Guyanatime 10 june 2018

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3590

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Sunday, June 10, 2018

PRICE

Sale of Sanata Complex

Page 9

Charges against Singh, Brassington ignore the facts Page 11

Page 12

...privatisation was best option

APNU/AFC failing miserably on pro-poor policies – Jagdeo

Page 3

…as Govt already revised 2018 economic growth downwards

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Domestic violence

More safe houses needed to protect P15 victims – Acting Chief Magistrate

Guyana, P11 Russia look to deepen ties in “common interests”

2 remanded for hitting P8 women Baramita snake-bitten teen anxious to return P16 home

Cattle ranch murder

P17

3 in custody as Police probe intensifies

The Rotary Club of Georgetown on Friday evening held their 2018-2019 Rotary Installation Dinner for their new Board of Directors. In photo, newly elected President Harrinand Persaud and members of the board pose for a photo op

Rice industry's woes Canal No 2 Millers accuse GRDB of residents decry “run-around” over owed poor utility $2B in rice payments …entity mum on concerns as services …fume over deplorable roads, bridges ripple effects reach farmers Page 14

Page 7

Govt mulls toll for drivers using Amaila Falls access road P13

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, June 10 – a night retraction at 02:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Monday, June 11 – a night retraction at 02:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, June 10 – 13:50h-15:20h and Monday, June 11 – 14:45h-16:15h.

APNU/AFC failing miserably on pro-poor policies – Jagdeo …as Govt already revised 2018 economic growth downwards

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to light rain showers can be expected throughout the day and into the evening, with temperatures ranging between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 01:30 h and 13:59h reaching maximum heights of 2.48 metres and 2.47 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:30h and 19:51h reaching a minimum height of 0.71 metre at each scheduled low tide.

SATURDAY, June 9, 2018

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Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

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ith Government already revising its 2018 growth projections downwards, the Parliamentary Opposition is expressing concern that the economy is hollowing out at an alarming rate.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, at a recent press briefing, zeroed in on the state of the economy, and noted that reports on Guyana’s economy tell a worrying story. One such story was told by the 2017 macro-economic report, which showed that the deficit in Guyana’s balance of payments is on the rise.

Balance of payments is statistical data on a country’s fiscal transactions, including imports and exports. To therefore record a deficit, Guyana would have had to spend more on imports, among other things, that it derived from exports.

According to the report, Guyana’s overall balance of payment in the 2017 fiscal year showed a deficit of US$69.5 million. This is a hike when compared to US$53.3 million recorded the previous year.

“All of these things are creeping up on us,” Jagdeo related. “They’ll hit us one day, and that’s when we’ll see the big deterioration in our dollar and our inflation rate. There is a hollowing out of the economy that we don’t see.

“We see the sloth in construction and retail trade, and the fall in forestry sector and sugar, but there is a hollowing out of our variables. These ratios…mean something: (that) the Government is living above its means, and is borrowing like crazy, spending on things that are not productive. And we’ll suffer the consequences,” he warned. According to Jagdeo, the Government has failed to implement incentives and formulate pro-poor, pro-growth policies. Jagdeo recalled a statement made

by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on his (Jagdeo’s) tenure as Finance Minister. At the time, Jordan was employed in the Finance Ministry.

“That (budget) is your framework, your budget.

Everything else must support growth in the economy, job creation, and enhancing welfare for people. His (Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s) budgets seem designed to undermine growth.”

“So he (Jordan) misses the big picture. That’s why (Nagamootoo) said he (Jordan) used to write my speeches there…they have fetishes for long speeches…he never sat in the room where policy was determined. (They) have to understand the engines that drive the economy.”

Revised growth

At the recent 48th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank, held in Grenada, Minister Jordan announced that the previous 3.8 per cent growth projection he had announced at the last budget reading would be revised downwards.

“In spite of both domestic and external shocks, Guyana has maintained its positive growth trajectory; that has been evident for over a decade. In 2017, the economy recorded a growth rate of 2.1 per cent, reflecting improved performances in the forestry and rice sectors. On the other hand, contractions were witnessed in sugar and the construction and mining sectors,” Jordan had

said.

“The outlook for 2018 is very positive, notwithstanding further declines in the sugar industry. Real growth is projected to be 3.4 per cent, slightly below the budgeted 3.8 per cent, with increased output in rice, construction, manufacturing and services sectors,” Minister Jordan said in his speech, calling this a robust performance.

Guyana’s last best growth rate was 5.2 per cent, recorded in 2013. World Bank records show Guyana’s growth

rates as follows: in 2014, it was 3.8 per cent; in 2015, it was 3.2 per cent; and in 2016, it was 3.3 per cent. For 2017, initial projections of 3.8 per cent were revised to 3.1 per cent. This figure then went to 2.9 per cent before the final figure of 2.1 per cent was determined.

Jordan had claimed that the poor performance was linked to the dismal figures recorded in sectors, including sugar -- a sector the Government itself had radically downsized when it came to office.

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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

Editorial

Guyana Times: a decade of responsible journalism

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ne decade ago, the Guyana Times newspaper was launched in the midst of both global and domestic turmoil. Internationally, the financial crisis in the developed economies had led to a meltdown of such proportions that there were fears of another “Great Depression” rivalling in its effects, the one in the 1930s that had infected every country in the world, including Guyana.

Domestically, the Government and State had been under attack since 2002 by an armed gang which had committed one massacre of innocents in January at Lusignan and another the following month in Bartica. Then, there was the revolution in journalism and the press occasioned by the explosive growth of the Internet.

These were uncertain times, but the publisher of Guyana Times, was determined to keep his commitment to introduce another member of the “fourth estate”: one dedicated to the promulgation of news designed to educate the populace so that they could more responsibly perform their roles in a democratic polity as “informed” citizens. Its motto, “The beacon of truth” was taken very seriously: not that it was felt there was one grand “TRUTH” in capital letters, but that the facts were to be reported as accurately as possible and not be confused with opinions.

In journalism, where the product itself is information, change was inevitable. The Internet was perhaps the major catalyst. The instantaneity of this medium had made, for instance, the time-honoured tradition of the overnight scoop almost obsolete. How would the morning papers compete? Guyana Times decided to provide added value to their information: analysis, context, perspective, and narrative. We called this approach “responsible journalism.”

Rather depressingly, some journalistic print outlets, abroad as well as in our country, had taken another road.

They resorted to the nastiness and ad hominem attacks that the anonymity of the Internet blogsphere had fostered.

While there has long existed what has been labelled, “yellow journalism” and the “tabloid” approach of scurrilous sensationalism, some outlets in Guyana invoked the “freespeech” mantra, to revel in it as if hundreds of years of legal precedence about “responsibility” are for naught. Guyana Times would provide an antidote to this “gutter press” approach.

The golden rule of responsible journalism has to be a very simple one: “just stick to the facts”. There is no law that these facts do not have to be couched in very good prose and delivered from given perspectives. The danger that presents itself is that of the unalloyed partisanship that seems to have become the rule in Guyana. This approach is very disrespectful of the readers: it assumes that they cannot pick sense from nonsense.

The publisher also believed that the vehicle for transmitting the information must also reflect the seriousness with which the reported facts are to be taken.

The physical paper was a bright, high-quality bond paper that would not smear the readers’ hands, much as other newspapers smeared the characters of those on their bad books. The full colour paper was maintained for almost all of Guyana Times’ existence, to expose Guyanese to another facet of quality in newspapers. The size of the newspaper was another factor that bucked a simple profit motive: it was not “tabloid” size because it refused to adopt the mores of the tabloid, sensationalist press.

A few years ago, a former Justice of their Supreme Court – Markandey Katju –with impeccable credentials after decisions from the bench redolent of individual freedoms, was made Chairman of Press Council of India. He placed the responsibilities of the press in developing countries such as Guyana, in its historical context: Our societies are in transition from a very backward feudalistic past to modern society. Old values are crumbling, but new modern values have not yet been put in place. “In this transition period the role of ideas, and therefore of the media, becomes extremely important.

At a particular historical juncture, ideas become a material force.”

Guyana Times is in agreement and renews its commitment to practice “responsible journalism”.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon hosted the first ‘Youth Explosion’; an open discussion with youths of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) on Saturday at Barnwell Event Hall and Hotel. In photo, these young dancers displayed their talent

Ethnic balance fiasco at GECOM troubling (Pt 1)

Dear Editor, The sensitivity of the recent and ongoing ‘ethnic balance fiasco’ at the Guyana Elections Commissions (GECOM) is troubling and a matter of strong national concern. Indeed, the staff composition matter at the centre of the claims is not new, since many related issues were previously raised through several public media and forum, internal to the Commission.

From a cursory examination of the published public statements emanating from members of the Commission, including the controversially appointed Chairman, a number of occurrences have been made clear. Among them, one could rationalise the following: 1. There was an admitted and confirmed censorship of People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Commissioner Robeson Benn by the Chairman regarding issues he raised; about the need to

balance the ethnic composition of employees of GECOM who worked previously and those who are currently being selected to perform elections related tasks.

2.

Admissions by Chairman Patterson to the claims of Commissioner Benn of ethnic disparity, in his statement to the media of a majority 46 per cent Afro-Guyanese compliment, compared to 21 per cent Indo-Guyanese; 20 per cent Mixed and 12 per cent Amerindians. The difference being the quoted percentage for Afro-Guyanese.

3.

An accusation by Chairman Patterson of the PPP/C Councillors of injecting ‘race’ into the preparations for Local Government Elections when by his own admission, the situation in GECOM do reflect this position.

4. Attempts to defend the existence of the aforementioned facts by Commissioner Vincent Alexander, who

was dubiously quoted in his press release as being critical of the approach used by Commissioner Benn and by stating that he is unaware of the Statistics regarding GECOM’s employment, except that it was based on ‘meritocracy’.

5. The inherent admission that all of the Commissioners are not being provided with information they should have as decision makers instructing the policies to be implemented by the GECOM Secretariat.

Aside from the procedural approach to addressing agenda items at the meetings of the Commission, it is rational for one to decipher that it is at this time that such critical issues must be addressed. In Guyana’s multi-ethnic society, it is irrelevant and somewhat clearly irrational for the Chairman of the GECOM to admit his non-recognition for the required balance in

this key functional responsibility.

Further, Vincent Alexander has shown his diabolic irrational nature once again, by suggesting that when merit is considered in the selection process, the Afro-Guyanese complement more than double that of any other race. The situation is outright unacceptable and must be objectively remedied.

The historical track record of the organisation provides no confidence in terms of the future of a nation, particularly, with the infamous legacy of the People’s National Congress for multiple elections covering decades of failed governance and major hardships for Guyanese. There is indeed a serious justified call for the balancing of, and the selection of more respectful staff at GECOM. Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Support for putting sugar industry into private hands

Dear Editor, I do hereby fully endorse what Nowrand Persaud said about putting the sugar industry into private hands; this advice is coming from a man with knowledge, keen vision and very good judgement, as he has experience in the management of the sugar industry.

As history will prove,

when Booker Tate was awarded the management contract to run the sugar industry by Desmond Hoyte – then President of Guyana – Booker Tate raise the workers’ wages and salaries to great heights, the unions operating in the sugar industry were caught off guard, and was very surprised and shocked with

these increases.

On the other hand, sugar production also went up, as all was well with both management and workers there was peace and calm in the Industrial relation climate.

But with the interference from politician and Government there was a decline that affects all sector of the sugar industry that leads

to the current state, what a sad day for Guyanese.

It’s a well-known fact that Government should not own or run any business as they cannot manage the affairs, Government only know how to collect taxes and duty.

Respectfully, Albert Persaud

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Letters

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

‘Contributions’ made Conduct staff audit at GECOM and investigation into employment practices by third force political

Dear Editor, Having noted the most recent development of what appears to be a controversy over the ethnic composition of the staff and employment practices of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), I believe there should be an immediate public declaration of its list of employees and related information.

I am of the opinion that given the sensitivity of this issue, the national importance of GECOM and the need for it to be fair and unbiased in all aspects of its operations, including employment practices, the onus is for it to make the information public immediately in an effort to prevent a potentially dangerous and divisive situation from escalating.

While I believe that meritocracy must be of primary consideration, I reject any notion perpetuated by those who seem to be peddling a particular agenda for a desired outcome, that IndoGuyanese are not interested in seeking employment with GECOM or lack the required competency.

Further, I also believe that the issue which was raised by one of the Commissioners representing the Opposition, Robeson Benn, should have been supported by him presenting relevant information being mindful of the national sen-

sitivities. If his assertions are not merely spurious, then his position would have been informed expectedly based upon related information which should have been presented.

Similarly, the statement

by Government represented Commissioner Vincent Alexander that the burden of proof lay with the Opposition, is utterly unacceptable and must be seen as a willful attempt to divert from a very serious accusation. With the allegation of influencing the employment process being levelled against at least one Commissioner representing the Government and the potential for it to aggravate racial tension, that burden cannot escape the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of GECOM. Given that I, like many others, was not privy to what actually transpired at the meeting during which the issue was officially raised, the expectation would be for all views to be freely articulated with resolution being foremost and corrective mechanisms implements if deemed necessary without delay. GECOM cannot and must not be immune to democratic practices.

This responsibility lies explicitly with the Chairman who must at all times ensure that the Commission remains professional despite disagreements and not ap-

pear as trying to suppress an issue, more especially this sensitive one in question. It is therefore extremely disappointing that GECOM has not yet presented to the public relevant employment information which could dispute Benn’s assertion. The apparent reluctance thus far opens interpretation for a worrying conclusion of credence to Benn’s statement.

Many are extremely concern over this issue which alleges deliberate attempts to discriminate against Guyanese Indians and remain mindful of similar accusations levelled against the Administration after it assumed office in 2015.

Many cases of firing allegedly because of their race were reported and to date it appears these have been brushed aside.

Efforts to prevent any Guyanese, in this case Indians, from being considered for employment or have their information deliberately altered for the same purpose, is a transgression of their constitutional rights, a blatant attempt to marginalised, racial discrimination and a potent tool to sow the seeds of disharmony in an already fragile society.

Given the triumphal and racially toned utterances of some who are associated with the current Government and who seem infatuated to impose one group over the others, this recent development at GECOM can further give credibility to the perception that Guyanese Indians are being targeted thereby imposing a belief that they

may not necessarily belong.

This action can serve to further frustrate Guyanese Indians, thereby forcing many more to continue to seek solace overseas bringing into question the deliberateness of the said action. Guyanese Indians, like all other groups, have and continue to make invaluable contributions to the building of this nation and any form of discrimination against them will undoubtedly have negative national impact. Beyond GECOM, the Government has a responsibility to intervene, not in piecemeal manner, to address issues such as these.

I was pleased at President David Granger’s comment on the issue that his Government does not influence the employment practices at GECOM. While that is most heartening to know, in the interest of national unity and his commendable action of establishing the Social Cohesion Ministry, he must order an immediate investigation to reveal the truth in keeping with his proclivity for Commissions of Inquiry.

Anything otherwise will convey a frightening message to Guyanese Indians and inflict further damage to the already flagging social cohesion efforts.

In the interim, mechanisms must immediately be implemented to safeguard the interest of Guyanese Indians who have applied and those who are in the process of applying to GECOM. Sincerely, Rajendra Doodnauth

parties (Part 2)

Dear Editor, At the first Alliance For Change (AFC) International Convention which was held in October 2015, the majority of the members present agreed that the AFC had become a ‘rubber stamp’ of the People’s National Congress (PNC) dominated A Partnership for National Unity. This excerpt was taken from the minutes of that Convention: “At this point, Mr Tameshwar asked for a show of hands by all those who perceive that the AFC is being used by APNU as a ‘rubber stamp’. The majority of attendees at the first International Convention of the AFC raised their hands to indicate that they are of the opinion that AFC is being used as a rubber stamp

by APNU officials.” Mr Ramjattan and other AFC leader vehemently denied this but the facts were there to support the ‘rubber stamp’ claims.

Even the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) had earlier this year concluded that coalition politics in Guyana has failed to live up to expectations and Guyana is not benefiting at all. They cited non-consultation and usurping of all decision making at Cabinet level. The WPA should be applauded for this bold approach.

On the other hand, it is now conclusive that the AFC will never confront the PNC’s decisions and it is simply a matter of self-preservation. The appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission

(GECOM) is such a glaring example. The AFC has also exposed its aversion to confront and speak out on many important issues such as the lop-sided Exxon contract, the D’Urban Park scam, the Sussex Street Drug Bond ripoff, the corrupt award of the drugs procurement by the Public Health Ministry, the dismissal of nearly 5000 sugar workers, the continuing uncertainty which pervades Guyana Sugar Corporation, the depletion of the reserves at the Bank of Guyana and the current state of depression of the economy. The AFC will never rock the boat or the ‘sirens’ will be lost!

