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Celebrated Guyanese literary giant, Sir Wilson Harris, dies at 96 Page 31

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

APNU/AFC Gov’t ‘selling dreams’ to Guyanese ISSUE NO. 387

…Jagdeo cautions citizens not to fall prey to false promises

See story on page 3

Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo engages business persons during a recent walk-about in Downtown Georgetown. Several businesses have been complaining over the past few months that due to the economy being stagnant, it is having a huge negative impact on the retail sector

Former teacher remanded on "sexual activity with a child" charge Page 5

US returns Guyanese man wanted for murder Page 5

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APNU/AFC Gov’t ‘selling dreams’ to Guyanese …Jagdeo cautions citizens not to fall prey to false promises

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he Coalition Government has been accused of ‘selling dreams’ to Guyanese with regards to the benefits which are expected to come from the emerging oil and gas sector.

During a press conference on Thursday, Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo maintained that the APNU/ AFC Government is making excessive efforts in overselling the oil sector to citizens with the intention of painting false images of the benefits, in their minds.

As such, Jagdeo went on at length to warn citizens against falling prey to the weightless promises, and called on the APNU/AFC Government to provide the facts.

“I suspect the reason why they are doing this… is because they have one thing to sell, remaining in Guyana- the hope of a better future with oil money because that’s what they’re telling their supporters. So magically, in 2020 our lives would be transformed. We’ll all be wealthy,” he mocked.

The Opposition Leader was also crit-

ical of recent statements made by Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, who had defended the contract signed between US based oil giant, ExxonMobil and Government.

While describing the Minister as “lightweight”, Jagdeo said his [Minister’s] statement only confirmed that the Government is more concerned about how much money they could earn from this sector and nothing else.

“His statements confirm our view that this Government only looks

at the Governmental sector; how much revenue it can collect. So what he did, he pointed out how much money we will collect from ExxonMobil versus what we are collecting from the gold mining sector as revenue. He did not look at the impact of the gold mining sector on the lives of maybe 100,000 people,” he explained.

The Opposition Leader further went on to accuse the Government of “selling everything” without proper analysis, compared to ExxonMobil which has been extreme-

Minister of Investment and Business Dominic Gaskin

ly careful in the manner in which it is proving information to the general public.

“So ExxonMobil puts in a caution statement on their own graph say-

ing ExxonMobil will not be accountable for what is here; that it’s only for illustrative purposes, yet our Government sells this as Gospel,” Jagdeo asserted.

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EDITORIAL

The threat of rising sea levels

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he raging Atlantic Ocean on the West Coast of Demerara on Holi Day definitely added an extra frisson to the usual dousing of cold water that is obligatory when celebrating that festival. But the spectacle should also remind us Guyanese of the threat posed by rising sea levels to our coastlands. The coastland was five feet under normal sea levels a century ago, and the ocean has since risen by another eight inches.

Whether we are science sceptics or not about exactly what is driving the process of “global warming”, there can be no doubt about the fact that temperatures over the last century have risen at least one degree Fahrenheit, and this has literally fuelled the process that leads to rising sea levels. Firstly, it is basic science that warm water expands, and secondly, that the continents of ice in the Arctic and Antarctic have been melting exponentially and dumping their waters into the oceans.

If the “carbon sceptics” – those who believe it is not rising levels of carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere that are the cause of global warming – are correct, then the situation is even more dire. Rising seas, then, may be due to long- term geological and climatic changes that once saw the ice caps completely melted and seas being SIXTY FEET over present levels. The question, then, is not whether the seas will rise, but how quickly they will do so; and more pertinently for us, what will we do about it. Last June, the UN held its first Ocean Conference, when countries under extreme threat — mostly low-lying islands – made poignant pleas to the world community for help against inundation and extinction.

However, with an adamant US administration under Donald Trump charting an increasingly isolationist course, leadership is lacking to lead such a charge.

In a sense, we in Guyana defied nature and her processes when the Dutch moved their sugar plantations from up river to the coastland, which was then swampland. As we all should know by now, African slaves were coerced to move millions of tons of earth in digging hundreds of miles of canals and building hundreds of miles of sea and back dams. This created the habitable environment that was five feet under the sea at high tide. At this time, more than eighty percent of our population and about the same percentage of our economic activities are on this sliver of land that stretches from Essequibo to Berbice.

Looking at the cup half full, it may be rather fortuitous that we have finally acquired the wherewithal — with the expected oil revenues starting in 2020 — to exercise the option that was long suggested to avoid a catastrophe from rising seas: move our capital, where more than a quarter of our population lives, to higher ground. This, in turn, would have a demonstrator effect on all other endeavours away from the coastland.

The PNC regime, during its first term of office, had proposed the move be made to the northeast, while others have suggested the Rupununi.

The latter option becomes more feasible after the construction of the Lethem-Georgetown-Berbice Highway to the deep-water harbour off the mouth of the Berbice River — which is on the cards. The Government has also already committed itself towards establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), just as the PPP had done during the last elections, when oil was struck. This unanimity must now be tied to a long term development plan that is based on creating the infrastructure for a green economy that incorporates a gradual shift of our economic epicenter away from the threatened coastland.

While the PNC-led Government has emphasised the need for a green economy, it needs to map out a strategy along the lines of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) adumbrated by the PPP. The rampaging Atlantic should serve as a wake-up call to them to not just wait for our inundation, but work with the Opposition to avert same.

Residents watch as the angry Atlantic waves pound a section of the sea walls on the of West Coast Demerara (WCD). Several villages were inundated with flood waters due to overtopping. (DPI photo)

21st death anniversary

Journal reflecting on Cheddi Jagan’s life launched

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he collaboration of 20 editors of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre saw the publishing of a new journal which reflects on the life of late President of Guyana, Cheddi Jagan.

Published in observance of the former leader’s 21st death anniversary, the journal called “The Thinker” examines how critical a thinker Jagan was during his time as President of Guyana.

The journal is expected to give expression to progressive thinking, to defend human right to democracy and to hold up the proverbial mirror to happenings of our society.

As history is replete with publications, the journal was created to keep the legacy of Jagan alive.

“The Thinker” explored Jagan as an internationalist and showed how his formative years were influenced by his years of living and studying in the United States, his linkages and alliances, his vision and his leadership.

It also covers issues such as the ongoing tragedy unleashed on the sugar workers at Wales, Rose Hall, Enmore and Skeldon.

Dr Frank Anthony, who gave an overview of the journal, noted that some might not agree with some of the articles, however, the journal looks to reveal truth.

President of the Guyana Peace Council (GPC) – which was founded by Jagan – Clement Rohee, in his remarks, noted that the journal is intended to stimulate debate in our country which is currently lacking in Guyana.

“Critical debate, intellectual debate and discussions, a group of us came together with the intent of reviving the spirit of debate and discussions and as such we created the journal to be a tribute for those kinds of discussions in our country,” Rohee said of the ‘journal with a difference’.

Jagan was described as being influenced by many world leaders who made significant contributions such as Charles Baird, an American progressive writer.

Former President Donald Ramotar called Jagan a profound thinker who came up with broad ideas.

He reflected on projects undertaken by the late leader, which according to him, showed how he thought; an example being the conceptualisation of the University of Guyana.

“Today, 21 years later, we are still standing on some of the foundations that he left behind us. The University of Guyana, the Guyana

The Journal entitled “The Thinker”

School of Agriculture, the Bank of Guyana, the question of expanding the productive sector of the economy… these are some of the things that he did while in Government,” Ramotar reflected.

According to the former President, Jagan was of the custom of building models which he executed himself until he came up “with something that can work”.

Following the launching ceremony and observance, a copy of the journal which is to cost G$1500 was handed out to members of the PPP/C.

Memorial Service

In the meanwhile, a memorial service was held at the Cheddi Jagan Play Park, Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast. In his tribute to the late President, Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt reflected on the life, teachings and struggles of Jagan, who he explained sacrificed his entire life for the poor working class of this country.

At the wreath -laying ceremony, wreaths were laid by the Regional Chairman, Regional Vice Chairman, Mayor of the Town of Anna Regina, representatives of the PPP, the WPO, PYO and other groups.

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Former teacher remanded on “sexual activity with a child” charge

US returns Guyanese man wanted for murder

MURDERED: Deokumar Basdeo

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ACCUSED: Coen Jackson

ormer Bishops’ High School teacher, Coen Jackson, was on Thursday morning arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court

and charged with rape of child.

Jackson, 39, was not required to plead to the indictable charge when it was read to him by Magistrate continued on page 10

wo years after a 22-yearold Cane Grove father of one was brutally beaten to death by a group of men, one of the key suspects has been deported to Guyana from the United States of America.

Twenty-five-year-old Anthony Bhupdeo was escorted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) and “removed from the United States via a commercial flight” on March 1, according to an article by CMC. “Bhupdeo was transferred into the custody of Guyanese law en-

forcement authorities upon arrival in Georgetown (the Guyanese capital),” ICE said.

Further, Thomas Decker, field office director for ERO New York, said the removal of Bhupdeo is “indicative of ERO's resolve in carrying out the laws of our nation…

We will not provide a safe haven for those who commit crimes in their home countries.”

ICE said that on January 2, 2016- one day after Deokumar Basdeo of Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara was killed, Bhupdeo entered the United States as a visitor, with authorisation to remain in the United States until July 2016.

Later that very month, ICE explained that Guyanese law enforcement authorities in the East Demerara Magisterial District, issued an arrest warrant for Bhupdeo for murder and shortly after, in February 2016, the US Department of State revoked Bhupdeo's visa.

However, Bhupdeo failed to depart the United States in July 2016, as was required.

As such, in September 2016, ICE said the Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) office in Bogota, Colombia, notified ERO New York that Bhupdeo, may be residing in the New York City metropolitan area, and was being sought in Guyana for murder pursuant to an Interpol Red Notice.

In October of that year, ICE said ERO deportation officers arrested Bhupdeo in Woodhaven,

DEPORTED: Anthony Bhupdeo

Queens, New York, and placed him into removal proceedings and on July 26, 2017, said Bhupdeo was ordered removed by an immigration judge, however, he appealed that decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

On February 1, 2018, the BIA dismissed his appeal, “paving the way for his removal to Guyana,” ICE said.

On January 1 2016, Basdeo was beaten to death by five men following an altercation as he was imbibing in the village to celebrate his 22nd birthday.

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Guyana should establish Guyanese should also seek its own national flagto invest in oil companies carrying airline Dear Editor, As 2020 approaches and expectations of Guyana’s oil production commencement mounts, there is a lot of ‘chit and chatter’ over the usage of anticipated oil revenues by the Guyana Government. This is healthy expression which, with the exception of bent pessimists and dogmatists, shows that many Guyanese are objective and genuinely wish to see the best outcomes for their country.

One of the areas that I believe should be considered for funding is the re-establishment of a national flag-carrying airline. Those who use air transportation, particularly for travelling in and out of Guyana, can attest to the ransom-like situation Guyanese find themselves in by the limited number of service providers.

As early as 1939, even before Guyana’s Independence, a national airline was founded by Art Williams and Harry Wendt. The airline, called British Guiana Airways, was a private venture but received subsidies from the Colonial Government at that time.

From 1963, Guyana Airways coined its name, and continued operations until 2001.

There were several factors surrounding the rise and closure of the Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC), which I will not venture to detail here. However, like the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and most other failed corporations, poor management, distortion, and financial irregularities were cited impediments that affected GAC’s viability.

Our two proximate CARICOM neighbours, the Republic of Suriname and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, have both retained their national carriers, albeit with some adjustments since 1964 and 1961, respec-

tively.

In 1964, Surinaamse Luchtvaart Maatschappij (SLM) – Suriname Airways, which started operations – became, and still is, Suriname’s flag carrier. In 1961, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago acquired 90% shares in the British West Indian Airlines (BWIA), or “Bee Wee”, making it that nation’s national airline. The airline was later incorporated in 2006 as Caribbean Airlines, with a fleet of over 15 aircraft.

Caribbean Airlines has, for years, maintained a monopolistic vice on international air transport on their Guyana leg, much to the disadvantage and quiet displeasure of many Guyanese.

Guyana has seen the entrance and exit of several international carriers, with some big names like DELTA Airlines (USA) and VARIG (Brazil).

Reasons for the vacillating trends among international carriers that attempted to serve Guyana vary.

No one should genuinely dispute the fact that there has been a lingering void of consistent, reliable, respectable and affordable air transportation since the cessation of the GAC. The need for a national airline will not just restore the nation’s pride in that sector, but create the type of competition that would relieve Guyanese travellers of the imposed exorbitant fares of some service providers to and from this destination.

In this regard, it is timely for Government to consider such an investment; either jointly with local stakeholders, or as an independent state entity.

Sincerely, Orette Cutting

Dear Editor, Firstly, let me say that I am an investor (not a major investor) in CGX Energy which is searching for oil in Guyana.

We already know that Guyana has oil from seven successful wells drilled by ExxonMobil. Should CGX Energy discover oil in Guyana then its shares (may) go up which I hope to capitalise on. That is (my) belief.

The question is, are Guyanese prepared to capitalise on newly discovered oil?

If not, why not?

I understand that investing from Guyana may be an issue. But I am sure that there are many companies in Guyana,

like Guyoil, that can invest in companies abroad to make a profit in time. But just be careful as investments can go up as well as go down. So you can end up with losses.

A one per cent share in CGX Energy could cost about US$200,000 which (may) go up as the share price increases especially (if) oil is discovered (that is my belief).

There are other oil companies exploring for oil in Guyana that people can choose to invest in. And, we should really be looking at buying into some of these companies so that Guyanese benefit more should the value of these companies increase.

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

Numerous APNU/AFC officials benefitting from State contracts

Dear Editor At the last statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Six, I rose to highlight that during the PPP’s 23 years in office, no regional councillor of the PPP was a regional contractor with the RDC in Region Six. Now we are seeing not only regional councillors being contractors, but numerous Government officials and party activists of the coalition Government being given contracts. This is replicated across the entire country, I deem this action as corruption of the highest level under the APNU/AFC coalition Government.

While I was trying to establish that this Government is a corrupt regime, I was cautioned by the Regional Chairman to rephrase my statement by saying that there are numerous alleged acts of corruption by the Government — a statement that’s too decent for the description of this Government. Let us start with the first evidence of corruption: As we enter Berbice, there is the monument site at Palmyra. The minister says that no geo-technical survey was done, and as such, millions were spent and no answers were given as to who and when taxpayers would

be refunded their monies, which will be of tremendous benefit to Guyana. Not so long ago, an investigation was launched into corruption at NCN Berbice Branch. This is also a massive cover-up of corruption by the coalition Government. The reflective marking of the Corentyne Highway was completed only in January 2018, and the painted lines have already faded. I was made to understand that the paint was purchased by MoPI, charging for high quality paints and purchasing the lowest quality at the same price.

The recent work that is being executed by the Works Services Group of the MoPI is the worst I have seen for a very long time. The Republic Road (in New Amsterdam) and the East Bank Berbice public road are just a few examples of poor standard and quality. This ministry needs to be investigated now. NDIA is another agency that needs to be investigated. Millions are being spent to execute works in Region Six. Some works are being done, while some are not being done but contractors are being paid. Sometimes contractors are paid ten times the cost of the volume of work done.

Sincerely, Zamal Hussain

An appeal for Exxon’s compassion, mercy and kindness to renegotiate the oil agreement Dear Editor, Warren Buffet said: “You cannot produce a baby in one month by getting nine women pregnant.” Agreeing to more oil agreements will not compensate Guyana for the unpatriotic and seemingly treasonous Petroleum Agreement with Exxon, Hess and CNOOC. What we need is to renegotiate the June 27, 2016 Petroleum Contract – posthaste.

Thus, the Stabroek News article dated March 4, 2018 and captioned “Chevron, Petrobras among nine seeking remaining oil blocks -Trotman says direct engagements, bidding to determine selection”, should give us grave pause at this abominable suggestion that we enter into other oil agreements before renegotiating the Exxon Petroleum Agreement for 10% Royalty and Removal of the asylumatic US$460 million charge for pre-contract cost.

Paraphrasing Roman General Mark Anthony: “Friends, Guyanese and coun-

trymen, lend me your ears; we do not seek to bury Guyana, only to make her citizens wealthy.” This should be the mantra of our Government.

The Government is not the enemy of the people. There are many astute and admirable leaders in our Government.

These officials should act as “servant” leaders. We all know that the contract with Exxon is lopsided, asymmetric, and has striking features of mental madness or suchlike deformities. Comparatively, there is no Petroleum Production Agreement in the world that is so absurd and silly.

Each Member of Parliament in Guyana should be questioned by our journalists for their views on the Exxon contract, and have their response recorded and published for future generations. I suspect shame or contrivance will invariably cause them to provide crutch answers, and hide behind the party line if access or answers are obtained. Though silence does speak volumes!

Exxon has announced oil discoveries at eleven wells so far: Liza-1, Liza-2, Liza-3 Payara-1, Liza Deep, Snoek, Liza-4, Payara-2, Turbo-1, Ranger and Pacora in the Stabroek Block of 6.6 million acres, the crème de la crème of oil blocks in Guyana, producing the world’s largest and most valuable oil find in the 21st century. Resulting in Exxon’s conservative announcement on February 28, 2018, of 500,000 barrels of oil production per day in Guyana by an undefined date.

It is obvious to many that by that undefined date, Exxon can produce 1,000,000 barrels of oil per day from the Stabroek Block; or, in my opinion, within five years, without any further “discoveries”.

Exxon published their last announcement as their seventh oil discovery, which is obviously not true. Not surprisingly, Exxon no longer provides specifics or barrels of oil reserves discovered, as they did for the initial oil dis-

coveries. It appears that the oil bounty is too plentiful for Guyanese to assimilate.

Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive! – Walter Scott. In the days of Scott, whose life spanned 1771-1832, and who lived in a period of state executions in Britain, Scott is also quoted as saying, “One or two of these scoundrel statesmen should be shot once a year, just to keep the others on their good behaviour.

However, we in Guyana have no such scoundrel statesmen!

Therefore, it is best to again embrace the reworded thoughts of the Roman General Mark Anthony: For Guyana has an Honourable Government, thus our Ministers are also Honourable”.

It is good that ExxonMobil is our major oil contractor; being the undisputed king of the integrated oil industry – where Exxon leads, others in the industry follow. We in Guyana, with a relatively small and poor population of

between 750,000 and 800,000, now appeal for Exxon’s compassion, mercy and kindness to renegotiate the June 27, 2016 agreement, signed three days before Exxon’s June 30, 2016 announcement of 1.4 billion barrels of oil discovered at another Liza well in the Stabroek Block.

Whether the representatives of Guyana knew of this 1.4 billion barrel find on that fateful day of June 27, 2016, when the Petroleum Agreement was signed, would undoubtedly have made no difference to the contents of the agreement, as our Government has defended the Petroleum Agreement; strenuously, hoarsely and ad nauseum.

Mr. Darren Woods, Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, kindly heed the pleas and prayers of the Guyanese people.

Sincerely Nigel Hinds

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Crying convict gets 9 years for GDF to benefit from sexually assaulting 7-yr-old girl disaster response expertise of Mexican Army O

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From left: Deputy Chief of Mission, Mexican Embassy, Mrs. Rocio Maciel, President David Granger, Mexico’s Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Ivan Robero Sierra Medel, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon and Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West.

ith an already strong defence cooperation programme with several bilateral partners, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is now set to benefit from the expertise of the Mexican Army in the area of disaster response and management.

This was confirmed Wednesday when President David Granger met with Mexico’s

Ambassador to Guyana, Ivan Robero Sierra Medel. The meeting was held at State House.

The Ambassador said that the move to strengthen military-to-military relations between the two countries came out of discussions at the CaricomMexico Summit, which was held in Belize in October 2017. Upon the invitation of the Mexican

Army, two GDF officers are to be identified to be part of a four-month training programme, which is scheduled to commence later this month at the National Defence College in Mexico City.

The Mexican Army has over 50 years of experience and expertise, particularly in the area of disaster response, continued on page 28

ne day after showing intense emotion after being found guilty, Troy Jackson was on Wednesday sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment by Sexual Offences Court Judge Simone Morris-Ramlall.

A 12-member jury, by 10-2, determined that Jackson was indeed the perpetrator of an indecent assault that occurred on October 20, 2016 in the county of Demerara.

The charge detailed that Jackson placed his penis against the seven-year-old female victim’s genitals.

In an impact statement read out by ChildLink Counsellor Celeste Mullin, the young victim stated that she was upset over what the offender did to her and that she was very sad at the time because she did not like it. She added that even though it only happened once, she did not want the same to ever happen again.

“I hope Troy Jackson gets punished for what he did to me,” the victim expressed.

Ibeli Kendall, a woman who knew the defendant from childhood, took the stand and testified to Jackson’s character, saying that he never created problems. However, when questioned by lead Prosecutor Seeta Bishundial, the witness could not vouch for Jackson’s character while he lived in a community in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice). Jackson, 33, was originally a resident of Kitty, Georgetown and got married in February 2018.

