Guyanatime 15 april 2018

LOOK INSIDE !

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

Issue No. 3534

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Sunday, April 15, 2018

PRICE

Closure of estate

Wales market vendors’ hardships deepen

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

3 homeless following P2 Linden fire

Page 7

…say community “hopeless” US sanctions on Russian tycoon White Castle Rusal scales back on Fish Shop bauxite shipments out of Guyana torched …potentially devastating blow to industry – Jagdeo

Enmore P13 NDC under investigation …as fraud allegations surface

…owner’s reputed wife in custody

Commonwealth Games 2018

Troy Doris lands gold for Guyana in triple jump

Guyana on the road to exorbitant debt levels – Ali P9

After 2 years

P17

Cybercrime Bill finally for National Assembly – Williams

58-year- P5 old Berbice woman raped by intruder …accuses Police of shaming her

See story on page 23

Pregnant woman hospitalised Signing bonus after hit-and-run Nandlall to file private

criminal charges against Winston Jordan Page 11

Page 8

Illegal vendors, littering P19 blamed for Charity flooding

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news

SUnDAY, april 15, 2018 guyanatimesGY.com

3 homeless following Linden fire A

fire has now left three Lindeners homeless after it gutted their three-bedroom wooden/ concrete home situated at Dakama Circle, Mackenzie, Linden.

Fire broke out at the Lot 169 Dakama Circle, Linden home where Samuel Garraway, his reputed wife Keisha Luke, and her nephew reside, at about 22:30h on Friday evening.

The lower flat of the building was used to conduct after school lessons.

Garraway told this publication that he returned from Georgetown about an hour before the fire started, but fell asleep in a chair in the living room while watching television.

He said he was waiting for his wife Keisha, a teacher of the New Silvercity Secondary School in Linden, to return.

According to the man, he was awakened by the smell of smoke which was suffocating him.

“Smoke wake me up actually. When the smoke wake me up, I was lost in the house because the lights was off. So, I was feeling to see if I could come out the house because I can’t get to breathe. So I go and I feel the door and I put my hand on the lock and I open...

When I came out now I try to take off the main switch but the main switch was hot so I loose it,” Garraway recalled.

He added that he then ran downstairs to seek help and went back up with the hopes of saving household items but was unsuccessful since the fire had already spread.

The house in flames on Friday evening

Garraway said he believes the fire was electrical in nature.

“When I look at the thing, to me it look like an electrical fire because when I apply to take off the main switch, it was hot. I had to loose cause the main switch was already on fire,” he said.

Meanwhile, Luke said she was on her way home when the fire broke out. By the time firefighters from the Linden Fire Station arrived, the house was already engulfed in flames.

The family was unable to save anything and has estimated their losses in the millions. Garraway, who is a construction worker, said there were lots of electrical tools, household appliances and documents, which were

burnt in the fire, in addition to three television sets, two living room sets and other household appliances.

Luke’s nephew, who is currently a CSEC student, also lost everything, including his books and assignments.

When this publication visited on Saturday the family were in the yard contemplating their next move.

Garraway, who noted that he was thankful for life, said the house now has to be rebuilt. Luke noted that she is now unable to attend school since all of her clothing and belongings were lost in the fire. “We ain’t got no clothes, everything destroy.

Right now we ain’t get nothing left. It’s tough. It’s a hard situation,” Garraway said. (Utamu Belle)

news

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

US sanctions on Russian tycoon

Rusal scales back on bauxite shipments out of Guyana

Sunday, April 15 – 04:00h and a daytime retraction at 14:30h-16:00h and Monday, April 16 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, April 15 – 16:20h-17:50h and Monday, April 16 – 16:45h-18:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

…potentially devastating blow to industry – Jagdeo

WEATHER TODAY Light to thundery rain showers can be expected throughout the day and into the evening, with temperatures ranging between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tide: 04:07h and 16:27 reaching maximum heights of 2.74 metres and 2.76 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:01h and 22:18h reaching minimum heights of 0.44 metres and 0.46 metres respectively.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

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s the United States (US) sanctions against Russian business tycoon Oleg Deripaska, who is the main owner of the EN+ conglomerate, which is the co-owner of Rusal begins to sink in, the local operation in Guyana has significantly scaled back on its exportation of bauxite. This is according to President of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) Lincoln Lewis.

Rusal is one of the largest aluminum producers in the world and has operations here in Guyana in the form of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), employing over 500 persons. According to reports, the sanctions against Rusal have caused aluminum prices to surge since the sanctions freeze all of the company’s assets under the US jurisdiction.

Lewis, in a telephone interview on Saturday with Guyana Times said the Union is still analysing the implications of the sanctions in the Guyana context and would be requesting a meeting with the Natural Resources Minister in the coming days.

“We have to make an assessment of how the sanctions will impact Guyana as a country and the effect it will have on Rusal’s operations here. We are monitoring the operations of Rusal and what we do know is

Rusal has virtually scaled back on their shipment of bauxite out of Guyana,” Lewis said.

“We have to continue to analyse the situation and right now we will be seeking a meeting with the Government. As a matter of fact, on Monday we will be dispatching a letter to the Ministry (of Natural Resources) to have a meeting with the Minister and see how we will move forward,” Lewis added.

When contacted, a senior manager at Rusal again said they are yet to receive word from their Moscow Headquarters as it relates to their operations but did confirm the company has scaled back on its exportation of bauxite.

Devastating blow

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo at a press briefing on Friday said a “potentially devastating blow” could be dealt to the bauxite workers, particularly those in the Berbice River area.

“We are talking about over 900 people who may be depending on how the issues go and from what I understand it is really those jobs that are all seriously threatened, and this is because of the consequences of the US sanctions on Rusal. So many of the companies with which they are engaging, particularly the transhipment company have already signalled reluctance to continue to service the operations,” he said.

“Our Government is silent on it. Our President would fly off to London and leave the fate of thousands in uncertainty, so it would affect New Amsterdam as well as the Berbice River and all of Region 10,” Jagdeo added.

Meanwhile, Oldendorff Carriers, which handles the shipping logistics for Rusal has reportedly given noticed to withdraw its service as a result of the sanction. Oldendorff Carriers is located in the Berbice River. However, the company has recently announced

Lincoln Lewis

that transshipment arrangements with Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc remains intact.

Deripaska has also been charged in US special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation regarding Russia’s involvement in the 2016 US presidential election.

Last week, the US Treasury Department announced the sanctions against seven Russian oligarchs, 12 companies they either owned or controlled and 17 senior Government officials, who Washington said were profiting from the Russian Government’s engagement in “a range of malign activities” around the world.

The Treasury Department warned that US entities would be “generally prohibited” from dealings with the persons and firms

on the sanctions list, while added that companies outside the United States could face sanctions for “knowingly facilitating significant transactions for or on behalf of” the sanctioned entities.

The US Government’s decision to include Deripaska on its sanctions blacklist will reverberate around the world because his business empire has a global footprint and counts major multinationals as partners.

Deripaska, estimated by Forbes magazine to have a net worth of $6.7 billion, is the main owner of the conglomerate EN+, which in turn is the co-owner of some of the world’s biggest metals producers – Rusal and Nornickel.

Deripaska’s inclusion on the US sanctions list could potentially create complications too for companies with which he does business; including German car giant Volkswagen and commodities trader Glencore.

Rusal had said it regretted its inclusion on the US sanctions list, adding that its advisors were studying the situation. Hong Konglisted Rusal is one of the world’s biggest aluminium producers. It says exports to the United States account for over 10 per cent of its output.

Rusal owns assets in Italy, Ireland, Sweden, Nigeria, Guyana and Guinea. It owns a stake in Australian QAL, the world’s top alumina refinery.

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SunDAY, april 15, 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

No growth: less development

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ne day after it was exposed by this newspaper, Finance Minister Winston Jordan finally conceded what analysts had been claiming for some time: that the economy was contracting, rather than growing.

From a growth rate of 5.2 per cent in 2013, during this regime’s stint at the helm, it had dropped by 2015 to 3.2%; 2016 3.3% and now an abysmal 2.1% for 2017.

Jordan’s excuses for the latter were pointed out since the beginning of the year: less gold and sugar produced, so one wonders what caused the delayed concession.

Overall, the news destroys any claim the PNC-led government can make about fulfilling its campaign promise to provide “the good life” for all Guyanese. Even though aggregate growth figures can hide a multitude of economic sins, such as disguising growing inequalities under the neo-liberal paradigm that Guyana follows, it can at least suggest the possibility of economic improvement in the lives of ordinary citizens. With 2.1% growth rate, coming from a very narrow sliver of the economy, however, it is clear that for most Guyanese, their standard of living had to have worsened.

Minister Jordan noted that the downfall in the production of sugar was even worse than they had projected. This indicates their theory is flawed -- that production and productivity would improve in the industry with the unilateral closure of three estates. Whatever had ailed the industry with seven estates is still there with the three left grinding. But, unfortunately, as far as the “good life”, the 7700 workers (5700 from GuySuCo and 2000 from private cane farmers) and their families, totalling some 38,000 men, women and children, are now bereft of any dignified life, much less a “good” one.

The bemoaned drop in the declaration of gold is interesting for several reasons. When in opposition, now Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, had asserted between 50-60% of gold was being smuggled out of the country without being declared to the Gold Board, so that Guyana could collect its royalties and taxes. He has never followed up to reveal what steps have been taken to staunch this incredible haemorrhaging of Guyana’s revenues, and whether this may also be the cause of last year’s shortfall in production.

Be that as it may, it would appear the PNC-led Government is doing all in its powers to guarantee we contract that much cited “Dutch Disease”, which will kick in as oil revenues start flowing by 2020, to ensure our economy contradictorily contracts even further.

The Economist had coined the term back in the 1970s to describe the apparent anomaly of massive increases in revenues from Dutch gas exports coinciding with an increase in unemployment caused by the appreciation of the Dutch guilder and local exports becoming “more expensive”.

Additionally, as it explained later, “Extra foreign currency enters the country, is converted into local currency, and is spent on goods that cannot be traded across borders (construction, certain services and so forth). As foreign currency is changed into local currency, the money supply rises: extra domestic demand pushes up domestic prices.

That, in the jargon, results in an appreciation of the “real” exchange rate: a unit of foreign currency now buys fewer services in the domestic economy than it did before. The country loses competitiveness.”

If the Government had kept its Manifesto promises on economic development, not only would growth rates have been higher, but we would have been inoculated against Dutch Disease. In its goals re “Industrialisation and Jobs”, the PNC/APNU coalition had promised “to create a new economy that will stimulate rapid development through Guyana’s transformation from a raw material producer”.

This would have created a “Singapore in the Americas by creating more jobs and better pay.”

But instead of creating that new economy, they have allowed even the old economy to implode. It is now clear that the Government’s growth projections are more of a wish and a prayer for “key sectors to rebound” than hard numbers based on an economic plan.

As the Miss World Guyana franchise embarks on crowning their 2018 queen, this year’s semi-finalists have been announced. Pictured are 11 of the 15 beauties who are vying for the chance to represent their homeland on the international stage in China later this year

Political harassment, intimidation narrative (Part 2) Dear Editor, APNU/AFC claims that the East Coast Demerara lands were sold without due process and for prices far below the market value. What are the facts? First, one parcel was sold for $185 million to an investor that is presently completing construction of a modern cinema and mall in the front of Liliendaal, a project similar to one in TrinCity in Trinidad. This plot of land was previously offered for sale in a "fit and proper" tender. The person awarded the land in the public bidding offered the highest price of $150 million, but then failed to secure funding to finalize the deal. The Trinidad investors, answering Guyana's call for foreign investors to invest in our economy, sought land to create a modern entertainment area. It was an attractive offer, and the PPP Government suggested various areas for this investment.

The investors offered a price at least 15% higher than the price we had previously obtained through public bidding for the Liliendaal front lands. The irony is that, in a short while, leading members of APNU/AFC, maybe even the President, will be praising this investment as they commission this new facility, totally ignoring that they have also charged two decent men with misconduct; men who contributed to making the

project a reality.

The second parcel of land at the back of Liliendaal was sold for $150 million. The price paid by those investors is at a rate per acre paid

by Giftland Mall. Giftland Mall was a good investment secured under the PPP and commissioned during this administration. Senior Cabinet persons attended the commissioning and lauded the investment. They were right in heaping praise on the Giftland owners and their vision. But why were Ashni and Brassington not charged for the sale of the land on which Giftland sits?

If the sale of the other parcel located within a stone's throw of Giftland represents misconduct because the Government did not charge more for it when the price was similar to the Giftland parcel, then certainly the sale of the Giftland parcel should also constitute misconduct.

The third parcel of land, in Ruimveldt, was sold in accordance with the laws of Guyana. It was advertised for sale, and bidders were solicited during a two-month period. It was eventually sold to the highest bidder at about $598 million.

How could this be misconduct? If APNU/AFC want to score political points by insisting they could have obtained better prices, then that is their right. But no political party has a right to twist the facts and then

charge anyone with misconduct in office, even when the statutes do not even support these charges.

If this is a new paradigm, where is SOCU, as APNU/AFC is guilty of gross misconduct on a daily basis? Guyana should have obtained at least US$250 million as a signing bonus for the oil contract.

Comparison with other countries that have signed oil contracts in the last decade ranks Guyana's signing bonus as the smallest, even though Guyana had the most attractive oil potential.

In addition, the signing bonus of US$18 million was stashed away in a hidden bank account, and APNU/ AFC admitted only when confronted with hard evidence. Who is being charged with misconduct?

APNU/AFC allowed a contract to rent a house for $175 million annually. The house was bought for $25 million simultaneously as the contract was signed, and the person contracted was paid six months in advance.

He then used part of the money to pay for the house.

Who has been charged with misconduct?

There is a case of a medicine procurement contract with a value of $605 million.

There was no advertisement, no tender of any kind.

An analysis of the medicine bought showed that the value at International Reference Prices amount to

only $190 million. Who is being charged with misconduct?

Every day in Guyana, laws are being flouted by this Government and its agencies with greater abandonment and more brazenness.

There is the brazenness of the $1.5 billion Durban Park fiasco, where the accounts conveniently disappeared. They failed to meet trade requirements with America and lost the fish export market. The misconduct is not only in central government, but extends to their officers, such as REOs, lower down in Government architecture.

The Georgetown City Council is imposing an illegal parking meter contract on the Guyanese people. The REO in Region Two arrogantly says his misconduct was due to excitement, and the REO of Region six bought a used, obsolete bulldozer for $15 million when they tendered for a new bulldozer. Misconduct in office has become the norm these days.

Clearly, APNU/AFC has wrapped itself in a cloak of political intimidation and harassment. The reprehensible ‘misconduct in office’ charges against Ashni Singh and Brassington are only the latest example of intimidation and harassment.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Proud achievement

Dear Editor, All Guyana is abuzz with the news that Troy Doris won gold in the men’s Triple Jump at the Commonwealth

Games.

Good for you, Troy. All Guyana is deliriously happy and proud of your achievement, and wish you and the

rest of the Guyana team many more successes.

No doubt, the persons behind Troy’s success, such as his family and friends, coach

and such like, can also feel a sense of pride.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

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SunDAY, april 15, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

58-year-old Berbice woman raped by intruder …accuses Police of shaming her

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58-year-old woman is accusing Police in New Amsterdam of causing her great shame after she was allegedly raped by a home intruder.

The upset woman told Guyana Times on Saturday that the man broke into her home and raped her but when she reported the matter, the Police Officers referred to her as a “junkie” and a beggar, saying that no one would want to rape her. She said that as a result, the Police at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Central Police Station refused to car-

ry out an investigation. In tears, the woman said she was not taken to the hospital but made to sit at the Police station.

According to the mother of three, the attacker had been stalking her for five nights prior to April 6, 2018, when the attack was carried out.

She said the man, who is a vendor at one of the schools in the area, came to her door and told her to open it.

She claimed that he left but returned later and ripped apart the front door of the old house.

The woman explained

that when he entered the house, he used a broken bottle as a weapon, forcing her to have intercourse with him.

She added that she opened a window and screamed but to no avail. She claimed that the following morning at about 07:00h, she arrived at the Police station. Later, a brief report was taken and she was told that she would be taken to be medically examined.

“They take a short report till about nine o’clock. One of the Policemen ask me if I work and I told them I am a beggar without a permit.”

Hope Canal

Global Seafood to assist fishermen with valid licences …says company dependent on fisherfolk

The boats that are moored close to Hope Canal

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mid the recent ban imposed on fishermen, preventing them from docking their boats at the Hope Canal, East Coast Demerara, one private sector organisation has come forward to assess the situation while also assisting fishermen to acquire valid fishing licences.

This is in light of the events which took place on Friday afternoon, in which a number of fishermen were arrested by the Police for failing to present their fishing licences.