It is evident that the AFC has deserted its founding principles and our people will never trust another Third Force again. They have all betrayed Guyanese for 30 pieces of silver. But it is my wish that our country is not propelled back to the dark era of the PNC dictatorship but the current state of our economy strongly suggests that this is exactly the path we are heading.

A final question: Will the longevity of the PNC once again be perpetuated by rigging? The unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chairman and the discriminatory racial employment at GECOM would suggest that.

But AFC will just be a decoration on the wall to justify an APNU ‘victory’!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor – Region Six

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Foundation

Thoughts on “Youth Leaders” Ashley Anthony

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few days ago, I happened upon a Facebook post, in which, the author (who shall remain unnamed), berated “self-proclaimed youth leaders” for rising to fame at the expense of others who remained disenfranchised.

T h e p o s t further went on to explain that the author had no issue with people wanting the best for themselves, but rather, he took issue with those who had exploited marginalized youth by claiming that they had contributed to development, and used these claims to develop portfolios with which they gained access to ‘big’ positions overseas.

Perhaps, I am detached from this form of society, but it honestly seemed like an incredibly specific cir-

cumstance. However, scrolling through comments it became apparent that many people felt as though they had seen this happen time and time again. My personal thoughts on this, is if the situation is portrayed accurately, then this is truly despicable.

Let me make my points clear, I take issue with people assuming that ‘intellectuals’, or people who have been given the opportunity to study abroad have to return home

and work in Guyana to contribute towards its development. I think that idea is incredibly selfish, and inconsiderate of the person. Imagine for instance, if I were to pursue theoretical physics, what job could I come home to?

What sector could I develop? And what of my own academic or career ambitions?

Should I disregard them

and return home to work at UG, so that the physics department can eventually begin to offer an undergraduate degree? Or should I do what fulfills me, i.e. working in a research lab?

We speak of the brain drain in length, but we seemingly fail to acknowledge the lack of opportunities that are available for those who choose to return. And does it mean if one lives

abroad that one cannot contribute to positive development of youth? Of course not. There are many youth developmental programs that I have been apart of that were spearheaded by Guyanese of the diaspora, for example, the Queen’s College Summer Math Institute, or STEM Guyana.

However, if you were given access to your opportunities because of promises to the youth of Guyana,

you subsequently rise to prominence and then later ‘forget’ these promises then I would take issue with that. If you only care about a cause when it is convenient and beneficial to you, then you need to reevaluate yourself. It is almost, if not, deceitful.

It is in some way; difficult to define who constitutes a youth leader. There is no traditional means of identifying them, and therefore no standard way of holding them accountable. I like to think of youth leaders as people with influence over an audience of young people, and nowadays, with the advent of social media, anyone can rise to the position. If you do become regarded as a leader, you have to take that power seriously. You have to understand what you have the ability to do, and be clear with your intentions.

I think the post specifically takes issue with the disingenuous nature of some people, in that they claim they want development but then they do not use their resources to make an impact. And in some instances, even exploit the poor conditions of youths in Guyana to elevate themselves.

I guess the final takeaway is that you shouldn’t promise what you can’t, or rather won’t deliver. People will notice, and talk.

“Tales of Sugarcane Street” book launched

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fter five years of continuous work to complete and compile the book, Tales of

Saturday.

Lim shared her experiences along the journey to produce her first book

Chevon Lim signs posters and distributes to the gathering at the launching of her book, “Tales of Sugarcane Street”

Sugarcane Street; a compilation of short stories written by Chevon Lim, was finally launched on

with, relatives, friends and well-wishers who were present at the launch at the National Library on

Saturday. She said the book currently comprises five short stories with more to add to the list, adding that it is available on amazon.com.

She noted that more short stories will be added until it is finally published.

“It was in this very building (the National Library) that I dreamt of becoming a writer and see my book proudly displayed among thousands of other distinguished others,” Lim related.

According Lim, the book is a “a collection of short stories, a work of fiction following the lives of five cousins as they grew up on Sugarcane Street and experience their fair share of the bizarre and the unexplained”.

While the book is currently available online, copies will be available on the shelves of the National Library in the near future. It was also revealed that two other books – Sugarcane Girl and Bush Tales – are in the making and will be released upon completion.

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Rice industry’s woes

Millers accuse GRDB of “runaround” over owed $2B in rice payments …entity mum on concerns as ripple effects reach farmers

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

By Shemuel Fanfair

T

he Guyana Rice Development Board’s (GRDB) move to dishonour its financial obligations to pay rice millers is having far-reaching effects across the rice industry, as farmers continue to decry that the non-payment for their produce is affecting their sustenance in the vital agricultural sector.

Following the expressed dissatisfaction of farmers with respect to their non-payment from millers, Guyana Times reached out to several millers, who confirmed that the Agriculture Ministry’s sub-agency, GRDB, owes them in excess of $2 billion dating back to 2017.

The Rice Producers Association in recent days claimed that the GRDB failed to execute payments since August 2017 despite having the requisite resources. This revelation followed reports this newspaper carried which quoted farmers in the Essequibo island of Wakenaam as saying that millers have not paid them

since March 2018 for the previous crop.

Information recently disclosed to this publication stated that millers, who are facing financial challenges of their own, have been in constant dialogue with the GRDB which, according to them, has not responding with positive word on when they would be paid.

“GRDB owe we from since last year. How can we be able to pay the farmers?

We couldn’t bear the credit anymore, we asked GRBD to help us,” a miller who declined to be identified stated.

Guyana Times understands that the rice was shipped from last year under a deal with Panama but to date, the GRDB is said to be giving millers the royal “runaround” for payments.

It was disclosed that there was a meeting with several millers and senior operatives with GRDB some two weeks ago where the entity committed that it will pay millers within “next week”.

According to what was observed, the “next week” comment has been running for a few weeks and the millers continue to be indebted to farmers, with some individual rice producers owing hundreds of millions of dollars to farmers. At that meeting, a source said, millers told GRDB how the non-payment was hurting the industry and that they urgently needed the money that they were owed.

Fearing to go public with their grievances, millers are accusing the GRDB of having received some of the payments but not giving the funds over so that they could clear their debts. Just recently, a ship heading to Mexico

on these matters, he disconnected the call when he heard it was someone from this newspaper. Subsequent calls to his number went unanswered.

Additionally, sources told this newspaper that Hassan highlighted to millers that he had to check with Agriculture Minister Noel Holder before he could respond to their concerns over payment. This publication also called Minister Noel Holder for a comment on the issue, but this number went directGRDB General Manager, Nizam Hassan

docked at local shores, but it is unclear when millers would obtain GRDB payments.

“It’s not the miller’s fault, GRDB holding up the money.

In previous times, if GRDB owe us, they would pay us but they are saying that the Minister did not give the okay to pay... they [told] me next week [on] Monday morning,” a miller related.

“GRBD owes millers over $2 billion... the Government used to pay the millers and wait on the Panama money to come in,” another miller who owes farmers in excess of $300 million explained.

They collectively decried the extensive ripple effects that the ongoing situation is having on all stakeholders.

“We got to give back the farmers advance on fuel, fertiliser, cash advance, plus we got to bring down we overdraft at the bank. It got ripple effect, they (GRDB) owe all the millers,” the long-standing miller stressed.

When Guyana Times contacted GRDB General Manager Nizam Hassan on Saturday for a clarification

ly to voicemail. In late May, Wakenaam farmers had informed this publication that their miller, Wazir Hussein had not paid them for paddy he had purchased since March, although converted same into rice. The farmers disclosed that having to go for months without payment put them under grave financial strain, and they are now beginning to default on loan repayments, which is affecting their livelihood and sustenance. In April, Essequibo rice miller Arnold Sankar

won a $99 million lawsuit against the GRDB for its failure to pay for paddy it asked him to supply. In its award, the court granted to Sankar the full sum of $99,670,273, which he lost as a result of the Rice Board’s breach of the paddy-supply deal. In 2017, Guyana secured a new rice deal with Mexico under a $3.8 billion contract that created a market for over 60,000 tonnes of paddy. The first batch was shipped in June of 2017.

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SunDAY, june 10, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Attempted murder accused slapped with more charges

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26-year-old woman, who is no stranger to the court, was on Friday further remanded to prison by Magistrate Leron Daly on two charges – assault and threatening language – when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Lisa Bobb of Royal Drive, Campbellville, Georgetown, denied both charges.

The court heard that on June 6, 2018, while being a prisoner at the East La Penitence Police Station,

she unlawfully and maliciously wounded another female inmate, Cydella Blair.

A second charge stated that on June 4, 2018, while being in custody at the said Police station, she used threatening language to Blair.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail being granted in this matter since the accused is incarcerated for an attempted murder among other charges that are pending.

Magistrate Daly agreed

with the prosecution and remanded the woman to prison.

However, Blair was also charged with assaulting and using threatening language against Bobb.

She pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on $30,000 bail.

The matter is expected to continue on June 11.

Bobb was charged for wounding her cousin, Christel Bobb with intent to commit murder.

The court heard that the Virtual Complainant, Christel Bobb, and Lisa Bobb are cousins who have

reportedly had several misunderstandings in the past.

On February 14, 2018, at Royal Drive, Campbellville, Christel had just returned home when she was allegedly pounced upon by Lisa, who dealt her a stab to her upper left arm. This attack reportedly stemmed from a misunderstanding the cousins had the previous night.

Christel was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was admitted a patient. On her previous appearance in court, Lisa Bobb had been sent to be mentally evaluated.

Bent Street man remanded for assaulting lover

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aston Peters of DD Bent Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, was on Friday arraigned for an assault charge at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Peters denied the charge after it was read to him by Magistrate Leron Daly.

It is alleged that on June 5, 2018, Peters and his common-law-wife, Elesha Leech had an argument, which re-

sulted in him assaulting her with intent to cause bodily harm.

Citing the prevalence of the offence, the prosecution asked that Peters be remanded to prison since he was previously charged for an offence of similar nature.

The prosecution’s submission was upheld and Peters was remanded.

The matter is expected to continue on June 15.

Man remanded for slapping estranged wife

A

man was on Friday remanded to prison by Magistrate Leron Daly when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to an assault charge.

Odinga Farley admitted that on June 4, 2018, he assaulted Trisha Alexander with intent to cause actual bodily harm.

According to reports, on June 4, the couple had a misunderstanding, which resulted in Alexander receiving several slaps to her face and a fracture finger.

The matter was reported, and Farley was subsequently arrested. He was remanded and will return to court on June 22 for sentencing.

The vendetta…

Y

…expands

our Eyewitness knew it was coming…sooner or later. The PNC Government’s going after the PPP’s government’s privatisation of the Sanata Complex at Ruimveldt, that is. The Muckraker’s owner Mook Lall had honed in on this transaction as the centrepiece of his vendetta against the PPP. That vendetta, of course, was precipitated when he demanded concessions that just didn’t comply with the govt’s investment incentive package – articulated by Go Invest. Hell hath no fury as a thwarted backtracker!!

And so, the long-awaited foot has dropped: charges were attempted to be laid against ex-NICIL head Brassington and Finance Minister Singh for “recklessly” selling the Complex to QAII! The complex, of course, had been transferred to NICIL by the Chinese operators for the proverbial peppercorn in 2000, since they’d long given up on the venture. By 2007, when NICIL tried attracting investors to lease the 18-acre complex, it had reverted to “bush” and its equipment had become massive hulks of rusting metal. The tropics isn’t kind to abandoned relics.

Worse of all was that the roofs, ceilings and several walls of the buildings were made of ASBESTOS – which had now been deemed carcinogenic. Companies worldwide were ordered to get rid of it and not expose folks to its insidious effects. But removing asbestos was an expensive proposition since workers didn’t volunteer to be guinea pigs! NICIL wanted the entire complex leased as a package since, part users could always complain of asbestos particles from other structures affecting their workers – and Government just didn’t have the funds eliminate the asbestos. They wanted to structure a deal where the investor would do the dirty work!! It wasn’t surprising several advertisements of NICIL’s didn’t attract any takers!!

Go Invest admitted they then approached QAII, since the latter had made such a success of their NewGPC privatisation, and they were looking for space to expand.

The Muckraker was to claim that former Auditor general Goolsarran had asserted the government spent US$2million to get rid of the asbestos BEFORE the sale to QAII for US$3M+ but he immediately refuted that canard!! QAII had expended all the asbestos removal monies! Another lie was with the valuation when in fact it was pegged at $245 million by the Government’s Chief Valuation Officer!

In its new charge against Brassington and Singh, SOCU accepted the Muckrakers figures on the selling price being GY$697M and $1.04 billion Valuation, when QAII actually paid $805.5M. The only thing left is to appoint Mook Lall as the Judge!

Based on other appointments of this government he’s certainly “fit and proper” to do their dirty work!!

…against Victoria

The furor over the statue of Queen Victoria in front of the High Court continues unabated. Your Eyewitness thinks folks ought to get their angst straightened out.

The Judiciary and the police, after all, shouldn’t have any problems since most of modern “Law and Order” practices were initiated and established during her regime. The Police Force? Victorian innovation! Jails for specific purposes like separation, silence, hard labour and moral guidance?

Victorian!! Witnesses, juries, DPP’s?? Victorian!!

If these folks feel strongly against Victoria, why don’t they persuade the villagers of “Victoria”, to change the designation?? Fact of the matter if there’s one bunch of citizens who may have a justified grouse against Victoria it’s the LGBTQ crowd. The entire corpus of laws that’s used nowadays to oppress them, came out in the “Victorian era”.

But then, those laws have been discarded by her English descendants – but championed by these local “bible thumpers” - egged on by their foreign funders, hasn’t it?

…at GECOM

Your Eyewitness will later take a deeper look at the Chief Justice’s ruling, giving her imprimatur to Granger’s unilateralism on the GECOM’s Chair unilateral appointment.

He’ll go out a limb, however, and wager Granger won’t be criticising judicial “perceptions”, this time!!

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

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SunDAY, june 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Sale of Sanata Complex

Charges against Singh, Brassington ignore the facts ...privatisation was best option

O

n Friday June 8, former PPP Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, and former NICIL CEO, Winston Brassington were further charged on the counts of misconduct in public office, this time for the sale of Sanata Textile Complex to Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII) between October 20, 2010 and December 20, 2010. The charge asserted they “acted recklessly” when they sold the buildings on the parcel of land of 18.871 acres together for $697,864,800 plus VAT, (total $809.5M) even though the valuation came in at $1,042,403,500.00 and claimed the property was sold at a “grossly undervalued price”, thereby breaching their duties.

However, the public documents released by National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and seen by this publication disputes the charge. The information in the NICIL publications contends that the facts cited were cherry picked to arrive at the charge.

Asbestos wrapped sheets prepared for disposal

NICIL’s efforts to sell the Sanata Complex

In October 2001, a contract was executed with a Chinese company for the leasing of the dyeing and printing sections of Sanata Textiles Limited but in February 2005, the then Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Minister Clement Rohee and then Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Shen Quing signed an agreement for the handing over of the equipment and raw material for textile mill. The company returned the Complex to NICIL and walked away.

It did not take long for the complex to revert to bush.

Even with NICIL providing security, vandals still invaded to steal wires and other moveables.

The financial drain on the Government was considerable with the annual upkeep costs in 2006 being almost $20 million: $8 million in security, $6 million in rates and taxes, and over $5 million in cleaning and miscellaneous repairs including perimeter lighting. The fees for the short-term leases for portions of the complex were never sufficient to cover the upkeep.

NICIL began running advertisements for lease of the Complex in the third quarter of 2006 and finally extended its self-imposed January 2007 deadline by February 28, 2007 by which time they had run 20, without any tenders, as attested by the Auditor General when the Bid Box was opened. In accordance with the Privatisation Policy Framework Paper (PPFP) of July 1993, where an entity

Workers dressed in safety gear as they removed asbestos sheets from the derelict Sanata Complex at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt Georgetown At the time of acquisition, the entire Complex was in a state of disrepair: fences had fallen apart; drains were blocked; roads were inaccessible; vegetation was overgrown; garbage was prevalent; equipment and installations were vandalised beyond repair; the buildings were asbestos filled, infested with termites and unfit for occupation; there was also flooding in some sections despite it being the dry season.

has been advertised and no bids received, direct negotiations could then be held.

This was the case with the privatisation of Linmine to Omai in 2003 following the non-receipt of bids to the privatisation offers.

And at this point, according to Geoff Da Silva, head of Go-Invest, they heard that NewGPC was seeking to expand its operations but were constrained at its Farm EBD Location. He

contacted NewGPC to solicit their interest for leasing the fast deteriorating Sanata facility.

