Guyana Times International

INTERNATIONAL

A ‘Guyanese Christmas’ in New York Page 4

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com WEEK ENDING december 24, 2017

ISSUE NO. 376

Jagdeo roasts Govt over nonpayment of year-end bonuses See story on page 5

Shoppers flock Downtown Georgetown to pick up much needed items in preparation for the festive season (Carl Croker photo)

Guyana is open for business

‘I’m overwhelmed thinking of what I’ll do next’ Page 3

…says Guyanaborn New Yorker who was freed after 30 years in jail on wrongful conviction

Page 12

...says Minister Jordan as Burger King opens doors in Guyana

Choir leader sentenced to life imprisonment for raping child

Mark Denny leaves Brooklyn Court on Wednesday.

(NEW YORK DAILY NEWS photo)

…Judge urges him to seek forgiveness

Page 9

2

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘I’m overwhelmed thinking of what I’ll do next’ …says Guyana-born New Yorker who was freed after 30 years in jail on wrongful conviction

A

New Yorker, born in Guyana, who spent the last 30 years of his life in prison, will be spending Christmas at home after the Brooklyn District Attorney’s (DA’s) Office on Wednesday moved to vacate his conviction and to dismiss the charges of rape and robbery laid against him, the New York Daily News has reported.

47-year-old Mark Denny appeared before the Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew D’ Emic who made the exoneration official.

Mark Denny celebrates as he leaves Brooklyn Supreme Court.

(BARRY WILLIAMS/FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)

According to New York Daily News, Denny was exonerated with the help of the Innocence Project, which had been working on his case since 2009.

Upon hearing that he was being freed, Denny smiled and waved to his family and friends who filled the court gallery.

“I’m overwhelmed thinking of what I’ll do next to get my life back on track. I have no ill feelings towards the victim. Going to prison was a traumatic experience mentally. There are a lot of people in

my position. I appreciate everyone for all they have done for me” said Denny.

Denny was accused along with three other persons for a late night robbery and rape committed at Burger King in Kensington on December 20, 1987.

They were accused of raping an 18-yearold employee of the establishment after allegedly breaking into the place and stealing US$3000 in cash.

The victim was reportedly blindfolded during a portion of the attack and may have continued on page 21

4 views

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

President on state visit to Brazil INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

New York Office 106-15 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica NY 11435 Email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com Tel no: 718-658-6804 Fax no: 718-849-2286 Preferred method of contact via EMAIL Guyana Office Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana.

Tel no: (592) 223-7230/1, 225-7761.

Fax (592) 225-8696 Email: guyanatimesint@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

A

Very little to cheer about

s we approach the end of the year, we will first encounter Christmas – typically characterised by cheer and goodwill.

Unfortunately, for most Guyanese, there will be very little to cheer about this year. Being Guyanese, “the show will go on”, but it will be just that – a show that will simply serve to highlight the lives of quiet desperation our people experience on a quotidian basis.

The country’s traditional mainstay for centuries, and indeed the raison d’etre for the existence of the country, has been the sugar industry and the employees in this sector have been hit particularly hard. Last year, 1700 workers at Wales Estate on the West Bank of Demerara, were informed via a report in this newspaper they would be losing their jobs by that Christmas.

This Christmas, another 4000 at least, have also been abruptly been terminated. It is very difficult to talk about “cheer”, much less display it, when persons who survive on weekly wages are plunged into destitution.

Those 5700 now jobless workers, would have supported at least an average of four persons: meaning at least 22,800 men, women and children are now destitute, since the economy has been shrinking and there are no significant new employment opportunities. The businesses in the sugar belt are now on the ropes and many have closed their doors. The revised growth rate of 2.9 per cent for 2017 touted by the Finance Minister in his budget presentation earlier this month, is a mockery to the citizens of Guyana, who know only gold production has increased but most of those revenues end up overseas since the growth generated is dominated by foreign-owned mining operations.

The forestry sector, which provided critical employment in the interior regions, has been particularly hard hit – with the major player Barama relinquishing its 1.6 million hectare concession in Region One (Barima-Waini) and letting go of 800 workers. While the company has claimed it will continue to manufacture plywood, there is a shortage in the country and prices have shot skywards in the past year. Imported pine plywood has been filling the gap and there needs to be an inquiry on the local production and its impact on employment.

The rice industry, as is its wont, has continued to cultivate its crop but while production has increased marginally, the profit margin has been drastically slashed since the Government conceded without a fight, the lucrative Venezuelan market. Spending by the rice farmers’ families have also been commensurately curtailed, as they tighten their belts in anticipation of a bleak future.

Business as a whole, has consequently been lacklustre even in the weeks before Christmas – when most businesses traditionally racked up more than 20 per cent of their annual revenues. As a consequence, these businesses have cut back radically on the bonuses that were usually awarded to employees at this time and which contributed to the “cheer” and expressions of bonhomie.

Even the Christmas parties at these firms have been curtailed because of the downturn.

The Budget presentation in the National Assembly was another source of angst in this Christmas season for the average Guyanese, who despair at the autocratic mode of governance by the APNU/ AFC coalition Government exacerbated by their insistence on playing partisan party politics. The budget – the “largest ever” at G$267 billion – was bereft of initiatives that would have generated jobs to soak up the growing unemployment and put some money into the pockets of the citizens of Guyana.

The increase of “Old Age pensions” by G$500 – while their reimposed electricity charges of at least 10 times that amount was retained – epitomised the Government’s indifference to its most vulnerable demographic; one that has sacrificed so much for their country. Not much for them to cheer about.

The President, addressing a gathering of Christian church leaders reminded them of the seminal reformation initiated by Martin Luther exactly 500 years ago.

Maybe a local priest should nail a Guyanese “95 Theses” on the gate of the Green House.

President David Granger is currently in Brazil on a state visit at the invitation of President Michel Temer. President Granger will also attend the summit of Presidents of MERCOSUR. Vice President Carl Greenidge, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman and Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson have accompanied President Granger and will participate in high level discussions relating to major infrastructural and other projects in Guyana.

In photo: Brazil President Michel Temer introduces President David Granger to the Brazilian delegation.

A ‘Guyanese Christmas’ in New York

New York-based Guyanese at a holiday function

By Vishnu Bisram

C

hristmas is the most celebrated of all festivals among Guyanese. And in New York, as in Guyana, it is a traditional Christmas doing pretty much the same things people do ‘back home’ during the season.

Guyanese New Yorkers have been busy making elaborate preparations for the endof-year joyous season -- shopping for gifts, clothing, food items, and materials for cake, organizing parties, etc that go with the season. The celebrations begin this Friday among family members while offices and businesses have been marking the end-of-the yearwith holiday parties over the last two weeks. Schools go on break from this Friday through Jan 1. It is back to work and school on January 2 for many.

One can feel the Christmas spirit in the Guyanese communities in much the same way as in Guyana. Homes well lit on the outside and decorated with Christmas paraphernalia. The commercial districts on Liberty, Flatbush, Jamaica, Cypress, and Westchester Avenues have been teeming with shoppers. Guyanese restaurants are packed. Multicolored lights and other paraphernalia brighten up neighborhoods and stores. These brightly colored lights, trim-

mings and other decorations everywhere are comparable of any neighborhood in the US. As in Guyana, the Christmas season transcends religions. Virtually everyone, regardless of faith, partakes in the Christmas spirit. And outside of many homes, lit trees are next to fluttering jhandis or the quarter moon crescent.

Everyone prepares that special meal and beverages that go with the season and join in the "Christmas spirit". And almost everyone makes the annual trek to see the huge Christmas tree glittering with some 26,000 bulbs at Rockefeller Center.

Going around the neighborhoods, one can see an abundance of flickering multi-colored lights with a variety of designs which line the windows and entrance to the home and even on trees outside on the lawn; Traditional music (local and Bollywood songs, calypso, parang, Indian golden oldies from yesteryear) are blasted throughout Guyanese or Trini neighborhoods.

Virtually all Guyanese businesses, especially the real estate and law offices, hold Christmas parties. But this year, unlike in the past when offices had huge bashes at five star hotels, because of a tight economy, offices hosted small parties at local halls or at their offices. At businesses where large number of Guyanese

are employed, mangers hosted parties for their staff with traditional Guyanese dishes served. Schools in Guyanese communities also held parties for lower level kids. The IndoCaribbean community leaders hosted a luncheon for Seniors last Sunday.

On Liberty Ave and some other Avenues, bars and night clubs are doing good business though the owners complain business has not been good as previous years amidst a tight economy where money is not circulating among the middle class.

The media has been running Christmas programs -even Indian TV and radio programs air scenes of Christmas from Bollywood movies and radio play Bollywood Christmas songs.

Many Guyanese yearn for a Christmas like the one back "home" with old friends and family members left behind.

But circumstances keep them in the US. Yet, for some, the yearly pilgrimage to Guyana started two weeks ago with flights filled up throughout the Christmas season.

And as in Guyana, it is a tradition for people in New York to bake and make traditional drinks and host family members for lunch or dinner over the extended weekend.

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jagdeo roasts Govt over nonpayment of year-end bonuses O

p p o s i t i o n Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday severely criticized the Peoples National Congressled A Partnership for National and Alliance Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government’s decision to deny public servants and serving members of the Disciplined Services the traditional yearend bonus in addition to their salaries.

Jagdeo, during an engagement with the media held at his Church Street Office, said the fact that Government did not “see it fit” to grant these bonuses is appalling and will no doubt have an impact on not only the mood of these hard working people but also buoyancy of the economy.

He said traditionally, over G$2B dollars is set aside to fund the

expenditure associated with year-end bonuses.

Arguing that “that makes a huge difference to people out there”, the opposition leader opined that the non-payment therefore would contribute to the rise in uncertainty among people about their financial security in the future as he referenced the thousands of people who are expected to be laid off from the East Demerara Sugar Estates later this month. “…Spending patterns in the sugar belt have also changed because people are concerned about their ability to earn next year… And so that is a contributory factor to the bleak situation out there (in the country)”, he warned.

He held fast to the view that people’s disposable incomes and

Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo addressing media operatives on Thursday

their ability to earn revenue during the busy Christmas Season could in part be affected adversely.

“As a result of this, we are seeing some sloth in the season and

I do hope that the parade picks up later for the sake of vendors and others who are having a hard time… in relation to their ability to earn. And it seems to me that the

issue of disposable income is affecting large groups of people who traditionally had more money to spend”.

He dismissed the Government’s argument that it was un-

able to grant the bonuses because of a lack of fiscal space. Jagdeo, however, told reporters that there was multimillion variance created because of the Finance Minister’s fascination with the presentation of early budgets.

“The one-month variance alone in 2016 showed an G$8B dollar improvement in the fiscal accounts by January 1, 2017 because they had underestimated revenue and overestimated expenditure. And there is no doubt that 2017 will have a similar situation…and so next year when the budget is presented, you will see a massive fiscal space that the Government could have used had they been more realistic with the finances to give people their bonuses”, he remarked.

6

Usual propagandists on the Govt’s payroll

Dear Editor, I refer to a letter by Wesley Kirton titled, “When it comes to protection of our territory, no stones should be left unturned”. The gentleman, commenting on the US$18 million-dollar controversy, seems to support the President and Ministers involved in the non-disclosure of this money. He even suggests that the public should keep its mouth shut about the non-disclosure, unless it wants Venezuela to take away Essequibo, and for us to have to rewrite the Constitution.

Kirton feels the media can play a “critical role” is keeping the public quiet in what he in his luxurious patriotism refers to as a situation that requires a “certain degree of confidentiality in Guyana’s best interest.” But first, the media must do some hard work.

To support his suggestion, Kirton quotes, of all persons, the Finance Minister: “Minister Winston Jordan says the media in Guyana is lazy.

Prove him wrong.”

This gentleman rivals the usual propagandists on the Government’s payroll, who have recently gone quiet. He just may have a valid point about the media. After all, it is the Editor, Adam Harris, who has asked the public to be quiet and trust the Finance Minister.

According to Adam Harris, the Finance Minister is not likely to do any wrong because he is very “afraid of jail”.

While one welcomes the day when Government Ministers and politicians are sent to jail, I have no knowledge of Ministers being sent to jail for wrongdoings. For public officials, jail seems to be more of an invitation to do wrong, than a deterrence to do right.

But the media does not have to prove the Finance Minister wrong. He has done that himself. Indeed, if anyone in town is lazy, it is the Finance Minister. This is so because his boss, the President of the Republic, stated on record that the money was held in an escrow account when documentary evidence shows otherwise.

This is classic elections material for a vigilant Opposition party. It is the Finance Minister who was being lazy when he allowed the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, to neutralise his relevance by dictating financial decisions to the President, when that was the Finance Minister’s job.

Here we have one Minister being paid for not doing his job, and another Minister being paid for doing what is not his job. More elections material.

With this kind of excellent representational government, the public may lose not only Essequibo, but the entire country with all of its stones upturned not to Venezuela but to oil companies.

Sincerely, Rakesh Rampertab

Ramjattan singing a different tune since he became a minister

Dear Editor, Vice President and Minister of Public Security, AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan, is quoted in the Guyana Times of December 08, 2017 as saying, during his contribution to the 2018 National Budget debate: “This party [AFC] must make hard decisions in relation to sugar”.

But while VP Ramjattan was making such an incredulous statement in the Parliament, his Party was, in a statement, expressing “…its deep concern for the welfare of sugar workers, who are likely to be affected by the changes contemplated by the GuySuCo”.

The two statements are like night and day, and cause us to wonder what is really the Party’s true position regarding the plight and the hopeless future which confronts so many thousands of our compatriots.

What is even more disturbing is that VP Ramjattan’s tune today is vastly different from the one he was singing prior to receiving his ministerial portfolio. At the APNU/AFC Whim rally on March 29, 2016, he had said,

“We are not going to, in any way, close the sugar industry”. He had gone on to say, “We intend to make that industry profitable again…because it creates so much employment directly, but indirectly for so many people across this country”.

On November 05, 2011, the VP is quoted to have said, “…we would make the workers even happier with 20 per cent…” Now, today, the workers are told by the VP that, “Guyana’s sugar sector has a terminal illness that the Government cannot cure”.

What a sad about-face from a leader who told the sugar workers not that very long ago that the industry was too big to fail, and that he and his colleagues would take care of them.

Today, in ‘taking care’ of the workers, VP Ramjattan and his colleagues are writing a sad chapter of our history.

We see him all too willing to ‘pull the plug’ and send thousands to the army of the unemployed.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

Shocked about the long time it takes to deal with potential investors in Guyana Dear Editor, After reading the news article “Guyana lost out on US$5M investment – Baron Foods Head” (SN, 17th December 2017) I am shocked at the inordinately long time it takes to process investment in Guyana.

I would have thought that the Government would welcome any investment into Guyana, as this would showcase that investors have confidence in Guyana, and this could act as a catalyst for more investments.

Yet Baron Foods Ltd spent years waiting on Guyana.

It takes a lot to attract investment and for investors to want to invest in Guyana.

I had thought that the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) was a one-stop shop for investment into Guyana.

Why the delay?

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Hamilton Green should not try to rewrite Guyana’s history

Dear Editor, I felt revolted when I read a recent letter which appeared in the letters columns of the dailies. It was authored by Hamilton Green and captioned, ‘This kind of behaviour is unheard of’. This letter is referring to the incident which saw Bishop Juan Edgehill refusing, as an elected member of the House, to be silenced; to be made to sit; or to be put out of the House.

The gall and hypocrisy of Hamilton Green are just unbelievable. Had it been any other person — and I mean any other person writing the letter — one might have been willing to disregard it as just a person singing for his supper; and quite a large supper (pension) it is that he is getting off of the backs of the poor citizens of this country without justification.

But the statement, coming from this octogenarian who claims to be a life-long student of history, that this ‘kind of behaviour is unheard of in Parliaments’, is simply outrageous, and forces one to ask where he has been living in the last eighty plus years? Has he never heard of legislative disorder, conflicts, and violence — which broadly refers to any clashes between members of a legislature inside the legislature and triggered by divisive issues and tight votes?

Such legislative dissent has existed since the days of Ancient Rome and the Roman Senate. Other incidents of disorder have occurred over time in the national legislatures of Bolivia, Canada, Egypt, Estonia, the European Parliament, Israel, Japan, Nigeria, South Africa, even neighbouring Suriname, and so many more.

He then advocates that Bishop

Edghill — as no ordinary man, and as a Christian Leader — is duty bound to set a good example. Using his logic, then, wasn’t he, as a political and civic leader, duty bound to set a good example as well? But his reference to the phony moral and spiritual crusade that he had embarked on is laughable.

Surely he does not think that anyone, least of all Bishop Edghill, took seriously this pretentious and most ridiculous campaign coming from him?

Quite incredulously, he questions the reasons that would have lured Edghill to the PPP, seeming to forget that a number of years ago he himself had made several overtures to the same PPP, but, unlike Edghill, was rebuffed.

But back to the main concern, and that is the contemptible level of double standards of this one-time arch strongman and enforcer of the PNC when he says that the PPP has not learnt, or does not care for protocol, the rule of law, and the sacred nature of certain institutions, such as our Parliament.

Is this former ‘Bad Man’ for real?

Hamilton Green — whose penchant for undemocratic behaviour is well known, and whose name is associated with the most negative and undemocratic aspects of Guyana’s history; whom the PNC had to expel from its party — talking about the disregard for protocol, the rule of law and the sacred nature of certain institutions?

It is time for Mr Green to cut the crap, get in his rocking chair, and make peace with himself; and not try to rewrite Guyana’s history.

