Guyana Times International

INTERNATIONAL THE BEACON OF TRUTH

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com

Phase One of oil exploration in Guyana to cost 5B USD - ExxonMobil ISSUE NO. 335

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017

See story on page 3

More protests in Georgetown

Son of Jamaican immigrant is vice chairman of Democratic Party Page 8

Cash-strapped:

Citizens renewed their call on Thursday for the authorities to scrap the parking meter project in front of City Hall in Georgetown, where they danced and waved to the new song “Postpone the Parking Meter” by well-known Guyanese singer, Dave Martins.

Guyana Govt hoping to introduce ‘cost-cutting measures’ Page 3

Commemoration of end of Indentureship kicks off in New York Page 11

2

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Cash-strapped: Guyana Govt hoping to introduce ‘cost-cutting measures’

T

he Government of Guyana would be introducing a number of austerity measures, while at the same time hoping that the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) and housing projects will help kick-start the ailing economy.

This was announced

by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Thursday morning during an engagement with the local media corps.

“It means that you have to be a little more careful in how you spend your money so that it lasts. It means that you have to reuse envelopes.

There are several measures which we will circulate to government ministries on how they can cut back on expenses,” Harmon said.

Harmon said the austerity measures would

include conserving on electricity by turning off lights and air conditioning units.

“There are practical measures which will be used by the government to ensure the austerity that I am talking about and that the monies which you have will last you longer and that you don’t have to go back later in the year (to the National Assembly) for supplementary (funds) so it is really about being very sensible and using the resources which you have to the best of your ability,” he said.

Harmon said government would be spending huge sums from the G$250 billion budget for 2017 on major projects including housing and better implementation of government’s public sector infrastructure programme.

Phase One of oil exploration in Guyana to cost 5B USD - ExxonMobil

E

xxonMobil’s country representative Jeff Simons on Thursday disclosed that the Liza Phase One Development would be executed at a cost of Five Billion US dollars.

According to a report published by Newsroom, during a media breakfast which was organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources,Simmons revealed that Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) would cost two billion US dollars, Subsea Umbilicals, Risers and Flowlines (SURF) One billion US dollars and drilling two billion US dollars, bringing the total production cost to the five billion US dollars.

ExxonMobil and the Government of Guyana entered into a 50/50 contract following the discovery of a large high grade of oil in the Stabroek Block. Simons,

giving a brief overview of the project said the amount of oil currently available amounts to one billion barrels, with an estimated 100 thousand barrels of oil per day.

He noted too that 17 wells would be drilled at the off-shore location.

The company has applied for its production license, submitted its development plans and has recently signed a contract with SPM, which is a large company that supplies tankers and specializes in FPSO construction.

Oil, gas and water are accumulated from the seabed and Simons explained that the oil is stored in the tanker, then the gas and water re-injected into the reservoir. The Country Representative said Exxon is working with the contractors and Government of Guyana to determine the best use

Jeff Simons- Country Rep ExxonMobil

of resources to ensure capacity building.

Oil Refining

According to the article published by Newsroom, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman in response to questions posed by media operatives said Government has not yet made a decision regarding the refining of the oil that would be obtained.

Trotman said Trinidad and Suriname

have both expressed interest in refining Guyana’s oil, however, he said the facilities in both countries are currently underperforming, which also raises questions regarding the feasibility of Guyana investing in an oil refinery.

Minister Trotman noted that while this suggestion has been touted Government still has to consider if investing some two billion US dollars in the facility would make economic sense if a similar situation arises as in the cases of Trinidad and Suriname.

Cabinet had given its approval for a consultancy firm to examine this possibility. Since the contract between GoG and ExxonMobil is a 50/50 arrangement, the Minister said the company would wish to seek its own options in this regard.

4 views

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

New York Office 106-15 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica NY 11435 Email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com Tel no: 718-658-6804 Fax no: 718-849-2286 Preferred method of contact via EMAIL Guyana Office Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana.

Tel no: (592) 227-0704, 227-0709.

Fax (592) 225-8696, 227-0685 Email: guyanatimesint@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Stoking hate crimes Guyana drafting Arapaima legislation L Sunrise On The Wales Estate, West Bank Demerara, Guyana. (Photo by Girendra Persaud)

ast Wednesday, a white American, Adam Purinton taunted two immigrants of Indian descent, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, in a Kansas bar which showed he thought they were of “Middle Eastern origin”. After his racial taunts, he yelled at them to “get out of my country” and when one of the immigrants complained to management, Purinton was escorted out of the bar. He later returned with a gun, shot and killed Kuchibhotla, wounded Madasani and Ian Grillot, a white patron of the bar who intervened. Yet the Police have not charged Purinton with a “hate crime” but simply with murder and attempted murder.

This is surprising since, “For the purposes of collecting statistics, the FBI has defined a hate crime as a “criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.” In this murder, the shooter had even confessed to another bartender after his shooting when he went to have a “cooling off drink”. “The murder of Kuchibhotla is the first reported bias-motivated fatality in the United States after the bitter presidential election,” according to the Hindu American Foundation.

Following the election of Donald Trump, there has been a significant spike in hate crimes in the US, especially against Muslims and Jews, and it would appear that the numbers are even higher if this refusal of the Kansas Police to acknowledge this latest incident as one is common. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the preeminent body that collects statistics on hate crimes in the US, has made an explicit link with the spike and Trump stating that “the radical right was energised by the candidacy of Donald Trump”. While the initial jump in hate crimes has plateaued, it has done so at a higher level than before.

Kansas is a state with one of the higher rates of hate crimes, but which, in line with the rest of America, are not usually directed against “Asians”, who are seen as a model minority.

But just as occurred after 9/11, Indians from the subcontinent are frequently confused with Muslim Middle Easterners and targeted. But this latest wave of hate crimes has the potential to explode way beyond the previous hysteria. Donald Trump’s vitriol-laced outpourings against immigrants now cast the net of hate far wider in scope.

In this incarnation, Trump’s nativist outbursts have also included those immigrants that are supposedly “taking away jobs from Americans” and bring an economic dimension to the hate. The model minority are now defined not as a group that is fulfilling the American dream in moving from “rags to riches” through dint of hard work, but as “scabs”. The two Indian immigrants who were shot fit that profile perfectly: they were qualified engineers employed by a nearby hi-tech GPS firm.

Trump’s recent Executive Order to prevent the re-entry of even immigrants with “green cards” has now created a new debate about who are “real Americans” who should remain in the US. In the present climate, one suspects it would not have mattered if Kuchibhotla and Madasani had shown their green cards to Purinton.

The Kansas Police are probably reluctant to classify the murder of Kuchibhotla as a “hate crime” because this would now confirm what many have predicted: the nativism wave has become deadly, with its first hate-murder. African Americans have always felt the brunt of hate crimes and this has only been recently been given publicity thanks to the ubiquity of camera phones. It is not too far-fetched to extrapolate that shootings of “the other” have replaced the old lynchings of blacks.

In Guyana, there are elements that are also fomenting anger and hate against groups because of their supposed economic gains made at the expense of other groups. Unless such talk is firmly condemned by the top leaders, and equivocated on as with Donald Trump, we may also see an upsurge in hate crimes there.

T

here are currently no licences which enable persons to practice the catch-and- release of the arapaima, the largest scaled fresh water fish in the world.

Discussions are on-going among the Minister of Business with responsibility for Tourism, Dominic Gaskin, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock, and officials of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Wildlife Department about finalising and getting the regulations adopted on the draft legislation for a catch-and-release sport fishing project in the North Rupununi.

Minister Allicock said, “If we don’t have the rules or the laws to help to protect that fish, there would be no more arapaima.” The fish can grow up to eight feet long, and weigh over 400 pounds.

Protocols and the draft legislation were completed last May for the catch-and-release of the fish in the North Rupununi, a measure aimed at preserving the arapaima.

At a recent meeting in Annai, Minister Allicock recalled that it was once a“free way for taking arapaima and turtles to Brazil for the exchange of salt and tobacco.” The North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) decided to stop persons from entering the village to catch the arapaima, and at that time they sought help from the then government to aid them in saving the fish.

In 2014, the NRDDB carried out a survey and found the over-exploitation of the arapaima in the North Rupununi led to a 31 percent depletion of stocks over the years 2012-2013.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock speaking at a recent meeting in Annai, Region Nine

The first phase of the catch-and-release Arapaima Sport Fishing Project was supported by the private sector investment support programme ‘Compete Caribbean’. A project summary on the Compete Caribbean’s website states the aim of the project is to improve the capacity and competitiveness of the Rupununi Catch-and- Release cluster-which comprises the Karanambu, Surama and Rewa eco-lodges– and to introduce and market catch-and-release sport fishing as a viable eco-tourism product in Guyana. (GINA)

An arapaima caught at Rewa, Region Nine (Photo courtesy World Cast Anglers

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Fake SOPs could never have passed through Teen remanded GECOM’s ‘rigorous’ scrutiny – Dr Surujbally E over Mash Day robbery

E

ighteen-year-old Shawn Smith, of Sussex Street, Georgetown, was on Monday arraigned before city Magistrate Judy Latchman and remanded to the Camp Street prison for larceny.

The charge stated that the teen, on February 23, 2017, at Brickdam, Georgetown, while in the company of another, robbed Virtual Complainant (VC), Shivanie Sooklall, of one T-shirt and a Samsung Edge cellular phone, valued a total of G$258,000, property of the VC. Smith entered a notguilty plea to the charge when it was read by the Magistrate. He was remanded to prison after an unsuccessful bail application was made by defence counsel.

The teenager will return to court on March 20, 2017 when the matter will continue at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

ven on his last day at the helm of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), outgoing Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally remained tight-lipped about the source of the fake Statement of Polls (SOPs) which were discovered during the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

Speaking with reporters at his last press briefing as Chairman of the elections body on Tuesday, Dr Surujbally maintained that the fake SOPs discovered could never have passed through the rigorous scrutiny of the GECOM staffers and Commissioners.

However, when asked where the suspicions lead, the former Chairman opted not to say but noted that certain matters that rose may lead in certain directions.

“The answer to your question is I do not know who (inserted the SOPs)… empirical data, not provable data, empirical data could point in a direction… The direction would be that the culprit with further research may be identified,” he asserted.

The former GECOM Chairman opted not to divulge any more details, blasting media operatives for not pursuing the issue more aggressively when it had occurred.

Further pressed about who stood to benefit more from what he called an “evil and wicked” act, Dr Surujbally posited that the question was

Former GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

a difficult one to answer.

“It is too complex and complicated for me to give you a definitive answer on that… because one can argue that even the winner party, not too sure that they’re going to win; you remember it’s a very close election, that they were the ones; or the losing party; or some wicked person or group wanted to claim some fame by doing something like that,” he asserted.

Shortly after the May 11, 2015 election, Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield had disclosed that 33 false SOPs were found. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) which was ousted from Government following that election, had heavily lobbied for an investigation into

the false documents and had even made the issue one of the grounds in the Oppositionsponsored Elections Petition, in which the Party is challenging the results of the 2015 elections.

In fact, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had even called for foreign investigators to be called in to probe the matter.

Further citing various inconsistencies with the 2015 electoral process including fake SOPs, the PPP/C has since made several calls for Dr Surujbally to be removed and had even staged numerous picketing exercises outside GECOM’s Head Office.

However, the former GECOM Chairman outlined at Tuesday’s press conference

that he was able to withstand the pressure from those “picketers” and “protesters”.

“As a citizen of our beloved country, it is heartrending to witness the depth to which political parties can sink – as they seek to erode the credibility of a tested and proven elections management body.

In Guyana, elections must be considered the most important tile in the mosaic of democracy. Such confounded misbehaviour against GECOM must cease. Win or lose, the behaviour of the combatants must be gracious. Words and expressions used must not reflect the banalities associated with the gutter,” he remarked.