During his plea of mitigation, Jackson’s lawyer, Adrian Thompson, suggested that his client did not have a favourable childhood as his mother died while he was six and his father when he was 11. The court heard that Jackson only had a primary education

Troy Jackson will spend the next nine years behind bars

and that he was seen as a person of “good character” prior to the incident.

On this basis, the Attorney appealed for mercy, but Justice Ramlall was of the view that Jackson could have expressed his own remorse to the court.

She considered the breach of trust, age of the child and the prevalence of sexual offences in sentencing the defendant.

The Judge, however, observed that penetration was not involved and based on the mitigation plea, subtracted one year from the maximum 10-year prison term. As such, Jackson’s sentence was nine years, but he would have to serve eight years before he was eligible for parole.

Guyana Times International understands that the defendant was a family friend of the victim’s relatives and had even lived with them at one point.

Upon hearing the jury’s verdict on Tuesday, Jackson broke down in tears, but was much calmer at Wednesday’s sentencing. State Counsels Narissa Leander and Orinthia Schmidt assisted on the prosecution’s case.

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Millions go up in flames as fire razes 4 houses in Georgetown …Fire Service roasted for poor response

By Lakhram Bhagirat

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everal families were rudely awakened from their early morning slumber on Wednesday, as a fire raged through four houses in Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, razing three to the ground and destroying another.

Now scores of persons are homeless and counting millions of dollars in losses.

According to the Police, they received reports of the fire sometime around 04:00h on Wednesday and preliminary investigations have so far revealed that the fire started at around 03:00h in the Lot 185 Pike Street apartment

Angela Erica Demonik’s gutted home

of Oswald Layne. The Police related that the buildings destroyed were located at Lot 185 and 191 Pike Street, explaining that each address

had two house lots and one contained a building with seven apartments.

The report stated that Layne woke up sometime around 03:15h

to use the washroom and discovered his apartment filled with smoke.

He subsequently raised an alarm as the fire began to engulf the entire

wooden structure and subsequently spreading East and West destroying the other buildings.

Fire tenders from Central, Campbellville, Alberttown and Ruimveldt Fire Stations all responded and were able to put out the blaze sometime around 05:00h.

Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes was one of the first people on the scene and she took the victims to her home where they were offered breakfast, a bath and a change of clothing.

When Guyana Times International visited the scene, several investigators from the Fire Service were speaking to the victims amidst the still smouldering rubble.

One couple, Savitri and Hansraj Manbodh related that they were asleep and were awoken by the heat of the fire.

Hansraj Manbodh

“Around 2:30-3 o’clock I wake up hearing me neighbour hollering fire, fire and when I looked through the window I saw the fire by my neighbours. I wake up my husband and daughter and said let’s get out the house and we get panicked. My daughter picked up the phone first thing and called the fire tender, she didn’t get a good response but I said after we talk to the fire tender let we hustle and get of the house,” Savitri related.

She said that they have been living at Lot 191 Pike Street for the past 10 years and according to their landlord, their house was not insured. She said it is tough to estimate the family’s losses since everything would have been acquired over a period of time.

Raging fire

Meanwhile, 61-yearold Hansraj related that the fire started at their neighbour’s and quickly spread to the other

buildings.

“I had my car in the driveway and that was the first thing I had to get out of the yard. But by the time I tried to open the gate and get out the car to park on the road my building had already started catching so I attempted to go in back to retrieve anything I could have got but the furthest I could have reached was the door. Unfortunately that was it, I got some scorches,” he related.

The man said he is of the opinion that the fire may have been electrical in origin, owing to the fact that when his family evacuated their home they observed the wires on the pole sparking.

He added that the building, where the fire started, was poorly wired. He, like many other eyewitnesses and victims, lashed out at the Guyana Fire Service for their poor response.

“The response of the Fire Service was very poor. To start with, the hostile answer that they gave on the phone, they were asking my daughter if she was serious. You should take every call as being serious,” he said.

Hansraj further related that the first fire tender arrived approximately 30 minutes after they first called.

When it arrived, it had no water and was unable to source any from the hydrants since they were not operational. The disgruntled man said two other tenders came without water as well.

“One was a brand new one and the fittings were not working, the hose was not working. When the fourth one came and he saw what was happening, he had to go till across GDF (Base Camp Ayanganna), park over there and then they started to send the water through the hoses and that is where the water eventually came,” Hansraj related.

“If they had come with water then they would have been able to contain the fire to one building alone and we all would not have to lose everything we had,” the man said while on the brink of tears.

Nevertheless, he commended the firefighters for their effort.

Another victim, Angela Erica Demonik, whose continued on page 9

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

“Otisha” being questioned by cops … as Police continue paedophilia investigations

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eeks after publicly claiming to have “one little boy for every day of the week”, the Guyana Police Force has taken popular cross dresser Otis “Otisha” Pearson into custody.

Police in A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) on Tuesday confirmed that they have arrested Pearson following accusations which were made against him in relation to paedophilia.

Crime Chief Paul Williams when contacted confirmed that the popular (lesbian, gays, bisexual and transgender) LGBT personality was arrested on Monday and is being grilled on the subject matter.

“We received the file from the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) and we are now investigating the matter officially,” he said.

He could not say how soon charges would be instituted against “Otisha” but is confident in conducting a thorough probe. The

Otis “Otisha” Pearson

arrest came days after the (CC&PA) wrapped up its investigations into the alleged misconduct by Pearson involving underage boys.

In late February, CC&PA’s Director, Ann Green had related that the Agency had gathered statements from a number of persons, including the young man at the centre of the controversy, and as such, the Agency was expected to move ahead with the case.

This incident came to light when Pearson was released from custody after he was implicated in the murder of Hemchand Dalchand, also called “Rakesh” of Cummings Lodge, East

Coast Demerara (ECD) whose body was discovered in the vicinity of Oleander Gardens, ECD. A pair of slippers and a piece of clothing belonging to the now dead man were also found along the East Coast sea walls. This drew some suspicions by the Police and since Pearson was reportedly the person seen talking to the young man, he was arrested.

He however, refuted claims that he was involved in the murder.

Nevertheless, as he attempted to profess his innocence, he appeared on national television during which time he made several inappropriate comments.

One of such comment was that he had “a little boy” for every day of the week.

However, after the television programme was aired, he was bashed on social media for the comment; one which he quickly defended, explaining that the term “little boys” was taken out of context.

Soon after, photos of Pearson and a young boy standing in a compromising position appeared on social media.

Pearson claimed the boy in the photo was his relative and that he was an adult. This again did not go down well with the public, since a few days later, the child in the photograph appeared on another television station claiming to be 15 years old.

A birth certificate was presented with proved that he was indeed underage. The CC&PA was called in to investigate and the Agency would have wrapped up its probe, handing over the file to the Police in order for them to launch a criminal investigation.

Millions go up in flames...

from page 8

supplies to the victims while a plan is being set in motion to provide alternative living arrangements.

On Mashramani day, approximately 40 persons were rendered homeless when a fire ripped through their apartment complex at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara. An 82-year-old man was also burnt to death in the blaze.

Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana School of Etiquette, Anthony Nestor making a donation to victim Angela Erica Demonik

house was partly destroyed, related that all her children’s school supplies were destroyed in the fire.

She said Minister Broomes has reached out to her family and will be assisting in getting her three children to school amidst the confusion. The woman said she was stunned when she woke up to see her neighbour’s houses on fire.

“I wake up and when I come out on the verandah I see me neighbour house on fire and then the children hear and them run out here. Right now I am just looking to make sure that I can send them to school because we lose everything and I am a single parent so it is hard,” the woman related.

Outreach

Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana School of Etiquette, Anthony Nestor said the organisation has reached out to Minister Broomes and has volunteered one of its houses for the family to occupy until they are able to rebuild. He also presented Demonik with school supplies for her children ages 17, 14 and 10 so that they can attend school as per normal.

The Social Protection Ministry is said to be assessing the situation and will be providing

“I’m so humiliated” …teen breaks silence on sexual assault at Ogle

T

he 17-year-old girl who was reportedly sexually assaulted during a strip search by a female Police Officer at the Eugene F Correia Airport on February 25, 2018 has finally broken her silence on the matter.

During a phone interview on Tuesday with Guyana Times International, the teenager, who is currently in Barbados, said even though she was assaulted by the rank, no official from the Government or the Guyana Police Force has contacted her or any family members to hear her side of the story or to conduct further investigations.

“Nobody contacted me so far, not even to say whether they are investigating the matter or anything, I’m so humiliated about this and I hope that no other teenager has to go through this kind of trauma.”

She noted that she was hoping that she got some form of justice for the incident that occurred on the morning of February 25 as she was about to depart Guyana for Barbados.

The teenager reiterated the ordeal she endured, saying her vacation was “troubled” as a result of the incident. She further told this newspaper that her family was awaiting legal advice on the way forward.

Meanwhile, the female officer at the centre of the alleged issue has since denied committing the act.

“A statement has been obtained from the female rank (implicated in the allegation), who has denied to have done

a cavity search of the passenger,” the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has since said.

The Force also confirmed that the rank was attached to its Narcotics Branch.

An investigation into the matter has since been launched by the GPF’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).

It was reported that the teen, who was on her way to visit relatives, was allegedly subjected to a “strip search” by officers at the airport, before being placed in a room where a female officer allegedly inserted her finger in the girl’s private parts. The law enforcement rank had reportedly asked the teen to “spread out and cough”.

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Head, Michael Atherly, had initially condemned the act, telling this publication on Sunday afternoon that the search done on the teenager had been improperly carried out. “…the officers had a right to take the person to the hospital and have a certified doctor carry out that search. The action that was taken was incorrect, and they had no right (to do what they had allegedly done),” Atherly had stated.

If the Policewoman is found culpable, she stands to be demoted, fined, or dismissed from the GPF. Last month, while addressing the Annual Police Officers Conference, President David Granger had stated that the practice of transferring and demoting rogue elements would not end rogue behaviour in the GPF.

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Need for oil and gas info to Trio remanded for stealing be shared across G$5.3M from businessman Guyana – lobby group T

From left: Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chambers (GOGEC) President Manniram Prashad and Canadian Executive Service Organisation (CESO) Consultant Cunyet Tirmandi

T

he need for information pertaining to the oil and gas industry was on Tuesday reinforced by the newly-established Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chambers (GOGEC), which met with a Canadian expert on oil and gas.

GOGEC President Manniram Prashad, during his brief remarks at the consultation, touched on the goal of the Chambers as it related to the country’s future as an oil- and gas-producing nation.

He noted that emphasis must be placed on the

importance of disseminating knowledge pertaining to the industry, as the sector will have an impact on Guyana as a whole.

The former Tourism Minister noted that ultimately, the standard of living of all Guyanese should be of outmost importance as the country neared a future which entailed the efficient and productive utilisation of oil and natural gas.

Meanwhile, Canadian Executive Service Organisation (CESO) Consultant Cunyet Tirmandi discussed extensively Guyana’s

emerging oil and gas industry and what the production of oil and natural gas would mean to the entire country.

Tirmandi, a TurkishCanadian and renowned classical musician of his time, addressed pressing issues pertaining to the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI); the cost recovery and royalties important to oil-producing nations, and what would be the advantages and disadvantages if Guyana were to construct its very own oil refinery.

Tirmandi acknowledged, as experience would have it, the trend identifiable with some oil- and gas-producing nations was that focus on the nation’s other sectors, such as manufacturing and agriculture, would dramatically subside, leaving those sectors to suffer neglect, while too much focus was placed on oil and gas and the ‘Dutch Disease’ erupts.

The CESO Consultant’s advice appeared to have resonated well with those in attendance – entrepreneurs, concerned citizens as well as executives from major organisations.

hree men who robbed a businessman of G$5 million, along with a quantity of ammunition, appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday and were all remanded to prison for the robbery.

The men: Alvin Solomon, 34, of Timehri,

49 rounds of ammunition, one computer bag and a cellphone – a total value of G$5.3 million on February 26, 2018 at Alexander Street, Georgetown.

Solomon was slapped with a second charge which stated that he had in his possession ammunition while not being li-

driver, was stopped by Police ranks who arrested him and took him into custody. His vehicle was driven to the Police Station by a Policeman and was searched without him being present.

However, Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore told the Court that some G$600,000 along

East Bank Demerara (EBD); Asif Khan, 54, of Lot 149 Bel West, West Bank Demerara (WBD) and Winston Raymond, 27, of Land of Canaan, EBD all denied the charge read to them by city Magistrate Judy Latchman.

The charge stated that the trio robbed Inshan Alli Bacchus of G$5 million, along with

censed for same.

The defendants were represented by Attorneys-at-Law Dexter Todd, Tiffany Jeffrey, and Adrian Thompson.

The lawyers made bail applications on the grounds that their clients were never placed in an identification parade.

According to Todd, Solomon, who is a taxi

with the stolen ammunition was discovered in Solomon’s car.

The items were reportedly stolen from Bacchus when the trio broke into his vehicle, which was parked on Alexander Street.

The defendants will return to court on March 19, 2018.

Man fined G$30,000 for stealing zinc sheets from GPSU Sports Complex

A

man who attempted to steal two galvanised zinc sheets from the roof of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Sports Complex building was on Monday fined after he admitted to the offence.

Thirty-year-old Andrew Arjune admitted that he did attempt to commit the act on February 28, 2018 at Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

The defendant told Magistrate Judy Latchman that the building was old and the zinc sheets fell from the roof to the ground.

According to Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore, the Secretary of the Union received a call informing him that some-

one was removing the galvanised sheets from the Sports Complex yard.

He informed the Police of same, and they went to the location and saw Arjune, who they arrested.

The defendant when questioned by Magistrate Latchman told her that he removed the sheets “to see if anybody want buy it”.

The man, who was previously charged for stealing from his uncle, however, begged the Magistrate for mercy.

He was fined G$30,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in him serving two weeks’ imprisonment.

Former teacher remanded...

from page 5

Leron Daly.

The court heard that between December 2010 and May 2011, at Durban Street, Lodge, Georgetown Jackson engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 and abused his position of trust.

He was remanded to prison and is expected to reappear on March 15, 2018.

After three months

of being implicated in a sex scandal which alleged that he had been sexually involved with students while being a teacher attached to the Bishops’ High School, the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended that Jackson be charged with “sexual activity with a child by abusing the position of trust”.

Last year, news of the alleged sexual misconduct of Jackson was publicised on social media.

Jackson however, vehemently denied the accusations on numerous occasions but did admit to having sexual relations with two former students who are now both in their early 20s. (Ramona Luthi)

news 11

WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Police could soon be stripped of gun licensing power – Ramjattan

G

iven the recent controversy surrounding outgoing Police Chief Seelall Persaud issuing himself a gun licence, the Government is now actively reviewing the current regulations governing the issuance of these licences.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan told the media at a press conference on Monday that serious consideration was being given to the matter, but said certain steps would have to be followed first.

“We are giving that serious consideration as we speak. It has been a situational problematic that have caused of recent times.”

Ramjattan said, “I had really thought that there were regulations already made that it has to come to the Ministry (of Public Security)”, as he explained that he did not have a recent edition of the regulations.

Nevertheless, the Minister promised to check on it. He said if the conditions were set out there, he would seek the advice of Attorney General Basil Williams

on the matter. “…then we will have to go back to the Parliament,” he said, further explaining that most likely, whatever amendments that have to be made would be done to the regulations and not the Police Act. The authority to grant firearm licences and licences for gun

dealers falls under the remit of the Police Commissioner, who, upon receiving an application, forwards it to the relevant Policing Division for an investigation into the background and character of the applicant.

Based on the findings of the probe, the Commissioner makes a

recommendation to the Minister, who then forwards it to the Firearms Licensing Approval Board for review.

The Board will then make its own recommendations to the Minister, and based on that or his own deliberate judgement, the Minister grants the licence.

But Ramjattan had claimed that Persaud did not follow the procedures; hence, his reason for revoking the approval of a firearm dealer licence, which Persaud granted himself last month.

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

Reports revealed that the outgoing Top Cop three days earlier granted himself approval for two gun licences for a 9mm Pistol and a 12, 16 or 20-Gauge Pump Action Shotgun.

However, it was reported that the matter reached and engaged Cabinet’s attention and Persaud was since instructed by Vice President and Minister Ramjattan to revoke the dealership licence.

However, Persaud said there was nothing wrong with him applying to himself and then approving his own licence. In fact, he noted

that this was done before.

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

Persaud went on to point out that almost all past Commissioners of Police applied for and grant gun licences to themselves.

“If you look historically over the past 25 years, all the past Commissioners, maybe with the exception of one, granted themselves firearm licences. So it’s not anything new, but you know we live in a society today where one set of circumstances is good for one person, but not good for the other,” he posited.

Nonetheless, Persaud said he would not be challenging the decision to revoke his licence, as he has since become discouraged with the idea of opening his own firearms dealership.

(Samuel Sukhnandan)

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Stores ordered to pay over G$3B in outstanding Corporation Tax …after CCJ rules in favour of GRA

T

he Guyana Stores Limited (GSL) has lost its appeal in a matter involving the payment of corporation tax to the Guyana Revenue Authority, which it had taken before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to determine whether a two percent minimum corporation tax was unconstitutional and amounted to the taking

Tony Yassin

away of private property.

On Monday, the CCJ dismissed the GSL appeal and awarded cost to the GRA as respondents.

The matter arose in 2012 when the GSL refused to pay more than G$3 billion in corporation tax after a notice of demand was sent to the company. The GSL had moved to the local courts, but both the High Court and the Court of Appeal had ruled against GSL, and ordered that it pay the G$3,807,346,397 in corporation taxes.

The GSL then moved to the CCJ. However, on Monday, the CCJ ruled that the two percent corporation tax was not a forced loan, but the tax was constitutional.

The CCJ stated that the Income Tax Act provides a specialized procedure for challenging assessments, and the GSL should have used that procedure.

The CCJ also held that the 2% minimum corporation tax was not a loan, because the

Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall

State does not repay the taxpayer, nor does the taxpayer have any right to repayment or redemption, which were crucial elements of any loan.

Under section 10A of the Income Tax Act, the taxpayer simply gets a credit if, and when, the stated conditions are met, and the taxpayer may then apply that credit in reduction of a tax liability, but the taxpayer is never entitled

to repayment. The Court also held in its summary that the provisions of the Corporation Tax Act were clear and unambiguous, so that Parliament must be taken to have considered the implication of taxing turnover as distinct from taxing profit, and felt satisfied there was no need to exclude loss years or safeguard the taxpaying company’s capital. The GRA was repre-

sented by Atorneys-at-Law Ronald Burch-Smith and Mark Waldron. Guyana Stores Limited is owned primarily by Tony Yassin and Glenn Lall, publisher of the Kaieteur News.

Meanwhile, Guyana Stores Limited still owes the Government hundreds of millions of dollars for the purchased of the building on Water Street, Georgetown.

Forestry 50 schools participate in biennial STEAM fair Commission hoping for more market T access in 2018

By Jemima Holmes

T

he Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) is hoping to strengthen its markets during the course of this year, and has already commenced discussions to regain access to the United Kingdom (UK) for the marketing of Greenheart and other products.

According to the GFC, there had, in 2017, been positive developments in this area, as a number of local exporters have been able to export Greenheart to the UK. Also, the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) between the European Union (EU) Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT), which should be finalised by June of this year, will create greater access and more lucrative market opportunities for local forest products to the European Union (EU) and other markets.

According to the Forest Commission, this nation’s forests offer a wide range of goods and services, in addition to timber. The commission plans to further explore this potential to develop these alternatives.

It said the bilateral partnership between Guyana and Norway provides a platform for exploring similar opportunities. Under that partnership, an estimated US$30 million to US$40 million have been earned annually.

This, it said, indicates the level of opportunity that may be available from environmental services and non-timber production.

Moreover, the GFC has said it saw total log exports of US$14.6 million in 2017, compared to US$16.5 million in 2016. The highest revenue earner for the year was sawn lumber, which recorded US $16.5 million.

Products which saw increases in 2017 are: split wood, increasing from US$1.9 million in 2016 to US $3.6 million in 2017; and plywood, which increased from US$1.3 million in 2016 to US$1.4 million in 2017.

The Forestry Commission said the sector faced several challenges in 2017, among them being the lower overall global demand, lower prices for tropical timber products, and a general contracting of international markets.

he Diamond Secondary School was a hive of activity on Monday as the Region Four leg of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) fair commenced.

This biennial event allows for students to create and showcase projects in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), but the fair was this year extended to include the Arts category.

Hundreds of students, hailing from as far as Mahaica on the East Coast of Demerara and Soesdyke on the East Bank of Demerara, attended the event accompanied by teachers, parents and well-wishers. In excess of 50 schools presented projects at the competition in hopes of coming out ‘on top’.

