Guyana Times Sunday January 5, 2020

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4156 guyanatimesgy.com

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Sunday, January 5, 2020

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

PPP/C launches “Stronger Together for a Better Guyana” campaign to take government Page 3

2 arrested after Corriverton man stabbed P10 to death

Bank of Guyana overdraft P10 now over $75B ꟷ despite IMF warning Govt to settle balance

Armed men storm bar, rob owners and customers of cash & valuables P2

— speakers include Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates

MoPI pays company $500M for construction of D’Urban Park Page 9

ꟷ cannot account for money collected from businesses

Page 12

Linden home, grocery shop destroyed by fire

Tuschen Chinese restaurant robbery

Dead bandit identified, policeman and others arrested Page 7

2019 sugar P13 production calls for serious examination – GAWU

Guyanese, P2 Venezuelan women arrested following brawl at drinking spot

Paid political AD

P12

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NEWS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Venezuelan women arrested Armed men storm bar, rob owners Guyanese, following brawl at drinking spot and customers of cash & valuables A – getaway car used in crime recovered

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gunman and a knife-wielding bandit stormed a popular drinking spot in Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), on Friday evening and assaulted the owners and patrons before relieving them of cash and jewellery.

The armed men along with their two accomplices made good their escape in a white motorcar that was parked a short distance away.

The 58-year-old bar owner was left traumatised after two of the men assaulted her son along with an employee during the ordeal that lasted less than five minutes.

She requested anonymity for fear of her life and potential robbery attempts since she also operates another business in Georgetown.

Reports are that around 23:05h on the night in question, the bar was packed with customers when two men stormed the premises - one of whom had a rag tied around his head to conceal half of his face.

They then proceeded to make demands and ordered persons to hand over their cash and jewellery.

“One walked straight pass me with the gun by his side, jumped over the counter, and hit my employee on his chest and shoved him in a chair telling him not to talk while

The popular drinking spot at Parika, East Bank Essequibo

pointing a gun at the boy. My son, he runs the business, and my son came out and the bandit hit him on his head with the gun and he fell down.

When he fell, they kicked him about two times so I didn’t really focus on all of them because I was focused on my son but it was four of them [bandits],” the owner stated.

The woman explained that her establishment houses a bar and a gambling section. However, she was unable to state the amount of cash that the bandits had left with.

“When me look back, I see one of them with a knife, and a bandit shove me down back on the sofa I was sitting on.

They come in and my son had a little canister with the shop money and the casino canister was a big one but to tell

you how much money I won’t know. Since holiday the casino person did not come to collect the total casino money as yet so when she comes and checks the machines she would know is how much.”

According to the woman, the bandits then attacked the customers and robbed them of their cellular phones.

However, one customer was in the gambling section when the knife-toting bandit attacked him and relieved him of a gold band and gold chain.

The proprietress related that after the robbery, the men rushed into a white motorcar that had been parked between her premises and a fast food outlet.

The car along with the robbers was captured on CCTV cameras which were

handed over to the police.

Her business has been in operation for the past 35 years and this is the first time it was robbed.

“Last night was a scary time for we. We never see nothing like this. We never go through anything like that.”

Meanwhile, the male customer who was robbed of his gold chain and gold band told Guyana Times that he was injured after he put up a fight with his attacker.

He added that the bandit was also attempting to grab the keys to his vehicle but was told by his accomplice to “leave the man car keys” before they left. Guyana Times understands that the police have since intercepted the getaway car as they continue their investigations.

(Kristen Macklingam)

Guyanese woman along with a female Venezuelan national were arrested following a brawl at a popular drinking spot in Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

Both ladies would Lance’s Bar, located at Parika, have sustained injuries East Bank Essequibo (EBE) as a result of the fight which stemmed from sat on the benches, closer to “name calling”. the Venezuelans. The tauntThe Spanish-speaking ing continued and this evenforeigner was celebrat- tually led to a scuffle. ing her birthday with other “I was not there outside Venezuelans at Lance’s Bar and when I was going outlocated at Parika, East Bank side, I was told by persons Essequibo (EBE), when the in here to remain indoors, incident took place. but I know they were fightReports are that be- ing with each other. I am tween midnight and 03:00h not taking sides, I did not on Saturday morning, the witness the fight in actualgroup of Venezuelans were ity but the Guyanese began at one section of the bar troubling the Venezuelans when the Guyanese along who tried to ignore them the with her friends entered the entire time they were here. I premises. was later told that the police The two groups were were called in because it was seated some distance apart at that time I was closing up when the Guyanese wom- that the fight started,” the an allegedly started to taunt proprietress related. the Venezuelan women who Commander of Region were minding their own Three (Essequibo Islandsbusiness.

West Demerara) Assistant According to the own- Police Commissioner Simon er of the bar, the foreigners McBean, when contacted by did not engage in any cross- this publication, confirmed talking with the Guyanese that the two women were woman. taken into Police custody afThe insults intensified ter their alleged altercation and some hours later, the took place.

Spanish speaking women He noted that they had exited the building and stood been taken to the nearby in the yard to continue hav- hospital to receive treatment ing their alcoholic beverages. for their wounds and obtain Shortly after, the the necessary medical docuGuyanese along with her ments as investigations into friends left their seats and the matter continue.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Elections 2020

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

Sunday, January 5 – 01:00h – 02:30h and 13:00h- 14:30h and Monday, January 6 – 02:00h – 03:30h and 13:30h – 15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, January 5 – 11:50h -13:20h and Monday, January 6 – 12:50h – 14:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

PPP/C launches “Stronger Together for a Better Guyana” campaign to take government – speakers include Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine will prevail during the day. There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 18 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to East NorthEasterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 12:17h reaching a maximum height of 2.25 metres.

Low Tide: 05:46h and 18:20h reaching minimum heights of 1.02 metres and 0.95 metre.

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Bharrat Jagdeo

Irfaan Ali

Mark Phillips

Gail Teixeira

housands of Guyanese are expected to congregate at the Kitty Market Square in Georgetown as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) launches its 2020 Elections Campaign today, Sunday, January 5.

The launch is expected to kick off from 15:00h and will see a plethora of speakers from the Party outlining their vision to lead Guyana for the next five years. The campaign will be launched under the “Stronger Together for a Better Guyana” banner.

Headlining the launch will be Presidential Candidate Dr Irfaan Ali and his running mate, former Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips. Along with the running duo, General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo will layout the Party’s plan heading into the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

The Party is inviting all Guyanese to come and listen as they outline their plans to create jobs, reduce taxation, and improve education and healthcare in addition to presenting ideas for affordable housing and management of the oil and gas sector.

Speaking on a local talk show, PPP Executive member Gail Teixeira said that the launch will be geared at presenting their plans and programmes to rescue Guyana.

“At our rally, we will be launching our campaign and that means from January 5 to March 1, no stopping. We will be working 24/7 and our supporters and friends will be full steam ahead. It is basically the final lap. We have been on campaign in different levels for the last year expecting that elections will be held in accordance with the Constitution,” Teixeira noted.

She said that at the rally, persons would have a different experience as compared to what they saw when the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition launched their campaign on Friday.

“Our rally will be different from PNC (Peoples National Congress) APNU/ AFC rally, being, we don’t

bust people in using state resources as one. We are going to talk about policies and programmes so that people have a lot to hear and hopefully it will enlighten them and let them know we are serious about being able to rescue our country. These programmes and policies did not happen yesterday (at APNU/AFC campaign launch),” she contended.

The former Parliamentary Chief Whip welcomed the undecided voters to come out at the Kitty Market Square and listen as the candidates present their plans and make the decision as to whether the PPP/C is the party for them.

“It is a serious political rally. It is indicating that we are ready for the campaign. We are ready for government and we are ready to take government on March 3. We want to be able to turn this country around and if we don’t, then we will we suffer under Granger,” the former Home Affairs Minister explained.

The incumbent Government launched their campaign at D’Urban Park

– one of the coalition’s first controversial projects, on Friday.

Headlining the launch was Trinidadian soca singer, Farmer Nappy.

At the launch, it, rather than presenting its plans and making its case for another five years in office, the David Granger-led Administration just presented themselves. The coalition also notably failed to indicate when it would release its manifesto with a detailed plan for the development of Guyana – a now oil-producing nation.

In addition, the coalition party also failed to name Khemraj Ramjattan as its Prime Ministerial candidate.

Meanwhile, former PPP Member of Parliament, Joe Hamilton, noted that the launch will be a political rally and not a concert while referring to the governing coalition’s launch.

“On Friday, what you had was a concert. We will be having entertainment, yes of course, but we will be having a political rally that is serious in its outlook recognising the junc-

ture we are at the moment in this country whereby we can outline our programmes and policies to the people of Guyana. Those plans and programmes we will put to the people.

Today will present Prime Minister candidate who is a real Brigadier and a Chief of Staff. A real Chief of Staff.

We will present many people who are new to politics, who have embraced the PPP over time. We will present people who were once supporters of the Peoples National Congress. It is a total different activity. It will be entertaining and joyous but it would not be the kind of entertainment that took priority to cloud no programme and plan. Our priority is programme and plan, our priority is not entertainment,” Hamilton asserted.

Last month, the PPP/C launched their manifesto titled: “Our plan for prosperity”, with excerpts outlining the Party’s policies and plans for the country and its people, should it get into office.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020

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

Bread, circuses and the paramount leader

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or a country that is on the cusp of potentially seismic changes that could catapult it from the depths to which the first PNC regime had plunged it alongside Haiti as the poorest in the hemisphere, to the heights of being a new Abu Dhabi or Singapore, the present PNC regime – pleading to “give David some more time” – lost a golden opportunity to articulate even the suggestion of a new political culture in consonant with that vision.

What we got was the old, discredited bread and circus routine that evolved from the Mass Games Burnham had copied from the totalitarian communist regime of North Korea. The only difference was that the crowd assembled in the refurbished D’Urban “Jubilee” Park was drawn in by the siren songs of a Soca singer rather than the threat of dismissals, and minibuses replaced Tata buses.

The old PNC’s drive for paramountcy was invoked when Khemraj Ramjattan was introduced simply as the “Leader of the AFC” and “Minister of Public Security” rather than as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the APNU/AFC coalition.

The original Cummingsburg Accord, which supposedly codified the terms of their coalition, had mandated that the PM candidate would come from the AFC. For the “revised” version to seal the new deal, the AFC had voted their leader Ramjattan for the position. This choice, however, has never been explicitly accepted by the PNC, which appears to prefer Moses Nagamootoo, who has displayed the sycophantic obsequiousness their tradition demands of underlings to the supreme leader.

The coalition, therefore, has launched its campaign without an explicit PM candidate being designated. The sword of Moses Nagamootoo, prominently displayed on the stage, hanged over the head of the expectant Ramjattan. Granger, who also did not refer to Ramjattan as the PM candidate, took pains to pointedly praise Nagamootoo and said cryptically: “Moses, you continue to serve us well and I want to say ‘thank you’ and I look forward for your continued leadership”.

The banners in front of the stage were decorated only by the visage of Granger, unlike 2015 when their PM candidate received equal billing. Granger has insisted and got incorporated into the “Revised Cummingsburg Accord”, that the terms could not clash with the Constitution. It is pertinent to note that the President is only constitutionally bound to appoint the PM from the elected members of Parliament from his slate, and can hold off doing so until the election is over if his slate is successful.

Ramjattan, for his part, unctuously sprinkled copious praises to Granger throughout his presentation, which sounded more like a serf offering fealty to his liege lord.

One particularly ingratiating offering was that the coalition is, “led by a man who is undoubtedly fit and proper— David Granger. Always calm but strong, always honest, measured and intellectual. Government in Guyana needs brains not brawns”.

Rather ominously, Granger cited the NCM of Art 106 (6) and not only insisted that “We are a constitutional government and everything that we have done for the last twelve months was in accord with the law and in accordance with the Constitution but we will continue the work of reforming the Constitution”. The “reform” he had in mind was explained: “We are going to reform the Constitution so that that nonsense they tried for us in the last twelve months doesn’t happen again”. That is, an NCM is “nonsense”.

The “Oxford Constitutional Law”, however, asserts: “No confidence votes are the procedural expression of the defining feature of parliamentary systems of government, which is that the executive government is accountable to the parliament and holds that office only while it has the confidence of a majority of the elected representatives in the parliament. An executive government that loses the confidence of the parliament no longer has the authority to govern and is dismissed”.

The anti-democratic nature of the PNC stands exposed: “One does not need a candle to see what is clear in bright daylight”.

As the sun sets: this photo taken by Samuel Joseph Chandool shows the beautiful sunset from Vreed-en-Hoop on the West Bank of Demerara on Saturday evening

Time is up for Granger’s melodramatic period Dear Editor, The commandeering of the process in the build-up to the release of the Revised List of Electors (RLE) has been less than acceptable to the public at large, given the laws, established precedence and practice over the numerous held elections. There have been numerous Commission meetings held, which have given the overwhelming focus on the List and its composition.

As important as this actually is, GECOM should have already decisively dealt with this matter. With elections imminent, there is no indication that GECOM is giving due diligence to other critically important matters that should be addressed in a parallel manner. Citizens and political parties demand no further surprises.

It is pass the time when GECOM should have advised the public and political parties as key stakeholders of their approach to the transparent hiring of key staff necessary to work at the upcoming elections. GECOM is also outstanding on the need to address the necessary matters of training, for which there should be a sense of satisfactory status that the incumbent selected persons, given the approved evaluation criteria.

Further, more than four months have passed since the Claims and Objections; and the previous truncated House-to-House Registration, from which the Commission disappointingly ordered the inclusion of unverified persons on the recently issued Revised List of Electors. Yet, GECOM has not issued a single ID card for the activities, which is absolutely outlandish and preposterous.

Over the past 12 months, Guyanese would have witnessed a justified, augmented and challenging political presence, which has finally grad-

uated to the final red-carpet countdown on the long-overdue General and Regional Elections.

The orchestrated period of undue deliberate delays towards enforced early elections has breached our constitutional norms. Its design, however, has precedence in the historical unwelcoming behaviour of the PNC as the main party in the coalition.

The time has finally run out on this Grange- led melodrama period and their desperate damage control attempts, for which citizens must hold this cabal accountable.

There is no doubt that following the exposure of the APNU/AFC empty promises and orchestrated violent attacks on citizens, the patience and frustrations of the majority are very thinly stretched.

The most glaring abuses of citizens’ constitutional rights in decades have been central to the Granger-led APNU/ AFC approach, which currently inundates the Guyana political landscape. In the most vulgar and fraudulent ways, the exploitations have punctuated the entire period of governance since May 2015.

Since the successful December 21, 2018 NoConfidence Motion (NCM) that toppled the Government, the illegal cabal has overwhelmingly violated their caretaker status. They have intensified the deliberate and continuous use of flagrant manipulative elements to extend their stay in office for more than one year over the constitutionally approved period.

The situation necessitated sustained interventions from the PPP/C team led by Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and Presidential Candidate Dr Irfan Ali, who has been at the forefront of the challenge and fight for the restoration of the quickly eroding democracy.

Behind the scenes, many have put in welcoming immeasurable efforts, which is highly appreciated. This column, therefore, takes the opportunity to welcome and congratulate former army chief, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark A Phillips MSS, MSc, on his support to the party and recent selection as the esteemed prime ministerial candidate.

Contrary to the failed, fraud-filled dictatorship driven approach of the Grangerled APNU/AFC regime, the PPP/C team under the astute leadership of Jagdeo and Dr Ali, has advanced transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in a manifested charter for national development. Comparatively, the facts and APNU/AFC track record confirm that they have a focus on taking partisan advantage of the gullible and ill-informed voter, through shallow and clandestine propaganda.

Given their unfairly demonstrated propensity to utilise State resources to this effect, it necessitates now, a strategic approach involving every civil member of society and party members to get the fact and message over to the wider population.

It cannot be denied that the PPP/C team seems well poised and prepared for these elections and there is much evidence to support the view that the majority of citizens nation-wide. A confirmation of this is obvious from a follow up on massive wins in the last two Local Government Elections, together with the widely known fact that the party’s machinery has been hard at work on the ground in and out of communities.

Representatives of the party have held hundreds of bottom house meetings and these must continue in realising the overarching macro thinking and establishment of a national partnership front, with the thematic goal

of “let’s do it together”.

Notwithstanding, this column advocates as a timely reminder of critical imperatives for all stakeholders that the 2020 elections strategy must be comprehensive and leave no stones unturned.

Considered focal areas must include: * Review of past strategies targeting the upgrade of more effective approaches regarding the undecided and first-time voters. * Testing what we do and its impact on what we want to achieve by community, constituency and regionally. * Leaders being aware of the peculiarities regarding specific constituencies in terms of numbers, voting patterns, demographic shifts, and new boundaries. * Conducting timely self-assessment in determining where we are to address areas for improvement and further attention. * Ensuring the involvement of every hard-core member; collaborating with the NDCs and civil supporters in advancing the understanding and message. * Managing for results, which is now becoming increasing relevant and important, especially after the NCM of December 2018.

Although the foregoing is not expansive, this column will address key elements in future articles. Nevertheless, the ‘power at all cost, regardless’ approach of the Granger cabal has been widely rejected and this time around, citizens are much more wary of their guile and proven deceitfulness. The PPP/C, however, must be smart and remain relevant in helping voters and citizens in identifying treachery. Let’s do it together!

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY JANUARY 5, 2020

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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

Congratulations to Mr Phillips Dear Editor, I extend congratulations to Brigadier (Ret’) Mark A Phillips, MSS, MSc on his selection and endorsement as the PPP/C’s prime ministerial candidate for the

March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

As a civic member of some standing, I welcome Mr Phillips to the fold and at the same time, I welcome Mr Hugh Todd and

the numerous other civic candidates that will appear on the PPP/C’s regional, geographical and national top-up lists.

I believe that Mr Phillips will play his role

and work arduously for a new wave of prosperity in Guyana in the next PPP/C Administration. The PPP/C team is stronger by these additions.

I have always advocat-

ed: “The part one plays can never be more important than the whole of which they are apart”.

We are stronger together. Welcome to the PPP/C’s family. Please accept best

wishes and assurances of the highest consideration from the Edghill family.

Respectfully, Juan Edghill

Anil Nandlall is a victim of political spite again

Dear Editor, Reference the Guyana Chronicle report of January 1, 2020, headlined, “Four to be conferred with ‘Silk’”, the article stated, inter alia: “Having considered their “high quality of service in the legal profession, and with confidence in their knowledge of the law, His Excellency Brigadier David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is pleased to announce the appointment of four long-serving legal practitioners as Senior Counsel with effect from January 1, 2020.

In January 2017 President Granger elevated nine legal luminaries to the status of Senior Counsel, proclaiming, inter alia: “… the title is not a personal favour, nor a political reward but rather it is conferred on the basis of merit and is uncontaminated by arbitrariness or capriciousness.”

“The conferral of the title – Senior Counsel – is a

proud tradition reserved for members of an honourable profession who have distinguished themselves as being “…learned in the law…. The honour of Senior Counsel…. is a professional badge that distinguishes attorneys of erudition, experience and expertise”.

Without fear of contradiction, I posit that Anil is more deserving of such an honour than any of the attorneys being so honoured on the basis of, in Granger’s words “high quality of service in the legal profession, and with confidence in their knowledge of the law”. Anil Nandlall has proven himself of exceptional merit in these areas – time and again.

None of the current crop of lawyers at the local bar did more cases that advanced the development of the law and jurisprudence in Guyana over the last decade than Anil, both as Attorney-General and in private practice, espe-

cially in areas of law never litigated in Guyana and the Caribbean - constitutional and public law; and Parliamentary law.

Anil’s writings on law and his contributions in law-making at the Parliament exceed those of any person in the fraternity of legal luminaries.

Current AG Basil Williams was made Senior Counsel, and he has been bested by his predecessor Anil Nandlall over and over again – in the courts and Parliament.

Instead of being cited and honoured for his remarkably outstanding achievements in jurisprudence, and his prolific contributions to law-making and documentation of legal affairs, which includes his voluminous writings on legal matters for the edification of the public and, even more importantly, his effecting the online chronicling of pertinent legal matters, including the laws of

the land online for easy access by the general public, he is being witch-hunted on accusations that have no merit, like most of his associates in the PPP/C. Granger’s sidelining Mohabir Anil Nandlall for professional honours can impel one to justifiably question the veracity of his assertion: “… the title is not a personal favour, nor a political reward but rather it is conferred on the basis of merit and is uncontaminated by arbitrariness or capriciousness.”

Granger’s ostensible conferring honours on legal luminaries on the basis of their being “…members of an honourable profession who have distinguished themselves as being learned in the law……. The honour of Senior Counsel…. is a professional badge that distinguishes attorneys of erudition, experience and expertise” shows his rhetoric is contradictory to his actions, which are seeming-

ly subjective to his personal prejudices, not befitting a President.

The crucifixion of political opponents by a vengeful Granger-led political cabal, which has unleashed a campaign of victimisation and demonisation – and oftentimes violent reprisals against PPP/C leaders, supporters, and even those employed by the state who served the nation under PPP/PPPC Administrations did not begin post-2015 elections, but is a continuum of destructive strategies over decades by any PNC construct/PNC-led coalition – in or out of office, and had its genesis in LFS Burnham’s ambitions and betrayal of trust of Dr Cheddi Jagan and the PPP family (see Jesse Burnham’s “Beware my brother Forbes”); and consequently the entire Guyanese nation, with the PNC’s X-13 Plan implemented in various creative ways through the corridors of our history

– and Granger was an integral part of the subsequent Burnham-led PNC governmental construct - the excessive, oppressive, destructive exploits of which are well-documented.

A Wikileaks revelation exposed contents of Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005, which stated, inter alia, “McDavid and Granger have reputations as ideologues and anti-East Indian racists.”

Despite token actions in efforts to eradicate this character analysis by the US State Dept, no one is fooled, and his actions since becoming President testify to this.

Granger’s actions, in and out of office also seemingly confirm the contentions documented in the Wikileaks revelations.

With regards, Parvati PersaudEdwards

Political parties must speak out against racists Dear Editor, Every political leader, every political party in Guyana has an absolute obligation to speak out and reject racists and racialism every time these persons or these incidents make their presence known. Racists and racialism are not new to Guyana, nor are such views unique to Guyana. But in just the past two weeks, there have been, at least, three obnoxious examples of racists and racialism in Guyana.

There was Pastor Kester Deane ascribing road accidents to the practice of Hinduism in Guyana. This was followed over the last few days by Professor Kean Gibson blaming suicide on Hinduism. In between, a known PNC activist incited people in Georgetown to prevent PPP activists from putting up flags and other PPP paraphernalia.

There are now 19 political groups expressing interest in contesting the March 2, 2020 General Elections.

One of these, APNU/AFC, the incumbent Government, is already a coalition of about seven political parties. This means nineteen political groups made up of more than 25 political parties want to contest the elections. In a country like Guyana, made up of different ethnic groups, diverse in our ethnic make-up, our cul-

ture, our religion and faith, it is of utmost importance that political parties promote racial and ethnic harmony, an environment of religious freedom and respect and a milieu where our diverse cultures are embraced and celebrated.

Other than the PPP and its leaders, everyone else has been conspicuously silent on these three incidents. Given the March 2 elections are only 59 days from now and that racial harmony is critical for Guyana, it is consequential if political parties and their leaders chose to be silent. Silence in these cases can only mean agreement. There is an obligation to speak out and reject these clearly racist sentiments.

After a horrific accident in Mahaicony, killing five people, Pastor Kester Deane urged Guyanese to “open their eyes” and see that the practice of Hinduism is responsible for the carnage on our roads. In 2019, road carnage resulted in the deaths of 125 Guyanese, as far as I know. Many hundreds survived with life-long disabilities and horrendous medical costs. Basically, not only was the pastor’s missive blaming Hinduism without any cause, he was inciting violence and race crimes. By circling the jhandi flags, it was a dog-whistle for non-Hindu Guyanese to violently remove these

flags and not to tolerate the open practice of Hinduism in Guyana.

Hindu and non-Hindu Guyanese citizens immediately openly rejected this racist ranting from Pastor Kester Deane. For once, the ERC acted immediately. Deane admitted his folly and openly apologised.

But almost immediately after, he recanted his apology.

The ERC has not followed up. But other than the PPP and its leaders, the other political parties, by their silence, gave Kester Deane a pass. None of them saw the need and the urgency to denounce such an outrageous statement. We cannot just vaguely preach national harmony, we must show the spine to speak out whenever we see incidences that are inimical to national unity and harmony. Some commentators dismissed Kester Deane and his racist ranting, insisting Deane is not important enough for people to bother.