Dr Surujbally went on to point out that while a Chairman ought to be not only pachyderm but resolute and fearless, the subjection of persons in that position to continuous abuse must not be considered par for the course since such actions do not adhere to the tenets associated with democracy.

“The truth be told, no Chairman should be subjected unabatedly and relentlessly, with ever increasing venom, to the type of harassment and provocation which are solely based on disgruntlement over the outcome of the polls without reason,” he declared, while adding that such attacks against him begun since the commencement of his term in office back in 2001.

6

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Court case was about Caricom has failed its people sovereignty of the people; not about Jagdeo

Dear Editor, In another section of the media, Emile Mervin related the court’s judgment in the peoples’ sovereignty case as “a Jagdeo jigsaw puzzle falling into place”. No, the term-limit judicial challenge has/had nothing to do specifically with (former President Bharrat Jagdeo) or about third term. The court was asked to rule on whether the people are sovereign and whether they should be the primary decision makers on major constitutional change. The court rightly ruled in favour of empowering the people – have a referendum on constitutional matters.

What can be more democratic?

Mervin incorrectly related the court matter and his interpretation (third term) of it to Indians being “a minority in the population”. The court matter has nothing to do with Indians (being a majority or minority). In fact, because it was thought the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) would continuously win (free and fair) elections that it was felt (by party insiders, in particular) there needs to be term limit or else the same individual from the PPP would be President indefinitely.

Mervin did not address the issue of the legality of the Constitution. It is well established that the 1980 Burnham Constitution was a fraud perpetrated on the population. Does Mervin not think the people have a right on expressing their views on the Constitution?

Should the people not be consulted on how they should be governed? And why are Mervin and his People’s National Congress/Alliance For Change (PNC/ AFC) party opposed to a referendum to amend the Constitution? Put it to a vote and let us see the result!

Grenada, St Vincent and other countries rejected amendments to their independence constitutions in referendums.

Parties in Jamaica, Barbados, Dominica, and Belize are fearful of referendums on constitutional matters that seek to limit their rights or break from the United Kingdom (UK) – it is for this reason the four countries that accept the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) have refused to

hold a referendum on replacing the Privy Council with the CCJ. Instead of going through appeals, why can’t Mervin’s Government put the Constitution to a popular vote and let the people decide?

With regards to the court ruling, the court correctly stated the people are sovereign. Guyana does not have a constituency system in which Members of Parliament (MPs) are directly elected by the people in districts. The MPs are not accountable directly to the people. They are appointed by the party and carry out the orders of the party which act according to the self-interests of a few. Thus, MPs cannot speak for the people on constitutional matters. The Parliament, not being a true constituency democracy like the United Sates, UK or India, cannot speak for the people.

Mervin asked why the people did not challenge the term-limit amendment since 2001 when it was passed in Parliament. Had Mervin visited the people around the country, he would have found it that people did/do not like the Burnham Constitution or its amendments. They just did not have the courage to challenge it until last year because of political and economic victimisation.

It should also be noted that then President Jagdeo signed the two-term limit bill into law. He repeatedly stated he is not interested in a third term. But others feel he is the best choice for the country and should seek a third term.

I do not know if Jagdeo will change his mind or be influenced to seek another term.

I support term-limit. But I believe it must be done democratically in a referendum especially that the people were never given an opportunity to vote on the Burnham Constitution. Forget about appeals! Put the amended Burnham Constitution to a vote. Why are Mervin and his PNC and AFC afraid of a free and fair referendum? Better yet, why not ask the population to choose between the fraudulent Burnham Constitution and the Independence Constitution?

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Dear Editor, At the opening ceremony of the 28th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom which was held in Guyana on February 16; Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Caricom Secretary General, and Chairman, David Granger, failed once again to present meaningful and concrete policies and programmes for implementation for the social and economic growth and development of Community Members to enable them to service their heavy debts and provide employment opportunities for their people.

Ambassador LaRocque reported that considerable progress was made towards these objectives through execution of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) Agreement which allows for the free movement of skills (people), goods, services and the establishment of businesses within the Community. Since approval of this agreement, however, the facts suggest otherwise as there has been little compliance with its intent, particularly regarding the free movement of people among states and money transfers from one territory to the other without restrictions as Trinidadians recently found. Further, there has been no pooling of resources to tackle the common problems member states share.

Over the years, there has been little economic development, while production has been declining in various member states. Trinidad’s economy, the Region’s largest, has been declining due to low oil and gas prices and diminishing production, while in Guyana, the sugar industry, the country’s largest employer, is heavily indebted and with continual operating losses, it could go under anytime with devastating effects to its workers. The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) government is clueless as to what should be done as it struggles to find meaningful solutions for the welfare of its displaced sugar workers.

The global/Caribbean Hotel Industry (Tourism Sector) is saturated after a 20-year building boom and therefore it cannot be a primary driver for economic growth and to attract sig-

nificant investment to create jobs as Ambassador LaRocque depicted.

Ambassador LaRocque continues to be a dreamer. He postulated at the meeting that Information and Communications Technology, “is critical to the development and advancement of the Region”. This may well be so, but he failed to state that the Region does not have the infrastructure, nor a pool of trained workforce to support such a sector which will take years to develop. Guyana has no training programme for its best and brightest willing to pursue a career in ICT but as Chairman Granger could have attested, his APNU/AFC government has been lending support for the training of lawyers hopefully to boost Guyana’s economy.

Crime and security are indeed critical to the development and advancement of the Region, particularly for tourism areas. Many Caribbean-born criminals living in the United States (US) will soon be returning to the Region in droves as President Trump’s ICE Team rounds them up for deportation to their respective country. The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has no plan to integrate these people back into society so they could once again become useful and productive citizens.

Could the Secretariat offer its members guidance to deal with the impending problems the criminals are likely to pose on return to their Caribbean Communities, or will it be satisfied to just identify them and leave it at that?

Guyanese should be wary and concerned about their continued membership of Caricom, an organisation which has become costly to operate and maintain, while its bureaucrats lack the expertise to advise members solve their political, social and economic problems in meaningful ways.

It was therefore not surprising that the Prime Minister of Trinidad, Keith Rowley, had seen the light of day and decided to take ‘the bull by the horn,’ as he recently contacted President Trump to discuss issues of mutual interest and to strengthen relationship with his country.

Yours truly, Charles Sohan

APNU/AFC is doing nothing to stop the “Contract from hell” Dear Editor, The Parking Meter Contract has stirred outrage and resistance from the people.

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) rightfully and deservedly has been pilloried for corruption. But the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) is even more guilty of one of the most corrupt deals ever in our history. Given how indefensible, repulsive and oppressive this “Contract from hell” is, people have been both puzzled and troubled at the extreme extent APNU/AFC has gone in permitting this travesty. People have been understandably suspicious, but their suspicions of corruption might be worse than imagined given the information that is presently circulating. Information has reached the public that the real distribution of revenues is not what is stated in the Contract, but as follows: 50 per cent for the parking meter company, 20 per cent for the M&CC, 20 per cent for the People’ National Congress

(PNC) and 10 per cent for individuals. Now as the call intensifies for the complete rescinding of the Contract and for people to be held accountable, questions are being asked relating to how Cush, a former felon in the United States, established a company called National Parking Systems (NPS), how this company was able to displace a previous company that was engaged by the M&CC and who linked Cush and the M&CC. Questions abound since people are aware that Cush has friends in the PNC. From the beginning, suspicions were rife since APNU/ AFC actively facilitated the M&CC to implement the Parking Meter Contract in spite of being totally privy to the reprehensible “terror” clauses. These suspicions intensified as people saw APNU/ AFC tenaciously persisting with its complicity even though they knew that by any standard “the Contract from hell” was indefensible and even though they saw unprece-

dented public resistance. Even now that the M&CC is in contempt of the court which has ordered the M&CC to stand down and placed the parking meter system on abeyance, APNU/AFC is doing nothing to stop the M&CC and stop the “Contract from hell”. For most Guyanese, APNU/AFC’s complicity in this mess is bizarre, unless there is something terrible they need to hide.

APNU/AFC’s vile efforts with sporadic individual statements and feigned consternation meant to obfuscate the issue cannot extricate them from total complicity in the “Contract from hell” because each of them that might have reluctantly issued a condemnatory statement is also part of the APNU/AFC’s Cabinet that has made the implementation of the “Contract from hell” possible. Note the latest example – Nagamootoo stating that the Contract’s Bylaws “are oppressive but made legal”. This is the champion bloviatorkerfuffling the issue.

Who made the oppressive By-

laws legal? It is APNU/AFC’s Cabinet, of which he is a senior member. Is he accusing Bulkan of approving the Bylaws by himself? But it is the Office of the Presidency that publishes the Official Gazette.

Why did they publish the Bylaws if this is Bulkan’s rogue masterpiece? If Bulkan went rogue, why is Nagamootoo not calling for Bulkan to resign?

Frankly, APNU/AFC’s scorecard on the “Contract from hell” spells guilty on all counts. Granger and APNU/ AFC knew of the Contract from the beginning. Harmon last year announced a Cabinet review of the Contract and their own Finance Ministry and the Attorney General Office did reviews in July/August 2016 which concluded that the Parking Meter Contract signed by representatives of APNU/AFC on the M&CC was a “Contract from hell” with several “terror” clauses. Yet APNU/AFC, through their Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan, reviewed and approved the Parking Meter By-

laws in January and gazetted it on February 3. Without the Parking Meter By-laws the Contract could not be implemented. This scorecard is a recipe that smells corruption.

From the start, public outrage was driven by the suspicion that this was a deal to enrich individuals and certain organisations. There has always been the nauseating suspicion that the national space in Georgetown is being used as a cash cow, not to fund development in Georgetown, but filling people’s pockets.

Now comes information that, in fact, the “terror” Contract clause that provides 80 per cent to the parking meter company (Smart City Solutions/ National Parking Systems) and 20 per cent to the M&CC is just a paper provision and that the real distribution of the earnings from the “green monsters” is really 50 per cent to SCS/NPS, 20 per cent to the M&CC, 20 per cent to the PNC and 10 per cent to individuals.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

news 7

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Investments badly needed for Former Army official takes Linden’s development – residents charge of CANU …current head asked to proceed on annual leave

S

everal residents and officials of Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) are of the firm belief that investment is one of the main ingredients necessary for the development of the bauxite-rich town.

The community, which has been encouraged by numerous leaders to seek other avenues of development apart from bauxite mining, continues on the quest towards development, ever since the decline in the bauxite industry years ago.

Linden resident Winslow Parris says in order to advance the community needs the in-

CANU Head James Singh

A view of the bauxite-rich town

tervention of both local and foreign investors. He says the development of various industries can also have a major effect on the community’s development.

“For instance, timber.

Timber passes through Linden, go to town, prepare, get good and come back to Linden in the form of furniture. What we need in Linden is a massive furniture factory, whereby we can do our own furniture. Even to export, and we can employ people,” he posited during a recent interview with Guyana Times International.

Parris also pointed out that clay bricks, a product which in past

times were locally manufactured and widely used were now being imported.

“We are now importing clay brick from Trinidad and Tobago…

We need to come back to making clay brick. We’re putting lots of emphasis on cement blocks, when we could use clay bricks,” he said.

He alluded to the fact that many homes in the Wisroc area in Linden are made of clay brick.

In past times, he said the community used to even produce its own plates, tea cups, saucers and vases using clay.

“Today, we are importing these things continued on page 11

H

ead of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh has been sent on leave, while retired Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Major General Michael Atherly has been appointed to act in his absence.

Government, through Minister of State, Joseph Harmon made the announcement on Wednesday, but Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan told this newspaper that the CANU Head needed to take his accumulated annual leave.

