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More sugar workers on the breadline ISSUE NO. 367

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017

See story on page 3

…as downsizing of Guyana’s sugar industry picks up pace

NY Diwali Parade attracts thousands See story and photos inside

Govt announces 2017 public servants wage increases Page 7

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

More sugar workers on the breadline

…as downsizing of Guyana’s sugar industry picks up pace

W

ith less than three months left for the end of this calendar year, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has already started the process of downsizing the sugar industry.

The first move will take effect on November 11, 2017, when some 250 sugar workers attached to the East Demerara Sugar Estate (Enmore) will be officially made redundant.

This is according to General Secretary of the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU), Seepaul Narine, who told Guyana Times International on Wednesday that the union was informed of that decision. Narine said he is certain that those who are likely to be affected by this move will face the same fate as those workers who were made redundant at the Wales Sugar Estate.

“I am certain it will happen, and I am most worried,” he declared, explaining that GAWU has made a request to meet with the management of GuySuCo to discuss the issues at the Skeldon Factory.

“We are unaware about what they are doing at Rose Hall, and at Skeldon there seems to be confusion.”

In a recent meeting held between the management of GuySuCo and the shop stewards and field secretary from that estate, it was disclosed that GuySuCo is not budgeting to have a crop for 2017.

It was further disclosed that, as of January, 2018, the special project set up under the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) will take control of the estate.

Only last week, GuySuCo announced plans to retrench 2,500

GAWU General Secretary Seepaul Narine

more workers by the end of this year. This will add to those hundreds from the Wales estate who were made redundant last year.

According to reports, this will be the single largest planned layoff in decades.

Narine said GuySuCo has somewhat back-pedaled on its original plan, which was aimed at getting

the sacked sugar workers to continue working in agriculture. However, as of recent, the Corporation had made mention that it would be seeking to have these workers trained to become mechanics.

“They are talking different things at different times. This is contrary to what they have put in the White Paper — that they will give the people land,” Narine contended.

A delegation from the European Union (EU) is currently in Guyana conducting various assessments to assist in transitioning into farmers the workers who will be made redundant, but Narine has said that GuySuCo has been silent on these actions and the overall plan to downsize.

“This is absolute craziness, because they haven’t said a word about what will be the future of the work-

ers, and what they intend to do. The Government, in its White Paper, (had) said that they are going to divest themselves from Skeldon, so one expect you keep the property in good order and you maintain it properly so you get the best price; but we are seeing the opposite taking place,” he declared.

According to Narine, there has been no planting, no fertiliser application, and no chemical control activities ongoing at the estate, and these are all signs that there is an impending closure at year-end.

Earlier this year, Government announced plans to close the Enmore and Rose Hall Sugar Estates, sell the Skeldon Sugar Factory, and reduce the annual production of sugar, among other new measures.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder had said that this process would result in

improving the relationship with some cane cutters, estate staff, and about 1710 private cane farmers. He declared that GuySuCo’s sugar operations would be limited to the AlbionRose Hall, Blairmont and Uitvlugt-Wales Estates.

The minister had also revealed plans to cut sugar production to approximately 147,000 tonnes per annum. This, according to him, will satisfy the demand in the local market (25,000 tonnes per annum); Caricom and other regional markets (50,00060,000 tonnes per annum); the United States (12,500 tonnes per annum) and the world market (50,000 tonnes per annum).

The downsizing and subsequent closure of sugar estates would lead to the loss of more than 15,000 jobs and the potential threat of poverty for between 50,000 and 100,000 people.

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EDITORIAL

Bridging Guyana’s ethnic divide

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ost Guyanese would concede that ethnicity plays an inordinate role in our politics and that the way the latter has structured our political participation has not been positive. Since the claim that “modernisation”, set into motion after WWII , would soon make the “primordial” roots of ethnicity disappear has been proven quite premature, it behoves policymakers to take another look at our political system and institute changes that could steer our political behaviour in more positive directions. In fact, evidence gathered during the last 50 years had demonstrated that ethnicity and other bases of “identity politics” have now become the predominant form of political mobilisation – even in the developed countries such as Britain and the US. The call for “constitutional change” in Guyana is one initiative to achieve the positive aim, but unfortunately, most of its initiators have studiously avoided the elephant in the room: the aforementioned ethnic divisions that form the bases of our political activity. Unless we begin by acknowledging this reality and not wishing it would disappear by “post racial” incantations, we will be dooming ourselves to spinning wheels, that continue to take us backwards.

Ethnic politics is, first of all, encouraged by the logic of democracy which focuses on agglomerating numbers to form majorities. In such a milieu, it is to be expected that politicians will exploit any avenue, including the omnipresent ethnic identity to achieve the maximum agglomeration. The promise of rewards if people “vote for their own” goes beyond material incentives, since power in the hands of one’s group offers a psychic satisfaction that springs from the ethnic identity itself.

Constitutional change, then, should offer incentives that would encourage politicians and political persons to not necessarily eschew their ethnic labels and constituencies but to reach across such constituencies. This normative practice becomes easier to achieve when, as in Guyana presently, no single ethnic group constitutes an absolute majority. Politicians would be forced to moderate their rhetoric for any one group or against any other group and this behaviour should create a moderating centripetal mobilisation effect.

The present Guyanese Constitution, which was supposedly extensively amended in 2000 to address Guyana’s challenges, unfortunately left intact the requirement for a government to be elected with not even a majority of votes by the electorate but by a plurality. Additionally, it prohibits coalitions from being formed after elections, the most propitious time for groups, ethnic or otherwise, to modify their platform to strike bargains. These two stipulations must be changed at a minimum.

But outside of explicit constitutional strictures, the idiosyncrasies of an ethnically plural society also pose challenges emanating paradoxically from the most fundamental modern norm of “equality”.

In these societies, the politics is dominated by the immanent feature of group comparison, leaving some groups “suffering” in that comparison, especially in the realm of economics. Equality of opportunity will not satisfy the “losing” group: they are looking to be guaranteed equality of outcome, while ignoring the personal and group attributes that are mediating factors.

Such groups will attempt to subvert the norm of equality in the political realm by asserting greater legitimacy than other groups which should allow them greater access to the national patrimony.

Today, we see this feature taking centre stage in Guyanese politics and, rather sadly but predictably, it is accompanied by rhetoric decrying other groups’ legitimacy to their own share of the national patrimony.

While in all societies, especially in ex-colonies, there might be disabilities induced via past discrimination in some groups in terms of truly enjoying “equal opportunity” and therefore deserving of circumventing the equality imperative through “affirmative action” programmes, these must be crafted quite transparently so that backlashes are not precipitated from groups that will denounce “ethnic favouritism”.

For instance, there are some who claim Indian Guyanese are not represented to their proportion of the population in the Army and Police Force. But the historical discrimination must be proven before rectificatory action can be taken.

Seven students from the Faculty of Natural Sciences; University of Guyana are currently participating in the Florida International University (FIU) Mc Nair Scholars Research Conference 2017. The participants will share their research and explore graduate studies opportunities.

Addressing poverty

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ctober 17 was observed by United Nations member countries as International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

According to the UN, some 1 billion people live in extreme poverty and more than 800 million endure hunger and malnutrition.

The UN has noted that poverty is not simply measured by inadequate income. It is manifested in restricted access to health, education, sanitation and other essential services and, too often, by the denial or abuse of other fundamental human rights.

According to the UN, vast inequalities threaten economies, communities and nations, trapping people in a cycle of poverty and marginalisation. The State of World Population 2017, a flagship report of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), notes that these inequalities are not simply a matter of wealth, but also include social, racial and political dimensions which are all mutually reinforcing. The report says that around the world, gender amplifies these inequalities. For example, too many women and girls do not have access to sexual and reproductive health care, which means they are unable to receive family planning services or antenatal care, and may be forced to give birth in unsafe conditions.

Pressed into motherhood early, or repeatedly, these girls and women are less able to

finish their educations or enter the paid workforce, leaving their families poorer and their children with bleaker futures.

In Guyana, too many citizens are still considered living below the poverty line, and many more are still waiting to access the opportunities that would allow them to lift themselves out of poverty. President David Granger has said before that Guyana has enough resources to banish poverty forever. However, the nation is still waiting to see what concrete plans and programmes are being put in place to address poverty and to create “the good life” for all that was promised on the campaign trail some two and a half years ago.

Further, rather than creating opportunities for employment, thousands of sugar workers are being placed on the breadline. In spite of the mounting calls for the Coalition Government to reconsider its decision to downscale the sugar industry via closure of sugar Estates, the Administration seems unmoved and is bent on moving in a direction that will see these workers and their families being severely affected.

It could be recalled that on May 8, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder presented Government’s ‘White Paper’ on the future of the sugar industry to the National Assembly.

He had announced that several sugar estates would be closed and the annual production of

sugar would be reduced, among a number of other measures, as part of a new policy on the sugar industry.

Cognisant of the huge impact these closures would have on their lives, thousands of sugar workers and their families have taken to the streets over the past few months to highlight their concerns on the matter, with the hope that the government would stop to listen.

While alternative mechanisms have been touted to cushion the impact, nothing substantial has been earmarked that would stem the swelling of unemployment occasioned by the closure of these estates.

Certainly, the estates are a major source of sustenance and their closure will be felt deeply and far and wide. Workers and their families are rightly fearful that their communities would be destroyed, families broken up and there will be increased incidences of crime and other social problems.

We had suggested that the issue be brought for discussion and debate at the national level with the involvement of all stakeholders, but this was ignored.

It is the duty of the Government to address systemic socio-economic inequalities and to facilitate the governmental engagement of all citizens. This is a necessary ingredient if Guyana is to seriously work towards eradicating poverty.

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

GDF Lance Corporal killed by drunken motorcyclist in Lethem

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Dead: GDF Lance Corporal Devon Fraser

uyana Defence Force Band Corps’ Lance Corporal Devon Fraser was on Wednesday morning killed after a drunken motorcyclist struck him from behind while he was walking along the Lethem Public Road in Region Nine.

Based on reports received, the 28-year-old Fraser, of Lot 48 Goedverwagting Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, was with a colleague when the motorcyclist, who was riding at a fast rate, collided with him.

As a result of the impact, the motorcyclist also sustained injuries to his body.

Both Fraser and the motorcyclist were taken to the Lethem Hospital to receive medical treatment; but Fraser

was pronounced dead on arrival, while the 39-year-old cyclist, of Central Lethem, was admitted a patient at the medical facility.

He was tested and found to be above the legal limit of alcohol consumption.

Tiana Fraser, the late Devon Fraser’s sister, told this newspaper that the family received the news of her brother’s demise at about 07:00h on Wednesday.

“Someone called us and informed us about the accident, and that my brother (had) died… Shortly after, officials from the Guyana Defence Force contacted the family and related that he had passed as a result of the injuries he sustained following the accident,” she detailed.

She explained that arrangements are being made for the body to be transported to the airport at Ogle to facilitate a post-mortem in the city. However, she could not give additional information about the accident. “We were only told that he died after a drunken man struck him from behind while riding a motorcycle,” she explained.

She related that her brother had joined the Guyana Defence Force about 12 years ago, and had been stationed at Camp Ayanganna in the city, but had travelled up to Lethem to participate in an event there.

The father of one had been expecting his second child in a few months.

He leaves to mourn his wife, one-yearold son, mother, and five siblings. The Police have launched an investigation into the fatal accident.

Governor Cuomo announces US$17M for supportive housing for homeless New Yorkers

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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

overnor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that US$17 million in state funding has been awarded to four supportive housing projects in New York City, Erie, Steuben and Oswego counties.

According to a release from the Governor’s office these developments will create 147 units of housing for homeless families and individuals with funding from

the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.

"Every New Yorker deserves a safe, decent and affordable place to live and we are building supportive housing developments across the state to help ensure the most vulnerable among us have a roof over their head and access to the services they

need," Governor Cuomo said. "With this funding, we are investing in stronger communities to give members of the family of New York a chance at a better life," Cuomo said.

Organizations receiving funding are as follows: Center for Urban Community Services, New York - US$7.7 million - This funding, when combined with other sources, will support the new construction of a 12-story, 117-unit building in Central Harlem.

The project includes 70 apartments for formerly homeless single adults and families, with the remaining units for low-income families and individuals.

Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, Erie County - US$3.4 million - This funding, when combined with other sources, will support the development of 84 apartments in Buffalo.

The project includes 26 units for homeless indicontinued on page 23

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

APNU/AFC must replace rhetoric with substantial deliverables

Dear Editor, The Honourable Attorney General, Basil Williams, and his surrogates seem to be staring at the sky, while the pretence that ‘all is well’ continues.

Truly, “anti-corruption is everybody’s business”, as stated by Williams, at an Anti-Corruption Sensitisation Seminar at the Anna Regina Multilateral School Auditorium, Cotton Field Village, Essequibo Coast, as reported by Government’s Department of Public Information.

If the Government is serious about fighting corruption, why not set up the Integrity Commission, in keeping with the Integrity Commission Act, as promised? The reason for this call being that Ministers of the APNU/AFC Government – who have not made declarations since assuming office, and some not doing so even while they sat in the Opposition benches during the 8th, 9th and 10th Parliament – are facilitating corruption currently, by disallowing declarations by other public officers.

Case in point is the fact that the Procurement Act of 2003 mandates

that the members of Tender Boards – national, regional and district – as well as evaluators on panels who recommend and award contracts need to be making annual declarations to the Integrity Commission.

Since there is no Integrity Commission, no declarations are made, leaving the country in the dark as it relates to who, if any, of these persons are benefiting financially or are benefiting in other material forms from the award of contracts.

There can be no tracing of the accumulation of illicit wealth, if and where such cases exist, in the public service. How then can the Attorney General substantiate his comments about building an ‘unbribable’ public service? Between 2015 and 2017, more than G$300 billion has been spent on goods and services, as well as capital projects, without this critical ‘anti-corruption’ framework being in place.

The rhetoric of APNU/AFC about fighting corruption will ring hollow until concrete actions are taken to follow the laws and regulations, set out to minimise the risk of corrupt actions going undetected.

Secondly, the role of the heavily

politicised State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), which now falls under the supervision of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, continues to be used as a tool to target political opponents of the current APNU/AFC Government.

The Guyanese people cannot take the SARU CEO, Aubrey HeathRetemyer, seriously, when he states that “procurement fraud – fraud relating to purchase of goods, services, or commissioning of construction projects” – is a major form of corruption, given the Unit’s inaction on the matter.

Why is SARU not pursuing questionable undertakings, including but not limited to: D’Urban Park; the G$14 million being spent on the Sussex Street drug bond; the G$605 million purchase of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies; the procurement of goods and services at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM); and the countless other projects that fall under the purview of Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, as well as the other capital projects in various sectors, where tampering with and influencing of the tender process, to ensure a desired out-

come, have been exposed.

Williams is also being called on to attempt to persuade his Government to pursue the engagement of an international firm to trace the assets, if any, of former and current government officials being held abroad, particularly to, once and for all, put to rest the allegations about corruption under the former PPP/C Government, which Williams and his journeymen are wont to repeat.

Maybe the Attorney General, as the principal legal adviser to the President, the Government and the Cabinet, in the interest of transparency, should also advise the President to host a press conference, where the questions of the people could be addressed and clarity on a number of issues can be provided.

The APNU/AFC must stop hiding behind choreographed media encounters, stage-managed public appearances and replace the rhetoric with substantial deliverables, following their promise of transparency and accountability.

Sincerely, Juan Edghill, PPP/C Member of Parliament

Coalition Govt should accept responsibility Guyana’s economic management needs to be placed in the hands of competent and experienced persons for current state of affairs in Guyana

Dear Editor, David Hinds and Eric Philips were both cut from the same bolt of cloth. They are only interested in the welfare of Afro-Guyanese, and brand the PPP as a racist party.

Their biggest fear is that Afro-Guyanese, who now see this “good life” as just an elusive dream, will see past their lies and find the PPP an attractive alternative to the failed Granger Administration.

Adam Harris is frustrated and feels betrayed by the many failures of the incompetent Government he supports. Yet he can hardly write a critical editorial of this government without some comparison to the PPP/C that suggests the PPP/C may have done the same thing or worse.

And the Dem Boys Seh column in the Kaieteur News can hardly mention Jagdeo’s name without the words “that scamp” preceding it.

Lincoln Lewis is a known Jagdeo-hater.

His venom came about years ago when he took a personal loan of over US$20,000 from the bauxite company, to buy a car at the time he, as head of the bauxite union, was representing the interests of the bauxite workers at Linden. When his duty-free concession for the car was cancelled, he blamed it on Jagdeo who was at the Ministry of Finance at that time.

Everyone knows Freddie Kissoon has his own selfish motive for hating Jagdeo and the PPP. He blames the PPP for his dismissal at UG. But the truth is, at the time of his dismissal, he had passed the age of retirement, and never published anything of substance to keep his job, a basic requirement of an academic.

Kissoon also blames the PPP for the “dismissal” of his wife from GO-Invest. In fact, Freddie’s wife served well into the Jagdeo tenure, and took an early retirement from her government job with full honours and gratuities after that agency was restructured.

Kissoon despises former President Jagdeo for revoking his privilege of swimming at the Castellani swimming pool. But this was only done after it was discovered that Kissoon was using the venue to eavesdrop on the conversations of other pool guests, and was using the information he was getting clandestinely to write his Freddie Kissoon columns in the Kaieteur News.

Some time ago, Kissoon complained that after a meeting with the former President to discuss getting a duty-free concession for a

car, Jagdeo was so harsh with him that he lost his sight temporarily when he went out on the road.

But despite his known hatred for Jagdeo, Freddie Kissoon always had access to the former President: In the swimming pool at Castellani, and in his office to ask for duty-free concession. I wonder how much access he has now with a President he helped put in office.

No one mentions about the positive things the PPP has done to bring about economic growth and prosperity in Guyana from a bankrupt nation in 1992, but the “blame Jagdeo and the PPP” syndrome continues.

Jagdeo was accused of giving away land to the owner of the Two Brothers Gas Station.

That is, until the businessman, Shiraz Ali himself refuted this claim as preposterous as he was never friendly with the PPP Administration, given his well-known support of the People’s National Congress (PNC) long before Jagdeo even held a ministerial position.

Jagdeo was accused of giving away 11 radio licences to “family, friends and cronies of the PPP”, but no one mentions the names of the six non-Indians that were given radio licences.

Jagdeo again was accused of giving away all of Guyana’s forest and off-shore oil blocks until those too were proven to be lies. Yet no one in the Government has the decency to apologise to the Leader of the Opposition.

It is time that the Granger Administration accepts responsibility for the management of our nation. They can no longer blame Bharrat Jagdeo or the PPP for their incompetence, ineptitude, and the sufferings of the Guyanese people. They are in Government now. Whatever needs fixing, they must fix it.

After promising to give free land in Guyana to hurricane victims in the Caribbean, Hurricane Granger swept through Sophia, wreaking havoc and destroying 21 homes and the livelihood of poor Guyanese, leaving women and children homeless and exposed to the elements.

Surely, this cannot be the “good life” Guyanese voted for in 2015. If we have land to give to foreigners, we must find land to give to the less-fortunate among us. Charity begins at home, Mr President; you can’t blame Jagdeo for this one.

Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament

Dear Editor, I listened/watched via live stream most of the sessions of the IDB/PSC Business Summit in Guyana last Wednesday and Thursday. I commend the organisers of this forum, and the participants for what was for me an informative and educative exercise. It is unfortunate that some aspects of the discourse turned out be partisan political, rather than analytical and solution-oriented.

In a previously published letter, I offered my views on certain aspects of the first day of the deliberations. In that letter, I suggested, inter alia, a reassignment of Minister Dominic Gaskin to the Tourism and Civil Aviation portfolio, as I proposed the creation of a Ministry of Economic Planning and Business Development. It seems that, in some circles, my suggestion was taken as an attack on Minister Gaskin. I don’t share that view, and my intent was never to attack the minister.

Some people reminded me that he is the President’s son-in-law and I should tread lightly. Well, I made it clear to those people that I could not care less about his familial ties, he is not immune from the focus of critical thinking and analysis on the future of Guyana, since he holds public office. I once had reason to say — in a private conversation with the late President Burnham, when I opposed the banning of wheat flour — that he ought to bear in mind that Guyana was neither willed nor mortgaged to him by anyone, and therefore he was not immune from criticism of his policies. And this applies to every President and political party, especially the one(s) that form the Government.

I have, on several occasions, met Minister Gaskin and interacted with him.

He is quite affable, humble, even-tempered, and seemingly decent and honest. He is what would be considered a nice guy. But the country’s economic development needs the competence and experience of more than a nice guy. At this critical stage of the country’s development, Government’s leadership in economic planning and business development needs to be in the hands of someone with the experience and knowledge; the nimbleness of intellect that would inspire and impress the private sector, potential foreign investors, and the international business community in general.

On Thursday, I listened to Gail Teixeira’s presentation, the delivery

of which was so impressive that some non-Guyanese colleagues in the office enquired about the very “cultured” voice they were hearing. I am sure I heard her say that Government needs to sit down for dialogue with stakeholders, including the political Opposition, on the economy.