During a meeting organised on Saturday with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Seafood Distributors, Allison ButtersGrant, and the fishermen who will be affected by the ban, it was brought up that they need to obtain their legal documents.

Butters-Grant noted that the distribution company, which prepares seafood for local supermarkets and exports its products, is dependent on the availability of fish that fisher folks acquire throughout the day.

While sharing some insight on the matter, she noted that if the men are unable to go out to sea, there will be insufficiencies in the seafood requirements.

As such, the fish processing plant, along with its suppliers, is trying to tackle the issue by assisting the fishermen to get valid licences to operate in Guyana’s waters.

“Once the fishermen are in compliance with the laws

of Guyana and they have licences to operate, then they are able to fish without an issue; but if they don’t have a licence…, you have to follow the laws. So once we have fishermen that are compliant, Global Seafood is always open to buy fish,” she explained to Guyana Times.

“It’s important that our fishermen are educated as to what the rules and regulations are in the fishing industry, while following all of the good manufacturing practices involved in fishing as well,” she said.

Asked if the ban would affect the company’s operations, Butters-Grant indicated that with the excavation procedures by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) at the Hope koker, the fishermen will be able to harbour their boats at that location. As such, it is expected they would be able to go out to fish without any difficulty or damage to their vessels, thus the supply of seafood to the company would not be disrupted.

“The NDIA is dredging at the location where they should be situated. So once the fishermen are working, it won’t affect our business of buying fish from them,” she said.

Meanwhile, it was also revealed that the main reason the men were asked to remove their boats was due to the close proximity in which boats are docked near the canal. This reportedly prevents the steady flow of water entering and leaving the canal.

Butters-Grant has advised fishermen to utilise the new location with the hope that the area would remain favourable for them to moor their boats.

The fishermen who were present at the gathering expressed their willingness to comply with the laws set out by the Fisheries Department, a sub-division of the Agriculture Ministry.

On Friday, Police arrested numerous men who operate fishing vessels in the Atlantic Ocean. This was due to failure to present legal documents for their boats. In relation to this matter, each man was required to pay $20,000 and was subsequently released.

Another notice was subsequently served. It prevents fishermen from docking their vessels at the canal. Several concerns were raised to address the situation, which led to their dockage at the opening of the canal.

The matters settled included the damages their boats receive by forceful waves when they are left in the open, resulting in losses to their earnings and livelihoods.

Now the men are ready to relocate to the koker, which they reasoned was smaller and incapable of lending support to all of the vessels during high tide and severe weather conditions. Some have also agreed to tie their fishing boats away from the canal, where it would not pose as a threat to the water flow or structures.

However, as officers started to arrive at work for the day, the woman said she was referred to as “junkie” and a beggar.

When she inquired why she was not being taken to be medically examined, she was told that there was no vehicle available. The woman said she remained at the CID department until midday but left after no one was forthcoming.

The woman added that she now lives in fear and has since been spending the nights at places she feels are more secure.

The door which was broken by the intruder to gain access to the house

“Company not in business of winning souls for smoking” – DEMTOCO ...pleased with GRA’s efforts to stamp out cigarette smuggling

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he Demerara Tobacco Company (DEMTOCO) has expressed satisfaction with efforts being undertaken by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to stamp out smuggling of tobacco products, given the effects that illicitly traded products have on legitimate players in the market.

Speaking at a media engagement the company hosted last week, Head of its Legal and External Affairs Division, Christopher Brown, pointed out that DEMTOCO is very concerned about smuggling of cigarettes, and the effects it has been having globally. He commended the GRA for the recent “major find”, wherein items, including cigarettes, were confiscated after it was found that the requisite taxes and fees were not paid.

“That’s the sort of issues that we are concerned about, because the illicit trade of cigarettes is a major business across the globe and across the region,” he declared.

According to Brown, cigarette smuggling has become a huge issue, and neighbouring countries such as Suriname and Panama have been grappling with of recent times. “(Of) every 10 cigarettes consumed in either of those countries, seven are illicit. So that’s seven [brands that] don’t pay their taxes, and nobody knows the conditions under which they are produced. And it is generally the view that a lot of the operators who are participants in the illicit trade of cigarettes are also participating in the arms race, drug trade, and are part of the overall organised criminal enterprise right across the global.

So where we can stamp out illicit activity, it would also come to the benefit of the country as it relates to the national security stabil-

ity as well,” Brown posited.

He said DEMTOCO is supportive of such actions by the authorities, and hopes robust efforts continue to protect the revenue of the Guyana Government.

He mentioned that the GRA instituting a new tax stamp system as a measure to curb the illicit trade is a welcome move.

“They have started it for alcohol, and they are also in the early days of introducing it for tobacco products.

We are fully supportive of that initiative that they have brought on board, in terms of insisting and ensuring there is an arrangement in place to indicate that all tobacco products that are sold and distributed would have a requirement to have a tax stamp on it, to indicate that those products are legitimate and that they have paid all the revenues that are applicable,” he explained.

Measures such as this, Brown added, seek to ensure that there is a properly regulated tobacco industry.

While DEMTOCO had initially raised concerns about certain aspects of the then draft legislation, the company has since moved into compliance mode after the legislation was passed in Parliament and assented to by the President.

However, Brown noted that there are some issues that the company needs clarification on, in order to be compliant with the new laws. These issues have to do with the packaging and labelling of its product, and as such, the company is seeking clarity on the timelines given by Government to become compliant.

He also noted that the company is awaiting the roll out of the public sensitisation campaign which the Public Health Ministry had said would be done before enforcement of the laws.

A meeting is expected to be held between the compa-

Head of Legal and External Affairs Division, Christopher Brown

ny and the Ministry sometime in the near future to discuss these issues.

Brown has said DEMTOCO is cognisant that it markets and distributes a controversial product, but the company believes that it has been responsible in terms of effectively communicating the effects of consumption of its product.

“We seek always to market our products to adults who have already taken the decision to consume the product. So we are not in the business of winning souls for smoking; but we remain a legitimate product, and we believe that once we remain a legitimate company in terms of marketing and distributing such a product, we have the opportunity to relate to the industry and the Government as it relates to the development of policies that impact the company,” Brown, Head of the Legal and External Affairs Division, posited.

With the introduction of tobacco legislation, Guyana has now joined regional neighbours Jamaica, Trinidad and Suriname as the leading countries within the Caribbean to have put in place such comprehensive laws.

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Foundation

Is Guyana Green House Club seeking to build community centre of plastic bottles, tyres prepared?

Ashley Anthony

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rinidad and Tobago has very recently made a very forward step; a judge has ruled the country’s homophobic laws unconstitutional. The reaction to this is mixed. There are many who hope that this ruling will have a domino effect, spreading into other Caribbean countries (and Guyana); whilst others are personally trying to stop the dominoes from falling.

Some of the loudest voices against the legalisation of homosexuality are religious groups. In 2012, the Christian community held a press conference wherein they called upon the Guyanese community to “roundly reject any move to legalize homosexuality”, expressing that homosexuality was a source of societal dysfunction and demise.

There is, though, something that always bothers me about any religious arguments being made against the case for the legalisation of homosexuality.

This thing which bothers me is the fact that Guyana is a secular state. Secularism is not the enemy. In fact, I believe it enables us to live in the relatively harmonious environment that we enjoy.

To explain: if Guyana were not secular, and the laws of the country were affiliated to one particular religion -- let’s say Christianity -- then we could not enjoy Phagwah or the feast from Eid ul Adha.

Most people would agree that the laws of Guyana should be designed for the people of Guyana, whether they are Christian, Hindu, Muslim, or

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” James 2:10 Atheist. Understanding that, I find it strange that people cannot grasp that the laws of Guyana should support Guyanese, regardless of sexual orientation.

Arguing that homosexuality is ungodly, and therefore should be illegal for all Guyanese is invalid, as not all Guyanese believe in God, nor do all Guyanese follow religions which reject homosexuality.

There is the argument that homosexuality is immoral, and thus this is why it is criminalized. Even if you believe that homosexuality is immoral, there are many things which are immoral but not illegal.

For example, according to the laws of Guyana, it is perfectly fine to be an adulterer, or a liar. Yet, according the Word of God, which many Christians seem intent on making the law of Guyana, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” Exodus 20:14. This is not to say that cheating on your spouse is a good thing to do; it can cause pain, grief, and even the destruction of the nucleic family structure that is supposedly under threat by the “homosexual agenda”. Yet, it is not illegal.

The question, then, becomes “where do we draw the line?” What is simply immoral and what is illegal?

I think the difference should derive from whether we are harming others. As President David Granger put it, “I am prepared to respect the rights of any adult to indulge in any practice which is not harmful to others.”

Is Guyana prepared?

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he Non Pareil Green House Club, a beneficiary of last year’s Youth Innovation Programme of Guyana (YIPoG), is hoping to secure financial grants for its idea of building a community centre almost entirely of plastic bottles and used tyres.

Project Officer Romel Putulall on Friday told Guyana Times about the club’s vision.

He said the club last year had received partial funding of $4 million from the Education Ministry, but the money is being used to install a fence and a washroom facility for security purposes.

“We are hoping that for this year’s Youth Innovation Programme, we can bid for the remaining money to hopefully complete the building,” he advised.

According to him, the overall projected expenditures run up to $9.5 million, but that is really a ‘cheap’ price, because many youths, primarily between the ages of seven and 15 years, have volunteered to lend a helping hand to see the project completed.

He stressed that this project is not an ordinary idea, but is one which aligns with the vision of President

The community centre at Non Pareil under construction

erywhere that climate change is on the rise and global warming and environmental issues are becoming more popular in Guyana, like flooding and so on. So I think that we can show

This is what the fence is expected to look like with the tyres

David Granger.

“It is also common (knowledge) ev-

people one way to recycle, especially these plastic bottles which are a major pollutant. In our community, when there is a flood and we look at the trenches, the first thing we find is plastic bottles, so our aim is to show people that they can recycle these things to reduce the environmental issues that we

are faced with, and even create an employment for young people, because through these initiatives they can do other crafts and sell their products,” Putulall explained.

He told this publication that work on the project began in February of this year, since he received the financial grant for the initiative only in December 2017.

The idea was birthed, he said, while he was sitting on his veranda thinking of all the environmental issues facing the community and county at large.

“Seeing the community ground as a swamp every day, especially when it rains, had given me the drive to come up with this idea; and luckily, the Ministry of Education at that point (in) time had the funding available for the Youth Innovation Project.

So I went ahead and wrote my proposal, formed a group and established a management committee, and submitted the proposal.”

Putulall was keen to note that, upon receiving the funding, the group registered at the Guyana Revenue Authority, established a bank account, and employed three ‘trustees’ who manage the money so as to eliminate any possible financial misunderstandings.

He reported that tyres are currently being used to erect the fence, which also includes four rows of blocks.

Once completed, the ground will host a training centre for single parent mothers, unemployed early school leavers, and others, who would be taught to use discarded tyres and other materials to recycle and create items that can be sold at low cost, so as to earn an income.

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SunDAY, april 15, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Closure of estate

Wales market vendors’ hardships deepen …say community “hopeless”

By Shemuel Fanfair

F

ifteen months after the shutdown of the Wales Sugar Estate, former workers, many of whom reside in the community, are continuing to face the economic burden of reduced finances and scarce employment. The same can be said of the market sellers at Wales, who have collectively stressed their continued challenges into the second year of the West Bank Demerara (WBD) estate being shuttered.

At a visit to the area where the once famous ‘Friday Market’ is held; just before 13:00h, sellers were packing up their stocks for the day. This was unlike before December 2016, when the market went later than 17:00h. Guyana Times spoke with several vendors to get a sense of how they are cop-

Jocelyn Boston already packed up and ready to go home after low sale at the Wales Market

“Auntie Baby” recorded little sales into the afternoon hours

ing in the face of the closure.

What was clear was most of them were taking home the day’s produce, in hope that somehow, they would get another opportunity to at the very least, make a profit in order to provide for themselves and their families.

At the time this newspaper caught up with Jocelyn

Boston, she was preparing to leave her stall for the day. In a sombre tone, Boston, who has been vending for over seven years, bemoaned her continued struggles which increase with each passing day since the closure of the Wales estate.

“It very hard, we ain’t getting the sales like before.

Chandrapaul Persaud feels the Wales community has gone down the drain

You come out just so you gotta pack back and go in. One and two residents coming out and buy; Uitvlugt workers don’t get pay here. They don’t spend here because they got other markets that they passing,” Boston noted.

Referencing the reprieve that some workers were rehired at Rose Hall and Enmore Estates, she expressed that they would all

be overjoyed if Wales could be reopened.

“We would be so happy; this place would go [back to] normal. We punishing bad here. You buying a bag of Boulanger and when it used to take you two days to sell out, now it taking you from Friday to Friday,” she stressed.

Boston’s sentiments were shared with her fellow vendors. Many of them indicated that much wastage oc-

curs to their perishables and at times, they could barely break even. Another factor which sellers highlighted was an increase of theft in the Wales area.

One female seller, who is also a farmer at Sisters Village, linked the social issue to the closure of the estate, noting that many young people are “liming on the road” because they “have nothing to do.” turn to page 12

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SunDAY, april 15, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Pregnant woman hospitalised after hit-and-run

N

atasia Smartt of Lot 8909 Critchlow Street, Tucville, Georgetown is nursing broken left and right legs at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) after she became the victim of a hitand-run incident that occurred during the wee hours of Friday morning.

According to Natalia McKenzie, sister of the 31-year-old Smartt, the family is of the opinion that the person who committed the act is known to the family and is someone with

whom Smartt has a dispute.

However, the family is yet to file a formal complaint with the Police.

“My sister is pregnant for this man (name given) and he has a wife. They had some cuss-out on Facebook, where the man wife tell me sister to leave her husband, but my sister like she really loves this man. My sister wouldn’t lose her life, but the baby,” McKenzie related.

“All I know is that some people called me and told

Fake…

Injured Natasia Smartt at the GPHC

me my sister is in the hospital. I didn’t even know she was not at home,” McKenzie further related.

McKenzie said Smartt is

the mother a seven-year-old child.

She worked as a security guard, but resigned after she became pregnant.

Soesdyke woman dies after minibus turns turtle …driver unlicensed – Police

A

mother of four was killed and several others injured after the minibus in which they were travelling turned turtle on Friday evening along the Land of Canaan, Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

Dead is 52-year-old Yvonne Mohan of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara.

Based on reports received, at the time of the accident, the route 42 minibus bearing registration number BWW 4542 was being driven by 24-yearold Ronald Balgobin, an unlicensed driver of Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Reports are at about 17:45h, the minibus was reportedly heading to Kuru Kururu on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway when the driver lost control of the vehicle causing it to topple several times before crashing

into an electrical pole.

As a result, persons were tossed out of the vehicle as it toppled. Several passengers, including Mohan, received serious injuries and were rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where they were treated. However, Mohan died while receiving medical attention.

Another woman, a pregnant mother of one, was also listed in a serious condition. She was subsequently referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Guyana Times understands that an elderly man was also admitted a patient at the medical facility. He was also transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The driver, who also sustained injuries, was treated and taken into Police custody.

Investigations into the accident are ongoing.

O

…IDs for voting

ne of the pluses of the PNC being out of office for 23 years is that it allowed the US “Automatic Declassification Rule on sensitive documents over 25 years old” to kick in. Since he expired 33 years ago, this gives us the opportunity to review Burnham’s schemes to construct his dictatorship with the aid of the Americans.

Of course there are exceptions, because of America’s policy not to reveal names of their informants and agents etc. Parts of the records may be redacted – blacked out – but what’s on the Internet is enough to telegraph plans of the present PNC leader, David Granger, who’s vowed to continue Burnham’s “legacy”.

Interesting for a historian, Granger never refers to those declassified files, even though he’s written about that period – especially “the troubles” as he calls them!

One wonders why??!!

Anyhow, one of the revelations is about the behindthe-scenes moves to rig the 1968 elections, which were publicly exposed by the British Granada TV. They showed the “overseas vote”-- introduced by Burnham -- having being exercised by English horses!! (check YouTube if you don’t believe!!) One declassified file is from the “303 Committee” which was set up to place and keep Burnham in power so as to keep out Jagan. On 17 March 1967, it noted: “Prime Minister Forbes Burnham…has stated that he is fully prepared to utilize the electoral machinery at his disposal to ensure his own re-election. Burnham has initiated steps for electoral registration of Guyanese at home and abroad, and has requested financial assistance…for the PNC campaign.”

A footnote explained further: “In a meeting on 16 September 1966, Burnham requested money for various political purposes, and outlined his plans to issue identification cards to all Guyanans (Guyanese) above the age of 10, and to identify and register all Guyanans of African ancestry in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, in order to get their absentee votes in the next elections.