The opening ceremony saw a number of speakers who all touched on the importance of STEAM to the students’ education and Guyana’s development. Presenting the feature address was University of Guyana Lecturer Dr Elroy Charles, who explicitly spoke on the importance of STEAM to Guyana’s Green and Sustainable Development Plan. He highlighted areas such as renewable energy, biotechnology, ecology and biodiversity, noting that they can all contribute to Guyana’s Green and economic development.

In speaking on the need for energy, Dr Charles stated that our endeavours must benefit hinterland regions as well as coastal areas. “We need to develop renewable energy resources and ensure that people living in far-flung areas of hinterland regions can enjoy the benefits of energy,” he said.

The UG lecturer encouraged students to continue asking questions even though they may sometimes seem small and annoying. He said, “It is that form of inquisitiveness that as students you must have as

Mahaica Primary’s “Mango Fusion” project

you seek to pave the way to a green and sustainable society.”

The STEAM fair was declared open by Regional Education Chairperson (Region Four) Genevieve Allen.

The compound of the Diamond Secondary School was given a splash of colour as students from more than 50 nursery, primary and secondary schools arranged and presented a total of some 122 entries. The enthusiastic students were eager to present their school’s project to anyone who would lend a listening ear.

Kacy Persaud and Sonita Mentore of Helena Primary School explained that their project focused on recycling matter that would often be left as litter. The young ladies showed how the waste materials could be transformed into craft and useable objects.

On the other hand, a little lady from Mahaica Primary showcased a colourful costume and display on the different uses of mangoes, titled ‘mango fusion’.

In the secondary department, a series of eloquent presentations were made by Annandale Secondary, Soesdyke Secondary and Diamond Secondary. The secondary projects tended to delve deeper into areas such as soil enhancement, fossil fuels, sustainable development, and ro-

botics. Jaleel Thomas of Annandale Secondary explained how he and his colleagues arrived at their project.

“On the East Coast of Demerara, there has been an increase in mechanic shops and the canals are clogged with water hyacinths. We are using the water hyacinths to extract all the heavy metals from the water,” he stated.

Students in the lower secondary category are competing in Home Economics, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, Social and Behavioural Change, and Mathematics. In the upper secondary category, students are matching skills in Environmental Science, Integrated Science, Agricultural Science, Visual Arts, Home Economics, Mathematics, Industrial Technology, Information Technology, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. And in the nursery category, students are competing in Craft and Environmental Science, and Science and Mathematics. In the primary category, they are competing in Mathematics, Craft and Visual Arts, Environmental Science and Science.

Diamond Secondary have ventured to defend their 2016 title with the entry of 11 whopping projects.

Each category has a trophy prize attached to it.

news 13

WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

ExxonMobil brushes aside suggestions to review oil contract A

l t h o u g h Government has already rejected suggestions to renegotiate the oil contract with ExxonMobil, the company itself has not been keen on taking any such steps either.

This was echoed at an oil and gas seminar on Tuesday where ExxonMobil’s Public and Government Affairs Advisor, Kimberly Brasington reiterated the company’s respect for the sanctity of every contract.

Brasington was responding to a question posed to her when she downplayed the possibility of the revised 2016 agreement be renegotiated but suggested very strongly against it.

“While I am not going to say ‘no’ or ‘yes’ – never say never – I am going to say that we believe firmly in the principle that there is real value in the sanctity of a contract and there are a lot of eyes on Guyana right now watching to see how this plays out; if this is a stable environment in which to do business,” she said.

She said the sancti-

ty has to be respected and it must be done especially in the context of a country that is new to the industry.

According to her, investors are paying keen attention to the business climate in Guyana, hinting that the push for a renewal of any contract could be negative and may affect prospects for business opportunities.

She said, “I am not opposed to the calls for renegotiation, I am not opposed to people standing up for what they believe in but right now ExxonMobil has a contract with this Government and we intend to stick to it; we are going to hold up our side of that. We are going to do everything under it.”

Only recently, Government made it clear that it will not renegotiate the terms of the petroleum contract. Minister of State Joseph Harmon said, “The President has said that we have dealt with the ExxonMobil contract; we are not going back on it. It was dealt with at Cabinet and the President has pro-

ExxonMobil’s Public and Government Affairs Advisor, Kimberly Brasington

nounced on the matter and that is the final pronouncement as far as we are concerned.”

However, there has been heavy criticism of the contract, even from the President’s own petroleum advisor that the two per cent royalty and the tax regime does not meet global standards.

But the Opposition has said it is willing to support any motion made by the coalition Government in the National Assembly to have the oil contract renegotiated with

ExxonMobil, once it is done from a bipartisan position and will benefit the Guyanese people.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who has repeatedly criticised Government for renegotiating a bad oil deal, said it would support changes to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil because he believes Guyana deserved a better deal especially given the continuous enormous oil finds.

Jagdeo hinted that

while the Opposition would support the move, it would not initiate it, since it could then be misconstrued that his party wanted to undermine investment in the country. “I don’t want to say ‘we’ because next thing you are going to hear is that ‘we are killing … [investments]’,” he said.

The Opposition Leader said the contract in its current form could harm Guyana in the long run based on changes in four clauses which benefit the oil company more than the

country. The four clauses concerned, he posited are the extension of the agreement, the stability clause surrounding taxes, the changes to the relinquishment requirement and the regulation of the gas sector.

A l t h o u g h Government had managed to get two per cent royalty on gross earnings and 50 per cent of the profits of the oil proceeds when production starts in 2020, this has been heavily criticised. Many political, financial and social commentators claimed that the percentages were too low.

Research conducted by the Oil and Gas Governance Network, a group of financial analysts, accountants and economists, reveals that Guyana has sold its oil at US$29 billion below market value.

The group was started in 2017 with the aim of informing the public about oil matters in Guyana and advocating for transparency and accountability in the emerging oil and gas sector.

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Constitutional challenge case set for March 12

T

he Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is set to hear the Guyana Government’s appeal of the constitutional challenge to presidential term limits. According to information posted on the CCJ’s website, a hearing on the matter is scheduled to begin at 10:00h on March 12, and will be done via audio-visual recording.

Former Speaker

Raphael Trotman and Attorney General Basil Williams were the named respondents in the original constitutional challenge, which was filed

by Georgetown resident Cedrick Richardson in the High Court. This court action, among other things, challenged the constitutionally of the National Assembly -san c tioned two-term limits on the Presidency.

Guyana’s Court of Appeal ruled in February 2017 that the constitutional amendments

by Parliament to limit the amount of times a person can serve as President were unconstitutional. During that February decision, then acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, was supported by Justice of Appeal B.S. Roy in upholding then acting

Chief Justice Ian Chang’s decision that the amendments were unconstitutional.

The decision which the Appellate Justice upheld signalled that an amendment to the Constitution on presidential term limits, which was enacted when the National Assembly altered Article 90 via a two-thirds vote in 2000, needs a referendum to make a final decision.

This enactment was recommended by an across-the-board Constitutional Reform Committee of 2000/2001.

This Committee included both Government and Opposition input, and the reform received bipartisan support.

Many observers contend that if the CCJ rules in favour of former CJ Chang’s original ruling, it would allow for former Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo to run on the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C’s) ticket at presidential candi-

date for the 2020 elections.

Despite this scenario, the party is seemingly undecided on who will be their presidential candidate for next elections Jagdeo, who now serves as Opposition Leader, had in fact told the press that he is more interested in building his party’s base than being bothered by an ongoing court matter. Jagdeo declared: “When the right time comes, we will decide on a presidential candidate.”

His comments followed speculation over his future, he having formerly served as President from 1999 to 2011, and having re-entered the field of active politics.

Jagdeo has stressed that he is mostly concerned about ensuring that his party is victorious at the nation’s next polls.

“I made it clear that the PPP is not decided on a presidential candidate for 2020.

I’m General Secretary

of the party, I took over in January last year after the congress, and my job as General Secretary is to work hard to transform the party, to widen its base, and prepare it to win the elections regardless of what position I serve in,” he noted.

Attorney General Basil Williams had appealed the Appeal Court’s landmark ruling in February 2017 that declared that sovereignty resides in the people and not in the Parliament; and as such, certain fundamental clauses in the Constitution that serve to define its substantive nature can be altered only by a referendum of the people. AG Basil Williams and colleague Raphael Trotman challenged the ruling in the CCJ. The decision to refer the matter to the CCJ was presided over by acting Chancellor Yonette CummingsEdwards, Appellate Judge Dawn Gregory and then High Court Judge Rishi Persaud.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Mother, child poisoning

Husband claims wife had threatened to kill self, baby before T he husband of the woman, who is reported to have ingested poison and then fed some to her year-old child, is denying that the couple had had a misunderstanding prior to the incident. However, the girl’s mother is accusing

the husband; the baby’s father, of being responsible for the incident.

Reports are that on Saturday morning, 19-year-old Roshanie Ramlakhan of Number 58 Village, Corentyne was picked up in a semi-conscious state

next to a bus shed at Number 61 Village, with her infant child standing next to her.

She claimed she had ingested a poisonous substance, and had given some to her baby to drink.

Reports are that the

woman and her 23-yearold husband had had an argument earlier in the day, and she had left the house and had taken the child with her.

Roshanie’s mother, Kaowala Thakurdyal, told this publication that her daughter confirmed

that she had ingested poison, but has refused to give a reason for so doing. Thakurdyal said relatives told her that the couple had had an argument earlier in the day.

Roshanie’s 23-yearold husband, Dinish Singh, has however denied those allegations.

“We never had no argu-

“Yesterday, (Sunday) he start cuss up abe!

He run me husband fuh hit am! He say how awe dis make she don’t wan live with he. Is not awe; steady dem does get problem and she does come by awe!”

Thakurdyal declared.

She also said that since the couple got married eigh-

ment at the said time! It was the day before we had a lil argument, but everything was alright. The next day me and she talk and gaff.

The night when I go home, everything was good,” he explained.

His mother-in-law has said that this was not the case, and has claimed that the carpenter reached home from work at about 02:00h on Saturday.

teen months ago, they have been experiencing marital problems.

However, Singh is saying that during the latter half of last year, his wife had threatened to take her own life and that of the infant’s.

While the reason for the woman’s actions cannot be confirmed, doctors have said that both mother and child are considered to be in stable condition.

news 17

WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese paying too much for energy – US expert

By Jarryl Bryan

E

xperts are projecting that with the advent of the oil and gas sector, Guyana may face a situation where there is a high demand for energy and as a consequence, oil prices will rise. At the same time, they have expressed concern over the higher than usual price being paid by consumers.

This observation was made by a representative of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Carol Litwin.

Litwin was speaking at a workshop held at the Pegasus Hotel where energy experts were able to provide an analysis based on Guyana’s energy sector.

Litwin also noted that the price commercial and business class consumers pay for power is an abnormal one, considering the unreliable supply of energy.

“I see a sector dependent on heavy fuel oil or diesel,” she related. “I see a sector that is not always able to provide quality of supply. You have been growing at about five per cent, but that’s going to change.

With oil and gas, it is quite likely that your demand is going to double over the next five to eight years.”

“At the same time, as the quality of supply is not always there for customers, the prices are extremely high. They can be as a much as 30 to 33

US cents for commercial and industrial consumers. This is considered as one of the higher end countries.”

She acknowledged the steps Government has taken so far. However, Litwin observed that more remains to be done, like incentivising businesses.

“I see that the Government has put in place some good policies. I see the import taxes are exempt. But there is more the Government can do, more incentives, given that the prices in Guyana are so high.”

The Global Green Growth Institute’s mandate is one of helping developing countries with their energy sectors. It has 28 members, op-

Attendees at the workshop which was held at the Pegasus Hotel

erates in 26 countries and uses three-tiered development plans – Green Growth Planning and Implementation (GGP&I), Investment and Policy Solutions (IPSD) and Thought Leadership.

In Guyana, the Guyana Power and Light’s Demerara (GPL) interconnected system is fed with power by the Power Producers and Distributors Inc. PPDI replaced Wärtsilä, a company from Finland which for two decades maintained over a dozen engines for the utility company. The company has consistently reported being able to cut costs.

Renewables

During his address on Tuesday to the workshop, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson noted that Government is sticking to its plans to keep medium and mini hydro energy systems at the forefront of plans for renewables. “Currently, we are looking to develop two medium-scale hydro plants for the national grid… while also focusing on developing mini hydro plants in the hinterland region, so there is an effort in delivering energy to rural resi-

Carol Litwin, a representative of the Global Green Growth Institute

dents.”

Additionally, Patterson continued.

“We’ll be commissioning various scales solar plants in the hinterland, commencing this year. Feasibility studies are ongoing for the wind farm and we will continue to examine opportunities for bagasse (sugar cane derivative) fuel generation.”

Since ExxonMobil’s initial oil find in the Stabroek Block in 2015 and its subsequent discoveries, there has been much discussion about the ultimate benefits for Guyanese. But once the contract between the Government and Exxon was released last year, there was much criticism over its terms.

Besides the sweeping tax waivers, the Private Sector Commission has pointed out that there is nothing within the contract which paves the way for the business sector and the general populace to pay less for electricity and fuel.

In the Finance Ministry’s 2017 mid-year report, it was detailed that GPL’s expenditure increased from G$9.3 billion in the first half of 2016 to G$12.6 billion in the same period this year. Interestingly enough, this increase in expenditure was noted to be due to higher costs for heavy fuel oil, reinforcing the need for clean and renewable energy if the Government hopes to cut costs.

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Guyana Govt favours direct engagement, selective bidding to allocate remaining oil blocks Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

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espite the parliamentary Opposition urging Government to auction Guyana’s remaining oil blocks, Government has intimated that a process of both direct engagement and selective bidding would be used to allocate the blocks.

When contacted, Natural Resources

Minister Raphael Trotman directed Guyana Times International to a statement carried in sections of the media. In the statement, he expressed that direct engagements with other Stateowned companies such as Brazil’s Petrobras would be sought.

“As for the manner of disposal, we will be seeking direct engagements with some Stateowned companies such as Petrobras and may favour

this method, as experts recommend against using it. Guyana should no longer be awarding petroleum acreage via one-onone negotiations after the Liza discovery in 2015,” Dr Mangal had said.

“After the Liza discovery in 2015, Guyana was in a position to use the method of competitive bidding for the award of leases…The Liza discovery de-risked Guyana, and as a consequence, all the major oil companies recognise that there is oil in the country.

Hence, all the oil companies will be interested in bidding for leases in a transparent way, which ensures that Guyana incorporates market forces to maximise its share,” Dr Mangal had said.

Dr Mangal used the opportunity to reiterate that, “the petroleum advisor’s position has consistently maintained that competitive bidding is in-

Petroleum advisor, Dr Jan Mangal

a select bidding process in order to attract other international majors,” Trotman stated.

At his press conference last week, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had urged the Government to take its own petroleum advisor’s advice, which was to auction off the remaining oil blocks.

“You don’t need to bring anyone in to tell you what your advisor already said, ‘Auction the blocks’.

That is the best way that the Government gets value,” Jagdeo had stressed to the media.

The issue of the oil blocks is a thorny one. Last year, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson caught flak when he claimed that all of the offshore petroleum blocks had been farmed out by Jagdeo, a former President.

Petroleum advisor, Dr Jan Mangal, had come out publicly to urge the auctioning of the available petroleum blocks.

“There is a very serious risk of corruption with this method, due to the lack of transparency and accountability…

Most countries have abandoned

deed the best approach for Guyana”.

He had also called the public’s attention to a direct correspondence from May 2017 with one such oil company attempting to acquire acreage via oneon-one negotiation.

According to Dr Mangal, that company was advised by him that: “Now that Guyana is on the radar post-Liza, it is my personal view that all future acreage should be leased in a way which maximises benefit to Guyana; hence, in a market-orientated way by an open bid round, to ensure competition. And acreage should not be negotiated one-on-one between the Government and a prospective developer.”

According to Dr Mangal, the risk of Government’s friends and family illegally obtaining leases will be significantly reduced if an independently managed and well-audited competitive bidding process is used.

“There is no rush to award more leases, since Guyana is already occupied with the developments in the Stabroek Block,” Dr Mangal had said.

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Prisoner escapes through Integrity of hole at Suddie lockups digitisation process

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Police are hunting fugitive and accused thief Leon Price

wenty-four-yearold Leon Price, of Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo

Coast, is on the run following an early-morning escape from the Suddie Police Station on

Wednesday.

The remand prisoner, who was on the run for three years before being nabbed in 2017, was set to make an appearance at Suddie Magistrate’s Court in connection with simple larceny and some three other offences.

However, Price evaded his court hearing and slipped through security at the Police Station in dramatic fashion. A credible source confirmed that he made his way through a hole dug at the holding facility. Police said that an investigation has been launched to determine just how the remand prisoner escaped lawful custody.

Investigators are working with a timeframe of 04:00h and 05:15h on Wednesday.

It was in September last year that Price was charged with setting fire to the home of Daniel Stoll at Onderneeming Sand Pit.

Training commences for supervisors, managers in the public service

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Supervisors and managers from the 10 Administrative Regions during the opening session on Monday

he Department of Public Service, on Monday, commenced its first training programme for 2018 with a batch of 60 participants, drawn from Ministries and Government agencies from across the ten Administrative Regions. The name of the five-day programme, which is being conducted at the Department’s Vlissengen Road and Durban Street office, is Principles of Supervisory Management –Module One. According to the Ministry of the Presidency, Manager for Training and Development at the Department, Ms. Cornelly Walcott explained that this programme targets supervisors and managers. It aims at strengthening capacity in areas such as leadership, management and communication.

“We are hoping that at the end of the programme, the participants would be able to get a better understanding of concepts such as management, leadership, how to communicate and how to work as a team,” she said.

The Department conducts a total of about 14-16 programmes per year; these include fixed modular pro-

grammes as well as new programmes that are designed based on a needs assessment of the public service such as human resources management and customer care.

The training division at the Vlissengen Road and Durban Street office caters for persons that are already in the public service, while the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service (BCCPS), which is located at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, caters for new entries into the public service.

In keeping with his vision for a professional and unbribable public service, President David Granger has established a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to examine, advise and report on the salaries, conditions of services, training, and other matters pertaining to the improvement of the efficiency of the performance of the public service and the well-being of public servants in the public sector. The report that emanated out of that inquiry has since been submitted to the Administration and its recommendations are being implemented in various stages to aid this vision, the MotP reported .

at GRO vital

…Jagdeo calls for audit

I

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

n light of recent developments in Region One (Barima-Waini), Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is calling for an audit to be done on the digitisation of records at the General Registrar’s Office (GRO).

Jagdeo’s comments came in light of recent pronouncements made by Citizenship Minister Winston Felix, who claimed that the process is transparent and one that does not include partisanship.

However, the Opposition Leader feels that there might be attempts to fiddle with the registration process at the GRO using the digitization of records as the cover for “fictitious names being registered, which could then be used, (seeing) that it is registered with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).”

Jagdeo said he would also urge GECOM to pay careful attention to the issue, because the integrity of that entity’s data base would depend heavily on the source documents being issued by the GRO. “But (it is) not just GECOM that has to worry, but all the foreign embassies and everyone else; because if people have fake Guyanese documents and some of them are not Guyanese, they pass through here and just get the fake documents for the purpose of registration, they can eventually secure passports and a whole range of oth-

er documents,” Jagdeo opined.

The Opposition Leader is asserting that the integrity of the disgitisation process is vital.

“We in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) are paying careful attention to this, given what has happened historically — that the heavy padding of the voters list with fictitious names was a norm under previous Government sometime back in our history,” Jagdeo recalled.

He also reminded that the Opposition is still concerned with the Government’s closeness with groups of people, including Haitians who pass through Guyana. He said that from reports that he has received, these foreign nationals are mainly chaperoned through Guyana

by Government officials.

“It’s normal for people to transit your country, but they don’t have ministry officials meeting them when they are transiting. They just come in, they get stamp in at immigration and (then) they go out,” he added.

Jagdeo said encounters with Government officials and Haitians transiting Guyana’s main port of entry are something that does not look too convincing, and there might be something happening.

Region One Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, has only recently raised concerns about the active par-

ticipation and involvement of Government Member of Parliament (MP) Richard Allen in the affairs and functions of several State agencies and elected bodies in the Region.

Ashley complained about MP Allen’s active involvement with the GRO visiting team issuing birth certificates in the Region, and had noted that the MP was not employed at any of those agencies.

While Ashley has said he commends the work of the GRO in reaching out to Region One with the objective of ensuring the people of the Region are registered, he has questioned the transparency and equality of treatment due to MP Allen’s apparently being “embedding” in the team’s day-to-day operations and process regarding the issuance of birth registration.

Ashley went on to disclose that he has even received reports of Allen personally distributing birth certificates in bulk to people in various communities.