But allowing such incidences a pass without denunciation and rebuke is what allows racism and religious intolerance to flourish. A few weeks before, there was rightful outrage when an East Indian student at UG expressed openly racist views relating to our Afro-Guyanese sisters and brothers. He was widely denounced, not only

by the PPP, but by other organisations, including APNU/AFC. The Ministry of Education took an active role. The ERC acted sternly.

UG rebuked the student.

The student apologised and has remained remorseful. This student is far less prominent than Kester Deane. None of the commentators thought this student deserved a pass. A nation acted, as it ought to.

But the Kester Deane incident exposes our double standard. Racism must not be tolerated, no matter who it comes from. I, therefore, call on David Granger and APNU/AFC, on all the other political parties to tell us their position on the Kester Deane incident. We have heard from the PPP. Will the other political parties show us their bona fide when it comes to national unity and cohesion? Their silence is deafening.

This past week, Professor Kean Gibson further embellished her anti-Hindu and racist credentials by blaming Hinduism for suicide deaths in Guyana. This is not her first anti-Hindu foray, of course. There are between 150 and 175 suicide deaths in Guyana. Persons of different religions have died from suicide in Guyana. Most of the suicide deaths in the Caribbean and in Latin America are not persons who practiced

the Hindu faith. Almost one million persons in the world died last year from suicide.

Most were not Hindus.

There are more than 20 million people around the world who survived suicide last year. Most are not Hindus. Yet a Professor, a trained academic, concludes that Hinduism is the cause of suicide. In fact, research has shown that Hinduism as a religion rejects suicide and teaches people that suicide is wrong. Professor Gibson proclaimed her bigotry.

Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP previously rejected Gibson’s disgusting diatribe and hate. I fully expect the PPP and its leaders will again unconditionally reject Gibson’s hate-filled theory. I expect every political party in Guyana will reject Gibson’s nonsense, just like the PPP has done.

Silence is sometimes the loudest voice. In this case, it is reprehensible for any political party to remain silent and to, in effect, agree with Gibson. I know where Irfaan Ali stands. I know where the PPP stands.

David Granger and his senior leadership in APNU/ AFC must unequivocally tell the Guyanese people they reject Gibson’s nonsense. Ramkarran, Badal, Shuman and the more than a dozen other leaders of political parties must not hes-

itate in rejecting unconditionally Gibson’s hate and religious and ethnic bigotry.

In between these two incidents, the racist bigotry of a PNC activist living in Brooklyn is inciting PNC/APNU/AFC activists.

In a FB missive, he urged the people of Georgetown to stop the PPP placing PPP flags on any structure in the city. He advocates for people to rip them up. He advocates for not tolerating any form of PPP campaign initiatives in Georgetown. In short, in his hateful mind, Georgetown belongs to the PNC. Moreover, in his twisted mind, the jhandi flags that Kester Deane is mad about are equivalent to the PPP flags, deeming them both pagan symbols.

Is this what Granger and APNU/AFC believe? Is this what Ramkarran, Badal, Shuman, Bandoo and others believe? Each of them has an obligation to tell the Guyanese people. Failing to speak out against any incident of racism and bigotry disqualifies any political party from being elected to lead Government. These are the latest racist examples.

Silence is not an option.

Only unequivocal rejection matters.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020

Page

Foundation

Parenting my teenage sons

…it's still a good time to set goals

10 daily rituals that help parents bond with young children

By Lee Bare PhD

T

oday’s the day for new starts. New year, new decade. A lot of discussion surrounding new year’s resolutions focuses on unrealistic expectations and fear of failure. There is concern that people set themselves up to fail when they have resolutions but resolutions also give us a focus as we enter a new year and try to live that year with intention. Talking to my sons and my family about resolutions and helping clients set resolutions over the years, I've developed an approach that tends to focus on what's important but also to be specifically related to what you can do.

An action plan for the year.

I’ve been thinking about my resolutions in different categories of my own life and wanted to share my personal resolutions for parenting my teenage boys through 2020 that, as a psychologist, I would argue could be adopted by all of you parenting teenage boys.

1) Promote regular exercise

There’s a reason exercise is a typical New Year’s resolution: it is crucial for physical health and mental health. For many teenage boys, sports are a natural way to incorporate exercise into their lives. Many boys, though, are not involved in or interested in sports so encouraging them to find ways to exercise can set up healthy habits that will help them manage stress and maintain physical health.

The options for exercise are many so help your teenage son find an option that suits him. My sons have typically been interested in some sports but not others and this changes over the years, with one teenager quitting a sport but this year, I will en-

courage movement and help my sons find a form of exercise that works for them.

2) Let him take some risks

Limit-setting is an important part of raising kids.

We want to keep them alive so we try to keep them as contained as we can. Once they become teenagers, though, we have to remember that even as adults we take risks and make mistakes so we have to be okay with our sons taking risks and making mistakes along the way. That is not to say I want him to do bad things but this year I will let my sons take some risks and trust that we are instilling them with values to help them make good decisions.

3) Spend time with him

Time is precious and I want to spend time with my sons. But I also know that forcing them to be in the same room with me does not equate quality time so it is up to me to find activities

that we can do together that are fun for us to do as a family. When I've worked with families of teenage boys or talked to other parents of teenage boys, they tend to say things like, "All he does is stay in his room and I don't know what he does all day." Parents seem shocked when I have recommended going into his room and asking what he is doing. I have learned a lot in the last year from listening to what my sons are interested in. This year I want to continue to learn from them, whether it is music or movies or hobbies or academic pursuits, and spend time getting to know their individual interests and doing activities that support these interests.

4) Keep communication lines open

Getting a teenage son to talk can be tricky and sometimes futile. Teenagers need to communicate and connect with their parents but often this does not occur on our timetable. It’s important to be available for those mo-

ments when he does want to talk. We can do this by being present with our sons, being okay with the quiet, but responding to those moments of openness. This year I will remember that I cannot make my son talk to me, but I can let him know I am here and keeping the lines of communication open and I will be here to listen.

5) Model healthy relationships

As a parent, I am realistic and know that my sons learn more from what I do then what I say. I can tell my sons how to approach friendships or romantic relationships but they are much more likely to watch how my husband and I interact or how we are with friends to learn lessons about how to nurture the relationship in their own lives. From time management to what we talk about, our sons are paying attention. This year I want to use my own relationships to provide a model for what healthy relationships look like in adulthood.

(Psychologytoday)

R

esearch suggests that positive parenting is associated with more positive school adjustment, healthy intellectual and social growth, and fewer behaviour problems as children get older. It is also a protective factor that helps shield children from various risks such as family stress or socioeconomic disadvantage.

A key aspect of positive parenting is “bonding,” achieved through simple acts of connecting with children. Bonding can be nurtured through touch, laughter, listening, positivity, sharing time or experiences, and having fun together.

Research has shown that if a young child feels secure with one parent, they will reap the benefits of more stable emotions and behaviour later in life. If you're close to your child, you'll feel happier too.

Here are some simple daily rituals that help parents bond with young children, each of which can be completed in 10 minutes or less: 1. Get down on the floor with kids and play what they want to play (whether dollhouse, Legos, catch, puppet show, or table tennis) for 10 minutes each day. Follow their lead.

2. Start the day positively. Give your child a hug and say “I love you so much” when he/she walks down the stairs each morning.

3. Provide children with 10 minutes at bedtime to tell you about the ups and downs of their day (review the day’s details to help them remember what they want to share).

4. Be playful with your child (through peek-a-boo, hide and seek, crazy song, dance party, gentle joking, reading a book in a silly way, etc.) at least once a day.

5. Catch your child being good at least 3 times a day. Aim for what the Gottman Institute calls the “magic ratio” of 5 positive interactions to every 1 challenging interaction to help your relationship thrive.

6. Play upbeat or relaxing music or sing to or with your child.

7. Get outside with your child at least once a day for 10 minutes.

8. Sit down at every dinner and eat beside your child.

Engage in friendly conversation.

9. Read children at least 3 books a day. Let them sit on your lap or cuddle next to you.

10. Give your child a role, a job, or a way to contribute each day (whether matching socks, unloading the dishwasher, passing out plates, or spraying and wiping a countertop).

(Psychologytoday)

NEWS

7

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Tuschen Chinese restaurant robbery

Dead bandit identified, policeman and others arrested

By Shemar Alleyne

O

ne of the five bandits in Friday night’s robbery on 5 Star Chinese Restaurant at Lot 695 Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) has been identified as Constable Jonathan Harry, who is attached to the Special Branch at Eve Leary, Georgetown.

His accomplices were Mark Prince, of no fixed place of abode — who was shot and killed— and Shaquille Wilbury, of Buxton, East Coast Demerara— who was shot and injured. He is currently receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

In addition, Jonathan Henry, 24, of East Ruimveldt, and Akande Ross, 20, of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara were also arrested and are assisting with the investigations.

Initial reports by the Police stated that Guang Hong Wang, 43, proprietor of the 5 Star Chinese Restaurant, and her husband operate the food establishment located in the lower flat the premises, while Navindra Lakahalall, 37, of Zeelugt New Housing, Scheme, EBE was a customer.

On the night in question, Lakahalall was in the restaurant when one of the male suspects and a female en-

The gun found in the getaway car

tered and purchased two beverages.

Soon after they consumed the beverages, they ordered a case of beers and in the process of Wang delivering same, the male suspect whipped out a handgun and relieved her of two cell phones and an undisclosed sum of cash.

He then turned his attention to Lakahalall and relieved him of one silver chain and an undisclosed sum of cash. In the height of the robbery, the three other suspects entered.

However, a licensed holder of a handgun who lives nearby heard the commotion and immediately went to investigate and was attacked by the armed suspect and another with a cutlass.

As such, he was forced to discharge several rounds in

their direction after which the suspects fled the premises in motor car PTT 8606 that was parked nearby, leaving their accomplice Prince, who was wounded at the scene.

The Police were contacted and the vehicle was intercepted at a roadblock on the public road in front of the Den Amstel Police Station.

At the time, the car had three occupants— one was in the backseat with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. He was questioned, arrested and taken to the GPHC, where he was admitted in stable condition.

An unlicensed pistol with an empty magazine was found in the vehicle along with an undisclosed sum of cash and cellular phones.

However, Prince, who was at the scene in a motionless state, was shot to the

neck and died on the spot. A cutlass was in his right hand and a haversack was on his back.

He was escorted to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A search on his person revealed $130,000.

At the scene on Saturday, the homeowner recalled the horrific incident to Guyana Times.

“I was in Georgetown last night and I came back shortly after eight… As I entered my side of the house, I called out to my wife and son and they were apparently asleep, so I proceeded to take out my food and I sat down at the table. I heard a male voice in

that hour. The Chinese woman was telling the person something about money and it was then I realised that something was amiss”.

According to him, he went to investigate and it was then he was attacked by one of the men with a cutlass.

“I picked up my firearm and when I went around and I peep in and I called for her one male leaned out of the room with a gun and I fired a shot at him and took cover. The other start shouting kill that man! Kill that man!! And one of them approached me by the door but I was alert… He fired a chop and I shot him maybe once or twice…he fell to the ground,”

The money and other items found on captured bandits

the apartment next door and I found it strange since the Chinese usually communicate in their language and at

the licensed firearm holder explained.

The man immediately contacted the Police but

Dead bandit: Mark Prince

while doing so, he went in pursuit of the getaway car.

“The Police set up a roadblock at Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara (WCD) and it was that which lead to the arrest of the men in the motorcar bearing registration number PTT 8606”.

Monica, a young waitress at the restaurant, told Guyana Times that the male and female came into the establishment and purchased two bottles of beer.“I was at the back cleaning up because it was time for me to go home, so I hear someone called for two beer so I come out and I sell the two beer and they deh sit down and then I go back and then they called for a case beer so I come and packed the beer and went back inside. I gave the Chinese girl the case with the beer and it was then the men carried out the attack.”

Meanwhile, Police are on the hunt for the female accomplice who escaped from the scene.

PPP/C set to launch “Stronger Together for a Better Guyana”...

Some of the plans outlined include the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on key areas such as electricity, water and healthcare, among other things.

Also high on the Party’s agenda is the reversal and/ or reduction of the over 200 tax measures imposed by the coalition Administration – such as on building materials, on data, and exports.

The Party also outlined that it will reverse the VAT on farming, mining and forestry equipment, which has caused untold difficulties for farmers, miners and those in the forestry sector.

Additionally, the PPP, in its 2020 elections manifesto, has promised that if elected to office, it would advance constitutional reform with the input of the citizens themselves. The PPP/C has also promised that should it return to office, the restoration of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is high on its agenda.

The Party also noted some concrete measures they will pursue, including establishing an International Centre of Excellence for Biological Diversity. According to the

PPP/C, this centre will promote cutting-edge research, while developing and exporting educational services.

They also promised that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would have its capacity built to provide enhanced regulation. In addition, the National System of Protected Areas would also be enhanced.

According to the PPP, steps would also be taken to decarbonise the transport sector by implementing a mixture of ethanol into vehicles to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Other measures the Party touted were renewable energy technologies and providing incentives for biomass-to-energy projects.

The Party promised it would also provide grants for start-

up businesses for renewable and recycling projects.

Another measure the Party promised was to implement a National Land Use policy for residential and commercial interests, as well as establishing an inter-agency mechanism for coordination between the forestry, mining, agriculture, settlements and infrastructure sector.

FROM PAGE 3

8 NEWS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Chief Magistrate recuses self from Essequibo businessman’s murder PI

T

he preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder of Essequibo businessman Deon Stoll will not be heard before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, following her recusal from the proceeding last week.

The Chief Magistrate based her recusal on the fact that she is a serving colonel within the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), which may

Stoll, called “Mow”, a miner who hailed from Charity, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) but resided in Bel Air, Georgetown, was shot and killed during the course of a robbery outside of El Dorado Trading at Da Silva Street, Newtown Kitty on October 14, 2019.

Following investigations, a total of eight persons were

Keith McKenzie were all charged with accessory after the fact.

The 44-year-old businessman succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) moments after being shot more than once.

Reports are that the businessman had arrived at the El Dorado Trading at about 10:20h on October 14, 2019,

Charged: Shane “Demon” Morgan, also known as Delon Morgan

Charged: Steve Rollox

Charged: Alonzo Dos Santos

Charged: Wayne St Hill

charged in connection with the murder.

Those slapped with the indictable offence were Shane “Demon” Morgan, also known as Delon Morgan; Roberto Sankar; Wayne St Hill and Steve Rollox.

Odessa “Baby” St Hill, Alonzo Dos Santos, Duncan “Blackboy” Vanvield, and

and as he was about to exit the car, two gunmen who arrived in a white car opened fire on him and his driver, Clayton Powley.

A review of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed that Stoll was sitting in the front passenger seat of motorcar PPP 6727, being driven by Powley.

A white Toyota motorcar with tinted windows, which had appeared to be trailing Stoll’s vehicle, also stopped across the road from the business place seconds later.

Stoll had earlier visited a business place on Sheriff Street, from where he had collected an undisclosed sum of cash.

spark a conflict of interest since one accused, Alonzo Dos Santos, is a doctor and serving member of the GDF. As such, Chief Magistrate McLennan further remanded the accused and transferred the matter to Senior Magistrate Leron Daly. The matter was adjourned for January 27, 2020.

Exposing…

T Killed: Deon Stoll

Exhibits in former GRDB accountant’s trial go missing

S

everal exhibits to be used as evidence during the trial of former accountant of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Peter Ramcharran could not be found last week when the case resumed at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate McLennan.

Upon resumption of the matter, Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes appeared on behalf of Ramcharran, who was previously represented

by Attorney Sase Gunraj.

Nevertheless, the hearings proceeded with the continuation of defence witness Leslie Veerasammy’s testimony.

However, when a request was made to have the witness identify exhibits, the

Chief Magistrate subsequently ordered a short adjournment. On resuming, the court was informed that the evidence material could not be found.

As such, the matter was adjourned and set for January 6, 2020, when another witness will be called to give evidence.

Ramcharran was slapped with 39 fraud charges in March 2019, after being extradited from Canada.

The Chief Magistrate is dealing with 22 of the cases, while Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus will preside over the 17 charges of keeping fraudulent accounts.

Particulars of the first five charges allege that between the years 2011 and 2015, Ramcharran, while being the accountant of

Charged: Peter Ramcharran

GRDB, failed to enter some $414 million in the GRDB’s ledger.

Ramcharran was slapped with 17 other charges which allege that he, along with former General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Jagnarine Singh and his deputy, Madanlall Ramraj, omitted entries into the company’s ledger.

The charges allege that Ramcharran failed to enter true entries of over $4.2 million into the company’s ledger, knowing that it was

contrary to standard operating procedures between 2011 and 2012, at the company’s Lot 16-17 Cowan Street, Kingston head office.

The other charges allege that Ramcharran along with Singh and Ramraj fraudulently took $5.1 million or used the sum for their own use and benefit, or any use and purpose other than that of the GRDB. The matters are being prosecuted by Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Prosecutor, Patrice Henry.

…PNC’s hypocrisy and mendacity he PNC launched their campaign at D’Urban Park and it was a pathetic exercise on so many fronts. Let’s take Granger’s “vision” for Guyana, in general, and his constituency in particular. Back on Emancipation Day of 2018 – before the NCM knocked him for a loop! – he said he was speaking from his heart and was going to give some tough love to the folks gathered at BV. Said he: “Do not be wicked and slothful, go out and use your talent to enrich yourselves and your children that is economic emancipation. No matter how much we sing and dance in the final analysis, our lives will be determined by how we make our living. If we make our living by hanging around the corner and liming at the Guinness Bar, we will be forever poor but if we go into our farm, go into our workshop, go into our schools, we will be able to bring prosperity.”

Though criticised by some, many felt that in offering these home truths, the youths, especially who frequent the “Guinness Bars” and whiled away their time with “wine, women and song”, might be encouraged to put their shoulders to the wheel and prepare themselves for the new economy that beckons. But now that he was exposed in the aftermath as willing to hold on to power by any means necessary – including making a mockery of the Constitution! – he turned the launching of his party’s elections into the biggest party in town!!

It was the Guinness Bar so large that the revelry could be heard all the way in Mc Doom!!!!

The launch was the classic “bread and circus” of the Roman Emperors to keep the masses distracted from their lives of quiet desperation. To rub in the point, Granger’s grand entrance before the extravaganza was every bit as ostentatious as Nero arriving to amuse the aforementioned masses by throwing in, for good measure, some “state enemies” to the lions!! In this case, the enemy, of course, was the PPP! Another bit of hypocrisy was Ramjattan’s boast about their coalition being the best vehicle for inclusivity when the PNC didn’t even give him the courtesy of confirming that he was their Prime Ministerial candidate!! He was introduced simply as the “AFC Leader”!! Can Ramjattan say if he is or isn’t the PM candidate? Is this too much to ask after all the fuss he created about getting the job as a condition for the coalition??

Ramjattan also promised a bridge across the Essequibo River!! Five years ago they promised one across the Demerara River.

All we got was a $153M bill for a sole-sourced plan, which was promptly junked!!

…PNC’s mendicancy If it’s embarrassing to see grown men cry for votes, it’s even worse to see them begging on their knees.

And that’s what dominated the speeches – and even the songs – at the PNC campaign launch!! Now it’s not as these men took vows of poverty like the monks of yore and became professional mendicants going from door to door for scraps to survive. In fact, their very first act upon sliding into office was to give themselves a 50% raise on an already generous salary scale.

But maybe THAT fact explains the abject begging we witnessed at D’Urban Park: they don’t want to lose the big bucks, perks and especially those outriders!!

And most of all, the opportunity to stick their hands under the table for businessmen they MUST meet face to face!! From the opening calypsonian pleading for the audience to “Give David some more time” to Granger grovelling, “We ask you for five more years to complete what we have started”, it was a river of tears!!

But the people know it’s crocodile tears!! …PNC’s antidemocratic nature Calling it “nonsense”, Granger vowed to remove the NCM from the Constitution. Never mind it’s a cornerstone of parliamentary governance.

It gives the peoples’ representatives the power to remove a tyrannical government!!

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

NEWS

9

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MoPI pays company $500M for construction of D’Urban Park

ꟷ cannot account for money collected from businesses

T

he Auditor General’s (AG) 2018 report is out and among its revelations is the fact that the Public Infrastructure Ministry gave $500 million of taxpayers’ money to a private company for the construction of D’Urban Park, then could not account to the Audit Office for how the money was spent.

In fact, the audit report says that when the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Kenneth Jordan, was asked whether the Ministry checked on how the company, Homestretch Development Incorporated (HDI), used the money, the Audit Office was told that “the Ministry was not involved” in the company’s operations.

“The amount of $500 million as paid to HDI in 2017 by the Ministry to enable HDI to meet its obligations to its creditors. However, there was no documentation attached to the payment vouchers to indicate the works done, supervisory checks carried out on the works, as well as certification that the works were satisfactorily completed.”

“Only the list of HDI creditors and Government’s proposed payment allocation to each creditor was attached to the payment vouchers. In the circumstances, the correctness, accuracy and validity of the payments made could not be determined,” the Auditor

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

General said.

This would raise serious questions over whether the construction of the facility, which has had problems with the poor structural quality of the stands and shoddy workmanship, actually cost the $1.150 billion that has been claimed.

Public funds for the project was scrapped from multiple avenues by the Government.

According to the audit report, the $500 million paid to HDI in 2017 came from the funds budgeted to the Ministry for Infrastructural Development. A further $28.2 million came from the money for the maintenance of other infrastructure.

In 2016, a further $60.3 million was pulled from the money allocated for infrastructural development. In addition, $118.1 million was pulled from the money allocated to the Ministry for the maintenance of roads.

The Government also withdrew two sets of monies totalling over $400 million from the Contingency Fund, which is supposed to only be used for emergency purposes.

However, over $70 million in payment vouchers were not presented to the Audit Office.

And in 2015, $36.5 million was withdrawn from the Lotto Fund to fund D’Urban Park. According to the Auditor General, however, no payment vouchers were presented to his auditors for this transaction.

“The Audit Office wrote the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Infrastructure on 19 July 2018 requesting documentation detailing the works done, supervisory checks of the said works, as well as certification that works were satisfactorily completed. The Head of Budget Agency explained that the Ministry was not involved in the operations of HDI.” “Hence, it did not have any information detailing supervisory checks or their methodology of determining that works were satisfactorily completed… Payment vouchers to support expendi-

ture totalling $107.119 million were not produced for audit examination. As such, the completeness, accuracy, and validity of this amount could not be determined,” the Audit Office also stated.

It added, however, that as of September 2019, new documents were being perused by the office.

It was Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman and now Presidential hopeful Irfaan Ali, who had previously requested further probing be done by Auditor General Deodat Sharma into D’Urban Park. This was after revelations that millions in Lotto Funds were sunk by the Government into the project.

But the audit into the D’Urban Park Project has always been hindered by a lack of access to pertinent information, with the Audit Office being forced to write to the Public Infrastructure Ministry requesting documents.

Controversy surrounding the D’Urban Park Project exploded when it was revealed to the public that former Public Service Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine sat as a Director of a secret company, which was supposedly established to collect funds from private companies to develop the Jubilee Park.

But while the public is still in the dark about how much private donations HDI received for the project, there

is no doubt that over a billion in public funds was used in the controversial project.

Additionally, Opposition parliamentarian Juan Edghill has been behind efforts to have the Public Procurement Commission investigate the D’Urban Park Project. In a letter to the Commission’s Chairperson, Carol Corbin, Edghill had identified aspects of the Project the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was most concerned about.

The Opposition had noted that despite promises to the contrary, no account of donations received be-

Public Infrastructure Ministry Permanent Secretary, Kenneth Jordan

D’Urban Park served as the launchpad for APNU/AFC’s election campaign only on Friday, even as the project remains embroiled in controversy

tween September 2015 and January 2016 was made public. It, therefore, queried the procurement process used for works on the project.

The scope a private company has to engage contractors and receive funding for a public project also came

into question. The party queried the budgeted and actual cost throughout the project, as well as the final cost.

In addition, the party had demanded information on what payments were made to individuals and contractors.

Prison raids unearth dozens of improvised weapons, other contraband

R

anks of the Joint Services on Saturday conducted a series of searches at the New Amsterdam and Mazaruni Prisons in addition to the holding bays at the Lusignan Prison, and found a number of prohibited items.