I agree wholeheartedly. But did the PPP/C participate in the budget consultations? Not as far as I know. But I stand corrected if it did.

I also heard her praise former President Hoyte (hope I heard right) for the tough decisions he took on the economy, specifically the bauxite industry. It was good to know that the PPP/C thinks that the PNC did something it could praise.

Then there was the panel on tax reform, which really did not address tax reform and throw up any real recommendations.

Sam Hinds said many international agencies and foreign governments pushed his Government to offer incentives, including tax exemptions to investors, including the oil companies, so as to encourage their coming into Guyana; but they are today saying to the new Government, “We need to work with you, to ensure you don’t give up too much.” I found that an interesting comment coming from the immediate former prime minister.

But the most important and instructive information, for me, emanated from the representative of the banking sector on the panel that addressed access to financing. He said that local banks are very liquid, and had approved loans totaling billions of dollars as far back as three years ago to private sector companies, which loans are not being utilized. He opined that the reason for non-utilization of those loans is the wait-and-see approach of the private sector to the plans and programs of the new Government.

Is this the true reason, or are certain private business owners playing politics and withholding injecting money into the economy to spite the current Government?

I’m not sure. However, the Government indeed needs to put its leadership of economic planning and private sector relations into the hands of experienced, self confident and well exposed persons with the facility to discharge their functions creditably. I rest my case.

Yours truly, Wesley Kirton

news 7

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

T&T oil leak could be from offshore rig –minister

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reliminary investigations have revealed that the source of the oil spill that occurred in Chaguaramas over the weekend can be an offshore rig.

This was yesterday disclosed by Minister of Planning and Development, Camille Robinson-Regis.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday at the Noor Hassanali Room of the Parliament, Robinson-Regis said company officials operating the rig are so far “being co-operative.”

She said while the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) had been doing the “finger printing,” “it appears as though the oil was spilled was from a rig.”

“The IMA have already collected samples and are doing the finger printing in their investigations,” Robinson-Regis said.

She added that the clean-up operations have been undertaken by two companies— identified as Kaizen Environmental Services (Trinidad) Ltd and

Camille Robinson-Regis.

Tiger Tanks Trinidad Unlimited.

However, a joint media release issued yesterday afternoon by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and the IMA, it said preliminary oil fingerprinting analyses conducted by the IMA on two samples collected at the most impacted areas in Chaguaramas (Point Gourde and Crews Inn), on Monday have indicated that the samples are characteristic of “bilge oil’ and not crude oil or refined oil in origin. Bilge oil represents a mixture of fuel oils and waste oils present on ships.

“Based on these results, large vessels with bilge compartments for oily wastes are targeted as possible sources. An oil trajectory model is also being used to assist with identifying the likely source of the spill,” the release added.

A sea surveillance exercise was also conducted following up on potential leads regarding the source of the “bilge oil,” “with the assistance of the T&T Coast Guard, the team boarded two vessels in the Chaguaramas area to take bilge tank samples for fingerprinting analysis.

Additionally, samples were taken at the site of a partially sunken vessel in the Point Gourde area, in order to determine whether it could have been the source of the pollution.

During one of the key observations of a surveillance exercise conducted yesterday morning, no oily substance was found at the Cocorite Fish Landing Facility and in the waters in its immediate vicinity. No new areas of contamination were also found.

Clean up works were also done at the Chaguaramas Boardwalk, Williams Bay, Anchorage/Hart’s Cut, Crews Inn Marina and Alcan Bay. Up to late last night, several crews were working on removing contaminated debris, sediment and oil soaked absorbent materials used in the clean up efforts.

No dead or oiled animals, such as seabirds or other marine mammals, were noted during the exercise. There were no dead fish at any of the surveyed sites.

(Trinidad Guardian)

Govt announces 2017 public servants wage increases …new minimum wage now G$60,000 up from G$55,555

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fter a long delay and back and forth negotiations with the workers’ union, the Government of Guyana has announced new wage increases for 2017.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday said the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has been informed of the “final offer”. The new minimum wage is now G$60,000 up from G$55,555.

The increases announced are as follows: Eight percent for those earning between G$55,555 to G$99,999; six percent for those earning G$100,000 to G$299,999; five percent for those earning G$300,000 to G$499,999; four percent for those earning G$500,000 to G$699,999 ; two percent for those getting G$700,000 to G$799,000 and half percent for those earning G$800,000

GPSU President, Patrick Yarde

to G$1 million.

Permanent Secretary of the Department of Public Service of the Ministry of the Presidency, Reginald Brotherson said the increases retroactive to January 1, 2017 would cost G$3.5 billion for the estimated 14,000 public servants. Four thousand of the 10,000 were previously contract workers.

Those earning more than G$1 million would not be receiving an increase.

8 news

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

“Smallie”, “Catty” appear in High Court for 2007 murder of ECD businessman

Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”

By Shemuel Fanfair

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ess than two weeks after being apprehended by Police in Berbice, Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”, along with another accused, Sherwin Nero, also known as “Catty”, appeared at the Demerara High Court on Tuesday in connection with the murder of businessman Kumar Singh, called “Mango Man” which occurred 10 years ago.

On August 30, 2007, four gunmen invaded Singh’s Cove and John, East Coast Demerara home during which the businessman was shot and killed. It was in July 2008 that the two suspects were initially charged for the capital offence but the duo, escorted to court amid heavy security on Tuesday, could not enter pleas due to the defence’s objections that offered several citations to support its case.

Nero has a pending constitutional motion which contends that

nine years waiting for a trial violates Article 144 of Guyana’s Constitution which stipulates for an accused to have a trial within reasonable time.

Defence Counsel for the two accused, Nigel Hughes, cited Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall’s recent ruling that the State breached the constitutional rights of former murder accused, Basil Morgan who was committed to stand trial in October 2014 after being arrested in 2010.

Hughes in his address before Justice Brassington Reynolds told the court that the murder charges against the two should be discharged but the Judge granted the prosecution time to respond to his objections. In his lengthy application, Hughes cited a recent Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) determination that a period of six years was not reasonable time for an accused to be granted trial. Hughes, however, conceded that the CCJ did not arrive at arithmetic calculation to spec-

ify what a reasonable time was.

The attorney further explained that Nero intended to rely on a now deceased witness who had offered an alibi for the whereabouts of the accused, contrary to the State’s case placing “Catty” at the scene of the crime. This witness died two years ago which was some three years after the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) was finally closed in 2012. The defence said either the prosecution could impose an indefinite stay on the murder indictment or the court should discharge the case without trial.

State Prosecutor Shawnette Austin relayed to Justice Reynolds of the State’s request for time to respond as the prosecution was not given instructions on Nero’s pending constitutional motion.

Williams escaped prison in July 2017 after being sentenced to death in February for the 2008 Bartica massacre. During his escape, prison officer Odinga Wickham was killed and the century old prison was reduced to ashes. Williams was recaptured on October 9, 2017 on his way to Suriname.

He was a passenger in a minibus which was intercepted at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice.

The case came up for High Court trial in June 2014 but was prevented from continuing due to an objection by one of the then three accused.

The next hearing for the current case is set for November 23.

Cops hunting man who set house on fire

…after accusing wife of cheating

S

The blaze that gutted two homes at Da Silva Street, Newtown

everal persons are now homeless after a man deliberately set fire to his home located at the junction of Da Silva and De Abreu Streets in Newtown, Kitty, Georgetown on Tuesday evening, accusing his wife of infidelity.

The man, Kerwin Jarvis, reportedly arrived at the wooden-and-concrete house located on the eastern half of the property and had a heated argument with his wife, Joanne Jarvis. The two were wed sometime in January last, but he would often confront her over alleged extra-marital relationships.

Guyana Times International under-

stands that Jarvis, threatening to kill his wife, dealt her several cuffs about the body before reportedly dousing her with a liquid believed to be gasoline.

Investigators said he also sprinkled the substance around the house as the attack continued. The suspect set the house alight at about 22:30h before fleeing the scene.

One neighbour recalled hearing a commotion in the house the couple shared, but the Da Silva Street resident did not make much of it, since it was a regular occurrence.

The woman managed to escape the attempt on her life by jumping out of

a window, falling among several pieces of broken glass.

She received cuts and bruises, and was immediately rushed to a city hospital, where she was treated. Relatives told this publication that the woman has since gone into hiding, fearing for her life, since her husband is still at large.

Guyana Times International was told that the fire from the Jarvis home quickly engulfed the building and spread to the home that Adonie Orderson shared with her three children.

She was at home at the time with her three children, and they lost everything apart from a few important documents.

Orderson’s tenant, a male who lived in the lower flat, also suffered losses.

Kerwin Jarvis was said to be a drummer at the Princes Street church which the couple attended. The wife has two children from a previous marriage, and reportedly co-owned the house with her brother.

Police Public Relations Officer Shivpersaud Bacchus told this newspaper that Police are on the hunt to apprehend the suspect as investigations into the matter continue.

Attempted murder trial commences for Stafrei Alexander

S

tafrei Alexander, one of the infamous set of prisoners who had fled the Camp Street Penitentiary in the midst of an inferno earlier this year, was on Tuesday arraigned in the High Court for the attempted murder of Curtis Thom, who was shot hours after his daughter’s christening on March 23, 2015.

The Prosecution alleges that on the day in question, at Lot 138 Laing Avenue, Georgetown, Alexander discharged a loaded firearm at Thom in a bid to murder him.

Alexander entered a not guilty plea, and Prosecutor Tiffini Lyken later addressed the empanelled 12-member jury in the presence of presiding Justice Brassington Reynolds on the State’s facts, detailing how Alexander had allegedly executed the act.

Lyken told the court that Thom and Alexander were known to each other, as they

Recaptured Camp Street prisoner Stafrei Alexander

had grown up in Laing Avenue, but were not friends. According to the State, after the christening, Thom was feeding his dogs in the early hours of March 23, 2015.

Based on his beliefs, he proceeded to walk into his home backwards, when Alexander mumbled remarks and pointed a gun at him. Thom was shot twice, and was hospitalised for seven weeks, during which he obtained surgery to correct his injuries.

Detective Constable Jason Kyte of the

Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ruimveldt Police Station was the first witness to testify in this trial.

Stafrei Alexander, who is also known as Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander was apprehended in late July after a special operation in Berbice. This came weeks after he had fled the Camp Street Penitentiary around the same time when several prisoners, including death row inmate and Bartica mass killer Mark Royden “Smallie” Williams and now dead former Policeman and prisoner Uree Varswyck, had fled.

At the time of his arrest, Alexander was said to have been receiving medical attention for an existing wound.

Alexander had previously fled lawful custody for six months before finally being recaptured at Kurupukari Crossing, Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) in May 2016.

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘All Guyanese need to learn the Tailor recounts harrowing lesson of coming together’ ordeal at hands of bandits …says President Granger in Diwali light up at State House

By Paula Gomes

I

t was a delightful evening at the State House on Saturday as guests, decked out in colourful traditional Indian attire, made their way into the Baridi Benab just as the sun dipped behind the garden greenery, to join in the Diwali Utsav (festival) as the nation celebrated the festival of lights.

The cordial host of the evening, President David Granger, took to the podium to welcome his guests, which comprised of various Hindu organisations and mandirs across the region from as far as Leguan in Essequibo, Saraswati Vidya Niketan School, members of the diplomatic community and Government officials, to the Diwali light up ceremony at the State House in Main Street, Georgetown.

“It is my simple duty to welcome you here to State House in what I believe is the start of the annual series of observances…I would just like to commit to the people of Guyana that this house is a house for all Guyanese!” said President Granger in his welcoming remarks.

The President dubbed the celebration of Diwali as a national holiday a “gift of independence” by reflecting on the colonial days when the metropole refused to recognise cultural events as national

holidays; consequently, locals were unable to observe their traditional holidays as such.

“This is a gift of independence, and I believe that this observance would help to build respect and understanding among the people of Guyana… I think this kind of observance helps Guyanese to understand each other, it demystifies the religious precepts, and it helps Guyanese to come closer to each other,” he firmly stated.

President Granger underscored the meaning of Diwali — interpreted to mean the “festival of lights”, to symbolise the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, unity over divisiveness; while stressing that such observances on a national scale can act as a catalyst in achieving social unity and cohesion.

“It is a lesson that all Guyanese can learn: that it is not a Hindu thing, it is a national thing. Anything that brings Guyanese closer together is good, and I believe Diwali is good for all of us. Every region of Guyana should hold Diwali observances, because it is a national observance; it is no longer a geographical observance.

All Guyanese need to learn the lesson of coming together and overcoming poverty, overcoming illiteracy and ignorance, overcoming divisiveness…”

Man remanded for ganja trafficking

A

pleading father of one was remanded to prison for allegedly trafficking narcotics after Magistrate Leron Daly refused him bail.

Delon Andrews was cut short by the Magistrate and escorted out of the courtroom by court officers as he pleaded for release by bail.

He denied the charge which stated that on October 13, 2017, he had in his possession 39.9 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

The case continues before Magistrate Daly on October 30, and the defendant will remain incarcerated at the Camp Street Prison until the next court date.

were the influential words of the Head of State as he opened the floor for the commencement of the evening’s activities.

A series of Bhajans (devotional songs) was performed by Success Hindu Temple (Leguan); De Hoop Mandir, East Coast Demerara (ECD); and Huntley Shiva Mandir (ECD).

Meanwhile, the Nachghana Dance Academy of Diamond (EBD) surely did not disappoint the applauding audience with their catchy dance moves and choreography.

Students of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan learning institution performed the chanting of Shri Sukta (a devotional chant) while His Excellency lit State House’s first diya.

The guests lent a helping hand in lighting and placing hundreds of glowing diyas around the President’s residence, before engaging in a scrumptious meal of seven curries in the welcoming atmosphere of the fluttering lights.

…in latest carjacking attack

By Ashraf Dabie

A

s hijackers continue to target the owners of Toyota Premio and Allion motor cars, a Herstelling tailor was the latest victim in this string of vicious crime as he was attacked by gunmen who subsequently carted off his car on Monday evening.

The injured man has been identified as 24-yearold Ryan Seecharran of Third Street, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who is currently on trial for a hit-and-run charge.

Seecharran had just returned home, sometime after 19:00h when two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, appeared out of nowhere, demanding money they claimed was owed to them.

This is according to the still traumatised tailor who explained what transpired on the evening in question.

“When I decided to reverse the car into the yard, two guys (one tall, red skin and big built and the other short and of African descent) they approached me in the car and say ‘wam bai, when you gon pay my f#ing money’ and the other man said ‘come out the car’,” Seecharran related.

The terrified man went on to say that the shorter of the two criminals had the gun in his hand and he ended up lashing him to the head. “When the red one snatched me, he (a neighbour who was present at the time) tried to pull him off from me and he see the gun and he back off. The red one jump in the car and the black one was attempting to go in the back seat and same

Injured: Ryan Seecharran displaying the lacerations to his face

time he said, ‘lay down on the f#*%ing ground before I kill you’ and then is when I walk away and the men pull out and shoot up and go away.”

When Guyana Times International visited his residence on Tuesday, the shaken 24-year-old was seen nursing a laceration above his eye and another to his face.

Meanwhile, the eyewitness who was with the victim during the attack provided a detailed account of what occurred.

“We gaffing and I see the two persons walking and stop, and I didn’t really take on them. But then they walk and come and started shouting ‘where the f#*%ing money you owe me, you get the money and you nah pay me’.

But when they open the car door, they start hit he,” the man outlined.

Seecharran’s neighbour continued, “I said ay why you knocking the man for? What the man got for you? So when I rush up, the one move off and then the other one, I see he with the gun and I back off. And then the red one come back and run in the front seat and start up the car.”

It was then that the hijackers escaped in the

same direction from which they came. They were said to have fired several shots in the air as they fled the scene.

Seecharran indicated that the silver grey Premio, PVV 4911, carries a value of about G$2.7 million, and was only in his possession for just about a year now.

This attack comes just hours after Seecharran had appeared before the court as he is accused of running over a drunken carpenter and fleeing the scene earlier this year.

Reports are that on Saturday, June 24, pedestrian Kalicharran Goordial was lying on the corner of Second Street, Herstelling, when Seecharran suddenly veered north into the cross street, crushing the man to death. Seecharran was at the time driving the said Premio motor car. As a result, he was charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop and failure to render assistance but was released on G$300,000 bail.

Seecharran is set to return to court in November.

Seecharran and his relatives are unaware as to whether or not the recent attack is related to the hitand-run or can be linked to the series of hijackings that has been plaguing the country in recent months.

Nevertheless, they are calling for the perpetrators to be located and placed behind bars as they do not wish for others to endure such a horrific experience.

This publication understands that a report of the brutal attack was filed at the Providence Police Station and as such, investigations into the matter are ongoing.

10 news

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Govt taking necessary Guyana has more steps to minimise impact of poverty, crime than regional average – IDB natural disasters – Harmon

By Jarryl Bryan

G

uyana has a long road ahead of it when it comes to poverty reduction, with a recent report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) highlighting that poverty remains entrenched. In fact, Guyana has more poverty than the regional average.

According to the IDB’s Reformulation, Upgrade and Expansion of Road Network report, compiled under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme, 26.6 per cent of the population were “multi-dimensionally poor”.

The Bank compared this with a regional average of 18 per cent. The report, which focused primarily on infrastructure and housing, went into detail about the real cost of housing deficiencies. The IDB noted that these shortfalls are perceived to contribute to crime rates.

“In Georgetown, poverty is evident in various measures of the standard of living and housing deficits,” it stated. “Twenty-nine per cent of the population live in overcrowded housing (of) over two people per room.”

“Criminality in Georgetown is also high, 33.8 murders per 100,000 people; above the regional average of 26, perceived to be ex-

acerbated by the lack of community facilities and public spaces. Basic infrastructure in new and established housing sites developed incrementally by [Central Housing and Planning Authority] CH&PA,” it added.

The report acknowledged the work of the CH&PA, noting that there are programmes enabling housing construction and extensions by upgrading infrastructure, allocation of land and titles. But it noted that much more needs to be done.

“Despite the gains made, an estimated 249.5 kilometres of roads and associated drainage still needs to be completed to improve the living conditions of over 32,000 households, according to the CH&PA. Census data shows these deficits occur in non CH&PA villages such as D’Urban area, Industrial Estate and East La Penitence.”

The IDB also noted that local Neighbourhood Democratic Councils lack sufficient institutional capacity for longterm site management.

It is understood that in June 2012, the IDB approved the operation “Road Network Upgrade and Expansion Programme” for US$69.2 million, following a request from the then People’s Progressive Party Government.

The objective of the

Multiple Works (MW) Programme was to enhance urban and suburban mobility and safety by reducing vehicle operating costs, travel times and road fatalities.

The loan included civil works for primary roads and safety components in the capital Georgetown and surrounding regions.

This included proposals to improve transport systems along Georgetown’s SheriffMandela road, the sample project.

In September, officials from the CH&PA held a consultation at the Sophia Primary School. The consultation saw the attendance and participation of residents of A and B Fields.

The proposed works to be carried out include road construction, upgrades to community grounds and buildings, the installation of street lights, construction of sidewalks and providing subsidies for the construction of core home and home improvement projects.

The communities to benefit were Pattensen/Turkeyen (Section B), Turkeyen (Section C and D), Section “C” Cummings Lodge (Cummings Park), Block E Sophia (Farmers group), Block “X” Liliendaal (Section A), Block “F” Sophia, Plum Park and Block “R” Sophia.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon addressing stakeholders in disaster reduction and risk management

O

n the occasion of International Day for Disaster Reduction 2017, Minister of State Joseph Harmon posited that natural disasters are becoming a norm for Guyana and the Caribbean, following the massive destruction to hit the Region in recent weeks.

On that note, Harmon in his address to a public gathering of stakeholders in disaster reduction and risk management, last Friday indicated that Government is working towards the implementation of a number of measures aimed at reducing the dangers and effects of natural disasters.

In doing so, the Minister, who is the National Disaster Coordinator, highlighted that these damaging events are the gateway to poverty and distress for vulnerable people, thereby underlining the need for Guyana to be prepared to face the wrath of such natural forms of devastation.

As such, Harmon un-

derlined that, “The aftermath of the hurricanes in the Caribbean and the prognosis that this will become the new norm as well as the potential for other forms of natural disasters such as drought and rising sea levels, all underscore the importance of developing resilience in all communities across Guyana and the Caribbean.”

He then alluded to the existing vulnerability of the coastal plain, where the larger sections of Guyana’s population and economy are facing a constant threat by being one to three meters below sea level.

With that in mind, the following recommendations were proposed; “First of all, an intensification of our ongoing programme of informing and educating our citizens about the ways in which they can safeguard themselves when disasters occur and to device the most conducive and cohesive strategies for them to protect themselves and their livelihoods.”

The Minister further laid out that, “The development of new building codes and specifications to make our buildings, structure and infrastruc-

ture more disaster resilient.”

Adding to that, the head of Disaster Reduction in Guyana pointed out that there is a need for continuous development in communication which is essential in times of distress.