“He’s on his annual leave and just like the Commissioner is on his

annual leave. He is entitled to about two months’ leave and we are asking people to take their leave,” Ramjattan told this newspaper.

Atherly, who is head of the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA), will also be heading CANU during the period. Ramjattan said there was a deputy at CANU who would also help in the administration of the Unit in the absence of Singh.

Minister Harmon on Wednesday said that in line with Government’s policy to ensure that officers did not accumulate annual leave and in turn request pay in lieu, Singh has been asked to proceed on leave effective March 1.

“This is the practice that we have embraced since we came into office and, therefore, Mr Singh, who had some leave accumulated, has been asked to go on leave with effect from today and Major General Michael Atherly will be heading CANU,” Harmon said in a release.

He said this has been communicated to the Public Security Ministry,

Major General (ret’d) Michael Atherly

under whose remit CANU fell.

According to Harmon, public officers have always been encouraged to take their leave and “we want to discourage this practice of accumulating large amounts of leave and then asking for payment in lieu. So we are trying to ensure that all public officers get their leave during that year,” Minister Harmon said.

Major General (ret’d) Atherly was responsible for leading the review of the National Drug Strategy Master Plan 2014-2018. This review led to the development of the National Drug Strategy Master Plan 2016-2020, which was launched last December.

8 news

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Justices Cummings-Edwards, GeorgeWiltshire appointed to act at top of judiciary …Jagdeo raises sugar, other concerns during meeting with President

O

n Wednesday at about 07:00hrs, the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo received a telephone call from Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, inviting him to a meeting with President David Granger, at State House at 18:00 hrs to hold consultations in respect of the appointment of two persons to act in the positions of Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice. Minister Harmon indicated that the President was about to leave the country on Friday, hence the urgency.

At 18:00 hrs at State House, the Leader of the Opposition, accompanied by Former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, met with the President and a delegation which included, Harmon and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC. At the commencement of the meeting, the Leader of the Opposition indicated that he will not insist on the formalities of a letter accompanied by the names of the persons who are the President’s nominees to act in these offices along with their curriculum vitae, as is the practice which has evolved, attendant to such consultations, in keeping with the letter and spirit of the Constitution. The Leader of the Opposition indicated that his reason for dispensing with these formalities is because the filling of these vacancies are of national importance and the President’s departure for overseas is imminent.

The President proposed the names of the Honourable Justice of Appeal, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, now preforming the functions of Chief Justice, to act in the position of Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Honourable Roxanne George-Wilshire SC, to act in the office of Chief Justice. The Leader of the Opposition informed the President that he requires one week to offer his views on those proposals.

The Leader of the Opposition then raised the issue of the absence of action in relation to the unanimous recommendations made to the President since February 2016, by the Judicial Service Commission that the Honourable Justice Rishi Persaud and the Honourable Justice Dawn Gregory be appointed to the Court of Appeal and Sandil Kissoon and Damone Younge, Attorneys-at-Law, be appointed as Puisne Judges.

He reminded the President that the President has no alternative but to act upon recommendations made by the Judicial Service Commission.

The Leader of the Opposition emphasised that equal urgency attaches to both sets of appointment because there is currently no sitting Judge in the Court of Appeal, a three member Court and certainly, the appointment of a person to act in the position of the Chancellor alone will not fill the critical void which currently exists in that Court.

Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition ad-

verted to a public perception that the delay in acting upon the recommendations of the Judicial Service Commission is deliberate and intended to await a differently constituted Judicial Service Commission, which may not have confidence in the recommendations of their predecessors.

Additionally, he pointed out that the delay in elevating the two Judges to the Court of Appeal as recommended by the JSC for over a year, places them at a comparative disadvantage in respect of seniority. The Leader of the Opposition also enquired whether the recommendations of the JSC will be implemented at the same time when these acting appointments will take place.

The President promised that he will address these concerns of the Leader of the Opposition at a meeting which will be

held on March 8.

The Leader of the Opposition also took the opportunity to raise a number of critical issues affecting the economy:including the lack of investments,the heavy taxation burden placed upon the population and the business community, andthe devastating consequences which will flow from the closure of the Sugar Industry.

The Leader of the Opposition emphasised that the Government is sending a plethora of wrong signals, for example, wild and unsubstantiated allegations of corruption in the country, the reckless linkages alleged between reputable persons and commercial

entities in the business community and criminal enterprises and irresponsible assertions of a dependency of the economy upon illicit activities. He pointed out that the cumulative effect of these signals will not attract much needed investments and will continue to put pressure on the exchange rate which will result in the loss of real income and welfare.

The Leader of the Opposition reminded the delegation that sugar is not a corporation but an industry and closure of estates will have catastrophic repercussions, not only among sugar workers and a few communities but which will reverberate across the entire economy. He asserted that with the correct policies, fiscal space can be made for continued assistance to the sugar industry until it recovers from its current problems.

The Leader of the Opposition cautions that unless these and other critical issues in relation to the economy, are prudently addressed,the economy will continue its downward slide.

The final issue raised by the Leader of the Opposition was the appointment of a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission as soon as possible. The Leader of the Opposition explained that while he continues to hold to his publicly articulated position on this matter, he

is requesting clarifications on how many persons ought to come from each of the categories contemplated by Article 161 (2) of the Constitution as interpreted by the Attorney General; and, what are some of the qualities/attributes which a ‘fit and proper’ person must possess. The Leader of the Opposition emphasised that this request for clarifications is to assist him in selecting six (6) names that would most likely find the acceptance of the President, because it is a national imperative that this issue be resolved with every convenient speed.

The President promised to address these issues at the next week meeting.

However, the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon late Wednesday evening said that discussions between the Head of State and Opposition Leader were “meaningful” and “very frank and fruitful”. He added, however, that although Jagdeo requested a period of seven days to submit additional names for consideration, there was no requirement for the President to agree to such for appointments of an acting Chancellor and Chief Justice, as he could make such appointments once consultations were held according to the Constitution of Guyana.

As such, the Government went ahead and made the appointments.

Son of Jamaican immigrant is vice chairman of Democratic Party

A

C a r i b b e a n American legislator in New York has won a top position in the United States Democratic Party’s National Committee.

Bronx Assemblyman Michael Blake, the son of Jamaican immigrants, won one of the vice chair positions in the Democratic National Committee (DNC) at an insiders’ meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, over the weekend.

Queens, New York, Congresswoman Grace Meng won the other vice chair position.

Tom Perez was elected chairman of the party.

Blake, a 34-yearold veteran of former US President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and White House, and Meng called for unity in rebuilding the party’s infrastructure and to support new candidates for local of-

Jamaican-American New York State Assembly Member, Michael Blake

fice.

“We have to leave here united. We cannot walk out of here as Obama Democrats or Hillary Democrats or Bernie Democrats, we are a united Democratic Party, and that is who we are.”

In a show of unity, Perez asked the 400-plus DNC members to elect Ellison his deputy chairman. They complied, and Ellison accepted the post.

The Bronx-based Garifuna Political Action Committee congratulat-

ed Blake on his election.

US Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, was among members of the Congressional Black Caucus who had also endorsed Blake.

“As a fellow Jamaican American, it is with great pride that I endorse Michael Blake for DNC vice chair,” Clarke said, adding “Michael is absolutely committed to organising on the ground, mobilising communities to vote, and communicating how policies are directly impacted by political decisions.

“I have been a surrogate with Michael on countless occasions and have seen how hundreds of people are motivated to action because of his words,” she added. “He is exactly what we need as a party to heal and unite.” (CMC)

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

PPP stalwart labels Ramkarran’s assertions on term limits “irrational”

R

eacting to Ralph Ramkarran’s column in the Stabroek News, “The PPP supports term limits and will support a referendum, if necessary”, a long-standing member of the People’s Progressive Party stated very strongly that Ramkarran was consumed by bitterness against Bharrat Jagdeo and allowed this to cloud his judgement when he made his “irrational” assertion about “term limits”.

The seasoned PPP member, who has known Ramkarran for years, said, “Ralph was always very bitter against other leaders because he has always felt he had a God-given right to be the President of Guyana.

His whole campaign against what he calls “the third term case” is based on the possibility that Jagdeo might return. But he refuses to accept that he burnt his bridges when he refused to become a Minister.

Cheddi and the rest of the party hierarchy felt Ralph’s choice to continue in his legal practice because of the low salaries of Ministers then, revealed his true nature.

Ask Nagamootoo.”

Since I have been in the Party, it was domi-

nated by some old-timers like Ralph and the other one who refuse to accept that they have become irrelevant. Look at Ramkarran – he can only try to be relevant by columns and letters in the press. It’s amazing after he and some others left the Party they are now full of advice about what is “good” for the Party.

Why can’t he look past his own ambitions and stop fighting what is basically an “old people’s amendment”, since they can’t walk, much less run again?”

The PPP insider said that while there was no single reason why the PPP lost its majority in 2011 and 2015, one of the major reasons was because the old guard refused to accept that their days were long past.

“Look at Ralph’s seeking to legitimise his own vendetta against the possibility that the people may prefer Jagdeo once again by raising [former Presidents Desmond] Hoyte, Cheddi [Jagan] and Janet [Jagan] from the dead. First of all, I don’t know how he could be a “Jaganite” and yet include Hoyte as an exemplar of democratic choice when Hoyte rigged his 1985 elections by a bigger margin than

Former Speaker, Ralph Ramkarran

even Burnham ever attempted. Hoyte would have gone for life if the Cold War didn’t end and he was forced to step down. Why would Janet agree to a change that would prevent her – as a registered citizen – from running?

“Cde Cheddi died long before the 1999-2000 constitutional changes were made. How could he agree to term limits? And if we look at Cheddi’s career, we see that leaders have to be aware of the context in which they are operating. He was head of government between 19571961; 1961-1964; and yet when the opportunity presented itself with free and fair elections in 1992, he went for a third term. It’s obvious he felt

that the context was right for him to lead the Party into Government.”

The PPP member then went on to suggest that even though Cheddi Jagan was deemed “unsuitable” by external forces during the 28 years the PPP was out of power between 196 and 1992, he did not step down to allow other leaders who may have been acceptable to those forces. “It is the people who should determine who leads them and they should be allowed to make that choice. That is the essential point made in the case that was just affirmed by the Chancellor. But Ralph is petrified. Why?” He pointed to another quote from Ramkarran’s article: “The unlimited right to hold the position of head of government will inevitably lead to authoritarianism and corruption.” He shook his head sadly as he asked, “Now, what kind of nonsense is this?

He must be referring to Forbes Burnham, who rigged elections and was prepared to be dictator for life. But we are now talking about a Guyana with free and fair elections –- whoever becomes president will be elected by the people of Guyana.

“Unless, of course, those in power start rigging again. And because of his venom against Jagdeo, Ralph never writes about this clear and present danger. He should worry about another old man – Granger – rigging himself as a dictator for life like his hero Burnham. But he only has Jagdeo on his mind. Sad.”

Challenge

Government had filed an appeal against the Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang’s ruling, but the Court of Appeal recently upheld that the term limit was unconstitutional.

Justice Chang’s ruling was appealed by then Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman and current Attorney General Basil Williams.

The constitutional challenge case was brought

by Georgetown resident Cedric Richardson in February 2015, and sought the court’s interpretation of the National Assembly’s changes to Article 90 as it related to four restraints on the freedom of choice by citizens at national elections. As adumbrated

by Justice Chang, “The purported alteration of Article 90 by Act No 17

of 2001, in substance and effect, undoubtedly diminishes the democratic rights of the electorate in electing a person of their own choice as President, by excluding from presidential candidature: Citizens of Guyana not resident in Guyana on Nomination Day Citizens of Guyana resident in Guyana on Nomination Day but who have not been continuously resident in Guyana for seven years prior to that date Citizens of Guyana by registration Citizens of Guyana who have served for two terms as President.