Sincerely, Magagula Jackson

Will Guyana become another Venezuela?

Dear Editor, Ominous and sinister: Guyana Times’ photo of two undercover Policemen in Parliament sitting at the media table. Were they spying on the media, or the opposition, or both?

This report follows the debacle in Parliament wherein Police assaulted female MPs from the PPP. Were those policemen in the scuffle? Unchartered waters for Guyana.

Complaints should be lodged with the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Is Guyana going to be another Venezuela?

Guyana’s democracy is under threat. A PPP-filed pending elections claim continues to languish in the courts despite the law providing for these matters to be expeditiously dealt with. In Parliament, the PPP, as the Opposition, have been deprived of the usual rights to obtain answers to questions. In fact, Parliament sittings have been reduced and compressed, stifling the voice of the Opposition. The Speaker has taken on a distinctly biased view against the Opposition.

Similarly, many of the committees of Parliament have seen a substantially diminished role. The ability of the Opposition to scrutinize has been muzzled. In numerous cases in Parliament, any effort by the Opposition to ensure transparency and accountability has been pushed back on, trampled on, or given “lip service.”

The media have similarly toned down their normal attacks on issues that were commonplace under the PPP. An independent, free and open media now appear under treat or stifled. The result is a toned-down flow of negative articles despite an ever-growing abundance of cases of corruption, abuse of

procurement procedures, and a considerable loss of accountability and transparency. No wonder the books of the Government can be falsified, and the President, in one of his rare engagements with the media, say it’s okay to keep the country in the dark.

Undercover Police in the media ranks suggest infiltration to report negative or hostile journalists to the Government, and similarly to observe and report on the Opposition. Guyana is fast becoming a Police state. A Police Commissioner sent on leave. The paramountcy of the Party (APNU) now is clear. Where does it end? Who are the Police reporting to? Is the army intelligence also involved? Are the reports of the undercover Policemen going to the Office of the President? Are the tactics and thoughts of the media being analyzed to determine who is to be muzzled?

Of course, the creation of SARA has further eroded the separation of independent institutions such as the Police.

No longer can one rely on independent and professional Police.

More and more, one sees the hands of APNU political direction and bias.

The latest example of undercover Police in the ranks of the media sitting behind the Opposition now add greater fuel to a declining democracy.

People and money are exiting the country. Skills and investment dollars are disappearing. No new investment, no new jobs, declining incomes, loss of value of homes, increase bank defaults, increased taxation — the growing tide that will impoverish the average Guyanese. Will Guyana become another Venezuela? Will we have a democracy in 2020?

Sincerely, Name withheld

news 7

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana’s private sector calls on Govt to rethink closure of sugar estates

E

ven as former sugar workers continue to cry out against the continued firing of Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) workers, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) slammed the Government for not planning ahead before the closures.

According to the Commission on Wednesday, the closures have not been accompanied with any plan that deals with the welfare of the workers. The PSC reminded that back in August, it had proposed that Government enter into public-private partnerships to invest in and manage selected estates.

This would have been an alternative to closing such estates.

“Indeed, it was our clear understanding at a meeting the Commission held with Mr Colvin Heath-London of NICIL (National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited), that the Government had determined to pursue such an option.”

According to the PSC, sugar has been the major employer of Guyanese for over a century and,

until these drastic measures were taken, continued to be the largest employer of the labour force. “Yet, unbelievably, our Government has no definitive plan to neither rescue the industry nor save its workers from unemployment and from the ensuing hardship which will inevitably result.”

Requesting that the closure be reviewed, the Commission asked that Government recognise the ensuing hardships being placed on the communities that depend on sugar, as well as the consequential damage to the economy as a whole.

No plans

During a press conference last week, President David Granger was put on the spot with questions as to why no plans were put in place for workers before the divestment. In his response, Granger noted that the Government, the unions, and the Corporation itself must be factored in.

“There are four major institutions to be considered. One is the Corporation itself, which has not been dissolved and it still has respon-

sibility for the industry. The other is the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for reporting to Cabinet and the National Assembly.

Third, you have the workers and their representatives, particularly GAWU and NAACIE.” “As far as retrenchment or termination benefits are concerned, the Government is responsible for ensuring that the Sugar Corporation fulfils its obligations to the workers.”

However, the President emphasised the work of the unit which is under the Finance Ministry and has recently engaged an international accounting firm – PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to value the land it will sell.

“As far as the plan is concerned, there needs to be a lot more work from the fourth agency, what you can call the Special Purpose Unit (SPU), which comes under the Finance Ministry. That is the agency that will ensure the smooth transition of those parts of the industry which will not remain in production.”

The PSC during its meeting with Finance Minister Winston Jordan prior to Budget 2018

“So, I would say that the work of the SPU is still being done. They are in negotiation not only with the Sugar Corporation but also with foreign investors.

And I expect that before too long, we will have a plan which will explain in greater detail how the land will be disposed of.”

GAWU

During a meeting with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Heath-London had informed the delegation that following his assessment of the estates identified for closure and sale, he was of the opinion that they were viable.

In doing so, he outlined that when certain costs were excluded

from the estates’ overall expenditure, the overhead of their production were generally in keeping with international norms.

In fact, the SPU Head further singled out the Skeldon Sugar Estate, dubbing it a “gold mine” which is far different from the phrases used by GuySuCo to describe the facility.

It is with that in mind that the Unit has embarked on a series of initiatives aimed at resuming operations at the Estate under its management from second crop (July) next year, a release from GAWU on the meeting stated.

First on this list is the reinstating of a number of displaced workers, with hopes of commenc-

ing such moves early 2018. In the early stages, the SPU would be concentrating on improving the functioning of the factories as well as to rehabilitate the cultivation areas in preparation for the 2018 second crop. On this note, GAWU pointed out that at some estates it was possible to have a 2018 first crop, which the Unit promised to look into.

As such, at the meeting, it was disclosed that the two parties have submitted a budget to the Government to sustain their operations.

In the meantime, however, thousands of sugar workers have been fired and are contemplating a very gloomy Christmas for themselves and their families.

8 news

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana to Cash-strapped City Hall conducts get land manpower audit policy in 2018

By Lakhram Bhagirat

A

T

GL&SC Commissioner Trevor Benn

he Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GL&SC) is currently examining the possibility of having a National Land Policy in place as early as 2018, Commissioner Trevor Benn said on Tuesday.

According to Benn, Guyana has been without such a policy for many years. The Land Policy will see the proper governance of both public and private lands, he explained.

“We are at the very infant stage of the policy and the board is spearheading the exercise… It will be through a participatory process, to reach out to all Guyanese to get their vision, of what that policy should look like,” the Commissioner stated. The Department of Public Information said he expressed his optimism that the policy could be ready for Parliament very soon.

According to Benn, the presidential commission of inquiry on land rights issues may have some recommendations

to make toward the process, which will also see much public consultations.

Other initiatives, the Commission hope to get underway, include a revised National Geographic Information System Policy which will guide work in that area.

Work is also ongoing on the Land Surveyors (Profession) Act, which is expected to be taken to Parliament in the New Year.

The Commission will also commence the implementation of a US$14.8 million sustainable Land Development and Management Project that will have three main outcomes.

Apart from non-performing leases, some of the challenges over the year for the Commission include informal subletting and transfers of public lands, highly dependent paper-based operations, insufficient resources to open and develop new areas for various land uses and informal occupation of public lands.

midst continued protest over the late payment of wages and salaries, the Municipality of Georgetown has embarked on a workforce audit, individually assessing the viability of its more than 800 staff members. This move comes after a continued call for downsizing from Chairman of the City’s Finance Committee, Oscar Clarke.

City Hall currently employs over 800 persons, with its wages and salaries bill amounting to over 68 per cent of its revenue.

In relation to this, Mayor Patricia Chase Green said the suggestions for the downsizing have been constant, even though the departmental heads are complaining of being short staffed.

She noted that at a recent meeting, the City’s staff structure was presented and it showed serious shortfalls in the ex-

ecution of their mandate.

The Mayor explained that the City Constabulary is currently short of more than 100 persons, while the Engineer’s Department is seeking to fill the top positions.

“There is a need to look at every individual so an audit is being done on every individual to see if there is a need for that person. Nobody is going to wake up in 2018 and see that the Mayor and City Council, just because they want to downsize, just send home people. So it had to be done properly and I don’t see it being done before the end of the year or even early 2018 but it’s something we have to look at,” she informed.

“As the Heads of Department come with the staff structure and the amount of staff allocated to each section, you would see if there is a need for them. The Constabulary Department is saying that they are short 100 persons and will those vacancies be filled? No,

Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green

because with the present monies we getting, we can’t fill it… it is a chicken and egg situation and we still have a service to provide to the people and security is a major concern…,” Chase Green added.

At an Extraordinary Statutory Meeting on November 14, 2017, Chairman of the Finance Committee Oscar Clarke suggested that the municipality consider downsizing the number of staff members, since salaries account for 68 per cent of the Council’s revenue.

Clarke disclosed that at the start of 2017, it was

agreed that workers will be paid between the 25th and 27th of every month and that workers will be given a multi-year salary increase from 2016-2018.

However, the Council was unable to meet its obligation last month due to lack of funds.

In addition to high salaries, Clarke told the Councillors that City Hall has about 260 pensioners and that number is rapidly increasing since every year workers are going into retirement.

Chase Green explained that in order for them to be able to pay December salaries, the administration was forced to extend its amnesty deadline until December 31, 2017. The option of amnesty was flouted so that the Council could accumulate monies to pay staff members for the months of October, November and December.

The amnesty period began on November 15 and was scheduled to end on December 15, 2017.

Appeal Court upholds decision for fired NBS CEO to be paid lump sum

T

he Appeal Court of Guyana has upheld the High Court’s awarding of over G$59 million in pension benefits to former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the New Building Society (NBS), Maurice Arjoon, more than 10 years after he was dismissed from his post.

However, the remaining G$20 million for which the High Court had also determined that Arjoon should receive was not awarded and will form part of substantive appeal as the

Bank secured a stay of execution against the former CEO’s judgment.

These determinations were made by Appeal Court Justice, Rishi Persaud, who on Wednesday ruled that there was no basis for a stay of execution in relation to the former CEO’s more than G$59 million lump sum which was described as the pension amount. Arjoon’s Attorney, Sanjeev Datadin explained that this means that NBS has to pay the former CEO’s pension. The G$20,249,000 for which NBS obtained the stay, relates to G$4.1 million for pay in lieu of notice, in accordance with Clause 10 of Arjoon’s contract and G$16.1 million for severance benefits.

This publication understands that now the stay of proceedings is complete, the record will have to be assembled and when the record is assembled, then the substantive appeal will continue. Wednesday’s matter was heard in chambers and lawyer for NBS, Ashton Chase indicated to this publication that a date for the continuation of proceedings will be determined in the future. In the meantime, Datadin is optimistic that his client will receive his pension.

“Presumably New Building Society is going to pay my client,” the Attorney noted.

The back and forth for

this case has been ongoing for years. The former CEO took NBS to court for his outstanding pension and other benefits in 2011. Arjoon had originally sued the lending agency for some G$550 million in damages on the following grounds: that he had been wrongfully dismissed from his post, and that his former employer had withheld pension and other benefits due to him. The former top official was fired from his position 10 years ago in connection with a Magistrate’s court matter wherein he, NBS Operations Manager Kent Vincent and NBS Assistant Mortgage Manager Kissoon Baldeo were all accused of conspiracy to defraud the NBS of G$69 million. The court matter was eventually dismissed, and Arjoon and the co-defendants took the financial institution to court.

High Court Judge, Justice Brassington Reynolds on July 17 ruled in the dismissed CEO’s favour, awarding him more than G$79 million in outstanding payments and benefits. The court also ruled that he should be paid a monthly pension of G$372,498 from July 1 onwards. The Judge further ordered that the former CEO should receive financial compensation for the damages he had suffered; and moreover, that he was entitled to his pension and

Dismissed former NBS CEO Maurice Arjoon

severance benefits, in accordance with provisions stipulated in the laws of Guyana.

The NBS had contended that an unauthorised withdrawal of nearly G$70 million had been made from an account that its client Bibi Shamina Khan held. The NBS’s issue with the withdrawal was that it was made through a Power of Attorney, and the company had implicated Arjoon for misconduct.

The court in its determination contended that the NBS had failed to provide evidence that supported its claim of misconduct, whether serious or otherwise.

Arjoon, who told media operatives that he was sick, had claimed that he was set-up on the fraud allegations because he allegedly refusal to approve a loan of some G$2 billion applied for in 2006. He had also noted that the investigation into the fraud allegations was conducted later that same year, implicating him as CEO, as well as the co-defendants.

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Time for acting appointments in Judiciary to end – Guyana Bar Association

A

mid moves to make substantive appointments to the most important positions in the Judiciary, the Guyana Bar Association is calling for a timely end to protracted acting positions. This comes after President David Granger’s announcement that a nominee has been found to take over one of these posts.

According to Vice President of the Bar Association, Teni Housty, acting appointments can affect the perception of the Judiciary’s fairness when making decisions. And while Housty noted that good decisions have so far been made by the ap-

Vice President of the Bar Association, Teni Housty

pointees, such appointments are generally discouraged.

“In the context of the Judiciary, acting appointments are always discouraged. (Only) recently Sir Dennis Byron spoke out against (it).

Certainly in judicial appointments, it (would) be the better option to the administration of justice, particularly to the perception.”

“It is about time and it should be resolved.

For too long, they called it the academy awards for the media profession.

I think it’s about time the acting stops, not only for Guyana but the whole perception of the Judiciary. The administration of justice would be improved.”

Granger, who had made the announcement of the nominee during a press conference, had revealed the jurist to be resident in the Caribbean. On the matter of an overseas jurist being chosen as opposed to a local one, Housty referenced the fact that Guyanese have flitted in between countries and have distinguished themselves overseas in the field of law.

“The beauty about the practise of law in a commonwealth legislature is that officers can come from any part of the world and we have Guyanese jurists

Choir leader sentenced to life imprisonment for raping child …Judge urges him to seek forgiveness

“Y

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette CummingsEdwards, with acting Chief Justice Roxane George

who have distinguished themselves regionally and internationally.”

At his press conference, Granger had revealed that the person chosen for either of the top judicial posts is currently in Guyana. According to the Constitution, however, the President must hold consultations with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

It remains to be seen whether approval will be given, with Granger stating that he was prepared to meet with Jagdeo.

But while there have been criticisms that the President is too close to the process when the Judicial Service Commission ought to take the lead, Housty noted that the nominee was derived out of a process.

“The Constitution makes provisions for the manner in which the decision was made. There was also a recommendation from a committee that had been convened.

For some time now, they’ve had many acting Chancellors. The only Chancellor who was confirmed was Chancellor Bernard.”

“So whatever modality is adopted, it’s the Leader of the Opposition who (must approve).

Applications were invited. So it’s the result of a process.”

Just recently, President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Sir Dennis Byron zeroed in on the trend of persons being appointed to top positions in Guyana’s Judiciary but being forced to act for years while their confirmation remains in limbo.

In a recent address to the Guyana Bar Association, he condemned the fact that since former Chancellor Desiree Bernard demitted office; an agreement has not been reached for the substantive appointment of a Chancellor.

“This has brought us to the situation today where the number one and number two officials of the Guyana Judiciary

have not been substantively appointed. This is a most unfortunate state of affairs,” the legal luminaire stated.

“This situation has moved well beyond what ought to be acceptable in a modern democracy where respect for the rule of law is maintained. The Constitution envisages the Judiciary of Guyana to be headed by officials who are substantively appointed and enjoy all the legal and institutional mechanisms to secure their tenure,” he continued.

Byron bluntly stated that the delay is a breach of the spirit and intent of the Constitution.

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonnet Cummings Edwards, was appointed by President David Granger in May of this year. Prior to that, she acted as the Chief Justice from December 2015. She was never confirmed to the substantive position.

Edwards replaced Justice Carl Singh, who retired after acting as Chancellor since 2005.

On the other hand, the current Acting Chief Justice, Roxane George, was also appointed to her position on the same day as Edwards.

ou say are a devoted Catholic; I hope you pray to God and ask forgiveness.”

Those were the admonishing words of Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall as she handed down two life imprisonment sentences to Michael Abrams after he was found guilty of child rape at the High Court in Georgetown on Wednesday. Abrams, who is said to be in his early 50s, had a stone faced countenance when the 12-member mixed jury unanimously found him guilty on two counts of rape of a child under 16, who was said to be a female relative.

The first count for which Abrams was found guilty occurred sometime between January 1 and 19, 2016, and the second count on January 19, 2016. Among the illegal acts he committed included sexual penetration with the young girl and anal penetration with the child on the other occasion.

A response from the victim, whose name was withheld in keeping with the Sexual Offences Act, was read out in court by Project Coordinator and Court Support, Kaiesha Perry. She stated that she met with the victim over a period of three weeks and was allowed to read her views.

“This situation makes me feel sad. I felt like the accused would try to hurt me,” Perry noted. According to Perry’s testimony, the young girl also indicated that she also felt fearful that Abrams would come to her school and try to hurt her or the teacher to which she had confided in.

The girl, who is now 10 years old, further said that she realises that what the accused did to her was wrong and that she now know it was not her fault. She further added that she hopes that

A 12-member jury found Michael Abrams guilty on two counts of child rape

the accused would not do what he had done to her or anyone else, ever again. The case was heard over the last several days in the Sexual Offence Court. The jury came to their decision after some three hours of deliberations. After the verdict was handed down in the midst of Abrams’ nonchalant appearance, Justice MorrisRamlall enquired from the accused what he wanted to say. He responded by saying that even though the jury “in their wisdom” found him guilty, he maintained statements from his testimony during court proceedings where he observed that he could not and did not commit the offence.