QAII’s proposal

The New GPC, via its parent QAII, submitted a proposal in April 2007 to the Privatisation Unit to lease the Complex, and after intense negotiations a paper was submitted to the Privatisation Board in May 2007, which unanimous-

ly recommended approval.

This was then submitted to Cabinet, which gave its approval. It outlined a programme of gutting the buildings, removing the asbestos and the introduction of five business ventures, including a Printing Plant, within five years. The Privatisation Board approved a 99-year lease at $50 million per annum, with an option to buy within three years subject to certain conditions. At

the time, Da Silva had noted that QAII’s willingness to clear up the hundreds of thousand square feet of carcinogenic asbestos roof sheeting was very attractive to the Government since this was a very dangerous and expensive proposition.

Upon Cabinet’s approval, QAII immediately embarked on its promised programme and reclamation, cleanup and investment.

By 2010, having kept its

side of the agreement QAII chose to exercise its option to purchase the property in accordance with the Lease Agreement. On May 30, 2007 QAII had requested and received a valuation of the property from the Government Assistant Valuation Officer, which proposed $330.375M (Land $269.200; Improvements $119.175M). On June 7, NICIL had commissioned a valuation from the private firm of Rodrigues Architects Ltd, which posited that the property be valued at $1,042,403.500 (Land $209,650M; Improvements $832,753.5M). NICIL also obtained on June 27, 2007 a valuation of the land and its improvements the Government’s Chief Valuation Officer of the Government, which came in at $245.175M (Land: $130M; Improvements $115.175M. QAII was responsible at their expense for the asbestos cleanup and removal of scrap alone, which they incurred at a cost above $400 million.

In accordance with the lease agreement, QAII had the option to purchase the property based on an average valuation of a valuator acceptable to QAII ($330.375M was obtained from QAII, Deputy Government Valuation officer) and one obtained by NICIL ($1,042,403.5M from Rodriques Architects). This amounted to $697M plus VAT or $808 million VAT inclusive. The Government was pleased that Sanata moved from being a drain on the Treasury, to one providing employment, paying rates and taxes; corporate and income taxes and of course removing a haven for vagrants and thieves.

The final price of the property has been determined in accordance with the 2007 Lease contract that details the determination of the price per two valuations. There has been no deviation from this. At the time of the lease and again at the time of the sale, both the Privatisation Board and Cabinet approved the transactions.

Numerous press releases and reports have been made public since the lease some 11 years ago and the property sale some 8 years ago. The charges against Singh and Brassington for the sale of Sanata, again cherry-picks information and ignores the facts of the matter.

Similar type charges made against Singh and Brassington have obtained an interim stay in the High Court by Justice Holder.

The charges against Singh and Brassington relies on the same Misconduct in Public Office: Contrary to Public Law.

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SunDAY, june 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Portable incinerator acquired for “safer” destruction of narcotics L

ocal drug enforcement officers will soon be able to safely dispose of illegal narcotics using a portable incinerator.

The Helios Barrel Burner was acquired by the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA).

This piece of equipment will now enable the law enforcement agencies, namely Customs Anti Narcotic Unit

(CANU) and the Narcotics Branch of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to dispose of narcotics in a much safer and more environmentally friendly setting.

NANA said that ranks are currently undergoing training on the use of the equipment. It is anticipated that the disposal of narcotics will be done in the very near future using this new piece of equipment.

As it obtains now, drug enforcement officers would destroy any marijuana found by burning it. They usually with regards to cocaine, venture out into the Atlantic Ocean and dump the substance overboard.

Last October, one such disposal exercise out in the high-seas had to be abandoned after some of the CANU ranks became ill.

It was reported that after

Cappo the contractor S

The portable drug disposal incinerator

travelling into the Atlantic Ocean, members of the team started to experience nausea, resulting in some vomiting on account of the stench of the illicit drugs.

Upon realising what was happening, the head of the team aborted the mission and ordered that the vessel return to the Coast Guard Wharf at Ruimveldt, Georgetown. This incident has raised concerns with the agency starting to contemplate safer means of disposing the narcotics.

At the time, a total of 318 kilograms of cocaine, carrying a street value of over $300 million, were prepared for disposal.

However, the ranks only managed to dump 44 kilograms. The remaining 273 kilograms were returned to CANU headquarters.

The cocaine, which were tendered as evidence in 77 court cases that have been completed, was seized in various raids and operations between November 2013 and January 2017.

atiricus was astounded, to say the least. He had known Cappo from childhood when they literally sat on the same bench in “Lil ABC”. So he was very familiar with Cappo’s “school name” – which the teacher said was his “given name”. And here the name was; staring out at him from the list Vexxon had provided of their local contractors so they could fulfil their “local content’ requirement. Cappo, a Vexxon contractor?? This Satiricus had to find out about!!

“So how come you didn’t tell us you’re a big-time contractor with Vexxon? Satiricus demanded of Cappo, as soon as he sat down at their table at the Back Street Bar. “Wha’ dah, yuh seh?” asked Bungi, looking at Cappo accusingly. “An’’ de maan a still mek abee buy beer fuh am?”

“Where you got that information from, Sato?” asked Hari quietly.

“Yeah, whe’?” said Cappo, somewhat bewildered.

“Right here!” said Satiricus, spreading out the newspaper on the table and pointing. “Aren’t you Kapilram Shamsundar Suchin?”

“Da right, Cappo,” said Bungi. “Nobady else in Guyana na gat wan name like da!”

“We know since you return from New York, you told us you were a “building contractor””, said Hari. “Did you build a house for Vexxon?”

“Naah!” said Cappo. “Bungi know abee na get bizness, an’ me start fuh sell cane juice pan de road.”

“Yes,” confirmed Bungi. “Me does bring cane fuh ‘e fram de estate wha’ close dong!”

“So you NEVER did any business for Vexxon?” asked Satiricus, staring hard at Cappo.

“Well,” said Cappo, doubtfully, “waan day wan white lady stap fuh buy some cane juice and seh how she a wuk fuh Vexxon.”

“Me remember da day!” shouted Bungi. “And she aks yuh name!!”

“Yuh mean me jus’ sell wan glass cane juice – she na even by de phoulourie – and me tu’n contracta?” asked Cappo in amazement.

“But me vex,” said Bungi. “Me bin deh when Cappo tu’n cane-juice contracta. How come dem na call me ‘assistantcontracta’?”

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SunDAY, june 10, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana, Russia look to deepen ties in “common interests”

G Racism is winning

By Ryhaan Shah

S

ocial cohesion, respect for diversity, multiculturalism, pluralism, ethnic unity, all awe is one – we are all familiar with the terms and phrases used to boast about how well the six ethnicities and races of Guyana work together for our mutual good. We are also tired of the untruth the rhetoric represents. The fact is: racism is winning. That winning, unfortunately, is accompanied by the worst of human discord, and we are also familiar with those facts and truths: the ethnic violence, the intolerance and disrespect, and the fallout of the political/race war that includes impoverishment, corruption and underdevelopment.

Since the Granger Government took office, the racism has become overt and brazen. The rule of law is usurped with a boldness that derives from having powerful international backers and the unswerving loyalty of the armed forces. Government not only rewards civil servants like Lloyda Nicholas-Garrett at the Office of the Presidency for using “coolie” pejoratives but its employment policies include the ethnic cleansing of Indian Guyanese from the public service; and the closure of sugar estates has left well over 6000 Indian Guyanese sugar workers jobless.

In this environment, it comes as no surprise that it took Mae’s Schools over a week to find the grace and humility needed to issue an apology for the disrespect and intolerance shown towards a child from the First Nations community who showed up for the school’s Culture Day proudly attired in his native costume. That a school where the young are being educated has even become embroiled in such a matter involving the wellbeing of a child presents the truest picture yet of Guyana’s situation vis a vis racism and intolerance.

Perhaps, this imbroglio points up the truth that this is actually the country’s natural state and that all the attempts at “love and unity” fail not only because they are superficial and ignore the serious underlying issues that create the divide but because they go against the very grain of the inbred divisions on which this country was founded.

Colonialism bred racism of every kind. Natural differences of race, ethnicity, religion, etc, were exploited by the British in their divide-and-rule policy which served to protect them from any united rebellion from the “natives”.

Pitting one against the other was the defensive strategy that kept them safe and secure.

Unfortunately, we are not yet mature enough or secure enough as Guyanese citizens to move past those divisions.

In fact, we entrench them. As my column last week pointed out, we have developed no shared identity based on the best of human values, ethics, and behaviours that enables us to unite as a nation, and in a togetherness that respects the wealth of our cultural and ethnic diversity.

Instead, three decades of the PNC dictatorship, which was hinged on anti-Indian sentiments and strategies and was supported by a US-UK alliance, only deepened the divide. Burnham set out to right the perceived wrongs done to his people, African Guyanese, by tilting policies in their favour and by giving them all the advantages the country could offer. The result was chaos, poverty, and economic ruin for everyone.

His devotee, Granger, has learned nothing from his failures and appears to have doubled down on proving the rightness of Burnham’s “vision”. And he, also, appears, for whatever reason, to have the tacit support once again of a US-UK alliance.

There is already universal resignation to the idea that the 2020 General Election will be rigged to favour the PNC. The unilateral appointment of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) chair by Granger was a clear indication of the plot that was afoot and the reports that GECOM is not hiring Indian Guyanese staff come as no surprise. The fix is in and it is doubtful that any civil society calls for election watch groups to be present to ensure transparency and fairness in 2020 will even matter given the powerful international players that are involved.

The PPP/C in its 23-year tenure managed to do very little to move the needle away from racism. Truthfully, it never mattered how much they did or didn’t do for African Guyanese. They could produce all the facts and figures to show how much better PNC supporters fared under their administration and it wouldn’t matter because the racism at work is a naked appeal to the worst of tribal emotions.

The solid African Guyanese vote for the PNC in 1992 after nearly three decades of Burnhamism is evidence of the loyalty that matters most: race. The colonial lessons of divide and rule were well learned but while racism continues to win, Guyana loses.

uyana and the Russian Federation are looking forward to deepening cooperation, committing to build on the 48-year-old diplomatic relationship.

This commitment was made on Friday evening during a reception hosted to celebrate Russia Day, which will be observed on June 12.

The day commemorates the establishment of Russia as an independent country after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, officially recognising the day that the Declaration of the Sovereignty of the Russian Federation was signed.

In congratulating Russia and its people on this significant day, President David Granger posited Guyana and Russia have enjoyed cordial relations for decades, from which Guyana has benefited in several fields. Guyana and Russia formally forge diplomatic ties in 1970.

“Guyana and Russia have enjoyed cordial relations and have collaborated in the fields of culture, education, economics, security and science. Guyana take opportunity to reiterate appreciation of Russians support for debt and disaster relief… We share common concerns about threats of terrorism and other transnational crimes.

Our common abhorrence of the negative effects of these threats forms the basis of continuation of cooperation within the global multi-lateral system. Guyana looks forward to strengthening its friendship with Russia through the pursuit of our common interests in the years ahead,” he noted.

According to the Head of State added that the excellent formal and in formal relations that the two countries enjoyed for over 50 years are predicated on mutual respect for each other’s’ territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-interference in each other’s’ internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefits, respect for treaties and international laws, and the maintenance of peace and security.

Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador to Guyana, Alexander Kurmaz, told those gathered at the reception that despite the challenges over the past four years, the bond between the two countries has not broken. He pointed out that like Guyana, Russia too is comprised of many different ethnicities, traditions and cultures.

“History has shown that Guyana shares this stance of foreign policy and is willing to forge durable alliances without prejudice to its interest and security to other states…

We hope that common sense and desire to cooperate will gain the upper hand against ideological bias, geopolitical zero-sum games and financial egocentrism. However, open door policy is an essential part of our foreign relations as long as they are based on fair treatment, mutual understanding and respect,” the Russian Diplomat said.

Ambassador Kurmaz went on to call for more engagements and visits between two countries.

“We are working very hard with the members of the Guyanese Government in order to establish a durable agenda for boosting the inter-ministerial and inter-gov-

A section of the gathering at Friday’s reception to celebrate the establishment of Russia as an independent country

ernmental context to come back, first of all, to the prac-

tice of regular visits between the two countries,” he said.

The reception, which was held at the Russian House in Kitty, Georgetown, saw the attendance of Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who is currently performing the functions of Foreign Affairs Minister, and former President Donald Ramotar.

Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, was a special guest at last night’s event.

Guyana and St Vincent and the Grenadines share the same Russian envoy.

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SunDAY, june 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

US$460M pre-contract cost

“We can audit it anytime!” – Patterson

T

he Government’s rationale behind agreeing to the inclusion of the US$460 million pre-contract cost in the ExxonMobil contract without an audit is

that this sum can be audited at any time.

This is according to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson. He was at the time answering ques-

tions on why Government did not audit the sum in the first place before agreeing to its inclusion in the contract.

Patterson was also asked whether there was any intention to audit the sum.

“The answer is obviously yes! We’ve always said that all cost recovery will have to be audited. They’ve said US$460 million, we’ll interrogate it. They’ve stated the number, we’ll audit it,” Patterson explained.

“I don’t know what the frequency of the audit will be for the second phase; but whatever it is, we’ll audit every single cost they put in.

You can audit post- or pre, so obviously we can audit it anytime,” Patterson affirmed.

Previously, analysts have urged that the US$460 million quoted as pre-contract sums the Guyana Government has to pay to ExxonMobil should be thoroughly disaggregated and audited before a cent is paid to the oil giant.

Guyana will have to audit and verify cost oil claims Exxon will make on its revenue. Exxon is expected to use revenue from its production in order to recoup its capital investment. Whatever remains of this is the ‘profit oil’ Guyana will have to split with the oil company and its associates.

According to Annex C of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed with Exxon, pre-contract cost “shall include four hundred and sixty million, two hundred and thirty-seven thousand and nine hundred and eighteen United States Dollars (US$ 460,237,918) in respect of all such costs incurred under the 1999 Petroleum Agreement prior to the year ended 2015.”

In a report done on the oil sector last year, the IMF had urged the Guyana Government to, as soon as possible, start auditing all exploration and development costs being racked up

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

by ExxonMobil.

When he presented the 2018 budget last year, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had alluded to the impending establishment of an Oil and Gas Unit at the GRA. The IMF had said establishment of this unit should become a Government priority.

“It will be important for this unit to start verifying and undertaking audits of

cost incurred during the exploration and development phase, which is getting underway now. It would be advantageous to establish close working relations between the GRA and the sector regulators, to ensure that the limited petroleum sector expertise in Government is applied most efficiently,” the IMF had stated in its report.

At a January press conference, GRA had announced that this very Oil and Gas Unit (O&G Unit) was up and running in preparation for ExxonMobil beginning commercial production of oil in 2020. GRA CommissionerGeneral Godfrey Statia had explained that the GRA had secured the services of trainers from the United Kingdom (UK) in addition to those from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

But reports as recent as April 1, 2018 indicate that no audit was ever undertaken of this sum, or the financial statements the company had submitted.

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SunDAY, june 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Rodney: On organising T

hirty-eight years ago, Dr Walter Rodney was assassinated when he was just thirty-eight. While we thought he was too optimistic on the potential for socialism to eradicate racism, and even more so about including Indians in the Caribbean under the banner of “Black Power” in 1969, we still believe the proposal be made the following year on organising Guyanese Indians and Africans, was most realistic. We published it several times since 1998, hoping for a positive responsive from African Guyanese activists.

Without success.

Dr Rodney said: “Let us take the fact that, over the last decade, Indians and Africans, in Guyana, have been at one another’s Ravi Dev throats, for a variety of reasons, internal and external, and that there is a tremendous amount of illwill and suspicion on both sides; let us take that fact. Now some people deny this and talk about racial harmony, but it is not so. It may be submerged, but it is there; it has to be there: the system ensures that. But what can we do about it? I feel that there are at least two levels at which one must try to organise against the prevailing condition of racial antagonism.

One must organise within the African community, within the Indian community, too, to build different forms of consciousness, different types of social bases, which will ultimately be the form of a new State, and simultaneously, one must begin to find effective revolutionary integrative mechanisms, both organisational and ideological, in terms of people, purely and simply, people, you know, as contributors to the new concept of group consciousness, group power, as for example, like putting six persons. Three Africans, three Indians, not just in form of a symbolic show (they have, of course, to be ideologically consistent and so on), but putting them in a meaningful, nationally-powerful position of leadership, and as a unit.