The ruling ultimately means that an amendment to the Constitution, which was enacted when the National Assembly altered Article 90 via a two-thirds vote in 2000, needs a referendum to make a final decision, since to proceed otherwise would be for the National Assembly to deny the citizens of Guyana an inalienable right.

Attorney General Williams has said he will appeal that ruling in the Caribbean Court of Justice, and has 30 days to do so.

Linden-Lethem road project: Huge potential for investors there would be a road, not just to Lethem and other roads, we’re looking at investors, in terms of a bitumen plant. We’re putting the investments now in clusters. We’re thinking in terms of a crushing plant.

We’re thinking in terms of people going into trucking.

W

A section of the Linden-Lethem road

ith the Linden to Lethem road improvement project on the horizon, Linden stakeholders are working to capitalise on potential ideas and initiatives that may be provided through the project.

Some stakeholders have their eyes set on investment opportunities, while others are mulling various ways of securing employment for members of the community through infrastructure development. Stakeholders are also examining the possibility of developing Linden into a trans-shipment hub and a major access point to the international market.

“When that road is completed, it will not open Linden to just the rest of South America, but it would open Linden to the rest of the world…We’re

talking about having a trans- shipment point, a trans-shipment hub in Linden. We’re talking about not only goods coming from Brazil and moving through Linden, but we’re talking about the Caribbean and the rest of the world, using this port as their trans-shipment point,” Linden Chamber of Commerce and Development President Kevin De Jonge explained.

As a result, he said Lindeners now have to pool their resources in order to prepare for such massive development.

Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Chairman Renis Morian explained that officials were working to secure investors as they gear up for infrastructural development.

“Based on the fact that

There are those persons in the service-oriented business, geared for infrastructure development,” he said.

In addition, Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland said he has already sought assistance from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) for a feasibili-

ty study to allow for the inclusion of a rail along the Linden to Lethem road.

Holland noted that the Government would welcome the initiative which he said would assist in providing thousands of jobs. He has also recently engaged officials from the Chinese

Embassy to pursue investment in this regard.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry and the United Kingdom Government are expected to collaborate on the first phase of the Linden to Lethem road project, which is set to commence soon.

10 news

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Berbice teacher terrorised by armed bandits

VAT on private school fees

Govt refuses to budge ...Finance Minister says parents, schools must find creative ways to work around tax

M

F

The state of the house after bandits beat its lone occupant before carting off with a quantity of valuables

our armed bandits, carrying guns and a cutlass, broke into a teacher’s Canje, Berbice home and robbed her of a quantity of cash and other valuables but not before severely beating her.

The incident occurred some time around 01:30h on Tuesday and during the attack, a security guard was also chopped.

Guyana Times International understands that after attacking the 45-year-old guard, Claudius Alert, the four men entered the house at Lot 22 Bhudhan’s Housing Scheme, Caracas, West Canje, by breaking open the back door.

They then confronted the 43-year-old teacher, Easter Reid, who was home alone at the time.

According to the traumatised woman, she was held at gunpoint as the bandits demanded money.

“They said where you have the gold and mon-

ey? I said ‘I don’t have’ and one said: ‘strip, lemme see, strip’ and I started to pull down my dress,” she related.

However, one of the other bandits stopped his accomplice. “Don’t bother let the lady strip,” she recalled him saying.

The English and Food Preparation teacher told this newspaper that all of the men were masked.

She noted that while she was still to properly assess her losses, the bandits made off with jewellery and several digital boxes.

“I don’t really wear jewellery, but they took my wedding band, they took another ring I had for my husband, the DVR from security cameras, an E-Networks control box and another box I had for movies,” Reid explained.

The woman further recounted that while the one bandit was attempting to sexually assault her, she could hear the bandits beating the

guard, adding that she heard “chopping sounds”.

She noted that the Police took about 45 minutes to arrive after the initial call.

Speaking with this publication, neighbours indicated that when the Police were a few houses away on their way to the scene, the men left the home. Reid corroborated that she heard one of the men saying that the Police were coming before they fled.

Meanwhile, the security guard suffered a laceration to the face apparently from a glass bottle that was smashed against him and a chop to the head as well as injuries to the eye.

The teacher explained that the guard was employed since February 15.

Two persons have since been arrested. The Police are on the hunt for others and are pursuing certain leads.

inister of F i n a n c e Winston Jordan has announced that Cabinet has decided it will not be removing the 14 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on private school fees, saying the anticipated revenue is critical to meet the funding for the G$38B shortfall it has for its 2017 expenditure programme (G$250B Budget).

Jordan, at a press conference held on Thursday to explain government’s position on the issue said that private schools that complain of the burden the tax will place on its poorer students should consider absorbing the costs which could later be represented as a deductable for the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The minister used the occasion to remind that the majority of private schools operating in Guyana are not paying their fair share of taxes and action will be taken by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to ensure this is corrected.

Jordan told members of the media only 54 institutions, representing 57 per cent of the private schools that operate in Guyana are in fact regis-

ed that the Government immediately reverse the VAT charge on education and issue an apology to the country.

Other persons on the picket line also had similar cries and called on the Administration to act swiftly to reverse the measures.

“The protest is to save the youths, who may be thinking of migrating. If they want to go to private school – nursery, kindergarten, anything

was working in order to offset the expenses of his studies, the VAT on education was a worrying burden.

“It is an additional burden on me. I don’t make a lot of money. I’m at an entry-level job. I’m helping to pay for my education. Adding 14 per cent will just increase the burden on me. I still have other things to do with money, every day.

There is VAT on a whole lot of other (items) now.

tered with GRA. He suggested that based on information supplied to him, the majority of students in private schools come from parents that can afford the service.

It was pointed out that the recalcitrant schools will be given some time to get their affairs in order but none will be given a free pass.

Several students and parents gathered outside the offices of the GRA on Tuesday to challenge the government over its imposition of 14% VAT on private school fees.

Though the turnout was not as big as expected, their united voices were loud. Organiser of the protest, businessman Roshan Khan demand-

that has to do with private education, (the imposition of VAT) is ludicrous.

“What do they want?

Why did they not consult with their people who elected them? Why did they not consult with their own supporters who want to send their children to private school? People send their children to private school not (necessarily) because they are rich. It is unfortunate that the leadership thinks that those people who go to private schools, their families are rich.”

John Edghill, a young student, who was present on the protest linenoted that for him, as a private school student who

Edghill recalled that the Government had campaigned on a promise of providing a good life, and there were many young people in the private education system who see the measure as a burden.

“You can’t make Guyana great if you are taking away the dreams of young people. I attend Nations and I see a lot of people working and funding their own education. And it is just going to be a burden on them.

And a lot of persons are going to drop out. There are people trying to do MBA courses which cost millions of dollars. That’s 14 per cent on that too.

It’s just crazy,” he added.

A protester outside GRA holds a placard highlighting several grammatical errors which have appeared on Finance and Education Ministries’ properties, as well as on a banner during the recent Children’s Mashramani

news 11

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5 , 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Investments badly needed for Linden’s ...

from page 7

when we can make these things right here. All we need is the facility and we can employ our own people. What we need are private investors, either foreign or local. We got to encourage private investors. We are importing too many things that we can produce ourselves,” Parris said.

He also stressed that the community should scale up in agriculture, noting that these days people were not farming enough. Parris further stated his belief that the people of Linden have lost that sense of direction and should seek to desist from pointing fingers at various Governments.

“We need to look at ourselves. What are we doing for ourselves?”

During the recent launch of the Linden Trade and Investment Fair, Mayor Carwyn Holland said he was on a quest to drive development in the Linden community, through investment and entrepreneurship. He said Lindeners needed to work collectively since development could not happen with small mind-

edness. Holland also indicated that investment also plays a vital role in the community’s development.

He added that he has engaged GO-Invest and was focused on making business easier for investors who are interested in investing in the community.

“Investment also boosts the morale of our people. Investors coming to Linden can confidently invest knowing that the talent and expertise necessary for every sector can be found in Linden. We in Linden are positioned to be the manufacturing hub, the agro – processing centre and the Silicon Valley of Guyana…For Linden to advance, we need investment.”

Holland said the community could not do it alone but needed partners as he related that it was time to look at untapped areas such as tourism. Similar sentiments were also noted

by Regional Chairman RenisMorian who said it was time to analyse what has been the missing link to investment over the past decade.

Commemoration of end of Indentureship kicks off in New York

T

he New York kickoff event of the commemorative activities marking the centenary of the end of abolition of Indian indentureship takes place this Friday March 3 in New York City among the IndoCaribbean diaspora and others starting with a symposium and banquet.

The event is being held at the Indian Consulate in Manhattan at 3 East 64 Street, off 5th. Ave. This and other commemorative events are organised by the Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) led by its president AshookRamsaran formerly of Bloomfield, Berbice.

Ambassadors and/or Consulate Generals and representatives of several countries that have been impacted by Indian indentured labourers have been invited and will deliver remarks at the kick-off event.

The Consul General of India Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das will deliver the feature address along with presentations also from academics on Indian indentureship. There will also be a cultural program followed by dinner.

Co-sponsoring organisations include IndoCaribbean Council (ICC); Indian American Global Chamber of Commerce

(IAGCC); American Bangali Hindu Foundation; Richmond Hill Economic Development (RHDEC); Nirvana Foundation; Interfaith Council for Community Development, and others.

Mr. Ramsaran, working with a planning team, promises a great event with a host of international and local dignitaries as well as community leaders.

He said; “a lot of teamwork and tremendous effort has been put into planning this kick off commemoration”, and expressed his gratitude to the Consul General of India and those who assisted with the planning and organising.

March 20, 2017 marks the centennial of official abolition of Indian Indentureship, an era spanning the years 18341917, starting immediately after the formal British Emancipation of Slaves.

Indentureship to French Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean started in 1828 and also terminated in 1917.

Indian Indentureship was a harrowing experience of migration and servitude from several Indian states to far away lands of then colonial empires including Britain, France, Holland, Denmark, and Spain to their far flung colonies. In many ways, indentureship ways likened to slavery, and in fact, was described as a new form of slavery.

The history and consequences of Indian Indentureship are deeply embedded with tremendous significance, meaningful history and reflections to millions of descendants of Indians living in many countries which were the recipients of Indian Indentured labourers who sought better live-

lihoods. These countries included: Mauritius, Fiji, Malaysia, South Africa, East Africa, Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname, Jamaica, Belize, Grenada, St Lucia, Nevis, and other countries of the Caribbean, as well as French colonies of Reunion Island, Seychelles, Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana. Millions of the descendants of the indentureds from these countries and colonies now make their homes in the UK, North America, Holland, France, Australia and New Zealand.

Commemorative activities are also being planned in several of these developed countries.

An international convention on indentureship, initiated by IDC and its global affiliates, is organised from March 17 to 20 in Trinidad to commemorate the milestone; delegates from around the globe will participate in the convention.

Special fares and hotel rates are arranged for participants. A delegation of academics has also been invited to participate in symposiums in Guyana starting on March 10; these delegates will also partake in the convention in Trinidad. (Vishnu Bisram)

12

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

13

14 news

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

PPP will decide on presidential candidate at ‘appropriate time’– Jagdeo

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has made it pellucid that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is yet to discuss the presidential term limit case.

Since former Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang ruled that presidents can now run for more than two terms, and the Court of Appeal upheld the judgment in a 2-1 decision, expectations have been high that Jagdeo, a former President who already served two terms, will run for the high office again.

But Jagdeo, during a press conference on Monday at the Party’s headquarters in Robb Street, Georgetown, made it clear that the PPP was yet to decide on its presidential candidate for the

next elections in 2020.