“Thirdly, I want to suggest that we continue to improve and expand our communications networks, such as the establishment of radio stations in our regions, towns and rural communities to keep our citizens informed about disaster preparedness, mitigation, consequences and actions to be taken in the face of occurrences,” he relayed.

It was at the same event that Harmon indicated that Government has moved to establish disaster relief bonds in each of the 10 administrative regions of Guyana under the umbrella of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).

This is paired with a number of training programmes within the regions to ensure that residents possess the capacity to act as first responders in cases of natural disasters hitting rural communities, rather than being forced to rely on rescue efforts coming all the way from Georgetown.

Aside from being readily able to withstand the effects and reduce the extent of damages in instances of sudden and widespread natural destruction, Harmon and his Administration is of the belief that Guyana should also be prepared to lend a helping hand to its Caribbean neighbours in such times of need. (Ashraf Dabie)

Cambio dealer attacked, robbed in front of his home

A

cambio dealer was on Sunday evening attacked in front of his Meadow Bank, Greater Georgetown home by gunmen who relieved him of his jewellery and cash.

Trevor Benn, 51, had just arrived home around 18:00h when the incident occurred.

According to acting Police Public Relations Officer Shivpersaud Bacchus, Benn was about to enter his yard when he was ambushed

by two unmasked gunmen who demanded that he hand over his valuables.

The dealer complied, handing over some G$450,000 and a gold chain to the men, who then fled the scene.

The matter was reported to the Police.

However, no one was held in connection with the robbery.

It was revealed that CCTV footage near the area is currently being reviewed by investigators.

news 11

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

IMF predicts Guyana’s inflation will continue to rise in 2018

By Jarryl Bryan

T

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) is projecting Guyana’s inflation would continue to rise in 2018. This is a dangerous development, even as the country struggles to shake off the effects of a slowdown in the economy.

According to the IMF in its Regional Economic Outlook Update on Latin America and the Caribbean, economic growth in Guyana is being supported by two large gold mines and “positive sentiment ahead of oil production.”

According to the IMF, Guyana’s projected output growth (value for goods it produces) for 2017 is 3.5 per cent.

For the year 2018 it is 3.6 per cent. But the IMF also projected a 2.6 per cent rise in inflation (rate at which prices for goods and services increase) for 2017, while a 2.7 per cent increase is expected for next year.

Indeed, inflation has been steadily rising over the years, with the financial organisation noting that in 2014 it

stood at 1.2 per cent. In 2016 it rose to 1.5 per cent.

“After disappointing growth over the past few years, economic activity in Latin America remains on track to recover gradually in 2017–18, as the global

cy can play a supportive role, because inflation has been moderating rapidly,” it added.

The IMF urged Governments to urgently press ahead with much-needed structural reforms, to ensure that growth is sus-

port was released in July of this year. It had stated that inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Georgetown, was recorded at 1.1 per cent in June 2017.

According to the MidYear report, the main

and communication, medical and personal care; and education, recreation and culture also recorded increases in the first half of 2017,” the report had stated, also expressing optimism that the inflation rate would be

economy gathers steam and recessions in a few countries in the region come to an end,” the IMF stated in the report.

“Long-term growth, however, remains weak, hampering income convergence toward advanced economy levels. Fiscal space to support demand is limited, particularly for commodity exporters. But monetary poli-

tained and inclusive.

It recommended that countries improve their infrastructure, invest in human capital, encourage more females in the labour force, increase oversight of the labour market, enhance governance and anti-corruption efforts, and take steps to further trade.

driver of inflation in the first half of 2017 continued to be food prices.

“Prices grew significantly for pulse and pulse products, 14.5 per cent; condiments and spices, 7.1 per cent; cereals and cereal products, 5.2 per cent; oils and fats, 4.3 per cent; and vegetables and vegetable products, 4.1 per cent.

“Prices for transport

kept in check.

The IMF’s observation that Guyana has gold to thank for its economic performance is telling, since the Mid-Year report had revealed mining to be among the sectors on the decline when compared to the corresponding period in 2016. The declining sectors had also included sugar, livestock, forestry, quarrying, and even

Mid-year report

The Finance Ministry’s half-year re-

the bauxite industry.

It showed that sugar production was recorded at 49,606 tonnes at the half-year, and when compared to 56,645 tonnes during the first half of 2016, represented a decline of 12.4 per cent. The livestock industry also contracted by 10.9 per cent in the first half of 2017, due to heavy rainfall severely affecting production, especially in the second quarter.

The forestry industry also showed an 18.2 per cent contraction in the first six months of 2017, compared to the same period in 2016.

Declining production within the forestry industry was due to structural changes in the industry.

The mining and quarrying sector contracted by 4.0 per cent, during the first half of 2017. Gold production fell by 1.7 per cent to 317,096 ounces in the first half of 2017, compared to the same period in 2016.

Also, it showed the bauxite industry declined by 11.5 per cent as a result of reduced production of higher valued grades.

12 news

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Exxon supports transparency …Director says as oil company builds base in Guyana

E

xxonMobil believes that the Extractive Transparency Initiative (EITI) would alleviate the suspicions that currently exist among Guyanese about its operations.

Exxon’s Public and Government Affairs Director, Kimberly Brasington, believes that transparency is “critical” as the company builds a base in Guyana.

Exxon, in partnership with Hess Corp and CNOOC Nexen, is currently developing the Liza field in the Stabroek Block located approximately 190 kilometres offshore Guyana. Since its first oil find in 2015, Exxon has made four other discoveries.

First-phase development at the Liza field is

well underway for production of first oil in 2020. However, there has been much speculation and criticism of Exxon’s operations in the public sphere.

Brasington said the company welcomed “hard questions” since they lead to dialogue. Although she is sympathetic to the calls for transparency by the public, Brasington notes the company does not “disclose our commercial competitive contracts”.

This is where the EITI provides answers to citizens, Brasington reasoned during an interview with the Department of Public Information.

Exxon is a founder of the EITI process, which requires all extractive

ExxonMobil’s Director of Public and Government Affairs, Kimberly Brasington

industries – oil, mining, and forestry – to dis-

Guyana, India strengthening bilateral relations

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam

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ilateral relations between Guyana and India continue to be strengthened, as the Government of India is currently assisting with several local developmental projects.

India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam, said India is cognisant of the developmental needs of Guyana and is providing assistance.

Currently, India is assisting with the two Line of Credit (LOC) projects – the US$15 million East Bank/East Coast Link Road and the US$17.5 million upgrade of three primary hospitals. The supply of pumps for US$4 million and an ocean-going ferry costing US$18 million, of which G$8 million will be a grant.

Also, the establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology at the University of Guyana, which is a full grant project, is worth US$1 million.

Following a successful trial period, India will supply

more Rice Husk Gasifiers, similar to the present prototype being used, and the High Commission is currently in the planning stages of hosting a Rice Food Festival.

A firm advocate of the versatility of rice, High Commissioner Mahalingam in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) said, “We are trying to popularise the usage of rice to make various food products.”

In other areas of cooperation, the two countries are looking to further develop cooperation in Guyana’s health sector and the coconut and sugar industries. “We will see how the Indian companies are going to respond to the advertisement given by the Minister of Agriculture to dispose of the sugar mills,” High Commissioner Mahalingam revealed.

It was highlighted that pharmaceuticals are one of the largest imports from India, while forest and forest-based products comprise the major exports from Guyana to India.

It is expected in 2018 that Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge will discuss further areas of cooperation, with the aim of strengthening the relationship between the two countries.

High Commissioner Mahalingam explained that “The relationship between Guyana and India is highly friendly irrespective of the party in power. We have been having the best of best relationships between us”.

close monies they pay to Governments. Likewise,

the individual government discloses monies received and an independent third party evaluates and validates the information and publishes it.

“So, it (EITI) is a mechanism to account for and hold accountable both parties to the money. I think that is hugely important and we are committed to doing that.

I do believe that we need to find the right balance in providing transparency that allows people comfort and not putting ExxonMobil at a competitive disadvantage,” Brasington said.

In August, Guyana submitted its application for candidacy in EITI. “The EITI process is the underlying or undergirding principle in resources

of a state which belongs to the people, and, therefore, the incomes earned must be accounted for and spent in accordance with both the people’s wishes,” Minister Trotman noted in August.

It is expected that the application will be accepted at the EITI Conference scheduled for October.

M e a n w h i l e , Brasington said Exxon would not shy away from providing information to the public to dispel misconceptions about the industry.

“The nature of the industry is a long-term industry and we’re going to be here for a decade. Transparency is critical and ExxonMobil supports transparency,” Brasington said.

Wakenaam farmers plead for assistance in securing export markets …many residents leaving the island in search of opportunities

Doodnauth Persaud

C

oconut and cash crop farmers on the Island of Wakenaam, in the Essequibo River, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) are complaining that the lack of proper markets, especially export markets, are hindering their economic growth. They are calling on the authorities to assist them so they could start exporting their produce and aid in the development of the island.

Coconut and ground provision farmer, Doodnauth Persaud, told Guyana Times International that farming could be better with the availability of export markets.

“I have been a farmer all my life and the markets have been going up and down and the lack of market is a serious thing.

This has been here for decades and we never have any export market, especially like in the Caribbean so that we can get a better price and become more economical for us and so we can be better farmers,” he explained.

Persaud said to date, they are yet to have a discussion

with the authorities for them to start supplying their produce for export. When asked about reason for the lack of discussion, he stated that when the authorities visit, they are mum when asked about the export markets or make promises that are yet to be realised.

“The coconut they have export market and it is the backbone of the island. We don’t have the exposure to the foreign market and it is the same thing that keeping the market down and we are the ones that suffer because sometimes we produce more than people need,” Persaud said.

Another farmer, Narine Persaud, said even local consumption is not sufficient for the amount of produce the farmers reap.

“I does farm plantains and sometimes I does reap so much that we does have to give away it. Yes, people does come from town and we does take to the Parika Market to sell but that is not enough. Now if we had other markets and people we could supply, then it would be more profitable for us here,” he said.

Additionally, most of the farmers are complaining that technical, and in some cases financial support from the authorities are lacking, and it often deter farmers causing the local economy to suffer. They explained that they are willing to adapt to modern farming practices but cited the lack of resources as one of the major hindrances.

“The young people willing to get into farming but they don’t have the support. Some of them would go to GSA (Guyana School of Agriculture) and study but when them come back

Shiek Ahmad

here they don’t have the opportunities to make them succeed and then they would eventually leave the island and go to town or overseas and work,” Narine explained.

As a result of lack of opportunities, many families are migrating from the islands to Georgetown and other places.

Head teacher of the Essequibo Islands Secondary School, Shiek Ahmad, said the island is losing its people to rural to urban migration.

“The migration numbers are high. We have limited opportunities here and it is a causing the [island] population to decrease. We had over 13,000 people living here but now it’s just less than half of that and it is worrying,” he said.

He further explained that families are willing to stay but because of the lack of opportunities, they are forced to move elsewhere, especially the younger generation.

Residents all agree the island reeks of possibilities but both infrastructural and economic development is warranted for it to be realised.

news 13

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

“I need to know what happened to my son” …mother pleads for Police to reopen case of ‘missing’ son

By Kizzy Coleman

I

t was three years ago – on October 15, 2014 – that 29-year-old Troy Greenidge of Lot 8 John Fernandes Housing Scheme at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was last seen and his mother Seeta Persaud is still seeking answers regarding his disappearance.

The grieving woman visited Guyana Times International and once again shared the chilling story of the last day she saw her son.

Greenidge, a miner, had just returned home from the interior and upon his return, he left his home on October 15, to visit his employer who lived at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The purpose of the visit was to uplift his salary as was customary.

When he left his home, the then 26-yearold father of two boys was clad in black three quarter pants, a blue jersey, white and black Nike sneakers and his hair was braided. He never returned.

The following day (October 16, 2014), Persaud received a call from her sister inform-

Troy Greenidge and family

ing her that Greenidge was reportedly arrested

by Police.

As such, the woman rushed to the Providence Police Station, East Bank Demerara where her son was supposedly held and made enquires but was told that no such person was in custody there.

Searches were made at the Brickdam and other Police stations with the same result.

Persaud told this publication that she returned

to the Providence Police Station and spoke to an officer, whose name was given as ‘Singh’, where she made a report.

It was then that she was told that there was an incident in Greenfield Park, Providence, EBD, where a woman saw three men in her area, close to her home, and sounded an alarm screaming “Thief! Thief!”

Two of the men reportedly ran away and the third person, alleged-

ly Greenidge, stayed.

It was reported that Greenidge, who was in the area to reach someone concerning employment, was picked up by a man whose name was given as ‘Barry’ from the said area of Providence.

When Police Officers reported to the scene, they were reportedly told by ‘Barry’ that they (he and others) already “dealt with the matter”.

The distraught mother recalled that the said Police Officer (Singh), who filed Greenidge’s initial missing persons report, arrested the man and reportedly told Persaud that the matter was being investigated.

According to Persaud, she visited ‘Barry’s’ wife who reportedly told her that her husband did apprehend Greenidge but subsequently released him.

The grief stricken woman relayed to this publication that she continued to visit the Police station and even reached out to a number of news entities where she told her story.

Following an airing of a news report on her son’s disappearance, she received a call from an unknown number.

Troy Greenidge

Persaud said “It was a woman, who asked me if I ain’t find my son as yet.

I said no and she said that she is from the said area in Providence where Troy went missing. She told me that she hear them bai talking and saying how they collect me son, beat he and killed him and buried his body somewhere right there, in Providence using an excavator”.

This information was reported to the Providence Police Station.

However, searches in the area by Police proved futile and the matter was thrown once more on the proverbial back burner.

Persaud continued to reach out to the authorities to locate her son or even his body but said

she received the ‘royal run around’. The woman even visited the Police Headquarters at Eve Leary, where again no assistance was provided.

However, in December 2016, a male human skeleton was discovered on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway about 400 yards from the Splashmins Resort.

A bottle suspected to contain a poisonous substance was found some 40 feet away from the remains. Next to the bottle were cigarettes, a lighter, sneakers, socks and a T-shirt.

Police suspect that the remains are that of a male of Amerindian heritage.

The remains were reportedly clad in three quarter black pants; similar to what Greenidge was last seen wearing.

Persaud revealed that she was never allowed to see the remains and to date, it has not been identified.

The mother is pleading with Police to reopen the investigation as, “I need closure to this, I need to know what happen to my son; today make three years since I saw him. This is hard, it really hard”.

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Mobile and computer apps to help boost education delivery in Guyana’s schools

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The STEM Guyana delegation led by First Lady Sandra Granger met with Minister Nicolette Henry and other officials of the Education Ministry

ollowing the success of the Guyanese delegation during the country’s inaugural participation at the

Robotics Challenge in Washington, DC, the Education Ministry on Monday entered into a collaboration with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Guyana which will see the designing of mobile and computer applications to be used as teaching aids in schools across Guyana.

This announcement was made during a courtesy call by First Lady Sandra Granger to Education Minister Nicolette Henry at the Ministry’s Head Office in Brickdam.

During the meeting, the First Lady underlined the importance of the pending apps, noting that this initiative would foster a pool of creative and critical thinkers among the younger generation that makes up a large part of our population.

According to Mrs Granger, the intention is to create apps for all subject areas taught in schools with the National Centre for Resource Development (NCERD) assisting with the necessary information to populate these apps.

She went on to say that they would augment the teaching of specific subject areas and would allow for parents to monitor the academic development of their children as well. Additionally, it will ensure that the children have enough materials available to exercise their minds and at the same time, put their skills to the test.

The First Lady is of the opinion that if action is not taken swiftly, youths in Guyana will always be playing ‘catch up’ as she believes it is imperative that the young population confirms to the norms of the evolving Information

Communication Technology (ICT) era.

On that note, Mrs Granger, who is the head of the STEM Guyana team, relayed, “The main objective is to ensure performance improvement of our children.” She continued, “We are eager to work with the Ministry to move Guyana forward.”

Meanwhile, in responding to the First Lady, Education Minister Henry highlighted that the work currently undertaken by the STEM team aligned with the mission of the Ministry.

Henry said the time has come for education delivery in the school system to adopt a modern approach and the building of the apps would help in this regard and, as such, she anticipated the fruits of this partnership.

Moreover, she further indicated that officials attached to the Education Ministry, including Senior Technical Adviser Brigette Hinds and Dr Marcia Thomas of NCERD, will work in tandem with STEM Guyana to chart the way forward for the project.

In fact, building on previous financial support, Minister Henry announced that the Education Ministry would be offering further tangible financial support to the team of youths to attend next year’s robotic competition slated for Mexico.

This, she said, would be money “well spent”.

The apps, which are being crafted by the very team from this year’s robotics competition, are expected to be rolled out in schools by next year and will target students from Grades One to Six at various educational institutions throughout the country.

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Store employee assaulted, robbed by armed bandits in front of his house

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Ali was hit multiple times about his head by one of the bandits

25-year-old man employed with Amanda’s Bridal in Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, was on Tuesday last assaulted and robbed of a quantity of cash and valuables just after arriving home in Bess Village, WBD from work.

Speaking to this publication on Thursday, Aditya Ali explained that he left his place of work at around 18:50hrs on the day in question and travelled home in his Toyota Allion motorcar.

He noted that as he arrived in front of his yard, he stepped out of the vehicle to open the gate and as he was in the process of locking up, he noticed three masked men approaching.

“One of the men was ahead of the two so I assumed he was the leader.

He pulled out a gun and pointed it at me and said 'Where is the money?!

Where is the money?!'”

Ali recalled.

This publication was told that before the young man could respond, another accomplice whipped out a gun and pointed it at him, while proceeding to search his [Ali’s] pockets.

They managed to relieve the victim of 1 Samsung S5 and 1 Blu mobile phones –which holds a combined value of G$120,000- along with G$35,000 in cash, Ali’s National Insurance Scheme (NIS) card, his Identification (ID) card and his bank cards.

“After he took my wallet with everything,

the head of the group who had pulled out his gun still told him (other gunman) to shoot me but the other one without a gun said no,” the Bess resident explained while stating that instead of shooting him, the bandit hit him about the head with the gun, causing him to collapse in an unconscious state.

The three perpetrators then fled the scene.

Neighbours reportedly called out to Ali’s relatives who were in the house and unaware of what had transpired in the attack that lasted less than five minutes.

The police were summoned and a report was made at the Vreed-enHoop Police Station before Ali was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital to be treated for his injuries. He reportedly received 3 stitches and was subsequently discharged.

Residents in the area recalled seeing the three men flee to a waiting grey Allion with a fourth individual inside- the driver.

Ali said the robbery attack was premeditated, since he explained that it is often the assumption of many that he transports money on daily basis for the company that he is employed with.

“Since I’m the only employee with a car, people does think I does move the money from the store and then close up every night,” he said.

Investigations are on-going.

(Ramona Luthi)

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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Sophia squatters demand 91-yr-old Jamaican killed, 100-yr-old wife injured alternative housing …as Govt gets tough on persons occupying Reserves

Sophia squatters affected by the recent demolition exercise executed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority, on Monday picketed the CH&PA calling for more time before their forced removal and for alternative housing arrangements

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cores of Sophia, Greater Georgetown squatters who were affected by the recent demolition exercise executed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) on Monday, picketed the Housing Ministry calling for more time before their forced removal and more importantly, alternative housing arrangements.

Representing the residents of Sophia squatting area was Clayton Jarvis who came into agreement with the CEO of Central Housing and Planning Authority, Lelon Saul, to extend the time given to the Sophia squatters to be removed.

Jarvis, a squatter himself, made arrangements to work together with the CH&PA and the Anti-Squatting Task Force of Constituencies five and six to remove squatters who are owners of house lots but continue to squat nevertheless. He also agreed to police the reserves to ensure that no new structures are erected on the reserves, to provide status updates on applications submitted by squatters and to also facilitate the registration of new applicants who are squatting on the reserves in the two constitu-

encies. The meeting was called after irate squatters picketed the Ministry demanding answers.

According to Saul, persons were given notices of eviction and the Ministry will not tolerate squatting since it’s illegal. Jarvis stated that all he wants is for the authority to find alternatives for the residents.

Squatters whose houses were ripped down and soon to be demolished were heard venting their frustrations as they stood on the parapets in front of the Ministry.

According to representatives of the housing authority, squatting is impeding the progress in the community of Sophia and as such, a task force was set up to address the issue.

Guyana Times International understands that notice boards were erected on A,B,C and D fields Sophia informing persons to desist from squatting since it is illegal. Also ads were placed on the television to notify squatters of the demolition exercise; however, residents refute claims that they were ever in receipt of eviction notices. (Yanalla Dalrymple)

Bahamian girl falls to her death on carnival cruise ship

interview with Miami-based television station 10 WPLG, Fire Rescue Captain Ignatius Carroll said Smith was brought to the trauma centre in extremely critical condition.

Retired emergency management technician Bobb Dorr, who was among the first to perform CPR on the girl until the doctor arrived, said she had “severe injuries” as a result of the fall.

Passengers said it was traumatic experience.

Tyrone McKelvey told 7 News that when it happened, “people started screaming, people started Zion Smith died aboard the Carnival Glory running everywhere.”

