Guyana Times Sunday December 22, 2019

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4145 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Govt has left Guyana wholly unprepared for first oil – PPP Page 3

…no petroleum commission, no local content, no safeguards for Guyanese GECOM 16,000 'new' registrants

Almost half of those visited not found – PPP Chief Scrutineer

PRICE

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

SleepIn P12 owners optimistic of picking up on investment …after court orders Gaming Authority to process casino application

Taxi driver P16 who threatened to kill teacher nabbed …jailed in absentia

Page 7

Region 6 P16 completes 98% of work programme – Chairman

These young masqueraders were seen on busy Water Street, Georgetown entertaining shoppers with their "flouncing" to the music of the masquerade band

Accountant robbed at gunpoint after leaving city bank

Page 16

Poor enforcement of traffic laws causes carnage – GCCI See story on page 8

P14 Wildlife Commission outlines closed hunting seasons for 2020

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SUnDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

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SUnDAY, December 22, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, December 22 – 01:30h – 03:00h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Monday, December 23 – 02:30h – 04:00h and 14:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, December 22 – 13:40h – 15:10h and Monday, December 23 – 14:25h – 15:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine with midday showers are expected.

There will also be partly cloudy skies and light showers late at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 01:12h and 13:35h reaching maximum heights of 2.40 metres and 2.51 metres.

Low Tide: 07:05h and 19:38h reaching minimum heights of 0.80 metre and 0.68 metre.

saturday, DECember 21, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS M

05 06 07

11 15 21

FREE TICKET

16 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

04 13 14 25 26 LUCKY 3

1

4

5

2

Afternoon Draw

9

1

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

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03

04

10

12 17 21

PAY DAY

SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, DECember 20, 2019

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10 13 16 17

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13 17 19

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

Govt has left Guyana wholly unprepared for first oil – PPP …no petroleum commission, no local content, no safeguards for Guyanese

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xxonMobil has started pumping oil but while feelings of nationalistic pride run high, there is also worry considering the Government’s poor track record of managing the sector – ranging from lopsided agreements to the almost non-existent legal framework.

This was pointed out by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in a statement on Saturday. According to the party, President David Granger’s declaration of National Petroleum Day and protecting the country’s patrimony ring hollow since for four years little was done in this regard by the Government.

“Granger should be ashamed to have made a proclamation about ‘National Petroleum Day’, considering the coalition’s unenviable list of failures in the oil and gas sector. More so, he should be ashamed that his declaration came on the anniversary of the successful and valid passage of the No-Confidence Motion, which resulted in the fall of his Government”.

The Party cited a number of failures, including the Government’s failure to inaugurate a Petroleum Commission which would have had some amount of oversight from civil society. Instead, Government has seemingly fallen back to rely on the Department of Energy which reports directly to the President.

Another failure the Party cited was the lack of a Local Content policy, which, after

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

several drafts, has still not been completed. Already, a number of persons from civil

cluding the most obvious one of the lack of penalties for delinquent operators, had sent out an analysis on the document.

They had said that with no penalties to hold operators accountable to their commitments and international principles of providing employment and business opportunities for Guyanese, “handshakes” and good faith are not enough. The Department of Energy had, however, announced on Monday last that it is put-

First oil is here but Guyana’s framework to regulate the sector is not

society and the private sector have complained about opportunities being snapped up by foreigners.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), having identified a number of weaknesses within the policy, in-

ting the final touches on the draft policy.

The Party also lambasted the Government for setting up a Sovereign Wealth Fund (now dubbed the Natural Resource Fund) that by not keeping politicians at an arm’s-length in keeping with international

President David Granger

practice gives the Finance Minister authority over the fund. According to the Party, should it win elections next year, it would set up the regulatory framework for oil and gas in six months.

“The other controversial issue is the move to sell Guyana’s share of ‘first oil’ that is lifted by ExxonMobil.

It should be a source of shame that it was the international media house, Bloomberg, which exposed the APNU/AFC coalition’s plans to approach traders directly, ‘face-to-face’, to conclude deals for them to buy Guyana’s oil and sell it.”

Granger is a caretaker President who is heading an unconstitutional government since March 21, 2019, the PPP noted.

“His coalition’s purpose in office is the holding of General and Regional Elections, not to bind Guyana to ‘shady agreements’ that would see our people losing more. The question that must be asked is why is there a rush to tie up an agreement for the sale of Guyana’s share of oil?” turn to page 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2019

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

First oil

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aretaker President David Granger followed up on ExxonMobil’s announcement that it had uplifted its first commercial quantity of oil by promising to proclaim Dec 20 “National Petroleum Day”. His reaction was in line with the anodyne and jejune pronouncements he has become noted for: heavy on symbolism but disjuncture of any associated action that would suggest he has a clue about delivering what he evokes. His rationale was that oil has “brought the prospects of a higher quality of life closer to our households and neighbourhoods. It is a momentous event which we should commemorate for perpetuity”.

But exactly how would he deliver the previously promised “good life” prospects, which died stillborn after 2015? Take, for instance, his promise that his APNU/AFC Government will unveil a ‘Decade of Development, 20202029’ (DoD) plan. Why are the Guyanese people to believe this new promise in light of the Government’s callous disavowal of their previous promises? Take the boast that “first oil” has arrived ahead of schedule, meaning that “boat gone a watah” on most of the local content that could have been provided to the upstream activities. The Government has still not approved a Local Content Policy (LCP) document – even three drafts have been circulated and the last one has been trenchantly criticised by several stakeholders.

The PNC Government has clearly missed the connection between “local content” and any “Decade of Development Plan” (DDP) they might want to unfurl.

If the latter had been drafted during the past five years, specific skills and other needs would have been identified and these would have given the Department of Energy (DoE) a focused input in the local content plans the energy operators have to submit annually for approval.

A mundane example would have been the need for highquality welders that are presently needed in the O&G upstream activities: these are also even more critical in the infrastructural development that would underpin any DoD plan. As it is, the LCP, if it even gets approved, might be tantamount to closing the valve after all the oil has been shipped.

The Government has also sent an ominous signal by the opaque manner in which it went about selling Guyana’s share of first oil. The Department of Energy, run

by Granger’s handpicked environmentalist, insisted on arbitrarily choosing the trading companies rather than instituting an open bidding process while offering a harebrained rationale that even the Auditor General opined made “no sense”. The Director of Energy said that the companies selected had “refining capabilities” and would be capable of assaying the production so that the price of our oil could be established vis a vis the Brent benchmark already selected for our “light and sweet” crude.

This literally made no sense since there are established assaying companies used by the industry that routinely perform this assaying function and are standard in the industry. The lack of transparency does not just fail the smell test for possible corruption that has characterised so many other new oil-producing states but also highlights the absolute cluelessness of those who have been handpicked by Granger to run the Petroleum Sector. We are still reeling from his selection of Raphael Trotman to negotiate the first Petroleum Sharing Agreement (PSA).

Then, there is the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act 2019 – our “Sovereign Wealth Fund” which Granger boasted about. He persists in refusing to accept that this was rushed through the National Assembly in the absence of the Opposition, right after the NCM was passed. And that the Opposition Leader has rightfully refused to accept it as valid since it was passed against all the parliamentary conventions relating to permissible actions by a caretaker administration.

Even Granger accepts, from his comments, that the effects of the NRF not only impact all Guyanese today but also future generations. As such, it needs the widest possible legitimacy, especially in a country such as ours where even when the PNC-led coalition was not a caretaker government, it held a razor-thin majority.

Prince Albert II of Monaco, his wife Princess Charlene, Princess Stephanie’s children Camille Gottlieb and Louis Ducruet, attend the traditional Christmas tree ceremony at the Monaco Palace, in Monaco (Reuters)

GECOM must respect Guyana’s Constitution, laws to administer free and fair elections Dear Editor, There are measured movements in the right direction for which stakeholders should recognise Justice retired Madam Claudette Singh as the new Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). While this is evident, there exists increasing national concerns and civil intolerance regarding the slow and exhaustive pace of these achievements.

Against the backdrop of persistently deviant approaches by the APNU/AFC Commissioners to effect delays, the Chairperson must immediately take further decisive actions to reverse the suggestive unnecessary yielding.

The facts reveal that more than 12 months have passed since the successful passing of the NoConfidence Motion and Mr Granger’s direct and indirect contamination of the internal mechanism at GECOM deserves no empathy. The forward movements, therefore, must be in swift adherence to the laws.

The pellucid guidelines are enshrined in the existing legislation, have established the framework and expectations of every citizen and political party. Precedence of the procedure and legal compliance exist which has worked transparently that must be upheld and procedural imperatives followed.

Regarding the upcoming elections preparations, the laws clearly recognise that GECOM must produce and use a Preliminary List of Voters (PLV) as the basis for adjustments in a followed period of Claims and Objections (C&Os). The pro-

cess of making adjustments must allow for included verification by way of scrutiny exercised through the presence and acknowledgement of political party scrutineers.

After the C&Os, it is expected that GECOM will produce from the adjustments to the PLV, a Revised List of Electors (RLE) that must be further scrutinised by the public and particularly the political parties.

After careful examination of the RLE to ensure the qualification of additions or changes, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) must take to the Commission the Official List of Electors (OLE) for agreement prior to distributing to the political parties. These contesting parties must use the OLE to solicit “backers” for their selected list of candidates contesting the National and Regional Elections.

The negative position realised from the foregoing so far stems from the David Granger impact, and his demonstrated excessive constitutional abuse in appointing the clearly unfit James Patterson as Chairman of GECOM. With the exception of the recent actions by the new Chairperson, the organisation adopted a default position of deliberate delay and demonstrated the intent to postpone the elections that were constitutionally due since March 21, 2019.

This cabal has created and advanced all sorts of procrastinating approaches, under a clearly subservient CEO Keith Lowenfield.

In essence, under the clearly unfit and unilaterally appointed James Patterson,

serious manipulation took place with not only the farcical backdated House-toHouse (H2H) approval but also the employment of staff and for the four years plus the APNU/AFC is in Government lavishly spending billions of dollars without audit.

After the Caribbean Court of Justice removed the unfit Patterson from Office, local and international intervention prevailed before Mr Granger appointed the Honourable Retired Justice Claudette Singh as Chairperson of GECOM. From the inception, she committed to following the rule of law and the Constitution.

She took actions to stop the Lowenfield wickedly imposed H2H and ruled in favour of the Claims and Objections process, much to the dissent of many on the Government side. This process initiated and completed in an acceptable manner, with the PNC and PPP/C scrutineers working with GECOM staff and only waiting for the RLE. GECOM reported that during the truncated the unverified H2H Registration was catapulted on the people, three hundred and seventy thousand persons were registered.

Information from alternative sources as well as from conducted investigations revealed that the Registration process was significantly flawed and defective due to a number of issues.

The enumerators were not properly trained which was evident in the abuse to residents on many occasions. They were provided with cheap and poor quality ink pads to do the finger-

printing and this resulted in serious smudging. Worst of all, GECOM bought cheap cameras and did not train the enumerators on how to use the cameras. As a result, after two months, not a single person who registered or applied for ID cards has received their ID cards.

While Guyanese welcome the decision by GECOM to do the field verification of the 20,556 names. It is of note that the truncated H2H Registration process was not verified and evidence of skulduggery justifies the need to check since no probable or reasonable argument can be put forward regarding how or why dead persons were registered. More seriously, how older persons who voted at many elections are now registered as new registrants.

Guyanese are asking why 16,369 names cannot be verified and why 4000 persons on the Preliminary List of Electors were found to be duplicates so far. It is my view that the discrepancies observed during the H2H Registration were deliberate and caused by poor planning and wickedness. It is difficult for Guyanese to follow Vincent Alexander’s failed argument that the field verification process is useless.

Then why did he call for a sample survey? Justice Singh must now demonstrate intolerance to these flimsy positions.

I take the opportunity to wish all readers warm Christmas greetings and a successful new year.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY december 22, 2019

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Importance of 'substance' has eluded Granger’s entire period in office Dear Editor, First oil is upon us and Guyanese should be rejoicing unreservedly; however, despite having had four years and seven months to prepare for this day, the Granger Administration's dereliction of duty has resulted in us greeting first oil with our pants around our ankles.

Guyana is in a state of chaos.

Due to direct actions of David Granger, we have lost our parliamentary democracy; many important agencies such as the Public Procurement Commission are expired; for the Petroleum sector we have no legally enacted Sovereign Wealth Fund and we have no Local Content Policy. What

we do have is a “National Petroleum Day” which is indicative of how Mr Granger's mind works.

Granger has always demonstrated a fixation with pomp, ceremony, and style.

The importance of 'substance' has eluded his entire period in Office. We began with the Golden Jubilee and have endured his tedious medal ceremonies, capricious renaming of buildings and institutions, the sixteen-car entourages and the 'good life' speeches ad nauseam. What we have not seen is the work ethic that makes things like 'first oil' possible. Many will recall that when the discovery of oil was first made public,

APNU MP, Ronald Bulkan was protesting the opening of the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown and he said of oil discovery by ExxonMobil "It is part of a pattern of deception, born of desperation.

It is a quantum leap when the company is talking of hydrocarbon and the PPP is announcing oil". The same APNU/AFC members spend oodles of time in the Marriott.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, staff parties, engagements, birthdays and marriages occur within the walls of the hotel they once promised to turn into a hospital.

David Granger and APNU/ AFC have always been ill-informed, visionless and unable

to translate promises into reality. There is no difference in the current APNU/AFC disbelief in the PPP promise to deliver fifty-thousand jobs and the old APNU/AFC disbelief in the discovery of oil. People who do not understand that you have to toil tirelessly to accomplish anything of substance can only pose for cameras and cut ribbons on the backs of the hard work of those who do.

APNU/AFC has swallowed their pride and accepted the Marriott was a visionary project, and now they are seeking to claim credit for an oil exploration contract signed by Janet Jagan in 1999 via a proclamation. While

Political parties must commit to democracy, obedience to the Constitution

Dear Editor, There is widespread national concern about our current political situation and the posture of political parties on observing the rule of law and the Constitution, and the fear about whether the coming national and regional elections will be fair and free of rigging, given the history of the PNC and elections between 1968 and 1990.

Political parties, contesting these elections are challenged to declare publicly in their manifestos, despite their conduct in the past, a re-commitment to democracy, the rule of law, obedience in conduct, behaviour and practice to

the Constitution, and free and fair elections. These must be clearly stated, prominently in each party’s manifesto, and addressed publicly by each party leader, and each candidate on the party’s list of candidates, on all campaign speeches. What sanctions will the party Leader and party apply to any supporter who may violate these principles, and attempt to rig or cheat on the national and regional elections in any way?

The dual citizens, who contested and allocated seats in the National Assembly for more than two decades, glaringly violated the Constitution of Guyana with impunity. This could only have happened with

the deliberate collusion among the PPP, PNC, AFC, and the WPA to turn a blind eye to their participation, and consequently violated the Constitution.

There cannot be any excusable excuse from all the political leaders, and political parties, and the dual citizens for this and other constitutional violations. They cannot claim ignorance of the requirements of the Constitution; they subverted the Constitution. These political leaders and dual citizens must at least apologise publicly to the nation to be redeemed and become “fit and proper” for public office.

Similarly, the GECOM Secretariat is in violation of the

Constitution in fooling the population of its readiness to conduct the elections. So is President Granger and his Government by buying time through their political games to hold on to political office beyond its constitutional life as of September 18, 2019. It is widely known that the posture of the leadership of the APNU/AFC Government is in, not so subtle collusion, with its GECOM Commissioners to do the APNU’s and Granger’s bidding to enable the regime to linger as long as possible in Government.

With thanks, Joshua Singh

it is not unusual for APNU/ AFC Ministers to hustle credit for the work of others (Noel Holder unashamedly flew to Italy within weeks of assuming office to receive an award for excellence won by his predecessor) Granger should be ashamed to even make a public appearance on this third Friday in December, for his actions since the historic No-Confidence Motion passed this day one year back will forever guarantee his name lives in infamy. The ill-advised attempt to sell three-million barrels of oil before the first gallon reached the surface was also exposed to the public this week adding to his shame.

Guyanese will rejoice the flow of oil as we rejoiced in the emphatic Yes! Yes! Yes! Of Charrandas Persaud, but we are tempered in our celebrations as we know that there still remains the struggle to return Guyana to a state of parliamentary democracy via free and fair elections. Raise a glass to our dear land, enjoy all of the season's cheer and blessings, and be secure in the knowledge that while you celebrate, we who care are unrelenting in our struggle on this road to Zion.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

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sunday, december 22, 2019

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How to support a grieving child during the holidays …a list of tactical tips to help them cope

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he holidays are supposed to be a happy time for children, right?

Gifts, sugar-filled treats, being together with family. But what happens when a special person is missing from those happy days? Here are some tips on how to help children cope with the complexity of grief and the holidays.

Give permission to participate, or not Since not every family member is grieving in the same way, give permission to bow out. Kids may not want to visit a grave, help cook a special meal, or hang a traditional ornament on the tree. That’s OK. Giving a child control over how to express their grief helps them feel more in control over the complex emotions that come when someone has died. (psychologytoday.com)

Clothespin snowmen

Talk about it Everyone knows that grief is the “elephant in the room” during the holidays. Instead of walking around it, gather the family and discuss expectations.

What is being looked forward to?

Is anyone worried about anything?

What things happen during the holidays that remind the kids of that person?

Ask questions and listen.

Decide how to honour the person This can be a tradition that happens year after year or can be something different each season. Maybe it’s certain music, meals, or activities. Maybe it’s putting out photos, reminiscing, or making gifts. The kids may want to write the person a letter or make a special ornament in their honour. Choose what fits for your family this year, keeping in mind that it might be different for everyone.

Share your feelings So often, adults are concerned about making kids worry, or feel sadder if they share how they are really feeling. “I shouldn’t cry in front of my kids” is a common refrain. Unfortunately, when we don’t communicate how we feel, we miss an opportunity to give children permission to share their feelings. A stoic parent non-verbally communicates to their child that crying or feeling sad or angry (or any other of the hundred feelings that come with grief) isn’t necessary. Allow yourself to verbalise how you are feeling, and take the opportunity to teach your child about coping. “I’m feeling sad today and missing dad. Let’s go for a walk. The fresh air helps me feel a bit better.”

Take the pressure off This goes for you and the kids. Allow yourself to say no to invitations, cooking, decorating, or any other activities that feel more stressful than joyous this year. If you decide that the activity is important, look for the easiest way to accomplish it: print address labels for your cards, order side dishes from the deli, give gifts unwrapped, buy pre-made cookie dough. Your emotional health is the most important thing and you will need reserves to guide your children through the season.

