Guyanatime 11 february 2018 new

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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

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Busted: guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3478

Sunday, February 11, 2017

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WHAT'S INSIDE: Chancellor, CJ appointments

Ex-Cop, 4 women nabbed with stolen cars Page 3

Bandits attack mobile boat shop Page 5

P7 Importing Chancellor can destabilise judiciary – former AFC Exec

Arrest warrant issued for P18 former Cop …charged for corrupt transaction

…escape with over $1M in cash, fuel …shoot at businessman, family jumps overboard

Duo fined for stealing a horse cart P11 Police honour 7-yr-old who saved brother from burning home P6

The mobile shop boat, MV Anita, which businessman Randolph Gladstone and his family operate 85 miles up the Berbice River to supply residents with groceries, household items and fuel

Gender equality in oil and gas put under the microscope Page 9

…major sub-contractor to facilitate hiring of more women

Page 10

Gunmen terrorise, rob another pensioner Page 8

Keep oil offshore, away from politicians – Presidential Adviser P11

…escape with CRV, cash, TV

Alexander Village experiences flooding again

...as heavy rainfall batters coastal regions

P13 PNCR recommits to APNU coalition, amps up LGE campaign

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SUnDAY, february 11, 2018 guyanatimesGY.com

news

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, February 11 – a night retraction at 02:00h and a day retraction at 14:30h-16:00h and Monday, February 12 – a night retraction at 03:00h and a day retraction at 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, February 11 – 13:50h-15:20h and Monday, February 12 – 14:30h-16:00h.

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Busted: Ex-Cop, 4 women nabbed with stolen cars

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 will give way to light cloudy skies in the late afternoon. Partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening with overall temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

The stolen cars found during the raid at Kuru Kururu

The top of a car found in Vryheid’s Lust during the raid

Winds: North-easterly to North North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tide: 01:19h and 13:40h reaching maximum heights of 2.11 metres and 2.21 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:10h and 19:47h reaching minimum heights of 1.11 metres and 0.97 metres respectively.

SATURDAY, february 10, 2018

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Some of the car parts recovered during the raids at the Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway and Vryheid’s Lust North, East Coast Demerara

anks of the Guyana Police Force on Saturday morning made inroads in the carjacking network, arresting seven persons after a quantity of car parts and vehicles were found, as they swooped down on two separate houses.

In the first instance, acting on information received, a group of officers from A Division (East Bank Demerara) went to a property at Monument Hill, Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, and conducted a search.

They unearthed a quantity of vehicle parts and several vehicles suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained. The vehicles were a silver-grey Nissan Bluebird, bearing registration number PSS 4593, and a white and black Toyota Runx with licence plate number PPP 5951.

These along with the parts were confiscated and have since been lodged at the Timehri Police Station.

Five persons including an ex-Policeman and four females were taken into custody and are assisting with the investigation.

Meanwhile, ranks of the Force’s Major Crimes Unit also on Saturday morning

swooped down on Lot 96 Vryheid’s Lust North, East Coast Demerara, where they found a quantity of Allion, Premio and Spacio parts with engraved numbers on the premises.

A husband and wife have since been arrested and are assisting with the probe.

Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Paul Williams, told Guyana Times on Saturday afternoon that the seven suspects were still in custody at the CID Headquarters as detectives sort out the items confiscated, trying to trace the parts and the vehicles.

To this end, he noted that contact was made with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to obtain the relevant information regarding the finds.

“But what we know for sure is that the articles were stolen or unlawfully obtained because we haven’t been able to get any proper information or documentation about where they were obtained from,” Williams pointed out.

The Crime Chief went on to say that there are a lot of stolen vehicles that were either repainted or stripped and the parts attached to other vehicles that are on

the road.

Williams noted that he had recommended that during the road blocks or even while on patrol, if an officer is suspicious of vehicles then they should ask for all the vehicle documents including the original registration so as to make the verification.

In the meantime, as the probe continues, the Crime Chief is asking members of the public, especially victims of carjackings, to be patient and cooperate with the Police. Nevertheless, he noted that persons whose vehicles were stolen and go the CID Headquarters at Eve Leary from Monday to check whether the parts

found matched their vehicles that were carjacked.

Meanwhile, Guyana Times was able to trace an incident which occurred on November 12, 2017, whereby two money changers were robbed by two armed bandits, who escaped in a Silver Grey 212 motorcar bearing registration number PPP 5951, which was found affixed to the Runx vehicle that was seized from the Kuru Kururu premises.

During the course of last year, there was a spike in carjacking cases and the Police Force has since been grappling with crushing the network. turn to page 7

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SunDAY, february 11, 2018

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

Our Southern Connection

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he official visit of Brazil’s Minister of Defence, Raul Jungman, along with the Minister of Justice, Mr Torquato Lorena Jardim, and a large delegation that included several Generals of the Brazilian Army comes at a very opportune moment for our country. After more than five decades of being held to ransom by the Venezuelan claim to two-thirds of our national territory, we have at last being granted our request: that the matter be submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for arbitration.

The Venezuelans, disappointingly but not surprisingly, have opposed the decision of the UN Secretary-General, who selected the option as was his prerogative, since it was one of the methods of peaceful settlement of disputes as adumbrated by Art 33 of the UN Charter, and was incorporated in the Geneva Agreement which was signed

by Venezuela. Even though the ICJ’s decision is binding on Venezuela in the international system, we can expect that country to continue with its attempts to bully us.

The Venezuelans are caught in an artifice of their own making, since from the moment they created the controversy in 1962, all political elements have made their claim a fiercely nationalistic issue, around which they have all rallied. They have incorporated it into their constitution in a clause beyond their amendment powers. As such, when the ICJ issues its decision, it does not matter which party is in power in Venezuela, they will reject the decision, which is sure to dismiss their claim about the invalidity of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

The Venezuelans know that is the most probable outcome, and that is the reason why they have fought tooth and nail to not have the controversy end up in the World Court. In the era when the Arbitral Panel was established, the European powers were sitting in rooms in their capitals drawing lines on maps to divide continents among themselves, and to allege that “deals” were cut to establish boundaries would be to state the obvious. If those borders in the present were to be redrawn to unravel those “deals”, a Pandora’s Box would be opened that would create a global conflagration.

As a matter of the historical record, at the time, the British were attempting to extend the western boundary of their colony all the way to the mouth of the Orinoco, and it was the reason why, on the basis of their Monroe Doctrine, the US intervened on the side of the Venezuelans.

At the time, all parties were quite pleased that the British were stymied. For the Venezuelans to then accept the present borders for sixty-three years and include them in all their maps etc., and then cry “foul” is a non-starter as a basis for redrawing borders. It is for this reason the Venezuelans have always insisted on a “practical”, non-judicial solution.

Unfortunately for them, “boat now gone a falls”.

But to counter their belligerence, as we have advised before in this space, Guyana has to replicate the diplomatic offensive it launched in the immediate post-independence period when it repelled their aggressive actions. In this regard, Brazil is a most valuable ally, since it has historically taken offence at Venezuela’s pretentions “Venezuela uber alles” in Latin American leadership. Just as pertinently -- as mentioned by Brazil’s visiting Minister of Defence -- while Brazil has borders with ten neighbours, it does not have disputes with any. Like it did with our common southern border, these were demarcated quietly, without any fanfare or bullyism.

It is important, therefore, to appreciate the significance of the minister’s words, even couched in polite diplomatese:“We understand that South America, like everywhere else in the world, there is no place for force…what we have to do, we have to reinforce the international rights of the people, sovereignty of the people…Brazil understands that, for the stability of South America, the prevalence of international law, resolution of conflicts, and the compromise of justice, peace and democracy will be required from the people of Brazil.”

Long live Brazil-Guyana friendship!

A camel with his owner is seen dancing during the last day of Kila Raipur Games, known as the rural Olympics, at Kila Raipur on the outskirts of Ludhiana, India (gulfnews.com)

Certification a requirement for oil and gas industry Dear Editor, I participated in the just concluded Inaugural Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit and Exhibition, and must congratulate the organisers and participants for making the conference one of meaningful discussion and analysis; and moreover, a forum at which pertinent information was shared and burning questions posed.

This should provide for a better understanding of the complexities, challenges and opportunities of Guyana’s emerging oil and gas industry. This should allow local businesses to begin their SWOT analyses (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) as it relates to their becoming players in the oil and gas industry.

For me, one of the more enlightening panels was titled ‘Doing Business in Oil Field Services, Supply Chain and Facilities Management’.

This panel had as its main

speakers representatives of three major sub-contractors of ExxonMobil, who outlined some of the skills these companies are looking to source locally, the required qualifications of those who could fill these positions, and the processes which potential applicants would have to use to apply for available positions. In one case, one of the companies disclosed that it had already hired ten (10) University of Guyana graduates who are currently undergoing specialized training in Brazil, and the company will soon be recruiting another 20.

During the discussions, skills such as welding were identified as among those required, and this led me to pose the following question to the panel: Is there scope for Guyanese tradespeople such as welders, electricians, plumbers and carpenters who are competent at what they do, have years of experience but lack certifi-

cation? I was happy to hear that all three companies had already taken this issue into consideration and have in place a process for identifying such persons with a view to undertaking what they describe as “a gap analysis” to determine what training, if any, would be necessary to make these persons certifiable so as to be engaged in the oil and gas industry.

This should be one avenue of local content which should be of benefit to Guyanese men and women who have acquired onthe-job skills and experience over the years but have not been formally trained.

It is my hope that the information and methodology for identifying and accessing these uncertified artisans are widely publicized throughout Guyana, so as to provide an opportunity for all that are interested.

It seems to me that this is one area where there will be jobs for a significant

number of Guyanese.

It is clear that the oil and gas industry is one where skills certification in order to be engaged is an absolute must. There can be no issue with this. It brings to mind an experience I had decades ago while I served as the public relations officer of the then Guyana Liquor Corporation (GLC).

As part of an interviewing panel for promoting a distillery supervisor to manager, I asked why the alcohol had to be heated to a specific degree. The man knew that the alcohol had to be heated to a specific level, but did not know why. He had been working for over 25 years in the distillery. Yesu Persaud, then chairman of GLC, said to me after the interview, “That man does not have 25 years’ experience, he has had one experience for 25 years.”

Regards, Wesley Kirton

Urgent need for national register of sexual offenders Dear Editor, I write to express my disgust that there are religious leaders who walk among us pretending that they are normal and virtuous when in fact they are sick in their heads and are guilty of committing heinous acts of rape and sexual assault.

In recent times, there have been countless reports of sexual crimes committed by religious leaders locally, regionally and international-

ly. It is particularly disturbing that many of their victims are vulnerable women and children who are members of their places of worship.

It is unthinkable that so many religious leaders violate their positions of trust and authority to abuse women and children who look up to them for spiritual guidance and comfort during difficult times in their lives.

Sexual abuse straddles all religions, but whether it

occurs in Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhists or other faiths, it is a vile act of betrayal when perverts, who are put on a pedestal by trusting religious practitioners, choose to target the naive and innocent to commit depraved acts.

To me, what is even more repulsive is when these perverse religious leaders go unpunished and continue to be well respected by their church members. Worst of all,

they are protected by the silence of ashamed and fearful victims and by high officials in their religious circles.

Sexual crimes is a disease in our society, and the laws must be changed so that the perpetrators are punished severely.

I am also calling for a serious approach by society, with a national register of sexual offenders who have served time in prison. continued on page 5

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Bandits attack mobile boat shop …escape with over $1M in cash, fuel …shoot at businessman, family jumps overboard

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The mobile shop MV Anita

rmed bandits last week attacked a mobile shop that sells grocery, household items and fuel in the upper Berbice River, and carted off in excess of $1 million in cash and fuel.

The businessman who operates the shop, 56-yearold Randolph Gladstone, and his family had to jump into the Berbice River after gunmen shot indiscriminately at them.

This attack was reportedly carried out on the MV

Anita at Henrietta, some 85 miles up the Berbice River.

“They carry away all our gasoline and diesel, so we had to wait until we get help to bring we down,” he told Guyana Times on Saturday, when asked why the robbery was not reported earlier.

According to the businessman, at about 03:00h last Friday, he heard someone knocking, asking for gasoline.

“The voice was rough, and I get suspicious. When I look through the wheel-

house windscreen I couldn’t see anybody, and the person keep demanding that they want gas.”

The businessman said he removed from the windscreen and heard a loud explosion almost immediately after.

“The glass window break and the shot put a big hole in the roof. The bullet pass right where I was, and then they start hitting the door to break it.”

Gladstone said several gunshots were fired at the door.

“Me, my wife and daughter inside the cabin, and they outside on the deck shooting the door,” he recounted.

He said he instructed his family to go to the lower deck, and he then followed.

However, the bandits had by then removed the glass from the shattered wheelhouse windscreen and entered the cabin.

“The trap door don’t have a bolt, so I had to hold it with a rope and then some

of them on the outside trying to open the side window, so I holding the trap door with one hand and the window with the other, and I tell my wife to go down to the back,” he detailed.

As shots continued to ring out, Gladstone said, he continued to hold on to the door and window with all his might. “Then I feel diesel running down on my skin and they tell me if I don’t open the door they gon burn the boat.”

Mrs Gladstone said that she managed to escape and hide. “I slide open the door and roll out and get away and reach in the bush and hide,” she related. She explained that she went about sixty metres into the thick vegetation lining the Berbice River.

“I crawl through the mud and reach by the trees, and then I go and hide,” she explained.

“I slide open the door and she roll out and then jump in the water, and then I go out and jump in the river.

Randolph Gladstone, his wife and daughter

The place was black, you could barely see,” the businessman related.

His twenty-two-year-olddaughter, said she was in the cold murky water trying to be as quiet as possible when a spotlight came on her.

“They make me keep my head down and two of them had guns and tell me they gon kill me if I don’t come back to the boat, and then two of them pull me up and tell me to carry them and give them the money,” she detailed.

According to the young

Stop disrespecting water consumers in Region 5 Dear Editor, For the past two plus years, since I have been residing in Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice in Region Five, consumers have been suffering from water stoppages at least twice daily, from between 12 noon and 13:00h every day for a few hours, then the water cuts off from about 20:30h every night for the entire night until 05:00h the next day.

Once I was told that water had to be conserved during the dry season. But we have not had a dry season here for a very long time; and even during the rainy season, Guyana Water Inc (GWI) still cuts off water to consumers during critical hours of the day. In addition, every time we have a blackout, which is often, the water is cut off until

the power returns.

This is totally unaccepted.

I just called Customer Service at Onverwagt, and the young lady who answered the phone was very much in the dark.

She was not aware of any water stoppage in the area. She took my phone number and promised to return my call.

I then called the only manager listed for Region Five on the GWI’s website, Mr Loiden Henry. He was on his way to the office and was not aware that water was cut off from consumers in the Cotton Tree area. He said he would have to check with the GWI engineer and call me back. When asked why it is necessary to deny consumers the use of water twice daily, he apologetically explained that GWI is now working to provide a 24-hour

Urgent need for...

The Police in the respective communities should also have photos posted at their stations if a convicted sexual pervert lives in their jurisdiction. Further, if these people are changing their addresses, then the Police must be informed. The Police are also caught up in raping people who go to report crimes. They are raping their female prisoners, and even children!

Let us, as a society, take a serious stand to control and eventually stamp out this problem with a no-nonsense approach.

All these sexual crimes beg the question: What is the role of our religious organisations? Can they do something and help?

Our religious leaders need to move their focus away from politics and other ac-

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tivities, and concentrate on the spiritual upbringing of their congregation members.

They need to focus on teachings that will lead to stopping rape and sexual assault. They need to play a bigger role.

Parents also need to teach their children about what constitutes a good touch and a bad touch.

We all need to play a bigger role. The fact that toddlers are being raped by their family members is a national shame.

Let’s enact legislation that would ease the way for survivors to take legal action against their abusers.

Where is the humanity in us? Let’s do something about it and stop this evil.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan

service in Region Five similar to what was done recently in New Amsterdam. After a few minutes, he returned my call and explained that GWI was experiencing power outages from GPL, and that they were using their own generators to pump water back into the tanks.

Editor, Guyana is a country where the annual rainfall averages 200 centimetres in the Berbice area. Other than incompetence and mismanagement, There are no other reasons why the residents of Region 5 should not be getting 24-hour access to potable water from GWI.

The quality of service provided by the Guyana Water Inc in Region Five is very poor, and the Customer Service at Onverwagt is beyond lousy; it is simply nonexistent. If there is a problem in the field, as is the case here, the engineer needs to inform customer service, so that a proper explanation could be given to the paying consumers whenever they call in. If the customer service representative is not armed with this information and therefore cannot satisfy the consumer with a proper explanation of the problem, it not only exposes the incompetence of the system, but it also

restricts the functions of that employee to answering incoming telephone calls only.

On Saturday, February 10, the water was turned off since 09:30h. I’m still awaiting a return call from the Customer Service representative at Onverwagt.

Sincerely, Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament

lady, she was taken to the cabin and had to search to find money from the family’s business; but she handed it over to the bandits.

“They still keep searching, but it was all the money I give them,” she related.

The men also took gasoline, diesel and other valuables.

Mrs Gladstone said she heard a boat taking off and she then came to the shore and called for her husband and daughter, but only got a response from Rushell, who was on deck. turn to page 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Police honour 7-yrold who saved brother from burning home

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Anu Dev

his Tuesday is Maha Shivaratri.

Every month there is one day dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva ("pradosh") but "Maha Shivaratri" is the yearly, ritual worship in a prescribed manner of this one of the three major ‘personalised’ forms of the ultimate reality or Brahman that Hindus worship.

We are reminded we're all projected out of Brahman (making us and the rest of the universe part of God) – and we call that aspect "Lord Brahma"; we are all sustained by and within Brahman and we call this power "Lord Vishnu" and finally after billions of years, we all return into Brahman as we call this attribute "Lord Shiva". We are not 'destroyed' as some assert, but subsist in Brahman in 'prayala' until the next round of 'projection'. We do not ever die – but are children of 'immortal bliss'.