The Party’s General Secretary explained that its leaders and members are dedicating their energies to more important matters such as reinvigorating the political organisation with younger people and with women, as well as spreading the message of the PPP across the country.

“We’re working to consolidate our support because the PPP lost some support in its traditional support areas amongst sugar workers and rice farmers; we are working hard to consolidate our support in Amerindian areas, and to broaden that support and in APNU support areas…we are working on a strategy to resume our work which we used to

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

do in the past and we fell down on, to carry our message to those communities to broaden our support,” he explained.

Jagdeo said too that the PPP would intensify and extend its work among the business community, the middle class, the intellectuals, professionals as well as the prime supporters of the Party, the working class.

He also explained that the PPP was working on becoming more efficient and on trying to incubate a new set of leaders who would recognise and appreciate that they have to “build their reputation based on hard work and that there is no room for arrogance in the Party”.

“Those are the things consuming me, not for who will run when the elec-

tions come,” the former President emphasised.

He stressed that the PPP, at the appropriate time, would decide on its presidential candidate, and he assured that the process of selection would be democratic and in accordance with the Party’s constitution.

“I am sure the Party will decide on who the best candidate will be at that point in time. A candidate who can lead us to victory, a competent candidate who can deliver on promises, a candidate who is visionary, a candidate who can bring people together,” he stated.

Jagdeo also reminded that the Party had supported the two-term limit in 1999, when the Constitution was reformed; however, he could not say whether the PPP’s position has changed.

“I speak for the PPP as the General Secretary, and we have not discussed this matter at the level of the Executive nor at the Central Committee. So, if you hear anyone else speak about what they know or what they don’t know, then they are not reflecting the views of the PPP. They are reflecting views as individuals,” Jagdeo said.

He told the media that when the time came for such discussions, the Party would discuss it in detail.

In further calming media reports that he may run again, Jagdeoemphasised that the Party’s members would have to follow certain criteria when deciding on a presidential candidate.

“Whoever the candidate we choose whenever the time comes, that decision would be made in accordance with our constitution, so it will be what is legal and secondly, what is in the best interest of the Party, supporters and the country,” he explained, noting that the Party would keep an open mind in the decision-making process.

The former President noted that it was rather foolish that persons would think the PPP was exerting all its efforts into ensuring that he ran for a third term.

“To have people think that a party like ours, particularly me given that responsibility (of General Secretary) and having been President for a long time would put all our eggs in one basket, that is the basket that ‘Jagdeo will run again’, is foolhardy and it is something that severely underestimates our thinking,” he posited.

Additionally, Jagdeo was surprised that the very persons who have levied all sorts of accusations against him now seem

worried about him possibly running for a third term.

“I am so surprised that there is such a big outcry about Jagdeo and all of this, because I am supposed to be a dictator, mismanage the economy, be the most corrupt individual in Guyana; therefore, I make a terrible candidate,” he stated.

Challenge

Government had filed an appeal against Justice Chang’s ruling, but the Court of Appeal recently upheld that the term limit was unconstitutional.

Justice Chang’s ruling was appealed by then Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman and current Attorney General Basil Williams. The constitutional challenge case was brought by Georgetown resident Cedric Richardson in February 2015, and sought the court’s interpretation of the National Assembly’s changes to Article 90 as it related to four restraints on the freedom of choice by citizens at national elections. As adumbrated by Justice Chang, “The purported alteration of Article 90 by Act No 17 of 2001, in substance and effect, undoubtedly diminishes the democratic rights of the electorate in electing a person of their own choice as President, by excluding from presidential candidature: (1) Citizens of Guyana not resident in Guyana on Nomination Day (2) Citizens of Guyana resident in Guyana on Nomination Day but who have not been continuously resident in Guyana for seven years prior to that date (3) Citizens of Guyana by registration (4) Citizens of Guyana who have served for two terms as President. The ruling ultimately means that an amendment to the Constitution, which was enacted when the National Assembly altered Article 90 via a two-thirds vote in 2000, needs a referendum to make a final decision, since to proceed otherwise would be for the National Assembly to deny the citizens of Guyana an inalienable right.

Attorney General Basil Williams has said he will appeal that ruling in the Caribbean Court of Justice, and has 30 days to do so.

On Sunday last, Head of the 19992000 Constitutional Commission, Ralph Ramkarran suggested a referendum to amend the Constitution instead of having unnecessary expense by taking the matter to the CCJ. (DevinaSamaroo)

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Miners arrested over discovery of gun, ammo at Aruba Backdam

P

The unlicensed firearm and cartridges found on the two miners

olice ranks in F Division (Interior Locations) have arrested two miners after they were found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition at the Aruba Backdam, Mazaruni (Region Seven – Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

According to Police reports, ranks were on patrol duty around 16:20h on Monday when they stopped and searched two males on an AllTerrain Vehicle (ATV).

During the search, they found an unlicensed 12-gauge single-barrel

shotgun along with two live matching cartridges.

The suspects, a 44-year-old Brazilian national residing in Campbellville, Georgetown, and a 25-year-old resident of Kangarooma Village, Middle Mazaruni, are being processed for court.

This gun find has pushed the number of unlicensed firearms found by ranks in F Division to eight thus far this year.

In all of these cases, the suspects have been arrested and charged.

Albouystown duo remanded for robbery under arms …allegedly trailed victims from city bank

T

wo men, who robbed a man after he left a city bank, were remanded to prison when they appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly.

Mark Prince and Regan Singh both denied the charge, which alleged that on February 17, 2017, at Commerce streets, Georgetown, they robbed virtual complainant (VC), Herman Bello of G$488,000 while being armed with a gun.

According to the Prosecution’s case, the VC had just left a Carmichael Street bank, and was proceeding to his vehicle, which was parked on Lamaha Street, when he was pounced upon by Prince, who pointed a gun at him and demanded his bag. According to the Prosecution’s case, Bello in fear for his life, handed over the bag containing the money, two cellular phones and his passport. The man then reportedly made good

his escape, jumping into a waiting car which was reportedly driven by Singh.

An alarm was raised following the incident and the alleged getaway car was intercepted by Police officers along with the two occupants. The items were discovered in the said car and the men were taken to the Police Station. The VC positively identified Prince as the individual who robbed him.

The duo of Albouystown was remanded to prison and will return to court on March 10.

The court was also told that a second charge of a similar offence will be brought against Prince shortly.

For that charge, he was reportedly identified as the gunman who robbed Gobin Sukhnandan of G$365,000 at Blygezigt after trailing him another city bank on January 21.

NEWS 15

16 news

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Essequibians to benefit from high-speed internet service By: Indrawattie Natram

B

usinesses and residents, as well as students residing in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) will now be able to surf, stream, share and connect with just one click, as the Guyana Telegraph and Telephone Company (GTT) launched its LTE high-speed Internet, which will be available in all the villages along the coast. The high-speed Internet will

cost some G$5,499 for installation and G$5,250 for the equipment, along with one-month’s free Internet.

The GTT team hosted the launch in a grand style at the Anna Regina Car Park, with a cultural programme which featured songs, dances and live tassa drumming.

Addressing those gathered, Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes, congratulated GTT for act-

Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes at the launch of GTT’s high-speed Internet

ing on their promises of

providing faster Internet to the people of Essequibo.

She emphasised too that technology is the greatest equaliser which can link companies to companies and countries to countries.

According to Hughes, the Government has recognised that prior to 2015, Guyana has been lagging in the area of telecommunication, and has therefore tried successfully to bridge the gap.

Alluding to the benefits the enhanced service will have in Region Two, the Telecommunications Minister explained that with the service, there will be more opportunities for business development, research and education. She also pointed to the benefits to e-commerce and encouraged farmers, as well as entrepreneurs within the region to use the Internet as a way of finding online

markets.

“I truly believe that ICT will deliver the transformation within Guyana and innovative ideas can come from all sectors,” Hughes stated.

Meanwhile GTT’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Nedd, said that the company is satisfied to offer the service in Essequibo.

He said the service was launched in response to the many demands for faster high-speed Internet in the region. He reminded of the company’s aim to provide faster Internet to the entire Guyana so that all users will be able to access the Internet with ease. He therefore called on Essequibians to make use of the service which has the potential to change their lives.

“Faster Internet means that you can do more, your lives will be changed, and

you can communicate more and do more researches,” Nedd stated.

The CEO also explained that the company is happy to partner with the Government in providing digital services to Guyanese. The LTE will be installed in March and according to the CEO, the company is working along with the Government as its key stakeholder to bridge the communication gap.

At the launch, four lucky persons were winners of free equipment for the services. Several customers noted that they chose the LTE Internet because of the speed. Other persons were anxious to use the Internet as in the past they were not exposed to 4G at their home, and many were forced to sit long hours to download pictures or surf the Internet due to slow connectivity.

Persons flocked the GTT booth to access the services

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

17

18 news

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jagdeo to submit new list of nominees for GECOM chair F

ollowing the second bout of discussions on the interpretation of the Constitution with regard to the appointment of a chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Attorney General Basil Williams seems to have conceded that the relevant laws allows for two categories of persons for the position, that is, Judges or those qualified to be Judges and “fit and proper” persons.

This is according to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Opposition, in a statement on Tuesday, after examining the interpretation of Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana, proffered by the Attorney General

during the recently-concluded engagement with Attorneys Anil Nandlall and Priya Manickchand, the Party’s representatives.

“While we do not agree with Williams’ interpretation, we recognise that he has finally conceded that Article 161 (2) of the Constitution qualifies two categories of persons for the position of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), namely: Judges, former Judges and persons qualified to hold the position of Judges AND, or any other fit and proper persons,” the Party outlined.

The Opposition further posited that the Constitution does not

accord any preference whatsoever to one of these categories of persons over the other as Williams contends in his arguments.

Neither, it added, the letter nor the spirit of the Constitution confers such bias.

“We are of the firm view that persons from either of these categories are equally qualified for the position of Chairman of the Guyana E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM). Our position is consistent with the historical evolution

of this particular Article

of the Constitution, as well as, the qualities and qualifications of the persons who have held this position since this Article came into force,” the statement from the Opposition said.

Nevertheless, in the interest of moving the process forward, the PPP disclosed that Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday wrote to President David Granger requesting some additional clarification and informed him that six names would be submitted to him shortly in accordance with Article 161 (2) of the Constitution.

Article 161 (2) states that “… the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person…”

In arguing that the ejusdem generis rule applies in Guyana, the Attorney General is positing that the word “other” speaks volumes and must be interpreted to mean that such “other fit and proper persons” must possess the characteristics of the two named preceding categories. But Nandlall previously contended that the Court of Appeal had ruled that the ejusdem generis rule does not apply in Guyana.

The PPP had explained on countless occasions that the Constitution was amended to include the Carter formula which

was designed to expand the range of persons suitable to be appointed the GECOM Chairman (to not limit that pool of persons to Judges or those qualified to be Judges).

The Opposition Leader has nominated Attorney and Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram; Executive Member of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ramesh Dookhoo; former PSC Chairman and Army Chief Norman Mc Lean; writer Rhyaan Shah; Professor James Rose; and human rights and conflict resolution consultant Lawrence Latchmansingh.

But President Granger declared that the entire list was “unacceptable” because none of the candidates met the constitutional requirement of being a judge or being eligible to be a judge.

From all indications, Granger wants all six persons to meet that constitutional requirement of being in possession of such legal qualifications. He had requested the Opposition Leader submit a second list, but Jagdeo had indicated that he would await the outcome of the meeting between the Attorney General and his representatives before he made a decision.