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f you think your clothespins look boring, why not give them a quirky makeover? This clothespin snowman craft is super cute and these little fellows will look great pretty much everywhere, holding your favourite notes, holding gift tags and more.

What you need

natural wood clothespins yarn in various colours glue orange mini pom poms white paint pain brush black marker scissors

Instructions

Start by painting the clothespins with white paint.

Depending on the wood and paint (and your taste), you might need to do more than one layer. Be careful as the paint can “glue” the clothespin, open it up a few times while it dries.

Once the paint dries completely, it’s time to make a scarf.

Take a short piece of yarn and wrap it around the clothespin, making a knot in front. Add a drop of glue to secure it.

Now take a black marker and draw two black eyes, mouth and black buttons on the snowman’s body.

Add a drop of glue between the eyes and mouth and stick on an orange mini pom pom. Wait for the glue to dry and your clothespin snowman craft is done. (easypeasyandfun.com)

news

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sunday, DECEMBER 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM 16,000 ‘new’ registrants

Almost half of those visited not found – PPP Chief Scrutineer F our days into the field verification exercise for the over 16,000 persons that have to be verified by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), it seems that a good proportion of those visited were missing in action (MIA).

This was revealed by the chief scrutineer of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Zulficar Mustapha, who in an interview with this publication explained that in the three days since the exercise started, the teams – consisting of GECOM staff and political parties’ scrutinisers – have

been able to make more than half of their scheduled visits.

“We were able to verify just over half of the names we went and visit, say about 8400. And we were able to verify just about 55 per cent of those persons. Now there are a number of persons who we did not find.

They are out of the addresses. So hopefully if we fin-

ish earlier we can do a second pass to see if we find them,” Mustapha told this publication. Further, he explained that when GECOM set out to do the field verification, it was for approximately 16,369 names. This was down from the 20,000 names initially announced as subject to verification. In fact, he explained that the numbers are constantly being updated.

“That was the number of names that they started the verification with when they commenced it two days ago.

So they reduced the number. And though they re-

duced those duplications, our scrutineers are finding additional duplications,” Mustapha said.

“So that number will also have to be updated.

When this exercise is finished, that base figure they started with will have to be [updated] because they are still finding duplications that appear on both the PLE and the House-to-

PPP Chief Scrutineer Zulficar Mustapha

House,” he said, adding that approximately 100 new duplications have been found.

He noted that when it comes to the course of action to be taken with persons who cannot be verified, a solution to propose to GECOM must come from deliberations within the party.

“We have to find and verify these people. If they were registered at the address, they are living there but working somewhere, we have to verify the existence of these persons, before [further action].”

H2H

The PPP has always contended that the Houseto-House (H2H) exercise, which ran from July 20 to August 31, was largely unsupervised and would produce flawed results. Indeed, the party subsequently found that many of the persons listed as new registrants are either dead or

were previously registered.

Some 370,000 registrations obtained during the scrapped H2H exercise were sent overseas to be crossmatched with the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRD) in order to filter out the duplicates.

However, it was recently reported that international digital security company, Gemalto, indicated that some 37,300 were new registrants who are eligible for voting, that is, they are above the age of 18. But an internal check conducted

by GECOM showed that approximately 17,000 of those “new registrants” were already on the voters’ list and some even voted in the past.

The remaining 20,000 “new names” were up for further verification.

Previously, it was reported that the Governmentnominated Commissioners were pushing to have a sample survey done from a sample size of 10 per cent from the 20,000 to verify these new names before they go on the voters’ list – a process which the PPP Opposition had objected to.

At last Tuesday’s statutory meeting there was a split vote on whether to proceed with a field verification exercise or not. GECOM Chair, retired Justice Claudette Singh, then sided with the Opposition and used her casting vote to

break the deadlock.

At a press conference the next day, it was revealed that of the thousands of persons the Commission will have to verify in field exercises starting that same day, as many as 2321 of those persons were from the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

Besides the East Coast, there were 2106 registrants who were red-flagged in South Georgetown and 1528 in North Georgetown. There were also 1428 on the East Bank-Soesdyke areas; 1241 registrants from Parika and a combined 1751 persons from Whim, Corriverton and New Amsterdam.

Govt has left Guyana...

from page 3

The Party expressed that under the APNU/AFC Government, there are no guarantees that petroleum production will transform Guyana’s economic development and improve the well-being of the people.

Moreover, the Party noted that President Granger’s record in office outside the oil and gas sector reflects more failure, which, it said, includes increased borrowing and tax collection, wasteful spending and depletion of the foreign reserves; poor delivery of public services, especially in the health sector; lack of any viable plans for housing, increased cost of living and worrying levels of crime.

“Granger ignores the fact that development, success and prosperity are the results of positive policies – something his coalition seems incapable of formulating. His fixation on ‘good life’ speeches will not translate into progress and prosperity for our people; the hard work has to be put in,” the Party said.

The PPP, adding that to make matters worse, there is also no national oil company, no depletion policy and no oil spill contingency plan.

While Government has been almost mum on the first two, it is understood that the contingency plan is a work in progress that is long overdue.

There has also been no completed audit of the billions of US dollars that have been claimed by oil operators in cost oil, although one has recently started. And

by Department of Energy Director, Dr Mark Bynoe’s own admission, there is no penalty for companies who mislead authorities about cost oil claims.

There is also no ring-fencing provision to protect Guyana from costs being transferred from one well to another. There is, in fact, not a single oil-related bill that has been tabled by the Government and made into law, with the exception of the National Resource Fund Act.

8 NEWS

sunday, DECEMBER 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Poor enforcement of traffic laws causes carnage – GCCI …calls for road users to take caution

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he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry has joined the call for motorists to take caution on the roadways, as accidents continue to spiral and most importantly, lives are put at risk.

According to the Chamber, all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, must exercise caution and obey the traffic laws to ensure their safety and that of others. Pointing to the alarming statistics, the Private Sector body insisted that these losses carry a heavy weight on affected families. This situation is one which requires input from private and public agencies.

“These statistics reveal an enormous human tragedy. Each road traffic fatality is a painful loss which signifies human suffering and economic and social costs.

The Chamber believes that improved road safety and the reduction of road accidents is a shared responsibility which requires concerted action by road users, Government, the Private Sector, academia and civil society,” the GCCI stated.

Adding to that, it was recognised that the poor enforcement of governing traffic laws contributes to carnage on Guyana’s roadways.

“The Chamber is also cognisant that poor enforcement of traffic laws, speeding and reckless driving, and

the lack of proper training and education are some of the main factors which contribute to road carnage in Guyana,” the statement indicated.

In suggesting recommendations to see positive results, the Chamber advised that preventative measures

can be undertaken, such as the strict enforcement of laws, compulsory training of persons in the transportation sector, courses for older drivers, sensitisation campaigns, vehicle inspections and other awareness mechanisms.

“Road safety is everybody’s business and the GCCI urges all road users to stringently uphold traffic laws and regulations, and exercise good judgement when using the roadways by observing the five Cs – care, caution, consideration, common sense and courtesy,” the GCCI added.

So far, the Guyana Police Force has begun tackling the situation, by introducing the Safe Road Operation. Ranks

would have conducted random checks on drivers and vehicles, where infringements were observed.

Some of the violations of drivers ranged from failure to confirm sign, failure to wear seatbelt, failure to wear safety helmet, unlighted motor vehicle, obscured identification mark, breach of fitness, tinted glass, failure to stop as directed by Police, unlicensed driver, untidy drivers, dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Owing to the rate at which persons were losing their lives, Police Commissioner Leslie James on Tuesday last announced that this exercise would be carried out

‘Tis the season…

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across t h e country throughout the holiday season and beyond. As the year draws to a close, more than 18 persons have died in less than 30 days. So far for 2019, accidents have claimed the lives of more than 120 persons.

Linden house rented by “Spoil Child” gutted by fire

The house which was gutted by fire on Saturday

A

fire of unknown origin on Saturday morning destroyed a two-storey house located at Fairs Rust, Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The house was reportedly being rented by ex-cop Teon Allen, also known as “Spoil Child”.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire which occurred at about 03:00h.

Allen is a suspected notorious gang leader and well-known criminal character.

Most recently, he was shot after ranks of the Guyana Police Force intercepted the car he was travelling in at Houston, Greater Georgetown. He was last week released on bail after denying a charge of discharging a loaded firearm at an inspector along with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

…to be sleazy

was the fourth day of Christmas exactly a year ago when that seismic event – which still reverberates through the length and breadth of the land – unfolded in National Assembly. Accompanied by frantic shrieks of “No, Charrandass, no!!”, AFC MP Charrandass Persaud calmly and firmly repeated, “Yes…yes…yes” to the Clerk’s question on his vote on the Opposition’s NCM on the PNC-led coalition government.

Abraham Lincoln had once observed, “Nearly all men can stand adversity but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power”. Charrandass Persaud had seen Ramjattan and Nagamootoo face adversity in their struggles within the PPP to get what they thought was their birthright to become leader of that party. He thought they had the character to become leaders – and became a member of their party, the AFC, their vehicle to do so.

But it was only after they got power when their coalition with the PNC won the 2015 elections that Persaud was able to gauge the true nature of their characters. And what a disappointment it was!! Every single principle they claimed to stand for went out of the window once they received their 50% salary increase, SUV and outriders! No consultation with the regional representatives on voting in Parliament – even though the Constitution had been explicit when they were both in Parliament in 2000 to introduce regional MPs! And it was this rubber-stamp notion of representation held by Ramjattan, Nagamootoo and the PNC that perturbed Persaud and pushed him over the edge on that fateful night of December 21, 2018. PNC-leader Granger had ignored the recommendation of his own CoI into the sugar industry and unilaterally closed four of the seven sugar estates – throwing 7000 workers into the streets. Persaud lived in the heart of the shuttered Rose Hall estate – providing the only livelihood to the entire Canje community of 40,000 souls and experienced their devastation.

Nagamootoo and Ramjattan refused to listen to his pleas to oppose closure – as they’d done before the elections and secured what they thought was Granger’s agreement. Persaud’s “yes” vote represented the very essence of representative democracy. In fact, the US introduced a “recall” process to ensure elected officials will act in the interests of their constituency rather than in the interests of their political party or according to their own conscience!

And as Abe predicted, power exposed the true characters of Nagamootoo, Ramjattan, Granger and all those who supported the latter’s obscene efforts to trample on the Constitution, in their efforts to cling on to it.

They should reflect: “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world but lose his soul?”

…for first oil

Did you really think it was only on Dec 20 that Exxon made its first lift? If you do, then this Eyewitness has a bridge over the Essequibo River to sell you!! Listen, dear reader, that announcement was carefully timed to coincide with the anniversary of Charrandass’ blow to the solar plexus of the PNC exactly one year ago!! That blow had the combined power of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua!! Granger and consorts will be counted out on March 2!!

But did you listen to caretaker President Granger declare December 20 as “National Petroleum Day”? When the PPP gets into office on Mar 2, they should declare Dec 21 as “National Democracy Day” to honour Charrandass’ execution of the true meaning of representative democracy!! Imagine after promising to deliver “the good life” if his coalition were elected in 2015, the man had the chutzpah to say – five years later – “the ‘good life’ for everyone beckons”!! Yes…beckons.

After that contract Trotman signed for him, from how far away is it beckoning!!

…for Scrooge

Your Eyewitness observed that caretaker Granger will be giving every member of the GDF a back pay of at least “$86,000”. But could he not see it in his heart to do the same for sugar workers?

Do they not also bleed?

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

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SUnDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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SUnDAY, december 22, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

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SUnDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

12 news

SUnDAY, december 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

SleepIn owners optimistic of picking up on investment

…after court orders Gaming Authority to process casino application

A

fter being delayed by the Gaming Authority and with millions of dollars in investments at stake, SleepIn proprietor Clifton Bacchus took his fight to the High Court and prevailed on Tuesday last.

Now that the battle is over, Bacchus’ lawyer, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, has assured that his client is optimistic and ready to pick up where he left off, should the Gaming Authority process and grant him his casino licence.

In an interview with this publication, Nandlall noted that the law is on their side and there is no reason why the Authority cannot process his client’s application.

He pointed out that hundreds of jobs for young people, as well millions of dollars in taxes and investments into the economy, were being held up for no good reason by the Gaming Authority.

“The investment is a multi-billion [venture]. The machines were all imported and had to be sent back to Suriname. Over 300 persons, who were already trained to work in the casino, they are still awaiting jobs. One would have thought that these are factors that would have galvan-

Chairman of the Gaming Authority, Rosydale Forde

Local businessman Clifton Bacchus

ised the Gaming Authority to process the application and grant the license.”

The legal requirements, he said, have all been met and his client has complied with all the demands set out to him.

“So I don’t know what is the reason for the delay.

But hopefully, now that the courts have ordered the application to be processed, it will be processed and the application will be granted… we can see no reason why it should not be granted. All the information they requested, we supplied… everything is ready, it’s just to bring in back the machines into the country.”

According to Nandlall, the information they were

The Carnival Casino building, alongside Clifton Bacchus’ SleepIn branch

requested to provide includes the sources of funding and tax records of the Directors. He expressed regret that they had to move to the courts in the first place, but recalled the delays and foot-dragging between his client’s first and second applications, despite constant checks at the Authority.

“It’s unfortunate that we had to resort to the courts for redress. As far as I am aware, the applicant complied with all the requirements… the second application was filed, correcting the deficiencies identified in

the first application. Three years passed and we weren’t hearing anything from the Gaming Authority.”

“We were forced to file these proceedings. After we filed these proceedings, we got multiple requests for more information. We supplied that information again and the court has now ordered them to process our application. If we didn’t file these proceedings, we would not have known more information was being requested,” Nandlall added.

Bacchus’ struggles are well documented. He en-

tered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) back in 2015, before the Government changed hands, that catered for SleepIn to be awarded a Casino Operator’s Licence for its branch on Church Street.

The building, which has over 150 rooms, conference halls, restaurants and naturally, casino slot machines, was subsequently constructed. SleepIn then applied to the Gaming Authority in 2016 for its license, reportedly paying a fee of $9 million in the process.

Months later, it received

correspondence from the Authority that its casino operator and premises licence applications were refused. Gaming Authority Chairman Roysdale Forde had subsequently alluded in sections of the press to financial deficiencies in SleepIn’s applications as the reason for turning them down.

Bacchus’ lawyer, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, took the gaming authority to court a few months ago in a bid to have them step in and ensure the Authority processes Bacchus’ application.

After the case was heard

by Justice Fidela Corbin, she ordered on December 17, 2019, that the Gaming Authority process and consider SleepIn’s application or a Casino Premises Licence and a Casino Operator’s Licence.

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SUnDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

14 NEWS Wildlife Commission outlines closed hunting seasons for 2020 SUnDAY, december 22, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

…including birds, reptiles, mammals

T

A display of religious bigotry

he Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission has published a list of dates for 2020, when wildlife hunting, trapping and killing will be prohibited.

For birds, the closed season for parrots and macaws will be from January to May and throughout December; followed by ducks between April to September; ibises from January to August; and black curassow from January to June and in December.

As it relates to mammals, any endangerment of kin-

W Scarlet Ibises

kajous will be illegal from April to October; followed by the two-toed sloth in April to December; the lesser anteater from October to December and January to February.

For January, February, October and December, interference with the pygmy anteater and tree porcupine are also prohibited.

Meanwhile, from May to December, persons were advised that the nine-banded armadillo and Kappler’s armadillo will be illegal.

For January to June and in December, hunting is closed for the six-banded armadillo; with the red brocket deer, squirrel monkey and white-tailed deer from January to April and September to December.

Closed season for capuchins is from May to December; and the tapir from January to May and September to December.

There are restrictions set aside for reptiles as well, including the closed season for green iguanas from May to July and red-footed tortoise from April to July.

Any interference with these animals during the

outlined seasons are not allowed. During the periods, there will be no trapping, hunting, wounding, killing or sale.

Wildlife trafficking is a criminal enterprise that reaps profits in the billions of dollars and is widely known to cause challenges in security and also cause instability in a country’s economy. There are regulations for penalties for harvesting prohibited species of wildlife, exporting, re-exporting or importing wildlife without permits and the use of prohibited devices and methods to hunt wildlife.

The Commission is tasked with the responsibility of granting, amending and cancelling licences and permits relating to wildlife.

Adding to that, it is responsible for determining the closed season for the capturing and trade of wildlife species.

The wildlife Act provides for the establishment of a Wildlife Import and Export Authority, which will be tasked with the management of the international trade of wildlife in Guyana.

e boast that Guyana is a ‘multi-religious’ country.

But how effective are our policies to deal with the reality of intolerance that led to a very popular tele-pastor blaming Hindus and their religious practices for causing the horrendous accident at Mahaicony that led to the death of five and serious injury to four others?

The pastor was summoned by the ERC after his comments went viral and elicited widespread reactions – both in support and condemnation of his stance. The pastor apologised after his interaction with the ERC but I believe that he was merely stating the position of the majority of evangelical Christians in the country.

It is one of the subjects that demand a national Ravi Dev conversation since it is nothing less than a form of epistemic violence inflicted on Hindus— who form 28% of the country’s population. It can lead, as it has been in the past, to the infliction of physical violence.

Hindus have been in Guyana for 181 years and they know what it means to be merely ‘tolerated’. ‘Toleration’, first and foremost, implies a hierarchical power relationship involving superiors and inferiors – and it is the superiors that exhort their members to ‘tolerate’ the other. In Guyana, after official persecution and conversion, some Christian churches, at best, taught its followers to ‘tolerate’ Hindus. But they are still driven to convert the Hindus, who they assert, are engaged in ‘sin’. Interfaith dialogues that are based on tolerance are therefore disingenuous at best because the Christian leaders taking part believe in the superiority of their faiths. The more they emphasise ‘tolerance’, the more they are emphasising their ‘superiority’.

What has been proposed instead by Hindus is “mutual respect”. If you respect me and my right to practice whatever religion I want, you are doing more than just tolerating me under sufferance. You are no longer wishing for the day when ignorant fools like the ‘other’ represented by me would correct their mistakes and follow the “righteous” path (which just happens to be your path). It is no longer ‘My way or the highway’. Instead, you would have shifted your thoughts. You may not agree with me on every matter but you are glad that I am here. You are celebrating our differences as well as our similarities. The ‘other’ is no longer a threatening force but a friend whom you respect.

But since this implies acceptance of some sort of equality among the religions, those that preach they are the ‘only path’ or ‘one right way’ would most likely baulk.

They would certainly not want to be ‘contaminated’ with Hindu activities. The persons who had planted Jhandis in their yard at Mahaicony were not invading the space or persons of others, as for instance, occurred seven years ago when someone defending some children who had thrown water on an individual at Phagwah was stabbed to death.

The defender was a Muslim man, Nassair Ghani, which demonstrated that all is not lost in Guyana.

