Guyana Times International June 6, 2019

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‘Blame

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019

ISSUE NO. 452

See story on page 3

yourselves’

… Jagdeo roasts APNU/AFC Govt for constant power woes …says Amaila project would have solved problem

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch, greets the first-born child of Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, as his wife looks on during Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations at Ali’s residence at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD) on Wednesday

Controversy swirls over PM’s directive to reinstate Duncan Page 10

...Trotman says dismissal was too harsh

US House passes legislation offering immigrants pathway to citizenship Page 5

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Blame yourselves’ … Jagdeo roasts APNU/AFC Govt for constant power woes …says Amaila project would have solved problem

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has laid the blame for the current power woes in Guyana squarely at the feet of the APNU/AFC Government, and President David Granger in particular, whom he said failed to heed the advice of experts to forge ahead with the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project.

He said that due to the fact that generating capacity has been neglected under this Administration, despite his warnings, trouble will occur as it relates to the ability to provide reliable electricity for citizens of Guyana.

Jagdeo, at his weekly press conference on Thursday, said that the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project was the ideal alternative and instead of recognizing this, the APNU+AFC Government is bent on moving ahead with wind power,

an alternative that is not feasible or efficient in addressing the constant power outages in Guyana.

“How many times are we going to say this? Buying wind power even if it is feasible and it is not corrupt, even if it was a clean contract, wind power is not buying capacity, it is buying energy. What about the periods when the wind stops blowing and there are several periods during the course of the day and in the night? You still need the fossil fuel to step up at that time because when the wind stops blowing it goes down to zero, you go down to zero and so you have to then match that with the comparable capacity to pick up that, you cannot build future or satisfy future demand on buying just energy, you have to also install capacity.”

According to Mr. Jagdeo,

the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project is far more stable and reliable than any form of wind power source.

He added that while the government seeks to cast blame on the PPP administration for failures in the Guyana Power and Light’s services in terms of reliable and efficient electricity being provided, the government needs to blame the subject Minister and itself.

“It is the Minister (David Patterson) who is responsible for all of this and this government, the Minister directly, they did not appoint the board, and this Cabinet, they did not appoint a board for a year and a half. How can you have a Corporation like that and not pay attention to that?

How the issues of generation and all of that is dealt with?

The Minister is totally inept”, Jagdeo lashed out.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EDITORIAL

A needed paradigm for development

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decade after the last financial crisis which roiled the world, it has become obvious to most observers that more than facile cosmetic “tweakings” are needed for us to return on the path of sustainable development. This conclusion has forced many leaders of countries in crisis to re-examine the structural bases of their economies in an attempt to craft comprehensive and coherent responses that go beyond merely ameliorating symptoms. Such fundamental reappraisals have raised the demand for us to go beyond merely aspiring for “democracy”.

Our expected oil revenues from 2020 demand that we discuss this issue.

The triumph of the neo-capitalist model over the socialist alternative at the end of the 1980s was supposed to have delivered us to the “end of history” and beyond ideology. The victorious neo-liberals never felt it necessary to really articulate an “ideology”, they merely elaborated its tenets as “common sense”. Its most popular exposition, dubbed the “Washington Consensus”, was merely the title an economist tagged on to his compilation of demands made by the IMF/World Bank on faltering Latin American economies.

However, after the collapse of the neo-liberal project in 2008, it is clear that the extreme ideologies – pure socialism and unfettered capitalism – have both failed: the former because of insufficient incentives, and the latter because of booms and busts, unproductive speculations, uncontrolled negative externalities, and unfettered greed. As most of the countries attempt to pick up the pieces from the neo-liberal tsunami, they are all – to a lesser or greater extent – adopting policies from the “middle-way” social democratic (S.D.) tradition pioneered in Europe over a century ago.

These include a “mixed economy” of both privately and publicly owned enterprises; a wide range of subsidised or publicly provided social services, especially health and education; rigorous regulation of enterprises for the benefit of wider societal interests; progressive taxation; rule of law; and social justice and entrenched human rights, etc. Those counties that held on to their S.D. policies to a greater degree, such as Germany and India, have fared better than those that plunged deepest into the neo-liberal vertigo of market fundamentalism – such as Britain and the US. The latter duo’s praxis, dubbed “AngloAmerican” capitalism by the Germans, have however still denied the assumption of any ideology.

At onset of the crisis, the greatest focus was placed on rescuing the financial system, which had crumbled because of the false assumption (market fundamentalism) that the selfregulated market could best spread the risks it was supposed to intermediate. In S.D. fashion, governments have had to move in massively at both the national and international (IMF) levels to stop the haemorrhaging, which is still ongoing. As the crisis inevitably spilled over into the real economy, the major S.D. tools of governmental fiscal and monetary policies were ratcheted up; they had become standard after WWII. This is also ongoing.

There is now an acceptance of the fundamental S.D. position that Government must play a greater role in ensuring the goals of society are fulfilled, and the primary goal is that programmes must deliver the greatest good to the greatest number (in all social groups), and not just to the top one per cent. With this in mind, it is quite appropriate that other S.D. programmes for social justice are being proposed at this juncture.

The collapse of the neo-liberal paradigm does not mean an atavistic return to the ideas, policies and practices of the postwar social democratic era. Social democrats must also learn from the mistakes of that era, and retain what was valuable in the failed experiment, including a commitment to sound fiscal policy and a rejection of protectionist restrictions on trade in goods and services. This constant adjustment to the test of experience rather than arguing only from first principles is the distinguishing feature of the ideology of social democracy.

It is hoped that as Guyana gears up for the next General Elections, the political parties entering the fray would situate their programmes within a coherent paradigm of development.

Several Guyanese living in the New York Tri-State area paid tribute to the Golden Arrowhead as it was hoisted at the Preston Court, Brooklyn, New York, at a grand flag-raising ceremony last Sunday. Guyana Government officials attended the celebrations.

A most unfortunate incident: Lessons to be leant

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he tragic death of seven-year-old Ciara Benjamin on Saturday last is perhaps the most-talked-about issue in Guyana and the wider Diaspora these past few days. Many persons were in shock and disbelief as photos and videos of the tragedy began to emerge on Facebook and other forms of social media platforms. Mobile phones and high-speed internet made it possible for persons who were at the scene of the accident to broadcast ‘live’ as events unfolded.

Many of us were given close-up shots of all that took place, some of which we must say were very irresponsible and reckless. However, this irresponsible behaviour, ie, of persons taking selfies and close-up shots of accident victims and then posting them on social media, could perhaps be dealt with at another time.

Certainly, over the next few days, more facts surrounding the cause of the accident that resulted in the untimely death of the child will emerge. As it stands, there is a lot of speculation as to how the accident happened, and who should be blamed. What is clear is that such tragedies could be avoided.

Little Ciara had practically just started living. Like many others her age, she would have imagined what she wanted to become when she grew older.

Unfortunately, she did not get the opportunity to explore and achieve her dreams.

Based on reports received, after visiting a relative in Agricola, on her way home, as the child was attempting to cross the road with her aunt, at about 16:45h in the vicinity of the Independence Arch at Agricola, she was crushed by a sand truck which reportedly swerved from hitting another

vehicle.

The truck remained fixed on the median with the child pinned underneath for some time. About one hour later, a forklift and crane were used to lift the vehicle and remove the child’s remains. Her body was completely severed in two.

While it is not our remit to comment on the cause of the accident in particular, as it is up to the Police to do their job, our hope is that the authorities would learn something from this most recent incident.

In fact, in due course, it would be helpful if the authorities were to carry out a thorough review to determine what could be done to avoid or minimise such tragedies, and also how they could better respond to such emergency situations in future; for example, from crowd control to securing the accident/crime scene, etc.

There are several questions which remain in relation to the Police Force’s handling of the events surrounding this tragedy. Moments after the incident, we saw the vigilante-style beating of the driver and the subsequent burning of the truck. Videos on social media showed that the truck driver was dripping blood as a result of the beating and stoning he had received.

After the beating, he was handed over to the Police, who took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital to seek medical attention.

We are forced to ask where the Police were in all of this, and whether they couldn’t have prevented the mob from attacking the driver.

Despite the circumstances surrounding an accident, no one should assault any driver or road user. This is clearly against the law, and it is hoped that the authorities

would send a strong message in this regard, as this seems to be the norm in some communities.

We also witnessed the subsequent burning of the truck.

Here, again, why wasn’t the crime/accident scene cordoned off and protected, and the entire area manned by an increased number of ranks, considering the tension-filled environment? While we are pleased that the Police have made a commitment to charge persons who were involved in these acts, this was done only after the fact.

Also, it is necessary to underline the point that, in such emergency situations, the Police, Fire Service, medical and other emergency response teams must be on the alert, and be fully equipped to deal with certain situations that may arise.

Meanwhile, some persons have pointed to the need for an overhead pass for pedestrians in that particular area, as it is very difficult to cross the road there. Some have also called on the authorities to create more diversions for traffic going into Georgetown and East Coast communities.

This, we believe, is needed, as the vehicles using our roadways have increased ten-fold over the years, while the road network system has basically remained the same.

There are also calls for increased awareness and education on the proper use of our roads.

As expected, the young mother and father will have to face a long road to recovery in trying to cope with their only child’s untimely death.

The authorities must waste no time in ensuring that the necessary support, such as counselling, etc, is provided to them.

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

US House passes legislation offering immigrants pathway to citizenship

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he United States House of Representatives has passed the latest version of the DREAM Act, an ambitious expansion of an almost two-decadeslong legislative effort that would put millions of young undocumented Caribbean and other immigrants and immigrants with temporary status on a pathway to US citizenship, the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) has reported.

The Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6), sponsored by Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, passed the Democraticcontrolled House by a vote of 237 to 187.

Seven Republicans in the House of Representatives joined all 230 Democrats in voting for the legislation’s passage.

The measure now goes to the Republicancontrolled Senate.

Clarke, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, said the Dream and Promise Act provides a pathway to citizenship for 2.5 million Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforcement Departure

the Congressional Black Caucus Immigration Task Force, it is my duty to stand up for immigrants.

“They are our neighbours and our friends, and are engrained within the fabric of our communities.

“I am proud to champion the rights for Temporary Protected Status recipients, Deferred Enforcement

Departure recipients, as well as DREAMers, who call America home, so they will have a pathway to citizenship,” she added, according to CMC. “Each year immigrants eligible for H.R.6 pay more than US$17.3 billion in federal and nearly US$9.7 billion in state and local taxes,” Clarke continued. “These

same immigrant households amass more than US$75 billion in buying power and pay in excess of US$2.5 billion in mortgages annually.”

She said more than 180,000 Caribbean and other immigrants in New York qualify under this legislation, CMC reported.

Agricola accident:

Candlelight vigil held at Ciara Benjamin’s school Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke

(DED) recipients, as well as DREAMers, CMC reported.

DREAMers are young undocumented Caribbean and other immigrants who came to the US as children, including those who were protected from deportation by the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Since Trump assumed the presidency, he has terminated the DACA programme, but US courts have blocked it.

Clarke, who is chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Immigration Task Force, along with

Representatives RoybalAllard, of California, and Velázquez, of New York, sponsored what Clarke referred to as “this common-sense immigration bill to protect immigrant communities across America.”

Clarke was quoted by CMC as saying that she ensured H.R. 6 includes rights for TPS and DED recipients, “who are often overshadowed or excluded from immigration legislation.”

“Passing the Dream and Promise Act marks a monumental day for more than 2.5 million immigrants in America,” she said. “As Chair of

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cores of persons turned up at the Canadian School of Arts and Science on Wednesday evening to mourn the loss of one of the

students, Ciara Benjamin, who died last weekend in a tragic accident.

Seven-year-old Benjamin was a Grade One student of the insti-

tution. In a solemn ceremony, teachers, parents and fellow students consoled her family members. turn to page 10

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If it’s true, the Minister should reinstate the workers and apologise for her actions Dear Editor, I am emotionally touched to read an article that was published in your daily newspaper, dated, Monday June 03 2019 under the theme’ New Minister sends personnel department, accountant packing’.

Editor, in a country where unemployment is over 40 % and is rampant in all administrative regions, it is shocking to know that our honorable minister takes such a drastic step without thinking by removing the daily bread from the tables of those fired employees.

Some of them dedicated over 15 years of

their lives serving the Government and people of Guyana in the different positions that they were occupying. As much, as I admire the minister for her good deeds and approachable lifestyle, such an action will cause the fall of her Government in the next General Elections.

Editor, over 7000 sugar workers were fired and tossed to a life of poverty by this Government without no proper systems in place for future employment and another 2000 Amerindian community support officers were fired and now this Minister is sending her staff packing without

no valid and proper reasons for her actions.

And to crown it all, she had the employees escorted by police out of the building as if they were criminals, I could feel the emotion and sorrow from that fiasco. This is victimization to its fullest and should never be tolerated in this country.

Editor, this Government should be highly focusing on providing employment and seeking ways of how the unemployed population of Guyana can be able to gain useful skills and knowledge in order to acquire employment but instead they are contributing to the high level of unemploy-

ment that is sweeping the entire country like a wildfire.

Editor, the entire country are already feeling the hardships of life, increase in criminal activities, the high level of domestic violence and a decreasing economy are just a few elements that are bleeding our country to its death. Our honorable Minister needs to reconsider the impact of the actions that she has taken and make it right.

She should reinstate the fired employees and apologise for her drastic and senseless action.

You cannot make a quick judgment and solution from information that you have gathered from

Bias, unethical reporting

Dear Editor, One of the features of our country’s history is the role that the media have played in political developments.

From time of the formation of the PPP, the mainstream media have been extremely hostile to it. During the 1950s and 1960s, the media actively promoted racial divisions in our country. That contributed to the racial clashes of the 1960s, something from which we have not fully recovered.

The Kaieteur News is continuing that despicable role in today’s Guyana. It lacks ethics and objectivity, and just promotes half-truths and downright lies. On

May 31 last, its lead story accused me of deliberately misleading the nation in relation to the time that the oil find was known, even though I had dealt with this issue over and over in comments that I gave to the press whenever I was asked.

After reading the issue of May 31, 2019, I decided to give a more detailed and factual account of what the situation was in relation to oil at the time of the elections of May 2015.

At the same time, I took the opportunity to deal with many of the misrepresentations of the regime and its arm SARA, all of which found prominence in the

Kaieteur News.

In my statement, I made it explicit that neither I nor the Government that I led had ever misled the public, as the Kaieteur News had headlined.

At a minimum, I had expected that the Kaieteur News would have published that response, which is in keeping with the principle of ‘the right to reply’. Maybe it was too much to expect.

However, in the June 1st issue of the Kaieteur News, I saw a reply to my statement without the statement being published by the newspaper. This is most unethical; and clearly, the Kaieteur News seems

to be on another smear campaign, in the process distorting the facts and changing the main issue, while denying the right to reply.

Is it any wonder that this paper is the most sued newspaper in Guyana? The controllers seem to have no regard for objectivity, truth and balanced reporting.

I am aware that this paper always has an objective when it goes after persons and institutions. I wonder what it is that this paper is after now.

Dear Editor, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” Baseball legend Yogi Berra’s creative mangled quote applies perfectly to President Granger’s speech commemorating Independence Day 2019, which promised the future to “youth” and that of the leader of the AFC, Moses Nagamootoo’s recent promise to “think” about the possibility of free tertiary education if re-elected.

A politician making an empty promise is certainly not new, however, the sheer audacity of this pair boggles the mind! We have seen this before, in 2015 David Granger, then leader of the opposition, addressed youth or-

ganisations and promised “that under an APNU Administration, all graduates of the University of Guyana would be assured employment within twelve months of graduating” (Kaieteur News, 201501-29) but once elected Granger arrogantly suggested in 2018 “You must be ashamed if you do not have work” and “Government services could not employ an unlimited number of persons” Granger and his Administration never addressed job creation policies, instead Granger suggested selfhelp and cook-up and plantain frying as avenues of upward mobility. Unfortunately, Moses Nagamootoo has made no statements of

note either way and his only contribution has been to diminish the prestige of the Office he holds.

Editor, I do not need to point out that jobs were not created for every University graduate, the thousands who have graduated since 2015 know all about that. What angers me is the thought that “youths” are somehow ignorant of the facts and can be easily duped.

The PPP, led by General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, has been working long hours crafting plans and policies for presentation to the electorate.

There will be promises to tertiary students, the difference will be

the meticulous and detailed plan including prudent fiscal budgetary allocation to back the promise. Jagdeo has indeed made the claim that the AFC leader has “stolen” the ideas. Jagdeo need not worry, stealing or parroting a good intention is not enough, you have to be able to plan and execute the intention into a reality and in this, the Granger Administration has proven to be woefully inept.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions and empty promises. I am now sure that it is called GrangerNagamootoo Drive.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

files, it takes steps and there is a process or procedure in getting things done.

I am hereby calling on our commander in chief of the Armed forces of Guyana and or our president of this beautiful country to intervene and reinstate the workers, provide a thorough

guidance and council to your ministers so they won’t be making very stupid and senseless acts just because of their high positions that they are designated.

Yours Respectfully, Robin Joseph Councilor, Waramuri Village

Andaiye was one of the few who spoke without any fear

Dear Editor, I write to add my personal tribute to Andaiye, whom I was fortunate to know from my teenage years, as she was a friend of my father’s.

There were few plain speakers in the Guyana of my youth. Many were lions in their private circles and mice in the public sphere.

Andaiye was one of the few who spoke truth to power, whatever the circumstances, consistently and fearlessly. It was a trait that continued throughout her life.

In her conversations and writing, there was a singular clarity of thought and clarity of expression. This was a feat both of intellect and compassion. She read, she listened, she absorbed and then she formulated an opinion.

What made her almost unique in Guyana

was that her deeds matched her words. She lived her beliefs in a manner that many may aspire to but few achieve.

These qualities combined to give her words unusual weight in our society.

Perhaps rather than seeking to bestow posthumous honours and accolades (for which she had little appetite and for which there was ample time while she lived), we might best honour her memory by striving to adopt a little of her praxis; to empower the weak, to give agency and a livelihood to the poor, to listen carefully to the voices in society that we continually silence and to speak out clearly and firmly against what we perceive to be unjust or ill-conceived.

Yours faithfully, Isabelle de Caires

Onlookers should The Granger/ Nagamootoo Administration desist from this has proven to be woefully inept careless action at crime scenes

Respectfully, Robin Singh

Dear Editor, I sat and watched with amazement at the various live feeds of the shootout at Norton Street, Georgetown, between the police and those who are supposedly bandits.

Crime has really escalated and incidents must warrant our attention. What is disgusting is to see the scant regard onlookers have for their lives and that of others.