“Conversely, Burnham acknowledged with a smile, East Indians living abroad may have trouble getting registered, and if registered, getting ballots.” Mout’ open!!

It’s against this background that we must evaluate the recent (belated) acknowledgement by the Grangerunilaterally-appointed, handpicked Chairman of GECOM, Patterson, that the fake ID occurrence, reported by the Opposition Leader almost a month ago, is true.

The Police Commander of Berbice had then sought to “debunk” Jagdeo’s claim, rather than promising to investigate!!

The GECOM chair now admits: “This may also just be the beginning of mischief that is afoot, a fifth column lurking and running about, biding its time to come forth”. Damn right!!

Maybe he should have a chat with his sponsor?

…GuySuCo Board

The PNC government’s taken “fake news” to new heights (lows?) with the claim that the full-page ads in the dailies at the beginning of March announcing a new Board for GuySuCo was in fact “fake”!! If it weren’t for their pigmentation, there would’ve been a lot of red faces!! The new Board had raised a lot of eyebrows, not the least being it seemed to be another nail in the WPA’s coffin by easing out another of their leaders - Clive Thomas - from his power position as GuySuCo’s chair!

His erstwhile co-leader of the WPA, Rupert Roopnaraine, had already been sent out to pasture – causing some in the PNC coalition partner to sulk.

So what could’ve caused this volte face – and the inchoate red faces – for Jordan to claim his subcommittee’s decision to “cancel and replace” the GuySuCo Board hadn’t been ratified by Cabinet??

Anything to do with trying to minimise fallout from the simultaneous firing of WPA’s Hinds from the Chronic?

The travails of a polygamous political marriage!!

…bonus

When will this Government get its story on the Exxon bonus straight? First, there was the silence. Then, that it was at the BoG. Then, it was in the Consolidated Funds.

Now, it’s abroad earning interest?

And yet no “misconduct in officials”? !!

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

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SunDAY, april 15, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana on the road to exorbitant debt levels – Ali A

t the end of December 2017, the Finance Ministry’s Public Debt Annual Report showed that Guyana’s total debt, inclusive of external and domestic, stood at US$1.66 billion or 45.2 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, according to former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, despite this figure, Government in 2018 moved to acquire $30 billion in loans and investments to support the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) three remaining estates. This move, Ali said, shows that the coalition Government is obsessed with large-scale borrowing.

Just recently, Government secured a US$900 million line of credit from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to develop the areas of agriculture, banking and finance, human development, energy and rural development.

However, in Ali’s view, these decisions will lead to a “massive” increase in debt. Ali on Saturday noted that based on estimates, the country’s new debt-to-GDP ratio, using the 2018 GDP forecast of 3.8 per cent, would now be 73 per cent.

“This Government sees it economically sound to increase the country’s total debt by more than 28 per cent, when our growth rate in GDP is projected optimistically, at 3.8 per cent. Guyana is once again on the road to exorbitant debt levels. In response, the Government continues to remain obstinate in adhering to the various calls to reduce large-scale borrowing by international observers,” the former Minister pointed out.

PPP MP Irfaan Ali

He observed that the vulnerable and poor are the ones that will be affected the most.

With regards to the business community, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive noted that unemployment rate will likely increase which could drive private consumption further down.

“As consumption dwindles, less revenues will be generated, which means larger budget deficit. In the long run, as production levels shrink, prices for basic commodities will increase, which add pressure on disposable income. Hence, the recipe

Speaking on the $30 billion bond for GuySuCo, Ali pointed out that since much needed capital would likely be diverted from private investment, this could “further dampen economic growth through reduced national savings and income.”

for an economic concussion is completed. As the country grapples with its unruly debt, the first shock might be in the form of a sovereign debt crisis, whereby investors will perceive the country’s debt as unsustainable and will no

longer be willing to finance it,” Ali explained.

The PPP/Civic Member of Parliament reasoned that the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration

will attempt to boost confidence by claiming that prospects from the oil economy will counter the country’s “economic misfortunes.”

“By the time oil begins to flow, not to mention Guyana

received one of the worst oil deals in history, the crippling manufacturing and industry sector would stand no chance against Dutch Disease. turn to page 12

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SunDAY, april 15, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Body fished out of New Amsterdam trench identified

A

body which was discovered floating in a trench in vicinity of the National Psychiatric Hospital in New Amsterdam last Wednesday has been identified as that of Lakers Beharry of East Canje, Berbice.

The younger brother

of the deceased, Parmand Beharry, reportedly showed up at the New Amsterdam Hospital mortuary and positively identified the body.

Guyana Times understands that the 52-yearold Lakers had been a patient of the mental facility

and was reported missing on Monday. A missing person’s report was subsequently filed at the Central Police Station by authorities of the psychiatric hospital.

Two days thereafter, the man’s lifeless body was spotted in the trench, and

the Police were summoned.

Investigations are still ongoing to determine the circumstances associated with Lakers’ death, but the body is currently at the New Amsterdam Hospital mortuary, where a post mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted this week.

Hoity toity schooling

S

atiricus had a hard day at the office.

Meaning: he had to listen to his editor blather on and on about him not keeping to the deadlines. While he didn’t dare utter it aloud, he thought it a bit much for the jerk to blame him for being tardy when it was he who’d tied up Satiricus with his bitching and moaning about Faye’s -- the private school his son attended -hiking their fees by 42%!

“He was lucky they didn’t raise the fees by 50%, like the Cabinet did with their salaries,” he said dourly to the fellas at the Back Street Bar. “Ooooh! Sato!” exclaimed Bungi, as he clinked his beer bottle with Sairicus’. “Yuh criticisin’ Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat!!”

“But Sato gat waa p’int, yuh know,” said Cappo.

“And what ’s the point?” asked Hari mildly.

“Dat de Cyabinet salary raise and Faye school fee raise connect,” continued Cappo.

“A’rite,” said Bungi, “Abee a lis’en.”

“Yuh know how abee a seh big baatle and lil baatle cyaan deh pan de same shelf?” asked Cappo.

“Eh-eh,” said Bungi. “Big maan and lil bai cyaan drink a’ de same table!”

“Da rite!” said Cappo approvingly. “An’ big shat and lil shat gat fuh know dem place, too!”

“And wha’ dah gat fuh do wid Cyabinet salary an’ Faye school fee?” demanded Bungi.

“Yes! Pray tell,” said Hari as Satiricus waited for this to play out.

“Well, yuh gat fuh fin’ wan way fuh know who a big shat and who a lil shat!’ replied Cappo.

“I get it!” interrupted Satiricus. “So the Cabinet big salary and Faye’s big fees let everybody know they are big shot!!”

“Da rite, Sato,” said Cappo. “Suh yuh baas na sh’u’d complain. De mo’ Faye raise dem school fee, de mo people guh t ’ink he a wan big shat!”

“So you don’t think Faye will lower their fees?” asked Hari.

“Naah!” replied Cappo as he picked up his beer.

“De mo’ dem charge, de mo rush dem guh get!!

Ev’rybady waan fuh tu’n big shat nowadays!!”

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SunDAY, april 15, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Signing bonus

Being the product of my enemy

By Ryhaan Shah

I

was a panellist at the UG-sponsored forum entitled “Race, Reality and Reconciliation in Guyana”, which was held recently at the Pegasus Hotel.

I stated that while cultural and religious differences had existed in the society, it was the advent of race politics that aggravated the division and brought with it that most egregious element of such conflicts: violence; and that, in Guyana’s case, it is ethnic violence perpetrated by African Guyanese on Indian Guyanese.

I stated: “When the late, great Winnie Mandela said, ‘I am the product of my enemy ’, I knew exactly what she meant. I did not return home in 1997 with any intention of becoming an activist of any kind. But I returned just as the country exploded in another round of post-elections violence, with PNC supporters on the streets and with the violence against Indians – all seen as PPP supporters – which is part of the PNC toolkit.

“I was forced to investigate what was this thing about being Indian – or coolie, as the PNC mobs would have it – that was creating such a problem. As part of that exploration of my Indianness – which I accept as part of my being and with much pride -- I began writing letters to the press, and became part of an Indian group of voices that were speaking our truth from our Indian Guyanese perspective….

“This was a new phenomenon – having Indians engaging in public discussion from an Indian point of view. It upsets a lot of people that we articulate our experience and our truth and without apology – so much so that there are attempts to shut us up by continually condemning us as racists; and we are further burdened with the accusation that the racial division in Guyana is entirely our fault.”

In the discussion that followed the panellists’ presentations, a member of the audience – and to much applause -- stated that Guyana is the “only place in the world” where race prefixes like “Indo” and “Afro” are used before citizenship identification. I countered that with fact, and pointed out that Martin Luther King Jnr. and President Obama are proudly referred to as Black Americans, and that such prefixes are used in the US, Canada, Britain, Europe, etc. without contention.

While African Guyanese want to take pride of ownership in Black and African achievements elsewhere, it appears they are willing to forgo the race prefix here if it would also make the Indian one invisible.

The attendees were largely African Guyanese, and going by the applause for the comments made by the panellists and audience members, it seems that the preferred national state would be one that forgets the past and favours a mono Guyanese identity sans race and ethnic prefixes. One can only hope that such opinions of forgoing history and respect for human diversity do not inform UG’s education policies.

It is perhaps ironic that it was the non-attendance of the largest minority group -- Indian Guyanese -- that was a most significant aspect about the forum. Yet, their absence is understandable. In my presentation, I spoke about the cultural marginalisation of Indians in Guyana and the Caribbean that is aimed at making us invisible.

National and regional policies and institutions – the CXC syllabi of which I spoke, and Mashramani, for instance – are largely African Guyanese/African Caribbean. This Indian exclusion from “national” life -- whether discriminatory or selfimposed -- has become such a structural norm of society that the Indian absence from a “national” forum was not surprising enough to invite comment, or be noted.

Much time was spent on questioning whether race is a social construct, and whether it matters at all. This barebones approach to Guyana’s conflict has the advantage of exposing it for what it is: a minority group that uses violence and discrimination against a larger population to try and wrest political power.

It brings the injustices of the situation into sharp focus, and provides another possible explanation for the Indian Guyanese absence, which could have been an instinctual act of selfpreservation, especially since UG is generally viewed as an extension of the state apparatus. This being currently PNC-led, it is understandably seen as a preserve of historical prejudices against Indian Guyanese.

Despite its assurances, UG is not a comfortable space to address uncomfortable matters such as race for a majority of the population. This could be more than a public relations issue if the university does want to become relevant to productive national discussions.

The absence of Indian Guyanese from the forum was in and of itself a forceful reminder of the realities of race in Guyana.

Nandlall to file private criminal charges against Winston Jordan T rouble is brewing over Government’s investing of the US$18 million signing bonus it received from ExxonMobil in overseas interest-bearing bonds.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan could be brought before the courts to face private criminal charges because of this action.

Former Attorney General, Opposition Parliamentarian Anil Nandlall, revealed that the institution of private criminal charges against Jordan for the handling of the bonus is being considered.

Nandlall slammed the decision to invest the monies in interest bearing securities, “knowing fully that there are legal proceedings challenging the constitutionality of placing the US$18 million signing bonus in a secret account in the Central Bank and outside of the Consolidated Fund

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

as is mandated by Article 218 of the Constitution.”

“By so doing, the minister is not only demonstrating his crass disrespect for the judicial process, but is demonstrating even greater disregard for the Constitution by moving the money even

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

farther away from the Consolidated Fund,” Nandlall declared.

Reminding that there is no entry for the money in the official accounting records of the Government for the years 2016 and 2017, Nandlall also pointed out that there is no

mention of the money in the national budgets for the years 2017 and 2018.

“This money is public funds, and must be dealt with and accounted for in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Guyana.

However, Minister Jordan is treating this money as his personal funds, depositing it in which account he desires, transferring it to whichever country he wants, and determining what use will be made of the money, and when it will be deposited in the Consolidated Fund.” This must constitute misconduct in public office contrary to common law,” Nandlall continued.

“I am seriously considering instituting private criminal charges against Minister Jordan,” he warned. turn to page 19

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SunDAY, april 15, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

White Castle Fish Shop torched …owner’s reputed wife in custody

H

angout spot, White Castle Fish shop, was set ablaze in the wee hours of Saturday morning in what was described as an act of revenge.

Reports are that after the popular liming spot closed at about 01:30h, the proprietor’s reputed wife was allegedly at the Hadfield and John Streets location where she was hurrying the workers out of the building.

Guyana Times was told that the couple had a disagreement over Jermain Langevine’s whereabouts since he was not answering his cellular phone.

“She couldn’t find me so she call me and I’m not answering the phone and I don’t know if she sick in the head or what but she think this

The charred interior of the popular liming spot

was the best thing to do,” Langevine told this publication.

Langevine claimed that his common-law wife then

asked the employees to purchase gasoline for her.

“She ask the workers to buy gasoline for her, they refused; she went and buy it she

Guyana on the road to exorbitant...

With the inflow of foreign currency, if one is to be optimistic, local currency will appreciate, causing our domestic goods to become uncompetitive on the global market. Export of our traditional goods will shrink dramatically, which will further stoke unemployment,” he warned.

It was only on Friday that Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo echoed similar sentiments. Jagdeo opined that Government was “pawning our futures”. The funding for

GuySuCo’s $30 billion bond is expected to cover a four-year period, and will provide capital and support infrastructure maintenance and upgrades at Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt estates.

The funds are also expected to go towards developing new co-generation capacity for the estates’ operations and for the national electric grid. In addition, Finance Minister Winston Jordan explained that IsDB financial arrangement has a resource envelope of US$900 million

from page 9

that is potentially available, from which the Government can borrow.

To this, Jagdeo had however posited that the coalition Administration “has a failed approach to economics.” He even asserted that if the US$900 million credit line was pursued, Government would have accumulated almost US$1.1 billion in debt, which is equivalent to the amount of debt the GuySuCo was in from the start to the end of the 23 years of PPP reign.

self, workers saw her with it.

She went in the office and lock up and I don’t know, like she light it inside the office,” he said.

The fire, which started at about 02:30h quickly spread throughout the bottom flat of the building, engulfing everything in its path. Langevine disclosed that when he arrived on the scene at about 04:00h, the inside of the lower flat was already destroyed.

When Guyana Times visited the scene on Saturday, the destruction was clearly visible with damaged freezers, music sets, television sets, fryers and furniture scattered.

Langevine estimates his losses at between $18 to $20 million.

Meanwhile, the businessman is pleading with the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown to utilise the avenue adjacent to his business

Another damaged section

entity, in an effort to keep the business going.

He explained that he is in the habit of upkeeping the avenue, and thinks that it would be a good measure to appease customers.

“We just trying and see

with the help of City Council if we could use the avenue that I take care of from Camp Street to East Street,” he pleaded.

Additionally, Langevine’s common-law wife is in Police custody assisting with investigations.

Wales market vendors’...

She also highlighted that when Wales was operating, as private cane farmers, many young people could have sought them for employment, especially in the out of crop season.

Declining to be identified, the Sisters Village farmer observed that besides cane cutting, young men were able to obtain earnings from digging drains and preparing lands.

She added that after the entity closed, her family chose to convert two acres of sugar cane lands into cash crops.

However, she stressed that they are suffering losses since much of their produce is stolen from their farm.

“Is like you just want run away from here; is a hopeless place. Here nah got hope no

more,” the farmer and market vendor told Guyana Times on Friday.

Chandrapaul Persaud, who is a native of Mahaicony, has been living and working at the Wales area since 1973 when he married and came to live in the area. However, he maintains his farm at Mahaicony and would travel from the East Coast Demerara community to Wales with his produce. The 62-year-old however indicated that with reduced earnings, his situation is especially worrying since he does not obtain a monthly pension as he never contributed to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). Persaud told this newspaper that the diversification plans should have been put in place before the

from page 7

Estate was closed.

“The (Wales) Estate gone down the drain,” he noted.

The entity’s closure was seen as a cost-saving measure due to billions of dollars that were allocated to the declining sugar industry, especially to Wales. The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) which has oversight of the Special Purposes Unit (SPU) put the Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates up for sale to private investors.

Some ex-sugar workers from those entities were re-hired to keep the estates running.

In March 2018, NICIL put thousands of acres of land from Wales, as well as machinery from various estates, on the market.

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SunDAY, april 15, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Enmore NDC under investigation Burnham and the PNC

T

he PNC is commemorating its 60th anniversary. Exactly thirty years ago, as part of a paper, “On the Guyanese Dictatorship” I analysed its “Founder-Leader” LFS Burnham’s imperatives to launch the party after his three unsuccessful challenges to Jagan to become leader of the PPP and the defeat of his PPP faction in the 1957 elections. The same imperatives drive the present PNC, under Granger, who has vowed to fulfil Burnham’s “legacy”.