Reacting to religious bigotry, the UN declared the first week of February, “World Interfaith Harmony Week”. The resolution, which Guyana co-sponsored, ‘Encourages all States to support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that week, based on love of God and love of one’s neighbour or on love of the good and love of one’s neighbour, each according to their own religious traditions or convictions’.

If we can’t go as far as ‘love’ for our neighbours, what about ‘mutual respect’? Can’t we agree to disagree on some ideas but have mutual respect on common criteria of, let’s say virtuous actions? Surely there are ‘good’ persons in every religion?

I would like to suggest that our country should adopt the principle of ‘mutual respect’ as our strategy for dealing with religious diversity. This inevitably flows if we see each as ends and not means. But we will have to abandon the dogmatic view that we are always indubitably right and the ‘other’ wrong and, at best, we must ‘tolerate’ them. This, we know, can so easily slide into hatred, bigotry and murder.

news

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SUnDAY, december 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

"Christmas Market Day" should be better promoted – vendors, agro-processors

C

hristmas is so close, we can already smell the excitement and pepperpot in the air and the rush that everyone is in to make this day special and memorable. However, while the holiday season brings good cheer for most people, it also brings a lot more waste, harm to the environment, and additional debt to an average family. Here are some environmentally-smart tips for a less wasteful – perhaps less stressful – holiday this year: 1. Wrapping gifts- Instead of buying more and more wrapping paper, only for it to be ripped up and thrown in the bin, get creative and try using colourful pages torn from magazines to wrap small gifts, and old maps or the Sunday comics for larger boxes. Avoid using paper entirely by using reusable decorative tins, baskets or boxes. If you do buy wrapping paper, look for ones made of recycled paper. Reusable cloth ribbons can be used in place of plastic bows. Finally, unwrap gifts carefully and save wrappings for reuse next year. Boxes can be used to create gifts, a snowman and more— just think about the creativity that you can fabricate using reusable items all around us.

2. Electricity - Your electricity bill can quickly shoot skyward as you find yourself preparing for the big day. Here are some tips to reduce your consumption and your bill” * Whether you’re decorating your tree or outside of your home, use LED lights instead of incandescent ones. LED lights will help save you around 80% of electrical power and not to forget it will also last longer too. * While your Christmas lights make the street or your house look prettier, no one will be able to see it while they are all asleep. Leaving them on overnight will not only cost you more but also waste energy. * After the gift exchange, spend some quality time with your family by opting traditional board games and put away new gadgets and devices and turn off the television. By doing this, you will be able to keep consumption at a minimum. * As the day comes to an end before you slip into bed, make a special effort to switch everything off rather than leaving it on standby.

3. Decorations - Turn old Christmas cards into beautiful decorations. Every year after Christmas, many houses are left with a huge wealth of Christmas cards. While they were perfect to display around the home during the holiday season, most of these cards end up in the bin after the festivities end. Rather than disposing of them we can create something perfect in the spirit of the season, for example, make garlands or gift tags.

4. Donate- Instead of throwing out your old decorations, donate them to someone who needs it.

5. E-Greetings -Instead of sending cards to your loved ones, technology plays a vital role in our lives. You can send your greetings/wishes in an email or on social media.

What are some green resolutions that YOU can consider for the New Year?

Here are seven ways to reduce your impact on the Earth: 1. Recycle: If you aren’t in the habit, start today, and encourage others to do the same. Recycling not only saves natural resources but also saves energy! Start by composting!

2. Remember the other important “Rs”: Reduce and Reuse. Help to lessen the amount of waste by buying items that use little or no packaging, or “buying in bulk” which reduces unnecessary and excessive packaging, and find ways to use items over and over again (eg refilling your empty water bottles).

3. Buy recycled-content products: Remember to “look for it, ask for it”. Resolve to “buy green” by purchasing at least one recycled-content product on a regular basis, such as paper towels or computer paper that is made with post-consumer content.

4. Free your home from toxins. Don’t flush paints, solvents or chemicals down the toilet. Toilet bowl deodorisers, cleaning solutions with lye and many spot removers contain harmful solvents. Baking soda and vinegar substitute as great allpurpose cleaners. A wide variety of non-toxic cleaners can be found in numerous stores. Cut down on pesticides and fertilizers in your garden and limit what you wash into rivers, bays and oceans.

5. Spare the Air. Resolve to minimise using your car whenever possible. Use public transportation, carpool or bicycle once or twice a week for more exercise and cleaner air.

6. Learn to compost. Convert yard clippings and vegetable peelings into nature’s fertilizer. Your garden will love you for it.

7. See the great outdoors. Whether city, county, regional or state – visit the parks/ gardens. Park volunteer or docent opportunities and special programmes geared to kids represent ways to contribute to your community and enjoy nature at the same time.

W

ith the festive season less than two days away, scores of vendors and agro-processors enjoyed a successful day at the second annual Christmas Market Day organised by the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC).

The market day activities commenced from 06:00h to 12:00h on Saturday at D’Urban Park, Georgetown, and once again attracted a large crowd of intrigued shoppers.

However, even though the stalls were buzzing with consumers looking to purchase local produce, traders are of the opinion that more needs to be done in terms of promoting the activity.

Sherry Crandon, a repre-

A consumer purchasing locally-made seasoning

Handmade ornaments on sale

little bit advertising cause some folks say they didn’t know about it, is somebody just went home and inform them about it. But a little bit more advertising can be done to get more persons and in that way, persons who produce their own stuff like myself can also come out,” the craftswoman said.

Nevertheless, when this publication took a stroll through the many stalls later in the day, persons were still taking advantage of the sales which included a wide range of fresh fruits, vegetables, agro-processed products, crafts and plants.

Local farmer, Andrea Seechen, who transported her goods all the way from Upper Corentyne, Berbice,

Local farmer: Andrea Seechen

to Georgetown, posited that despite the late arrival, her produce was completely sold out.

Same can be said for representative of Triple “A’s” catering, Aweena Alder as she described the early morning atmosphere at the market.

Policeman accused of beating vendor transferred to TSU – Top Cop A

s the Guyana Police Force seeks legal advice for the case where a police officer allegedly assaulted a vendor while arresting him at a city wharf, Police Commissioner Leslie James has indicated that the rank has been transferred.

At a recent press conference, he informed that the officer is now stationed at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) at Eve Leary, Georgetown.

This incident, which occurred at the Meadow Bank wharf, was videoed by eyewitnesses. The officer was in the company of a fellow rank as he was seen assaulting the man with handcuffs while arresting him for al-

Christmas is a perfect time to practise your green habits.

Make upcycling/recycling during Christmas a new holiday tradition for your family and have a very Merry Christmas from the Environmental Protection Agency…

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

sentative of agro-processing business Becky’s Blessings told Guyana Times that promoting the activity would be one thing she would do in the future.

“If there is one thing that I can improve about the market day, it’s probably networking. Because I’m sure a lot of persons didn’t know about today being market day while a lot of persons forget. So I think if they network it a little bit more social media, online on TV, more likely the week before so that more persons can know this is where we are going to be,” Crandon noted.

Meanwhile, local craftswoman Nadia Lockhart expressed similar views when she spoke to this newspaper.

“Maybe they can do a

The Policeman and Quincy Little during the encounter

leged theft.

“That matter has been concluded and we’re now seeking legal advice. That’s a matter that happened a few weeks ago…He has since been removed from Division Four A. He’s currently at the Tactical Services Unit performing duties,” the Top Cop affirmed.

Guyana Times had initially reported that the officer was relieved of his duties.

Commander of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Sub-division A (Georgetown), Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas had told this publication that the probe was spearheaded by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).

Police ranks are issued various items to execute their duties; for instance, a baton is used to assist in subduing a suspect, the Commander noted, while a pair of handcuffs has another use.

However, when a police officer uses one of his tools for a purpose than the one originally intended, this will lead to questions about whether or not the rank had stepped out of line or breached the rights of the suspect.

On December 5, the video went viral on social media (Facebook) with the police officer in question attempting to aid his colleague in arresting 32-year-old Quincy Little.

Little was accused of stealing a snapper from another vendor and the police visited him two hours after the simple larceny report

was made, requesting that he accompany them to the Ruimveldt Police Station.

He told the media that he requested that the ranks call his brother before he was arrested, but was denied this.

Little was subsequently released on self-bail upon his arrival at the police station after which he was taken to the hospital. He vehemently told reporters that he was innocent and the vendor who made the accusation against him did not want to take the matter fur-

Police Commissioner Leslie James

ther.

He further stated that his brother, who also vends on the wharf, volunteered to repay the $6000, which is the value of the fish.

16 news

SUnDAY, december 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 6 completes 98% of work programme

…says regional education budget misspent over Independence celebrations

T

he Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) administration has completed 98 per cent of its work programme and Chairman David Armogan is optimistic that the Council will complete all proposed projects for the year.

Speaking about the performance of the Regional Democratic Council, Armogan said that the Regional Administration has performed well.

The region was allocated $7.6 billion from the National Budget for 2019. Of that amount, $6.9 billion was budgeted under the current budget and the 97 per cent has so far been spent, while $744 million as budgeted on the capital programme of that, 96 per cent has been spent, giving an overall total 97 per cent the region’s 2019 budget.

“So, works are ongoing at the moment and some works have been completed as well but the payments have not been made as yet. And once the payments have not been made, it will not be reflected here in the report,” he explained.

If the payments are not made before December 31, 2019, funds will go back

Meanwhile, under Administration and Finance, a total of $162 million was budgeted and according to Armogan, 96 per cent of the work programme has been completed.

“For this month, “I think that to some extent, the wages and salamoney was misspent in some ries have not come ways because for Indepenout from the 96 per dence celebrations, this region cent, so, it means if when this monhas to take massive sums of ey is taken out, we money out of the Regional Edwill probably be ucation Budget to send two or about 100 per three buses every day for an cent in the Region Administration entire month to take students from some of the schools in Re- and Finance.”

Under Public gion Six to Georgetown. So, a Works, $320 millot of money would have taken lion was budgeted and so far, 84 per away what could have been cent has been comspent on other areas in educapleted. According to tion”— Regional Chairman the Chairman, there are still some bridges which are expecting robbed of because these ed to be completed before monies were budgeted to the year ends.

Under Agriculture, a todo works for the people and if we are returning that tal of $875 million was budmoney, it means that we geted; 97 per cent has been would not have done what completed. you were supposed to do,” The largest slice of the the Chairman added. He budget went to education, added that one outstanding where $3.7 billion was budproject is the purchase of a geted for Region Six with bulldozer. He said that $80 salaries soaking up almost million was budgeted for the 55 per cent. Ninety-eight per machine. cent of the budget has been to the consolidated fund, Armogan explained.

“Every cent that goes back to the consolidated refund is goods and services that the people of Region Six are be-

I

Regional Chairman David Armogan

exhausted.

“So, in terms of repairs to schools and so, there is no money available right now. If there is an urgent need at the school during this outof-school period, there is no money available. All have expired. I think that to some extent the money was misspent in some ways because for Independence celebrations, this region has to take massive sums of money out of the Regional Education Budget to send two or three buses every day for an entire month to take students from some of the schools in Region Six to Georgetown. So, a lot of money would have taken away what could have been spent on other areas in education,” the Regional Chairman said.

Accountant robbed at gunpoint after leaving city bank

A

n accountant who works with a city contractor has been left traumatised after being robbed of a large sum of cash by two masked gunmen.

Reports are the accountant was ambushed by the gun-toting duo during a daring daylight robbery on Friday afternoon.

This newspaper was told that at about 14:22h, the accountant, after withdrawing a large sum of cash, left the bank and proceeded to a Bel Air, Georgetown, residence

to pay workers.

Reports are that the accountant placed the money in a bag and had it in the front seat of his car while driving. When he arrived at the Bel Air, Georgetown location and was in the process of exiting his vehicle, a car pulled up alongside him. Two gunmen donning masks jumped out of the car and rushed towards him.

This newspaper was told that they pointed the gun at him and demanded that he hand over the bag with cash.

Realising that the accountant was hesitating, one of the gunmen then threatened to shoot him.

Reports are the petrified man handed over the bag. As the armed bandits rushed back to the awaiting car, they fired a shot in the accountant’s direction before escaping. The bullet did not hit the victim.

Meanwhile, the sound of the gunshot alerted persons in the area and they rushed out to ascertain what was transpiring. The Police

were notified and went to the scene.

Commander of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Sub-division A (Georgetown), Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas, when contacted, told Guyana Times that no one has been arrested but that ranks are currently following leads.

He noted that the area where the robbery occurred has security cameras and the footage from these cameras will be reviewed.

Taxi driver who threatened to kill teacher nabbed …jailed in absentia

A

taxi-driver, Stravo Evans, who had reportedly threatened to kill a teacher and her six children while on bail for possession of an illegal firearm, was nabbed by the police in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) on Friday.

However, his worries now start as while he was in Region Two, he was jailed in absentia for two years. Now that he is caught, he will be taken to Camp Street Prison to start serving his jail sentence while his threatening language case is pending.

Evans, of Lot 29 James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, had threatened his former girlfriend, a fe-

male teacher, that he would murder her and her children after she refused to continue their relationship. The terrified woman, in fear for her life after receiving several threatening messages on her phone, reported the matter to the police.

She visited the police with the evidence on her phone, petrified that Evans would carry out the act.

Although the police in the capital city were not sure of the man’s location, they dispatched the information about him being a “Person of Interest” to the other regional divisions, seeking assistance from their counterparts.

On Friday afternoon, af-

ter receiving a report that Evans travelled through Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and was making his way to the Essequibo Coast, the police ranks began a cordon and search operation. At about 15:15h, Police ranks operating in Region Two discovered the man sitting among a pile of water coconuts at the back of a canter, which had been transporting the coconuts to vendors.

He was arrested and handed over to Police in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Sub-division A (Georgetown).

According to Regional Commander of Sub-division

Central bank financing of Govt spending and the quality of Govt spending in a developing economy context

n the previous column, the author outlined the legal features of the Consolidated Fund and Government Deposit Accounts held with the central bank. As indicated in the previous article, today, the author shall examine the Consolidated Fund (CF) balances and that of Government Deposit Accounts.

Having examined data from the Auditor General’s Report for the period 1995-2017, it was noted that the Consolidated Fund has almost always had a deficit balance except for the years 2004-2007 when the new Consolidated Fund was created, those years, the Account recorded positive balances of $6.4 billion in 2004, $6 billion in 2005, $17.4 billion in 2006, and $19.2 billion in 2007. However, when combined with the old Consolidated Balance, the net effect resulted in a deficit, which was not reconciled since 1988. This was in the height of the period when Guyana’s economy was in a bankrupt state.

In 1995, the CF recorded the lowest deficit balance of $22.4 billion, while the highest is recorded in 2017 of $136.7 billion.

Notably though, for the period 1995-2014, the CF balance remained well below an $80 billion deficit, averaging at $46.6 billion deficit for the period 1995 to 2014.

For the period 2015 to 2017, the CF balance went up from $76.7 billion deficit to $136.7 billion deficit, representing an increase of 79 per cent (it should be mentioned that while the Audit Report for 2018 is not yet published, it is suspected that the CF balance has exceeded or is close to some $200 billion deficit).

To lend a somewhat more comprehensive analysis for the period, it would be prudent to examine the net position of Central Bank Financing to Government. In this respect, reference is made to the overdraft balances on Government Deposit Accounts with the central bank. While the CF is the primary bank account of the Government from which it withdraws monies to fund its social and economic development programme, which ought to be approved through the national budget, the Government Deposit Accounts are also utilised as another form of central bank credit. This trend only started in 2015 which continued to be the case to date.

With the abovementioned in mind, by looking at the net central bank financing in which the balances in the Deposit Accounts are taken into consideration to derive a net effect, the data on these accounts for the period 1995 through 2014 showed that the Deposit Accounts have always recorded surplus balances with the lowest surplus balance in 1995 of $20 billion and the highest surplus balance recorded in the year 2010 of $69.7 billion, while the average surplus for that period was some $38 billion. As such, if these surplus balances were transferred to the CF, it would have ultimately reduced the deficit balances and even swing that Account (CF) into surplus balances for some years. In fact, by working the numbers, the CF together with Balances in the Deposit Accounts would have swung into surplus balances for the years 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 of $7.2 billion, $8.8 billion, $12 billion, $18.2 billion, $14.5 billion, $10 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively. In 2014, net central bank financing stood at $55.3 billion deficit, which went up to record high levels of $91.8 billion in 2015 to reach $163.2 billion at the end of 2017 – that is, the CF balance plus the overdraft balance in Deposit Accounts. Moreover, if these central bank deficit balances were to be added to the total stock of public debt, this would give rise to an increase from $345 billion in 2017 to $508.3 billion which would be about 76% of (2017) GDP.

To be continued…

Taxi driver and wanted man Stravo Evans

A (Georgetown), Assistant Police Commissioner, Edgar Thomas, Evans is presently in Police custody pending investigations.

By: J.C. Bhagwandin, M.Sc. Email: jbbankingadvice@gmail.com (The Author is an experienced Macro-finance and Research Analyst; and a Senior Lecturer of BBA / MBA programs at Texila American University, University of Bedfordshire and the Association of Business Executives (ABE) programs in Guyana. The discussions and analyses presented are exclusively his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper nor the institutions he is affiliated with.)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, december 22, 2019

17

Regional

Cuba names Prime Minister in CDB provides hurricane move to lighten presidential load rebuild loan for The Bahamas

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Honduras prison crisis:

he Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) approved an Exogenous Shock Response Policy-Based Loan of US $50 million to support The Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian.

“The loss of life and massive destruction caused

by Hurricane Dorian has placed a heavy burden on The Bahamas. The loan will support the people and the country during the recovery and maintain the momentum of the ongoing reform programme to foster fiscal discipline and build resilience against natural disasters,” said CDB President Dr Warren Smith.

At October 2019, there were 67 confirmed deaths and 282 people still missing. Some 29 500 inhabitants, equivalent to over 40 per cent of the combined population of Abaco and Grand Bahama, the two island hit by the hurricane in September, suffered severe damage to homes and assets. According to the United Nations, the total value of the damage and loss is equivalent to 25 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), which ex-

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At least 20 dead in bus crash in eastern Guatemala

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uban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday named Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz as the country’s first Prime Minister in decades, under a new Constitution that seeks to decentralise former leader Fidel Castro’s job.

Manuel Marrero Cruz, 56, an architect and whose nomination was ratified by the National Assembly, is a former functionary of the military-run Gaviota tourism corporation whose hotels have been sanctioned by the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Marrero, Tourism Minister for 15 years, presided over the growth of the industry into Cuba’s most important, with dozens of partnerships with foreign companies and broad connections with the growing private sector.