This is a norm in Guyana and we must desist from this practice. During the shootout, bullets could be heard being rapidly fired and onlookers and media operatives could be seen heading closer to the scene, some walk-

ing openly, which placed them in line of being hit by a bullet. Now, while the police are busy doing their job, some of them have to pay less attention to the threat and concentrate on getting onlookers to step away from the scene. Not only are the onlookers putting their lives at risk, but they are also putting the lawmen’s lives at risk by these careless actions.

The onlookers should desist from this careless action. The way they operated, I could have sworn that they were going to deliver the bullets to the targets.

Sincerely, Sahadeo Bates

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sacked GuySuCo workers among new recruits for oil and gas sector

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Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman along with Marissa Foster from the Energy Department and officials from TOTALTEC with the new recruits

fter losing their jobs when Government closed several sugar estates over the past years, some former Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) workers are now turning towards the budding oil and gas industry.

There are at least 11 former GuySuCo workers who have been recruited by TOTALTEC Oilfield Services, which has partnered with Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI) to recruit and train over 120 Guyanese in basic safety and oilfield operations to enable them to successfully join and participate in the emergent oil and gas sector.

With offshore operations moving apace, these 120 recruits are expected to fill safety and operational positions on the shore base located in Houston, Greater Georgetown.

These recruits are expected to undergo a four-month training exercise conducted at the TOTALTEC I n t e r n a t i o n a l Petroleum and Maritime Academy (IPMA, known as The Academy) using their existing programmes.

At the launch of the training on Wednesday, TOTALTEC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lars Mangal noted that it was a major undertaking to recruit and train 120 new young men and women for the industry.

“This journey has been one very, very challenging journey to catalyse and create capacity-building efforts that’s foundational to

the Guyana oil and gas industry, and that starts with getting people into the industry – Guyanese, especially young people into the industry – in a foundational way so they can then start to build meaningful careers for themselves, their families in the industry, in a safe and professional way,” Mangal stated.

Over the past year, TOTALTEC has recruited, trained and found gainful employment for over 150 Guyanese. The Academy usually recruits and trains persons who are then employed by oil companies.

Petroleum Geologist at the Department of Energy, Marissa Foster, encouraged Guyanese to take advantage of the opportunities being offered by TOTALTEC. “Through joint ventures like these, it is our vision that the Guyanese people will not only be trained to push buttons and turn knobs, but they will also have an understanding of the procedures behind the work they do … It is only through this that our people can gain experience in the sector and really contribute to the overall national development,” Foster asserted.

Meanwhile, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, who has been a patron of the recruiting agency, lauded the company for its effort in allowing Guyanese to benefit from the oil and gas sector, especially the former sugar workers.

“Even as the industry is about to appear

before us, it will still take years to get us fully in place. So hearing that we’re training 120 persons in four months is really what got me here today… And it goes to show that in the midst of a crisis, there’s always an opportunity.

So as the Wales Estate closed, we’re able to transfer not all but some persons here to receive training and I know that not only were they able to get work, but some were even taken abroad to New Orleans (in the United States) for further training,” the Minister noted.

Guyana Times International caught up with two of the former GuySuCo workers

in the first batch of 120 recruits.

Twenty-five-yearold Desmond Anderson, a former electrical and instrument repair mechanic from the now closed Rose Hall Estate, and Santkumar Singh, also 25, a former field workshop mechanic from the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Estate, both related that after losing their jobs following the closures, they were forced to take up employment in other fields.

Now with this opportunity that has come up, though in a completely new sector for them, they are both ready for the challenge.

“This is all new to me, but I’m all eager about the training. I don’t

know what it might entail, but I’m willing and all determined to learn something new,” Anderson posited.

Meanwhile, Singh added: “The oil and gas field is different compared to GuySuCo, so yes it is going to be a challenge yes, but it’s something that we’re willing to take on.”

Among this first batch of recruits also are two female candidates, one of whom was an aspiring aeronautical engineer who was now eager to take a dip in this new budding industry.

“I was not able to continue (at the Aeronautical Engineering School) because of finances… and as soon as I saw this op-

portunity, I grabbed it.

I feel very grateful to be one of the women chosen and I do advise that other women come on board, because we can do the same thing men can do,” Nyima Jemott contended.

Successful recruits will attend IPMA to undergo an intensive, sixweek hands-on safety and operational training programme and will then joining GYSBI, which currently employs over 200 Guyanese in its shore base operations in a wide range of activities.

Interested candidates are asked to visit https://www.totaltec-os. com/careers for instructions on how to apply for recruitment.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Dilapidated City Hall building unfit for workers

…Mayor looks at alternative measures to house employees

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Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine

he staff attached to City Hall are expected to be relocated sooner than later due to the dilapidated state of the building located at Regent Street, Georgetown.

This was confirmed by His Worship the Mayor, Ubraj Narine during an interview with Guyana Times International on Tuesday where he further stated that the City Treasurer has complained of dust dropping

from the ceiling and affecting him and other staff members.

Narine also stated that the Mayor’s Complex was also partially damaged, but persons there will not be relocated.

Moreover, he confirmed that the entire building is affected by the leaking roof though efforts are presently being made to have it rehabilitated.

As a consequence, he posited that he is looking at alternative measures

to ensure the workers are kept safe and healthy.

“We are looking to relocate them [employees] but I don’t know how soon we would be able to move forward with that,” he said.

The Mayor informed that City Hall understands the importance of the issue but will need the requisite financing before moving the workers.

He explained, “Indeed, the Treasurer’s Department ought to be relocated somewhere but at this point in time we are working on it and we do not know how early we can be able to deal with it because these things would include finance”.

Narine did not state exactly how many workers are being affected by the flaws of the building.

Just last week, it was reported that the rainy season has not only brought flooding to some sections of Georgetown but also a reminder that the City Hall building is currently on its last stride as a recent visit to the building painted a scary picture.

This publication ob-

A section of the deplorable building

served that the railings were falling apart, with broken windows and stumbling woodwork that was seemingly attached by a thread.

Speaking with Guyana Times International, one of the Councillors, Bishram Kuppen, noted that this severe damage could have been averted if frequent maintenance was carried out. However, the build-

“Short Boss” details beating he received at night club ...as PI continues

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Romario “Short Boss” Baljeet

s the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the attempted murder of Romario “Short Boss” Baljeet, who was reportedly mercilessly beaten by businessman Imran Khan continues, the victim was called to the stand.

Baljeet testified in the courtroom of Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.

As he took the witness box, he was unable to speak clearly, and his attorney, Latchmie Rahamat, told the court that he had suffered a seizure a few days ago.

Baljeet, in his testimony, spoke extensively about his injuries and his numerous trips to the Woodlands Hospital. Upon the conclusion of his testimony, the Magistrate adjourned the matter until June 27, 2019.

Thirty-one-year-old Khan, of Austin Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, was charged for the attempted murder of Baljeet fol-

Imran Khan

lowing an incident on October 28, 2018 at a popular nightclub on Main Street, Georgetown.

It was reported that Khan unlawfully and maliciously wounded Baljeet, with intent to murder him.

On the day in question, Baljeet and some friends were leaving the nightclub when they were confronted by Khan, who was standing at the gateway.

As a result, Baljeet walked between Khan and his friends. This seemingly annoyed Khan, who in turn dealt Baljeet several punches to his head and face, causing him to fall to the ground. It was while Baljeet was on the ground that Khan took a glass bottle and slashed him on the right side of his face.

Khan then continued to kick and punch the victim while he was lying on the ground.

Baljeet, who was unconscious,

was then picked up and rushed to a private institution where he underwent surgery.

Baljeet previously testified in court and related that he heard what appeared to be gunshots and upon making his way to the gate, he saw Khan and another man identified as Kevin, also called “Fatman” standing next to a silver grey BMW motor car.

He recalled walking between the two men as he made his way to his vehicle and feeling a blow to the back of his head. As he turned around, he saw the accused, Khan.

Khan, he told the court, dealt him two lashes to his head and face, causing him to fall to the ground.

On the ground, Khan continued to punch him to the body especially the face, despite him attempting to crawl away. Baljeet also related that he, along with bystanders, begged Khan to stop hitting him, but he refused to listen.

The Virtual Complainant (VC) finally managed to crawl and held onto a metal gate, but Khan further kicked him to his face causing his head to keep hitting the gate.

Standing in the witness box, with his face barely showing through the vents, he remembered that after a while, he started to “see dark”.

He later woke up at the Woodlands Hospital.

Baljeet, after being released from the Hospital, was rushed back to the facility in November 2019 for excessive bleeding and underwent emergency surgery.

ing has been neglected for decades by past mayors and these small problems were mounted into a significant one which is difficult to remedy.

A study was conducted by the European Union, pegging the rehabilitation works at some G$400 million.

For now, the Council is awaiting funds to construct a new building next to the existing struc-

ture, which will house employees during the rehabilitation period. Over the years, millions of dollars were injected into the Council for the building’s restoration, including some G$20 million in 2012.

Last year, it was indicated that proceeds from the Council’s City Week activities were to be used to start the restoration project at City Hall.

6-months jail for salt fish thief

F

Shawn Roberts

orty-five-year-old Shawn Roberts was on Wednesday sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by principal Magistrate Faith McGusty for stealing a quantity of salted fish and other items.

The unrepresented man pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge when it was read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The Police stated that on June 2, 2019 at Ferry Stelling at Stabroek, the defendant stole a quantity of salted fish, ground provisions, and carrots valued G$59,009 from Janel Jupiter.

In his explanation to the court, the defendant

stated, “I was involved in an accident and after leaving the hospital, I decided to steal the salt fish in order to sell it to buy my medication.”

Police Prosecutor Ceon Blackman told the court the victim was the owner of a stall at the Ferry Stelling and sold ground provisions and other items.

On the day in question, the woman was attending to a customer when Roberts took the articles mentioned in the charge and made good his escape. The matter was reported; an investigation was carried out, and Roberts was apprehended and charged.

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ExxonMobil hosts oil spill demonstration exercise on Shell Beach “Engaging in this exercise no doubt is considered proactive and to some extent, it is considered preventative,” he expressed.

The demonstration exercise was done with

M

ore than 100 persons recently participated in an oil spill demonstration exercise facilitated

by ExxonMobil Guyana at Waini Point, Shell Beach Protected Area in Region One (BarimaWaini).

These representatives were from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), coastal village councils and other key agencies.

“Because we want to ensure that yours and other communities remain beautiful and untouched, ExxonMobil Guyana is committed to safe and environmentally responsible operations. This commitment is highlighted in our Corporate Environment Policy; Protect Tomorrow, Today,” Country Manager Rod

Henson indicated in his address to those gathered on the Beach last Friday.

According to him, it is the company’s fundamental goal everywhere it operates to ensure that there are no environmental incidents.

“Not only do we comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, but we seek to go beyond these where practical and apply international standards where laws and regulations do not exist.

Already, we have partnered with key agencies over the years and even here in Region One to ensure that the natural beauty of coastal communities and life beyond the shores remain intact.”

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Brentnol

Ashley has said that the Administration is pleased that coastal communities are now better able to protect themselves from an oil spill, should one occur.

“This exercise while it may seem very simple, it is very important and significant to the development of this newfound wealth in our country in which, as a people at the local level, [we] will be empowered to know what needs to be done if there should be an oil spill,” he explained.

Similarly, Captain Salim October of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) stated that while existing concerns of citizens cannot be ignored, this is an important part of the country’s overall preparedness to respond to a potential oil spill.

support from the Civil Defence Commission, the Regional Democratic Council, Protected Areas Commission (PAC), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard and the Maritime

Administration Department (MARAD).

Friday’s event is one in a series of drills and workshops planned by ExxonMobil Guyana in coastal communities across the country.

President David Granger joined the rest of Guyana in observing World Environment Day 2019 which is held under the theme, “Air Pollution”. During brief remarks at the Baridi Benab, State House, the Head of State reminded the gathering that the protection of the environment is an obligation, not an option.

President Granger said that the government is resolved to accelerate its efforts to ensure a clean, healthy and hygienic environment for everyone by protecting the integrity of our rivers, proscribing single-use plastics and by strengthening the capacity of municipal, neighbourhood and regional administrations to improve their solid waste management.

In photo: President Granger receives a framed copy of a poem written by students of the Marian Academy at the observance of World Environment Day 2019. The poem was presented to the Head of State after it was performed by students of the school’s environmental club.

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Controversy swirls over PM’s directive to reinstate Duncan ...Trotman says dismissal was too harsh

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Sherod Duncan

ne day after it was revealed that sacked General Manager of the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper, Sherod Duncan was reinstated by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Raphael Trotman supported the move, saying that the dismissal was too harsh a penalty in the first instance.

Commenting on the issue, Trotman told Guyana Times International on Wednesday that while it was for the Prime Minister to justify or clarify his decision to rescind Duncan’s dismissal, he did not believe that the Chronicle General Manager should have been fired in the first place over the breaches of financial regulations.

“I did personally feel that the process with Mr Duncan could’ve gone or should have gone another way, but it is for the

Geeta Chandan-Edmond

Prime Minister to exactly say why he did what he did … I had seen the audit reports quite frankly and I thought that while there may have been some breaches, they were not breaches in terms of theft of monies. There might’ve been some circumvention of some systems and I thought Mr Duncan being off the job for several months, perhaps a reprimand or some form of discipline (could’ve been taken). I found that dismissal was the harsher side of the penalties,” Trotman stated.

In a letter dated May 31, 2019, Prime Minister Nagamootoo, an AFC Executive Member, “instructed” the then Chair of the Guyana National Newspaper Limited (GNNL), Geeta Chandan-Edmond, to rescind the decision taken by the Board two months ago to dismiss Duncan, also an AFC party member.

Back in April, Chandan-Edmond had broken a deadlock and voted to have Duncan dismissed following recommendations from an audit, which found 20 transactions in which he breached several financial regulations.

In a statement at the time, the GNNL Board had disclosed that one Director recommended one-month suspension and an extension of probation for Duncan while two other Directors recommended an extension in the probation period while three other Directors held the view that Duncan’s services should be terminated with immediate effect for gross misconduct.

It was noted that a vote was then called on the matter and there was a tie which ChandanEdmond broke.

However, in the correspondence to the GNNL Chair, the Prime Minister, who has re-

Mervyn Williams

sponsibility over State media, pointed out that he was informed by Directors that there was in fact no vote put to the table.

Calling the decision to fire Duncan “arbitrary, capricious, unlawful and in excess of the jurisdiction of the Board”, the Prime Minister further stated in the missive that the Chair sought to mislead his office into thinking that the Board made the decision.

In response to the Prime Minister’s correspondence, ChandanEdmond submitted her resignation, telling Nagamootoo his statements were not only “insulting” to her but the other Board Directors who voted to have Duncan dismissed back in April.

Furthermore, she sought to remind him that Duncan was accused of financial impropriety and mismanagement, which warranted the involvement of the Auditor General. Pointing out that Duncan was afforded all tenets of natural justice including a Board

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

hearing during which he was allowed to be accompanied by his lawyer, Chandan-Edmond contended that not only was the process that led to Duncan’s dismissal exceedingly thorough in terms of due process, but it came under the express jurisdiction of the Board of Directors.

Nagamootoo’s reversal of the Board’s decision has also resulted in at least two other Board members – Mervyn Williams and Hilbert Foster – resigning while Director Aaron Fraser has indicated that he too intended to follow suit.

The audit of the State newspaper’s operations from June 1, 2018 to September 10, 2018 found that tender rules were violated, services were procured without contracts and approvals were given for payments without the regular procedure of company stamp or signature.

There are over 20 transactions conducted under Duncan’s watch or by Duncan himself, which were in blatant violation of financial regu-

lations.

Further, cash advances were given to Duncan to travel overseas, but he did not clear the amounts. It was also found that the company’s personnel policy and procedures manual were ignored during the recruitment, termination, and dismissal of employees.

Guyana Chronicle has a Management Tender Committee, which approves transactions ranging from $100,000 to G$300,000 before payments are made. But during the stipulated time examined, no approval was given for nine such transactions valued at G$1.6 million.

Duncan also took an overseas trip with the marketing coordinator for the resuscitation of the publication’s New York edition.

This trip cost in excess of G$736,028, but there was no approval for such an event and to date, no relevant documents were brought forward to support these expenditures, the audit found.

Candlelight vigil held... from page 5

Candles were lit as “a reflection” on her life at the school.

One of the teachers told Guyana Times International that Ciara would be dearly missed.

As such, they thought it necessary to show moral support to the family.

“We, along with the parent body, decided to host this event – a night of reflection. This is to mourn the passing or the tragedy which occurred on June 1 with Ciara Benjamin. She’s a member of the school, a Grade One child. As a family, we celebrate together

and in times of mourning, we must show moral support.”

Benjamin lost her life in a road accident at Agricola, Greater Georgetown as she was hit by a truck while crossing the road with her aunt.

Her mother, Tracy De Hart, explained that her daughter was brilliant and loving. When she received the call just minutes later, it was impossible for her to go to the scene. It was explained that Benjamin had resided with her father since the age of two, but would

periodically visit her mother.

On Sunday, Benjamin’s stepmother, Chrisan Thegg stated that she would usually take the child to plait her hair. She was also supposed to assist her with her school assignments.

“I told her yesterday (Saturday)…I said I am going to the mall and we are going to buy the stuff to do your assignment – she was going to make a traffic light, so I said we are going to go there and do that today (Sunday).

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Power company turns to Private Sector for help in addressing electricity shortfall T

he Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is looking to arrange power purchase agreements with a number of private firms that generate their own electricity. This includes seeking an agreement for the purchase of power from the Hope Windfarm project.

This is according to GPL’s Chief Executive Officer, Albert Gordon, at a press conference hosted on Wednesday.

Gordon admitted there are challenges in arranging the agreement with the Hope Windfarm project, and with a shortfall of approximately 10 megawatts of power in the interconnected system, GPL is forced to engage in periodic load shedding exercises because it’s a case of the power company needing all the power it can get.

“We have been in discussions with them. There have been some environment-related issues. That negotiation is being led from the Ministry, but we have been involved. We are looking forward to integrating them and other renewable sources into the grid,” he explained.

“There were some constraints regarding the environment, and some additional work (on the agreement) might be done. But we are actively pursuing that,” the Jamaicaborn CEO informed the media.

that buying power from an independent power-producer (IPP) is a complicated issue which includes negotiating pricing and legal matters.

Gordon explained that these producers tend to pay more for the Heavy Fuel Oil they import than GPL would. As a consequence, he noted, they would naturally charge above GPL’s rates to sell back power.

Amaila Falls

Months after taking office in 2015, Government had announced that it would facilitate a US$50 million, 25-megawatt wind farm project at Hope Beach on the East Coast of Demerara.