“Burnham craved to be leader for three reasons: His undeniable personal ambitions; his realisation that Jagan and other “extreme” leftists had a very naïve apprehension of the geopolitical realities of the era; and he considered himself the representative of the African and Creole sections, who were increasingly seeing themselves in danger of being overwhelmed by Indians.

The last reason stemmed from several Ravi Dev factors. Firstly, even though the PPP thought it had addressed the racial cleavages by recruiting leaders from each racial/ethnic group, the dominance of the Indian top leadership, the aggressive entry of Indians into positions formerly dominated by Creoles, the economic development plans that veered towards agriculture, and the generally jingoistic response of this previously politically backward but numerically largest section, raised concerns in the other sections as to the implications of their “minority” status. While the PPP had defined itself as a “revolutionary” party, which would eliminate the “ruling class” and fuse the rest of society with the “working class”, the minority group began to perceive themselves as potentially permanently dependent on the beneficence of the “major group”. The PPP was being defined, both by its supporters and its detractors, as an exclusionary party with its constituency (Indians) and excluded group (Africans and Creoles) racially defined.

Secondly, the discomfiture of the African and Creole sections was exacerbated by the implications of being dominated by a group with a completely different culture – one they had been taught to consider as “heathen” and “inferior”. The national ethos had defined Guyana as a “Creole” nation and the Creoles and Africans, as the guardians of this ethos, naturally presumed they were to be the inheritors of the nation on the departure of the British. It was unthinkable to permit power to fall into the hands of the group deemed ambivalent about their national allegiance because of their refusal to “assimilate”.

Burnham, as a consequence, did not have much difficulty in legitimising his drive for power by articulating the fears of the African and Creole sections, when he launched the PNC and provided a vehicle to address those fears. In fact, Burnham was promised help by Manley and Bustamante of Jamaica, Adams of Barbados and Padmore of Trinidad if he formed a party to prevent Jagan from creating and “Indian State” in Guyana. The formation of the United Force (UF) in 1960, representing the White and near-white bloc, further increased the paranoia of the African and Creole sections.

In a plural society where one section is over 50 per cent of the population, “democratic elections” are not very comforting to minority groups. It is simply a prescription for permanent exclusion from power and the perquisites thereof, which issue from the exclusionary politics practiced, once a group acquires power. There is no question that the fears of the minority groups can be, and have been, heightened by demagogic politicians like Burnham, but one can assert with as much certitude that the fears are rational and real, based on the experience of minorities the world over. Unless these fears are addressed, minority groups will continue to be receptive to mobilisation by ambitious politicians. Burnham then, received increasing support from Africans and Creoles as he strove for power because, to reiterate, they perceived their interests and his, as coincident.

Burnham’s attempt to wrest control of the PPP between 1953 and 1955 resulted in a spilt of the nationalist movement.

The ignominious defeat of his faction in the 1957 general elections persuaded him that he could not win over Indian support by merely utilising Jagan’s tactic of fielding prominent candidates from the “other” group. Jagan had pre-empted the field. Burnham’s fusion with the United Democratic Party (UDP) – the political offshoot of the League of Coloured People – in 1958 to create the PNC, was a natural development. It combined Burnham’s support among the lower class rural Africans with the strategic support of the urban-based Creole and African middle class.”

Race has dominated Guyana’s voting since.

…as fraud allegations surface

T

he Enmore Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in Region Four is said to be under investigation by the Local Government Commission (LGC), which is probing an alleged fraud that occurred at the council after a fundraiser held by the NDC. Region Four Chairperson, Genevieve Allen, has said the LGC stepped in after a decision was made by the NDC following completion of an investigation into the matter.

“When we did the balance sheet, it was the overseer who was in charge of the monies all the time, and there was, at no time, any losses; so I don’t know what happened,” she explained.

Allen added that after the fundraiser event, the balance sheet showed a profit of $279,000. However, while the BBQ netted an estimated one million dollars in sales, the NDC claimed that it had recorded a loss.

Among the items of expenditure

The Enmore NDC office

subtracted from the net income were monies for the NDC Chairman and Vice-Chairman, among others.

The RDC Chair has since in-

formed the NDC that she is sending the report to the Local Government Commission for appropriate action to be taken.

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sunDAY, april 15, 2018| guyanatimesgy.com

Patentia accident

Earth Day, Everyday

Victim’s mother seeks help to finance surgeries

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he mother of the motorcyclist who was seriously injured in an accident on Tuesday last on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD), is contemplating on seeking help for her son’s surgeries.

The victim, 18-year old John Walcott of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, reportedly collided with a car, HC 7212, driven by 59-year-old Cyril Joseph at about 10:00h at Patentia, West Coast Demerara, while he was on his way to visit a friend.

Giving his side of the story from his hospital bed, Walcott said, “It happened really fast.

I can’t remember much. All I remember is lying in the bush corner with blood everywhere.

People was saying things like he already dead and suh”.

The teen was eventually picked up and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital but was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as a result of the extent of his injuries.

Walcott, a part-time contractor, said he was unable to open his eyes for two days. He was also unable to give Police his statement when they visited the hospital because of the severity of his condition.

The teen’s mother, Desiree Wade, said it was only on Friday that her son came out of the ICU after much prayer.

With tears in her eyes, she noted that the doctors told her that her son’s condition is still serious.

The motorcyclist is being treated at the healthcare institution for a fractured right

Injured John Walcott

leg, damaged scrotum and a broken wrist. He also lost 10 teeth as a result of the accident and is expected to have facial surgery, according to his mother.

She said she is a single parent who works at a Government Ministry. She told Guyana Times that she paid over $60,000 already to facilitate a brain scan for her son.

“My son’s life was saved only by the grace of God,” the emotional mother said.

Conflicting stories about what resulted in the accident has led to the taxi driver, who was involved in the accident, being released from Police custody.

This was disclosed by acting Guyana Police Force (GPF) Public Relations Officer, Shivpersaud Bacchus, who noted that based on statements provided and the report of investigators on site, the motorcyclist was at fault.

Multiple eyewitnesses said the teenager was speeding at the time and persons familiar with the young man claimed he was in the habit of speeding and not wearing his helmet.

According to information received, the teenager was not

wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

Despite the claims of Walcott speeding, the decision to not pursue charges against Joseph follows the revelation that the motorcar was moved by several men on the scene without Police markings. Moments after the accident, the car was initially seen on the eastern side of the public road some feet away from solid double yellow lines. However, the civilian team of men repositioned the car to the road corner less than one hour after the accident occurred. The second position was consistent with the Police’s account of the driver swerving into that area to avoid the collision.

The Police said Joseph was proceeding North along the western side of the road while the teenager, proceeding in the opposition direction, on the eastern side, “swerved” in a zigzag manner into the car’s path. Police further noted that the car driver then swerved to the eastern side of the road in a desperate attempt to avoid the motorcycle, after which the cyclist supposedly swerved back to the eastern side and collided with the left side of the car.

Information from eyewitnesses stated that the teen attempted to overtake when his CJ 668 motorcycle slammed head on into Joseph’s Toyota car. Walcott was thrown into the air and landed some 30 feet away where blood was seen on the roadway. The teen was bleeding profusely and was picked up by the driver of a Toyota Tundra, who assisted in transporting him to hospital.

“End Plastic Pollution”

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s you take a walk down the streets, relax on the Georgetown seawall, travel in a mini bus or taxi, step into a store, or go shopping at our markets, just take some time to observe, and you would notice something common in all these places: Plastics. Plastic pollution is in fact one of the most complex environmental problems we face today; it impacts our health and wellbeing. This year, Earth Day celebrations will send a strong message to ‘End plastic pollution.’

Earth Day, a grassroots movement Years ago, the world’s attention was on enjoying the benefits of industrialisation – large scale production of goods at cheaper prices; saving of time and labour; wider choices of goods; improved standard of living; and new modes of transport, rather than the harms that would later plague the environment. Around the world, and particularly in the US, evidence was growing for the declines in biodiversity and the gradual disappearance of many natural resources; pollution of air, water and land; and the increase of diseases.

With this evidence, environmental awareness also grew, and on April 22, 1970, millions of Americans protested the negative impacts of industrial development.

The US quickly responded by forming their Environmental Protection Agency, as well as laws for clean water and endangered species. The day has since been observed as ‘Earth Day’, and was also adopted by the UN in 2009 as International Mother Earth Day and celebrated by over 192 countries around the world. The Earth Day Network, the organisation which leads Earth Day worldwide, will be using the platform of Earth Day -- as we approach the 50th anniversary -- as a catalyst for global action against plastic pollution.

What is the global campaign about?

• • • •

Leading a grassroots movement to support the adoption of a global framework to regulate plastic pollution; Educating, mobilizing and activating citizens across the globe to demand that governments and corporations control and clean up plastic pollution; Educating people worldwide to take personal responsibility for plastic pollution by choosing to reject, reduce, reuse and recycle plastics; and Promoting local government regulatory and other efforts to tackle plastic pollution.

Why is plastic pollution a problem?

According to BBC, “Plastic, as we know it, has only really existed for the last 60-70 years, but in that time it has transformed everything: from clothing, cooking and catering, to product design, engineering and retailing.”

We have all contributed to the problem of plastic pollution, though sometimes unknowingly. As of 2015, human beings have created 6.3bn tons of plastic, of which 79% accumulates in landfills or the environment. It is estimated that if the current production trends continue and waste management trends continue, we can expect about 12bn tons of plastic waste to be in the environment or landfills by 2050.

Marine animals like sea birds and turtles face the danger of becoming entangled in plastic bags and other debris, or mistaking plastic for food. Ingested plastic bags can cause internal blockages, and can even result in death. Large pieces of plastic c a n also damage their digestive systems. As plastic waste breaks down, it becomes tiny micro-fragments and can build up in the bodies of organisms. Plastics in food can disrupt human hormones, cause major life-threatening diseases, and early puberty.

How to join the global campaign against plastic pollution • • • • • • •

Take your own reusable bags when you go shopping, or ask for cardboard boxes to pack your items.

Stop using disposable plastics, especially single-use plastics like bottles, bags and straws.

Use reusable bottles for water, and reusable mugs for coffee.

Join a local park, river or beach clean-up.

Form a “green team” at your office to find cost-effective ways to conserve resources and promote sustainability.

Volunteer for a local environmental group and/or make a donation.

Demand that leaders and corporations control and clean up plastic pollution.

Local Upcoming Events • • • •

Earth Day radio quiz – April 19, 2018, 102.5 FM Earth Day Opening Ceremony – April 20, 2018, Baridi Benab, State House Single-use Plastic Free Day – April 22, 2018 Trash to Fashion Show & Exhibition – April 27, 2018, Main Street, between Middle & Quamina streets.

See our Facebook page for more details.

We must assess our consumption of plastics and determine how to lower our plastic pollution footprint. Guyana is moving towards a green state, and you are important in this process. Earth Day is April 22, but every day should be a step further to taking care of this lovely planet. Remember: the change starts with you!

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

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SunDAY, april 15, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Caledonia/Good Success NDC accused of raising rates and taxes illegally What will be the cost of an oil spill to Guyana? (Part 1)

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his article is inspired by the numerous public discourses and concerns appearing in the press on this subject matter of an oil spill, especially given that there is apparently no provision (s) for this in the oil contract (s). More so, this author noted an article carried in sections of the media on March 25, 2018, in which a seemingly prominent international lawyer advocated for the proposed oil production to be put on hold until the Government can show what an oil spill could cost Guyana. While this columnist would rather not venture into providing a position on whether such a suggestion to put production on hold is warranted or not, this article seeks to provide some degree of insight, inter alia, by conducting an assessment of what an oil spill could actually cost Guyana, and a suggestion of how to deal with this in the event this risk is materialized; the country needs to be prepared nonetheless.

In doing so, the author examined the cost of one of the most recent oil spills as a basis in this regard, and will then conclude within the context of Guyana.

“Calculating economic and environmental damages from any oil spill, let alone the size of BP’s Deep-water Horizon, is a difficult job. This difficulty arises for many reasons: our economic system does not directly value wildlife killed or damaged; it is hard to calculate the very tangible ecosystem services that are impaired when parts of the environment, like marshes, are oiled and die. Also, the spill results in some immediate obvious effects we can measure today, but there will also be long term, subtle impacts that are just beginning to be identified. For example, certain fish populations in Alaska did not crash until three years after the Exxon-Valdez spill”, (Environment America, Research & Policy Centre, 2011).

An overview of the BP oil spill The BP oil spill occurred in 2010, when the Deep-water Horizon oil rig exploded into the Gulf of Mexico, releasing 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico and causing a grave amount of damage to the surrounding areas, both environmentally and economically. The states that were more severely impacted were: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, and Florida. The main stakeholders with respect to the spill were the environment, wildlife, fishermen, the oil industry, tourist-driven businesses, and communities.

Directly following the oil spill, BP set up the Gulf Coast Claim Facility (GCCF), which was later deemed not independent and was later replaced by a court-supervised settlement programme. Three years after the oil spill, BP announced that the compensation fund was running low, but they would continue to pay settlements from their profits. In spite of this commitment, BP attempted to stem the flow of incoming claims using several methods, including suing the court-appointed administrator and appealing claims. In January 2013, BP pleaded guilty to 11 counts of felony manslaughter, one count of felony obstruction of Congress, and violations of the Clear Water and Migratory Bird Treaty Acts. BP was sentenced to pay US$4 billion in fines and penalties. The Deep-water Horizon Spill has shown that the regulation for spill prevention and response is inadequate. As the oil companies will act in the best interest of themselves, it is the duty of the Government to set regulation in place in the interest of the health and safety of its citizens.

The Government needs to act to create tighter controls on oil companies, to decrease the likelihood of a repeat occurrence (Brennan, 2013). To be continued next week.

The Author is the holder of a MSc. Degree in Business Management, with concentration in Global Finance, Financial Markets, Institutions & Banking from a UK university of international standing.

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

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he Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in the Caledonia/ Good Success area has found itself in hot water after an investigation revealed that they have illegally increased rates and taxes for the residents within their area.

The investigation was ordered by regional authorities in light of residents raising concerns over the excessive increase of their rates and taxes.

According to a statement from the Regional Chairman, Genevieve Allen, the investigation has since been concluded and the findings were presented to the Regional Administration Communities (RAC) meeting held recently at Triumph, by Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO) Ramnarine Singh.

It was revealed that the rates being implemented varied from five per cent to 25 per cent for residential, commercial and agricultural lands/ lots commenced on January 1, 2008.

Singh went on to explain that the increase was indeed illegal, adding that com-

plaints that were received by the then Local Government and Regional Development Ministry. As such, Singh said the complaints were investigated, and they reflected anomalies in the valuation list and also in the rates imposed by the Council on those said properties.

To support his argument, Singh also presented to the meeting several samples of rates collected by the NDC that was taken from the assessment register. Additionally, he disclosed that the investigating findings revealed that Guyana Soft Touch of Garden of Eden and Falls Service Station at Land of Canaan rates were reduced from $306,702 to the amount of $118,250 and $1,664,589 to $819,831 respectively. “The Overseer was questioned and said that the Chairman instructed the staff to do the adjustment in the Assessment Register with no supporting documentation and did not pass through the Council’s statutory meeting,” the AREO told the meeting.

“Examination of the

Regional Chairman Genevieve Allen

Assessment Register revealed that there were numerous changes in the amount for rates and valuation of property owners, etc. And it is not properly written up, neither was it balanced nor and cast for each property owners,” Singh said.

He went on to relate to the meeting that the Chairman’s actions were illegal and contradicted the standing operating procedures of the Council.

He also disclosed that the records contain a number of whiteouts marks, scratches, change of names to conceal in-

formation and the questionable use of hydraulic oil.

In concluding his findings, the AREO recommended that the Office of the Auditor General be immediately informed so as to conduct an in-depth audit of the Council records. He said the rates being collected are illegal and as such the region needs to ensure that this is corrected.

On the other hand, Chairman of the NDC, Dwarka Nauth admitted that they were some issues but noted that they are all being addressed. He however disputed the claims that his Councillors and himself have personally benefited from the increase of rates and taxes, maintaining that the then Minister had granted them the requisite consent even though the record shows that the Minister had put the increasing of rates and taxes on hold.

Regional Chairman Allen said that she will hand over the findings to the Auditor General’s office noting that they would take the necessary actions regarding the matter.

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Guyanese Girl Code: Bridging the ICT gender gap

By Lakhram Bhagirat

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ll over the world, women are entering traditionally male-dominated fields with the aim of breaking or bridging the gender disparity. In Guyana, it is no different as the Public Telecommunications Ministry in collaboration with the University of Guyana and the Education Ministry launched its inaugural Guyanese Girl Code Initiative.

Over 40 girls will be taught both theoretical and practical coding by instructors from the University of Guyana Computer Science Department and NCERD for the next 12 weeks as a part of the inaugural Guyanese Girls Code Initiative.