Unlike many other countries where prime ministers often play central, political roles, the post involves day-to-

Cuba's President Miguel DiazCanel attends the opening session of Cuban National Assembly in Havana

day supervision of the Council of Ministers (Cabinet) and the implementation of the policy.

“The head of Government will be the administrative right hand of the President of the republic,” the State-run Cubadebate online news outlet said.

William LeoGrande, a professor of Government and Cuba expert at American University in Washington said the post was different than in a multiparty system.

“It’s a division of responsibilities rather than a division of authority,” he said.

Castro was Prime Minister until 1976 when the post was abolished. The iconic revolutionary became head of the Communist Party and president of the Council of State and Council of Ministers.

Castro, who ceded power in 2006 to his brother Raul, died in 2016. He was famous for micromanaging the Caribbean island nation.

Raul Castro stepped down as President in 2018 but remains head of the Communist Party.

Now, under the constitution passed earlier this year, the President of the Republic Diaz-Canel no longer headsup either the Council of State, presided over by the president of the National Assembly Esteban Lazo, or Council of Ministers, though he maintains ultimate authority.

Cuban officials say changes in government structure aim to improve accountability and administration of the bureaucracy and state-run economy. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18 inmates killed in gang violence t least 18 inmates were killed and 16 injured in an outbreak of gang violence at a prison in Honduras on Friday.

The fight at a prison in the northern port city of Tela was one of the worst recent outbreaks in the country.

It follows a wave of prison violence in the country, where prisons are notoriously overcrowded.

The government had declared a state of emergency in the prison system on Wednesday, transferring control to security forces.

A military official told Reuters that they had not formally taken control of

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Honduran security forces which have been deployed to prisons this week

the prison in Tela before the violence erupted.

But security forces have since been deployed to the prison to attempt to restore order, officials added.

Antonio Coello, a spokesman for security agency Fusina, confirmed the death toll in an interview with local broadcast-

ers.

Honduras' prisons house more than 20,000 inmates, despite them only having a capacity for about 8000.

Fights in the jails are common, as rival street gangs vie for control. (BBC News)

79 released from prison after Food for the Poor paid their fines

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our inmates who were released from the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre are among 79 non-violent individuals in the Caribbean and Latin America released from prison in time for Christmas after their fines were paid by the charity Food For The Poor (FFP).

The Jamaicans include a 49-year-old man who spent more than a month in the Spanish Town-based prison because he could not afford to pay the fines for a minor offence.

“This is the first time this has happened to me and it has been the hardest thing to deal with,” said the convict,

whose name is being withheld.

He said during his time behind bars he was forced to reflect on his life and it was during those times he turned to God for comfort.

“I prayed a lot, and I begged God to intervene because this is not the life I want to live. God answered my prayer through Food For The Poor and it is such a blessing. I am so grateful,” added the man.

In what has become an annual affair, FFP paid the fines for the non-violent offenders, many of whom were arrested for stealing to feed their families, or for something that would be consid-

ered a minor offence.

For more than two decades, FFP has honoured the tradition of freeing non-violent offenders from prisons in Guyana, Haiti, Honduras and Jamaica by paying their fines in time for Christmas.

In Haiti, FFP paid the fines of 50 men, two teens and one woman. All were arrested and sent to prison for stealing in the economically-challenged country.

Most were arrested for taking a pig, or in the case of 14-year-old Jerry, a goat.

Jerry said his mother died and his father abandoned him so he became a shoeshine boy to make money. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

collision between a passenger bus and a trailer truck in eastern Guatemala early on Saturday killed at least 20 people, including a 7-yearold boy, doctors and firefighters said.

An aerial view shows devastation after Hurricane Dorian hit the Abaco Islands in The Bahamas, September 3, 2019, in this image obtained via social media

ceeds that from Hurricane Mathew in 2016.

The Exogenous Shock Response Policy-Based Loan is an instrument to provide resources for financing needs that arise from external and natural hazards shocks that have a significant economic and social impact.

In addition to providing finance for the ongoing recovery, the loan will support the implementation of the comprehensive reform programme of The Bahamas that aims to achieve fiscal sustainability and enhance economic and physical resilience

Guatemalan Presidentelect Alejandro Giammattei expressed his “profound lament” for the deaths in a post on Twitter.

The accident took place near the town of Gualan, near Guatemala’s Atlantic

to external shocks and natural disasters, while bolstering growth and job creation.

CDB Staff has estimated the impact of Hurricane Dorian on economic growth in The Bahamas over the short and medium-term. Economic growth has been revised downwards from 1.7 per cent to 1 per cent in 2019 and from 1.8 per cent to 1.5 per cent in 2020. This translates to a total impact on the GDP of one percentage point. Economic growth is expected to return to its long-term average of approximately 1.8 per cent by 2021. (Barbados Nation News)

coast, as the Pullman passenger bus was travelling to the city of Santa Elena, near the border with Mexico.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crash.

(Reuters)

Caribbean-American legislators welcome impeachment of US President

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Haitian-American legislator has welcomed the impeachment of United States President Donald J Trump, who has become the third US president to be impeached in the nation's history.

Trump is expected to face trial in the US Senate early in the new year.

Farah Louis, who represents the predominantly Caribbean 45th Council District in Brooklyn, said the “historic impeachment vote sends a resounding message that anyone who undermines our democracy or betrays the public's trust by abusing their power will be held accountable — even the president of the United States.

“His [Trump's] reckless behaviour and complete disregard for our constitution, which he swore to uphold, has done irreparable harm to our nation,” Louis told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), adding

that the “American people need a true leader in the White House that will implement policies that are inclusive and benefits the majority, not just the one per cent”.

Added the legislator: “Instead US Presedent Donald Trump of utilising his Administration to mitting high crimes and unify us, this 'Tweeter-in- misdemeanours, Caribbean Chief' has consistently de- American Democratic moralised his opponents,” Congresswoman Yvette D said Louis, a member of Clarke, who joined her colNew York City Council's leagues in the United States committees on civil service House of Representatives and labour; economic devel- in impeaching Trump, told opment; education; finance; CMC that it was a “hishousing and buildings; com- toric and sombre time for mittee on youth services; America”. and justice system.

The daughter of “It is my hope that the Jamaican immigrants, US Senate will not place who represents the 9th politics before people, and Congressional District in take the necessary mea- Brooklyn, Clarke said it was sures to restore what has “a necessary day of reckonbeen tarnished over the past ing and a test of our resiltwo years,” she said. ience and ability to uphold Immediately after our democracy. (Excerpt Trump was impeached from CMC) Wednesday night for com-

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sunDAY, december 22, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Russia, China have blood on Australia fires: Death toll rises their hands after veto on Syria as fires sweep across 3 states cross-border aid – Pompeo O

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S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday said Russia and China had blood on their hands after the two countries used a veto of a UN Security Council resolution to block cross-border aid deliveries from Turkey and Iraq to millions of Syrian civilians.

“To Russia and China, who have chosen to make a political statement by opposing this resolution, you have blood on your hands,” he added.

Russia, backed by China, on Friday cast its 14th UN Security Council veto since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011.

The resolution, drafted by Belgium, Kuwait and Germany, would have allowed cross-border humanitarian deliveries for a further 12 months

from two points in Turkey and one in Iraq. But Syrian ally Russia only wanted to approve the two Turkish crossings for six months and had proposed its own draft text.

Russia and China vetoed the text while the remaining 13 members of the Security Council voted in favour. A resolution needs a minimum of nine votes in favour and no vetoes by Russia, China, the United States, Britain or France to pass.

Since 2014 the United Nations and aid groups have crossed into Syria from Turkey, Iraq and Jordan at four places annually authorised by the Security Council.

In a bid to compromise with Russia, the Jordan crossing was dropped by Belgium, Kuwait and Germany from

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers remarks on human rights in Iran at the State Department in Washington, USA, December 19, 2019 their draft. (Excerpt from Reuters)

5 arrested for attack on mosques in Ethiopia F

ive people suspected of burning down four mosques in Ethiopia's Amhara region have been arrested, a regional spokesman said, as rising inter-communal and ethnic violence threatens political reforms initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

"Five people who are suspected of leading and organising the attacks have now been arrested," Getnet Yirsaw, the Amhara state spokesman, said in a Facebook post on Saturday.

State-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported on Saturday that a number of mosques were attacked and that "other properties were destroyed" in Mota town, more than 350 km (217 miles) north of the capital, Addis Ababa.

"Attempts by extremists to breakdown our rich history of religious tolerance and coexistence have no place in the new prosperity focused Ethiopia," Abiy, this year's Nobel Peace Prize laureate, said in a statement posted on his Facebook

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called the attacks an 'act of cowardice' and Twitter accounts.

"I condemn such acts of cowardice and call upon all peace-loving Ethiopians to draw upon our deep knowledge of coexistence and our reservoir of respect," the statement added.

Fana also said one church was attacked.

While ethnic violence has been a persistent problem under Abiy, recent unrest appears to have been at least partly mo-

tivated by religion.

During several days of violence in the Oromia region in October that killed more than 80 people, attacks on both mosques and Orthodox Christian churches were reported.

Yet analysts caution that conflicts that appear to be rooted in religion are often also shaped by disputes over land use, ethnicity and other issues.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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lawyer, prominent rights activist Rashid Rehman, was murdered.

The attack came after Rehman had been threatened in open court by religious leaders and lawyers associated with the prosecution.

The trial has been held in a high-security jail since then.

Hafeez's current lawyer, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, described the atmosphere in court hearings as "intimidating" before adding that the professor would be appealing the verdict at the Lahore High Court.

"The failure to apprehend those who shot Rehman dead signalled impunity for other would-be vigilantes," Hafeez's lawyer and family said in a statement released after Saturday's verdict.

Junaid Hafeez Zia-ur-Rehman, the prosecutor in the case, denied allegations that the prosecution attempted to delay the case or intimidate the Judge, telling Al Jazeera that "this was a very fair trial" after the verdict was announced. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

About 3000 emergency personnel were deployed in NSW on Saturday person was found dead, another was critically injured and 15 homes had been destroyed about 40km (25 miles) east of the state capital of Adelaide.

However the southerly winds later eased and by Saturday evening six fires in the state were deemed to be at emergency level - the second-highest level of danger after catastrophic - including two near Sydney.

In Victoria, authorities said 142 fires had started in the state since Friday. One of these was burning at an emergency level by Saturday afternoon.

(Excerpt from BBC News) A combination of temperatures above 40C, low humidity and strong winds have worsened the struggle for the 3000 emergency personnel mobilised to deal with the bushfires in NSW. (BBC)

Mali conflict: 33 terrorists killed

by French troops ― Macron

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Pakistani academic sentenced to death for blasphemy court in Pakistan has convicted a university lecturer of blasphemy and sentenced him to death in a case rights groups have long cited as emblematic of fair trial concerns in such prosecutions in the country.

Junaid Hafeez, a lecturer at the Bahauddin Zakariya University in the central Pakistani city of Multan, was accused of having insulted Islam's Prophet Muhammad and its holy book, the Quran, verbally and on Facebook in 2013.

A court in Multan found him guilty and sentenced him to death on Saturday after a lengthy trial that saw frequent delays and transfers of Judges.

Hafeez has been held in solitary confinement due to security concerns since 2014 when his

ne person has died and another is missing as wildfires continue to burn across three Australian states.

In New South Wales, sudden southerly winds fanned the flames of more than 100 blazes and fire officials said a man who had chosen to stay at his property could no longer be contacted.

Saturday had been an "awful day", NSW Fire Chief Shane Fitzsimmons said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has cut short a holiday in Hawaii after being criticised for leaving amid the crisis.

Earlier acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack conceded that more had to be done to tackle global warming, after many Australians linked the severity of this year's fires to climate change.

Since September, Australia's bushfire emergency has killed at least nine people, destroyed more than 700 houses and scorched millions of hectares.

Rising temperatures and strong winds worsened fires in three states.

In South Australia one

rench forces have killed 33 militants in an operation in Mali, according to President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron made the announcement on a visit to Ivory Coast, where he reiterated France's commitment to fighting jihadists in the region.

It comes weeks after 13 French troops died in a helicopter collision in Mali in the biggest single-day loss of life for its military since the 1980s.

Thousands of French troops have been deployed in Mali since 2013.

Its involvement came after Islamist militants overran

parts of the north. With the help of France, Mali's army has recaptured the territory, but insecurity continues and violence has spread to neighbouring countries.

Some 4500 French troops serve as part of Operation Barkhane in support of the forces of Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad.

Macron said the "terrorists" were killed in an operation on Saturday in Mali's Mopti region.

"This morning, thanks to an engagement by our soldiers and the Barkhane forces, we were able to neutralise 33 ter-

rorists, take one prisoner and free two Malian gendarmes who had been held hostage," he said.

France's army command said the operation took place overnight near the Mauritanian border.

Macron made the announcement in a speech in Ivory Coast, where he has been celebrating an early Christmas with French troops.

He vowed on Friday to work to give "new force" to the fight against Islamist militants in Africa's Sahel - an arid region below the Sahara desert.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

8 killed in days of storms buffeting Spain and Portugal

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wo powerful storms that struck Spain and Portugal in quick succession over the past three days have killed at least eight people and caused widespread flooding and damage.

In the southern region of Andalusia, a spokesman for the emergency services said they had recovered the body of a windsurfer in the province of Huelva, and a second man died in Granada attempting to ford a swollen river in his car.

In Madrid, a woman died on Saturday after being injured by a piece of falling masonry dislodged by strong winds in the city centre on Friday.

The arrival of Storm Fabien on Saturday brought a fresh round of high winds and heavy rainfall to the region, just as Storm Elsa, which hit the Iberian peninsula on Wednesday, began to subside.

Spain’s civil defence agency said the latest front could bring winds of up to 140 km per hour

A flooded street is pictured as Storm Elsa sweeps through Trofa, in Porto, Portugal, December 20, 2019, in this still image taken from a social media video (85 mph) and waves of up to 9 metres (30 feet), to the country’s northwest Atlantic coast.

However, the effects of the storms have been felt across the peninsula.

Portugal’s civil protection authority said on Saturday the heavy rain and strong winds had felled trees and caused flooding and damage to infrastructure.

More than 250 people were evacuated from their homes in villages in central Portugal on Saturday due to rising river waters, Portuguese news agency Lusa said.

EDP, the country’s largest utility, said on Friday that thousands of people were without electricity due to storm damage. (Excerpt from Reuters)

sunDAY, december 22, 2019

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19

round-up: Mavericks manhandle Sixers

im Hardaway Jr. made seven 3-pointers and scored 27 points to lift the visiting Dallas Mavericks past the Philadelphia 76ers 117-98 on Friday.

Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points and a career-high 18 rebounds to go along with three blocked shots as the Mavericks improved to 11-2 on the road.

The Mavericks won handily despite playing without injured guard Luka Doncic.

Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 33 points and 17 rebounds for his 19th double-double, but they dropped their third in a row.

It was also the Sixers’ second consecutive home loss after opening the season with 14 straight wins. Ben Simmons had 12 points, eight assists and six rebounds for Philadelphia.

Boston Celtics 114; Detroit Pistons 93 Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum each scored 26 points to lead host Boston to its second straight win, a rout of Detroit, which has lost four of five.

Rookie Grant Williams chipped in a seasonhigh 18 points off the bench, and Enes Kanter had 18 rebounds for the Celtics.

Kemba Walker was held to two points on 0-for-6 shooting, but had 11 assists.

Andre Drummond had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Thon Maker scored 15 points for the Pistons, who played without Blake Griffin, Luke Kennard and Christian Wood — all down with knee injuries.

Indiana Pacers 119; Sacramento Kings 105 T.J. Warren scored 23 points on 10-for16 shooting to help host Indiana cruise over Sacramento, as Myles Turner added 17 points and Indiana won its fifth straight game and its 13th in the last 16.

Domantas Sabonis contributed 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists; T.J. McConnell recorded 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting, and added eight assists; while Malcolm Brogdon and Doug McDermott each had 13 points.

Richaun Holmes scored 20 points on 9-for10 shooting, and collected nine rebounds for the Kings. Marvin Bagley III added 17 points, and rookie Justin James matched his seasonhigh of 14 points.

Oklahoma City Thunder 126; Phoenix Suns 108 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a careerhigh 32 points to lead host Oklahoma City past Phoenix, and the Thunder didn’t need a big comeback this time.

In each of the first two games of the Thunder’s current five-game homestand, Oklahoma City came back from a big deficit to win. On Monday, against Chicago, it was a 26-point deficit. Two days later, against Memphis, Oklahoma City trailed by 24 before coming back to win.

Gilgeous-Alexander was 13 of 18 from the floor, hitting both of his 3-point attempts. His previous career high was 29 points in a win over Minnesota on Dec. 6. Ricky Rubio led the Suns with 24 points. He was 9 of 11 from the floor.

Portland Trail Blazers 118; Orlando Magic 103 Damian Lillard made seven 3-pointers while scoring 36 points to lead Portland over visiting Orlando.

CJ McCollum knocked down four 3-pointers while recording 31 points and eight rebounds, as the Trail Blazers won for the fourth time in their past five games.

Hassan Whiteside collected 17 rebounds in addition to scoring 10 points and blocking five shots for Portland. Kent Bazemore added 11 points.

with five 3-pointers.

H e added 13 rebounds to post h i s fifth double-double in his past six games.

Jaren Jackson Jr. had a team-high 24 points, and Dillon Brooks added 16 for the Grizzlies, who have lost back-to-back games.

Jackson and Brooks each made four 3-pointers.

Miami Heat 129; New York Knicks 114 Duncan Robinson hit two of his six 3-pointers during a game-opening 23-8 flurry that propelled host Miami to an easy victory over New York.

Robinson finished with 18 points and Bam Adebayo a team-high 20 for the Heat, who opened a four-game homestand on a successful note.

Reserve Bobby Portis poured in a game-high 30 points for the Knicks, who had won three of four in the wake of a 10-game losing streak.

Dallas Mavericks guard Tim Hardaway Jr (11) dribbling as Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) defends during the first quarter

Nikola Vucevic contributed 23 points, 12 rebounds and a career-best six steals for Orlando, which fell for the sixth time in its past seven games.

D.J. Augustin scored 17 points off the bench, Evan Fournier added 16 points, and Aaron Gordon had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Denver Nuggets 109; Minnesota Timberwolves 100 Nikola Jokic had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists; Jamal Murray scored 28 points, and host Denver beat Minnesota.

Will Barton added 13 points, and Paul Millsap and Gary Harris scored 11 each for the Nuggets, who won all five games on their nowconcluded homestand.

Minnesota played its second straight game without centre Karl-Anthony Towns and lost its ninth in a row. Andrew Wiggins scored 19 points, Gorgui Dieng had 18, Jeff Teague finished with 13, and Robert Covington scored 10 for Minnesota.