With Local Government Elections due this year, birth registration documents are critical for the registration of voters, and in the past, the toshaos and other community leaders had been the ones who worked with the GRO team, since they were knowledgeable about the eligibility of residents in their communities.

However, the Regional Chairman pointed out that the fact that “Allen (is) accompanying and directing the GRO team as to who needs birth certificates and subsequent distribution of birth certificates is highly questionable and suspect”.

In addition to the MP’s access to such personal and sensitive documents, Ashley went on to highlight that Allen has been distributing pension books, despite the Social Protection Ministry’s objection to anyone other than staff members doing so.

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‘I advised my son to stay out of trouble’

– father of dead Berbice bandit

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he father of one of the two bandits fatally shot by Police in Berbice last Friday morning said he warned his son about his criminal lifestyle and advised him to desist from wrongdoing.

Mansaran Sham told Guyana Times International that he warned his son on several occasions, recalling the last time he saw his son was three months ago.

During their last meeting, he advised his son to stay out of trouble.

“Normally me and he does gaff and ah does tell him, ‘don’t do wrong things,’ and he tell me he would stop,” the dead man’s father said on Saturday.

Asked what he meant by “wrong things”, the father said stealing.

Prompt response and diligent investigative work by ranks of the Guyana Police Force stationed in Berbice resulted in the death of two bandits, the apprehension of two of four other

Dead: Indarjit Sham, also called “Danny”

suspects and the recovery of all of the stolen property. The robbery took place in the Canje River.

The two dead men have been identified as Indarjit Sham, also called “Danny”, 37, of Betsy Ground Village, East Canje; and Amar Bissoon, also called “Punk”, 21, of Adelphi Settlement, East Canje.

According to the Police, at 05:00h on Friday, six male sus-

Dead: Amar Bissoon, also called “Punk”

pects, two of whom were armed with guns, went to a ranch house at Potoko Creek, Berbice River and held three male labourers at gunpoint. The bandits stole 23 sheep, 15 ducks, a solar panel, a radio, a quantity of rope, and other valuables. The items were all loaded onto a waiting boat.

Police were able to intercept a boat in the Berbice River with the two suspects who are in custody, and based

Deputy Commander Superintendent Wayne Dehart

on further information, they proceeded to a location where the robbery allegedly occurred and found all of the animals with their legs bound and the other stolen property loaded inside a camouflaged aluminium boat. Soon after the lawmen were confronted by two of the bandits. They were both shot dead.

The Police have reported that two other suspects escaped and disappeared into the

bushes.

“He get lock up plenty times but he does always come out because he never get red-handed catch, so I never know what going on,” the father said on Saturday. He said his son was previously employed as a cane harvester with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Also speaking with this publication, the dead man’s eldest child said her father left home

on Thursday at about 05:00h saying he was going fishing.

She said there was no reason for her father to be involved in questionable activity since he was employed with GuySuCo and her mother worked.

According to the 17-yearold, “is five of us living here and four of us working,” she said.

“When he aint working he does plant garden at home. Sometimes he and me uncle does go and catch fish, they does leave in the morning and come back before afternoon.”

The dead man’s brother told this publication that “I does advise him because people does accuse him of doing wrong things and they never see him, but they just accuse him… I still can’t believe that my brother doing that what happen there.”

The younger sibling said he has no knowledge of the others who were with his brother at the time of the robbery.

(Andrew Carmichael)

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Ram roasts APNU/AFC for not having proper plan in place for emerging oil sector

By Samuel Sukhnandan

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he Government of Guyana has failed, to date, to put a very serious, robust, and well thought-out plan in place that would govern the country’s emerging petroleum sector in light of the newly-found oil and gas resources. This is according to Attorneyat-Law and Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram who believes his position is justified because the Government has not been able to state what exactly it hopes to do to ensure that this sector is efficiently managed and how the resources it will gain could be utilised.

Ram said that this level of unpreparedness could lead to multiple issues that could result in damage.

“There are so many things that need to get

done but which one? The Government is not addressing anything. It seems as though the approach by Mr (David) Granger is once he feels he is doing something, that’s enough. Well doing something is not enough. You have to do the right thing… Where is that plan? If there is one. There is none,” the prominent accountant was quoted by Guyana Times on Sunday saying.

He argued that the policy direction Government has taken with regard to this industry seemed to be dictated by the oil companies and they decided on the depreciation rates.

To add to that, Ram pointed to the recent development where the Japanese Government has developed an ‘oil and gas master plan’ for Guyana that was sub-

Christopher Ram

mitted by Mitsubishi Corporation and Chiyoda Corporation.

“I think the Government lacks any policy on the petroleum sector and nothing makes that more obvious than the fact that

the Japanese will come in and give us some master plan. That’s an insult to our sovereignty and independence,” he said, objecting fiercely to this proposal.

Asked whether he believes Guyana has the

skillset here to do the studies, Ram told this newspaper, “I don’t think we should judge the entire population by the Government. Just like how we wouldn’t judge the entire American people by Donald Trump.

We shouldn’t make the mistake… but there are people who are calling for sane policies for the petroleum sector.”

He continued, “Our problem lies not with our people, but with our politicians and they are the ones who have to formulate policies and for them to contract out policy making is an insult to the entire country, doesn’t make any sense…. They need to realise that there are competent people to do the work.”

The Attorney also offered his opinion on the recent decision taken by Government to have a

Department of Energy placed under the ambit of the Ministry of the Presidency, and removed from the Natural Resources Ministry.

“I think it’s just a measure of the chaos and confusion that surrounds this Government’s whole understanding and approach to the petroleum sector,” he said.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), Government is now reviewing the ‘oil and gas master plan’. The plan has as key objectives the development of Guyana’s domestic oil industry, the creation of a balance in the domestic usage and exportation of products from indigenous oil and gas, and the harmonisation of the industry in keeping with Guyana’s ‘green’ development agenda.

Manganese plant

500 jobs to be provided when construction begins GMI purchased four prospecting licences that cover an area of 45,729 acres, exploration results, mineral agreement, certain properties and infrastructure from RMI of Canada

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman examines the manganese mineral with Bosai’s Overseas Department Assistant General Manager, Steven Ma and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun (far right)

G

uyana Manganese Incorporated (GMI) has committed to employing a predominantly local workforce as it prepares to begin construction in July.

This announcement was made on Monday when Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun visited the Matthews Ridge, Region One (Barima-Waini) mine site to conduct an assessment of the progress that has been made since GMI purchased the area from Reunion Manganese Inc (RMI) of Canada.

GMI, a Bosai Mineral Group company, is currently on track to develop the mines, plant and factories to begin extracting the mineral by early 2019. Steven Ma, Assistant General Manager of Bosai’s Overseas Department, briefed Minister Trotman and his team.

Ma noted that construction was set to begin in July and some 550 locals

from the Region and across Guyana would be employed during this phase as well as the production phase.

Currently, GMI is employing 20 locals in the engineering design and survey phase.

GMI is investing US$100 million in the first phase of development.

During the construction phase, the ore processing plant, washing plant, warehouses and factory will be established. The company is currently procuring equipment, Ma explained.

He pointed out that the company was facing logistics challenges in terms of moving the ore from the plant to market. While road and port facilities were identified, GMI, Ma said, is currently mapping and surveying these to design the best solution going forward.

Minister Trotman noted that the Government was committed to doing work on the road, but would do so in collaboration with the company, particularly as it relates to maintenance.

He also committed to dis-

cussing the sharing of facilities with bauxite company Rusal, as GMI resolved the logistics challenge.

The Minister stressed the importance of mining in Region One to GMI. “We’d like to see a resurgence in this region and so Government is very keen on getting it started,” he is quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying.

Minister Trotman also charged the company to honour its corporate social responsibility and singled out the community hospital for attention in this regard.

Chinese Ambassador Cui said he was proud of the example Bosai has set in Linden and charged GMI to have a similar integrated approach in Region One. “Through this project, try to push more to let the people benefit. I am concerned that we can create more jobs for the local community,” Ambassador Cui stated. He also encouraged the company to be a good corporate citizen.

in November 2016.

The total manganese resource in Matthews Ridge is some 26 million tonnes. Ma said to produce the manganese concentrate, the company will

have to mine some two million tonnes per year which will see the life of the operation lasting some 12-13 years, if there were no other resources added.

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Preparations being finalised for Exxon to commence drilling Liza-5 well

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sso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, is in the process of finalising preparations to commence drilling the Liza 5 well in the coming days.

ExxonMobil’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Kimberly Brasington said on Sunday that drilling will happen soon, as the operations at Pacora have been completed.

“Liza 5 is the fifth well to be drilled in the Liza field. We will use the data gathered from this well to help further plan and optimize the Liza Phase 2 development project,” she said.

Brassington reminded that the Liza Phase 1 development project would produce about half the oil in the Liza field. The proposed Liza Phase 2 development project would produce the other half.

“Ultimately, there will be two FPSOs floating offshore, producing oil from the Liza Field. There will likely be a third FPSO floating offshore which will produce the oil found in both Payara and Pacora.”

EEPGL said drilling operation is scheduled for a three-month period at the Liza-5 Well site within the Stabroek block. The drill site is approximately 108.2 miles from the coast of Guyana.

Five vessels: Stena Carron, M/V Cat Island, M/V Hannah Chouest, HOS Commander, and M/V Fast Titan will be used in the operation.

On February 28, ExxonMobil announced its seventh oil discovery offshore Guyana, following drilling at the Pacora-1 exploration well.

ExxonMobil encountered ap-

proximately 65 feet (20 metres) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir. The well was safely drilled to a depth of 18,363 feet (5,597 metres) in 6,781 feet (2,067 metres) of water. Drilling commenced on Jan. 29, 2018.

“This latest discovery further increases our confidence in developing this key area of the Stabroek Block,” said Steve Greenlee, President of ExxonMobil Exploration Company.

“Pacora will be developed in conjunction with the giant Payara field; and along with other phases, will help bring Guyana’s production to more than 500,000 barrels per day.”

The Pacora-1 well is located approximately four miles west of the Payara-1 well, and follows previous discoveries on the Stabroek Block at Liza, Payara, Liza Deep, Snoek, Turbot and Ranger.

Following completion of the Pacora-1 well, the Stena Carron drillship will move to the Liza field to drill the Liza-5 well, and complete a well test which will be used to assess concepts for the Payara development.

ExxonMobil announced project sanctioning for the Liza phase one development in June 2017. Following Liza-5, the Stena Carron will conduct additional exploration and appraisal drilling on the block.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator, and holds 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

Govt moving to beef up security in border communities with Venezuela; more CPGs to be formed

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he Government of Guyana is putting systems in place to beef up security in communities that are located close to the border with neighbouring Venezuela by forming more Community Policing Groups (CPGs).

Based on reports of an increasing number of Venezuelan nationals crossing Guyana borders and given the potential threat Guyana faces due to major oil discovery, there are plans to have more heightened security in those areas.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said the first step to be taken is to assist law enforcement officials by forming new policing groups and in cases where there are, they will revamp them.

The Ministry is also considering the option of having outstanding citizens given precepts that would allow them to have some policing powers, especially since there are

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

limited police in far flung communities that border Venezuela.

President David Granger had instructed the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to brief the Parliamentary committee on security on the steps that are being taken to secure communities located along the 800 kilometre border with Venezuela as a result of the unstable situation in that country, as well as the ongoing border con-

troversy.

The Head of State also indicted that he expects that even as Government continues to work at the central and regional levels to ensure security in the border regions that civil society will be fully briefed.

The Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy was recently referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by the United Nations.

First Math Olympiad sees robust competition S tudents from Grades Six and Nine, from several schools in Region Four on Sunday afternoon, tested their knowledge of Mathematics as they competed in the inaugural Math Olympiad created by the Brain Central (BC), an online educational portal.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the two-day (February 3-4) collaborative initiative between BC and Scotiabank saw 45 students, going online and simultaneously take two (2) timed quizzes, consisting of 40 questions set to be completed within 50 minutes.

Lance Hinds, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), BC, was quoted by DPI as saying that the implementation of such an initiative aims to help the students prepare for their examinations.

Hinds noted that the participants answered the question in “exam-like conditions” on both days “and based on their results, they will receive prizes.”

The event held at the University of Guyana’s (UG) Information Communication Center, quickly dwindled down to six participants, as opposed to the anticipated five finalists. This was due to a tie for fourth place.

Winner of the Mathematics Olympiad, Haresh Rameshwar receiving his prizes from Brain Central CEO Lance Hinds

Haresh Rameshwar was adjudged the winner while Daniel Singh, Daniel Jacobs, Hanifa Ali were the runners-up.

They were all awarded tablets.

Responding to inquiries regarding those participants, who did not attend the second and final round of the examination, Hinds opined that, “these things happen, sometimes they may have felt little jitters, nervousness or they may not have liked taking live rounds.”

The CEO said following the conclusion of the competition his team will conduct a post-mortem and analyse each step taken during the event.

This review will also in-

clude the advertisement of the competition using Facebook. The CEO noted that based on the conclusion, decisions will be made on whether there is a need for any adjustments to be made going moving forward.

Jennifer Cipriani, Marketing Manager, Scotiabank, said that sponsoring the initiative is “a great fit” for her organisation, as it aims to become more technologically-ready in its services.

Additionally, Hinds said that his organisation also plans to launch an English language competition similar to the Math Olympiad.

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Man 55, to spend 30 years behind bars for raping child …Judge says children “should be respected and given toys and not be used as sex toys”

Found guilty; Collin Cummings will be elderly before he sees the outside world again

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ne week after he was found guilty of raping an eight-yearold girl on August 20, 2016, Collin Cummings was on Wednesday sentenced to 30 years imprisonment by Sexual Offences Court Judge, Simone Morris-Ramlall.

The offender, who is a former gold miner from Wismar, Linden, professed his innocence as he was being led away to the prisoners’ holding cell. This came moments after Justice Morris-Ramlall observed that the nation’s children must be left alone.

“All the time I have been saying that I am innocent, I don’t know what to say about this sentence,” Cummings told Guyana Times International.

He was unanimously found guilty of raping the young girl by a 12-member jury last week Wednesday after a few days of the trial. Before sentencing, his lawyer, Clyde Forde in his plea of mitigation stressed that Cummings left mining to take care of his ailing mother and that any long-term sentence would make an unpleasant stay for his client, stating that Cummings being fifty-five is a relatively old age.

However, the eight-year-old victim’s statement was read out in court

by Child Link Counselor Celeste

Mullin who detailed the victim saying that she is afraid of Cummings and that she should have never gone into his room to watch cartoons.

“I was afraid and uncomfortable with what [he] did to me. I was scared of him and my life has not been the same,” the young girl pointed out.

In a probation report read by Probation Officer Shaneila Wilson, Cummings was said to have hugged other females inappropriately. It was reported that the child’s hymen was absent when medical examination was conducted. As such, her parents wanted to see justice for her. Her mother claimed that her daughter would often draw sketches with teardrops with terms such as “ugly” and “stupid” which the parent said she would throw away.

Justice Morris-Ramlall in a detailed address stressed that the offender took away the girl’s innocence, adding that children are Guyana’s most valuable resource. The Judge noted that children who are victims of sexual abuse are scarred for life and that this prevents them from maximising their potential which in turn hinders the country’s development.

“They should be respected and given toys and not be used as sex toys for the fulfilment of depraved adults,” the Judge stressed.

In determining the sentence, she referenced the recent Child Care & Protection Agency (CCPA) statistics, whereby some 841 cases of child sexual abuse was recorded last year. She maintained that the court must play its part in sending a strong message to potential offenders.

Justice Morris-Ramlall stated that the offender showed no remorse to the verdict even though his attorney asked for mercy. The Judge considered his age, the circumstances of the case and that he used his finger to commit the act. Cummings will have to serve 25 years before he is eligible for parole.

By that time, he will be 80 years old.

The State was represented by Seeta Bishundial, Orinthia Schmidt and Narrisa Leander.

GDF to benefit from... training from which the GDF can derive significant benefit.

Ambassador Sierra Medel explained that in Mexico, the military has a comprehensive strategy consisting of six pillars to deal with natural disasters.

These include: search and rescue, evacuation of at-risk communities, interaction with the population during a crisis, protection of families and securing communities, and these are the areas in which the two GDF officers will be trained.

Expressing his appreciation to the Ambassador and the Mexican Government, President Granger said, “I see this as the start of a relationship that we will continue to build on and over time, we will be able to develop our own disaster response capabilities.”

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon;

from page 7

GDF Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West; acting Director General of the Civil Defence Commission, Colonel Kester Craig and several other senior officers of the Force were also present at the meeting.

Guyana and Mexico established formal diplomatic ties on March 1, 1973.

Since then, the two States have collaborated in a number of areas, particularly in the area of agriculture.

Last year, Guyana exported 113 tonnes of paddy to Mexico.

Additionally, eight Guyanese students received scholarships and are currently pursuing studies in various fields, including agriculture, water management, science (Master’s programme) and oil and gas. Mexico is also assisting Guyana with the resuscitation of its coconut industry.

Guyanese businesses must acquire expertise needed to be competitive in emerging oil sector …says Boyer

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lthough there have been concerns over whether local companies would be able to tap into the benefits of the emerging oil and gas industry in Guyana, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) has claimed that while there might not be much locally available technical capacity and expertise, there are avenues in which local companies could offer services to this new industry.

PSC Chairman Eddie Boyer said that local en-

said about the sector, and while there were certain pros and cons, within it all there were mammoth opportunities for Guyanese as a whole.

He, therefore, said that it was the duty of the PSC to ensure that members were aware of these opportunities. He said, “I do not believe that we are lacking in opportunities to capitalise in this emerging industry, nor do we need to start from scratch. There are many sources of expertise out there, and just as we invest to expand our busi-

nancially as individuals, Boyer said collectively and through joint ventures with local and international companies, everyone could benefit tremendously.

“We need to master the technologies, and understand that if we are going to succeed, we must open our vision and grasp at the numerous opportunities which are available…The Local Content Policy, which we have heard so much about, must be beneficial to both parties, the suppliers of goods and ser-

PSC Chairman Eddie Boyer

trepreneurs must understand that there was no substitute for what was required. As such, he said companies must develop the skill to understand what was required and adopt best practices to this new industry, if they were really going to benefit.

While Boyer acknowledged the fact that there might be competition from neighbouring Trinidad, which is an oil and gas producer, he said given the expertise and knowledge available to local businesses, everyone could and would enjoy the fruits of the new world that was about to open up.

“We need to learn about this industry as much as we can, in the little time that we have, to keep our engine of growth purring.

As a caution though, we should not invest blindly because of promises of prosperity but exercise due diligence and assess the investment risks,” he cautioned while addressing an oil and gas seminar held on Tuesday at Duke Lodge.

The PSC Head said a lot has already been

nesses, we need to become more informed on this industry, we have to get critical information so that we can make better business decisions.”

Further, Boyer stressed the need for entrepreneurial skills to be revised and addressed, because he said Guyana was too accustomed to doing business in a singular manner when an industry as large and as diverse as oil and gas would require a retooling of our energies.

“We need to learn from countries that have been exposed to oil and gas and understand that there is a need for acquiring the expertise required to be competitive and successful. There is the Local Content Policy and we need to make as much use of this as possible,” he added.

The PSC official suggested that partnerships should be developed to collaborate with different skills sets, and to get up to speed with the skills sets that may be lacking. While noting that oil and gas operations were capital intensive and hence, out of reach for most of us fi-

vices and the recipient of goods and services,” he added.

This seminar on Tuesday brought together the experience of an oil and gas expert, Cuneyt Tirmandi, a consultant of the Canadian Executive Service Organisation (CESO), with worldwide working experience, with many other notable oil and gas-related officials.

With presentations from ExxonMobil and the Centre for Local Business Development, participants were informed of current operations, developments and plans for Guyana and also briefed on opportunities for the local Private Sector.

To complement these presentations, the Natural Resources Ministry also made a presentation on “Opportunities for the Private Sector and the Role of the Private Sector in Securing and Maximising Local Content” with discussions centred on perspectives, concerns, and interest.

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Florida Army National Guard team on Guyana visit …to help push counselling and behaviour therapy in the health sector

A

six-member team from the Florida Army National Guard (FLARNG) is on a four-day stay in Guyana to help push counselling and behaviour therapy in the health sector.

Since their arrival, the FLARANG members have held talks with Dr Karen Cummings, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) at her Brickdam office where they unveiled the blueprint for the proposed package of public health assistance geared for Joint Services members, DPI reported.

The team will conduct the training programme out of the Coast Guard base of the

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) headquarters at Camp Ayanganna, in the capital.

According to DPI, the upgraded programme which began Tuesday, targets Joint Services personnel comprising members of the GDF, Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) who will be coursed on suicide prevention and risk factors, alcohol and drug use and traumatic event management.

The training ends Friday.

FLARANG is headed

by Captain Christopher Hill who highlighted the four-day activity when he spoke with Minister Cummings.