The pilot programme targets girls between the ages of 11 to 14 years and is aimed at addressing the gender disparity in Guyana’s Information

Public Telecommunication Minister Cathy Hughes

and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. The girls from Forms One to Three are from the St Roses High, Charlestown Secondary, St Stanislaus High, Mackenzie High, St Johns College, Richard Ishmael Secondary, Matthews Ridge Primary, Bishops’ High, Queens College, L’Aventure

Secondary, Central High, Hope Secondary, North Ruimveldt Secondary, Mae’s Schools, Cove and John Secondary, Annandale Secondary, St Margaret’s Primary, Skeldon High, Tutorial High, Cummings Lodge Secondary, Berbice High and West Demerara Secondary.

Coordinator of the programme, Donella Collison, said the girls are coming from all over Guyana just to be a part of the sessions. She explained that they initially catered for 20 girls but because of the overwhelming response, they had to extend that number.

The programme is expected to run for four hours on Saturdays so as to not disturb the schooling of the girls and will see them being split into two groups; one set hosted at UG and the other at NCERD. According to Collison, they are hoping to extend

it to communities out of Georgetown, particularly remote and hinterland locations.

“We chose this age group because typically in First to Third Form they do not get to do Information Technology and by the time they get to Fourth Form they move on to CXC and it is already late.

This programme in the pilot stage is really proving that

istered to be a part of the programme overwhelms her.

She added that internationally women and girls are leading corporations and hold high positions in the ICT sector but noted that Guyana and the Caribbean is lagging behind.

“You are the chosen generation. You guys are going to transform Guyana with how you use and promote ICT. I

Some of the girls and their parents

yes they can learn it at an early stage and yes we hope that at some point that would change the way Information Technology, coding, and programming is taught in our schools and we are hoping that we can extend it as much as possible,” Collison said.

Meanwhile, Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes said the number of girls who reg-

am excited that finally we can give opportunity to girls to make sure that they can be a part of this important game. Today is a new start to a whole new journey that you girls will undertake,” Hughes said.

She urged the girls to ensure they take full advantage of the opportunity and complete the 12-week course.

Minister Hughes said

the more women and girls in the tech industry will ultimately result in having more talented and innovative youths to change the demographic and lead Guyana into the digital revolution.

“We at the Ministry of Public Telecommunications always knew that we have to make a change. We have to train more of our Guyanese women to get into Information Technology, so we came up with a plan to demonstrate to our female population from as young as you are that ICT is not only meant for boys and not girls, women are exceeding, excelling and they are leading in many ways,” Hughes said.

“We recognise that just to create the apps, to do all of these wonderful things there are some fundamental training that is required and that is in the area of coding and the beautiful thing that we don’t have to worry about is that it is all interactive, it is practical, it is exciting,” she added.

The curriculum is expected to cover both theory and practical aspects. The theory is to cover about 40 per cent and the topics, includes the pioneers of computer science while the practical aspects will focus of looking at applications, software and hardware.

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After 2 years

Cybercrime Bill finally for National Assembly – Williams

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he much-anticipated Cybercrime Bill which was first laid in August 2016 is expected to return to the floor of the National Assembly almost two years after it was sent to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee for review.

This was revealed by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams.

“The Cyber Crime Bill has just been completed in the Special Select Committee, and it will be going to the floor of the Parliament for passage,” he said on Thursday.

In making these remarks, the minister was addressing the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop aimed at training state prosecutors in trial advocacy.

The draft legislation is aimed at tackling the 21st century phenomenon of cybercrime. It treats with the creation of cybercrime offences, and contains provisions for penalties, investigations and prosecutions of such offences.

Williams pointed out that with the Cybercrime legislation soon to come into force, there is need for state prosecutors to be equipped with

the knowledge and skills to deal with cybercrime offences.

Williams has said that given the dependence of societies all over the world on information and communication technologies, local prosecutions must be prepared to handle cybercrime and electronic evidence.

“That’s a very important bill; and again, that would be a specialised area, and the prosecutors will have to be exposed to that kind of training,” the Legal Affairs Minister stated.

Upon presenting the Bill in the National Assembly in August 2016, Williams had requested that it be sent to a Special Select Committee for special consideration and further consultation before it is debated. It has since been before that committee.

This piece of legislation comes even as local companies continue to be at risk of being hacked. In fact, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) had fallen victim to such an attack back in January last year, when its ICT (Information and Communication Technology) system was hacked. The company had reported that dis-

covery of the hack was made by its ICT personnel, who, while performing maintenance duties, had found that several systems were infected with malware. This forced the water company to take its servers offline to avoid extended damage, as the attack had disrupted its billing and collection methods.

Besides hacking, there have been concerns expressed in regard to cyber bullying and defamation.

Against this backdrop, acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine had announced in March last year that the Guyana Police Force would be establishing a cybercrime unit. According to the acting Top Cop, cybercrimes have become the opportune choice of criminals, hence the need for specialists

who are specifically dedicated to combating such activities.

Ramnarine noted that the Centre would be utilised to provide capacity-building to deal with cyber threats, something which he recognised demands a multi-stakeholder and long-term approach.

Ramnarine had identified the Centre as the most resourceful location to equip ranks with the necessary skills and

competency to have an informed approach to tackling cybercrimes.

The Cyber Crimes Bill caters for, inter alia: illegal access to a computer system; illegal interception; illegal data interference; illegal acquisition of data; illegal system interference; unauthorised receiving or granting of access to computer data; computer-related forgery; computer-related fraud; offences affecting critical infrastructure; identity-related offences; child pornography; child luringl and violation of privacy, among a slew of other offences.

The draft legislation outlines that a person commits an offence if he/she intentionally, without authorisation or in excess of authorisation, or by infringing any securi-

ty measure, accesses a computer system or any part of a computer system of another person.

It also states that a person who produces child pornography for the purpose of distribution through a computer system; or offers or makes available, distributes or transmits, child pornography through a computer system, commits an offence.

Guyana hosted the 16th Caribbean Nations Security Conference (CANSEC) – a forum for high ranking military officials from across the region to get together and discuss critical security issues – back in December, during which a commitment was made for the region to work together to secure the cyberspace of the Western Hemisphere against cyber-attacks.

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sunDAY, april 15, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Illegal vendors, littering blamed for Charity flooding

R

esidences and businesses close to the Charity Market on the Essequibo Coast are under floodwaters again as a result of clogged drains, caused by littering.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Saturday, Charity/ Urasara Neighbourhood Democratic Councillor Ryan Vanslygtman said illegal vending is to be blamed for the situation. According to Vanslygtman, illegal vendors are placing their stalls directly over the drainage structures, and are throwing all their waste materials into the drainage system,

A flooded section of the Charity Road leading to the market

which is presently clogged.

He noted that floodwaters were over 12 inches

high in some areas, and even the public road was partially flooded. The councillor said

Nandlall to file private criminal...

Interest bearing securities

The bonus in question was paid to the Government’s Central Bank account by US oil giant ExxonMobil in 2016.

The existence of this bonus and the renegotiated oil agreement with the company was kept an official secret until evidence of the transaction was leaked in December 2017.

The correspondence of September 20, 2016 which was leaked to the media was addressed to the Governor of the Bank of Guyana, with the subject being, “Signing bonus granted by ExxonMobil – Request to open bank account”.

It showed Finance Secretary at the Finance Ministry, Hector Butts, requesting that a foreign currency account be opened at the Bank in order to receive a deposit in the form of a ‘signing bonus’ to be given by the oil company.

The letter had stated,

“This account should not be treated as part of the Bank’s reserves. Instead, the proceeds should be held in the currency of the deposit, that is, United States dollars, and invested in secured interest-bearing securities.”

At a press conference on Friday, Jordan, in providing an update on the money, said the sum was intact and had accrued US$36,169 in interest after being invested in matured US treasury bills and Canadian bonds.

“I have the latest statement from the Bank of Guyana, and it says that the account has a balance of US$18,036,169. All US$18 million is still in the account, plus the interest of course.

During 2018, since we did not know when the United Nations Secretary-General would make his decision, we did not put any amounts in the budget,” he said.

But with Guyana taking

from page 11

its border controversy case against Venezuela before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Jordan had explained the process the Government intends to use to get the money; US$15 million of which has been set aside for the case, while the remainder is for training and capacity building.

“So now, what we will have to do is go for supplementary. This supplementary will be based on Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ indication as to how much they think we will have to pay the lawyers and others who provide services related to the ICJ matter,” he explained.

“When finally it is passed

by Parliament and signed into law by the President, we will then approach the Bank of Guyana to transfer the said identical sum to the Consolidated Fund,” he explained.

that when flooding occurs, legitimate businesses and vendors are made to suffer the most damage and losses.

He said the issue is something that has been plaguing the area for some time now.

“The legal businesses are the ones suffering the most, because they are paying all their taxes and still have to compete with the illegal sellers, who come to Charity on a daily basis and destroy the environment by leaving all their garbage behind,” Vanslygtman said.

Every time it rains heavily, he said, Charity businesses are forced to endure the same fate.

“The tide in the Pomeroon River is low and still the water (is) not draining…that is showing clearly is the garbage blocking the system,” he added.

Meanwhile, the business community in the area is calling on the regional administration to clamp down on illegal vending.

On Saturday, a regional engineering team visited the

Clogged drains led to flooding on Saturday

flooded area. The Regional Democratic Council for Region Two, on its Facebook page, said it was very evident that there was blockage due to garbage backup and neglected internal drains.

“The Regional Administration is calling on vendors and residents to desist from disposing of garbage in the drainage system,” it stated. (Mohanlall Seulall)

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CFU Women’s Challenge Series

Mixture of foreign and local blend in Lady Jags’ squad T

wenty players from the National Senior Women’s team, commonly referred to as the “Lady Jags”, have been shortlisted to represent Guyana in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Challenge Series Tournament, scheduled for April 23 – 30 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The squad consists of two Goalkeepers, five Defenders, nine Midfielders and four Forwards from both the Guyana and Internationalbased pool of players.

The announcement was made on Saturday at a team meeting held for the Guyana-based players by Akilah Castello, newly-appointed Assistant Coach.

Also present at the meeting were Ian Greenwood, Technical Director and Eon De Viera, the Guyana-based Goalkeeping Coach.

“The coaching staff is looking forward to these ex-

hibition matches to build cohesion as well as to assess playing strengths of the team,” said Head Coach, Dr. Ivan Joseph.

“We are looking forward to the Challenge Series and have the “Lady Jags” back on the pitch and compete in a high level environment.

Our goal is to use this tournament as a building block to prepare our team for the first round matches of the CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers in May”, he added.

Dr. Joseph said the team will use the opportunity for structured team building: “This is the first step in our goal to qualify for the CONCACAF finals in October. We have many new faces on the team as well as new staff and in order to perform at our best in the coming months, we must ensure that we are all on the same page. Therefore, while we

Head Coach, Dr Ivan Joseph

will use the tournament as a training environment to assess our players, it is also an opportunity for the team to get some much needed time together to build a game plan and structure that will help us succeed.”

International Women’s Team Coordinator, Paul Beresford, said the squad is

young but exposure is key as the team prepares for the CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers scheduled for next month.

“The GFF will be using the CFU Women’s Challenge Series to give some much needed exposure to our younger players. Given the limited time we had to pre-

pare for the tournament and with CONCACAF qualifiers happening next month, it was important that we manage the availability of our Guyana and Internationallybased players to ensure we put the right squad into each event. I am excited to see the re-launch of the “Lady Jags” programme.”

Guyana has been placed in Group E of the five-group tournament with Suriname and Grenada and will have its first match against Grenada on April 25at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Trinidad beginning at 16:00h. Their second match is scheduled for the 27th at 16:00h against Suriname and will face host Trinidad and Tobago on the 29th at 17:30h.

The format includes four teams placed in five groups.

The matches in each group will be played in Round Robin format, each team playing one match against

each of the other teams in the same group.

Lady Jags Squad:

Goal keepers: Aneesa O’Brien Goalkeeper (FC Durham Academy), Natalie Nedd (Fruta Conquerors FC); Defenders: Sasha James (Fruta Conquerors FC), Rylee Traicoff (FC Durham Academy), Nikkita Persaud (Pickering SC), Jessica Meyers (FC Durham Academy), Jade Vyfhuis (Markham SC); MidFielders: Nailah Rowe (FC Durham Academy), Julia Gonsalves (Unionville Strikers), Brianne Desa (FC Durham Academy), Allison Heydorn (Ann Arbor United), Mariam El-Masri (Warriors), Calaigh Copland (Woodbridge Strikers), Siacy Adams (Foxy Ladies), Shontel Greene (Foxy Ladies), Tiandi Smith (Foxy Ladies); Forwards: Jimmaica Hunte (Fruta Conquerors FC), Brittany Persuad (Westside Timbers), Annalisa Vincent (Silver Sands), Lakeisha Pearson (Fruta Conquerors FC).

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Handy knocks give Essequibo edge

E

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Kurt Lovell

National U-17 select bowlers at bay when round two of the Guyana Cricket Board/ Hand-in-Hand U-19 3-Day competition commenced at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

Batting first on an over-

sturdy as they lost their first wicket with 39 runs on the board.

Lovell played a composed first day innings so too did the skipper as both players sought to grind the U17 bowlers, who toiled for their rewards.

While most of the top-scoring batsmen played cautious knocks; it was unfortunate that none of the Cinderella County boys could press onwards.

After some defiance and the loss of the majority of recognized batsmen, Jones who counterpunched with three fours and two sixes in his unbeaten innings; saw Essequibo to stumps safely with partner Joel Fortune who was unbeaten on 5.

Action continues from 9:00h, weather permitting while the Demerara and Berbice clash will start today at Lusignan Community Centre ground.

Kevin Christian

GUYANA Alves attending TIMES Swan hold nerve in your area? CONCACAF’s professional to edge Mocha Circulation development workshop Department Contact our

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cast Saturday morning, Essequibo after a slightly late start, ended on 2617 thanks to the fight shown by their batting-heavy top order.

Kurt Lovell starred with four boundaries in his 49 and was unlucky to not reach fifty, a similar fate experienced by skipper Kevin Christian who was out for 45 with five fours.

Nevertheless, impetus was added by handy starts from the likes of Quintin Sampson (38), Mark Ramsammy (30) and Joshua Jones (27), Shane Wong (23) and Orlando Jailall (21) who looked well and should have gone on to significantly add to their stars.

It was hard for the youngsters of the U17 Select namely; Slyvian Williams (2-41) and 3-74 from Marvin Prashad who operated well under some tough bowling conditions.

When Jailall perished at the hands of Williams l, it was Lovell who kept things

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21

223-7230-1 (Ext 55) GFF’s Director of Competitions Ian Alves

The annual event is held in conjunction with the 2018 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield, also hosted in the Dominican Republic.

The conference is aimed at providing tools to professionalize club football in the CONCACAF region while fostering a space for knowledge acquisition and sharing among Member Associations.

The initiative is part of the One CONCACAF vision proffered by CONCACAF’s President Victor Montagliani who believes that professional football and its growth is a critical element to “ensure long-term success and increasing competitiveness on and off the field.”

Among the participants are members of national leagues, professional clubs outside the region and players’ associations from across t h e Region.

S

wan Football Club, in their first tournament as a member of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) showed great composure in clawing their way back to beat Mocha Champs 3-2 in their final game of the GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U15 Intra Association League yesterday at the Timehri Red Ground.

In the other match played, Herstelling Raiders fought back from a two goal deficit to earn an equal share of the points against Kuru Kururu Warriors as the former brought their campaign in this league to a close ending on 14 points from their quota of 11 matches.

The Warriors, with one match to play against Agricola Red Triangle today, is one point ahead of the Agricola side in their inaugural tournament which is sponsored by the Pele Alumni Corporation.

A win for either side today can see them ending in the second place to Timehri Panthers which is already assured of the title with a game to play against Mocha on Saturday when the League will come to an end.

The other match today brings together Mocha Champs and Diamond United from 09:30h, the penultimate day of the competition which kicked off on January 20th at the Grove Playfield.

In yesterday’s main attraction, Mocha Champs took the lead after eight minutes of play through a Jermaine Harry goal but Swan fired back to even things up in the 15th minute, compliments of Christov Roberts’ strike.

But ten minute later, Mocha restored their one goal advantage when Yohance Porter found the back of the nets. That advantage lasted until the 55th minute when Swan evened the score once again through Kevin Daniels’ goal.

This was during a dominant period of play which saw the Linden Soesdyke Highway lads missing numerous chances. So it was no surprise that the winning goal came in the 60th minute off the boots of Azeem Calistro to cap a dominant second half for his team which has ended the league on 22 points from their 11 matches, 7 wins 3 losses and one draw.