“That I will maintain Madame,” Abrams told the Judge.

He was represented by three attorneys – Leslie Sobers, Trenton Lake and Chandrawattie Persaud.

The lawyer, in plea of mitigation before the sentencing, told the court that Abrams has been in service to many persons in his church.

“I have no doubt that he has served his acquaintances in many respects,” Persaud stated. She further highlighted that Abrams was once in charge of the church choir where he had oversight of many persons, including children. The at-

torney said her client’s integrity was never impeached at any stage.

However, State Prosecutor who led the case, Seeta Bisundial, highlighted contrasting views against what Persaud had stated. Bisundial reminded the court that Abrams abused his position of trust and violated the child in the worst way possible, shattering her innocence. She also noted that the victim will have to live with what occurred for the rest of her life. The State Counsel noted that even though Abrams was found guilty, he showed no remorse. “It still holds true that you can see the face of man but not the heart of man,” Bisundial said. As such, she appealed for the maximum sentence to be imposed. After some 10 minutes awaiting a response from the Judge to all that was said in court, Justice Morris-Ramlall noted that she considered the nature of the offence and the circumstances that surrounded the attack. She noted the evidence that the girl loved him and that Abrams said he loved her. The Judge however contended that the accused “pretended” to love her and treated the young girl “like a beast” which included him sodomising the child.

Reminding him that he abused a position of trust, Justice Morris-Ramlall noted that Abrams should seek forgiveness as he claimed to be a devoted Catholic.

She then sentenced him to serve a life imprisonment sentence on each count, which will run concurrently.

However, he will be eligible for parole after severing 35 years in prison. Abrams was led away by a team of Police ranks and was heard angrily responding to the court’s sentence.

10 news

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Man shot dead during Prisoner charged for threatening to kill President robbery attack

A

Dead: Purcell Moore

father of two was on Wednesday morning shot dead at Old Road, Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD) by two gunmen, who attempted to relieve him of the gold chain he was wearing.

Purcell Moore, who is visiting Guyana from Cayenne, was reportedly shot at least four times by two pedal cycle bandits who attempted to snatch his chain. The shooting incident occurred mere minutes after the 42-yearold left his parent’s house at Old Road, Craig.

Guyana Times International was told that the clothes vendor arrived in the country two weeks ago to spend time with his parents. When this newspaper visited the dead man’s parents’ home; his niece, Nicarla Lamazion, explained that her uncle left home at about 05:30h and by the time he

reached the end of the concrete strip, she heard four gunshots.

She initially thought the sounds of the bullets came from another direction but within minutes, a resident rushed to their home to inform them of the shooting. She noted that without hesitation, she rushed to the scene where she saw her uncle lying in a pool of blood.

“I tried to lift him up but he wasn’t responding… by then some boys come with a car and we took him to the Diamond Hospital but he was already dead,” she added. She however, noted that based on reports received, her uncle had a scuffle with two men prior to the shooting incident. The chain, which the men attempted to take away, was found lying next to his body.

With tears in her eyes, she described her uncle as a “good soul”.

A sister of the dead man, Kim (only name given), explained that she reached to work at about 07:15h and after some time, she received the message that her brother was “no more”. She immediately rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where she saw her brother’s body.

“His head had a big hole at the back with blood oozing out,” she recalled.

She too stated that he did not have any issues with anyone. The aggrieved sister further stated that her brother’s two children, who reside in Cayenne, were informed of their father’s death.

Meanwhile, Police in a statement revealed that one of the suspects, a 21-year-old of 14th Avenue, Diamond New Housing Scheme, EBD, was apprehended and is being questioned in connection with the murder.

The Police are in pursuit of the second suspect as investigations continue.

American citizen robbed at gunpoint in Georgetown

A

merican businesswoman Audrey Ryan became another victim of the recent spate of armed robberies plaguing Guyana when a gunman snatched her handbag containing more than G$250,000 in valuables in a daring daylight attack commit-

was making her way to a medical facility at about 11:15h, and was on Thomas Street, between Middle and New Market Streets — in the passageway, about to head into the facility — when the lone gunman approached and robbed her.

A

lim Ally, a Lusignan Prison inmate who called 911 threatening to assassinate President David Granger in November was on Monday hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that Ally while in a public place (Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara) telephoned 911, and threatened to kill the President and shoot at the Brickdam Police Station with intent to cause fear. Three charges of a similar nature followed and according to Prosecutor Arvin Moore, the telephone calls were made on different occasions between November 10

The bandit snatched the dark grey bag she was carrying on her shoulder, which contained a Samsung Galaxy S5 mobile phone valued at G$80,000; another Samsung Galaxy mobile phone valued at G$120,000; a Blu mo-

and November 19, 2017.

Ally denied all four charges read to him by Magistrate Leron Daly.

The Prosecutor objected to bail, and informed the court that Ally was presently serving a five-year sentence

Man accused of punching woman in “self-defence” fined G$100,000

A

man who claimed that he retaliated in “self-defence” by punching a woman to her face was fined G$100,000 by Magistrate Leron Daly on Monday morning after admitting to the offence.

According to the prosecution’s case, Morris Canterbury unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm on Felicia Phillips on December 13, 2017.

The prosecution further stated that

the victim was at home when the defendant confronted her and an argument ensued. In a fit of rage, Canterbury dealt Phillips a series of punches to the face.

While admitting to his actions, Canterbury claimed that the woman had approached him with a cutlass and was compelled to act in self-defence.

He was fined G$100,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in him serving six months in prison.

Salvation Army distributes 1200 Christmas hampers

bile phone valued at G$36,000; hard drive valued at G$16,000; her American passport, and her United States driver’s licence. Besides, the grey bag is valued at G$30,000.

Police have since disclosed that after the bandit had robbed the busi-

A ted at Thomas Street, Georgetown on Monday.

Guyana Times International understands that the 54-yearold businesswoman was reportedly traced from a city bank to which she had gone to conduct a transaction. She

Lusignan Prison inmate Alim Ally

at the said penitentiary.

This objection was upheld by the Magistrate who then ordered that Ally return before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday.

Earlier this year, Andriff Gillard had alleged that he was offered G$7 million to assassinate the Head of State, and accused popular businessman Nizam Khan of being the mastermind on national television.

An investigation was promptly launched followed by a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) upon order of President Granger himself. However, the Inquiry found that the story told by Gillard was not corroborated.

nesswoman, he fled into an awaiting motorcar allegedly driven by an accomplice. The car’s registration number has since been made known to the Police.

Investigations are continuing.

PSC Chairman Eddie Boyer hands out a hamper on Monday

s the time of sharing and giving gets underway, the Salvation Army, in collaboration with the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and Food For The Poor Guyana, distributed some 1200 hampers to senior citizens.

The activity was executed on Monday when the venerable organisation hosted its annual Christmas distribution exercise at its divisional headquarters, Alexander Street, Georgetown.

The facility was filled to capacity, leaving the organisers with no other alternative but to bring in extra seating. The Salvation Army’s Divisional Commander, Major Saint-Lot explained that the distribution drive would continue in 2018 and beyond,

and as such, they would be soliciting the assistance of corporate Guyana.

The main supporters of the 1200 hampers included the Food For The Poor Guyana and the PSC. PSC Chairman Eddie Boyer told the gathering that the organisation’s charitable work would extend beyond the holiday season.

Over the years, the Salvation Army has been raising funds using bell ringers outside various business places urging the public to donate. The monies collected are used in several areas, especially in counselling sessions for drug addicts and others.

The gathering was entertained by renditions of Christmas carols.

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

11

12 news

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana is open for business ...says Minister Jordan as Burger King opens doors in Guyana

CGX to drill Corentyne block in 2019

B

anada-based oil and gas exploration company CGX has announced plans to conduct an offshore exploration whereby it will be drilling the Corentyne block

by November 27, 2019 in search of oil.

The company, which has had operations in Guyana for many years, made the announcement on Monday, stating that it has renegotiated its work plan with the Guyana Government.

ny are eager to pursue the new work commitments in this exciting Guyana basin, and in so doing, continue our unbroken commitment to the basin, the Guyanese people and its Government for more than 18 years.”

Earlier this year, CGX was borrowing monies from its shareholder to stay afloat, and indicated that future oil exploration offshore Guyana would depend on restructuring

As part of the renegotiation, the company has also agreed to relinquish 25 per cent of the acreage of both the Corentyne and Demerara blocks to the Government of Guyana.

The new work commitments include drilling and exploration wells (Corentyne Block)

by November 27, 2022; and acquiring additional seismic data or conducting seismic reprocessing by November 27, 2020.

Additionally, the company will complete any additional data processing and planning, and secure all regulatory approvals for the drilling of an exploration well by February 12, 2020 (Demerara Block).

In that same block, it will also drill an exploration well by February 12, 2021 and February 12, 2023.

For the Berbice Block, CGX will complete a geochemical survey of a minimum area of 120 square kilometres and commence a seismic programme defined by the survey by February 12, 2020.

It will also complete the seismic programme and complete all processing and interpretation of data by August 12, 2021, and drill an exploration well by February 12, 2023.

Chairman and Executive Director (Guyana), Professor Suresh Narine commented: “CGX Energy thanks the Government of Guyana for its continued partnership and support; we as a compa-

its debts to several companies. With the major oil find by ExxonMobil, CGX said it hoped that it would be able to conduct further exploration.

The highly-indebted CGX Energy had suffered a delay in carrying out further exploration offshore Guyana and had hoped that Government would favourably consider its request for a new date.

In May, CGX said it was negotiating with its trade creditors, including with respect to the approximately US$14.4 million owed to Japan Drilling Co Ltd, approximately US$9.5 million owed to Prospector PTE Ltd, and the approximately US$2.9 million owed to Teikoku Oil (Suriname) Co Ltd, all excluding interest, with a view to determining how to address these significant payables in light of depressed oil prices.

Guyana-focused CGX has been licensed to drill on the Eagle block since 1998 when it was granted a 10-year permit. But the company became ensnared in a maritime border dispute between Guyana and Suriname, and watched as a rig it had contracted in 2000 was chased off the site it was preparing to drill

by Suriname gunboats.

The border dispute was settled in 2007.

CGX drilled several wells offshore thereafter, but did not find oil in commercial quantities. It also attempted several wells onshore in Berbice.

…company renegotiates oil exploration plan with Govt

C

Members of the Corum Group with officials at the opening of the first Burger King outlet in Guyana

urger King, the latest fast food franchise to be welcomed in Guyana, officially opened its doors to the public on Monday evening at Camp and Regent Street, Georgetown.

The world-renowned franchise was brought to Guyana by the Corum Group, comprising a team of young entrepreneurs.

“I’m doubly pleased that this initiative has come from this group of young Guyanese who, in spite of the odds, survived the doubts of the naysayers, put their money where their proverbial mouth is, and invested in our country’s development,” Finance Minister Winston Jordan told those attending the launching ceremony.

“Guyana is open for business.

We will stand with any investor who is committed to the growth and development of this country that we call home. We will hold the

hands of any citizen who is willing to work, to unlock the potential that has been bandied about. We will partner with you to weather the challenges that may arise in the quest to make Guyana a better country,” the Finance Minister emphasised.

Managing Director of the Corum Group, Clairmont Cummings explained that the franchise would create 300 jobs.

He added that the Group was confident it would serve Guyanese patrons with a “high-quality, fresh, diverse, affordable and all-around attractive menu and dining experience”.

Burger King’s Director for Central and South America, Patrick Coelho, said he was proud to see the brand being introduced.

“I’m confident that we have the right partners representing the brands in Guyana. We have the

right locations and more importantly, we have the right mindset to make this extremely successful,” he added.

The United States Deputy Chief of Mission, Terry SteersGonzalez, noted that an American company investing in Guyana “is a vote of confidence” in the country’s strong business climate and economy.

“It is a foremost priority of this Mission to encourage economic prosperity that is mutually beneficial for both countries: economic prosperity for Guyana and economic prosperity for the United States,” he said.

Burger King is an international food icon with 15,000 stores across the globe. The Corum Group, which holds the Pizza Hut franchise, plans to establish six Burger King outlets across the country.

Lethem businessman remanded to prison over illegal airstrip

The illegal aircraft which landed in Region Nine

A

prominent Lethem businessman, who was named as the prime suspect by the recently-concluded Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the construction of an illegal airstrip in Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), was on Monday slapped with a conspiracy charge.

Hutashan Ramsingh, of Tabatinga, Lethem, was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that between August 10, 2017 and August 13, 2017 at Mandacoro Island Savannah, Region Nine, he conspired with persons unknown to facilitate the illegal landing of an aircraft at an unauthorised port of entry.

Defence Attorney Jerome Khan, in a bail application at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, related that his client was a father of two and owner of a construction and transportation company in Lethem with no antecedents or pending matters before the courts.

Bail was nonetheless refused after a strong objection by the prosecution. As such, Ramsingh

was remanded to prison until March 5, 2018 when the case would be called at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.

In August of this year, an abandoned Brazilian-registered Kingair Beechcraft PR-1MG was discovered on an illegal airstrip in the vicinity of Santa Fe, Rupununi. The aircraft, which is reported to have been used in the trafficking of guns and drugs, was seized by local authorities.

Following the investigations, Ramsingh and two other residents of Lethem – Wazim King, 37, and Nathan Hamilton, 21 – were flown to Georgetown to assist with investigations. Ramsingh was released on G$50,000 station bail while King and Hamilton were hauled before the courts to be charged for a similar offence of conspiracy to commit a felony. They are presently out on G$400,000 bail and the case is before the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.

When the duo first appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, their lawyers, Michael Somersaul and Jerome Khan, had

contended that their clients had no knowledge that the airstrip or airplane was illegal, since they were merely hired by Ramsingh for the building of a “road”. The lawyers had bemoaned the release of Ramsingh and blasted the Police for “covering up” and conducting investigations that left much to be desired.

However, on Monday, Khan indicated that his client, Ramsingh, had merely rented out a Bobcat and some equipment which were used to grade the airstrip. King was alleged to have been the Bobcat driver while Hamilton was hired to operate the said machinery.

The Police had contended that following his release in September, Ramsingh had fled the jurisdiction, but his lawyer sought to refute this claim by contending that Ramsingh became fearful for his life and was keeping a low profile working in the savannahs after he heard that some people were looking to kill him.

Earlier this month, a team of detectives travelled to Lethem to escort him to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in the city as part of the probe.

The findings of the CoI say that Ramsingh had been seen with his vehicle frequenting the area before the plane had landed. Moreover, reports indicate that Singh had also been involved in similar cases of illegal aircraft landings in other areas in the region namely Parabara, Manwar, Mountain Point and Mandakara Airstrip.

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

13

14 news

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Granger maintains Govt has done its best to create jobs …even as unemployment soars due to economy’s sluggishness

By Michael Younge

P

resident David Granger was unable to say exactly how many jobs his Government has created since taking office back in May 2015, but insisted that a lot has been done to reduce unemployment and create an environment where Guyanese were equipped to enter cottage industries in order to cope economically.

Granger said that while he was unable to give the number of jobs created, there was a lot taking place as many programmes have been rolled out to ensure that Guyanese youths have

President David Granger

access to jobs as soon as they leave secondary and tertiary institutions.

“As far as jobs are concerned, I cannot give a number perhaps the Minister of Business can give a number… but there is a lot of unregistered unemployment,” he remarked as he addressed reporters at the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday.

He maintained that his Government has done its best since 2015 to generate more jobs in line with the campaign promise made by the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition.

“The Government is rebalancing the economy through its support of the micro, small and medium-scale enterprise sector, mindful of the SMEs’ potential to generate employment,” he explained.

President Granger said in this respect loans and grants have been issued under the Hinterland Employment Youth Scheme (HEYS); the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN); the Micro and Small Enterprise Development (MSED) Project; and Sustainable Livelihoods and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED); Women of Worth (WOW) and the People of Worth Entrepreneurial Resources (POWER) initiatives.

He explained that the Government’s policy was to ensure that people have the means to enter the production and manufacturing sectors as a means of creating self-employment not only in far- flung areas but about the city.

He took offence to those who were mocking the Government’s drive to create employment by encouraging citizens to start up cottage industries that produce things such as plantain chips and coconut products.

“Some people call it the plantain chips econ-

omy, but I would like those same people to go to the regional exhibitions which we have been holding around the country and see women coming out of Yupukari…see housewives getting into the micro-economy and you can see that there is something happening in Guyana,” he remarked.

“It may start with plantain chip,” he continued before reminding the media that he knew somebody who started off producing fruit juices at Timehri and today those fruit juices are being bottled or boxed as Timehri Orchard Products Company (TOPCO) “…so small things could end up big”.

President Granger’s statement on the quantum of employment created by his coalition Government comes against a backdrop where concerns are being raised about the perceived hike in unemployment since 2015. It also comes at a time when citizens are complaining that economic activity in the country has slowed down owing to a lack of confidence in the economy by the local Private Sector and the foreign investors because of the mixed signals being sent by the Administration on a number of fronts.

Additionally, youth unemployment and crime have also increased since 2015 with public commentators and experts admonishing the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led APNU/AFC Government to adopt a coherent employment policy, which sees more direct ventures and opportunities being created to boost the economy’s productive sectors and increase jobs. Also, the slowdown in the construction and manufacturing sectors have also negatively affected seasonal jobs as contractors have begun laying off workers who are mostly skilled and semi-skilled young males.