Hindus offer special

“Om Sarva Mangal Manglaye Shivay Sarvaarth Sadhike Sharanye Trayambake Gauri Narayaani Namostu Te - Oh the divine couple Shiva Parvati!

O! Thee, the protectors of this universe, Along with Lords Brahma and Vishnu We pray to You for our well-being, prosperity and the enlightenment of our souls.”

prayers to Lord Shiva on Shivratri. In Sanskrit, ‘ratri’ means night and thus, Maha Shivaratri literally means ‘The Great Night of Shiva’.

There are several traditions associated with the night: Lord Shiva performed the Tandava Nritya (the dance of dissolution); he appeared as the Lingam; or he married Mother Parvati. Maha Shivaratri is observed for one night but the preparations begin the preceding day.

The day before Shivaratri, the house would have been given a thorough cleaning – both inside and out. Hindus literally leave no stone unturned when sprucing up for Shivaratri (and other festivals) because symbolically God is welcomed into our house. Who would want God to enter a grubby house?

Traditionally, this sacred festival is observed by offering Abhishek or Dhar. These are the several types of liq-

uid offerings that we pour over the Shiva Lingam (literally the “sign” of Shiva as the formless Brahman) - milk, honey, ghee, dahee (yoghurt), ganga jal, coconut water, and cane juice. Each of these offerings has a symbolic significance but overall they represent a 'cooling of the linga' the desire of our souls to merge with God. So, in observance of Maha Shivaratri, we offer prayers and Abhishek to Lord Shiva.

On Tuesday, thousands will go to the Cove and John Ashram or to their local Mandir or stay home to offer their Dhar and prayers at their Shivala in their yards. My mom is a Shiva bhakta (worshipper of Shiva as her "Isht") and Shiva Ratri is always a big occasion in our home.

A growing number of Hindus make time for Mandir even though they mightn’t always be regular attendees on Thursday night, or Sunday morning.

So many Hindus coming together and praying together, putting aside whatever personal differences they might have, to worship the same deities. They also do not eat meat during the Shivaratri period. Some Hindus, like my mom, even completely give up "salt" foods completely, eating only fruits.

The whole point of Mandirs is for everyone, the entire Hindu community, to get involved: everyone has a part to play. Everyone can sing along God’s praises with the bhajans, everyone prays together with the mantras.

It helps Hindus to solidify their identities as Hindus.

It helps us to feel that sense of pride and to share that feeling with fellow Hindus.

So I hope all Hindus will proudly observe Shivaratri on Tuesday, whether they plan on observing the festival at home or at Mandir.

Young Kissan Henry with Crime Chief Paul Williams and others after receiving the award

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here has been a widespread outpouring of love and commendation for the bravery and quick-thinking shown by seven-year-old Kissan Henry after she managed to save herself and her fouryear-old brother from a fire while they were at home alone.

In recognition of her bravery, the Guyana Police Force on Saturday presented her with a plaque and a bottle of perfume. The simple presentation was done

by Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Paul Williams, on behalf of the Commissioner and other members of the Force.

“The Force has recognised her bravery and brilliant thinking from a humanitarian standpoint at such a tender age.”

This initiative was the brainchild of Crime Chief Paul Williams.

Last Monday evening, Kissan and her younger brother were asleep in their two-storey Glasgow New Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, home when a fire erupted.

However, the sevenyear-old was awakened by the smell of smoke and after realising the house was on fire, she immediately wrapped her brother in a blanket and eased him through a window as far as the blanket could reach and then dropping him the remaining six feet.

She then followed by jumping through the win-

dow; 14-feet to the ground, fracturing her leg in the process. Kissan then screamed for help and neighbours rushed over, kicking open the door to get to the fire.

The fire service subsequently arrived and was able to extinguish the small blaze.

At the time of the fire, the Police said the mother of the two children was at a “drug block”. Neighbours claimed they contacted the woman, informing her about the fire and she said she was on her way. By the time the mother arrived, the Police and fire service were already on the scene. After seeing the crowd, the woman reportedly told the driver to turn around and leave the area. On Wednesday, she showed up to the Police station in the company of a welfare officer.

According to residents, the two minor children are left unattended and locked in the house for several hours on many occasions.

A few months ago, the four-year-old boy was hospitalised after being burnt with hot portage when his sister attempted to make breakfast for him.

The Childcare Department had visited the home after reports of child neglect. However, on the last occasion, they allowed the children to continue living with their mother after the children’s grandmother had promised to take care of them.

The children are now in the care of an aunt.

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SunDAY, february 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Importing Chancellor can destabilise Judiciary – former AFC Executive

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ttempts by President David Granger to advance an overseas candidate to the position of Chancellor of the Judiciary, ahead of the acting Guyanese appointee, continue to be condemned with former Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive Sasenarine Singh, who is calling the move an attempt to wreak havoc on the Judiciary.

Singh, in an interview with Guyana Times on Saturday, expressed disappointment with the move to advance the Belize Chief Justice, considering the stellar service acting Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards and acting Chief Justice Roxane George have provided throughout their judicial careers and in their respective positions.

“When President Granger chose Roxane George and Yonette [Cummings-] Edwards, initially to act, it was a sound decision. It made sense to (have them) act in the positions to test their capabilities. Both of them have built up a reputation of being fair Judges. Their judgements over their (career) come across as embracing the law and ignoring emotional and political sentiment, which is exactly where we ought to take the Judiciary.

With the Legislature being so subservient to the Executive, the only independent voice is

Former AFC Executive Sasenarine Singh

Acting Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George

the Judiciary.”

He added that now that the nation has seen their capabilities, it is only right to appoint both women to the substantial posts.

“They’ve been fair. They’ve been transparent. They’ve been accountable.

Their judgements make sense.

Thus, the importation of Justice (Kenneth) Benjamin is a sign of bad faith (since) Justice Cummings-Edwards and Justice George have proven themselves credible.

It’s childish and nothing but a PR gimmick to seek to impose an external Judge as Chancellor when already the holder of the office is doing such an excellent job.”

After having been given

the names of Justice Benjamin (nominee for Chancellor) and Justice Cummings-Edwards (nominee for Chief Justice), Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, in a letter issued last Wednesday, rejected the nominees.

He cited Article 127 (1) of the Constitution of the Guyana and contended that he is “unable to offer his agreement” to the top two judicial posts. Jagdeo subsequently indicated to reporters on Thursday last that he is not interested in rating the various nominees; or in dragging their names through the mud, when asked for his reasons.

On Saturday, Singh suggested that the best way

forward for the President may be to simply put forward the names of Justice Roxane George and Yonette Cummings-Edwards to the Opposition Leader, so that

Hijacking ring busted...

The growing string of armed carjacking attacks have stirred much uneasiness amongst car owners, especially taxi operators, who are constantly in fear of being attacked.

In fact, earlier in 2017, the Police Force had issued a warning, particular to taxi operators of carjackers who have amped up attacks on Toyota Allion and Toyota Premio motorcars under the pretext of wanting taxis.

Ever since this announcement last February, carjacking cases had begun to spike with carjackers starting to pounce on private vehicle owners. Some of these cases have seen taxi drivers and vehicle owners being brutalised in the ploy as bandits cart off with their vehicles.

Last month, two private-hire operators were attacked, and their vehicles stolen in separate incidents on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) and East Bank of Essequibo (EBE).

However, one of the vehicles was retrieved after it was abandoned during a Police chase.

Investigators believed that the perpetrators in the two incidents were either part of the same network or were the same in both cases because of the modus operandi used.

At a press conference last month, then acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine had stated that Force believe there is a “criminal industrialised concept” of some sort whereby vehicles are stolen during the course of armed

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robberies.

Over the last three years, there were 41 cases of carjackings in 2015; 36 cases in 2016 and 47 cases in 2017. Of those cases last year, 16 of the stolen vehicles were Toyota Premio while eight were Toyota Allion.

Nevertheless, in December 2017, the Police had arrested two persons, one of whom is an ex-cop, and charged them.

One of them had 3 counts of robbery under arms where a motorcar was stolen.

Additionally, there is currently a case between ‘C’ (East Coast Demerara) and ‘D’ (West Demerara) Divisions with one person under investigation for cases of carjackings. (Vahnu Manikchand)

they can be confirmed in their respective roles. He urged the Government against creating a precedent of working outside the Constitution.

“We should never dare play petty politics on the Judiciary. Our image is dented. We need to preserve the professionalism of the Judiciary. I’m disappointed in Mr Granger failing to respect the eminence of the Judiciary. Justice Benjamin cannot be compared to these ladies... he doesn’t have the local awareness of (Guyana’s) jurisprudence like them.”

The former AFC Executive also expressed fears that once up and coming judicial officers see that appointments to the top spot are not necessarily merit based; this can cause individuals to lose their motivation… and their moral compass.

“It will get people to start

thinking short-term. Which means when people get into a position of a judgeship, they will not see the potential for judicial progression. And if people know they will be stifled at base level and there’s no room for professional development, it can lead to corruption in the Judiciary.”

Justice CummingsEdwards had previously served in the post of acting Chief Justice before being promoted to her current post in an acting capacity. Once she is confirmed as substantive Chief Justice, it means that her current successor, acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, will be removed.

It is not clear in what capacity Justice George will serve should Government move ahead with the appointments as was indicated by Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

Bandits attack mobile...

Police were able to remove pellets which were lodged in the ceiling of the boat. Gladstone is now calling for better policing of the Berbice River.

He said his home at Sandhills is 35 miles from New Amsterdam and has no Police outpost. The nearest Police outpost to New Amsterdam is situated at

Aroaima, which is 150 miles up the river.

Two men had, in June last year, robbed another vessel which operated as a mobile shop along the Berbice River. On that occasion, the men had pulled up with a paddle boat and had boarded the MV RS3, where they robbed Frank Collins of a quantity of articles,

from page 5

most of which were school items which he was going to sell ahead on the reopening on school for the new academic year.

That incident took place at the New Amsterdam Market wharf, and the Police have, to date, not been able to apprehend anyone for that robbery. (Andrew Carmichael)

8 news

SunDAY, february 11, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Gunmen terrorise, rob another pensioner …escape with CRV, cash, TV

M

oments after entering his yard at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara (EBD), a 78-year-old man was on Friday evening held at gunpoint by two armed masked men who subsequently terrorised and robbed him of several items, including his Honda CRV motor vehicle.

Reports are Hardial Dass of Lot 142 Canaan Garden, EBD, had just returned from an ATM at a Diamond, EBD bank and as he exited his vehicle, two-armed men confronted him and held him at gunpoint.

The bandits then took him into the house, tied him up with his belt and proceeded to ransack the house.

They reportedly carted off a quantity of groceries, several bottles of liquor, two blue suitcases, a 42 inch

flat screen television, $70,000 that the man withdrew from the bank and his passport.

The gunmen then made good their escape in the man’s Silver-Grey Honda CRV motor vehicle bearing registration number PSS 1375.

After the bandits left, Dass managed to untie himself and raised an alarm. The Police responded at based on investigations, the CRV was found abandoned at the Soesdyke/Linden Highway junction.

It was taken to the Timehri Police Station as Police continue their investigations. When Guyana Times visited the area on Saturday, the house was locked.

A security guard attached to the gated community told this publication that the elderly man only moved into the area about a year ago. He

Borderline…

T …AFC hysteria

The house owned by the pensioner

is reportedly a re-migrant, who returned to Guyana to live. According to the security guard, the man suffered injuries about his body due to the beating he received in the hands of the perpetrators.

Guyana Times understands the guard on duty on Friday evening had left his post to purchase a beverage and it was during this time, the gunmen carried out the attack. From reports gathered, the bandits might have

been hiding in the bushy area and as the pensioner returned home, they execute the robbery. The Police have since questioned the security officer in connection with the robbery.

Earlier in the week, a pensioner was accosted and relieved of his pension money at Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara. However, the quick response of Police ranks led to the arrest of the two perpetrators.

he AFC leadership – excluding Raphael “Nassau” Trotman, of course! -- are beyond desperate trying to make themselves useful to the PNC! They’re fighting not to be kicked to the kerb like the 5700 sugar workers they swore to protect – who were nevertheless thrown aside like used tissue paper. But this time, Nagamootoo’s go-fer literally shot his bosses and party in the foot.

Just when the UN Secretary General did what Guyana’s been fighting for on the Venezuela border controversy for decades – send the matter to the World Court – the AFC accuses Opposition Leader Jagdeo of once suggesting a different route to resolve the controversy. In their column in the Muckraker, “How dare you, Mr Jagdeo?

Watch and Learn” they sycophantly lavish praise on PNC leader Granger like he was the Great leader of North Korea, while trying to ambush Jagdeo.

Then refer to the “Guyana-Venezuela border issue”!!

We hope Granger bitch-slapped them silly!! Even school kids know we NEVER EVER refer to the matter as an “ISSUE”!! An “issue” has at least two “sides”… and that’s why we call it a “controversy”. There’s no substance to Venezuela’s claim on the border. There is just the CONTROVERSY they’ve created over the validity of the AWARD. This is the fundamental point, and in demonstrating they haven’t grasped it, the AFC proved they’re so hungry for power they’ll say whatever comes to their fevered minds to keep collecting crumbs from the master’s table.

But even more relevant is the bigger point of not muddying the ICJ waters, into which the controversy has now been placed. Why would the AFC try to concoct some sort of division in our NATIONAL position on the issue? We know the AFC want to keep their hand in the cookie jar, but what does Guyana gain? Isn’t this what it should be all about?

But look at what they’re accusing Jagdeo of: that his statement about the possibility of giving the Venezuelans a passage to the Atlantic was one of five options discussed by the PPP, and was a betrayal of Guyana’s position!! The AFC clearly doesn’t understand international diplomacy – especially when they go on to claim “not one single Guyanese Head of State or Government, past or present, had ever uttered words to that effect. Never!”

Really?! How about this report that was carried in the May 1985 issue of Caribbean Conntact by Rickey Singh: “One Cana-Reuter report actually stated what the great majority of Guyanese have not yet been informed about: that the Burnham Government has been discussing as a possible solution extending Venezuela’s jurisdiction in the Atlantic Ocean for Venezuela’s renunciation of two-thirds of Guyana’s territory in the Essequibo region.”

Did Burnham also betray Guyana?

…Diplomacy

Now, your Eyewitness is sure the AFC and their partisans will say Rickey Singh can’t be trusted where Burnham’s concerned, since he’d fired the reporter. Well how about the interview Burnham gave to Alfredo Peña, from the Venezuelan newspaper, El Nacional on March 1 1985 – from the transcript released by our Foreign Service.

“PEÑA: But right now, the question is being raised that same kind of proposals that were raised under the Perez government - of a solution; that is, Venezuela’s exit to the Atlantic. Foreign Minister Morales Paul has said that Venezuela would have to have a portion of land and sea for itself.

BURNHAM: We can DISCUSS it. But having an entry into the Caribbean is quite different from owning the land bordering the Caribbean.”

What this shows is Burnham also CONSIDERED the “passage into the Caribbean” – but that doesn’t mean he would’ve gone along.

In diplomacy, one allows all sorts of options on the table. It doesn’t mean you accept them all, AFC wankers!!

…blindness

One government partisan claims the PNC government’s colouring everything from State House to Pension Books green, because we’re being branded as a “Green State”. And here we thought we were the “Land of Many Waters”!!

There’s none so blind…

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

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SunDAY, february 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Gender equality in oil and gas put under the microscope …major sub-contractor to facilitate hiring of more women

By Jarryl Bryan

O

ne of the features of the Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit (GIPEX) 2018 was the forum it offered locals and interested parties to express their views on the oil and gas industry in Guyana.

The discussion forum featured members of the audience firing questions at pre-

women. So how do you get us involved in this, as you know, a man’s world? And we want to be a part of this man’s world. And we want you to bring us into this industry in some form or fashion?”

In response to her queries, Panellist Carlos LaTorre of TechnipFMC acknowledged the potential more women would bring to the industry. However, he

A section of the participants at Friday’s forum

senters on various topical issues related to oil and gas.

In particular, one member of the audience took the panel head on regarding the meaningful inclusion of women in an industry, which she said is seen as a quintessential man’s world.

“Throughout the conference, I have really not heard anything about involvement of women in the oil and gas industry and how the company intends to get us involved,” Dr Dawn Steward, one of the participants, observed.

“In Guyana, its (oil) new and it’s an embryonic stage.

At the same time, Guyana’s population is high with

also spoke of the challenges his company has faced getting more women involved… including the lack of women coming forward to apply for oil and gas jobs.

“We hired 10 engineers and the first question (he was asked was) how many women (were hired). And it was an embarrassing moment… none. Not because we didn’t want to. We interviewed 30 people… candidates from the university. Guess how many women showed up to the interview… it was one.”

“Unfortunately, we had to pick the 10 best. It is a very impartial process. But we really would like to have

more women in mainstream.

In our company, diversity is a core value. As an example, of the eight executive officers of the company, three of them are women. The second in command, our CFO (Chief Financial Officer) is a woman. So it’s something we try to promote.”

He revealed that TechnipFMC, which was contracted by Exxon’s affiliates last year to supply engineering equipment, plans to start offering scholarships to the students from Government Technical Institute (GTI) and the University of Guyana (UG).

These scholarships, he revealed, would come with the requirement that even quotas of both genders are recruited. La Torre expressed the hope that this measure piques the interest of more women, in the oil and gas industry. At the same time, LaTorre noted the harsh reality of the oil sector.

“It’s a harsh world, let’s face it,” he observed. “A lot of the jobs (in the sector) are rotational jobs. You go; you spend 28 days off shore. If you’re a mother, it’s a little challenging. But again, its onus, the company, to offer the mechanism to make sure we can make it viable.”

Not an excuse

But Dr Steward, the participant who initially posed the question, was not having that explanation; in the fiery exchange that followed, she insisted that women are up

to the task, earning loud applause from those gathered.