22

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, april 15, 2018

John pedals to Wong Universal Auto title

Youth Olympic Games…

Miguel Wong

stumbles at 1st chance to qualify – gets 2nd opportunity today

T

alented racket wilder Miguel Wong faced his first of what is hoped to be his only stumbling block in qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games which are scheduled for Argentina from October 6-18.

Competing in the first series of qualifiers on Saturday in Paraguay, Wong, after receiving a bye in the first round lost to Jordan’s Khaled Khader 1-4 (7-11, 5-11, 11-9, 2-11 & 2-11) in the second round.

Though the tourna-

ment is played on a straight knock-out basis he will have a second crack at sealing qualification today when he plays Trehdel Lake of St. Kitts and Nevis. Should he win all of his matches today, he would be the second of two male qualifiers for

the Youth Olympics; two females will also qualify.

According to President of Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Godfrey Munroe, should Wong be unsuccessful, there are still other avenues for him to make the trip to Argentina.

Despite the GTTA has sent Wong’s name to the International Olympic Committee for consideration as a possible candidate for a Universality allocated place (wild card), he still has to make attempts at qualifying.

The other windows of opportunities arise with the North American Championships, Canadian Championships in June and the Oceania qualifiers; Munroe stated once they acquire the necessary funds for him to participate at these tournaments, they will send him. (Akeem Greene)

T

Jamal John

eam Coco’s Jamal John pedalled his way to the finish line in emphatic style to win Saturday’s 35-lap Universal Auto and General Supplies’ race.

The in-form cyclist opened the season with a time of 1:15:12 under pretty murky conditions at the National Park.

Coco's other star rider, Hamzah Eastman took the final podium spot while Alonzo Ambrose landed

fourth. Andrew Hicks (winner of three sprint prizes) and Raymond ‘Steely’ Newton completed the top six positions.

David Hicks (BMX Boys and Girls 12-14 years), Jaheim Henry (BMX 9-12 and 12-14) Gerard Barrington (BMX Boys 6-9 years), Ajay Gopilall (Juveniles), Leer Nunes (Veteran U-50 years) and Ian Jackson (Veteran O-50 years); were among the other notable winners.

8th annual PowerAde cycle race pedals off today

C

hampion cyclist Jamal John will look to defend his title against a host of top riders, come Sunday when the 8th annual PowerAde 46-mile race pedals off.

Cycling action will light up the West Demerara roadways from 08:30h from Schoonord; then proceeding to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo before returning to the point of origin for the finish.

John, of Team Coco emerged victorious and

was crowned champion of the Open race last year, while other winners in last year’s event included; Jason Cameron (juniors), Junior Niles (veterans), Keon Thomas (mountain bikes) and Denacia Welch, female category.

Apart from the top six finishers of the Open race being rewarded, prizes are also set for the top three riders in the other categories. Eight sprint prizes would be up for grabs following the end of the day’s action.

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, april 15, 2018

23

Commonwealth Games 2018…

Golden leap!

–Doris lands gold in triple jump

Troy Doris

O

lympian Troy Doris has etched his name into the annals of history by leaping towards gold at the XXI Commonwealth Games being held in Australia on Saturday.

Doris had just three of six legal jumps, the first, 16.67 metres, which would not have given him a medal, before a leap of 16.88 brought the ultimate hardware.

His third jump of 16.26 was inconsequential, as Dominica’s Yordanys Duranona Garcia’s first jump of 16.86, was to be the farthest he would extend in the pit to come up with a silver medal.

Cameroon’s Marcel Mayack II earned the bronze medal with his personal best leap of 16.46 metres.

Jamaica’s Clive Pullen was seventh with a best mark of 16.25. Pulln had trouble getting his runs right, miss-

Rifle shooting

The Guyanese duo of Lennox Braithwaite and Ransford Goodluck ended their quest for medals at the Commonwealth Games Queen's Prize Individual Fullbore Shooting Finals without a medal but turned in sterling performances in the process.

Coming up against the best marksmen in the world, Braithwaite, going into the final two ranges (900 and 1000 yards) on the third and final in 8th place ended the championships in 18th place with a grand aggregate of 396 points and 35Vs while Goodluck accumulated 390:31 to end as the third best Caribbean shooter behind Barbadian Jason Wood who managed one point more than Goodluck but one V less. Braithwaite’s final total apart from being the best achieved by a Caribbean marksman at the champi-

Lennox Braithwaite

ing his first two jumps before registering 16.16 and 16.20. He would again foul a jump before reaching his best mark on his last jump.

The other two Caribbean finalists, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Jumonne Exeter, 15.92, and the Bahamas’ latario Collie, 15.90, were 10th and 11th respectively.

It was Guyana’s first gold medal at the event since 2002, when Aliann Pompey won the 400m in England. Meanwhile, in the Women’s High Jump Final, Guyana’s Natrena Hooper finished 12th overall, recording 1.75m.

onships was also his best ever at these games. Taking the gold in record breaking style was Englishman David Luckman whose 404:49 eclipsed the previous record of 401:42 which he himself had set at the Glasgow Games, four years ago.

Such was the performance of the gold medalist that he dropped just a single shot in three days of competition at 8 ranges. The Englishman dropped his final shot of the championships. Taking the gold medal on Vs was Australian Jim Bailey who had held a slim lead going into the final day.

Bailey ended with 403:50 but ahead of Parag Patel

of England who had to settle for the bronze with 45Vs. Scotland’s Ian Shaw was 4th with 402:39 followed by Jersey pair of Barry Le Cheminant 401:50 and David Le Quesne 400:47, Canada’s Nicole Rossignol 400:38, New Zealand’s John Snowden 400:35, Australian Ben Emms 399:48 and Gareth Morris of Wales 399:45 to close out the top 10.

The other Caribbean shooters who competed are Jamaican David Rickman 375:19 (27th), Barbadian Richard Arthur 374:18 (28th), Denis Nelson –

Ransford Goodluck

Jamaica 371:23 (29th), Delborn Joseph – Trinidad &Tobago 362:17 (30th), Edworth Benjamin – Antigua & Barbuda 354:20 (31st), Michael Perez – Trinidad &Tobago 354:15 (32nd) and Desroy Maile – Antigua & Barbuda 338:9 (33rd).

In the Pairs competition, Guyana had finished 11th of the 16 competing teams and the top Caribbean nation.

Meanwhile, the Guyanese like their Caribbean counterparts will now turn their attention to the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships set for the Land of the Flying fish, Barbados in May.

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

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Commonwealth Games 2018…

GCB/Hand-in-Hand U-19 Inter County...

Golden leap!

Pg 23

Pg 23

–Doris lands gold in triple jump Troy Doris won Guyana's first gold medal at the Games since Aliann Pompey in 2002

Handy knocks give Essequibo edge Kevin Christian

CFU Women’s Challenge Series

Mixture of foreign and local blend in Lady Jags’ squad Pg 20

Twenty ladies have been selected for the Caribbean Football Union Women’s Challenge Series Tournament, scheduled for April 23 – 30 in Trinidad and Tobago

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.

April 15, 2018

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2 Sunday Times Magazine

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APRIL 15, 2018

Feature

T

he news is abuzz with the exciting announcement that two young Guyanese, Fatima Karim and Ashley Anthony have scored positions in a few of the top-tier universities in the United States.

These ‘high flyers’ in education are no strangers to the spotlight; both young ladies recently basked in their successes at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

Karim, currently an Upper Sixth form student at Queen’s College and 2016’s top CSEC performer, was able to gain admission into the Princeton and Stanford Universities. The young scholar explained that while both universities are stellar,

it would be a difficult decision to choose; she is intent on studying chemical engineering.

While att e n d ing St

Rose’s H i g h S c h o o l , Karim wrote 20 subjects and obtained 19 Grade Ones and one Grade Two. Speaking with Guyana Times, the young woman had expressed her excitement and relief with her results,

but I didn’t know that I would top the country. I found out about my grades like two hours before the

noti n g that she is proud of her achievement.

“I was pleasantly surprised with the grades…

I was expecting to do well

press conference and was really excited but I still didn’t know I topped the country, and I was watching the press conference with my family and when they called out my

said too that it would be a source of great pride for her to return to Guyana upon the completion of her studies.

Meanwhile, Ashley Anthony has been admitted to Yale, another highprofile US university. This young lady is no stranger to being highlighted for her academic ability. A published Author and a columnist, this young lady also a high achiever at CSEC and CAPE in 2016. The daughter of former Minister Dr Frank Anthony, Ashley s ecured 17 Grade Ones.

“My advice to other young

as successful as you hope.

Always have a contingency plan.

Even though it's good to shoot for the stars, many ivy league schools and top tier schools are extremely selective. In my case, I chose to apply to top schools as well as schools that weren't as elite to ensure that at the end of the day I'd still be going to college,” Ashely advised during an interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

Hoping to study Biomolecular Physics/ Chemistry, Anthony explained that although she had sent applications to several other high ranking Universities, Yale was among her top choices. She is intent on continuing her academic pursuits, and ex-

Fatima receiving an award for her outstanding performance

name, the house went wild and the phone began to ring and it was crazy after that,” she recalled.

Even then, the young academic expressed the hopes of pursuing studies in petroleum engineering, following in the footsteps of her uncles and grandfather. She

people would be to try your best to understand the system and what's required of you. You can be a great student; excelling at CSEC and CAPE, but if you don't put the same amount of effort into SATS and your essays for your college applications, more than likely you won't be

Ashley and colleagues at her High School graduation

plained that even after she graduates in 2022 she plans to return to Guyana.

Anuradha Dev firmly positioned in the high echelons of academics.

Currently pursuing studies at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Anuradha Dev is former stu-

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 15, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

dent o f Leonora Primary School, the young G u y a n e s e scholar emerged as a high flyer in 2006 when she topped the country at the Common Entrance Examinations, now the National Grade 6 Assessment (NGSA). Securing a place at the prestigious Queen’s College, the young Guyanese also topped the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) for Guyana in 2011, with 16 grade ones; this time, she also secured the highest scores in the Caribbean for Science. Subsequently, Anu excelled in the 2013 CAPE Examinations.

According to Miss Dev, preparation for the examination was a challenge as she did not attend any lessons; rather, she studied with the help of her father and her teachers who again contributed to her success. “Well first of all, I didn’t take any lessons; I did a lot of work at home with my dad by using the CAPE syllabus,” she disclosed during an earlier interview with the Guyana Times.

Dev, who was ordained Head Prefect at her school, said the opportunity gave her the opportunity to become more organised for CAPE Unit Two as she had to prioritise her work. She is fiercely

proud o f t h e role she played as Head Prefect and also takes pride in representing her school in sports.

Elaborating on her home studies, Dev said she and her dad would do online studies and research, but this was a challenge since she had to choose specifically what to study based on the makeup of the CAPE syllabus. She wrote biology, chemistry, physics, pure math (all Unit Two) and Caribbean studies this year, and in 2012 in Lower Six Form, she wrote biology, chemistry, physics, pure math and communications studies (all Unit One). She thanked her teachers, families and friends for their support during her studies, and advised students to break the habit of procrastination and to manage their time wisely.

After this achievement, she then

moved on to Trinidad, where she is currently pursuing her medical studies. Following three years in Medical School, Anu attained her Bachelor of Medical Science, graduating with high honours and a 4.11GPA. She is currently working assiduously to complete her MBBS in May. Intention With intentions of eventually becoming a

General Surgeon, this Guyanese high achiever’s main aim is to improve the health care sys-

Anuradha at her High School graduation

tem in Guyana, and has every intention of returning to her homeland.

She expressed t h e

confidence t h a t “Guyana is beginning to take off” and that she can provide an invaluable service to her country in the future.

4

Sunday Times Magazine

APRIL 15, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Feature

– UG 2017 Valedictorian

E

lsie Harry is a proud Guyanese, a leader and a lover of people. During a recent interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Ms Harry took the opportunity to provide some insight into her life and academic success. “I believe in working earnestly and honestly for the things that we want to achieve. I believe in the ability of Guyana’s human resource to lift her above her current challenges to become more productive and to return her to a leadership role in the region. It is for this reason that I continuously exert my energies toward activism, youth and community development. Each of us can make a difference- we only need to decide how,” she stated firmly. On her journey and experiences, Ms Harry was quick to share advice.

Times Sunday Times (TSM): What has the journey to success been like? What were your obstacles, sacrifices, rewards?

Ms. Harry: My journey to success is ongoing. I have reached certain milestones that I am proud of such as; completing my first Degree and being named University of Guyana Valedictorian 2017, winning several graduation awards inclusive of the Rashleigh Jackson Prize for the best graduating student with the Bachelor of Social Science Degree in International Relations

Elsie Harry all smiles at her UG graduation

and the Council of the University of Guyana Prize for the graduating student who has made the greatest contribution in other areas of University activities 2016-2017, being named a European Commission Peace Building Scholar and gaining sponsorship to the One Young World Conference 2017

and a 2016 Commonwealth Youth Worker Award for community service. These are essentially, the rewards for the obstacles that I have overcome and sacrifices that have been made.

The obstacles have included financial and health related trials. In those times I was thankful for my network of support.

Also, I adopted a healthier lifestyle and obtained employment in my 3rd year of University with a purpose to maintain balance, so that I could have greater financial security without jeopardizing my academic performance.

The sacrifices included foregoing the things that I wanted to do, that seemed more fun at the time, for the things that I recognised were necessary. Rather than always going out with my friends or sleepingin (I did this in moderation), I chose to dedicate time to reading, attending workshops and conferences and volunteering.

As you can tell, the sacrifices paid off and now, when I look at the rewards, I am motivated to keep making the necessary sacrifices to achieve other goals that I have set for myself.

TSM: Who were your motivators/role models?

Ms Harry: My motivators and role models are many. They are a mixture of adults and youth who I see doing positive things in Guyana and the world. I wish I could list the adults in particular, but I am convinced that they do not like the limelight. I am content to say that through work, volunteer activities and by way of introduction, I have met people who have taken a keen interest in my development. I refer to them as my mentors and I can call them at any time to receive advice, reading material and instructions for navigating the challenges that I face in my life. The youth that I follow and draw motivation from are those that continuously do positive things, great or small, in their specific areas of interest. Many of them I simply follow on social media. I love reading their stories and I drop them little lines of congratulations and encouragement, knowing that each of them simply doing what they do, encourages me to keep doing what I do.

TSM: Since graduation, what has been your journey like? future plans Ms Harry : Immediately after graduation I spent time with my friends and loved ones. I thanked them for the role that they continue to play in my life. I travelled to spend time with family members and to complete some important tasks for my parents. While I was away from Guyana, I was able to do some media work inclusive of producing and hosting a radio programme and I learnt some valuable skills inclusive of editing audio content and website managing which I am able to use in my service to the NGO that I currently work with in Guyana. I host a television programme on HBTV Channel 9 called African Drums; it airs on Sundays at 8-9pm. I have been speaking at various events and offering my services mainly to youth to assist with their development.

My future plans include pursuing a Masters Degree in an area that I am convinced is necessary for Guyana’s development. I can talk more about this when it is settled. I plan to get married after my Masters programme is complete because I am in a long-term relationship and I do believe in the value of family and companionship. I will also continue to volunteer and to focus my efforts on more specific areas of national development.

TSM: What message would you send to young people aspiring to be like you?

Ms Harry: My message to the youth is, please don’t aspire to be like me. Rather, as-

pire to be the best version of yourself. You each have your unique abilities, interests and your own drive. There are things that you can do that I cannot and that is okay, because we are all needed for Guyana’s development. I am truly convinced that Guyana’s youth are exceptional and I want to implore you to make the decision to impact Guyana in a positive way. I’m leaving you with a snippet of my graduation speech and I hope that it inspires you, as I was inspired to write it: Renaissance: Everyone, this is your wake up call, regardless of what office you sit in, sales clerk or politician, pastor or President, student or teacher; having your renaissance means being able to facilitate the renaissance of others. Be efficient, be

courteous, be caring. Do not focus on ethnicity-focus on character. Respect women- we are important to Guyanese society and simply offer quality service because it serves our country. When you do better, your country does better. When you achieve your renaissance, your country will achieve its renaissance.

Graduates do not think that you have done your duty to this country by simply graduating with your Degrees and Diplomas. Everyone, do not fly out and abandon Guyana. I need you to dig deep within yourselves and figure out today, what you can do to accelerate your own renaissance. Those of you who sit passively by, while things unfold in Guyana that you are not proud of, stop it!

This is the rallying cry, this is my admonition to you-each of you can change the world; you only need to decide how! You are the bright faces that will eventually lead our country, hearts that will mend the holes in the fabric of our society, hands that will mold future generations into future leaders and feet that will tread into areas of divide and sew reconciliation into the hearts of the people. Everyone, this is YOUR renaissance; own it, and dare, to complete it!