President Granger’s comments also come at a time when thousands of sugar workers have had their services terminated or retrenched with no clear policy being articulated with regard to re-employment opportunities.

The last population census conducted in September 2012 by the Government pegged the unemployment figure as high as 11.5 representing 30,533 persons.

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

15

16 news

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana to offer potential investors more ‘ready-to-invest’ projects in 2018 – GO-Invest CEO

C

hief Executive Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest), Owen Verway, on Monday said the agency would be offering potential investors more ready-to-invest projects in 2018, as opposed to just marketing ideas.

He was at the time speaking at the agency’s year-end press conference, where he outlined the challenges of, and accomplishments for, 2017, while providing a preview of 2018 plans.

“There is a need to have more pipeline-ready projects, not just ideas. We have been marketing the opportunities, and we have started the process of having the Minister (of Finance) meeting with the other ministries in trying to go through their capital project plans to see what is it we can turn around, and see what we can make into real investment opportunities — whether it is public /private or people private,” he said.

Verway indicated that GO-Invest is also in talks with the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) to have some of that agency’s assets packaged into investment opportunities.

According to Verway, the agency has to place more emphasis on marketing, and there are mechanisms to ensure that this is addressed in the New Year.

“Marketing needs to be a more significant focus of the agency. We spend more than 5060 per cent of time doing due diligence and processing of applications…a lot of proposals are half or less completed…we find ourselves handholding the clients in getting their proposals finished,” he noted, while outlining some of the challenges for 2017.

In addition, the CEO revealed that they are also in talks with the University of Guyana to establish a partnership-based approach in the develop-

ment of a tool to understand the value chain.

The agency would also be establishing a service provider’s database to make services more readily available to potential investors.

The CEO reported that, in 2017, the agency has been able to process some 120 investment agreements, and has observed over 46 applications for over 99,000 acres of commercial land.

Collaborative efforts Meanwhile, Board Chairman Patricia Bacchus said that the agency is looking for greater collaborative efforts with their partners, in order to ensure the effective processing of investment proposals.

“Although the agency was touted as being a one stop shop, it was never legally set up to be a one stop shop. It was only responsible for the element of investment promotion, which involved recommending investment agreements for potential investors, which would grant them waivers on duty and taxes relative to their investments, as well as recommend tax holidays. There was a need for a greater level collaboration between the agencies responsible for promoting investments. Those include the Guyana Revenue Authority, Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Ministry of Foreign Trade, Environmental Protection Agency, and a number of other agencies,” she said.

“We asked that our Board be constituted by senior representatives from these agencies, to ensure that investment is promoted faster, and with greater efficiency,” Bacchus added.

GO-Invest was set up as the investment promotion agency for Guyana, and its mandate included both foreign direct and local investment across all sectors, along with the promotion of export and trade.

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

17

18

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

19

20

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

O

Travelspan brings holiday cheers to Richmond Hill kids

n Friday December 15, 2017, Santa Claus found time in his very busy schedule to stop by Travelspan’s Office at 121-04 Liberty Avenue, Richmond Hill NY to bring some cheer and deliver toys to the good boys and girls of the Richmond Hill area.

The kids were excited for the opportunity to meet Santa and get in a last minute wish for gifts to fit under the tree.

With fresh snow on the ground and flurries in the air it was beginning to feel and look a lot like Christmas.

Travelspan management and staff did their best to serve up some holiday cheer and were very proud to arrange the visit from Santa Claus and

to be a part of this festive evening. “Seeing the joy on the faces of the kids when Santa arrived was worth it”, said Nohar Singh, the President and CEO of Travelspan.

Travelspan has been a community travel agency for over 23 years with sister offices in Guyana and Trinidad.

The entire event was

free and no pre-registration was necessary, the event was planned and executed under the sole patronage of Travelspan Vacations. The company thanked all the families that attended and wished the community a happy holiday and a bright and prosperous 2018.

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

58 graduate from Public Service College

Jagdeo blasts Govt over ‘erroneous’ CGX statements

Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

F

President David Granger joined by the 58 graduating professionals of the Bertram Collins College of Public Service

ifty-eight young professionals on Monday graduated from the public service training institute – the Bertram Collins College and would be integrated into the Public Sector.

Proudly adorned in their signature purple and black uniforms, graduating professionals were presented with certificates, outlining their qualifications to officially serve the people of Guyana.

As a result of the 12 months of extensive training, 58 young professionals will now embark on careers within the Public Sector as they will soon be attached to Ministries and other public offices across the country.

The first six months of the initiative saw the 58 professionals being exposed to formal classroom sessions in areas such as housing, educating, law and order, public health and infrastructure.

The trainees also underwent one month of travelling studies which took the group to various locations across the country.

That having been completed, the 58 professionals will now take on four months of work attachment.

Presenting an overview of the work of the newly-conceptualised institute was the College’s Senior Executive Director, Lawrence Paul.

Paul told the gathering that the Guyana public service needed a fresh breath of energy that would be responsive to the needs of the public that must be innovative and prepared to take calculated risks to change the archaic systems that are counterproductive and wasting taxpayers’ money.

With that being said, Paul charged the graduates with stepping up to take on these responsibilities by saying,

“You have been trained to assist in this development.”

Meanwhile, welcoming the first batch of graduates to the Public Sector was the Head of State, President David Granger.

In delivering the feature address at the graduation ceremony on Monday, Granger explained the concept was brought to life shortly after taking office in 2015.

In doing so, he dubbed the occasion a milestone achievement for both the graduating professionals and the country at large.

With that, he congratulated the graduating class of 58 and charged the young professionals to embody the College’s motto: “Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity,” as they set off on this journey. In fact, the President added the word “Intelligence” to that list.

Emerging at the forefront of the first batch to graduate the Public Service College was Ato Vaughn, who was showered with prizes presented by the President.

Vaughn was joined by his runner-up, William Charles, and other outstanding performers such as Most Improved Student, Towana Madramootoo, who also walked away with special prizes.

Also present at the graduation ceremony were other Government officials, all of whom assisted with the distribution of certificates.

The Bertram Collins College of Public Service, currently housed at GuySuCo’s former location in Ogle, was commissioned in 2016. The training institute is soon expected to expand with the use of a US$10 million grant by the Chinese Government.

‘I’m overwhelmed thinking of what...

from page 3

passed out.

Denny however, became a suspect in the matter in March of 1988 after he was busted with an unlicenced gun. He had been arrested in a car with the three other defendants, who were wanted for reportedly robbing a Manhattan Burger King.

However, the victim at first was unable to identify Denny as the perpetrator when a photo was showed to her but later identified him in a line up.

Also during his trial, the victim was vague in her description of him and his actions.

According to the New York Daily News, the Guyana-born man was convicted in 1989 and sentenced to 19 to 57 years in prison.

However, he always maintained his innocence throughout — even through parole hearings.

Denny, who migrated to the United States as a child was the 24th person to have

his conviction vacated by the DA’s Conviction Review Unit.

Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez said his review team examined the evidence and interviewed witnesses as well as Denny’s co-defendants in the case.

“After a lengthy and extensive investigation into this horrific case, I have concluded that the cause of justice requires that we vacate the conviction of Mr. Denny,” Gonzalez said in a statement.

NEWS 21

O

pposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has blistered the Government for justifying its act of hiding the US$18 million signing bonus it received from ExxonMobil, noting that their argument about monies paid by CGX is irrelevant and totally different to the issue at hand.

In June of 2000, the Surinamese military seized a rig belonging to CGX. The rig was at the time operating in the Corentyne River; the border between Guyana and Suriname. As a result of the seizure, Guyana took the issue to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 2004 and in September of 2007, the Tribunal ruled the rig was operating in Guyana’s waters and the issue was settled.

“CGX was an aggrieved party, it was their rig that the Surinamese gunboat removed so they had a vested interest, not just in resolving the case that would allow them to go back in exploration, but they were an aggrieved party,” he explained.

He said the then Government could not have received money from CGX because CGX was not moving to production. “A signing bonus only comes about if you are starting to produce. At that time, CGX’s obligation to Guyana, to the GGMC (Guyana Geology and Mines Commission), and to the Treasury was only for licensing fees that they were supposed to pay,” Jagdeo added.

The Opposition Leader was at the time responding to a statement read

in the National Assembly by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge last Friday. In his address, Greenidge erroneously said that the then Jagdeoled Administration contracted lawyers to represent Guyana in the UNCLOS Tribunal “without either paying for them, without depositing in the Bank of Guyana the foreign exchange CGX provided for the payment of the lawyers or without reflecting the payments in the Consolidated Fund or seeing authorisation for the transaction in the House.”

“Not a cent came from CGX to the Government or to any accounts in the Government to pay to any lawyers or to do anything else for that manner.

In this case, money was handed over and CGX did pay lawyers directly but that was not in consultation with us (Government). So (Finance Minister Winston) Jordan speaks about the CGX money should be accounted for in the Consolidated Fund, money that they (CGX) paid directly to lawyers but money paid as revenue in a (signing) bonus he (Jordan) does not want to account for it,” Jagdeo observed.

The Opposition Leader added that he saw the hypocrisy in the statement two days ago, considering that it was a totally different situation.

“Then this money was not receive from ExxonMobil for any border issues, they (Exxon) made it clear, this money was revenue a signing bonus so they (Government) are weaving a tangled tale of lies and contradictions and illegalities and they act with impunity and bravado. This is how this Government operates,” he said.

Proper handling

During his address, Minister Greenidge explained that the signing bonus was placed in a deposit fund, as provided for in the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA), and that US$15 million would be used for legal fees, while the remaining US$3 million would be used for training. However, both the Finance and Natural Resources Ministers along with the President related that the money was placed in a special account, which is not provided for by the FMAA.

Father of 5 fatally struck down while going to purchase bread

P

olice say they are investigating a fatal accident which occurred around 21:00h on Tuesday night on the Wallers Delight Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD) that resulted in the death of pedestrian Mohamed Nazim, age 44.

Felicia Persaud, 30, the daughterin-law of the deceased, was injured in the accident. The vehicle involved in the accident, a Jeep bearing registration plates PTT 779, was driven by a 43-year-old resident of Meten-MeerZorg, WCD. According to the Police, the vehicle was proceeding East along the northern carriageway, allegedly at a fast rate. It struck the pedestrians who, along with other family members, were crossing the road from South to North.

In an unconscious state, Nazim and Persaud were rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

However, Nazim died while receiving medical attention and Persaud was treated and admitted in a stable and now conscious condition. The driver who was administered a breathalyser test and found to have negative alcohol readings in his breath, has since been detained and is assisting with the investigation.

The dead man was reportedly

Mohamed Nazim

struck down by the vehicle as he was walking with his son and daughter-inlaw to a nearby shop to purchase a loaf of bread.

The deceased, who resided at Wallers Delight, leaves to mourn five children who at the time of his death, were all in his care since their mother passed away three years ago.

22 NEWS

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Exxon had no role in deciding how Govt would use oil bonus – Brasington

Exxon’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Kimberly Brasington

E

ven as the furore over a US$18 million signing bonus the Government received continues, ExxonMobil has distanced itself from Government’s decision to use the money to pay legal fees. While it acknowledged paying the money into the Bank of Guyana account, its input in the process ended there.

According to Exxon’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Kimberly Brasington, the company followed, and will continue to follow, local laws and regulations it encounters.

She noted that while the transaction was a normal one, Exxon did not have a say in Government deciding to use the money for legal fees in Guyana’s border controversy.

“ExxonMobil is committed to the highest standards of business conduct, and we follow all local laws and regulations wherever we operate. A payment was made as a signature bonus to a bank account within the Bank of Guyana, which is owned by the Government as designated in writing by the (Ministry) of Finance.”

“It is common for payments to take place at key stages in the execution of contracts and development of resources. A signatory bonus is a customary and normal part of petroleum agreements. As a commercial entity, ExxonMobil does not have a role in how a sovereign country allocates its revenues,” Brasington explained.

She noted that transparency should apply to all contracts rather than selective contracts. But Brasington also acknowledged the need to protect commercially sensitive and proprietary information, as well as to not vi-

olate host government laws or contractual obligations.

Guyana, which had a long-standing agreement with ExxonMobil, renegotiated that agreement after the company’s 2015 oil find in the Stabroek block. In May of that year, Exxon confirmed that more than 295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs were encountered at its Liza 1 exploration well.

Included in the new agreement was a two per cent royalty rate, an increase of one per cent.

Government had repeatedly pleaded ignorance to reports that it received a US$20 million signing bonus from Exxon.

Evidence of a bonus being received came to light in a leaked correspondence dated September 20, 2016 and addressed to the Governor of the Bank of Guyana with this subject line: “Signing bonus granted by ExxonMobil – Request to open bank account”.

It shows that Finance Secretary at the Finance Ministry, Hector Butts, had requested that a foreign currency account be opened at the Bank in order to receive a depos-

The letter that brought the transaction to light

it in the form of a ‘signing bonus’ to be given by ExxonMobil.

The letter stated, “This account should not be treated as part of the

Bank’s reserves. Instead, the proceeds should be continued on page 23

NEWS 23

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Gunmen trail, rob woman after leaving bank

The bandits caught on camera while entering the salon

By Ashraf Dabie

A

mother of one was on Sunday afternoon trailed and eventually attacked by a pair of armed and unmasked bandits while conducting business on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

Bhavana Samtani is now left counting her losses which add up to approximately G$900,000.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, Samtani, accompanied by her son, had just cashed a cheque at a bank in Parika, and while going about her business within the area, she was being tracked by the robbers.

Shortly after the woman boarded a bus destined for a salon in MetenMeer-Zorg, WCD; upon arriving at her destination, Samtani was pounced upon by the armed men.

While speaking to this publication, the still shaken mother relayed that she had just made her way into the H&S Beauty Salon and while enquiring how long she may have to wait, the two men barged into the business establishment.

She told this newspaper that one of the men got down at her feet and started fumbling with her handbag.

“At first, I thought it was a prank,” explained the woman, but after glimpsing the man’s face, she quickly realised that she was being robbed.

Samtani went on to say that, “One of them was tugging on my bag and I wasn’t going to let loose. It wasn’t until he pulled out the gun that I let go.”

After being held at gunpoint by both of the men, fear for the lives of her son and others present in the salon at the time led the woman to surrender her handbag carrying about G$800,000 cash, a Samsung Galaxy cellular phone, her Passport and other

important documents as well as other valued possessions.

Clutching the stolen prize, the unmasked bandits then made good their escape in a dark grey Toyota Premio, heading in the direction of Georgetown.

The terrifying incident occurred around 13:30h and lasted for about five to seven minutes.

Samtani, in an attempt to recover her valuable documents, chased after the escaping robbers, but lost track of their vehicle a short distance away from the salon.

However, it was after launching a personal investigation that she realised she was being trailed all the way from Parika.

CCTV footage from a few stops along the way revealed the duo was tracing the woman’s every move following her transaction at the bank that afternoon. They were even seen stopping moderate distances away from the bus to enquire whether she and her son had disembarked the minibus.

However, while revisiting the market square at Parika, the woman was informed by vendors that the men were seen chasing after her. One vendor even relayed that when she asked what they were shopping, one of the men responded, “We are shopping guns.”

The CCTV footage managed to capture a clear shot of the two men while their car was also seen in the distance.

The suspects were described as both of African descent and were believed to be in their late 20s.

The CCTV footage, along with a detailed report of what had transpired, was handed over to the Police and as such, investigations are ongoing.

However, ranks have not yet zoomed in on the suspects and as such, an arrest is yet to be made. from page 22

Exxon had no role in deciding...

held in the currency of the deposit, that is United States dollars, and invested in secured interest-bearing securities.”

The missive also listed the signatories to the account: Hector Butts, Finance Secretary at the Finance Ministry; Louise Bouyea, Deputy Finance Secretary at the Finance Ministry; Jawahar Persaud, Accountant General (Acting) at the Finance Ministry; and Jennifer Chapman, Deputy Accountant General at the Finance Ministry. The letter was also copied to Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman.

Amid criticism, Government officials have defended the secrecy by saying the money would be used to pay legal fees in defence of Guyana’s sovereignty, should its case with Venezuela reach the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Meanwhile, President David Granger on Friday addressed the issue of the signing bonus during a press

conference – his first in over a year.

When asked whether he accepted that placing the US$18 million outside the Consolidated Fund was illegal, he insisted that he would not knowingly do something illegal.

“The absence of disclosure does not necessarily mean the presence of deceit. I think it was explained by the Foreign Minister and myself that there was very good reason. It has not been proven that there was a crime,” he said.

“It was a course of action that was recommended, and we feel that where the money is located at present would insulate it from being misused or stolen. So, I don’t believe there is any illegality, graft or corruption. It was put there for a purpose and if we are advised by the lawyers that it does not conform to the financial regulations, we will comply with a court order or advice. But, at present, the money is safe; it belongs to the Guyanese people,” Granger added.

Govt’s ‘green agenda’ aimed at whipping up political support …says Ramkarran

G

overnment’s Green State agenda or what some would describe as a slow revolution has been heavily criticised by a large mass of the Guyanese population and joining that group is former Speaker of the National Assembly and Senior Counsel, Ralph Ramkarran, who rubbished the strategy in his weekly column “Conversation Tree”.

Ramkarran, a political analyst, wrote that since the victory of the coalition Government in 2015, it has sought to promote the colour green. The colour as a matter of fact is also used for both the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC).

