a misunderstood and ostracised ogre who gets inundated by fairy tale creatures and goes on a quest to get back the quiet he had in his swamp. The subsequent films added more and more characters. The first two films were adored by critics and were financially successful, while the last two films were poorly received. The film’s voice cast — especially Mike Myers

(Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey) and Cameron Diaz (Fiona) — was often singled out for praise. Chris Meledandri would like to retain the voice cast for the reboot. He told Variety, “When you look back on those vocal performances they’re awesome, and while you certainly could make a case for a complete reinvention, I find myself responding to my own nostalgic feelings of wanting to go back to those characterizations. The challenge for us has been to find something that really does feel like it’s not simply yet another film in a series of sequels.”

Meledandri also explained how he is approaching the reboot. “There’s a tremendous amount of fun to be had in that world, but it’s a high bar to find a story that’s truly world. You want to find something in the narrative that really feels like a departure,” he said. (Indian Express)

here are a lot of Avengers 4 theories on the internet. But one particular theory that has come out of Reddit has Marvel fans shaken since it is too heartbreaking, and yet, it does make sense when you think deeply about it. Theories predicting what is going to happen in Avengers 4 are common. Every day we are bombarded by multiple theories that promise to tell how the culmination of the Thanos saga of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is going to turn out. But one particular theory that has come out of Reddit has Marvel fans shaken since it is too heartbreaking, and yet, it does make sense when you think deeply about it.

The theory, propagated by a Reddit user sfmarch07, says right from the beginning, everything that has occurred in the MCU has occurred to make the conditions in which defeating Thanos is possible.

Remember the one reality out of millions that Doctor Strange talked about in Infinity War at Titan? To make it possible, events were guided in such a way that Thanos does not come out on top, at least at the end, since he did win the round one.

The user said, “My theory basically is that along with the time travel element that the movie will have which has been widely speculated and the Avengers needing to retrieve the infinity stones from different points in time to fight Thanos, additionally there is going to end up being a huge element of “everything happening for a reason” that will

encompass everything that has happened in the entire MCU up to this point thus far.”

Now who will give the events that direction? The user conjectures that it might be Doctor Strange going back in time to instill the idea in the head of a young Nick Fury in the 1990s. “What I mean by that, is I believe Nick Fury in the 90’s in the Captain Marvel movie will be shown or made aware of the future and future events, potentially even by Dr. Strange coming back in time from Infinity War, and he will be shown specific things that he and other characters have to do throughout the entire MCU to ultimately set up future events for how they need to be in order for the Avengers to win in Avengers 4, per Dr. Strange’s end game plan from the possible 1 out of 14 million outcomes. Meaning everything that has happened in MCU so far had to happen the way it did but more importantly was set up in certain cases to happen the way it did partly by Fury himself,” the user said.

He supports his argument by

saying that Nick Fury always knows something that other characters do not know whenever we encounter him in the MCU. Being the architect of the ‘Avengers Initiative’, he built this group of superpowered beings to handle outer space threats like Thanos. It might even be something to do with Captain Marvel that Fury was made aware of what he has to do to defeat Thanos. Captain Marvel is an interstellar travelling superhero and it was after encountering her Nick Fury stuck with S.H.I.E.L.D. The user further says that it all revolves around Tony Stark. He says the Avengers, to fight back against Thanos, and to revive their dead comrades, will hunt for the Infinity Stones in different points of time. Time-travel is already said to be a huge part of Avengers 4. Since the Soul Stone requires a great sacrifice (Thanos had to sacrifice the only thing he loved — his adopted daughter Gamora), he will also have to sacrifice somebody.

But it will not be Pepper Potts, as some thought, it would be his parents. Tony will infiltrate the S.H.I.E.L.D and somehow set the Winter Soldier on his own parents to attain the Soul Stone. This would utterly break Tony and he would never recover from the PTSD as we know from MCU movies. But he is Tony. Despite exhibiting an irreverent and reckless persona, we know he deeply cares about his friends and people of the earth. He can do this. Meanwhile, bring on the tissues.(Indian Express)

‘Fantastic Beasts The Crimes of Grindelwald’ early reactions: Fans and critics hail Eddie Redmayne film

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antastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald releases on November 16. The first reviews of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald are in.