Dr Cummings spoke about current activities in the health sector to help train local physi-

cians to treat local community members suffering from mental health problems and those who

exhibit suicide symptoms, DPI said She noted that Guyana has been known

for having a high rate in suicide in PomeroonSupenaam (Region 2) and East Berbice/Corentyne (Region 6) which have helped contribute to the high rate in the country.

Guyana’s per capita suicide rate slipped from 1st to 3rd globally following a regime of interventions by the Public Health Ministry with assistance from several of its international partners.

There is an active Mental Health Unit, headed by Dr Util Richmond–Thomas and her team of dedicated staff. Very soon, a Mental Health Institute is expected to be launched, Cummings told the FLARANG team.

Guyana supports Celebrated Guyanese literary giant, comprehensive “people Sir Wilson Harris, dies at 96 centered approach” at UN talks on migration G

G

uyana has welcomed the recently completed first round of talks on migration at United Nations Headquarters as “a milestone in the global migration dialogue”.

The initiative, which involves United Nations Member States, including Guyana, saw the completion of this first meeting as a step closer towards crafting a “Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, an and

or objectives; as well as for the holistic follow-up of the Global Compact.

The Zero Draft document reflecting the outcome of the initial meeting will be up for a second round of negotiations next week from Monday 12 to Thursday 15 March. Some six such meetings are scheduled to be held until July this year when UN Member States are expected to adopt the GCM. Guyana is being rep-

Regular Migration (GCM)”.

According to a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its part, Guyana recognizes that its Diaspora is at least as large as its internal population and remains mindful of the unsustainable burden of the unmitigated loss of skilled and unskilled persons, irregular movement of people and solely unilateral efforts to address these challenges.

Also, prior to the ongoing discussions, Guyana held a local national consultative meeting on migration as a means to better inform its position on the Global Compact talks.

Consequently, the State supported the proposal of Guiding Principles, with emphasis on such aspects as a people-centered approach and need for international cooperation; the inclusion of broad, clear, specific and actionable commitments

resented at these talks by Director, Multilateral and Global Affairs Department, Troy Torrington, and Head of the Diaspora Unit, Michael Brotherson, both of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the release added.

In 2016, one hundred and ninety-three UN Member States adopted the New York Declaration at the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants. In adopting the Declaration, the Member States signalled their readiness to finalize a GCM that not only aligns with goal 10 of the Sustainable Development Goals, but also coordinates the efforts of each UN Member State, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN to protect and empower migrants through policies that ensure safe, orderly and regular migration.

uyana born author, poet and essayist, Sir Wilson Harris died on Thursday in the United Kingdom (UK) where he resided since 1959.

Sir Wilson,96, was the father of University of Guyana Chancellor, Professor Nigel Harris.

Following is the full text of a statement by Professor Harris who is a former Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI): We regret to announce the death of Sir Wilson Harris, Guyanese born author, poet and essayist in Chelmsford, England. Over a period of 50 years, beginning in 1960, the celebrated author has written 26 novels, numerous works of poetry, essays and speeches. In 1987, his novel Da Silva da Silva was adapted for a film produced by Tariq Ali of Bandung Productions for Channel 4 in the UK. Perhaps his most cited works are his first four novels, Palace of the Peacock (1960), The Far Journey of Oudin (1961), The Whole Armour ( 1962) and the Secret Ladder (1963), all published by Faber and Faber, which has published all 26 of his novels. In recent years, Faber and Faber has re-issued the Guyana Quartet in a single volume.

Sir Wilson attended Queens College in Guyana from 1932 – 1937. During the years 1945 to 1959 he worked as a land surveyor, primarily in the vast hinterland of Guyana where he interacted often with the indigenous people who lived there. It is this experience that influenced the imagery of his writing imbued with the magic and mythology of its people. While in Guyana, he was close to other Guyanese literary figures such as Martin Carter, A.J. Seymour, Ivan Van Sertima and Sidney King (Eusi Kwayana). He emigrated to England in 1959 and has lived there since.

He has been the recipient of several awards including the Guyana Prize for Literature (1987 and 2002), The Premio Mondello dei Cinque Continenti award ( 1992), The Ainsfeld-Wolf Book Award(2014) and honorary degrees from the University of the West Indies(1984) and University of Liege in Belgium(2001). In 2010, he was awarded the Honour of Knighthood for services to Literature by Queen Elizabeth. He has been nominated for the Nobel prize in literature on more than one occasion. Some of his original manuscripts are stored in the Harry Ramsen Collection at the University of Texas in Austin.

His writing is sometimes described as complex, but Michael Gilkes in a 1970 article entitled “The Art of the Extremity” (1) writes as follows: “one is aware of a remarkable intellect behind the quality of connectedness that runs throughout Harris’ work. Novels, poems, essays, talks all appear ultimately to explore the same main ideas: the need for a “new vision of consciousness”, a new “dimension of feeling”; the universal creative quality of personal experience when it is “authentic”;

Sir Wilson Harris

the latent associative possibilities in a fiction of “implosions”…. Harris appeals to the open-minded, imaginative reader, and accepts the risk (much as C.G. Jung did with the field of psychology) of being dismissed as “obscure” or “eccentric” In a 1987 interview with Moira Paterson (London, Observer magazine, 14 June 1987) (2), Wilson Harris emphasized the universality of human beings. He is quoted as saying, “Our humanity is impoverished when we seize on either tradition or identity… I am not interested in a multi-cultural community but in a crosscultural community, in ways in which a myth in one can find parallels in the other. I look to create a kind of community that has a literacy of the imagination in it, that can unlock polarisations and fanaticisms that bedevil us”.

In the same interview, Moira Paterson(2) remarked, “He speaks as he writes, in organic images of such astounding force and fecundity that the listener can only grasp some of the evolving ideas and hope to hang on” Sir Wilson was pre-deceased in 2010 by his wife of 50 years, Margaret Harris. He is survived by four children: E. Nigel, Alexis, Denise and Michael Harris, 6 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

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Guyana’s First Lady underlines importance of youth acquiring ICT skills to function in a modern environment

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irst Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, y e s t e r d a y , urged participants in the first Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training programme in the Melanie Damishana community to “think big” and to use the training from this workshop as a catalyst to a successful future. The programme, which is a collaborative effort between the Office of the First Lady and the Ministry of Social Protection, will run for 13 weeks and cater for 30 participants. It was held at the Vigalstra Housing Cooperative Administrative Building, Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara.

The First Lady, in her address, congratulated the participants for making the decision to acquire the skills needed to succeed in times of constant technological advancement. She also emphasised the importance of continuous training and the upgrading of their skills if they are to remain relevant and adapt effectively.

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, and ICT Facilitator, Mrs. Oveanne-Maswell-Austin interacting with the young participants as they await today’s session to commence.

“This workshop is unique in that it not only teaches you about ICT; it also helps to prepare you for the world of work.

It includes modules on Sexual and Reproductive Health, Robotics, which was introduced into the programme last year and proved to be very popular with our young people. Once you adhere to the instructions of the facilitators, attend ses-

sions punctually and participate fully in this workshop, you will have earned skills in ICT required to function in the modern environment,” she said.

Chief facilitator, Mr. Fitzroy Younge, who provided a brief overview of the programme, noted that its objectives are to empower and educate the youths of the Melanie Damishana communi-

ty and enhance the standard of living of marginalised youths through improved employability.

“You have made an intelligent decision to improve the quality of your life and enhancing your opportunities for development and your success. The skills that you will acquire over the next twelve weeks will contribute not only to your area but by extension to the

development and progress of Guyana,” he said.

Mr. Younge explained that the workshop would take the form of classroom discussions, illustrations and hand-outs would be provided to every participant after each session to aid in their revision for the workshop’s final assessment. At the close of the programme, participated graduate with a certificate that has been certified by the Board of Industrial Training.

In an invited comment, participant, Ms. Janasha Ostrum explained that her goal of becoming an Architect and her general love of technology motivated her to sign up for the workshop. “It’s [the workshop] going to benefit all of us here because, as First Lady said, it’s a bankable certificate, it will help you to get a job easier,” she said.

Meanwhile, 18-yearold Emanuel Burnette, who graduated from the workshop when it was held in Buxton, credited the programme as being the catalyst behind him

furthering his knowledge in the ICT field. “I was not really familiar with the basic things on a computer, I had never really used a computer before but after this class it has made a difference in my life because after that, I graduated from the ICT class I went to do information technology at a club in Georgetown and it has benefited me a lot,” he said. It is for this reason, Mr. Burnette said, that he decided to lend his support to the programme and had decided to volunteer at this workshop.

In addition to ICT training, the workshop will also provide instruction on basic office skills, numeracy and literacy training, sexual and reproductive health, communication skills, telephone ethics, microenterprise development and training in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) robotics.

This is the fifth ICT workshop that has been held to date since the programme started last year. (MotP)

From Calcutta with love Jamaica businessman found …Rev. Huldah to be special guest at Calvary Assembly of God in Ozone Park

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ev. Huldah Buntain will be special guest speaker at Calvary Assembly of God, 10207 Rockaway Blvd, Ozone Park, NY 11417 on Sunday March 11 at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

In 1954, Huldah and her late husband, Rev. Dr. Mark Buntain, were asked by the Assemblies of God Missions Department to go to India as Evangelists for one year. They sold their car, packed some clothes and boarded a ship with their baby daughter, Bonnie, headed for Calcutta.

After three months at sea, they arrived in the city of joy with its teeming millions of people jostling on the sidewalks and congested traffic. They quickly noticed the diverse social groups of the wealthy and abject poor.

Mothers nursed their children on the roadside, children in rags played with scrap metal or plastics, bony elderly people laid nearly naked on the sidewalk. Hygienic conditions were poor, food and shelter were so limited, and so many were out of work. They saw children with cleft palates hardly able to eat or breathe freely, so many were either blind or had serious vision issues, and yet others walked or crawled on their broken or deformed limbs.

That “one year” turned into a lifetime of service to the people of Calcutta and its five surrounding states. Together, they established holistic inner-city and outreach ministries consisting of more than 200 schools with 32,000 children including a blind school, and also a large vocational school. The work in these five states has grown to include 1,000 churches, 5 bible schools, daily street and school feeding programs for 25,000, a nursing school, teacher’s

guilty of gruesome murder of ex girlfriend, five others

J

Rev. Huldah Buntain

training college, and a full general Mercy Hospital that has treated 2.2 million people and provided free care to 880,000 patients.

After her husband passed away in June 1989, Huldah became Chairman and Senior Pastor of the Calcutta Mission for a number of years.

Huldah’s good friend in Calcutta, Mother Teresa, affirmed what Huldah could not deny: “I will miss [Mark] very much. We worked well together. You must carry on the good work.

We must continue loving the poor.”

Huldah continues to feed, educate, and medically assist the poor of the city.

At age 93, Huldah still travels extensively in the United States and around the world, and back to Calcutta several times every year, raising funds for projects in all of the vast areas that come under the Calcutta Mercy Ministries.

amaican businessman Michael McLean was on Tuesday convicted of murdering his girlfriend and five members of her family, including four children, 12 years ago in St Thomas.

A unanimous verdict was handed down on all six counts of murder on Tuesday by a seven-member jury who deliberated for just under four hours.

McLean was convicted of killing his former girlfriend Terry-Ann Mohammed, her son, Jessie O’Gilvie, nine; as well as her niece, Patrice Martin-McCool and her children Lloyd McCool, three; Jihad McCool, six; and Sean Chin, nine, in St Thomas on February 25, 2006.

Mohammed was found with her throat slashed with burns to her stomach and pubic area in bushes in the community of Needham Pen. The bodies of MartinMcCool, Lloyd, Sean and Jesse were found in bushes near Prospect Beach with the throats slashed.

The decomposing body of the sixth victim, sixyear-old Jihad, was found in a shallow grave in St Mary one week later.

McLean, during the trial, maintained that he

Three of the four children who were killed in St Thomas in 2006, (from left) Sean Chin, Lloyd McCool and Jihad McCool.

was not involved in their deaths and that they had been killed by gunmen.

While the guilty verdicts were being handed down, the usual smirk that had been present on the 50-year-old chef’s face throughout his trial was absent. Instead, he was observed shaking his head while staring at the ceiling and mumbling to himself.

McLean, who surprisingly said nothing after he was convicted given his many outbursts during the trial, later told the court, through his lawyer Carlton Colman, that he wishes to forego the miti-

gation hearing and head straight to sentencing.

But Justice Bertram Morrison told him: “The court doesn’t operate like that.”

A sentencing date was then scheduled for April 12.

The judge also requested a psychiatric report and advised Colman to consider bringing character evidence on that date.

During the five-weeklong trial, the prosecution, who brought 15 witnesses, presented mainly circumstantial evidence as there continued on page 35

34 Feature

By Chevon Lim

W

omen from across Guyana will be participating in the 2018 Ms. Earth Pageant which is slated for April 2018.

From all indications, this is indeed a pageant with a difference. The contestants, who will be gathered from across the country will be given the chance to raise awareness, not only about the environment but health related issues that follow.

Under the ownership of Guyana Premier and its new National Franchise Director, Mr. Dave Lalltoo, the pageant is expected to see new levels of competition and hopefully mark the initiation of the journey to bring us home a long desired international crown.

The Miss Earth Guyana pageant is the local precursor pageant for the internation-

al Miss Earth Pageant which is among the top three in the world. It has reached a point in popularity that over one hundred countries are scheduled to take part this year.

According to the Pageant’s Managing Director, Dr. Omesh Balmacoon, one of the main reasons it has grown is because of the fact that it focuses primarily on raising awareness about the environment and our planet through its "Beauties for a Cause" segment.

As the pageant builds momentum, the contestants are preparing for the grand Miss Earth Guyana Grand Gala Dinner and Sashing Ceremony, which will be held at the Aracari Hotel and Resort on Saturday, 10th March, 2018. During a recent interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Dr. Balmacoon also revealed that guests at the event will be treated to

Prudence Lam

WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

100% Guyanese Talent.

“There are twelve semi-finalists in total. It will be a night to remember,” he announced.

The last Miss Earth Guyana pageant was held in 2010 when Soyini Fraser was crowned as queen but a representative was sent up for the international pageant as recent as 2014. It was local belle, Stacy Ramcharran who took the crown back then, but after the franchise was lost one year later, it was not possible to choose another girl. As such she remains the reigning Miss Earth Guyana; that is until the grand coronation of Miss Earth Guyana 2018.

Miss Earth Guyana 2018 and her court will benefit from a prize package of over one million dollars in cash and other prizes. The coronation night is scheduled for April 28th, 2018.

This year’s event is sponsored by DemBake, Caribbean Wind and Sun, Aracari Hotel And Resort, Guyana Premier, GHF, Precise Printing, and Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network. To secure tickets, interested persons can call (592) 612 0247, 653 0436, 697 5127, 668 1753, or 662 6236.

The three contestants who have already been revealed are Prudence Lam, Onika Ray Pellew and Xamiera Kippins. The remaining beaties will be presented to the public at the sashing ceremony.

of it all, I get to address what the real issues are and help to solve them in any way necessary.

Luann Pellew

Contestants Meet Prudence Lam, 19, Linden I think it is perfection at its best. Hence, I'm very passionate about the environment (the trees, the animals, everything!) I believe that they all should be treated with love and care, so it would give me great joy to be an advocate for it.

For most of my life, I've been a very shy and timid person and for years I've desperately tried to avoid any situation that would put me in the limelight.

But I realized that that is me 'acting small' and I Will never reach my full potential by just doing that.

So I know that this pageant is the perfect opportunity for me to build my confidence and grow personally while helping something I hold very close to my heart.

Meet Luann Onika Ray Pellew, 24, Georgetown I want to be the next Miss Earth Guyana because representing my country and having a voice to what is happening in my environment matters.

It is not just about winning the Miss Earth Guyana title but what comes with it. I'd get to become an ambassador for my country and at the end

Meet Xamiera Kippins, 23, West Bank Demerara I view being an ambassador for Guyana to the rest of the world as a tremendous responsibility.

I know that as Miss Earth Guyana 2018 I, Xamiera Kippins can paint Guyana in a new light as well as make those who know not of who we are or what we have to offer as a country, aware or our potential.

I believe in the power of a beauty queen.

Despite the name, beauty comes second. I am an advovate. An advocate for change and betterment in all aspects of life, to make our world a more peaceful place. I love Guyana and with humility, perseverance and a firm understanding of hard work as well as team work, I believe that I can do this.

Xamiera Kippins

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…Empowering women, changing lives

By Chevon Lim

T

he theme f o r

International Women’s Day, to be celebrated on 8 March, is “Time

untary enterprise in 2007, with a few members, has now morphed into a successful enterprise which includes over fifty women.

Ms. Albert,

Ms. Analise Edwards dispalying the products from the Moco Moco Community

is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives”. The occasion serves as an opportunity to transform momentum into action, to empower women in all settings, rural and urban, and celebrate the activists who are working relentlessly to claim women’s rights and realise their full potential.

For the members of the Wowetta Women’s Agro-Processors their journey to becoming a self-sustaining group has been marked by determination and resilience. According to the Manager of the agricultural initiative, Ms. Grace Albert, the project has resulted in the remarkable transformation of the livelihoods of the women in the community.

What began as a vol-

however, was quick to explain to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that the benefits of the initiative also extends to beneficiaries beyond the Region Nine community. The group’s mission continues to be creating income-generating employment for women in particular in Wowetta, although they have expanded their focus also to youths.

Successful Enterprise

The village, which borders the Iwokrama International Rainforest Protected area, is the site of a modern, multimillion-dollar cassava processing and farine storage facility, where up to 10,000 pounds of farine can be stored, thanks to a collaborative effort of CIDA, CI, CUSO and other stakeholders. The

facility provides paid employment for more than fifty women, youths, elderly persons and cassava farmers across the Rupununi. While the beneficiaries are primarily women, Ms. Albert pointed out that the men in the community are also involved in the enterprise. “We tried to include all of the women in the decision making process. The aim was to have all women involved not just financial members. Eventually they brought their husbands, so we also embrace the men.” The benefits of the group also extend to single mothers in the community, she added.

Grace explained that the Group is run by a committee, and the workers rotate, five to seven at a time, to produce farine, sweet cassava flour, cassava bread, cassareep and tapioca on a weekly basis. “The workers would rotate their shifts and they would then get a break so that they would also have time for their families,” she noted.

Although this initiative is a success, the women in the area also tried other enterprises including agro processing, medicinal soaps and oils. She also acknowledged the growth of the business.

“As time went by we had the capital to attract other stakeholders and we were then able to benefit from training, capacity building and exposure,” Grace said.

Empowering Women

Eventually, the Wowetta Women’s AgroProcessors became part of a wider group, the

Jamaica businessman...

from page 33

were no eyewitnesses in the matter, while defence brought three witnesses, including McLean.

Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn, who was the lead prosecutor, said this has been one of worst cases she has prosecuted in her 30 years on the job.

“I prosecuted against the best and I have prosecuted some of the worst, but I must confess that in terms of the allegations, four children and their two mothers, in circumstances where, according to evidence coming from the accused, there was total trust and confidence in him by these persons, it would have to rank right up there in the top 10,” Llewellyn said.

“I think it is a very, very tragic case.

It is the sort of case that caused sleepless nights for [the] prosecution [team] and I, and think I can speak for defence counsel, it would have caused him sleepless nights [too],” she added.

However, Llewellyn praised the police

for doing thorough and well-coordinated investigation, and her legal team for overcoming the many hurdles that the case had presented, including the disappearance of the original case file.

“It is unfortunate that Mr McLean was able to benefit from the fact that [the] system has to make sure that, at all material times, he is given benefit of the doubt.

So from the time in 2006 when the tragic event took place, some 87 mention dates and 15 trial dates later, we have had the trial, but Mr McLean changed eight or nine lawyers, and in this case, there was at one stage a scenario where he purported to fire his attorney, but His Lordship, given his great experience, and I, with my experience, recognised that we had to bend over backwards to ensure there was a fair trial so His Lord did not release defence counsel and had him stay,” she said.

(Jamaica Observer)

Women Agroprocessors Development Network (WADN), which was established in 2011 with the support of the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) to accelerate the individual small ventures located in Regions 1, 2 and 9 with the intention of ensuring that the group members improve their entrepreneurial skills.

According to Ms. Albert , the involvement in this wider group has allowed the members of the Wowetta Women’s Agro-Processors Group to network and to showcase their skills regionally and internationally. She explained, “Our group is actually one of the founding members.

We have built a network since becoming a part of this group and we have travelled to different countries including Suriname, Barbados, Antigua, Trinidad, Washington and China.”

She also emphasised that while the wider group is comprised of more members, the women all have a chance to represent Guyana and their communities based on their skills and strengths. They are also active in representing their communities at several shows throughout the year which are hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of

Agriculture, CI, and New GMC among o t h e r agencies.