Now, you have at the second level, to begin to indicate what you would like the society to be like, what that unit should be about, because, if you organise separately, this may well be construed by each group as something exclusive ands hostile. So, you have, at the same time, while doing that bringing together, which is historically necessary, to produce the integrative mechanisms, and act in the kind of fashion, and use the kind of language which makes it clear to the other group (let’s say the African and the Indian are the main groups) what the national aims are, what the country’s Socialism wants to achieve, in spite of race. We have a number of other people, including the Amerindians, the original inhabitants of the country, who are the most neglected. Our integrative mechanisms must be organised to include that group….(A)s we move towards socialism, we’ll also be, in the process, contributing to the total eradication of racism, in its most violent forms, a racism which has arisen through the slave trade, slavery, indenture, class and colonial oppression.

What we must try to understand (and this is a point I’m always trying to make very clearly) is that there is no contradiction between saying that, at this particular point in time, a man needs to assert his given identity, so that, at another point in time, he won’t need to assert it. It would be taken for granted, the whole business of identity, because people will respect that fact, in the changed society, where race will have no marks of identification, whatsoever, on which anybody can lead for support, or for whatever. But it is a respect which no group has, at the moment, at the moment, in the present system, in Guyana.

And I think that within our community of Guyana, different ethnic groups need to assert their identity, need to put themselves together, to pull themselves together, and when they have and when they can operate on the basis of mutual respect, which they are not now doing, now, then I think the way will be clear for building a new society, a society of a mixed unit through socialism. But, first, the various groups must be built up, made conscious of their own potential, their own dignity, their own power, as Guyanese.”

Rodney was a prophet of emancipation.

Govt mulls toll for drivers using Amaila Falls access road W

hile a road user’s agreement was in place that allowed Government to recoup money from operators, who damaged hinterland roads, more direct charges are being contemplated, targeted at sustaining a steady flow of cash for road maintenance.

This is the case at least with the Amaila Falls road, which is located in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). At a recent post-Cabinet press conference, Infrastructure Minister David Patterson zoomed in on Australian mining company Troy Resources.

“The primary user of the road, obviously, would be Troy Resources. There are some other miners that would use the road. We’ll be looking to have a road-users agreement to charge users to ensure that we can get the funds to maintain it.”

“It is in a reasonably passable condition at the

Visibility of LBT women enhanced through SWAG – Akola Thompson

W

omen empowerment in Guyana had seen a sizable increase over the past year, ever since a new movement was launched to target the need for equality among all.

This was according to the coordinator of SASOD Women’s Arm Guyana (SWAG), Akola Thompson, who noted that the foundation has significantly impacted the visibility of LBT (Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) women and has provided a voice for many who are discriminated against in society.

“So far, we have really promoted the visibility of LBT women and that’s not something that has been happening a lot. For a long time, you never really saw a lot of LBT women in public spaces and that is a thing that has been significantly changing,” Thompson stated.

Through the movement, numerous empowerment sessions were conducted with women in various communities across Guyana; an activity which they hope to increase as time progresses.

“Since the launching of SWAG, we have begun monthly empowerment sessions also aimed at providing community orientation for our community members and these are some things that we’re hoping to continue and also expand into other regions as the time goes by.

We recognise that advocacy is largely sensitised and sensualised and we need to have more spaces in communities that do not have the same access as Georgetown.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

A section of the Amaila Falls access road

moment. No one is maintaining or regulating it at the moment,” Patterson added. “But we’re looking to put in the road users agreement shortly.”

It was only a few days ago that plans were announced to fix the already deplorable Linden-Lethem trail, one of those roads rendered almost impassable partly by heavy-duty transit. In fact, it was pointed out that, almost daily, vehicles are overturning along the trail, with the most recent incident being last week.

Commuters had complained bitterly about the condition of the roads, and had called on Government to intervene and repair the

sections that are almost impassable. More recently, small operators have called on authorities to suspend heavy-duty vehicles from traversing the trail, since those vehicles are further damaging the roads.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry has in the past complained about the “significant” sums of monies that have been expended in the hinterland regions for the rehabilitation of roadways. It had previously cited the $54.5 million was spent in 2016 to repair the Puruni-Itaballi corridor.

Furthermore, in 2017, $100 million was allocated to improve the Puruni-Pappishou corridor.

The Ministry had said that its efforts are being counteracted by operators of private mining or mining-related businesses, who choose to use overladen trucks on the roads and engage in other forms of misuse.

They had also pointed out that the misuse of these roads is in contravention of the Road Users’ Agreement with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), the Public Infrastructure Ministry, and the Natural Resources Ministry.

“While the agreement notes that the Government of Guyana will use its best efforts to keep the road maintained in good condition at all times, road users must play their part by adhering to stipulations such as the prohibition of vehicles weighing more than 60 tons crossing Itaballi-Puruni bridges. Additionally, the agreement notes that users shall be liable to Government for any damage to Government’s property caused by the negligent use of the roadways by their employees and/or their agents.”

14 news

sunDAY, june 10, 2018| guyanatimesgy.com

Canal No 2 residents decry poor utility services

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esidents of Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara, are calling on Government to address a number of burning matters that have been affecting them for a number of months. According to residents, their pleas for intervention have been unanswered and repudiated by the regional authorities.

On Saturday, residents reached out to Guyana Times to visit their community. According to the residents, they are frustrated with the ongoing unaddressed issues in their community.

Water

One of the main concerns is the quality of water which is supplied to the village by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), which according to villagers, contains a high level of iron that makes it unfit even for household purposes.

Mark Itwaru, a distressed resident, told Guyana Times that while other communities are accessing potable water, the Canal Number Two area has seen a great deal of

cause an accident like that.”

Another villager related that in the past, the Canal’s Polder Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) was informed of the unsafe conditions, but the residents were told that these repairs do not fall under the remit of the Council. It was further stated that the regional administration should be engaged to provide a suitable outcome.

Power outages

The deplorable roads

water that is contaminated with impurities and also mineral elements in large quantities.

“We can’t even use the water to wash clothes cause the iron in the water staining the clothes and everything else that you wash.

Imagine if we got to drink it,” he stated.

Dangerous roads, bridges

While the water supply is on the forefront to be addressed, the dilapidated bridges and roads with large craters is also something of great concern. It was relat-

ed that one of the bridges, which is located at the junction of the canal and leading into Belle West, is in a deplorable state and moreover unsafe for many to navigate their vehicles. Meanwhile, the roads are indented with large potholes that span several metres along the roadway and have been deteriorating constantly, which affects commuters.

“This is dangerous to both the driver and pedestrians cause you have to swerve from left to right on the road to avoid breaking up your car and you can

Additionally, it was highlighted that recurring power outages are another daily dose of despair which lasts for endless hours and on most occasions, the entire day. Just last Wednesday, one of the persons residing in the area noted that the electrical supply was off from 07:00h to 18:00h.

“We always getting blackout, sometimes more than two time every week and it does last the whole day. The last time it cut off at seven and they come till in the night to put it on back after more than five reports.”

The residents are pleading with the relevant authorities to address the matters of concerns which can ultimately provide some level of relief to the community.

Visibility of LBT women...

FROM PAGE 13

To further eliminate acts of violence against women through sensitisation, SWAG will be partnering with a number of organisations, including the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA).

“CEDA committee had recommended enacting antidiscrimination legislation that includes the prohibition of all forms of discrimination against women. So far, none of this has happened and we’re calling on Government to personally repeal discriminatory laws and practices and to put in more mechanisms in strengthening and supporting LBT persons in the community,” Thompson stated.

Since the launch of the organisation on Women’s Day 2017, outreaches were conducted with LGT women to address the issues of violence and discrimination that they face on a daily basis.

It was revealed that these discussions will continue in the coming months to spread more awareness to promote equality.

World Oceans Day… encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean

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or our World Environment Day and Earth Day celebrations, the focus was on putting an end to plastic pollution. For World Oceans Day, another key day on the environmental calendar, the fight against plastic pollution continues. World Oceans Day, celebrated each year on June 8, focuses on encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean.

By now, we should understand the link between plastic pollution and the ocean environment but just to reiterate, once plastics are disposed of in an improper manner, they don’t just stay still. They travel and more often than not, end up in our drains, canals, trenches, creeks, streams, rivers and ultimately, our oceans. Why? Because water bodies are interconnected.

While we usually think of this as a global issue, right here in Guyana, our marine animals feel the impact of plastic pollution.

The plight of our sea turtles, especially the leatherback has been well documented. But to elaborate on the issue, here are some additional effects of pollution in our oceans:

Entanglement/entrapment Animals are attracted to litter items due to their natural curiosity or while in search of food or shelter. As a result, they can become trapped and while entanglement/entrapment may not necessarily cause death, it causes torturous pain.

Entanglement can also result in the animal not growing normally, as the item can become embedded in the animal's flesh as it grows around it.

“Ghost fishing” So-called “ghost nets” are accidently lost or deliberately discarded fishing nets that continue to catch fish as they keep on drifting in the sea or along the bottom, often for very long periods. Their “catch” attracts other fish, mammals and sea birds searching for food, which are often caught or entangled in them, causing a vicious lethal circle.

Ingestion Fish, birds and mammals may swallow a litter item accidently or because it resembles their prey. For example, turtles eat plastic bags mistaking them for jellyfish. Ingestion can lead to starvation or malnutrition if the ingested items fill up their stomach. Sharp objects, eg, metal and broken glass, can wound the digestive tract and cause infection and pain.

Ingested items may also block the animal's air passage, and eventually cause its death by suffocation.

Bio-accumulation Birds of prey and other carnivorous animals have been found with large concentrations of plastics in their stomachs after preying on smaller birds that previously ingested fish with these plastics in them. Marine organisms are also exposed to toxics released from litter items. These toxics either have a direct effect or bio-accumulate in other animals feeding on them. For humans who are at the top of the food chain, the consequences are yet unknown.

Economic effects Littered beaches reduce tourism potential. Fewer tourists coming to an area means less income for the coastal communities. Additionally, beach clean ups are costly, especially in remote areas that are difficult to access or lack infrastructure (waste bins, etc.).

Damage to livelihoods Fishermen are also affected by marine pollution. Drifting fishing nets and ropes can wrap around propellers, anchors, etc, causing costly or irreparable damage. Also the “ghost nets” that continue to trap fish, leave fishermen with smaller catches.

As we go forward, we encourage all to make the pledge to keep our oceans free of plastic pollution. It only takes small actions.

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

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SunDAY, june 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Domestic violence

Correction More safe houses needed to protect G victims – acting Chief Magistrate

A

s a two-year study by Red Thread wrapped up and the findings were presented on Friday at the University of Guyana Turkeyen campus, Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus expressed her conviction that there is grave need for availability of more safe houses to protect domestic violence victims and survivors.

According to statistics from the study, 81 per cent of domestic violence cases were reported by women as against 17 per cent being reported by men. And in regard to persons being subjected to court orders, 83 per cent of men were respondents to the orders, as against 17 per cent women.

The Acting Chief Magistrate has recommended that there be more specialised counselling services for children even as she drew attention to the shortage of Probation and Welfare Officers to service the courts.

“In many instances they are adjournments because the Probation Officer is not ready with the report, and that is because that one Probation Officer is servicing three or four Magistrates’ Courts,” she explained.

The Red Thread survey found that between January and May 2018, some 333 of the 3,067 matters filed in the East Demerara Magisterial District were domestic violence matters. In the Essequibo Magisterial District, 3084 matters were filed, with 35 of those being domestic violence matters. In the Georgetown Magisterial District, there were 7,972 matters filed, with 352 of those being domestic violence matters. And in the Berbice Magisterial District, there were 1947 matters filed, of which 35 were domes-

Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus

tic violence cases.

Several presentations clearly pointed out that, in most cases, victims of domestic violence have nowhere else to go, and would stay in abusive relationships because of that reason. A call was accordingly made for more sensitisation to be done, so victims would feel convinced that they do not have to stay in those types of relationships.

On Wednesday last, an East Bank Berbice man was found hanging from a rafter under an abandoned house at Glasgow Village moments after he had reportedly killed his wife and

daughter.

Jainarine Seetaram, 41, also called “Radoo, allegedly killed his wife Dindamattie Behari, 37, and daughter Surujdai Khan, 20, in a gruesome manner at their home at Lot 1078 Glasgow New Housing Scheme, Greater New Amsterdam, Berbice, after he had reportedly accused his wife of infidelity.

When 2018 was just four months old, some 13 women had already died at the hands of their partners, as domestic violence in Guyana continues its upsurge.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has since said this scourge is not something that can just be tackled from a law enforcement perspective. Rather, it requires intensified inter-agency collaboration.

“There is a lot of socioeconomic and non-law enforcement policies that will have to take care of that: better parenting, schooling, the religious communities, have to deal with that. Law enforcement has to do with when the law is broken, but, as a Government, we have an obligation to ensure prevention; but it is a very difficult thing to prevent when someone (is) feeling angry for whatever reason,” Ramjattan said.

“I don’t know what we can do, or how we can legislate against that. It is an extraordinarily difficult thing.

What we have to do is to develop the community, ensure better education; but, there again, the officer (Orwain Sandy) that did what he did was an educated fella,” he had added.

uyana Times inadvertently published the wrong names under the photographs carried in an article captioned “AFC executive allegedly forged documents to get Govt contracts”. Below are the correct names and photographs. This newspaper apologises for any inconvenience caused.

PPP Councillor Zamal Hussain

AFC Member Joseph Baithu

16 news

SunDAY, june 10, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

9 technicians graduate from Baramita snake-bitten teen MACORP’s training programme anxious to return home

A

s part of its continuous training programme to develop the skills of operators and technicians in their designated field of machinery operation, Machinery Corporation of Guyana (MACORP) on Thursday evening awarded nine persons for completing a technician training exercise.

The nine graduates which included Marcus Benjamin, Trevor Chichester, Jollian Dawson, Akeem Hector, Mark Hiraman, Rayon Lee, Teon McKenzie, Judah Pancham and Allacai Ross were presented with certifications for their successful completion of the training course.

With this, they are qualified to obtain a position in the field of machinery operation.

Present at the gathering was the keynote speaker and Administrative Manager of MACORP, Anita Ramprasad, who addressed the gathering of young men who were recipients of varying awards. She encouraged them to follow in the pursuit of success, which is measured by the input of effort, humility and consistency.

“Success is a measure of what we’ve achieved as compared to what we’re capable of achieving. Of course,

...says never seen so many people before

F

Valedictorian Mark Hiraman receiving his award from a MACORP representative

it is not done alone but it is a personal journey and that means there should never be comparison.”

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the machinery company, Jorge Medina highlighted that while MACORP is engaged in nation-building by creating skilled personnel in these fields, preparation and the need for development of local talent should also be on the agenda of everyone.

“Everybody must include the local content but we must also offer quality, good level of skills, capability to execute in their work at international standards,” he explained.

Additionally, the Chief Operations Officer Guillermo Escarraga emphasised on the com-

mitments that were made for the training to materialise and also on the high standards that are offered at the company as it relates to training.

“We know that this is the beginning of a better life for our graduates. We always want to be associated with those that want to pursue a better life for their own means. We are always in the forefront of those that seek to do always the best,” Escarraga related.

In the past years, a total of 160 men and women successfully graduated from the training programmes that were conducted with employees and new recruits. The valedictorian for this year’s training exercise was Mark Hiraman.

acing the challenge of not only adapting to a whole new environment, but recovering from a venomous snake bite, 16-year-old Sherwin Leonard of the Amerindian settlement of Baramita, Region One, is counting each day and praying for the day he gets to return home to his family.

Having been air dashed to the city after the encounter with the venomous beast last week, Leonard remains hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC). He told Guyana Times he would usually go with his father to hunt, but on the fateful day, he was out hunting alone in dense forest when he accidentally stepped on the creature and it sprang up and bit him.

With his leg bleeding, he killed the snake with his hunting gear, then slowly made his way home, where he was attended to and immediately rushed to the Baramita Hospital. Nurses there treated him in an attempt to avoid the poison from spreading to other parts of his body, and he was medivaced to the city for better medical attention.

The recovering teenager, Sherwin Leonard, on his hospital bed

The teenager said this is his first time in Georgetown, and he had never previously seen so many people. The only son for his parents, he noted that his brother-in-law is the only one who comes to visit him, since his mother takes care of his younger siblings and his father now has to hunt to feed the rest of the family.

“Me nah know way me deh! Me nah even know when me go come out ah here, and dah ah wah me ah study,” the lad explained. He said that he misses home and is anxious to return to his family.

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SunDAY, june 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GTT launches Blaze 3 in custody as Police in Parfaite Harmonie Cattle ranch murder

probe intensifies

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hree persons are now in custody as Police continue to investigate the fatal shooting of Harrinarine Samaroo, also known as “Ding”, 51, of Betsy Ground Village, East Canje, Berbice.