The second film in the Fantastic Beasts franchise (after 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) and the tenth film in the Wizarding World universe, The Crimes of Grindelwald has received mostly positive reactions after a screening.

One Simon Thompson, a film critic, singled out Johnny Depp for praise and said he was the highlight. His tweet read, “Saw #CrimesOfGrindelwald Thursday. Johnny Depp turns out an outstanding performance in a show-stopping turn as Grindelwald.

Whether

you’re new to the Wizarding World or a hardcore fan, it’s hard to resist the stunning visuals, flawless action and riveting performances.

Fantastic.”

Scott Menzel, who is also a film critic, was also in awe of Depp’s “perfection.” He wrote, “Fantastic Beasts and The Crimes of Grindelwald is a magical must-see! It builds upon the original & is sure to delight Harry Potter fans.

Remarkable visuals, engaging story, & an ending that will leave you speechless.

Johnny Depp as Grindelwald is perfection. #CrimesOfGrindewald.”

A Twitter user Robyn McGrenere wrote, “.@ FantasticBeasts left me absolutely speechless. This movie is beyond amaz-

ing. Thank you @jk_rowling! #FanstasticBeasts #ProtectTheSecrets.”

Abby Schulman tweeted, “#FantasticBeasts was so so so good. I felt like I was coming home. Can’t wait for everyone to see it! Til then I’m going to #ProtectTheSecrets .” The Crimes of Grindelwald continues the story of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), an English wizard and a Magizoologist, as he

teams up with a younger Dumbledore (Jude Law) against the Dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp).

Also assisting Newt is his brother Theseus Scamander (Callum Turner), Katherine Waterston’s Tina Goldstein, Alison Sudol’s Queenie Goldstein, Dan Fogler’s Jacob Kowalski, and others. Ezra Miller, Zoë Kravitz, Claudia Kim also star. (Indian Express)

Rebel Wilson tweets apology after backlash over ‘plus-sized’ claims

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ebel Wilson, who will be next seen opposite Liam Hemsworth in Isn't It Romantic, had claimed in an interview that she will be "first-ever plus-sized girl to be the star of a romantic comedy". Rebel Wilson has apologised for the comments she had made about “plussized” women actors in Hollywood.

The Australian actor, who will be next seen opposite Liam Hemsworth in Isn’t It Romantic, had claimed in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres that she will be “first-ever plus-sized girl to be the star of a romantic comedy”. When social media users reminded her that actors Queen Latifah and Mo’Nique had fronted romantic comedies before, Wilson said there was a

“grey area” around how those films were categorised. After further backlash, the actor tweeted an apology.

“In a couple of well-intentioned moments, hoping to lift my fellow plus sized women up, I neglected to show the proper respect to those who climbed this mountain before me like Mo’Nique, Queen Latifah, Melissa McCarthy, Ricki Lake and likely

many others,” Wilson wrote. “With the help of some very compassionate and well-thought out responses from others on social media, I now realize what I said was not only wrong but also incredibly hurtful.

To be part of a problem I was hoping I was helping makes it that much more embarrassing & hard to acknowledge. I blocked people on Twitter because I was hurting from the criticism, but those are the people I actually need to hear from more, not less. Again, I am deeply sorry,” she added.

Isn’t It Romantic, directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson, also features Priyanka Chopra and Adam DeVine.

(Indian Express)

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Guyana’s Junior badminton team step onto int’l stage A

team of young Guyanese badminton players have stepped onto the international stage for the Li Ning BWF World Juniors Mixed Team & Individual Badminton Championships, which are being hosted in Markham, Canada.