Harry merged as the front runner amidst a group of about 2000 graduating students; she is the former president of the university’s International Affairs Association.

The young woman summed up her feelings as being “overwhelmed”, and went on to thank here well-wishers for their support throughout her journey of higher levels of academic and professional pursuits.

She graduated with an astonishing grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 and attained her Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the Faculty of Social Sciences.

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 15, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

especially the children, were anxious to get on any of the 15 laptop computers that were donated by Government to the Leguan Community

A

new ICT Hub was recently commissioned at the Wales Community Center located close to the Patentia Secondary and Primary Schools.

Wi–fi equipment was previously installed at that Center in 2017 by the eGovernment Project Execution Unit, and students from the two nearby schools have since been able to access the internet utilizing their own laptops, tablets, cell phones, while they waited for the community to convert a part of the community center into an ICT hub. Several desktop computers had been installed on the premises in 2012 as part of the old Basic Needs Trust project.

The eGovernment Unit, now absorbed into the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), went ahead last year and repaired every computer before connecting them to the now year-old Wi-fi internet at the community center. Now the young people and adults have free access to the worldwide web via those refurbished computers, as well as their own devices.

Parmesh Bissoondial, a student of Patentia Secondary said, “The ICT Hub will help me because I have work to do online for my (CSEC SchoolBased Assessment) SBA, and it will help me gain knowledge. I could also download books so I can study, and get past papers so I can practise for the exams.

It will come in very handy”. His fellow student, Shivanie Sukdeo,

Patentia Secondary Student Parmesh Bissoondial

shared his views. She stated, “By opening this Hub in the Wales Community, it will benefit me as a student, (to) do my SBA, my research, my assignments and many other things, so it is very beneficial and I am happy about it”.

Patentia Secondary’s teacher of Information Technology and Economics, Ms. Raelene Phillips, stated that the best thing for her students is the fact that they have internet connectivity in school and after school at the community center. “They can practice what they learned at school. Exams are just around the corner and they will need as much practice as they can get, and (they can) work at their own pace,” she reiterated. She observed that there are families in the Wales community who may not have easy and free access to the internet at home and now they could just walk over to the Community Center.

Ms. Phillips plans to start her own training programme for

Patentia Secondary Student Shivanie Sukhdeo

adults and senior citizens in the community “to teach them how to use the computer so they can see how the internet can benefit them. We know there are some adults who do not want to use the computer because they do not know how, but we are living in the age of technology so it is important for them to know,” she firmly stated. Her plans fit right in with the MOPT’s long-term itinerary that includes computer literacy (basic and intermediate level) training at community centers.

Free Internet in Leguan

One day after the Wales commissioning, the 110th completely functional ICT hub was commissioned on the Essequibo River island of Leguan.

This is another milestone on the MOPT journey, providing free internet access for Guyanese in every administrative region.

Leguan’s hub was commissioned

by Minister Cathy Hughes.

Residents of the community,

Centre. At the end of the brief commissioning ceremony, the children cut the obligatory ribbon with Minister Hughes then rushed to the computers. Very

quickly they found the NCERD website with past examination papers, and the online games they know. (Ministry of Public Telecommunications)

6 Sunday Times Magazine

APRIL 15, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Literary Corner

by

Petamber Persaud

PP: Jordan, your opening thoughts.

JV: Well, I came to Guyana when I was nineteen, first to Jonestown – everyone that came in, first went to Jonestown and most stayed. I was fortunate to also come out and spend time in some of the outlying areas like Georgetown, Linden and New Amsterdam and get to know the people of Guyana well. For me, coming back here, I wanted to see Jonestown or the area that was once Jonestown for...perhaps...the last time. Something was left unfinished without having seen it again so I was able to do that and it was very healing in a way I probably wouldn’t know until I get back home. But the other reason is I also wanted to connect with the Guyanese people who had always been kind and opened up their hearts to us, every single Guyanese I have met was very friendly and welcoming.

And as Laura said the Guyanese perspective hasn’t been taken into account and the damage that the incident had on Guyana was large and I wanted to acknowledge that.

So our trip here has been better than I could have expected. People have been really receptive and the conversations have been rich – I feel like along with my healing we can all heal together because the Guyanese people are victimised as well and together we can go further than just leaving it as this thing that happened, what more can we do together to learn from it and be open to creativity in ways we haven’t thought of before.

PP: Two things: Laura you talked about the beauty of Guyana and its hold on you, and Jordan you too, and I am happy for that.

The other thing: in my line, I always question the text – there is not much coming from Guyana except for Eusi Kwayana....

LJH: He is a good friend of mine. His perspective helped me opened up look-

by

Aesop

I

n a field one summer’s day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart’s content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

“Why not come and chat with me,” said the Grasshopper, “instead of toiling and moiling in that way?”

“I am helping to lay up food for the winter,” said the Ant, “and recom-

ing for the Guyanese perspective. He wrote his book A New Look at Jonestown: Dimensions from a Guyanese Perspective and he had asked me to write the foreword.

I read the book and just loved it...you see when I was healing, I talked first about it was me then a little bit bigger and finally it was the bay area of San Francisco and California. I didn’t pursue it, I didn’t widen it enough. When Eusi wrote book, his

he talked a lot about Guyana, he talked a lot about things bigger than Guyana – a global perspective of how a rich entity can come into a country and have no regulations, restrictions or overview because they seem so

mend you to do the same.”

“Why bother about win-

powerful, donating a lot of money and dif- from one point or the other.... ferent efforts in a community. So what Eusi PP: One point or the other. Any new indid, he expanded it as wide as it could be; formation coming out of that meeting?

JV: There are a lot of rumours flying it is not only a Guyana issue, it is not limited to the Western Hemisphere, it is really around after all these years – gold, mona global issue. So he included rich texts of ey....

LJH: Supplies of cement going into historians and economists, people who had the perspective and data to prove his point Jonestown.... on the roads available at that which is saying that Guyana is not alone in time; it seems unlikely.

You know, in a period of three, we creathaving an outside force come in and really wreck havoc. That started me think- ed a community of three huge dorms, a paing that there must more Guyanese who vilion, a school, a library, 52 cottages, houshave opinions but I don’t have much con- ing 1,000 people living in Jonestown. tact with them. So I wrote my book and The makeup of Jonestown was about started doing a blogs on my Facebook one third children, about one third seniors. page targeting all the people living in [The children] were pretty much in school, Guyana. So I get this rich feedback – or doing gardening, or cleaning the greens thousands of people would look at my we brought in or sowing. And then there blog and hundreds of people would re- was a workforce about one third kept busy spond: Oh, yes, I saw the Guyanese feeding 1,000 people three meals a day!.... man shot at the airstrip; a bullet Cement? No time for cement – only ruwhiz by his leg and injured him or mours....

JV: This also shows you that without somebody saw a truck leave.

There is so much we haven’t even contact, all kinds of ideas come forth. Over explored on the surface not even the this long period to time, people hadn’t the deeper issues. So we have to start opportunity to speak to anybody.

LJK: The Jonestown Institute is the with the surface but even while we were here we had a communi- most profound source of information.... ty meet at Port Kaituma, invitResponses to this author telephone (592) ing everyone to ask any question 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yaand we tried to let them know hoo.com anything was fine.

They came – 35 or so people came they had all the questions, they brought up the rumours; it was a very friendly, open and active and wonderful gathering that we could look each other in the eye and what about that and Jordan or I would try to explain or agree with them that it was ridiculous or whatever...beBY EDGAR ALLAN POE cause we have a lot in common – we all saw the madness

ter?” said the Grasshopper; “We have got plenty of food at present.” But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil.

When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer.

Then the Grasshopper knew: It is best to prepare for days of need. Classic fable. Moral: It is best to prepare for days of need.

Notice to Readers

In visions of the dark night I have dreamed of joy departed— But a waking dream of life and light Hath left me broken-hearted.

Ah! what is not a dream by day To him whose eyes are cast On things around him with a ray Turned back upon the past?

That holy dream—that holy dream, While all the world were chiding, Hath cheered me as a lovely beam A lonely spirit guiding.

What though that light, thro' storm and night, So trembled from afar— What could there be more purely bright In Truth's day-star?

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

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APRIL 15, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

T

he Bishops’ High School, St. Roses High School, and Mahdia Secondary School were today chosen to represent Guyana at the upcoming Science Fair being held in September in Brazil. The schools were selected based on their excellent performance at the recent National Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Fair 2018.

This announcement came at the closing ceremony of the STEAM Fair held at St Joseph’s High School last Friday , which saw scores of students, parents and teachers heavily involved in the proceedings The three-day Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) fair which featured a number of participants from schools across the length and breadth of Guyana concluded recently , and was considered a success. The event was held under the theme, “Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics paving the way for a green and sustainable society”.

This year, several schools in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice) dominated the competition, and carted off most of the trophies being distributed among four participating schools.

Mackenzie High placed second in Lower Secondary Science category with their project, Purple Square. In the Social Biology Science category, the same school got first place with their project,

The winners of the National Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics – STEAM Fair 2018

‘Healthy Smealthy’. There was also a winner from Linden in the Mathematics Category and others in Chemistry and Agriculture.

Christiansburg Secondary placed first in the Home Economics category and the Linden Foundation won a few trophies as well.

Participants were judged based on physical display, oral presentation, and a prepared booklet.

Other big winners in the competition included St Roses High, for the best overall presentation,

Three Miles Secondary School, Abram Zuil Secondary, St Agnes Primary School, St. Ignatius Secondary, Tuschen Primary School, New Market Primary, CV Nunes Primary, Tucville Secondary, St. Stanislaus College, Novar Secondary, St Joseph’s High, Berbice High School and Waraburi Secondary.

Several other schools in Regions One, Two, Three, Five, Six, Seven and Nine, also copped several top prizes for their out-

standing pieces.

The competition was divided into three categories; Primary, Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary and further subdivided into a plethora of subject areas including Mathematics, Home Economics, Visual Arts, Information Technology, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Agricultural Science, among others.

The National Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts,

4 new restorative practices trainers to be certified in the Region

T

and Mathematics fair, is a biennial event. The purpose of these shows is to allow students an opportunity to display innovative and creative projects produced by them to solve problems within their community or school environment. Region Four will be hosting the next STEAM Fair in 2020.

According to Assistant Chief Education Officer Patrick Chenadu, this year’s exhibition featured the introduction of art, newly implemented to highlight the works of students pursuing art studies.

Emphasis was also placed on the “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” element being showcased, which upped the creativity of the executed plans.

The teachers and the students spent months of planning their projects. They had to compete in the regionals before making it to the nationals.

Over the past months, the various institutions, ranging from primary to tertiary, competed in regional competitions, in which the winners were chosen to showcase their creations in the finals.

While some students used the platform to highlight key issues which affect their communities and country, others emphasized the importance nutrition and diet plays in the lives of individuals. In this way, those who visited the exhibition were given exposure on these areas, as well as knowledge on how they can be resolved.

he Canadian Government funded Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (IMPACT Justice) Project, hosted two 2-day Restorative Practices Workshops in the Shell Suite of the Solution Centre, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus from April 3rd to 6th, 2018.

These workshops were conducted to conclude the training of 4 of the 6 persons trained in Barbados to be Restorative Practices Trainers.

At the opening ceremony for the workshops, Professor Velma Newton, Regional Project Director of the IMPACT Justice Project stated that thus far IMPACT Justice has trained hundreds of persons across 10 of the 13 CARICOM countries in which the Project is implemented.

She expressed her pleasure that the Project has reached the stage where it can now boast of having created a cohort of trainers to further promote the use of Restorative Practices through which educators and parents can address violence and bullying within schools.

The 4 persons who will now qualify for certification as Restorative Practices Trainers are Ms. Patricia Warner, Senior Education Officer, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Julia Edey, Guidance Counsellor, Parkinson Memorial School, Mr. Ken Layne, Deputy Principal, Darryl Jordan Secondary School and Ms. Gloria Lewis, Lecturer, T.A. Marryshow Community College, Grenada.

All 4 of the new trainers received high praise from the participants who comprised, Education Officers, Principals, Guidance Counsellors, Youth Commissioners, Primary School Counsellors and Teachers. Mr. Bruce Schenk, Director of the International Institute for Restorative Practices, Canada, was also very pleased with the performance of the new trainers.

On April 11th and 12th, IMPACT Justice will facilitate another workshop at which two more trainee trainers from Guyana and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will have an opportunity to complete their certification process.

This workshop is being held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in Guyana.

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APRIL 15, 2018

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Travel and Tourism

– a peaceful and relaxing place away from the outside world

Panoramic

“T

he Essequibo is a grand, beautifully moody river that transports the brown muddy waters from wide reaches of Guyana.” Bradt Guides From its humble source in the Acarai Mountains along Guyana’s southern border with Brazil, the Essequibo River flows north for more than 600 miles – winding, twisting and roaring through savannas and tropical forests along the way – until its mouth opens up some 20 miles (32km) in width and it spills into the Atlantic Ocean. During its journey, the Essequibo, which is Guyana’s largest river, and South America’s third-largest (behind the Amazon and Orinoco), flows aroundsome 365 different islands.

The three largest – Wakenaam, Leguan and Hog – create a large tongue in the Essequibo’s mouth. Together their girth measures nearly 60 square miles; alone the islands are larger than some of the famed Caribbean countries to the north.

I have crossed the majestic Essequibo on countless occasions; numerous adventures have taken me by plane, speed boat, ferry, paddleboat and even a yacht. Each of these expeditions has left a lasting impression as I have experienced the many moods of the mighty river. From the calm veneer of the early morning waters to the angry churning of the mid- afternoon tide, the river never ceases to captivate.

As an adventurer, I am always hungry for the next jaunt, therefore, when the opportunity arose to explore the upper reaches of the Essequibo River; I was all in, never anticipating the enchanting experience ahead. The trip itself was not a very tedious one; the comforts of a modern SUV cushioned much of the bumps along the Linden Highway and the stretch of Mabura Road, where laden trucks and mud covered cars traverse. Throughout the three hour journey, thoughts of the River kept flowing through my mind; was it possible to actually walk across this intimidating body of water? That was the lure of the trip for me. There was much talk of such a possibility given that it was the dry season and much of the golden sand banks were now exposed, creating a pathway to the other side of the river bank. Oh what a possibility! Preoccupied with these thoughts, the red road led us on; anxious and excited I finally settled in.

The journey itself cannot be overlooked, as there was much to absorb as the Essequibo called out. Along the way we saw a variety of creatures including monkeys, an anteater and hundreds of birds in all colours and sizes. For anyone who has ever journeyed into Guyana’s interior regions, this experience is as enriching as it is humbling.

Moco moco Creek

Sand Banks

It was mid- morning by the time we arrived at our camp site; the trek to the river would take another half hour.

Given my mounting excitement, I was pleased to learn that we would forego the journey by foot for a later time. The comfy SUV was on hand to whisk us away in record time.

I opted to ride in the tray, not wanting to miss the first glimpse of the Essequibo; the view did not disappoint. As the vehicle crested the hill, the river bank came into sight and I reeled at the awesome sight. There, glistening in the mid afternoon sun, the murky waters of the River met the golden trails of the Moco Mock Creek, their union clearly visible in the shallow waters.

Rapt by the now shallow depths, I hopped from the SUV and waded slowly into the cool waters, which flowed gently between my toes. Other members of the group were now wading knee deep in the Essequibo, as they made their way across to the other side. So as not to be bested, I too forged ahead! This was what the journey was all about for me. Half way across, I suddenly remembered my inability to swim and my underlying fear of the water. As quickly as I immersed myself in the mesmerizing waters, I was back on the river bank. This was the mighty Essequibo! How dare I attempt to slay her? Humbled by this thought, I was comforted by my bravado, though short-lived. Members of the group made the journey a few times effortlessly. Here, there were no Dutch forts, pretty beaches or a fancy resorts, only nature in its rawest form; peaceful and serene and miles away from the outside world. There I remained on the River Bank and listened to the gentle lapping of the waters until the sun set on the sleeping giant.

There was no danger in the crossing, although I only managed to walk across the Essequibo half way , however, I preserved my respect for the placid waters and vowed that we would meet again.

Comfy SUV

Sunset on the Essequibo

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Sunday Times Magazine

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10 Sunday Times Magazine

APRIL 15, 2018

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Fashion

O

ne of the hallmarks of Wedding Expo in recent years is participation in the event by micro entrepreneurs, sponsored by big companies whose products they utilise.

This year, companies such as the Beharry Group and Sterling Products along with agencies like t h e Institute for Private Enterprise Development (IPED) and the government’s Small Business Bureau were responsible for sponsorship of the participation of almost a dozen micro enterprises in the 10th anniversary edition of Wedding Expo, staged by the Roraima Group of Companies.