The cattle rancher’s body was on June 4 discovered at a cattle ranch at New Forest, East Canje Berbice with suspected gunshot wounds to the neck and left ear. Reports are that the body also had what appeared to be an exit wound to the head.

Police initially arrested the son of the power of attorney to the ranch, one Bascom, who was at the ranch at the time of the shooting. He reportedly told investigators that, on June 3, he was in the two-storey zinc house while Samaroo

Dead: Harrinarine Samaroo

had gone to the washroom, when he heard Samaroo calling him. The Police were also told that someone had opened the door and lashed Bascom simultaneously with the sound of what appeared to be a gunshot.

Bascom told Police that he jumped out of a window and fled to the bushes, where he hid. He subsequently left the area and made his

way to the Reliance Police Station, where he reported that Samaroo had been shot.

But Samaroo’s sister is questioning how Bascom knew that her brother had been shot if he did not go back to the camp.

Police arrested Bascom after Samaroo’s body was discovered at about 13:30h on Monday, in a crouching position some twenty feet away from the camp.

Police also arrested two other persons - both of whom were employed by a Canadabased Guyanese to oversee a large herd of cattle in the backlands.

Meanwhile, as Police continue to investigate, it has been discovered that cattle were reported missing from the ranch.

The investigation continues.

Trio in court over water pump theft

T

hree men were released on $50,000 bail each after they denied being found with a water pump, which is suspected to have been stolen.

The charge against Jermaine McLeod, of Lot 122 Meadow Brook, East La Penitence; Michael Howes, 18, of Lot 103 Middle Road, East La Penitence; and Kenrick Charles, 25, of Lot

110 Eccles Park, East Bank Demerara, alleged that they had a water pump, suspected to be stolen or unlawfully obtained, in their possession on April 10 at Kitty, Georgetown.

All three men pleaded not guilty to the charge which was read by Magistrate Leron Daly.

The prosecution is contending that on April 10,

Police ranks were on patrol when they stopped a car that the men were travelling in. A search was subsequently conducted on the vehicle and the pump was found in the trunk.

The defendants were questioned and none of them gave a reasonable explanation for how they came to be in possession of it.

The case will continue on June 14.

M

ore than 3000 residents in the La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme on the West Bank of Demerara are all set to benefit from high speed internet service, as GTT has officially launched its Blaze high-speed internet service in the Scheme.

According to GTT’s Region Three Manager, the launch is a two-day event, with sameday installation being offered to customers who sign up.

After signing up, customers are required to await installation on an appointment basis. Additionally, the Manager said, GTT is targeting the Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, with launch in that area expected by the end of the year. Meanwhile, La Parfaite Harmonie residents

Residents signing up for the Blaze service on Saturday

have expressed satisfaction with GTT’s decision to introduce the service.

Blaze is the upgraded version of GTT’s DSL service. It offers faster internet speeds, improved streaming, and easier connectivity. GTT introduced the Blaze service almost a year ago, and offers three options: Blaze Ignite,

Blaze Flaming and Blaze Inferno.

“Blaze Ignite” customers will be able to access Internet speed at five megabytes per second. “Blaze Flaming” users will access Internet with the speed of 20 megabytes per second, and “Blaze Inferno” users will have 50 megabytes per second.

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sunday, june 10, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Deplorable Govt housing

Motion passed to halt rent for Linden teachers, nurses A

motion was passed by the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) for the temporary cessation of rental deductible payments for teachers and nurses occupying Government quarters in Linden.

This decision came on the heels of numerous complaints regarding deplorable living conditions at these facilities. Councillor Charles Sampson, who put forward the motion, said the complaints were “embarrassing” as he pointed out that enough attention is not being paid to the upkeep of the quarters though rent is equivalent to a percentage of occupants’ salaries.

The motion received full support from all Councillors present at the statutory meeting.

“What we have found is that even though the Regional Democratic Council does work on buildings owned by the region, including teacher’s quarters... in recent times there has been many complaints... enough attention is not be-

ing paid to teacher’s quarters,” Sampson said. He requested for temporary measures to be put in place.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian also said he has received numerous complaints on the state of nurses and teachers houses. “Some of them have septic tanks overflowing and a whole lot of issues,” he stated. According to Morian, inspections revealed that the issues were no fault of the RDC, adding that based on budgetary allocation the administration is doing the best it could.

He said the Administration has looked at temporary measures to put in place and will seek proper funding for improved work to be conducted. He added that the quarters were slated to be sold for $1 in 2012, based on face value.

“Because when they looked at the amount of money we’re spending, a lot of money to repair it’s not enough...Nevertheless these houses weren’t sold, so we’re faced with a situation here where there are complaints from nurses and primari-

Councillor Charles Sampson addressing the RDC

ly teachers...” the Regional Chairman said. He also stated that the Council will make a budgetary appeal for necessary upgrade in funding to repair the quarters since it has received insufficient funding for repairs over the years.

“So we’re saying ‘stop, no rent for nobody. Send the money to us and let’s bring these houses up to proper living standards for the people. There will be no rent with immediate effect for all the teachers and nurses that occupy houses that fall under the Regional Democratic Council,” he stated.

Sampson also pointed out a similar situation af-

fecting employees who occupy RDC homes, noting that many have not been maintained, but Morian said the Council will first move to have houses occupied by persons not employed by the RDC taken back before a decision is made. Until then, he noted the cessation will only apply for teachers and nurses.

The cessation for nurses and teachers, he said, will run until all situations relating to housing conditions are corrected.

Housing cost for teachers

Only recently, in light of reports that teachers who are seconded to the

hinterland have to pay for their own accommodation, Minister of State Joseph Harmon has rubbished such reports, claiming that once a teacher is sent in the hinterland to perform duties, the Government takes care of housing.

In a letter published

by Guyana Times, it is alleged that the head teacher of Saxacalli Primary School was required to pay 10 per cent of his salary as rent for the teacher’s living quarters that he is temporarily occupying.

It was also highlighted that hinterland teachers would use their own computers and printers to com-

plete tasks for the school without getting a stipend from the Government for using same. In some instances, the Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) is concerned that the situation could lead to some teachers returning to the coastland.

Despite Minister of State Joseph Harmon claiming otherwise, teachers in some parts of Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and the Hinterland are still being forced to pay 10 per cent of their salaries for housing.

According to information reaching this publication, monies were deducted earlier this year from the salaries of head teachers at several schools in Region Three, particularly at the Upper Bonasika Primary, Sandhill Primary, Santa Mission Primary, Great Trollie Primary, Caria Caria Primary and San Souci Primary.

A source close to the teachers indicated that since the year started, monies were deducted from them for housing despite them being told otherwise.

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sunDAY, june 10, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

ExxonMobil/Petra/Pepsi Under14 tournament gets underway Full list of results: Game 1 Buxton: 10, vs Youth Developers: 0 Goal Scorers for Buxton Tyrese Dennis - 1st, 8th, 20th, 30th Makhaya Jarvis - 11th, 23rd Samuel Garnett - 12th Rodwell Weekes - 37th Own goals – 36th, 39th Game 2 Marian Academy: 1, vs Uitvlugt: 0 Goal Scorerfor Marian Daniel Lowe - 5th

P

A total of 12 games were contested on Saturday at the Ministry of Education Ground

rior to the competition being officially opened by sponsors and organisers, the tournament kicked off with much pomp and splendour, with all of the participating schools being involved in a FIFA- like march past.

Co-Director of Petra, Troy Mendonca, in his remarks, elaborated on some of the challenges that the organization faced in trying to establish the tournament. “It gives (me) the liberty to say that, after 3 or 4 years, we at Petra organisation are trying very hard to have this tournament played at the Under14 level.

It serves its purpose, which bridges the gap between the Under 11 and Under18 programmes.

Because

we’re faced with limited resources, we weren’t able to do it,” he explained.

Mendonca took the time to thank the sponsors who have now made it possible.

“At this point in time, we want to thank ExxonMobil, Ministry of Public Health, and Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) for making this possible,” he declared.

Speaking on behalf of primary sponsors ExxonMobil, Community Relations and Communications Manager Nicholas Yearwood noted that the company is elated to be on board with such an initiative. “We’re happy that Petra came to us to be the partner of choice, and we just want to wish every child here the best of luck in the tournament,”

he said.

Shortly after the official kick-off was done by Yearwood, the first of 12 matches scheduled for the day began. Whilst the boys commenced their round-robin stage of the competition, the girls are currently going through a training programme being conducted by the technical staff of the Guyana Football Federation. Those sessions will last for two weeks.

The competition will continue every Saturday for the next seven weeks, beginning each time at 10hrs at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue, where both boys’ and girls’ teams will be on show.

Game 3 Dolphin: 4, vs Friendship: 3 Goal scorers, Dolphin Dwayne James – 15th Nicholas Tappin - 19th, 31st Ian Ward - 27th Goal scorers, Friendship Prince Ford - 13th, 36th Shane Harper – 25th Game 4 Ann’s Grove: 3, vs Charlestown: 2 Goal scorers, Ann’s Grove Treshawn Cudsoe – 28th, 33rd, 36th Goal scorers, Charlestown Sheldon Bowen - 3rd Mickel Prince - 38th Game 5 Annandale vs Bishops Annandale won via walk over Game 6 Vergenogen vs Carmel Vergenogen won via walk over Game 7 Brickdam: 4, vs New Campbellville: 2

Goal scorers, Brickdam Akeem Henry – 12th, 22nd Shoran James – 27th, 35th Goal scorer, New Campbellville Lexus Fortune – 8th Antonio McArthur – 36th Game 8 Tucville: 1, vs Queenstown: 1 Goal scorer, Tucville Garfield Cegar – 20th Goal scorer, Queenstown Tyrese Hart – 40th Game 9 Chase’s Academy: 1, vs St John’s: 1 Goal scorer, St. John’s Shem Foris – 5th Goal scorer, Chase’s Academy Sean Cato – 36th Game 10 North Ruimveldt (Multi) vs Nations Multi won by walk over Game 11 East Ruimveldt: 1, vs St George’s: 4 Goal scorers, St George’s Simeon Darlington - 26th Dexter Hector - 28th Tyrese Joseph - 36th Own goal - 39th Goal scorer, East Ruimveldt Ome Harris – 14th Game 12 South Ruimveldt: 3, vs Kingston: 1 Goal scorers, South R. David – 9th Nashawn Manderson – 20th Anthowne Bernard - 39th Kingston Goal scorer Josh James - 5th

20

guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, june 10, 2018

KFC supports GPF’s 5-a-side tournament 1E software firm – youth footballers to invade Gymnasium today

A

s part of their Social Crime Prevention Strategy, the Guyana Police Force “A” Division will be hosting a five-a-side football competition today at the National Gymnasium.

The event is expected to have a turnout of over 800 youths from 21 youth groups within ‘A’ Division.

Earlier in the week, during a simple handover ceremony at KFC’s Head Office on Vlissengen Road, L. Blair-McGregor,

the Community Relations Officer of ‘A’ Division, expressed her gratitude to the management of KFC for donating to such a great cause.

Blair said, “This initiative is aimed at transforming youths, not only through education, but through sports.”

She mentioned that this is the second donation from KFC in just one month. KFC previously donated a sum of money to the GPF’s Annual Career Day, an event which was aimed at bringing communities together and

KFC’s Marketing Manager Lavasti Bhooplall (left) during the hand over with ‘A’ Division’s L. Blair

strengthening the relationship with the public.

KFC’s Marketing Manager, Livasti Bhooplall, has stated: “We would like to commend the Guyana Police Force for their initiative of working with these youths to show them a path of discipline through education and sports. KFC Guyana wishes the Guyana Police Force the very best for this event, and we know that the youths, through this initiative, will help to develop their confidence, to prepare them for an exciting future ahead.”

throws support behind DCC, MSC

Guyanese-born, UK-based former athlete Waveney Benn (centre) is flocked by peers from software firm 1E

G

uyanese-born UKbased former athlete Waveney Benn has garnered donations for the two local cricket clubs as part of their expansion of the sport.

The support came from the UK software firm 1E, which assisted two of Guyana’s top clubs -- the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and the Malteenoes Cricket Club (MSC).

The donation, which came in the form of cricket gear such as bats and cricket shoes among other things, is geared towards helping budding young cricketers to further their careers in a more professional, comfort-

able manner.

Waveney Benn is a former track star who excelled in middle distance competition back in the early 70s and 80s. She is considered to be a regular who is no stranger to rendering assistance to her home country as it relates to sports development.

Benn had, in the past, benefited from the benevolence of the software firm, and she believes that more emphasis should be placed on athletes of all sports, adding that her means of giving back was reinforced by her experiences in her younger days as an upcoming athlete.

sports

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Guyana, Jamaica battle in T20 opener

G

uyana embark on their campaign in this year’s Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Women’s T20 tournament versus hosts Jamaica today, Sunday, at the Sabina Park Ground. The Guyanese squad winged out for Jamaica a few days ago, after more than a week of encampment at the LBI indoor facility, where new coach, Bharrat Mangru, ensured the females were properly fine-tuned ahead of the competition.

With the T20 leg being staged first, followed by the Super50, Guyana will have ideal time to get their aggression going, as they would need to come out with guns blazing over the next few days. Led by Shemaine Campbell, who has been a notable performer for Guyana and the West Indies over the years, the Guyana team will rely heavily on their four big players: Tremayne Smartt, Erva Giddings, Subrina Munroe and Shemaine Campbell, who have all played for the Windies.

Apart from ‘the big four’, Guyana boast tons of talent in the form of their younger crop of players in the side. Off-spinner Plaffiana Millington recently told this newspaper she believes that experience coupled with youth in the team would play a key role during the tourney.

Millington, middle-order batter Lashuna Toussaint, Akaze Thompson, spinner Kaysia Schultz, all-rounder Mandy Mangru all have ideal experience at the national level, and could play a huge role in the opener against Jamaica.

The ladies endured a rain-affected inter-county as well as having the weather interrupt essential practice time before leaving these shores. Nevertheless, the women attended a West Indies Players Association (WIPA) Developmental Seminar on Friday, followed by practice.

Saturday saw the ladies engaging in their final practice session ahead of Sunday’s first of five rounds in the T20s, which will commence with an opener between Barbados and the Windwards Islands from 9:30am at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Match two will feature a clash between Trinidad & Tobago and the Leeward Islands at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Ground in Trinidad, while Guyana versus the hosts caps off the final match in round one. (Clifton Ross) The 14-member Guyana Team: Shemaine Campbell (captain), Sheneta Grimmond, Mandy Mangru, Shabika Gajnabi, Lashuna Toussaint, Melanie Henry, Tremayne Smartt, Cherry-

Ann Fraser, Erva Giddings, Kasia Shultz, S u b r i n a Munroe, Akaze T h o m p s o n , P l a f f i a n a Millington and Katana M e n t o r e ; with Bharrat Mangru as coach and Carol Nurse as manager

Tremayne Smartt

21

22

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, june 10, 2018

Guyana participates in international Football for Friendship programme

G

uyana is participating in the Gazprom’s international social children's programme “Football for Friendship (F4F)”, which officially opened on Saturday in Moscow, Russia with a colourful parade of the flags and nations at Spartak Football Academy.

The event, being held from June 8th to 15th, will also see participants attending the opening ceremony and match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Guyana’s participation is in the form of two adults and two young footballers respectively: GFF’s National Junior Female

Footballer of the Year 2017, National U17 female player Jalade Trim; National U13 player Josiah King; Member Association Representative Gidel Austin, and Communications and Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Debra Francis.

Delegation Head Francis said the team arrived safely in Russia, has settled in well, and is excited about this opportunity which will contribute to the development of the young footballers: "This is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the team, and the

Jalade Trim was flag-bearer for Guyana at the opening ceremony

GFF is especially happy that these talented national youth footballers have been given the chance to participate in this educational programme. The coordinators have requested the young participants serve in two primary roles – Footballer and Journalist – and both will be exposed to capacity building in their respective areas of focus for the duration of the programme.

Thus the technical skills will be complemented by the opportunity to practise and network with other talented footballers and coaches from around the world.

It can only serve their football ambitions well," she detailed.

While King is scheduled to serve as the young journalist in the F4F International Children’s Press Centre, reporting on events as they happen, Trim will serve as the footballer, and will be given a chance to play in the inaugural 2018 F4F World Championship on June 12 at the Sapsan Arena. This will feature a

five-a-side mixed team of nationals from the 211 participating countries and regions, including those with disabilities, in keeping with the values of the programme.

In addition to the International Friendship Camp at the Spartak Football Academy, which will respectively seek to impart technical skills and expose the participants to the core values of the programme (School of 9 Values) – friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and honour – there will, on June 13, be a Children’s Forum which will seek to showcase the work of the identified young journalists in promoting the F4F programme on various national and international networks.