Toronto Raptors 122; Washington Wizards 118 Kyle Lowry scored 26 points — including a vital 3-pointer with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter — and Toronto held on to defeat visiting Washington, as Serge Ibaka added 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who have won four straight.

Toronto was without starters Pascal Siakam (groin), Norman Powell (shoulder) and Marc Gasol (hamstring). All three were injured in the road win against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

Toronto’s OG Anunoby scored 18 points; Fred VanVleet also had 18 points, and added nine rebounds and eight assists, while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 14 points and Patrick McCaw scored 11. Lowry also dished out nine assists.

Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 37 points.

Ish Smith added 26 points, Isaiah Thomas had 13, Troy Brown Jr. 11, and Davis Bertans 10 for Washington, losers of two in a row.

Cleveland Cavaliers 114; Memphis Grizzlies 107 Jordan Clarkson scored a season-high 33 points, and Kevin Love drained a pair of

3-pointers late in the fourth quarter, as host Cleveland beat Memphis.

Clarkson made 12 of 17 shots from the field — including 6 of 8 from 3-point range — to help the Cavaliers win back-to-back games for the second time this season. Cleveland previously won consecutive contests on Nov. 8 and Nov. 10 by defeating the Washington Wizards and New York Knicks respectively.

Love highlighted his 21-point performance

Golden State Warriors 106; New Orleans Pelicans 102 D’Angelo Russell broke a tie by sinking a longjumper with 32.9 seconds remaining, before Draymond Green and Damion Lee buried four clutch free throws, allowing Golden State to end a five-game losing streak by beating New Orleans in San Francisco.

Russell’s key hoop occurred just 5 1/2 seconds after Brandon Ingram had dropped in a pair of free throws that allowed the Pelicans, who trailed by as many as 20 points in the first half, to draw even at 100-all.

After Jrue Holiday misfired on a jumper with 29.8 seconds remaining, the Pelicans fouled Green, whose two foul shots created a fourpoint Golden State lead with 14.3 seconds to go.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Barcelona 4, Deportivo Alaves 1…

Messi ends 2019 with 50 goals, as Barca cruise

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ionel Messi took his 2019 goals’ tally for club and country to 50 with a stunning strike in Barcelona’s final match of the year, as he helped Barca to a 4-1 win over Deportivo Alaves on Saturday.

The superstar from Argentina had been unusually subdued for much of the match, and had appeared a little off the pace, but he produced a ferocious 25-yard effort in the second half to ensure he finished the sixth successive calendar year with at least half a century of goals.

Alaves kept Barca at bay for only 14 minutes, as Antoine Griezmann scored his fourth goal in seven matches across all competitions, and Arturo Vidal doubled their lead with a fierce strike just before half-time.

The visitors did hit back through Pere Pons early in the second half -- which offered them encouragement -- but Messi effectively ended their hopes with his wonderful strike; and Luis Suarez, who had set up the first three goals, deservedly got in on the act late on from a controversial penalty.

The warning signs were there early on for Alaves, as Messi had a goal disallowed in the 10th minute as a VAR review identified him to have strayed marginally offside.

But with their next move, Barca opened the scoring – Griezmann placing a right-footed effort into the bottom-right corner from the edge of the box following Suarez’s lay off.

Vidal was similarly decisive late in the half, receiving Suarez’s pass and blasting an emphatic strike in across goal.

Alaves began the second period brightly, and got themselves a lifeline through Pons’s powerful header, leaving MarcAndre ter Stegen no chance when arriving late to meet Ruben Duarte’s cross.

But Messi turned on the style 21 minutes from time, when lashing in from almost 30 yards despite being seemingly surrounded.

And the excellent Suarez rounded off the scoring soon after, converting from 12 yards after a VAR review deemed Martin Aguirregabiria to have handled the Uruguayan’s previous header. (Excerpted from Sportsmax)

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guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, december 22, 2019

Can West Indies bowlers keep up the pressure in decider?

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his is the second their successive bilatb a t eral series at ting, home in which India but their have come to the deciding ODI with the series still even.

The last time it happened, against Australia, India ended up losing.

Is a repeat likely?

Perhaps not, given India’s strength in the 50-overs format, but it’s not out of the question. West Indies showed in the Sheldon first ODI that when Cottrell their batting and bowling come together, they also are a side that’s hard to stop.

India have had injury issues with their bowling attack, but the batting wears an extremely powerful look.

Shreyas Iyer has settled in bowling has the tendency to as a No. 4 who can explode fall apart under pressure. if coming in late, or rebuild To be fair, when a batting if early wickets have fall- line-up like India’s gets goen. With Rishabh Pant and ing in familiar conditions, Kedar Jadhav to follow, any attack will be under Iyer has become the link pressure. The best way to between an irresistible top counter that for West Indies three and a power-packed will be early wickets. finish.

In the spotlight West Indies also have Two matches, four runs, most bases covered with

five balls, two dismissals. This is alien territory for Virat Kohli, especially in ODIs, and especially against

this match. Despite the two failures in this series, he is still averaging 71.66 at a strike rate of 97.06 against

Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran

West Indies. He set the scene on fire in the T20Is, but he has barely given spectators enough time to settle down from applauding him into the crease when he has been walking back.

Cricket odds don’t work in this fashion, but it will take a brave, possibly foolhardy person to bet against Kohli making a big score in

West Indies.

Coming into this match on the back of becoming an IPL millionaire, Sheldon Cottrell had a below-par outing in the second ODI, but he was quite irresistible in the opening game. His first spell there read 5-3-122, the wickets being those of KL Rahul and Kohli. His left-arm angle, changes of

pace and ability to move the ball off the pitch make him a consistent threat.

Team news

India lost Bhuvneshwar Kumar to injury, and are now without Deepak Chahar too. Their replacements are Shardul Thakur and Navdeep Saini. India’s choice of playing XI will depend on whether they want to go with three seamers or three spinners. If they pick only two seamers, Saini will have to beat Thakur to make it to the XI. He was impressive for Delhi in the recent second round of the Ranji Trophy, while Thakur wasn’t particularly penetrative in the second ODI. West Indies need a lift in their bowling, but they might want to keep faith in the same attack that did duty in the second ODI. One of the swaps possible is bringing back leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr for left-

arm spinner Khary Pierre, but Walsh Jr didn’t seem to have his captain’s confidence in the first ODI, when he bowled only five overs.

And considering India plundered 387 in the second ODI, Pierre’s economy rate of 6.88 across nine overs was commendable.

Pitch and conditions

The last ODI at this ground was played nearly three years ago, and it was a very high- scoring one.

India made 381 for 6, and England responded with 366 for 8. There haven’t been List A matches at the ground since March 2017, though in the domestic T20s earlier this year, the scoring rates in general weren’t high.Iyer said on the eve of the match that the pitch will be “really fast” in the second innings, and the dew factor will play a “massive role”. (Cricinfo)

The World’s End defeats Marsh UG Trojans’ cricket coach Joseph Hurdle at Ascot ꟷ after race threatened hopes for better 2020 season with cancellation ꟷ says lack of facilities a challenge

The World’s End won the Marsh Hurdle, which is widely known as the Long Walk Hurdle

The UG Trojans cricket team

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he UG Trojans cricket team had had a successful year in 2018, but were “not so fortunate” in 2019, having been confronted with a number of setbacks; and team coach Kenroy Joseph has said those challenges will impact the fortunes of the team when the cricket season returns in 2020.

“This year was a mixed year for us. We didn’t get much success in terms of moving on to the finals. We were not able to go to Suriname because of financial constraints, (but) we are trying to put things in place financially.

“I am very proud (of the team’s performance) as, out of the Trojans’ lineup, we had seven franchise players (emerging), such as Yakini Favourite, Devon Paul, Omesh Danram, Ershaad Ali, (and) Keon Roberts, just to name a few; which is a good (reflection) on us.

“Fitness was our major problem for this year, that is why we

have to come back better (in the new year). Training will commence in the second week in January. We are not going to sit and wait for the cricketing season to restart then begin to train,” he declared.

Joseph described the team as lacking exposure. He noted that 2nd division cricket is an altogether different level from first division cricket, and he disclosed that the UG side does not have its own practice facility and is thus forced to share facilities with the GNIC. This, he said, poses a challenge, as players cannot get personalized attention from coaches, and thus do not benefit from having their areas of deficiency identified and examined.

He noted that the team “is far behind”, but opined that, with the addition of its own facility, the team can be back on top of things and lift the standard of university cricket.

Joseph also declared: “I am extremely grateful to the University of Guyana for allowing me to complete my Level 2 Coaching (certification), and I will be looking forward to a better partnership with the university, to foster more growth in cricket.”

T

he World’s End defeated the Marsh Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday, but there were concerns that the race would be cancelled because heavy rainfall had left the course waterlogged.

L’Ami Serge led for much of the Grade One contest, but tired towards the end.

Papagana finished third, but last year’s winner, Paisley Park, was pulled out of his defence of the title following two course inspections.

“It’s great to get a Grade One under his belt again,” winning jockey Adrian Heskin told Sky Sports.

“I probably didn’t go fast

enough, with the ground being the way it was, and I did not want to leave him open to getting too tired. I know that might not have been the strongest of renewals, but he was due one.”

Rails were moved for a “satisfactory racing line” to allow racing to continue, but Paisley Park’s trainer, Emma Lavelle, said before the race: “Ascot have done a great job, but there are a couple of patches of false ground. We have taken the decision to pull him out, as he is too good a horse to risk him.” (Excerpt from BBC. COM)

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21

BCB AGM and elections set for today T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) would be hosting its Annual General Meeting (AGM) today, Sunday December 22, at its offices at Charlotte Street, New Amsterdam from 11:00h.

Thirty-eight delegates from 13 clubs and three sub-associations would meet, under the chairmanship of BCB President Hilbert Foster, to discuss the affairs of Guyana’s most vibrant cricket board during 2019, and discuss reports from

the President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Competitions Committee.

Following the AGM, the BCB would hold crucial elections for the positions of President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, 3rd Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer.

Current BCB President Hilbert Foster has indicated that he would be seeking re-election, after successfully transforming Berbice Cricket

over the last 22 months. He assumed control of that entity when it had just $42,000 in its name, no tournament had been played in two years, and there was no developmental programme in place.

The current administration of the BCB has organized in excess of 60 tournaments at different levels, raised more than $20 million in cash and kind, and has organised dozens of developmental programmes/projects.

Outgoing BCB President Hilbert Foster

The clubs that would be voting at this BCB AGM are: Kildonan, Whim, Port Mourant, RHTY&SC, Albion, Chesney, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje, Mental Hospital, Mt. Sinai, Guymine, Blairmont and Police. The three sub-associations are Upper Corentyne, West Berbice and Berbice River.

Delegates from the clubs are reminded that they must be seated by 10.45h after registering their presence.

UG Trojans Basketball BCB reached greater heights between February Team “looking 2018 and December 2019 forward to 2020” ꟷ optimistic of good relationship with new Vice Chancellor

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Flashback! BCB PRO, Simon Naidu presenting to a West Berbice team earlier this year

UG Trojans Basketball team in action

nder President Hilbert Foster, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) continued to break barriers, launching and hosting in excess of 60 cricket tournaments over the last 22 months despite being confronted with eight months of rainfall in 2018 and 2019.

Tournaments have been organised at the U-13, U-15, U-17, U-19, U-21, Female, InterPrimary, Inter- Secondary, Intermediate, Internal Zone, Village, Double Wicket, Second Division and First Division levels.

The BCB has also led the revival of every one of its member clubs, when once those had been dormant entities, existing only in name.

Its current administration assumed control of a bank account with just $42,000 therein, and has raised $2 million in cash and kind to develop Berbice Cricket.

Importantly, the affairs of the BCB have received a clean pass from auditors, who have praised the BCB’s financial accountability system.

This contrasts sharply with the stewardship of the last Guyana Cricket Board-backed BCB (2017 to February 2018), whose treasurer has failed to account for more than $2 million withdrawn from the account for unknown reasons, despite receiving written requests to so do.

This outgoing BCB administration has led a remarkable restoration of the BCB office, which has been transformed into a modern office; and has spearheaded the successful celebration of the BCB’s 80th anniversary with more than 15 major programmes planned.

Aside from the BCB having hosted two highly successful awards ceremonies and cricket academies in 2018 and 2019, heavy investments have been made in numerous club academies across Berbice, and dozens of young cricketers

By Timothy Jaikarran

U

received cricket gear, educational materials, and bicycles during 2018-19.

Besides clubs across Berbice benefiting from millions of dollars’ worth of cricket balls, scorebooks, cricket gears, stumps, water pitchers, bicycles, educational materials, rain coats, trophies, special prizes and medals, financial investments were also made in the educational development of youths through the printing of educational posters and youth information booklets, among other materials.

More than $700,000 in financial stipends were given to youths, including female cricketers.

Numerous programmes were hosted, including the Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh coaching programme, Mother of the Year, Father of the Year, Pre Level One Coaches’ Seminar, Tribute to Retired Cricketers, Hall of Fame for Administrators, Tribute to Heroes, Wall of Fame, Cricketers Hall of Fame, Inter County MVP, Inter County Cap System, and Dare to Dream, among others.

A host of players drawn from clubs across Berbice gained selection to Guyana and West Indies teams. Inter-County Cricket returned to Berbice after an absence of over a decade; and after an absence of 15 years, two days’ first division cricket returned to Berbice and the publication of a 256-page book on the history of Berbice was launched.

President Hilbert Foster has indicated that he is seeking re-election for another term of two years. Thirteen clubs and three subassociations would decide the future of Berbice Cricket. The choice is simple: vote for more progress, or return to a period of dormancy, wherein no sponsorship, no tournament and no developmental programme exists. (BCB)

T

he UG Trojans Basketball Team have had a bittersweet 2019 season, having been through life’s vicissitudes but continuing to persevere.

They were the defending champions of the 2018 University Games in Colombia, but failed to attend this year’s staging of the games because of lack of funding.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sport, Coach of the UG Trojans, Warren Wilson, reflecting on the changing fortunes of the past year, said: “For me, the highpoint of 2019 was that we were able to attract some fresh blood to the team,(and those) are enthusiastic and willing to work to get better.

“In terms of our low point, I felt that was when the team was unable to participate in the 2019 University Games to defend (its) title. This caused a rift in the team, as the guys were really looking forward to playing quality basketball against some of the best universities.

“But I must say that the year has been fair. I have sat and come up with a strategic plan that will push the University of Guyana Basketball to every divisional table that we will play.”

Wilson disclosed that the team’s training regimen will be more rigid and tougher on the players, as this would allow the players to be able to read the game and react at the key moments when needed, and not succumb to pressure.

He noted that a budget would be put together to facilitate male and female teams participating in friendly games in Trinidad.

Wilson has said he is extremely grateful to the Ministry of Sport for the sum of cash donated to the team, which is currently being used to purchase new equipment that would assist in upgrading of the new training regimen.

Wilson has expressed optimism about the relationship the UG administration will have with basketball in 2020, and what plans they have in store for the growth of the sport. This is even as the administration is currently under new leadership in the form of Vice Chancellor Professor Edward Greene.

22

guyanatimesgy.comom

SUnDAY, december 22, 2019

Campbelle, Shepherd delighted at copping GCB top awards

By Brandon Corlette

D

ynamic Berbician duo Shemaine Campbelle and Romario Shepherd have copped the top awards at the recent Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) awards ceremony.

The fast-bowling all-rounder Shepherd, who plays for Tucber Park, copped the GCB Male Player of the Year award and the Most Improved Player award. he had made significant strides for Guyana Jaguars and Guyana Amazon Warriors, and has earned selection for the West Indies Team.

Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) player Shemaine Campbelle, who received the GCB Female Player of the Year award, has been the premier female in the country for years, enjoying success for the Guyana senior team and being a constant member of the West Indies Women teams over the years.

Each of these top Guyana cricketers spoke to Guyana Times Sport after receiving their awards, and expressed great satisfaction at the development.

Shepherd thankful for success

The well-built fast bowling all-rounder who pipped Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo

Paul in the race for GCB Player of the Year told this daily publication that winning this award was a great feeling.

“Going out during the season, my mind was never on this award. I was more focused on going out each and every game and do my best for the team, leaving it all on the field.

With that being said, I’ve been rewarded with this award, and I am really thankful to God for keeping me fit throughout the competition, and the GCB”, Shepherd explained.

Shepherd debuted for Guyana Amazon Warriors in 2018 and made an immediate impact. He donned the white for Guyana Jaguars in the Regional 4-Day season in 2018/19 and finished as the leading fast bowler in the Caribbean, with 37 wickets. He displayed his great fitness playing all ten matches in the season.

Shepherd gained his maiden One Day International (ODI) cap against Afghanistan, and

LBI facility in full flow after majority commencement of phase one

ꟷ Shallow excited about GCB’s development

By Brandon Corlette

T

he ultimate La Bonne Intention (LBI) cricket facility is close to its completion, while the second phase of the floodlights and netpractice area will commence shortly. This Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)- constructed facility will provide an all-inclusive training and development centre to foster the growth and enhancement of the skill and potential of cricketers.

Upon completion, this will be the second accredited venue to host Regional matches.

During Cricket West Indies (CWI) Vice-President Dr Kishore Shallow’s feature address at the recently concluded GCB Awards Ceremony, he disclosed that he had the opportunity to visit the LBI Facility.

“I had the privilege of touring the LBI facility. This project excites me because, in times of financial instability in the region, GCB can manage such an undertaking to establish this LBI facility”, Dr Shallow disclosed.

As Guyana Jaguars continue to be a leading force in Regional cricket, especially in the fourday arena, with five consecutive championship wins, this academy-like facility will benefit the players. Shallow, during his address, had signalled the other Caribbean countries to take note and see GCB’s development as a feasible model to follow and adopt.

The entrance to the LBI facility with a view of the Player’s Pavilion painted in green (Brandon Corlette photos)

“We at CWI rely on territorial boards to be resourceful as Sanasie (Anand Sanasie) and the GCB have been with the LBI project”, Shallow echoed.

This LBI facility signifies advancement of cricket overall.

This facility is being housed at LBI Community Centre, which also houses the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence, more known as the cricket hostel where cricketers prepare for tournaments and are accommodated for camps and inter-county tournaments, among other cricket-related activities.

The cricket hostel that was officially opened in 2010 consists of a well-equipped gym, an indoor net facility, a lecture room, and other amenities including full air-conditioning.

This facility has, over the years, proven essential for cricket development, as cricket continues to rise in Guyana.

The Guyana Jaguars are seen as a dominant force in Regional

cricket, especially in the four-day arena; from the Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) Academy Programme, where players are involved in intense training from Monday to Thursday throughout the year and are given contracts, to the LBI upgrade, these are progressive signs.