“When we got down, we saw the dream vacation turned into a body on the ground and all the blood nightmare for one family after and what not,” he added. “It was very an eight-year-old Bahamian girl traumatizing and devastating.” fell to her death on a Carnival Cruise According to reports, Smith’s family ship over the weekend. had just completed a week-long cruise Zion Smith was aboard the Carnival when the tragedy occurred.

Glory docked at Port Miami when she The ship had reportedly been fell two stories on Saturday around scheduled to depart Florida at 4 p.m.

8:15 a.m. on Saturday for The Bahamas.

Emergency personnel from the Carnival Cruise Lines, in a brief Miami Dade Fire Rescue administered statement, expressed condolences to first aid to the child who was rushed the girl’s family, stating: “Our most to the Jackson Memorial Hospital’s heartfelt care and concern is with Ryder Trauma Center. However, she the family at this very difficult time.” succumbed to her injuries.

(Caribbean360.com) Recounting the incident during an

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in Brooklyn robbery

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91-year-old Jamaican man died from injuries he sustained after robbers invaded his home in Brooklyn, New York.

His 100-year-old wife, also a Jamaican, was injured during the attack last week Wednesday.

According to media reports Waldiman and Ethlin Thompson were in their house in the BedfordStuyvesant neighbourhood about 3:15 pm when four men broke in.

The alleged robbers tied up the cou-

ple and ransacked the house.

The elderly woman was able to free herself and alert the police; however her husband was found bound and unresponsive inside their home.

He was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Reports are that the couple had emigrated from Jamaica to the United States.

A man has been arrested in connection with the incident. (Jamaica Observer)

Price doubles for Sheriff St/Mandela Ave upgrade

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ith an Engineer’s Estimate now standing at two times the original price — coming in at sixty-one million, four hundred and fifty thousand, seven hundred and ninety-four United States dollars (US$61,450,794), local companies have all been locked out of the lion’s share of the Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue road upgrade project.

According to the notices issued by the Public Infrastructure Ministry (MPI), the project entails rehabilitative works, but observers are questioning how exactly Government proposes to finance the project, since US$30 million of the US$66 million Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan would have been diverted towards a housing project.

At the opening of bids on Tuesday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), it was discovered that the project has been divided into six lots. Lot Six attracted a bid security of US$200,000 for the slot of the project estimated to cost US$30.7million.

There were only three bidders for this component of the project—all foreign-owned firms—when bids were opened on Tuesday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). Those bidders were Surrey Paving and Aggregate Construction Limited of Jamaica, with a bid of US$33.8 million; Namalco Construction Limited of Trinidad and Tobago, with a bid of US$43.6 million; and the Chineseowned Sino Hydro Corporation, with a bid of US$31.1 million.

Four local companies submitted bids for the project, but none submitted bids for the most lucrative portion — Lot Six. R. Basso and Sons Construction Company submitted a bid for Lot Four of the project at US$5.1million; while S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services submitted a bid for Lot Three at US$6.6 million.

BK International submitted bids for each of the five smaller components of the road upgrade project.

The other companies bidding for various lots of the project included Hookman Ally Limited of Trinidad of Tobago, in association with Samaroo Investments Limited, H. Nauth and Sons Civil Engineering, Amalgamated Engineering Services Limited of Trinidad and Tobago, and Kee Chanona Limited, also of Trinidad and Tobago.

The six lots into which this road network upgrade and expansion programme has been divided are as follows: Lot 1: From Rupert Craig Highway to Lamaha Canal (NB: KINDLY VERIFY THIS LOT). The Engineer’s Estimate for this lot is seven million and sixty-three thousand, three hundred and forty-four United States dollars (US$7,063,344).

Lot 2: From Lamaha Street to David Street. The Engineer’s Estimate for this lot is seven million, four hundred and fifty-nine

thousand, five hundred and sixty-four United States dollars (US$7,459, 564).

Lot 3: From Lamaha Street to the DSL Intersection. The Engineer’s Estimate for this lot is seven million, four hundred and eighty-nine thousand, three hundred and forty-three United States dollars (US$7,489,343).

Lot 4 deals with structures, and the Engineer’s Estimate for this lot is seven million, nine hundred and sixty-three thousand, nine hundred and forty-four United States dollars (US$7,963,944).

Lot 5 deals with traffic signals and street lighting, and the Engineer’s Estimate stands at one million and thirty-nine thousand, nine hundred and sixty-eight United States dollars (US$1,039,968).

Lot 6 deals with road works, drainage structures, street lighting and traffic lights from Rupert Craig Highway to where the project ends on Mandela Avenue. The Engineer’s Estimate for this lot stands at thirty million, seven hundred and thirty-four thousand, five hundred and forty-two United States dollars.

(US$30,734,542).

The project, a Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) undertaking, had initially raised eyebrows over allegations that the bidding pool has been restricted.

The MPI, in its notice inviting bidders, had requested bidders to lodge up to Gy$41 million (US$200,000) in bid security before their proposals could even be considered for evaluation.

The rate set for Lot Six is US$200,000 (G$41.6 million). Lots One through Three are set at a rate of US$50,000 (G$10.4 million). Lot Four has been set at a rate of US$30,000 (G$6.2 million) while Lot Five has been earmarked at US$20,000 (G$4.1 million).

The IDB had initially approved some US$66 million for the road upgrade project, but the coalition Administration opted to divert US$30 million of that amount towards the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) for works to be undertaken in Sophia.

Piloted by the previous Administration, the Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue Road Upgrade project has been on the cards for a number of years, but its scope has been revised under the current Administration.

Critics have also raised eyebrows at the level of the bid security being asked, and pointed to recent lamentations by Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who had alleged tampering with the procurement process in order to award contracts to favoured supporters.

The original Engineer’s Estimate for the entire project had been set at thirty-six million, three hundred and seventy-seven thousand, five hundred and sixty-four United States dollars (US$36,377,564), but the procurement process was annulled on previous occasions.

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Govt not treating GECOM Broadcasters warned to comply Chair issue with any level with necessary obligations or face legal action of urgency – Teixeira

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ver one year has passed since the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been without a chairman and there is no clear indication as to whether this issue could be resolved any time soon.

Former Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira is of the opinion that the issue is not being handled with any level of urgency and importance, noting that it is not just another ordinary issue.

The Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) told the recently-concluded 2017 Guyana Business Summit that how this matter was being handled had a lot to do with governance of the country.

The slothfulness, according to her, creates a certain image for Guyana, and this may, to some extent, cause investors to lose interest in starting up businesses here. But there are also other far-reaching implications if Guyana continues down the path of becoming politically unstable.

“We cannot go in the 10th month and have no chairman for GECOM,” she argued.

Teixeira explained that there was currently no continuous registration and people could not get registered because it was the Chairman of GECOM who would sign the order to start that process. The GECOM Chairman is also responsible for giving approval for elections and to have both a preliminary and final voters list.

Further, the Opposition Chief Whip said she also disagreed with the arguments presented by United States

Former Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira

Ambassador Perry Holloway, who recently opined that GECOM was not at a “crisis point yet”, even though it has been without a chairperson since Dr Steve Surujbally resigned in November 2016.

Teixeira told the recent Business Summit, “I don’t care if the US Ambassador says that the GECOM is not in crisis. He is not Guyanese; he is not going to vote in these elections. We are.”

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has so far submitted three lists of six candidates each to President David Granger, two of which have since been rejected by the President.

The President is currently reviewing the third list, which was submitted to him in late August.

The third list comprises former GECOM Chairman, Major General (retired) Joseph Singh; Attorneys Teni Housty and Sanjeev Datadin; businesswoman Annette ArjoonMartins; Pastor Onesi La Fleur and former Magistrate Krishendatt Persaud.

President Granger has continuously said that the list submitted

by the Opposition Leader must match the criteria set out in Article 161 (2) of the Constitution for the selection of a “fit and proper” person to fill the post. He said he was looking at the third list critically and would make his decision based on advice received.

Acting Chief Justice Roxane Wiltshire, in her written ruling which was handed down recently, had found that Granger’s case proved to be irrational, highlighting that while the Constitution states that nominees for the post should be a judge, former judge or someone eligible to be a judge, the first two categories are not compulsory.

Furthermore, she noted that the term “any other fit and proper person” allowed more space to select the six candidates, while highlighting that “there is no mandatory category”.

President Granger has already rejected two lists and is currently considering the third list, all of which had been supplied by the Opposition Leader following consultations with sections of civil society.

Jagdeo opined that the President was merely engaging in diversionary tactics when it was reported that he was ‘dead set’ on appointing a fit and proper person, saying “whoever claimed in this country that the ruling interfered with his authority to appoint a fit and proper person, definitely not the Chief Justice and I did not say that.”

A meeting between President Granger and the Opposition Leader is yet to be finalised.

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able, television Unit (NFMU), the and radio broadpredecessor to the GNBA, which came casters are being into being with the ascalled on to pay up their sent of Head of State, fees and comply with the necessary legislaDavid Granger to the tive obligations or face amended broadcasting laws. legal action, this after the operators were givUnder the new fee regime, the en literally hours to reAdministration introapply for licences as a result of amendments duced a zoning sysmade to the Broadcast tem with fees for each zone.

Act. The People’s According to a pub- Chairman of the GNBA Leslie Sobers Progressive Party lic notice issued over the lose on revenue during (PPP) last week remindweekend, the Guyana primetime.

National Broadcasting As it relates to the ed that despite calls Authority (GNBA) is fees, Freedom Radio, in from the Guyana Press calling on all of the op- filing litigation, pointed Association, Caribbean erators to settle all fees to the drastically altered Association of Media Reporters due and payable to the fee regime which is now Workers, Authority. being charged under the Without Borders and The GNBA has since principal Act. other major organisawarned, “in order to be In the sworn affidavit tions representing the eligible for the issuance filed by Freedom Radio cause of journalism and of a broadcast licence, Inc Director Irfaan Ali, freedom of the press to overall compliance is re- the fees were said to the Government to withquired”. have been increased to draw the Broadcasting The new fee regime G$7.5 million annually, (Amendment) Bill 2017, has been challenged up from G$2.5 million. “the Government igin the court with at Freedom Radio Inc nored all these calls, least one broadcaster, previously paid G$2.5 [and] passed the Bill in Freedom Radio, having million annually for its the National Assembly”.

After President its Director filing a le- broadcasting licence in gal challenge also claim- addition to another pay- Granger assented to the ing that provisions in ment of G$633,600 for its Bill, upon the directions the Broadcast Act ex- spectrum/frequency. of the Prime Minister, propriate the business’s These fees were paid the GNBA has begun to airwaves without com- over to the then National enforce its provisions. pensation, causing it to Frequency Management

Ram slams Govt over nonappointment of service commissions

Jury empaneled for 2013 O Port Kaituma murder trial

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12-member jury was empanelled before Justice James Bovell-Drakes at the High Court in Georgetown on Monday to hear the trial of Vigilance, East Coast Demerara resident Michael Britton, who is accused of murdering miner Refford Williams at 10 Miles Backdam, Port Kaituma, in the North-West District.

It was contended that Britton, also called “Rasta Man”, used a piece of metal pipe to carry out the gruesome act on July 25, 2013.

However, when final-

Murder accused: Michael Britton

ly given the chance to respond to the State’s accusation, four years after the crime was committed, Britton entered a plea of not guilty in a barely audible tone.

Williams, who was also known as “Kamarang”,

met his demise by way of blunt trauma in addition to a ruptured spleen.

Reports back then were that after an intense argument between the two miners, Britton retrieved the metal pipe which he used to inflict injuries on Williams.

The accused is being represented by defence counsel Ronald Burch-Smith while State Counsel Mandel Moore is leading the State’s case. The matter was adjourned to this morning (Tuesday) when the first set of witnesses will begin testifying before the jury.

Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan

utspoken political commentator and attorney, Christopher Ram, has questioned Government over its reluctance to appoint several constitutional service commissions, stating that the time has come for these important organs to be given new life to serve the interest of the Guyanese public.

Ram, who was part of the audience at the recently concluded 2017 Guyana Business Summit, posed a question to Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan: Why has Government not made any concerted effort to appoint the many constitutional commissions, which include: Police Service, Teaching Service, Public Service,

Local Government, Integrity, Ethnic Relations and Human Rights Commissions?

The attorney further questioned whether this system of governance is tolerant, and whether these are matters of fundamental importance to Ramjattan’s Alliance For Change (AFC) party, especially given that the AFC’s 2011 Elections Manifesto had promised to deliver on constitutional reform, bill of rights, and a reduction in presidential powers, among other things that are yet to be realised.

In response, Minister Ramjattan promised that the AFC, part of the coalition Government, would deliver on constitutional reform. He said, “I am part of a

cabinet, I am part of a Government; I take the blame, but there are certain reasons why as yet it has not happened. I wouldn’t want to get into all the reasons, but, indeed, I will tell you that it is a model that leaves some deficit there.”

He continued: “In relation to your question about serial violations, constitutional law always has as the ultimate penalty the loss of government. You do not cut out the hands of a politician because he has violated the constitution.

You do not do anything physical to him…It is the people now (who) will determine: ‘They made serial violations, out they go!’ and that is what is always the case.”

The non-appointment of these commissions was described by the minister as a deficit. He said, “I will be the first to admit that it is a deficit in our regime. And yes, I take the blame as being part of the Government; but there are certain reasons why they all haven’t yet been established.”

While he did not give specific details, he did explain that the process of resurrection has started for most of these comcontinued on page 21

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Govt invokes laws to forcibly acquire private lands for new Demerara River crossing

By Jarryl Bryan

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he Government has taken a decisive step in the process towards building the new Demerara River bridge, with an order being issued that empowers officials to survey and acquire private land, regardless of whether the owners want to sell.

The order, dubbed the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes (New Demerara River Crossing and Connecting Roads) Order 2017, is dated August 23; long before the Ministry held consultations with those to be affected on October 10.

It was signed by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson.

An advertisement appeared over the weekend in the State-owned Guyana Chronicle indicating that Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has issued the order to commence the acquisition of lands.

According to the particulars of the Order, the land which will be targeted includes portions of Houston and Rome, East Bank Demerara.

It sets out that a strip

An artist's impression of what the new Demerara River bridge will look like

of land along and within the South half of Plantation Houston will be acquired, while strips of land in the North of Rome and in a westerly direction by the river would be in the cross hairs of Government.

The Ministry will also be acquiring land on the West Bank of Demerara; specifically, it will be acquiring land within the southern half of Versailles; by the river itself; by the northern cadastral boundary of Goed Fortuin and private lands.

In addition, a strip of land connecting New

Road, Vreed-en-Hoop to the new La Parfaite Harmonie access road, will be appropriated by the Government. This road passes through Schoonord, Murdocks Land, Malgre Tout, Klien Pouderoyen and Vreed-en-Hoop.

According to Patterson in the order, “the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, together with his agents, servants or work men, is hereby authorised to enter upon the said lands decided hereunder for the purposes of surveying or otherwise examining such lands with

a view of acquiring the whole or part of such lands for the construction of a public work.”

Patterson in the advertisement also notes that the Order was made under Chapter 62:05 of the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act. According to Section 5 (1) of the Act, “When any order aforesaid has been made the person authorised shall have the power to do all or any of the following acts.” “(a) to enter upon and survey and take levels of any land in any locality within which the public works are intended to be

executed or to dig or bore into the sub-soil of that land (and) to do all other acts necessary to ascertain whether the land is adapted to that purpose.”

Floating at 1.25 miles, the Demerara Harbour Bridge is a strategic link between the eastern and western banks of the Demerara River. It facilitates the daily movement of a large number of vehicles, people and cargo.

The structure was built in the 1970s, but was opened in July 1978 with the expectation of lasting only 10 years.

However, some 37 years later, it is still floating. Under the previous Government, concerted efforts began at replacing the structure. The current Government signed a contract with a Dutch company, LievenseCSO, on December 9, 2016, to conduct a feasibility analysis. This feasibility study determined the proposed location of Houston-Versailles as the most ideal. In the feasibility study, some four houses and a nursery school were cited for demolition.

Residents in the vi-

cinity of the site for the new Demerara River bridge at Houston had indicated to this publication that they were in the dark over the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s plans regarding the removal of several homes to facilitate construction of the crossing. Following an article by this newspaper, officials from the Ministry visited the residents and assured them that the Attorney General’s Chambers will be negotiating with them a compensation package among other things.

Eminent domain

Diplomat and longtime People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) official, Clarissa Riehl, had fiercely resisted Government’s move to take control of a plot of land she owns at Middle and Carmichael Streets, under the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act. The Official Gazette of September 24, which published the Order made by Minister Patterson on September 22, 2016, identified the property as the East quarter of Lot 92 Middle and Carmichael Streets.

Edghill warns of another foreign currency crisis Ram slams Govt over

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he situation in which foreign currency was in short supply earlier this year, in particular the US currency, has led financial experts to believe that Guyana could at any time face another foreign currency crisis.

Former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill believes this reserve at the Central Bank could be further depleted through sizable spending for international travel by Government officials. The former minister said he has no doubt that, when Budget 2018 is presented, this particular line item would see a huge increase; but if measures are not taken to reduce Government’s international travel, it could lead to another crisis.

“The question has to be asked, however, what we are getting in return.

Overseas travel is calculated in US dollars, and that is heavily affecting what is happening at the Central Bank,” he opined. Edghill said demand for huge amounts of foreign currency to facilitate the travel of a Government consisting of 27 ministers and dozens of technical staff would lead to further depletion of the country’s foreign currency reserves.

Former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill

Over the past year or more, Guyana has experienced a reduction in its income, especially since many products that earn foreign exchange have underperformed, resulting in less foreign income. While sugar is one of those products, forestry and other export goods have seen some decline.

Under these circumstances, the Opposition MP expressed fear that Government may want a more controlled approach to how foreign currency is utilised by members of the public. The former minister said once this happens, there would also be the possibility of foreign currency not being available to purchase certain items, as those could be categorised as luxury items.

Edghill believes the demand for foreign currency is causing businesses to dip into the foreign reserves to make foreign currency avail-

able locally. This, he explained, may be a prime reason why Cabinet has directed that the difference between the buying and selling prices of US dollars at cambios should not be more than Gy$3 dollars.

During April this year, commercial banks, claiming there was a shortage of foreign currency, had placed customers on a waiting list to effect payments to suppliers abroad. The converse situation had obtained for incoming transfers from abroad.

Central Bank Governor Dr Gobind Ganga and Finance Minister Winston Jordan had subsequently refuted these claims, and attempted to provide evidence that such a shortage was non-existent by illustrating the level of foreign currency reserves held by the central bank and commercial banks, both locally and abroad; which the governor had contended was sufficient.

However, the Bank of Guyana’s Statistical Bulletin report for the years 2015 and 2016 revealed that net foreign assets held by commercial banks increased by US$4 million, or 1.6 per cent, in 2016, in com-

parison to a decrease in 2015 by US $22.7 million; while a marginal increase was recorded in 2016, the composition of commercial banks’ net foreign holdings had evidently changed quite significantly.

The value of commercial banks’ investments in foreign markets in 2015 was recorded at US$204.3million, reflecting an increase of US$6.3million, or 3.1 per cent, in foreign investments. In 2016, however, commercial banks had increased their level of foreign investments by a whopping US$43.6 million, or 21.3 per cent.

This level of increase in foreign investments had in effect reduced the availability of foreign currency held by commercial banks to accommodate international trade emanating in the domestic market.

One of the main causes of this phenomenon was the significant increase of foreign investments by the local commercial banks coming down to the latter part of 2016. Commercial banks had also found foreign investments more lucrative at a time when the domestic economy was experiencing a decline in economic activities.

non-appointment...

from page 18

Christopher Ram

missions.

Meanwhile, former AFC Chairman, Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes, has said the Government could be taken to court to secure rulings that are binding on the executive.

“Where they fail to respect the constitution they should be taken to court. You don’t need a sanction, because I would hope that we live in a country where, if the court declares that the Government has failed, then whichever Government is in office, if they don’t accept that ruling, then I would hope that they would not wait for the next elections, they would go the next day,” he said.

Hughes said Guyana’s Constitution is the most advanced in the Caribbean, but enforcement is a major problem.

He opined that the legal community is “not sufficiently agitated” to take the Government to court.

He urged Government to uphold democracy and appoint these commissions with earnest, as their appointments are long overdue. The prominent attorney also said that, with constitutional reform and these various commissions becoming functional, it would help to strengthen the justice system. He said it could help to eliminate speculation and doubts about governance, transparency and accountability.

22 NEWS

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Govt urged to include tax reform recommendations in 2018 Budget

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inance Minister Winston Jordan is preparing to lay the Annual Expenditures for 2018 (Budget) in the National Assembly, but many of the measures that had been presented by the Tax Reform Committee—measures recommended in support of local businesses, including the introduction of a seven per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on certain items — remain unimplemented.

The matter was recently brought to the fore when committee member Christopher Ram reiterated calls for the Administration to implement them, especially the support tax measures aimed at helping to cushion small businesses. According to Ram in a recent public missive, “the Tax Reform Committee never had the opportunity to discuss the Report or any of its recommendations with the Minister.”