Police, in a statement, said that some 23 cellular phones, 16 phone chargers, 7 earpieces, 6 smoking utensils, 3 SIM cards, 1 memory card, 27 metal spoons, 2 metal plates, 48 lighters, a quantity of razor blades and construction nails, six batteries, a quantity of small-sized ziplock bags, 6 grams of cannabis, 1 pack bamboo, 2 pairs

of scissors, one glass bottle, four bottles of locally made wine, a quantity of wires, 1 speaker, 1 whistle, 1 screwdriver, three mirrors, three nail clippers, one tweezer, one grater, one bottle nail polish, 10 empty tins, and 28 improvised weapons.

The searches were conducted between 05:0010:40h and involved a total of 138 ranks.

Just Friday, the swift response by members of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) thwarted a plot by several inmates to break out of the Camp Street penitentiary.

Sometime after 10:00h

on Friday, Prison Service personnel became aware of an attempt by some inmates to break out of the jail.

Emergency alerts were sent out and ranks of both the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) responded.

Prisons Director Gladwyn Samuels confirmed that the incident took place, stating that he, along with other ranks, were interacting with prisoners in the security block of the Georgetown prison when they observed that several bars of a cell had been cut and secured with cloth.

According to a press re-

lease from Samuels, the Heads of Joint Services were alerted and the immediate search operation revealed that bars of another cell had also been cut. In addi-

tion, several hacksaw blades were discovered during the search.

The GPS Director pointed out that Safrei Alexander, an escapee from the July

9, 2017, prison break and Ryan Jones, who is serving a 28-year prison sentence for manslaughter, are reportedly the masterminds in the escape bid.

10 NEWS Bank of Guyana overdraft now over $75B SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 arrested after Corriverton man stabbed to death

ꟷ despite IMF warning Govt to settle balance

G

eneral and Regional Elections are creeping closer and closer and the central bank’s overdraft of public funds keeps increasing in size— with the latest figures from the Bank of Guyana showing an overdraft of over $75 billion.

According to the Bank of Guyana’s statement of Assets and Liabilities, the bank had a negative balance of $76.8 billion as of November 12, 2019. This is a situation that can lead to revenues, in particular, the oil revenues, being diverted.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned about this situation since 2018, writing in its 2018 staff report that: “Staff reiterated and stressed the importance of settling these balances at the central bank, which the authorities agreed to do in the short-term through the issuance of Treasury Bills”.

Public deposits at the central bank were plunged into overdraft status back in 2015 when the new coalition government ended the year with a $2.3 billion overdraft. When the Government took over in

May 2015, they had met public deposits of approximately $10.4 billion.

By 2016 year-end, the overdraft had grown to approximately $21.3 billion, after a year of increasing withdrawals. At the end of the 2017 fiscal year, the overdraft had reached 25.7 billion.

In contrast, Bank of Guyana data shows that the bank’s public deposits were in the positive – $21.4 billion to be precise – at the end of 2014. In 2013, the bank’s deposits were $52.1 billion. And the preceding year, the funds were approximately $57.2 billion.

While the drawdown on funds started under the previous administration, public deposits were built up to over $69 billion in the year 2010. Far from being built up under the current government, they have never been able to rise above the red.But with the coming oil revenue and the extra case it brings, Government has not appeared too worried about filling fiscal holes.

It was previously reported that Finance Minister Winston Jordan when asked about replenishing the fallen foreign reserves,

had said there was nothing to worry about with oil money coming in.

Jordan had said that with the revenue the Government is expecting from first oil in 2020, the foreign reserves will be replenished. Since he made those comments in September, Exxon and its partners have started pumping oil since last year.

“That is just a temporary situation, given our receipts that come in next year,” Jordan said. “And then subsequent to that.

One of the reasons you have savings is that if you have need to use some, you do that and afterwards you replenish it as you pick up again.”

“So essentially, I don’t know that people have to make an alarm over it.

Imports are coming into the country, the exchange rate is relatively there, notwithstanding all the pressure on the regime itself.”

“Despite all of that, we are still there. It would be something of a concern if we didn’t have on the horizon foreign exchange coming to replenish, stabilise and grow (the fund),” Jordan had said.

The area where the body was found lying on Friday evening

T

wo persons are in custody after a porter was stabbed to death on Friday evening in Corriverton, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Dead is Lochan Persaud Kamaldeo, called “Tyie”, formally of Queenstown, Corriverton. He lived at the Corriverton Market and was a watchman for roadside stallholders. During the day, he worked as a porter.

His body was found in a pool of blood on Friday evening.

Based on reports received, his body was found in a curled position with a wound to the left side chest.

He was picked up and taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Vendors at the market told Guyana Times that the now-dead man was put out of his home by his relatives who then locked the house and migrated. He has since been living in the market and was a very friendly person.

His demise came as a shock to many of them.

Bibi Dean, a vendor, said that she heard about the unfortunate incident at about 22:00h on Friday evening. She immediately went to the scene but his body was already removed. As she visited the hospital, she saw him lying on a stretcher with blood oozing from his neck.

“He was a good person to me and he does work with everybody in the market. He is very helpful and

would come around and check on us during the day.”

At the time of the incident, venders were not around. However, the Police have been able to gather some information and two men were taken into custody and are assisting with information.

Dean said she is of the opinion that one person could not have overpowered Kamaldeo. He was very strong, she said.

“He was a tough guy but not a person to get into fights. He was a good person. He would watch over everybody stall and everybody would pay him so he does make his ends meet.”

The body is currently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a Post-Mortem Examination.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Being the PM candidate is a “great honour”– Mark Phillips ...says he identifies with PPP/C's vision for Guyana

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ewly-selected Prime Ministerial (PM) candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) retired Brigadier Mark Phillips is counting his selection as a great honour, as he promises dedicated service to the people.

In a statement after the PPP Central Committee would have endorsed him, Phillips noted that his selection was both an honour and a privilege. He also made it clear that he is in support of the PPP’s vision for the development of Guyana.

When it comes to PPP Presidential Candidate and former Housing Minister Dr Irfaan Ali, Phillips emphasised that he wholeheartedly supports him.

And he urged everyone to

remain focused on the big picture.

“I identify with the party’s vision for Guyana and I wholeheartedly support our Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali. As we embark on this journey together, be assured of my continued service to all the people of Guyana. Let us be steadfast and let us always remain focused,” Phillips said in his statement.

Phillips emerged as the consensus candidate on Friday after the withdrawal of another contender, Bishop Juan Edghill. It is understood that Edghill wrote the party to withdraw his nomination, after which the Central Committee endorsed Phillips.

In his letter, Edghill had described his withdrawal from consideration

Histories for healing, not fighting

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PPP Prime Ministerial candidate, Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips

as a move of strategic value. He had said in his letter that he remained committed to the party, a point the PPP itself reinforced in a statement it put out afterwards.

In the statement, the PPP lauded the Bishop and his contributions and made it clear that Edghill, who served as a Junior Finance Minister under former President Donald Ramotar’s administration, would play a key role should the party win power in the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

Hugh Todd, a University of Guyana lecturer who had also been cited as a possible Prime Ministerial candidate, threw his support behind Phillips. In a Facebook post, Todd congratulated Phillips and urged supporters to back the Ali-Phillips ticket.

“Brigadier Phillips has my full support as we work towards restoring democracy and putting Guyana back on a pathway towards prosperity. March 2 is another critical juncture in our political history. Let us support the Ali-Phillips ticket as they lead us to a March 2 PPP/C victory,” Todd said in his post.

Phillips served as Chief of Staff of the GDF from 2013 to 2016. He previously attended the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst in the United Kingdom and was Guyana’s non-resident Military attaché to Venezuela. Phillips is also the holder of a Master’s Degree in Public Sector Management.

Elections are due March 2, 2020… one year and two months after the No Confidence Motion was passed against the Government. Nomination day is meanwhile scheduled for January 12 and will potentially see as many as 19 parties participating.

ast week, I started to look back at events that occurred at the end of the second decade of the 20th century, when there were initiatives to launch a “Colonisation Scheme” to bring additional labour to Br Guiana in light of the ending of indentureship in 1917 and a “labour shortage” in the sugar industry. Before continuing, I would like to offer a perspective which I have expressed before on my histological perspective in doing so.

Histories, after all, are always written within a particular “space of experience” – the ways that the past is remembered in the present and a “horizon of expectation” – the anticipation of the non-yetknown future beyond the horizon. A history of our present, in the words of the anthropologist David Scott, demands that “histories of the past ought to be interventions in the present, strategic interrogations of the present’s norms as a way of helping us to glimpse the Ravi Dev possibilities for an alternative future.”

I was looking back from a present that is once again fraught with the potential for conflict between the two major groups that have competed for political power since the end of indentureship when it dawned on some leaders that the demographics would be a major determinant in that arena.

Indians were a plurality and if immigration from India were resumed they could form a majority. As I pointed out last week, this was the beginning of the manifestation of the Indian and African Security dilemmas.

Eric Philips had brought up the subject in December 2014 and then again in Dec 2019: in both instances, this was months before general elections. There were two points I wanted to make: firstly, that Mr Philips had elided the fact that the Colonisation Scheme has included recruitment of new labour from not only India but Africa and the West Indies. In fact, while there was no subsequent immigration from Africa, immigrants from the West Indies between 1920 and 1928 totalled 1727 persons of African origin, while in the same period, there were 607 from India.

The second was what should be our “horizon of expectation?

I am suggesting that with the privilege of hindsight, we should connect the past with the present in a broader narrative that is healing rather than destructive? We cannot change the past, but we can certainly change the future. Our horizon of expectation must generate strategies that speak to those normative ends rather than further dividing us. They must ask whether their particular narrative that seeks to connect our past to the present and envision a more positive future that delivers those normative ends.

Our problem space today is different from our postindependence era: the demographics now deny any built-in ethnic majority and so opens up the possibilities of a working democracy. A constructive narrative cannot then picture our opposing groups locked forever in mortal combat. Crucial to the formulation of a constructive narrative would be what Hayden White labelled the “content of the form” of the narrative – particularly its plot to link past, present and future.

Hegel’s famous interpretation of Antigone as the paradigmatic Greek tragedy might be particularly apt to our situation. In this narrative, both “sides” are morally right. The conflict is not between good and evil but between “goods” on which each is making an exclusive claim. Isn’t this the situation that our mutually exclusive narratives of victimhood with its facile binary oppositions have delivered us into? In Guyana, Africans, Indians and Amerindians are all “right”. Such employment within a narrative, I am suggesting, should suggest compromise rather the than a battle of one side overcoming.

That would be a constructive narrative for our time, place and circumstances.

In noting the importance of narratives in the task of nationbuilding, Benedict Anderson has identified the importance of newspapers that are read every morning in constructing what he has tellingly labelled “Imagined Communities”: “The significance of this mass ceremony – Hegel observed that newspapers serve modern man as a substitute for morning prayers – is paradoxical. It is performed in silent privacy, in the lair of the skull. Yet each communicant is well aware that the ceremony he performs is being replicated simultaneously by thousands (or millions) of others of whose existence he is confident, yet of whose identity he has not the slightest notion.”

Let us use our newspapers for nation-building rather than tearing it apart by narratives that are fighting long-gone terrors.

12 NEWS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden home, grocery shop destroyed by fire – family of 7 homeless, seeks public assistance to rebuild

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Wisroc, Linden family is now trying to put the pieces of their lives back together, after their home was completely ravaged by a fire of unknown origin on Thursday afternoon.

The Phase 1B Wisroc home and grocery shop belonging to Dionne Hope and her husband went up in flames shortly before 13:00h on the day in question.

The family of seven was unable to salvage any items from the home or the shop which was housed in the bottom flat of the building.

At the time of the fire, the proprietress was at home along with three children while the other two were at her husband’s relatives visiting overseas guests.

In relating the events leading up to the fire, the woman explained that after packing some items into her shop, she ventured to the backyard to feed her livestock.

She recalled that she was being assisted by her 2-yearold son to feed the pigs when she realised that something was amiss.

“I cannot say exactly what would have transpired inside of the house because I was in the back of the yard looking after my pigs...

During the process of washing the pen, I noticed smoke.

So, I said in me mind, ‘who was the person that, you

da looking out towards the road. So I ran to the side of the house shouting for ‘fire!’.

Then is when they actually realised that there was fire in the home then they came downstairs”, the woman

after doing so, the entire house had gone up in flames.

The woman noted that she and her husband had only celebrated their wedding anniversary on January 1. The family is currently

isations to assist in whatever way possible so that they can begin to rebuild their lives from the tragedy.

“We need every help because we lost everything”, Hope posited. Persons de-

The house engulfed in flames on Thursday

know, light fire with a tire?’.

Because it [the smoke] was really black. I wasn’t even expecting to actually look at my house and realise that well it was there it was coming from, because I wasn’t cooking. So I just decided to just turn to see exactly where it was coming from.

When I turned around, I see my roof in flames and the

smoke was coming through the back-bedroom window”, the distraught woman explained.

Without hesitation, she dropped the water hose and ran to the side of the house and raised an alarm.

“My husband’s old cousins were upstairs. The lady was, I think sleeping and the man was on the veran-

The aftermath of the fire that left seven homeless

went on to state.

She further related that she then assisted the elderly woman, who is partially immobile in getting downstairs and away from the flames.

She, nevertheless, managed to remove her motorcar but

staying at a friend’s house at Kara Kara, Linden.

Meanwhile, persons in the community are organising a relief effort in order to assist the family. The family is also appealing to the various agencies and organ-

sirous of making monetary donations can do so through Republic Bank account number 5293311 or the family can be reached via telephone number 602-5648.

(Utamu Belle)

GPOC recognises retired staff for contributions made

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he Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) recently honoured seven former employees for their contribution and dedication to the entity over the years.

Chairman of the Corporation, Reverend Dr M R Massiah, while addressing the gathering, noted that the corporation must give credence to the workers for their efforts while noting that the corporation is standing today upon their shoulders because of the foundation they have laid.

The retirees honoured were Abdul Hassan, Jacqueline Walcott, Mohamed Ishak, Clifton Moore, Balkaran Kissoon, Janice Wilburg and Robert

Brian Adams.

The retirees were presented with tokens of appreciation. In expressing their gratitude, Abdul Hassan, retired Deputy Postmaster General encouraged the corporation to call upon them whenever the need arises.

“Although I am home, I am still part of the Post Office, I still remember the Post Office,” he added.

Clifton Moore shared some of his memories at the Post Office and expressed gratitude for the gesture of the Board of Directors and Management.

“It is mostly because of all of the officers that are here with me and some who are not here. And the only reason that is so is that the

Post Office has people with integrity,” he related.

Jacqueline Walcott, who retired as Chief Postmaster, said she found her service to the Post Office a desire despite the challenges and struggles she faced during her reign.

Moreover, she added that she is grateful for the exposure and opportunities garnered, “I was able to see people from all walks of life and that caused me to see life in a very different and more meaningful way,” she outlined.

Retired Postmaster General Edward Noble, Noel Phillips, Henry Dundas, and retired Assistant Postmaster General Leslie Camacho were also in atten-

Retirees and the Board of Directors

dance at the ceremony.

Edward Noble shared some warm memories of the origin of the corporation and his participation.

“All my life I lived at the Post Office because my father was a Postmaster, so I do appreciate the effort the people put in at the Post

Office. But more so, the Post Office was responsible for not only the economic development of the people but for the country,” he related.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2019 sugar production GWI conducted 28 well drillings in 2019 calls for serious …announces acquisition of 2 drill rigs examination – GAWU A T

he Guyana Sugar C o r p o r a t i o n (GuySuCo) has been lambasted by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) in regards to its 2019 sugar production and its plans for 2020.

The Union related that the statement issued by GuySuCo has confirmed the initial position that production would not surpass the 100,000 tonnes.

“The proof is now in the pudding and sugar production that the industry’s two largest and most efficient

The sugar company said that the Second Crop production was closed on December 21, 2019, with 1981 hectares that could not be harvested and will be carried over to the First Crop of 2020.

As a result of this, a further shortfall was recorded with in excess of 80,000 tonnes of cane from Albion, 60,000 tonnes of cane from Blairmont and 11,000 tonnes of cane from Uitvlugt were not harvested, but GAWU is of the

ceived in 2018 should have been utilised to safeguard sugar production and the jobs of the remaining thousands of sugar workers.

In fact, SPU’s Head

mong the many goals achieved by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) in 2019, the utility company has announced that it managed to drill 28 wells across the country, with 16 of those being established in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

At an end-of-year press briefing, GWI’s Managing Director Dr Richard Van West-Charles labelled the achievement as “historic”.

“In 2016, there were four wells drilled, in 2017, six wells drilled, in 2018 nine wells drilled and in 2019, 28 wells drilled. Never before

Social Protection Minister Amna Ally and Managing Director of GWI Dr Richard Van West-Charles at the commissioning of the Kaicumbay Water Supply System

Comparison of 2019 production with what the three currently operable estates realised in 2015

units have fallen drastically since 2015. The GuySuCo may well argue that the un-harvested canes could have resulted in higher production. This explanation we treat with a pinch of salt. That reality is that even if all the canes were harvested, production in 2019 would still have been lower than what was produced by the three estates in 2015,” GAWU stated.

The industry, according to its 2019 first crop production report, revealed would produce 107,023 tonnes of sugar as against 110,273 tonnes of sugar produced in 2015, but it was noted that a total of 92,246 tonnes of sugar was sold in the local, regional and international markets.

strong belief that if it was harvested, the company still would not meet its targeted amount.

“Uitvlugt is the only estate that has moved forward, at the same time, we contend, that production at that estate ought to have been higher. Just a few weeks ago, we disclosed that the estate was not having all canes harvested sent to the factory for processing. Images and reports from workers informed that tonnes of canes were left in fields which were mechanically loaded,” GAWU further added.

GuySuCo has repeatedly cried about lack of financing for its operations. However, the GAWU has stated that the $30 billion bond it re-

Colvin Heath-London had accused GuySuCo of not being forthcoming with information on how the $7.420 billion disbursement from the bond was used, something which he said is proving problematic for bondholders.

N e v e r t h e l e s s , Agriculture Minister Noel Holder on August 21, 2015, boasted that the sugar industry will be able to recover.

“GuySuCo will recover and 2015 will mark a turning point in the performance of GuySuCo,” Holder had stated. But with that being said, the sugar industry has continued to struggle with over 7000 sugar workers being sent home.

A graph displaying first-time access to potable water and wells drilled over the last four years

in the history of this country has there been this type of experience in terms of drilling wells to supply water to our citizens,” he explained.

Over 5000 residents living in various communities within Region Nine, the country’s largest region,

were able to access potable water for the first time.

Some of these Indigenous communities included Aishalton, Nappi, Parishara, Aranaputa, Shulinab, Meriwau, Yupukari, Lethem and Moco Moco. Other wells were also excavated in Kamwatta, Whitewater

and Baramita in Region One (Barima-Waini) among several other hinterland communities Additionally, Dr VanWest Charles highlighted that the company is aiming to achieve 100 per cent potable water access in 2020, as they have already procured two state-of-the-art drill rigs that will be arriving soon.

“We were able to procure two state-of-the-art rigs which will arrive next month, one for the hinterland region and one for the coast…This places GWI in a different position in that we have greater capabilities of drilling wells in the hinterland and on the coast.”

The drill rigs are equipped with backhoes, trucks, water tankers, 11 canters, 2 pickups and other equipment.

Republic Bank refunds account management charges

Raul Jerrick heads GDF’s promotion list

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uyana Defence Force Lt Colonel Raul Jerrick has topped the Force’s promotions to the rank of Colonel when the announcements were made on January 1, 2020.

Jerrick was the only person to be promoted to that rank.

In the release, the GDF said a total of 818 officers and ranks have been promoted. Of that amount, 25 of the officers are from the regular Force while 10 are reserve officers with the remaining promotions being other ranks.

The promotions were done by President David Granger according to Part III Section 16 of the Defence Act 15:01 of 1977. The promotions would have taken effect from January 1, 2020.

Apart from Jeerick to Colonel, Capt Andre

Colonel Raul Jerrick

Cush, Kevaun Gray, Fidel Fredericks, Marvin Simpson, Kevin Moore, Damon Joseph, Keith Watts and Edmond Blair were promoted to Major.

Lieutenant Ekundayo Jeffery, Shurlan Klass, Jamaine Lovell, Sherwin Collins, Marvin Dey, Godwin Cameron, Akeem

Kirton, Wavon Samuels, Stacey Codogan, Godfrey Isaacs, Seon Abrams and Carlos Jordan were promoted to Captain.

Those promoted to Substantive Lieutenant were Kevin Sultan, Joshua Walcott and Brandi Johnson.

In the Coast Guard Division, Lieutenant Czerda Frank was promoted to Substantive Lieutenant (CG).

Those from the Guyana Defence Force Reserve (Guyana People’s Militia) promoted to Substantive Captain were Lieutenant Shawn Legall, Roderic Carrington, Delon King, Fabian Stuart, Duarte Hetsberger, Hubern Collins, Germaine Watson, John Chester-Innis, Osei Manifold and Ewal Mc Garrell.

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Republic Bank Camp Street location

ith all of the obstacles Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited has been faced with as a result of the upgrading of its banking system, the bank came to the consensus to reimburse the $500 account management charge that was deducted from its customers’ accounts in December.

Based on reports, the bank had made the deduction to facilitate an automatic process as a result of the upgrade in their “new Core Banking System”.

However, just recently, they were several complaints made by the bank’s customers about the company’s service fees that have been introduced along with the new banking system.

Meanwhile, the bank announced its efforts to review the innumerable service charges that came with its new platform.

Charges were made on salary deposit/processing, online transactions, and ATM withdrawal.

Nevertheless, the bank has not made any final decisions

on their implementations of these fee changes.

The commercial bank in 2019 indicated that it would be migrating to a new Core Banking System effective November 2.

The bank revealed that the new system will offer increased transaction efficiency and enhanced product offerings to allow them to serve its customers better.

With that being said, the Bank has promised to reimburse customers during the weekend.

14 NEWS Moruca Maternal Waiting Home GRA sets up Oil & Gas Department to be constructed this year SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

… Mabaruma Hospital to be regional teaching facility – RHO

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he construction of the eagerly anticipated Maternal Waiting Home, which was approved for Moruca, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini), is expected to commence later in the year.

This was according to the Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr Latchmie Lall, who said that despite the long wait, she is confident that the project will start this year.

Dr Lall said that while the project had not yet been awarded, the engineer’s estimate is $40 million and hopefully, once the National Procurement and Tender Board moves swiftly on it, it will be awarded, thus ensuring that work can commence.

“The engineer estimate has been completed and the last thing that I am aware of is that it was at the National Tender Board so we in Health Services is anxiously awaiting the awarding of this contract so that work can commence as the residents are eager to have this home constructed,” she said.

The Maternal Waiting Home is expected to accommodate the high number of women who are turning up pregnant in Region One with the primary objective of serving as a transition point between the hinterland residents as they await delivery.

As such, it will contain 14 beds along with other rooms to address several maternal-related issues.

The Waiting Home is also geared at reducing several challenges that women face at home while waiting to deliver, thus enhancing the region’s delivery record.

The RHO said the construction of the home will further enhance health care,

noting that a number of women who are living in farflung communities usually encounter severe challenges when they are approaching their delivery dates and it would ensure that they can access a safe delivery as they would be surrounded by professional medical help.

“This Maternal and Waiting Home is critically important to Region One as we have had some deaths and other challenges over the years and it is our view that with the completion of the waiting home it would certainly enhance deliveries of babies,” Dr Lall said.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer, Randy Storm said that the Maternal Waiting Home is an eagerly anticipated project for Region One. He said that the National Procurement and Tender Board is expected to award this project soon and anticipates that with the completion of the project it will certainly boost health care in the region.

“This is a critically important project for Region One and we are confident that it will boost health care within the region. This is an eagerly anticipated project for Region One and we are confident that a significant number of women will certainly benefit from this project,” the REO said.

REO Storm stressed that the Waiting Home continues to be one of the region’s top 2020 priority projects. He further disclosed that another major project that is expected to be completed early this year is a Conference Hall.

The hall is being constructed to the tune of $10.958 million and is being constructed by Yahweh Conglomerate.

Engineer

Regional Engineer for Regional Democratic Council Region One, Murwin Allison

Murwin Allison said that the project is moving ahead nicely and he is satisfied with the quality of work thus far.

This project, the REO said, will help in enhancing and improving health care.

Dr Lall in commenting on this project said that these projects are all geared at significantly boosting health care in Region One. She disclosed that the Mabaruma Hospital is looking to become a regional teaching hospital in 2020.

“Once we can put the necessary accommodations in place, we can have consultants and student residents coming at intervals to be a part of Mabaruma Regional Hospital. We also want to have our theatre up and functioning, which will offer surgical services to the region,” Dr Lall stressed.