Guyana Times Sport visited the LBI Community Centre in the past week and witnessed the significant progress being made in construction of this facility. The stylish players’ pavilion is completed, with PVC ceilings inserted, modernized windows, with a hall in place for presentation purposes.

The caretaker’s home has also been completed, while the playing area has been filled and levelled, with a solid drainage system inserted.

This upgraded facility will aid in the development of the game in Guyana, and perhaps the entire Caribbean in the near future.

is currently playing in India, where he has also tasted success for West ‘Indies A’.

In the 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Shepherd again impressed, finishing with 13 wickets. The 25-year-old, who has three wickets in three ODIs, has played 22 First-Class matches.

Shepherd has taken 70 wickets at a staggering bowling average of 23.71 in the First-class arena. He has two five-wicket hauls, with a best of 5-24. Having showed signs of being a ‘death-bowling boss’, Shepherd has taken 17 wickets in 13 T20 matches at an average of 19.70. He has a best bowling figure of 4-13.

In his List A career, he has taken 31 wickets in 22 matches, with an economy rate of 5.33 and an average of 24.93.

one century. She is just one match shy of 100 T20 Internationals, which is the most by any Guyanese. The wicket-keeper/batter has also shown her ability with the ball by taking a total of 55 wickets for West Indies Women in the past.

Campbelle enjoyed Regional success

Guyana’s top female cricketer Campbelle was also delighted with the award. Campbelle showed that she is a class above her Guyanese team mates in 2019 when she finished the female Regional Super50 tournament with 211 runs, including a brilliant century against Jamaica, which came in a losing effort against the Jamaicans at Everest.

The 27-year-old Campbelle has 83 ODIs under her belt, and has scored

GFF Super 16 Cup tournament…

Fruta Conquerors, Buxton United book quarterfinal spots F ruta Conquerors FC and Buxton United FC are the two latest teams to advance to the quarterfinal round of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) Super 16 Cup tournament, joining Milerock FC and Guyana Police Force FC. The Super 16 action that went down at the Beterverwagting Ground (BV) on Friday night saw Fruta Conquerors FC come up against Buxton Stars in the first of two games. The star-studded Fruta Conquerors team walked all over their opponents in that 4-0 encounter.

Delon Lanferman etched his name on the score sheet as early as the 4th minute of play. Thereafter, the boisterous spectators had to wait until the second segment to see some more fireworks.

Ryan Hackett’s double was netted in the 50th and 82nd minutes, and Nicholas Mc Arthur contributed one in the 62nd for the Georgetown team.

This was even as National goalkeeper Akel Clarke held off any advances from Buxton Stars, as the Conquerors’ defense kept them quiet for the 4-0 victory.

Buxton United represented well for the East Coast teams

on show, as they mauled New Amsterdam United 6-1.

Sixteen-year-old Omari Glasgow first found the back of the net in the 10th minute for Buxton United, then Dillon Wright mirrored the act in the 20th for their second.

New Amsterdam United showed some fight in the earlier stages of the game, as Jamal Butts found the back of the net in the 27th, putting his team one goal away from equalizing. However, Wright was having none of it, and pushed the scores to 3-1 in the 45th, just before the half was called.

The encounter turned into an onslaught in the second half, as Wright completed his hat trick in the 59th minute, while Omari Glasgow netted

another in the 74th. Samuel Johnson added the cherry atop the proverbial cake in the 84th minute for the 6-1 closing score.

The tournament will continue this evening at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, where Eagles FC will take on Santos FC and Den Amstel would go toe-to-toe with Riddim Squad.

The final of the Super 16 Cup tournament is scheduled for January 1 at the National Stadium at Providence.

Among the tournament’s sponsors are MACORP; Pegasus Hotel; Brass, Aluminum, and Cast Iron Foundry (BACIF); THAG; Marics and Company; NAMILCO; Impressions, and Hits and Jams.

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, december 22, 2019

23

KFC Goodwill Tournament…

Lodge, Annai collide in KFC final today

By Jemima Holmes

L

odge Secondary of Georgetown will be looking to make it two wins in two championships this evening when they lock horns with Annai Secondary of Region 9 in a game that promises to be both electrifying and nail-biting.

This final showdown was set up after football fans were treated to a steamy double header on Friday evening, with Annai and Lodge Secondary pulling off respective victories over Desiree Caesar Fox Secondary, aka Waramadong, and Shiva Boys Hindu College of Trinidad and Tobago in the semifinal of the KFC Goodwill tournament.

Newcomers Lodge will have another tedious task on their hands as they prepared to confront Annai Secondary, who are playing in the competition for the second time.

Lodge’s confidence is at an all-time high, after winning the Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers Under-18 School League earlier this month; but Annai are known for producing stellar performances, often rising to the occasion when they are ‘down’.

Judging by what was seen in the semifinals, this final showdown will be one to watch closely. The forward from both teams will have ‘their work cut out for them’ as they take on the real challenge: the goalkeepers.

In some of the best Under 18 displays seen recently, Annai’s Lester Smith and Lodge’s Rashad Roberts have performed well for the duration of the tournament, and have literally saved their teams in the semifinals.

The Sizzling Semis

There were battles to behold at the Ministry of Education Ground on Friday evening, as four of the best secondary school football teams around battled to get one step closer to the KFC Goodwill championship trophy and lucrative prize.

Desiree Caesar Foxx Secondary, Waramadong, and Annai Secondary locked horns in a battle of the interior region teams.

Watched by a large and vibrant crowd, Vito Cambridge opened the scoring early in the 1st minute of play to give Annai an instant lead.

However, due to the nature of competition between the

two teams, Waramadong’s determination to level the playing field saw fruit in the 9th, when Ovid Andrews found the back of the net.

With the scores level, the high-paced game continued in similar stride until the half, and even into the second.

Just when it seemed as though the battle would continue in extra time, Raul Sway loaded up a shot from 30 yards out, and it soared into the net for Annai’s second and winning goal.

Speaking with media operatives following their victory, Annai’s captain Amir Robertson explained how

toughest fight yet in this tournament.

The defense for both sides was perfect, and while Shiva Boys had many more opportunities than Lodge, goalkeeper Rashad Roberts worked overtime to ensure that the score would remain untouched.

The stalemate score at the end of regulation time made way for an extra-time battle, wherein neither side could slot in the winning goal. As such, the fate of the game was left up to penalties, where the Lodge strikers were perfect and Shiva Boys threw away their chances to give Lodge

A glimpse of the semi-final action between Annai and DC Fox Secondary (Waramadong)

Lodge Secondary ended Shiva Boys’ perfect winning streak in a gruelling encounter

making it to the final made him feel.

“I promised my team I will do my best on the field and control the team so we could reach to finals, and indeed we reached the final.

I was so surprised. I never felt this before,” Robertson stated.

The unthinkable occurred in the second fixture, as Lodge Secondary ousted defending champions Shiva Boys Hindu College after a fierce game.

Known for their quickness, Shiva Boys probably thought they had the win in the bag, but Lodge matched strides with their Trinidadian op- ponents, giving them the

a 3-0 victory after penalties.

An elated Rashad Roberts, sharing his thoughts on his team’s performance, expressed intention to take home the championship.

“Yeah, we played the perfect game. Although our players got tired, we still had to fight it out, cause the changes on the bench were okay but we didn’t need a changed team, not at this time. For a little while we didn’t train, but we still won the Guyoil and we reached the KFC final, and we will get this one here,” Roberts explained.

The KFC Goodwill final will be contested today at the same venue.

Waramadong will take on Shiva Boys for third place at 17:00hrs, while Lodge goes head to head with Annai for the championship at 19:00hrs.

Aside from KFC being the title sponsor, the competition is fuelled by Guyana Coema Construction Company Ltd, the Trophy Stall, Mike’s Pharmacy and Tiger Rentals.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2019

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

guyanatimesgy.com

KFC Goodwill Tournament…

Lodge, Annai collide in KFC final today Pg 23

Can West Indies bowlers keep up the pressure in decider?

Pg 20

Pg 22

Campbelle, Shepherd delighted at copping GCB top awards

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December 22, 2019

TIMES HOLLYWOOD:

Page 14

Kangana Ranaut to play a mother in Panga FREE DISTRIBUTION

Welcoming Christmas Nativity scene at Ogle Presbyterian Church, East Coast Demerara

2 Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 22, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Feature

By Lakhram Bhagirat

A

hhhh... The rich, wonderful meaty smell of pepperpot, redolent with the unique caramelised flavour of cassareep and hints of cinnamon and cloves simmered for hours on the stove. Remember trying to steal a little when mommy asked you to stir the pot? The smell and taste of Christmas in your mouth well worth the pain of a burnt tongue.

Around this time, pepperpot a n d black cake a r e two words we constantly hear and while we all know the origins of pepperpot, what we do not know is how we, as Guyanese, have come to associate the dish with our traditional Christmas celebration. But it is not Christmas without pepperpot and some fresh homemade bread.

Pepperpot is an Amerindian dish, and perhaps the most popular and widely enjoyed one.

I t is quite simple to make, but is packed with flavour and could be customised to suit one’s palate.

The ingredients are few: essentially a mix of meats, good-quality cassareep, a handful of herbs and spices, and of course, hot peppers.

One of my favourite Guyanese food bloggers, Jehan Powell, who is based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, says her Christmas is incomplete without some freshlymade plait bread and pepperpot. She writes: “Pepperpot is the national dish of Guyana, which was originally made by the Amerindians, who used cassareep to preserve meat without using refrigeration. That’s right; this stew can sit out of the fridge as long as you heat it daily. Cassareep, which is the main component of pepperpot, is a dark syrup that is made from cassava. A variety of meats are stewed with the cassareep, hot pepper and spices, such as cinnamon and cloves, the result is a deep, dark, flavourful stew that goes well with bread.”

Throughout the Caribbean, there are different variations of this dish but none as unique as that of Guyana because most island nations would use caramelised sugar or other browning agents whereas we in Guyana can-

not make pepperpot without cassareep.

Since the cassareep is the star of the dish, it is integral that you get the finest quality when preparing this. I mean there are a lot of varieties available out there, but most include caramelised sugar as their browning agent. It is the only reason they could be sold for as little as $140 per b o t - t l e .

Caramelised sugar is not what we need for the best pepperpot. It is advisable that you procure your cassareep from an Amerindian community, since that is the only way of knowing for a fact that it is the real deal. Since pepperpot is a means of preserving meat, it is ideal that you prepare your pepperpot at least 24 hours before consumption so the flavours could develop, making your dish an experience.

The traditional way of serving pepperpot would be with cassava bread, but, as indicated earlier, it works fine with bread. So, this Christmas, if it is not part of your tradition, I advise that you try to make pepperpot and share it with the family. So to help the process along, I am sharing one of my favourite recipes for pepperpot, so you too can enjoy. This rec- i p e belongs to Jehan and while everyone has their own, I find that this one works best for me.

Ingredients • 2 lb chicken, cut into pieces • 2 lb stew beef, cut into 2-inch pieces • 1 lb cow heel (feet) • 1/2 lb salted beef, cut into 2-inch pieces • 1 cup genuine cassava cassareep • a few wiri wiri peppers • 4 cloves garlic • 1 small onion • 1 bunch thyme • 1 teaspoon of salt, or salt to taste • 3 tbsp sugar • Lime juice or vinegar • 4 cloves • 2 pieces orange peel • 1 stick cinnamon Instructions 1. Trim excess fat off meat and soak in vinegar for about 15 to 30 minutes. Puree garlic, onion, and thyme.

Marinate fresh meat with marinade and 1/3 cup of cassareep.

2. Meanwhile, in a pressure cooker, place salted beef and pressure for 10 minutes. Discard the water and set meat aside.

3. Wash the cow heel thoroughly by soaking in vinegar for about half an hour. Rinse. Place in pressure cooker and pressure for 20 minutes or until tender. Discard water. *If the cow heel isn't soft after 20 minutes, continue to pressure in five-minute intervals, checking for tenderness.

4. In a stock pot, cook beef and chicken in marinade until all liquid evaporates. Add the cow heel, salted beef, sugar and remaining cassareep with the stick of cinnamon, cloves, orange peel and enough water to cover. If the stew is brown, add more cassareep to attain a deep, dark colour.

5. Cook slowly until tender. Add pepper and salt to taste. This meal tastes better the next day, so it is best when made a day ahead. To serve this meal, warm and serve with bread or cassava bread.

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 22, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

C

hristmas is a time for family. It is a time where people travel for hours over miles to be with the ones they love even if it is for a few minutes.

So imagine that feeling of isolation, loneliness and abandonment when despite having loved ones, you are not welcomed in their home.

That has been the story of Harry Jakes for almost two years.

Hearing Jakes’ story leaves one wondering where does a vagrant hang their stocking for goodies when all they have is a little people of cardboard that may be insulated with some discarded foam or scraps of what was once bed sheets.

It leaves one wondering where beneath a bridge or under a fruit stand they would put a Christmas tree.

T h e

mere thought of a “Please Help” sign, or seeing stretched out hands as you pass with huge bags of items to decorate your homes leaves one shuddering. The idea of being bothered remains at the back of our heads as we warm up in our vehicles and drive home to decorate and enjoy the lavishness of the holiday season.

We welcome the little extra cash in the form of an annual bonus as we go on to shop big so that our tables could sport all the deprived

very well. He noted that his children were birthed as a result of a common-law union he had many years ago.

“She was an Indian girl and she use to take care of me but she dead now so I have nobody left,'' he vocalized.

Nevertheless, he said that as a youngster he never had a stable job but he worked, and it is such a pity that he has been reduced to this stage. When

goodies. As we indulge we do not think of those who have no one to celebrate with, we do not think about those who have no shelter of their heads.

As we are about to celebrate this festive season, has the thought crossed your mind that they are people who do not have the luxury as you do? It is easy to judge the homeless at first glance, but, less so when a story has a face.

“It all started about a year ago or two ago, I had no other choice than to come out here.

What I see in this life is that strangers care for you more than your own. I prefer to be out here than to be in a home where I can't even get lil tea to drink", these were the words of 74-year-old Jakes, a street dweller.

The elderly man who is invariably seen sitting in front of the Guyana Post Office (GPO), Robb Street in Georgetown shared his story with the Sunday Times Magazine. He said that he is a father of five sons who have gone on to lead their own lives without giving his presence any consideration.

“Them don't give me nothing to eat so I came out here and I does beg people that pass down here for help. I get a big police son and he doesn’t even get time with me”, he said.

Old age has gotten the best of Jakes since he could not remember the specific date of his birth but remembers other aspects of his life

asked what does it feel like to be on the streets around Christmas and not being able to enjoy the season with the family, he said: “It is hard cause my family don’t care, sometimes people pass here when they shopping and watch me and skin up them face. When I ask them for 20 dollars them does mek up them face like them scorn me.”

Jake also mentions that they are times when he gets sick but never has anyone

to take him to the hospital, he would have to wave through his sickness until he feels better.

“I don't go to the hospital, who will carry me hospital if my family doesn't care who will care,'' he said.

However, when asked what Christmas means to him he questioned: “What is Christmas for a beggar?”

Meanwhile, he thanked the staff of GPO for the help they have been giving him over the past year

and prays that someone can lend him some assistance to get off the streets for this Christmas. (La'Wanda McAllister)

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMNER 22,2019

Feature

F

By Jemima Holmes

or Guyanese as a whole, the Christmas season signifies a momentous religious occasion, quality time with family and friends, a time to celebrate or ‘sport’ as some would say and for the younger generation, an occasion to receive an armful of toys and goodies. But for the nation’s athletes, especially in the football arena, the Christmas season means heightened competition, long hours of training, gruelling games and best of all, large purses of prize monies.

Yes, Christmas has something in store for everyone, but while the normal man can sit back and enjoy the spoils of his hard work throughout the A young Trayon Bobb competes at the Under 20 level in 2012 year, for the likes of Guyanese footballer Trayon Bobb, the grind never stops.

Many children dream of toys or becoming movie stars, but for Bobb, the dream was simple; the young footballer born at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara was contented with representing his country on the international stage or in the club setting in foreign lands.

Bobb’s journey began at the Under-20 stage playing for the national team in that age group, his journey continued in Trinidad and Tobago where he played for the Caledonia AIA Club (2010- 2013) after which he moved to Finland, playing for Tornion Pallo-47 (TP-47). During the 2013-2014 year, the forward enjoyed loans to RoPS and FK Kruoja, where standing out became the norm for him.

A brilliant year in the end

Fast forward to 2019: the year began with some uncertainty but the possibility of several international encounters for the senior men’s football team loomed, as Guyana sought to qualify for the Gold Cup. The confirmation came on the night of March 23 when the Golden Jaguars defeated Belize 2-1 at the Leonora Track and Field Facility to seal their Gold Cup qualification.

Bobb was on the bench during this encounter, and little did anyone know, the left winger would be the key to the Jaguars’ success months down the line.

The Gold Cup came and went and so did the Jaguars’ Head Coach Michael Johnson. His replacement, Marcio Maximo had declared early in his tenure that he would be focused on selecting a team that were a mixture of local and international players; as such, Bobb was called up to the national team once again for the CONCACAF Nations League.

“It’s always an honour representing my country because as a kid, my dream was to play for Guyana National football team and that dream came true. So, I’m very happy and I just want to keep working hard and putting in the work and try to help my teammates to take it to another level,” Bobb stated when asked about being given another opportunity to play in the national set-up.

During the Nations League, despite finishing second to Jamaica in their group, Guyana had a number of exceptional performances and many a times, Trayon Bobb was the man at the helm of the victory. Bobb went on to record the highest tally of goals by a Golden Jaguars player during the CONCACAF Nations League, scoring two against Antigua and Barbuda in a 5-1 victory and another brace against Aruba, in a come-from-behind win; both games were played at home (at Leonora stadium).

Aligning with Head Coach Maximo’s vision for the national team, not only did the setup have a balance of local and international players but experience and youth mingled in the dressing room. In this regard, Bobb was questioned about whether or not he feels any pressure to be an example to younger players.

“As for me as a senior player, a lot of those youngsters look up to me, so I always try to do my best when I go out there; I give it 100 per cent. So that the youngsters coming up in Guyana, I must be a positive example for them so that they can learn a lot from me,” he explained.

The Christmas season and football

Ask any Guyanese football fanatic, they will tell you that the Christmas season for the sport means that a senior clubs championship will pop up, with the final scheduled for January 1. This tradition was cultivated since the Kashif and Shanghai glory years, but saw a brief hiatus some years back.

In 2018, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) sought to resuscitate the culture with a Super 16 tournament, which was won by Den Amstel FC. Given the success of the tournament, the Federation decided to stage it once again.