One such measure that Ram is advocating the Minister implement is reduction of the corporate tax rate on telecommunication companies from 45 per cent to 40 per cent, and on commercial companies from 40 per cent to 35 per cent.

The Tax Reform Committee, according to

Ram, called for implementation of unlimited carry-forward and unlimited utilisation for losses incurred in the first three years; losses incurred in subsequent years should be limited to seven years and subject to a 50 per cent recovery in any one year.

Ram wants to see the Administration provide more tax incentives, “which themselves should be based on clear and rational criteria, through tax laws, which must include provisions for an annual review and withdrawal of the incentives where conditions are not met.”

During the course of the recently held Private Sector Commission’s Business Summit, the matter of balancing taxes charged and concessional incentives offered to the business community was raised as a matter of concern.

Ram recalled that the Tax Reform Committee, in order to widen the tax net, recommended granting a tax amnesty and addressing the presumptive tax.

As it relates to supportive measures for the business community, the Tax Reform Committee had recommended the Administration increase the Value-Added Tax

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

registration threshold from G$10 million to G$12 million, reduce the standard rate to 14 per cent, and introduce an intermediate rate of 7 per cent for some types of goods.

Increasing the threshold for businesses would mean that, in addition to the reduced tax charged, businesses with a turnover of less than G$12 million would not have to fall into the accounting regime.

The TRC had recommended that education services be exempted from taxation; and

21 items of education materials, including all textbooks, children’s books, dictionaries, pencils, lunch kits and charts, continue to be zero-rated; while others, including recipe books, instructional newsletters and music manuscripts, be charged at an intermediate rate of 7%.

The TRC had also recommended that VAT Returns should provide for explicit adjustments to credit carry-forwards caused by refund claims or rejection of these claims, and that GRA pay all refunds within 15 days of a

claim being verified.

The measures that were recommended by the Government’s Tax Reform Committee were meant to be revenue-neutral, meaning there was not supposed to be an additional burden on taxpayers. Many of its measures were never implemented, and Ram believes they should be incorporated into the 2018 Budget.

According to Ram, the Tax Reform Committee “had estimated that its proposals excluding amnesty, Government transfers, and other such measures would be revenue-neutral, but that there would be some rebalancing in the system.”

Revenue-neutral means the changes in the tax system would not increase or decrease the taxes received

by Government. This did not obtain, and Government used its tax measures over the past two years to rake in billions more than had been projected.

The calls from Ram came following Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s statement that there would be no new taxes in the 2018 Budget— an announcement made a day before the opening of the Business Summit.

NEWS 23

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Five die in Corentyne crash

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Sabita Manglani with her sons Ethan Ramjit and Emanuel Manglani

n accident on the Number 59 Village Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice, on Sunday has left a mother, her two sons, her secretary and a friend dead.

Dead are Sabita Manglani, 42; Emmanuel Manglani, 18; Ethan Ramjit, 5; Reshma Seeram and Dhanpaul Kishandayal, called Navin.

The mid-afternoon accident also left lorry driver Budram Singh, also called “Budo”, 30,

of Number 49 Village, Berbice, injured.

Reports are that Kishandayal was driving motor car PPP 3394 in an eastern direction while the lorry bearing registration number GZ 2763 was heading in the opposite direction.

Reports are Kishandayal dropped into a pothole, lost control of the car and slammed into the lorry.

Eyewitnesses told Guyana Times International there were two carts parked on the road’s shoulder adjacent

to the pothole.

The impact of the collision pushed half of the lorry off the road and sent the paddy-laden tray pitching off into the back of the Honda wagon removing the top half in the process. Manglani and her 18-year-old son, who were in the back seat, were tossed over the lorry as a result, with the woman landing on the parapet and the teen in the trench – both dead.

The body of the fiveyear-old, who was also in the back seat, was severed at the waist, with the top half also flying over the lorry and landing in the trench running parallel to the road. The bottom half remained in the car.

Kishandayal and Seeram were pinned in the front seat and remained there until members of the Skeldon Fire Service arrived on the scene and cut open the vehicle to remove the bodies. In the meantime, undertakers had taken the other persons to the Skeldon Hospital, where they were confirmed as deceased.

The lorry driver was

One of the mangled vehicles involved in the accident

Governor Cuomo announces US$17M for supportive housing for homeless... from page 5

viduals, age 55 and over.

An additional 14 units will be set aside for senior citizens and the remaining 44 units will be for low-income families and individuals.

Oswego County Opportunities, Oswego County - US$3.1 million This funding, when combined with other sources, will be used for the new construction of 56 permanent housing units.

Seventeen of the units will be for homeless individuals, with the remaining 39 apartments being for low-income families and individuals.

S t e u b e n Churchpeople Against Poverty, Steuben County - US$2.8 million - This

funding, when combined with other sources, will be used to develop 82 units of supportive and affordable housing. Thirty-four of the apartments will be for homeless individuals with the remaining units for low-income families and individuals.

Office of Temporary and Disability Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts said, "Our Homeless Housing and Assistance Program plays an important role by providing capital funding for a wide range of housing types serving New Yorkers experiencing homelessness who are dealing with various special needs. By supporting projects like these we are

carrying out Governor Cuomo's commitment to addressing the homelessness crisis in New York."

According to the release, these projects are part of Governor Cuomo's US$20 billion Homelessness and Affordable Housing Action Plan, which includes US$10 billion dedicated to creating and preserving 100,000 units of affordable housing and US$10 billion devoted to tackling homelessness by developing 6,000 new, permanent supportive housing units. The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program is a key part of the Governor's plan.

Police and funeral home workers as the bodies were removed from the scene

said to be bleeding profusely when he was taken away from the scene.

“The windscreen broke and slice up his face and body bad,” one man said.

Police who arrived shortly after were able to secure the valuables of the deceased which included five cellular phones, a quantity of jewellery, G$100,000 in local currency, and US$1200.

This publication was told that Kishandayal returned from New York three weeks ago for a vacation.

Meanwhile, at the Bel Air, Georgetown home of Manglani, her sister-inlaw was too distraught to speak.

However, an aunt

of the now-dead woman who gave her name as Janet said that the accident victims all left home around 07:30h on Sunday to visit Berbice.

Sabita’s husband and the father of her eldest son reportedly died of a heart attack some two years ago, while her father was killed in a Regent Street accident three years ago.

Meanwhile, residents in the area where the accident occurred said the parking of heavy-duty vehicles along the shoulders of the Corentyne Highway was of great concern and they have always complained about this issue. “The driver had nowhere to turn, because the two grain carts

were parked on the roadside. And as soon as the accident, the owner come and move them and put them in the street,” one villager said.

On Friday last, there was another accident in the same area which residents said was caused as a result of the same hole.

That accident left several persons hospitalised.

Regional Vice Chairman Dennis DeRoop told Guyana Times International that he raised the issue with the Public Infrastructure Ministry on several occasions, but to no avail.

(Andrew Carmichael)

24 news

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Ajeenkya DY Patil University expected to open doors in Guyana in mid-2018

Construction work ongoing on the Ajeenkya DY Patil University at its Turkeyen location

T

he Ajeenkya DY Patil University Turkeyen (Inc), currently under construction, is slated to be completed early next year and be ready to welcome its first batch of students

by July 2018.

The School of Medicine is looking to build on its internation-

al networks and areas of expertise and deliver high-quality learning opportunities. It will deliver vocational and professional programmes that enable learners to meet and exceed their aspirations, ensuring that each individual achieves to the best of their ability.

According to the prin-

cipals of the first-ever University School of Medicine, the facility will provide a ladder of opportunity for all learners, enabling them to progress onto further learning and into employment.

The University is geared at assuming a central role in the educational, cultural and eco-

An artist’s impression of the Ajeenkya DY Patil University

nomic life of Guyana and the Region.

“We will work closely with all the stakeholders to ensure that there is a wide range of learning opportunities within the University and these will be available to all,” its principals said.

The self-financed institution aims to estab-

lish and run innovative educational programmes at the tertiary level leading to Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral degrees in the domain of medical and health sciences.

The University School of Medicine will initiate international linkages with leading Universities across the world; deliver world-class curriculum using established international benchmarks and standards; and attract, develop and retain academic staff of the highest international calibre and make the Ajeenkya DY Patil University of Turkeyen employer of choice for all staff in the international, national and local environments.

The University is looking to also tap into the much-vaunted area of medical tourism.

According to proposals seen by this publication, the University School of Medicine will be looking to approach Government for permission to build housing complexes, clinics and hospitals, and provide medical treatments to foreign patients and their relatives under medical tourism.

The University School of Medicine, come next year, will be offering Student Exchange Programmes with mainly US institutions for medical and nursing students; joint degree programmes with United States and United Kingdom-based institutions in nursing, dentistry, allied health and pharmacy programmes as well as recognition by National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA), US Department of Education.

Under the University School of Medicine, students will also be eligible to access special loan programmes from North America.

The University is expected to maintain complete control over all academic programmes development, course teaching and training along with permission to grant graduate and post-graduate degrees in

medical and health sciences.

News of the impressive and expansive three-storey building built at the cost of hundreds of millions of dollars to house the facility was featured in the press back in 2015. The building is in its final stage of construction as the necessary equipment for the laboratories, among other areas, has already been sourced and is about to be shipped to Guyana.

The DY Patil Group has put in place all the resources and arrangements – human and material – to ensure the sustainability of the wide-ranging project in Guyana. The centrepiece of the University’s offerings will be the medical school incorporating all the latest pedagogical tools of the 21st Century.

The University, accredited by the National Accreditation Council (NAC) of Guyana, is a subsidiary of the DY Patil Group, one of the largest private educators in India, with branches in several other countries.

The DY Patil Group was established in 1983 and its activities span the fields of education, healthcare, agriculture and sports. It owns the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai where international cricket and football games are hosted. It has over 180 institutes of learning in three universities based out of the cities of Navi Mumbai, Pune and Kolhapur in India.

The Group runs three medical colleges and hospitals with a capacity of over 6000 beds.

The management of the DY Patil Group projects that a large percentage of its student base will originate from outside Guyana and that there will be concessionary rates for Guyanese students. Overall, there will be a substantial inflow of foreign currency into Guyana in addition to raising the international profile of Guyana in international markets, especially the fast-growing Asian, African, and North American economies.

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Diwali Parade attracts thousands in Queens

By Ramesh Deochand

T

housands joined the annual Diwali Motorcade/Parade which was held last Saturday, October 14, 2017 on Liberty Avenue, Richmond Hill, Queens.

The spectacular Diwali Motorcade/Parade which has become a much anticipated major cultural event within the Indo-Caribbean community in Queens, brought people, numbering well over 10,000, together as they revel in the excitement and spiritual fervour of this major Hindu festival.

Free hot food was distributed to thousands of

people who joined the celebrations. The Festival of Light celebration attracted several amazing and gorgeously decorated floats, aglow with myriads of lights and colours, that glints on a sea of beaming faces invoking an atmosphere of exotic beauty and spiritual joy. Exquisitely attired young beauties graced the floats depicting the forms of the Divine Mother Lakshmi, and they mesmerize the crowd with their angelic dispositions.

With massive crowds lining the sidewalks of the Avenue and thousands more marching along with their banners and colour-

ful floats to the rhythm of soulful melodies, this time extolling the divinity of Mother Lakshmi and Lord Rama, deities at the center of the festivities.

The cultural program showcased some of the best and brightest talent among our young people in the field of song and dance.

Artists included: Natraj Center For Performing Arts, Pratima Kushmanie Doobay, Damian Sookram, Sanasani Cultural Organization, Shivanie Persaud, Sarvesh Shivnauth, Shelly Ramanan, Madrassi Organization, Boywah Sisters from Shri Krishna

Mandir, David Ali Dance Group, Rick Ramdehal and Shiva Lakhan.

The celebration commenced with a sanctifying Havan ceremony in the early afternoon officiated

by Pdt. Ravi Maharaj of the Queens Hindu Mandir and Pdt. Bharat Singh of The Arya Spiritual Center followed by the much anticipated Diwali Motorcade/Parade that kicked off from the Arya Spiritual Center grounds.

It traveled through the heart of Liberty Avenue, much to the amazement of eager spectators, and finally returned towards Arya Spiritual Grounds where the 16 floats were judged in front of Sybil's Bakery and Restaurant one of the main sponsors of this event.

Winners of the various

categories were judged on a predetermined set of criteria related to illumination, creativity, beauty, craftsmanship, appearance, and music. The five celebrity judges were Bindu Kohli, Hema Augustus, Nadia Neubert, Roxanne Seunarine and Sheena Balgobin.

This part was hosted

by TV personality Imran Ahmad with sound provided by DJ Frontline Soundz. The top winners were: Sri Durga Mandir -1st, Sanasani Cultural Organization -2nd, Balesar Family -3rd, Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Mandir-4th and Shiv Kala Dance Academy- 5th.

A representative from Mayor Bill De Blasio's office; Mr. Nick Gulatta honoured Dr. Dhanpaul with a special citation. Also

Mr. Danil Singh honoured him with a citation from State Senator Roxanne Persaud's office.

The almost flawless event couldn’t have been possible without the support of sponsors such as Star Party Rental which provided all the stage, tents, chairs and the LED Screen, Triple Crown also sponsored a choice of a car or $10k to a lucky raffle winner, (Heema Kanhai) Dreams by Dev our decorator, TD BANK, Bedessee, Digicel, Sybils and My Indian Nursing Home.

Lakshmee Singh was also commended for her outstanding leadership and dedication along with her exceptional team that worked tirelessly to pull off an event of such magnitude. (Photos by Lakshmee Singh)

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

More scenes from the Diwali Parade in NY

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

The Guyana Annual

Petamber Persaud recently handing over a copy of the magazine to a representative from the National Library

By Petamber Persaud

T

he longevity of The Guyana Annual magazine rest solely on the fact that the custodians of this publication have never shied away from change and innovation; in fact, change and innovation were embraced with a passion. And in the world of the arts, passion matters. Passion matters especially in a climate of little respect and little recompense for artists/ writers. Without passion for the arts, without passion in the arts, many a good venture would die a swift death. So the magazine was always reinventing itself, meeting the needs of contemporary tastes. Without embracing constant change the magazine could not have survive this long – 102 years and counting - outliving its main rivals like the “Caribia” and “The Christmas Tide”, two early publications with sound groundings. The “Christmas

Tide” was produced by the Argosy Company and the “Caribia” by British Guiana Lithographic.

Some of those modifications started as in the early 1930s, only 15 years after its launch in December 1915. In the year 1932, the magazine was the first to add colour to such publications.

That innovation has enhanced the image of and endeared the magazine to a wider readership.

Talking about a readership, in the initial stages when the production was in the hands of colonial administrators, the magazine was distributed far and wide among countries under the same colonial domination. It can be inferred then that at that period, the popularity of the magazine was in high esteem.

On the local scene, the magazine was also held in high esteem. In some years, advertisements outnumbered pages – any business worth its salt wanted to be part of the magazine. And in other

years, the magazine was sold out. Oh, for the return to such response.

On the subject of advertisements – it is a researcher’s delight to go through those commercial and person promotions. Those advertisements hold missing and essential parts of our history.

Even in its 102nd year of existence, The Guyana Annual magazine, previously named the “Chronicle Christmas Annual”, launched in December 1915, is admittedly fraught with challenges but is managing to stay viable with more changes and innovations.

The production of a 2018 issue is now been handled by a management committee. Other modifications for the 2018 issue of The Guyana Annual include the reintroduction of photography and art competitions, and the introduction of competitions for journalism, cartoon, and drama. Of note, persons can win up to GYD$75,000 in cash in

From the 1966 Christmas Annual - 'Young Mother' by Ecliffe Wharton, which gained Honourable Mention in the 'Open Photographic Competition', was used to headline the new Children's Section of the Magazine

any of the competitions.

Of note also, the first prize for the Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Oil & Gas competition is GYD$250,000.

Competition rules are available on The Guyana Annual Facebook page

or can be uplifted from Guyenterprise.

Entries can be submitted electronically via email address (theguyanaannual@gmail. com) or in hard copy format hand delivered to Guyenterprise, 234

Lance Gibbs & Irving Streets, Queenstown, Georgetown.

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

34 feature

Lasting memories

Suicide Point at the Film City studio in Mumbai

BY VAHNU MANIKCHAND

A

bout two weeks ago, at around 03:30h on October 1, I set foot on Indian soil – the motherland of my ancestors and a country I always dreamt and hoped of visiting, but never thought I would have had the opportunity so soon.

I was there for an Indian Governmentsponsored familiarisation trip that lasted seven days, but the memories and friends I gained will definitely be embedded in my heart and mind forever. Along with me on this journey were 24 senior journalists and editors from various Caribbean and Latin American countries, including a Guyanese colleague.

We were invited because the Indian Government felt that there was a gap between this region and its country, something it wanted to bridge and thought the media was the best avenue to so do.

Being a descendant of Indians, I’ve always felt connected to India, since we practise and uphold many of the traditions and cultures that our ances-

tors brought with them to Guyana over 170 years ago, and passed down to generations. In fact, I was most excited about travelling to the “motherland” to practise what little Hindi (India’s official language) I’ve learnt from watching Bollywood movies over the years. I manage to do just that, and was most proud when I was communicating with other Indians and my Latino colleagues were looking on in amusement.

The highlight of my first day was a trip to the local market – Sarojini Nagar Market.

The visit was short.

S.N. Market was bustling with people and activities that night. I was told it’s because Sunday is usually “shopping day”, but that day was extra busy, because the following day was a national holiday in India, Gandhi Jayanti – the birth anniversary of the “Father of the nation,” Mahatma Gandhi.

The first official activity on our itinerary was a four-hour drive to neighbouring State, Agra, where the magnificent Taj Mahal monument is located.

The marble mausoleum, which is one of the ‘Seven

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Wonders of the World’, is one of India’s most prized possessions. It is said to be the world’s greatest symbol of love, and one of India’s most popular tourist attractions.

We marvelled in the tale behind the construction of the breath-taking edifice, told to us by our tour guide, and we took advantage of every moment to fill our respective camera rolls with digital memories of presence at the artistic masterpiece.

Another highlight was a visit to the Swaminaryan Akshardham Temple in Uttar Pradesh (the State where most of our ancestors came from). The intricate details of the edifice were remarkable, and left us awestruck when we learnt that it was all hand built by thousands of artisans, who took five years to complete the entire spiritual campus using intricately carved sandstone and marble.

No phones or any other devices were allowed into the mandir’s compound, so I have nothing but my memory and a single portrait photo that was taken by the staff there to reminisce on the experience there. On the bright side, this allowed us to take in and ruminate on the manmade wonder that surrounded us.

Following a tour of the temple and a brief history of the life of Swaminaryan, we were taken to the ‘step well’, where we were seated for the Sahaj Anand Water Show – a display of melodious music, water fountain, colourful laser lights and holographic effects.

Afterwards, the group was taken on boat rides for another intriguing display of the history and develop-

…a visit to the land of my ancestors

Myself and fellow Guyanese colleague Tajeram Mohabir with Guyana’s Ambassador to India David Pollard

ment of India, and inventions that were birthed from the minds of remarkable Indians.

The familiarisation trip also consisted of visits to several State offices and other organisations that reflect and highlight the development of India as a socio-economic society. These included: the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), the Elections Commission of India, the studio of one of India’s newest and most popular news channel – Republic TV. Prior to my departure to India, I was told of experiences by a few persons who remembered Delhi as a highly polluted city. I may have been oblivious, but I did not see the pollution. What I saw was a city with huge, overgrown trees lined along the roadways and in many of the compounds we passed by.

It was a “green state” in literal sense.

However, the same could not have been said for Mumbai, the commercial capital of India, where we spent the last three days of our trip. The air pollution was so apparent that while on the western suburbs of Mumbai we could have hardly seen across the Mahim Bay (a bay part of the Arabian Sea which runs through Mumbai) over to the South

Mumbai, which houses its central business district.

Apart from the pollution, another striking feature was the poverty in the suburban region of Mumbai.

In that city, which is in the thriving State of Maharashtra, we stayed at the mesmerising and luxurious Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, which is located just opposite the Gateway of India, another one of the country’s popular monuments.

In Mumbai, we were introduced to some of India’s economy-drivers, such as Tata Consultancy Services, which is part of the multinational conglomerate Tata Group. We also had a brief meeting with Chief Financial Officer of BSE Ltd (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange) and Executive Member of Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (PHARMEXCIL), Tushar Korday, as well as the Government of Maharashtra’s Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, Brijesh Singh.

On the last day of our trip, we had a tour of Film City in Mumbai, where we got a glimpse of the shooting of a regional television serial. We also visited the sets of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooulta Chashmah, one of India’s longest run-

The group of journalists from the Caribbean and Latin America at the mesmerising Taj Mahal

ning serials, and met with leading actors Dilip Joshi and Shailesh Lodha. One of our guides during the tour of the more-than500-acres studio was actor Vijay Kumar Sharma, who shared screen space with megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 2015 satirical film ‘Shamitabh’.

At the studio, we were taken to a hilltop location commonly referred to as “Suicide Point”, but known as Helipad Point (because helicopters land there for movie scenes).

Most Bollywood movies have shot scenes at that or other location within the massive studio.