“I think that is not an excuse. We’ve been in the military. I’ve served in the US military and we’ve been deployed. Women are quite capable, whether we have children or not, to be able to do the job and spend 28 days off shore, on shore, on rigs! So we need to change our way of thinking.”

“Give us the opportunity to enter into this world of oil and gas and anything we think we are capable of doing and mentor the women,” Dr Steward stressed.

“In Guyana the problem we have is that we’re not skilled in that field. So we have had to come in from the ground up… and not only to be on rigs… to operate in service space industries and to be able to share our expertise and knowledge in this whole thing.”

Her point was noted by La Torre, who observed that there were many women in the oil and gas sector operating from top to lower tiered jobs. That said, he acknowledged his company’s corporate responsibility to ensure that there is gender parity in its hiring policies.

TechnipFMC is one of several foreign companies that have been awarded contracts relative to Guyana’s oil sector. Last year, the company was awarded a contract to supply subsea equipment for the Liza deep water project in the Stabroek Block. Technip has its operations based in France. In

TechnipFMC Representative Carlos LaTorre

2016, it merged with FMC Technologies, a recognised name in the energy industry.

The GIPEX summit got underway at the Marriott Hotel on Wednesday, with hundreds of foreign and

local delegates and concluded Friday. On the final day, there were two workshops that covered topics focusing on “Doing Business in the Oil and Gas Sector in Guyana” and “Doing Business in Oil Field Services, Supply Chain and Facilities Management”.

The participating entities in the summit included oil giant ExxonMobil, Repsol Exploracion SA, HESS, CNOOC Nexen, CGX Energy Inc, Schlumberger, JHI, GBTI, GTT, Baker Hughes, Siemens, ECO Atlantic, Tiger Tanks, Oceaneering, DAI, EDO, Clariant, TechnipFMC, Scotiabank, MACORP, Bristow, VSH, ERM, and Laparkan.

10 news

SunDAY, february 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Alexander Village experiences flooding again

small amount of rainfall.

According to residents they have been seeking interventions from both City Hall and Government but to no avail.

Another resident told this publication that the situation is as a result of improper drainage in the area and the need for the trenches to be dug and desilted. He believes that until there is a way for the water to escape, there will be many more of these adverse scenarios to come in the future.

“People does get damages.

First Street, Alexander Village under water

R

esidents of Alexander Village, Georgetown on Saturday had to again endure floodwaters after heavy downpours.

During the day, there was about eight inches of water covering the road and premises of many residents. This resulted in the roads being almost inaccessible for vehicles, as drivers were forced to proceed through the water. As such, many pedestrians were left with no choice but to wade through the filthy water. Further, some of the lower flats of buildings, par-

ticularly those in First Street, Alexander Village, were flooded.

When Guyana Times visited the area on Saturday, residents were up in arms about the situation. According to one resident, the flooding situation, particularly in First Street, has been a chronic situation for many years. The resident is seeking the intervention of Government to assist in fixing the drainage problem in the area.

Residents said they have been enduring flooding for over 20 years, even with a

Some of the premises that were flooded

People does be uncomfortable.

It ain’t permissible because of the septic tank water and them things,” the elderly man related.

Just a few months ago, residents of the area experienced flooding. This was due to a sluice (koker) that was left open by the sluice attendant, who they believed fell asleep. Persons of the community are calling on the authorities to make the necessary arrangements to fix the drainage problem, and relieve them of the travails they experience due to the reoccurring flooding.

Oil good life S

ometimes Satiricus enjoyed his job as a newshound.

Here it was he’d gotten the chance to see the future, and to be honest with himself, he rather enjoyed it.

His editor had sent him to cover the Big “Oil Summit” at the Marriott, and right off the bat he was impressed: he had to be ‘accredited”!! Normally, when the local business big-wigs have their “summits”, you could just show up and – BINGO!! – you were in!

As he swaggered into the Back Street Bar, he was humming the tagline “Money in the land with the Yankee dollar bill!!” from the old Merrymen cover of “Big, Big Bamboo!”

“Eh! Eh! Sato bai!! Like yuh get lucky or wha?!” exclaimed Cappo as Satiricus dropped into his seat.

“Yankee dallah bill?” enquired Bungi. “Like yuh get money fram far-in or wha’??”

“Better than that, fellas!!” exclaimed Satiricus. “Better than that!!”

“What could be better than money from foreign?” asked Hari. “You win the Lotto?”

“Even better, fellas!” said Satiricus as he took a swig of his beer. “My leaders Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat, with the help of Trot Man, have brought the good life to Guyana!!”

“Like yuh run-aff again, Sato!” accused Bungi. “Yuh leadah dem fyah six t’ousan suga-worka and abee get “good life”??”

“Fellas, I just came back from the Oil Summit,” said Satiricus breathlessly. “And you should see all these big-time foreign executives with their PowerPoint presentations!! It’s like we’re in America!!”

“Oh!!” said Cappo. “Suh hummuch a dem guh hyaah Guyanese?”

“Yes!” exclaimed Bungi indignantly. “Las’ week abee bin a de Jaab Fair and 800 people put dong dem name.

Yuh know how much a dem get wuk?”

“No!” admitted Satiricus.

“NONE!” said Bungi. “Suh me, too, wan’ fuh know if de Summit gat jab fuh abee!”

“Well, it’ll take time, you know,” said Satiricus slowly.

“Sato, my friend, these foreigners are here to get jobs for themselves,” said Hari. “Your leaders must make sure they create jobs for us.”

“Suh abee gat fuh wait fuh de “good life”, Sato?” asked Cappo.

Satiricus became quiet.

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SunDAY, february 11, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Keep oil offshore, away from politicians – Presidential Adviser

F

Keeping us poor

By Ryhaan Shah

A

ttorney and Accountant Christopher Ram has been providing a valuable national service through his analysis and critique of the contract signed between ExxonMobil and the Granger Government for the exploration and planned extraction of oil off our coast.

Concerns about the contract include the low two per cent royalty Guyana will earn, Government’s attempt to secret away the US$18 million signing bonus, and all the shortcomings uncovered about the Production Services Agreement.

By all accounts, Guyana’s chief negotiator, Minister Raphael Trotman was out of his depth and ill-prepared to deal with a seasoned US corporation like ExxonMobil, and Presidential Advisor on Petroleum, Dr Jan Mangal says the contract can be reviewed and amended.

Dr Mangal’s contract with the Granger Government ends next month and there is no certainty that it will be renewed. It is also likely that Government’s contract with ExxonMobil will stand notwithstanding all the suspicions that there could be more than meets the eye especially since the oil company has a poor track record in its business dealings with countries like ours.

In 2003, then Exxon was investigated for the US$500 million which were squirrelled away in a private American bank accounts held by the President of Equatorial Guinea.

Mobil Oil Corp, now partnered with Exxon, was questioned at the same time for its part in routing US$78 million to a Swiss bank account held by Kazakhstans’s President Nursultan Nazarbaev and other senior Government officials.

Then, in 2009, ExxonMobil was investigated for a controversial deal with the Nigerian Government over the renewal of three oil licences. The US$1.5 billion amount paid by ExxonMobil was lower than the valuation given by the Nigerian Government which had rejected an offer from a Chinese oil company willing to pay over six times the amount paid by ExxonMobil for the same licences.

It’s a way of doing business for many major corporations and it’s a fact that companies like ExxonMobil prefer to deal with countries like ours rather than with larger, more developed ones. In pioneer countries like Guyana, politicians and political stability can simply be bought.

This provides every reason for suspicion and scepticism over the deals being struck between the Granger Government and ExxonMobil especially when Government had to be forced to make the contract public.

By squirrelling away the signing bonus and being reluctant to own up to it, it did appear that Granger had his own reasons for wanting the deal to remain a secret. The questions are: why and, given ExxonMobil’s track record, was the US$18 million signing bonus the whole amount paid or were other payments made to other accounts as was done in Equatorial Guinea and Kazakhstan?

With all of our natural resources of gold, diamonds and timber, Guyana has remained poor. Everyone would agree that our own internal corruption whereby State funds are siphoned off into the pockets of Government officials and their friends and family helps to deepen our impoverishment.

The oil is still to flow but already the ground appears corrupted and what should be a new sector of the economy that should provide a huge windfall for future development is already tainted by suspect and controversial contractual arrangements.

Interestingly, a comprehensive study of global finances done in 2012 discovered that the flow of money from rich countries to poor countries pales in comparison to the flow that runs in the other direction.

The Global Financial Integrity Group and the Centre for Applied Research at the Norwegian School of Economics published figures of the financial resources that are transferred between rich and poor countries. The transfers included aid, foreign investments, trade flows and non-financial transfers like debt cancellations and capital flight.

They found that, in 2012, developing countries received US$1.3 trillion in aid, investment and remittances. But, in that same year, US$3.3 trillion flowed out of them to wealthy countries.

Between 1980 and 2012, the net outflows from the developing world added up to US$16.3 trillion and the study concluded that the accepted development narrative has it backwards: rich countries aren’t developing poor countries; poor countries are developing rich ones.

The statistics weaken the moral high ground taken by wealthy nations as they dispense “aid” to countries like Guyana, which continue to be exploited for their natural resources and with very little positive development to show for it.

But much of that is our fault. While the developed world and its corporate culture of greed are partly to blame for keeping us poor, we cannot discount from the equation our own culture of corruption that is spurred on by partisan politics which places racially aligned self-interest above the national good.

or Guyana to be successful in the oil and gas industry, the oil must be kept offshore with no thoughts about an oil refinery, at least for the first years and revenue from the oil sales should be used to develop the infrastructure of the country, according to the Presidential Adviser on Petroleum, Dr Jan Mangal.

“We have an opportunity now to not get too much in bed with oil. The way to do that is to keep the oil offshore, oil shouldn’t come ashore. All Guyana should focus on in the next 10 years is revenue. Get the revenue and with the revenue transform Guyana,” Dr Mangal told a gathering at the University of Guyana last week.

He was at the time presenting a discussion on the Government’s vision for the oil and gas sector. He told the gathering that there are many examples for Guyana to follow where it comes to what not to do in relation to managing its petroleum industry. He made specific reference to how Trinidad and Venezuela managed their industries, resulting in the collapse of the Venezuelan economy and the “quandary” Trinidad now finds itself in.

He noted that oil is not needed to transform Guyana, rather it is just the revenue that is needed.

“Bringing oil ashore now

Duo fined $50,000 for stealing horse cart

T

wo North Sophia, Greater Georgetown residents were fined after they appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, charged with stealing a horse cart.

Kevin Bobb, 21; and Ramesh Mangalram, 57, both of North Sophia, were fined $25,000 each. However, failure to pay the fine will result in three weeks imprisonment.

The two admitted that between January 18 and 28, 2018, while in the Bel Air, Georgetown area, they stole a horse cart valued $100,000; property of O’Neil Gentle.

Bobb told the court that he was asked by Mangalram, who is a horse cart operator, to accompany him to move the cart which was at the side of the road.

Bobb stated that he agreed only to later find out that the owner was inquiring about the cart and had made a report to the Police.

However, Bobb stated that it was never his intention to steal anything but promised to return the items since the cart was stripped.

According to the Police Prosecutor, they had since received the four wheels and two axles from the duo.

would be a shock to the system in Guyana. Guyana will be too tied to the oil industry… Guyana needs to go in and pull in a bunch of experts into Government and my intention was to build a team up but unfortunately the resources are not there to do that but we are working on it,” he said.

Dr Mangal explained that by bringing the oil ashore at this point it would foster no change since most of the jobs would be given to foreigners. He further stated that Guyana does not have the technical expertise to take up work in the oil refinery, if built, hence the reason an oil refinery would be ideal after the first five years of production.

“Guyana has zero capacity to deal with oil and gas. There are some basic things we need to learn, we need bills, we need technical people in the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Ministry of Finance and they are not here. It has been two years now and go look in the Ministry of Natural Resources and see how many foreign technical experts are there – zero,” he underscored.

“It is better to take the revenue, transform UG and hospitals and it will be beneficial for local people.

Guyana is at a stage now because of global warming and

Presidential Adviser on Petroleum, Dr Jan Mangal

rising sea levels where it has to decide where to invest,” Dr Mangal added.

He further explained that the leadership of Guyana now needs to decide if it is time move more inland in light of global warning and rising sea levels.

“So we have to keep the oil at a distance and getting the revenue and maximise the revenue and then not squander it, spend it wisely,” he said.

Take control from politicians

According to the Presidential Advisor, politicians only think from election to election and as such, the control of the oil and gas sector should be taken away from them in order to prevent the industry from being

further divided racially and politically as well as creating uncertainty in the decision-making process.

The Presidential Adviser indicated that he has already brought that up with the Administration to ensure that there are steps to combat that.

“In my presentation to Cabinet last year March, the way I try to scare them or convince them is to say that we have to get it right now.

You don’t know who is going to be elected at the next election so this is the opportunity now to set up the most robust systems that are more robust against meddling by politicians, so let’s set up strong systems now where we remove too much decision-making by politicians,” Dr Mangal informed.

“The industry should be managed by civil servants. If we take that path, changes in Government will not impact the oil industry. If politicians are managing your industry, then come election time the industry is going to come to a standstill and six months after the elections, there won’t be anyone working in the industry; scrambling to find people,” he added.

In March 2020, ExxonMobil and its production partners are expected to begin bringing up oil – an estimated 120,000 barrels per day – from 17 wells offshore Guyana.

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SunDAY, february 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

12 graduate from supervisory management course

T

he Guyana Learning Institute (GLI) on Saturday hosted a graduation ceremony which saw its sixth batch of students graduating from the supervisory management course.

The GLI was first conceptualised in 2015 and went on to commence its first set of classes in 2016. The institute has grown from offering

pre- Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) classes to offering a number of adult learning courses such as supervisory management, psychology and social work.

The courses are certified.

The institution is spearheaded by a number of local educators and lecturers, with the Chairman of the Board being Professor James Rose.

Saturday’s ceremony saw 12 students graduating from the supervisory management course, which commenced on September 11, 2017. The four-month course contained 10 modules of practical and theory work. Giving an overview of the course, facilitator Jennifer Singh highlighted that the course focuses on the best practices of and challeng-

Valedictorian Nazir Khan es that someone in a supervisory position would experi-

ence in the workplace.

Former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Tota Mangar, served as guest speaker; he first congratulated the students on their efforts of enduring the rigorous course.

“Education is an ongoing process and a lifelong one at that,” Mangar noted. He went on to urge the students to consider furthering their studies at Critchlow Labour College, Technical Institutes or even the University.

Valedictorian Nazir Khan

spoke on behalf of his graduating colleagues, thanking the lecturers for the work and effort they invested. Khan expressed that the course taught him to embrace new roles and experiences and how to better manage the work force. He concluded that the course was a very rewarding one.

The GLI will be continuing its work with two more courses – Introduction to Social Work, which commences next Tuesday and Introduction to Psychology, which begins on February 27.

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SunDAY, february 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

PNC recommits to APNU coalition, amps up LGE campaign

– at party’s first General Council for 2018

E

Déjà vu minority rule

W

hat is unfolding in Guyana is a return to the rule by a minority regime, which was practised by the PNC between 1968 and 1992. The PNC had then inherited the colonial state -- pretty much a “crown Colony” governorship, with all its apparatus intact -- in 1964. It then not only maintained the structural pattern of domination established by the British, but once once Burnham jettisoned his junior coalition partner, the United Force, in 1968, he successfully increased the extent and reach of that domination. While he attempted to maintain a façade of “multiracial governance” – as is now happening with the Indians from the AFC -- the critical difference was that an African and Coloured middle-class elite had replaced the departed Whites as the mediating minority group in charge.

Burnham did not balk at utilising the “control” form of governance for the ethnically fractured Guyanese society.

The scholar Ian Lustick in Israel had proposed the model in a normative sense, and had suggested that one of the competing groups in a deeply divided society Ravi Dev such as Guyana may seize the state and maintain hegemonic control over the entire society. This is what Burnham was allowed to do, since his constituency dominated the state’s coercive institutions and the bureaucracy. He pointed out to them the alternative was to be ruled in perpetuity by the majority Indian segment under Cheddi Jagan.

Lustick contrasted this variant of authoritarian rule with another approach, consociationalism, which described and sought to foster a cooperative approach to governance in severely divided societies. Even though there had been sporadic attempts by both Jagan and Burnham to work out some form of consociationalism, those attempts never went anywhere. With the benefit of hindsight, Burnham, having been underwritten by the US, had no need to compromise. When he decided to rig elections after 1968, the Americans even proposed selling him electronic voting machines which could be programmed to perform that trick quite efficiently. Burnham went with the simplier and less obvious route of the overseas vote and proxies domestically.

Granger’s PNC government also seems to have elections under control, since they have abjured wooing crossover votes.

The armed forces were expanded tenfold by Burnham, with a ninety percent African membership to provide the coercive basis for the PNC’s rule. By 1976, they had reached the staggering ratio of one armed personnel to every thirtyfive civilians. The present PNC of David Granger is already quite advanced in this move, with the Peoples’ Militia, the Reserve, the Cadet Corps in place. It would appear that rather than resuscitating the National Service, the new Youth Corps will play that mobilizational role.

During the 1970-89 period, private goon-squads that supported the PNC wreaked havoc on the civilian population – especially on Indians. By mid-1985, anti-Indian depredations had reached such staggering proportions that one political activist, Eusi Kwayana, wrote that “it had a flavour of genocide”.

According to Fr Andrew Morrison of the Catholic Church, in his book, Justice, the House of Israel – a PNC-backed group that was armed by the party, formed the core of the “kick-downthe-door” bandits. It was this type of banditry that segued effortlessly into large scale kidnappings, robberies and murders between 1992 and 2001, after the five “freedom fighters” took over. There are alarming signs that the rate of armed robberies are increasing in the present. What’s ahead?