“It first started with school buses and school boats. Now, it is reported that school benches at some locations are being painted green. These were followed by the new, imposing fence at the Office of the President which itself, along with State House, have now fallen victim to the colour green,” he said.

According to the former Speaker, the designation of Guyana as ‘The Green State’ was not an accident. Ramkarran believes that dozens of other characterisations could have been formulated to define Guyana’s intended adherence to a strict environmental regime, details of which he said are yet to be announced.

However, the Attorney said it was believed that the selection of the term ‘The Green State’ had something to do with the party colour and the President’s obvious attraction to it.

And it is also believed that in the absence of any serious programme to implement ‘The Green State’, the President has decided to paint the entire country green, starting with the city. This, he said, is a demonstration of the

Ralph Ramkarran

Government’s commitment and a way of whipping up political support.

Ramkarran believes that further popularisation of the colour green will result in State House becoming known as ‘The Green House’, just as the residence of the US President which is painted white, is known as The White House and the presidential palace in South Korea is known as The Blue House.

He said it has also been rumoured that since the controversy over the State House being painted green, quiet orders could be issued for other Government buildings to be painted green.

“Parliament Building will be next because it is believed that the Speaker will offer no objection and will allow no debate because green is one of the component colours of the Guyana flag and such a colour cannot be the subject of debate, as the Speaker has ruled on a previous occasion,” he recalled.

Ramkarran said the next building that could go green was the High Court.

“The Government will believe that even if there is objection by the Chief Justice continued on page 24

24 news

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Important lessons to be learnt’ …Top Cop says Police should not have entered Parliament

D

ays after approximately one dozen ranks of the Guyana Police Force had barged into the Parliament Chambers to remove Opposition Parliamentarian Juan Edghill, acting Police Commission David Ramnarine has stated that the ranks “ought not” to have been in the Chambers.

In a statement on the recent events at Parliament, which has raised security concerns among Parliamentarians, the acting Top Cop assured that security around the Public Buildings remains intact.

In an attempt to physically remove Edghill from the Parliament Chambers, several of his colleague Opposition MPs were allegedly assaulted by the Policemen. A huge scuffle subsequently ensued between the ranks and the Opposition Parliamentarians, during which a few of the latter, including former Education and Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand, were reportedly punched and manhandled by male officers. Other female MPs

were also allegedly manhandled.

The ranks were then removed from the Chambers and, to date, it is unclear who had summoned the members of the GPF into the Chambers. Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, during a press conference after the incident had denied calling in the police to remove the Opposition Parliamentarian.

Moreover, the acting Top Cop has posited that while the presence of the Police ranks in the Chambers should not have happened, important lessons have been learnt from the incident. “(The) Police’s presence in the Chambers of Parliament, which ought not to have occurred, but it did, and important lessons have been learnt from such an unfortunate situation,” he noted.

Cops at media desk This incident was followed by the presence of two plainclothes ranks sitting among journalists at the media desk in the Parliament Chambers on Wednesday. Their presence caused much anxiety not only amongst reporters, but parliamentarians as well.

The acting Police Commissioner pointed out that those officers who found themselves “enjoying elite company” gave the distinct impression that the Police had not learnt anything from the previous incident, whereby a female dressed as Santa Claus invaded the Chambers while Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo was making his contribution to the 2018 Budget Debates on last Friday.

According to the Top Cop, the action of the two ranks further aggravated concerns of security breaches at Parliament.

He said “…the two young plainclothes Policemen were not

properly nor thoroughly briefed, and also did not follow the specific instructions given; for if they had, they would not have found themselves in the Chambers of Parliament.”

To this end, the seniors of these two ranks have been “admonished and reprimanded,” Ramnarine said.

Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, had told reporters that permission was given to have two undercover officers from the Special Branch along with two uniformed female officers in the public gallery at every Sitting of the House.

However, he noted that in addition to the officers not being permitted to sit at the press table, they were also improperly attired.

Santa invasion

Meanwhile, in regard to the Santa invasion incident, Ramnarine opined that it was nothing “more than just a prank”. He explained that the incident could not have been a security breach when enquires have found that the woman’s entry, regardless in whatever shape or form, was authorised.

It was reported that the female is the personal assistant of a Government Minister.

Singing woman

Furthermore, the acting Top Cop asserted that Thursday’s incident, in which an attendee in the Chamber began singing immediately after the House Speaker announced the lunch break, was really nothing near a security breach, since the woman in question was permitted to en-

ter the Public Viewing Gallery by security officials of Parliament Office Security.

The woman, who gave her name as Natalie McLennan, was seated in the Parliamentary Chambers behind the Government Ministers.

After Speaker Dr Barton Scotland had ended the morning’s session of consideration of the budget estimates, the woman started to sing “God is watching us”. She was immediately escorted out of the Chambers by security. The echo of her voice could be heard as she continued to sing the said song while being escorted out.

Nevertheless, Ramnarine said the Police Force, in collaboration with Senior colleagues in Sister Services, has reviewed and enhanced security arrangements in and around Parliament, and is satisfied that the security of Parliament in these times is assured.

However, he noted that law enforcement officials sometimes find themselves between a rock and a hard place; and in those situations, they have to contemplate, in a matter of seconds, the ‘dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t’ philosophy of preventive policing.

Govt’s ‘green agenda’ aimed...

from page 23

[ag], it wouldn’t really matter because the Chief Justice can have her view and the President can have his view. This being the governing philosophy in relation to the judiciary, the Government will obviously feel that even if the Chief Justice’s view were different to that of the President, it is the President’s view that will prevail.”

Next on the agenda, according to the former Speaker, will be a refurbished City Hall. He said there have been reports that the main ambition of the former Prime Minister and Mayor, Hamilton Green, was to paint the building green. He said back when “Hammie was a big power”, the colour green was synonymous with almost everything he wore and owned.

“His clothing, his pen, his ink, his vehicles, even his shoes. The rumour is that Hammie was so incensed that when his black hair started to change colour to grey instead of green, he shaved it all out in rage.”

Before the next election, which is due in 2020, Ramkarran said the entire city of Georgetown could become green, if not environmentally, then at least in colour, in line with Guyana’s green forests, green trees and green vegetation. This is something that the Government has been vigorously pursuing.

He said, “The Government believes that this colour revolution will inspire support because it would be one step closer to the achievement of ‘The Green State’. But most people in the city already support the Government. How then can the Government extend the green revo-

lution to other parts of the country, particularly where the Opposition holds sway?”

Ramkarran also hinted at the possibility of private building being painted in green as well, as Government may go as far as applying various sorts of persuasive techniques. “To obtain Government contracts, shop licences, customs waivers, drivers’ licences, ID cards, passports, and other concessions, owners of properties must first have all their buildings painted green,” he opined.

He continued, “Soon, the Government believes, all holdouts will eventually succumb to the green revolution. I am told that the Opposition has received information that all government buildings such as schools, local government offices, health centres will be painted green after Georgetown.”

However, while Guyana will be transformed to the point where many of its buildings would be green, Ramkarran believes that Government would keep a close eye on the Opposition’s policy of non-cooperation. “However, they believe that such a policy will fizzle out as it did in the 1970s. It sees the evidence in the budget debate. The Opposition has condemned the budget, but are still participating in the debate.”

Making reference to the chaos in Parliament, the former Speaker said the Opposition’s attempt to deal with the green revolution was in utter chaos, which was also likely to dissipate, just as the matter involving Opposition Member of Parliament Juan Edghill has slowly died down.

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

25

26

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

27

28

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

29

30 feature

D

ozens of wildlife species, which are likely new to science, have been discovered in the Kaieteur National Park (KNP) and Upper Potaro area in Guyana during a month-long expedition by a team of intrepid re-

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

searchers.

Some of these species found are thought to only occur in the Guiana Shield. These findings were among the most significant highlighted in a recent report released

by World Wildlife Fund Guianas and Global

Wildlife Conservation.

The report is the second in a series which aims to highlight Guyana’s incredibly rich biodiversity and represents the most recent broad-based floral and faunal assessment in this unique region.

Sunday Times

Magazine had previously published a general feature on the findings, but today we highlight the discovery of new plant species in the Potaro plateau.

Even though the Potaro plateau has been much better collected than most areas of Guyana, during a quick survey, researchers were able to find at least three new species of flowering plants (one Myrsinaceae and two Melastomataceae).

Additionally, five other species had not been previously collected in Guyana and several were not known from the Park or the Potaro plateau.

Noteworthy among these new records for the Potaro plateau are two species of Bromeliaceae previously only known from the type collections (Aechmea pallida and Brochinnia cataractarum) and probably photographed only for the first time. All of the new reports for the park or the Potaro plateau were from plants collected in

Aechmea pallida (Bromeliaceae), collected in the Murimuri basin, previously only known from the type collection in the Merume Mountains (Photo: FabiĂĄn Michelangeli)

the upper Potaro or the upper Murimuri basin, corroborating the fact that these areas should be the target for future collecting efforts.

During the survey, 11 species of Melastomataceae found had not been collected or reported for the Park or the Potaro plateau. This represents an increase of 16.67% on the number of species in this family reported for the area.

Notably, among

the collections of Melastomataceae are collections of Phainantha, a rarely collected group endemic to the Guiana shield; four species of Macrocentrum, a genus mostly restricted to the Roraima formation, one new species of Salpinga, and one new species of Boyania. The team was also able to collect three species believed to be endemic to the Potaro basin: Tococa continued on page 36

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com Entrance to Kako village

L

ocated in Region Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni) is the picturesque community of Kako. The village lies on the bank of the pristine Kako River.

This Akawaio community of over 700 residents still upholds its indigenous traditions.

Though residents speak

English, within the community they prefer to speak Akawaio in an effort to preserve their culture.

Kako means ‘jasper’ in Akawaio, the reddish stone found in the area.

Toshao of Kako village is Casey Hastings.

(Photos credit: Bassu Dwarkha)

Children off to school in Kako

Making cassava bread in Kako Scenic view of a landing closeby to Kako

feature 31

32

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

feature 33

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Donating essential supplies to needy families

H

ope Seals Guyana provides charity in the form of food, clothing, monetary support, and medical outreach to the less fortunate. It is the brainchild of Sonia Hutson, a Londontrained beauty specialist/ entrepreneur, and Lester Hutson, a nutritionist/entrepreneur.

“Some four years ago, I read an article of a young single mother of three children who was killed in her sleep by her brother who had earlier raped his niece while the mother was out reaping wild cabbage to feed her family. Her son was also killed when he tried to save his mom. Her two daughters were left motherless and abandoned. This article really moved my wife, Sonia, and she asked what we can do to assist these children. We decid-

ed as a family to reach out to the children through the welfare office in Linden and Ms Beckles.

Sonia always had a love for charity especially the children homes and occasionally the homes for the elderly, which inspired the start of Hope Seals,” Lester recalled in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

He added that the idea of putting together food items, clothing and money was quickly organised by himself and his wife and fellow business associates.

Hope Seals’ mandate is to support vulnerable families, single mothers and children. Every month for the last four years it has consistently given to 25 families in vulnerable communities millions of dollars in donations and has part-

nered with HAP (a US humanitarian assistance programme) and its New York Chapter. HAP has supplied footwear and OTC medicine for Hope Seals’ outreaches.

Hope Seals is a registered non -profit organisation with the Human Services Ministry. Its board consists of 13 members plus another 20 ordinary members. The board meets twice monthly to plan outreaches to different communities it identifies through social workers, churches, the ministry of social protection and other entities.

Most of the monthly outreaches are financed by the contribution of board members and donations from supporters.

The organisation’s objectives are to create opportunities for voluntary service by its members to the less fortunate and vulnerable people in our society through charitable outreaches; to raise funds through fund-raising activities, charitable donations of cash and kind from both local and overseas supporters, to help the organisation in carrying out its mandate of charitable outreach to the less fortunate and vulnerable people in our societies; to provide charity in the form of food, clothing, monetary support, and medical outreach to the less fortunate groups, such as single parents with children and the elderly; to set a positive example of selfless service and outreach through its members to its beneficiaries in order to create an

Boxes of food items are donated throughout the year

Both young and old of Hope Seals Guyana seek out those in need

uplifting and nurturing environment; and to ensure that all beneficiaries can have their basic need for food and clothing met and their human dignity preserved and protected.

“On DECEMBER 24, 2017 we plan to launch ‘Hope Seals Kids Blessing In A Bag’ where 50 children and 20 families from ‘Plastic City’, Ruimveldt Riverview and other areas will benefit from our outreach work.

This youth arm is led by Chelsea Hutson and other children of board members to meet the specific needs of children of vulnerable families who we meet on outreaches. Our motto is: ‘No Child Goes Hungry & Left Behind’,” Lester noted.

Additionally, he stated that the organisation plans to acquire a bus to provide mobile medical outreach services, and also to build a soup kitch-

en.

For more information, call 231-7512 or visit Hope Seals Guyana on

Facebook. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Team members ready to help vulnerable communities and individuals

34 feature

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Feed a Child for the Holidays

Just a few of the items distributed during Christmas 2016 A few team members distributing essential items to various children's homes last year

E

very year, the Feed a Child for the Holidays team endeavours to put smiles on the faces of children by giving their love, time and support.

This vibrant group of humanitarians enjoys giving back to their communities and spreading Christmas cheer.

Established in December 2007, Feed a Child for the Holidays is a private non-profit group dedicated to making a humanitarian effort to share the spirit of Christmas. The group endeavours to bring gifts, food items, basic necessities, encouragement and love to the less fortunate

Spreading Christmas cheer

children in Guyana.

Feed a Child for the Holidays objectives are to raise awareness of the plight of orphaned children in Guyana and to provide assistance – whether emotional, financial or physical – to under-privileged children, wherever they may be.

Tannylee Fung,

Schemel Patrick, Natasha Backer, Teisha Milner, Keisha Assanah, Rhonda Bourne, Maren Oxford, Dionne Cush and Alana Lowton are core team members determined to continue to spread joy and love to vulnerable children.

“This year, as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we hope to reach more children and to garner as much support. Our vision this year is to donate to 10 children’s homes in and around Georgetown, mostly homes we have partnered with over the decade we’ve been donating. We started out as a small group hosting parties for the orphan and vulnerable (OVCs) of Youth Challenge Guyana and over the years we have grown as we now engage more homes and partner with a number of humanitarians,” Schemel Patrick expressed in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

She added that over the past years, Feed a Child for the Holidays received tremendous support from a number of individuals and organisations and hopes this year is no different. Schemel encourages kind-hearted individuals to show random and simple acts of kindness, not only at Christmas but throughout the year.

“We have grown to identify ourselves as a sort of facilitator of spreading Christmas cheer. At Christmas, persons are always looking to participate in one goodwill activity or another, as an already established group, Feed a Child for the Holidays provides that platform for persons to make worthy donations to various children’s groups all in the spirit of giving,” Schemel noted.

Via its Facebook

page, Feed a Child for the Holidays invites benevolent citizens and organisations to donate. The charitable organisation welcomes essential supplies or for individuals and companies to sponsor a home, executing an activity or donating items of their choice. If you are desirous of contributing to one or more of Feed a Child for the Holidays’ activities, message, call or reach out to one of its members.

“Every year we are fortunate enough to make our contributions entirely from donations by public-spirited citizens and corporate Guyana. We think it is important that we express heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has assisted us in one way or another over the years. Our corporate sponsors over the years have been Germans Restaurant, Sterling Products Ltd., Edward B. Beharry and Company, Ansa McAL, Lasleek Fashions, DIGICEL Guyana, the Sticky Wicket Restaurant and Bar, Leading Edge Guyana and Massy

Distributions. We also partner with youth organisations, in the past we have partnered with the Guyana Girl Guides Association and the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) – Guyana.

The response is always overwhelming,” Schemel declared.

Since its inception, Feed a Child for the Holidays has donated/collaborated with Youth Challenge Guyana’s OVC programme, The Red Cross Convalescent Home, The Sophia Care Centre, The Drop-In Centre, The St. John’s Boscoe Home, St. Ann’s Home, Sophia Sparkle Youth Group, Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre and Help and Shelter.

For updates on its activities and information on how you can help, visit Feed a Child for the Holidays on Facebook or call 6875363 and 699-7704.

Apart from Christmas gifts, the group accepts food items, school supplies, basic necessities and clothing for children. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Preparing snacks for the children

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

w

I

feature 35

A Christmas Tradition Explained

Litany…

…Nagamootoo’s larwahs magine Nagamootoo giving the PNC the 11% to break out of its historic best — securing 42% of the votes to win the 2015 elections, and just getting a newspaper column (in the Chronic!!) for his efforts. Well, his old comrade, Donald Ramotar, did predict he’d get “larwah”!! And boy, did he ever get larwah; in fact, a whole litany of them!

Your Eyewitness doesn’t have space (or time) to go through the (sordid) list. And in any case, he wants to examine Nagamootoo’s column this week.

Captioned “A litany of lies”, it’s obvious he has “litany” on his mind!! And why not? Larwahs aren’t that easy to ignore!! And seems he can’t ignore Bharrat Jagdeo either! He claimed Jagdeo and the rest of the PPP are telling lies on him!! Awww…poor sod!

This brought to his mind, Nagamootoo said, that on a trip to the Rupununi, Cheddi Jagan expressed frustration about “congenital liars” in general, and one of his ministers being one in particular! Your Eyewitness would like to know if this was the same trip Jagan told him on a campaign stage in the Rupununi that he, Nagamootoo, was his (Jagan’s) designated heir!! There were at least a dozen persons on stage, but only Nagamootoo heard THAT promise!!