The Alliance For Change (AFC) subsequently identified International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA) proprietor Lloyd Singh, an investor in the wind farm, as responsible for the party’s acquisition of its multimillion-dollar headquarters in February of 2016.

While not as stable as hydropower, wind energy generated by turbines is a form of renewable energy. But the Hope Beach Wind Farm project, at 25 MW, is still no match for the proposed 165 MW

Amaila Falls Hydro Project initiated under the previous Administration.

The Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Foreign Affairs had been informed during a sitting last year August that the Hope Windfarm developer was eyeing a project launch date by the end of 2019.

Other producers Meanwhile, Operations Director Bharat Harjohn has said that GPL is engaging other self-producers, who may have excess power which they could share with the grid. It was pointed out that some producers, like Giftland Mall, have for some time indicated an interest in selling power to GPL. However, Gordon noted

Amaila Falls “The Act actually speaks to an IPP being above 10 megawatts, and what you can buy from them and at what price.

So there are some legal constraints that Government is helping us through. There is a price issue…

“The law requires us, and even without the law, we wouldn’t want to buy power that’s too expensive. But buying power, even if it’s a little expensive, is better than having power cuts; but the law requires us to buy power below our marginal costs.”

However, he noted that GPL is continuing negotiations, and that at present there is an interim agreement with Giftland that is close to being finalised. As for Banks DIH, another company GPL is in discussions with, there are some issues with exactly how much power the company could supply.

“Banks and Giftland, they use heavy fuel oil and they have a substantial amount of capacity. For Banks, I think they have installed approximately 10 megawatts. But they normally use most of their power during the day.

Even in peak, they normally have an excess. So we asked them very early. Up to recently, there are some technical issues (being worked out).

“But also, they run their generators during the period we want the power. So the amount we’d get from them isn’t very significant.

Nevertheless, we want to interconnect; the system works better when we’re interconnected. There may be times we’ll sell to them and there’ll be times we will buy from them.”

Meanwhile, one project that would have assisted the Guyana Power and Light to get adequate electricity supply was the Amaila Falls hydro power project, which the Coalition Government continually blocked while controlling the National Assembly by a one-seat Opposition majority.

The Norway-funded project, when completed, would have provided 165 megawatts to the National Grid, thus providing cheaper and more reliable power to citizens and businesses.

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Trinidad father hopes to enter Guinness Book with longest, tallest bicycle

‘Situation unbearable’ …bus operators call on Govt to fix Linden-Lethem road

T Leon Long peddles the high-rider bicycle from the top while Jahzeel Joseph steers the machine from the back, as the duo ride along the Western Main Road, Carenage.

A

Diego Mar­ tin fa­ ther of three is striv­ ing to en­ ter the 2020 Guin­ ness Book of World Records as he works to build the world’s longest and high­ est high-rid­er bi­cy­cle.

Jahzeel Joseph, 34, said, “That is my aim. I have al­ ready writ­ ten to them and re­ ceived the guide­lines.”

Joseph is in the pro­ cess of build­ing the bi­cy­ cle which will be 12 feet long and stand ap­prox­i­ mate­ly 28 feet, five inch­ es in height. He said he was hav­ing a great time us­ing his skills as a cer­ ti­fied welder to cre­ate his mas­ter­piece.

Rid­ ing along the Care­nage Main Road re­ cent­ ly as he head­ ed for the beach, Joseph’s highrid­er cre­at­ed quite a stir as passers­by toot­ed their horns, with some even snap­ping pic­tures on their cam­ era phones as they drove along.

Dis­mount­ing from the bi­ cy­ cle—11 feet 6 inch­ es in length and 6 feet 9 inch­es in height—

Joseph said he got the idea to cre­ate the highrid­ er af­ ter he saw two peo­ple us­ing a tan­dem bike in Diego Mar­tin.

He said, “I want­ed to make one that you could ride from the back or front…and this one can be con­ trolled from the top or the low­er lev­el. It on­ly took me one week to build it.” by Ac­com­pa­nied neigh­bour­hood friends Rudy Grif­fith and Leon Long, on what has be­ come a week­ ly form of recre­ ation, the trio said it be­gan as a fun ex­er­cise rid­ ing from dis­ trict to dis­trict. How­ev­er, it has now trans­formed it­self in­to a week­end rit­u­al as they ride from Diego Mar­tin to Port-of-Spain, then to Ch­aguara­mas.

In­di­cat­ing he was al­ so work­ing on cre­at­ing a 15 foot “every­day rid­er” which was spe­cial­ly com­ mis­ sioned, Joseph said his leisure time was ded­ i­cat­ed to cre­at­ing unique items with the skills he pos­sess­es.

About the Guin­ ness

World Records The Guin­ ness World Records known from its in­cep­tion in 1955 un­til 2000 as The Guin­ ness Book of Records and in pre­vi­ous Unit­ed States edi­tions as The Guin­ness Book of World Records, is a ref­er­ence book pub­ lished an­nu­al­ly, list­ing world records both of hu­ man achieve­ ments and the ex­tremes of the nat­ ur­al world. ness World The Guin­ Records does not pay any mon­ey to those who break or set records.

They award an of­fic­ ial cer­tifi­cate of the achieve­ ment free of charge.

In or­ der to qual­ i­ fy, the ap­ pli­ cant must first ex­plore the world records data­ base thor­ ough­ ly; choose a world record to at­tempt; ap­ply and wait to re­ ceive the guide­lines; un­der­stand the re­quire­ments and ev­ i­dence need­ed for the at­ tempt; prac­tice, prac­tice, prac­tice; and then car­ry out the of­fic­ ial world re­ cord at­ tempt. (Trinidad Guardian)

The present condition of the Linden to Lethem road which bus operators are forced to traverse seeking their daily bread

he Linden to Lethem trail is yet again in a deplor­ able state as the rainy season persists. The minibus operators plying the Lethem and Mahdia routes have complained bitterly of the deteriorat­ ing conditions of the trail which they are forced to use to transport pas­ sengers and goods as a means of earning their daily bread.

The bus opera­ tors who reached out to Guyana Times International on Sunday described the trail as a “death trap” and bashed the Public Infrastructure Ministry for paying zero interest in conducting long-term repairs to that trail which is the only ac­ cess to those areas.

The trail has been in a deteriorated state for years and worsens during the rainy sea­ sons after which minor substandard repairs are done on certain patches and the problem contin­ ues to recur.

A route 72 bus driv­ er, Keith Daniels, on Sunday told Guyana Times International that he was forced to park his minibus due to the condi­ tion of the road since the risk of making a trip is way more than its gains.

“To be honest, since Wednesday I ain’t make a trip. The last trip I make last week I had to come and take my bus to

the mechanic and spend a set of money which I didn’t even make. This trail just getting bad to worse. Destroying peo­ ple bus. The Government need to do better than what they are doing. The small man punishing in this place. You strug­ gling to get load to go up and when you do, you are faced with that trash for a road. We got families to feed and we gotta pay mortgage and even pay for the same bus that destroying in that mud.

This could be fair,” he ar­ gued.

Meanwhile, an­ other driver, Kendall Richardson, who also reached out to this pub­ lication, called for the Government to put mea­ sures in place for urgent and long-term repairs and maintenance of the road.

He said that the driv­ ers are suffering since they are forced to use the road in the present state as best as they can in get­ ting passengers into and out of Mahdia just for an income to take care of their needs. He stat­ ed that at times, the bus­ es get stuck and are left to wait for several hours until a truck or pick-up passes for them to seek assistance in getting their bus pulled from the mud.

This, he said, is un­ acceptable and called on Government through

the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to come up with a plan to com­ mence repairs to the road soon.

Mayor of Mahdia, David Adams in an in­ vited comment said that the trail is in its usual state, however, vehicles are still able to traverse.

He explained that during the rainy season, some attention needs to be paid to the trail on a particular stretch between Mahdia and Mabura which is in dire need of repair.

He noted, however, that there are no plans in place for such reha­ bilitation works by the council.

“Getting in is very difficult and some works have to be done in the short term to offer relief to those traversing,” he said.

Meanwhile, it was re­ cently announced by the Public Infrastructure Ministry that sections of the damaged road in Mahdia were being re­ paired after the recent flash flooding. The bridge at Red and White, which had been washed away, was replaced by wooden planks until those works are executed.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had told this publication that the pathway was opened for vehicular traffic on both lanes.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Ciara was brilliant and loving’ – Mom …Attorney says truck driver was not reckless

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Dead: Ciara Benjamin

he mother of seven-year-old Ciara Benjamin, who lost her life in a tragic accident at Agricola on Sunday, is still trying to cope with the situation days later.

On Saturday afternoon, the child was attempting to cross the road with her aunt, Simone Barry, when she was struck by a truck,

two, but would visit periodically.

“Her aunty called me and said that my daughter just passed away in an accident and I was in a shock to know that just a couple months back, she was with me.

I couldn’t reach to the scene because everybody keep telling me that the traffic is too heavy.”

Commuters waited for hours in traffic

met her demise. He was proceeding 20kmh and was forced on to the median by a taxi. My client was completely unaware that was on the median,” a statement read.

He contended that his client suffered a fractured skull and contusions about his body.

On Sunday, stepmother of Ciara, Chrisan Thegg stated that she would usually take the child to plait her hair. She was also supposed to assist her

The truck involved in the accident

bearing registration plate GWW 962, driven

by Danion Welcome.

The truck remained fixed on the median with the child pinned underneath. A light pole was unearthed as a result of the impact and subsequently collapsed, ending up on the roadway.

Tracy DeHart, the biological mother of the child, told Guyana Times that her daughter was brilliant and loving. The woman stated that she was too devastated to go to the scene of the accident after she received the telephone call.

She explained that her daughter resided with her father, Orlando Benjamin, since she was

DeHart stated that she did not have a chance to view the body until the next day. The woman said they are expecting a complete probe into the accident to determine what transpired.

“I want to know exactly what went on because a lot of things going around on Facebook and stuff like that. It needs to be clarified,” the dead child’s mother relayed. In tears, the woman added that she celebrated her birthday on Sunday and was expecting her now dead daughter to visit.

This publication understands that the driver of the truck, Danion Welcome, was severely beaten by residents

from the area and later handed over to the Police. After the scene was cleared, another unexpected tragedy arose when the lorry was set alight at about 18:10h, creating a towering inferno in the middle of the roadway.

The truck driver’s attorney, James Bond, has defended that his client was neither reckless nor negligent during the tragic accident.

Bond posited that Welcome was proceeding at some 20 kilometres per hour but was forced onto the median by a taxi. He is of the belief that the child should not have been in the middle of the carriageway.

“My client was not negligent, not careless or reckless when Ciara

with her school assignments.

“I told her yesterday (Saturday)…I said I am going to the mall and we are going to buy the stuff to do your assignment, she was going to make a traffic light so I said we are going to go there and do that today (Sunday).

Police have recovered CCTV footage from a nearby surveillance camera, which will be used in the investigations. At a press conference on Monday, Police

Commissioner Leslie James told the media that they are reviewing the surveillance footage to determine who was at fault for the death of the seven-year-old child.

He also encouraged civilians with information on the accident to come forward while denouncing the vigilante beating of the driver.

He reiterated that those who were involved in the beating, once apprehended, will face the full brunt of the law.

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Guyanese observe Eid in NYC

By Vishnu Bisram

I

write to congratulate Guyanese Muslims on their celebration of Eid ul fitr and for bringing time honored Guyanese traditions to New York and other parts of USA. Guyanese Muslims’ cultural practices are institutionalized in New York.

Eid was observed by Guyanese New Yorkers on Tuesday ending the month-long period of fasting for Ramadan (Ramzan or Rojah in Guyana) with the sighting of the new crescent moon on Monday night.

The preceding month was a period of restraint and self-control as Muslims fasted. Eid is a day of kindness and charitable giving and thousands attended service to mark the occasion on a bright cool windy morning in New York.

There was a lot of enthusiasm and ambience. The Eid festival was infused with a festive zest among the celebrants.

Fasting for Muslims during the month of Ramadan, which began on the evening of May 5, is one of the pillars of Islam as revealed by the Prophet Muhammad in the holy book Quoran.

The Koran says Muslims should fast because it improves heir health and gives a sense of devotion to God. Every evening, Muslims, men dressed in white attire and females in beautiful shalwars or querishis or hijabs or other outfits, were seen hustling to get to the mosque after work for prayers and the breaking of the fast. As the imams explained, Ramadan does a lot of good to a person,

mentally and physically.

And the ending of Rojah, known as Eid, is a time for celebration, thanksgiving and remembrance. It is a time to get together in a brotherly and joyous atmosphere to offer gratitude to the creator for having helped them fulfill their spiritual obligations.

In Richmond Hill, hundreds attended prayers on the final evening of fasting Monday night and thousands attended service Tuesday morning for the Eid celebration. Streets were closed off around the Masjids in Richmond Hill to accommodate worshippers who gathered in the streets to offer Salaat or namaz.

The Al Abidin Masjid on 127 Street, Liberty Avenue, the largest among the Guyanese mosques, had over a thousand people. Jama Masjid was also packed to capacity. The street in front of the mosques were closed to facilitate the congregants who were well dressed in new traditional attire. Worshippers were seen praying with their footwear removed; loudspeakers blared prayers (dohas) in Arabic and Urdu and translated into English. Women prayed inside the mosque separate from the males.

Special meals were prepared and served to the congregation at the breaking of the fast on Monday night and early Tuesday morning right after prayers.

Worshippers also offered zakat (donations) to various funds (construction, foundations) and to the imams and the poor.

NEWS 19

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

MoTP denies firing PSM staff …but termination letter proves otherwise

H

ours after the Ministry of the Presidency denied that newly appointed Public Service Minister, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley sent the personnel department and the chief accountant packing on Friday last, a document seen by Guyana Times International proved otherwise.

A “Determination of Contract” letter signed by the Minister in question was addressed to a staff member stating that his services will no longer be required.

Minister of Public Service Tabitha Sarboo-Halley

“Pursuant to the aforesaid contract of employment, your services are hereby terminated with immediate effect”, the letter stated.

In addition, the letters also include that the recipient of the letter will be given one month’s salary in lieu of notice. The former employee was also asked to return all property belonging to the Government so that the work of the Ministry can continue.

Ironically, the letter also stated, “Please ac-

cept greatest gratitude for your invaluable contributions to our nation”.

Guyana Times International understands that several staff members received similar letters on Friday last.

This letter came to light on Tuesday after Deputy Director of Press Affairs at the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP), Ariana Gordon, was quoted as saying “The civil servants in question have not been dismissed. Some allega-

tions have been levelled against them, and those [allegations] would be the subject of an investigation.” She added that the Government is very respectful to the rights of civil servants.

However, this is not the only instance of such an action by the Government. In 2018, a staff member of the Ministry of the Presidency who had been in the employ of the Government for ten years received a similar letter without any reason or explanation. turn to page 21

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sale of Rose Hall Estate likely by July – NICIL

G

overnment’s privatisation of three sugar estates has progressed to the point where PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PWC), which is spearheading the process, believes it can conclude a deal with yet unnamed investors for the Rose Hall estate by next month.

This was revealed by PWC Managing Director Wilfred Bhagaloo at a press conference called

by NICIL on Monday.

According to Bhagaloo, Rose Hall received the most interest from investors.

He revealed that negotiations with a consortium of investors from Guyana, India and Ghana have reached

an advanced stage.

Bhagaloo spoke of a meeting he had with Cabinet, in which he was asked by various Ministers for updates on the privatisation process.

“I indicated then and my position remains the same, that we’re likely to have a conclusion on the privatisation of one of the estates by the end of July. And that by the end of November, we’ll have a better fix on when we’ll be able to privatise the other two estates.”

“At that meeting, I indicated that I’m hoping, and I can only hope because negotiations are delicate and many things can happen, that we’ll have the privatisation of Rose Hall. We have

progressed quite nicely with the proposals, but nothing has happened as yet. We’re now sharing our draft proposals with their legal team and we’ll see what their legal team’s response is.”

Bhagaloo stressed that they are privatising these estates on the basis that the new private owners will remain in the sugarcane industry. He also said that due to confidentiality agreements and the delicate nature of negotiations, he would not be naming the investors.

Meanwhile, Bhagaloo complained of challenges being faced, including the question of the Private Sector competing with public. Other chal-

MoTP denies firing...

That individual was then recommended to another Ministry but was subsequently denied all retroactive pay and increases as a result of her termination.

It was reported that just over three weeks after being appointed Public Service Minister, SaraboHalley sent the entire personnel department and the accountant packing.

According to information received, the Minister claimed that the department is moving in a different direction and that the services of the old staff will no longer be required.

A source related that the Minister does not have the authority to dismiss any staff member.

“As far as I know, a Minister does not have the authority to dismiss any staff… it is [the] duty of the Permanent Secretary to do so. To make matters worse, she had the police escort them out of the building at Lot 164 Waterloo Street as if they were criminals,” the source recalled.

Some of these staff members, he noted, have been working at the Ministry for the past fif-

PWC Managing Director Wilfred Bhagaloo

The Rose Hall sugar estate

from page 20

lenges, he noted, included a lack of information from the Guyana Sugar Corporation.

“The first challenge it created, are these the least profitable of the estates. The second question was, why are you privatising these three estates and not the others. The third challenge it creates is how do you ensure you have an environment where Private Sector can compete with public sector for scarce resources.”

“And those scarce resources could mean access to markets. Access to cane, access to people, access to logistics, transportation. So those are issues we have to resolve in the privatisation process. My opinion, we are proceeding quite nicely despite those challenges.”

Meanwhile, NICIL’s Special Purpose Unit (SPU) Head, Colvin Heath-London explained that with the current political climate, other investors thought it best to wait before making their pitch. However, he said that NICIL has since re-engaged these inves-

tors, in a bid to get them to submit their proposals.

At his post-Cabinet press briefing, Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon had said that because the valuation process was lengthy, they now have to re-engage persons and companies that had initially expressed interests in purchasing the factories.

“You had interests by several companies and because [the valuation] took a little while, some of those interests have waned and so we have now to re-establish contact with some of the parties who’d expressed an interest in the first place.

So that is going on and that’s a very active issue right now,” the Director General at the MOTP said.

During that meeting last year, among the areas the bidders had concerns about was the state of the equipment and factories. But a year ago, Government had secured a G$30 billion bond through commercials banks both in Guyana and the region, as part of

the diversification initiatives.

In May 2017, Government announced plans to close the Enmore and Rose Hall Sugar Estates, sell the Skeldon Sugar Factory, reduce the annual production of sugar, and take on the responsibility of managing the drainage and irrigation services offered by GuySuCo. Subsequently, in November of that year, GuySuCo announced plans to retrench 2500 workers by the end of that year. That number increased substantially and ended up being over 7000.