During his watch, Burnham nationalised 80% of the economy, and provided rewards far in excess of the “Guyanesation” the middle class PNC elite had hoped for. Not only was their class expanded, but they obtained a powerful device to keep dissent in line. Party membership and support for the Party’s position became prerequisites for maintaining a job. In Burnham’s words, those who were fired stayed fired. The Co-operative was to be the vehicle for rewarding the lower class African Guyanese, and was to be the cornerstone of the economy. In the present, the revenues from oil in the post 2020 era will provide the wherewithal to repeat the elite experiment. Over $25 million have already been allocated to four African villages – Buxton, Ithaca, Mocha and BV -- to jump start their agricultural co-ops.

Indian-based organisations were co-opted through the opportunism of their leadership to rubber stamp the PNC’s policies. These leaders were placed in highly visible but essentially powerless positions to create a façade of a non-racial Government.

Nothing different today.

ven as the minority Alliance For Change is mulling contesting the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) separate from its governing Coalition partner, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is looking to amp up its campaign efforts at the community level as it recommits to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition party.

This was revealed by party leaders on Saturday at the PNCR’s first General Council for 2018, which was held at its Congress Place Headquarters under the theme “PNCR The Vanguard of a Green Economy”.

Delivering the feature address, President David Granger, who is the party’s Leader, pointed out that 2018 would be a very challenging year for the PNCR, and called for steps to be taken to improve its work in communities all across the country in preparation for local government elections.

Granger further recommitted the party to its coalition with the APNU. “We are better together, we are not leaving APNU. All five parties will stay

The gathering at the PNCR’s General Council on Saturday at Congress Place

together and contest the local government elections,” he said.

Referring to the GuyanaVenezuela border controversy, the President said Guyana was now in the best place it has ever been in 52 years. He then went on to call for vigilance and attention to the security of the nation. President Granger said the best guarantee of Guyana’s defence was its people. In this regard, he said, “The Militia was on the march again.”

The PNCR Leader also emphasised the importance of Community Policing to the security of neighbourhoods and the suppression of crime. The president called on Guyanese to come forward and volunteer for Community Policing.

“We have to establish a system which can guarantee the safety

of every citizen of this country,” the leader said.

Sugar industry

Turning his attention to the sugar industry, Granger said a plan was being put in place to keep the sugar industry alive, and that workers whose jobs had been terminated will get their benefits.

In his address, which covered several areas of national interest, Granger further called for a revival of the village economy. He stressed the importance of agro-processing, buying and eating local produce, and creating jobs for youth and women.

Meanwhile, PNCR Chairman Basil Williams’s presentation called attention

to the decision of the Secretary General of the United Nations to refer the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He complimented the work of the Party Leader and President over the last thirty months in securing this outcome.

Additionally, the party’s General Secretary Amna Ally, in her report to the gathering, brought the General Council up to date on the state of the Party and the work of the Party Secretariat over the period between General Councils.

She informed General Council that the Party was already in campaign mode for the upcoming Local Government Elections, and called for regional leaders to work harder in their communities in order to secure victory in the 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and nine municipalities.

Ally implored all Party leaders to work relentlessly to achieve success, as she called for good leadership, good governance, and a united Party.

The General Council, second highest decision-making forum of the PNCR, meet once every quarter.

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sunDAY, february 11, 2018| guyanatimesgy.com

Oil sector

GO-Invest urges local businesses to up game …suggests formation of syndicates; networking

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ith the inaugural Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit now completed, some are

still questioning how they can benefit from the oil and gas sector. According to the Guyana Office for Investment, there are in

fact ways to get a foot in the door.

At a press conference on Friday, GO-Invest Chief Executive Officer Owen

GO-Invest CEO Owen Verwey

portunities? I think, first and foremost, we don’t have enough of a corporate culture,” Verwey pronounced.

“We have that culture where it is a one man show and standardisation is still to raise its level. Not that we don’t have that in Guyana, but the actual practise of it in all aspects of business is very important. Record keeping, traceability, those are key aspects we need to do.”

He added that making oneself informed, aware and educated as to what is going

what you know today is not necessarily the same thing that will be required tomorrow. So it has to be a continuous process of you updating your knowledge and your level of understanding.

Thirdly, we see the bigger businesses expending funds to come to this market to learn something.”

Opportunities

As such, Verwey noted the importance of businesses positioning themselves to take advantage of opportunities like the summit pro-

This is one of the booths from the summit that drew the attention of the youths

Verwey was asked about ways in which persons who may not have participated in the summit can capitalise on the industry.

“What they should do to get themselves prepared to take advantage of these op-

on, what is required in the industry, is also important, adding that this is very important in the embryotic industry. “(The industry) is heavily technologically driven. So

vided. These opportunities, he said, include chances to network with other businesses. He also posited the potential of other industries forming themselves into syndicates. turn to page 17

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SunDAY, february 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Sovereign Wealth Fund: a Proposed Framework for Guyana’s Petroleum Sector (Part 5)

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oday’s edition of this SWF series presents an overview of the SWFs around the world, such as in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In so doing, this article seeks to put into perspective the rationale for their development by these countries, their roles in the global financial markets, and to the countries’ economic development.

Overview of SWFs in Asia

SWF assets of Asian countries currently account for about 40 percent of total global SWF assets. The growth of Asian SWFs is a relatively new phenomenon, which emerged as a consequence of two economic factors. Firstly, as the large, export-driven East Asian countries accumulated enormous foreign currency reserves, policy makers started evaluating the desirable level of reserves. The second factor was that the U.S dollar (the main reserve currency), depreciated significantly in recent years, and the returns of these reserve investments came under scrutiny. Thus it was decided to establish SWFs as a tool to address these issues (World Bank, 2014).

On the contrary, other large SWFs in East Asia, such as Singapore and Malaysia, were originally established in order to enhance the efficiency of managing government’s holdings in domestic corporations, which were accumulated in the process of government-led economic development. These funds then started to invest internationally, and today these funds operate more like a commercial investment company. Additionally, a few countries, namely Brunei and Timor-Leste, had established their SWFs with commodity revenues as savings or stabilization funds. These types of funds have relatively less need for short-term income streams.

Rather, they need high, long-term returns with prudent levels of risk, so as to support productive investment in growth-enhancing and poverty-reducing spending on needed infrastructure, such as agriculture, health, education and basic service delivery.

In history, however, it was evidenced that in some instances these funds have actually amplified, rather than mitigated, the adverse effects of oil and gas windfalls (World Bank, 2014).

China’s SWF

China’s SWF, the China Investment Corporation (CIC), was established in September, 2007 – and is one of the largest SWFs in the world. The CIC was created to improve the rate of return on China’s $1.5 trillion in foreign exchange reserves and to absorb some of the country’s excess financial liquidity. The CIC is a semi-independent, quasi-governmental investment firm mandated to invest a portion of China’s foreign exchange reserves. The CIC reports directly to China’s State Council, conferring it with the equivalent standing of a ministry, and the State Council’s leader.

A number of international finance experts had expressed some concerns about the recent growth in SWFs, and the CIC in particular.

Some analysts had argued that major shifts in SWF investments could potentially disrupt global financial markets and the U.S economy. On the other hand, other analysts were less concerned about SWF and the CIC, and welcomed their participation in international investment markets (CRS Report for Congress, 2008).

Nonetheless, China responded by maintaining that the CIC will prove to be a source of market stability. But despite its reassurances in this regard, there were calls for greater oversight and regulation of SWFs. Some experts suggested elements to be included in such guidelines, such as standards for transparency, governance and reciprocity. It was also suggested that the United States review its laws and regulations governing foreign investments in the United States, with the possibility of implementing special procedures or restrictions on proposed investments by SWFs – inclusive of limits of SWF ownership of U.S companies, financial reporting requirement, and restrictions on types of equity investments SWFs can make in U.S firms (CRS Report for Congress, 2008).

Arab Sovereign Wealth Funds Kuwait Investment Authority

The Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) is mandated to achieve long-term returns on Kuwait’s surplus oil revenue and to provide an alternative source of government income for when the country’s oil resources are depleted. The KIA is set up as an autonomous government institution, and is responsible for the management and administration of the Future Generations Fund (FGF) and the General Reserve Fund (GRF), as well as any other fund entrusted to it by the Kuwait Minister of Finance (Behrendt, 2008).

The SWFs of Abu Dhabi

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi controls three relevant SWFs: the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Mubadala Development Company and the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC). All three of these funds, over the course of several decades, were established to manage the emirate’s oil and gas income, strengthen its position in the regional and global oil markets, and eventually help diversify Abu Dhabi’s economy away from risks posed by volatile oil markets (Behrendt, 2008).

Dubai SWF

While Abu Dhabi and Kuwait have managed their foreign investments through SWFs for decades, Dubai’s portfolio of SWFs was developed only just over a decade or so, in an effort to benefit from global investment opportunities. As such, Dubai does not have an extensive track record of managing the government’s external assets.

Dubai’s investment landscape was fairly fragmented, and private ownership appeared to be much more dominant there than other countries (Behrendt, 2008).

(For comments, questions and responses on articles featured in this column, readers can reach the author at jbinsights@outlook.com).

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SunDAY, february 11, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

news

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SunDAY, february 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

FACES introduces Friendly Society GO-Invest urges local... to aid “Sickle Cell Warriors”

S

ickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of blood disorders typically inherited from one’s parents and results in an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying protein haemoglobin (haemoglobin S) found in red blood cells.

In Guyana, there are a number of persons suffering from the disease and in order to make their lives a little better, non-governmental organisation Fight Against Sickle Cell Stigma (FACES) has set up a friendly society to assist them.

Sabrina Kazim – a sickle cell warrior – in June of 2015 founded FACES to address the stigma and discrimination associated with the disease.

Kazim said since its formation, the organisation has been able to host a number of workshops with various Ministries ad agencies.

She added that they are also in the process of ascertaining the guidelines and protocols for sickle cell treatment at medical institutions since quite often, sicklers are not taken seriously.

“Because of the involvement of opioids in the treatment for sickle cell, persons in the medical field believe that persons with sickle

The women of FACES and HADE

cells are most of the times malingerers and that they are not really in pain, their pains are not authentic,” she said.

Kazim said that due to the stigma attached to living with sickle cell disease, persons are quite often tempted to take their own lives to ease the pain. “Sickle cell disease have at least a threefold part, the psychological, the socio economical part, psychological which does affect persons with sickle cell disease and recently at least one of our members tried to commit suicide because of all the trials and tribulations that is attached to this disease,” she informed.

She added that they are currently engaging the Social Protection Ministry so that they would be able to alleviate the psychological pressures of living with the disease through regular counselling sessions.

As of now, the organisation offers support to its members through social media and face-to-face interaction.

Kazim noted with the introduction of the Friendly Society, the organisation would be in a better place to lend assistance. However, she explained for FACES to continue assisting the 89plus sicklers on its rooster, donations are necessary.

“We are appealing to the businesses to make donations as well as private citizens. So far we have one donor and we are seeking to distribute hampers to our sicklers on a monthly basis,” Kazim said.

She noted that they have member who are the sole breadwinners of their families and when they are in “crisis”, their families suffer.

In addition to the Friendly Society, FACES has also established the Humans Across Diversities Everywhere (HADES) Foundation aimed at providing support services to men, women and youths.

“They need to be going out there and networking, whether it’s in the oil and gas industry or other industry. They have to be working to learn and to look for the additional opportunities that are out there,” “Last but not least,” the GO-Invest CEO suggested. “(Explore) the possibility of some of the smaller guys in Guyana consolidating with others, as is currently happening in the mining industry, the syndicates. These small mechanic shops or welding shops may have to start considering things like that that will help to up the scale of their operation, bring efficiency to them, and help manage their cost of training and cost of operation.”

Syndicates

In the mining sector, syndicates were developed after the Natural Resources Ministers met with miners in January 2016. The decision was made to cluster small miners across the mining districts for them to benefit from concessions and support each other… something they were unable to achieve mining on their own.

from page 14

Even as a collective syndicate, however, the group still had to contend with the bureaucracy. For instance, A mining syndicate developed for small miners in the Toroparu, Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) had complained about being treated unfairly by the Government after an application for 10 mining blocks was turned down.

The three-day GIPEX summit opened on Wednesday last at the Marriott Hotel. The participating entities had included oil giant ExxonMobil, Repsol Exploracion S.A., HESS, CNOOC Nexen, CGX Energy Inc. Schlumberger, JHI, GBTI, GTT Baker Hughes, Siemens, ECO Atlantic Tiger Tanks, Oceaneering, DAI, EDO, Clariant, TechnipFMC, Scotiabank, Macorp, Bristow, VSH, ERM, and Laparkan.

The cost of almost US$2,000 was required for a booth at the exhibition.

Organisers of the event had defended this, noting that the summit was intended to be a self-financing venture and so there had to be a way to recover the costs.

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sunday, february 11, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

DemBake hosts medical outreach at Land of Canaan

Dr Latoya Gooding and Dave Laltoo

D

emerara Bakery and the Giving Hope Foundation in collaboration with the Public Health Ministry, on Saturday hosted a medical outreach offering free cancer screening for both men and women in Land of Canaan and surrounding communities on the East Bank of Demerara.

President and founder of the Giving Hope Foundation, Dr Latoya Gooding noted

that they were approached by DemBake to offer free cancer screening to residents and they readily agreed. Additionally, Dr Gooding explained that the outreach is part of their monthly exercises and made a call for more men to access the services offered.

“We have decided to come and offer free cancer screening here at DemBake for the Land of Canaan population and surrounding areas. Here

today what we are offering is free breast examination, pap smear, VIA [Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid], prostate checks that include the digital rectal examination and the prostate specific antigen blood test. We’re also offering free blood pressure and sugar testing,” the doctor told Guyana Times.

The Giving Hope Foundation is a non-governmental organisation with the objective of trying to reduce the incidence of late stage cancer diagnosis in Guyana. They are going into communities to have outreaches and to educate the population in relation to cancer.

“We always work in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Heath, the Chronic Disease Department because what we are doing is aligning with what they are doing as well, so we always tag along with them or we tag them along with us. We spread the word because cancer cannot be a one organisation, it takes a nation and the more organisations we have fighting cancer, better response we will have,”

Arrest warrant issued for former Cop

…charged for corrupt transaction

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ervon Semple, a former Linden Traffic Policeman, has been charged with corrupt transaction.

It is alleged that during the month of June 2017, while he was a member of the Guyana Police Force, attached to the Traffic Department, he corruptly collected $14,000 from Antonio Thompson of Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden, as a reward in order to obtain a driver’s licence

for him. It is further alleged that he failed to deliver the licence to Thompson.

Reports are Thompson made a report at Mackenzie Police Station where an investigation was conducted, and legal advice was sought from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

However, when the case was called late last week at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, Semple was absent.

As a result, Magistrate Clive Nurse issued an arrest war-

Wanted: Dervon Semple

rant for him. The case is now set for February 20.

she added.

M e a n w h i l e , Administrative Manager of Demerara Bakery, Dave Laltoo said the aim of the outreach is to collaborate and give back to the community. He noted that this is the first project of its kind undertaken by

the newly relaunched bakery.

“One of things we noticed is when you go to the public hospitals and so persons do not have the opportunity to have this done free of cost and what the Giving Hope Foundation does is they have a strict free policy so we wanted to collab-

orate and give back to Giving Hope Foundation through the community,” Laltoo noted.

There were three doctors and four nurses offering services to the residents of the area. The organisers expected to have over one hundred residents accessing the services.

sunDAY, february 11, 2018

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Eastman cruises to maiden R&R title

D

espite the unfavorable weather on Saturday at the inner circuit of the National Park, Thomas Lands, 21-yearold Team Cocos wheelsman Hamzah Eastman secured his first win of the season, claiming the 35-lap featured race in the 27th Annual R&R international 11-stage race programme.

Pacing his race to a peach, the pulsating rider did not look as if he would have won the race from the green light as he immediately fell to the back of the break away while Deeraj Garbarran led initially then it was Trojan’s Romello Crawford who controlled the race periodically.

With the weather grueling and the competition peeking, Eastman was faced with another hurdle as he suffered a puncture and was assisted by his team mate to change bikes. Falling behind once more, Eastman powered his way back into the front as he reached into

The chasing pack were kept at bay for most of the race in windy and rainy conditions

the four-man pack battling for the prize.

As the showers became heavier, riders dropped out one by one but the four at the front continued. Coming around the second half of the final lap, Crawford leaped to

the front of the pack in the dash to the finishing line with PSL’s Curtis Dey in hot pursuit. The two were in the center of the track as Eastman came up on the outside around the final turn, slipping but main-

Petra, GFF providing for the future

…hoping to develop fustal referees for FIFA duties

W

ith the ultimate aim of developing future FIFA referees and grooming players under the correct rules of futsal, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in partnership with Petra Organisation opened their two-day futsal refresher course at their Secretariat on Saturday.

GFF’s Head of Refereeing Department and one of the facilitators, Stanley Lancaster told the gathering the course is highly welcomed by the federation given the influx of futsal tournaments in locally.

Lancaster explained tournaments of the past saw a neglect in the administration of the correct rules.

Highlighting there is a difference between the way street football is played to indoor futsal, he mentioned there needs to be an improved dress code with players wearing socks, shin pads and no arm-less clothing; since implementing some of the rules, Lancaster said he has seen some improvement in an on-going tournament.

Seated from left: First Vice President of the Guyana Futsal Association Mark Younge, Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca, GFF Executive Member Dion Innisss and GFF’s Head of Refereeing Department Stanley Lancaster

Petra’s Co-Director, Troy Mendonca expressed their assistance is part of a founding mandate to developed the sport. Mendonca’s hopes the course can help create a product that is most marketable which can hopefully take Guyana into FIFA domain of futsal. First Vicepresident of the Guyana Futsal Association Mark Younge stated, “We have a chance to show what football is all about and we hope it doesn't stop here as our referees can go forward and be FIFA referees.”

More so, Executive Member and head of the National Referees Council Dion Inniss asked the participants to fully absorb the information being imparted. Inniss also thanked Petra for their support and envisioned progammes like these will encourage more tournaments countrywide.

Ten futsal referees from Georgetown, Upper Demerara, West Demerara and Berbice Football Association are practicing in the course which concludes today.

taining his balance while his team mate, Jamaul John came from the inside.