Addressing the ‘hype’ that such tournaments bring, especially this time of year, Bobb explained that the Christmas season was always something to look forward to.

“For me it’s a good feeling, ‘cause when you look at it, you don’t really have any yearend football tournament in Guyana like a few years ago.

So, this coming back and happening here, it’s a very good thing for everyone as players, Bobb was outstanding during so that they can express them- the CONCACAF Nations League, recording four goals selves,” Bobb explained.

In 2013, while with Caledonia AIA, the Guyanese left winger revelled in the joys of winning one of Kashif and Shanghai’s year-end tournament. For him, this memory is one that makes the year end very special.

“It was a very good experience, because I used to play in Trinidad and around that time, we came to Guyana and won that tournament. So, it was a very great feeling.”

Now playing for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC in this year’s Super 16, the 26-year-old player is focused on a few personal goals.

“Just continue working hard, because normally for me as a player, I do a lot of extra work on my own, because I always want to become better and be a good player to set an example for the youths,” he noted.

Aside from enjoying the abundance of pepper pot and cake that the season offers, Bobb is sure that the Police FC can celebrate a year-end victory when the final is staged on January 1, expressing his confidence in the team’s abilities.

“We’re just taking it one game at a time, because no game is an easy one. We just need to go out there and play hard and play as a team and the results will come.”

2020 Vision

With the upcoming year in focus, Guyana’s senior national men’s team is expected to play quite a number of international games as they seek to qualify for the CONCACAF 2021 Gold Cup. In March 2020, the national team will take on Barbados in home-and-away matches and if successful, will go on to play Bermuda for qualification.

With this prospect on the table, Bobb is keen on maintaining stellar performances in order to remain a staple of the national outfit. Also in Bobb’s vision is a professional contract that can take his career to new heights.

“I just want to continue working hard, go out there and get a big contract, so I can make my family, friends and loved ones proud and also Guyana.

“There’s so many to mention, but I just want to thank my fans, family, friends and especially God,” the 26-year-old player stated as he expressed grati- Hard at work! Trayon Bobb during a training tude to those who made 2019 a year worth playing. session with the Police FC

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 22, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

By Lakhram Bhagirat

to was the on Christmas Eve night, beating their makeshift drums and dancing for our entertainment and their cash incentive. What made these masqueraders scary was their attire as well as their masks or ‘facies’, as we called them.

As the years progressed, I got involved; at that time, dancing masquerade was something only the guys did.

We would start making our masks weeks before December 24 and start scouring the garbage heaps for discarded bottles and old kerosene stoves to make drums. On the day of the masquerade, we would go through our sister’s or mother’s clothing basket to find the right dress, stuff our chests, and venture off.

Timing was essential since there were a number of groups vying to see who would

A

s a child, one of the things that scared me the most but I also looked forward masqueraders visiting our home

make the most money so that we could buy toys or whatever we wanted. The first group was the one most likely to make the most money, since people were usually more generous to that group.

Over the years, the wearing of masks has fallen by the wayside, but masquerade persists.

Looking back at the history of masquerade in Guyana, it is said to have been a part of the traditions of the African slaves who were brought here during the slave trade. Slaves, who were forbidden to practise their traditions, were slightly less restricted during the Christmas season and were allowed to visit other plantations and revel with other slaves, with drumming and dancing in the streets also allowed at this time.

The dancing, drumming and elaborate costumes and effigies of the colonial masquerade bands reflected religious festival traditions of the Ibo and Yoruba tribes of West Africa during the time of the Harmattan (dry, dusty November–March winds blowing from the Sahara towards the west African coast) and harvest celebrations.

According to research, the Ibo and Yoruba believed that this was the time when their gods, dressed in costumes and masks, came to visit and perform dances.

While the slaves danced for entertainment, many of the spiritual traditions were retained in the masks and symbols that represented ancestors and gods, along with the acrobatics and costumes, which represented, or perhaps theatrically portrayed, stories of strength, agility, fertility, battle, evil and terror.

One of the few features that survived to contemporary times is the acrobatic agility displayed in the past by Koo Joo or Actor Boy. The stilt dancer performs these feats, as does the wild cow dancer.

To a certain extent, the flouncers are expected to have similar skills.

The spectacle that was masquerade at Christmas declined over the years, particularly by the late 20th Century.

Recent efforts to revive the dying art form and tradition have seen collaboration between civil society and Government to host a symposium that looked at improving knowledge of the history of the tradition and its development and future in Guyana.

The masqueraders are becoming fewer and fewer as the years progress since many of the youths do not want to take on the tradition; however, there are a few who are fighting to preserve the masquerade’s rich history in Guyana.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 22, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Feature

PRESERVING OUR LITERARY HERITAGE BY PETAMBER PERSAUD

(Extract of an interview with Dr. Ian McDonald in January 2011, Georgetown, Guyana.

McDonald, a prizewinning poet, novelist, playwright, columnist and editor, talks about A. J. Seymour.

S

eymour’s output include ‘Dictionary of Guyanese Biography’, ‘ The Making of Guyanese Literature’ and his autobiographical books: ‘Growing up in Guyana’, ‘Pilgrim Memories’, ‘Family Impromptu’, and ‘Thirty Years a Civil Servant’. A. J. Seymour died on Christmas Day 1989.

The Guyanese writers’ fraternity has lost a few other family members during the month of December including R. Lal Singh, Bertie Chancellor, Martin Carter, Jan Carew, Henry Josiah, and Celeste Dolphin.)

PP: A. J. Seymour was a poet, anthologist, editor, publisher, broadcaster, cultural historian and literary enabler.

He was born in 1914 and when he died in 1989, he had delivered a great service to the literature of the Caribbean and Guyana.

In fact, he had a hand in the shaping of Guyanese Literature.

IM: I am delighted to talk about AJ. He was a great, great Guyanese. He was very dear friend of mine. I knew him for many, many years since I first arrived in Guyana in 1955 to the time when he died in 1989.

Right away I would like to read something I wrote in the introduction of this book ‘A. J. Seymour, Collected Poems, 1937-1989’ that sorts of sum up, well nothing can sum up Arthur Seymour because as you rightly said in the beginning he had so many attributes: ‘His overall contribution to the cultural tradition of Guyana and the Caribbean is truly astonishing. I do not think the younger writers and academics grasp it fully. The AJS bibliography compiled by the National Library in 1974 was already 100 pages long and since then must have doubled in length. This amazing man’s work contains poems, historical publications, reviews, broadcasts, essays, addresses, entries in anthologies, forewords, lectures, talks, pamphlets, memories, sermons, eulogies, magazine work and books in such profusion that one would be excused for thinking this was the record of a school, not one man alone’.

A truly amazing man, and as you rightly said, a truly amazing man who shaped the literature of Guyana, and the shaping of Guyanese culture and the shaping of the minds of Guyanese for independence.

He founded the journal Kyk-over-Al in 1945. And remember the first set of Kyk in its initial contribution lasted from 1945 to 1961, all those issues were very important in the shaping of Guyanese literature and culture and therefore the emerging nation. A very important figure AJ.

PP: Talking about culture, he was involved in History and Culture Week which I understand help to evince a sense of pride of nationhood in Guyanese.

We have already said a lot about the man and his accomplishments.

What about his formative years, those years that nurtured the man for greatness?

IM: I did not know him then but I’ve talked a lot with him about his formative years and there is no doubt that he was brought up from an early age to love reading, to love writing and to love literature. Oh, he loved to read.

He started reading poetry from very young and started writing poetry from very young. One thing I want to emphasis is that running through all this is that Arthur Seymour was a very good poet. And he wrote an enormous amount of poems, much of it very good.

I remember after he died I went through his papers and found no less than 550 poems. In his ‘Collected Poems’, which I helped edit, there are just over 220 or 228 poems so he wrote many more than are captured in this book. He was always writing poetry whatever else he was doing.

He wrote a great deal of religious poetry and he is perhaps Guyana and the Caribbean foremost religious poet.

PP: [At this time of the year] I often use his Christmas poem, ‘Composition in December’: In my fabulous December/ Shinning eyes of children/Grasping the toy-happy season /Tight in their little fists, …Groups of laughing boys /Dash pell-mell in their yachtings/Chasing along crowded pavements …/Limber girls/ Flaunt their shapely banners…/Along the avenue/Under a floating cloud of hair/Fabulous Monument/ of the Cathedral,/ after the sun/Withdraws its white stare/Listens to the vespers/When advent doves/Twitter/High in the gloomy rafters/Of its brain/O death has no place here /Only laughter…/I discover crystal raindrops/Float-falling/ On the heavy rhythmic cars/Lurching/Around the War Memorial/ A tiger moth/With wondering benediction, In its wings/Flaps slowly/From the saman trees/To condemn hysteria…/And moss sleeps/On a stone….

IM: One of the things I will never forget, one that moved me tremendously, when you talked about a poem for every event, one of the vivid memories I have was on his last birthday, his 75th birthday on the 12th of January 1989, you know he died later in the year….

PP: Christmas Day 1989.

IM: Yes, but I will never forget, he had written a small poem on the morning of his birthday and he read it to a small group of us, and I remember that voice, oh, he so loved poetry, and he read it, he was on the veranda on North Road, Bourda, and the wind was blowing so gentle, it was a lovely day, a lovely Guyanese day, he sat there and said: Bless Father God, I pray, The gift of my birthday, This milestone – I alive At age seventy-five.

Bless, Holy Spirit, bless With Thine own holiness All that I do and say As from Thy will today And Jesus Christ Thy son May all His Grace be done

A Christmas Wish I wish I could go back to the past, of Christmases long ago.

I wish I could see my loved ones who have passed on long ago.

I'd love to be that child again who sat on Santa's knee.

Yes, all these memories that I have decorating the tree.

…That brought out the religiousness of his poetry and you are right, he was always writing poetry, only that morning…

PP: Marking that milestone…

IM: But that was not all.

His delivery was touching; you know he said it in that beautiful voice of his.

PP: Quoting from the introduction of that very collection what you said about his work, you said that ‘He began in an era when everything was still to be done…’ He was a pioneer.

IM: I think that is a very good phrase, if I might say so.

Yes, he was a pioneer.

I wish I could wake Christmas morn to see Daddy baking ham.

And to see my mamma making her yummy famous candy yams.

Responses to this author please telephone 226-0065 of email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

By Debra Brown

I wish I could go to Grandma's house; her cookies were the best.

The pies and cakes that she would bake, she kept them in a chest.

Her house would smell like ginger, with a hint of Balsam Pine.

She'd decorate the house with lights, and it would surely shine.

All these Christmas memories, it seems like yesteryear.

I'd love to go back to the past.

This is my Christmas prayer.

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 22, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

I

n the past few years persons have embraced artificial flowers unapologetically, welcoming the silk, polyester or poly-blend versions of succulents, orchids and hydrangeas among others into their homes.

In the past, they carried a stigma, which stemmed from a dusty arrangement on grandma’s coffee table, but rely the tide has turned, thanks to modern mateand more sophisticated designs. rangements are now part of most Guyanese Christmas season, since the bouquets add a lu-

centrials Artificial arhomes during the minous look to the home. One person who contributes to beautifying the home with his ravishing floral arrangements is Chaitanand Singh.

Singh grew up in the beautiful small community of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD) with his parents and six siblings. He explained that growing up in a small community was challenging at times, since a lot of poor families were resident and certain opportunities were never afforded.

Being the second eldest child, Singh felt pressured into fending for the family at an early age because of poverty. Many days the family relied on fish caught from nearby trenches and vegetables they planted to eat.

Eating chicken was a luxury for Singh and his family – it was offered only on Sundays. However, this did not prevent Singh from trying to gain a sound education.

He stated that as a child, going to school was one of his favourite things and just the thought of being in a position to eliminate poverty from his family inspired him.

“Many days I went to school bare feet and with no money to buy lunch, but nothing was going to prevent me from escaping poverty.”

Singh dropped out of school sometime later owing to financial constraints. His parents could not afford to pay the common entrance fee which rendered him helpless.

“I started working in a store in downtown for only $2000 a week for severa l years, but by throwing box on a weekly basis I was able to save tremendously.”

Singh stressed that being a young gay man working downtown came with a lot of hardships. Being bullied on a daily basis made Singh attempt suicide on four occasions. He later decided that there was more to life and never again made such an attempt.

Gardening was something Singh was always intrigued with and he decided to pursue this path.

He later on discovered his love for flowers and started to make floral arrangements.

“People want to have the freshflower look in their home and having floral arrangements brightens up the environment.”

Singh added that in terms of floral arrangements, Christmas is the best time of the year, since it brings joy and families together.

“When I make arrangements and my customers thank me, I feel overjoyed.

The simple fact that someone can acknowledge your craft is amazing. I love making peo-

ple happy and once my arrangements can add a feeling of joy, I will be delighted to continue down this path.”

The whole idea of Christmas excites Singh and decorating tends to always make him happy.

In the month of December, the passionate craftsman makes and sells over 27 floral arrangements, both fresh and artificial.

H i s residence has a combination of over 100 species of flower plants which highlight his craft.

In his spare time, Singh volunteers for elderly persons by decorating their homes and making floral arrangements to add to the beauty. According to Singh, floral arrangements make a room look fresh, airy, and beautiful.

“Arrange a variety of floral displays to decorate every room in your home. Greet your guests with a vase of pretty flowers on the foyer table.”

How to make floral arrangements

Firstly, choose the type of flowers you’ll use for your arrangement: fresh or silk flowers. Use fresh flowers if you enjoy the creativity of making a completely new display.

Some varieties of fresh flowers give a room a wonderful aroma. You can use silk flowers if you want a long-lasting display or are allergic to pollen.

Select colours that will complement the room décor. You can use a combination of flowers or be neutral.

Look for unique containers for your flower arrangements. You could use brass containers, ceramic vases, wicker baskets, large coffee mugs, sculpted clay, wooden boxes and even large conch shells for an informal bathroom display. Remember that fresh flowers need a watertight container.

Measure the inside of the container and cut a piece of floral foam that will fit snugly.

Glue the foam to the bottom and set the container aside to completely dry.

You will then have to soak the floral foam if you are using fresh flowers.

Trim the lower leaves and thorns of fresh flowers so they will not rot or mould in the water. Cut the stems at a diagonal to expose more surface area (they will absorb more water).

Arrange the tallest flowers and greenery first. Place them in the middle if the arrangement will be a centrepiece. Otherwise, place them in the back of the container.

Arrange the rest of the flowers and greenery, being careful to not create patches of a single colour.

For example, if there are several red flowers placed together, insert a pink or yellow flower plus some greenery to break up the patch.

Add some trailing greenery if you are using a basket or wood box. The greenery will soften the sharp outline of the container and keep the eye flowing to the table.

Attach a silk ribbon for a final touch. You can change the ribbon throughout the year.

For example, use a red ribbon for Valentine’s Day, green or red for Christmas, flag colours for Independence Day and so on.

Finally, you will add centrepieces to the coffee and dining room tables, the buffet, bedroom nightstands and bureaus, and perhaps the bathroom counter.

Flower arranging is an artform that involves essential design principles of proportion, balance, contrast, and harmony. It revolves around the basic principle that flowers when arranged in a specific fashion appear even more appealing and attractive. Flower arranging is all about presentation, wherein flowers are presented in the best possible manner.

If you would like to order an arrangement, Singh contact number is 693-1294.

(Oma Lesa Pierre)

8 Sunday Times Magazine

DEMEMBER 22, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Feature

CHRISTMAS ENTREPRENEUR

By

Utamu Belle

A

love for interior decorating and “nice decorative things” has led Lindener Karen Johnson-Webster to become a gifted, crafty designer

who is the talented mind and innovator b e h i n d numerous exquisite holiday home decorations.

The skilled entrepreneur of Block 22, Wismar mainly practises her craft of making floral bouquets, vases, decorative bottles and Christmas wreaths and rosettes mainly around the holiday season. The wife and mother of four told <<< Sunday Times Magazine >>> that she has always had a creative side but it wasn’t until approximately two years ago that she started the business venture.

“I really like interior decorating, so I just started doing my own thing in my own home and people would see it and like it. Then they would ask like, ‘Karen, please make this for me and how much would it cost?’ Well, at first, I had no idea as to how much it would cost so I would ask around or give them a

price that was really low, just to give that encouragement,” she explained.

The local entrepreneur said this was a passion which she had developed since her younger years growing up, where she was drawn to the idea of turning trash into beautiful treasures.

“Well, I grew up in a poor home...we had like the real Amerindian home...So like when people usually throw away stuff, coming home from school I would pick up certain things like flowers or whatever and go home, wash them out and put them in a nice pot. My mother would say, ‘Karen, you know you would do good when you get big’ because I’m always picking up something and making it into something else.

Things that people would dispose of,” she cited.

Now, having been married with her own home and family, the young entrepreneur said the passion grew even more as she became more driven to decorating and designing her own home. Johnson-Webster proudly displayed some of the items she had made which were on display at her home, as she further related that interior design and decorating is a career path which she has always wanted to pursue.

“I always wanted to do it as a career, but to me like in Linden, you don’t really get that push... so as it comes, that is how I would do it,” she explained.

Nevertheless, she noted that the demand for her services is more increased around the holiday season, an opportunity which she capitalises on.

“Just during the holiday season you would get like a demand for decorative things”, the young entrepreneur explained.

She said she initially started off by making the decorative bottles. Afterwards, she related that she would share the photos of her designs with her friends via WhatsApp and other social media platforms, as the demand for these popular decorative items quickly grew. As the demand grew, so would her business orders.

Reminiscing, Johnson-Webster recalled being inspired to start making Christmas rosettes by ‘Teacher Charmaine’ of the One Mile Primary School which her children attend.

“I didn’t have an idea about these things. So, she was the first person that said, ‘Karen I would like you to make one of these things for me’...and she

showed me one, so I said ‘alright I will try’. And I bought the flowers and so and I made one for her. Then she said, ‘You know you can make more and walk around and ask the teachers (to purchase)’. I made a set and from there everything sell out,” she recalled.

Henceforth, the entrepreneur noted that she was inspired to start visiting various schools with her self-made rosettes, which quickly sold out. Moreover, her creative side and ability to recycle stood out as she related that she also makes vases from old towels and cement.

Johnson-Webster explained that at this level of her business, she is able to cater to the demands as she would strategically take in as many orders as she could cope with and the items are basically made to order. The orders are usually limited throughout the year but increase around the holidays when there is more so a need for the decorative items.

“I don’t really make anything during the year...maybe if I had a shop or something. I would love to venture to turn it into a more established business. I would very much love to because I don’t only love the interior decorating but I love fashion...” she related.

The young entrepreneur also shared that her dream is to one day own an established business entity where she can also teach others her craft. She also wishes to have persons employed who can assist in meeting higher demands. But her main focus, she explained, is on interior decorating. A lack of business space she noted, however, is presently a major challenge. Regardless, the entrepreneur said she would not relent.