The RHO said that plans are afoot to have an ICU unit established. This, she said, will increase the hospital’s capabilities in addressing increased medical challenges facing patients, thus the establishment of the

Intensive Care Unit. She said that with the ICU, the hospital will better handle increased medical difficulties.

“We are also hoping that with approval from the budget committee in having the ICU unit up and functional as well next year at Mabaruma Regional Hospital. We have recently completed a lab at Mathews Ridge there is a district hospital, so we are looking to have an X-ray machine coming there and a number of other small services being provided in the Matarkai subdistrict,” the RHO opined.

Dr Lall reiterated that the Port Kaituma Regional Hospital should be completed shortly, disclosing that the staff would be able to move over and occupy the new facility. “We were given a deadline of November this year, but I think that we might be having some setbacks and hopefully we should have this hospital ready by the end of December 2019,” she declared.

GRA, Camp Street

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n preparation for Guyana’s oil and gas economy, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is currently looking to enlarge its capacity in the oil and gas sector. In an advertisement, the authority made a calling for persons to fill key positions in the recently established Department.

The organisation announced recently that it is “spearheading an exciting and important phase of its development through enhancing its capacity in the oil and gas sector in Guyana, South America”.

Some of the vacancies listed in their advertisements include; relationship manager, oil lifting personnel, central processing clerk, exemption and inventory monitoring personnel, data and analysis and research personnel and administrative officer.

Meanwhile, recently, 118 officials were trained in the areas of oil and gas audit techniques, crude lifting agreements, oil and gas

accounting, customs documentation and associated processes; and crude lifting measurements to ensure the nation does not suffer significant value leakage.

In addition, the GRA had stated that the Department will have two units to be headed by senior Executives of the Authority at the level of Deputy Commissioners. The Divisions are the Petroleum Revenue Audit Unit (PRAU) and the Customs Petroleum Unit (CPU).

The Units are expected to be staffed and given the resources to effectively monitor, audit, and ensure compliance by oil companies is optimal at all times.

Alnoor Kassam, former Head of the Canada Revenue Authority’s oil and gas operations, had also lent his services to GRA to help develop its administrative capacity for taxation in the sector.

Kassam is currently employed through an arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

100 lads to receive free haircuts in time for new school term I

n light of school re-opening on Monday, January 6, the REACH Foundation has promised free haircuts to 100 youngsters in Sophia, Greater Georgetown and Tiger Bay. According to President of the group, Nicholas Chesney, this is the second year the back-to-school event has been hosted by the organisation.

“This is the second phase of this particular activity, the first started last year when we went to New Amsterdam and Sophia.

The plan is to do this whenever school is set to reopen”, he said.

Chesney further added that this initiative is very important to the organisa-

tion since scores of children are set to benefit from these two communities.

“This event is very important to us because it’s the start of our year of activities that will be linked to our theme for 2020, "The year of investment". This year, we aim to invest in people especially the children. We see it as investing in the next generation,” he vocalised.

Five barbers donated their time and services on Saturday and will continue today.

He said: “We have 20 goals for 2020, they are called REACH Development Goals (RDG) RDG 7, it is to establish a good relationship with Sophia,

REACH representatives along with a few children who received haircuts

Tiger Bay, Mon Repos, and Angoy's Avenue.”

REACH is a non-profit organisation which comprises of 40 individuals who share the common goal of

providing care for the underprivileged.

Their main aim is to touch hearts and heal lives through the distribution of comfortable clothing

and nutritious meals while improving the standard of living for the underprivileged. REACH representative cutting a child’s hair

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

17 killed in Region 6 for 2019

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eventeen people were killed in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) in 2019, the same as was recorded for the previous year.

Of the 17, seven were pedestrians including two children, six motorcyclists, two drivers, one occupant of a motor vehicle and one pedal cyclist being a child.

In addition, the traffic department recorded 39 serious accidents for 2019 when compared to 41 in the previous year. There were also 52 damage accidents compared to 65 in 2018.

In all, there was a total of 178 accidents compared to 197 the previous year.

“We have noticed that over the weekend period is our trouble period and from Friday evenings into Monday mornings. So, it is the entire weekend and then on holidays,” Commander Brutus revealed.

He further stated that most of the accidents occurred between 18:00h and midnight.

“In terms of the factors for the causes of accidents, speeding tops the list, driving under the influence (DUI).

Sometimes you have speeding and DUI – they go hand in hand. Inattentiveness by the use of the cell phone while driving is also one of the factors which lead to accidents,” the Commander said while noting that the failure to observe the rules of the road is

Impact of government expenditure on economic growth and development: Empirical evidence from other developing countries

Dead: Dominic Tyler Sulker

Dead: Kevin Sinclair

One of the accident scenes of 2019

also a factor.

Hazards on the road such as derelict vehicles, vehicles parked dangerously and other objects left on the road shoulders that should not be there have contributed to most of the road accidents.

“When we look at the offices that we target to curb fatal accidents, in general, is speeding.”

However, 1923 cases were made out against errant drivers. Forty-nine cases were for driving under the influence;

17 persons were charged for dangerous driving, 323 for failing to wear seat belts and 58 for failing to wear safety helmets. In all, a total of 5861 are before the court for general traffic offences.

“As road users, we need to pay attention to the rules of the road. There are published speed limits on the road and this is based on engineers that had the speed limits fixed to that rate because of the general circumstances surrounding the conditions of

Dead: Gurdatt Hemraj

the road, the housing and the communities around and the width of the road. All those factors are used to determine the speed limit of a certain area,” the Commander added.

He also stated that drivers also need to consider other road users.

“You should always anticipate that the other person will make the mistake, [hone] your driving to prevent an accident rather than going fast unnecessarily. You also need to cater for animals on our roads. Of course, from time to time we will have the stray catchers impounding the animals but then they are still instances where animals are on the road.”

He noted that in Region Six and more particularly on the Corentyne, drivers need to consider rice harvesting and the wetness on the roadway in most instances.

Nevertheless, he added that every life that is lost on the roadway is one too many.

Ripping down of party flags

PPP/C writes Top Cop for swift actions against APNU/AFC supporters

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he Opposition People’s Progressive Party has written Police Commissioner Leslie James, asking for swift actions to be taken against supporters of the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition, who attacked its members and destroyed the party’s paraphernalia.

The letter was sent

by Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall on behalf of the party. He detailed that on January 2, a motor lorry carrying a music system and several party activists was driving through Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Nandlall noted that they were making public announcements regarding the launch of the PPP’s elections campaign set for today at Alexander Street, Kitty, Georgetown, when they were attacked.

“While in Sophia, several known PNC/APNU activists led by Ms Laurene Nestor, blocked the streets and started to hurl missiles at the lorry and its occupants and threatening them with violence were they to continue these announcements within the locality of Sophia,” the letter detailed.

According to Nandlall, a report of that incident was made at the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost on the evening of the incident. He reminded Commissioner James that each political party has a constitutional right and the dem-

ocratic freedom to disseminate it's messaging and, especially so, to campaign for the upcoming March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

“Any attempt to interfere with a party and its supporters’ right to do so would be unconstitutional, undemocratic and illegal. Additionally, electoral activities aside, it is contrary to the criminal law for anyone to issue threats, hurl missiles or block public access on public roadways,” Nandlall, a former Attorney General, pointed out.

He went on to inform the Top Cop that PPP has mounted the party’s symbolic flag and other branded paraphernalia throughout the country – normal political practice associated with elections campaigning across the democratic world.

However, Nandlall reported to the Police Commissioner that these campaign materials are being pulled down and destroyed by “known activists of the PNC/APNU/AFC”.

According to aNandlall, this has been occurring at Charity, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Dem Amstel, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and around Georgetown as well as Hope Town, Lovelylass and Number Five Village, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

On this note, the former AG outlined in the correspondence to Commissioner James that there are specific provisions in the electoral statutes of Guyana that protect a polit-

ical party’s right and freedom to campaign and disseminate its messaging. These provisions, he further reminded, create offences if violated.

“In the circumstances, I request that these complaints be urgently investigated by members of the Guyana Police Force and that criminal charges be swiftly instituted where appropriate,” Nandlall requested of the Top Cop. Copies of the letter were sent to the Divisional Commander in charge of Georgetown; the Crime Chief and the Public Security Minister. It was also forwarded to the Ethnic

Relations Commission (ERC), The Ombudsman, Police Complaints Authority, the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the Chief Elections Officer as well as the Head of Foreign Missions here including the European Union, United States Embassy, Canadian High Commission and British High Commission.

Only Friday, the PPP strongly condemned the acts.

The destruction of party paraphernalia is nothing new.

Anil Nandlall

In 2015, a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) rally was rudely interrupted by a band of supporters of the APNU/ AFC – involving children in their nefarious activities, the supporters urinated on and burned PPP flags, and hurled

missiles at the rally speakers, including party stalwart, Dr Roger Luncheon.

The person reported to have urinated on the PPP flag and subsequently set it ablaze was Child Welfare Officer Abigail Baveghems, who is also the daughter of an APNU member.

That incident has been widely criticised, given that it occurred on the same day that political parties had signed on to a Code of Conduct aimed at guiding the manner in which campaigning is conducted.

I

n Nigeria, it was observed that capital expenditure, construction expenditure, and non-oil revenue have the potency of accentuating infrastructural development in the long-run but such is being hampered by external debt. The positive effect of recurrent expenditure on infrastructural development suggests that the bulk of the expenditure in Nigeria over the years is recurrent in nature. It can also be argued that a nation can also borrow for productive activities that would stimulate growth in the long-run, and the fact that external debt was found to have a damping effect on infrastructural development in Nigeria is a pointer that the country has been borrowing for non-productive and unviable ventures. These suggest the need to boost nonoil revenue, reduce recurrent, and channel external debt into productive infrastructural development.

In the case of Kenya, this country experienced rapid growth in government expenditure which caused concern among policymakers on the implication of such growth to the economy and the private sector in particular. Studies have noted that the allocation of financial resources through various policies is neither reflected in government priorities nor adequately promoted growth and development in the past. Over the three decades, government expenditure grew at a faster rate than GDP. On the basis of empirical results, some studies concluded that the composition of government expenditure matters for economic growth. In the long run, expenditure on economic affairs, defence, education, government investment, general administration and services and physical infrastructure have positive impacts on economic development.

The study found that the government should increase its investment in areas that are beneficial to the private sector and eschew from those that compete with or crowd it out. It should increase its expenditures on those items that enter private production functions as productive public inputs that enhance economic growth. Such productive government investment expenditure includes expenditure on buildings, plant, machinery and equipment all of which generate positive externalities that raise private investment and, thus, economic growth.

More resources should be allocated to areas of physical infrastructural development in order to stimulate economic growth as envisaged in the vision 2030. This is because additional expenditure on physical infrastructure in such areas as roads, railways, ports, communication, water and electricity contribute significantly to the economic growth by increasing the marginal productivity of inputs in the private and public sectors.

Furthermore, high government expenditure on transportation and communication and energy create an enabling environment for business to thrive through reduced cost of production.

The government should increase its expenditure allocation to education and human capital development. This could be done through the provision of proper education facilities such as schools, colleges and universities, training and employing more teachers, ensuring access to education to all citizens, reduction of the cost burden to the parents/guardian and expanding education to the marginalised groups. This is because quality education creates positive externalities and increases the productive capacity that helps to raise the steady-state rate of economic growth.

The allocation of economic affairs should be increased by the government. This would be achieved by ensuring that the sectors that are productive in nature under this allocation are accorded the right attention while those that are non-productive in nature are rationalised. This is because economic affairs provide a direct provision of productive activities through its expenditure in areas of the form of infrastructure and education.

The government should reduce its size to an optimal one by adopting a policy on privatisation and expenditure downsizing and outsourcing to cut its expenditure and in turn ease public debt. This is because running a large public debt for a long period of time could have an adverse effect on economic growth since borrowing might crowd out private sector investment.

The private sector should partner with the government in the provision of certain services through Public-Private Partnership (PPP). This could be achieved through joint efforts in the provision of services such as infrastructure, energy, health and education.

Individuals, on the other hand, should be responsible citizens, hardworking and business-minded by engaging in entrepreneurial ventures. This should be done by people in all walks of life to ensure a cohesive and prosperous nation The empirical findings presented for both countries are not much different for the case of Guyana. Particularly, the case of Nigeria where it was found that the need to boost nonoil revenue, reduce recurrent and channel external debt into productive infrastructural development. With the statistical data presented in previous weeks’ articles that show the growing deficits in the Consolidated Fund, the overdraft on government deposit accounts and together with the official stock of public debt combined replicates the framework of Nigeria. As such, policymakers in the next government ought to bring this under control and reduce those deficits and stock of public debt before it is spiralled into a debt crisis.

16 NEWS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

UG’s Diaspora Conference set for May 2020 T

he University of Guyana has confirmed that its second Diaspora Conference, which was rescheduled in 2019, is now set for May 28 to June 1, 2020.

The theme will be “Investing in Guyana’s emerging business, Indigenous, women and youth leaders”.

This theme has been chosen in recognition of the need for all Guyanese at home and abroad to work together with inclusion, tolerance and cooperation for national and regional growth and development.

The University of Guyana remains committed to Diaspora engagement and facilitating a positive enabling environment and discussion on ways in which Guyanese can best

work together to accomplish joint goals towards creating prosperity for all our people.

The conference will feature a mixture of academic and non-academic experiences and will host a number of panels, forums, roundtables and multimedia presentations on key thematic areas.

To meet the challenge of Diaspora engagement, and to ensure the strategic integrity and sustainability of the University’s Diaspora project, the University of Guyana has appointed Dr Mellissa Ifill, Lecturer in History at the University of Guyana, and Dr Wazir Mohamed, a member of the Diaspora and Associate Professor of Sociology at Indiana University East, as Co-Chairs of the sec-

ond University of Guyana Diaspora Engagement Conference.

In addition, the following key individuals from UG and the Diaspora along with others still to be named will play key roles in the planning process for the conference: Gillian Williams

(Toronto), Chet Bolling (Moscow), Lear Matthews (New York), Brandon Cheong (Toronto), Adeti DeJesus (Guyana), Mellissa Bess (UG), Arlene McLean (UG), Denise Braam (UG) and Leisa Somrah (UG).

The University’s Transition Management

Committee (TMC) will maintain oversight of the project. The TMC wishes to thank the new conference Coordinating Team for their sterling work over the last few months in ensuring an excellent event for 2020.

The University of Guyana also specifically

values and welcomes the support from the Diaspora, State and non-State actors, Government, the Private Sector, civil society, the public at home and abroad, and all stakeholders as it builds out the project of Diaspora engagement.

Since it is a well-documented fact that Diaspora engagement is one of the major building blocks for national development, submissions and registrations will be accepted from January 30, 2020, at the University of Guyana’s Conferences website www.uog.edu/conference and also on the Diaspora Conferences dedicated website https://diaspora-entrepreneurship.uog.edu.gy or email: ugdiasporaconfernces@uog.edu.gy or call: 592222-3583.

Trump vows to hit 52 Iranian targets Australian bushfires ease on if Iran retaliates after drone strike cooler weather, death toll rises

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S President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites “very hard” if Iran attacks Americans or US assets after a drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani and an Iraqi militia leader, as tens of thousands of people marched in Iraq to mourn their deaths.

Showing no signs of seeking to ease tensions raised by the strike he ordered that killed Soleimani and Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at Baghdad airport on Friday, Trump issued a threat to Iran on Twitter. The strike has

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks following the US Military airstrike against Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, Iraq, in West Palm Beach, Florida

raised the spectre of wider conflict in the Middle East.

Iran, Trump wrote, “is

talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets” in revenge for Soleimani’s death. Trump said the United States has “targeted 52 Iranian sites” and that some were “at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD.” “The USA wants no more threats!” Trump said, adding that the 52 targets represented the 52 Americans who were held hostage in Iran for 444 days after being seized at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 - an enduring sore spot in U.S.-Iranian relations.

Trump did not identify the sites. The Pentagon referred questions about the matter to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Among the mourners in Iraq included many militiamen in uniform for whom Muhandis and Soleimani were heroes. They carried portraits of both men and plastered them on walls and armoured personnel carriers in the procession. Chants of “Death to America” and “No No Israel” rang out. (Excerpt from Reuters)

weather change eased fire threats in south-eastern Australia on Sunday after a horror day of blazes that killed one man and injured four firefighters, though authorities said risks remained with a number of fires burning at emergency levels.

Property losses from Saturday’s wildfires across eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales were estimated in the hundreds, but authorities said mass evacuations by residents of at-risk areas appear to have prevented major loss of life.

Nearly 150 fires were still burning in New South Wales, and dozens more were burning in Victoria on Sunday morning.

A southerly change that came through on Saturday night has brought cooler temperatures after they topped 40 C (104F) in many areas on Saturday, and there was even the prospect of some

A satellite image shows wildfires burning east of Obrost, Victoria, Australia January 4, 2020

light rain in coastal areas in coming days.

“It will be a reprieve of sorts, it will be a psychological reprieve for many, but it’s certainly not going to be the sort of relief we’re looking for in terms of getting under control all these fires or putting these fires out,” NSW Rural Fire Services Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.

The death of a 47-year old man who was defending a friend’s rural property in

NSW took the national toll this fire season to 24.

The weather change brought with it strong winds that whipped up fires and kept them burning overnight. In the Southern Highlands region south of Sydney, a new fire was burning out of control after the winds helped drive an existing blaze to jump the Shoalhaven and Kangaroo rivers. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ghosn’s lawyer says former Nissan boss “betrayed” him

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lawyer for former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn has said he felt betrayed by his client’s escape from Japan but still understood his act, claiming it resulted from Japan’s inhumane justice system.

The international tycoon, who faces multiple charges of financial Ghosn fled his Tokyo residence after a misconduct that he de- private security firm hired by Nissan nies, jumped bail and stopped monitoring him, according to fled to Lebanon in late sources [Photo by: Koji Sasahara] December to avoid a plan in advance.

Japanese trial.

“But anger was turning Ghosn met Lebanese to something else as I represident after fleeing called how he was treated Japan, say sources by the country’s justice sys“First, I was filled with a tem,” Takano said. sense of strong anger. I felt Ghosn is thought to have betrayed,” Ghosn’s lawyer taken a private jet from Takashi Takano wrote in Kansai Airport in western his blog, stating that he had Japan, heading for Istanbul. not been informed about the

It is believed he headed from there to Beirut.

“I can easily imagine that if people with wealth, human networks and ability to take action have the same experience (as Ghosn), they would do the same thing or at least consider doing so,” Takano said.

Ghosn’s high-profile arrest in November 2018 and his long detention under severe conditions were widely considered draconian compared with the West.

Suspects in Japan can be detained for weeks or even months before trial, with limited access to their lawyers, and around 99 per cent of trials in the country result in a conviction. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020

17

Regional

Bolivia's electoral court sets Grenada introduces mandatory prayer hour in new school term election rerun for May 3

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rerun of Bolivia’s election has been set for Sunday, May 3, the President of the country’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal said on Friday.

Salvador Romero said both presidential and parliamentary elections would be held on the same day.

“When we announce the electoral calendar over the next few days, together with the formal call for the election, all the deadlines that both political organizations and citizens must meet will be specified,” he told reporters in La Paz. The vote will be held almost seven months after the results of elections that handed a fourth term to Bolivia’s former President Evo Morales but were then discredited.

An audit of last October’s election found serious irregularities, prompting Morales’ resignation and clashes between protesters and security forces that resulted in more than 30 deaths.

Morales, who had been in power for nearly 14 years, resigned following the election dispute and fled to Mexico, and later Argentina. He later said he had been toppled in a coup.

In an interview with Reuters last week, he ruled out standing as a candidate for his Movement for Socialism (MAS) coalition in the next election but said that he would return to Bolivia by next Christmas.

He has identified Luis Arce Catacora, his former economy minister, and Andronico Rodriguez, a coca farmer union

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Former Bolivian President Evo Morales attends a news conference, in Buenos Aires, Argentina

boss, as potential MAS presidential candidates.

Prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Morales on charges of sedition, terrorism and terrorist financing. The allegations have been pushed by the government of interim President Jeanine Anez, a former senator and political opponent of Morales. (Reuters)

Trinidad: Millions more seized from pastor's church

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inancial Intelligence Branch (FIB) investigators were yesterday with counting “millions of dollars” they seized from the Third Exodus Assembly Church in Longdenville, Trinidad headed

by Pastor Vinworth Dayal on Thursday evening.

Senior investigators said only a few bags had been counted and the estimated sum so far is just over $1 million with “several other money bags containing $20, $10, $5 and $1 notes still to be counted.”

The latest raid was conducted by officers of the FIB as they widened their investigation into the financial operations of the church.

Officers of the FIB spent several hours yesterday with the assistance of several bill counting machines to check the money recovered at the Longdenville Church.

“It’s a long process and there are still several bags to be counted,” said a source familiar with the investigation.

According to another senior Police source, the money has to be counted within 96 hours so the lawmen can go to court and obtain a detention order to have the money lawfully detained for three months under the Proceeds and Crime Act so they can pursue further investigations. The Police had to go to the court before the counting of the $29 million that was brought in by Pastor Dayal on December 31 to ensure the amount could be lawfully detained before the December 31 deadline. If this had not been done the money would no longer have been recognised as legal tender.

Officers from the FIB are investigating an incident in which the pastor attempted to change close to $29 million in

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tion, “not only while at work but also in your personal time and space”.

“Wherever a Jamaican goes, much is expected, and only the best will be respected. Those of you who have already travelled, kindly assist those who haven't to relax, acclimatise and become familiar with lifestyle and social environments. The orientation offered by the ministry goes a far way, but additional help is always a plus,” she said.

Robinson reminded them that they are not alone or on their own when they arrive in Canada, noting that the liaison service and its competent staff “are available to you every day, all day, and you will be given contact information for them”.

She also implored the workers to keep in contact with their families after they have left the island.

The Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development, Religious Affairs and Information will coordinate the activity with the schools and ministers of religion.

“As part of the activity, prayers will be offered up for all members of each school family and the education system, as a whole.

There will be time for reflec-

tion and meditation and for praise and worship,” the release said, In addition to the hour of prayer, schools will put in place another adjustment – that of a new nutritional policy.

That policy bans the selling and consumption of soda and other sweet snacks on school compounds and school-based events. (CMC)

Protesting Haitian opposition parties support students' return to schools

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Pastor Vinworth Dayal

old $100 bills on December 31.

That money has been seized by the police.

On Thursday, investigators also went to A La Romaine house occupied by the pastor’s relatives where they seized documents. At the church, investigators said they found large sums of $20, $10, $5 and $1 notes in a large cabinet.

(Excerpt from T&T Guardian)

1st batch of 2020 Jamaican farmworkers depart for Canada he first batch of farmworkers for 2020 began departing the island for Canada on Friday.

A total of 228 workers will be leaving between yesterday and Monday, January 6, to take up employment opportunities under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme.

The customary send-off ceremony was held for the workers at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's Overseas Employment Services Centre, downtown Kingston, where they were given solid advice from Minister of Labour and Social Security Shahine Robinson.

In a speech, read by state minister for labour and social security Zavia Mayne, Robinson reminded the workers that as ambassadors for Jamaica, they are expected to always maintain a good name, character and reputa-

he Ministry of Education has announced that a mandatory hour of prayer will be introduced on the first day of school in the new school year.

In a statement on Friday, the ministry said that on January 6 – the date set for all schools – the hour of prayer will occur during the mid-morning period.

“The theme for the activity is: 'Teach Me to Pray and to Understand the Power of Prayer'. It is expected that all schools, within the State of Grenada, will be engaged in prayer, simultaneously, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am,” the Ministry said.

On the day of the activity, a minister of religion, or a suitably designated person, will be assigned to each school, to conduct the programme.

pposition political parties that have been staging island-wide demonstrations in support of their calls for President Jovenel Moise to step down from office, now say they will support initiatives to get children to attend classes.

Last month, the Ministry of National Education released a new school calendar 2019-2020 indicating that “the revival of school activities is scheduled for December 2.

“This year there will be 147 school days and six days off. The number of teaching hours will be 735 hours for the fundamental and 882 hours for the secondary,” the ministry said in a statement.

The classes have been disrupted by the demonstrations and despite the 'back to the classroom' call by the Ministry of Education, students have stayed away for

fear of the acts of violence that have accompanied the demonstration.

But in a statement on his Twitter account, Opposition Senator Youri Latortue said “Gonaiviennes, Gonaiviens, I am proud of your courage.

On January 7 our children will go to school, however, the mobilisation continues every weekend.

“Happy fighting year.

Your determination is an ex-

ample,” he added, without making any reference to the role played by the opposition parties in keeping children away from classes.