Scenes from popular movies like Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai (2000), Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), Koyla (1997), Welcome (2007), No Entry (2005) and blockbuster Koi Mil Gaya (2003).

Overall, I’ve manage to collect a lifetime of memories in just one very short week. From the people to the culture, the places we’ve been to, and of course the food! For the most part of my stay in India, I’ve devoured as many India cuisines as I could have.

Those that stuck with me were: kofta, masala dosa, vada, idli, sambar, biryani, dal makhani, alu gobi, halwa, rice kheer, besan laddoo and several types of naans (bread/roti).

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Julia Dimon

W

ith jaguars, anacondas, black caiman and piranha, the jungle is home to a long list of creatures eager to eat, squeeze, bite or nibble on you if given the chance. With so many predator-free high-end luxury resorts around the world, it’s a wonder why people would choose to spend their vacation time in the thick of nature, (far

bow and arrow, set traps for small animals, hand fish, sleep in jungle hammocks and make fire.

Part of an itinerary planned by Adventure Life (a tour operator offering multi-sport and adventure expeditions across Central and South America), this jungle survival course is an exercise in self-preservation and indigenous skills.

So there we were, in the middle of the jungle,

I pretty much sucked at.

From hunting, we tried fishing for our dinner.

Using plump white grubs as bait, we caught a few small piranhas, skewered the boney fish and grilled them over an open flame.

Post dinner, I retreated to my hammock to begin my going-to-bed ritual. As I reached for a toothbrush in my backpack, which was slung over a nearby tree branch, I saw something move. It

Learning how to hunt in the jungle from a local tour guide

from air-conditioning, room service or cable) battling the elements. Seems counter-intuitive, but learning to survive in the jungle is the exact reason why I, like the many other adventure-seekers before me, have found themselves in Guyana.

Nestled between Brazil and Venezuela, approximately 80 percent of this small South American country is primary tropical rainforest, making it the perfect locale for Bear Grylls wannabes on a quest to survive.

Deep in the Amazonian Basin, a few hours walk from the tiny Amerindian village of Surama, I followed a trio of Makushi guides into the jungle for a two-day survival adventure. This remote jungle experience teaches guests how to hunt using a traditional

trying to find a good place to camp. My guide signaled to a grassy patch of land that seemed suitable for a makeshift home. He handed me a machete and instructed me to clear away the vines that carpeted the jungle floor (so you can spot creepy crawlies who try to cuddle with you in the middle of the night). With the area clear, I strung my hammock between two trees, adjusted a tarp overtop, secured a mosquito net and voila. It was no [fancy hotel], but did serve as an effective shelter.

With camp set up, next task was to hunt for our dinner using a traditional bow and arrow. I’ve seen the movie “Hunger Games”, I know how it’s done. Turns out that real life archery requires a combination of strength, co-ordination and timing… a trifecta

Surviving in the jungle

was a massive wolf spider, double the size of my hand, crawling slowly up and territorially over my bag. I recoiled. I’m not a fan of spiders, certainly not big hairy ones laying claim to my belongings.

My guide grabbed a stick and poked him until he scurried away. Then one of his wolf spiders buddies emerged from my bag. There were spiders everywhere! I’d set up camp smack in the middle of a wolf spider compound. Just great.

Unsettled, but unscathed, I slipped beneath my mosquito net and obsessively checked the innards of my hammock. No spiders there thank goodness!

Just as I was attempting to relax and settle in for the night, I spotted something big and black move inside my net. Bullet ant! Though

Fishing for her dinner

they’re only an inch long, bullet ants are nasty little guys with reputations as the world’s most painful stinging insect. On the Schmidt Sting index, bullet ants rate as the number one most painful bite among hymenoptera, one of the largest orders of insects. Schmidt himself described the bite of a bullet ant “like fire-walking over flaming charcoal with a 3-inch rusty nail grinding into your heel.” So when you find one crawling around your bed, it violates the perceived safety and sanctity of the gossamer mosquito net. My guide once again came to my rescue and “escorted” the ant out (“killed it dead dead” as they would say in Guyana).

Needless to say, after so much wolf spider/bullet ant excitement, it was a restless night’s sleep. I feared what else might be

in my hammock or lurking outside the net. In the middle of the night, I heard an animal stomping around camp. I listened hard, held my breath and hoped the massive maneater (which turned out to be a harmless armadillo) wasn’t hungry for blonde travel writers.

After my short time in the jungle, it became clear. Beyond learning the tactical skills of survival, sleeping out in the jungle (exposed to the elements and plagued by an overactive imagination) tests your psychological strength. Depriving oneself from all that is comfortable and familiar also makes returning to regular life all the more satisfying. Suddenly the simple comforts easily taken for granted (like running water, flushing toilets and walls), you now appreciate. Jungle surviv-

al in Guyana was an incredible experience! It’s a way to test your boundaries, challenge yourself and acquire some new skills… just watch out for those bullet ants.

For more information on Julia’s travels, visit juliadimon.com Julia Dimon is a US family travel expert, oncamera travel TV host, travel influencer, blogger and hard-core travel junkie who has travelled around the world to over 80 countries, across all seven continents. She has eaten scorpions, trekked through jungles, slept with lions and battled malaria, but now for her biggest challenge - parenthood. Her mission is to empower adventurous like-minded mothers with tips and tricks when traveling with young children.

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com Apoteri seen from the river

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poteri is located at the confluence of the Rupununi and Essequibo rivers, about two and a half hours, during high water season, from the administrative centre of Annai. The village is the most remote of the North Rupununi communities.

Apoteri is an old Carib village known since the days of Schomburgk and Im Thurn. It was a stopping point for travellers exploring Guyana’s hinterland in the early 1800s.

The name Apoteri comes from the Arawak name of a tree. The history and development of Apoteri village is closely tied to the balata industry. In the 1970s, Apoteri was formed as a base for the business firm - Booker Brothers, McConnell & Company, popularly known as Bookers. Workers from all over the region came to work there mainly from villages in the South Rupununi like Shea, Sand Creek, Sawariwau and Kraudarnau.

In 1973, the village got its first paid teacher and other villages, namely Rewa, also came to attend the school.

The community credits retired headmaster and long-time resident, Naidu (from Anna Regina) with the high standard of education and the progression of several students to secondary school in recent years.

In 1987, Guyana Stores started working in the area. The main activities in the community are mainly agricultural such as farming cash crops, planting peanut and fishing, which were then bought by Guyana Stores. In 1998, Guyana Stores handed over its activities to the community. The community still relies heavily on subsistence farming and hunting.

Today, the village has several indigenous nations including Patamona, Wapishana and Makushi.

The general culture of the people has changed from purely indigenous to a mixture of practices. Influences include music, food and fashion, brought back by those visiting other locations, especially Brazil. But these new influences do not affect community togetherness. The villagers still work together on community self-help projects and celebrating special occasions. They also organise sport events with other communities, helping the people to remain connected, and promote positive relations.

One of the most scenic locations near the village is the King William Falls, located along the Upper Essequibo River. There you can enjoy a wilderness experience unlike any other in the world. (Information from Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, https:// moipa.gov.gy)

Clearing in Apoteri where planes land (Photo by Casey Grenier)

King William IV falls

Site where the balata company once existed

Apoteri village hall

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Talk on…

T

…on food

here’s been a lot of talk about food recently in Guyana. Could it be because hunger stalks the land? People talk about what they don’t get, don’t they? We don’t talk about the air here, do we?

But we would if we had the pollution of, say, Mexico City!! So back to the food talk. Or is it because of Diwali? Your Eyewitness just learnt Diwali began an autumn post-harvest festival!! Food!

Pressie went up to Linden and preached a new message: “Food it is; not bauxite and gold”.

He was, of course, referring to the traditional economic mainstay of Region 10, which earned them the appellation of “Mining town”. This he was advising had to go – and food production was the way forward! Now, in and of itself, this wasn’t bad advice. Mining extracts stuff from the ground, and once it’s gone, it stays gone! At best, all the natives are left with are big holes in the ground.

Young folks forget the glory days of bauxite, when workers there were the nobility of the working class both in their rates of pay and living standards. Then there was nothing…zero…zilch.

Lewis can blame the PPP all he wants, but both the PNC and PPP could do nothing in the end. And this is what’ll happen with gold in a while – and eventually oil.

So it seems Pressie has glimpsed this truth and is suggesting the good folks of Linden turn towards the production of food. Your Eyewitness will pass over his refusal to make the spiel to the sugar belt, where thousands and thousands of acres of drained and irrigated land are being allowed to revert to “bush” (Wales) or sold as house lots (EBD). He wants to know how Pressie will get those Lindeners — who’ve been used to free electricity since the 1960s — to get their toes in the mud. Like they say, once they’ve seen the bright lights, how do you get them back on the farms? Especially when there weren’t any farms to begin with!

Then there’s a letter from a well-meaning returnee to Buxton about returning Guyana to the “breadbasket of the Caribbean”. He was bigging-up farming on the coast and reminding us about the Herculean efforts of the freed slaves in creating the Village Movement. But, in his enthusiasm, he missed the central point: why those heroic folks failed in the end. they didn’t develop a commercial export crop like bananas or arrowroot etc.

But the Government can change all of that at Wales, where there are African and Indian farmers and sugar workers who can do just that.

Why has the Government left them “on their own”? …development fence Your Eyewitness has finally figured out why Guyana economy’s shrinking faster than a star collapsing into a black hole. The PNC-led APNU/ AFC government hasn’t the slightest clue as to what is “development”. And you don’t need the IDB’s scathing analytical conclusion that the lack of vision goes all the way to the top. Just look at that humungous article in the Chronic about the PNC going ga-ga over their massive “development” in Region 3 — a fence in front of their party headquarters!!

Can you believe this? Reflecting on the fence, a top PNC official complained that they’ve been “fixing a broken State,” which was inherited from the PPP. The PPP broke their fence? He continued, “This is a party of transformation, this party is on the move, it is one to be proud of!” A fence? The report concluded: “Amna Ally (Chairman of the PNC) indicated that the erection of the fence is testimony to the kind of leadership which the PNC has.”

It certainly does!! …Rodney’s indomitable spirit Celebrating their heroes, Jamaicans remembered Dr Walter Rodney and the invaluable role he played while teaching at UWI, Mona.

He raised their consciousness to reject the neocolonial Shearer government.

They asserted that “Rodney’s indomitable spirit lives on”. Maybe in Jamaica, but certainly not in Guyana!!

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Scenes from Diwali celebrations in Guyana

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The early period of road and railway transport

Remains of the railway bridge at Mahaicony (Photo by Amanda Richards) Continued from last week

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n October 1845, a management committee was appointed to supervise the construction of the project.

Eventually, a bill proposing the construction of the railway was passed by the Court of Policy in July 1846. Then in March 1847, Frederick Catherwood began his task of building the railway.

For the Georgetown's terminus, the Demerara Railway Company purchased an area at the junction of Main and Lamaha Streets in the city. Here, in August 1847 work commenced on the building of a large railway station with workshops, coal sheds and large water tanks.

Construction other stations along the route also started shortly after.

That same year three

railway steam engines, purchased in London, arrived in Georgetown and they were, respectively, named "Mosquito", "Sandfly" and "Firefly".

At first, a shortage of labour and finances impeded the construction of the railway. As construction continued, the cost escalated and government intervention was necessary to assure the repayment of loans offered. But despite such problems, after nearly 15 months the railway was opened as far as Plaisance on 3 November 1848 with two trains running daily between this village and Georgetown.

This became the first railway system on the South American continent.

Further problems arose as the railway extended, since land was required by the company for the route through the various plantations

and the proprietors were not willing to give up any part of their property without obtaining a favourable price. But through the intervention of the government, an agreement was reached by which proprietors were paid a compensation of $40 per acre of land utilised for the railway.

By May 1849, the railway company became dissatisfied with the service provided by Catherwood and his contract was terminated and this led to a further delay in construction. Financial problems, however, was the main cause but this was remedied when the government in July 1849 approved a loan of 50,000 pounds to the company. Construction supervised by Mr. Manifold, Catherwood's assistant, then moved quickly and the railway line reached Buxton in March 1850,

Enmore in October Rockstone River Terminus of the DER on the Essequibo River 1850 and Belfield to be 313,890 pounds. Of en-Hoop and Greenwich in November 1850.

The following year this figure the Demerara Park, and later extended the company was again Railway Company raised to Parika in 1914.

The Demerara plagued by financial 249,023 pounds while problems with the re- the remaining sum of Railway Company was sult that worked almost 64,867 pounds was ac- later sold to the Colonial grounded to a halt and quired through govern- Transport Department of the government, which there was little progress ment loans. took over control of the The railway was very for almost two years. The situation was so serious, popular among the peo- railway services from the Demerara Railway ple on the East Coast January 1, 1922.

The railway not only Company's committee Demerara, and soon there were demands for helped in quick and easy resigned and Manifold movement of the travit to be extended further was left in charge of all affairs. Again, the gov- to Rosignol on the west elling public, but it also ernment intervened bank of the Berbice River, transported large quanease financial pressure 62 "railway" miles east of tities of goods very effion the company through Georgetown. But it was ciently. Bulk sugar from a special ordinance in not until 1890 that the the estates was moved 1853 which reduced the government granted a with relative ease to rate of interest on the contract to the Demerara Georgetown for export.

50,000-pound loan from Railway Company to But despite the popular6 percent to 4 percent an- build the line between ity of the railway, many Mahaica and Rosignol, sugar estate owners, at nually.

Work recommenced and also another line be- first, were wary of it for Vreed-en-Hoop a particular reason. They at a rapid pace and the tween and Tuschen west of the felt it would encourage line reached Two Friends Demerara River. their workers to abandon in October 1854. There their jobs on the estates The extension to followed another slowing down of the project, Rosignol was constructed and settle on lands near again due to the short- from 1897 to 1900 and its the railway and become age of funds. As before, terminus was the ferry peasant farmers. The the government had to stelling on the left bank movement of people to come to the rescue. On of the Berbice River, thus live and farm in the vicin1 August 1863, the rail- allowing for easy con- ity of the railway did ocway reached Clonbrook nection by ferry steamer cur, but this did not pull and, finally, the Mahaica across the river with New away workers from the terminus at Helena in Amsterdam. This part of sugar estates as the esthe project included the tate owners feared. Text August 1864.

On 31 August 1864, building of sturdy iron from “The Guyana Story the Governor, Sir railway bridges across - From Earliest Times to Francis Hincks, formal- the Mahaica, Mahaicony Independence� by veteran retired Guyanese diploly declared the railroad and Abary Rivers. mat, Dr Odeen Ishmael) The first section of open. Its length was the Demerara-Essequibo nearly twenty-two miles and the total cost of con- railway was laid down afstruction was estimated ter 1900 between Vreed-

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

The fight against a debilitating disease Lymphatic filariasis patients offer advice on coping and surviving the disease

B y I ndrawattie N atram

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everal filariasis patients in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are offering words of advice and encouragement to fellow infected individuals to remain positive despite having to live with this debilitating disease.

Vibert Munroe, 69, a rice farmer of Richmond Village said he “inherited” the disease from his mother at the age of 16. Munroe has severely suffered from the disease, which is also commonly known as elephantiasis. Despite painful and profound disfiguration, Munroe has managed to live a ‘normal’ life, providing for his family and also being an inspiration for others with filariasis.

Munroe, who attends the Anna Regina and Suddie Public Hospital High-Risk clinics, said he has received much support from these clinics as they serve as support groups as other patients meet, socialise and interact with each other. Those who are not suffering from the disease are also encouraged to take preventive measures, like using Albendazole tablets. Notably, Munroe also sensitises youths on filariasis.

He revealed that several of his siblings are infected. Sadly, one of his brothers died recently from the disease.

Narine Murlie, from Golden Fleece village on the Essequibo Coast, has been living with filariasis for over 40 years. He recalled developing a pain in his ankle which eventually spread causing his left foot to swell. With a few adjustments, however, he has been coping with the disease.

Murlie still enjoys riding his bicycle to the backdam and earning a living.

Murlie’s encouragement to others suffering from the disease is to “not give up, but be an inspiration to all those that are struggling”.

Both Munroe and Murlie receive medication from the Suddie Public Hospital, however they have expressed a need for more treatments, including medication for filariasis.

Efforts against

filariasis in Guyana Mass Drug Administration (MDA) is promoted in Guyana as the only prevention and treatment method for filariasis. MDA aims to treat an entire population within a country through administering a curative dose of medication to vulnerable citizens without first testing for infections. The MDA exercise is annually spearheaded by all public health agencies worldwide. Individuals also have a personal mandate of keeping their surroundings clean and free of breeding sites for (culex) mosquitoes that carry the worm. The use of treated bed nets is also recommended.

The Neglected Diseases unit, through funding from the Government of Guyana, provides slippers, towels, buckets and basins to filariasis patients to properly wash their feet.

Dressing and bandage are also given for covering and further treatment.

The Ministry of Public Health has been collaborating over the years with agencies such as the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and a number of nongovernmental organisations for a number of years in reducing the number of filarial cases within the country.

The process of treatment at the unit of the Vector Control Services starts with evaluation. The patients are evaluated then tested to confirm that there is indeed microscopic thread-like or roundworms in the system that would eventually cause filariasis.

If the worm is detected, treatment begins with the administration of Albendazole or Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) at prespecified doses. This medication will kill the worms that cause swelling of the groin or limbs, more specifically the leg.

According to coordinator of the Neglected Infectious Diseases Department within the Vector Control Services Unit, Dr. Fabu Moses, pointed out that at present more than 90

Narine Murlie

percent of the population is at risk of contracting filariasis.

“We did a study on primary school children in Regions One to Ten and this gave us some figures that showed our country or 90 percent of our population is at risk of contracting the small worms, micro-filariae, in adulthood,” she related in a recent interview.

The Vector Control Unit and Ministry of Public Health are now looking to ensure that everyone over the age of two, excluding those pregnant or considered to be very ill, is medicated.

“The Mass Drug Administration campaign has quite a few different facets, which

Vibert Munroe

include going house-tohouse to disseminate information and medi-

cation to persons… We will be walking with the original containers the medication came in so that people will see where they were made, their expiry date. This is done to alleviate concerns people have about what they are consuming, and rightfully so,” she declared.

For those persons who are not available when the teams visit their homes, filariasis medication will be available at health centres in Regions Three and Four since the medication is not available in pharmacies.

The MDA campaign is expected to reach Region Two in 2018.

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Please help us rebuild our lives’

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o m i n i c a ’ s Minister for Housing, Lands and Water Resource Management, Reginald Austrie has appealed to Caribbean States to assist the island, as its people continue to rebuild their lives following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.

On September 19, the ferocious storm made landfall as a Category Five Hurricane with winds of 160 miles per hour (260 kilometres per hour), killing 15 as it ploughed through the country, damaging the infrastructure and water systems.

Minister Austrie, in an address at the open-

ing of the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA), on Monday evening noted that 70 per cent of water systems on the island was totally destroyed.

He, however, observed that 50 per cent of water access was restored.

He told the gathering that flooding was still affecting the island, not-

ing the rivers and waterways were already compromised. He added that almost all of the nation’s agricultural supply was lost which was a far cry from the times when the island was virtually self-sufficient in terms of food security.

“Over 85 or 90 per cent of our housing or infrastructure was dam-

…Dominica’s Housing Minister appeals

Dominica’s Minister for Housing, Lands and Water Resource Management, Reginald Austrie

aged, but knowing the resilience of our people, we have started putting the pieces together. There has been tremendous support from our regional and international partners. We have done quite a bit in the last three weeks,” he stated.

He cautioned that Caribbean States must implement more measures to ensure that the nations were ready to stand against the impacts of climate change, observing that much of the disasters emanate from “man-made elements”.

Among some of the other needs, he cited, were potable water tanks, generators, welding plants, treatment plants, solar panels, and qualified engineers.

Mobile phone, radio and

Internet services were all damaged during the hurricane. Apart from Dominica, Maria affected Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States.

With Category Five winds and rain, another hurricane, Irma completely devastated Barbuda and also affected jurisdictions such as St Maarten, St Barts, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, and the British Virgin Islands.

Chartered flights have been used by Government to transport Guyanese returning home, especially from the island of St Maarten.

Charity cricket matches have been planned to raise money for relief.

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Boning up…

Out of the mouth…

R

…of the big enchilada

eaders would know what they say about “Freudian slips”! You know the truth, your listeners know the truth…but you can’t utter it for fear of embarrassing yourself.

So you open your mouth to tell the concocted tale, and out jumps the truth! Oooops!! Freudian slip!! So the Administration knew from day one since they stepped into the Government they’ve been staggering from one disaster to another. We can start with the appointment of Ministers, when after berating the PPP for years about having a top heavy Cabinet – the President goes on to practically DOUBLE the number of PPP Ministers – creating the largest Cabinet in the history of Guyana!!

And then to rub salt into their supporters’ wounds, they then blithely proceed to give the said Ministers a 50 per cent raise in salary – while constraining Government workers (Ministers aren’t Government workers since they don’t WORK!) to a measly 10 per cent. An even bigger disaster, of course, was their (mis) handling of the economy. Prezzie had immediately made an impression when he described the mainstays of the economy as the “six-sisters” – gold, diamonds, sugar, rice, bauxite, and timber.