The competition, which will span the next two weeks, will give the players more exposure to international competition as teams from all across the world are listed to compete.

The Guyanese

team consist of young sensation Priyanna Ramdhani who will play the role of team captain. Jayde DaSilva, Tyrese Jeffrey and Akili Haynes (Vice Captain) will make up the remainder of the team while Emelia Ramdhani will serve as the team manager.

Being the only team from a Caribbean country at the high-level competition, it is expected that the Guyanese players will be under immense pressure.

Nevertheless, the ‘high

The Guyanese badminton team

Priyanna Ramdhani and Jayde DaSilva in battle against the USA

stakes’ competition will equip the players with the necessary experience so as to boost their world ranking. This in turn will benefit the players in 2019, heightening their eligibility for the Pan Am Games, which is an Olympic qualifier event.

The 41 countries which are currently participating in the tournament, were placed in Groups A1, A2, B, C, D, E, F, G and H. The four-member Guyanese team have been placed in Group G where they will compete against Denmark, Singapore, the USA and the Dominican Republic.

Since the competi-

tion began on Monday, November 5, the Guyanese team, despite being on the losing side of a few encounters, have shown that they have what it takes to compete with the best in the world.

In their first match, Guyana were paired with Singapore and lost the mixed doubles 21-11, 21-4; the men’s singles 21-1, 21-3; the women’s singles 21-4, 21-18; the men’s doubles 21-2, 21-1 and the women’s doubles 21-5, 21-7.

In their encounter with Denmark, the foreigners got the better of Guyana in the mixed doubles 21-0, 21-4; the men’s singles 21-2, 21-

5; women’s singles 21-7, 21-6; the men’s doubles 21-6, 21-4 and the women’s doubles 21-5, 21-7.

The result was the same when they met the USA, with losses in the mixed doubles 21-4, 21-1; the men’s singles 21-4, 21-4; the women’s singles 21-3, 21-9; the men’s doubles 21-7, 21-8 and the women’s doubles 21-1, 21-2.

Guyana registered a 5-0 win when they were awarded a walkover against the Dominican Republic.

The team extended their gratitude to SOL, Guyana Olympic Association (GOA); GTT; Courts; Temple Scribe Solutions and Eureka Medical Laboratory.

Could Windies Women do it again?

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By Brandon Corlette

he Caribbean will host the first ever stand-alone ICC Women’s World T20 tournament, and a total of twenty-three matches will be played from November 9 to November 24 across the Caribbean (Guyana, St. Lucia and Antigua).

The West Indies women will have an advantage playing in home conditions in this tournament.

In the 2016 Women’s T20 Tournament, played in India, the Stafanie Taylor-led West Indies Team were crowned champions.

West Indies will kick-start their 2018 World T20 campaign against Bangladesh at the National Stadium at Providence in Demerara, Guyana in a day-night affair.

After this lone match in Guyana, the Caribbean ladies will play their second match in St.

West Indies women at a practice session at Everest (Brandon Corlette photos)

Lucia, against South Africa.

Stafanie Taylor, the World number two T20 batter, with a rating of 671, will continue to lead the West Indies Team. Besides Taylor, the West Indies’ batting department would include explosive 20-year-old opener Haley Matthews, who is currently ranked number 12 in MRF ICC T20 batting rankings; and the dangerous Deandra Dottin, who is ranked number 5 in MRF ICC T20 batting rankings with a rating of 616.

The lone Guyanese in

the squad, Shemaine Campbell, will also be a major asset with the bat, since her batting has been a revelation in the 2018 Regional Super 50 tournament. Sheneta Grimmond was the other Guyanese selected, but she was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining an injury.

In the bowling department, the West Indies will look to steaming right-arm fast bowler Shamilia Connell and left-arm quickies Chinelle Henry and Qiana Joseph to produce early wickets.

The spin-ace Anisa

Mohammed will once more lead the spin attack. The vastly experienced Mohammed has played 98 T20 Internationals and has 113 wickets to her name, gathered at an economy rate of 5.50.