“Since the formation of the group, we have seen an improvement in the exposure; in add i tion, liveli-

hoods have also improved. Women in the community now have permanent jobs and they should be appreciated for the roles they play in the region,” Grace added.

While she acknowledged that the success of the Wowetta Women’s Agro-Processors Group required commitment and dedication, Ms. Albert is encouraging other women and young girls to work towards realising their potential.

She explained, “We all should feel equal as we all have the potential.

Even though we are not all educated we should not be selfish and to keep our knowledge. Instead,

Ms.Grace Albert Operations Manager for the factory

we should embrace each other so that we can all reach our potential.”

More importantly, Ms. Albert emphasised that it is also important to change perceptions and to embrace and encourage the single parent women in the communities. “This group has played a critical role in empowering women,” She stressed.

The Wowetta Women’s AgroProcessors also works closely with the Moco Moco Women’s Group.

“We help each other and share our knowledge,” she added. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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-empowering Guyanese women across the world B y C hevon L im

T

he Women of Kaieteur, which was launched in 2016, is a global empowerment network designed to create a platform for women to encourage, inspire, collaborate and celebrate each other, while raising money to support women and girls in less developed countries.

According to its founding member, Ms. Roianne Nedd the initiative was born of the need to do more to progress gender equality in Guyana.

Nedd, a Guyanese, is a Chartered Accountant and Gender Specialist with the UK Government.

She has been involved in Gender Policy for the last 10 years.

In addition to heading the Group’s altruistic works, Ms. Nedd is also a published Author. In December 2016, she published ‘50 Women: 50 Years’; the main aim of the book, she explained, was to highlight the stories of ordinary women who are the unsung heroes in Guyana and who do extraordinary things. “Women’s role

in Guyanese society is extremely low key, and as a girl, I didn’t hear enough stories about phenomenal women, so I wanted to create a publication that we could use a fundraising vehicle as well as inspiring and educating girls from Guyana and of Guyanese parentage,” Nedd explained.

One of the main aims of the Women of Kaieteur is to raise the voices of women while raising funds to achieve sustainable change. According to Ms. Nedd, the biggest success story in terms of raising the voices of Guyanese women has been through the book.

She explained, “It is why we continue to look at literary projects as the way to share stories with the rest of the world.

The book has been purchased from readers in Europe, America, and London and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

We have also had feedback that older Guyanese women who left Guyana decades ago have used the book to reconnect with

Recipents of hampers at Christmas

Guyana and to teach their grandchildren especially granddaughters about Guyana.”

She pointed out that the Women of Kaieteur members are also able to connect via their facebook page, the group, and their membership database that enables them to send regular newsletters and information to members. The Group currently has Guyanese

and non-Guyanese and male and female members from across the Caribbean, Europe, and North America.

“We want to continue expanding,” Nedd emphasised.

Extraordinary women

Alluding to the journey towards the book’s completion, she acknowledged that the research from the book and the conversations with Guyanese

Ms. Nedd and guests at the launch of Women of Kaieteur in London

women from across the world were both cathartic and life-affirming. “As I sat with the team here and read the inspirational quotes from these women, we were struck by just how amazing some of these ordinary women’s lives were, and it gave us the impetus to continue this journey,” she said.

One of the key goals during the book’s launch a few years ago, Nedd reminded, was to get a copy of 50 Women:50 Years into every secondary school in Guyana to provide girls with access to information about role models and to help raise their aspiration. While this aspiration has been a work in progress, the Author explained that it has been challenging finding ways to get the books to the schools and to make the right connections via the Ministry of Education.

She said, “We are still aiming to achieve this, but we think we need a more structured plan to make it happen and we need help on the ground in Guyana.”

With regards to the Women of Kaieteur’s future plans, Ms. Nedd revealed that several initiatives are in the pipeline, including recognising phenomenal mothers for Mother’s Day in May, repeating their Educational Grants Program, which involves sending school supplies to Guyana for the September term , the Christmas Assistance Program ; members send toys to Guyana

and provide grocery vouchers for families in need, which are delivered through their corporate partner Tons of Fun Party Service in Guyana.

“We also want to launch a project to give away free sanitary and hygiene products to women as we know these products can be expensive and as they are a necessity, it can be tough for women or for a house full of girls and women to cope with this additional expense each month,” she continued.

In addition, Nedd also pointed to the release of another publication which will focus on Guyanese women building on the success of 50 women 50 years.

She noted, “We recognise that there are more significant issues that need tackling. We also have some other projects that we introduced last year that we want to replicate.”

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Women of Kaieteur’s founding member conveyed a strong message to the Nation’s women and girls. She said, “You can and will overcome any challenges that you encounter. And the darkest days shine the brightest light on your blessings”.

Ms.Nedd reminded that the Women of Kaieteur are available to provide moral support if needed. The group can be contacted through their Facebook page or via their email at womenofkaiateur@gmail. com. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

No vision…

T …on development

he good book advises: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” While we may quibble, or even disagree vehemently, about the content of the “vision”, without the overarching plan embedded in a vision, one would just be bumbling through life. And this is even truer when we’re talking about the development of a nation.

Unfortunately, with each passing day, it’s clear that this PNC-led Government hasn’t a clue, much less a vision, for Guyana. We all know about the oil contract, wherein Trotman practically gave away our oil patrimony for a song – the song probably being “The Waltz of Texas”!! Anyone with a vision for Guyana would’ve appreciated that “Production Sharing Agreements” were specifically introduced in the oil industry by Indonesia – and then the rest of the world — for them to TAKE CONTROL of their mineral assets. The vision demanded that the oil company become simply a CONTRACTOR, acting at the behest of the country; and not the other way round! How could anyone with a vision actively cultivate a new colonial relationship”? That is not a vision, but a nightmare! Another sign of the visiondeprived nature of the PNC was revealed in the riposte of the Minister of Public Infrastructure to the Chinese Ambassador’s candid appraisal of the design of the New Demerara Harbour Bridge being “backward”. Imagine the wanker could say they’re going along with the backward design because a more appropriate Bridge for the 21st century “would shackle us in debt”!! Can you imagine a more ludicrous answer than this?

The Minister couldn’t deny the truth of the Ambassador’s claim – how could he? Who in the world, then, would spend US$170 million to “fix” the major problem with the present Bridge — its retraction causes massive backups and delays – by having the new structure just being able to have vehicles parked on it??!! Isn’t this the height of asininity?? If you can spend that much for a scenic parking (overlooking the Demerara River!) why can’t you spend even double that if the modern structure would facilitate continuous traffic flow?

The question of “vision,” or, more pertinently, its lack, arises. What exactly are the plans of this Government for that portion of the oil revenues that’s coming our way? Just parades and jumpups? Hasn’t the World Bank, and the IDB, and every other financial institution explained that the difference between us and, say, the Eastern Tigers was infrastructure?

Is it so difficult to appreciate that the productivity gains alone from having folks from the west get to work faster will be worth the extra outlay? What about decentralizing manufacturing away from G/t to WCD? But it’s the blind leading the lame!! …like Ghana There was a welcome news item on celebrations of “Ghana Day”. Unlike what’s happened to our “Republic Day”, we hope this seminal event doesn’t end up in the vulgarity that Mash has become. From 1957, “Ghana Day” followed “Swaraj Day,” or “India Independence Day” in 1947, in being commemorated in Guyana.

At that time, our own Independence movement, led by the PPP in 1953, had been split into two

by Forbes Burnham and others. Ghana Day was unfortunately part of the ethnic polarization that was to follow in the ensuing five years. We shouldn’t forget also that Kwame Nkrumah – Like Cheddi Jagan here — was overthrown as part of the Cold War that defined which leaders were “suitable” for running their “independent” countries.

But all of that is water under the bridge. If we really want to honour Ghana’s example, we don’t only have to stick to clothes and drumming. Right now, they’ve negotiated oil contracts that put ours to shame; yet their Jubilee Field is the geological mirror image of ours!! …and deafness A well-meaning NGO is assisting Guyanese to deal with the problem of deafness. Your Eyewitness pleads with them to work on members of this PNC Government.

Maybe they’re visionless, because they can’t hear advice?

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Scenes from Holi celebrations in NY

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Mash 2018 float and costume parade ends in birthplace

More cooperation needed between Police and banks to address rising number of robberies - says Guyana’s Crime Chief

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Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira and Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes on the road Sunday March 5 with the Ministry’s band (photo courtesy of Lennox Gasper).

T

he Mashramani 2018 Float and Costume parade came to a conclusion with parades on Saturday in Lethem, and Sunday in Linden and Berbice.

Thousands braved the inclement weather to participate in the Linden festivities. The five largest floats were represented by the Town Council, Regional Democratic Council, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Social Cohesion’s Department of Youth, Culture and Sports.

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes was in Linden to participate in her Ministry’s band.

Despite the rain, thousands turned out to witness the floats.

Revellers decked out in colourful outfits gyrated and marched, from the Mackenzie shore across the Mackenzie /Wismar Bridge all the way to the Bayroc Community Centre Ground for a grand finale. Party trucks blasting up-tempo music kept the atmosphere hyped throughout the route.

Out-going Mayor Carwyn Holland opined that the region’s entertainment industry is on the rise, after years of stagnation, “We can see the drive is there for the people, the people are excited”, however, persons ought not to stray too far from traditional celebrations. We want to see more of it being reflected in our costumes come 2019.”

He further explained that if the region is to host the Nations 50th Mashramani celebration, more local businesses and individuals will have to participate come 2019. Holland said the region will also have to improve infrastructural works at the Bayroc Ground.

“There will be an effective parking space, better management along the route, and better overall planning”, Holland explained.

Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira, who was part of the energetic parade stated that, “Linden’s Mash 2018 personified the work of the government in pushing Guyana forward with respect to the massive turn out we would have had.” Figueira added that many persons “are exhibiting more confidence in the government in every respect,” and reiterated Holland’s call for more to be involved if the town to host 50th Mashramani celebrations.

This is the last month with

Holland will serve as Mayor.

Waneka Arrindell assumes duties from April 1, 2018. Holland said he is very proud and happy to have led the Linden contingent at the last mash, and the part he has played in developing the region.

He plans to focus his time and energy on the Guyana Association of Municipalities (GAM).

“When I became Linden’s Mayor, they called it a ghost town.

Linden is no longer seen as a ghost town. Check around the five corners, businesses are popping up rapidly. Our economy is growing and it comes from hard work, and doing little things in the community. However, there is so much more that could have been done”, he noted.

Linden is the birthplace of Mashramani following independence in 1966. Though the celebrations started out as a carnival, it was soon transformed into a national celebration in 1970.

Meanwhile persons from all walks of life took to the streets of New Amsterdam to celebrate Mashramani 2018. The float parade moved off from the Tacama Turn (Marks Bridge) and made its way to the State House Lawns via the Main Road and into Vryheid Street. Regional Executive Officer, Kim Williams-Stephen who led the Regional Democratic Council’s float, was satisfied with the turnout of both spectators and revellers. She noted with Linden and New Amsterdam hosting their float parade on the same day, the floats from Georgetown had to be divided between the two towns.

Chairman of the Region Six Mashramani Committee, Mr. Claude Henry, said that when the float parade moved off from the starting point with more than 400 persons, but arrived at the final destination the number vastly increased.

According to Mr. Henry, among those participating were the Ministry of Education, Ministry of the Presidency Department of Social Cohesion, Culture Youth and Sports, Felix Austin Police College Adventure Berbice and the Ministry of Health.

REO Williams-Stephen is optimistic that Mashramani 2019 would be bigger and better, particularly if the private sector comes on board.

he cooperation of both the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the banks is required to address the high number of robberies of persons conducting transactions at banks.

Crime Chief Paul Williams, was quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying: “What we need is a joint approach in terms of dealing with this matter, I’m appealing to the banks, for them to carry out some amount of Paul Williams, Crime Chief analysis within their daily operations. There are so many things the banks can out traffic ranks to ensure do from an analysis. That persons who are not authowill really help us to see if rised to operate vehicles and there is any inside dealing or so forth, are not to be there. inside information. This can We are putting little meaassist us in terms of dealing sures in place.”

Regarding the manner with the situation”. in which information about The Crime Chief pointed persons’ transactions is beout the measures the police have since implemented to- ing passed on to the perpewards addressing the issue trators, Williams said the whilst highlighting the fact banks can play and instruthat the banks can also uti- mental role in deterring this.

“The bank needs to carlise their resources to assist.

He added, “We have police- ry out a review of the CCTV men in plain clothes outside within the bank itself. See the bank. We are sending how many persons frequent the bank; whether they are

doing transactions or sitting idly. Follow this daily; see how many persons are being robbed. Check to see if they would’ve dealt with a specific teller, you know.

There is so much analysis that can be done in order for us to deal with this situation,” Williams said according to DPI. The Crime Chief noted that despite some police successes, perpetrators have become more observant and have employed ways to avoid ranks. For example, he said they do not make immediate attempts to rob but trail the victims to their homes instead.

Williams believes that it is crucial that the banks follow the information as it relates to who has been robbed, which bank the person conducted business and how many persons are being robbed within a certain period of time from the bank.

This, he believes, along with the banks’ cooperation with the police force, will ensure efficiency in addressing the matter, DPI said.

Guyana Govt partnering with GGGI to roll out rooftop solar project by 2019

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Deputy Director of the GGGI’s Energy, Investment and Policy Division, Carol Litwin in conversation with Department of the Environment Head, Ndibi Schwiers.

he Government of Guyana in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) will be undertaking a project in rooftop solar for commercial and industrial use. This was disclosed by Deputy Director of the Institute’s Energy, Investment and Policy Division, Carol Litwin, the Department of Public Information (DPI) has reported.

Litwin, speaking prior to the opening of a renewable energy workshop hosted by the Department of the Environment and the GGGI, said the institute will be working with the private sector and exploring options for financing.

The aim is to source financing before the end of 2018 to commence the rollout of the project. A meeting with the private sector is slated for Thursday, the second day of the workshop, where several financial models will be presented.

The Government, she noted, has request-

ed that the GGGI look at longer-term options on a utility scale and to secure climate finance to support solar in the hinterland.

Further, Litwin said they are looking at small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financing through an established fund through which commercial and industrial customers can access long-term financing at affordable rates.

Another option is known as the leasing model, which requires the customer to sign a purchase or rent agreement with a leasing company, eliminating operations and maintenance, simply the monthly fee.

According to DPI, she highlighted that Guyana can benefit greatly from its resources. “This is a country that is endowed with water, oil and gas, good sun and also wind and I think there is a need to diversify energy security not only just to rely on diesel and oil, which is high cost.”

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On movies and culture

By Ravi Dev

S

ome were surprised at the reaction of people of African Origin to the Marvel movie “Black Panther”, which elicited such a deep cultural outpouring exhibited in clothes and music. I was not, and it had nothing to do with the US$150 million Disney had spent on the publicity on top of the US$200 million budget. It was because, for the first time, here was a

film that African audiences could relate to because it appeared to them to be authentically African.

It is my hope that now the movie has been commercially successful beyond the producers’ wildest dream (approaching US$1Billion) movies of this kind, affirming the humanity of people of African origin, will continue to be made.

I believe it will go very far in improving relations between the two major

groups in Guyana and Trinidad – of African and Indian origins.

I have written of the proclivity of groups placed in the same social space to compare themselves to each other.

In the Caribbean, people of African origin had implicitly, if not explicitly, insisted that the “Creole Culture” – formed out of the White/African encounter when the former had enslaved the latter – was the “national

culture” and relegated Indian cultural expressions as retrogressive.

In this comparison, to be “Guyanese” or “Trinidadian”, the Indian had to jettison his “Indianness” – encompassed in his culture.

Now that the point has been made so powerfully about the adverse consequences of the western impositions on the African psyche in the character of Eric Kilmonger, and of the depth and profundity of African points of views (Wakanda has five different groups working together – a lesson for us?) maybe local people of African origin will appreciate the point I made two decades ago that Creole culture was an “abomination” that must be reevaluated by its adherents.

This re-evaluation, I believe, will lead to a greater appreciation of the attempts by Indians in the Caribbean to retain their culture against the quotidian efforts to strip them of it. I still remember Ms Jocelyn Dow (of the WPA and now Chair of the Forestry Commission) exploding that sometimes when she turns on the TV, she doesn’t know whether she’s in India or not. It was an expression of the deepseated premise that Indian music or film was not really

“West Indian”. I believe that to the extent African Guyanese appreciate African culture and interrogate creole culture, they will resent to a lesser degree Indian cultural expressions. And as I said, Black Panther may trigger this movement, presaged by the “Black Power” movement which was somewhat short circuited after the 1970’s.

For Indians, starting with the first Indian film shown in 1935 (Bala Johan), Indian culture received a great shot in the arm and it revolutionized both its form and content – less than fifteen years after the abolition of Indian indentureship.

Before the introduction of Hindi Films, most of the singing, for instance, was confined to the folk expressions that would have been remembered from their peasant experience. With Indian movies dominated by songs, new forms were introduced into the local repertoire.

Hinduism was particularly enriched with the Bhajans from the movies – like Tulsidas’ Mujhe Apni Sharan Me Le Lo, by the immortal Mohamed Rafi – practically replacing the older, peasant songs – later ironically to be reprieved in the eighties in the Chutney compositions.

The movies of the pre-and

By Ravi Dev

post war era were heavily influenced by the need of the average rural Indian to deal with the challenges of modernization by retaining or adapting time-honoured values.

The writer remembers vividly movies, for instance, like “Choti Bahin” that emphasized the individual’s responsibility to family (especially sisters) and Dosti, the need for loyalty to friends. There is not an Indian movie that did not extoll the fundamental importance of family – including those like Baghban in the present.

The Indian movie, while refracted through that country’s own commercialized attempts to deal with westernization, yet never lost sight with the essential need for cultural continuity.

Nowadays Holi or Phagwa would be incomplete in both India and its diaspora without the song popularized by Amitabh Bachan – Rang Barse –from the movie classic “Silsila”.

More power to the people through movies!

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com Masekenari Sunrise

By Chevon Lim

T

he Konashen Amerindian District contains one community populated primarily by the Wai- Wai people. Masekenari, which means “mosquito place” in the Wai- wai language, was established in 2000 when flooding forced the community to move from its previous location at Akotopono 6 km north – east of the present community of Masekenari. The village has approximately 224 residents .The Wai- wai people have a rich culture and history and continue to maintain their cultural heritage and practices.

The Konashen Amerindian district is

Parks Congress, the Wai Wai peoples of Guyana declared their land a “Community Owned Conservation Area” The tribe has banned mining and logging from their land in the tropical forest in remote southern Guyana near the Brazil border. They have pledged to pursue a sustainable economic strategy based on eco-tourism, research and traditional crafts.

The paramount aim of the people is the preservation of their culture.

The Amerindian population of Guyana consists of nine major ethnic groups, including the Akawaios, Arawaks, Arekunas, Caribs, Makushis, Patamonas, Wapishanas, Warraus and the Wai-Wais. The Wai Wais are mainly

A cultural group from the Wai Wai community preparing to perform the traditional dance

also known as the “Community Owned Conservation Area (COCA). The Wai- Wai people have absolute title to their land and have an elected Village Council. The community is equipped with a Primary School, COCA office/ Village Office, Church buildings, Teachers Quarters, Health post Community benab, rest house, and women’s training centre, and a Village kitchen.

In 2007, during the second Latin American

found in the hinterland or the interior region.

They are the smallest indigenous grouping in Guyana .

The explorer, Sir Robert Schomburgk, may have been the first non- Indian to have contact with the Wai-Wai in December 1837. He found one village on a tributary of the Essequibo River, along with two others on the Mapuera River in Brazil. Schomburgk describes the Wai-Wai as:

"Of medium height, their skin lighter than that of Tarumas, in their general appearance and language they resemble the Makuskis a good deal…”

During the early 20th century, some of the Wai Wai in Brazil moved further north. It is speculated that this is because of the influenza epidemic that nearly exterminated the Taruma tribe. From 1933 to 1938, the Wai Wai people moved deeper in Guyana's interior. The villagers also have access to the internet allowing them to set up a hub, which is equipped with computers and which will assist

them to manage their community. Other ICT developments in Masekenari include the installation of a Band VSAT system with Wi-Fi capability. The new system has unlimited capacity and ‘No data cap’ usage. It can also withstand severe weather conditions, and it allows the residents to communicate with anyone at any time, whether in drought or flood. It will provide the Masekenari residents with a fast path to modern healthcare, education, and security.(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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Preserving our literary heritage

Domestic Violence – limited lives.

by

Petamber Persaud

P

ulling the Punches: D e f e a t i n g Domestic Violence

by Luke Daniels is a hard-hitting book that does not bob and weave but deliberately aims at and takes potshots at every sordid realities of this issue, stepping on stumbling-block toes of our civilization that spawned patriarchy, a system of monstrous proportion limiting lives from the cradle to the grave, infringing on basis human rights, stealing the joy of living by imposing oppression in its various manifestations, ingraining themselves into norms of society as we accept violence meted out ‘just for your good/ just a slap/just words’, minimizing the violence and prolonging the hurt, wrecking a toll on future generations as violence become a learned behaviour, resulting in immeasurable economic, social and mental health cost. These ‘revelations’ are brutal but there is a redeeming factor: there is a beginning and there must be an end.