Recently, however, he changed that designation to “the six curses”!! Ooooo… can you believe this? Your Eyewitness has heard about “blaming the victim”, but this was ridiculous! When you take over a Government you’re supposed to steer the ship of State in a direction where the economy prospers, right? Well evidently not to this Government. It’s all the fault of the “sisters” who became “curses”!

Now this jettisoned responsibility isn’t just your Eyewitness’ conclusion – it’s the IFIs, which don’t issue their assessments lightly. So even the Muckraker – which is practically their handmaiden – was forced to announce: “Govt lacks strategic planning, vision at the highest level – IDB”!! Now that’s some indictment from an

institution that’s obviously had it with this Administration being an all-round disaster.

It has to be frustrating to lend millions and millions of US dollars to a Government and find out they just CAN’T SPEND IT!!!

Your Eyewitness just wishes he had such a problem!!

And this is really the bottom line on the disaster this Government represents.

It really seems to believe that governing a country consists of merely uttering nice sounding homilies.

The Guyanese people need action, not talk. …of a Cop breaking the Khaki Wall Guyanese have become conditioned to the Police – of all stripes and colours – being a law unto themselves. In today’s paper alone were three egregious examples of Police high-handedness that amount to slam dunks on the heads of the Guyanese people. One citizen pointed to the blatant favouritism to friends and family (and superiors) who’re allowed to “jump the (long and labyrinthine) line” at the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

Another described the Kafkaesque situation of a minibus with five females being hauled to a Police station to “search for drugs” – just because one of the passengers DARED to ask the reason for the stop. That Policeman decided to show HER who was BOSS!! Who cares about “reasonable cause” for the stop!! Not OUR Police!!

But the third and most egregious was the report on a City Constable allegedly raping a young boy and then the City Council covering it up after one Policeman decided to do the right thing and file a report.

How sick have our officials become? …of “our own” Your Eyewitness is disheartened at the numbing silence of those activists who mobilised G/Town vendors against Town Clerk Carol Sooba for her efforts to regularise vending.

So the present Town Clerk’s even greater transgressions against vendors are OK because he’s one of our own?

U

…on oil S Ambassador Perry Halloway offered an excellent bit of advice to those Guyanese commenting on our incipient “Oil Industry”: just “bone up” on it before mouthing off. Of course, being a diplomat (a career one at that, and not one of those “political appointees”) he didn’t put it so bluntly. But he obviously knows of what he speaks, since he spent all of his previous stints in drug infested Latin American capitals.

At the time of his posting (2014), drugs would’ve been the only substance making Guyana show up on America’s radar. But with Exxon striking a “world class” oil find off our coast the following year, he would’ve had to have done some big time “boning up”!! That his boss over at the US State Department is the former boss of Exxon was probably an added incentive not to blot his copy book!

Anyhow, your diligent Eyewitness took his advice to heart and did some quick boning up this morning. He focused his attention on the sub-Saharan Africa nations we most closely resemble in our governance and economic development – or lack thereof!

And as far as the critiques of the Contract, what he found wasn’t much different from what the locals have been saying; and to which Resource Minister Trotman has been so surly in his responses.

Mr Halloway should really have asked him to bone up on the oil business earlier!

But, then again, we now know Trotman became quite distracted after he attended COP 25 in Gay Paree with that trusty assistant!! Anyhow back to your Eyewitness’s “boning up”. Firstly, the quantum of the royalties we’re receiving from Exxon. The African base rate was 8.5% and went all the way to 15%!! And these were countries that’ve complained they were RAPED!! So, what should Guyanese say?

To harp on Guyana DOUBLING their royalties after Trotman’s RENEGOTIATION is really to insult the boning up. In all instances, the African countries (like Guyana) had to drop their pants BEFORE oil was found.

That’s reasonable – the oil company was

taking all the risks and all that. But after oil’s found and the contract has expired – it’s every country doing what’s best for itself.

And – voila! – they have their royalty rates at least four times ours!!

But what’s even more alarming is: in addition to their high royalties off the top, they also have profit-sharing of at least 30% – AND taxation of the oil company’s profits at 30%!!

Based on your Eyewitness boning up, he finds that THE GOVERNMENT OF GUYANA WILL BE PAYING THAT 30% FOR EXXON FROM GUYANA’S SHARE OF PROFITS!!

Say it ain’t so, Trottie!! …on behavioural economics Richard Thaler’s copping this year’s Nobel Prize for economics has perked interest in that esoteric branch of the field he practically pioneered – behavioural economics (BE). In fact, after the great crash of 2008 — which ALL the standard orthodox models FALED to predict, and in which most of the developed world is still stuck — BE’s about the ONLY branch left standing!

So your newly advised Eyewitness boned up!! And discovered behavioural economics just threw out ALL the three major premises of orthodox economics through the simple expedient of checking if those premises really held up in the real world!! Imagine since the 18th century, this “social” science that had the most pretentions to be a SCIENCE never checked its premises!! Your Eyewitness is distraught!!

Its major premise, of course, is folks behaved RATIONALLY when making economic choices – which was proven by psychology NOT to be so!! Political SCIENCE, of course, had long disabused itself of that quaint notion, as our Guyanese voting patterns show!!

So, are we going to send all our economists back to school? …on Sugar Optics Saw that pic of the “GuySuCo team” announcing another 5000 sugar workers being thrown to the wolves?

Where were the folks actually calling the shots?? Like Chairman Clive Thomas or Diversification Czar Jervis?

The significance of Diwali “Diwali – A festival full of sweet memories, sky full of fireworks, mouth full of sweets, house full of diyas, and heart full of enjoyment.”

I

just returned from a visit to Divali Nagar in Trinidad.

It was the perfect way to relax after some very stressful Ob/Gyn finals, thank you!!

Divali has always been one of my favourite festivals. And I guess what has always been its most attractive feature has been the air of tranquility that lingers in my memories as I remember my mom and I spending most of the day puttering about the kitchen, cooking up a multitude of dishes — both “sweet and salt”. My personal favourites were the samosas and “aloo balls”.

But before the actual day of Diwali, the house would have been given a thorough cleaning — both in-

side and out. I haven’t been able to be home for Divali during these last two Divali occasions, but to be honest, I didn’t miss the cleaning part! Most Hindus — and this includes my Mom — literally don’t even leave a stone unturned when cleaning up for Diwali, because we are symbolically welcoming God into our house, and who would want to welcome God into a house that’s less than spic-and-span?

By six o’clock, we would be in our pooja rooms, offering prayers to the deities, Mother Laxmi in particular. Mother Laxmi is the Goddess of Light, so we pray to her on Diwali, which is the darkest night of the year (Amaawas

night). Families praying together and singing bhajans to Mother Laxmi is one of the many wonderful ways that Diwali strengthens the family bond.

We would then carefully place a diya in every room of the house — especially the ledges of the verandahs — and then proceed outside, where the passageways, fences and bridges would be outlined with diyas. Because we live so close to the Ocean, the wind is invariably very strong, and it’s always a challenge to keep the diya going. You evolve strategies like placing them where two wicks touch and keep each other lit!

Divali is a harvest festival, and the un-

derlying message – like with most Hindu festivals — is the triumph of light over darkness (good over evil). Poverty is seen as one of the greatest obstacles to living a virtuous life; so, from this perspective, banishing it through a bountiful harvest is a powerful message.

The lighting of the millions of diyas every Diwali is significant; it means we are battling the odds and lighting up the world on the darkest night of the year. Though the moon isn’t out, we’re making our own light.

We’re forging our own paths in this life. And that’s important: you can only build up good karma if YOU take action, not if someone else does it for you.

And karma is an integral part of Hinduismwe believe that we can only achieve moksha (liberation) based on our actions in life.

Sure, lighting up fireworks and cooking are really, really fun, but the whole essence of Diwali is that every diya that you light you are making a conscious decision to end the darkness. The darkness doesn’t just mean external ‘demons’ like drugs, bad friends, poverty, sickness etc.; it also means tackling your own internal conflicts, like trying to fix that mean aspect of your personality, or cultivating better discipline.

On Diwali, family members across the globe reconnect.

Whether they just

Anu Dev call or even visit for the holiday is up to them, but the important thing is that the bond is being maintained.

This Divali, I will be shuttling between north and south Trinidad; but I still hope, as I did last year, I will be in the Pooja room with my family, singing our favourite Divali Bhajans – via the magic of Skype!!

So go out there this Diwali, light a diya, keep on burning bright, and keep on shining.

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Warwick University honours Guyanese Yesu Persaud

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he University of Warwick in England on Monday honoured former Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Chairman Yesu Persaud for his stellar contribution to the development of global education and unveiled a brand-new state-of-theart lecture theatre bearing his name.

The simple reception was held in the Demerara Bank auditorium on Monday, and esteemed Guyanese scholars and Warwick University representatives showered Persaud with praise for his contribution towards the advancement of education, both globally and locally.

Guyanese scholar, Professor David Dabydeen, of the Office of the President at the University of Warwick, said that the Yesu Persaud Lecture Theatre symbolises the longstanding relationship between Persaud and the University. He dubbed Persaud a model Guyanese with humble beginnings who reeks of patriotism and a passion for educational and economic development.

He noted that the University was one of the top learning institutions in the world and has always afforded Guyanese scholars the opportunity to study and lecture there. Dabydeen placed special emphasis on the Centre for Caribbean Studies, which is the first of its kind in Britain and afford persons the opportunity to learn about the history and work of Caribbean scholars.

M e a n w h i l e , Associate Director in

Former Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Chairman Yesu Persaud receives the honorary plaque from Luke Taylor of the University of Warwick

the Development Office at the University, Luke Taylor, lauded Persaud’s contributions to both the University and the local education sector. He also commended the businessman for the leadership roles he took on as Chairman of DDL and for the establishment of both Demerara Bank and Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED).

Persaud’s colleague and friend, Demerara Bank Limited Director Sheila George related fond memories of her late husband and Persaud.

She credits him for contributing towards the restoration of free and fair elections in Guyana when he, along with others, formed the prodemocracy movement, GUARD. When his time came

to speak, Persaud said that he worked tirelessly to achieve all his dreams and that to date, he has accomplished almost all of his goals. He credits hard work, dedication, determination, and perseverance as some of the qualities responsible for his accomplishments.

He said that he was not yet finished with aiding in the development of the local education sector, and cited the role he played at the University of Guyana. He notes that Guyana needs a plan to lure skilled Guyanese with the ideas for development and that is the only way forward.

Persaud was born in 1928 at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara, and started his first job as assistant to the assistant rat catcher at a sugar plantation. He went

to England to study and learnt accounting before returning home to join the public service as an Inspector of Taxes.

He was instrumental in the changeover of Bookers into the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). He joined Demerara Liquors Limited and Demerara Sugar Company and transformed them into DDL. He then pioneered the El Dorado brand rum, the Demerara Bank Limited, Diamond Fire and General Insurance Inc, and the Guyana Trust Company Limited. He is also the Chairman and driving force behind Demerara Bank Limited, the first indigenous Private Sector bank.

Recognising his stellar contribution, the University of Warwick granted Persaud an honorary doctorate for his work in helping in the restoration of democracy in Guyana in 1992 plus his skills as a businessman in making El Dorado into a quality world brand and the creation of IPED. He is the recipient of several national and international awards inclusive of the Gandhi Organisation Plaque, the Cacique’s Crown of Honour, the Glory of India Award and the Certificate of Excellence by the India International Friendship Society in 2005. One year later, in 2006, he would receive the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman for his outstanding contributions to business and Indian history and culture.

Prezzie’s prerogative

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atiricus was bored. He was skimming the TV channels and chanced upon that documentary on Whitney Houston. Now, if there was one singer who’d hit Satiricus’s sweet spot, it was Whitney. But the documentary explained a lot of things – especially why she married “bad boy” Bobby Brown. And thinking about Bobby Brown brought Satiricus a full circle to what had shocked him to the core THAT MORNING: the Pee an’ See people saying it was Prezzie’s prerogative to take PARTY business to State House. Seemed Prezzie was following Bad Boy Bobby Brown’s anthem: “My Prerogative”.

Everybody’s talkin all this stuff about me (Now now) Why don’t they just let me live (Oh oh oh) I don’t need permission Make my own decisions (Oh!) That’s my prerogative They say I’m crazy I really don’t care That’s my prerogative

They say I’m nasty But I don’t give a damn Gettin power is how I live Some ask me questions Why am I so real But they don’t understand me I really don’t know the deal About a brother Trying hard to make it right Not long ago Befo’ I win this fight SING!

It’s the way that I wanna live (It’s my prerogative) I can do just what I feel (It’s my prerogative) No one can tell me what to do (It’s my prerogative) Cause what I’m doin I’m doin for you now The problem, Satiricus thought, with Prezzie insisting in following Bad Boy Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative” was that he might just take down the Guyanese people into the gutter, like Brown did with his own family.

The benefits of developing “rounded” students

By Ashley Anthony

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n the past, I have spoken about the argument of extracurricular activities vs extra subjects, stressing that the two are not mutually exclusive. I implored that certain minimum standards should be met, after which no child should be limited in any area. I still believe this to be true, however, I feel the need to speak of the importance of encouraging children to engage in extracurricular activities, even those they might be bad at.

Guyanese, I believe, have this mentality that you should do what you’re good at and only that. Because of this, what we are good at becomes less of something we can do, and more of someone who we are.

The problem, I believe, with a onedimensional child, is that central to their identity will be their perceived excellence in a particular field.

What then, should happen, if they are challenged –- if they should come to realise that they are not as great as they once believed?

Guyana is a small country. It is relatively easy to become the “best” at something.

What happens when a child who has been consistently praised for being the smartest student in the country (after topping CSEC), moves abroad and realises that everyone at their university is as smart as they are? What if they don’t get into the school of their choice? What if our best sprinter brings last in a regional race? If their identity was closely tied to their intellectual and

By Ashley Anthony physical prowess, does this mean that they no longer know who they are? Do they lose sight of their purpose and vision? How do they come to grips with the fact that there is someone better at doing something that they have been told their entire lives they are the best at?

We need to see extra-curricular activities as less of accessories for college and job applications, and more as being about personal fulfilment and the discovery of one’s self. A balanced individual (in my opinion), is less likely to feel as though their entire identity is threatened upon encountering someone who is better at doing something than they are. This is because through exploring a variety of different activities, they will come to understand that they have strengths and weaknesses, but that their strengths do not define what they can do. If your child is academically gifted, by all means, encourage them to study, but don’t ONLY encourage them to study. Also, let them explore their other interests, even if they aren’t great at them, and show them that it is okay to do something solely because it makes them happy.

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Being at the top is lonely: Hema Malini

Difficult to find someone who understands your success: Deepika Padukone

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or the whole of 70s and 80s, actor Hema Malini ruled the hearts of millions in the country. But even as enormous success kept her company for more than a decade, the person behind the enviable sheen felt lonely, something which the arc-lights obviously failed to capture. As she launched her biography Beyond the Dream Girl on her 69th birthday on Monday, Hema spoke about being in the numero uno position and how it interfered with her personal space.

“First of all, I don’t even know if I am supposed to be (called) number one. You don’t realise if you are number one or not. It is the media that tells you where you are, at least that’s how I got to know because I was all the time busy shooting,” the actor told the gathering at the biography

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launch.

Saying as if it were a matter of fact, Hema Malini continued, “Of course, it is a lonely place, in many ways.

Even in personal relationships. You are working hard the whole day, then you come back just to sleep and leave early morning for work. I don’t know how to explain. When it comes to your personal life, even your parents want you to settle down. My parents started looking for a guy for me. A lot of suitors came to see me. But

we couldn’t have a match with them. We wanted to but they couldn’t reach the position I was. That’s the difficult part. The fact is that you become so big, it is the most uncomfortable and difficult place to be in and I have stayed there for a long time.”

The actor has also addressed the loneliness that comes with success in the biography, which has been authored by Ram Kamal Mukherjee.

(Indian Express)

Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Happy that Aamir Khan played a quirky character in ‘Secret Superstar’

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awazuddin Siddiqui, who is happy that superstar Aamir Khan has played a quirky character in a never-seen-before avatar in ‘Secret Superstar’, says actors should not be conscious about an image.

“I think actors shouldn’t have any image. He (or she) should be able to play any character. I am very happy that Aamir Khan played a character like this.

Earlier, actors were image conscious but now things are changing and they are trying to experiment with their roles,” Nawazuddin said at a special screening of ‘Secret Superstar’ in Mumbai on Monday.

Aamir plays music composer Shakti Kumaarr in the movie, which is about a teenage girl named Insia, played by Zaira Wasim, who sets out to follow her dream of being a singing

superstar under the confinement of anonymity.

‘Dangal’ director Nitesh Tiwari said he felt really emotional while watching the movie. “I’m not saying this because I have worked with Aamir sir, but it’s genuinely a really nice movie. Shakti’s character is completely opposite Aamir sir’s character in real life. His onscreen character is very quirky and cheap, but from inside, he has a very soft heart and he guides Zaira’s character in the film.

“Whatever Aamir Khan does, he does it

with lot of conviction and this film is also no exception to that,” Tiwari said. Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar said: “As always, Aamir’s films are really special. In this film, there is a very strong message. A few days ago, I had mentioned that dreams don’t discriminate and ‘Secret Superstar’ is exactly the same.”

On his part, Aamir said he is more eager to know the reactions of the audience. The film is directed by Advait Chandan and is releasing on Friday. (Indian Express)

ne has often heard that distance in personal relationships is a price celebrities pay on their way to professional success. For them, handling friendships and dealing with companions is perhaps a bigger challenge than managing their film career, at least actor Deepika Padukone thinks so. One of the reigning Bollywood stars of today, Deepika says romantic relationships become more complicated than they already are once you reach the top.

Deepika Padukone, rumoured to be dating her Padmavati co-star, Ranveer Singh for three

years now, says it is not easy to find someone, who can handle their star partner’s success.

Talking about losing many personal relationships on her nineyear journey to success in Bollywood, the actor says, “Some of my personal relationships have become stronger with time but I have seen some of my friends, who have distanced themselves from me. Some of my school friends have become much closer than before because we all make efforts to stay in touch.

“A lot of people could not handle the success that came my way and

sort of disconnected. I am not upset about it.

That’s just the way life goes. People who are closest to you and matter understand.”

Coming to her romantic relationships, Deepika Padukone candidly admitted that it is difficult to have a man, who would be okay to earn less than his partner.

“As far as romantic relationships are concerned, they are complicated because it is difficult to find someone, who understands your success and your passion for what you do. Someone who understands that maybe you earn more money (than him). It (at the top) is a complicated place to be in.”

Deepika made these remarks at the launch of veteran star Hema Malini’s biography Beyond the Dream Girl on Monday evening.

(Indian Express)

Hema Malini: Sunny Deol was the first person to see me at home after my accident

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ince her wedding to superstar Dharmendra in 1979, the one thing that veteran actor Hema Malini has strictly steered away from speaking about in public is her equation with her husband’s children with his first wife. Of course, the media has speculated a lot about her bond (or lack) of it with Dharmendra’s sons Sunny and Bobby Deol.

But in her biography, Beyond Dream Girl, that was unveiled on Monday on her 69th birthday, Malini breaks her silence on her relationship with Sunny and Bobby.

She also addressed it at the launch of the book authored by Ram Kamal Mukherjee. When Mukherjee asked her about it saying that this is something the media wants to know, Malini interrupted him with a frankness that is typical of her. “Beyond Hema Malini means this has to come – Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol,” she taunted Mukherjee.

As the audience laughed, Malini casually carried on. “Everyone wonders what kind of a relationship we (she and Sunny) are having. It is very beautiful and cordial. Whenever it is necessary he (Sunny) is always there, along with Dharam ji, especially when this accident happened.

“He was the first person to come to see me at home and he saw that the right doctor is there for the stitches that were done on my face. I was really taken aback to see him showing so much interest. That shows what kind of a re-

lationship we are having,” Malini said.

The actor-MP met with a road accident near Dausa, Rajasthan, on July 2 2015 on her way from Agra to Jaipur, when her Mercedes allegedly rammed into an Alto. Malini reportedly fractured her nose and suffered injuries on her forehead.

Hema Malini has mentioned the accident and the meeting with Sunny in her book as well. The biography was launched by actor Deepika Padukone in the presence of Hema’s family, including daughters Esha and Ahana Deol with their respective husbands, and industry colleagues like filmmaker Ramesh Sippy and Subhash Ghai.

Dharmendra was conspicuous by his absence.

At the event, Deepika read out a letter by Pamela Chopra, wife of late filmmaker Yash Chopra, who directed Hema Malini in many hit films like Trishul and Veer Zara. Pamela showering praise on Malini’s beauty and the way she conducted her career wrote, “You are pristine and in your long career, you always showed grace and dignity, something very few actresses have.”

Also, 50 of her colleagues including megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, Vyjayanthimala (who Hema Malini, in the book, calls the biggest influence on her career) and Shatrughan Sinha send their best wishes, which were compiled in an audio-video presentation. (Indian Express)

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor celebrate five years of togetherness

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aif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan might be busy with their respective films, but whenever they can manage, the two lovebirds make sure to spend quality time with each other and their family.