“This is the kind of support we would like to see more of the big companies give to small entrepreneurs so as to give them exposure and help them grow their businesses,” Roraima chief executive officer, Capt.

Gerry Gouveia said at a post event press conference.

With the announcement by Director General of Tourism, Donald Sinclair, that new legislation should be in place later this year to facilitate the issue of marriage licenses within a timeframe of two to three days, wedding destination tourism is set to “take off” and it is imperative that Guyana prepares to exploit this new opportunity, Gouveia said.

“So Wedding Expo will emerge as an even more important event in the national calendar of events, as it provides the most uniquely positioned platform in Guyana that delivers significant value to all stakeholders in the hospitality sector in general and the wedding industry in particular. We at Roraima remain committed to hosting and further building Wedding Expo so that participants can fully benefit from the opportunities to be de-

rived from a full developed wedding destination tourism product,” he said.

Wedding Expo 2018 was a display of glitz and glamour spiced with the rich cultural diversity that is Guyana. For three consecutive nights the poolside of the Duke Lodge was transformed into a vibrant riot of color and rich artistry with male and female models offering up the latest in bridal and related fashion, much to the appreciation of the engaging audiences that turned out each night.

The wedding of this year’s winners of ‘Race to the Altar’ was, as it is each year, another major attraction at Wedding Expo 2018.

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APRIL 15, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Recipe

Ingredients 1 pound baby new potatoes, quartered (substitute with chopped sweet potatoes if desired) 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp garlic powder Salt & pepper to taste 8 ounces uncooked sausage of choice 1/2 cup chopped white onion 1 cup diced bell peppers 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

T

he beautiful, warm, sunny weather is here; there is no better time to entertain friends and family outdoors. You don’t have to buy allnew stuff to create the perfect spot for outdoor entertaining; just use what you have! We’ll show you how to decorate for three occasions — a dinner party, a casual brunch and a movie night — using items you likely already own.

Outdoor Dinner Party

Think you don’t have an outdoor dining table to host an outdoor dinner party? Think again! Just borrow your indoor dining table.

Be sure to bring it back inside before the weather turns.

Set the Table

Bring plates, chargers, table runners and other decor outside to create a festive dining area.

When the sun goes down on your outdoor party, light candles so the celebration can keep going.

Instructions Preheat oven 425º F In a medium bowl, add potatoes with olive oil, oregano, and garlic powder. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Spread out potatoes on a baking sheet. Place in center oven and roast about 20 minutes, or until potatoes are golden and tender.

While potatoes are roasting, cook sausage in a stovetop skillet over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through. Remove meat from skillet and temporarily set aside.

Next add onions and peppers to the hot skillet with a little more olive oil if needed.

Season with a little salt and pepper if desired. Sauté until tender, about 4-5 minutes.

Finally, return cooked meat to the hot skillet. Add in the roasted potatoes. Stir everything together until warmed through. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy.

Serving Station

If you’ve got an old cabinet or hutch in the house that’s not getting a lot of use, upcycle it into an outdoor bar and buffet complete with a mini fridge.

This versatile piece can hold all of your outdoor entertaining essentials: glasses, plates, drinks, snacks and more.

Outdoor Brunch

An alfresco brunch doesn’t necessarily call for a formal dining table. Instead, arrange your outdoor seating around a coffee table. Display treats on tiered serving platters to maximize space.

Tips Pillows and Throws

• Wash items after every one to two wears. Even if you can't see them, invisible body soils and perspiration can turn white fabrics yellow or gray over time.

• Attack stains as soon as possible.

Food spots like ketchup or coffee are a given, but things that you can't see, like sweat marks, should be treated to prevent build-up too. To do this, rub a full-strength liquid enzyme detergent, on the underarm area, then let your shirt sit 15 minutes before throwing it into the wash.

• Always separate white and colored clothes. Sure, this seems obvious, but it really makes a difference.

• Pick a laundry detergent that contains bleach. Or bleach alternatives; these products generally get whites whiter during the washing cycle.

• Don't overload your washing machine. We know, when there's space at the top it's hard to resist throwing in a few more shirts. Clothing needs to circulate to get clean. If you fill your washtub to the top, there isn't enough room for the detergent to interact with soils and give an optimal cleaning performance. (goodhousekeeping.com)

Comfy guests are happy guests. Embellish your outdoor furniture with plush pillows and throws from inside your home. These items can’t withstand the elements long-term, but they’ll add an extra layer of coziness during your brunch. Turn an old table into something cool – literally.

Just cut out a circle the size of an ice bucket in the center of the table and place the bucket inside. Now, you have a multifunctional piece of furniture for serving and stashing drinks.

Outdoor Movie Night Who doesn’t love watching a movie under the stars?

Start by creating an easy DIY screen using PVC pipes and a white sheet.

In no time you and your guests will be watching blockbusters from the cozy comfort of your own backyard movie theater.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

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APRIL 15, 2018

Puzzles

ACROSS 1 Waterfall

6 Roman sculpture 10 Wan

15 Biathlon weapon

20 Film director Mervyn - 21 Kind of swing 22 Jostle

23 McEnroe's ex

24 Fire of the mind

25 Psychic -- Cayce 26 Tendon

27 Part of TGIF

28 Lapel adornment

30 They keep nails neat (2 wds.)

32 Gave the slip

33 Robin snacks

35 "Fatha" Hines

36 Russian emperor

39 -- Moines 40 Pigpen

41 Dinner check

42 Sundance Kid's girl

46 Antenna type

47 Joined together

48 Surfing mecca

51 Uses an auger

53 Good disguise 54 Knickknacks

56 Determine, as a ref

57 Byron contemporary 59 Call

61 Magazine stand

62 Golden Fleece thief

63 Eyebrow shapes 64 Unfair 65 Souvenir 67 Empathize

68 URL suffix

69 Geishas' apparel

72 Check-cashing needs 73 Diplomacy

76 Raised a brood

80 Contemptible fellow

81 Quartet minus one

82 "Diamond Lil"

83 Warrior Princess

85 Startled cries

86 Gumshoe, often

88 Sage, in India

92 Opposite of "post-"

93 Ballad writer

94 Major leaguer

95 Sharp turns 96 Playhouse 99 Fuzzier

102 Fit to -- - 103 Knocks for a loop

104 Fixed a squeak

108 Bottomless depth 109 Toboggans

110 Kind of castle 111 Hire

112 Mal de - 113 Caper

115 Arctic floater

116 Balloon filler

117 Boot liner

118 Make a furrow

120 Suffix for "forfeit"

121 "Harper Valley --"

123 Overly glib

124 Passe hair style

125 Comet -- -Bopp 127 Glimmer

129 Least ruddy

131 Spice buy (2 wds.)

135 Changing state

140 Rock tumbler stone

141 Oven gloves

142 More sensible

143 Concrete reinforcer

144 More boorish

145 Jet set

146 -- nous 147 Bellyache

148 Winemaker's need 149 Hinder

150 Poor grades 151 Theme

DOWN

1 Marble block

2 Flying prefix

3 Pakistan language 4 Vandal

5 Alpine region

6 Whodunit musts

7 Strongly advised

8 Disfigure 9 Hurled 10 Maintain

11 1920s dance 12 Whets 13 Constantly

14 Winter fest (2 wds.)

15 Turbine part 16 Take a sniff

17 Have qualms

18 Terra firma

19 Yellowstone sight

21 Awaited action

29 Painter's models

31 Blue ox of legend

34 The Buckeyes' sch.

36 Diving position

37 Feng - 38 Dated hairdo 41 Moppets

43 Low cards

44 Fork feature 45 Mellowed

47 Roused up

48 Give the bum's rush 49 Distant

50 Fox's prey

51 Provides capital

52 Flowery shrub

55 Belief systems

56 Release price

57 -- Abdul-Jabbar

58 Piccadilly statue 60 Beldams

62 Obi-Wan, for one

64 Old-fashioned hat

66 Funhouse feature

67 Small flies

69 Autumn mo.

70 Happy hour site

71 Spud st.

74 Mental pictures

75 77

78

79

81

84

87

89

90

91

93

97

98

99

100

Disburse Unduly Lamb's parent Summer hrs.

Avila saint Important decades PC "brains" Like Montezuma Made tracks Perfume base Prudish person Like some juries Billions of years Shoe part Explorer -- Tasman

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- CROCODILE (CROCODILE: KROK-uh-dile: A large aquatic reptile of the tropical areas.)

Average mark 45 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 67 or more words in CROCODILE? coil coir cold colder cole colic color cooed cool cooler

cord core credo cried recoil redo relic rice ride rile

rode rodeo roil role rood odor oiled oiler older oleic

oleo olio oriel oriole decor deli dice dicer diel dire

docile doer dole dolor door drool iced idle idler idol

124 Makes a sound 126 Warn

127 Catch on (2 wds.)

128 Asked for milk

129 Tomato product

130 Snorkel, to Beetle 131 Deviate

132 Feverish chill

133 Goose egg

134 Ill temper

136 Tarzan's transport

137 Sacred bird of the Nile

138 Wine valley 139 Dingy See Solution on Pg 14

Word Search

KATHLEEN SAXE

ceric cero cider circle cire cleric clod coco code coed

101 Pita treat

102 What never to tell (2 wds.)

103 Compass pt.

105 Reindeer herder

106 Mild rejoinder

107 Art style

109 Flowed along

111 Restaurant patron

114 -- and void

115 Moo companion

116 In large supply

119 Yolks' companions

121 Nebraska river 122 Edgier

123 Covers the walls

lice lied lire loco lode lord lore

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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april 15, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 13

14 Sunday Times Magazine

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APRIL 15, 2018

Bollywood/Hollywood

M

arvel's 'Avengers: Infinity War', which features an ensemble of superheroes, will release worldwide on April 27.

Reportedly, the release of 'Avengers: Infinity War' in the US has been advanced from May 4 to April 27.

The movie was earlier scheduled to release in India one week before the US, but with the date shift the film will open on the

P

riyanka Chopra’s second Hollywood outing ‘A Kid Like Jake’ has been grabbing headlines since its inception. From earning recognition in international film festivals to the moving plotline, ‘A Kid Like Jake’ seems to be on every-

R

ampage movie review: As we know by now, these movies - Jumanji and Fast & Furious - are largely vehicles for Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson to drive off a cliff. And survive.

Dwayne Johnson can seemingly save troubled franchises with as much ease

one’s watch list this year.

After a prolonged wait, the movie’s trailer is finally out and it will get you all choked up.

The beautiful trailer narrates the story of parents who are trying to get their kid Jake admitted into a

as it takes him to put a man to sleep using just his bare hands – but even he, with all his divinity, can’t save Rampage from steamrolling all over his filmography.

With neither the will nor the reason to experiment with his roles, The Rock has cornered the market when it comes to

Crossword Solution

kindergarten. But their little boy is somehow interested in fairy tales and princesses than trucks and ninja turtles. This obviously confuses his parents and they aren’t sure how to deal with Jake’s preferences. In order to devoid Jake of any sort of an embarrassment at his school, they are thinking of other options to make his life better.

While Priyanka has a blink-and-miss appearance in the trailer, we do see her getting introduced as one of the significant characters which puts her under the limelight. Watch the amazing trailer of ‘A Kid Like Jake’. (Times of India)

a very precise sub- genre of action movies, the sort that his nemesis Vin Diesel had made his own about a decade ago. These are the movies that cater to teenage boys and no one else, ideally those who were born post 9/11 so that the inevitable mass mayhem of the third act has little subtext, if any. There have been exceptions, of course.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was a surprisingly wild ride, but usually the Rock’s recent output seems to be made up of dusty old relics hastily cleaned as a last moment gift for a younger audience that may or may not throw it in the trash.

Technically, Rampage is a video game movie, sort of like how Jumanji was also a video game movie – while there are elements that are either inspired by or borrowed from the games and gaming culture, these movies are largely vehicles for Dwayne Johnson to drive off a cliff. And survive.

This time, adventure calls when the Rock’s friend (and gorilla), George, is infected by a toxic serum that gives him super strength, super agility and super size. With shady government agents, shadier mercenaries and the shadiest corporation in

same date.

Marvel announced the news in a Twitter thread with star Robert Downey Jr. The date change means that the Disney tentpole will open day-and-date worldwide In this latest installment, the Avengers will also team up with the 'Guardians of the Galaxy', lead by Chris Pratt's Star-Lord.

The Russo brothers directed 'Captain America: Winter Soldier' and 'Captain America:

J

ust five films old in Bollywood, actor Tiger Shroff says that it’s a great feeling to have made his own space so early in his career, and that it’s like a celebration inside when he is compared to an Akshay Kumar, an Aamir Khan, or a Hrithik Roshan.

With just five films to his credit so far, actor Tiger Shroff, though a relative newcomer, has achieved his own brand of stardom — he is called “action hero” or

the world after George, the Rock enlists the help of a disgraced scientist (Naomie Harris) and a cowboy agent (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) as he tries to save George from being killed, captured, or both.

Rampage is a movie with absolutely zero stakes, which is ironic because at one point the Rock says the exact words, “Let’s go save the world.” But this has been a rather annoying trend with his movies recently.

His Fast & Furious character, Hobbs, is basically a superhero; his character in Jumanji literally had three lives, and in Rampage, his character, Davis Okoye, gets shot at point blank range and lives to flex another muscle.

In many ways, it’s like a Salman Khan movie – The Rock even retains his famous tattoos, much like how Salman, regardless of the character he’s playing, protects his bracelet with more passion than he has ever displayed towards a script.

So The Rock gets a resounding hero entry and the film gets several moments designed only to elicit whistles from the least demanding members of the audience. (Times of India)

Civil War', which became 2016's top worldwide grosser with $1.16 billion. Joss Whedon directed 2012's 'The Avengers' and 2015's 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'.

The two 'Avengers' films have grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide. 'The Avengers' is the fifthhighest grosser of all time at $1.52 billion and 'Age of Ultron' is the seventh-highest at $1.41 billion. (Hindustan Times)

“dancing star”, and he enjoys those tags, feeling that “it’s lovely to get an identity”.

His latest release, Baaghi 2, scored the biggest opening weekend collection this year so far, and has by now crossed the $140-crore mark. Tiger has put up a video on Instagram, thanking everyone for making the film a huge success. In a freewheeling chat, the actor talks about coping with failure, being given tags, breaking an image (or not), and getting into a new role in a big franchise.

How do you react when fans compare you with names such as Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan, and Akshay Kumar for your dancing, physique, and action scenes?

These are very big stars and the people you look up to while growing up — they are the reason you do what you do. It’s very kind of people to think I’m like them, and I’m very happy that I am creating an impact so early in my career. It does create pressure, but it’s like the celebration is happening inside of me on hearing these things. (Times of India)

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APRIL 15, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

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APRIL 15, 2018

Fun Times

Archie

Do something productive that will bring concrete re(March 21- sults. Avoid arguments or disApril 19) cussions that will leave you feeling empty. Don't poke the bear when you should be massaging important relationships.

ARIES

Listen to good advice. Put TAURUS time and energy into physi(April 20- cal gains that will make you May 20) feel good about the way you look and the things you do.

Romance is encouraged.

Stay ahead of your compeGEMINI tition. Go the extra mile and (MAY 28- push to get what you want.

June 20) Make sure documents are up to date and that you have followed the rules.

Partnerships will suffer if you are moody or unwill(June 21ing to listen to reason. Don't July 22) make snap judgments or try to put all the blame elsewhere.

Compromise will be necessary.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

Look for better ways to get along with your peers or use your skills, experience and knowledge in ways that will be more lucrative. Check out job opportunities and update your resume.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Don't purchase items you don't need. Trying to make up for something you did should be done with kind actions, not purchases.

Spending quality time with a loved one is encouraged.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Ignoring relationship problems will not make your home life better. Offer solutions that will encourage everyone to get along. Rules and schedules can help eliminate anxiety and stress.

Back away from anyone SCORPIO showing signs of emotional in(Oct. 24stability. Don't take chancNov. 22)

Peanuts

es while traveling or interacting with aggressive people.

Concentrate on personal growth and important relationships.

Plan to have fun.

SAGITTARIUS Participate in an event or take (Nov. 23Dec. 21) on a challenge that motivates you to play an active role in your community or circle of friends.

Calvin and Hobbes

Less talk and more action CAPRICORN will help you avoid a difficult (Dec. 22- situation. Coddling someone Jan. 19) who is being unreasonable is a waste of time. Focus on peace, love and romance.

Looking back should be AQUARIUS enough to prevent you from (Jan. 20- getting involved with someFeb. 19) one who has disappointed you in the past. You can be friendly, but don't be gullible.

PISCES Don't let someone's (Feb. 20- grumpy mood get you down.

Mar. 20) If you do something enjoyable or creative, an unusual opportunity will come your way. Personal gains and romance are featured.