With three five-wicket hauls in the shortest format of the game, her best figures are 5 for 10.

Haley Matthews, the World number 3 ranked T20 bowler, has also been effective with the ball in T20 cricket. The 31-year-old leg-spinner Afy Fletcher would, moreover, be a wicket-taking option. In a

world where leg-spinners have troubled the batters, Fletcher is currently ranked number 13 with a rating of 569.

In the recently concluded T20 Series between West Indies and South Africa, the maroon ladies drew the five-match series 2-2.

That series brought out some positives for the West Indies women, in that Natasha McLean performed consistently with the bat, scoring 160 runs from four innings at an average of 80; and Deandra Dottin was the most successful West Indies bowler,

taking nine wickets in that Series.

In this stand-alone World T20 Tournament, West Indies women are in Group A with England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The West Indies squad reads: Stafanie Taylor (capt), Merissa Aguilleira (wk), Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Natasha McLean, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation and Shakera Selman.

West Indies group matches are slated as follows: November 9: West Indies v Bangladesh, Guyana; November 14: West Indies v South Africa, St Lucia; November 16: West Indies v Sri Lanka, St Lucia; November 18: West Indies v England, St Lucia.

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MACORP Open tees off this weekend

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ontinuing a 13year partnership with the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), the Machinery Corporation of Guyana (MACORP) Ltd will return once again for its annual Golf Open on a much larger scale.

The highly-anticipated event on the greens of the LGC will tee off this Saturday, November 10 and if it is anything like last year’s tournament, there will be over 50 local golfers in attendance. To this end, MACORP CEO Guillermo Escarraga noted that the company was pleased with and committed to its relationship with the sport.

“We have been working with the Lusignan Golf Club over the years and we’ve seen the development of golf in Guyana, and this year we’ve decided to throw our support behind the Club, because we see that there is a lot of potential for golf, not only Guyanese but for foreigners who come and want to be part of this,” Escarraga said.

Speaking along similar lines, Club President Aleem Hussain shared some of the contributions that MACORP has made to the Club and course.

“The first phone call I made was to MACORP and I said we’ve got a golf course under water, can you help? Within 24 hours, we had one of their best pieces of machinery delivered to the course. Two months later, we had transformed

MACORP’s CEO Guillermo Escarraga hands over the sponsorship cheque to Lusignan Golf Club President Aleem Hussain

the LGC into one of the most [complete] courses in terms of preparation, drainage and irrigation,” Hussain explained.

Given the company’s quarter-century celebrations this year, Hussain noted that they were going all out for the 2018 tournament.

“He (Escarraga) said we have done a lot for our 25th anniversary; however, golf is near and dear to our hearts and this will be the greatest tournament that MACORP has ever pulled off,” the LGC President said.

He went on to illustrate his point by detailing some of the fantastic prizes up for grabs.

“You guys will see from the prizes that we’ve got three different flights of awards, with prizes for both the grand champion in the gross and grand champion in the net. And for the first time ever, MACORP is putting out a whole lot of additional prizes,” Hussain shared.

MACORP’s CEO encouraged local golfers to turn out in their numbers, with the promise of an explosive tournament.

“Golf is a sport that brings about the best in every player and we really embrace the camaraderie that we enjoy at the golf course. And this year, we want to put a

lot of emphasis in this tournament, we want to make it big for everybody to enjoy. It’s going to be a fantastic event, we hope that golfers will turn out in big numbers to participate in this event,” Escarraga stated.

In addition to the prizes for best net and best gross overall, the competing golfers will have a chance to win first to third place prizes in one of three categories, namely: 0-9, 10-18 and 19-28.

There will also be several novelty prizes in the form of CAT tokens. The 13th edition of the tournament will tee off at 12:30h on Saturday.

Tamim targets return during West Indies Tests

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amim Iqbal hopes to mark his return to competitive cricket when West Indies tour Bangladesh later this month for a full series. He had originally targeted the second Test against Zimbabwe in Mirpur.