In the blink of an eye it was Eastman who arched his body giving everything from the tank to seal victory in a time of one hour, 17

minutes and 13 seconds.

Eastman was trailed by Crawford while John settled for third and Dey, fourth. In a considerable distance behind Orville Hinds finished fifth as Walter Grant-Stuart passed Christopher Griffith

who also suffered mechanical problems to win the sixth position.

In the other divisions, David Hicks won the 12-14-year-old category while Briton John secured the top of the podium in the Juveniles category after completing the 10 laps in 24 minutes and 32 seconds.

Over in the Under-50 masters class, consistent performer, Cocos Junior Niles clocked in 12 minutes for his five laps to win the category while Garry Benjamin rode away with the win in 12 minutes 58 seconds.

Today, the riders will take to West Demerara when Eastman is expected to defend his title across the 46 mile ride with the simple aim of clinching the R&R International double.

The race begins at 08:00h at Schoonord and will head to Bushy Park and turn back to finish at Schoonord.

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guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, february 11, 2018

… Sir Wes Hall advises budding cricketers

By Akeem Greene

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indies cricket legend Sir Wesley Winfield Hall in a charismatic address to the Rotary Club of Georgetown at their ‘World Understanding’ dinner held at the Pegasus Hotel on Friday, used spoken words to paint the picture of his illustrious career but most importantly left resounding advice for all budding cricketers.

Standing for over an hour in delivering the feature address, the 80 year-old gracefully connoted crick-

a lot better later on. That’s why you see a lot of players might look good at school or at trials but when they get into the heat of the match they may not make it; they may not make because they were not at practice doing the little things right.”

Born in 1937 in St. Michael Barbados, the lanky right-arm seamer who was known for his elongated and angled run-up, remarkably had the ability to bowl long spells further explained it is not just about practicing but practicing the essentials in the correct

The Ordained Minister who took 192 wickets after making his Test debut in 1958 against India in Mumbai used the example of constant no-balls as an illustration.

“One of the most unfortunate things in West Indies cricket is when a fast bowler runs up and knocks the stumps out the ground but the umpire stretches out his hand to call a no-ball. Why is he doing that? It is because he is practicing it and it shows you need to do the little things right.”

Playing his last Test against New Zealand in 1969, Hall who

being the ‘last man’ standing.

Those encounters and more so his years as selector and team manager and service as President of the West Indies Cricket Board (now Cricket West Indies) from 2001 to 2003, he had some technical advice for players.

“If you are a batsman you have to learn to occupy the crease since you don’t make a lot of runs in the pavilion; make your runs by occupying the crease, you must learn how to call and stop running out people. If you are batting, you learn to rotate the strike.”

He added, “When you are bowling you have to observe the pace at which you are going apply pressure and then you build pressure and then you take wickets.”

Sir Wesley Hall

Effecting change

Sir Wesley Hall addressing the gathering at the Rotary Club of Georgetown at their ‘World Understanding Dinner’ held at the Pegasus Hotel on Friday (Carl Croker photo)

eters need to do the basics correctly from the infancy stages of their careers if they hope to reap longterm success.

“You need to learn the little things well and it will serve you

manner.

“Practice makes perfect but you have to practice the correct thing or you will end up being perfectly wrong,” he expressed.

has high score of an even and unbeaten 50 brought great laughter to the decorated audience when he told tales of times in the middle with skipper Sir Gary Sobers and

Hall posited being able to effect change is a critical life skill that just not cricketers but everyone in society must understand.

“We human beings don’t particularly like change too much but change is imperative, there is a circle with things you cannot change and if you cannot change it, do not worry about it but the things you can change is important.”

“You can change your attitude,

the best with a bad attitude is no longer the best and those are some of the things I learnt as a young cricketer.”

Rotary Club of Georgetown’s Foundation Director and former West Indies player Roger Harper thanked Hall for is quintessence also shared his fond memories of playing with the menacing bowling.

The Rotary Club of Georgetown Guyana was first constituted on May 20, 1959 and the ‘World Understanding’ event includes the anniversary of the first meeting of Rotary held on February 23, 1905, and as a chance for every Rotary club to pause, plan and promote the Fourth Avenue of Service – Rotary’s continued quest for goodwill, peace and understanding among peoples of the world.

Party Time ready for Triple Crown

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ne of the horses that is always knocking at the door, won his last start on January 28 at the Rising Sun Turf Club and is expected to win again on February 18 at the same venue which will be the first race for the mega triple crown.

“Party Time,” will be running in the “J” and lower event and is one of the best locally bred horses. After a few losses early in his career, he is now fully matured and ready for the first ever Triple Crown which is organized by the Jumbo Jet

Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC).

Owner, Jason Dematous said “Party Time” is going smooth and is looking to win all three events on his way to the mega bonus up for grabs.

Promotor of the inaugural Triple Crown, Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr stated that the event is for every horse, trainer, groomer and owner to prove their ability. “You may have the best horse to win the first event, but may or may not have the ability to maintain winning for the final two legs. Having a thoroughbred to perform at its best comes from the team around him/her which includes the owner, groom, trainer and jockey hard effort they put into the animals weeks before the event. I believe the fittest will survive as the bread crumbs will fall off from some of

The inform Party Time won the first one mile race at the Rising Sun Turf Club on January 28

the thoroughbreds coming to the final leg at Port Mourant Turf club.”

The first leg of the Triple Crown runs off on February 18 at the Rising Sun Turf Club where the second stage will also take place on March 4 before the curtains come down on April 1 where more than $20M are up for grabs.

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sports

Exciting day of horse racing planned for budding champions

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he next generation of champion horses will line up on February 25 for a day of competitive action on the track when the Guyana Association of Women Police team up with the Port Mourant Turf Club for the third annual event.

In all, there are six events carded for the day with horses classified “G” and lower running over a distance of eight furlongs for the winning purse of $350,000.

This race meet was especially created after the overwhelming demand from horse owners who have young horses that are looking to establish themselves on the track.

Co-ordinator of the event, Campton Sancho told Guyana Times Sport that the race is considered the nursery for the next generation of champion horses who are now getting exposure. Sancho said all of the horses at this meet are of similar pedigree which will make the races equal.

The six-race programme will open with the unclassified horses covering a distance of five furlongs with the winner set to ride off with $90,000. The other five-furlong race brings together horses in the “L” Class division two for a $100,000 winning purse.

The horses in the “L” Class open will take to the starting gates and will gallop for six furlongs with $140,000 going to the winner followed by the “K” Class horses who will cover the same distance. The winning horse on this occasion will get $160,000.

Horses classed “J” and lower will then take to the track to cover a distance of seven furlongs to see who will grab the $200,000 first prize.

Sancho also confirmed that the track at the Port Mourant Turf Club is in immaculate condition and the races could finish in very fast times.

Added to that, already just about 30 horses have been registered and

GFSCA/ Nauth’s Motor Spares, Trophy Stall, Mike’s Pharmacy Competition…

21

with the deadline for registration set for February 18, Sancho is confident that a big field of horses will take to the starters gate on race day.

For additional information and registration, horse owners are encouraged to contact Sancho on 6911174, Assistant Superintendent Yonette Stephen on 619-6496, Inspector Althea Solomon on 6909444 or Ramnauth on 6971979.

Admission is set at $1,000 for adults and $500 for junior tufrites. The first race will be sent on its way at 13:00h.

Race co-ordinator, Comption Sancho

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Football West Dem Zone…

Showstoppers, Hustlers Rain forces

progress to final 8

postponement …new date to be announced soon

T

he heavy rains that started in Georgetown on Friday night and continued on Saturday has taken its toll on sport in the city and has forced another postpone-

ment.

The Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association’s (GFSCA) final of the Nauth’s Motor Spares, Trophy Stall and Mike’s Pharmacy softball tournament which were scheduled for today at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground in Queenstown will now be played at a date to be announced soon due to flooding at the venue.

When organizers visited the ground on Saturday, the water accumulation was too much to contemplate any activities today forcing the postponement.

Ever since the semi-finals last December, the excitement was brewing in the three categories of competition and teams and spectators will have to wait a bit longer.

In the Male Open final, Speed Boat were down to compete with dark horses, Success Sports Club for $100,000 winning purse while in the Male Masters Category, Wellman Masters were set to lock horns with the star-studded Regal Masters also for $100,000.

T h e four female teams; Trophy Stall Angels, Blue Divas, Wellwoman and 4R Lioness that were also set to clash for the winning purse of $50,000 and bragging rights will also have to exercise patience at least for another week.

Organizing Secretary of GFSCA, Wayne Jones said they are disappointed with the postponement but have no control over the weather. Jones said they will make every effort to have the final complete for this tournament which started in 2017 since the association need to get on with the business of the current year as early as possible.

GFSCA Organizing Secretary, Wayne Jones

Showstoppers are becoming the unstoppable in this year’s championships

T

wo-time defending champions, Showstoppers as well as previous finalist, Hustlers have powered through to the quarter-final rounds after some heated round-of-16 action in West Demerara/ East Bank Demerara Guinness of “Greatest of the Streets” Football championships.

The test of nerves came into effect when the action resumed at the Pouderoyen Tarmac on Friday night as the business end of the tournament heats up.

Progressing to Tuesday’s quarter-finals are ESPN who play Ballers Empire from 20:00h, followed by West Side Ballers and Rising Stars from 20:30 h. Hustlers then clash with Dream team from 21:00h followed by Showstoppers and Boom Bang from 21:30h. The winners of the first match play that of the same in the third while second match victor comes up against the fourth.

Friday’s action saw Ballers win 1-0 on penalty kicks against Patentia Money Tem after their matched ended 2-2. Two Guinness Goals (score in the final 3 minutes) brought the deadlock since Ballers’ Kevin Frank net in the 32nd but was equalised by Kenton Boyce two minutes later.

Boom Bang won 2-1 on penalty kicks against Up Like Seven after their match failed to produce any goal while Hustlers crushed Mocha 3-0; Kwame Holder with a double (4th and 17th) and Sunil Logan (15th) were the scorers.

ESPN replicate an identical victory over Parafait Hard Ball with their marksmen being the Lythcott brothers Trevon and Kevon scoring in the 14th and 17th respectively followed by Pernell Schultz in the 18th.

More so, Orville Stewart’s strike in the 14th helped Dream team edge Hamrony Warriors 1-0 likewise did Rising Stars over Zeelugt Warriors where Eon King made the differen in the 13th minute. Champions Showstoppers continued their smooth sailing winning 2-0 against Harmony Ballers via strikes from Dexroy Adams (14th) and Stephon Jupiter (17th).

Up for grabs is the winning purse of $400,000 and a spot in the national playoffs; the runners-up will be given $200 000 and a trophy while third- and fourth-placed finishers will receive $150 000 and $100 000 respectively along with trophies.

22

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, february 11, 2018

GMR&SC/ ‘King of the Strip’ Drag Meet

All lights green at South Dakota R

ace day is here, as Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) hosts their first event for 2018, the highly anticipated ‘King of Strip’ Drag race meet at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri.

In the build up to today, there was much talk as to who will dominate the quarter-mile straight and numerous battle lines were drawn but it’s now time for action and who will stand up to the test.

The first will be, can anyone stop the powerful Team Mohammed’s Enterprise and their Nissan GT-Rs? One of the GT-Rs which will be sporting its new allblack look currently holds

record time of 7.569s while the Nismo version has a best time of 8.906s.

The team which has been at the track fine-tuning over the last two days was cau-

Shawn Persaud’s Toyota Caldina is expected to be at top speeds today Many fans usually brave the sun or the rain to catch a glimpse of the exciting racing

tious to pronounce that they can have another record breaking run but still don’t see their reign being broken.

The man who is expected to pose any possible threat is Shawn Persaud with his lightning fast Toyota Caldenia since it has a time of 8.311 seconds which was clocked at the last meet in October. Peter Daby and his new look RX-7 can also be thrown in the mix.

In the lower categories, Kevin Deodass has plans of making Rameez Mohamed swallow his own words that he has the fastest starlet when they battle wheel to wheel in the ‘Fastest Starlet’ category. Anand Ramchand is also set to compete in the winner-takes-all Starlet cat-

egory.

In the 11-second class, Raymond Seebarran, at the helm of a Nissan Pulsar is hoping planning on topping he large surplus of competition expected in that category while former 13-second champion Imran Khan plans on regaining the title with his Toyota AT 150.

With addition of at least four Surinamese competitors along with the East Coast Demerara versus West Side grudge duels it is expected to be a spectacle.

The East side will have several garages and mechanic shops on the East Coast while the West Side battle will feature cars built primarily from there.

In addition, the matchup will result in points being awarded to either side every time any of their represen-

tatives score points by winning one of the nine classes.

The event is being organised by the GMR&SC in partnership with Tropical Shipping along with support from Stag, Mohamed’s Enterprise, E-Networks, BM Soat, Prem’s Electrical, Rent A Tent, White Boy Auto Spares, Windjammer, Samaroo’s Investments, Trans Pacific, Special Auto, Ramchand’s Auto Body, Nexus, Palm Court and JR Burgers.

Patrons who are desirous of witnessing the heated races today will pay an entrance fee of $1000 for adults and $500 for children. The renta-tent VIP will be available for $3,000 per person; action starts at 09:00h sharp with qualifiers.

Rain washes Sanjay’s Open into today

Some golfers took to the course for a friendly tournament after the announcement of the postponement on Saturday (Photo courtesy of LGC)

D

ue to the inclement weather from midnight Friday on Friday that continued all day on Saturday the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) were forced to push back the Sanjay’s Jewellery Open today.

The eagerly awaited tournament which was originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon will now tee off at 08:30h today.

Ground Superintendent of LGC, Mike Gayadin noted that the postponement is making the golfers more anxious which is a

better sign and may lead to an even more competitive tournament today.

In a release from the club, Gayadin stated “The Grounds are in fine condition, and apart from a few low spots here and there, it is playable. As long as the rain is withheld after midnight, a keen competition may be expected.”

Since the year has started, the golfers are busy on the course with weekly tournaments which will only raise the level of competition and interest in the sport.

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, february 11, 2018

CWI/ Regional Super50 Cup 2018…

GCB/ Dave West Indian Imports Inter County U-15 Final

Rain forces postponement P

ersistent rain has forced the postponement of the Dave West Indian Imports Under-15 Inter county final which was originally scheduled for Saturday at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda.

When players, officials and spectators turned up at the historic venue, they were greeted with heavy covers on the pitch and flooded boundaries due to persistent overnight and early morning rain.

Since the venue was deemed unplayable, the Guyana Cricket Board and sponsor Dave West Indian Imports have agreed to a rescheduled final between Berbice and Demerara.

The date and venue will be decided soon.

In the build up to the championship match, defending champions Berbice who came through the preliminary rounds unbeaten were heavy favourites for a repeat.

However, Demerara whose only defeat came at the hands of the champions in round two at the Everest Cricket Club ground were at home and may have sprung a surprise.

When the date and venue for the final is known, Berbice off-spinner Jonathan Rampersaud will look to add to his tally of 13 wickets while inform skipper Zeynul Ramsammy will look to register the first half century of the tournament to spur their team on.

On the other hand, Demerara will hope that Shamar Yearwood, captain Mavindra D i n d y a l , Nicholas Rajpat, Zachary Jodha and Rommel Datterdeen show up on the big stage in their quest to reclaim the title.

Berbice are the defending champions.

Berbice Under-15 captain, Zeynul Ramsammy

23

Bishoo’s heroics not enough

…Kent displace Jaguars in low scoring affair

A

deadly spell of bowling from Windies l e g - s p i n n e r , Devendra Bishoo could not prevent the Guyana Jaguars from slipping to their second consecutive defeat in Group B of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Super50 in Antigua on Saturday.

Chasing a paltry 159 to beat the Jaguars and take the top spot in Group B, Kent Spitfires were held up but just momentarily by Bishoo who almost bowled his side to victory with 4 for 35 on a turning track at Coolidge Cricket Ground under the lights.

When the leggie ran through the opposition’s middle order, it took a fighting eighth wicket partnership of 35 between captain James Tredwell and Will Gidman to see Kent home with seven wickets and 13 overs to spare to avenge their 35-run defeat in the opening round.

Kent’s run chase was never in doubt after their openers put on 57 in just under 13 overs before Alex Blake and Sean Dickson shared 37 for the fourth wicket. Earlier, Leon Johnson elected to bat in sunny conditions and the Jaguars unchanged from their last defeat against Jamaica Scorpions were im-

mediately in trouble when the out of form Shivnarine Chanderpaul nicked behind in the fifth over.

Chandrapaul Hemraj who was unlucky to be given out LBW was next to go becoming the first of four victims for seamer Will

Jaguars holding on to second place followed by the Jamaica Scorpions in third.

The Hurricanes who lost the other match of the day to USA are in fourth followed

by USA. The Jaguars will next play the USA on Monday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium while Kent will meet the Scorpions on Wednesday also in North Sound. The Hurricanes battle Scorpions on Monday at Coolidge.

Devendra Bishoo

SCOREBOARD Gidman who ran through the Jaguars shaky middle order.

Christopher Barnwell hit a pair of fours and sixes in the top score of 36 from 66 balls and added 58 for the sixth wicket with fellow Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) player Sherfane Rutherford after the Jaguars were tottering at 29 for 5 in the 14th over.

Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd and Veerasammy Permaul tried their level best to put up a challenging total on the board but in the end they were bundled out for 158 in the 48th over which was never going to be enough for their fourth win.