Government then established the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) under the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) to take over the divestment of GuySuCo’s assets that were earmarked for sale. The SPU recruited PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) to conduct a valuation of the assets to be privatised and divested.

That process was completed and the Unit had met with some of the bidders last October.

Case against vendor in G$1M gold heist dismissed

G

The termination letter which of the staff members received on Friday last

teen years. The source posited that the other staff members, as well as those sent packing, were in tears as they were being escorted out of the building.

Minister SaraboHalley had stated that she did not wish to offer a comment on the matter at the time she was contacted.

eorgetown Magistrate Dylon Bess on Monday dismissed a robbery charge against Leonard Farley, a vendor implicated in a G$1 million gold heist after the prosecutor failed to provide sufficient evidence in the case.

The 31-year-old man of Lot 3 Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), had denied the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Judy Latchman on his first court appearance. it was reported that on September 29, 2018, at Black and White Bridge, Tucville, East La Penitence, while being armed with a knife, he robbed Wayne Brakes of several gold chains, rings and hand bands. The total value of the items was reported at over G$1.4 million.

After being remanded to prison by Judge Latchman on the first occasion, he was subsequently granted bail in

Leonard Farley

the sum of G$150,000. Several persons had testified during the trial.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Divestment of GuySuCo

Opposition calls for full disclosure of land deals T

he National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) since it took over the privatisation process for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has sold approximately 1000 acres of land to the housing authorities.

This was revealed by NICIL’s Special Purpose Unit (SPU) Head Colvin Heath-London, during a press conference.

According to HeathLondon, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) received almost 300 acres as recent as a month ago.

“We have given Central Housing and Planning in excess of 500 acres (of land),” HeathLondon explained. “Up to recently, a month ago, we gave them close to 300 acres – so in excess of 1000 acres.”

M e a n w h i l e , Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday, called on the APNU/AFC Government to provide all the details and be honest as it relates to the land deals.

According to HeathLondon, the Rose Hall Estate (another of the estates being divested) has

An example of GUYSUCO owned lands around an estate

in excess of 4000 hectares of land. A total of 20,000 hectares of land are to be divested from all the estates.

“GuySuCo, in their recapitalisation plan, had prescribed a certain acreage of non-arable land – land that was not in sugar cane production – to be sold to garner the funding for their recapitalisation. These lands are separate from those lands in production” he noted.

“As you are aware, most of the land on the coast of Guyana once

belonged to the Sugar Corporation and most of those lands were taken for housing projects. So these lands are to be sold and a lot of these lands that Central Housing and Planning has allocated are former GuySuCo lands. So we presently sell these lands to Central Housing, for their projects.”

Heath-London further explained that land around the estates being divested would not be sold to investors but would be leased based on their production needs.

At present, a consortium of investors from Guyana, Ghana and India are strong contenders for the Rose Hall estate.

“The agricultural land around the three estates will remain the property of the people of Guyana.

And these lands will be leased to the investors to provide for their production needs. The factories and the land surrounding the factories, in most cases 15 to 20 acres, will be sold in some arrangement with these investors to engender some longevity.

“We don’t want to enter into arrangements with investors who will take the assets and then, in a few months or years, shove the assets down.

So we’re looking for investors in it for the long haul,” he explained.

A few days ago, Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon had revealed that Government planned to set up a committee to oversee the sale of the sugar lands.

Harmon had noted that with the valuation completed, the process has started to facilitate the sale of the Sugar Corporation’s lands that are no longer needed by the “new GuySuCo”.

“We’ve had to establish a State’s Land Sales Committee that will ensure there is transparency in the disposal of these assets, because, in our modern history, this will be the largest transfer of assets by the State to the Private Sector,” he revealed.

According to the Government spokesperson, it is important to ensure that all the processes are transparent and open so that no one

can question the process and say one buyer benefited more than another.

“So that is being done right and that activity for the sale of lands that are not going to be part of the new GuySuCo will commence very shortly,” Harmon said.

The sale of these lands is intended to raise money to sustain the downsized sugar industry, which only has three estates operating and is still facing financial troubles.

Previously, GuySuCo had sold a portion of its lands to the CH&PA and according to President David Granger on Friday, he has instructed that the agency purchase more lands to facilitate Government’s housing drive.

“Some lands will be coming out of sugar…

But when those lands become available, I’ve asked Central Housing and Planning Authority [and] the Minister of Communities (Ronald Bulkan) to put in a bid for lands for low-income settlements,” the Head of State told residents on the East Bank of Demerara during a visit.

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Child birth tragedy: Relatives call for probe into death of Berbice woman, baby H

ours after the tragic death of her newborn, a mother of five succumbed while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) last Friday.

The child was reportedly delivered at the New Amsterdam Hospital on Thursday but the mother had to be transferred to the GPHC due to complications.

The dead woman has been identified as Karen Shondell Reid, 40, of Lot 42 Sheet Anchor East Canje, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

According to the now dead woman’s 14-yearold daughter, her mother claimed that she was prevented from eating and was only given water and cream soda on Thursday.

“She said she was hungry and they gave her three tablets and she showed me them and say that the nurse told her that she has to drink the three Cytotec tablets. She said that the doctor and that they have to give her more tablets” the teenager stated.

According to Tracy Limpkin, a cousin, they were told by doctors that the pill Reid was allegedly given is used to induce labour but because of the quantity she was given, it caused an adverse reaction.

“It dislocates the placenta and the placenta started to move and that is why she went into shock. The doctor said she was actually braindead because her organs started to shut down. He said they gave her blood and the blood started coming out back because it was not clotting because the body was not working well.”

There are reports that Reid had a fall and was taken into emergency surgery.

On Thursday, however, doctors performed a caesarean section to deliver the baby.

The woman’s sister, Vanessa Sampson, claimed that on Thursday she received an urgent message to report to the hospital. As she arrived, she was met by four doctors who informed her that her sister had a seizure and was rushed to the oper-

Karen Shondell Reid and her dead baby

ating theatre.

“They say when they open her there was a big clot and the baby died in her and they will have to take her to Georgetown Hospital because they had to remove her womb because it was separated from somewhere…”

She said even though the doctors told her that the baby was already

dead, other sources confirmed that the baby, Alegdeo Junior Ofield, lived for about one hour after delivery.

“A baby doesn’t be delivered dead and they go and bathe the baby and dress it with clothes and have a sheet around it.

If a baby born dead they leave it just so,” she said.

Meanwhile, Reid

was eventually transferred to the Georgetown Hospital on Friday evening.

Another sister of the now dead woman reportedly accompanied her to Georgetown. She explained that during the trip, Reid was seemingly in pain but before they arrived at the hospital she had stopped re-

sponding.

At the hospital, a doctor allegedly told relatives that they received the patient brain-dead and she did not respond to treatment.

Carlita Matthews, another sister, told Guyana Times International that when she reached the hospital, Reid had no pulse and her blood count was low.

“When she arrived at the Georgetown Hospital, she was taken into surgery to remove fluid from the body and to implant packs because doctors could not identify where the blood was coming from…all the blood that they give to her, she just keeps bleeding out.”

The relatives were further told that Reid suffered three heart attacks but it was the third that took her life.

The family is calling for a thorough investigation into what transpired at the New Amsterdam Hospital with respect to the medication that was administered to Reid.

The woman leaves to mourn four children.

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GECOM says house-to-house registration to commence by June month-end

– even as country awaits rulings from CCJ

T

he Guyana E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) is forging ahead with preparations to conduct house-to-house registration which is expected to commence by the end of June.

GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward, in a telephone interview with Guyana Times International, explained that the Commission is not reneging on executing this initiative that is seen as absolutely necessary.

“The exercise will commence sometime later this month. I do not have a definitive date as yet.

The Commission is deliberating on a day to start the process.”

In relation to the process being “halted” a few days ago, she explained that this delay did not necessarily mean that GECOM would have put aside the house-to-house registration process.

“I think what had initially happened was that the anticipated timeline to commence the field exercise was scheduled for June 1 (2019). That was

Justice Adrian Saunders

what we were looking at tentatively. So, that did not happen but house-tohouse registration is still on, just that it will start at a later time than anticipated,” Ward stated.

According to Ward, the process is expected to last for an average of three months.

However, the elections body is standing firm by its belief that the exercise is mandatory before the next General and Regional Elections are held.

The issue was first raised by Opposition

Leader Bharrat Jagdeo at a recent press conference.

Last week, after the statutory meeting, Government-nominated Commissioner Charles Corbin had disclosed that there were some procurement issues at the election Secretariat which by extension will delay the process.

Nevertheless, Ward had previously told this newspaper that the training of staff required for the exercise has been completed and they are now in the process of tidying up placements.

Although GECOM is forging ahead with houseto-house registration, the country awaits a ruling from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the December 2018 passage of the Opposition’s NoConfidence Motion.

The Trinidad-based regional court is currently deliberating on several appeals which are asking it to overturn the Guyana Court of Appeal’s March ruling which invalidated the passage of the motion of no-confidence against the coalition Government.

The CCJ is being asked to throw out the Appeal Court’s ruling and uphold the High Court’s January decision that the motion was validly passed and as such, Government should resign and call elections.

In May, the CCJ panel heard submissions from the parties and is expected to hand down its decision sometime this month.

According to the Opposition Leader, there are concerns brewing over the length of time the CCJ is taking to deliver its decision, especially since it was critical of the sloth

GECOM PRO Yolanda Ward

with which the matter was dealt with in Guyana.

Nevertheless, he posited that while they await that ruling, the staff at the Elections Commission should be cautious.

Meanwhile, the houseto-house registration exercise is being held amidst contention between the two sides of political Commissioners at GECOM. The Oppositionn o m i n a t e d Commissioners had held out that there was no need for house-to-house registration when the

old voters’ list could have been vetted and updated through a “Claims and Objections” period.

In fact, a similar view was recently shared by GECOM’s legal officer, Excellence Dazzell. She submitted a legal opinion, contending that house-to-house registration is not necessary and advised that another less time-consuming process be utilised in accordance with the law to update the list. But the lawyer’s advice was set aside by GECOM.

Teen awaits sentencing over killing of overseas-based University Professor – Trial to commence soon for 4 others

Guilty of manslaughter: Naomi Adams called “Shortee”

A

fter spending the last three years on remand for the murder of a retired overseas based University Professor, the five teenagers who were indicted for the capital offence in 2016, on Tuesday made their first appearance at the Demerara High Court before Justice Navindra Singh to face the allegations.

The five accused, who are no longer teenagers were all charged jointly for the capital offence of murder when they made their first court appear-

Accused: Timithy Paul Chance

ance in May of 2016 and were remanded to prison.

In court on Tuesday, 18-year-old Naomi Adams called ‘shortee’ appeared separately to face the indictment, as she opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

The charge against her stated that on May 12, 2016 in the county of Demerara she killed Pariedeau Mars also called ‘Perry’, in furtherance of a robbery.

Attorney-at-law Mark Conway represented the accused, while

Accused: Andre Benjamin

the state’s case was led

by Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy, in association with Sarah Martin.

Facts presented by prosecutor Hardy stated that on the day in question, the accused who was 15-years-old at the time visited the home of the deceased where she assisted in tying up the now dead man while the others choked him to death.

Adams was found with the deceased cellular phone in her possession, and later confessed to the crime.

Due to her plea,

Accused: Orin Mc Crae

Adams is expected to be sentenced on June 24, 2019 as Justice Singh ordered a probation report to be prepared and presented on the abovementioned date given the fact that the convicted teen was a juvenile when she committed the crime.

Other the hand, Nikkisha Dover, Timithy Paul Chance, Orin Mc Crae and Andre Benjamin appeared together to face the indictment, however, as a result of Dover not having legal representation on Tuesday’s court hear-

ing, the charge was not read to them and Justice Singh deferred the commencement of the case to June 17, for report.

Chance is being represented by Attorney Nigel Hughes, while Mc Crae and Benjamin are being represented by Adrian Thompson, as Dover will be represented by a state assigned lawyer.

According to police reports then, 75-yearold Mars, of Bissessar Avenue, Prashad Nagar, Greater Georgetown, was found bound and beaten in his home about 18:30h

Murdered: Pariedeau Mars also called “Perry”

on the day in question by his wife. He was subsequently rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Investigations revealed that an accused, who was 17-years-old at the time was known to the now dead man as she would visit his home from time to time, it was further revealed that the said accused confessed to conspiring with her boyfriend to rob the elderly man as he was home alone on the day of the incident.

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

News 25

Authorities monitoring eruption of natural gas at Mabaruma T

he National E m e r g e n c y Monitoring System (NEMS) is currently monitoring an eruption of natural gas which occurred in Mabaruma, BarimaWaini (Region One) Monday afternoon.

Based on information deceived, a businessman was reportedly drilling a well at Kumaka Water Front on his private property when he came into contact with suspected natural gas.

This was confirmed

by Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley who told the Guyana Times International that several agencies including the Guyana Water Inc (GWI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Hydromet Department have been contacted to conduct an assessment.

It is unclear whether the businessman had relevant permission to drill a well on his property.

However, a resident residing close to where

the spill occurred by related that she observed “slush” erupting from the ground.

She said she was not pay heed until she noticed that it started to spread rapidly and continued to “bubble” at a fast rate.

“I know they were drilling for a well in a private capacity. Not for GWI or anything.

And I heard a noise and when I came out, I saw the greyish slushy mud bubbling and it started to get bigger and bigger then started spilling up into the air. I quickly ran inside and lock up my door and left the area because I was afraid and I didn’t know was what,” she said.

Meanwhile, Head of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Kester Craig in a social media post stated that an investigation is currently underway with respect to an eruption of natural gas in Kumaka, Barima-Waini (Region One).

He added that the situation is currently

being monitored by the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS).

It was later confirmed by CDC Senior Response Officer, Salim October that the eruption was as a result of a Brazilian company drilling a water well at the location.

He noted that the EPA is liaising closely with the Regional Environmental Officer as an assessment of the situation is being conducted.

In June 2018, a similar occurrence at the Diamond New Housing Scheme which plastered several buildings with mud as a resident attempted to drill a well.

The well was being dug by a resident of one of the affected houses when it exploded and spurted water, mud and methane gas continuously.

It was believed that a pocket of methane gas exploded underground as a result of the drilling of the well.

The natural gas eruption which occurred at Mabaruma as a resident was drilling a well

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The contingent that represented the University of Guyana (team)

By Timothy Jaikarran

S

ome of the greatest things have been achieved through teamwork, because someone ‘has your back’ while you push your limits and achieve something that makes you all proud. It was this level of teamwork that led the University of Guyana’s Chess Club to overcome all their obstacles and securing third place at the recently-concluded University Games in Colombia.

The team was selected following UG Sports Department’s King and Queen Scrabble and Chess Competitions in November last year, with Andre Jagnandan, Davion Mars, Triston Carter, Sidney Nelson and the lone female, Anicia Patterson, ultimately representing UG at the Games.

In the competition held in November 2018, newcomer Patterson defeated Britney Bovell to be crowned the Chess Queen. The young chess player was hailed by her coach as having an aggressive style of play.

Patterson dominated her opponents with ease as she pushed them back into a corner, applying her killer instinct to announce her presence. In the end, Patterson was able to secure herself a spot on the chess team as the lone female competitor.

However, the reigning chess queen was unable to record a point in any of the categories, as this was her first international exposure. While she may not have gained the results she wanted, Patterson pushed beyond her limit to accomplish something many could only dream of.

The first thing that really took the team by surprise was the Colombian temperatures, and even though the team was informed of the climate before they left, experiencing it first-hand was an

UG chess coach Ronuel Greenidge standing on the third-place podium (coach)

entirely different story altogether. Even though the team had packed for the cold weather, to some extent their mental endurance was affected.

Nevertheless, the team persisted.

Mars retained his crown as chess king in November 2018 by defeating Joshua Gopaul in best- of-three games play. Mars asserted his dominance and won two consecutive games. From there, he went on to bag his first tournament in 2019, steamrolling the competition, with an astounding 6.5/7 points to finish the event undefeated with six victories and one draw.

Some of the opponents he defeated were former National Junior Champion Saeed Ali, Andre Jagnandan, national player Chino Chung, Ronan Lee, Aravinda Singh and National Junior Champion Joshua Gopaul, whom he had also beaten in the final of the 2018/2019 UG Chess championship.

From there, he continued his fine form bagging wins in the run-up to the University Games in Colombia. At the Games, Mars gained 3/5 points in the male classical category to help the team secure third place; his only two losses came against very strong op-

Anicia Paterson was the lone female competitor for the University of Guyana (games)

The University of Guyana Chess team after the competition (teams)

position in the form of International Master Luis Blandon (rated 2243) from Colombia in the first round and Gaviria Felipe (rated 2066) in the third round.

Mars won the remaining games, securing himself a bronze medal.

For Nelson, his 2018 season commenced in an unorthodox fashion, as he was unable to place in the University of Guyana Chess Competition as he was defeated by Mars.

But losing to Mars did not stop Nelson as he copped second in one of the first chess tournaments in 2019. The newcomer was able to finish on 6/7 points in the senior category, forcing the in-form Mars to a draw.

Even though Nelson played in UG tournaments, this was his first-ever Guyana Chess

Federation (GCF) tournament, where he claimed wins over Chung, Gopaul and Ali, as well as Olympiad player Roberto Neto among others.

In Colombia, Nelson was also able to bag a total of three bronze medals and was able to amass two valuable points in the classical senior male team category to take the team to six points, thus securing their podium finish.

His no-retreat, nosurrender attitude led him to dig deep, pulling out all the stops to earn himself important draws and wins in the Rapids and Blitz categories to hand his team two more bronze medals.

Jagnandan, a newcomer just like Nelson, has etched his name in the minds of Guyanese

chess fanatics, as his rise to fame did not come overnight. Jagnandan’s first competition came at the University Chess Competition, where he placed third, from there he went on to claim another third in the first chess tournament of 2019. He claimed a total of 3.5/7 points in the junior category, but that was just the tip of the iceberg for Jagnandan as he went on to dethrone National Chess Champion Joshua Gopaul.

After seven intense rounds in the Sasha Cells National Junior Chess Championships, the 19-year-old Jagnandan walked out victorious as he amassed a score of 5.5 score and 24 points.

In Colombia, his bronze medals came as a result of his training con-

tinuously, however, he faced some major challenges as the cold weather affected him tremendously. Jagnandan was forced to stay up late at night and play games in the cold so as to become acclimatised, and due to this, he was able to pick up more wins.

Carter has shown to be one of the top minds at the University of Guyana, as he is not only versed in the area of chess, but as a football player as well.

While Carter was unable to book a spot in the University Chess Competition in 2018 and 2019 at the University Games in Colombia, the experience for him was a humbling one as he learnt from some of the best chess players in the Caribbean and can only hope he is able to apply what he has learnt.