Tamim has only now returned to batting against the cricket ball this week, after undergoing rehabilitation for a wrist fracture. Tamim injured himself while batting during the Asia Cup opener in September, a game remembered for his heroic return to bat with one hand, with Bangladesh nine down.

"I think I will be fit for the first Test [against West Indies]," Tamim said. "I always wanted to play the second Test against Zimbabwe, at least that was the plan three or four weeks ago.

I am not ready. I don't

Hafeez's bowling action draws scrutiny again

Tamim Iqbal

think the physio will even permit me. It has just been three days of batting against spin bowling and the dog-stick. It is actually semi-batting what I am doing right now. Unless I start full-fledged nets, it won't be fair for the team to declare myself fit."

Tamim still had some discomfort while playing certain strokes. "Today [Thursday] is probably the third day that I am batting. I haven't had a full net session. There's a lot of

difference between playing 130-140kph and playing against spin and the dogstick. As of now, things are looking very positive.

In the next three days, there's going to be a full net session, after which I can tell where I am at."

Batting and net sessions aside, Tamim had words of encouragement for Bangladesh despite their loss in Sylhet.

According to him, while there remains room for improvement in the lon-

gest format, the loss wasn't a reflection of the progress they've made in Tests over the last two years, particularly at home where they've beaten England and Australia.

"They will bounce back. I know that we didn't play our best cricket. We are a much better team than this," he said. "It is a fact that we haven't performed in Tests, like we have done in ODIs. I don't think any of our team members said that we have become a very strong Test team.

"But it is also true that we have started to play better Test cricket than five years ago.

We have defeated two of the best sides in the world. But our West Indies Test series wasn't good at all. Our graph in Test cricket hasn't gone as high as we'd liked."

(ESPNCricinfo)

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Mohammad Hafeez (AP photo)

here was fresh scrutiny on M o h a m m a d Hafeez's bowling action on Wednesday when Ross Taylor appeared to publicly question its legality during the course of the first ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand in Abu Dhabi.

Taylor made the gesture at the end of Hafeez's first over, when he seemed to look directly at the umpires - or his partner at the non-striker's end Tom Latham and mimicked delivering the ball with a bent arm.

Whether or not it was an attempt to call attention to Hafeez's action, it enraged the Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahm. That wasn't the end of the episode as Sarfraz persisted with Hafeez, and kept exchanging comments with Taylor, looking none too happy with the New Zealand batsman.

The umpires Shozab Raza and Joel Wilson eventually got involved and had a chat with Taylor. As well as how it impacts how the officials view Hafeez's action, Taylor could face the possibility of sanctions himself. They may not relate to dissent but there is a clause in the ICC rulebook that deals with players' on-field behavior.

A similar incident had occurred in 2009 when Saeed Ajmal was called for a suspect action and he felt it had been the result of an opposition batsman - in that case, Australia's Shane Watson - who had directed the umpire's attention to the way he bowled his doosra.

That this one involves

Hafeez makes it particularly uncomfortable for Pakistan. The ICC has ruled his action illegal no fewer than four times in his career; three of them in the last four years.

Hafeez was first reported almost 14 years ago during an ODI tri-series in Australia in 2005.

Regulations concerning illegal actions were different back then and he soon returned. In 2014, his action was reported during the Champions League T20, and then again following a Test match against New Zealand later that year.

He was suspended from bowling after results indicated the flex of his elbow was more than the allowed 15 degrees.

Hafeez finally got to bowl again in April 2015, but a month later, he was back under the umpires' scanner. Since that constituted a second report in the space of two years - with the first one resulting in a suspension - the ICC put his offspin on ice for 12 months.

Hafeez returned to bowling after his ban, clearing a test of his action in 2016, but the issue cropped up again leading to his latest suspension in October 2017. He eventually received a clean chit from the ICC in April 2018 and now, after a late call-up to Pakistan's squad for their ongoing home season, he has bowled 19 overs in one Test and six T20Is against Australia and New Zealand, without drawing any attention to his remodelled action before this.