No wonder everyone concluded he was just using the great man’s name to feather his own nest.

But seriously, did it ever cross Nagamootoo’s mind (vacuous as it is!”) that Cheddi was ever so gently enquiring as to why he, Nagamootoo, was such a congenital liar??!!

But Cheddi was a fella who, when given lemons, didn’t bitch and moan; he just made lemonade! And with the inveterate liar Nagamootoo, what better use than put him in charge of “propaganda”!! Did Nagamootoo ever wonder why he never got a REAL Minister “wuk” from Jagan?

So, with this as background, let’s look at the lie Nagamootoo claims Jagdeo told on him — that he gets G$100 million annually. Nagamootoo’s being like Jordan, who claimed he didn’t lie when he answered in the negative the question, “Did the Government receive a US$20 million bonus from Exxon?” The reporter didn’t ask whether he’d received US$18M!!

Nagamootoo would not have Jagdeo so narrowly construe his income by restricting it to his salary — which in any case isn’t peanuts at G$22 million annually. Did he think the G$22 million spent on flying; the G$40 million on his accommodation at Main Street (with his AC/servants/meals/ gardeners / guards/outriders/cooks/etc., PLUS his G$20 million on his specially appointed SUV appeared like manna from heaven? It’s all money from the Government to Nagamootoo!

Shouldn’t Nagamootoo now be wondering what his PRESENT boss, Granger, is thinking about HIS Ministers who’re congenital liars?? …of mea culpas Awwww…isn’t he sweet? Well, that’s what Trotman would want you to think with his request for a reduction of powers conferred in the new Petroleum Act, wouldn’t he??!! And of course this has nothing to do with his posterior being in a sling for lying through his teeth on the Exxon bonus! Point of the matter: there’s only so much mediocrity that can be covered up under the Nassau Accord.

And when that’s combined with the very strong possibility that the mediocrity is combined with venality, then Trotman has very excellent reasons for pulling out all the stops for saving the aforementioned posterior! Your Eyewitness, of course, is alluding — ever so circumspectly — to the US$18 million bonus from ExxonMobil.

Not about breaking the law by hiding the payment — but the ridiculousness of a 3billion bbl field getting only a US$18 million bonus.

Expect more cute doggie tricks!! …of quibbling Min of Public Infrastructure, Patterson, rejects suggestions that the extra G$150 million requisitioned for the CJIA expansion isn’t worth it.

He pointed out that on the Arrivals Area, “the square footage will be higher than that of the original contract; the original contract was 14,347 sq. m while the final scope will be 14,430 sq. m.”

G$150 million for an extra 83 sq. m??

I

Why do we kiss under the mistletoe?

n romantic Christmas movies when couples are under the mistletoe they are compelled to share a kiss. This tradition, though mostly popular in the US, is becoming part of our local culture too. But why do we kiss under the mistletoe?

Kissing under sprigs of mistletoe is a wellknown holiday tradition, but this little plant’s history as a symbolic herb dates back thousands of years. Many ancient cultures prized mistletoe for its healing properties.

The Greeks were known to use it as a cure for everything from menstrual cramps to spleen disorders, and the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder noted it could be used as a balm against epilepsy, ulcers and poisons. The plant’s romantic overtones most likely started with the Celtic Druids of the 1st century A.D. Because mistletoe could blossom even during the frozen winter, the Druids came to view it as a sacred symbol of vivacity, and they administered it to humans and animals alike in the hope of restoring fertility.

Another famous chapter in mistletoe folklore comes from Norse mythology. As the story goes, when the god Odin’s son Baldur was prophesied to die, his mother Frigg, the goddess of

love, went to all the animals and plants of the natural world to secure an oath that they would not harm him. But Frigg neglected to consult with the unassuming mistletoe, so the scheming god Loki made an arrow from the plant and saw that it was used to kill the otherwise invincible Baldur.

According to one sunnier version of the myth, the gods were able to resurrect Baldur from the dead. Delighted, Frigg then declared mistle-

toe a symbol of love and vowed to plant a kiss on all those who passed beneath it.

Mistletoe’s associations with fertility and vitality continued through the Middle Ages, and by the 18th century it had become widely incorporated into Christmas celebrations.

Just how it made the jump from sacred herb to holiday decoration remains up for debate, but the kissing tradition appears to have first caught

on among servants in England before spreading to the middle classes.

As part of the early custom, men were allowed to steal a kiss from any woman caught standing under the mistletoe, and refusing was viewed as bad luck. Yet another tradition instructed the merrymakers to pluck a single berry from the mistletoe with each kiss, and to stop smooching once they were all gone.

36 feature

By Ashraf Dabie

A

popular adage states: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” For young actress Jemima Holmes this saying has been her inspiration as she pushes forward in her pursuits of a career in theatre, not only locally but on the international stage.

For this 19-year-old, her love for the performing arts began years ago as a result of her early exposure to theatre.

A mother and daughter tradition has taken Holmes to local annual comedy production, “The Link Show”, for as long as she can remember. Consequently, her interest in drama grew stronger, which propelled her on stage.

Her experience in dancing at Church and compiling stacks of poems during her pastime, the young actress received her long awaited debut during her secondary education at Queen’s College.

In 2012, Holmes, along with a group of friends, was given an

unexpected opportunity of representing their school at the first annual National Drama Festival. This experience, despite it being a major challenge, was a learning adventure for the young actress, which probably paved the way for the successes she enjoyed the years that followed.

A mere two years later, the determined artiste tried her hand at the very platform once again, and this time came closer to the prize, having gained two nominations at the National Drama Festival in 2014.

Shortly after, Holmes decided to take on theatre arts as one of her CSEC subjects, a decision that set her on the path of becoming the award-winning actress she is today.

Holmes was awarded her first ‘Best Actress’ title at Bishops’ High School during her first year of Sixth Form.

This was when Holmes took on the lead female role in the American farce, “Rumors”, as part of the school’s annual Inter-house Drama Competition.

Her

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

crowd-raving performance not only earned her the coveted title, but with the support of a power-packed cast, the production was adjudged the winning ensemble at that competition.

The year 2015 was definitely a fulfilling one for the young actress as she recorded yet another milestone after placing among the top 10 performers across the region at the first ever sitting of Performing Arts (Drama) at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

Several public appearances and noteworthy performances later, Holmes, after high school, was eager to make it big on her own, with the Nation Drama Festival being her most fitting opportunity.

Subsequently, she entered her debut production, “Tenement Yard”, and as a product of her writing and directing, the 19-year-old won herself the Best Actress award in the Debutant Category, proving that determination is the key to realising goals.

“I'd like to think that I'm just a simple person, but whenever I turn any space into a stage that changes.

When I decided to enter the Drama Festival last year, it was all for the kicks. It was my first time writing on my own. It was a truly humbling experience and I learned so much in such a short time,” Holmes said in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

This year the young actress returned to the stage to defend her title, and that she did.

Even after accomplishing one of her biggest goals and doing so twice in a row, the 19-year-old stated: “Winning this award two years in a row is more of a shock than anything else. I never expected to get an award. I hope yes, but I always try never to expect it.”

Holmes added that winning this year's award required “the hardest work” she has ever invested.

“This was because I was no longer in a space where I was with

Jemima Holmes

my school friends and I wasn't the one directing. However, I always try to leave my heart on the stage, and so far it has always worked well for me. I don't know for sure what I'll be doing in the future but I hope it's something drama related. I desperately want to study the-

atre on an international level, but that plan is on hold for now. What I'm sure of is putting myself out there more, not just with plays but my poems. And I know for sure that the next Drama Festival, I'm coming with more determination than ever,” Holmes declared.

New Plant Species Found in the Potaro...

from page 30

desiliens,Graffenrieda irwinii and Clidemia charadrophylla.

Other notable species of Melastomataceae restricted to the Pakaraima Mountains include Clidemia heptamera, Miconia magu-

irei, and Tococa aristata.

Four different species of myrmecophytic Melastomataceae were collected (Clidemia heptamera, Maieta guianensis, Maieta poeppigii and Tococa aristata), and a fifth one observed

(Tococa guianensis).

The research teams hope that their results will be utilised to the fullest to guide land-use planning at the national level, managers of protected areas, particularly of the Kaieteur National

Park, and community members and researchers to better understand the biodiversity of this area and to plan for its management.

The survey was done

in close partnership with the village of Chenapau; University of Guyana’s Departments of Biology and Agriculture, and Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences;

and Protected Areas Commission.

The full report can be accessed from www.wwfguianas.org (Guyanas Times Sunday Magazine)

Caamembeca spectabilis (Polygalaceae), found in the upper Murimuri basin in the Kaieteur National Park, is a rarely collected neotropical vine and represents only the second record for Guyana (Photo: Fabián Michelangeli)

Raveniopsis ruellioides (Rutaceae), a rarely collected plant in Guyana, usually restricted to the edges of fast moving rivers and streams (Photo: Fabián Michelangeli)

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Daft enough…

Y

…to believe the mouthed inanities? our Eyewitness verily believes he’s now heard it all! At his first press conference in two years, President Granger opined he didn’t “believe” placing the US$18 million “signing bonus” from Exxon into a specifically-created Bank of Guyana account – rather than the stipulated Consolidated Fund – was “illegal”. And why isn’t violating the controlling Art 216 of the Constitution not “illegal”?

“I would not do something that was unlawful,” Granger said with a straight face!!

Like the young George Washington, he evidently expects us to believe he can’t tell a lie and he is a living, walking exemplar of probity and rectitude!!

But in the next breath, to affirm his faith in the “legal competence” of Basil Williams to fulfil his role as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, absolutely rubbishes that claim! Williams, after all, has lost 90 per cent of his cases for the Government!

So, when the President goes on to say if his “legal team” says his act was “unlawful”, he’ll “correct it”, you know Guyana’s on a roundabout from which it can’t escape!! The problem is, in addition to being challenged legally, Basil Williams is obviously willing to tell the President whatever the latter wants to hear. Finally, he claims if the court rules the deposit in BoG is illegal, he’ll also comply.

But what your (curious) Eyewitness wants to know is now that the lid’s been blown on the “secret account”, wouldn’t those dastardly Venezuelans now KNOW (gasp!!) we had a “legal war chest” to pay the lawyers at the ICJ? Of course, going by the logic of Foreign Affairs Minister Greenidge, who said he advised the BoG secret stash, even though since the PPP Administration, Guyana’s been pushing the ICJ option the Venezuelans would’ve never suspected we’d put aside money to pay lawyers!!

Never mind Greenidge’s testimony on February 15, 2016 in Parliament asserted his government had already put aside G$200 million for such fees (under the Budgetary category “other”). Wouldn’t that titbit been known by the Venezuelans via their resident Ambassador? Naaah! But not so incidentally, whatever happened to that G$200 million? Wherever it was placed, shouldn’t it have been joined by the Exxon US$18 million, rather than invoking some non-existent “escrow account”??

If the G$200 million hadn’t raised “national security implications”, why should the US$18 million?? Since he reiterated he’s ultimately in charge of “national security”, could President Granger possibly enlighten the Guyanese people as to what quantum of money for international lawyers on the border controversy triggers “national security” concerns?

The President may want Guyanese to believe his naivety led to the secrecy on Exxon’s US$18 million.

But they’re not daft enough to fall for that line!! …on rigging?

Asked directly whether he plans to rig the 2020 elections, President Granger says he had “no intentions” to do so. While cynics may say, what else you’d expect the man to say, your Eyewitness’ doubts rise out of the President’s own words. Last month in Atlanta, speaking confidentially to the 5th Biennial Conference of the PNCR’s North American region, he said: “You have to ask yourself how did the PNC gain office in 1964. Ask yourself how did the PNC remain in office and what did it do during that period Ask yourself how the PNC regained office in 2015 and ask yourself how would the PNC retain office after 2020.”

The answers are: in 1964 the PNC gained office by coalescing with the UF and maintained power by rigging elections, while friending down the Opposition. In 2015 it gained office by coalescing with the AFC, which is now “dead meat”.

Guyanese would be daft not to suspect the PNC will once again rig elections to remain in office post 2020! …on Police cars?

The Police complain their salaries are abysmal.

Yet tints on SIXTY-FIVE police cars were removed?

Now where did these Police get the money to buy the cars, which can only be the tip of the iceberg?

Daft enough to believe THEY SAVED?

37

38

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

39

40

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

41

42

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

43

44

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

45

46 feature

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Preserving our literary heritage by Petamber Persaud

‘Junta: The Coup is On’ - A novel by Ken Puddicombe of the army acting under direct instruction of Captain Stevenson, against tiny groups of people seeking the return to civilian rule and the restoration of democracy, a group consisting of students of a university led by Melanie Sanderson, the pugnacious editor of a newspaper, Clarence Baptiste, and a reformist priest,

‘J

Father Bert, as it goes beyond the junta birthed in the wake of the coup as General Marks is supplanted by his protégé, now General Glen Stevenson. All of the above is set against the backdrop of Hurricane David which adds little to the suspense of the plot, but was a major player in further pauperising the less fortu-

The novel opens with the beginning of a coup as Marcus Jacobson, descendant of the planter class, returns to his place of birth to take up tenure of professor of history at the local university where the impetuous protagonist, Melanie Sanderson, former lover of Captain Stevenson and daughter of an ex-Premier who

triguing story is diluted by the interjection of more twenty back stories of major and minor characters, created by the author who, it seems, is obliged to make them all rounded characters.

Quite interesting is the author’s use of smoking as a motif - almost every character is a smoker, lending to the

nate while sparing the rich and fortunate few.

This political/romance thriller is set in Saint Anglia, an imaginary island in the Caribbean bearing many similarities to Guyana as people, places and events are invoked in the forms of Ricky Singh, Jim Jones, Rabbi Washington, Father Darke etc, even CARD (Crucial Action for the Restoration of Democracy) is not dissimilar to GUARD. Saint Anglia was a ‘peaceful place’ - sugar plantation economy thriving first on enslaved labour and then indentured labour - until after independence when the ugly head of racism, class and social injustice brought divisions to the surface in a way forcing everyone to take a side – a side for or against injustice.

The novel is divided into fourteen chapters with the first and second chapters introducing all the major characters while the next two chapters focused on the coup, accounting for one third of the book, and remaining pages deal with the junta’s struggle to hold on to power and subsequent supplanting of the leader from within.

was kicked out of office because he was white, is a student.

As the junta headed

by General Marks attempts to consolidate it stranglehold on power, it is met with opposition from various individuals and groups even as Professor Jacobson turns his back several times on invitations and promptings mainly

by Melanie to support the fight for the restoration of democracy. The resistance to the junta is answered with brute force damaging limbs and property, leading to bloodshed when a protest march exposes the junta for what it really is – an evil to society.

That evil is finally defeated but that is not the end of the story. The end of the novel is sort of tame (as is the beginning) with Professor Jacobson finally leaving the island and with Melanie Sanderson declaring that she may eventually recommence the relationship with Stevenson who is now General and new leader of the junta. All of this is sort of summed up in what Reverend Bert said, “No one is ever totally bad as no one is ever totally good.”

This seemingly in-

adages ‘where there’s smoke, there’s fire’ and ‘if you play with fire, you get burned’ as the reader finds out that many persons get burnt.

Interestingly too, the author accomplishes his own coup (de grace) by treating the reader to beautiful descriptive prose, impressive characterisations, the overt and covert activities of a newspaper and the interesting history of coups and the politics of the Caribbean.

“Junta: the Coup is On” is a welcomed addition to a short list of Guyanese and Caribbean political thrillers.

Responses to this author please telephone 226-0065 of email: oraltradition2002@yahoo. com What’s happening: Over GYD$1,000,000 in prize money up for grabs in the 2018 issue of The Guyana Annual.

New closing date for entries to the various competitions is January 15, 2018. For further information go to The Guyana Annual on Facebook or email: theguyanaannual@gmail. com (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Ken Puddicombe

unta…’ is more than a novel merely about a bloodless coup, executed by the military in a seemingly flawless plan headed by General Septimus Ignatius Marks, wrenching power from the legitimately elected government, as it goes beyond the coup

into the machinations of the junta to hold onto to power, at whatever cost, pitting its machinery of manufactured fear and military decisiveness backed by a gang of mercenaries/thugs, headed by The Reverend - a merciless criminal, carrying out the dictates - doing the dirty work -

feature 47

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

There’s no place like home

By Anu Dev

S

Adultery and bonus

atiricus was quite stirred by Prezzie’s first press conference in two years. But he was most intrigued by Prezzie’s answer to the question as to how he, Prezzie, would deal with the temptations of huge oil revenues corrupting his people. Prezzie replied, “God couldn’t confirm that His people wouldn’t be compromised by adultery. He gave Ten Commandments, and people are still compromised.”

As Satiicus wondered why Prezzie connected stealing money with “adultery”, he fell asleep and dreamt Prezzie answering the question in his Diary.

Dear Diary, Most people think with all the oil money thiefing starting already, being selected by God for this job, I should have stressed his 7th Commandment, “Thou shalt not steal,” or even the 10th Commandment, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s goods”, as the guideline my Ministers should adhere to. It’s clear the people remember The Jubilee Park; The Bottom House Warehouse; and the Ansa Contract, the Parking Contract, and all the other thiefing going on.

But what’s behind all the stealing and thiefing, Dear Diary, is the adultery being committed by my Ministers and assistants. They thief to pay for the adultery. As a military man, I have to distinguish between the proximate cause — the thiefing — and the ultimate cause — the adultery. So I have been preaching at Cabinet meetings the relevant Commandments: #6 “Thou shalt not commit adultery” and #10 – “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife”.