How will it end?

Accepting, admitting, and coming to grips with the realities, saying no to all forms of violence, unlearning violent traits in the individuals and removing oppressive systems especially statesponsored oppression imposed upon society.

In this book, Pulling the punches: Defeating

Domestic Violence, Daniels bares all, even sharing his story to add credence to some areas of concern, as if validation is necessary for this most pressing and depressing societal malady.

Although this is a self-help book aimed at perpetrators/survivors (man, woman, and state),

it offers guidance to anyone concerned about the use of violence and to practitioners in the field of domestic violence.

The book is prepared in six progressive/graduating chapters from the root of domestic violence to the rooting out of this scourge, mindful that the full and true solution rests in self-realization and ‘repentance’ leading to release/salvation.

Each chapter is important to the whole as each chapter looks at a key ‘awareness-raising’ issue to fully grasp and grapple with the problem in order to equip ourselves with the appropriate attitude and tools to effective put an end to domestic violence. A word of caution: change in individuals and in systems comes at different pace and the use of violence is a choice.

In chapter one, the focus is on the birth, evolution and entrenchment of a patriarchal society that spawned the socialization of violence, breeding the oppression of both male and female pointing to three contributing factors namely where perpetrators were hit/abuse as children, where sexist attitudes still exist and control/ dominating patterns are practiced. Perpetuating these ills is one sordid side of the gloomy picture but condoning these ills is worse. And according to the book, ‘real solutions involve outlawing all forms of violence and teaching an ethos of non-violence’.

In chapter two, labeled ‘Men’s Liberation’, the focus is on the con-

fusion about men’s oppression in a society where men are deemed the chief perpetrators in the oppression of women. This is what the book offers on the confusion: ‘[w]ith the oppression of men there is no one group, but the society as a whole does the oppressing, through its customs, culture and institutions.

Chief among these latter are the army, police, prison and economic system’. Further, men are stereotyped to be superior – strong and indestructible – from youth where they are given ‘an arsenal of war toys’ and told ‘big boys don’t cry’, internalizing unhealed hurt, growing into the next sphere of providers to ‘bring home the bacon’ and even in sport of boxing which is a ‘hurt business’ and then having to deal with the fear of same-sex relationships and homophobia.

Chapter three labeled ‘Women’s Liberation’ looks at some of the factors contributing to oppression of women and how it is condoned in name of religion, tradition, custom, culture.

Some other factors include politics, education, equal-pay discrimination, sexism and pornography, a multi-billion dollars industry controlled mostly by men.

It is worthy to note that one of the ‘key places we learn sexism is in the home. Gender socialization begins from the moment babies are put into blue or pink and it continues for most of our lives’.

Under the subsection ‘language and libera-

tion’ it is stated that language has always been used as a ‘tool of oppression’ and similarly, ‘sexist language is used as a tool to undermine women’ excluding them from ‘historical (after all it is his-story we are talking about) accounts’.

Chapter four, labeled ‘Giving up Addictions’, focuses on mind-altering substances: ‘That licit drug company are allowed to peddle their poison freely is a disgrace that can only be seen as a dereliction of duty by governments to protect its citizens from ill health, misery and early death’. Another major form of addiction is gambling especially as it is seen as not hurting anyone.

Chapters five – ‘Parenting for Change’ and six – ‘Building loving relationships’ ought to go hand in hand because of the commonalities found in both areas.

The underlining factor in both areas is the need for a non-oppressive environment where hurt can be healed, where lives would not be limited and where growth and development is possible.

In Pulling the punches: Defeating Domestic Violence, there are numerous repetitions and overlapping, all designed to keep the issue in focus as a work in progress.

This book is recommended reading for every strata of Guyanese society.

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

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Stripped…

O

…or severed?

h well! Your Eyewitness predicted it would happen, didn’t he? The Government announced that the oil sector, now the largest chunk of our “Natural Resources – and growing uncontrollably, like Topsy! – won’t be under “Nassau” Trotman’s portfolio. But when this newspaper announced the AFC/PNC insider was “stripped” of authority over oil, the MoP got their drawers all into a knot and demanded a retraction!!

Now your humble Eyewitness is always ready to learn from anyone, no matter how idiotic they may sound initially. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings and all that! So he immediately rushed to his trusty dictionary (well nowadays, he just hits the search key on Google!!) and there was the accepted meaning of “Strip”: deprive someone of (rank, power, or property) – “the lieutenant was stripped of his rank”; synonyms: “take away from someone, dispossess someone of, deprive someone of, confiscate, divest someone of, relieve someone of.”

So wasn’t Nassau “deprived” of the power to deal with matters concerning oil? Just like that time he was “deprived” from the leadership of the AFC and immediately announced he was retiring from politics because he’d suddenly developed an (undefined) life-threatening illness? Of course he underwent a miraculous cure when PNC-leader David Granger offered him the Speakership over AFC’s nominee Moses Nagamootoo. But that is neither here nor there! Except one would want to know if the miracle occurred before or after “Nassau”!!

So is it a semantic objection to the verb “strip”??

Would “deprive”, “denude”, “dispossess”, “divest”, “decorticate”, “hive off” etc, be more acceptable?

But we know what’s going on here, don’t we? The word “strip” suggests the powers over oil were taken away against Nassau’s will – as in “wrest”. But the line the PNC want’s to push is Trotman himself came up with the idea to “slough off” (?) what’s now the most critical power in Guyana!! So he’s not quite the ogre the big, bad media’s making him out to be!! Look how he’s sacrificing for the greater good!

Ooooo!

But that’s the rub, isn’t it? Why would Nassau want to jettison (?) his oil authority if he were doing such a fantastic job?? After all he did DOUBLE the royalties and locked down that MASSIVE bonus, didn’t he?? But dear reader, your Eyewitness did say it was simply a feint to remove Nassau from the firing line and it’s all a “cock”, didn’t he? And he advised we look at what’ll unfold.

Well, it’s even worse than your (jaded) Eyewitness feared. One fella in the know says the PNC leader will have his nephew run the oil agency!!

A new Baby Jesus and it ain’t even Christmas!! …to the buff How’d you know the measure of a man? Not by what he declaims from a stage…but by what he does in unguarded moments. Or when he loses his cool.

Take the erstwhile Public Security Minister and Vice President of our fair Republic – Khemraj Ramjattan.

At the function to honour the departing COP whom he’d just sandbagged by revealing the man has asked himself for a gun-dealer’s licence – he was asked about the details. Ramjattan finally ejaculated, “Haul yuh ass!!” That evidently shocked the assembled media corps who’ve now demanded an apology.

There is a God!! When this same Minister routinely answered reporters from this newspaper by the same, low-life, low-down expression, no one gave a hoot. Well now they’re getting a taste of the fetid medicine – and some more! Seems some stronger “words of excrement” were hurled earlier at a senior reporter, and he’s all miffed!

Your Eyewitness looks at these things contextually.

Firstly, Ramjattan was under strain after his rejection by his “fellow” Berbicians.

Then, he’s just a bottom feeder!! …of I and I Some unkind and ignorant folks are snickering at (now) former CoP Seelall writing to himself for that gun and gun dealer’s licence.

Don’t they realise I-man always refer to himself as “I and I”??

More relatives testify at Lindo Creek’s CoI Latin expression

S

atiricus was in awe at nature’s fury. He looked at the pictures of the Atlantic waves hitting the sea wall and careening 30 feet into the air and fell mute. As he ambled over to the Back Street Bar, he just couldn’t shake the image from his mind.

“Imagine if that wave fell on my head!” Satiricus exclaimed as he sat down and accepted a beer from the waitress.

“Me know yuh a think ‘bout dem wave pan de sea wall!” grinned Bungi. “Da jus’ Gaad a play Phagwah wid dem Wes’ Coas’ people!!”

“Well if Gaad bin a play Phagwah, look like he prappa vex!” observed Cappo, who hadn’t quite gotten the abeer out from his hands and face.

“Yep!” said Hari. “He’s saying ‘If you want water, tek water!!”

“Talkin’ about ‘vex”, a wha’ mek Rum Jhaat suh vex de adda day?” Bungi asked Satiricus, who was polishing off his beer.

“You mean when he told those reporters, ‘Hall yuh ass’?” asked Satiricus with a smile.

“Yeah,” answered Bungi as the other fellas looked on with interest.

“Budday! I told you fellas before,” said Satiricus.

“The man isn’t angry when he uses that term!”

“C’mon Sato,” said Hari. “You know he was teed off at those reporters asking him an inconvenient question.”

“Naah!” said Satiricus, who was in a good mood after the Holi festivities. “Rum Jhaat is a highly trained lawyer and that is a Latin term.”

“Na mek joke wid abee,” said Cappo scoffingly.

“De man cuss dem reporta!”

“Yeah,” affirmed Bungi. “’E cyaan tek crank up!”

“OK, Sato,” said Hari resignedly. “What did Rum Jhaat say in Latin?”

“Well, the word “ass” is an abbreviation of the Latin word, “asser”, pontificated Satiricus. “Meaning ‘bar”!”

“Suh Rum Jhaat tell dem reporta fuh “hall dem bar”?” asked Cappo incredulously.

“That’s right!” announced Satiricus. “Rum Jhaat was going to his car and they were “barring” his way!”

“What about this Latin, Sato?” laughed Hari. “You and Rum Jhaat full a Sh*t!!”

They all drank to that.

T

he investigation into the Lindo Creek Massacre continued on Tuesday at the Public Service Ministry’s building, with more testimony from family members of two victims – Horace Drakes and Compton Speirs.

The Attorney for the Commission, Patrice Henry fielded questions from the witnesses who all said that they were still seeking justice for their family members.

Drakes’ Aunt, Natalie McDonald, told the Commission that she learnt about her nephew’s death while on her way to visit her aunt at the Georgetown Public Hospital back in June 2008.

“I heard the newspaper man said ‘get the news, get the news, Lindo Creek Massacre, eight men die’.”

McDonald said she later visited Drakes’ mother, who immediately made contact with a family member in the interior, who confirmed that her son had indeed died. She added that none of her family members was contacted by the Police, or attended any autopsy or funeral service. The family, however, held a memorial service at the SeventhDay Adventist Church, in Stewartville, West Coast Demerara.

Speirs’s sister,

More opportunities for young artists

I

n one of my previous columns, “Young Artists Talk”, I lamented the lack of opportunities available for upcoming artists. I cited both the social and structural discouragement that young people receive when trying to become professional artists, some of which included few job opportunities and little acknowledgement that their work is actually work, and not just some pastime.

However, it seems as though I can say I have lived to see progress. Two years later, I can definitely say that there are more opportunities for young artists, simply from the existence of “The Duke”.

The Duke, housed in Duke Lodge, is the hotel’s new restaurant and art gallery. By simply being, ‘The Duke’ makes the life of an artist much simpler.

I would know, as I am one of the artists whose pieces were on display at opening night.

Going through the

process of putting my pieces up, I was, admittedly, worried that I was ‘in over my head’.

As a young person with not much experience in how the professional art world functions, I felt as though I would be overwhelmed, or at the very least intimidated, by formalities. I am incredibly happy to say that this was not the case; in fact, it was quite the opposite.

The entire process is very artist-friendly and simple; the people are incredibly accommodating, and are extremely clear on the instructions to the artist regarding any obligations that the artist has; and, finally, there are rules governing the sale of the pieces.

Speaking to a member of the staff of The Duke, Amber Low, it is clear that The Duke is all about empowering young Guyanese artists and really giving them a platform to which they have easy access.

According to Low,

the response from the art community has been “phenomenal”.

She noted that young artists in particular are the ones who are “extremely excited”, as The Duke is providing them with a space to display their fresh ideas.

As for the response from the general public, she says there are just “so many questions!” She believes the reason for this is because The Duke is entrepreneurial; it is the first of its kind, a new concept.

She describes the environment of The Duke as “warm” and “intimate”, and further says she hopes to make the space one that is “free” and “open,” so that everyone can feel “safe”.

Young or old, with family or friends, The Duke welcomes you.

Part of the reasons why she has tried to create such an environment, Amber says, is that when people feel safe, happy and open, they feel more

Carmen Gittens

80-year-old Carmen Gittens said she became the guardian of her brothers and sisters when their mother died.

She said the last time she saw her younger brother was a month prior to his death when he informed her that he was travelling into the interior to work.

Also appearing before the Commission was retired Detective Carl Jacobs, who was responsible for preparing the coroner’s order of the death of the miners.

The CoI into the Lindo Creek Massacre is seeking to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the death of Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Horace Drakes, Bonny Harry, Lancelot Lee, Compton Speirs, Nigel Torres and Clifton Berry Wong, on or about June 28, 2008 and to report the findings and recommendations to President David Granger.

By Ashley Anthony

comfortable in completely exploring and indulging in art.

When asked why she had personally decided to promote art in Guyana, Lowe explained: “One of the things I have always enjoyed about Guyana is our diversity and the way everyone embraces different cultures.

It puts us in a very unique position as a country, and I believe that our diverse talent in art and food should be shared with the world.”

The Duke opens today at Roraima Duke Lodge, and dinner will be served from 8pm. Although you don’t necessarily need to witness the opening, if you’re ever looking for a place to dine, consider The Duke; it’ll definitely be a new experience.

48 Bollywood

P

riyanka Chopra’s production house Purple Pebble Pictures has made a name for itself in the business of cinema, but her mother and the company’s co-founder Madhu Chopra says the actor’s colleagues in Bollywood were skeptical when they announced their first venture – a Bhojpuri film.

It was the 2016 film Bam Bam Bol Raha Hai Kashi, which marked

WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor’s devotion to their art is awe-inspiring

Priyanka’s entry into film production. Today, at a FICCI Frames session titled “Beyond Bollywood: Does regional cinema make better sense?”, Madhu revealed that Priyanka’s colleagues were shocked and even questioned her decision to back a Bhojpuri film, saying it doesn’t go with her brand image.

“The first film we did was a Bhojpuri film. You can’t imagine what reaction I got from Bombay.

Priyanka’s colleagues and peers said, ‘Your mom has gone mad.

Why are you all even making Bhojpuri films? It doesn’t go with your brand image’,” said Madhu.

“But I told Priyanka, you are uplifting a region that needs your attention.

You are doing it for a passion and cause.

I can say it with great pride that commercial success or business was not on our mind. It was forging a path and becoming an option for new regions,” she added.

Today, Purple Pebble Pictures has several projects lined up including a Hindi film, which will reportedly be helmed by Pink director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury. (Indian Express)

I’m totally indisciplined, says Aamir Khan

A

ctor Aamir Khan, often known as Bollywood’s Mr Perfectionist, says he is “totally indisciplined” in real life, but his work brings out the discipline in him. The actor-producer on Monday launched his friend and f i l m m a k er Rajkumar Hirani’s pilot wife-turned-author Manjeet Hirani’s book titled How To Be Human here.

The book talks about how people can learn from animals around them.

In the book, Manjeet has mentioned how her pet dog Buddy Hirani is very disciplined when it comes to his diet.

On discipline in his own life, Aamir told the media, “Actually, I am not disciplined at all. I am totally indisciplined. The only thing that gets me to be disciplined is my work so if I was not

an actor and not in this field, I would have been the most indisciplined person.

“The only reason I am disciplined is because my work requires me to be so. Otherwise, I am not disciplined. I know it’s very hard for people to imagine that… But this is the fact and people who are close to me know that and they know how indisciplined I am. The only thing is work that pulls me back to track and makes me do what I have to do.”

Aamir, who was the voice of Pluto the dog in Bollywood film Dil Dhadakne Do, admits there’s a lot people can learn from pets. “It’s so true that actually we can learn so much not only from our own pets but from animals around us because they are really less judgmental than we are. (Indian Express)

N

a t i o n a l award-winning makeup, hair and prosthetic designer Preetisheel Singh was lauded for the looks of Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus Padmaavat. Now, Preetisheel has done it again with the looks of Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor in Umesh Shukla’s 102 Not Out. The film is an adaptation of a successful Gujarati play of the same name and explores the relationship between a parent and a child. In the movie, Amitabh is a 102-year-old man and Rishi Kapoor plays his adorable 75-year-old son.

Speaking about the magnetic appeal of the legendary actors, Preetisheel Singh says, “I was a baby when they were shining bright and they are still ruling hearts. So yes, you got to tough-

en up and think beyond the aura they exude. Designing their looks was a hard task. More so, as I was aware that combined with their talent, the looks would go way beyond visual appeal.”

“Plus, at their age and stature, it takes a lot of patience to sit and allow so much makeup to happen and then go out and perform. Even after all these years in the business of entertainment, their child-like enthusiasm and devotion to their art are awe-inspiring. Their energy and intensity are infectious and exhilarating, so much so that one can compare it with the current heartthrobs,” she adds. (Indian Express)

Annu Kapoor on Shammi: In spite of setbacks, she always smiled

T

o deliver dialogues such as “Tere muh mein keede, tere muh mein dhool” and appear endearing on screen, an actor needs to be spirited and charming. Veteran actor Shammi, who as Chhoti Nani made this dialogue a popular catchline in the ’90s on the television comedy show Dekh Bhai Dekh, was all these and more.

Shammi’s passing away at the age of 89 at her Juhu home in Mumbai on Tuesday, made several industry stalwarts including Amitabh Bachchan, Farah Khan and Boman Irani share their grief on social media. Later in the day, actors Asha Parekh, Farida Jalal and Annu Kapoor attended her funeral. Khan and Irani, her co-actors from the 2013 film Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi, were also present there to pay their last respect.

Born as Nargis Rabadi in 1931 in a Parsi family, she was known by her screen name ‘Shammi’ and was fondly called ‘Shammi Aunty’. She was the sister of costume designer Mani Rabadi and entered the industry by accident. In 1951,

Shammi debuted as one of the lead actors of Malhar. The film didn’t do well commercially even though she got noticed. Soon after, she was cast along with Dilip Kumar and Madhubala in Sangdil (1952).

Though in the following years, lead roles dried up for her, Shammi established herself as a prominent supporting actor with her affable personality and zany humour. She went on to act in over 200 movies and television shows in her career spanning six decades. Prominent among them are Purab Aur Pachhim (1970), The Burning Train (1980), Hum (1991), Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991), Khuda Gawah (1991) and Coolie No 1 (1995).

She explored the television space with shows such as Dekh Bhai Dekh, Zabaan Sambhal Ke, Shrimaan Shrimati and Filmi Chakkar. (Indian Express)

In Hollywood, writers are treated as superstars: R Madhavan

R

Madhavan has said that in Hollywood, writers are treated as superstars which is not the case with Bollywood. The actor hopes scribes and dialogue writers are rewarded equally for their work.

“In Hollywood, the screenplay writers, dialogue writers are treated as superstars and are paid well.

It is a flourishing career there.

Unfortunately, in Bollywood, the sad part is it is not rewarding,” he said.

Madhavan was speaking at a session — ‘Dawn of a new Entertainment era: Case study of ‘Breathe'” — at the FICCI Frames here, along with his co-star Amit Sadh, director Mayank Sharma, producer Vikram Malhotra and Vijay Subramaniam, the director-content for Amazon Prime Video, India.

Breathe is Madhavan’s debut web series that premiered on January 26 on Amazon Prime Video. The actor showered praises on the show’s writers for their research and hard work.

“For ‘Breathe’, the team of writers did a lot of research to get things

right and accurate. They need a pat on the back, they need a fat pay cheque. The glory of the fact is that it has done well. But there is a fear as well, as it always happens after success. Now, if we put out something that is equally smart in the next six months. We need to match up to the first part and it is going to be tough.

And if we fall short, the audience will

not spare us.”

“The digital medium is vast, the films and TV have to worry about to up their game,” he added.

Madhavan recalled an incident where the immigration officials at an airport praised the series and were curious to know more about the show.

“The kind of response I have been getting from social media and my

friends for ‘Breathe’ is manifold even as compared to the biggest hit films of my career. It has got me a different level of recognition and reverence, I have never experienced something like this before,” he said.

The Tanu Weds Manu actor, however, added that his fans in the South expressed their annoyance as he did not dub the show in Tamil.

His co-star from the web series, Amit Sadh, too, is overwhelmed with compliments. “I am not taking the appreciation to my head. I am humbled by this love. It is a great booster for me. Thanks to the makers to identify the change in audience (taste) and come up with the web series.

“It has been a great experience working with him (Madhavan). He is a big star but I did not see any lack of dedication for this web series,” Amit said.