(ESPNCricinfo)

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Oshane Thomas shows West Indies a glimpse of the future

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shane Thomas has a habit. The habit of turning heads with his fierce pace. It has already hooked Chris Gayle, who picked him for Jamaica Tallawahs when he was 19, and Tom Moody, who has signed him up for his BPL team Rangpur Riders. On Sunday, it made a big impression on India's stand-in T20I captain Rohit Sharma, who was stunned by a 147kph inswinger.

On a sticky Kolkata evening, India seemed assured of victory, set a target of just 110. But on an Eden Gardens pitch where dew made the ball skid on much more than usual, Thomas cleaned up India's openers. He forced Rohit to inside-edge to the keeper before flattening the middle stump of Shikhar Dhawan, his bunny on this tour, as he left a gap between bat and pad while looking to drive one that swung back into him.

Dinesh Karthik and Krunal Pandya repaired the early damage, but Thomas had done enough to earn Rohit's praise. "Oshane is a really exciting talent with-

Oshane Thomas

out doubt," Rohit said at the post-match presentation. "He's got good height, plus that jump he takes, if he bowls in the right areas, it won't be easy for any batsman in the world to counter that. He's really talented, and he also has the advantage of height which gives him the extra edge. I wish him the best in the future."

At 21, Thomas is the youngest fast bowler in the West Indies squad.

He has had a very short

career so far. But within that time, he has shown plenty of promise. He got into the West Indies team after finishing CPL 2018 as the tournament's highest wickettaker among fast bowlers, and second-highest overall behind the legspinner Fawad Ahmed.

More than just the number of wickets he's taken, it's the quality of batsmen he has rattled.

In last year's CPL, he bowled Gayle - who had moved to St Kitts and

Nevis Patriots - with a 150kph yorker. And on this tour he has continually troubled India's top three. How many other bowlers in world cricket can stake that claim?

Thomas has dismissed Dhawan, bowled each time, three times on this tour. Twice in the ODI series he inside-edged him while playing with an angled bat, misjudging the pace off the surface.

Virat Kohli rarely plays a false shot. And yet, in the fifth ODI in Thiruvananthapuram, Kohli sparred uncertainly at a nasty lifter from Thomas and edged to first slip, where Jason Holder failed to hold on to the chance. A few overs later, Rohit edged one that left him off the

pitch, into Shai Hope's gloves, only for the umpire's signal of no-ball to halt Thomas' celebrations.

Kohli and Rohit would eventually settle down and eventually steer India to a breezy nine-wicket win.

Had Holder held on, and had Thomas not overstepped, things might have been rather different.

On his ODI debut in Guwahati, Thomas clocked 147kph, 147kph, 140kph, 149kph, 147kph and 147kph in his first over. That speed comes from his run-up, which accelerates gradually as he approaches the crease, and a big jump just before his delivery stride. That jump, coupled with his height, gives him bounce to go with his pace, and this combination can unsettle any batsman, particularly early on while still coming to grips with the pace of the surface.

Thomas knows pace isn't enough. In a recent conversation with The Indian Express, he spoke of the importance of guile to go with it.

"Bowling the short ball is the easiest to do for a fast bowler," Thomas said. "But I don't use my bumper to scare batsmen, I only use it to get batsmen out."

It's a distinction fast bowlers often forget when adrenaline takes over in an international game, but Thomas

has shown he's a thinking cricketer. When he yorked Shai Hope with what was arguably the ball of CPL 2018 to send his stumps cartwheeling, Moody gushed in the commentary box at what he was seeing in front of him. It was no surprise that Moody snapped Thomas up for his BPL franchise a few weeks later.

Carlos Brathwaite, West Indies' T20I captain, says Thomas has the potential to emulate the West Indies greats of the past.