Both thiefing and adultery are sins of the flesh, Dear Diary, but adultery is worse. Remember, even a God-fearing President like Carta admitted he had “lusted in his heart”? And the less we talk about Clinten, the better. But to be honest, Dear Diary, I have a confession to make: I, too, have lusted — with my heart and loins — when I was young in the army.

Just like my namesake King David, who committed adultery with Bathsheba, for which his people are still suffering after the civil war it caused. And me?

David G.

By Pastor Haniff Bacchus

“N

ow when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:1-11.

LET’S GET A CLEAR PICTURE Matthew’s gospel describes the time of Jesus’ birth and subsequent events.

“Oh, but anyway Toto, we’re home! Home! And this is my room – and you’re all here! And I’m not going to leave here ever, ever again, because I love you all! And – Oh, Auntie Em, there’s no place like home!” – Dorothy, “The Wizard of Oz”

O

ver the past couple of weeks I’ve been wishing I had Dorothy’s red slippers so I could just click my heels and wake up in my own room. Since reading about Dorothy’s adventures in “The Wizard of Oz” I’ve gone through Tom Wolfe’s supposed more profound on the theme in his book which summarises his conclusion: “You can’t go home again”. And for what it’s worth, I still agree with Dorothy!

So now I’m finally home after three of the most gruelling weeks of my life. Heading into the final stretch towards my final MBBS exams in May, it seems that I’m being propelled forward by some mysterious force as things increasing get more hectic and fast-paced.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. For now I’m home. And I’ll be home for the next two weeks. Two glorious weeks of being home. I’ll be using that time to consume copious amounts of dhall, pickled mango, cook-up, and all of the other things I’ve been missing out on while I’ve been away.

Matthew was mainly concerned to write to his Jewish audience regarding the fulfillment of prophecies showing Jesus was the anticipated Messiah. We need to have a clear picture of the Bible story.

On the modern stage, we see three persons bringing three kinds of gifts to the baby in the manger. That is all done for convenience. The Bible does not tell us how many wise men. We know there were three categories of gifts, but not the quantity of each kind. From the way Herod enquired of the birth of the child and his instruction to slay the children up to two years, we know the wise men did not come to the stable to see a baby. The text says they came to a house and saw a young child. It is likely Mary and Joseph moved into a house and by the time the wise men arrived, the child was probably close to two years old. This means the special star lingered for a long period in the sky – an unusual phenomenon. It was God’s sign of that special birth. This is a thrilling story to read in the Bible.

THE WISE MEN ACTED ON THEIR CONVICTION. The wise men travelled far, over rough terrain and harsh desert conditions. They were determined to honor the newborn King who the stars portended. They believed the prophecies. Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Charles Spurgeon said, “A stir begins as

But being away has also given me a greater appreciation of home. I used to sigh exasperatedly when we had to sing national songs in school but I’ve caught myself on more than a few occasions randomly belting out “Born in the land of the mighty Roraima…” in my apartment. That’s a catchy one, that.

And I relish the moments when I encounter someone with some link to Guyana: no matter how tenuous that link, we’re going to get along just famously. And then there are the even better moments when I meet someone actually from Guyana. It’s all I can do to maintain my composure.

For me, one of those times ended up being something that I’ll keep with me for the rest of my life. I was still in paediatrics and I was interviewing this mother about why her son had to be brought to the hospital. We got to the part of the interview where we were discussing her pregnancy and the birth of her son when she mentioned that her son was actually born in

Guyana. And then she went on to say that she was actually from Guyana and that she had emigrated some years ago.

I’m sure at that point my expression was one of unbridled and unbounded joy. Another Guyanese? We ended up spending a long time talking. As another Guyanese living in Trinidad she also had to deal with all of the stereotypes Trinidadians have of Guyanese. They have so many negative stereotypes about us: about the way we’re SUPPOSED to speak, or how they EXPECT us to behave. I remember quite vividly we were on the wards one day and this patient was speaking in such broken English that she was almost incoherent. And somehow that seemed to make my house officer reflexively assume that the patient had to be Guyanese! So she asked the patient if she was Guyanese. The patient was Trinidadian, born, bred and raised. I’d be lying if I didn’t feel the tiniest bit vindicated. So when I met this Guyanese mother, it was so nice talking to someone else who has to

soon as Christ is born. He has not spoken a word; he has not wrought a miracle; he has not proclaimed a single doctrine; but ‘when Jesus was born,’ at the very first, while as yet you hear nothing but infant cries, and can see nothing but infant weakness, still his influence upon the world is manifest. ‘When Jesus was born, there came wise men from the east,’ and so on. There is infinite power even in an infant Savior.” The whole world celebrates Christmas. Followers of Christ must boldly take advantage of the season to proclaim who the Savior is and His love for lost people.

TRUE WORSHIPERS COME PERSONALLY. The wise men showed up. They took risks to present themselves before the Lord’s presence. We are not to send someone on our behalf or send our gifts. We must be committed to faithfully coming to the place where He expects us to be and offer our worship personally.

Let’s go to church.

TRUE WORSHIPERS GIVE APPROPRIATELY. They came prepared to offer something to their King. Their gifts were useful. They were symbolic of what the wise men believed the child to be. Gold is given to royalty. Frankincense is offered in worship to deity. Myrrh is used as perfume, medicinally for healing wounds, and also in embalming the dead. This gift represented the prophecy of His suffering (see Isaiah 53). What insight! Additionally, Mary and family needed support to travel to Egypt, maintain themselves there, and return again into Israel. What gifts do you bring for the King?

TRUE WORSHIPERS OFFER SINCERE WORSHIP. This was not about gift

deal with the same things on a day-to-day basis and how she copes with it and with being away from home. The conversation ended up being exactly what I needed to hear at the time.

Interestingly, during the past couple of months, I’ve noticed a shift in the way people in Trinidad talk about Guyana. There aren’t the usual snide comments about the Guyanese accent and questions about whether or not we have to use a wheelbarrow when we’re doing transactions at the bank. Now, it’s, “Guyana will be thriving.

Guyana really has a bright future ahead. Guyana will really develop with all of that oil money.” Of course, the assumption is that they, the Trinis, will be “helping” us develop!

But anyway, I digress.

I’m just so happy to be home, even if it’s just for a little while. There really is no place like home!

exchange. It was just plain giving in honor of the King. We give ourselves and all we have because of Who He is and because all belongs to Him. Let’s offer Him our best songs and our best gifts.

SATAN MOVES TO HINDER THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION Herod said he wanted to come and worship the Lord, but his motive was insincere. Herod was a picture of everything Satan is and wants to do. The devil did everything he could to stop the coming of the Messiah. In the Old Testament, Satan used Pharaoh to kill the Hebrew male children in Egypt. Then, he tried using Haman to exterminate the Jews in the time of Esther, but that failed.

The devil used Herod to slaughter the babies in Bethlehem, but Heaven watched over our Savior. Herod died, but the Baby lives forever. In our generation, Satan offers compromises and false teachings to distract people from the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. If he could diminish our faith in God, he could leave us afflicted and impoverished. Remember Jesus came to save people.

JESUS WILL COME AGAIN We will worship the King of all Kings and boldly declare Jesus is the Savior of the world until He returns for His own.

Take your family to church this weekend.

Pastor Haniff Bacchus Calvary Assembly of God 102-07 Rockaway Blvd, Ozone Park, NY 11417 Tel. 718-659-4500 www.calvaryozone. org

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Rani Mukerji: Didn’t miss being away from screen

A

fter embracing motherhood in 2015, Bollywood star Rani Mukerji decided to step away from the movies. Even though her fans missed her on the screen, the actor was busy enjoying her new role as a mother.

In fact, Rani, who is gearing up for the release of her next film Hichki, believes motherhood has turned her into a fitter and fresher person and it will reflect on screen when people will watch her in the theaters from February 23.

At the trailer launch of Hichki, when asked if the gap between her last release Mardaani and the new film hurt, the actor said, “No! See I am back looking younger, better and fresh after having a baby. I would not complain about it at all.”

“Of course, the fans did complain but I’m sure they are reasonable enough to understand that when you have a baby—unfortunately, if men had babies we would be free to go about with our jobs. But it’s not like that. We cannot fight nature.”

Rani Mukerji, who welcomed daughter Adira with husband Aditya Chopra in 2015, said besides the physical effects, motherhood brings with it a lot of emotional changes and she wanted to experience them fully before facing the camera again.

“As a woman, you undergo a lot of changes when you become a mother.

It’s not only physical but a lot of emotional changes which come into your life. You give birth to a life. You are responsible for it. Every single girl, who becomes a mother experiences motherhood in different ways. There are women, who come back to work in three months and there are some who come back after 10-15 years.

“Emotionally I’ve gone through a very different phase after having my child. I can only tell you that it has been very enriching, fulfilling and loving. I’ve come back with a lot of love.

Now when I see mothers, parents, my heart goes out to them because I’ve been through that myself. I have not missed being on screen. Thanks to my husband who is in the same profession, I didn’t feel away from it at all,” said Rani. (Indian Express)

Chhuri review: It’s no Chutney but the 12 minutes spent watching was worth every second

A

wife who knows her husband is cheating on her with a much younger woman is probably not the most original concept for the story but if done with the right elements, it still engages viewers. Tisca Chopra starrer Chutney (2016) had a similar concept and really hit the nail on the head when Tisca leaves the other woman in shock with her subdued confession.

This year Tisca Chopra is back with another short, Chhuri. With Surveen Chawla and Anurag Kashyap starring alongside Tisca, this 12 minute short film delivers its message without being clever.

Directed by Mansi Jain, Chhuri is the story of a wife who is tired of her husband’s affairs and decides to settle scores with his mistress. But this does not involve any threats or harsh words, the wife just wants to set a schedule for her kids so she humbly suggests a compromise.

Now here’s the thing about short films, since they have a short duration, there isn’t much investment on our part in terms of time and this is the kind of

content that entertains us without any monetary investment as well.

With Chhuri, director Mansi maintains a tight narrative where you don’t know how the protagonist is going to react to her husband’s affair. Will she plead or will she engage in a verbal spat? But the way she deals with the mistress is cold, brutal and makes the viewer laugh a little since the cheating duo is caught off-guard.

Surveen Chawla plays the role of a woman who is unabashed about her choices in life but still holds a moral compass. Anurag Kashyap doesn’t have much screen time here but his performance towards the end makes you laugh out loud at the situation.

Chhuri is no Chutney, that got a lot of acclaim for Tisca’s look as well, but it surely is worth your while. Tisca could seriously consider making a lot of shorts on the subject as they string together with a common thread and we would surely be glad to watch it like a series. (Indian Express)

Romancing Salman Khan and Aamir Khan onscreen is wonderful: Katrina Kaif Ileana D’Cruz: Will do television

if it gives me good content

A K

atrina Kaif is a self-proclaimed fan of romances, and says the genre becomes more exciting when she has co-stars like superstars Salman Khan and Aamir Khan, with whom she shares a great rapport both on and off the screen. Kat is currently awaiting the release of Tiger Zinda Hai, which brings her and Salman back together after five years and also gearing up for her next film Thugs of Hindostan co-starring Aamir. She was all praise when asked about her working chemistry with both the stars.

Talking about reuniting with Salman in Tiger Zinda Hai, Katrina said, “So, it has been five years since ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ released. It’s an incredible story (of ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’). I think Ali (Abbas Zafar, the film’s director) has taken the story forward in an amazing way. It has been really fun, every day on set with Ali and Salman.

It has been really wonderful, the whole experience of filming it has been really nice.”

Salman and Katrina were allegedly dating for a few years before breaking up in 2009. The two first worked together in Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya in 2005, which was also Katrina’s third Bollywood film. Kat said their equation has only evolved with time and today they hold each other in high re-

gard. “Salman and I know each other for quite some years (laughs). Let’s put it like that. It has been a few years now and I think we share a really great equation and there’s a lot of respect between each other. So, I think that’s great,” she said.

As for romancing Aamir, with whom the actor did blockbuster film Dhoom 3, Katrina said, “I love romance as everyone does. Romancing people as wonderful as Aamir and Salman is wonderful.”

Katrina made the comments while interacting with the media at the red carpet of Zee Cine Awards. She also spoke about her upcoming film with another superstar, Shah Rukh Khan. The yet-untitled film is being directed by Anand L Rai, and also stars Anushka Sharma.

Katrina, who will resume its filming in February, couldn’t stop gushing about her director. “Anand L Rai is a wonderful director. It is really amazing working with him, he is so loving as a director. He makes his actors feel they are the most important things in the film and that really helps you perform it. He gives you so much time and he gives you that incredible space in which to work in. I really loved working with him on the last schedule,” she said. (Indian Express)

ctor Ileana D’Cruz says she will work on the small screen provided the content is challenging and different.

Asked if she would like to try the small screen, Ileana told IANS over the phone from Mumbai, “I’ve always been someone who has worked with good content and I like to do so, hence it doesn’t matter to me. If TV gives me good content, I’ll do it. If it’s challenging and pushing me to do something different then why not?”

Ileana’s film Mubarakan will be premiering on Sony MAX on Saturday.

She says she is looking forward to people watching it.

Asked if she feels TV helps in connecting with a wider audience, she said, “I’m really not sure about that but I do know that sometimes watching a

film in the theatre is a different experience and sometimes we just want to sit back and watch the movie…”

What is she expecting out of the television premiere of the film? “I think it will be just as good, if not better because it’s a film which you can keep watching over and over again. I love the fact that it’s coming on TV, for everyone who has not watched it yet,” she added.

Directed by Anees Bazmee, Mubarakan also stars Athiya Shetty, Arjun Kapoor and Anil Kapoor. After Baadshaho, Ileana will be once again seen reprising her sizzling chemistry with Ajay Devgn in her upcoming film Raid. Helmed by Raj Kumar Gupta the film is set to hit the screens in March next year. (Indian Express)

Taimur Ali Khan celebrates first birthday

O

ne of the cutest babies in tinsel town, Taimur Ali Khan has turned one today. The youngest Nawab is at the Pataudi Palace in Haryana with mommy Kareena Kapoor Khan and daddy Saif Ali Khan to celebrate his first birthday. Accompanying

him are his other aunts, uncles and cousins from both the Kapoor and Pataudi clan. While the handsome child is receiving a lot of love from his many fans on social media, it is his ‘maasi’ Karisma Kapoor who is giving a sneak peek into his private birthday cel-

ebrations.

Karisma posted a photo of the parents of birthday boy Taimur as they looked deep into each other’s eyes while he was busy playing with his toy. “#taimursfirstb irthday#birthdayfun ,” wrote Karisma. Kareena and Saif looked extremely happy as they celebrated the first birthday of Taimur. He was born on December 20, 2016. The traditional cake cutting photo of baby Taimur with Saif and Kareena has also surfaced on the fan pages of the youngest superstar of Bollywood.

(Indian Express)

Hollywood 49

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron Angelina Jolie feels ‘a sense and others perform first of responsibility’ for all people live movie commercial

T

he Greatest Showman has been making a buzz for a while now, even though it has been buried in much bigger releases. The film marks Hugh Jackman’s return to the screen after his fantastic performance in the not-so-superhero movie Logan. Apart from that, the film has already had a limited release and received accolades.

The Greatest Showman is based on real-life characters and events.

Hugh Jackman plays

the role of 19th century American showman PT Barnum who found the famous travelling circus called Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus after a life of impoverishment.

We have already seen the two trailers. Now the makers have upped the ante by making the cast of the film perform the trailer of the film live on stage (just like circus performers, mind you) and it is as mesmerising as one would expect. The official handle of the film tweet-

ed the trailer on Twitter along with the text, “It’s showtime! Watch now as @RealHughJackman, @ Zendaya, @ZacEfron, and @kealasettle perform the world’s first LIVE movie commercial for The #GreatestShowman ! In theaters December 20.”

The trailer, even if performed on stage, has the intensity and drama of the cinematically edited trailer. One cannot imagine how many rehearsals must have gone into this performance.

It is flawless. If all goes well, this sounds like another win for Hugh Jackman, the actor who has risen to become one of the top leading men in Hollywood. Which reminds us of the character he is playing, Barnum, who rose from poverty to create something new that sent shock-waves across the show business industry. (Indian Express)

H

ollywood actor Angelina Jolie feels that she has “a sense of responsibility” towards people “all around the world”, as she was awarded with a humanitarian award from the UN Correspondents Association Awards.

While accepting the award, the 42-year-old actor revealed that she always strives to be a “global citizen”, reports Contactmusic.com.

Whilst she believes the term still makes her an American at heart, she can also connect with people across the world.

She said, “It is being suggested by some people today that to consider yourself a global citizen is to care less for your country, to be insufficiently patriotic. We’ve been led to believe that international institutions and treaties, commitments on human rights built over generations, are a straightjacket upon the interests of individual countries. As

if the only way for any nation to rise is at the expense of others. like everyone here, I love my own country.”

“I am proud to be American. But I also feel a sense of responsibility towards all other people all around the world fighting for the freedoms that we are very lucky to have secured years ago.

And for me, this is what it means to be a citizen of the world: seeing yourself in the struggles of others,” she added.

The Maleficent star also thanked the United Nations staff who rou-

tinely serve under difficult conditions and every kind of danger because they believe in and value every refugee life.