Trim was the flag-bearer for Guyana at the opening ceremony, which featured three mascots, Freddy and Freida – the official F4F mascots – and Zabivaka, the official mascot of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Participants had photo opportunities and interacted with them. The opening ceremony was also complemented by brief remarks from tournament coordinators who encouraged the participants to play fair, practise the F4F’s nine values, and have fun.

Meanwhile, King was among eight young participants featured in the first edition of the F4F Daily Newspaper for Real Friends, sharing his expectations of the trip.

Gazprom is an official partner of FIFA and the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, and aims to develop youth football across the world through youth sport, healthy lifestyles, and promotion of the nine named core values.

Gazprom is a global energy company specializing in gas exploration; production and sale; and heat and electric power generation and marketing. It is Russia’s largest producer and exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

sunDAY, june 10, 2018

Mendis fights but Windies chip away A

fine knock from Kusal Mendis led Sri Lanka's reply after they were set a target of 453 on the penultimate day of the first Test in Port of Spain on Saturday (June 9).

Starting their chase shortly into the post-lunch session, Mendis was involved in a couple of half-century stands and remained unbeaten on 94 at Stumps, although the visitors lost three wickets during the day and Dinesh Chandimal had retired ill.

Sri Lanka ended Day 4 at 176 for 3, still needing 277 more to take a lead in the three-match series.

Kusal Perera started by scoring two fours off Shannon Gabriel in the opening over of Sri Lanka's chase before falling to the same bowler off a leading edge. Unlike the first innings, Windies weren't able to run through the Sri Lankan top order as Chandimal and Mendis showed good application and were judicious with their shot selection. Capitalising on the loose deliveries and respecting the good ones, Chandimal and Mendis built a steady partnership to keep the Windies bowlers at bay. However, the partnership came to an abrupt halt as Chandimal appeared in some pain before the start of the 12th over, and was seen holding his head before walking off the field retiring ill.

Mendis and Mathews

went into a defensive mode for the rest of the second session, ensuring that Sri Lanka did not lose any more wickets. But they were a lot more positive in the final session, scoring a flurry of boundaries to take the fight back to Windies. Mathews came down the track twice to Devendra Bishoo to score a couple of fours and struck an authoritative pull off Gabriel

guyanatimesgy.com

23

through the mid-on region.

Mendis, meanwhile, played a pick-up shot off Roach for a six before leaning into a cover drive for a boundary.

Put down by Shane Dowrich off Bishoo, nearly run out following a mixup with Mathews, and having changed the bat several times, Mendis went on to register a hard-fought half century. Things were go-

SCOREBOARD West Indies 1st Innings – 414/8d Sri Lanka 1st Innings – 185 all out West Indies 2nd Innings KC Brathwaite c †Dickwella b Kumara 16 DS Smith b Lakmal 20 KOA Powell c sub (JDF Vandersay) b MDK Perera 88 SD Hope c Mendis b Kumara 1 RL Chase b Herath 12 SO Dowrich † lbw b Kumara 13 JO Holder (c) lbw b Herath 39 D Bisho not out 16 KAJ Roach not out 11 Extras 7 (b 4, lb 2, nb 1) TOTAL 223-7d (72 Overs, RR: 3.09) Did not bat: ML Cummins, ST Gabriel Fall of wickets: 1-36 (DS Smith, 10.3 ov), 2-55 (KC Brathwaite, 16.5 ov), 3-75 (SD Hope, 20.5 ov), 4-119 (RL Chase, 34.6 ov), 5-149 (SO Dowrich, 48.3 ov), 6-191 (KOA Powell, 57.2 ov), 7-203 (JO Holder, 64.1 ov) BOWLING: RAS Lakmal (12-2-

32-1), PLS Gamage (15-3-430), HMRKB Herath (24-5-522), CBRLS Kumara (9-0-40-3), MDK Perera (12-1-50-1) Sri Lanka 2nd Innings (target: 453 runs) BKG Mendis not out 94 MDKJ Perera c Smith b Gabriel 12 LD Chandimal (c) retired hurt 15 AD Mathews c †Dowrich b Holder 31 ARS Silva c & b Bishoo 14 PLS Gamage not out 0 Extras 10 (b 3, lb 3, nb 4) TOTAL 176-3 (53.4 Overs, RR: 3.27) Yet to bat: N Dickwella †, MDK Perera, HMRKB Herath, RAS Lakmal, CBRLS Kumara Fall of wickets: 1-21 (MDKJ Perera, 3.3 ov), 1-49 (LD Chandimal, 10.6 ov), 2-123 (AD Mathews, 43.5 ov), 3-175 (ARS Silva, 52.5 ov) BOWLING: KAJ Roach (10-244-0), ST Gabriel (10.4-2-441), JO Holder (10-4-18-1), ML Cummins (8-1-22-0), D Bishoo (10-1-32-1), RL Chase (5-0-10-0)

Shannon Gabriel dismissed Kusal Perera early but Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis put on a good stand ing well for Sri Lanka with a measured stand between Mendis and Mathews defying the West Indian bowlers.

However, an innocuous delivery from Holder brought the 74-run partnership to an end as Mathews was caught down the leg side.

The dismissal didn't dissuade Mendis from playing his shots - having driven a Roach delivery past mid-off for a four, the opener took on a short delivery to dispatch it over fine-leg for a maximum.

He scored a major portion of the runs in a half-century stand with Roshen Silva, who fell in the fag end of the day after handing a catch to Bishoo in what was a soft dismissal.

Earlier, Powell and Jason Holder, who scored the bulk

of the runs on Day 4, missed out on personal milestones with the left-hander falling 12 short of a three-figure score and the Windies skipper missing a half-century by 11 runs. Nevertheless, it was a job well done as they ensured that the scoreboard did not stagnate, albeit the hosts scoring only 78 runs in the 29 overs bowled in the first session.

Suranga Lakmal bowled testing lines to Dowrich in the morning session but it was Lahiru Kumara who picked up the first wicket of the day. He trapped the first-innings centurion leg-before with slightly fuller delivery, having bowled mostly short of length before that. The short deliveries continued to serve Kumara

well and he also troubled Powell but the left-hander showed enough application to hang around and scored the occasional boundaries.

The arrival of Holder aided Windies in injecting some momentum to their innings in the morning as the skipper took on the spinners in his 40-ball 39 which included four fours and a six.

Windies, however, lost both Powell and Holder ahead of Lunch, and added only 18 runs in the last 12 overs before the break. Bishoo and Roach managed score quicker in the brief time that Windies batted in the postlunch session, stretching the lead past 450 before the declaration came with the home team's score on 223 for 7. (cric-

buzz)

Milo completes another football skills tournament W

The youths endured a number of rounds during the Skill Challenge

ith a shared vision of promoting among children healthier lifestyles through physical activity, especially during their foundation years, FC Barcelona and Nestle Milo, in 2014, entered a four-year agreement which would allow them to make that dream a reality.

That partnership has birthed an initiative which would allow over 22 million youngsters from all across Asia, Oceania, Africa and Latin America to have an opportunity to be part of a highclass training programme with the renowned football club.

When it eventually was Guyana’s turn, Nestle Milo hosted a football skillset tournament as one of its initiatives to advance this mission.

The first tranche of the development programme, which was held in August

2017, saw participation from over 160 children between the ages of 7 and 12.

Hailing from communities all across the country, the children showcased their skills in order to compete for a chance to win a trip to Barca Academy in Barcelona, Spain.

This time around, in excess of 100 children showed up at the Police Sports Club ground in Eve Leary on Saturday to get their shot at travelling to Barcelona and fulfilling any young footballer’s dream. They were judged on skillsets such as passing, dribbling, composure, running and control.

The winner will jet off to Barcelona for the training camp in October, 2018.

Aside from the grand prize winner, ten other children will receive consolation prizes.

SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Pg 19

ExxonMobil/Petra/ Pepsi Under14 tournament gets underway

Mendis fights but Windies chip away

Pg 23

Kieran Powell

Kusal Mendis

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JUNE 10, 2018

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A glimpse of the sun setting over the Demerara River

2 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 10, 2018

Feature

I

t was the seventh Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, who said, “From creating start-ups to igniting revolutions, young people have been toppling the old structures and processes that govern our world.

Just imagine what solutions might be found if young people are given the space and encouragement to participate and lead.”

It is with this in mind that the youths of the small village of Non-Pariel on the East Coast of Demerara are making the change and starting the revolution. The Non-Pariel Greenhouse Club was formed over two years ago with the sole purpose of converting a plot of land into a space suitable youth engagement. The Club now has over 25 members with a 12 member executive.

The idea came to Romel Putulall one rainy day when he noted that the old “cow pasture” was filled to capacity with hundreds of plastic bottles floating around and clogging the drains among other things. He then though of how he could incorporate those bottles and make a difference and then the idea was birthed to use those bottles and tyres to construct a building as well as fence the plot of land so the youths of the communi-

Trees to be planted

Bottles being cut

ty could be meaningfully engaged.

Putulall, who is the Project Coordinator, explained that the project will see them incorporating over a couple thousand of tyres in the construction of a fence and a building to house the youths for activities.

The Club was officially registered in September of 2017 after they would have secured a $4 million grant from the Ministry of Education under the Youth Innovation Project but the overall cost is in the vicinity of $9.5 million. At present,

One of the youths assisting in the fence construction

Non-Pariel Greenhouse Club members cutting tyres

the Non-Pariel Greenhouse Club is constructing the fence using tyres they cut in half. Those tyres are then stuffed with non-decomposable items from the community and then it is plastered with concrete. The same model would be used in the construction of the building.

However, the work is being hampered due to the lack of support from the elders in the community since all the work is being done

voluntarily.

“We have challenges of getting the adults to come out and help. They are thinking that it is a youth thing but everyone from the community would benefit from his but is the youths we have helping. We are transforming the old pasture into a training centre for youths and create an educational place for programmes,” Putulall noted.

“The idea is to transform what used to be a

Cow Pasture into a Green Community Park...it will not be an empty Community Ground. We are going to plant trees around (Green Environment), tables and benches will be made around the trees. Also, we wish to create a space that will encourage youths,” he added.

At this time, the Club is appealing for donation and help to have the fence completed so they can approach the other phase of actually beginning work on the building.

Once completed, it is envisioned that the youths and future generation will have a safe green space to enjoy networking with each other. Additionally, they centre will serve as a learning ground for youths to take the initiative and execute such projects within their communities.

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 10, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

J

A sea turtle ingesting a plastic bag

ust imagine how you will feel if you eat something which enters into your digestive system and plugs up your intestines resulting in you being unable to consume anything else forcing you to starve. Just the thought of that gives makes you cringe, right? Well, that is exactly what the sea turtles and other marine animals have to go through when us

gen into the atmosphere. It is so small that millions can fit in a drop of water.

Dr. Sylvia A. Earle, a National Geographic Explorer, has estimated that Prochlorococcus provides the oxygen for one in every five breaths we take.

This year, for World Environment Day the focus was on banning single use plastics as a consorted effort

Annette on her first turtle conservation trip

humans indiscriminately use and dump plastics into our waterways.

On an average, it is estimated that approximately eight metric tonnes of our plastic waste enters the oceans, which affects the survival of marine life resulting in more casualties. This is coupled with the every changing effects of climate change.

While the rainforests are responsible for roughly onethird (28%) of the earth's oxygen, most (70%) of the oxygen in the atmosphere is produced by marine plants hence the reason to protect our marine life.

The ocean produces oxygen through the plants (phytoplankton, kelp, and algal plankton) that live in it. These plants produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis, a process that converts carbon dioxide and sunlight into sugars the organism can use for energy. One type of phytoplankton, Prochlorococcus, releases countless tons of oxy-

to tackle plastic pollution.

However, for years the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society (now the Guyana Marine Conservation Society) has been advocating for the curtailing of the use of plastics since they often end up in the ocean. According to long time Conservation Activist, Annette ArjoonMartins when we dump our plastics in the ocean, it looks like a jellyfish and the turtles do not know the difference between a plastic bag that looks like a jellyfish and a real jellyfish so they go and feed on them.

When the turtles ingest the plastic bag it basically blocks their intestines and acts as a plug forcing them to starve to death.

“For an animal that lives for almost 100 years they are there with a plastic bag stuck in their stomachs dying a slow death. So what happens there is that they cannot dive either because turtles have to decompress to dive because

A recently recued turtle that was found bobbing in the Demerara River

Annette with one of the dead sperm whales that washed up on the Kitty Seawall

they have to dive to feed.

When these animals could no longer dive to feed and they are stuck bobbing on the top of the ocean and their capris exposed to sunlight for days and end and they are also cooking there…imagine how horrific it is for them,” ArjoonMartins said.

Over the last 10 years, the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society noticed an increase in the numbers of turtles being brought to shore by fisher folks after they would have ingested plastics.

The Society has a close relationship with the Guyana Zoo and Coast Guards who aid in the recuperation and release of the turtles.

Arjoon-Martins says when she first started protecting the turtles at Shell Beach over twenty five years ago, the beach would be lined with naturally decomposing debris such as sticks and coconut shells now it is plagued with plastic debris which makes it more dangerous.

She noted that they would have had their challenges but in 2007, the Protected Areas Commission took over the Shell Beach and the turtle conservation project, which made it more sustainable since the PAC is supplemented by the government.

After the PAC took over the sea turtle conservation project, the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society then began focusing on general marine conservation. This effort intensified when there were three reported incidents of sperm whales beaching in Guyana without any answers.

“We realized that something is going on in our marine space and that is why we got really energized in getting more and more in it and in January 2016 we changed the name (to Guyana Marine

Conservation Society). What is sad is we don’t have the marine vets and capacity to do forensic investigation to determine why the whales were washed up. If there were activities going on in our waters

(at that time) then we would have to know,” the conservationist noted.

The Society is now focused more on educating the youth population about the dangers of plastics in the ocean, with

the hope of them making an impact on the general psyche.

So the next time you buy an item, refuse the plastic bag and start walking with your environmentally friendly bags.

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 10, 2018

Feature

W

ith the current generation of youths, the main misconception is that they are more centered on their electronic devices but the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) is dispelling that myth by getting the youths involved in the protection and preservation of the environment.

The CYEN is a non-profit, civil society organization that focuses its resources on empowering young people and their communities to develop pro-

economy, climate changes, ecosystems conservation and other natural resource management issues.

The organization was formed in 1993 with members including University of Guyana lecturer Dr. Paulette Bynoe, however, a subsequent constitutional change created national chapters and the Guyana Chapter came into force around 2005/6.

The vision for the organization to become the leading youth environment and deFLASHBACK: international partners during the CYEN last international cleanup effort

Students of the Bishop’s High School at the recent cleanup

grammes and actions to address socio-economic and environmental issues. The CYEN focuses on promoting and facilitating youth engagement and participation through education and awareness, as well as advocacy and lobbying about fundamental issues such as youth employment, sustainable development and the green

velopment organization in the Caribbean. It is envisioned that it would be responsible for creating an appropriate space for young people to participate in the design, development, implementation; and promotion of new, progressive, equitable, innovative and sustainable environmental, economic and social development policies and

Some members of CYEN during the cleanup exercise

programmes across the wider Caribbean.

Since its establishment, over twenty-five years ago, the organization has been able to move steadily into the fulfillment of this vision. Across the Region, there are over 800 members and at the moment there are over 30 members a part of the local chapter

The organization is engaged in capacity building sessions on environmental and sustainable development issues while engaging school environmental clubs and participating in coastal cleanups, tree planting exercises among other things. In addition, the CYEN is conducting research on environmental issues and utiliz-

ing that information to create a space for its members to partake in national and regional dialogue on the plethora of environmental issues.

According to the organization, their mandate is to engage in efforts to improve the quality of life of Caribbean youths by facilitating their personal development and pro-

moting their full involvement in all matters pertaining to the environment and sustainable development. The organization also promotes education and training, Caribbean integration and community empowerment as tools to develop an ethic amongst young people that assist in the conservation and protection of natural resources within the wider Caribbean.

As a Non-Governmental Organization, the CYEN relies heavily on the support and kindness of the business community and the kind patronage of Guyanese. They also receive support the Ministry of Environment and the Environment Protection Agency.

In commemoration of World Environment Day 2018, the CYEN collaborated with the Guyana International Volunteer Effort, which cleans the Georgetown seawall every Tuesday. They mobilized a group of students from the School of Nations Environmental Management class, Interact club and Science Club, Tucville Secondary School, The Bishop's High School Environmental Club, Mae's Secondary School, Global Technology and Ecotrust Society to remove the debris from the Georgetown Seawall area.