While the fans of Saifeena were busy swooning over their perfect love story on their

fifth wedding anniversary on Monday, Nawab Pataudi and his begum Kareena walked hand in hand into Soha Ali Khan’s residence to celebrate five years of togetherness in the presence of their loved ones.

Saif didn’t miss on looking Nawabi in his kurta and pyjama and Kareena like always donned a comfy look as she wore

a chic t-shirt and track pants. But this time the

paparazzi missed capturing the picture per-

fect family of Kareena as the couple didn’t take Taimur along.

Saif and Kareena have been spending time with Soha and her little angel Inaaya Naumi ever since the baby girl was born last month on September 29. On Soha’s birthday too, the couple was spotted at Soha’s residence.

The love story of Saif

and Kareena is the one like a story of a Bollywood movie. The two met on the sets of their film Tashan and dated each other for five years before they got married on October 16, 2012. The two shared the screen in movies like Tashan, Omkara, Kurbaan and Agent Vinod. (Indian Express)

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Hollywood 49

Michael Fassbender and Cher to return to big screen Alicia Vikander are married with Mamma Mia sequel

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fter Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner announced their engagement a few days ago, here comes another Hollywood couple who has secretly tied the knot.

As reported by People, ‘The Light Between Oceans’ couple Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander got married in a uber-private ceremony over the weekend in Ibiza.

The happy couple allegedly exchanged vows at the La Granja farmstead resort in the company of friends and family, according to their sources.

While the two are yet to confirm the news, The Daily Mail even has some pictures of the two sporting wedding rings from their alleged wedding as spotted by them on Sunday.

Looks like, the 40-yearold ‘Assassin’s Creed’ actor with the 29-year-old Oscar-winning Vikander was glowing with wedding bliss as he dined at what looked like a post-

S wedding brunch with his wife.

Ahead of the wedding, Fassbender and Vikander were also seen chilling with friends and family on the idyllic island on Friday, where Vikander looked pretty in a white, summery gown and the Irish-German actor Fassbender looked casual cool in an unbuttoned shirt and shorts. The two were also spotted getting intimate and sharing kisses on the Spanish island. The couple has still kept mum and their rep-

resentatives have refused to confirm anything about the ceremony.

The two had met on the sets of The Light Between Oceans in 2014 where incidentally Vikander had played Fassbender’s wife too.

Even though rumours of them dating sparked off then itself, they had maintained complete silence on the matter apart from showering each other with praises for their acting skills in their various interviews. (Indian Express)

Taika Waititi: There was conscious effort to add humour in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’

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tarring Australian actor Chris Hemsworth and acclaimed star Mark Ruffalo, ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ is slated to release in India on November 3.

The cast members were in Sydney on Sunday for the movie’s premiere.

Asked if there was a conscious effort to put humour in the super-hero film, Waititi said at a round table conference, “Yup. There was a conscious effort to put every colour known to man and every weird piece of music… Just wanted to make this movie into a big lovable, funny fist and then punch the audience straight in the face.”

This is Waititi’s first major Hollywood feature film. He has in the past directed films in his native New Zealand. What made him direct a super-hero entertainer? “I think it was exactly that

I had never done it before, because then you guarantee that it’s going to be unique,” Waititi said.

What about the pressure to direct a film for such a popular franchise?

“Sort of, but I came into the film by mistake… So, I didn’t really feel like this is my job. I feel like I’m just going to keep doing the most risky things I can because I want to play with fire and I want to see how close I can get to destroying my career because that’s when the magic happens… This one was really fun to do but I was challenged all the time,” Waititi replied to a question by IANS. The Marvel Studios’ film will see some new elements in the entertainer like Thor with short hair, the demi-God fighting a battle without his weapon — the hammer, and award-winning actress Cate Blanchett,

which makes her the first super villain in the Marvel universe.

Waititi, who comes from Wellington — the film capital of New Zealand — describes working with Blanchett as amazing. “She is very down-to-earth and very honest in a loving way.

She is someone who has won a lot of awards and enough accolades, and doesn’t mind asking how to do something she doesn’t know,” he told IANS. Waititi has previously helmed a short film “Two Cars, One Night”, which was nominated for an Academy Award in 2004.

Does he plan to work on short films now? “I’ve got three of my own films to do… It’s really nice to go back to the small stuff.

It just exercises different part of your brain. In the long films, you over think things,” Waititi said. (Indian Express)

inger-actor Cher is confirmed as part of the ‘Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! cast. The music icon had been posting tweets teasing her involvement in the upcoming sequel to Phyllida Lloyd-directed ‘Mamma Mia!’ but it is now confirmed that she is one of the cast members, reports variety. com.

Details about her role are still under wraps, but the Oscar-winning artiste has hinted that she will have to dance in

the follow-up to the 2008 ABBA musical. In the tweets that she posted over the weekend, Cher wrote lyrics to ABBA’s “Fernando” and posted: “Just went through two dance numbers.

Everyone’s great.”

The 71-year-old also posted a pic of ABBAstyle platform shoes to make the announcement official. She captioned the image with a kiss mark emoji.

In the film, written and directed by Ol Parker, Cher will join re-

turning cast members including Meryl Streep as Donna, Amanda Seyfried as Sophie, Dominic Cooper as Sky, Pierce Brosnan as Sam, Stellan Skarsgard as Bill, Colin Firth as Harry, Julia Walters as Rosie and Christine Baranski as Tanya.

Newcomers in the film franchise are Andy Garcia, Lily James, Alexa Davies, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Jeremy Irvine, Josh Dylan and Hugh Skinner. The sequel is said to go back and forth in time to show how relationships forged in the past resonate in the present. It is scheduled to be released in theatres next year in July, within days of the 10th anniversary of the original’s release.

Filming for the movie began in September in the UK and Croatia.

(Indian Express)

Angelina Jolie will voice Stella for ‘The One and Only Ivan’

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ctor Angelina Jolie is on board for a new Disney movie titled ‘The One and Only Ivan’.

Jolie, 42, has lent her voice to a key character named Stella in the upcoming adaptation of Katherine Applegate’s eponymous children’s book, reports hollywoodreporter.com.

The actor is also coproducing the project, which will be directed by Thea Sharrock and has Mike White as its script writer. The book is going to be adapted into a liveaction hybrid movie.

The plot follows a silverback gorilla named Ivan who lives in a cage in a shopping mall along with an elephant named Stella and a stray dog called Bob. Ivan does not remember life before the mall, but when a baby elephant named Stella enters and Ivan finds him-

self taking care of her, he begins to rediscover his previous life and makes a plan to take the baby elephant away from their abusive owner.

The novel won the Newberry Medal in 2013.

Illustrated by Patricia Castelao and published

by HarperCollins in 2011, the book is based on a true story about a gorilla named Ivan, who spent 27 years in a Washington shopping centre before being transferred to a zoo in Atlanta.

Angelina Jolie has

earlier voiced ‘Shark Tale’ and ‘Kung Fu Panda’ series. She is also expected to return for Disney’s ‘Maleficent 2’. On the work front, Angelina Jolie’s last project was her own directional ‘First They Killed My Father’ which was a biographical historical thriller film.

The film was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released worldwide on Netflix last year. (Indian Express)

Ben Affleck : Joss Whedon brought good taste to ‘Justice League’

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ctor Ben Affleck says writer- director Joss Whedon brought a lot of knowledge on the sets of ‘Justice League’. The 53-year-old director took over the DC film after Zack Snyder left the project in wake of his daughter’s sudden death.

The actor, who will reprise his role as Bruce Wayne/ Batman from the film ‘Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice’, says Joss Whedon helped define the tone of the movie like any able storyteller.

“Joss just brought to

the movie what good directors bring, which is good taste. An instinct for realism and for finding the humanity in the characters and the humanity in the conflict, then making it accessible and relevant.

I think that’s one of the things he did so well with Avengers, frankly.”

“He really defined the tone, and it felt like a lot of the movies after that sort of fell into that tone that he created. It was a very tricky dance where you have all these people who can do all these fan-

tastic things that’s completely absurd on the face of it, and yet, a good storyteller like Joss brings us in, makes us identify with them, makes them seem real, and makes it interesting,” Joss Affleck tells SFX Magazine.

‘Justice League’ is set for a November 17 release in the UK. The film which also stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, and Ray Fisher is a super hero film based on DC’s comic ‘Justice League’. (Indian Express)

50 sport

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Windies can only gain one Guyanese participating in Elite Referee course in Costa Rica point from clean sweep

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Windies can only gain one point from clean sweep (ESPNCricinfo photo)

est Indies stand to gain precious little from their two-Test series tour of Zimbabwe starting Saturday, even if they make a clean sweep of the series.

According to an International Cricket Council release on Thursday, the most the eighth-ranked Caribbean side can achieve with a 2-0 victory is a single point, which would take them up to 76 points in the ICC Test rankings.

A 1-0 series win, however, will see West Indies remain on 75 points but the danger comes with a drawn series, as they could lose

up to three points and slip behind ninth-ranked Bangladesh on decimal points.

In the case of an unlikely series defeat, the Windies will slip to 69 points and lose two further points with a 2-0 loss.

West Indies are heavy favourites to win the series, having never lost a Test to the African nation in eight previous meetings.

Zimbabwe are a struggling international side, losing 10 of their last 11 Tests inside the last three years.

Though team ratings points will be limited, key West Indies play-

ers can make significant progress in the individual rankings.

Opener Kraigg Brathwaite, the only Windies batsman in the top-20 at 18th, can make further strides with heaving scoring while Shai Hope, who lies 31st, can also achieve a higher ranking if he continues his good form from the recent England tour.

Fast bowlers Shannon Gabriel, 21st in the bowlers rankings and Kemar Roach, 26th, can also climb higher with strong performances.

Both Tests are set for Queens Sports Club here. (CMC)

uyana’s lone FIFA female referee, Maurees Skeete, is currently in Costa Rica attending the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association (CONCACAF) 2017 Women’s Elite Referee/ Assistant Referee Course from October 19 to 22.

Skeete is the only participating referee from Guyana in this four-day course, which is taking place at the Barcelo San Jose Hotel in Costa Rica. Manager of Refereeing, Mark Cahen, and Refereeing Administrator, Michelle Savani, will oversee the entire initiative.

In brief remarks, Head of Refereeing Department, Stanley

Maurees Skeete

Lancaster expressed: “Based on Skeete’s continued high performance she has been placed as a Tier 2 CONCACAF Referee. This will serve as an encouragement to up and coming female officials and help to motivate other females to come onboard. We need an increase in our female

referees, not just in numbers but in quality.”

CONCACAF’s Technical Instructors Kari Seitz, Jennifer Bennett, Luis Hernandez and Leonel Leal will conduct the course complemented by Fitness Instructors Allan Browne and Kelesha Antoine.

The Women’s Elite Referee Course is designed to continue the development of the Women Elite Referees and Assistant Referees and will field 38 participants. Activities for the course will include technical / practical training and physical fitness testing. It will utilize classroom and field sessions, including video tests.

Highly-anticipated grass track series set for Oct 29 in Berbice

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he highly exciting grass track series will have its next instalment on October 29 at the Bath Settlement Community Centre Ground, West Berbice.

After rounds at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground and at the aforementioned ground, the trilling action returns under the flagship of Banks DIH under their Banks Beer brand.

Organiser Sheik Yassen told this newspaper on Wednesday, that preparations are well on course for another crowd pleaser. Yassen contended that the sport continues to grow and given the enormous crowd which came to witness the action when a day/night version of the event was held in Anna Regina, he expects the Berbicians to come out in their numbers again.

Steven Nobrega will hope he can have another productive outing in Bath Settlement

While not confirming the number of riders slated to participate, he disclosed that it will be more than 25 including the likes of Andrew Wong, Steven Nobrega and Kenrick Spellen.

There are 10 races carded for the day, five of which are professional (12 laps each), three for the novice riders (10 laps each) and two for the new-

comers (10 laps each).”

When the event was last held at the Bath Settlement ground in April, Spellen riding under the banner of R & Ganesh Mining Enterprise took the Champion rider of the day with 60 points.

Spellen was followed closely by Junior Da Silva with 50 points and Stephen Nobrega 30.

Sport 51

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Pan-Am Indoor Hockey Championships 2017…

Guyana blows away Mexico 12-0

By Michelangelo Jacobus

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commanding performance from Guyana’s captain Robert France who had an attacker’s dream of a game ensured Guyana blew away Mexico 12-0.

While they looked disjointed and out of sorts on Tuesday, the Guyanese rebounded spectacularly to make light work of the Central American visitors as action in the Pan American Indoor Hockey Tournament entered day three in Georgetown.

On Diwali day in Guyana, France lit up the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall when he provoked the Mexican defence with a double helmet-trick. The Guyanese captain opened proceedings with two goals in the third minute before Jason De Santos got in on the act in the 9th minute.

France then sunk another double in the 12th and 14th minutes before Jamarj Assanah made it 6-0 in the 15th minute to cap a commanding first half performance.

When the second half

Guyana’s Gabriella Xavier on the attack during her team’s game against Barbados

began, it was a situation of different periodsame result as France picked up from right where he left off. The captain was in scintillating form when he netted four more goals in the 24th, 25th, 27th and 29th minutes to take his game haul to a whopping eight goals.

Mexico had no answer to Guyana’s attack and were equally clueless going ahead.

Andrew Stewart and Hilton Chester rounded off the victory for the home side with goals in the 26th and 34th minutes.

In an exclusive interview with this publication after his side’s victory, France explained that he came into the game “angry” because of their loss to Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday.

He noted that that it was important for Guyana to win and gain confidence as they will be facing the defending champions Canada today.

Canada beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 In other day three action, defending champions Canada Women made light work of the ladies from Trinidad and Tobago as they won the opening game of day. Once again Canada was led by the in-form Kathleen Leahy who scored twice from pen-

alty corners to cement her team’s top spot in the Women’s Division.

Despite the game going scoreless for the majority of the first half, Leahy made the breakthrough in the 20th minute. She made it 2-0 in the 31st minute while Shannon Pereira sealed the victory with an eye catching field goal in the 32nd minute.

Trinidad and Tobago beat Barbados 8-2 Meanwhile, the Trinidadian men’s winning streak continued

twin island republic was led with hat-tricks from Akim Toussaint and Jordan Vieira.

Barbados took an early lead through Neil Franklin in the fifth minute but Trinidad’s Marcus James leveled proceedings just two minutes later. Next up for Trinidad was Jordan Reynos who made it 2-1 in the 9th minute.

Toussaint then added two goals in two minutes (18th and 19th) as Trinidad began taking the game away from

40th minute. Barbados’ Che Warner managed to pull one back in the 39th minute.

USA beat Argentina 4-2 The USA women showed their title credentials as Ali Campbell scored all four of their goals in their 4-2 defeat of Argentina. Campbell struck in the 10th, 18th, 22nd and 31st minutes as USA seemed to be running away with the game. However, the Argentines hit back with two late goals to add a

After a very fast-paced game between USA and Argentina Women, it was the South Americans that were left standing

with an 8-2 drubbing of Barbados. With the win, the Trinis joined defending champions Canada as the only undefeated teams thus far. The

Barbados.

Meanwhile Jordan Vieira scored three successive goals in the 23rd, 36th and 39th minutes while Toussaint sealed his treble in the

bit of a twist. Julieta Luna and Emma Yanzi scored in the 35th and 39th minutes but it was too little too late.

Rugby Americans North 7s…

Guyana drawn alongside Barbados, Cayman Islands

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he National Rugby Team, commonly called Green Machine, will meet the force of their counterparts from Barbados and Cayman Islands when their Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens campaign gets cracking in Mexico City from November 2526.

Guyana who are in pool A, are the current Caribbean Champions despite their loss in the final to Canada 5-52 in Trinidad and Tobago last year November.

Pool B pits together Jamaica, Bermuda and Dominican Republic while Pool C contains the host along with Trinidad and Tobago, Curacao and British Virgin Islands.

The men’s competition on day 1 will be a pool round robin, with seeding based on the 2016 standings. On day one, the top two teams in each pool go through to the play-off in two

The rush is on for Rugby World Cup 2018

further pools and the remaining four teams will play off in a separate round robin tournament.

The format allows for 6 teams after day one to be in contention to win the tournament and qualify for Central American and Caribbean Games which will be held in 2018 in Barranquilla, Colombia.

On the other hand, the female team which finished fifth overall in the championships and fourth in the Caribbean after winning the “bowl final” 17-12 against Bermuda will certainly hope they can top the six other teams.

The other teams will come from Mexico, Bermuda, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago

and French Guiana.

On the women’s side, a round robin tournament over two days will take place, where every team will play each other (3 matches each day per team) and final positions will be based on the standings.

Both teams are expected to continue their rigorous training scheduled this weekend in the National Park.

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Hafeez reported for Ambris urges teammates suspect action yet again to remain focused

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or the third time in three years, Mohammad Hafeez finds his bowling action under scrutiny by the ICC. Soon after the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, Hafeez's action was reported to be suspect by match officials. He now has 14 days to have his action tested though until the results of that test are known, he can continue bowling. But it leaves Pakistan to once again ponder the prospect of doing without a man who is, in some situations, central to the balance of their ODI bowling attack.

Hafeez only returned to bowling duties for Pakistan at the start of this year, in the ODI series against Australia. That marked the end of troublesome two-year period in which he was reported twice and suspended from bowling twice. The first time he was reported was in November 2014, during a Test series against New Zealand in the UAE. Upon an independent assessment which confirmed his action was illegal in December, he was suspended from bowling.

ICC procedures allow a bowler reported for the first time to return at any point after the suspension as long as his action has been rectified and passed another independent assessment. Hafeez did so and returned to bowling in April 2015. But he was

Mohamed Hafeez (AFP file photo)

reported again soon after, during a Test in Galle in June 2015. Once assessments confirmed his action was illegal again, it resulted in an automatic suspension from bowling for 12 months - that is the penalty according to ICC rules if a bowler is suspended twice within a period of 24 months.

But, if his action is now found to be illegal again after testing, it will be treated as a first report. That means he can rectify it and apply for it to be reassessed and if it passes that test, he can return to bowling.

Pakistan will dearly hope that his action is either found to be legal, or if he is suspended, he can return swiftly. It is no coincidence that his return this year to bowling duties has brought a remarkable upturn in their ODI fortunes. Though

they were comprehensively beaten in the series in Australia in which he returned, his own bowling held firm throughout.

Since then, and in tandem and with the emergence of Shadab Khan and Rumman Raees, Hafeez has helped Pakistan win series in the Caribbean, the Champions Trophy and, on Wednesday night, the series against Sri Lanka.

Though he's picked up just 7 wickets in 16 ODIs since his return, he's been bowling over seven overs a game on average and conceding just 4.37 runs per over. It is those numbers that have changed the nature of an attack that was looking distinctly ordinary since the 2015 World Cup. Pakistan have won 10 of those 16 games, including nine of their last 10.

Hafeez's action has long been an issue. It was first reported in international cricket way back in January 2005, after an ODI against the West Indies in Brisbane.

Regulations concerning illegal actions were different back then, however, and Hafeez continued to bowl. And a few months before he was reported in the Test against New Zealand, his action was reported while playing for Lahore Lions in the Champions League T20 in Bangalore.

(ESPNCricinfo)

S

unil Ambris is urging his West Indies 'A' teammates to stick to the plan when they face Sri Lanka 'A' in the second four-day 'Test' starting today (Thursday) at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.

Ambris hit his fourth first-class hundred of 106 to anchor Windies 'A' to 364 for eight declared in their first innings and pave the way for an innings and 13-run victory in the rain-interrupted first match which ended last Saturday.

“We stuck to the task very well and we played as a team in the first 'Test',” said the 24-yearold batsman.

“The guys were very focused all the way through and it was a total team effort. We just need do the same thing in this game as we did in the previous match.

“We just need to continue to stick to the game plan [and] play as a team,” Ambris added.

He said it was not his best individual performance but one that was important in the context of the game.

“It was a good innings, but it was not my best first-class hundred.

It was good in the context of the game. I was able to score at a good

Sunil Ambris

clip and most of the other batsmen in the match were not able to accomplish the same thing and that helped to set the tone for our solid first-innings total.

“I was just trying to be positive and put away the bad balls, try to play the ball on each merit and score in the right areas. There were times when I had to be patient and grind hard, and there were times when I was scoring easily, freely.

“Facing up to their spinners was not something that was too hard.

I am accustomed to playing spin bowling in our regional competitions. We have good-quality spinners in the Caribbean,” the Vincentian reasoned.

Ambris said there is motivation for every player to want to give of their best in this match, since Windies 'A' are boosted by the 1-0 lead in the three-match series, and also have the chance to wrap up the series with victory in the second encounter.

He also noted the possibility of selection to the senior side.

“It would be good for all of us,” he said. “I have seen articles where the selectors have indicated there are spots in the Test side up for grabs, so if the guys do well, it will be good not only for us a collective group of players, but also individually going forward.”

(Jamaica Observer)

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