Mars noted that the team could’ve placed higher if they had converted some opportunities, relating that there were many times when they had a solid structure and a very good position, but failed to either save or secure a full point.

However, they were still able to band together and fight their way to the podium. It was all the teamwork that led to their successful showing and next year, it will just be bigger and better.

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Dissing…

B

…Working Girls’ Day et you didn’t know that Sunday, June 2nd, was “International Whores Day”, or (more leftist!)

“International Sex Workers Day”. And that’s too bad. In an age when the British and Canadian Consulates can join our LBTQ community and march through the streets of Georgetown to push “Gay Pride”, we still have a whole community of folks who are stigmatised for EARNING a living!!

Now, sex work didn’t just pop up, did it? Selling one’s body (or various parts of it) for sex – dubbed “prostitution” – is accepted as the world’s oldest profession!! There isn’t a civilisation on earth without sex workers. In[RD1] fact, some of them – notably Chinese and Indian – were called “concubines”, and were highly trained before they could practise their profession. Music, poetry, and the arts were only a few of the subjects on their curriculum.

But, even before then, patriarchal norms had become entrenched, and women’s bodies had been claimed by males, and they decided what the females could do with their own bodies. Did you even think of that?

Every day of the week, good citizens are admired for going out and “selling their labour” for “wages”.

But what’s this “labour” we sell? Can it be separated from our bodies? It really can’t, can it?

It all comes down to the negative value judgement placed on “sex work” – it’s “sinful”. And that’s the nub of the problem, isn’t it?

Some folks insist that the morality coming out of some tribal customs two millennia ago should dictate what women can do with their bodies today. But even here, there are some anomalies in Guyanese law. While prostitution is prohibited explicitly for males – who can’t even engage in the sex act with each other, much less sell the services — there is a more circuitous prohibition for women. For them, it’s forbidden for anyone to run “brothels” or “bawdy houses” (Criminal Offences Act s 357; Summary Jurisdiction (Offenses) Act, §165), and working girls can be rounded up and shamed.

Remember Simona “I is” Broomes raiding that hotel in Bartica and dragging those girls to Georgetown, claiming they were being trafficked”??

And, of course, as the recently departed social activist Andaiye pointed out, eventually the girls were actually charged for passport violations!!It was shaming the working girls and penalising the hotel owner for allegedly running a “bawdy house”!

Now, Guyana is supposed to have a Sex Workers Coalition, and your Eyewitness had hoped they would’ve been in the streets on Sunday demanding that sex work not be driven underground – where the workers can really be exploited.

Sex workers of the world, unite!! You have nothing to lose but your chains of shame!! …the savage infighting They say “Hell has no fury like a woman scorned”, but from bits and pieces seeping out of the closed doors of the AFC Headquarters — the one donated by that pharma importer in Kitty – it looks like the fury of scorned women has nothing on that of a scorned lackey!! Nagamootoo and his erstwhile bestie, Ramjattan, we know are locked in a deadly struggle to be the PM candidate for the PNC-led coalition.

Kinda like a puppy-sized Guyana version of Godzilla vs Ghidorah!!

They assume, of course, that the PNC would again choose their Indian Guyanese token PM candidate from the AFC – rather a huge assumption, given their meltdown in support!! But rather than openly duking it out – if not with pistols at ten paces, then maybe in a debate – the two of them are using surrogates in the lead-up to their General Convention to control the delegates who’ll be voting for one or the other.

This weekend, seems that Nagamootoo’s water boy and attack hound wasn’t even elected to be a delegate!!

“Livid” isn’t even in the same universe!! …the Army brass We know Granger was once head of the army.

But does he have to micro-manage our forces to the extent he decides when a private gets leave?

What does this do to the forces’ morale and initiative?

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FEATURE 33

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or women of the Speightland community situated in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), farming is more than just planting seeds in the ground and watching them grow – it is a way of life which many have grown to love.

Speightland is a small, close-knit community located on the Mackenzie shore of Linden, in close proximity to the old Alumina Plant.

Approximately 90 per cent of the population is Indigenous, with subsistence farming and fishing being two of its major economic activities.

While much of the community’s male population are farmers who grow vegetables as a means of supporting their families as well as supplying the market, the women have refused to be left behind.

A walk through Speightland would reveal its love for planting – from kitchen gardens to well thought-out, beautifully decorated yards of flowering plants. And many of the community’s women have transformed their yards into a haven for growing vegetables and fruits.

The Sunday Times Magazine recently spoke with some of these women, who shared their experiences with rediscovering their love for farming while others shared their undying love for the practice.

The members of the community are quite welcoming, much like the calm, peaceful and relaxing Demerara River which runs through it. Take 50-year-old housewife Verna Lorrimer, for example, who

and strayed away from her mother’s teachings in this regard as an adult; however, she said a love for the activity was recently cultivated in her heart.

Displaying her bountiful garden of freshlygrown tomatoes and other vegetables spread a r o u n d her yard, Lorrimer said she was happy to plant again as she was now reaping the benefits.

“I learned from my mom, because my mom used to go to the creek and farm. When the school closed, sometimes we would go and spend the whole two weeks or when school close for August, we went for the whole two months,” she noted.

Recalling her childhood

was born and raised in the community. Lorrimer, who is a mother of four, told this publication that she learnt a lot about farming from her mother, who was versed in the trade.

She noted that as a child, she wasn’t too keen on farming

days, Lorrimer reminisced on using paddle boats at the time to get to her mother’s farm, an activity which is a way of life for residents to this day.

“I never liked it (farming) when I was small, but now as I get big and I start planting a little thing on my own, I get

By Utamu Belle

F

to like it,” she said.

She added that she loved the fact that her vegetables were all natural and not cultivated with too many fertilisers, so she did not have to deal with the issue of them spoiling too quickly.

Apart from that, Lorrimer said she was able to save a few pennies owing to the fact that she did not have to spend on vegetables and fruits.

Additionally, growing and sharing food with neighbours is a common practice in the tightly-knit community.

“When I cut banana, sometimes it’s five, six bunches of banana. I just share it around,” Lorrimer related.

Some of the women ex-

plained that they would grow vegetables for their households as well as to sell and would also purchase from other women to sell in some cases. The women plant a variety of vegetables and fruits, including sweet corn, tomatoes, ginger, pumpkin, sorrel, corilla, bora, lettuce, pakchoi, celery, thick leaf calaloo, eshalots, pepper, cucumber, boulanger, sweet potato and mustard.

Fishing is also a hobby shared by the Speightland women. They explained that they would go out at nights with their torch lights to catch fish. The excitement in their voices when explaining the process was convincing enough. Fishes such as patwa, hymara, bara and hourie are caught using the ‘hook rod’.

“We does go and catch fish, creek fish. Fresh fish – out the water, straight to the pot,” Lorrimer said humorously. “We go up in the creek at night and we juk with spear or we catch with rod.

Day time you does catch with hook rod. It does nice, man!” she continued, clear excitement in her voice.

This publication also caught up with Lavern and Alicia Stellingburg, sisters

who have transformed their entire yard into a farmer’s paradise. They explained that apart from the numerous vegetables they grow in their yards, they are now starting on ginger. This, they explained, is a new challenge since they never tried growing ginger in the muddy soil previously.

In describing her longtime love for farming, Lavern said: “I used to farm a long time in the backyard. I love farming. You plant and whatever is too much, you sell or you give it away.”

While Lavern, a mother of three, has been more into farming over the years, Alicia explained that she was only recently motivated to venture into farming after having little to do with her life. Prior to this, she said she would spend her time sleeping for the most part. Being around a family of farmers, it was hard for her to continue like this.

The women said they started off with only two beds in their own yard before they were motivated to expand.

They grow eshalots in basins shaded from the sun by the fruit trees in the yard. Many sorrel trees of varying species surround the outer corners of the yard, while numerous beds of vegetables and fruits are dispersed throughout.

They also grow citrus fruits, including orange, tangerine, lemon and lime. Their brothers also have their own farms at a different location.

The women noted that they recently purchased a water can, since it was difficult to water the plants using a hose given the large number of beds. The can, they noted, makes the task a lot easier.

They purchase their seeds and seedlings from a local supplier in the community. Their family, they explained, are now more empowered through farming. Alicia said she has found her passion and encourages other youths who may not have a sense of direction to consider farming, be it on a small or large scale. She said, in her experience, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, positing that she has discovered value within herself and is proud to be independent, all thanks to farming.

As for Lorrimer, she encourages the youth especially to utilise their land meaningfully through farming. This, she noted, can be done right in their own backyard.

“Find a piece of land, start on a small scale. You got to get the courage and you got to get the mind. Farming is something nice, you benefit a lot from it. Sometimes you benefit so much, you don’t have to go and work with nobody. It can employ you,” she advised.

These women represent just a fraction of the women in the community who are being empowered and self-employed through subsistence farming.

They are firm believers in the “Grow More” food initiative.

34 FEATURE

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

I

n the late 19th century, the decision was made for the construction of a market that would stand the test of time in order to accommodate the increasing number of vendors in Georgetown; that market has survived to this very day.

While little official information appears available about the history of Bourda Market, previous unofficial research relates that Bourda market was originally built in 1880, and was soon reconstructed in 1902 to accommodate a growing number of vendors and consumers.

The market got its name from the famous colonial, Joseph Bourda,

struction in the following year. Provision was then made in the 1902 estimates for the construction of the new market.

Construction

The area in which the market is situated seems from very early in its history to have been where people gather to vend their produce on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

From this humble beginning the area later developed into a marketing centre.

who was also the proprietor of the Vlissengen Plantation, and was one of the many colonials who found their final resting place in the Bourda cemetery which is opposite the market. A place now neglected and overgrown with bush.

The actual Bourda

market borders on the north and south by Robb and Regent Streets respectively, and on the east and west by Orange Walk and Bourda Street.

The market has a long history that goes back to the 1870s when mention was just made of the Bourda market in the City Council’s minutes book.

Beginnings

According to Schulder Griffith, who was Clerk of Markets at the time of the study, vendors who normally occupied the Stabroek area came down to the Bourda area to do business after the construction of the Stabroek market began. As early as 1878, a shed was erected to accommodate the

increase of vendors that now occupied the Bourda area. The Bourda Market was declared a temporary market in 1880.

The report of the City Council of 1881 asked the Council to decide whether to make the temporary structure which was the shed to become permanent. After three and a half years of existence, the shed had become unsafe and was therefore in need of much repair. The report added that if the market was to continue permanently it would be necessary to erect a more substantial building and fence it securely. The construction of Bourda Street and drains in the area was laid out in that same year.

The 1882 estimate of the City Council shows that a sum of $651.80 was set aside for enclosing the Bourda market an area of 125 x 50 feet approximately. The estimate also includes erecting and painting the fence. In 1901, a plan was prepared of a “new iron market” for Bourda, but due to the high prices for materials in that year, the decision was made to start con-

The foundation stone of the Bourda market was laid on 12 December 1902 enclosing an area of 12,500 square feet, accommodating some 2,328 stalls. Bourda market, like Stabroek market, is enclosed with iron railing. It is a giant timber framed shed with three giant truss roves constructed of wood. A simple iron railed fence surrounds the entire structure. A clock tower was also constructed, which still exists though it is apparently not functioning.

This tower is not an imposing structure like its more famous sister, Stabroek Market is - people using the areas can go by the market without really noticing the clock tower. The Bourda Market clock was built by W Potts and Sons Makers of England in 1902. The clock bell is of cast bronze and weighs approximately 500 pounds. Legend has it that this bell is a commemorative bell cast for the coronation of England’s King Edward in 1902.

The market was later extended to include what was once called the Bourda Green. The

Bourda Green was paved with concrete, and vending was permitted in the 60s, but the area was later organized and improved by requiring vendors to build stalls so as to remove their produce from off the ground.

Further improvements were made as the area was provided with electricity, and stalls had to be made secure to prevent people from sleeping in them since the area that housed the Green was not enclosed.

The Bourda Green is a famous historic site because it was where the politicians in the 40s and 50s would gather to stage their political meetings.

Many of them launched their political careers on that very ground. The vendors who occupied the Green were mostly from the East Coast of Demerara. The Green is now so filled to capacity that the Merriman’s Mall has to be used for the selling of farmer’s produce.

The Bourda Market is a very popular market, and is always buzzing with activity on a daily basis. Almost anything can be purchased in this market without having to go anywhere else.

While in need of repair, and in the shadow of the famous Stabroek Market, Bourda Market remains one of the most well-known and utilised traditional buildings in Georgetown.

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35

36 FEATURE

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Shanti Persaud

S

Dr Kishore Persaud

hanti Persaud thought her diabetes was under control. Months later, she was on the brink of death from kidney failure.

Deep in the throes of renal failure, barely able to eat, move or talk and on the verge of total exhaustion, Shanti had no idea that her struggle for life would become an incredible survival story. How she beat the odds, survived and eventually moved on to live a normal life is a story of incredible luck, a determined and highly skilled doctor and his team, and a pioneering medical procedure at one of the nation’s leading hospitals.

Although diagnosed with diabetes, Shanti did not worry too much as she always took her medication and was able to live a relatively normal life and do many of the things she loved, such as exercising, taking care of her family,

and even indulging in an occasional fast-food treat.

When she visited the clinic monthly to keep track of her condition, her check-ups often included a kidney function test. But one day, her quietude was shaken.

She got her kidney function test results and found out that her kidneys were not working at maximum capacity. The results indicated that the problem was marginal, but it explained recent feelings of fatigue that she had noticed.

Still, she and her family, though concerned, were not alarmed as they did not fully understand the danger or consequences.

But the deterioration was rapid and Shanti’s condition went from marginal loss of kidney function to chronic renal failure. She was not at all prepared.

With chronic renal failure, her tiredness and weakness grew worse and worse. It was as

though all the strength, all the vitality had been sucked from her body.

Bathing herself had become impossible without assistance from her daughter. Shanti could not even stand up to prepare a meal. Climbing stairs had become difficult as she lost her breath quickly.

Her kidneys were almost gone. That was the reason for her fatigue, pain and bad feelings; and to make matters worse, she was going blind.

Shanti started dialysis treatment during which she was hooked up to a machine that rid her body mechanically of impurities as well as excess fluids and salt. This invasive procedure became an essential part of Shanti’s and her family’s routines, because, without it, she would simply die.

Everything in her life seemed to revolve around this artificial system of filtering impurities from her blood, which is called

haemodialysis.

Three times a week, her family had to take her on a wheelchair to the hospital for the sessions. For four consecutive hours, a machine would pump her blood through a filter outside the body and pump it back into her body.

A bleak future of interminable dialysis treatments stretched before her. It was expensive too, costing nearly $50,000 a week.

Additionally, every two months she had to be admitted to hospital for blood transfusions and to treat complications caused by dialysis.

There were terrible side effects. The treatment left her feeling lightheaded and weak.

After receiving it, she would be taken from the hospital in a wheelchair, lifted into the car and later, up the stairs to her home. This continued for about eight agonising months. It is a period Shanti tries to forget.

As her dialysis ordeal continued, there was a ray of hope. It came from Dr Kishore Persaud, a transplant surgeon at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital, who urged Shanti to consider undergoing a kidney transplant. He was experienced in this area, having performed several such surgeries with a high success rate.

The surgery would require a willing donor whose physiological makeup would be compatible with Shanti.

Shanti’s brother was a perfect match.

Such transplants are generally done at the Georgetown Public Hospital, but Shanti was more comfortable doing hers at Mercy Hospital.

Little did she know that it would have been a first for the privately-operated institution. The Hospital rose to the occasion and a series of prudent actions followed

to facilitate a successful surgery.

It was a quiet Saturday in October 2017 when Shanti and her brother arrived at the Mercy Hospital for the surgeries. She was a little nervous, but Shanti trusted her doctor.

The Mercy Hospital team had left no stone unturned. According to Dr Kishore, “We would have reviewed the protocol and discussed it with the administration at the Mercy Hospital … spoken to all the specialists and … made a clear plan of how to proceed in this aspect, because it was the first-ever transplant we would have been doing at this hospital.

“After setting all the parameters in place, we then proceeded to do her transplant. We partnered with the … university in Miami which gave us a backup to our laboratory service in terms of proceeding with [conducting] all the tests that are not available in Guyana,” Dr Kishore explained.

Shanti and her brother spent over eight hours on the operating tables beneath the skilled hands and watchful eyes of Dr Kishore and a team of medical experts.

Shanti recalled waking up on a bed in a hospital room after the operation. Relieved, she looked over and saw her brother awake on the other bed. The surgery had been a success and her new kidney had begun to function while she was still on the operating table.

Dr Kishore left nothing to chance. He stayed with Shanti throughout the night after the operation to ensure that the kidney was fully functional, and afterwards he and other doctors made frequent follow-up checks.

Shanti experienced

none of the pain she had expected in the recovery phase and, after one week of top-notch after-surgery care by the Hospital’s staff, she was able to walk herself out of the hospital.

Her brother had left the Hospital four days after the surgery.

Dr Kishore said many people with renal failure would like a kidney transplant, but it’s not easy to get a compatible donor. The surgeon remarked that some persons are, in fact, surviving on just one kidney, and are not even aware of it because they have not experienced any symptoms indicating that a kidney has stopped working.

Underscoring that donating a kidney is safe, Dr Kishore explained that the screening process for donors is thorough, following rigid guidelines: “When we take a kidney from someone, we ensure that person is capable of living a normal healthy life for the rest of their life on one kidney. We would never take a kidney from someone if we know we would cause harm to that person. That is our main objective when we screen a patient thoroughly…”

Shanti’s brother, for instance, is enjoying an active life after the successful operation. This includes working hard, going to gym and having active social interactions. Until he heals fully, his only restriction is lifting heavy weights.

One of the ways of increasing the availability of kidneys for persons in need is for cadaveric legislation to be passed in Guyana, allowing for organs to be taken from patients who are brain dead and implanted into those in need.

Since Shanti’s surgery, there has been one other kidney transplant at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital by Dr Kishore and his team.

Altogether, 20 kidney transplants have been done in Guyana by Dr Kishore and his team at the Georgetown Public Hospital with Dr Kishore as the lead surgeon.

He is a strong advocate of kidney transplants in cases of renal failure, declaring the procedure life-transforming for both the patients and their families.

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 37

38 feature

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Celebration to mark the end of Ramadaan

E

id, popularly known as Eid-ulFitr, is a festival observed by the Muslim community to celebrate the conclusion of the month of fasting.

Eid-ul-Fitr literally means 'festival of breaking the fast'. Like other festivals observed by the Muslim community, this festival symbolizes faith.

The festival is celebrated based on an Islamic belief by following the form of social practice.