She also took a moment to address her privilege as an actor which has made it possible for her to work with the UN alongside having a large family, as she noted that many of her female colleagues “have been unable to have a family because of the dangerous places they have worked for years on end and the sacrifices they have made.” (Indian Express)

Will Smith: We talk about overarching social ideas of mistreatment in ‘Bright’

F

lipping the social perspective, the David Ayer-directed movie Bright features popular Hollywood actor Will Smith as a racist black police officer who has reservations against working with a rookie cop, who is an Orc (played by Joel Edgerton).

“I loved the idea and the social shift of an African American police officer who is a racist.

It was such an interesting flip to explore the world from that perspective. Just the psychological perspective of superiority — it was fun to play that,” said Smith.

Along with the Bright team, Will Smith is touring São Paulo, Los Angeles, London, Mumbai and Tokyo in just nine days to promote his latest movie, a futuristic action-thriller. He stopped by in Mumbai on Monday. Talking about Bright, which is more like a racial allegory that touches upon a string of social issues such as diversity, Smith said, “Anytime you’re creating

something, you can’t help but the world makes its way into the art. So here we didn’t talk about it specifically in those terms, but we talked about the overarching, social ideas of mistreatment and just how poorly we treat one another.”

Bright, which is set in an alternate world where humans co-exist with Orcs, elves and fairies, will be available on Netflix from December 22.

Though peppered with fan-

tastical elements, Bright is a look at the multiple social prejudices of the present world.

“What I realised is that it’s not just racism, it’s all of the ‘isms’ — racism, sexism, classism and nationalism — that are an individual’s or a group’s ego struggle for comparative superiority. Everybody wants to feel like they are better than somebody. Even a fight against racism is laced with an individual’s need to feel supe-

rior,” said the rapper-turnedHollywood star and added that he had not looked at it this way earlier. Smith first tasted success in showbiz in the early ’90s with the television show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and this was followed by his major big screens outings such as Six Degrees of Separation (1993) and Bad Boys (1995).

The experience of making Bright also for the first time made him realise “the negative” reaction to the word “diversity”.

What’s his reaction to the deep-rooted exploitation in the film industry that the Harvey Weinstein episode has exposed? “To me the whole situation has been bizarre. I have a 17-year-old daughter (Willow) who grew up with men that she trusts and doesn’t even comprehend the idea of predatory behaviour. For me, I’ve been talking about it for a while as all these things have been coming up. I’m like ‘I don’t know these guys’, as I’m

hearing some of the things that people will do. Like, I just don’t know who will do that. I don’t know if I’m naive but to schedule a meeting with someone and the person shows up and you’re in a bathrobe. I have a lot of male friends but I just don’t know those guys,” said the actor.

This is Smith’s third trip to Mumbai. One of the things he regrets not being able to add to his schedule was a visit to Akshay Kumar’s home this time. “One thing I love about India is the food at Akshay’s, that’s literally the best food I’ve ever had,” Smith said. His India connection runs deeper than that. “I’m about 90 per cent through the Bhagavad Gita right now. To be reading it and to be here in this country, I feel like my inner Arjuna is being channelised.

I’m going to Rishikesh soon.

I’m definitely going to spend a lot more time in this country,” the 49-year-old added. (Indian Express)

Ocean 8’s first trailer promises suspense, drama and fun T

he first trailer of Hunger Games director Garry Ross’ Ocean’s 8 is out, and to say that the movie looks promising would be an understatement.

The con drama will return to theaters next year, but with an all-female main cast.

In the two-and-ahalf minute trailer, we are introduced to Debbie

Ocean, played by the talented Sandra Bullock.

Debbie is Danny Ocean’s sister. Danny was played

by George Clooney in the earlier installments of the franchise.

The trailer opens with Debbie pleading her case for parole, where she confesses to the officer that she just “wants to pay her bills.”

Well, it looks like the cop

brought what Debbie (Sandra’s character) was selling as in the next

cut of the trailer, she is seen approaching Cate Blanchett, Rihanna,

Helena Bonham Carter, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina and Mindy Kaling’s characters to help her pull off an heist at New York City’s yearly Met Gala.

Anne Hathaway is introduced as Daphne Kruger, whose precious diamond necklace is under threat, thanks to the aforementioned gang of girls. Actor and popular

host James Corden also makes an appearance as a ‘friend’ of Debbie.

Basically, the stage is set for the biggest con drama of next year.

Except this time, things will take a sassier turn with the ladies. Bring it on, we say!

The movie will release worldwide on June 8, 2018. (Indian Express)

50 sport

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

“Chanderpaul’s Guyanese boxers return after successful CBC presence always inspiring” – Hercules

A

A

Ryan Hercules (left) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (right) after lifting the 3-day title last October

ssistant coach/ manager of the Essequibo Franchise team Ryan Hercules stated that veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul presence was always inspiring and attributed that to Essequibo emerging

champion in the 2017 Guyana Cricket Board three-day round-robin tournament.

In an exclusive interview with this publication on Wednesday, the former Guyana under-19 fast-bowler Hercules, informed that the en-

tire side was able to jell around him and with his constant advice on a regular basis, the players drew great motivation.

“I just think everyone took advice from Shiv and also inspired by his presence; everyone continued on page 51

The fantastic four! from second left: Colin “Superman” Lewis (Gold), Keevin Allicock (Gold), Joel “Stone” Williamson (Silver) and Desmond Amsterdam (Gold) at the Eugene F Correia International Airport on Monday night. also in photo is GBA President Steve Ninvalle (left)

fter capturing three gold medals and a silver medal in St Lucia at the Caribbean Developmental Boxing Championships (CBC) over the last weekend, Guyana’s quartet of boxers returned home on Monday night with their symbols of hard work.

The quartet did Guyana proud as was expected with Bantamweight Keevin Allicock securing gold along with Middleweight Desmond Amsterdam and Colin “Superman” Lewis while Joel “Stone” Williamson missed out on gold but managed silver.

Upon his return, Commonwealth Youth Games silver medalist Keevin Allicock exuded confidence. “First of all I want to thank God for me coming out victorious, it was a wonderful experience going to the championships. I saw a lot of great fighters, a lot of different styles, it was a wonderful experience,” Allicock revealed.

The Commonwealth Youth Games silver medalist also pointed out that prior to his final bout with Bajan opponent Ajayi Jones; he studied his fighting style.

“I never fought him before, I studied some of his moves, saw him training but I kept praying because I never fight with fear, I have God with me at all times. I was confident ahead of the fight, I knew I would medal because that’s what I trained for.”

The tenacious young boxer also revealed that had Guyana been able to send more boxers, they would have been able to retain the CBC title.

“Not to boast but our (Guyana’s) level of boxing is superior to the rest of the Caribbean, if we had more boxers there (in St Lucia) we would have won more gold medals.”

Meanwhile, CBC Middleweight gold medalist Desmond Amsterdam who retained his title maintained that he was very proud of his achievement.

Team Grenada was crowned champions after dominating the championships with 18 medals en route to their maiden title.

Following the Spice island were Barbados in second, defending champions Guyana in third and hosts St Lucia fourth.

Sport 51

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

IPL auction to be held on January 27, 28 T he 2018 IPL auction will be held on January 27 and 28, in Bangalore. That means the mega auction will coincide with the final two days of India's third Test on the tour of South Africa; Virat Kohli's team is scheduled to play the final Test of the South Africa tour from January 24-28 in Johannesburg.

ESPNcricinfo understands that the IPL has asked all eight franchises to submit their final list of retained players

by January 4. The IPL is likely to finalise the pool of players who will be up for auction around January 18.

At the IPL Governing Council (GC) meeting, held on December 6, one of the members had expressed reservations about the auction clashing with the Johannesburg Test.

Also some of the franchises were interested in seeing how the do-

Captains of the various teams pose for a photo op before the beginning of the tenth Indian Premier League extravaganza. (Deccan Chronicle file photo)

mestic players fared in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (India's domestic Twenty20 competition), which ends on January 28, ahead of the auction.

The GC had also approved the retention

“Chanderpaul’s presence always... from page 50

knows about his status and they used it to bring out good work,” Hercules revealed.

This year marks the second edition in succession for the eightteam tournament, and Hercules quickly said any team would have loved to have someone like Chanderpaul in their team to vie for top honours. “ O b v i o u s l y , Chanderpaul has achieved a lot and now giving back to the game by still playing actively is tremendous; we welcomed him and he was willing to share his knowledge and teach us whatever he could have, so we are indeed indebted to him,” the 29-yearold Hercules related.

D u r i n g Chanderpaul’s two matches, this memorable year for the Cinderella County lads, he phenomenally scored 116 and 91 and ensured the Essequibians did not lose either.

“That was the kind of expectations from Chanderpaul, he came in immediately stamped his authority; he wanted to contribute and his presence felt so it was also a great delight to see him making that impact,” Hercules, who featured at under-15 nationally for Guyana as well, mentioned.

Hercules expressed satisfaction with the total’s team effort and

the level of dynamism in their seven allotted matches and is confident they can make the same impression in the limited-over version which is currently playing.

“Yes, Shiv made a major impact in the three-day format, but the advice he left for us to transfer into the oneday tournament are equally motivational and we are inspired and pumped-up to win this as well,” the Essequibian Hercules, who plied his trade for several years in England at County level, asserted.

Hercules has now taken over the Head coach position replacing Michael Hyles. Hercules also thanked the players who performed outstandingly well and uttering that they deserved the title this year from Lower Corentyne.

Left-arm spinner Anthony Adams had a prolific season soaring to be the leading wicket taker with 53 victims and that a manifestation of the player’s eagerness to churn out exceptional performances.

Hercules convinced that several other players proved their talent and will continue to do great things, not only for Essequibo but Guyana and possibly West Indies.

Players like Ricardo Adams, Keemo Paul among others were mentioned. (Ravi Madholall)

rules at the same meeting. Franchises have been allowed to retain a maximum of five of their existing players through a combination of player

retention before the auction and the use of rightto-match cards during the auction.

The IPL also set a salary cap of INR 80

crore (US$12.4 million approx) for every team, and made it clear that franchises will need to spend a minimum 75% of the purse.

Of the five players, a franchise can retain a maximum of three through retention in the lead up to the auction, and a maximum of three through right-to-match cards during the auction. If a franchise does not retain any player before the auction, it can still retain only three using right-to-match cards.

A right-to-match card gives the franchise the ability to buy back its player during the auction by matching the highest bid made for the player by another franchise, once the bidding is over.

The other restrictions on player retention are: a maximum of three capped Indian players can be retained, and only two overseas players and two uncapped Indian players can be retained.

52 sport

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

“2018 a year for golf Conditions hampered Windies evolution” – Hussain batting approach: Law

N

ewly elected President of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), Aleem Hussain promised an aggressive start to 2018 while confirming that plans are in place to turn the facility into a fullfledged Country Club.

During last Saturday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), in an uncontested election, Hussain and his new executive body were appointed to oversee the Club’s future for the next one-year term. Hussain’s new team features; Paton George (VicePresident), Chatterpaul Deo (Captain), Pandit Ravi Persaud (Secretary), Aasrodeen Shaw (Treasurer), Parmanand “Max” Persaud (Asst. Secretary/ Treasurer), Anasha Ally (Public Relations Officer) and Mike Gayadin (Head Grounds Superintendent).

Regarding the Club’s plans for 2018, Hussain said that numerous initiatives are at the forefront of the planning, revealing that the big move was to turn the club into an official country club which will offer; 5-star meals, a high-end bar, excellent dining and recreational facilities, ideal for wedding receptions, functions and more.

All the aforementioned amenities are expected to go along with the lavish course which according to the President “will be play-

LGC President Aleem Hussain is foreseeing a new path for golf

able 365 days a year.”

It was hinted that while the physical building will be remodeled, the outer parts are expected to undergo changes which could see; mini-waterfalls, fishes, fauna and other plants being used as eye-candy for the club.

While the Fairways at Lusignan have been kept in brilliant conditions over the years, Hussain said that it was thanks to MACORP who have been providing equipment to assist in the maintenance of the greens, which have made it even more possible to keep the course playable; even in the event of inclement weather.

Following a successful Guyana Cup Open 2017, which for the first time featured the inclusion of schools in the tournament, the LGC according to Hussain will now take it a step further as they plan to apply themselves into the academic systems by ful-

ly targeting universities and schools on a weekly basis.

Hussain further confirmed that with the landscape of golf slowly being remodeled, he plans to open the doors of the LGC to the public. He believes that with more emphasis being placed on golf, it will be easier for more persons to follow the sport and inevitably join the club, thus strengthening Guyana’s reputation as a powerhouse.

Furthermore, it was confirmed that three major tournaments will highlight 2018 with the Guyana Open Cup 8 expected to surpass the previous editions. Hussain also believes that with the local golfers setting the benchmark over the years with pros like Avinash Persaud winning a record 8 times, more golfers will be able to improve their games and help keep Guyana on the map.

The Club Head credited Persaud for keeping Guyana at the head of the line and making the Country one of the most difficult to beat as Guyana’s participation ahead of an early 2018 assignment in French Guiana, was requested. Meanwhile, Hussain said that 2017 is expected to sign off with a bang as plans are currently in place to stage one final tournament before the year officially concludes.

W

HANGAREI, New Zealand (CMC) Head coach Stuart Law believes conditions here Wednesday played a key role in his side's five-wicket loss to New Zealand in the opening One-Day International of the three-match series.

Sent in, the Caribbean side mustered just 248 for nine off their 50 overs at Cobham Oval, which the hosts easily chased down with 24 balls remaining.

Law said the pitch had not been as easy for the Windies to navigate batting first, following early morning rain in the area.

“We would have liked to have bowled first as well,” the Australian told reporters.

“Whether or not the wicket got damp through the covers … it was certainly a tackiness to the surface when the game started. I looked at halftime and it was bone dry.”

He continued: “You would have liked an even contest, not taking anything away from New Zealand at all.

“We saw our opening batters – they're pretty good strikers of a cricket ball – they were having trouble locating it, which means the wicket was doing something. We didn't see that this afternoon [when New Zealand batted].”

Sent in, the Windies had an unusually slow start with top-scorer Evin Lewis and veteran left-hander Chris Gayle adding 40 from 61 balls for the first wicket.

The left-handed Lewis stroked an attractive 76 with seven fours and a six but was not at his fluent best, requiring 100 balls for his knock.

His dismissal in the 36th over saw the Windies slump to 201 for eight before Rovman Powell, who struck the ball cleanly for 59 off 50 balls, rallied the innings late on.

Law said while the left-hander had not been able to explode, the innings had been a crucial one for the side.

“He was circumspect with the deliveries he attacked,” Law pointed out.

“He's a wonderful striker of a cricket ball.

Today he wasn't able to be as free as he would've liked but he showed some class. He showed the ability to get through some really tough times, to build an innings, and then unfortunately given out lbw when he was set, ready to continue that partnership with Rovman Powell.

“Those two can score very quickly once they get going and 15-20 an over is not out of the question with those two.”

After watching West Indies muff difficult chances to break the rollicking 108-run opening stand between top-scorer George Worker (57) and Colin Munro (49), Law said it was imperative his side begun to capitalise on these opportunities.

“We do tend to miss out on the half chances and look, a half-chance is a difficult one, but we've got to start taking those if we've got to compete and beat teams like New Zealand – teams that are above us.”

West Indies take on the Black Caps in the second ODI in Christchurch on Saturday.

Windies rue poor batting as New Zealand wins first ODI

W

HANGAREI, New Zealand (AFP) — New Zealand cruised to a five-wicket win over the West Indies in the first one-day international on Wednesday as the tourists' batting line-up failed to perform.

The return of Chris Gayle could not spark the West Indies, with the short-form master managing only 22 as his team struggled to 248-9 after losing the toss and being sent in to bat.

The Black Caps always looked comfortable chasing the modest total, overhauling it with four overs remaining at Whangarei's Cobham Oval.

West Indies skipper Jason Holder said his side needed to be "a lot better with the bat" as they chase their first ODI series win in New Zealand since 1995.

"It was tough, I didn't think we had enough runs," he said. "We kept losing wickets at crucial stages of the game and never really gathered momentum.

"That obviously hampered us today and we've just got to correct it."

There were some bright spots for the Windies, with opener Evin Lewis notching a classy 76 and Rovman

The return of Chris Gayle could not spark the West Indies

Powell staging a pugnacious rearguard action to score 59 off 50 balls.

Gayle — fresh from notching a record 18 sixes in the Bangladesh Premier League T20 final — had an uncharacteristically subdued innings.

He fell victim to resurgent New Zealand paceman Doug Bracewell, who was named man of the match after celebrating the end of a 15-month exile from the national team by claiming four wickets for 55.

Bracewell had fallen out of favour with New Zealand Cricket after a string of off-field incidents, including a drinkdriving conviction earlier this year.

The 27-year-old was called up as a last-minute replacement for Colin de

Grandhomme after the all-rounder ruled himself out of the series following his father's death.

"For him to come back and perform the way he did, taking some big scalps for us, was outstanding," said captain Kane Williamson.

Spinner Todd Astle also contributed three for 33 in his ODI debut as the Black Caps attack maintained constant pressure with the ball.

New Zealand opening batsmen George Worker and Colin Munro laid the foundation for the hosts' chase with a 108-run partnership.

Worker finished on 57 and Munro 49 as New Zealand's top order all made starts, with Williamson contributing 38 and Ross Taylor unbeaten on 49.

The loss leaves the West Indies yet to register a win on their New Zealand tour after a 2-0 whitewash in the Test series.

They are in a form slump that has seen them win only three of 17 ODIs contested in 2017.

The next fixture in the three-match ODI series is in Christchurch on Saturday.

Williamson and paceman Tim Southee will be rested for the second and third matches.

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

53

54

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24 , 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

55