Breathe is an Indian drama series that explores the lives of ordinary men facing extraordinary circumstances. (Indian Express)

WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Christopher Robin’ teaser trailer: Winnie The Pooh reunites with old friend

T

he first teaser for Disney’s upcoming live-action film Christopher Robin has hit the internet and it reintroduces two of the most beloved characters from AA Milne’s books: Robin and the lovable bear Winnie The Pooh.

The boy is all grown up this time and it’s been a very long time since he’s seen his old friend Winnie the Pooh.

The adult Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) is going through some trying times. The trailer opens with his boss pressuring him to can-

cel a family vacation for a meeting. While sitting on a park bench, a worried Robin is wondering “What to do!” He definitely needs some magic in his life and that is when his childhood friend Winnie The Pooh approaches him.

“I’ve cracked,” Robin tells Pooh. “Oh, I don’t see any cracks,” Pooh heartwarmingly responds. “A few wrinkles, maybe.” McGregor had also recently teamed up with Disney for Beauty and the Beast where he voiced the candelabrum Lumiere.

D i s n e y ’ s Christopher Robin has been directed by Marc Forster from a screenplay by Alex Ross Perry and Allison Schroeder and a story by Perry based on characters created by AA Milne.

The producers are Brigham Taylor and Kristin Burr with Renée Wolfe and Jeremy Johns serving as executive producers.

The film stars Ewan McGregor as Christopher Robin, Hayley Atwell as his wife Evelyn, Bronte Carmichael as his daughter Madeline and Mark Gatiss as Robin’s boss Keith Winslow. The film also features the voices of Jim Cummings as Winnie the Pooh, Chris O’Dowd as Tigger, Brad Garrett as Eeyore, Toby Jones as Owl, Nick Mohammed as Piglet, Peter Capaldi as Rabbit and Sophie Okonedo as Kanga. (Indian Express)

Jordan Peele feels black directors are getting their due in Hollywood

A

ctor-director-writer Jordan Peele, who became the first African-American screenwriter to win an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Get Out, says the best films in every genre are being made by black directors.

“It’s a renaissance. I almost never became a director because there’s such a shortage of role models. We had Spike Lee. We had John Singleton. We had the Peebleses.

We had the Hughes brothers. But they felt like the exception to the rule,” eonline.com quoted Peele as saying.

“I’m so proud to be a part of a time — the beginning of a movement, where you — where I feel like the best films in every genre are being brought to me by my fellow black directors. It’s very special, and I think that goes for all areas of inclusion, but it’s quite clear with the work that Ava (DuVernay) is doing, that Ryan (Coogler) is doing, F. Gary Gray, Barry (Jenkins), that this

is a very special time,” he added.

Peele is aware of the influence he has in the entertainment industry.

“When the nominations came out, I had this amazing feeling of looking at the 12-year-old that had this burning in my gut for this type of validation… I instantly realised that an award like this is much bigger than me. This is about paying it forward to the young people who might not believe that they could achieve the highest honour in whatever craft they want to push toward.”

Get Out, a horror film centred on an inter-racial relationship between a black American man and his white partner, was a satire on racism and it was critically lauded. After his Oscar win, Peele tweeted: “When Whoopi Goldberg won her Oscar for ‘Ghost’, she practically reached through my TV screen and told young me to follow my dreams. I did, and it worked. Thanks Whoopi.” (Indian Express)

Wish there were more women on ‘Tomb Raider’ set: Alicia Vikander

A

licia Vikander wishes there were more women involved in the production of Tomb Raider, as the film is meant to be about strong girls. The 29-year-old actor plays the iconic gaming character Lara Croft in the forthcoming film and although she was thrilled that it revolves around a strong lady, she was “disappointed” that the majority of the cast were men.

During an appearance on The One Show when host Alex Jones

said she was disappointed that there were not many women involved in the movie, Vikander replied, “I got to work with Kristin Scott Thomas and she is an extraordinary actress, but me too, I agree. I was on the island and I was thinking: ‘there are not enough women’. I was running around looking for them!”

The actor has taken over the role from Angelina Jolie, who played the icon in two movies in 2001 and then again in 2003. Vikander,

however, said she did not try to “copy” the 42-yearold stars’ portrayal because she could “never compete” with her.

“I could never compete with what Angelina did. She made her into an icon because she is an icon. But this is our different interpretation; we’re focused on the reboot of the game which came out a few years ago. It’s the origin story – we’re not trying to copy or reinvent what she did,” she said. (Indian Express)

Hollywood 49

‘Black Panther’ roars its way past 500 million dollars at the domestic box office

M

arvel Cinematic Universe’s most recent release Black Panther is at the top of the box office in its third week. It has crossed the 500 million dollar mark at the US box office according to boxofficemojo.com.

Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film, starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o, is keeping at bay movies like Jennifer Lawrence’s Red Sparrow and Bruce Willis’s Death Wish. Globally, too, Black Panther is mauling the competition. It will soon enter the coveted billion-dollar club. Its collection stands at 898 million dollars (rounded off figures).

Black Panther is the harbinger for the biggest MCU film yet, Avengers: Infinity War that will hit theatres on April 27. It is set after the events of Captain America: Civil War. T’Challa returns to his home Wakanda to be

crowned king after his father dies.

Unbeknownst to him, there are impending threats to his throne and his kingdom.

Black Panther received highly positive reviews. It holds a 97% rating at the box office. The consensus reads, “Black Panther elevates superhero cinema to thrilling new heights while telling one of the MCU’s most absorbing stories — and introducing some of its most fully realized characters.”

Black Panther has broken several records. It now holds the record for the biggest opening of any film in the month of February. It is also the biggest superhero origin movie opening of all time. Not just that, it is the biggest movie opening not directed by a white person. Considering how the film is still performing, we would not be surprised if the film still ends up breaking a record or two. (Indian Express)

Frances McDormand’s Oscar stolen, thief arrested

A

man was arrested and is accused of stealing Frances McDormand’s Oscars trophy after the Academy Awards on Sunday night, Los Angeles police said.

Terry Bryant, 47, was arrested on suspicion of felony grand theft, said Officer Rosario Herrera, a police spokeswoman.

Video captured by The Associated Press appears to show Bryant walking with the statuette out of the Governors Ball, the Oscars after-party where police say he took it.

The video shows a man in a tuxedo who appears to be Bryant holding an Oscar statuette highly and proudly as an onlooker cheers.

“All right baby boys, and baby girls,” he says, walking quickly and nearly bumping into a woman.

He then quickly glances around him before walking out of frame, prominently holding the Oscar the entire time.

Another photographer who took Bryant’s picture at about the same time did not recognize him as a win-

ner at the ceremony, and began following him, police said.

When he was confronted, Bryant handed back the statuette without a fight, police said. He was detained by security guards at the event and arrested by Los Angeles police officers. The award was later returned to McDormand.

“After some brief time apart, Frances and her Oscar were happily reunited. They celebrated the reunion with a double cheeseburger from InN-Out Burger,” McDormand’s publicist, Simon Halls, told the AP. McDormand received the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

The two-time Oscar winner, who swept trophies at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, Independent Spirit and BAFTA ceremonies, beat out Sally Hawkins of The Shape of Water, Margot Robbie of I, Tonya, Saoirse Ronan of Lady Bird, and 21time nominee Meryl Streep of The Post at Sunday’s Oscars.

In Three Billboards, McDormand played Mildred Hayes, a hardened woman seeking justice for her daughter’s murder in the crime drama. Her first Oscar came for the 1996 film Fargo, directed by her husband Joel Coen.

Bryant was being held on 20,000 dollar bail till Monday, police said.

There was no immediate reply to a message sent to one of Bryant’s social media profiles and it wasn’t clear if he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf. (Indian Express)

50 sport

WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

CPL Final in T&T for the next three years T

he Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has announced that the finals of the “Biggest Party in Sport” will be hosted by Trinidad & Tobago for the next three years.

This announcement was made after CPL signed a staging agreement with the government of Trinidad and Tobago that will see the final two matches of the tournament taking place in the country between 2018 and 2020.

The semi-final and final represent the culmination of the Biggest Party in Sport and these games will make a massive impact on the Trinidad & Tobago economy.

Trinidad & Tobago will now host four consecutive finals after the hugely successful matches played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BCLA) which saw a sellout crowd for last year’s

final as home team, Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), emerged victorious.

Last year the Hero CPL generated revenue for Trinidad & Tobago of US$23million and Damien O’Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer

(CEO) of Hero CPL, said he is delighted to be continuing making an impact on the country’s economy.

“Hero CPL continues to grow year on year and we are delighted with the support that we have had from the gov-

ernment of Trinidad & Tobago. It is clear that hosting Hero CPL games is a huge positive for the countries involved and this multi-year deal means we can plan our finals to be even bigger and better than before.

On behalf of Hero CPL

I would like to express my thanks to Prime Minister, Keith Rowley, Minister of Sport, Darryl Smith and also Brian Lara for pulling this deal together.”

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs for Trinidad & Tobago,

Holder and Brathwaite ward W off PNG threat

The Honourable Darryl Smith stated: “The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is pleased to continue on our Sports Tourism drive with the hosting of the CPL semifinal and final for the next three years at the brand new Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Last year was the best finals ever and to top it all off TKR won at home at the BLCA. We hope that TKR can do it again in Trinidad and Tobago.

We have built a great relationship with CPL and cricket fans across the world can expect a great product of high level excitement and entertainment as they did in 2017.”

The player draft ahead of this year’s sixth edition of the tournament took place in London last Thursday where teams opted for new combinations ahead of the August 8 to September 16 showpiece.

‘We’ve come here to beat every single person’ – Jason Holder

F

or a few moments, West Indies looked in danger of losing to Papua New Guinea, chasing a target of 201.

Chris Gayle was not playing. Their other firebrand opener, Evin Lewis, fell in the second over. They slumped to 58 for 4 to spur the possibility of a spectacular upset. But the captain Jason Holder came out and took charge, scoring an unbeaten 99 off 101 deliveries to seal his team's second win in as many matches.

Prior to the start of the Qualifier, West Indies coach Stuart Law had expected low-scoring scraps. "It is not going to be making 300-plus and then bowling teams out. It is going to be working out how to get to 180 to 220 and then deciding how to get the 10 wickets. We have to lower that target just to make sure we are safe to play better cricket or make better decisions out in the middle and get the job done."

Although they were the ones chas-

Carlos Brathwaite

ing against Papua New Guinea on Thursday, the same principles applied.

Shai Hope came in to bat in the second over and played a Test-match innings, scoring 49 off 115 balls while his captain took care of the big-hitting at the other end. Holder began with backto-back fours. He cruised to his fifty off 65 balls, then leapt from 70 to 93 in the space of two overs and was eyeing a maiden ODI century as the game reached its climax. He was 98 not out.

West Indies needed one run to win.

Holder was content taking the single and walking off with the win.

As a result, PNG were knocked out of the tournament. Their captain Assad Vala had top-scored with 57 off 89 balls, but was one of only four batsmen who managed double-figures.

Carlos Brathwaite was the reason for such a state of affairs, picking up his first five-for in ODIs and instigating a collapse which pinned PNG down from 151 for 4 to 169 for 9. (ESPNCricinfo)

indies won the first two editions of the ICC Cricket World Cup, in 1975 and 1979, and made the final of the 1983 edition before losing to India.

For the team to now be battling to get into the tournament’s 2019 edition has been quite a slide, and Carlos Brathwaite, the allrounder, has already said that the team “didn’t want to be here” at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 in Zimbabwe.

Jason Holder, the Windies captain, agreed, and said he wanted his team to be “ruthless”.

“You’ve got to play good cricket, you’ve got to play consistent cricket. Have to just urge and stress to the guys that we’ve to be consistent in all departments and we’ve got to hold our chances when they come.

We’ve got to put teams under pressure when we bat, and when we bowl we’ve got to be ruthless,” he said in the lead-up to the 10-team qualifying tournament.

Ireland, at No.12 in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Men’s Team Rankings, are expected to be the biggest challengers in the group stage for Windies, ranked No.9, but Holder isn’t thinking of the opponents much – he just wants his team to knock everyone out.

Jason Holder

“We’re looking to win every game in the tournament,” he said. “We’ve got to do that by playing consistent cricket, we’ve got to take it step by step. We’ve got to make sure we take every game as it comes. We don’t want to look too far or get too far ahead of ourselves. As I said, we’ve come here to beat every single person.”

Windies’ recent oneday international form has been far from satisfactory, as they lost a three-match series in New Zealand 3-0 in December 2017 and, prior to that, were beaten 4-0 in England in September.

Despite that, Holder exuded confidence.

“We’re really confident.

Extremely confident,” he said. “I think I’m really confident because we’ve just come off our domestic competition back at home, and a number of guys have put in a really solid performance. They are confident coming into this tournament. I expect really good things from them, to continue their good form that they

showed in the domestic competitions.”

One of those men is Chris Gayle, whose ODI return has been a mixed bag. While he did get going in his comeback series in England, with scores of 37, 94 and 40 in three of the games, the New Zealand tour didn’t go too well.

“He is an impact player. He is one of those players that can definitely take the game away from the opposition. He has proven that in the past, he is a proven performer at this stage. We expect him to win some games for us, help us get through this tournament and win this tournament,” said Holder.

“Along with Chris, we’ve got some more impact players. We’ve got Marlon Samuels, Evin Lewis, and in the bowling department, we’ve got Sheldon Cottrell, Kemar Roach, Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse, I mean these are a few impact players. If these guys have really good tournaments, the others can support them nicely.” (CWI)

Sport 51

WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Newcomers shine at Georgetown grand prix T

he new batch of karters left a strong impression about the future of motor sports as they produced some sterling performances at the first round of the Georgetown Grand Prix held last Saturday.

Two groups of eager and exciting youngsters, all below the age of 15 and as young as five years old, lit up the GT Motorsports track like never before.

The usually fun-filled 60cc category, sponsored

by Sun Burst Juices, was split into two groups- the Kids Cup, which catered for the more experienced youths, and the Baby Cup, which featured newcomers.

Nathan Rahaman, who ended the last season strongly, finished as champion driver, working his way to two wins and a second place finish. Jeremy Tenpow, who was crowned over-

all champion of the Kids Cup last year, had a night of mixed returns.

The Baby Cup, which was based on lap time rather than position, was a very competitive affair, with Nicholas Sawh, who could hardly contain his excitement on the podium, emerging as champion driver.

The enthusiastic youth won two races, clocking fastest times of 35.772s and 35.363s The 125cc Juniors was

Mikhail Persaud was champion driver of the 125cc Seniors (GT Motorsports Photo)

a very competitive field, with Gianni Carpenter copping the champion driver award after chalking up a win and a third place. However, it was Faraud Mohamed who impressed on the night, earning a podium spot in all three races.

Stefan Jeffrey, with

From left: Nathan Rahaman, Caleb Paul, Ben Phang and Nicholas Sawh (GT Motorsports Photo)

two wins, lifted the champion driver title in the Easy Cup Super, with Dharmendra Dharmo winning the other race. Shan Seejatan ruled the roost in the 125cc Masters, walking away with the champion driver accolade after two wins and a second.

Mikhail Persaud continued his great driving from 2017, winning the champion driver award in the 125cc Seniors by winning two races, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Kristian Boodoosingh won the other race and also claimed a second place finish.

Ronchi, a good pick for Warriors done well to re-secure the service of opener Luke Ronchi.

Nicknamed “The Rock”, the 36 year-old Australia-born made a sudden impact last season immediately following his late arrival to the squad. Despite playing just four games for the Warriors after being drafted in for adopted Kiwi country-man

After retiring from international cricket in 2017, the former New Zealand player has since become a T20 gun for hire. Prior to his CPL run, Ronchi had an outstanding NatWest T20 blast where he represented Leicestershire with much success.

Following his CPL stint, the Aussie then applied his trade for the Chittagong Vikings in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), where his batting form got better.

In December of 2017, the hard-hitting batsman lit up his home turf when he smoked 102 off 46 balls for his county Wellington in the New Zealand Super Smash T20 tournament.

A f t e r Ronchi was

and teammate Martin Guptill; the right-hander carved 172 runs at an average of 57.3 with two fifty plus scores including a best of 70.

The wicket-keeper/ batsman racked up 14 fours and 9 sixes during his brief run but played a crucial role as his 70 helped knock the then defending champs Jamaica Tallawahs out of the tourney.

re-

Luke Ronchi made an impressive CPL debut in 2017

W

ith the 6th edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) just months away, Guyana Amazon Warriors have

tained by the Warriors during last week’s CPL player draft in London, the opener’s immaculate form continued with a 31-ball 71 blitz, batting for Islamabad United in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) T20.

Although the Warriors have opted for more regional firepow-

er this season, Ronchi who was snapped up for USD$30,000 will have to shoulder most of the batting responsibility along with Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik who returns to Warriors colors, Chadwick Walton and South African Cameron Delport.

As such, the Guyana-based franchise with their vast quota of young local talents along with a few Caribbean stars should lend ideal sup-

port to the few key international players in the side.

Guyana for the first time will be hosting three opening matches of the competition starting August 8; the three-time finalists will then head out on the road before returning to home turf for the back-end matches all set for the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors squad reads:

Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Malik, Chadwick Walton, Cameron Delport, Rayad Emrit, Imran Tahir, Jason Mohammed, Luke Ronchi, Veerasammy Permaul, Roshon Primus, Shimron Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo, Gajanand Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, Saurabh Netravalkar and Akshaya Persaud.

(Clifton Ross)

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

New York Business Group throws support behind BCB U-19 cricket

T

he New York Business Group consists of Seepersaud Charran of Ryan Trucking Service, Richard Mahase of Little Guyana Bake Shop, Jamel Mohammed of City Buyers Garment Factory, Sheik Hassan of West Chester Shairlift, Permaul Trading and Distribution and Ajit Mootoo, an ardent cricket fan have combined resources to invest over G$700,000 for the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) under-19 tournament.

On Monday last with the co-operation of the Albion Cricket Club they launched the 2nd Edition of the New York Business Group Under-19 Tournament.

BCB President Hilbert Foster hailed the launching of the Under-19 Tournament as another red letter day in the history of Berbice Cricket.

The New York Business Group Under-19 Tournament would be played on a One-Day Two-innings basis at the Group stages while the Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Finals shall be two-day affairs.

The BCB Selection

President of the Albion Cricket Club, Pastor Kandan hands over sponsorship cheque to Berbice Cricket Board Vice President Albert Smith in the presence of cricketers and parents

Committee would be looking closely at the first rounds of matches in order to select the best possible Berbice team for the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board Under-19 inter-county tournament.

Foster also made special mention of Orvin Mangru for his hard work and dedication in securing the sponsorship.

Mangru of the Albion Cricket Club stated that the New York Business Group was delighted to be once again involved in Berbice Cricket. The Group, he stated first sponsored the tourna-

ment two years ago but due to the problems affecting Berbice Cricket, the tournament was delayed.

He pledged on behalf of the sponsors that the tournament would be an annual event and disclosed that the entire investment would be far more than the announced G$700,000 as outstanding performers would most likely receive cricket gears like bats, pads and gloves as incentives.

Mangru expressed confidence in the current Berbice Cricket Board’s ability to organise the

tournament properly.

The current defending Champions of the New York Business Group Under-19 Tournament is the Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 Team which defeated Albion in the 2016 Finals.

The Winning Team would receive G$100,000 and a trophy valued G$30,000 trophy, the Runner-up team G$50 000.00 and a trophy to the value of G$15 000.

The player of the Match in the final will

carry home G$15,000 and a trophy worth G$10,000.

The Best Bowler in the Finals, Best Batsman in the Finals, Best Overall Bowler, Best Overall Batsman and Best Overall Wicket Keeper will each receive a trophy to the value of G$10,000.

Among the teams expected to play are Upper Corentyne, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town Pepsi ‘A’, Albion A, Albion B, Rose Hall

Town Pepsi ‘B’, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje, Tucber Park, Police, Blairmont, West Berbice, Bush Lot United, Tamarind Root and Big Star.

Junior Cricketers can now look forward to playing the game at the Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-21 levels in addition to Intermediate, Second Division, Intersecondary Schools and First Division levels.

Jaguars’ CONCACAF qualifiers start September T

he Guyana G o l d e n Jaguars Football Team will open their Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association F o o t b a l l (CONCACAF) Nations League qualifiers account when they go head to head with Barbados in

Ian Greenwood

September.

That encounter will be followed by a clash against Turks and Caicos in O c t o b e r then match three will see Guyana taking on F r e n c h Guiana.

In March, 2019 the Golden Jaguars will wrap things up with a match against Belize.

Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Ian Greenwood said, “It’s a positive and competitive draw for the golden jaguars, we feel we have the ability to perform against each opposition. We’re excited for our tough visit to French Guiana but feel we have the players to rise to this occasion and come out on top. Belize should be an interesting game but with home advantage and the support of a packed Stadium that will help us over the line.”

Greenwood added, “The launch of the CONCACAF Nations League opens a consistent level of competitiveness to further develop the standard of international football in the region.”

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