Kent now sit atop the points table with the

Guyana Jaguars Innings (50 Overs maximum) C Hemraj lbw b Gidman 5 S Chanderpaul c Rouse b Grant 3 S Hetmyer c Denly b Gidman 10 L Johnson* c & b Gidman 1 C Barnwell c Gidman b Denly 36 A Bramble+ c Rouse b Gidman 2 S Rutherford b Tredwell 22 K Paul c & b Denly 13 R Shepherd not out 30 V Permaul b Grant 24 D Bishoo c Crawley b Grant 1 Extras (b-5, lb-1, w-5) 11 Total (All out; 47.1 Overs) 158 FOW: 1-9 (Chanderpaul, 4.5 ov), 2-23 (Hemraj, 7.5 ov), 3-26 (Hetmyer, 9.6 ov), 4-27 (Johnson, 11.4 ov), 5-29 (Bramble, 13.1 ov), 6-87 (Rutherford, 28.6 ov), 7-87 (Barnwell, 29.1 ov), 8-114 (Paul, 36.6 ov), 9-150 (Permaul 45.3 ov), 10-158 (Bishoo, 47.1 ov) Bowling Grant 8.1-2-16-3, Thomas 9-1-38-0, Gidman 101-20-4, Tredwell 8-1-25-1, Riley 4-0-29-0, Denly 8-0-24-2 Kent Spitfires Innings (Target

Milo Schools Football Tournament

159 from 50 Overs) D Bell Drummond c Hetmyer b Shepherd 26 Z Crawley stp wkpr Bramble b Bishoo 28 J Denly* c wkpr Bramble b Shepherd 7 S Dickson lbw b Bishoo 18 A Blake c Shepherd b Permaul 25 W Gidman not out 29 A Rouse+ lbw b Bishoo 0 S Grant c wkpr Bramble b Bishoo 4 J Tredwell not out 12 Extras (b-2, lb-7, w-3, nb-1) 13 Total (For 7 wickets; 37 Overs) 162 Did not bat A Riley, I Thomas FOW: 1-57 (Crawley, 12.4 ov), 2-57 (Bell Drummond, 13.1 ov), 3-72 (Denly, 15.2 ov), 4-109 (Dickson, 22.3 ov), 5-113 (Blake, 23.4 ov), 6-113 (Rouse, 24.2 ov), 7-127 (Grant, 26.4) Bowling Paul 9-1-310, Rutherford 3-0-14-0, Permaul 9-3-36-1, Bishoo 10-0-35-4, Shepherd 5-030-2, Johnson 1-0-7-0

Rain wipes out Saturday’s play

– today’s action tentative

T

he inclement weather forced organisers to postpone Saturday’ play in the sixth annual Milo Schools Football Tournament at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Torrential downpour on Saturday morning left the playing surface unsuitable for action which meant the three scheduled matches which would have commenced the second round will now be played on Monday at the same venue.

Those clashes will be Annandale Secondary and Carmel Secondary from 16:00h followed by South Ruimveldt Secondary and Business School from 18:00h which should set an exciting tone for the final match of the night between three-time defending champions Chase Academic Foundation and Friendship

Secondary from 20:00h.

The Petra Organisation expressed hope that the weather improves today so the matches can get off the mark.

Today’s schedule should the weather permit sees St Roses High against Uitvlugt Secondary from noon then Buxton Youth Development facing Charlestown Secondary from 13:30h and former champions Lodge Secondary will battle Queenstown Secondary from 15:00h.

At stake is the first place prize of $500,000 which goes towards a school project. Second to fourth, will receive $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively which also go towards school projects.

A section of the waterlogged Ministry of Education ground on Saturday afternoon (Shatanand Anude photo)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

GMR&SC/ ‘King of the Strip’ Drag Meet

Eastman cruises

Pg 22 Pg 19

All lights green to maiden R&R title at South Dakota Mohammed’s Enterprise Nissan GT-R at the track awaiting a challenge (GT Ridz Photo)

Hamza Eastman rode a good race in the rain to beat out stiff competition

GCB/ Dave West Indian Imports Inter County U-15 Final

Rain

forces postponement Pg 23

Torrential rain in Georgetown caused flooding at the Bourda cricket ground on Saturday (John Ramsingh photo)

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Sport: sport@guyanatimesgy.com Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.

February 11, 2018

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2 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 11, 2018

Feature

ed.

Nikita Innis Aeronautical Engineer 27 year old Nikita Innis has overcome numerous obstacles on the road to her becoming one of the few fe-

I

n order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/70/212 declaring 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UN has recognised that over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science.

Unfortunately, the UN also recognises that women and girls continued to be excluded from participating fully in science. According to a study conducted in 14 countries, the probability for female students of graduating with a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and Doctor’s degree in science-related field are 18%, 8% and 2% respectively, while the percentages of male students are 37%, 18% and 6%.

"On this International Day, I urge commitment to end bias, greater investments in science, technology, engineering and math education for all women and girls as well as opportunities for their careers and longer-term professional advancement so that all can benefit from their ground-breaking future contributions." the UN SecretaryGeneral, António Guterres stated.

While there have been many notable contributions from women in science the world over, the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine would like to honour several Guyanese women who are pioneers in their field of study.

Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins Conservationist, Pilot Mrs. Annette ArjoonMartins is a nationally and internationally acclaimed conservationist; a successful commercial eco-tourism op-

challenges, she is encouraging young women to use the challenges as motivation to achieve their goals. “The most certain way to succeed is always try just one more time,” she urged.

Alluding to the improved

Annette and Green Marine Turtle

erator; a mother of two; and a qualified airplane pilot, who has been a driving force in marine conservation and mangrove replanting projects in Guyana. She was recently awarded the Golden Arrow of Achievement, which has added to many other local and international accolades.

Mrs Martins also serves as Chairman of the Mangrove Action Committee (MAC).

Mrs. Arjoon-Martins hails from the Pomeroon. She was born to Carmen Murray, a resident of the Pomeroon with relatives at Moruka, and Mr. Yacoob Ally, a sawmilling businessman.

She attended primary school in the Pomeroon, and then moved to Georgetown for secondary education, which she received at the Dolphin Secondary School on Broad Street, in Charlestown.

She left Guyana in 1977 for Codrington High, an English boarding school for girls in Barbados, where she completed her academic education with distinction in 1982.

Her father was in the timber industry, and around this time, he bought an aeroplane to make his operations more efficient. This incidentally marked the beginning of the domestic airline, now known as Air Services Limited (ASL).

At age 18, Annette undertook training as a private pilot at Briko’s Flight School in Trinidad, which saw her become a licensed pilot. She returned home, worked with the timber business for three years, but found the aviation business more interesting.

She then managed ASL for ten years.”

She explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that while her career as an Environmentalist and Conservationist has been easy, she has faced the biggest obstacles in the aviation industry, which she pointed out, may be attributed to it being a traditional male dominated industry.

“The challenges have magnified during my tenure as the President of the National Air Transport Association, an association with a mandate of advocacy for equity, account-

ability and transparency in the aviation sector. My tenacity of sticking with facts and deep belief in the truth being my shield has protected me. I am aware that the policy makers who have done their own due diligence and are aware of what needs to be changed will take corrective measures and this gives me satisfaction that I would have made some progress before the end of my tenure,” Mrs Arjoon Martins explained. According to the Aviator, she has overcome these obstacles by being true to herself and the people she deals with and “remaining committed to what is fair and what is right.”

On sharing her vision for the future generations of Women and Girls in Science, Mrs. Arjoon Martins said, “My vision for the future generations of girls in science and in particular, those that are interested in pursuing a career in the aviation industry, is to not limit yourself to administrative duties in reservations or flight despatching. Aim higher as you can also achieve your aeronautical engineering or Commercial pilots’ licence.

The sky is really no longer the limit either as our University of Guyana has recently opened doors beyond what was available in my time and are now offering a diploma in aviation management.”

Equal access She noted too that in Guyana, we are still quite behind in equal access for girls.

She said “A quick review of the women in senior management positions, on boards of our large corporations and in cabinet can attest to this gender deficit. How many regional chairwomen do we have?” She noted that there has been some progress, and she acknowledged the recent positive development of the Department of Environment and our local UNESCO office in encouraging gender balance in their programmes.

“We need to do much more nationally. I must applaud the European Union for making it mandatory that there must be at least 30% of women on the boards of agencies which receive their funding,” she add-

Nikita Innis

male Aeronautical Engineers in Guyana. Growing up in Matthew’s Ridge, Region one (Barima Waini), she saw herself being a future doctor, teacher or pilot. According to Nikita, her career choices were motivated by the needs of the community at that time.

Her childhood days were filled with numerous activities; she recalled being involved in athletics, dancing and camping through her involvement in the President Youth Award of Guyana (PYARG).

With high hopes of giving back to her community, Nikita was afforded the opportunity to study engineering at the Aeronautical Engineering School, a chance she readily embraced.

She revealed that it was her father’s urgings that motivated her to study engineering; although not her first career choice, she embraced the opportunity to work around planes.

During an interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, she pointed to the importance of support and said “Draft a few back up plans but don’t get discouraged along the way. If you aren’t blessed to have parental support system that I (and many others) have had, create your own: purposefully seek out mentors who have succeeded despite the odds. Throw out the perfectionist in you; perfection is an illusion.”

While she acknowledged that working in a male dominated profession comes with

access to education and opportunities for girls in such fields of study, Nikita acknowledged

advice that she heard growing up “Just because someone says you can’t achieve something does not make it true. Ignore the naysayers and chase after your goals despite the critics.

Don’t be afraid of failure because failure is imminent; accept and prepare for failure,” the young Engineer added.

Her words of encouragement to young women and girls pursuing their dreams are, “The climb toward success will be gritty and at times so steep that you will cling on for dear life. CLING my dear, this too shall pass. Never stop achieving.”

Nikita has worked as a technician at the local airline, Air Service Limited, and now holds a position at Fly Jamaica.

Dr. Latoya Gooding – Oncologist Born on November 17, 1988, she is the fourth of seven children born to her parents Franklin Gooding and Audrey McKenzie, Dr Gooding attended primary school in Bartica, after which she moved to Georgetown to pursue her secondary education at Central High. It was while still at pri-

Dr. Latoya Gooding

that more emphasis is being placed on female empowerment, as the progress of gender equality has quickened.

This, she explained, has resulted in more women being qualified and employed in male dominated areas.

“I applaud women and young girls who are interested in pursuing careers in science and technology. Yes you will fail, get up and keep fighting!

As a girl interested in science and technology you may be tested, labelled (nerd) or bullied. Don’t let it stop you from achieving your dreams,” Innis advised.

She emphasised too that success will require an early commitment which echoes the

mary level that she decided she was going to become a doctor, because of her desire to save lives.

Alluding to her interest in Science, she explained that while she knew she wanted to be a doctor, her performance in Science was not as strong.

Her teachers then encouraged her to fall into the business stream, despite her desire to be in the Science stream.

“I had to literally take my mommy to school to tell them [teachers] that I wanted to do Science and that is how I got accepted into the Science stream and I never regretted that decision,” Dr Gooding explained. Although the mother of one is hopeful that her

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 11, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

life could be an inspiration to young people unsure of their path in life, she advised, “Success does not come easy; it requires hard work and dedication. Once you believe in yourself you will be able to achieve whatever you put your mind to. I believed I could become a doctor since I was in primary school and look where I am today!”

She explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that she jumped at the first opportunity to apply for a scholarship offered through the then Public Service Ministry to study Medicine in Cuba. While waiting on approval, she reapplied at the GPHC for a job, and this time was retained as a clerk in the Matron’s office.

Despite the challenges on May 7, 2015, the young doctor joined the barely functioning Oncology Department at the GPHC. The Oncology field for some reason excited her, and so she decided she too wanted to experience the training.

Before proceeding to Cuba in 2006, the aspiring doctor was the holder of a certificate in Basic Oncology Nursing.

Dr. Gooding then founded a Cancer Foundation named ‘The Giving Hope Foundation’ which is located at Ketley and Drysdale Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown, and through which members have been reaching out to persons throughout the country.

Ms Juanelle Marks – Computer Scientist, Instructor

Juanelle Marks is currently an "Instructor" in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Guyana (UG). During an interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the young Computer Scientist explained that while she has only held that position for five (5) months now, she is

actively involved in the delivery of the CS based courses at the University.

“My work primarily involves the preparation and presentation of lectures on CS based courses. However, my other duties include, but are not limited to serving on the three-member Final Year Project Coordinators body; functioning as a primary or secondary supervisor to various students who are conducting their final year research and project and serving as an advisor to one or more of the clubs in the department,” she revealed.

Alluding to her early influences, Ms Marks explained that while there is no 'direct' connection between her parents’ influence and her pursuit of the study of Computer Science, their parental mentorship and, most importantly, the personal value systems they embedded all played a major role in influencing her aspirations and resulting successes. “I come from a very humble background.

My parents are not academics per se. My mother is a very modest housewife and my father is a skilled, certified welder,” she shared. My dad, Mr. Michael Anthony, for one, played a very, very instrumental role in encouraging academic excellence as a "girl" into my psyche. So, from a very young age, I’ve always been driven to attain academic success through diligence, self-discipline and hard work,” Marks revealed.

She pointed to several other individuals who inspired and influenced her.

“Marks added that after leaving high school, she entered the teaching profes-

sion, where she served for over nineteen years. “Each head teacher under which I served was a key mentor.

They each grew me in some positive way. My last HM Ms. Vernel Razack-Giles still is one of my go-to persons, especially when i am in doubt and need a source of motivation.” she added.

She said too that during her career as a woman in technology, mentorship came mainly from the lecturers, now her colleagues in the Department of Computer Science, University of Guyana. “They all were a source of great encouragement and support to me.

They still are!” Ms Marks stated.

Vision for the future

Alluding to her vision for the future generations of girls in Science, she explained that while persons generally think of the ‘'Science and Technology' field, it is imperative that they envisage the active involvement of “both boys and girls”.

“During my tenure at the University of Guyana, the ratio of male to female syudying computer science was always high (possibly 6:1). In the year I completed my BSc. Computer Science, I was the only graduating female from my batch of about twenty students. I envision this gap between male and female grandaunts, especially in Computer Science, drastically reducing and possibly balancing out. With the advocacy of women in Science and Tech over recent years, I believe this is slowly becoming a reality,” the Computer Scientist emphasised.

In relaying her message to young women thinking of pursuing studies along the field of Computer Science, she said, "If you are really passionate about IT or CS, don't just "think" about pursuing studies in the field .Do it! Be assured that that there is already a community of women in science and technology out there ready and waiting to welcome you."

whether or not they wish to pursue studies in the field. As computing technology continues to evolve, the world needs more persons skilled and knowledgeable in the various aspects in this field,” Ms Marks said, while she emphasised that females can play a very vital role in driving the spread of Science and Technology literacy among young children and youths. “ Ms. Karen Abrams come to mind,” she added.

Tracy Persaud – Research Scientist, NAREI Tracy joined the institute in 2007 when it was named National Agricultural Research Institute. She began her career at NAREI as a Research Assistant. However, after completing a Masters in Environmental Management in 2015, she was promoted as a Research Scientist. She is now an important member of the Soil Management and Farm Mechanisation Department.

According to information on the Institute’s website, Tracy’s involvement in the other crops sector is no accident. In fact, it appears that she was born to be part of the sector.

Her second encounter with agriculture occurred at the North Georgetown Secondary School, where she wrote Agriculture Science at CSEC. And, as destiny would have had it- Tracy followed in father’s footsteps. She pursued a Diploma in Agriculture at Guyana School (GSA) of Agriculture. Having successfully completed her tenure at GSA, Tracy went on to attend the University of Guyana.

At NAREI, Tracy prepares and implements research projects on rehabilitation of degraded soils, crop diversification; supervises the work of Research Assistants within the department; and supervises the work in the soil chem-

Equal access

Ms Juanelle Marks

She also pointed to the need for the complete eradication of the existing bias against "girls in tech" so that tech is not seen as a "guy thing".

“Equal access will create opportunities for more girls to freely decide/choose

Tracy Persaud

istry laboratory- where soil samples provided by farmers are tested.

According to Ms. Persaud, of all the areas she could have specialised in she chose Environmental Management because it helps to promote behaviours that make a positive impact on the planet, while enforcing regulations and developing solutions to potential environmental issues in Guyana or worldwide.

sponsible for designing, implementing and monitoring programmes that improve K-12 science education. She introduced the Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) pilot project for Primary Schools in collaboration with the Caribbean Academy of Sciences (CAS) and UNESCO. Ms. Punalall-Jetoo is a member of CAS and is part of the teacher training team. She is also the country representa-

Ms. Petal Punalall-Jetoo

NAREI emphasises that in a world where there is limited involvement of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), the Institute continues to be a gender inclusive organisation.

Ms. Petal Punalall-Jetoo National Science Coordinator (NCERD)

Ms. Petal PunalallJetoo is the National Science Coordinator and heads the Science Unit within the Ministry of Education NCERD, Guyana. She is re-

tive for the Caribbean Science Foundation.

She coordinated the development of a television series that focused on Biodiversity Awareness and Climate Change. Ms. Punalall-Jetoo led the reintroduction of the use of the Microscience experiments kits for biology, chemistry and physics through collaboration with UNESCO for secondary schools.

Prior to her career in science education Ms. PunalallJetoo worked with the Guyana Sugar Corporation Incorporated – GuySuCo as the Regional Process Technologist (Demerara). She was responsible for sugar production and quality in the four Demerara Estates.

In addition, Ms. PunalallJetoo coordinated the establishment of GuySuCo’s Quality Management System which achieved ISO 9001 certification in 2005 for its Blairmont Sugar Estate. As an Associate Consultant with Delphi Consultants, Trinidad she provided the technical support that led to the establishment of the Quality Management System which is certified to ISO 9001:2008 requirements for the Guyana’s flour milling company – Namilco. She is a trained lead auditor in ISO 9001 and ISO 22000.

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Feature

G

uyana is the first country in the Caribbean to have a national policy which emphasises the importance of science education.

‘The purpose of science in the context of sustainability is to understand and clarify the dynamics of what is required to prevent ‘the human system’ – individual and collective, physical, social, economic, cultural and psychological – from destroying the environment on which it depends (Maiteny and Parker, 2002 p. 15).

‘Technology seeks to provide instruments and means for achieving particular human aims, wants and purposes in line with the prevailing norms and values of the society concerned’ (Maiteny and Parker, 2002 p. 24). Additionally, engineering will be required in the application of scientific knowledge and to make adjustments in its operations to accommodate sustainability. Education in mathematics teaches critical thinking for addressing the issues of sustainability and making adjustments for it.