He had also suggested going to the Caribbean Court of Justice to seek an interpretation of the Guyana Constitution given the impasse locally. Based on the outcome of the meetings between the Attorney General and the PPP representatives, the nation will know how the political leaders will move forward regarding the appointment of a new GECOM Chairman.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

19

20

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 21

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

UK envoy says parking Dr Norton engages meter contract must be Region 2 residents open and transparent T Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan had protested the implementation of the parking meters, outside the Bishops’ High School on January 23

T

he United Kingdom High Commissioner, Gregory Quinn, has emphasised that while he has no fundamental problem with parking meters, the process should always be a fully transparent one.

He further explained, during a recent interview with the Guyana Times International, that citizens who peacefully protested were exercising their democratic right of dissent, and peaceful protests which greeted the implementation of parking meters in Georgetown were demonstrative of Guyana’s strong sense of democracy. “But any parking contract has to be open and transparent and debated and agreed by those in the Council. And I think

“The fact that the protests have taken place is actually a wonderful example of the nature of democracy in Guyana.

People feel able to go out and protest about something that they disagree with. And protest in a peaceful manner,” the UK envoy said.

That, according to High Commissioner Quinn, is a fundamental tenet of any democracy.

He noted that civil society has made its views against the parking meters clear and the courts were now involved.

Just weeks after the introduction of parking meters in Guyana, citizens had gathered to protest the move. The crowd consisted of parliamentarians, business owners and members of civil society.

parking were some of the foremost concerns surrounding the City Council’s new method of taxation.

Some had agitated for the immediate removal of the parking meters due to the expenses and the slowdown in commerce which businesses experienced.

Others, however, had stated that they were merely requesting a reduction in the cost, as the current rates did not cater for working class citizens and the poor.

The first protest had been greeted by proparking meter activists.

Mayor Patricia Chase Green had also responded to the protesters, who she referred to as “high class”. She had claimed that persons failed to engage the Council on matters concerning the parking meters, and chose various forms of demonstration instead.

Supported by the Town Clerk, Royston King, she had highlighted the advantages of the initiative, including the creation of more than 50 jobs. King had labelled the protesters’ actions as “backwards thinking,” stating that the meters would ensure the resto-

A scene from one of the weekly protests outside City Hall

that’s the fundamental thing, if you’re going to put in place a parking meter process, it has to be something that has gone through the rigors of proper examination,” he stated.

The protests, which were carried out for four successive weeks from February 3, were held outside City Hall on Regent Street. Protesters manifested opposition to the implementation of the contract signed by Mayor and City Council (M&CC) officials with Smart City Solutions Inc.

The Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM), a recently-formed lobby group, was instrumental in organising the protests.

They also came after Georgetown’s Deputy Mayor, Sherod Duncan, who has been vociferous in his opposition to the project, staged a one-man protest outside Bishops’ High School where a parking meter had been installed.

The protesters had listed several concerns with the project.

Feasibility, transparency and the cost for

ration and development of the country.

He further reported that the system employed citizens as street patrol officers and instances of breaches have been eradicated since the installation.

Despite the stated intentions of a passive demonstration, chaos had followed as supporters of the parking meter initiative accumulated along the front of the City Hall compound.

Activists were accused of partisan intentions and fuelling verbal attacks.

he Social Cohesion Ministry, in collaboration with the Education Ministry, hosted a “Face the Community” meeting at the Cotton Field Secondary School, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) last week.

Residents, parents, teachers and students of the Region gathered to highlight their concerns and were also briefed on social cohesion and what it entailed.

Among the issues highlighted were: the need for counsellors in schools, the re-introduction of the community high programme, better visibility of school welfare officers, the need for security drills to be done in schools and construction workbeing done during school hours.

This was the first

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton addressing the residents of Charity who gathered for the public meeting

a little extra work to get our students to achieve what we set them out to achieve,” he stressed.

He posited that adults have been abandoning youths and there was nothing that could be done in society if they did not use the youths’ strength.

ancy, school dropouts, the need for a multi-purpose centre, easy accessibility of drugs, training for small business owners, flooding in the squatting area and repairs to the river dam.

Minister Norton told the residents that the solution to most of the problems lay right in the community. However, he acknowledged that there were some issues which the residents themselves could not solve.

“Let us do what we have to do, and if you cannot do it alone, because you may lack the necessary skills, go through the right channels,” he stressed.He told the residents that when there was an issue facing the community, they needed to reach out to their regional officials, and if that proved futile, they must

Some of the persons who gathered for the public meeting in Charity

“Face the Community” meeting for the recently-appointed Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton, who assured the residents that he would make representation for them by bringing their issues to the attention of Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.

He encouraged the stakeholders to hold their regional officials accountable, but to also engage in self-help when necessary.

“As parents and teachers, we have got to do more than just wait for the Region to do something, the money to pass or for budget allocations to be made. We have got to start helping ourselves.

These are things that can be solved in the community,” he highlighted.

Minister Norton also used the opportunity to encourage the parents and teachers gathered to play a greater role in the lives of youths.

“I want the adults in the population to look at the situation surrounding them. Wewant changes in the youth, the way they behave and their approach to situations. The problem lies in the man in the mirror and when we recognise that problem, we will change course and move towards putting in

Minister Norton also acknowledged the hard work of teachers, who he said carried the heaviest load.

“I want to publicly congratulate my fellow Guyanese here who have opted not to become the physician, engineer, or the nurse but have decided that they want to be a teacher and I take my hat off to you teachers here among us,” he said.

Golden rule

Dr Norton then turned his attention to the process of social cohesion and encouraged those gathered to live by the golden rule of doing unto others as they would wish to be done unto them.

“If we should obey that rule, if we should live by that rule, then we certainly would achieve social cohesion in our society,” he added.

He pointed out that social cohesion was not a product but a process, which would evolve over the years.

Meanwhile, the Social Cohesion Minister also met with residents of Charity, including teachers, business owners and members of the Regional and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to discuss issues affecting that community.

Among the concerns of the residents were tru-

seek to raise the issue with those higher in authority.

Dr Norton assured that he would bring their issues to the attention of the relevant ministers within the government, and would also encourage them to visit the Region to meet with the residents.

The Social Cohesion Minister urged each of the residents to play their role in the development of their country.

“I believe that because we come from different backgrounds, whether it’s geographical, ethnic, religious or cultural, we need everyone on board. We need to know who we are and what our role is in developing Guyana,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Two, Rupert Hopkinson encouraged the residents of Charity to bring the issues they face to his attention.“While the REO must accept responsibility and be accountable, the REO can do very little if he does not know. And so I urge you to let us know when these things are happening,” he stated.He urged the residents to continue being dedicated and concerned about the issues affecting their community.

22 NEWS

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Cabinet should have no role in procurement process now that commission in place – Ali

P

ublic Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman Irfaan Ali said there was absolutely no space for Cabinet to give its “no objections” to contracts once the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) was in place.

He said the PPC has complete oversight responsibility of the procurement process, something Cabinet should have relinquished once the Commission was established.

“What I know is that once the PPC comes into operation, which is the position right now, there is absolutely no role for the Cabinet. The Cabinet cannot give any “no objection”; it cannot be involved in any aspect of procurement.

The Commission has complete oversight responsibility of the procurement process,” Ali told Guyana Times Internationalon Sunday.

Following an announcement by the recently-established PPC, Government had come in for criticism for “overstepping its grounds”, by being involved in the issuance of public contracts although the Commission was established for this purpose. The Commission, coming out in rebuttal of accusations made against it, laid out on Friday that it did not have within its remit, giving “no objections” to contracts, although Government said that would be one of its major responsibil-

President David Granger with the PPC Commissioners shortly after they were sworn in

ities.

On Friday, the PPC, in response to reports in the media, sought to clear up the “misconceptions” about its real functions as a recently-established procurement body. According to the PPC, recent media reports have contributed to the notion that it had not yet commenced its work, resulting in the continuing role of Cabinet in the national procurement system, whereby it issues its “no objection” to the award of contracts.

However, the body said that since its establishment in October last, it has been carrying out some basic preliminary work, required by the Constitution before it could begin carrying out its mandate, which incidentally does not in-

clude the granting of “no objections” to contracts.

They included the election of a chairperson; followed by discussions with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the benefits and conditions of service for the Commissioners; and the determination of a staff structure for the establishment of a Secretariat, including the preparation of the terms and conditions of the proposed staff, of which the three principal officers require the approval of the National Assembly”.

It said in pursuit of this mandate, Commissioners have been meeting almost daily, and in the absence of a fixed office.

It continued that following a detailed review of the applicable legislative framework, it

engaged several stakeholders within the national procurement system to sensitise them to the role and functions of the PPC. In this regard, members of the Commission said it interfaced and held discussions with more than 100 public officials from several agencies and departments that function in the public procurement system and deal directly with procurement matters.

Earlier this month, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said that PPC was still inactive as it still was in the process of recruiting competent employees, and Cabinet would stop granting its no-objection when the PPC was ready to work.

“Once they say to us ‘we are ready to function’, then

Cabinet will cease doing anything, but since these are public infrastructural projects that need to be executed, we cannot just sit and wait,” the Minister of State posited.

“Once the PPC indicates that they are ready, and then Cabinet will pull back,” he emphasised. Harmon also admitted that though the PPC has been inactive, the Commissioners have been receiving their salaries.

Reports indicate that PPC Chairperson Carol Corbin is receiving G$1.3 million monthly, while the other Commissioners are earning some G$900,000 per month.

The other Commissioners are Nanda Gopaul, Emily Dodson, Ivor English, and Sukrishnalall Pasha.

NEWS 23

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

WBD resident NGOs to approach CCJ killed in over cross-dressing ruling accident

A

n early evening accident on the Pouderoyen Public Road, West Bank Demerara caused the death of a man who resided in the same area on Saturday.

Sixty-year-old Bhagwandat Roopchand, of Lot 13 Bella Dam, Pouderoyen, lost his life at the hands of an alleged drunk driver around 19:00h.

According to reports, the man was walking along the Pouderoyen Public Road when he was struck by a speeding Toyota IST, bearing registration number PTT 8019. According to Police, the driver was proceeding north along the western side of the road, when he hit the pedestrian, who was crossing the road.

The man was rushed in an unconscious state to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was admitted, but died some 30 minutes later. Reports reaching this publication indicated that the driver was found to be “heavily intoxicated” moments after the impact. An eyewitness relayed that the front windscreen of the silver IST was smashed in.

“The driver could hardly walk; he was standing on the road,” the eyewitness told this newspaper.

Additional reports stated that minutes after the impact was heard, a crowd of persons gathered and reprimanded the driver for causing the accident.

At this point, the Police had not yet arrived. When ranks came subsequently, the driver was taken into custody.

Police disclosed on Sunday that the driver was tested and found to be above the legal alcohol limit, which corroborated the account of the eyewitnesses that he could “hardly walk” properly.

The driver remains in custody, assisting with the investigation.

T

he Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) and the Guyana Trans United (GTU) could within the next few weeks take their cross-dressing case to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), SASOD’s Head, Joel Simpson said, if advice from their lawyers is prudent.

The two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have made this disclosure after the Guyana Court of Appeal on Monday upheld a decision by now retired Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang, who in September 2013, ruled that cross-dressing per se was not a crime, unless done for an “improper purpose”. The case was dismissed by the panel of acting Chief Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh and High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds.

The case, which was first filed in February 2010, following the widely reported arrests and convictions of seven persons for the summary offence of “be-

ing a man and wearing female attire in a public way or public place, for an improper purpose” (1893 Act). Four of the convicted persons filed this action, along with SASOD, which approached the Faculty of Law UWI Rights Advocacy Project (U-RAP). Thereafter, with the assistance of U-RAP and local counsel, a constitutional challenge to the cross-dressing law was filed.

The McEwan case argues that the archaic cross-dressing law, found in Section 153 (1) (xlvii) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act 1893, is inconsistent with the Constitution of Guyana. It also argues that the conduct of the Chief Magistrate, who told the individual appellants that they were confused about their sexuality and should follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, was also not consistent with the Guyana Constitution. The parties appealed this ruling, in part because of the inherent uncertainty in the terminology employed in the statute. With that uncertainty, State officials have virtually unlimited discre-

tion in applying the law.