Eid is celebrated on the first date of Shawwal, that is, the tenth month of the Hijra calendar. During the festival, Muslims exchange gifts, greeting their neighbours as a mark of solidarity and brotherhood.

According to the Islamic tradition, there are two festivals observed by Muslims ev-

ery year - Eid-ul-Fitr just after Ramadaan and Eid-ul-Zuha in the month of Haj. Ramadaan, the month of fasting, symbolizes a lot practices and beliefs of the community. It is not merely restraining oneself from having food but also to abstain from all kinds of evil and unlawful practices in Islam.

Muslims, just before the celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr, keep a month long fast throughout the month of Ramadaan.

The practice of fasting is also known as 'roza' that starts from the break of dawn till dusk and during this whole day an individual has to refrain hinself from drinking, eating or having sexual intercourse. The term 'roza' us an Arabic word means abstinence.

Many Muslims believe that fasting reminds a sense of responsibility within themselves. The month long fasting ends with the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr that symbolizes a reward for their fasting.

Muslims on this day wear their best clothers and offer 'namaz' a congregational prayer at masjids or mosques.

After

offering

their prayers they exchange good wishes of the festival with their neighbours and other people. They also donate

ries a social connotation.

Like other festivals, Eid-ul-Fitr is also observed with great enthusiasm. Delicious food and drinks are an indispensable part of the festivity.

People decorate their houses and prepare luscious traditional sweets and cuisines to celebrate the festival. The most common recipe in this festival is the delicious meethi seviyan (Sweet Vermicelli) prepared from various healthy and mouth-watering ingredients.

Moreover, ahead the festival, the markets are filled with fascinating items in the shopping list for Eid. Fancy and food items mostly dominate the festival and as the festival approaches excitement to celebrate gains momentum not only with Muslims but also with shopkeepers and traders

alms to the poor on the auspicios occasion.

The celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr not only has religious essence but also car-

doing a brisk business.

The celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr is nodoubt perks up the spirit inherent in all the festivity.

The significance of this festival is also interpreted as a good time to bring people together in harmony and gratitude.

A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities.

Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadaan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques. (Times of India)

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Cocaine in fish: Duo gets for 4 years, fined G$25M each

T

Amir Ally and Baldeo Persaud

wo men were on Monday sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and fined G$25 million each by Magistrate Leron Daly for attempting to ship 20 pounds of cocaine in frozen fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in 2018.

The men are 30-yearold businessman Amir Ally of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, and 32-year-old Baldeo Persaud, a truck driver of Kingston Street, C Field, Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

They were found guilty of trafficking 9.366 kilograms of cocaine at Laparkan Cargo Shed, CJIA, on February 6, 2018.

Ally was said to be the shipper while

Persaud was the driver who transported the boxes with cocaine stuffed in frozen fish to the cargo bond at the CJIA airport.

During the search, the ranks found a quantity of cocaine stashed in frozen fish that was destined for the USA. Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Kunyo Sandiford led evidence in the trial.

Ranks from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) were able to arrest Baldeo Persaud after reviewing telephone records from the alleged mastermind, Amir Ally.

The cargo containing the fish was searched

by CANU officers at the Laparkan Cargo Shed at CJIA where the discovery was made.

NEWS 39

40 FEATURE

By Lakanand Singh

A

fter two months of planning, indecision and busy weekends our road trip up the SoesdykeLinden Highway came to fruition.

Was it my idea? No. Did I plan the excursion? Again, no. I did, however, invest in fishing line, hooks, two yariyari rods and tagged along with my brother and three of his friends.

Journeying along the stretch of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway has always been, for me, one of the more enjoyable road trips in Guyana, second only travelling along the coast to East Berbice (granted, I haven’t had the chance to traverse the red road to Lethem). The opportunities for great photographs are almost endless.

Factor in the undulating landscape and winding roadway between the sandy hills and pits and you’re sure to have your very own portfolio.

Along both sides of the Linden Highway, countless trails can be seen making their way from the asphalt into the unknown. Hidden from view are villages, schools, resorts and farms. We made our way through one such trail that promised to take us to Splashmins Eco Adventure Park. It’s a short drive from the highway to our destination.

Alas, we arrived on empty stomachs, but we had planned to do our very own cooking on the premises.

Fried chicken and fried rice were on the menu that day. Our trusty mate

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Omali was the chief cook for the occasion. As prepared as we were, we had a single kahari in our possession which meant that the rice and chicken could not be cooked simultaneously. Naturally, the chicken had to be fried first, based on this logic: “we need some cutters budday”. Little time was wasted.

To the fishes! Omali and I remained with our precious chicken while the three enterprising anglers made their way to the waterfront with rod in hand.

They returned without a catch, citing the water level as the main deterrent to fish in the area. We took it with a grain of salt. Funnily enough, we had forgotten to bring salt with us. Thankfully, the chicken was seasoned the night before. However, our fried rice did not fare well. In our defence, it was perfect, save for the lack of salt. The rice was wonderfully boiled (albeit without a strainer – we drained it by the spoonful), mixed with finely chopped vegetables, two entire packets of fried rice seasoning, and of course, the ever-present Chinese sauce. It was quite possibly the blandest fried rice we had ever tasted, but we were hella proud.

All in all, it was a day well spent.

Good people, great music, hilarious conversation and dare I say, tasty food (leff we, the ketchup is a frivolous detail). Enjoy the remaining photographs, of water and sky.

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

news 41

42 NEWS

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana urged to pursue “realistic” renewable energy source

A

lthough Guyana may not be in the hurricane belt, it certainly will have to deal with issues such as the rise in sea levels and flooding as the country builds its new energy future.

This is according to Caricom’s Energy Programme Manager, Dr Devon Gardner, who at a recent talk about Guyana’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) noted that while there are multiple potential renewable energy sources for the country, focus needs to be placed on those CARICOM Energy Programme Manager, Dr. Devon Gardner that can be “realistically de- for rural development, social According to Dr Gardner, veloped.” advancement and a lot of the Guyana has an electrical “…In a way that gives us economic potentials includ- system that is “not the most the kind of energy system ing those that can be gained modern” and a system that that makes us sufficiently ro- from the exports. includes generation that is bust to the potential external Not just of oil and gas po- largely dependent under the impacts of commodity pric- tentially but also from renew- current state of fossil sources, not just oil, and as well able energy including renew- es, most of which are oilas make us a lot more resil- able electricity from sources based sources. ient to the impacts of climate such as hydro…maybe other “We have a configurachange. There must be un- sources, perhaps including tion for delivering the enerderstanding that within that biomass produced fuels such gy from the generation points context too, the opportunities as maybe biodiesel etc.” to the demand centres that

is not optimised and that is something that results in a system that is not sufficiently reliable and secure”, he added.

Further, the official said that on the transport side, the Caribbean has similar issues in the sense that there is even more dependence on oilbased sources for fuel.

“We have a marketing and distributing system that is very conventional [and] depends on, of course, fuel coming in, being bunkered in the course, transported to the distribution stations, people then come fill up and then use motor vehicles with internal combustion engines and to date we have not been able to secure data on the average age of the vehicles despite much efforts to do so.”

Gardner posited that from a first glance of the roadways in Guyana, it is obvious that the transport sector is not one of the more efficient end us-

Tullow Oil commences drilling works in Orinduik Block I n keeping with its plans to explore Guyana’s rich offshore resources, a multinational oil and gas exploration company, Tullow Oil, has begun its search for oil in the Orinduik Block.

This operation will incorporate the use of the Offshore Support Vessel (OSV) Pacific Leader, which will display international signals for other nearby vessels to be alerted, the Maritime Administration Department said in a notice published in the daily newspapers.

This drilling exercise will run until December 31 of this year.

The oil company is expected to drill about 82 nautical miles from the coast of Guyana and cover an area of 848 square kilometres.

The Maritime Department has asked that all mariners exercise caution when in this zone and moreover, maintain a good distance from it.

In another notice, the Department explained that the company also commenced drilling in the Jethro-1 well site within the Orinduik Block. For this operation, the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Stena Forth will be used and will also be displaying international signals.

Its drill site is about 95 nautical miles from

Tullow’s Head of Communications, George Cazenove

Guyana’s coast and will cover an area of one square kilometre, bounded by other coordinates.

The oil company first inked its interest into Guyana during the second quarter of 2013.

Tullow had in February announced that it was bringing forward its drilling programme from the previously scheduled end of the year to the second quarter. It had announced that the Jethro prospect would be drilled in June.

So far, plans have been announced to drill three wells namely the Jethro-Lobe, Joe and Carapa.

Its Carapa prospect

in Kanuku is expected to be drilled in the third quarter. It is understood that the net cost of the Jethro well is US$30 million, while the Carapa well will cost US$20 million.

Tullow’s partner in the Orinduik Block, Eco Atlantic, had announced that drilling on the Joe prospect will begin in mid-July of this year.

They had announced that the Stena Forth drillship will move directly to the Joe after it finishes drilling the Jethro Lobe Well in the Orinduik Block.

It is understood that the Joe is located in approximately 650 metres of water and will cost

Eco approximately US$3 million to drill.

A recently published report from international company Gustavson Associates has estimated that the well has a 43.2 per cent chance of success.

The Orinduik oil block is just a few kilometres from Exxon’s discoveries in the Liza and Payara fields. It is under the administration of Eco Guyana and Tullow, who signed a 10-year Petroleum Prospecting licence and Production Sharing Agreement with Guyana in 2016. The French firm, Total E and P Activities Petrolieres entered the fray in 2017, partnering with Eco with the option to get a 25 per cent share in the Block.

With major plans afoot for possible oil discoveries, Tullow’s Head of Communications, George Cazenove, has promised that jobs will be provided for the Guyanese populace.

In a recent interview, Cazenove told Guyana Times International, “Shared prosperity includes a firm commitment to local content…

Tullow has made significant efforts in both East and West Africa to make sure that local companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are involved in the supply chain in the oil and gas developments we are involved with”.

ers of energy within Guyana.

“So, understanding that configuration means that in any planning there has to be short term goals that seeks to rectify some of the maladies in the existing system.

Even as we try to build the optimisations that are necessary for the kind of flexible, adaptable, diversified systems. Systems that would make us have lower energy costs, maybe energy costs that are not necessarily lower, but are more resilient to external price shorts from the commodities markets and much greater reliability in our systems.”

The Caricom official reminded that renewable energy is “not an end in itself” but more of a means in Guyanese obtaining the kind of diversified economic and social systems with the relevant stewardships and necessary environment for a country that is pursuing a GSDS. (Kristen Macklingam)

SPU says over G$7B disbursed to GuySuCo from G$30B bond since 2018 – but GuySuCo not providing evidence of how money is spent

SPU Head Colvin Heath-London

By Jarryl Bryan

S

ince July 13, 2018, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) has disbursed G$7.420 billion to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) in nine payments – without receiving evidence of how this money is being used by the entity.

This is according to NICIL’s Special Purpose Unit (SPU) Head Colvin Heath-London, who was at the time hosting a long-awaited press conference to update the media and the nation at large on the diversification of the sugar estates and the status of the G$30 billion bond that

was negotiated last year.

Four disbursements were made in 2018 and five this year. The last disbursement was also the largest, G$1.442 billion on April 5, 2019.

But according to London, GuySuCo has not been forthcoming with information on how the money is being used, something that is proving problematic for bondholders.

“When the bond was being negotiated with the bondholders, a plan was put forward and the bondholders agreed to a certain path forward on what the proceeds for the bond should be used for,” Heath-London explained. turn to page 47

NEWS 43

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Central Bank revises Govt economic growth projections downwards – 4.4% growth now projected for Guyana the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana,” the report states, adding that the proposed Natural Resources Fund (NRF) is expected to help manage the risks associated with the burgeoning oil and gas sector.

The Bank explained that this includes minimising negative impacts on traditional sectors.

In the report, it notes that Guyana’s economy grew by 3.4 per cent for 2018.

However, the banking institution warned of the risks to Guyana’s progress in preparing for the oil and gas sector

The Bank of Guyana

D

uring his budget speech last year, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had announced that real economic growth is expected to be 4.6 per cent in 2019. However, figures released recently by the Bank of Guyana have downsized this prediction.

According to the central bank in its 2018 Annual Report, Guyana’s economy is actually projected to grow by 4.4 per cent by the end of 2019.

According to the report, various productive sectors are expected to record growth.

“The economy is projected to grow by 4.4 per cent at the end of 2019 on account of growth in the major economic sectors.

The agriculture sector is expected to increase by 3.2 per cent, due to the increases in other crops by 4.0 per cent, production of rice by 3.4 per cent and the output of sugar by 3.2 per cent.

“The mining and quarrying sector is forecasted to expand by 3.4 per cent due to increases in the production of bauxite by 10.0 per cent and gold by 1.7 per cent.

The services industry is estimated to grow by 3.7 per cent on account of higher outturns of wholesale and retail trade by 5.0 per cent and transportation and storage activities by 3.5 per cent,” the report states.

Meanwhile, the report projected that Guyana’s construction and manufacturing industries are projected to increase by 10.5 per cent and 3.8 per cent respectively. It also projected that inflation rates would be measured at 2.5 per cent owing to moderate increases in food and fuel prices.

The central bank not-

ed that global growth in 2019 is expected to slow to 3.5 per cent, partly owing to the negative effects of tariff increases enacted by the United States against China. As such, the bank projected that growth in advanced economies is expected to decline to 2.3 per cent.

“Additionally, economic expansion in emerging markets and developing economies is expected to hold steadfast in 2019 at 4.5 per cent. Latin America and the Caribbean is expecting growth of 2.0 per cent in 2019.”

The report states that economic recovery in the Region will be supported by increased demand from external trading partners and the option of better financial conditions rather than the volatile international financial market. It projected overall growth of 2.0 per cent in the Caribbean for 2019.

Another bank, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), has previously warned that with the prevailing uncertainty in Guyana regarding elections (and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling on last year’s no-confidence motion), political uncertainty can have a significant impact on Guyana’s preparations for first oil and the overall economy.

This warning was contained in the Bank’s country economic review of Guyana for 2018, the year in which a government was toppled after a no-confidence vote was passed for the first time in Guyana’s history.

“Commercial production is due to commence in 2020. This will increase economic growth and provide windfall revenues for

and indeed, the overall macro-economic outlook if political uncertainty continues.

“Guyana is on the verge of a sharp increase in economic growth, but immediate prospects partly depend on ending political uncertainty,” the report states. “In the November 2018 budget speech, the Ministry of Finance was targeting 4.6 per cent (Gross Domestic Product) growth in 2019.

“However, increased political uncertainty in early 2019 may dampen this momentum,” the Bank added. “The

National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited bond issue will push total public and publicly guaranteed debt above 60 per cent of GDP in 2019, but that ratio is projected to decline sharply after 2020.”

These warnings were echoed by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), which has warned about the impact of the political climate on businesses.

In fact, the Chamber did a survey earlier this year that found that the political climate has been bad for business.

44 news

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Barbados PM announces sale of LIAT shares Snake oil salesman…

H

T

he Barbados government Tuesday night formally announced plans to sell its shares in the cash strapped regional airline, LIAT, but insisted that it was committed to regional transportation and would continue to hold minimum shares in the Antigua-based carrier.

Barbados along with Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines are the main shareholders of the

airline that employs over 600 people and operates 491 flights weekly across 15 destinations.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley in a statement to Parliament confirmed reports that Antigua and Barbuda would be seeking to replace her country as the largest shareholder government by seeking to acquire the shares Bridgetown would be outing up for sale.

She said that Attorney General

Dale Marshall would lead the negotiations. “There is only so much that Barbados can responsibly do at this time given our current circumstances and our current position on the journey which I referred to just now,” she said, having earlier made reference to the island's multi-million dollar agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to turn around the ailing economy. turn to page 46

…in the Presidency ere we go again!! It’s clear that President Granger is a devout practitioner of the advice given by WC Fields: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit!!” And in this he’s following in the footsteps of that other snakeoil salesman, Forbes Burnham. But that shouldn’t surprise us, should it? He’s publicly sworn to “complete the legacy” of his mentor Burnham.

Take his promise a few days ago on housing: “I would like to leave office where there is not a single homeless Guyanese. Every single Guyanese will have a roof over their head.” Now what else is this but a reprise of Burnham’s “Feed, house and clothe the nation” promise, which he made in 1972 and was to be completed in four years?? And of course we know he failed abysmally with not even one-tenth of the 60,000 houses completed!! And even those were created just for the PNC faithful, mainly in Georgetown. Burnham was in power for another decade after the plan’s ending of 1976, but we know he left the nation even hungrier, more homeless, and more naked than when he was handed power on a platter by outside forces.

And Granger will fail for the same reason Burnham did: a wilful and stubborn disregard of economic realities, and a willingness to believe his own BS. He told his captive audience at Perseverance Scheme – which was launched by the PPP administration!

– in what was clearly a campaign stop on state funds, “Housing helps to take (poor people) out of poverty…and it is my mission to completely abolish homelessness in this country.” Now, let us look at that statement a bit closer.

How can being you pull people out of poverty without creating the environment wherein they can get jobs to enable them to pay their mortgages??

Granger and Burnham are putting the cart before the horse, since they’ve both destroyed jobs and squeezed the business sector, which actually creates jobs, with their fiscally repressive policies. What’s going to happen is that these schemes will become as crimeridden and decrepit as other new schemes, such as Caneville, because of the unemployment level. The spirits of the homeowners who’ll be forced to give up their homes when the Banks foreclose on them will become broken, since they’d have succumbed to the snake-oil patter of people like Granger and sunken the meagre savings into the homes. They would’ve lost “corn and husk”.

But we did learn something from Granger’s patter. Realising how outrageous his promise must’ve sounded, he said it could be fulfilled, “cause I ain’t leffing for just now.”

Like with Burnham, a rig is in the cards! …and vision problems Prime Minister Nagamootoo took time to inform us in his column this week that he was jetting off to New York. First class, of course!! But that’s understandable.

After all, he’d just completed his only chore: writing that column!! But the column, captioned “Vision 2040”, was revealing – no pun intended. He boasted that his last eye test showed he had 20/20 vision – normal eyesight. But we know that ain’t so, don’t we?

The challenge from Ramjattan demonstrates that he didn’t see the writing on the wall!!

But in boasting of his Govt’s “Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) – Vision 20/40, which was just handed back by the UN Environment Programme Director — he should know the PNC coalition’s been given a signal that they’re very shortsighted. For if 20/20 is normal eyesight, 20/40 means your eyesight’s been cut by half!! And that’s exactly what has happened to this Government, with their refusal to accept that Jagdeo’s LCDS is light years better for Guyana that the GSDS. Those that have eyes, let them see!! …and integrity The Integrity Commission’s Chair says he’s “unaware” of President Granger not filing his assets report with the Commission – as mandated by the law the Chairman’s supposed to enforce.