This integration of STEM is essential to the development of sus-

Champion trophy and their school – Abram Zuil Secondary School – received US$5,000. Their project, the Paddy Husk Particle Board, was also judged to have the Best Presentation and to be Most Relevant to Sustainable Communities.

The establishment of STEM clubs as “challenge labs” and experimental spaces opens up new pathways of thinking and acting, and especially invites youth to engage and lead in a multitude of ways.

UNESCO’s Global Micro-science Experiments Programme

One approach used by UNESCO to make a difference in science education is its Global Micro-science Experiments Programme which provides developed and developing countries alike with new teaching tools. This Global Micro-science Experiments Programme is an affordable, hands-on science education project that gives primary, secondary and tertiary education students the opportunity to conduct practical work on a microscale in physics, chemistry and

Sagicor Representatives and Regional Winners from Left to right: Anderson King, Vice President, Corporate Communications & Marketing, Sagicor Life Inc, Barbados; Susan Browne and Sasha McDowell - 1st Runner Up Barbados; Athina Indar and Jerome Rampersaud - Regional Winner - Guyana; Maria Pech and Wilson Mendoza - 2nd Runner Up - Belize; and Marlene Chin, Manager, Corporate Communications, Sagicor Life Inc Trinidad & Tobago. (photo

courtesy sagicorvisionaries.com)

lifelong learning through the ESD learning pillars.

As a result of the successful implementation, Guyana’s model is being adapted and expanded with great success by other Caribbean

First Lady Sandra Granger is pictured with students from Friendship Primary School who participated in one of the ICT programme last year , facilitators and Coordinator of STEM Guyana project, Karen Abrams

tainable solutions for schools and communities. Therefore, education in the scientific method allows students to be more mindful of their lifestyles and the ways in which they contribute to issues of sustainability, while equipping them with the tools to fix this. Guyana participated in the Sagicor Visionaries Challenge (SVC) 2014, the aim of which is to encourage secondary school students to utilise STEM, in whatever way they can, to develop effective, innovative and sustainable solutions to challenges facing their communities or schools. This is intended to stimulate national awareness and enthusiasm among secondary school students, teachers and parents as we seek to enable tomorrow’s leaders to build a more sustainable Caribbean. This approach facilitates the participation of all citizens and stakeholders in sustainable development driven through education.

Team Guyana was announced the Regional winner from a field of eight competitors. Teacher Jerome Rampersaud and student Athina Indar collected the Regional

biology, using micro- science kits that require small amounts of resources and energy. These kits are accompanied by manuals for both teachers and students which detail the experiment procedures in clear and concise language for the most effective utilisation of the resources. The implementation of the UNESCO Micro-science Experiments Programme was intended to address the dire shortage of science laboratory space and equipment in many poor developing countries.

In 2011, Guyana was selected as a pilot country by UNESCO to implement its Global Microscience Experiments Programme.

The Micro-science Programme was merged with the Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) approach. IBSE mirrors the scientific method. This implementation promotes the development of competencies such as critical thinking, imagining future scenarios and decision- making in a collaborative way. This approach fits well with Education for Sustainable Development which seeks to deliver quality education and promote

territories such as Belize, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago.

The above initiatives in education show that Guyana has already begun to work toward Education for Sustainable Development, and thus, is not starting from a zero point with this Policy. This Policy provides the framework for the integration, expansion and monitoring and evaluation of these initiatives. As factors that influence sustainability change, Education for Sustainable Development would also require change.

Monitoring and evaluation of these changes becomes vital. This process of monitoring and evaluation would identify areas for improvement which will lead to the review of this Policy for appropriateness and suitability over time.

Guyana has recognised that STEM subjects are core subjects to a complete secondary education.

Consequently, an attempt is being made to have all students become familiar with the STEM principles (Science and Technology Policy, 2011). According to the Ministy of Education, the foundation laid at

the pre-primary and primary levels will be reinforced and expanded at the secondary level. This will facilitate learning that will equip students with functioning knowledge of the issues relating to sustainable development, including climate change, the environment and social realities.

Secondary education will seek to build capacity to develop solutions for these issues in an integrated manner by understanding and applying the social, physical, psychological, cultural and scientific principles involved. The use of STEM to solve problems in schools and communities will be encouraged, along with the application of research and inclusive decisionmaking. Students will learn to recognise their obligation to the human species and other life forms threatened by unsustainability, and become active agents of change. In keeping with the wholeschool approach to ESD, students as well as teachers will engage in and lead ESD practices in their schools and communities.

Emphasis will be placed on STEM education for girls since it is well known that women are an underutilised resource and consistently disadvantaged by misguided traditions. Students should develop an understanding of how today’s decisions affect the viability of tomorrow’s society.

The aforementioned efforts cannot be implemented without adequately educated and trained teachers in STEM. All teachers must have a basic understanding of STEM to relate to sustainability. Teacher training institutions must implement a flexible and locally relevant curriculum. This curriculum must be revised to reflect currency of development in knowledge pertinent to sustainability. Tertiary-level institutions must facilitate the transition of new knowledge in ESD which reflects the changing issues of sustainability and furnish constant curriculum reform.

The STEM initiative, which is being implemented in schools all across Guyana, runs parallel to the President’s National Endowment for Science and Technology (NEST) programme.

The programme has its genesis in

the presentation of $1M cheques to several schools in 2016, including Berbice High School, Queen’s College and President’s College, to improve computer and science laboratories, as part of the Head of State’s push to promote STEM education through investment. In June 2017 $1M cheques were presented to 13 secondary schools under NEST. According to the subject Minister, Nicolette Henry the focus on STEM education, though in its early phases, is beginning to bear fruit. She noted that students are now exposed to hands on interactive experiences in the classrooms enabling them to better relate to the new areas of knowledge.

The success of the STEM Guyana team at the 2017 First Global Challenge is testimony of the value of these kinds of investments by Government and the Private Sector for the development of STEM education. The team placed tenth out of 165 competing countries.

But STEM education is not just for the secondary level. The $50M Youth Innovation Fund (YIF) that was introduced in the 2017 National Budget caters to young people who wish to advance their creative ideas in the field of science and technology. The programme, which focuses on both in and out of school youth, is in keeping with the Government’s ‘green’ agenda and will focus on solutions for the reduction of fossil fuel usage and the STEM programme.

Under YIF, young people across Guyana can begin to tap into their creative abilities with the use of modern technology to explore how they can contribute to the development of ‘green’ technology and the increased use of clean energy.

The in-school component is aimed at raising awareness among primary and secondary level students by having them participate in competitive activities that will challenge them to create solutions to address current global challenges, while utilising STEM subjects.

Out-of-school youths will be required to submit proposals of projects, which they believe can benefit their communities. (Excerpts from www.education.gov.gy)

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Feature

I

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger is pictured with members of the STEM Guyana team

nformation Technology (IT) Technician and Coordinator of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Guyana Project, Karen Abrams explained that the main mission behind the local Project is to 'unlock the world class potential of Guyanese youth'.

“We understand clearly that if our young people are not prepared to contribute to a world driven by technology, they will simply be left behind. There is a sense of urgency today that is driving the same level of youth preparation activity throughout the entire developing world. We are adamant that Guyana will not be left behind,” Ms. Abrams announced.

Alluding to the collaboration behind the Project, the Coordinator explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, that the STEMGuyana programme has many stakeholders whose response has been overwhelmingly positive.

She said too that, although

the team has endured many challenges, the overall support received has “dwarfed” the obstacles.

“The Ministry of Public Telecommunications has supported our mission by loaning students laptops during our 2016 inaugural robotics camp, to donating to the cost of sending the Guyana team abroad to providing internet service to our clubhouse where we expose young people to robotics and coding. The MPT also recently co-sponsored our recent Training Seminar where we prepared 50 persons to be STEM coaches in their own communities,” she explained.

Ms. Abrams also lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Education for co-sponsoring the new Grade six practice test mobile app which STEMGuyana created.

“We’re also working with the Education Ministry’s NCERD Science Department to rollout STEM competitive leagues nationally (robot building and programming and

Scratch Programming)” she added.

While pointing to the benefits of the initiative, with regards to removing the barriers and encouraging women to work and study in STEM fields, Ms. Abrams said, “I can only speak to STEMGuyana's work; we have seen excellent representation of female interest in our robot building programmes, our last year technology exhibition and in the recent training seminar for STEM club programmes”. She also expressed the hope more girls would participate in the leagues and try-out for the national robotics team.

Empowering young women and youths

Meanwhile, the STEMGuyana Coordinator emphasised that participating in STEM activities is important for young girls, as females make up fifty per cent of the population and the vast majority of future jobs will involve technology on some level. “If half of the population is not prop-

Frist Lady, Sandra Granger and Co-founder of STEMGuyana, Karen Abrams, with two Grade Six students displaying the app on their tablets. The students were among the 60 that tested the beta version of the app in phase one of the app roll-out last year (Photo courtesy DPI)

erly prepared to participate in the technology industry at all levels, then Guyana's productivity and future development will be seriously handicapped,” she said, while pointing out that it would be “impossible to properly develop any nation with 50% of its brightest resources under-utilized, marginalized or socialized out of the development process”.

She said too that a primary focus is to encourage girls in STEM by getting rid of gender stereotypes and roles which are strong influences on the behaviors of both boys and girls in our society.

“Let us enroll our girls and our boys in STEM clubs, let us highlight and applaud

girls who perform well in Math, Science and Technology arenas. Let us highlight the Co-founder of STEMGuyana, Ms Karen Abrams current in Science, Technology, work of women in STEM fields and Engineering, Mathematics make them role models. (STEM) and Robotics, aimed Let us protect girls against at equipping them with techsexual and other assaults nological skills, which would and make learning environ- assist in providing modern ments both in and outside of solutions to the challengschool safe for all students,” es of transitioning Bartica, Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Ms. Abrams urged.

In addition to the many Seven) to the first model benefits of the programme, ‘green’ town in Guyana and she noted too that it is es- the Caribbean. The training pecially important for chil- was a collaborative effort bedren in historically under- tween the Office of Climate performing schools to be Change (OCC), Ministry of given access to opportu- Education, the Ministry of nities which could change Public Telecommunications the trajectory of their lives. and STEM Guyana.

Karen Abrams is the CoShe added that, while STEMGuyana is well aware founder of STEMGuyana, a that not all youth will be in- non-profit entity responsiterested in technology, their ble for unlocking the worldgoal is to ensure that for class technology potential of those who have the interest, Guyanese youth. Her goal the opportunities are avail- is to bring programming, able to them. “I am espe- robotics and math enrichcially happy about the com- ment to every community munity internet hubs where of youth in Guyana so that young people can go to orga- young people in Guyana will nise themselves into tech- be able to live up to their ponology clubs, and use the re- tential. STEMGuyana is a sources available to learn, 50- membership Diaspora compete and prepare them- group, which partners with selves for the future,” she local stakeholders to prepare young people to use stated.

Just last week, twelve their creativity, brilliance, teachers from Bartica, along and innovative spirits to with community stake- create technology solutions holders underwent a one- for problems in their comday training workshop munity.

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Travel and Tourism

A view of the Ranch

I

t is removed from the vehicular sounds of Lethem but close enough to enjoy the Savannahs and sights of the Kanuku Mountains.

It is also known for being a stop on the Rupununi birding circuit where several types of birds can be spotted.

Manari Creek flows a few steps from the Ranch itself and offers up a refreshing swim or boat ride. So whatever, your preference Manari Ranch welcomes you.

Margaret Orella (nee Melville) was the daughter of Rupununi Ranching pioneer HPC (Harry Prideaux Colin) Melville. Her father Harry Melville, a Scottish man born in Jamaica, had come to Guyana and settled in the Rupununi in 1890, with a small herd of cattle he bought from a Dutchman named De Rooj. There he developed a flourishing ranch at Dadanawa and had two Wapishana wives, Mary and Janet and between them 10 children.

Margaret was born to Janet in Deep South at the source of the Rupununi River on 27th November 1902.

Margaret Orella (nee Melville)

herd was hard hit by foot and mouth disease in 1961, Margaret found alternative solutions to keeping the ranch going by making its spacious rooms available for the accommodation of

Rupununi savannah could be explored.

Rupununi Music and Arts Festival After three years of being hosted at Rock View and following discussions with colleagues in Government, sponsors, local residents and the Festival Team, the 4th Annual Rupununi Music and Art Festival will be held at Manari Ranch, near Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) this time around. The three-day event is scheduled for February 16-18.

According to the Team, Artistes from Guyana will be joined by performers from Brazil and Suriname; the lineup will include Gavin Mendonca , a young Guyanese Musician, Feed the Flames (FTF) , a Heavy Metal band based in Georgetown, Ruqayyah who is a Musician, singer-songwriter of both Guyanese and Surinamese heritage, Nachgana Academy of Dance group and performances from Jazz and Poetry One Stool (Japos), a social entrepreneurship / movement among many others.

The Rupununi Music & Arts Festival is an outdoor camping music event taking place in the lush grasslands of the Amazon in Guyana, South America. It lasts three days and allows space to unwind and enjoy traditional, folk and contemporary music in a stress-free environment. It offers the space to chill; it’s a ‘wicked’ weekend of music and dance, celebrating the beauty of human existence. The Festival team is encouraging patrons to “come with an open mind and spirit to have a wonderful time” and share a positive attitude bringing to life our belief in Guyana’s motto. (Cover photo: The area is teeming with amazing wildlife, photos courtesy Visit Rupununi)

A picturesque view of the Manari Creek

Image of the facilities in the early days

When Roman Catholic Bishop Galton and Fr. Cary-Elwes made their first visit to the area in 1909 all the Melville children were baptized.

In 1926 Margaret Melville married Theodore Orella, a man from Spain and they settled at Manari seven miles from Lethem and they too developed a flourishing cattle ranch.

Her husband died in 1947 and the responsibility for running the ranch fell to her alone. A gentle, but strong and determined character, she went on managing the ranch. When her cattle

guests, and so the Manari Guest House was born.

Margaret Orella died at her Manari Ranch on August 6 after a long illness.

She was hospitalized in St. Joseph’s Mercy hospital and requested to be taken from her bed back to Manari where she had lived for 50 years, refusing to leave the earth so far away from her beloved home.

Today her legacy lives on through her descendants. Manari Ranch, now run by Lissa Orella still provides excellent accommodation and a base near Lethem from which the picturesque

Approaching the Ranch

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Home & Cooking

Valentine Recipe

Ingredients 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, once around the pan in a slow stream 1 tablespoon butter 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 shallots, minced

1 cup chicken stock 1 can crushed tomatoes (32 ounces) Coarse salt and pepper 16 ounces pasta, such as penne rigate 1/2 cup heavy cream 20 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn Crusty bread, for passing

Add touches with some accent pillows and lights to create the perfect atmosphere

Directions Heat a large skillet over moderate heat. Add oil, butter, garlic, and shallots.

Gently saute shallots for 3 to 5 minutes to develop their sweetness. Add chicken stock, tomatoes. Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to simmer. Season with salt and pepper.

While sauce simmers, cook pasta in

salted boiling water until cooked to al dente (with a bite to it). While pasta cooks, prepare your salad or other side dishes.

Stir cream into sauce. When sauce returns to a bubble, remove it from heat.

Drain pasta. Toss hot pasta with sauce and basil leaves. Pass pasta with crusty bread.

Total:25 min Prep: 5 minCook: 20 min Yield: 4 servings

Greatest Cooking Tips

A simple table setting can help to set the tone for Valentine Add a pop of red to your bedroom Décor

• When you deep-fry, hold each piece of food with long tongs as you add it to the oil. Hold it just below the oil's surface for five seconds before releasing it. This will seal the exterior and stop it from sticking to the pot or the other food.

• For an easy weeknight meal, save and freeze leftover sauces from previous meals in ice cube trays. The cubes can be reheated in a sauté pan when you need a quick sauce.

• Do not use oil in the water when boiling pasta: It will keep the sauce from sticking to the cooked pasta.

• For perfect vegetable soup, start with diced carrots, onions, peppers and tomatoes sautéed in oil or butter before you add any liquid. This brings out the taste and caramelises the sugars.

Home Help • For safety, put a wine cork on the tip of a knife before putting the knife in a drawer.

• Invest in parchment paper for lining pans. It makes all of your baked goods super easy to remove, and it makes clean-up a dream (no butter-flour mixture or errant batter to scrape off) • Use a plastic caddy, not valuable shelf space, to store cleaning supplies for surfaces and floors.

Keep it locked away if you have small children • Empower your kids to get organized; give them their own alarm clocks and post morning checklists for them.