The spokesman of the opposition parties, André Michel, blamed Moise for the situation facing the school children even as he said they would support classes resuming on January 7.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Dominica employers want Sunday to be just another business day State Minister for Labour and Social Security Zavia Mayne (left) offers words of advice to farm-workers during a sendoff ceremony at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's Overseas Employment Services Centre on Friday

“We at the ministry also play our part in trying to mitigate the challenges, through our Family Services Unit, who will consistently contact family members to ensure all is well and offer as much support as possible,” she said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

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he Dominica E m p l o y e r s Federation (DEF) Friday said in order to comply with demands from the public for “more shopping hours” it would seek to have the government amend existing legislation so as to allow business places to operate on a Sunday.

“One of the major things we are going to do in 2020, and it is not new, it has been on the burner for a while, but we are going to use a different strategy to communicate that, is the business sector’s thinking

on how we treat Sundays as far as employment is concerned in this country,” said executive director, Achille Joseph.

He said at present, Dominica has the Public Holiday Act that declares Sundays to be public holidays.

“That is in addition to the Christmas holidays, the New Years, Easter and Carnival. So we will have in Dominica somewhere around 63, 64 public holidays in a year taking into consideration Sundays.

What that does is that an

employee can choose not to come to work on a public holiday…(and) that’s his right and if he decides to work it goes at double time.

“But what has been happening in Dominica for quite a while now is that the country is demanding from the private sector more convenient shopping hours, so businesses are simply responding to the demands of the clientele,” Joseph said.

He said businesses are now opening on Sunday “but there is a law that says otherwise. (Excerpt from CMC)

18

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Qasem Soleimani: Blasts hit Baghdad area as Iraqis mourn Iranian General

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everal blasts shook the Baghdad area hours after a huge funeral procession for a top Iranian general killed by a US air strike on Thursday.

A projectile hit the Green Zone near the US embassy while several more were fired north of the Iraqi capital at Balad air base, which houses US forces.

Nobody was hurt in the attacks, Iraqi security sources say.

Iranian leaders have vowed to avenge the killing of Qasem Soleimani, who was regarded as a terrorist by the US. Saturday's funeral procession through Baghdad and Iraq's Shia Muslim holy cities precedes the return of his remains to Iran.

Iraqis were also mourn-

ing the death of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi who commanded the Iranianbacked Kataib Hezbollah group and was killed along with Soleimani.

The coffins of Soleimani and Muhandis were In anothercarried through Karbala development, At least one rockthe group issued a warning to Iraqi security forces et or mortar round hit to "stay clear of American Celebration Square in the bases by a distance not less Green Zone while another [than] 1000m (0.6 miles) exploded in the city's Jadria starting Sunday evening", area, Iraqi security sources said. al-Mayadeen TV reported.

After two rockets hit In response to Iranian Balad air base, surveillance threats of revenge, the US has sent 3000 more troops to drones were sent up to lothe Middle East and advised cate the source, AFP news agency reported. (Excerpt its citizens to leave Iraq. from BBC News)

No deal:

Uganda President sets off on six-day march through jungle

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gandan President Yoweri Museveni has begun a sixday march through the jungle, walking 195 km (121 miles).He is retracing the route he and his forces took in 1986, when they seized power from Idi Amin and Milton Obote.

Critics have dismissed the march as a stunt ahead of Uganda's elections next year, when Museveni is expected to seek a sixth term in office.

He is facing a challenge from former pop star Bobi Wine, who portrays himself as a champion of the poor.

Museveni will end his march in the western town of Birembo, the site of one of the fiercest battles between Museveni's rebels and then-President Obote's troops, on January

10.

The President's senior press secretary, Don Wanyama, told AFP news agency: "This is a journey that the President is leading, a journey through the past to appreciate the present.

Museveni, 75, is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders.

Wine - whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi - told AFP that the President's walk was "wasteful".

"My advice is, rather than spending taxpayers' money on such trips, Museveni should know time is up for him to leave power," Wine said. "The time for hoodwinking peasants has passed him."

Opposition MP Asuman Basalirwa also called the march a "campaigning tool".

Yoweri Museveni, pictured leading a different march last month, will trek for six days

"Ugandans deserve better than a President walking through a jungle," he said.

"Time spent should be used for other important issues affecting the country, especially how he plans to hand over power."

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Libya's Parliament votes Queen Elizabeth sends thoughts against Turkish involvement and prayers to all Australians

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ibya's eastern-based Parliament has voted unanimously against deals on security and maritime cooperation the UNbacked Government in Tripoli signed with Turkey, days after Turkish legislators approved a troop deployment to chaos-wracked Libya.

The country has been split into rival eastern and western Administrations since 2014.

The UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) currently controls Tripoli in northwestern Libya, and a parallel Administration holding the east of the oil-rich country, supported by renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA).

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of GNA, signed the two controversial deals at a meeting in Istanbul in November.

On Saturday the Parliament, which backs a rival Administration in eastern

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Parliament voted unanimously against the controversial deals [Esam Omran al-Fetori/Reuters]

Libya, rejected the deals.

The Parliament also voted unanimously to cut relations with Turkey and refer al-Sarraj for prosecution on a charge of "high treason" because he sought a foreign power's military help, the house's spokesman Abdullah Bleihaq told dpa news agency.

On Thursday, Turkey's Parliament passed a motion to allow a military intervention in Libya, voting in favour of a one-year mandate to deploy troops amid an escalating civil war.

Haftar's LNA has

been threatening to target Turkish nationals and businesses in Libya and Turkish ships off the country's coast, the motion passed by Turkey's Parliament said.

Haftar's forces are backed by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

The Arab League has warned that foreign military interference in Libya will facilitate the arrival of foreign terrorist fighters into the war-torn country. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

China replaces Head of Hong Kong liaison office amid ongoing protests

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hina has replaced the Head of its Hong Kong Liaison Office, the most senior mainland political official based in the Chinesecontrolled territory, following more than six months of often-violent anti-Government protests in the city.

China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said on its website late on Saturday that Wang Zhimin, who had held the post since 2017, had been replaced by 65-yearold Luo Huining, who until November was the top official of China’s ruling Communist Party in the northern province of Shanxi.

Reuters reported exclusively in November that Beijing was considering potential replacements for Wang, in a sign of dissatisfaction with the Liaison Office’s

handling of the crisis, the worst since the city reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

Luo, a loyalist of President Xi Jinping, has not previously held any Hong Kong-related position and is at the age when top Chinese officials typically retire. In Shanxi, he had been tasked with cleaning up a graft-ridden, coal-rich region where corruption was once likened to cancer.

The Liaison Office, which reports to China’s State Council, serves as the platform for Beijing to project its influence in the city, and has come in for criticism in Hong Kong and mainland China for misjudging the situation in the city.

Wang is the shortest serving Liaison Office Director since 1997.

Communist Party Secretary of Shanxi province Luo Huining attends a session of his province on the second day of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, October 19, 2017

Before moving to Shanxi, Luo had been the top party official in the western province of Qinghai. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ritain’s Queen Elizabeth expressed her sorrow over the devastating bushfires burning in Australia and sent her thoughts and prayers to all Australians, including the emergency services.

Australia’s Head of State sent a message of condolence as the fires continued to rage dangerously out of control on Saturday along the country’s east coast, destroying homes, forcing thousands to evacuate and killing an unknown number.

“I have been deeply saddened to hear of the continued bushfires and their devastating impact across many parts of Australia,” the 93-year-old monarch said in a statement.

“My thanks go out to the emergency services, and those who put their own lives in danger to help communities in need. Prince Philip and I send our thoughts and prayers to all Australians at this difficult time.”

The message of condolence was sent to the Governor General of

Australia - the queen’s representative in the country and to the governors of New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. It was also sent to “all Australians”.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said on Saturday that conditions were deteriorating rapidly as a change in wind conditions merged several large fire fronts.

The Federal Government has announced an unprecedented call-up of army reservists to support firefighters and has deployed additional resources, including a third navy ship equipped for disaster and humanitarian relief.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

With renewed support from Catalan separatists, Spain's Sanchez seeks backing as PM

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pain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, seeking Parliament’s backing to form a Government, pledged to resolve the Catalan dispute through dialogue as he received renewed support from separatists in the restive region.

As Sanchez set out his priorities on Saturday in an attempt to end several months of political gridlock, he assured lawmakers that neither Spain nor its constitution would break.

Earlier this week, the Socialist Party leader Sanchez and Pablo Iglesias, the Head of the far-left party Unidas Podemos, restated their intention to form the first coalition Government in Spain’s recent history.

Since the two parties together fall short of a majority with 155 seats in a 350-member Parliament, victory for Sanchez hinges on the votes of small regional parties.

Sanchez said he wanted to resume dialogue over Catalonia’s future rather than hammer out the dispute through Spain’s courts, but said he would address the issues within Spain’s

constitutional framework.

Sanchez is not expected to win the first confidence vote today, in which he would require an absolute majority of 176 members among all 350 lawmakers in the Spanish Parliament.

But he aims to win a second vote on Tuesday which would only require him to obtain more votes in favour than against. (Excerpt from Reuters)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020

19

round-up: Harden records triple-double in Rockets’ win

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ames Harden recorded a 40-point triple-double, and Clint Capela won the matchup of talented bigs, as the Houston Rockets rolled to a 118-108 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night in Houston.

Harden posted 44 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, and intermittently carried the Rockets when things went awry; while Capela added 30 points and 14 rebounds to outpace 76ers center Joel Embiid (20 points, 12 boards) and help send Philadelphia to its fourth consecutive defeat since a Christmas Day blistering of the Eastern Conferenceleading Milwaukee Bucks.

Harden was spectacular throughout, converting 6 of 12 three-pointers while finishing 12-for-12 at the free-throw line.

and John Collins was at 16 for the Hawks before exiting in the third with a back contusion. The Hawks have dropped 11 of 12.

Portland Trail Blazers 122; Washington Wizards 103

Los Angeles Lakers 123; New Orleans Pelicans 113

Anthony Davis scored 46 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as he led Los Angeles to a victory over visiting New Orleans.

Davis, who scored 41 points in the Lakers’ win over the Pelicans in their initial meeting on Nov. 27, hit 15 of 21 shots, and made all 13 of his free throws as the Lakers won their fourth consecutive game.

Danny Green, who made 6 of ten 3-pointers for the game, had 20 of his 25 points in the first half, and LeBron James finished with 17 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds for Los Angeles.

Lonzo Ball had 23 points and Brandon Ingram had 22 for the Pelicans, who had their four-game winning streak snapped.

E’Twaun Moore added 16 points; Derrick Favors had 15 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks; and JJ Redick contributed 14 points for New Orleans.

Orlando Magic 105; Miami Heat 85

Reserve guard Terrence Ross scored a

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after a call by NBA referee Scott Foster (48) during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers

game-high 25 points — including 6 of 10 on 3-pointers — to lead host Orlando to a win over Miami.

Nikola Vucevic added 20 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for Orlando, which improved to 9-4 against its in-state rivals since the start of the 2016-2017 season.

The Magic also got 16 points and eight rebounds from forward Aaron Gordon, who had missed Orlando’s two previous games due to a foot injury.

Miami was led by shooting guard Jimmy Butler, who had 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Heat center Bam Adebayo added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Boston Celtics 109; Atlanta Hawks 106

Daniel Theis blocked a potential goahead basket by Trae Young with 2.7 seconds remaining, as Boston held off visiting Atlanta.

Jaylen Brown had 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead all five starters, scoring in double figures for the Celtics, who won for the seventh time in their last eight games.

Enes Kanter chipped in 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for Boston, which played without Kemba Walker (flu).

Young had 28 points and 10 assists in his return from a two-game absence with a sprained ankle. Kevin Huerter scored 17,

Damian Lillard scored 35 points, CJ McCollum added 24, and Portland snapped a five-game losing skid with a win over host Washington.

The Wizards came into Friday’s game without All-Stars John Wall (Achilles) and Bradley Beal (leg). Jordan McRae came off the bench and matched Lillard’s game-high with 35 points, Garrison Mathews added 18 points, and Ish Smith finished with 16 points; all contributing to a 76-19 advantage in bench scoring for Washington.

Portland’s starters posted a more lopsided edge, however, outscoring their counterparts 103-27. Lillard and McCollum led four Trail Blazers starters, scoring in double figures. They were joined by Carmelo Anthony with 16 and Hassan Whiteside with 23. Whiteside also grabbed 21 rebounds. Mario Hezonja made it five Trail Blazers in double digits with 10 points.

Phoenix Suns 120; New York Knicks 112

Devin Booker scored a game-high 38 points — his franchise record-tying fifth straight 30-point game — as host Phoenix mounted a fourth-quarter comeback and pulled away from New York.

The Suns, who have won three of four, outscored the Knicks 37-25 in the fourth quarter. New York had its season-high three-game winning streak snapped.

Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 29 points for the Suns, and Aron Baynes posted a double-double (20 points, 12 rebounds). Marcus Morris Sr. led the Knicks with 25 points, while Bobby Portis added 20 off the bench.

(Reuters)

ATP Cup tennis…

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic earn wins ꟷ for Spain and Serbia respectively

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pain’s world number one tennis player Rafael Nadal began his 2020 season by clinching his nation’s opening win against Georgia at the inaugural ATP Cup. Nadal beat Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3 7-5 to give Spain a 2-0 advantage in the best-ofthree tie held in Australia.

And Novak Djokovic edged past South African Kevin Anderson to clinch victory for Serbia; while Austria lost to Croatia after Dominic Thiem was beaten, and France beat Chile 2-1 in Group A, while Japan and Argentina also won.

On day two of the new tournament, Benoit Paire opened up for France with a 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-3 win over Nicolas Jarry, before world number 10 Gael Monfils sealed victory in Brisbane by beating Cristian Garin 6-3 7-5.

Without injured former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori, Japan won all three matches against Uruguay in Group B in Perth, while Argentina beat Poland 2-1 in Group E in Sydney.

In the evening session, 32-year-old

Djokovic had to dig deep to overcome former Wimbledon and US Open finalist Anderson, who was playing for the first time since July, after a knee injury. Anderson, 33, played aggressively, and found the lines to leave Djokovic rattled at several points in a closely-fought match, but the 16-time Grand Slam champion edged the tie-breaks to win 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (8-6).

Anderson failed to capitalise on a set point at 6-5 in the second tie-break, hitting the ball into the net, which allowed the Serb to recover and take his first match point with a volley. That ensured the tie went Serbia’s way, after Dusan Lajovic had earlier beaten Lloyd Harris in three sets.

Novak Djokovic needed to produce some of his best tennis to beat Anderson, and when he did, it sparked jubilant celebrations from the reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon champion with the Serbian fans in Brisbane.

Nadal, 33, showed signs of rustiness in his first match after a six-week off-season, before eventually seeing off world number

26, Basilashvili, in almost two hours.

Nadal looked to be heading to a smooth win after breaking Basilashvili twice in each set, only for the 19-time Grand Slam champion to show that even the greatest players can have difficulty in closing out matches.

The Spaniard stuttered as he twice failed to serve out victory from 5-2 ahead, and allowed Basilashvili to level at 5-5, before breaking straight back and eventually wrapping up the win at the third time of asking.

Nadal’s win, which came after Roberto Bautista Agut thrashed Aleksandre Metreveli 6-0 6-0 in the opening match, meant the Davis Cup champions had clinched victory regardless of what happened in the doubles rubber.

Austria’s defeat by Croatia, who led through Marin Cilic’s win over Denis Novak, was sealed when world number four, Thiem, lost 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 6-3 to Borna Coric.

Saturday’s results at the ATP Cup Brisbane (Group A) P e r t h

(Group B) Sydney (Group E) Day session: France 2-1 Chile Japan 3-0 Uruguay Argentina 2-1 Poland Night session: Serbia 3-0 South Africa Spain 3-0 Georgia Croatia 3-0 Austria The 24-nation event is spread across three Australian cities - Brisbane, Perth and Sydney - and features six groups of four teams, who each play three round-robin ties.

The six group winners, plus the best two runners-up, will progress to the quarter-finals.

Great Britain, who are without Andy Murray after he pulled out through injury, lost their opening tie against Bulgaria on Friday, and must beat Belgium on Sunday to stand any chance of progressing.

Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury were beaten in a thrilling deciding doubles match, which ended at 02:47 local time in Sydney.

(BBC.COM)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020

WI Under-19 Rising Stars…

Pre-World Cup Camp in Johannesburg confirmed

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WEST INDIES U-19 WORLD CUP SQUAD:

The current WI Under-19 squad

T JOHN’S, Antigua: The West Indies Under-19 Rising Stars will continue preparing to participate in the ICC Under-19 World Cup, to be held in South Africa from January 17 to February 9, with a training camp in Johannesburg from January 4-11.

This camp will be held before the two official World Cup warm-up matches: versus Canada (January 13) and Scotland (January 15).

West Indies are in Zone B, alongside three-time winners Australia, 1998 winners England, and tournament debutants Nigeria.

This camp concludes a year of targeted preparations for the West Indies

Under-19 team.

Those preparations had accelerated under the revised CWI Strategic Plan that incorporates the Skerritt-Shallow 10-point campaign plan of “Increased exposure for Under-19 and Under-23 cricketers.”

The targeted preparation initiatives included trial games in the Rising Stars Under-19 tournament in St Vincent for the standout performers and players.

That initiative had been introduced to the programme in December 2018, and several players had participated in the victorious West Indies Emerging Players Team in the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup, a skills camp

Kimani Melius - Captain Nyeem Young Ashmead Nedd Leonardo Julien Kevlon Anderson Daniel Beckford Matthew Forde Joshua James Antonio Morris Mbeki Joseph Avinash Mahabirsingh Kirk McKenzie Ramon Simmonds Matthew Patrick Jaden Seales in September, and the Rising Stars Tri-Series versus England and Sri Lanka, which were both held in Antigua.

All of these cricket initiatives were aimed at giving the team not just the best chance of succeeding in the

West Indies won their first U19 World Cup back in 2016 with Guyanese Shimron Hetmyer at the helm of the squad

Youth World Cup, but also improving their development for the future.

“A training camp has been organized in Johannesburg to ensure the players receive ample time to acclimatize and, more importantly, work on the focus areas that came out of the Tri-Series”, said West Indies Under-19 coach Graeme West before the team departed the Caribbean on January 1st.

Reflecting on what the team gained from facing England and Sri Lanka in the recent Rising Stars TriSeries, West further said: “The encouraging aspect of the Tri-Series was that the team got into strong posi-

Team management: Graeme West (Head Coach) Kenny Benjamin (Assistant Coach) Dwain Gill (Manager) Dinesh Mahabir (Analyst) Khevyn Williams (Physiotherapist) Martin Gallyer (Strength & Conditioning Coach) Julian Fountain (Fielding Coach) tions in five out of the six games that were played.

The bowling unit functioned well, and was backed up by some impressive fielding that was enhanced by the introduction of Fielding Specialist Julien Fountain.

The batsmen came out of the series with a better understanding of the skills they will need to deliver in order to achieve the team’s targets that have been set, and the camp will certainly focus heavily in these areas.”

He continued: “The six games have given each player a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities they will need to fulfill for the team to succeed. Equally as important was the time the players and coaches spent together to discuss, review and reflect on the cricket that was played, and identify how each player can move their game forward and give more to the team.”

Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown…

MC Gill Superstars CC Annual Fiddlerontheroof Awards Ceremony for January 8 wins by six lengths

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Members of the MC Gill Superstars Cricket Club at their 2018 Annual Awards Ceremony

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he MC Gill Superstars Cricket Club will be hosting its Annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, January 8, at the New Thriving Restaurant at Providence, East Bank Demerara from 19:30 hrs.

The objective of the exercise is to honour those persons who have impacted the fortunes of the club in 2019.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, club captain Sudesh Persaud disclosed: “Over the years, the club has been producing talented cricketers who have gone on to represent the national team, and I feel that this is only the beginning of something

special for the club.

“The club has been playing some really good cricket lately, and has made it to all the WDCA (West Demerara Cricket Association) tournament finals in 2019; and we would like to continue the good form in 2020.

“It should also be made clear that my main aim is to continue to develop the club, and hopefully produce more national athletes who can go on to serve their country and win more regional titles for Guyana.”

This club, founded in 1992 by residents of Canal #1, West Bank Demerara, has to

date produced 3 national youth players, namely: left-arm spinner Kheshram Seyhodan, left-arm seamer Daniel Basdeo, and batting all-rounder Travis Persaud.

Not only has this club been performing excellently for the 2019 cricket season, but, outside of competition, its members have participated in a number of charitable matches as well, because the club aims to foster love on an off the field.

Among the club’s sponsors over the years are Telco Solutions, Trophy Stall, and overseas-based club members Anil Beharry, Rameshwar Persaud, Karan Singh, and Anand Persaud and brothers.

ockey Robbie Power has said there were options at Cheltenham for his six-yearold mount Fiddlerontheroof, after it recorded another commanding victory at Sandown.

The 5-4 favourite surged home by six lengths in the Grade One Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle, after a seven-length win at the track in December. On soft ground over two miles, Power moved his horse clear with two to jump. Jeremys Flame (6-1) was in second.

Power said afterwards: “He’s a big strong horse now, and handles that ground really well.”

It was the third time in four years that trainer Colin Tizzard, who took charge of the horse in October, had won the race; and Power has said that Fiddlerontheroof may move up to two and a half miles at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but the going may dictate that he runs in the opening race of the coveted event, the Supreme, over two miles.

“We won’t decide on 4 January, but if it was a very soft Cheltenham, he’d probably be better off in the Supreme; and if it was a normal good-ground Cheltenham, the two-and-ahalf would be ideal,” Power

Fiddlerontheroof and Robbie Power move clear at Sandown to win by six lengths

explained. “He’ll have entries in both.”

Of this Tolworth win, Power said: “That was ideal. He had a good gallop on very testing ground, which brings his stamina into play. The further the race went, the happier I was, and the better he travelled.” (BBC.COM)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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Colvin Heath-London Inter- Secondary Schools T20 Tourney kicks off this month F

ormer National Youth Cricketer and sports enthusiast Colvin HeathLondon has indicated that he would be establishing a national Inter-Secondary Schools T20 Cricket competition, the inaugural staging of which would get underway later this month.

This competition, he explained, is being organised primarily to commemorate Guyana’s 50th Republic Anniversary celebrations in February, but would also create an avenue to advance sports development among youths.

He explained that with cricket being a national sport, he is confident that through the sport, social cohesion and sports development can be further enhanced.

“There is need for continued social cohesion among the nation youths while getting more students actively and passionately involved in sports at the secondary level, and that is what this competition seeks to do, as it will afford the players an opportunity to interact while competing competitively with students from various regions,” HeathLondon has said.

The acting CEO of NICIL/SPU has stressed that, along with NICIL/SPU, there has been collaboration with a number of individuals and companies to make this competition a reality. He assured that the InterSecondary Schools T20 Cricket Competition would be one that every aspiring Guyanese and West Indian cricketer would look forward to, and disclosed that while he intends to have such competitions involving both male and female teams, this year’s competition would be only for male teams.

He pointed out that the competition is expected to involve Regions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10, and noted that some 72 teams would be

As such, I intend to make this competi-

Colvin Heath–London, after whom the InterSecondary Schools’ tournament is named

participating therein. He said that regional winners would clash in a national playoff.

“This competition is expected to showcase some of our most talented and future cricketing stars, and will serve as a platform for clubs and other cricketing officials to spot some of the hidden talented player.

t i o n an annual event while demonstrating my interest and passion for sports development in a holistic manner,” he disclosed.

The NICIL/SPU acting CEO, who had played three different sports at the national level during his younger years, has said that if the talent and skills of our young sportsmen and women are going to be further developed and enhanced, then there must be a platform for them to showcase their skills and abilities.

He said there are several talented students who, because of the various challenges and difficulties they face, are unable to realise the full potential of their talents; and he declared that he remains committed, with several other partners, to play a pivotal role in advancing youth development through sports.

This competition, which will be known as the Colvin Heath-London Inter-Secondary Schools T20 Cricket, will see the national semi-finals being played in Region Six, and the grand finale taking place at the LBI cricket ground in Region Four.

Heath-London is optimistic that the regions’ responses would improve as a result of the important role and positive impact of the competition.

He declared that he would love to see all ten administrative regions participating in the competition, but noted that because of time and logistic reasons, exacerbated by

financial constraints, all ten regions would not be participating in this inaugural competition.

He stressed that he would like to have at least another two new regions participating in next year’s competition.