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 10, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

F

or most of us, not much thought goes into the amount of water we use on a daily basis. We do not put much though in how much water we use to bathe, to brush our teeth, wash the car or even the yard, but with the current climatic challenges it is about time we have a serious conversation about the importance of conserving water.

The term water conservation can be described as the practice of using water efficiently and effectively, thus reducing unnecessary water usage.

Sunildatt Barran, Head of Filed Services at the Guyana Water Incorporated says water conservation is important to Guyana since Water is considered as a finite resource and although Guyana is referred to as the land of many waters, this resource can become limited and scarce in some areas of the country if not managed properly and can affect future generations.

Guyana is blessed with an abundance of surface and ground water and particularly on the coastland, GWI extracts mostly ground water from deep wells for its customers. However, over the last twenty years, there has been a decrease in pumping levels in these wells, which resulted in additional energy usage. This decrease in pumping levels at the wells is not a good sign since there is depletion of water in the current aquifers that are utilised. “Conservation of water can allow limited pumping (less extraction) from these wells,

The GWI during the process of drilling a well

GWI educating persons at the recently concluded Health Expo

thus enabling further generations to benefit from this precious ground water resource. In addition to this, less energy will be utilized from the power company, enabling them to use less heavy fuel oil (HFO) thus reducing the carbon footprints,� Barran said.

The GWI said that surface water is also used, especially in the capital city of Georgetown adding that the makeup of surface water and ground water supply is around 50/50 to the customers. Additionally, GWI is

usually faced with challenges during long dry seasons in the capital, where service hours and pressures are reduced to customers due to low water levels in the Lamaha Canal, from which the surface water is being sourced.

However, if we do embark on serious conservation of water then the saved amount can be pumped during the shortage periods since conservation is critical for citizens to have access to water all times, given the growing issue of global warming and the expectation of longer dry seasons.

There are some easy steps to conserving

water and it includes proper plumbing practices and management of the amount of water we utilize while executing our daily chores.

GWI’s approach to the conservation of water, primarily, is the use of water meters.

Generally, across the globe, water meters are used to promote water conservation. It has been proven as a good tool to allow such, since consumers adjust their lifestyle to use water efficiently. This also allows them to pay for what they use.

In addition to that, the Public Relations Department has been conducting outreaches to various communities, schools sessions, television and radio programmes, and utilising advertisements to adequately inform and educate the citizenry of the importance and benefits of water conservation.

The GWI is currently executing its Water and Sanitation strategic plan of which water metering is a component. One of the expected outcomes of the implementation of this plan is that all the customers of GWI will have a water meter by 2021 thus making the issue of conservation more manageable since consumers would be conscious of the amount they use.

According to current estimates a family of four consumes around 700 litres of water per day and that is if they do so efficiently.

However, if they consume water indiscriminately then that number may double or be even more.

The current condition of the atmosphere is changing and while the glaciers are melting more rapidly adding a larger volume of water there is still the greater need to conserve.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 10, 2018

Literary Corner

by

Petamber Persaud

J

une – the month of weddings (and the month of brides) is here bringing to mind the life changing marriage of pen to paper.

The world of literature is replete with various types of marriages and coloured in with stories of challenges and a mixture of beauty and lamentation.

The literature of Guyana has its own share of stories of weddings and marriages, some strange, others edifying. For instance, when you becomes Of Marriageable Age (by Sharon Maas), there may be The Marriage Match (by Jan Lowe Shinebourne) leading to a Barriat (by Wordsworth McAndrew) and The Wedding ( from

‘The Ventriloquist’s Tale’ by Pauline Melville) and hopefully you may be saved from becoming The Shadow Bride (by Roy Heath).

But long before the long talk amounting to long pages and long books, there were the words of wisdom packages effectively in proverbs selected from The Proverbs of Guyana Explained by Joyce Trotman and A Plate-a Guyana Cookup by Allan Fenty.

Not all man acourting, a marrid.

De mout man tek foh courting ooman foh put am a-he house, nah de same mout e tek foh put am a-doo Handsome face gaal, not de besses kina gaal Man gat two houses, he sleep hungry Good ooman tek caiman teet mek suga cake Marrid nah gat baakdoo Wen man of 60 marries girl of 25, is like buying book foh odda people read Talking about book and reading, let's go back to the above mentioned selections that would serve as our wedding reading list for the month of June.

Of Marriageable Age

by Sharon Maas.

This is a huge book with its canvas spanning three continents – Guyana, South America; London, Europe; and India - covering five decades with the story of three lives affected by traditions like arranged marriage, and other challenges like class constraints, oppression, rebellion and liberation (sexual liberation).

The Marriage Match by Jan Lowe Shinebourne This is a story about an arranged marriage between two Chinese families, one of the Punti group who came voluntarily to Guyana and the other of the Hakka group who were mostly indentured to Guyana. One of the families was more creolized than the other adding a bit of scepticism to the affair which was overcome by the children (with modern ideas) involved in the marriage match.

Barriat, Wordsworth McAndrew In Barriat, Wordsworth McAndrew inadvertently gives a glimpse of an Indian

Notice to Readers

The sands of time have rendered fear Blue skies on high no longer clear Stars were bright whence they came Now dimmed, obscured, pollution's haze Crystal clear our waters gleamed Fish abundant, rivers streamed Ocean floors sandy white Now littered, brown, pollution's plight Trees towered high above Trunks baring professed love Birds chirping from sites unseen Gone, paper joined pollution's team One can't blame pollution alone As they say, you reap what you've sown So let us plant a better seed Tear out old roots, cultivate, weed Protect what has been given for free Our waters, skies, wildlife and trees For once they're gone, don't you say Consider yourself warned of that fatal day By Sylvia Stults wedding ceremony as only ‘the observer from a different race’ instead of describing a baryaat/barrat meaning the groom’s wedding procession going to the bride’s location for the wedding ceremony.

The Shadow Bride by Roy Heath The Shadow Bride by Roy Heath, set in the late 1920s British Guiana, is a big book in many regards that tackles issues of displacement and adjustment, identity, liberation and independence, among others. This novel is centred around Betta Singh, a medical doctor returning home to a mother who came to Guyana from India and found the situation fertile to assert her influence thus dominating and attempting to dominate everyone thereby stealing the show, so to speak. Literary critic, Ameena Gafoor describes the book as ‘a classic document of psychic devastation and tragic psychological

disintegration of an Indian woman shipwrecked on an alien shore’.

‘The Ventriloquist’s Tale’ by Pauline Melville The Wedding ( from ‘The Ventriloquist’s Tale’

by Pauline Melville) may be labelled a shadow wedding for the wedding of Danny and Sylvana is overshadowed by the incestuous marriage of Danny and his sister, Beatrice, which occurred during the 1919 solar eclipse.

Of course this list is not comprehensive; it is like something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue – part of the bride’s retinue. This is a whetting of the appetite, inviting you to add to the conversation.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com

If you have a poem and/or short story you would like to publish on our Literary Corner page, please email to timessundaymag@gmail.com. Kindly include your correct name and a contact number in your email. If you have any questions, please call 223-7230 or 223-7231.

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JUNE 10, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

The Paramakatoi School

T

Villagers partaking in a traditional dance

Residents identifying the village boundaries

Some residents decked out in their traditional clothing

The official welcome sign

The Paramakatoi Processing Plant

The traditional homes of Paramakatoi

Kids engaging in a game of football

he crisp air of the Pakaraimas is just one of the major reasons for living in the picturesque village of Paramakatoi, which is located on the left bank of the Kawa River in the North Pakaraimas. The beautiful settlement is one of the largest and most developed of Amerindian communities in Region 8 and functions as a regional centre for the catchment area.

Paramakatoi consists of the central Village and two satellite communities. A Toshao, two senior councillors and 19 other councillors administer Paramakatoi as a whole. The central Village of Paramakatoi is governed by the Toshao and nine councillors who cover the following positions and areas: deputy Toshao, secretary, treasurer, sport, culture, education, agriculture, health and sanitation, and security.

The satellite community of Bamboo Creek has a council comprising one senior councillor and seven other councillors. The council of the other satellite community, Mountain Foot, is made up of one senior councillor and three other councillors.

The village has just a little over two thousand residents from the Patamona, Makushi and Wapichan tribes and is bordered by Kato, Taruka and Tuseneng villages. The villagers is heavily dependent on subsistence farming, hunting and fishing for their livelihoods. In addition, some are also involved in cattle rearing, smallscale trade in local crafts and mining.

According to the Amerindian Peoples Association’s “Our Land, Our Life” report, the young men would leave the community for months at a time to carry out mining identifying that some mining also occurs within or close to Paramakatoi’s customary land, such as in Siparuni, Arnik and Moruwa.

The people of Paramakatoi go far out of the title to hunt, fish and gather materials. They know that Siparuni is the key area for those activities and is described by the residents as their supermarket. However, the esidents are worried about the potential threat posed by extractive industries in Siparuni and Tipuru to their future food security.

The Village is a closely knitted one with everyone looking out for each other. Being one of, if not the, largest developed Amerindian settlement, the village of Paramakatoi has schools for their children as well as health care and makes it an ideal place to visit.

So grab a backpack and take a tour, it is worth it. (Photos provided by the Amerindian Peoples Association)

8 Sunday Times Magazine

JUNE 10, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Travel and Tourism

A nesting hummingbird

“T

he pleaparents and alsure of ways enjoyed the being calmness of the able to bring environment. my thoughts But this to life in young man a physinot only cal form is has an eye something for spotI truly ting antreasure,” i m a l s say young hidden unDeopaul der fallSomwaru en leaves when asked or trees or about how he even a bird feels about his high up on photography. a tree, he has Future Zoologist The twenthe eye to comDeopaul ty year old hails pose an image Somwaru from Parika Village in his head that on the East Bank of makes whatever he is Essequibo and is a first looking at the star. He focusyear Biology student at the es on them with his Nikon University of Guyana. The D5300 camera-the first one shy young man explains that he ever owned, and waits for while growing up he has nev- the perfect moment to caper really had an interest in ture the image he envisions. photography rather it was Like most photographers, computers and later science Deopaul does not shy away that fascinated him. from getting down and dirty Deopaul was a student of to capture the “perfect shot” the Saraswati Vidya Niketan to tell the story he wants to and was introduced to tell.

Biology in Form 2 and from Strange as it may seem, since then he has worked to- the young man only develwards a career in the field. oped an active interest in It is his home, that once he photography over a year completes his degree, that he ago after continuously obcan begin a career in Zoology serving his photographer since he enjoys spending time friend Subhash Haimraj run with the animals. around and take photos. He Growing up for him was explained that this inspired a time he cherished. Like him and after he acquired his most children, he had clear- camera, he then started his ly outlined chores around the journey. house since his father worked A journey that have reon a fuel boat and was not sulted in him taking thouaround most of the time. His sands of photos and videos mother ran a small business, while he spends countless which he assisted in running hours editing them to tell the while she would take care of story he his. the home.

But what makes his work As time progressed, his unique? Well, you see the father would stop working photos speak for themselves on the fuel boat and develop and to be honest, not evtheir small shop into a gen- ery photographer can boast eral store. He gained his ear- of capturing a nesting humly education at the Hydronie mingbird.

Nursery School and then at If he is not out taking the Greenwich Park Primary. photos of some couple getting He has a love for the arts and married or the natural landwas at one point he placed scape, you can find Deopaul second in the Education showing off his talent with Ministry’s National Poetry the Dynamic Tassa Troupe.

Competition.

He says he joined the group Deopaul has always been because he wanted a medium interested in nature since he to display his culture and it was surrounded by the lush also serves his photography Bushy Park Beach grow- interest since he would meet ing up and would spend the potential clients while playAugust vacation with his ing. grandparents in the riverDeopaul hopes to continine community of Bonasika ue his photography but notes where they owned farm- it is an expensive and timelands. He would venture into consuming hobby. (Photos the farms with his grand- provided by Deopaul)

The classic shot of the St George’s Cathedral

Early bird?

Deopaul examining a cockroach as part of his Biology classes

An old Church on Fort Island in the Essequibo River

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 10, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

9

10 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 10, 2018

Feature

S

uiting can be complicated — especially if you haven’t updated your closet in a while. So we caught up with celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger (she dresses clients like Common and Jared Leto for red carpets and films) to find out what to look for in a suit.

First things first: It’s essential that a suit fits properly. After all, even the finest cashmere from the most pampered goats won’t help you look fresh if your sleeves are too

long. Erlanger’s advice is to consult a professional and give yourself plenty of time to get the fit perfect. “Tailoring is key—very rarely do things fit perfectly off the rack,” she says.

“Take the time to have your suit fit properly.”

1. Perfect Your Sleeve Lengths So how exactly should they fit? Erlanger is quick to point out that no matter what style or material you’re going for, the sleeves should always hit at the same place: “at your wrist

bone," she says. "More importantly, your shirt cuff should peek out.”

2. Let an Expert Cuff Your Pants While cuffing your jeans is a totally sartorially approved move (within reason), throwing a fold in suit pants is ex-

pert-level territory. Erlanger says your trousers should hit right where the pant leg meets the shoe. For you aspiring suiting aficionados, that’s called a zero break (hitting above the shoe is a flood break, and fabric piling atop the shoe is a full break.)

3. Choose a Slim Silhouette Beyond getting your suit tailored and ensuring the fit is correct, Erlanger suggests using fit to achieve a more modern look. If your suit game is a throwback to the pre-Instagram days, modernize it with a closer cut. A silhouette that fits close to the body without

looking painted on is one way to balance a modern yet classic vibe.

4. Pay Attention to Lapels The first thing many people notice when they size up a suit is the shape of the lapels. Framing the body, the lapels set the tone of the suit — whether it’s a notched allbusiness look or a more formal, attention-grabbing peak lapel.

5. Nail the Accessories Accessorizing with a suit should be done with care, and pops of color or personality need to be introduced tastefully. (Esquire)

Women’s Fashion

L

et’s make one thing clear right off the bat: there’s no age limit to owning a crop top. You should wear what you love as long as it makes you feel comfortable. And crop tops? They’re

Don’t be afraid to draw attention to yourself in a bright crop top.

Bold hues show you’re confident in your own skin and when paired with pants of a similar palette, the effect is striking.

pretty comfortable.

Whether it be a soft tee or spaghettistrapped bralette, cropped pieces are perfect for easy summer dressing. (Marie Claire)

High-waisted pants are made for showcasing your crop top collection. Since this trouser cut offers generous coverage of your lower half, you can feel ease showing a little more skin up top.

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JUNE 10, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

D

o you ever get that urge to do something for your home, to craft something…anything that could make your home more beautiful, more customized, more…you? All it takes is one successful attempt at DIY home decor to get hooked and to want more so if you’ve already done this once you’re probably already looking for the next idea. So skip out on consulting the professional and make your home more of you.

Wine Rack

Wine racks are not essentially part of the Guyanese home décor arena but maybe the idea of having a wine rack sounds interesting and enticing but you don’t feel like you’ll need all those slots since you hardly ever drink wine and you’re not a collector. Well, there’s actually no point in having a big wine rack when a small one would do just fine. So go ahead and make one.

You need a few pieces of wood, a saw, a hammer, some glue, paint and nails to create your work of art.

Yield - 6 servings Ingredients

• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • 2 teaspoons minced garlic • 2 teaspoons maple syrup • 2 teaspoons chipotle hot sauce • 3/4 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined • 2 ears shucked corn

• Cooking spray • 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce • 1/2 cup chopped green onions • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained • 3 plum tomatoes, chopped • 2 ounces baked blue corn tortilla chips (about 1 1/2 cups) • 1/3 cup light sour cream • 1/4 cup diced peeled avocado • Lime wedges (optional)

How to Make It

Print-Out Art

You can dress up bare walls with a trip to the photo shot. Just get your favourite shot digitally enlarged and then add strips of wood along to the top and bottom as a quick frame. They will enhance the overall feel of the room and make you proud of your handiwork.

Pendant Lights

A set of lovely bowls can accessorize your shelf or illuminate the dinner table thanks to this bright idea. In just an hour, you can customize the look of whatever space you plan on enhancing. You will need nesting bowls, a hot glue gun and desired lighting fixtures.

Step 1 Prepare grill to medium-high heat.

Step 2 Combine lime juice, olive oil, cumin, garlic, syrup, and hot sauce in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Place the shrimp in a shallow bowl. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the lime juice mixture over shrimp, tossing gently to coat. Reserve the remaining lime juice mixture; set aside. Thread shrimp onto metal skewers. Lightly coat corn with cooking spray. Place shrimp kebabs and corn on a grill rack coated with cooking spray. Grill 8 minutes, turning kebabs once and turning corn frequently until browned. Remove from grill; cool slightly.