And this AFTER the President himself was forced to confess he hadn’t filed!!

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

45

46 NEWS

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GNBA records 165 breaches for 2019 thus far

…accessibility for PWD limited compared to other countries

T

he Guyana N a t i o n a l Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has recorded 165 infringements from television and radio broadcasters over the past five months.

This was revealed at a stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday last, thus resulting in a significant number of scrutinised cases for 2019.

These include profanities, inaccurate reporting, graphic details, substance abuse or irresponsible hosting during general audience time.

In January, the figures showed that there were 39 infringements, followed by 40 in February and 49 in March. There was a decline in this trajectory with just 22 in April.

While the statistics for May are yet to be analysed, it is estimated to be about 15 or 20.

Chairman of the GNBA, Leslie Sobers posited that while the Authority is working with stakeholders to

reduce these numbers, they are also encouraging local content.

“The collective effort and common vision has to embrace the desire to provide a service that enhances order and the public good.

It is time that we move away from the old model of being profit orientated without invigorating local talent, local conversations and young enthusiasm,” he explained.

During last year’s ITU Accessible America forum, The GNBA Head revealed that provisions for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) were limited in Guyana when compared to other countries. For this, closed captioning was introduced by some broadcasts.

“It was decided that we would approach our broadcasters, encouraging them to run closed captioning on some of their programmes, especially the news and perhaps, have a signing at one major news-

cast per day to facilitate persons with hearing impairment,” the Chairman told stakeholders.

Provisions are made in Chapter 36:05 of the PWD Act for these systems to be implemented. There is also a penalty for non-compliance.

Presently, there are some 19 registered television stations and 20 radio stations, a majority of which are easily accessible. Going forward, the entity has signalled intentions to establish fines for infringements. However, these figures are yet to be finalised.

Adding to that, broadcasters who display a decent track record with full compliance will be given recognition by the agency with added benefits.

“We intend to publicly recognise broadcasters who demonstrate that desired level of consciousness and are fully compliant.

Such recognition will not only be applauded

GNBA Chairman Leslie Sobers

but will have real value for the recipient”, Sobers stated.

Throughout these engagements, broadcasters are reminded of their requirements when disseminating information to the public.

On Friday, they were also educated on self-

monitoring. When airing live shows, these agencies are required to implement a delayed time lapse to cater for any interference, which may be deemed as an infringement.

Just a few days ago, the Authority informed that errant broadcast-

Cassava flour in the making …as 1st cassava factory project in Region 1 set to commence operations

ers will soon be hauled before the courts.

Persons would not be placed before the courts for broadcast content but rather for broadcasting illegally since many of them have not renewed their licenses.

“Those broadcasters who never had a broadcasting licence and are broadcasting, whose licences have expired and have not renewed their licences but are still broadcasting and those who owe the Authority millions of dollars and are refusing or failing to pay, are the ones that will be brought before the court. GNBA continues to function as a professional entity and within the parameters of the broadcasting legislation,” the GNBA said.

The GNBA is constitutionally vested with the authority to monitor the content that is aired or transmitted to the general public and also has the power to penalise broadcasters who are in breach of these requirements.

Barbados PM announces sale... from page 44

C

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie GarridoLowe with residents at the recently completed factory

onstructed at a total cost of G$26 million, the firstever Cassava Processing Factory is now completed, and is expected to significantly benefit the residents of the Kwebanna community, located in Moruca, Region One (Barima-Waini).

The project, which commenced in December of 2018, was conceptualised with the main goal of providing a string of benefits, with employment opportunities being on top of the list. With the

new processing facility now available, residents can now have jobs in either the processing or packaging departments, while farmers will solely take advantage of supplying cassava to the factory so an income can be earned.

The factory is expected to produce its main product of cassava flour, since a recent study conducted by the Kwebanna Farmers’ Cooperative, determined that the production of cassava flour would provide a great

source of income for farmers and vendors in the local markets.

In addition to the main product, the facility will also supply cassareep, starch, and other cassava by-products.

A visit to the brandnew building was recently made by Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe and a team from the Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Business Ministry as well as the Social Protection Ministry will shortly pro-

vide training for persons in the community who are most likely to be employed at the factory.

The Business Ministry is expected to facilitate training in the area of packaging of items while the Social Protection Ministry will facilitate training in the area of processing.

Funds allocated for the project covered the construction of the building, the clearing and preparing of 30 acres of land, and the supply of cassava sticks.

“Therefore…notwithstanding our absolute commitment to regional air travel and notwithstanding the fact and given in fact that the studies have recommended a different module and restructuring for LIAT and given the inability of the government of Barbados to do for LIAT in the next five to 10 years what the government of Barbados did for LIAT in the last five to 10 years when we moved significantly to assume major shareholder responsibilities, we have taken the determination, a decision as a cabinet that it is time for us to step back while at the same time allowing other governments to continue with their proposals to restructure LIAT in the way which they have determined.”

Last month, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said he had received communication from his Barbados indicating that Bridgetown was willing to sell all but 10 per cent of its shares in the airline. Antigua and Barbuda currently holds 34 per cent of the shares and if it acquires Bridgetown's shares, would have 81 per cent of the airline.

The government in a statement last month had said that “an offer was made for Antigua and Barbuda to acquire the LIAT shares owned by Barbados, through a take-over of the liability of Barbados to the Caribbean Development Bank.”

The Antigua and Barbuda government chief of staff, Lionel Max Hurst, said that “there are many jobs here in Antigua and Barbuda connected to LIAT and we intend to ensure that those jobs are not lost.

“Many of the route rights that LIAT now possesses would be utilized more fully if Antigua and Barbuda gets its way,” Hurst said. (CMC)

47

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The Modi Phenomenon

By Ravi Dev

Cutting Guyana’s nose…

W

…to spite PPP’s (sugar) face ith every passing day, the PNC’s vindictive nature is exposed with their no-holds-barred efforts to destroy the PPP’s electoral base. Back in the day when the PNC of Burnham had discriminated against PPP supporters at every step of the way in the new co-operative dispensation of 80% of the economy being nationalised, Jagan had accused the PNC of “racial discrimination”. Burnham laughed and said, “it’s just political, comrade!”

Once again, the PNC’s moves in the sugar belt – the bastion of the PPP’s strength – may be “political”, but because of the ethno-racial nature of Guyana’s politics, its actions generate that frisson of racialism that can quickly get out of hand. As we’ve seen at so many conjunctures in our history. Take the abrupt and unilateral closure of four sugar estates throwing 7000 workers into the streets with no hope of securing alternative employment.

Every Guyanese knows the “sugar belt” is a trope for PPP’s mainly Indian Guyanese support. Why did the PNC make that move, even though during the campaign, upon the pleadings of its AFC partner, Granger’d promised he’s wouldn’t follow through on his prior declaration that sugar had to go? It instituted a COI – including the PNC-appointed Chairman of Guysuco, Clive Thomas, to advise on the way forward. It recommended that the industry be subsidised for another three years and brought to a point of sale to private interests.

Granger however, ignored the COI’s recommendations and did what they always wanted to do: destroy the PPP’s base. After all, contrary what they’d have us believe, it was NOT an ECONOMIC decision as unfolding events have shown. The government has now confessed they have to go back to the drawing board on selling the closed estates – they’re too run down to fetch the prices the high-priced Valuation team of Price Waterhouse set.

And that’s exactly why the COI recommended that the estates be fixed up in three years!! Yet the PNC shut down their operations and allowed the fields to revert to bush, and the factories to scrap metal. Of what value is that?? But the pathetically sad thing is the government is forking out more money than the subsidies recommended by the COI!! The SPU, formed to do the selling off, floated a G$30Billion bond for which they have to pay G$1.6 billion every year in interest!!

Plus, with the D&I picking up the slack for draining the inhabited frontlands of the closed estates – another G$3billion annually!!

And let’s not even talk about the lost foreign revenues from sugar sales and its multiplier effect on the economy!!

And here we thought vengeance was only the Lord’s!!

Kill Bill? Naah…Kill PPP! …on crime Well, how dare the US State Department issue an advisory to their citizens to be careful in Guyana if visiting since, “Violent crimes such as armed robbery and murder is common. Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents”??

Where do they get off to put out such fake news??

Our Government’s spokesperson – who ironically is a US citizen – brushed off that assertion and declared huffily, “Guyana is a safe place to live, it’s a safe place to work, it’s a safe place to invest”!!

But surely he doesn’t think it’s an ABC conspiracy against the PNC government, since the British and Canadians had issues identical advisories last year and they didn’t need him to point out: “Every time an advisory comes out, people think twice about travelling to your country [and] they think twice about investing.” Why not just agree with the Americans and ask for more resources??

Or does he think the recent Police killings of bandits in Berbice and Georgetown have solved the crime problem?

Wild West justice? …on signing bonus After playing ducks and drakes for three years, the PNC government finally transferred the US$18m bonus they received from Exxon for being granted a production agreement to the Consolidated Funds.

Thank god for whistleblowers!!

J

ust a few months ago, most of the political pundits were predicting that a “revitalised” Congress Party under an aggressive Rahul Gandhi would give the BJP under Narendra Modi a run for its money. At the very best, they projected, after its phenomenal win in 2014, all the BJP would be able to do was win possibly 200 of the 543 seats in the Lower House, and depend on its allies in the NDA coalition for the remaining 72 seats to form a new government.

When the results came in, the BJP on its own had garnered a stunning majority of 303 seats, and 350 with its allies. The answer to the question as to how the BJP was able to pull off this stunning feat has much relevance for our own elections, which are going to be held sooner rather than later, after the CCJ’s decision on the NCM. While there are numerous factors in the answer, it all boiled down to one: the candidate Narendra Modi.

This was already clear in the 2014 victory, and all that transpired since have only accentuated the Modi factor. For all intents and purposes, the 2019 Indian election was a Presidential election. The BJP’s victory is therefore a victory for Modi, and explains that party’s overcoming the “anti-incumbent” constant in Indian politics; the comparative stuttering growth rate that did nothing for the unemployment rate, especially for youths and the anti-BJP caste; regional alliances; and, most of all, the bias of the Western-oriented elite, which have defined them as “backward”.

In a country defined by its corrupt institutions and politicians, the Opposition across India could not dent Modi’s incorruptible image. And that for the simple reason that it was not just an image, but reality. Rahul

Gandhi turned around Modi’s label of himself as a simple “watchman” of India – a play on his humble beginnings as a “tea vendor” – and accused him of being involved in a fighter aircraft deal as a “Watchman thief”. But even Gandhi’s own party members and allies refused to go down that road; they knew it would be rejected by ordinary voters, and rebound against them.

Modi has fused two traditions of India: that of the ruler and that of the ascetic, both of whom are supposed to place the interests of the people ahead of themselves.

The self-sacrificing ascetic we all know about, but the ideal of the selfsacrificing king is exemplified in the widely misunderstood story of King Ram sending his beloved wife Sita into exile. It was to uphold values in his people that he sacrificed the companionship of his beloved.

In an action that might not be understood outside of an Indian milieu, Modi left an arranged marriage as a youth, and has never

remarried. He joined the “National Volunteer Organisation” (RSS) as a child of eight, and became one of some 4000 fulltime “volunteers” of the RSS who were devoted to serving India in various capacities.

He was seconded to politics only in 1985, by which time his commitment to working for India to reach “the pinnacle of its glory” had become second nature.

Narendra Modi does not have any personal property and wealth to speak of, and no children to pass on any to. In India, even though they might raise strong emotions, very few Indians from across the multitudinous divides would question the moral probity of RSS volunteers.

Contrary to the scuttlebutt that the RSS and BJP are “antilower caste”, the lower caste Modi propelled the BJP to victory in Uttar Pradesh (from where most Indians in Guyana originated) over an alliance of two parties of the lowest castes.

In destroying the traditional caste politics, Modi has explicitly advocated that there are now only two castes in India — the poor, and those who will enable them to overcome their poverty. In this masterstroke, he transcended the antagonistic Marxist and capitalist divisions of the “haves” versus the “have nots”, and enlisted the former to help the latter in a uniquely Indian position; not as a favour, but as their duty.

After the elections, Modi expanded the BJP’s motto from “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas” (all together; development for all) with “Sabka Vishwas” (everyone’s – all minorities – trust). This is our mantra.

“I will leave no stone unturned, and I will work for all citizens of India”.

We wish Guyanese politicians would follow suit.

SPU says over G$7B disbursed to... from page 42

“We’ve had challenges where the bondholders and the trustees are not happy with the information coming from NICIL. Because as part of the arrangement, we’re supposed to provide to the bondholders evidence of what the proceeds are being used for.

We have not been able to do that to date. GuySuCo is still to provide that detailed information.”

According to HeathLondon, the disbursements were supposed to meet operational needs like the payment of salaries. But if GuySuCo is not accounting for how it is actually using the monies, why did NICIL continue to disburse billions? According to Heath-London, they continued paying the money out of good faith and the need to continue financing GuySuCo as a going concern.

Heath-London noted that this situation and the general friction between NICIL and GuySuCo are not good in the long term for Guyana. He pointed out that should they default on repaying the bond,

the bondholders can decide to levy on NICIL’s assets.

The assets in question, Heath-London explained, would include entities like Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) and the Marriott Hotel, which NICIL administers through the Atlantic Hotel Incorporated (AHI).

“This standoff affects Guyana’s financial credibility on the regional and international markets. Because as simple as we may think this transaction is, there are a lot of financial institutions that are plugged in to how Guyana is operating under this bond. And whenever we go into the financial market for a bond, they may treat us the way they perceived how we operated with this bond. So it affects future funding for projects.

“As it is, if we continue this way, we are pushing NICIL and by extension the Government of Guyana in default, and we have been written and we have been chided by the bondholders and trustees for this,”

Heath-London further explained. “So, we are working to bring this situation under control.”

Valuation Nor is HeathLondon the only one feeling the effects of lack of information. At the press conference, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) Managing Director Wilfred Bhagaloo revealed that GuySuCo did not supply crucial information for the valuation process.

“The challenges anchor around information we need from GuySuCo – financial information for each of the estates. To date, I have not received that.

I’ve received audited accounts for GuySuCo. That’s one thing. I need information on each of the estates,” Bhagaloo said.

“The valuators need information on major equipment: who are the suppliers, the last time the equipment was maintained. In relation to Skeldon, we need the agreement with the manufacturers. Our colleague valuators in San Francisco

need that kind of information to benchmark and make calculations as to the current value of the equipment.

Nevertheless, we proceeded with our work.”

According to the agreement between NICIL and Hand-inHand Trust Corporation as the Trustee, the first tranche payment of G$16.5 billion from the bond was to be used for long-term project and capital financing for GuySuCo. Specifically, the money was to be used to acquire two co-generation plants, upgrade the existing factories to produce plantation white sugar, build storage and packing facilities and to help pay for two years of general operational costs.

The bond was arranged last year by Republic Bank Limited, through its Investment Banking Division, with law firm London House Chambers headed by Devindra Kissoon acting as a transaction attorney. It was arranged at a rate of 4.75 per cent interest

48 Bollywood

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he trailer of Hrithik Roshan starrer Super 30 was released on Tuesday.

After the release, celebrities like Anil Kapoor, Karan Johar, Taapsee Pannu and Tiger Shroff heaped praise on Hrithik as he slipped into the character of Anand Kumar, the founder of Super 30, an educational programme which trains underprivileged students for IIT-JEE exam.

Anand’s family was in tears after watching the trailer of Super 30.

Anand Kumar expressed how he felt seeing Hrithik Roshan bring the struggles of his life alive on the screen.

He tweeted: Watched the trailer. The whole family was in

S

hahid Kapoor is yet to decide what he wants to do next after Kabir Singh but his wish is to feature in a biopic on boxer Dingko Singh.

There were reports that Shahid would turn producer for a film based on the life of Manipuri boxer Ngangom Dingko Singh.

The film, to be directed

by Raja Krishna Menon, would feature Shahid in the titular role.

When asked for an update on the project, Shahid told PTI, “I have the rights for

A

ctor Kriti Sanon says she never compared herself with star kids as she was treated “equally” in her debut Heropanti opposite Tiger Shroff.

“I don’t think I compared myself with star kids. I was launched with one. There was no point where I felt I needed to compare myself,” Kriti told PTI. The actor says both of them were not only treated as equals but also promoted like one.

“Both Tiger and I were equally new. We were learning like little babies. Fortunately, my producer and director always treated the film as the launch of two newcomers, not one. That never made me feel like there was a difference.

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

tears. It felt that it is me and not Hrithik Roshan in the film. The days of struggle were remembered. To teach students in difficult circumstances while coping with the oppressors. Gratitude to the entire team of the film.”

The official description of Super 30 reads, “The film captures the trials and tribulations of Anand’s life and the challenges he faced in order to set up his ‘Super 30’ institute. It is an inspirational story of his struggle and achievement, and how one man makes a difference in the lives of underprivileged students.”

Anand Kumar also expressed his excitement for the trailer before its release on

Dingko Singh. It’s a film I really want to make, and I’ll make it.

But I don’t know

“The way we were treated, how we were promoted, it was so equal. I never felt the need for a comparison.”

Starting out in 2014, the actor found success in two consecutive hits Bareilly Ki Barfi and Luka Chuppi and Kriti says the trick for her is to balance things out.

“You need to have a balance to do something for personal satisfaction and also to reach out to maximum number of people, to entertain. It’s important to have this balance.

“I would never do something which I wouldn’t want to go and watch in theatres.

I am also an audience, so if I feel like this is something I would watch in theatre, I’ll do

Tuesday. He wrote on Twitter, “The clock needle is playing with the beats of people’s hearts.

Tonight, many would sleep properly. Will the time change after the film is released? Will the rightful person become the king now? There are many questions in the minds and hearts of millions today. Let’s see how the trailer will be).”

Super 30 also stars Mrunal Thakur, Virendra Saxena, Vijay Varma, Johnny Lever, Aditya Srivastava and Amit Sadh, along with Pankaj Tripathi playing the antagonist. The film will release on July 12 this year.” (Indian Express)

what I’m doing next.

the film. The length of the role or other things don’t matter then.”

This year, the actor has three films up for release.

Arjun Patiala, Housefull 4 and Panipat.

All the films, Kriti says, will show a different aspect of her personality.

‘Arjun Patiala is a spoofy north Indian comedy. Spoof comedy hasn’t been attempted so much here. It is going to be something different. While Housefull is completely crazy.

It’s the first comedy in a reincarnation zone.

“Panipat is my first proper period film and I’m really fortunate that I got to work with Ashutosh Gowariker. For the first time, I’m playing a

A

ayush Sharma, who made his acting debut with Loveyatri, will next star in an action-drama film, titled Kwatha.