The legal team for GTU and SASOD includes Miles Fitzpatrick SC; Nigel Hughes, SC; DrArifBulkan, and Gino Persaud.

Speaking on behalf of the two bodies, SASOD Head Simpson told Guyana Times International on Monday that the gay and lesbian community was very “disappointed” that the Court of Appeal had moved to dismiss the case.

According to Simpson, following the ruling of Justice Chang and the ruling by the Court of Appeal, the community has been seeking clarity of what constituted “improper use”.

“Now we wanted the Court Of Appeal to clarify and gave some reasons on what the term improper reasons mean. We thought that as a senior court, they would have been a little more appreciative of a more nuanced argument. We are disappointed that the court basically repeated everything that the Chief Justice said.

We find the judgment to be a repetition,” he said.

Region 2 rice farmers slam Govt’s‘uncaring’ approach to problems affecting industry

S

cores of rice farmers in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) have vented their frustrations, as well as opinions on Government’s approach towards the rice industry. Many of them said that the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government, since assuming Office, has not plugged the kind of support that is really needed in the Industry for its sustenance.

At a public meeting held in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at Anna Regina on Friday, rice farmers in presence of the Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, said that the Government served better as the opposition.

Many of them were disappointed and dissatisfied at Government’s intervention towards the industry.

Spokesperson for rice farmers and Government, Councillor

Naithram, said, “Meeting after meeting and nothing is being done, if I didn’t persist for Minister to visit then he would have never visited.” Naithram said that there need to be a collective and integrated approach in helping to boost the industry. He argued that too often rice farmers are ripped-off by millers and little or nothing is being done from the rice stakeholders’ level to represent farmers’ interest. As such he called for a review of the rice factory act and for a fine to be levied against defaulting millers.

He said that the Rice Factory Act stipulates that a farmer should be paid within 42 days after his transaction with the miller. He continued to argue that rice farmers are owed up to two years and millers are benefiting.

“We need to review the Act, there need to be consultations, those millers who cannot honour 42 days as mentioned in

the ACT should be fined G$10 million dollars.”

Naithram said he believes that the success of the rice industry depends on solid partnership from major rice stakeholders, as well as positive investment from the Government’s side.

He also told the Minister and his team that the state of the Region Two economy is frustrating and many persons who voted for the present Government are losing confidence.

Low confidence in Govt

Naithram also warned the subject Minister that if the Government does not step up and invest wisely in the industry, then the 4000 votes that came from Essequibo will be lost.

“A lot of rice farmers voted for the Government, they wanted change in the rice industry and to date things are hard if this continues then 2020 elections will be different,” Naithram said.

AFC Councillor Naithram along with rice farmers at the meeting with Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

Another rice farmer from Reliance said that promises were made to Region Two rice farmers for better prices and to date prices are less, “when the Government were in opposition they did a better job, they spoke out for rice farmers, but now what is happening the industry is declining and rice farmers are suffering.”

During the meeting, rice farmers were tense, as many of them were clueless what will be the price for paddy in the new crop.

In responding to the farmers’ plight, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, said that

instead of Naithram complaining, the Government has put him on to several boards for him to voice his concerns.

He questioned Naithram why is he not representing the rice farmers and why the blames are on the Government. He also said that rice is a private partnership between the miller, the purchaser and the rice farmer; the seller.

Holder said that he will take a look at how the Act could be reviewed and called on rice farmers to take millers to court. He also asked them to report non-payments and if rice farmers agree to take mill-

ers to court, then he can speak with Legal Affairs Minister to have special Judges and Magistrate’s venture to the region to listen to the matters.

Holder said that the Ministry is doing all it can for rice farmers, but Association, as well as other rice stakeholders such as the Guyana Rice Producers Association need to also give proper representation.

Rice farmers at the end of the meeting also requested for the Minister to visit every two months as harvesting period is just two months from now.

24 news

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana could lose funding, access to visas if US deportees not accepted A s US President Donald Trump forcefully pursues his crackdown on illegal immigration, Guyana may be at risk of losing critical funding and access to visas if Government refuses to accept deportees from the United States of America.

An executive order signed by President Trump last week threatens immigrant and nonimmigrant visas to countries that do not take back deportees promptly.

The executive order states, “The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State shall cooperate to effectively implement the sanctions provided by section 243(d) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1253(d)), as appropriate.”

The only time the

law was triggered before against Guyana in 2001, the country cooperated fully in less than two months. Some 23 countries are currently at high risk of being sanctioned.

According to testimony by a high-ranking State Department official before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in July 2016, “at the top of the current (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) ICE list of recalcitrant countries” were Cuba, China, Somalia, and India.

At the same hearing, an ICE official also referenced 23 recalcitrant countries, including Afghanistan, Algeria, China, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, and

Zimbabwe.

Expanding on this list, ICE Director Sarah Saldaña told the Senate Judiciary Committee that, as of January 2016, the list of recalcitrant countries consisted of Afghanistan, Algeria, Burundi, Cape Verde, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.

Only one of these countries, Gambia, has actually seen some visa cut-offs after that country refused to accept some 2000 deportees.

Commenting on his new policy, President Trump declared that “the day is over when they can stay in our country and

wreak havoc. We are going to get them out and we are going to get them out fast”.

Adequate notice

President David Granger already expressed some level of concern about Guyana’s ability and capacity to handle any possible influx of Guyanese being deported from the USA. The Guyanese President explained that a better approach to the situation would be for the US to provide ample time and adequate notice before sending the undocumented criminals back to Guyana.

“We will have to put measures in place to ensure deportees do not try to perpetrate crimes when they get back here, but it is something we must prepare for,” he

Guyanese President, David Granger

had stated during his televised programme, “The Public Interest”, in November.

C a r i b b e a n Governments have complained bitterly over the years about nationals being deported to their country of birth without much information provided as to their medical and criminal backgrounds and even more importantly, some form of support regarding their smooth integration into their home countries.

In December 2016, almost two dozen Guyanese deportees arrived from the USA having served lengthy jail sentences for various offences.

Head of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Criminal Investigation Department, Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum said the deportees were convicted for homicide, narcotics, robbery and other offenc-

US President, Donald Trump

es.

Blanhum said the deportees would be monitored. “We will be monitoring them. Yes, there is legislative provision for that and we’ll be monitoring them.”

In the previous year, the US deported 104 Guyanese.

Meanwhile, Juncata Juvant, an organisation dedicated to improving the lot of deportees in Guyana, was recently resuscitated here. The organisation intends to establish a shelter facility, either independently or through collaboration with the Private Sector and/or Government.

At the relaunching ceremony last year, the body’s Vice President, Ruth Howard had promised to deliver a wider range of initiatives to ensure holistic development, support, reintegration and assistance to involuntary remigrants under a five-year plan.

2 rescued during Essequibo Coast TIP raid

T

wo women were rescued on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) when Police, in collaboration with the Trafficking in Person (TIP) unit, conducted a raid in the region.

Following the raid, two persons were also arrested and are under investigation for TIP. One of those in custody is a popular shop proprietor, while the other is a speedboat operator from Supenaam. It is alleged they lured two females at Airy Hall, Essequibo Coast.

Reports are at about 18:00h the two women, ages 15 and 24, were rescued at the Airy Hall bar

where they were allegedly forced to work. Both women were taken to the Suddie Public Hospital for a medical examination.

Investigations are ongoing.

This incident follows one occurring in January 2017, when eight alleged victims, some of whom were Spanish nationals, were rescued during two operations conducted on the East Bank and West Demerara by the Counter-Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Unit of the Social Protection Ministry.

According to the 2016 TIP report, Guyana is a source and destination for men, women and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour, in the interior mining communities as well as urban areas. The Government of Guyana does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however it is making significant efforts to do so.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

25

26

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

27

feature 29

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

ange, then red on day three and finally, scarlet on day four.

Common visitors to the bright Lantana flowers include ants, carpenter bees, honey bees, black and brown stingless bees, and wasps, but especially butterflies belonging to many families such that many Guyanese classify sweet sage as a butterfly bush.

What we have found

Entrance to CEIBA

By Dr. Gyanpriya Maharaj

F

lowering plants are stationary and so have a problem getting the sexes together for reproduction. Evolution solved this problem by employing animal, wind, and water as agents to get the sexes together.

All successful pollinators move pollen grains (sperm) from male structures (anthers) of a flower on a plant to stigmas (receptive female structures) on the same plant or another plant of the same species. This process, pollination, helps flowers to become fertilized, which permits development of seeds and fruits that we eat every day.

Although animal pollinators are very important, they are under assault worldwide, but especially in Neotropical countries―due to habitat loss―inappropriate conversion of forest and savannah lands for growing subsistence crops, mining and providing forage rangeland for cattle.

We (Dr. Godfrey R. Bourne and I) have followed population trends of lowland rainforest butterfly pollinators at CEIBA Biological Centre, Madewini, next door to Splashmin’s Ecocampground, for just over 10 years. We are alarmed by gradual reductions of population numbers and the increasing rarity of previously common species.

Most recently, we have focused our research attention on two

passionflower butterfly species native to the CEIBA area in the subfamily Heliconiinae (Nymphalidae), Heliconius melpomene (postman butterflies) and Dryas iulia (flame butterflies) that are currently under threat.

We specifically study the behaviour of these butterflies as they choose their nectar plants, by examining the relationships among flower colour changes, nectar volume, and sugar concentration in wild type sweet sage (yellow, orange, red flowered type), Lantana camara, on pollinator visitation at CEIBA. We also focused on colour preferences of the butterflies, how changing flower colour and nectar food rewards affect butterfly-plant attraction, and butterfly feeding patterns in the wild.

Heliconius melpomene, or the postman butterfly, has black wings with a red blurred patch on its forewing and a yellow line on underside of its hind wing, which curves towards the posterior. This species is often seen singly along forest edges and pathways, and is frequently observed feeding on sweet sage, Lantana camara.

Dryas iulia, or the flame butterfly, has bright orange wings with black margins. The males are typically brighter than females. This species is usually found in second growth forest and are also often seen feeding on sweet sage.

Dryas iulia (Photo by Godfrey R. Bourne)

Lantana camara, or sweet sage, is a common plant at CEIBA, found in open habitats. There are many horticulture varieties of Lantana that have small flowers in a variety of colours, which include white, yellow, orange, red and purple that are often mixed in the same cluster.

In our study we looked at butterfly feeding at wild-type Lantana, which has pink buds that open to become yellow flowers which change colour on day two to become or-

We found evidence that sweet sage attracts pollinators by advertising its rewards of nectar with specific flower colours that change with time. Yellow flowers, which are the first to emerge from buds, have the greatest nectar rewards. These yellow flowers on the sweet sage would then change colour to orange and then red, which offers less nectar.

Finally, the flowers become scarlet and offer no food rewards.

We observed that the butterflies that we studied in the wild are attracted to flowers that are similar in colour to their wings, therefore the H. melpomene, with its red wings, were attracted to red flowers and

Heliconius melpomene (Photo by Godfrey R. Bourne)

the orange D. iulia were attracted to mainly orange flowers. Therefore, Lantana plants use its orange and red flowers to attract these butterflies from long distances.

However, after arriving at the plant, the butterfly would also feed on nectar rich yellow flowers that carry viable pollen grains, which are then transferred from one plant to the other as the butterfly moves, thereby facilitating pollination.

In addition to colour preferences, we also found that butterflies share their food patches with other butterflies and aggressive territorial hummingbirds, therefore, the butterfly species would change their feeding patterns by adjusting the number of visits to plants. Even the time spent feeding at these plants facilitates successful coexisting with their competitors.