He said the competition is expected to bowl off in the third week of this month. “I am very elated with the response thus far, and would like to assure that all the required arrangements and systems are being put in place to get this competition off the ground smoothly. The responses… from several of the secondary schools are (also) heartening, as the excitement is already there, as several of the schools have been training and preparing since last year for this competition,” he said.

He added: “This competition affords each school to use it as a yardstick in determining the level and quality of talent that they have within their school. Further, it will provide our young men with the required platform to be more engaged and involved in positive things.”

He pointed out that the matches will be played at various cricket grounds on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

According to Heath-London, he selected cricket because it is a sport that is played and loved generally by all Guyanese.

He added that there is a very close relationship between cricket and the sugar estates; therefore, he felt that it was the ideal sport to lend significant support in channelling positive behaviours and attitudes among young people.

Kennard Memorial Turf Club reveals 2020 horse racing calendar ꟷ Justice (retired) Cecil Kennard thanks sponsors for supporting the Boxing Day Meet

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Justice (retd) Cecil Kennard

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ustice (retd) Cecil Kennard, who administers the affairs of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC), speaking to Guyana Times Sport in relation to the KMTC’s activities for this new year, first took the time to extend his gratitude to the sponsors of the highly successful Boxing Day horse meet, which had filled the facility to its capacity and had featured some highprofile racing events.

He thereafter disclosed that the club’s first event for this year will take place on March 29. It will be a major event, he said, and would be followed by the May 31 horse meet; after which the August 2 event will follow, then the October 25 race.

He said the main event would be the December 26 Boxing Day event.

Justice (retd) Kennard was at pains to express his deep gratitude to all the

Racing action at the Kennard Memorial Boxing Day Meet (Brandon Corlette photos)

club’s sponsors and patrons over the years, but he especially singled out the following entities as recipients of his deep gratitude: Metro Office Supplies, for again sponsoring the feature event at the Boxing Day Meet, putting up approximately two million dollars and a trophy.

Dalip Trading Ltd; Muneshwer’s Ltd; Chatterpaul Deo; Horse Shoe Racing Services; Courts Guyana Inc; P&P Insurance Brokers; Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited; Optique Vision Care; The Hand-in-Hand Group of Insurance Companies; Poonai’s Pharmacy;

Boodoo’s Racing Service; and Rohan’s Auto Spares were also among a host of other sponsors to whom he would like to extend deep gratitude.

During the Boxing Day Meet, Torginal Paints had sponsored the H and Lower event, which saw the race horse TNT copping the $250,000 cash prize and trophy.

KSM had sponsored the race for two-year-old Guyana-bred horses, which saw Awesome Bandit winning the KSM Trophy and $200,000 cash prize.

The L-Open class race was sponsored by Demerara Distillers

Limited (DDL), and Secret Flyer took the top spot and bagged the Ivanoff Trophy and $170,000 winner’s purse.

In the race classified ‘L NonEarners’, Magaline prevailed to earn the winner’s purse of $130,000 and a trophy donated by Rohan Auto Sales of Good Hope, Mahaica, ECD. Justice (retd) Kennard would like to offer all the foregoing his deepest gratitude, and would like them to note that he and members of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club are anticipating similar, if not better, support from these loyal sponsors during the 2020 horse racing season.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COMOM

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020

Anderson, Nedd depart for ICC U-19 World Cup

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wo of the Caribbean’s brightest prospects, Guyana’s Ashmead Nedd and Kevlon Anderson, have departed Guyana’s shores during the past week to begin their final preparations for the 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. The 50-over tournament will be played in South Africa from January 17 to February 9 in a round-robin and knockout format.

Sixteen teams across the globe will battle for supremacy, and a total of 48 matches will be played.

West Indies are in Group B, which include teams such as Australia, England, and Nigeria. The Caribbean team will open their campaign on January 18 against Australia, and this would be followed by the clash against England on January 20. On January 23, West Indies will play their final group game, against Nigeria.

Nedd and Sinclair are the lone Guyanese in the West Indies team. They are both Berbicians, hailing from Region 6, East Berbice-Corentyne.

This tournament was won by the West Indies in 2016 under the leadership of Guyanese Shimron Hetmyer, himself also a Berbician.

Hailing from the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Anderson is a complete cricketer, and is seen as the rock of the middle order, having in the past displayed level-headedness and maturity in batting. Fresh from a stint with the West Indies team that played the Under-19 Tri-Nation Series against Sri Lanka and England, Anderson scored only 97 runs, but he gathered a wealth of experience ahead of the World Cup. He has been dominating local and Regional Under-19 cricket, but a different challenge awaits him in South Africa.

The gifted left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd has impressed over the years, and has featured in the 2018 ICC U-19 World Cup. Having great experience from playing in the last tournament, he will be

aimi n g to domi n a t e .

Nedd played in the Regional Super50 Cup and displayed his skill with the ball. He played a significant role in the West Indies Emerging Players win of the tournament, bagging 11 wickets at a brilliant economy rate of 3.27 at an average of 10.27. His best bowling figures were 4-29 in the semis of the Super50.

West Indies have displayed ordinary performances against Sri Lanka and England in the Super50 Cup, and will now have to bounce back and perform at their best in the ICC U-19 World Cup.

Ashmead Nedd

Kevlon Anderson

BFA President Alden Marslowe Ali looking to excel for UG Trojans in 2020 promises “greater things” in 2020

By Timothy Jaikarran

Ali has performed well with the bat for the Trojans

By Timothy Jaikarran

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rshaad Ali continues to dominate cricket at the level he plays in representing the Trojans Cricket Team of the University of Guyana. He has excelled at the top of his game, and proven himself to be the X-factor in the batting lineup; and his training regimen is now a testament to his success.

Ali has again been selected to participate in the Cricket Guyana Inc franchise, but has been unable to play, being prevented by work

commitments from so doing.

He, however, continues to play cricket for the University of Guyana, and has proven himself to be Mr Consistent, as his scores have reflected.

Not only can Ali bat, but he is a right-arm leg spinner who has dented the innings of opposing teams as of recent.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport in an exclusive interview, Ali has said his cricket this season has been very excellent for the 20182019 period, compared to past seasons.

“Well, in 2020, I’m looking for a lot more runs and wickets.

It definitely should be a more productive year for me. For the new year, I would hope to accomplish far more than I had achieved in the past. It wasn’t really a good year (2019), I didn’t get to play much cricket, but I was able to score the most runs for UG. I was able to score mostly fifties and take a few five-wicket hauls.

“What keeps me going is the love of the game. I’d choose cricket over work, if it comes to that. For this 2020 season, I feel I bring a lot more experience and maturity and leadership to the team,” he explained.

Even under pressure, Ali continues to show why he is still one of the better left-

T

Ali bowling during a game

handed batsmen on the scene.

He has said that, in order to be successful at the top, one must train hard, have the right mindset to score big, and have the confidence to go out on the field and execute one’s plans.

For Ali, whether it is batting or bowling, a player must always have confidence and back himself to win.

He has showered copious praise on his coach, Kenroy Joseph, disclosing that Joseph has always told him to keep training himself to bat long and build big innings.

he Bartica Football Association (BFA) has, under the leadership of President Alden Marslowe, seen substantial increase in its football activities, and the emergence of new talent among its ranks in 2019.

And now, as it kick-starts its 2020 campaign to return football to Bartica, Marslowe has told Guyana Times that: “Spirits are high within the association at the prospect of bringing the game back to the Bartica Community Centre Ground, after a number of years.

“We expect to start the 2020 season early in February,” he said. “We want to play at as many levels as we can, and also implement a number of developmental programmes, like coaches and referees’ education. Added activities can only foster positives in the game.

“We look forward to having return games against teams outside of the Bartica Association, (in order) to give our boys more exposure to competition. Along with inviting other associations to play against us, we also intend to participate in every inter-association tournament that the GFF puts out there.

“We want to complete in leagues in at least four age categories, run off some great knockout competitions, get our grassroots programme off the ground, and crown it off with a big win at the national level.”

The BFA president also said that Bartica teams have been competitive in their home games, but have a tendency to not perform well in their away games.

He opined that exposure to more competitions would result in Bartica teams registering better performances, hence the association is looking to invite outside clubs and associations to compete against Bartica

BFA President, Alden Marslowe

teams in home and away games.

Marslowe also declared that the BFA is extremely grateful to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and its president, Wayne Forde, for the unprecedented support it has been receiving through the FIFA Forward Programme and from the GFF’s corporate partners.

Marslowe’s conviction is that: “We (BFA) couldn’t ask for better support and leadership from the GFF. The input from the GFF has been tremendous, and if all goes as planned, this year it might be overwhelming.

“To our supporters, we just want to say, ‘Thanks for your patience through the difficult times’, but things are looking up now with the near completion of the community ground. The authorities are already looking into the development of the other grounds, too. So, on behalf of the BFA, I look forward to us working together to lift our game and put Bartica football back among the top players, where it belongs.”

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020

23

Boxers depart for 3month training stint …GOA pledges $1M for qualifier expenses

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our amateur boxers departed Guyana’s shores on Saturday to commence a three-month training stint in

Cuba.

Over the next three months, Keevin Allicock, Colin Lewis, Desmond Amsterdam and Dennis Thomas will have the opportunity of a lifetime as they embark on a training stint in Cuba.

Accompanied by coaches Terrence Poole and Sebert Blake, the four boxers will travel to Panama before making their way to Cuba, where they are expected to be joined

by Coach Roland Francisco for the training period.

This stint is expected to give the Guyanese pugilists ample preparation and conditioning to enable them to participate in the Olympic qualifiers scheduled for March.

The team was given a grand send-off at the National Gymnasium on Saturday morning, with Guyana Olympic Association President K. A. Juman-Yassin wishing them well and pledging another million dollars for their Olympic qualifier travels.

“I’m very confident that we (have) got a good chance, but you know the Cubans will also be there in Argentina, and you’re training in their country. So, you got to think about that and perform a step higher,” Yassin urged.

“What I could promise you now (is) that, for the qualifying tournament in Argentina, I think the GOA can commit ourselves to a million dollars for airfares or whatever, at least for you guys to go,” the GOA President

further stated.

In expressing his gratitude to the chief contributors to the training stint, such as the Guyana Olympic Association and the National Sports Commission, Guyana Boxing Association President Steve Ninvalle disclosed that such an extended trip has not been made by Guyanese boxers in over a decade.

“We have put all the preparation in place for the young boxers, and it is now up to them; we have paved the way. It is the first time, I think, in over 12 or 13 years that we will have a contingent going anywhere for such and extended time. I would like to thank profusely the NSC and the GOA for making sure that this can be realized,” Ninvalle expressed.

The four boxers are eagerly looking forward to the three-month engagement. They will be headed by team captain Colin Lewis.

With intentions to better their boxing all round, here’s what the team had to say: “This is another step in my amateur career, and there’s been a lot that I’ve been told about to work on. It’s been highlighted to me, so I’m going there with a plan. I have my coach, and we also have the Cuban coach; so we’ll all work on that together to make a big step forward towards Tokyo,” Colin Lewis posited.

“Well, you know I’m looking forward to becoming stronger. The qualifiers, by God’s grace, hopefully we come away with medals and get to Cuba after that,” Keevin Allicock noted.

Guyanese boxers Keevin Allicock, Colin Lewis, Desmond Amsterdam and Dennis Thomas

“My expectation is to work on my physical and my skills, because that is something that I’m down on. So, it’s all about working on my skill, focus, and going to the qualification and do good,” Desmond Amsterdam shared.

“I was in Cuba in 2014 in a tournament, and I did a lot of sparring; so, there’s no difference from Cuba to Guyana, they have the same talent. We were doing strength right here, strength and speed, so just the con-

stant competition and the physical parts of boxing into the tournament (are missing),” Dennis Thomas explained.

While the boxers will be training for the next three months, the Olympic qualifiers in Argentina are scheduled for March 26 to April 3. The GOA had contributed US$15,000 to the Cuban trip, while the NSC has made an initial donation of $1M and pledged an additional sum of greater value by the end of January. (Jemima Holmes)

Sinclair, Smith aiming to grab opportunity with both hands

By Brandon Corlette

Smith seeking to cement spot with good performances With his fellow Tucber Park club mate Romario Shepherd and Keemo Paul missing Jaguars selection due to West Indies commitments, Smith will have to make an immediate impact when he turns out for Guyana Jaguars to bowl his first ball in 4-Day cricket.

With his extreme pace, the

T

he Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club allrounder Kevin Sinclair and Tucber Park paceman Nial Smith are the new faces in the Guyana Jaguars 4-Day Squad that will play the first round of matches in Antigua from January 9.

After the final practice match, Sinclair and Smith spoke to Guyana Times Sport, each expressing great satisfaction at earning a maiden call-up.

Sinclair unfazed about transition from white-ball to red-ball The moment Sinclair steps on the field, he gives that extra 110%, whether in batting, or bowling his right-arm offspin. He announced himself at the senior stage in the recent Regional Super50 Cup, where he played a significant role in the West Indies Emerging Players team that won the tournament.

Now he is eager to extend his form when he rocks the whites of the Guyana Jaguars.

Asked about the transition process from white-ball to redball cricket, Sinclair disclosed that he is switched on to the longer format.

“Back home in Berbice, we had two-day cricket, so I quickly came back into redball mode and it was just a quick transition for me,” the off-spinning all-rounder noted.

to take it game by game.

“It’s a great feeling to get this opportunity. I didn’t really have much games in the Super50, but I am looking forward to this 4-Day. The squad could (be) different after the first game, but I am looking to cement my spot with good performances”, Smith explained.

He added that it takes a lot of training and hard work to

Super50, said the 4-Day format would give him the opportunity to get himself in the game and get it right.

Apart from bringing his extreme pace to the table, Smith brings joy in the dressing room with his jolly character. The

Kevin Sinclair bats during the Jaguars practice match

After narrowly missing out on the Jaguars Super50 call-up due to questionable selection policy, Sinclair has now got his opportunity in the longer format.

Sharing his sentiments on the maiden call-up to the senior team, Sinclair had this to say: “It’s always a great feeling coming into this set-up. It’s always tough to get in, so when you get in, you just have to grab the opportunity with both hands and make full use of it”.

Reflecting on the Guyana

Jaguars practice matches, the 20-year-old Sinclair said it was a good outing for him. “It was really good for me. In the first match I chipped in with a fifty, and got three wickets in this match, so it was a good allround practice game for me, and hopefully I take this form into the tournament,” he declared.

Sinclair had the best economy rate in the Super50 tournament, ending with 13 wickets in nine matches with best bowling figures of 4-20.

Nial Smith in full flow (Brandon Corlette photos)

right-arm speedster has been impressing since the Cricket Guyana Inc. one-day franchise league. Speaking on attaining his maiden 4-Day selection, Smith said he would be looking

break into the Guyana team, and he has been putting in the hard work.

The right-arm quickie, who took one wicket in the two matches he played in the

24-year-old Smith highlighted that he is motivated to hit the ground running with the ball and show everyone why he has been selected.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020

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

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Boxers depart for 3month training stint …GOA pledges $1M for qualifier expenses

Pg 23

Pg 22

Anderson, Nedd depart for ICC U-19 World Cup

Sinclair, Smith aiming to grab opportunity with both hands

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.

JANUARY 5, 2020

TIMES BOLLYWOOD:

Akshay Kumar film Good Newwz earns Rs 117 cr FREE DISTRIBUTION

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Feature

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

By Utamu Belle

A

t 46- years old, Lindener Myrtle Gentle has created employment for herself by developing her farmland at West, Watooka, Mackenzie.

Myrtle, who is a mother of 4 decided to take the farming initiative seriously about 5 years ago as she started planting crops on her approximately 5 acres of land to which she occupies approximately 4 acres. T he remaining acre, she is in the process of developing.

The proud farmer recently took the Sunday Times Magazine on a tour of her farmland which is well developed with crops including lettuce, parsley, bora, boulanger, watermelon, sorrel, cabbage, ginger, tomatoes and countless others.

“I am in farming for nearly about 30 years, but the truth is I never get into it seriously ‘til about 5 years ago...before... I never paid much attention to it like a job. That is how I look at farming now...realizing that if you need an income from it then you have to work, just as how you would go to work to have a pay at the end of the month, you have to pay attention to your farm in order to have a salary...”she told this publication.

It was this decision, Gentle noted, which inspired her to pour more effort and time into the practice as she then decided to live on the farm in an effort to do so. The farmer, who retails her produce is ably assisted by her husband, four children and an assistant.

She explained that her motivation to go fully into farming stemmed from not being comfortable with just being a housewife. She noted that after working abroad for some time she decided to come back

home to Guyana and create a job for herself whereby she can also be there to take care of her children.

“Even when I came back there was not something that I could put my hands on to do and have time with my kids plus work and earn money. I always loved farming, mind you so then is when I decided to do it more responsibly”, Gentle related.

The woman who is quite passionate about farming said she initially started off by producing to supply the wholesale market in Linden but did not find it to be economical. This prompted her to get into the local sales market herself, a decision which she says she does not regret. This also prompted her to grow a variety of other vegetables, including rare ones like cauliflower, zucchini and broccoli.

Apart from this, Gentle has also been into bee keeping for about 20 years, however, she

rel a t ed that it wasn’t until recently that she gained the requisite knowledge through a training workshop facilitated by by the Agriculture Ministry, the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) and the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Democratic Council (RDC) Agriculture Department.

“I went to the workshop where I acquired a whole lot of knowledge. So we’re venturing into it with knowledge now so we expect to see something more better now”, Gentle explained. She was also awarded a bee hive for her participation in the workshop and is now equipped with knowledge for honey production.

Gentle said she is thankful that she receives full support from Lindeners, whom she noted are always eager to purchase from her when she sets up her weekly market stall at Central Mackenzie.

“I don’t know if there is another stall in Linden where persons go and sit and wait to be sold but I know my customers from Linden would sit and wait on me... and they do support me a lot. I’m very grateful for them”, she related.

Gentle boasted that her locally produced vegetables are always fresh. She would sell her produce at Central Mackenzie mainly on Fridays.

“My crops, I don’t use a lot of fertilizers on them. If you purchase my cucumbers today, you have it whole week ‘til you ready to buy cucumbers again. So I think this is one of the positive sides that would make people want to buy from me too”, she posited.

While there are positive aspects, Gentle said she also has challenges, like for example dealing with the weather, pests and insects.

“It has a lot of losses...challenges, because you can plant a lot of things and if the weather changes, then you lose all these crops. But at the end of the day you still can earn a living from it”, she posited.

Gentle has established shade houses which is one of the ways she intends on dealing with the issue of the weather. She explained that she was gifted one from the RDC but said it was not effectively constructed and presents a lot of challenges. Another issue she highlighted is getting water to her farmland.

“For me, I face a serious challenge with water...I normally access water a thousand feet from here and that is just to get it from the front end of the land, and then I still have to bring it in and distribute it...So these are common challenges faced”, Gentle explained.

She said while there is a canal which was dug at the back of the land it is presently “dry” since it is used by a lot of farmers in the area.

Despite challenges, she said she receives support from the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) in terms of knowledge and technical support. Gentle also has advice for persons who might be willing to follow in her footsteps: “You have to love farming. You don’t just do farming because you see somebody else doing it. You must have a lot of love for farming because it takes a lot of your time, it takes a lot of patience and you have to have determination...A lot of things I give up for farming. A lot of times when I could be here or there I would choose not to...,” she noted.

She has developed a love for the plants she nurtures “I so love these plants that I refuse to leave them behind...I just love to see them grow and the harvesting time I would have to do it. But that is not the fun part of it. The fun part is caring and have them grow nice. You take a few pictures and you see them looking beautiful.

That is the part I like”, she mused.

Gentle encourages the relevant authorities to invest more into the West Watooka Farmers’ Group and listen to their concerns.

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JANUARY 5, 2020

Sunday Times Magazine

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Feature

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

By Lakhram Bhagirat

O

ne of the best feelings of accomplishment is being able to provide for yourself and the people in your care and one of the best ways to do that is by being able to feed them. Food is the foundation of all things good.

Around food is where we have had many memories and to put it quite frankly, everybody remembers the good plate of food that they have had.

In today’s world where we all live in the fast lane, choosing the right food for yourself and your family is quite a task since we are sacrificing quality over quantity.

We have foods that quite contribute to the deterioration of our

“ I was working as an Extension Agent with NAREI (National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute) and I used to work and you always hear about the (bell) peppers coming into the country and the importation bill so high.

So I decided to produce the peppers in an effort to help cut the importation bill because to import the peppers is a lot of money and it also means that the peppers are expensive. So I started up the peppers and it worked well as has been doing well since it hit the market. We can actually produce the same peppers we import into this country because we have the land and we have the freshwater and now all we need is the will to do that,” he said.

Dhaniram began producing high-quality bell peppers just over five years ago and has been one of the major suppliers of the product to a number of supermarkets throughout the country. Prior to that along with the celery and eschalot, he also farmed tomatoes.

“I did not have much challenges when I decided to start growing the peppers because the market was there and they welcomed it. I took it upon myself to take up the challenge to show that we can bring down the import bill. We are now working on broccoli, cauliflower and purple cabbage to bring down that bill.

We can do it all here. That (the bell peppers) really put me in the high volume crop because we import that. We did some trials (on broccoli, cauliflower and purple cabbage) with NAREI and it was successful so Guyana has the potential in terms of growing those commodities because we have the land, we have the freshwater here and we can actually grow those high volume crops here and it will ease our importation,” Dhaniram noted.

health but what we also have is the power to change that.

Agriculture is the foundation of all sectors since many others are dependent, in some form, on agriculture. Whether it is the service industry or manufacturing sector we all rely on the farmers.

Throughout the world, farming is considered as one of the less glamorous jobs since it involves getting down and dirty all of the time. But farming is a science that very few have mastered and it is also one of the most fulfilling professions.

For the past 15 years, Dhaniram Ramchand has been living the dream since he has been able to boast about playing a part in what many of us eat. Though relatively still young, the 41-year-old has been surrounded by vast landmass and farms his entire life.

Growing up on the West Bank of the Berbice River in the farming community of Bath Settlement meant that he was exposed to farming and techniques of the trade from a young age. He developed a knack for it but his approach was more than the traditional one.

The community is the major producer of eschalot and celery in Guyana and while he initially went that route, Dhaniram knew that he needed to do more. And more he did.

He is also expanding his business. Dhaniram not only farms but under his Green To Life brand, he distributes his produce and also supplies farmers with seedlings and pesticides. He also takes the time to impart his knowledge to other farmers since he believes that the more farmers, the better because food is something everyone needs.

“As any other business farming is a business and I think farming has great potential and agriculture contributes a significant portion of the GDP in our country. So I think farming got great potential and with oil, we should increase our production because we will have more people coming in. We need to up the scale because there will be more market for farmers once they produce quality stuff.

“I am working towards producing more organic products so my peppers are now growing organic because visitors going more towards that and it brings a better price. I am producing under shade houses and greenhouses in an effort to cope with climate change because we know climate change is a threat to food production not only in Guyana but also the world.”

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Feature

C

limate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach to help the people who manage agricultural systems respond effectively to climate change. The CSA approach pursues the triple objectives of sustainably increasing productivity and incomes, adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions where possible.

This does not imply that every practice applied in every location should produce “triple wins”.

Rather the CSA approach seeks to reduce trade-offs and promote synergies by taking these objectives into consideration to inform decisions from the local to the global scales and over short and long time horizons, to derive locally-acceptable solutions.

The majority of the world’s poor live in rural areas and agriculture is their most important income source. Developing the potential to increase the productivity and incomes from smallholder crop, livestock, fish and forest production systems will be the key to achieving global food security over the next twenty years.

Climate change is expected to hit developing countries the hardest. Its effects include higher temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events. All of these pose risks for agriculture, food and water supplies. Resilience is therefore a predominant concern. Agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. Mitigation can often be a significant co-benefit of actions to strengthen adaptation and enhance food security, and thus mitigation action compatible with national development priorities for agriculture is an important aspect of CSA.

Actions to implement a CSA approach include: 1. Expanding the evidence base:

The evidence base is made up of the current and projected effects of climate change in a country, identifying key vulnerabilities in the agricultural sector and for food security, agriculture and the identification of effective adaptation options. It includes estimates of the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (or increased carbon sequestration) generated by adaptation strategies, information on costs and barriers to the adoption of different practices, issues related to the sustainability of production systems and the required policy and institutional responses to overcome them.

2. Supporting enabling policy frameworks:

The approach supports the development of relevant policies, plans, investments and coordination across processes and institutions responsible for agriculture, climate change, food security and land use.