The 33-year-old actor will be portraying an army officer in the film.

“It’s a huge honour to play an army officer. I’m really looking forward to start shooting for the film,” Aayush said in a statement here.

The actor said he has already started preparing for the film.

The film is inspired by true events and will show how few incidents change a man’s opinion and perspective on certain things.

Kwatha is produced by Sunil Jain and Aditya Joshi of Cult Entertainment and directed by Karan Lalit Butani.

The film is most likely to go on floors around September this year and is scheduled to release in 2020. (Indian Express)

“There’s nothing that I’ve committed to. Everything is in stages of conversation and discussions. There’ll be an official announcement soon on what I’m doing next.”

Dingko Singh (from Manipur) was the first and only Asian gold medallist boxer from India in the Bantamweight category and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013.

Shahid’s latest film Kabir Singh is the re-

make of the Telugu hit Arjun Reddy.

“I feel nice that people have a positive sentiment attached to the film. They are connecting to their past happy associations with my performances and are looking forward to this one. I am happy, anxious and excited to share the film with everyone,” he says.

Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the film is scheduled to be released on June 21.

(Indian Express)

Marathi character. I am happy that these three films are different from each other. (Indian

Express)

WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

A

year ago, English actor Robert Pattinson would not have been the immediate choice of any Batman fan. The reason is Pattinson is still best known for starring in much-reviled Twilight movies. He has carefully stayed away from commercial cinema and his best work is known only among indie movie fans.

So how was it that he was cast as Batman, easily one of the most iconic roles in cinema? Turns out, his casting or at least its final leg was quick. A source inside Warner Bros, the studio behind Batman and other DC film franchises, told The Hollywood Reporter that his screen test was surprisingly quick.

“It was quick.

Quicker than normal,” the source told the publication. The ‘normal’ refers to most superhero screen tests, especially for bigger roles like Superman, Spider-Man and Batman, which usually last long.

Matt Reeves, who is writing and directing The Batman, wanted a 30-ish actor (the role is of a 30-year-old Bruce Wayne). So Ben Affleck had to go. While his take on the character was acclaimed, he had the misfortune of starring in two of the worst-reviewed DC films ever: Batman v Superman and Justice League.

Robert Pattinson was 33, certainly not a deal breaker. His competitor for the role was Nicholas Hoult, the actor who es-

sayed the role of JRR Tolkien in a biopic on the fantasy author. THR reports that both the actors were put in Bat suits as is usual for casting Batman. Reeves and the studio execs checked how they looked in the cape and the cowl, how their eyes looked, and so on.

Finally, Pattinson was chosen for the role

by Matt Reeves and Warner Bros.

After his casting became public, Willem Dafoe, Pattinson’s costar in The Lighthouse, said in Variety’s The Big Ticket podcast, “He’s got a strong chin. That’s a part of it. Can you imagine anyone with a weak chin ever playing Batman? I don’t think so.” (Indian Express)

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Expect the unexpected in Kingsman 3: Director Matthew Vaughn

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irector Matthew Vaughn says fans should expect the unexpected from the upcoming third movie in the Kingsman franchise.

Fox Studios announced the film last September with Matthew Vaughn attached as writer and director.

“People will either freak out in a good way, or freak out in a bad way, but they will freak out. You can expect the unexpected is all I’ll say… we’re literally finishing the script off as I speak but they go on a journey that, if anyone sees it coming, then I’ll give up,” he told The Playlist.

The director said he is planning to start production on the film later this year, with an expected release date of 2021.

Vaughn added that if people like

the film, the makers would want to come up with “more Kingsman movies in the franchise”.

He also revealed the team recently completed shooting for the Kingsman prequel movie, tentatively titled The Great Game.

“Next year you’re getting The Great Game. It’s wrapped. (But) it’s not actually called The Great Game. I don’t know what it’s going to be called.

That’s a working title. We wrapped last week, so we’re excited about it.

It’s incredibly different,” he said.

The film will be released in February 2020 and is reported to star Ralph Fiennes and be set during World War I, focusing on the establishment of the secret organisation.

(Indian Express)

H

ollywood legend Harrison Ford has revealed that his upcoming Indiana Jones movie will go on floors sometime next year.

The sequel, to be directed by Steven Spielberg, was originally announced three years ago and has gone through various delays since

V

eteran actor Ben Kingsley has revealed he based his controversial character of Mandarin from Iron Man 3 on people he met during his time at Royal Shakespeare Company, London.

Kingsley made his foray into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the 2013 film, led by Robert Downey Jr. He played a British actor called Trevor Slattery whom antagonist Killian (Guy Pearce) hires to portray the Mandarin, leader of an international terrorist organisation the Ten

Rings.

“I did base him on some of the actors I rubbed shoulders within the Royal Shakespeare Company…

“It is his finest hour.

It is his greatest performance. I think, in all humility, I must say that Trevor is quite a splendid actor,” the Oscarwinning actor told GQ magazine.

Directed by Shane Black, Iron Man 3 also starred Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Rebecca Hall and Jon Favreau. (Indian Express)

then.

“The film should be starting to shoot sometime next year. I’m looking forward to it. Things are coming along well,” Ford told Variety.

Indiana Jones 5, which will see the veteran actor returning as the bullwhip-wielding adventurer, is due for release in 2021. (Indian Express)

A

ctor Hilary Swank says it may have taken a long time to find true love, but she is now happily married to husband Philip Schneider.

The Oscar winner tied the knot with the entrepreneur last August in a romantic secret ceremony.

Asked how it

was being married to Schneider, Swank told People Now, “He’s great. It took a long time to get the right guy.

“I kissed a lot of frogs before getting here. There’s not anything that I would really change (about him). I’m really happy with him.”

Previously, the Million Dollar Baby star revealed the couple met on a blind date set up by actor Misha Collins’ wife Vicki and another close friend Jean. (Indian Express)

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘A great feeling to be selected for second CPL stint’ …Guyana’s Romario Shepherd

By Brandon Corlette

P

ossessing the powerful physique of a modern-day fast bowler, Tucber Park lad Romario Shepherd is revelling at his second-time selection to the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) team.

One of five Berbicians and eight Guyanese selected for the home franchise, Shepherd took the time to speak to this publication in an exclusive interview.

“It’s obviously a great feeling for me to earn selection for a second successive year for the GAW, and this is a confidence- booster for me”, Shepherd told this reporter.

The 24-year-old allround player added, “It is early days, but looking into the future, with any opportunity given in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), I will bowl my best”.

Shepherd made his debut appearance in the 2018 edition of the CPL playing against Trinbago Knight Riders, participating in three matches in the latter part of the tournament. He has been one of Guyana’s rising talents, and has had a great 4-Day tournament playing for the Jaguars in the 2018-19 season.

Having played only 21 matches in his First-Class

career, Shepherd has already grabbed 67 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, since making his debut against Jamaica in 2017. His recent 4-Day season with the Guyana Jaguars was certainly his breakthrough season, with him finishing as the best fast bowler in the entire tournament, having taken 37 wickets while playing in all 10 matches, and scoring 315 runs with the bat, including two half-centuries.

His performance is ample testimony to his level of fitness and development of his game overtime.

The confident Berbician told this reporter that, in the T20 format, his aim is to pick up wickets for his team, and bowl at a healthy economy rate. The 2019 edition of the CPL is slated for September, and Shepherd is currently in preparation mode.

A tournament as eminent as the CPL will feature all the big names around the globe, and it calls for mental toughness. Shepherd is focused on the positives.

Having placed himself on the radar for a call-up to the West Indies ‘A’ and West Indies senior teams with his Regional performances in recent times, Shepherd will use the CPL as another

Shepherd took three wickets on CPL debut

stepping stone in his quest to play International cricket.

He started his cricket career as a batsman, although he is now a celebrated bowler; and he has not lost his batting skill although he focuses more on his bowling.

The right-hander has three First-class half-centuries, and possesses a peculiar ability to clear the ropes with great ease.

His ‘List A’ career has also been promising, with this New Amsterdam lad being an active member of the Cricket Guyana Inc. Academy. He has taken 24 wickets in his 18 ‘List A’ matches.

Romario Shepherd has the ability to zip the new ball and seam it around, but in the white ball game he has the ability to bowl those deadly Yorkers. Shepherd has a best bowling figure of 3-29 on his debut in CPL against the powerhouse Trinbago Knight Riders team, the defending champions.

In his debut match, he picked up the prize scalps of Colin Munro, Brendon Mc Cullum and Darren Bravo.

The confident Shepherd will be reminiscing on his debut for the GAW, and is eager to make an even greater impact the second time around.

Golden Jaguars focused on making an impression ahead of Gold Cup debut

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t a joint press conference hosted ahead of their Thursday night international friendly at the Bermuda National Sports Center, the respective Head Coaches of both the host nation Bermuda and visitors Guyana have expressed that the match is about getting it right ahead of their debuts at this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. The two nations have a lot in common as they continue their walk into history: the first time they have both qualified for the highest possible tournament in the Confederation. Guyana have been drawn in Group D along with the USA, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago while Bermuda is in Group B alongside Haiti, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Sharing the Head Table were respective Head Coaches and Captains, Guyana’s Michael Johnson and Sam Cox and Bermuda’s Kyle Lightbourne and Dante

Captain Sam Cox speaks while Head Coach Michael Johnson looks on

Leverock with the moderator being Bermuda Football Federation (BFA) Press Officer, Antoine Augustus.

Johnson explained that Guyana would not be leaving its fate up to another country: “We just want to look after business ourselves, we can’t start looking and focusing on other teams and what they

do and how they do. We’ve just got to go about our business and make sure we are mentally prepared, physically prepared and when we go out there, to perform at the standards that we know we are capable of doing. If we do that, where that takes us, we are more than happy.”

Johnson, who would be

making his debut as a Coach at the CONCACAF Gold Cup having represented Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz as a player in 2010, noted that Guyana would not be showing much from a strategic standpoint as opposing teams would be on the hunt for information.

Lightbourne shared his thoughts on his aims for the Gold Cup: “We’re new to the competition; we’re a nation that’s growing so we are looking for a good performance from our players. If we play to our ability that we know we can play; don’t be afraid of the occasion, enjoy it and maybe put a couple teams on the back foot, that’s what we are looking for at this stage.”

Commenting directly on Thursday’s friendly, Lightbourne noted that they are expecting to see what they have been working on during training being executed in offence and defence: “All the stuff that we’ve been working on, we hope that we can see come out in this match,

that’s the main priority of this match.”

Golden Jaguars’ Captain, Cox said that Guyana are looking forward to the match and are expecting a tough challenge from Bermuda, but suggested that the encounter would be used to build relationships: “…see what we are like in and out of possession and build towards the Gold Cup, but we know it’s going to be a competitive fixture and one that we are all looking forward to. Players have all got their heads on it, the focus is on the next two to three weeks, but Thursday is going to be a brilliant exercise for both sides for sure.”

The last time the two nations met, the match ended in a 1-1 draw and while a win would be accepted, the leading tacticians on both teams also agreed that that would not be the primary focus of the match.

Kick off time is 20:00h in Bermuda and 21:00h in Guyana.

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KMPA Junior Olympic Games scheduled for October 3 – 6

Drayton prepares for 44th World Chess Olympiad

Anthony Drayton

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

T

Keen competition is expected to be the order of the day at this event

he third edition of the King Medas/Pansy Adonis (KMPA) Classic — the 2019 staging of these Junior Olympic Games — will continue to feature athletes from the under-6 to the masters’ categories competing in track and field events in four days of excitement.

These Games will be run over the period October 3 to 6, and in excess of G$4 million in prizes would up for grabs.

The track and field events would be contested at the Lusignan Community Centre ground, while the feature road race event would begin at Bachelor’s Adventure.

Both venues are on the East Coast of Demerara.

This information was furnished by organiser of the event, Andy Medas-King, during the official launch of the Games’ third annu-

al edition at the Studio of Safetv Channel 2 in South Ruimveldt Gardens, Georgetown yesterday.

Medas-King has described the Games as “A nursery for athletics in Guyana”. He said, “Athletes will be competing from the tender age of three to the masters’ category,” and posited that he’s “trying to get youths involved from very young”, for them to grow with a competitive nature “which I hope they can transfer into their academics; and we all know the benefits of being a balanced student.”

For the second year running, the 110m and 400m hurdles events have been included with intention of introducing the events locally, since Guyana usually lacks competitors in these events at regional competitions.

Also open to participation from the differ-

ently-able, the Games are anticipated to have keen action between schools, since all 10 regions have been targeted to compete.

In the 17-20 years’ category, athletes will receive a grant for whichever learning institution of their choice.

Lorraine BarkerKing of the Ministry of Education’s (MoE’s) Unit of Allied Arts has given the KMPA Foundation approval to include athletes from the various secondary schools.

In a bid to maximise safety during the field events’ day, the rubberised turbo-javelin and 1kg shot-put would be used by the younger kids.

On the initial day, field events will be competed from 10:30hrs.

These include the long and high jumps, shot put, javelin and discus events, which will see participation from all age groups.

Day one would also include the heats in all age groups of the 4x100m, 4x400m and 4x800m races.

The 1500m finals, 100m finals and 800m finals would be contested on day two; as would the 200m and 400m heats, and the 80m and 110m hurdles finals.

The action would begin from 09:45hrs.

Day three action would begin from 09:45hrs with the usually subscribed sprint finals.

Meanwhile, the final day will have the big money 5k Road Race beginning at Bachelor’s Adventure. Competing events would involve the following categories of athletes: senior male and female, male and female under-21, teachers’ male and female, and Government officials’ male and female.

Cash prizes will be awarded to contestants placing from 1st to 10th spaces.

he 44th World Chess Olympiad will officially commence on August 1, 2020 and conclude on August 15, 2020 in the city of Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

FIDE Master (FM) Anthony Drayton is currently making preparations to participate therein, and his intention is to move up the rankings.

Being the only Guyanese player to have a rank above 2000, Drayton’s FIDE ranking of 2007 is impressive among the many chess players in Guyana. He is considered as standing at the pinnacle, making a name for himself among many of the world’s top chess players.

By his FIDE ratings, Drayton is Guyana’s top player; and although only 24 years old, he has the highest ELO rating of 2030. He attained the title of Candidate Master at the Chess Olympiad 2014 Open, and FIDE Master at the 43rd World Chess Olympiad in 2018.

He disclosed that achieving such a feat was never easy, but he has attained the talent and great analytical abilities for the game by having learnt from masters such as Bobby Fisher, Garry Kasparov, M. Botvinick, and

current number one player Magnus Carlsen.

Speaking with Guyana Times International Sport, Drayton disclosed, “I can’t say I’ve started, I’m just hoping I have some tournaments that I can play in, so I can raise my ratings faster, especially international. But most of these tournaments are being played in the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

However, in case I’m not able to attend these games, I will put my best foot forward and do lots of tactics and try to take in as much new information as possible. At the end of it all, if you don’t get to practise what you learn, then the information would be worthless.”

Drayton also related that among his main focus is his desire to improve on his ratings. While he has an impressive 2007 rating, he is currently looking to take it to 2200, which would enable him to achieve the title of International Master (IM).

To achieve such a rating, Drayton must play chess in FIDE-sanctioned tournaments, and defeat opponents who are most likely to be chess masters. As the imminent date of the Olympiad draws closer, Drayton would be training with the hope of make his dream a reality.

“Stay with us” – Russell tells Windies’ fans A

ndre Russell showed what he’s made of in the opening Cricket World Cup match against Pakistan – and that was with the ball.

The inspirational allrounder was picked more for his sensational batting than his swift bowling, but he stunned the Pakistanis with some sizzling short stuff which led to their batting collapse.

After the match he told the world to “show some respect” that he just as lethal a fast bowler as any other in the tournament.

West Indies won by seven wickets with 218 balls to spare to go top of the ten-team standings. In a passionate message to the adoring fans Russell said: “We gave you the start you desired and we definitely feeling the love. This start showed we can do it and we’re on our way. We’re not going

to get complacent, and we’re not going to say ‘we’ve already won it’. We’re going to give ourselves the best chance … taking it game by game."

With matches starting

early in England at 10:30am, that is 5:30am in the Eastern Caribbean and 4:30am in Jamaica. Fans have been waking up early to catch the action on ESPN Caribbean as

well as follow in Cricket West Indies social media pages.

“We won’t allow you to wake up so early in the morning and ruin your sleep and then disappoint you. We’re

trying our very best.

We are here to win the matches for our West Indies fans and take it all the way to lift the trophy at Lord’s.

Stay with us… believe in us.

We will do it for you, our loyal fans,” Russell added.

The 31-year-old Jamaican also gave an update on his fitness ahead of the next encounter against Australia. It will be the first time the two teams face each other since June, 2016 and will also be at day game at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

“I’ve been struggling with my knee for the last couple of months. When they were nine wickets down, I just ran off to get a bit of treatment. I’m not worried. I’ve got five days until our next game against Australia so I’m definitely going to do some work on it. I’ll be fully fit by then,” Russell said. (CWI)

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‘The Biggest Party in Sport’: CPL finals tickets on sale A

fter the hugely successful finals in 2017 and 2018 the Hero Caribbean Premier League will be returning to the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad for the culmination of the 2019 tournament. Accordign to a CPL release, tickets for these matches have now gone on sale and can be purchased at www.cplt20.com.

The semi-final and final, the culmination of the Biggest Party in Sport, will take place in Trinidad for the third successive year.

In 2017 and 2018 a sellout crowd watched the Trinbago Knight Riders win back-to-back titles at the state of the art stadium in southern Trinidad.

For the last two years, tickets for these games have sold very quickly so fans are advised to buy tickets for the matches on Tuesday 8 October and Saturday 12 October to ensure they are there for when CPL history is made. With a roster of Caribbean and global T20 superstars lining

up for the 2019 tournament there is sure to be plenty of excitement across the tournament.

Throughout the six-year history of Hero CPL the final has always been a remarkable occasion.

Speaking about the semi-final and final, Hero CPL’s CEO, Damien O’Donohoe said: “I really do urge fans to buy tickets for the hottest event in town as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

The final and semi final are always so special and we are delighted to be back in Trinidad for 2019 after such success-

ful games at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy the last two years.

There is no where in the Caribbean that will be jumping like Tarouba during these two games.”

Tickets are also on sale for group matches in Trinidad and Jamaica. These can be purchased at www. cplt20.com.

Hero CPL 2019

Finals Fixtures

FINALS

Tuesday 8 Oct Semi-final (Qualifier 2) -Winner Eliminator v Loser Qualifier 1, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad Saturday 12 Oct Final – Winner Qualifier 1 v Winner Semi-final (Qualifier 2), Brian Lara Cricket Academy Trinidad

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