“Basically, I just need a space so that I can be more established. Any challenge which comes I can face it. I don’t allow anything to come in my way. I don’t let anybody tell me I can’t do this...I go for whatever I need,” she said.

As she ventures down the path of success, JohnsonWebster said she is grateful for the support system which is her mother, whom, she noted, is an excellent motivator who initially assisted her with the purchase of items to get her business idea off the ground.

She said her mother, husband and her sister are her number one supporters and motivators as she related that she is thankful for this support system as well as the rest of her family.

“My mom and my sister, they’re my number one supporters because anything I make, even though my mom would buy the stuff (to make the item) she would also buy from me. Also my sister, anything I make- each one of my item she makes sure she purchases. They are my supporters,” noted.

She related too that her husband, André, also supports her tremendously.

“He also helps me to make stuff and also purchase my stuff. Like my rosettes, he would buy a whole basket and share to his customers because he’s a mechanic,” she related.

She credits her abilities to perseverance and the incredible support system she has found in her family.

Her advice to young people who might be contemplating starting off a business or seeking a job is to utilise their personal skills and turn it into something marketable. Johnson-Webster encourages young people to take a chance at doing whatever they love and be inspired by it, regardless of how small it may seem as she posited that everyone has the ability to become their best self. Noting that this is the ‘best season of all’, the young entrepreneur encourages everyone to share love and joy this holiday season as well as to encourage and support one another.

Persons interested in seeing her work can follow her on Facebook at Karen Johnson-Webster.

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 22, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

9

Health

C

hristmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature.

Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

The traditional Christmas narrative, the Nativity of Jesus, delineated in the New Testament says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in accordance with messianic prophecies. When Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, the inn had no room and so they were offered a stable where the Christ Child was soon born, with angels proclaiming this news to shepherds who then further disseminated the information.

Although the month and date of Jesus' birth are unknown, by the early-to-mid fourth century the Western C h r i s t i a n C h u r c h had placed Christmas on December 25, a date that was later adopted in the East. Today, most Christians celebrate on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar, which has been adopted almost universally in the civil calendars used in countries throughout the world.

However, some Eastern Christian Churches celebrate Christmas on December 25 of the older Julian calendar, which currently corresponds to January 7 in the Gregorian calendar, the day after the Western Christian Church celebrates the Epiphany. This is not a disagreement over the date of Christmas as such, but rather a preference of which calendar should be used to determine the day that is December 25.

Moreover, for Christians, the belief that God came into the world in the form of man to atone for the sins of humanity, rather than the exact birth date, is considered to be the primary purpose in celebrating Christmas.

The celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath, Christmas music and carolling, lighting a Christingle, viewing a Nativity play, an exchange of Christmas cards, church services, a special meal,

pulling Christmas crackers and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly.

In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, and Christkind, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore.

Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

In Guyana, Christmas is the busiest time of the year for all businesses since people would do remodel and redecorate their entire homes. It is a time when the furniture stores are buzzing with activities and the pavements are filled to capacity with roadside vendors as well as shoppers looking for a quick bargain.

Christmas in Guyana means new everything for most people. It means lavish spending. It means food for days but most importantly it means a time where value is placed on family and helping those in need.

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DECEMBER 22, 2019

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Fashion

CHRISTMAS - A FAMILY AFFAIR

By Utamu Belle

L

inden Mayor Waneka Arrindell got increasingly excited about the Christmas holidays recently when Sunday Times Magazine sat down with her in her office to talk about the importance of love and having family close around the holidays.

We got the chance to see the lighter side of the Mayor as she shared her own family experiences growing up and as a wife and a mother to 3 children. Her face lit up like a Christmas tree as she related that this was her favourite season of all.

“I love Christmas. Christmas is my favourite holiday, and it’s not about all the festivities and the spending,” she explained.

“For that one week before Christmas, I like to be home and myself and the family would decorate. I’m ‘extra’ with decorating too. I have lots of trees and lights. I’m extra and I love to put up ‘Happy birthday Jesus’ because, for my family and I, Christmas is all about Christ.

So, that week for me is where I rather not have any Mayoral calls and myself and children would fix the Christmas tree, we get the chance to come on the road and purchase gifts,” she related.

She explained that for her, the Christmas season is a way of reminding others about Jesus Christ and his gift of love. Her strong belief that the holidays are mainly about sharing leads her to sponsor a family each Christmas by shopping items for them, which, she explained, is something she does behind the scenes.

She noted that she has also incorporated the art of giving to her children as they are tasked each year with buying gifts for someone who they believe need it most.

“One of the things I like to do every Christmas for my family is to buy a gift for somebody else.

So, each of my children would get monies but that money is not to buy a gift for you, you have to find the thing you like the most and you buy it and you give it to someone else. Whether you’re giving it to a sibling or another family member or you’re giving it to a friend. So that’s like a kind of tradition we try to have,” Arrindell said.

Additionally, each year around the holidays, Arrindell’s immediate family gets to sponsor two children from the Haruni Girls Home situated along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The children get to spend the holidays with the family and according to the Mayor, it provides an opportunity for them to interact and learn about each other’s different

ways of life.

This, she noted, also presents an opportunity for her children to participate in the art of sharing and be more loving.

It’s an opportunity they look forward to each year.

“That is what Christmas is about— lots of sharing and giving. There’s lots of food most of the time but it’s more so spending time with your families,” she said.

Arrindell further shared that she grew up in a Christian home, where her mother was mainly the only parent there. Nevertheless, she noted that her family has always been close-knit.

She has 6 sisters who each have children of their own and each year, the family would pick a day out of the holiday season where they would meet up at their parents’ home to spend quality family time to end off the season. She recalled growing up very poor but noted that at Christmas time it was always special.

“Even though we didn’t have a lot to eat or share, there was one thing that was significant. Our parents always made sure we had a new outfit. On Christmas day itself, we all got up about 4-5 o’clock in the morning, we go to church and then when we came back home from church we got a chance to sit and open whatever little gift or token we had”.

She also shared that her mother practised a tradition whereby at the end of the year the family would stand in circles, hold hands and pray. Her mother would then allow everyone to apologise to each other. At the end of this, family members would hug, cry, forgive each other and move on from there. Arrindell said she is thankful for this initiative, noting that it has kept her and her siblings close to this day even though they have all grown up and have children of their own.

Even now, the family keeps close whether it’s simply by talking or having family outings. She credits this to the way they were brought up— with the realisation that family was everything. Arrindell said the idea of family and love is an agenda that needs to be pushed with the children of today.

She advises families to stay close, not only around the holidays.

“The year is always busy and if we take a step back, we’d realise how the year seems short— like it just came and it went. This Christmas time, I believe at this time it’s time for us to spend it with our families. It’s not even a long time...but whatever day you have, take the time to spend it with your family, to sit down with your family, to share and to be free with each other...For me, this end of year and this Christmas season I’ll advise families to meet. If there are differences in your family relationships throughout the year, we’re going into a new season. Let’s forgive and let’s move into the New Year together as a family,” Arrindell advised.

Asked about plans for her family this Christmas, she noted that while she had initially planned on taking the family to a Christmas-themed park in Brazil, the Mayor said she decided against it after she realised that the idea can be recreated right in the community of Linden.

“I had the opportunity to visit Brazil, and Brazil has a park that almost looks like Main Street, Georgetown. And that park is now lit for Christmas...I wanted to take my children to see it but I had a greater idea. We decided, ‘why don’t we find one spot in Linden and see if we can light it up to excite children?’”.

As a result, she noted that through the Junior Mayor programme, the municipality is hoping to prepare a spot by the river in the vicinity of the roundabout at Mackenzie, with the hopes of transforming it into a mini Christmas-themed park.

“We want to put down a huge Christmas tree, light the area, put a few benches so families can come and feel the Christmas spirit...we wouldn’t be able to put in any toys or so forth but it’s one place where it’s lit that people can come out and sit with their children and have that kind of feeling”.

Arrindell shared her hope that this initiative can be the start of something great that can continue every Christmas season.

“So that’s my plans this Christmas...relax, play some games. We play lots of family games at Christmas. I encourage everyone to take their family to church this Christmas. If you haven’t gone all year, go and hear the story of Jesus’ birth...It’s a story of hope. After all that we’ve gone through this year, that story of hope should prepare you for next year,” she noted.

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DECEMBER 22, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Recipes

12 Sunday Times Magazine

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DECEMBER 22, 2019

Puzzles

ACROSS 1 6 11 16 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 34 36 37 39 40 41 42 43 44 46 49 50 51 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 76 77 80 81 82 86 87 88

Cheddar type Bass or alto Pulls over Desperado's fear Excessive speed -- salts Woo Levels out Stage platform Sourpuss Fire of the mind Jeweler's unit Bastille Day season Move in the breeze It may be upright Blackberry stem Compete for Furry friends Bikini sporters Singer -- -- King Underwater shockers -- Dawn Chong Heaps Guess the outcome Popular ski resort -- in the woods Recited Flirted with Edit out More cagey One kind of rake Garage or tent MPG monitor Eavesdropped Fossilized plants Mild expletives Suffix for forfeit Wreath adornment (2 wds.)

Athlete Swerve Hieroglyphics bird Gossipy paper Ottoman Watermelon part Rx amounts Rank above maj.

Important event Wine cask Go around the world Too suave Come in second Fit to drink Pay attention to Territory Berlin single

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 106 107 108 111 112 113 117 118 119 120 121 122 124 126 128 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Deep well So! Horse's gait Be an omen of Pop-ups Morse click Kidnappers' demand Freeway strip Purple fruits Earl -- Biggers Take in Knights' titles Alpaca kin Rice field Tipped the scales Laments loudly Volcanic dust Hannibal's route Mythical archer Border state Funny -- Diller Electrical unit 11th-grade exam Sponsorship File folder label Toronto's prov.

Kon-Tiki material Room Misbehave (2 wds.)

Realty listing Asimov or Hayes Seattle's Sound Hold the floor PC chipmaker Ouija alternative Hide away More current Hindu stratum Fiona's fella West Indies nation Stock or bond Rural addr.

Xerxes subject Gambling mecca "Grand Ole --" Ames inst.

Anthologist Dominions Flips through Pamplona runner Middle Eastern lute Move ahead Hair piece?

Lap dog, slangily Caviar, actually

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- PARASITIC (PARASITIC: par-uh-SIT-ik: Living in or on another organism.)

Average mark 35 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 53 or more words in PARASITIC? TODAY'S WORD -- PARASITIC pact pair part past pasta pica pita apart apiarist aria aspic astir racist rapt rasp riata

sari satiric scar scarp scat scrap scrip script sitar spar spat spit spirit sprat sprit stair

star stir strap stria strip iris tapas tapir taps tarp tiara tipi trap trip tsar capris

carat carp cart cast crisp

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

18 19 20 31 33 35 38 39 40 41 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 52 53 54 56 57 58 60 61 62

Dish up the food Aquarium scavenger Mr. Kefauver Pint-size Unser and Pacino -- fish nor fowl Coat rack Taunted Camembert cousin Footnote abbr. (2 wds.)

Check endorser Ringo's colleague High notes Skillful Brown-tinted photo Fallback strategy (2 wds.)

Like some alleys Steep Injures a toe Like a wolf's howl Sheath or sack Go bad Scree source Canary's dinner Hightail it Geologic sample Cowboy -- Autry

65 66 67 68 70 71 72 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 82 83 84 85 87 88 89 91 92 93 96 97 98

Heston role (2 wds.)

Fireworks time Tarzan's transport Specks Bath decor Romantic offering Goes with Dig this!

Firm up Yea and nay Maureen of movies Fixed-up building Burrito morsels Uh-oh!

-- donna Waited awhile Clan leader Admission The undead Practically forever Grads Folk wisdom Troubadour Custards Farm females Is prone Delight

99 101 102 103 105 106 107 108 109 110 112 113 114 115 116 118 119 120 123 125 127 129

Wonka's creator Field event (2 wds.)

Dictionary Clairvoyant Fathoms Toga-party order Happy sighs Scope Buddhist sacred city Of the Arctic Comb projections Hamelin visitor Boors Map within a map Archaeology find Treaty Poker pair Silent -- Tome Famous Khan Playing marble Off -- -- tangent

SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE 13

guyanatimesgy.com

By Steve Surujbally

P

et owners seem to morph into different beings during the Festive Season where their companion animals are concerned. Let’s look at some areas in which human behaviour could be inimical to the well-being of our furry, feathered and unusual wards. (N.B. At some later date we’ll discuss the pros and cons relative to the issue of keeping wild local and exotic fauna as pets.)

1. Nutrition Let’s face frontally that which we humans seem to have as an unalterable compulsion, namely engorging ourselves at Christmas. We make that mouth-watering pepperpot, garlic beef/pork, ice-cream, pastels, stuffed chicken, rich black cake, egg-nog, and the list goes on. If our over-eating during the festive season were not enough, we feel that it is absolutely necessary to overfeed our pets – often with all the wrong stuff. Yet, our wards couldn’t care less if they got the same daily fare which they have been served for fifty-one weeks. They do not need pepperpot with its casareep base (so may dogs get upset stomachs after being fed pepperpot with all the added spices); they do not need ice-cream (in fact, the latest research is now telling us that dogs should not be served dairy products at meal time); alcohol laced black cake should not be part of a dog’s diet; too much grain-based foods are also not good for carnivores (dogs and cats); heavily spiced-up stuffing could actually be deleterious to our pets’ health.

The point I am making is that the daily diet of dog/putty chow makes our pets quite happy and healthy. They don’t know what the special holidays are. Sweetmeats at Diwali/Eid/Easter could in fact upset the bacteria in the digestive tract and could precipitate stomach and intestinal ailments. The moral of this story is simple: do not suddenly change the pets’ normal and perennial diet. Once the balanced diet, especially if it is based on well researched nutri-

DECEMBER 22, 2019

tional necessities, is offered at the usual times and with the regular quantity, there is no need to change their food, just because you feel “Rover” should get some of the goodies you are giving yourself.

2. Bathing Again for some unknown reason, some pet owners feel that their wands should be bathed with specially scent (fragrant to the scented receptors in our nostrils, but not to the dog’s) soaps and shampoos. Well, again let’s be clear on a few things. (i) “Felix”, the cat, grooms his own self and does not need a bath – practically never! It’s the same with “Rex” and “Sheba”. They too do not need baths – not at Christmas, not at Easter and not at Phagwah. Of course, if you have sprayed/ smeared the poor animal with abeer/abrak and other colourful liquids/powder, you must wash off that junk quickly, so as to prevent skin damage and hair knotting.

You may be making yourself happy by wetting the animal with possibly dangerous chemicals but for the poor pet it not fun and frolic.

It is distress, discomfort and sufferation. At some other point, I will return to this odd pet-unfriendly fixation we have in bathing our pets.

Please, just accept that there are other ways to groom and bond with your pets without the soap/shampoo torture.

3. The Christmas tree and your pet I suppose all vet, at some time or another, have been confronted with the repercussive effects associated with animals playing with the Christmas tree and their decorations. Dogs and cats (especially puppies and kittens) are curious by nature.

Those blinking lights on the Christmas tree represent a great lure. The animals playfully box the glass decorations breaking them, and in so doing can wound themselves badly. If they ingest the decorations or the plastic Christmas tree branches, the animal can actually die.

Worst of all when they bite at the electrical wires which light up the tree. There are a few festive seasons when I have not had to intervene – removing shards, treat-

ing electric shocks, stitching wounds and stopping bleedings.

4. Explosive devices The law in its wisdom has banned the import and sale of squibs and other forms of explosive “toys”.

Dogs especially have very sensitive ears. The noise that emanates from a squibs explosion not only terrifies your pet, but it also makes the animal temporarily mentally unhinged. They go berserk. They jump off verandahs, in an attempt to escape the loudness; they run away from home. It is not seldom that dogs and cats get lost, miles from home.

It makes no sense to spend tens of thousands of dollars purchasing a puppy, caring for it, allowing it to become a loved member of the family – only to lose the animal wandering away from home because it seeks to escape

Sunday Times Magazine 13

the torture of ear-splitting sounds.

Let me further advocate that if your friend explodes a squib near to your pet just for the fun of it, to see the poor animal’s reaction, then that person is no friend. In fact, one has to question that person’s own mental equilibrium.

Dear pet owner, enjoy the festive season; enjoying your wonderful pet as part of your family; do not create an environment that is inimical to your companion animal’s happiness and well-being.

We will write about that which could be included in your New Year’s resolutions, namely the possibilities of extending your family by adopting a pet once you have the wherewithal to care for the animal.

Enjoy Season!

your

Festive

14 Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 22, 2019

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DECEMBER 22, 2019

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Fun Times

Archie

ARIES

Festive decorating, baking (March 21- or anything else that will help April 19) get you in the spirit of the season should be mandatory. The boost will be a reminder of what you have.

Fix up your place for yearTAURUS end festivities. A change will (April 20- improve the atmosphere in May 20) your home and bring you closer to loved ones. A positive attitude will promote good results.

Gather facts. If you act GEMINI on an assumption, you will (MAY 28- make a mistake. Discuss June 20) your thoughts and find out where you stand. Be smart regarding money matters.

Timing is everything. If you CANCER act too quickly or too slowly, you (June 21- will miss the mark. Let your inJuly 22) tuition guide you to the right moment in time and take action.

Romance is featured.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Say what's on your mind and accept the response you receive. Sometimes it takes a wakeup call to make a positive move. Now is not the time to follow, it's time to lead.

It's up to you to start the ball rolling if you want something to happen. Romance is in the stars, and making a suggestive gesture will help the process.

Intelligence, kindness LIBRA and compassion will help you (Sept. 23overcome any negativity you Oct. 23) face. If you don't like something, change it. Keep your promises.

Peanuts

Changes have to be made SCORPIO (Oct. 24- for the right reasons. An Nov. 22) emotional move isn't likely to turn out the way you expect.

Take time, readjust your thoughts and choose what's best for you.

Emotional growth will SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23- encourage decisions that Dec. 21) will help you adjust how you handle your life, money and health. Positive change requires letting go of what no longer works for you.

Calvin and Hobbes

A little seasonal cheer CAPRICORN should include old friends.

(Dec. 22- Getting together with someJan. 19) one from your past will change the way you think and the direction you take.

Keep moving forward unAQUARIUS til you have everything done.

(Jan. 20- Use your intelligence to priFeb. 19) oritize and put things in place. Lend a helping hand, but don't let anyone take advantage of you.

PISCES Think about your to-do (Feb. 20- list and prepare to make Mar. 20) necessary changes to it.

Give yourself time to relax, rejuvenate and prepare for upcoming events. A shift in your surroundings will be uplifting.