3. Strengthening national and local institutions:

Strong local institutions to empower, enable and motivate farmers are essential. In some cases, efforts also need to be made in building the capacity of national policy makers to participate in international policy fora on climate change and agriculture, and reinforce their engagement with local government authorities.

The CSA Approach

CSA is not a set of practices that can be universally applied, but rather an approach that involves different elements embedded in local contexts. CSA relates to actions both on-farm and beyond the farm, and incorporates technologies, policies, institutions and investment.

Different elements of climate-smart agricultural systems include: • Management of farms, crops, livestock, aquaculture and capture fisheries to balance near-term food security and livelihoods needs with priorities for adaptation and mitigation.

• Ecosystem and landscape management to conserve ecosystem services that are important for food security, agricultural development, adaptation and mitigation.

• Services for farmers and land managers to enable better management of climate risks/impacts and mitigation actions.

• Changes in the wider food system including demand-side measures and value chain interventions that enhance the benefits of CSA.

4. Enhancing financing options:

Innovative financing mechanisms that link and blend climate and agricultural finance and investments from public and private sectors are a key means of implementing CSA. New climate financing instruments such as the Green Climate Fund are currently under development and could be a way of spurring sustainable agricultural development. Strong and all-encompassing Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) are key national policy instruments important in creating links to national and international sources of finance.

National sector budgets and ODA will continue to be the main sources of funding, climate integration into sector planning and budgeting is therefore a prerequisite for successfully addressing climate change.

5. Implementing practices at field level

Farmers are the primary custodians of knowledge about their environment, agro-ecosystems, crops, livestock, and local climatic patterns. Adapting to CSA must be related to local farmers’ knowledge, requirements and priorities. Local projects and institutions support farmers to identify suitable climate-smart options that can be easily adopted and implemented. (FAO)

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JANUARY 5, 2020

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

By Mohanlall Suelall

S

omeone once said that farming is a family business and that could not have been truer. For the past decades, Kooldeep ‘Uncle John’ Raghoobar has been supported by his family as he tills, irrigates, sows and reaps the products of his hard labour.

The 62-year-old Essequibo Coast native has been in love with farming for his entire life. He knew that farming was what he wanted to do but his farming life has not been without challenges.

frontation so he has to live with it.

When asked about markets for his produce he said that due to his good pricing he has very little problem with marketing his produce, he said that he believed in living and let others live too. On the issue of stealing, he said with a smile on his face “they come in the farm to ketch iguana but left with plantains.”

Uncle John is an ideal example to the younger generation who is busy with the modern world and forgetting that all richness comes from the soil. He is encouraging young people to get more involved in farming and producing quality and healthy food so as to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a world free of starvation.

Uncle John is a father of four children, who are all married and living happily with their families. For him, family is important and having a long marriage is essential. He has been married to his wife Sursattie for over 42 years.

He said that the secret of a long and successful marriage is to work hard, but make time for the family and most importantly be a farmer, produce your own food, eat healthy so you can think healthy and live longer.

Uncle John as he is popularly known to residents said that farming is inside his blood and he loves to see his sacrifice and hard work comes to life. His life in farming began when he was given about 8 acres of maiden land in Hoff Van Aurich on the Essequibo Coast and with hard work and dedication, he transformed a once Jungle into food-bearing trees.

At present, he is reaping plantains, bananas, beans, pepper, ochroes and cassava. However, due to the recent heavy rainfall and poor drainage which caused flooding in the area, he suffered great losses to his watermelon cultivation, pumpkins, corns, bora and squash.

When asked how he is going to deal with the poor drainage system, he said that they are about three other farmers in the area

who was also affected by the recent flooding and they plan to meet as a team with the NDC to get some assistance in desilting the drainage canals in the area.

Uncle John employs about 5 persons, including women, to assist in reaping and maintaining the farm.

Uncle John is very much concerned about a few residents who are losing their animals to graze in his farm and destroying his young plants, but he said as a man of God he steers clear of con-

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Feature

PRESERVING OUR LITERARY HERITAGE BY PETAMBER PERSAUD

T

he number of books published during 2019 was not as large as in 2018 but this does not take away from the quality of the works published.

Below are some books crossing my desk during 2019*.

‘We Mark Your Memory: Writings from the Descendants of Indenture’

‘We Mark Your Memory: Writings from the Descendants of Indenture’ edited by David Dabydeen, Maria del Pilar Kaladeen, and Tina K. Ramnarine was launched in Georgetown on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. This book was published to mark the centenary of the abolition of the system in the British Empire (2017–20). It is a collection of new writing of prose and poetry from across the Commonwealth.

‘Spontaneous Deluge’ by Alicia Budhram

Alicia Budhram is an environmentalist, vegan, poet and psychology student. Her first collection of poems, ‘Spontaneous Deluge’ was launched on August 18, 2019, with elaborate décor and celebration matching the scope of the writing and appreciated by a large audience, an impressive number for a book launch on a Sunday. Her first poems came to her spontaneously and that led to a book of almost fifty poems ‘touching of themes of domestic violence, inner dialogue, personal growth, emotions, self-exploration, universal search and man’s destruction of nature’.

‘The Poor Man’s Wisdom’ by Vanrick Beresford

Vanrick Beresford’s ‘The Poor Man’s Wisdom’ was launched on November 29, 2019, in Georgetown. It is a collection of eight of his books including ‘Crown – The Analysis of Life’, ‘The Poor Man’s Wisdom’, ‘The Revelation of Jesus The Christ’, ‘Heavenly Wisdom – Mighty Words’, ‘The Seven Pillars of the Church’ and ‘Guyana in Prophecy’.

‘Rubberoadsters’ by Michael Castello

‘Rubberroadsters’ is a collection of thirteen ‘riveting thrillers’ mainly about people who have lived or who have come into contact with the Rubber Tree Road in Mabaruma, North West District. All of the stories are based on real life incidents and that is what makes this book really interesting for the writer has skillfully woven fact into fiction. This is Castello’s fifth book of stories from the heartland of Guyana.

‘Come Lehwe Reason’ by Eric Huntley

Eric Huntley ‘Come Lehwe Reason: A Journey of 50 years with Walter Rodney’, written and compiled by Eric Huntley, was published Bogle L’Ouverture Publications. 50 years of the journey with Walter Rodney is detailed in fifteen chapters with a ‘publisher’s note’ at the beginning, numerous photographs within and a list of books by Rodney at the end, all coming together to make this book more than just a collector’s item.

Many bits of information are new, others well established facts, both arranged in a new setting and from a new perspective. Rodney’s life and work unfolded in the following chapters, namely, ‘Jamaica Sojourn’, ‘Africa to the Rescue’, ‘The Spark has been lit’, ‘Diary of Events of 16th October, 1968’, ‘Reaction to the ban’, and ‘Poetic Tributes’ in which one significant development must be mentioned and that is the banning of Rodney by Jamaica led to the formation of the Bogle L’Ouverture Publications and its first publication, ‘Groundings with My Brothers’.

‘The Evolution Of Writing In English By And About East Indians Of Guyana, 1838-2018’ by Ameena Gafoor

Following in the wake of her magisterial work on Roy Heath in ‘Aftermath of Empire: The Novels of Roy A.K. Heath’, published by the University of the West Indies Press, Ameena Gafoor has produced another book of immense import to the literature of Guyana but particularly and more importantly this book is a timely addition to the slim list of scholarly works on the writings of East Indian of Guyana.

‘The Evolution Of Writing In English By And About East Indians Of Guyana, 1838-2018’ has been compiled with meticulous care to details and great concern for the preservation of the literature of East Indians. This work, coming 180 years after the arrival of East Indians to Guyana, flies in the face of sins of omission and sins of commission with regards to the composition of the literature of the region. The quantity and quality of literature that was bought here by the people who came is an indication that the Indians who came were not mere ‘illiterate peasants’ and that their contribution to the literature of the region was slighted and undervalued.

One of the reasons for Gafoor’s most recent publication is ‘a significant effort to set the record straight with respect to Indian Guyanese literacy, and literary scholarly production’ (Dabydeen).

Gafoor spells out the objectives of this work saying that ‘this bibliography seeks to capture the imaginative and objective writings of East Indians in Guyana including state-

ments by Guyanese artists as well as statements by art historians and critiques by art critics of the significant works of visual arts produced by Guyanese artists of East Indian extract…includes works of Anthology, Literary Criticism, Critiques on the Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Social History, Education, Governance, Politics, Journalisms, Accounting and Financial Management’.

More importantly, this work is organized in chronological order to better trace the development of the body of writings’. This timeline serves many purposes including events that may have has ‘an impact on the consciousness of East Indians in Guyana and, in some instances, prompted the writings’ and facts that possibly ‘shaped the lives of East Indians as well as citizens in modern Guyana’.

‘A Hidden Legacy’ by Kim Sheldon

‘A Hidden Legacy’ was shortlisted for the London Literary Festival and according to its author, ‘it is about a painting done by Allan Ramsay who was the Court painter in England during the late 1700s and he actually painted Queen Charlotte with her natural features because it is said she was a mixed race woman and it [the novel] is about how the main characters in my book have been painted out which were the two children of colour. They were painted out and covered up because slavery at that time was either popular or unpopular and if you were nouveau riche in that business, you didn’t really want to say you were in that business. The book is about their lives; how one child returns to the Caribbean becoming a revolutionary and the other one, a girl, joins the abolitionist movement. KS One of the things I wanted to put into to it because this is the real hidden legacy as well for there were black people in London and at the time, there were 15,000 black people which people rarely talked about – some did well in life, some had normal lives, some did not do so well in life. But there were many interesting people there of colour and many of my fictional characters will meet true life character like the famous violinist George Bridgetower’.

‘The Dark of the Sea’ by Imam Baksh

Imam Baksh’s ‘The dark of the Sea’ is yet another awardwinning title following ‘People of the Spider’ and numerous prizewinning stories appearing in The Guyana Annual. ‘The Dark of the Sea’ is a sort of indictment of our education system and dysfunctional rural community and the author uses this to spin another fantastical adventure this time beneath ‘muddy waves’ of the Essequibo River where a disadvantaged school boy becomes a hero.

‘Shame on me’ by Tessa McWatt ‘Sharing my Memoirs- My big book’ by Frank Narine ‘Under the Tamarind Tree’ by Rosaliene Bacchus ‘Woman Value and Purpose: a key piece in creation’s design’ by Ediclia Bastardo ‘Oil Dorado: Guyana's Black Gold edited by John Mair and Neil Fowler *Manuscripts (and there are a few on my desk) not included.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

The Indian Arrival Monument Palmyra, Berbice

‘My book of Poetry 1’ by Alicia Daniels

This book consists of fifty-one poems written for various occasions, opportunities gifted her by her local church as she addressed ‘Mohter’s Day’, ‘Father’s Day’, ‘New Year’s Eve’, and ‘Easter’. Her poems appeared in The Guyana Annual.

‘Is you madness, nah me own’ and ‘Blackout Daze’ by Gabrielle Mohamed The blurb of the first title says Ms Mohamed ‘is a Creole poet employing her country’s native vernacular and post – colonialist notion within her work in the hopes of avoiding a resurrection and resuscitation of the colonialist touchstones’ as portrayed in poems like ‘welcome to the graveyard a imperialism’, ‘Elizabeth, de un-Indian Coolie gurl’ and ‘Great Grandmudda Lakshmi’. Mohamed is a prizewinning poet and her work was first featured in The Guyana Annual.

‘Ma Mae’s Legacy’ by Melva Archer-Persico

‘Ma Mae’s Legacy’ is Persico’s first collection of stories where she is like a live griot at a storytelling session inviting the audience to participate. As the blurb says the book provides ‘a snapshot of life in Guyana from the early twentieth century to the present’ by way of focusing on the following themes: ‘life in matrifocal households …Love, betrayal and dysfunction…Growing up …growning old…Migration, heritage and the diaspora’.

‘Jung Bahadur Singh of Guyana: 18861956’ by Baytoram Ramharack

Focusing on unsung heroes of Guyana, Baytoram Ramharack follows up on his ‘Against the grain: Balram Singh Rai and the Politics of Guyana’ with another significant work, ‘Jung Bahadur Singh of Guyana (1886-1956): Politician, ship doctor, labor leader and protector of Indians’.

The blurb says that JB Singh was a pioneer in many ways in Guyana and the Caribbean and that his ‘contributions towards nation-building in Guyana were unmatched by many of his peers…JB Singh relentlessly advocated for universal adult suffrage’.

‘Kiskadee Days: Village People’ by Gaitri Pagrach-Chandra

‘Kiskadee Days: Village People’ was born of an adventurous spirit and the stories are adventures into the past of a rural Guyana during the colonial and post-colonial eras and are coloured by characters that we can relate to, ladies of various shades and shapes and of different inclinations and callings such as the pastry maker, the washerwoman, the village gossiper, the roadside vendor, with generic names like Miss Lady and Marajin, all of this coupled with the ‘budderashun lil bias’ [boys]. Gaitri Pagrach-Chandra’s storytelling skill is at its best when she mixes humour with pathos and Standard English with Creolese. ‘Kiskadee Days: Village People’ is food for thought, adventure and nostalgia.

By Ryhaan Shah Figures stilled in mid-stride Forever moving into a future time Heads high and feet ready To take measure of the fresh earth Their faces marked by expectations Of a new life that will not swing about Untethered but will draw strength From all that has gone before Will grow from roots planted deep In the dholak that the boy bears In the goblet cradled in the mother’s arm In the ubiquitous cutlass the young man holds That will slice through the first edge of day And find rest at noon The tall cane cut and fallen Like so many warriors vanquished On a battle field of old This moment in time distilled Gives us the heroes who paved our way Their frozen stance belying the veins That run with the blood that was spilled To preserve honour To secure justice In their struggle for a place to stand To live, to be And so fulfil the promise of the journey And the arrival that here extends an arm To show the way and make the pathway safe For our foreparents who bore the brunt of pain Of whip and struggle To build and build by slow degrees This tomorrow where we now can stand And wonder at their courage And wonder at their fate When breaking new ground with nothing To hold to but faith and their unshaken belief That we That we their children Shall be here today to stand And look at them And know who we are And from whence we came

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JANUARY 5, 2020

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

By Jarryl Bryan

“D

ecember is the feast, January is the famine.”

That expression, which can be credited to perthing you do at 65." sonal financial coach Athalyah Yisrael, stuck with me after my interview "So the movement will allow persons to bewith her. Not only does it have a poetic ring, but many Guyanese endure it year afcome conscious that retirement actually means ter year. financial freedom. The kind that you actually Many have written spend years, like 10 years, cutting your expenses, about how Christmas has and investing in things that will eventually work for you." evolved from a religious ocShe noted that when this is done, people will have casion to bring the family been able to organise streams of income that bring in pascloser together, into more of sive revenue, so that they can then have relative financial a rush to buy gifts and decfreedom. The FIRE movement, according to Yisrael, will orations. It certainly helps be launched in January 2020. the vendors, who expand Meanwhile, Outliers Zone also launched its nationtheir goods (and their bank al initiative for financial education in October. She exaccounts) during Christmas. plained their mandate is to help 11,000 families achieve But it leaves many strugfinancial literacy. gling to make ends meet in "So far we have been able to help about 2600. So as we January. move into 2020 we’ll be working on about 8,400 families.

According to Yisrael, This would include working with children in schools and who founded her company working with families throughout the regions."

‘Outliers Zone’ to provide fiBesides schools and families, much of their work also nancial education to others centres on companies who arrange seminars for staff to after her own struggles with gain financial literacy. She explained that staff distracted finances, it doesn’t have to by financial trouble are not very productive in the workbe this way. place.

“That is what our “So for example if staff come to work and they have training from October to bills and they cannot pay it on time, this affects their abilDecember is all about. How ity to perform on the job. Hence when staff receive this to prepare for a financialfinancial training, they’re able to balance their finances ly strong 2020, because the better and contribute more fully to their job and perforidea is that with all of this mance," she also noted. money you’re receiving, this "We were able to work with 15 companies in 2019, like retroactive payment," she Farfan and Mendes, GWI (Guyana Water Incorporated), said.

GPL (Guyana Power and Light). So that’s what’s coming "If you can create a plan Personal financial coach Athalyah Yisrael, during one of her sessions in Anna up in 2020. Helping families break that paycheck to paycheck cycle, because you Regina that will take you into 2020 have a goal and a mission you’re working towards." financially strong, it means She also explained that there is a preference to work with groups and famiyou will avoid the December feast, January famine. Because there will be a lot of people who lies, because of the multiplier effect this education can have on everyone. Everyone can then will get their money, January they’re going to want to know what they did with the money.” support each other with the training they would have received.

Meanwhile, there are specific tips persons can follow as they head into the Christmas season. One of the most important financial tips is to always have a shopping budget. This budget should be formulated based on your saving goals and what you can afford.

But another important tip is learning to say no. It might be hard and gift giving might be part of the family Christmas tradition, but overspending on gifts to family and friend, only to then have to turn around in January and ask for a “small piece” is even worse than saying no. As financial educator Trae Bodge puts it, “if your family tradition is making you go broke, it’s not a good tradition.”

Yisrael with Mr. Piggy, a symbolism of waiting for the right time to spend, donate and invest one’s savings

Yisrael explained that the idea is to get persons aware and on the lookout for opportunities to make extra money to supplement their income. She pointed to the oil sector and the opportunities it presents as an example, noting the foreigners who are coming to invest.

"We’re getting oil, so many other persons are coming to Guyana and invest, Guyanese people need to be preparing themselves with the knowledge and expertise to manage and grow their finances so they and their families can benefit.”

The entrepreneur also spoke of the new initiatives that she will be launching, come 2020. One of these is the FIRE movement.

“That stands for F meaning financial, I meaning independent, R meaning retire and E meaning early. So this movement is basically dispelling myth of retirement being some-

8 Sunday Times Magazine

JANUARY 5, 2020

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Feature

Compiled by Dr Steve Surujbally

W

ell, we have arrived at the New Year. January is the month of resolutions and reflections. So, perhaps it is opportune to reflect a bit on the human-animal bond.

Pets, we prefer to call them companion animals, have been with us since the dawn of civilization. In the case of dogs, well, they have been our friends for over 50,000 years.

Cats, on the other hand, seem to have been associated with man for only about 5-7,000 years.

Interestingly enough, cat fossils, together with human remains of the same period, have been found in Europe, Asia and Africa but not in the Americas.

When humans began domesticating wolves thousands of years ago, it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Many dog lovers say their pets seem to know what their masters are thinking. A study in the journal “Science”, published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, suggests that this line of thought might be at least partially right.

Something about the process of domestication seems to have given dogs the ability to “read” certain human social behavioural patterns – something wolves, and even chimpanzees, can’t do. Alexandra Horowitz’s seminal bestseller, “Inside of a Dog” deals extensively on this subject.

Some scientists argue that, at least sociologically speaking, dogs (not chimps) are most like humans. Chimpanzees may share many of our genes, but dogs have lived with us for so long that they offer a good model for understanding human social behaviour. I read some time ago that the ancestors of today’s dogs perceived that humans were going somewhere (advancing) – evolutionarily speaking – and they just latched on to that social group (namely us hu-

mans) from which they could receive protection and could be provided for. In other words, dogs’ ancestors adopted humans and not the other way around.

Irrespective of how we associate with animals, whether as pets, or for the show arena or as working dogs (hunters, guards, pullers of sledges or rescuers, etc), expressions of love have to be offered. This love of animals must not be based solely on emotion, rather it must be an “educated” love. For example, we may condemn our neighbours for “starving” their dogs, while we commit an equally hurtful act by overfeeding ours, especially at Christmas.

Or we may abuse our animals by bathing them too often, or feeding them chocolates and spices are inimical

to their health, and so on. To me, it makes no sense berating a child for throwing a squib near a dog, while you yourself will hit a goat for eating your hibiscus plant which hangs over the fence.

Companion animals are just that. They are our companions. Since domestication, cats and

dogs have lived in close contact with humans and we must co-exist peacefully and lovingly. And we are lucky! Any Tender Loving Care (TLC) which we give a companion animal, we get it back many times over.

Experts have proven that the special friendship between animals and humans, in addition to being fun and fulfilling, actually can benefit a person’s health. When an affectionate greeting from your dog at the end of a hard day seem to lift your spirits and ease tensions, it is not just your imagination. Your pet is good for you, both physically, mentally and emotionally.

Researchers have proven that the simple act of petting a cat or dog consistently lovers the blood pressure of heart patients. Many studies have since been embarked upon which show the significance of pets in our lives. Researchers say that such studies are like exploring a new frontier; and they are only touching the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

The fact of the matter is (what we pet owners/carers always knew) that the presence of pets simply makes you behave in a more relaxed and open manner. Pet owners are happier, smile and more readily, communicate better, etc, all of which lead to improved general health – your own.

The loyalty and friendship (very pronounced in the case of dogs) that pets offer us humans are many times more valuable than any bit of TLC we give to them. One Senator George Vest wrote, in 1870, a tribute to a dog. I’d like to share it with you: “The one absolute unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, in his dog. A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey thru the heavens.”

Happy New Year!!

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JANUARY 5, 2020

Sunday Times Magazine

9

Health

G

Overview

ingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease (periodontal disease) that causes irritation, redness and swelling (inflammation) of your gingiva, the part of your gum around the base of your teeth. It's important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly. Gingivitis can lead to much more serious gum disease called periodontitis and tooth loss.

The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. Good oral health habits, such as brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily and getting regular dental checkups, can help prevent and reverse gingivitis.

• Certain drugs, such as phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) for epileptic seizures, and some calcium channel blockers, used for angina, high blood pressure and other conditions • Hormonal changes, such as those related to pregnancy, menstrual cycle or use of birth control pills • Genetics • Medical conditions such as certain viral and fungal infections

Complications

Untreated gingivitis can progress to gum disease that spreads to underlying tissue and bone (periodontitis), a much more serious condition that can lead to tooth loss.

Chronic gingiva inflammation has been thought to be associated with some systemic diseases such as respiratory disease, diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke and rheumatoid arthritis. Some research suggests that the bacteria responsible for periodontitis can enter your bloodstream through gum tissue, possibly affecting your heart, lungs and other parts of your body. But more studies are needed to confirm a link.

Trench mouth, also known as necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG), is a severe form of gingivitis that causes painful, infected, bleeding gums and ulcerations. Trench mouth is rare today in developed nations, though it's common in developing countries that have poor nutrition and poor living conditions.

Prevention

Symptoms

Gingivitis Healthy gums are firm and pale pink and fitted tightly around the teeth. Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include: • Swollen or puffy gums • Dusky red or dark red gums • Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss • Bad breath • Receding gums • Tender gums

When to see a dentist

If you notice any signs and symptoms of gingivitis, schedule an appointment with your dentist. The sooner you seek care, the better your chances of reversing damage from gingivitis and preventing its progression to periodontitis.

Causes The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene that encourages plaque to form on teeth, causing inflammation of the surrounding gum tissues. Here's how plaque can lead to gingivitis: • Plaque forms on your teeth. Plaque is an invisible, sticky film composed mainly of bacteria that forms on your teeth when starches and sugars in food interact with bacteria normally found in your mouth.

Plaque requires daily removal because it re-forms quickly.

• Plaque turns into tartar. Plaque that stays on your teeth can harden under your gumline into tartar (calculus), which collects bacteria. Tartar makes plaque more difficult to remove, creates a protective shield for bacteria and causes irritation along the gumline. You need professional dental cleaning to remove tartar.

• Gingiva become inflamed (gingivitis). The longer that plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more they irritate the gingiva, the part of your gum around the base of your teeth, causing inflammation. In time, your gums become swollen and bleed easily. Tooth decay (dental caries) also may result. If not treated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis and eventual tooth loss.

Risk factors Gingivitis is common, and anyone can develop it. Factors that can increase your risk of gingivitis include: • Poor oral care habits • Smoking or chewing tobacco • Older age • Dry mouth • Poor nutrition, including vitamin C deficiency • Dental restorations that don't fit properly or crooked teeth that are difficult to clean • Conditions that decrease immunity such as leukemia, HIV/AIDS or cancer treatment

• Good oral hygiene. That means brushing your teeth for two minutes at least twice daily — in the morning and before going to bed — and flossing at least once a day. Better yet, brush after every meal or snack or as your dentist recommends. Flossing before you brush allows you to clean away the loosened food particles and bacteria.

• Regular dental visits. See your dentist or dental hygienist regularly for cleanings, usually every six to 12 months. If you have risk factors that increase your chance of developing periodontitis — such as having dry mouth, taking certain medications or smoking — you may need professional cleaning more often. Annual dental X-rays can help identify diseases that are not seen by a visual dental examination and monitor for changes in your dental health.