Create a Valentine’s nook with old photos and inspirational quotes

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FEBRUARY 11, 2018

Puzzles

Crossword

ACROSS

92 Rights-movement word

1 Panache

93 Argentine cowboys

6 Lofty abode

95 Bleaters

11 Delhi nannies

96 Carried on about

16 Sumptuous repast

97 Opera voice

21 Walk a bicycle

98 Bring into accord

22 Senator in space

99 Desert nomads' garb

23 Lake rental

100 Dens or burrows

24 Baseball's -- Banks

101 Penny pincher

25 Expound at length

102 Parched (hyph.)

26 Adversary

104 Forum speech

27 Saturn's features

105 Drag race participant

28 Hits the books

106 Fabulous diamond

29 Turnpike pull-off (2 wds.)

109 Belief prefix

31 Port in a storm

110 Long suit

33 Inform, sometimes

111 Wool yarn

35 Down with a cold

115 Thurman of "Henry &

36 Political thaw June"

37 Tempts

116 Leaf/stem angle

38 Mandala builder

117 Dauntless

39 Not in harbor

118 Extremely variable

40 Caviar, actually

119 Swamp critter

41 Join the interstate

121 Proof of ownership

42 Bunch of flowers

123 Provide capital

44 Drab, as colors

125 -- renewal

47 Mary -- (ill-fated ship) 126 January, to Juan

48 Candle lover

127 Happen next

49 Soothed

128 Metamorphic rock

53 "If -- -- a Hammer"

129 Loses some

54 Finicky

130 Above the horizon

55 Leaves before opening 131 Faked out the goalie

56 Bar sing-along

132 Used a keyboard

57 -- chi ch'uan

133 Buying frenzy

58 Anwar of Egypt DOWN

59 Scoundrels

1 Excalibur

60 The Moon

2 A crowd, maybe

61 Store-bought hair

3 Brewer's supply

62 Objects

4 Made a sign

64 Golf scores

5 Beatles' "-- Rigby"

65 Tumults

6 See eye-to-eye

66 Comic-strip hyena

7 Essay byline

67 Bratty kids

8 Give it the gas

68 Potter's oven

9 Pressed for time (3 wds.)

69 Freud contemporary

10 Blow up a picture

70 Small towns

11 Surveyor's units

71 Badges and such

12 Foremost

72 Explorer's job

13 Ms. Jillian

74 Tripod part

14 Nonsense

75 Gets frizzy

15 Flavorful seed

78 Great dog?

16 It's older than the dinosaur 79 Bay

17 Prior to

80 Portentous

18 Writer -- Nin

84 Be compliant

19 Move crabwise

85 Turpentine source

20 Physicist Nikola - 86 Marseilles Ms.

30 AAA suggestion

87 1990's dance craze

32 Plunging neckline

88 San Francisco hill

34 Roomy sleeves

89 Electrical units

37 It's the -- I could do

90 "You said it!"

38 Zillions

91 Green sculptures

39 Auel heroine

41 Geologic formations

42 Drowses off

43 Mystique

44 Raga instrument

45 Pat Morita show

46 Worms and minnows

47 Guys

48 Flood residues

50 Berth preference

51 Just scraping by

52 Painter of ballerinas

54 White-water peril

55 Hull huggers

56 -- fu

58 Oodles

59 Tranquil

60 Ding-a- -- (airhead)

63 With aloof disdain

64 Utter shrilly

65 View from an oasis

66 German pistol

68 69 70 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 80 81 82 83 85 86 87 89

90 91 94 95 96

Welles' "Citizen --" Fast-talk Early VCRs Provides staff Rheinland city Added brandy Chain dance WWII craft (hyph.)

Disprove a point Softens the light Slowly vanishes Chops down Pool resources Repair-bill item Mythical bird Fr. ladies Connoisseur Disappointed cry (2 wds.)

"Hi-yo Silver, --!"

Farr of "M*A*S*H" Mince Spanish river In a despicable way

97 99

Landing field "Sweet" girl of song

100 Crop yield

101 Plunders

103 Cut, perhaps

104 Mauna - 105 Army off.

106 More gargantuan

107 Yemeni neighbor

108 Gourmet appetizers

110 Let loose

111 Impressed

112 It flowed past Ostia 113 Overjoy

114 No rocket scientist

116 "East of Eden" brother

117 Down in the dumps

118 Show of hands

120 Vein contents

122 "My, my!"

124 Skip stones See Solution on Pg 14

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- PINNACLE

(PINNACLE: PIN-uh-kul: The highest point.)

Average mark 40 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 56 or more words in PINNACLE?

pace pail pain pale pane panel panic panne peal pecan

pelican penal pencil pica pile pine pineal place plaice plain

plan plane plea plie inane nail nape neap nice nine

acne alien alpine anile cane canine cannel cape clan clap

clean clip lace laic lain lance lane lean leap lice

lien line linen elan epic epical

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.

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Sunday Times Magazine 13

Literary Corner

Black History Month Series:

Guyanese Writers of African Ancestry, part one

Don’t give up on love Don’t walk away from me my darling, You are my brilliant sunrise in the morning.

Don’t give up on my love to make me cry, Whisper like the wind our love will never die.

Never give up on my love when I am far away, Your name is an eternal memory when I pray.

I will cross the sea, mountains and ice cold snow, Your pristine beauty like a tree will always grow.

You are the rainbow kissing the evening skies, The moon beam kisses your sacred eyes.

You capture me in the messages of your heart, Two hearts beating as one will never part.

Give your soul to me and always be mine, Our love is a token that’s immortal and divine.

You will love me still even after death, Your name will always be on my last breath.

With these scared words to you my sweet darling, You are my elegant valentine rising every morning.

T

here are as many ways to celebrate as there are appropriate ways to celebrate. The tenor of Black History Month should be celebrated with books. Here’s a short (but by no way a comprehensive) list of Guyanese works and their authors which could be used to commemorate the above.

Ivan Van Sertima

They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America, written by Ivan Van Sertima, published 1977, was one of those controversial books that stabbed at misconceptions about Africans. Van Sertima knew what he was

doing when he set out on that scholarship ‘many people feel a certain kind of happiness when they read my book. A certain kind of shadow lifts. The psyche of blacks is raised. No man who believes his history began with slavery can be a healthy man. If you lift that shadow, you help repair that damage’.

Educator, researcher, critic, writer, poet, Ivan Van Sertima was born in 1935, in Kitty Village, British Guiana. He competed his early schooling in Guyana and entered the world of work as a Press and Broadcasting Officer, Government Information Office. For higher education, Van Sertima attended the

By Gideon Cecil

Female Energy

"S

he's more than the reflection that she sees in the mirror.

Her physical aspects are quite flawless, with dimensional structures and melanin that glows. Her eyes as deep as the galaxy showing evidence that she's one with the universal elements, seeing the things that which are formulated within her mind form right in front of her very eyes. Her nose fits her face perfectly so that she's capable of smelling the tropic and it's different scents. Her lips, teeth and tongue work well together to speak and formulate words that can heal, break and repair. Kisses that can have you soaring above the Earth's atmosphere… But within her, she's a creator, a part of GAIA, quite phenomenal."

Written and sketched by Guyanese, Annastaysha Marcano.

Notice to Readers

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.

London School of Oriental and African Studies, London, England, where he studied African languages and literature and during which time he also he learned to speak Swahili and Hungarian fluently.

Norman E. Cameron

Educationist, mathematician, historian, poet, dramatist, sportsman, cultural activist and social reformer, Norman Eustace Cameron was born in New Amsterdam, Berbice, in 1903, not far from the birthplaces of Edgar Mittleholzer and Wilson Harris. Although Cameron was blessed with a ‘light but pleasant tenor voice’, he was a trailblazer, pioneer and pacesetter. All of this due in no small way to the fact that his father’s great thirst for knowledge rubbed off on him and his mother’s wonderful organising ability grounded in religious tenets was foisted on him.

As a trailblazer, pioneer and pacesetter, Cameron did what had to be done, filling the lacuna in many areas.

His magnum opus The Evolution of the Negro a subject shunned by thinkers on the British colonial portion of the world, published while yet in his 20s was one such significant feature of his contribution to society.

‘Dark Ancestor: The Literature of the Black Man in the Caribbean’, Louisiana State University Press, 1981.

His work experience influenced his writing: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, assistant professor, 1959-63; University of Ibadan, Nigeria, associate professor, 1963-6; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Milton Magai Training College, 196770; University of Sierra Leone at Njala, English Department, chair and professor of English literature and Black literature, 196770; Yale University, visiting professor, 1970; Howard University, Department of African Studies, professor, 1970-1; University of Wisconsin, Department of Afro-American Studies, professor, 1970-1; Ohio State University, Department of English, professor,

Jan Carew

‘The Gentle Revolutionary: Essays in Honour of Jan Carew’ edited by Joy Gleason Carew and Hazel Waters is the book paying tribute to a man who lived and worked in many places, with the singular fixation to right wrongs of discrimination, marginalisation and even gender inequity, fighting the ‘same cause’ by re-writing and righting history.

Carew is best known for his novel Black Midas, first published 1958. As a cultural historian, he wrote Rape of Paradise, Moscow is not my Mecca, Ghosts in my Blood, Grenada, the Hour will Strike Again and Fulcrums of Change; setting history right, contrary to Euro-centric bias designs previously forced upon us.

O. R. Dathorne

Dathorne is better known for his novels Dumplings in the Soup, and The ScholarMan, describing the academic world in Africa but he also published academic works including the following: ‘The Black Mind: A History of African Literature’, University of Minnesota Press, 1974.

‘African Literature in the Twentieth Century’, University of Minnesota Press, 1976.

Department of Black Studies, professor and co-director, 1971-7; University of Miami, Caribbean, African and African-American Studies Program, director and professor of English, 1977-87; University of Kentucky, English department.

Beryl Gilroy

Writer and educator, Beryl Gilroy was born in 1924, in Springlands, Berbice, Guyana, later becoming the first black head teacher in Britain.

Beryl Gilroy who gained her doctorate in counselling and ethno-psychology wrote two historical fiction books Steadman and Joanna(1991) explored the history of the Caribbean and the African Diaspora in the period of slavery and Inkle and Yarico 1996. Gilroy is better known for her novel, Black Teacher.

In part two, we would take a look at the works of contemporary Guyanese writers of African ancestry who are still at work.

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

14 Sunday Times Magazine

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Bollywood/Hollywood

M

Mrunal Thakur and Hrithik Roshan on set of their new film.

runal Thakur, who rose to fame as a parallel lead in the TV show Kumkum Bhagya is making her Bollywood debut in the film Super 30. The starlet joined the 44-year-old superstar Hrithik Roshan

for the first shot. “The shoot started after 2 pm on Tuesday with a pooja sequence on the banks of Ganga. After that, Hrithik and Mrunal filmed at Ramnagar fort. A part of the fort has been converted to look like a coaching institute

for the shoot,” a source was quoted as saying .

Mrunal, who portrayed the female protagonist’s sister on the show before calling it quits in 2016, reportedly plays Hrithik’s love interest in the film. While Super 30 marks her big Bollywood break, the actress played the titular lead in an international film, Love Sonia. Directed

by Tabrez Noorani, Mrunal plays a young Indian village girl whose life changes when she is entrapped into the global sex trade network.

The film is expected to release later this year. She was also seen a participant on the popular dance reality show Nach Baliye 7, for which she had paired up with her thenboyfriend, TV show writer Sharad Chandra Tripathi.

(Hindustan Times)

F

ormer One Direction performer, Zayn The 25-year-old singer took to his Instagram page Malik, has shared a throwback picture and shared a vintage picture of his dad posing on his Instagram account, and it made with Dilip Kumar (Times of India)(Photo Credit: Instagram) his Indian fans really happy. In the photo, terview. He said, “I personally wasn’t a huge Zayn Malik’s father is posing with Bollywood fan until I met him. I realised how humble he actor Dilip Kumar. is – really saw a different side to him. He alThe 25-year-old singer has recently record- ways came across as slightly arrogant in the ed for his first Hindi song in Bollywood. The movies to me, but when I met him in real life, song is expected to have an Arabian influence. he was so nice. He just completely changed my He talked to a fashion magazine about his ex- opinion of him.” perience. He said, “It’s one of the first songs On the other hand, Dilip Kumar has reI’ve sung in full Hindi, so it’s going to be cool to cently celebrated his 95th birthday. One of the see what the response is.” biggest stars of the Hindi film industry, Dilip Zayn Malik is fond of Bollywood star Shah Kumar ruled Bollywood during the 60s and Rukh Khan. He talked about Khan in his in- 70s.

K

umar’s acclaimed Super 30 venture, which coaches a batch of about 30 engineering aspirants from poor families free of cost every year, has during the past 15 years sent 450 candidates to prestigious technical institutes in the country, 396 of them to the coveted IITs. Mathematician Anand Kumar expressed great pleasure over look of superstar Hrirhik Roshan in the biopics made on him which almost matches his appearance during university days. Kumar lauded the first look of the biopic being made on him which has been shared on the social media by cine actor Hrithik Roshan who plays the Super 30 founder in the Bollywood movie being directed by national award winner Vikas Bahl.

“I was delighted and pleasantly surprised to see the first look wherein Hrithik sports

Hrithik Roshan, Anand Kumar and Vikas Bahl discussing the film’s idea.

a rugged, bearded look. I had been told that at present the shooting was being done of my college days. I took out an old photograph of mine, of the time when I was studying at Patna University. I found the resemblance to be uncanny”, said Kumar.

“The movie is at present being shot in Varanasi, where I have spent a considerable part of my early life. I have been told that the crew will visit Patna too for shoot-

ing. Looking at the hard work and dedication involved in the project, I am confident it will turn out to be a biopic that does full justice to the theme and the ambience. Hrithik deserves kudos for mustering the courage to appear in a deglamorised look. He has also hired a speech trainer from Bhagalpur to get the Bihari accent right.

Hats off to the star and the entire unit”, the Super 30 founder added. (Hindustan Times)

A

new trailer for "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" was released during Super Bowl LII live broadcast. Sharing some new footage, the approximately one-anda-half-minute video sees Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing's (Bryce Dallas Howard) attempts to save dinosaurs in Isla Nublar from extinction.

At one point, Owen is shown trying to convince Blue to follow him and leave the island. The dinosaur is apparently wounded as Daniella Pineda's character, a member of the Dinosaur Protection Group, is seen performing a surgery on Blue.

In between shots of Owen and Claire struggling not to get themselves killed by the wild animals, Eli Mills (Rafe Spall) is heard saying, "Jurassic World, the island, all of that is in the past. I want to show you the future."

"What is that thing?" Claire asks, as a growling is heard from off-screen. "They made it," a kid responds as some people are seemingly stunned by something they see in a cage.

There's also a glimpse of Toby Jones' character on a podium as he appears to proudly present something.

According to the official description of the

Owen and Claire's attempts to save Blue and other dinosaurs in Isla Nublar as some capitalists create a new and scarier dinosaur.

movie, "it's been four years since theme park and luxury resort Jurassic World was destroyed by dinosaurs out of containment. Isla Nublar now sits abandoned by humans while the surviving dinosaurs fend for themselves in the jungles."

"When the island's dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen and Claire mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event. Owen is driven to find Blue, his lead raptor who's still missing in the wild, and Claire has grown a respect for these creatures she now makes her mission. Arriving on the unstable island as lava begins raining down, their expedition uncovers a conspiracy that could return our entire planet to a perilous order not seen since prehistoric times."

B.D. Wong reprises his role as Dr. Henry Wu, with James Cromwell, Ted Levine, Justice Smith and Daniella Pineda taking on new roles. Jeff Goldblum also returns as Dr. Ian Malcolm. Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona, the "Jurassic World" sequel is heading into theaters across the nation on June 22. (Ace Showbiz)

Justin Timberlake performing at the Super Bowl

J

ustin Timberlake explained why he wanted to pay tribute to Prince during his Super Bowl halftime performance later Sunday night. Appearing on NBC's The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Timberlake didn't directly address the criticism surrounding the tribute, but did explain why he wanted to incorporate it into his performance.

"It's a moment for me, and if I'm being quite honest, it's because he's always been the pinnacle of musicianship," Timberlake said. "And when we decided that the serendipity and synergy [of being] in Minnesota — he's such a special thing here aside from what he is all over the world. I just felt like I wanted to do something for this city and something for him that would just be the ultimate homage to what I consider the GOAT [Greatest of All Time] of musicians."

He also noted that Questlove, who is Fallon's bandleader, approved of the performance. "Questlove is the encyclopedia on music, but I also feel like a gatekeeper on Prince, so if I got the thumbsup from Questlove, I'm good," he said, to which Questlove responded: "Yeah, it was good."

Many Twitter users mocked

the tribute, which included a performance of Prince's "I Will Die 4 U" and a projection of the artist, who died in April 2016, behind Timberlake as he performed. Otherwise during the halftime show, the singer-songwriter ran through some of his biggest hits, including "Rock Your Body," "SexyBack" and "Suit & Tie," as well as a single from his new album, Man

of the Woods. Some noted that the late artist himself would not have appreciated the tribute: "Prince didn't like Justin Timberlake... it's kind of rude to use his image for this performance," Affinity magazine tweeted, while user Adam Best wrote, "Prince specifically said he didn't want that, right?" (Ace

Showbiz)

Crossword Solution

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FEBRUARY 11, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 11, 2018

Fun Times

Archie

You'll have to rely on your ARIES knowledge and experience to (March 21- guide you if you encounter April 19) someone using manipulative tactics. Question any proposed changes that you feel may jeopardize your reputation.

TAURUS Make travel plans or sign (April 20- up for a seminar that will May 20) raise your awareness about what's available to you. It's time to change your direction.

GEMINI Financial growth should (MAY 28- be your priority. Invest in June 20) something that will give you a tax break, or save for something you'd like to pursue in the future.

Your emotions will lead to interesting decisions regarding (June 21- your lifestyle, relationships and July 22) professional goals. An opportunity will arise if you attend a function with people from unusual backgrounds.

CANCER

LEO

Look over your personal papers and bank accounts.

(July 23Adjusting your spending habAug. 22) its or looking for low-risk investments will encourage greater stability that will help you reach your financial goals.

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

If you share your ideas with the people you love, together you will come up with a plan that will encourage good relationships and a better future.

Socialize with people you find uplifting and avoid those who bring you down. Make choices that are healthy and lead to positive changes.

Walk away from bad habits.

SCORPIO You'll figure out the best (Oct. 24- way to move forward. Your inNov. 22) sight and originality will bring

Peanuts

you closer to a dream you've wanted to accomplish for some time. Romance is on the rise.

SAGITTARIUS Aggressive behavior will (Nov. 23- be met with opposition. You Dec. 21) are best off using your intelligence if you want someone to compromise or bend to your way of thinking.

Calvin and Hobbes

Review your past and CAPRICORN reconnect with people you (Dec. 22- haven't talked to in a long Jan. 19) time. A reunion will be uplifting and will encourage you to revisit old interests.

Romance is in the stars.

If you offer suggestions

AQUARIUS that will encourage positive (Jan. 20- change, you will make a difFeb. 19) ference. When helping others,

you will discover something that will be of personal use.

You've got the discipline, inPISCES (Feb. 20- sight and determination to see Mar. 20) matters through to the end.

Don't give up when you should be getting started. Romance will improve a relationship with someone special.