"We've had a few chats with him, and he's in the best place he could be," Brathwaite told icc.com. "He understands the opportunities he has, he has to continue to get fitter and stronger. The world is at his feet, it's for West Indies to help him become another Joel Garner or Michael Holding."

Those are huge names to live up to. At Eden Gardens, where Thomas was scaring India's top order with his new-ball spell, some viewers were reminded of another legend, Malcolm Marshall, whose 19th death anniversary happened to fall on Sunday.

Thomas has only just begun his career, and it's clearly too early to burden him with such comparisons, but if he keeps learning and adding to his repertoire, West Indies will have quite a bowler in their midst. (ESPNCricinfo)

CONCACAF Men’s U20 Championship…

Cayman Islands upset Jaguars in thriller

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uyana Jaguars suffered their second loss in the CONCACAF Under-20 Men’s Championships when they battled Cayman Islands at the IMG Academy in Florida on Tuesday.

The Jaguars were not able to prevent the Cayman Islands’ comefrom-behind win, and they lost the Group F encounter 3-2.

The Jaguars had claimed the lead early when Kelsey Benjamin scored in the fifth minute; and they kept that lead until the brink of half-time, when Cayman Islands were gifted a penalty attempt, which was successfully taken

by Albertini Holmes.

When play resumed, Cayman Islands gained the lead for the first time with a Kareem Foster goal scored in

the 58th minute. Two minutes later, Guyana’s half-time sub Chris Macey drew the equaliser to keep the Jaguars’ hopes alive. However, the aggressive Jabari Campbell scored the decider for the Cayman Islands just seven minutes after the battle had been engaged.

With that win, Cayman Islands have finally put themselves on the board with three points, and are now slotted at third, while Curacao and Guyana

remain at the bottom with no points.

Pushing on from their opening win against Guyana, Guatemala also defeated Curacao, to lead the group with six points.

They have the same amount of points as the El Salvador team, which is undefeated in their two matches.

Guyana Jaguars continue their bid to seek qualification into the second round when they take on Curacao on Thursday.

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Guyana’s golf champion creates history

Stooping, from left, are: Parmanad Persaud, Patanhalee Persaud, Richard Haniff, and Ayube Subhan. Standing, from left, are: Captain Chatterpaul Deo; Apti Shaw; Jalem Raman; Joaan Deo; Aasrodeen Shaw; Christine Sukhram; Esau Shamshudin (partly hidden); Mahendra Bhagwandin (also partly hidden); another winner; Troy Cadogan; John Somwar, winner and 9-time champ, Avinash Persaud; a supporter; Avinda Kishore; Kevin Dinanauth, and President Aleem Hussain

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he star golfer, now 9-time Guyana Open Cup champ Avinash Persaud, has stormed his way into the local history books with his record number of title wins coupled with his in-game feats. He has achieved what has hitherto never been achieved locally.

Persaud walked away as retainer of the title he’s been defending for some time now after he finessed his way across the Greens this past weekend to outplay a number of local and international pros. This is especially remarkable considering that some 89 of the registered 100 golfers from Canada, USA, Suriname

and other countries had participated in the biggest Guyana Open tournament yet.

In addition to winning the title and Best Gross, Persaud created even more history by returning a gross of 1 under-par for the 1st day of the Guyana Open — a feat never before achieved in local golf.

The “caddy turned arguably the best golfer in Guyana” told this newspaper recently that he was confident of retaining his title, and was merely focused on working on his chipping and putting.

Commenting on his momentous win on Sunday evening, espe-

cially remarkable because he was playing with an injured ankle, Persaud said, “Since the Guyana Open last year, I was confident that I would win this year again. I determined that no foreigner or local player would better me”.

At the awards ceremony held after the tournament, club president Aleem Hussain expressed gratitude to the large number of sponsors who contributed towards making the Guyana Open a success. Hussain also urged the Government to back Persaud, as well as female champ Christine Sukhram who also retained her title.

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