• Good health practices. Practices such as healthy eating and managing blood sugar if you have diabetes also are important to maintain gum health.

Treatment Prompt treatment usually reverses symptoms of gingivitis and prevents its progression to more serious gum disease and tooth loss. You have the best chance for successful treatment when you also adopt a daily routine of good oral care and stop tobacco use.

Professional gingivitis care includes: • Professional dental cleaning. Your initial professional cleaning will include removing all traces of plaque, tartar and bacterial products — a procedure known as scaling and root planing. Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from your tooth surfaces and beneath your gums. Root planning removes the bacterial products produced by inflammation, smooths the root surfaces, discouraging further buildup of tartar and bacteria, and allows proper healing. The procedure may be performed using instruments, a laser or an ultrasonic device.

• Dental restoration, if needed. Misaligned teeth or poorly fitting crowns, bridges or other dental restorations may irritate your gums and make it harder to remove plaque during daily oral care. If problems with your teeth or dental restorations contribute to your gingivitis, your dentist may recommend fixing these problems.

• Ongoing care. Gingivitis usually clears up after a thorough professional cleaning — as long as you continue good oral hygiene at home. Your dentist will help you plan an effective at-home program and a schedule of regular professional checkups and cleaning.

If you're consistent with your home oral hygiene, you should see the return of pink, healthy gum tissue within days or weeks.

10 Sunday Times Magazine

JANUARY 5, 2020

Fashion

F

rom controversial Calvin Klein ad campaigns and Versace dresses fastened together with safety pins, to a little show called Sex and the City that shone a spotlight on a designer called Manolo Blahnik, the ’90s may go down in history as one of the final great fashion decades. With nostalgia running high for the ’90s, fashion is rolling out and reinventing some of the decade’s boldest trends for a new audience. Here are a few looks from the 90s that are coming back:

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JANUARY 5, 2020

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Recipes

Things to Clean After the Holidays After all of the craziness of the holidays, it’s actually nice to spend some time puttering around the house and getting things back in order. We have to put away decorations and work on all the post-holiday cleaning. Here are a few places we have to clean so our lives can feel a little decluttered.

• Fridge/freezer It’s amazing how much food we were actually able to pack into the fridge over the holidays! We usually try to keep our fridge fairly organized, but we had so much stuff that we really just had to shove it in wherever it would fit. Now that January is here, it’s time to go through everything and make sure that nothing is tucked away in the back that you’re missing.

• Carpets There are always at least a few carpet stains that magically appear after the holidays! You obviously want to treat any stains as soon as possible, but sometimes you don’t always notice them right away. Next time you’re vacuuming your carpets, take a little extra look for anything that you might have missed. Our favorite DIY carpet cleaner is a mix of hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and water. It works really well on a variety of stains.

• Upholstery Like the carpets, upholstery can take a beating during the holidays from all of the use and abuse. The earlier you can treat the stains the better, so don’t leave this one for too long

• Oven The oven will likely need a good cleaning after a month’s worth of holiday eating! If you have a steam cleaner, give it a try to clean your oven. Its super quick and pretty much eliminates all of the scrubbing.

• Bathrooms Give those toilets an extra thorough cleaning and be sure to clean ALL areas in and around the toilet {including walls if you have little boys!}. Spend some extra time on those areas like shower curtains and floors that you didn’t get a chance to clean over the busy Christmas season.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

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JANUARY 5, 2020

Puzzles

ACROSS 1 5 10 15 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 31 32 34 35 37 39 40 41 43 45 46 47 49 51 53 57 59 61 62 65 67 69 71 73 75 76 78 79 81 84 86 87 89 91 93 95 96 98 100 102 104 106 108

Ferret feet "Two Women" Oscar winner Put out bait Lens holders Exclude Wear away Soap plant Changed, as decor Bonet or Simpson Green drink Coax Schedule Physical prefix "Carmen" setting Chainsaw target Imps Impose taxes Goethe villain Go underground Hospital-clean Wheel and -S. Dak. neighbor Yokum lad Chopin piece Q-tip Dragon constellation Blow gently People with safe jobs?

Kilt sporter Mi. above sea level Lid Vaughan or Miles "Cosmos" host Room and board Dawn deity -- the beef?

McEntire of country Assault the nose Thick soup Lop- -- bunny They may be cut Beowulf's quaff Noted lava spewer Rx monitor Snide remark Lorelei's river Genghis -John, in Glasgow Sitar tune Racetrack Bradley and Sharif Robs of feeling Pizzeria musts Clap of thunder Zodiac animal

110 113 115 117 119 120 121 123 125 127 128 130 132 134 137 139 141 145 146 148 150 152 153 155 157 158 160 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Past Caustic comeback Hera's hubby McHale of the NBA Inert gas C'-- la vie!

Came to the suet Lie adjacent Painter of ballerinas Immunity shots Fossil resin One who reunes Calgary Stampede Ms. Garbo Eastern philosophy Bryce Canyon site Honey sources Glittery fabric Seashell Oops! (hyph.)

Good-as-new tire Forum hello Summer wear (2 wds.)

Forever and -- -Submissive Look-alike Blue mineral (2 wds.)

Con Win over Odds' opposite Brat, plus Insect repellent "-- Rides Again" (1939 oater) Four-door model Street lingo Vortex -- front or bear Pablo's dates Most prudent Batting position Attorney's concern Ice hockey great Be footloose Detroit dud Raised a brood Mekong native Ballpark figures Snagged a dogie Football team Stemmed from Ruffle Descartes' name Extend Cancan's -- Rouge Conceal a message

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- JUBILATION (JUBILATION: joo-bih-LAY-shun: Great joy or rejoicing.)

Average mark 40 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 65 or more words in JUBILATION? TODAY'S WORD -- JUBILATION jail jaunt jilt join joint jolt jubilant junta ulna unbolt unit unlit until unto bail bailout

bait banjo baton bijou biota blain blat blini bloat blot blunt boat boil bola bolt bout

built bunt into iota lain libation lint lion loan loin lout about abut albino alibi alit

alto anti aunt auto tabu tail talon tibia toil tonal tuba tubal tuna obit obtain nail

noil

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.

20 27 30 33 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 53 54 55 (2 wds.)

56 58 60 62 63 64 66 68 70 72

Folk singer Pete -The affluent Boldly attempt Astrologer's balance Fishtails Course deviations Showtime rival Psychic -- Cayce Run out of Misbehave (2 wds.)

Urged on Dutch colonist Wing Vane dir.

Long sigh Player without a contract Butler's quarters?

Cavalry weapon Bristle with A steroid Wrestling venue Joyous outburst Medicinal plant Cheesy chip Glance furtively Wish undone

74 77 80 82 83 85 87 88 90 92 94 97 99 101 103 105 107 109 111 112 114 116 118 122 124 126 128

Musical-chairs quest Madeline of "Clue" Beat decisively Kipling novel Peanuts or popcorn Smear Stood petrified Geena or Bette Tito's real name Used poor judgment Santa Fe loc.

Director -- Lee Type of market Pack rat Ciao, adios, etc.

Historic march setting Oompah horn Really into (2 wds.)

Fjord terr.

Spiral molecule Umbrella spoke Crewmate of Uhura Corvair critic Wyoming range Ballet costume Withdrawing Corroded, as acid

129 131 133 134 135 136 138 140 142 143 144 146 147 149 151 153 154 156 159 161 162

Doesn't sit well Taj -Herr von Bismarck Looked daggers at Arroyo Revises Pianist's span Surfer wannabes, to some Pinball palace -- in (curbed) Like pretzels Tote or lug Was optimistic Eye color Jupiter or Ra Muscle injury -- colada "3:10 to --" Hear clearly W-2 info Mr. Chaney of film

SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE 13

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JANUARY 5, 2020

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

A

n unsecured server exposed the data of Wyze customers over a period of three weeks, the smart security camera manufacturer has admitted. The leak was first discovered by the cybersecurity firm Twelve Security, which published its findings on December 26, 2019, while IPVM, a blog focused on video surveillance products, was able to verify that its own data had been affected by the leak.

According to Twelve Security, the data of around 2.4 million Wyze customers was compromised.

In a forum post announcing the leak to its users, Wyze co-founder Dongsheng Song wrote that the exposed server was not a production server, but was instead a “flexible database” that was created to allow for customer data to be more quickly queried. The cofounder said that an employee error led to the server’s security protocols being removed on December 4th, and the data was exposed until December 26th when the company was made aware of the problem.

In its blog post on the leak, Twelve Security said that the server included information like usernames, email addresses, camera nicknames, device models, firmware information, Wi-Fi SSID details, API tokens for iOS and Android, and Alexa tokens from users who’d connected Amazon’s voice assistant with their security cameras. (Wyze says that the database did not include user passwords.) The cybersecurity firm also claimed that the database included a huge array of health information, including height, weight, bone density, and daily protein intake. Song confirmed that some health information was present thanks to a beta test of a new smart scale product, but disputed that it had ever collected information on bone density and daily protein intake.

Twelve Security even claimed that there were “clear indications” that the data was being sent to the Alibaba Cloud in China. Song’s forum post disputes this. He said that Wyze does not use Alibaba Cloud, and that although it has employees and manufacturing partners it China, it does not share user data with any government agencies.

In response to the security lapse, Song says that Wyze has begun conducting an audit of all its servers and databases, and has discovered another unprotected database. He also said that the company is revisiting “all aspects” of its security guidelines. In the meantime, the co-founder said that Wyze users should beware of phishing attacks, and that the company has logged all its users out of their accounts and unlinked their third-party integrations to try to close the security loophole caused by the compromised API and Alexa tokens.

The data leak comes at the end of a difficult year for Wyze. The company announced a new AI-powered people detection feature back in July for its affordable security cameras, only to have the AI startup it partnered with on the feature drop out in November, casting doubt on the feature’s future. The launch of its subscription service also needed to be delayed that same month due to unspecified “critical issues.”

Song was keen to emphasize that the company’s budget prices don’t mean that it takes security any less seriously. “We’ve often heard people say, ‘You pay for what you get,’ assuming Wyze products are less secure because they are less expensive. This is not true,” the co-founder wrote. “We’ve always taken security very seriously, and we’re devastated that we let our users down like this.” (The Verge)

T

he Pixel 4A could be Google’s first phone to feature a hole-punch display, new renders published by 91Mobiles claim. The unofficial renders, which are based on information provided by leaker OnLeaks, show what could be an unannounced budget version of the recently released Pixel 4, similar to the Pixel 3A that followed last year’s Pixel 3.

The design appears to combine elements of both the Pixel 4 and the 3A. The 3.5mm headphone jack from the 3A returns, as does the bottom-firing speakers and rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. Meanwhile, the square camera bump from the Pixel 4 also makes an appearance here.

However, while the Pixel 4 included two sensors on its rear, the renders claim that the 4A will have just one. The 4A will reportedly come with a 5.7 or 5.8-inch screen, which is a tad bigger than the 5.6-inch display found in the Pixel 3A. There’s no word on whether the Pixel 4’s Project Soli motion-sensing technology will be included. However, since the render shows the 4A with a much smaller top bezel than the Pixel 4, the technology would have needed to shrink significantly in order to fit. Given that the selling point of the Pixel 3A was its budget price, this feels unlikely.

According to 9to5Google, the Pixel 4A is expected to be revealed at a similar time of year to the Pixel 3A, which means that we could see it in May 2020. The Pixel 3A was one of our favorite midrange phones of this year, and the 4A could make for a great successor if Google manages to hit a similar price point.

These are unofficial renders, so there’s no guarantee that the final phone will end up looking like this. It’s also worth noting that Google hasn’t officially confirmed that the device exists in the first place. However, given the information comes from OnLeaks, who was behind accurate pre-announcement leaks of the iPhone 11 and Note 10, there’s a good chance they could be accurate. (The Verge)

T

esla has delivered the first cars produced by its Chinese Gigafactory, just under a year after the company broke ground on its first factory located outside of the US. Reuters reports that the Model 3 vehicles were delivered to 15 of Tesla’s employees as part of a ceremony. The deliveries were made well within schedule by the company, which had previously said it wanted to begin delivering its Chinese-made cars before the Lunar New Year on January 25th. The locally-produced cars already offer a large price saving over imported models, and a Bloomberg report recently said the company could lower prices further as it cuts costs and uses more locally-sourced components.

The deliveries mark an important milestone for Tesla, which hopes to use its Shanghai factory to gain a foothold in China, the world’s largest market for electric vehicles. It’s hoped that the local factory will help to speed up deliveries and insulate the company from the ongoing trade war between US and China. The Shanghai Gigafactory is the first wholly foreign-owned car plant in China.

The Standard Range Plus Model 3s produced in the factory will be sold for 355,800 yuan (around $50,000) before subsidies, while models imported into the country currently start at 439,000 yuan (around $63,000), according to Reuters. It is reported that prices could drop further according to Bloomberg, as Tesla cuts costs and starts using more local components to reduce prices by as much as 20 percent.

Tesla signed the deal to build its third Gigafactory back in July 2018, and it follows its first two US Gigafactories in Nevada and Buffalo, New York. Tesla started construction of the Shanghai factory itself in January 2019 and by October it said it was already producing vehicles on a trial basis. Reuters notes that the factory is up and running just 357 days after construction started.

Now, the challenge for Tesla will be ramping up production. The company has said that it hopes to produce 3,000 Model 3 cars per week by early this year, according to Electrek, increasing to as much as 500,000 vehicles a year within two to three years — an average of just under 10,000 a week — according to the agreement it originally signed with the Chinese government back in 2018.

Tesla’s speed in setting up Gigafactory 3 bodes well for Gigafactory 4, which the company’s CEO Elon Musk announced in November will be located in Berlin. The company says that it wants its European Gigafactory to be operational by 2021. Musk says his eventual plan is to build as many as 10 or 12 Gigafactories around the world. (The Verge)

T

ikTok released its first transparency report, showing which countries have submitted requests for content removal as well as access to user data. China is notably absent from the report—the video sharing app, owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, claims it did not receive a single takedown request from Communist Party of China in the first half of 2019.

The news comes after a difficult year for the social media startup, which faced growing scrutiny over its relationship with China. In September, a report from The Washington Post suggested TikTok was censoring content related to the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, likely to appease the Chinese government. TikTok denied the allegations, but it wasn’t enough to stop lawmakers in the US from calling for a national security probe.

Then, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) reached out to ByteDance with national security concerns that threatened the existence of the app.

Since CFIUS manages mergers and acquisitions with US companies, its inquiry raised concerns that ByteDance could be forced to sell TikTok. Most recently, the US army went so far as to ban soldiers from using the app, saying it was a “cyber threat.”

TikTok’s report shows that US law enforcement agencies have been working with TikTok to gain access to user data and take down content that violates US laws. In the past year, TikTok received 79 requests for user data from US law enforcement agencies, along with six requests for content takedowns. The company complied with 86 percent of the user data requests, and restricted or blocked seven accounts related to the content takedown requests.

The US submitted the second highest number of overall requests, beat out only by India, which submitted 107 requests for user data and 11 requests for content takedowns. That’s likely because TikTok is wildly popular in both countries. It could also explain why China isn’t in the report, since the app doesn’t operate there. The Chinese version of the app, which runs as a separate organization, is called Douyin.

Given China’s propensity to censor content it doesn’t like, however, the news is still somewhat surprising. A report on internet freedom around the world, released by the watchdog organization Freedom House, showed China is the world’s “worse abuser of internet freedom” due to its censorship and surveillance tactics. (The Verge)

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video clip in which Bollywood actor Chunky Panday’s daughter Ananya Panday talks of her father’s “struggle” and nepotism in the film industry went viral on Twitter, with users posting funny comments over her remark that her father never featured on Karan Johar’s Koffee with Karan as he has never worked in Dharma Production movies. #KoffeeWithKaran trended as Twitterati made fun of Ananya’s contention.In the viral clip, after Ananya had explained her family background and her own journey in Bollywood, another panelist Siddhant Chaturvedi remarks: “Jahan hamare sapne poore hote hain vahan inn ka struggle shuru hota hai (her struggle starts where our dreams come true).” The clip got 231.2K

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ood Newwz, starring Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor as a married couple, crossed the Rs 100 crore mark on the New Year’s Day. The film is Akshay’s sixth consecutive film to enter the Rs 100 crore club.

The film saw a huge jump on January 1 with collections of Rs 22.50 crore. It now stands at a total of Rs 117 crore.

Updating the day-wise collections of the film, film trade analyst Taran Adarsh wrote on Twitter, “Good Newwz is not out... Hits the ball out of the park on Day 6... Ends 2019 with Good Newwz... Begins 2020 with Good Newwz... Fri 17.56 cr, Sat 21.78 cr, Sun 25.65 cr, Mon 13.41 cr, Tue 16.20 cr, Wed 22.50 cr. Total: Rs 117.10 cr. #India biz.”

Akshay Kumar had four releases in the year 2019: Kesari, Mission Mangal, Housefull 4 and Good Newwz. While Mission Mangal remains the highest grossing film among them with collections of Rs 202 crore, Housefull 4 and Kesari collected Rs 194 crore and Rs 154 crore respectively at the domestic box office.

Good Newwz, is however, Akshay’s fifth

consecutive film (including 2018 film Gold) to achieve the feat. The actor had an extended cameo in 2017 film in Taapsee Pannu’s Naam Shabana which wrapped up at Rs 36 crore. His 2018 film PadMan, which got the National Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues, also couldn’t cross the mark with collections of Rs 81.82 crore.

Good Newwz also stars Kiara Advani and Diljit Dosanjh as another married couple trying to have a baby. The film is a goofup drama as the two couples take the IVF route to become parents but things do not go as planned. (Hindustan Times)

N

ach Baliye fame Natasa Stankovic got engaged to cricketer Hardik Pandya on the New Year. The cricketer made sure it was a proposal of her dreams as he got down on one knee before he confessed his feelings for her. The two sealed their union with a kiss as several of their friends cheered on.

While Hardik is a Team India player who left his fans impressed with his bowling attack in the Cricket World Cup last year, Natasa is a popular face on television and in music videos.

Here are some facts about Natasa:

1. Natasa shot to fame with her appearance in Badshah’s music video, DJ Waley Babu.

2. Natasa recently appeared in a special dance number titled Jhalak Dikhlaja Reloaded in Emraan Hashmi’s film, The Body. The song was a recreation of Emraan’s own hit song from the 2006 film, Aksar. The Body was a murder mystery, which also starred Rishi Kapoor, Sobhita Dhulipala and Vedhika in lead roles.

3. Natasa participated in the ninth season of dance reality show, Nach Baliye last year, with exboyfriend Aly Goni. The two went to become the 3rd runner up on the show which was won by real-life couple, Prince Narula and wife Yuvika Chauhdary.

4. During one of their performances on Nach Baliye,

W

ilmer Valderrama is celebrating his New Year with a proposal.

The “That ’70s Show” star on Wednesday posted an Instagram image of himself beachside in San Diego and on bended knee next to girlfriend Amanda Pacheco.

And the 28-year-old model apparently said “yes.”

“It’s just us now,” the 39-year-old Valderrama wrote in the caption.

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JANUARY 5, 2020

Natasa was so upset over forgetting her dance steps that she walked out of the stage in tears.

This did not go down well with the judges Ahmed Khan and Raveena Tandon who felt offended by her action as she did not wait for them to comment on her performance.

5. Natasa also had a cameo in Shah Rukh Khan’s 2018 film, Zero. She played Abhay Deol’s other girlfriend in the film. The film featured Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif as the two female leads.

6. Natasa has performed quite a few special dance numbers in films including Aiyo Ji in Amitabh Bachchan’s Satyagraha (2013), Mehbooba in Fukrey Returns (2017) and Zindagi Meri Dance Dance in Arjun Rampal starrer Daddy (2017).

7. Natasa also participated in Bigg Boss 8. She was evicted on the 28th day. Karishma Tanna had won the show which went on air in September, 2014 and ended in January, 2015. (Hindustan Times)

A source told E! News that the actor “definitely wants to make sure she feels taken care of.”

“Even if they are just doing simple things, they have a lot of fun and are always smiling,” the source added.

Pacheco was first spotted with the “NCIS” actor last May when Us Weekly reported they were “casually dating.” Valderrama has previously dated Demi Lovato and Mandy Moore.

(Page Six)

views.

Reacting to Ananya’s statement, a user tweeted, “Being on Koffee with Karan is a major achievement in #Bollywood. National award vagrh to mazak h!!” Another user said: “Did she just really say that she struggled because her dad wasn’t invited to Koffee with Karan...? GIRL WHAT!!!” (Hindustan Times)

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he ex-fiancé of the late Bobbi Kristina Brown reportedly died of a suspected overdose on New Year’s Day in Florida.

Nick Gordon, 30, suffered a series of heart attacks after the alleged drug overdose and later died at Altamonte Springs Hospital, according to The Daily Mail.

His brother, Junior Walker, mourned his death in Facebook post, writing, “God why did I have to lose my brother on New Years.”

“All I can do is cry,” the post continued.

In January 2015, Bobbi Kristina Brown, 22, was found unconscious in the bathtub of her Georgia home after a suspected drug overdose. Gordon was in the home at the

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n actress who appeared in “Captain America: The First Avenger” stabbed her mother to death inside a Kansas home, police said.

Mollie Maxine Fitzgerald, who played “Stark Girl” in the 2011 Marvel Studios movie, was arrested Tuesday on a second-degree murder charge by police in Olathe, where her mother, 68-year-old Patricia “Tee” Fitzgerald, was found dead inside a home on Dec. 20, the Kansas City Star reports.

Patricia Fitzgerald, of Montgomery, Texas, was pronounced dead at the residence from an apparent stab wound, police announced Tuesday.

“A 38-year-old white female, known to the victim, was contacted on scene and transported to a local hospital with minor injuries,” police said. “This case remains under investigation by the Olathe Police Department.”

Additional details about the alleged killing were not provided and a police spokesman did not immediately return a message seeking comment Wednesday.

The elder Fitzgerald was in the process of mov-

time.

Brown is the daughter of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown. Houston drowned in a bathtub in February 2012. The man who discovered Brown in the bathtub, friend Max Lomas, died of a fentanyl overdose in August 2018. (Page Six)

ing back to the Kansas City area after living for several decades outside of Houston, her brother Gary Hunziker told the Kansas City Star.

He was unable to provide additional details surrounding his sister’s death.

“We were shocked,” Hunziker said. “It doesn’t matter the circumstances – the loss of a sister is what it’s all about.”

An IMDb profile for Mollie Fitzgerald identifies her as a movie director, producer and actress

who also appeared in a 2018 film called “Trouble Is My Business” and “The Lawful Truth” in 2014.

Fitzgerald is set to be arraigned on Thursday, KMBC reports. (Page Six)

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JANUARY 5, 2020

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

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Fun Times

Archie

ARIES

Consider what you want to (March 21- accomplish this year and research April 19) how best to go about putting your plan in motion. Expanding your knowledge and skills is encouraged.

Let your emotions moTAURUS tivate you to set the record (April 20- straight regarding what you May 20) want to happen this year.

Disclose your plans to people who can offer valuable suggestions.

Push for what you want.

GEMINI Don't let anger take charge (MAY 28- or waste your energy on June 20) small annoyances. If you focus on what's essential, you will make progress.

Turn your thoughts into realCANCER ity. If you follow through on your (June 21- plans, you'll feel good about the July 22) changes you made. A creative endeavor will lead to excellent opportunities.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

An impulsive move will lead to disappointment. Take your time, feel situations out and assess what's doable, affordable and in your best interest. Romance and personal growth are encouraged.

You will gain momentum and build a strong foundation if you maximize your time and effort while focusing on what's important.

Take a position of leadership -- it's where you belong.

You'll have to take preLIBRA cautions when dealing with (Sept. 23friends and family. Taking Oct. 23) part in a debate is not in your best interest. Get along, keep the peace and enjoy your day.

Peanuts

Emotions will flare up SCORPIO (Oct. 24- quickly. If you make an eduNov. 22) cated choice that will encourage

EmotioYou'll be drawn to SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23- something or someone from Dec. 21) your past. Indulge your curiosity and make an effort to track down or engage in whatever it is that has been holding you back.

Calvin and Hobbes

A change at home or to CAPRICORN your relationship with a (Dec. 22- sibling or friend will give Jan. 19) you the incentive to make a move. Look at the possibilities and consider how best to proceed.

Someone will use emoAQUARIUS tional manipulation to per(Jan. 20- suade you to get involved in Feb. 19) something that has no benefit. You are best off doing something that eases stress and makes you happy.

PISCES Take the initiative to run (Feb. 20- your own show. Take a leadMar. 20) ership role and set plans in motion that will benefit you and those who pitch in and help.