Step 3 Remove shrimp from skewers, and place in a large bowl. Cut kernels from ears of corn.

Add corn, chopped lettuce, green onions, cilantro, black beans, and plum tomatoes to shrimp.

Drizzle reserved lime juice mixture over the shrimp mixture, and toss gently to combine.

Step 4 Divide tortilla chips evenly among 6 shallow bowls; top each serving with 1 cup shrimp mixture. Combine sour cream and diced avocado in a small bowl; mash with a fork until well blended. Top each serving with about 1 tablespoon sour cream mixture. Serve with a lime wedge, if desired.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 10, 2018

Puzzles

ACROSS

1 Cushy job 5 Self-assurance

11 Healthy snack

17 Notorious pirate

21 -- avis

22 -- d'hotel

23 He may rant

24 Folk wisdom

25 John, in Wales

26 Acid in vinegar

27 Red Cloud's tribe

28 Footnote abbr. (2 wds.)

29 "The Sheik"

31 Titled Turks 33 Ancestry

35 New drivers, mostly

36 "Crocodile Rock" composer

37 Spoof (hyph.)

38 Gun the engine

41 Wrinkle-nosed dog

42 In-between state

43 Address part

44 Peach -- (dessert)

48 2009 Cameron film

50 Consumer voice

51 Try on for size

52 Prepares to take off

53 Reef builder

54 Paddled a kayak 55 Hit

57 TD passers

58 J in JFK 59 Tightwad

60 Checked fabric

61 Je ne sais - 62 Compass pt.

63 Tree trunks

64 Long-term baby sitters 65 Prevents

66 Gave a high sign

68 P.O. service

69 Call it quits

70 Parched feeling

71 Made mellow 72 Escorted

73 Math branch

74 Fly the - 75 Cake toppers

78 Skip stones

79 Half a couple

80 Passing by

84 Sticky

85 Fix the roof

87 Coll. at Amherst

88 Familiar digit

89 WWW addresses

90 Natives of Florence

91 Wild party

92 Climb a rope

93 Hungry -- -- bear

94 Catches some rays

95 Skimpy skirts 96 Fewest

97 Like some milk

99 Wheel track 100 Untamed

101 Old Toyota model

102 Fire of the mind

103 Chicago White - 104 Minstrels

105 Miler Sebastian - 106 Summer quaff

107 Tattered

109 European capital 110 Stun

112 Private eye

115 Repaired a seam

116 Unexpected winner (2 wds.)

120 Dwarf buffalo 121 Launch

123 Asimov tale (2 wds.)

125 -- -Luc Picard

126 "-- cost you!"

127 Charge with gas

128 Receiving callers (2 wds.)

129 Part of A.D.

130 Twig juncture 131 Skyrocketed

132 Tidy up

133 Faint, with "over"

DOWN

1 Before (abbr.)

2 Volcanic emission

3 Europe-Asia range

4 "Olympia" painter 5 Hobbyist

6 Walking to and fro

7 Debt securers

8 Sarge's pooch

9 High-tech scan

10 Deprived of wind

11 "Hey there!"

12 Eye or ear

13 Hoedown honeys

14 Ms. Hagen of films

15 Furl (2 wds.)

16 Earmark

17 Sneezer's buy

18 Kappa preceder

19 Wearisome task

20 Edit out

30 Sherpa's country

32 Half of the U.K. (2 wds.)

34 Tent dweller 78

36 Comforter stuffing

79 37 Hurled

80

38 Andretti's sport

81

39 Goolagong of tennis 82 40 Fluctuates

83

42 -- and penates

85

43 Critizing cleverly

86

45 Bar supply

87

46 Dances to jazz

90

47 Lend a hand 91

49 Edge a doily

92

50 Ready to streak

51 Tornado clouds

52 Speaker pro - 54 Fixed a squeak

55 Lapel ornament

56 Is down with

59 Sponge features

60 Roam around

61 Swab brand (hyph.)

63 Horse's carriage

64 Can. province 65 Bargain-hunts 67 Aquariums

68 Move a fern

70 Clink glasses

72 Prehistoric art cave

73 "-- you sure?"

74 Elegance

75 Big lizard

76 Screen blinker

77 Between coasts

Wreck Natural elevs.

In-box contents Ulysses' home Bruited Not rough Hightail it Ques. opposite Radius neighbors Famous mummy Tweeters Sun. homily

94

95 96

98

100

101

103

104

105

108

109

110

Vaughan or Miles

111 Lollipop cop It passes through the poles 112 Earn Freeloader 113 Till On the market (2 wds.)

114 Penicillin source Hack's customer

115 Meat in a can Rested (2 wds.)

116 Qatar's capital Hi-fi system

117 Descartes' name Scolded, with "out" 118 Feasible Auto trim

119 Lab compound Gold-orange gem

122 El Dorado loot Calvin of the PGA 124 Hwy. Wooden shoe See Solution on Pg 13

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- CRESCENDO (CRESCENDO: kre-SHEN-doh: A gradal increase in intensity or force.)

Average mark 47 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 69 or more

cede cense censer censor cero code coed coerce concede cone cord core

corn credo creed crone redo redoes redone reed rend rode rose encode

encore endorse erne erode erose scend scene sconce scone score scorn scree

words in CRESCENDO? screed screen scrod secco secern second seed seen seer send sender senor

sere sneer snore soccer sone sore need node noes nose decor deer

dense denser doer does done donee dose drone once

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.

HERBERT GRIFFIN LOIS DEATH

STEWIE MAYOR WEST MORT QUAGMIRE

FRANCIS BRIAN PETER CHRIS

MEG THELMA BONNIE CLEVELAND

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JUNE 10, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

M

emes, remixes and other user-generated content could disappear online if the EU's proposed rules on copyright become law, warn experts.

Digital rights groups are campaigning against the Copyright Directive, which the European Parliament will vote on later this month. The legislation aims to protect rights-holders in the internet age.

But critics say it misunderstands the way people engage with web content and risks excessive censorship. The Copyright Directive is an attempt to reshape copyright for the internet, in particular rebalancing the relationship between copyright holders and online platforms.

Article 13 states that platform providers should "take measures to ensure the functioning of agreements concluded with

rights-holders for the use of their works".

Critics say this will, in effect, require all internet platforms to filter all content put online by users, which many believe would be an excessive restriction on free speech.

There is also concern that the proposals will rely on algorithms that will be programmed to "play safe" and delete anything that creates a risk for the platform.

A campaign against Article 13 - Copyright 4 Creativity - said that the proposals could "destroy the internet as we know it".

"Should Article 13 of the Copyright Directive be adopted, it will impose widespread censorship of all the content you share online," it said. It is urging users to write to their MEP ahead of the vote on 20 June. (BBC)

A

pple reportedly expects to ship 20 percent fewer new-model iPhones this year compared with its plans at the same time last year.

Based on Apple's orders to parts suppliers, the company plans to ship 80 million of the three newest iPhone model, Reuters reports, citing Japan's financial daily, the Nikkei.

Apple's shares were down 2 percent in Friday morning trading. Analysts suspect that the $1,000 iPhone X may be hurting demand, even though it was the best-selling

A

A

software bug meant millions of Facebook users may have unknowingly posted private information to the public, the company has warned.

The glitch set a user’s post to be shared to "everyone", even if a user had previously chosen a more restricted option, such as “friends of friends”.

Crossword Solution

“We’d like to apologise for this mistake,” said Erin Egan, Facebook’s head of privacy.

Users who may have been affected will be notified on the site’s newsfeed.

"We recently found a bug that automatically suggested posting publicly when some people were creating their Facebook posts,” Ms Egan said.

"We have fixed this issue and starting today we are letting everyone affected know and asking them to review any posts they made during that time.

"To be clear, this bug did not impact anything people had posted before - and they could still choose their audience just as they always have. We’d like to apologise for this mistake."

The glitch was active between 18 and 22 May, a spokeswoman added, but it took the site until 27 May to switch posts back to private - or whatever the user had typically used before the bug became apparent. (BBC)

smartphone in early 2018.

Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Rumors have suggested that Apple will release three new iPhones in September -6.5-inch and 5.8-inch OLED models, as well as a cheaper 6.1-inch LCD option. An analyst forecast that the LCD model will cost $600 to $700, addressing the iPhone X's higher price. One model might even have three cameras to help with AR features.

(CNET)

Fortnite player in Croatia has completed one of the game's hardest achievements - getting back to its starting point.

YouTuber OrangeGuy posted a video showing how he managed to reach "spawn island" where players gather before each round of the survival game starts. He reached the island using a massive bridge and one of the shopping trolleys recently introduced to the game.

"spawn island" where they can fool around before virtual combat begins. Once the game starts the island is visible from the main playing area but, until now, no-one has managed to get back to it once the bullets start flying.

OrangeGuy, with the help of two friends, managed the feat by first building a massive, high bridge that stretched across most of the gap between the two areas. The bridge ended with a ramp that he and his

Landing on the island has been a longcherished goal among Fortnite players.

Game physics Each round of the hugely popular Fortnite game involves 100 players who battle to see who can be the last player standing. During the game, players grab guns and materials, such as wood and bricks, they can then use to build structures. Clever use of these structures can give players an advantage during firefights.

As each group of players is amassed, they are placed on a neutral territory called

two team-mates rode down on a shopping trolley.

The virtual vehicles were added to the game in a recent update and many people have used them to stage crazy stunts by exploiting the loose physics of the Fortnite game world.

In this case, riding the trolley seemed to get over the invisible wall that thwarted other attempts to reach the island. At the end of the ramp the trolley stayed airborne and slowly floated towards the starting point. (BBC)

14 Sunday Times Magazine

JUNE 10, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Bollywood/Hollywood

A

nthony Bourdain, the gifted chef, storyteller and writer who took TV viewers around the world to explore culture, cuisine and the human condition for nearly two decades, has died. He was 61.

CNN confirmed Bourdain's death on Friday and said the cause of death was suicide.

Bourdain was in France working on an upcoming episode of his award-winning CNN series, "Parts Unknown." His close friend Eric Ripert, the French chef, found Bourdain unresponsive in his hotel room Friday morning.

Bourdain joined CNN five years ago. In an email to employees, the network's president, Jeff Zucker, remembered him as an "exceptional talent."

"Tony will be greatly missed not only for his work but also for the passion with which he did it," Zucker wrote.

Viewers around the world felt connected to Bourdain through his fearless travels, his restless spirit and his magical way with words. Fans, fellow chefs, celebrities and friends reacted to his death with stunned sorrow. (CNN)

A

kshay Kumar’s Toilet Ek Prem Katha is all set to release in China. Will it repeat the success of Dangal?

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, which opened in the China box office on Friday, is a ‘much larger’ release than previous releases Hindi Medium and Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

The Akshay Kumar-Bhumi Pednekar starrer is being screened in 11,500 screens across the country with approximately 56,000 shows every day, according to film critic Taran Adarsh. “#Xclusiv: 11,500 screens... 56,000 shows every day [may go up to 58,000 shows]... #ToiletEkPremKatha opens in China today [8 June 2018]... Much larger release than

V T

ristan Thompson's good luck charm is back sitting courtside!

Khloe Kardashian stepped out Wednesday evening to support her boyfriend as the Cleveland Cavaliers took on the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Thompson's team suffered defeat, but KoKo's presence indicates the pair is officially looking past the cheating scandal that jeopardized their relationship.

Days before the E! reality star gave birth to their daughter, True Thompson, evidence of the basketball pro's alleged indiscretions surfaced online. She's never commented on the drama, but Khloe, 33, was all smiles for photographers as she whisked her way through Quicken Loans Arena repping the Cavs in an oversized T-shirt and distressed denim.

Despite Khloe and Tristan's outwardly

A

ctress Jacqueline Fernandez who is currently busy promoting ‘Race 3’ will be seen alongside Salman Khan yet again in the movie. The two have previously worked in ‘Kick’ and will be seen romancing each other in ‘Kick 2’ as well.

In a recent interview to a daily, she spoke about her entry in Bollywood. She revealed that after watching Shah Rukh Khan’s

pleasant interactions, a source recently told E! News lingering tension between baby True's father and the Kardashian family remains.

"Khloe is still trying to regain trust with Tristan and figure out how to keep the family together," our source shared.

The insider said that her famous sisters are “understanding of her situation and they are all trying to be there for her," but "wish they could have more moments together as a family unit and have True around more."

Kris Jenner is confident her daughter will return to Los Angeles in the near future, telling E! News on the red carpet last week, "She'll be home soon."

Until then, it's all about cheering on Tristan and the Cavs! Khloe is likely to make another appearance at Game 4 on Friday. (E-Online)

‘Devdas’ at the Cannes Film Festival, she called for its DVD and watched it once over. Stunned with the performances, the sets, she watched ‘Black’ by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Having watched both these movies, she decided on flying to India and working with him. “My dream has not yet been fulfilled,” she added.

Talking about her journey, she said that

eteran actor Anupam Kher will be given the prestigious Outstanding Achievement honour at the upcoming International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards ceremony in Bangkok.

The 63-year-old actor, who has worked in over 500 films spanning across languages along with projects both in India and abroad for over three decades, will be honoured for his contribution in the field of cinema.

Kher said he is grateful for the award and considers the recognition as an encouragement to keep working in the industry for another 34 years of his life.

“Thank you IIFA for acknowledging my achievements in Cinema. I am privileged to be a part of our film industry, which has been so generous in the showing of love and warmth upon me. it has been slow and steady but she is happy with it and that with every film that she works on, she has only gone a step ahead. She acknowledged that while she has worked in a few not-so-great movies, she is constantly working and that makes her feel good, blessed and energetic. She added that if someone deserves something, they will get it, no matter what.

(Times of India)

#HindiMedium and #BajrangiBhaijaan in China...Titled #ToiletHero for the local audiences,” tweeted Adarsh.

He also shared a fresh poster of the film featuring both Bhumi and Akshay. He also wrote, “And here’s the new poster of #ToiletEkPremKatha for the local Chinese audiences... #TEPK” Toilet Ek Prem Katha, a satirical comedy in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign to improve sanitation conditions in India, had hit the domestic box office in August 2017.

It became one of the top grossers of 2017 by raking in a whopping Rs 134.22 crore on its release in India. (Hindustan Times)

“My 34 years of work has helped me achieve great milestones and at a time when actors my age are offered the Lifetime Achievement Award, I prefer to ride on another 34 years exploring new and exciting opportunities in Indian and international Cinema. I am humbled and happy to be the recipient of this award instituted by IIFA,” the National Awardwinning actor said in a statement.

“With every such award comes a sense of responsibility which I promise to be committed to, in our industry and also, as a representative of our country in the international arena,” he added.

Kher will be presented with the honour on June 24 at the 19th edition of IIFA. (Hindustan Times)

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JUNE 10, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

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JUNE 10, 2018

Fun Times

Archie

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Offer your encouragement and support to someone who is going through a rough situation. Your thoughtfulness and assistance will result in an unusual and unexpected reward.

Show a little discipline TAURUS and go over all the pros and (April 20- cons of a situation before you May 20) take action. Emotions can lead to impulsiveness and poor choices if not monitored closely.

Take the initiative to put

GEMINI your plans in motion. A day (MAY 28- trip or reunion will lead to inJune 20) teresting information that

will help you make a personal change.

If you want something, make it happen. Don't wait (June 21- around for someone else to do July 22) things for you. Satisfaction comes from doing everything in your power to get what you want.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

Peanuts

Take your time and be observant. If you make a move too abruptly, you will miss out on something worth waiting for. Enjoy activities that stimulate you mentally and physically.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Take a short trip, visit a friend or relative or attend a reunion. Getting together with people from your past will be eventful and memorable. Romance is in the stars.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Learn as you go. If you ask questions and show interest in what others are doing, you'll come across someone or something that inspires you to make an exciting decision.

Nurture a relationship with SCORPIO someone special. Discuss mat(Oct. 24- ters openly and deal with any Nov. 22) misunderstandings that could disrupt your long-term plans.

A little romance will ease stress and improve your life.

SAGITTARIUS Confusion will set in if (Nov. 23- someone you are dealing with Dec. 21) is inconsistent. Refuse to make a promise or commitment unless you know exactly what's expected of you.

Bring about changes at CAPRICORN home that will please you and (Dec. 22- those who live with you. The Jan. 19) little extras you do for others will bring high returns.

Calvin and Hobbes Keep busy doing activiAQUARIUS ties that will ease stress, or (Jan. 20- take care of chores and reFeb. 19) sponsibilities that have been weighing you down. Idle time will lead to anxiety or anger.

Go over the way things PISCES (Feb. 20- have unfolded for you in the Mar. 20) past before you decide to get involved in something that didn't turn out well the first time.