Importance of butterfly research

Lantana camara (Photo by Gyanpriya Maharaj)

Butterflies are not just beautiful flying creatures; they are very important pollinators that are very active during the day. Our

butterfly species were the most important pollinator agents of sweet sage, and our observations suggest that they are for a host of forest species that have, orange, red, and yellow flowers.

However, regardless of their importance as pollinators, very little work has been done investigating their feeding and, by extension, their pollination and behaviours. Our research, therefore, sheds light on interactions and complex communication between plants and their butterfly pollinators and provides valuable information on the natural environment as seen through the eyes of our Heliconiid butterflies.

Our research also sheds light on how changes in the habitat - for instance, behaviour of territorial competitors’ and food plant availability (disappearances/reappearances), both effects of habitat destruction - will affect the feeding behaviours and ultimately the survival of our study species.

30 feature

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

A beloved, brief life leads to a lifetime of charity

K

eeping the memories of their beloved daughter alive, Kencil and Carolyn Joy Banwarie, both Guyanese, have founded the Emily Faith Charitable Organization (EFCO).

“Losing our threeday-old baby daughter, Emily Faith Joy Banwarie, and coping with that loss throughout the following year was the hardest thing my and wife and I had to go through.

We wanted to honour her life by founding this charity. The Emily Faith Charitable Organization was officially launched at Emily’s one-year memorial service on August 6, 2016 in Simpsonville, South Carolina,” Kencil recalled in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

EFCO is a small registered non-profit charity with a big vision based in South

privileged communities in the U.S.A. and Guyana.

“We describe EFCO as the ‘little charity with a big heart’ for the very reason that we believe that our little gifts will make the world of a difference in someone’s life. Since we are a relatively new and small charity, we hope that our work will grow where we can impact more lives,” Kencil noted.

The charity’s main focus is directed towards meeting the needs of children, along with those parents whose children are in short and long term emergency care.

The work EFCO does is expressed in three initiatives, which Kencil and his team hope to do on a continuous basis.

The “Spring Cleaner”, “Fall for Girls” and “care packages” initiatives are intended for shipment to Guyana.

Many happy faces who have benefitted from the work of EFCO

almost over in the US, persons would “put up their summer clothing for warmer fall and winter clothing”.

EFCO tries to en-

Talking about the work of EFCO

Carolina, U.S.A. Its purpose is to engage in philanthropic endeavours directed towards the relief of children who live in low-income situations and under-

The “Spring Cleaner” initiative provides children’s clothing, shoes, books, and toys during the ‘spring’ and ‘summer’. Kencil explained that when ‘summer’ is

Kencil (right) shares EFCO's love with these children who are happy to receive footwear donated by the charity

courage persons to think about donating some of those clothing or ones their children may have outgrown. These donated items make their way to communities along the Soesdyke-

Linden Highway and the Pomeroon River in Guyana.

The “Fall for Girls” initiative had a collection drive for specifically girls’ items, which EFCO plans to donate to a girls’ orphanage in Guyana.

Additionally, the charity currently donates care packages to two children’s hospitals in Greenville, South Carolina, US. These packages contain basic personal care items, snack bars, and a blanket. Kencil mentioned that the organisation plans on expanding this initiative to include more hospitals in the US and Guyana.

“Emily’s brief life spanned three days in the hospital before she passed away during surgery. Her passing was characterized by a certain silent strength, and we find comfort in the fact that her soul lives on in a more peaceful place, where there is no more suffering. We find satisfaction that

we can do something to honour her memory so that her life wasn’t spent in vain.

“Losing a child has opened up a whole new world that includes battling with depression and anger, questioning faith and life’s purpose, and dealing with unending grief in a deep and personal way. Being put on this journey has also connected us with lots of other parents who have had to go through the devastating loss of their child, so we understand the immense struggle that their parents have to endure. We are fortunate to be supported by family, friends, and church members who have come alongside us throughout the pregnancy, and birth and death of Emily. Without them, we would have been worse off. Paying forward the generosity that we received is also a major source of motivation that drives the work of our charity,” expressed Kencil.

Kencil is encourag-

ing kind-hearted individuals to join EFCO in its philanthropy work by making monetary donations or non-monetary items and services.

Visit www.emilyfaithcharity.org for more information.

“Most importantly, though, if someone has a desire to help out those who are less fortunate then I would say just go ahead and do it even if it’s not through our charity or any organisation.

I’ve seen persons travel from Georgetown, walk through a highway trail just to spend a day at an orphanage, and that’s inspiring.

It doesn’t matter how small you think your efforts are; you will make a difference in someone else’s life by just showing that you care about their wellbeing. Your little gifts can make a big difference. We are beyond blessed to be supported by our family and friends who help us to achieve our goals,” Kencil declared.

Items in one of EFCO's care packages

feature 31

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Creating an awareness of being Guyanese

Professor Vibert Cambridge. He is also a recent recipient of Guyana’s Golden Arrow of Achievement, recognised for his years of work and “dedicated involvement in contributing to the preservation of Guyanese culture in Guyana and in the diaspora.”

“W

ho are we?

What has been our journey? What can we become? And how do we get there?” Those are the type of questions that may have guided the mission of the Guyana Digital Tent, a website launched in May 2016 that provides information on Guyana: its culture and its history.

When the website was launched, its main aim, its founders said, was to provide links to materials about Guyanese history, national heritage and the experiences of Guyanese people.

In addition, being free of cost, the site initiators ensured the website would provide easy access to reading materials in the hope that it would assist reading literacy among Guyanese children, youth, and teenagers.

The mission statement, as declared on its website, is “To increase the diffusion of new knowledge regarding Guyana’s culture, history, and people.”

The virtual library was launched as part of the country’s jubilee celebrations in 2016.

In a recent email to Sunday Times Magazine, Dr Vibert Cambridge of the College of Communication Studies, University of Ohio said that the site was developed during an academic semester by Ohio University students in the MDIA 4176/5176 course (Technology, Communication, and Culture) during Spring semester 2016.

The Ohio University’s School of Media Arts

& Studies noted too that the content on the 50th Anniversary Webpage was produced by students in MDIA 4176/5176 (Professor Vibert Cambridge) and MDIA 1020: Media and the Creative Process (Associate Professor Eric Williams) for Guyana’s 50th anniversary of independence.

At the launching, Dr Cambridge had also spoken of the significant cooperation between students of the University of Guyana and the Ohio University.

The website was later handed over to the National Archives, who supported the UG students, as part of the plan for the website to be maintained here in Guyana. This is in keeping with the aim for the website by the Ohio university.

The Guyana Digital Tent is an upgradable site and is expected to continue adding further information to keep upto-date and relevant.

According to Dr Cambridge, responding to a question on the plans for the website, “Imagination is the limitation!”

Just recently, “a Guyanese resident in the USA enquired about donating digitized copies of “old” Guyanese publications. In the near future, the site should provide links to other specialized Guyanese websites—such as “Guyana Masquerade” which is being developed by the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc.”, he added.

Within the many link sites of Guyana Digital

Tent there are also links to other relevant information on the topic being discussed.

To date, the site displays a historical timeline of Guyana along with links to other historical and ethnographical resources. Additionally, the site offers links to book sources and free online educational sources such as Project Gutenberg, a website providing free eBooks for online reading, and the Digital Public Library of America, among others.

The website also provides links to most local news media as well as international digitized newspapers. Access to local media is subjected to the publication’s subscription policies however.

In addition, the site links to the official Guyana Gazette, while a link to the Berbice Gazette is to be set up.

The website also provides links to websites of other local institutions and agencies related to research, documentation and education such as the National Trust, National Archives, the National Art Gallery at Castellani House, and the education ministry, for example.

Guyana Digital Tent also links to the crazykelvin website that features, among other things, biographies of famous Guyanese/persons of Guyanese heritage.

The site includes some of Guyana’s Parliamentary Speeches, which include speeches from late former presidents Cheddi Jagan, Desmond Hoyte and Forbes Burnham, provided by the Caribbean Press.

The page also offers a downloadable library from Caribbean Press; this includes some titles from Guyana Classics and other Caribbean Press publications, provided by the kind permission of the authors.

There is also a “Slave database” with links to http://www.slavevoyages.org, which provides other historical sources on the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. There is a link to UNESCO for indentureship records from a UNESCO project, “Memory of the World Register” as well.

The website also provides links to access “Other Class Projects” which relate to the website’s focus.

The site contains some MS Word docu-

Screenshot of homepage of the Guyana Digital Tent website

ments and PDF formats, and also provides video of the relevant information, all in an easy-to-use process.

The virtual library is just one venture for increasing Guyanese literacy and awareness however. Dr Cambridge noted other projects for Guyana: “Last semester (Fall 2016) a group of

students developed the mobile app: UG—United Guyana. In addition, [at] the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc. [we] are refining our work program for the 2017 Folk Festival season. We anticipate a site that will aggregate available information on our indigenous heritage.”

With such a wealth

of information available on Guyanese history and culture on the Guyana Digital Tent, it is hoped that not just history students and researchers access the site but other Guyanese as well who can educate themselves on their history which could help them understand their identity in the world today.

32 feature

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Inspired by her late mother, Debbie Houston finds empowerment

D

Debbie Houston

ebbie Houston is inspired by her late mother who passed away with breast cancer in 2015. Now, through her culinary art career and activism work, Debbie hopes to help others deal with

the pain of loss, while spreading awareness on breast cancer.

Her mother, Yvonne Houston, died on November 2, 2015. “She had breast cancer for quite some time, but kept it from us and bore

Debbie (far right) with executive members of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs

all her pain by herself.

We knew something was wrong, but she refused to let us in on what was ailing her. It was after she died that my father told

us everything,” Debbie recalled in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

Debbie took to Facebook to share her mother’s experiences and encourage women to get mammograms and Pap smears. The year her mother died, Debbie got a mammogram done and detailed her experience on Facebook with the aim of encouraging women, who might be hesitant or afraid, to get tested.

“I did it because like me a lot of women would have been very afraid to do theirs. After sharing on my experience on Facebook, many women reached out and expressed that they felt encouraged to have theirs done. This led to me offering my counselling services to the Guyana Cancer Foundation as I have been a social worker for 20 years,” Debbie mentioned.

She described her mother as a “phenomenal woman who was very talented, strong and assertive”. Debbie said being around her made it “easy to emulate her, as she was a very good role model and always taught my sister and me to be independent and to work hard to achieve what we wanted”.

Debbie said her mother was a ceramist, the owner of an arts and craft store at the Guyana Post Office and a member of the Arts and Craft Association.

Apart from her activism work, Debbie is passionate about spreading

happiness through food.

Her first experience with food was at the age of eight when she learned to cook on a ‘fireside’ in Corentyne, Berbice.

“I would never forget what I learned that day; it was boulanger [eggplant] with fried fish and rice. To this day it is my favourite meal,” she remembered.

Both self-taught and trained at the Carnegie School of Home Economics in the culinary arts, Debbie described food as her “first love”. She recalled watching her mother and aunt prepare various meals, which motivated her to pursue cooking as a career.

Notably, Debbie is the cofounder of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs organisation, through which she helps with fundrais-

ing activities in the promotion of women entrepreneurs. She is also the owner of a catering business, Glitzy Glamour Cakes, Events Planning and Catering.

Her advice to women is: “If you have a dream and you are passionate about it, the by all means go after it. You may fail on the first try, but never give up. Get up, dust yourself off and go again. I had failed on my first try at business and wanted to give up.

I was feeling very depressed, moping around, but my sister gave me a strong lecture and that woke me up. I have been persistent ever since.

Though I still face my share of challenges, victory prevails because of my dedication,” she declared.

With her mom, Yvonne Houston (left)

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Petamber Persaud

(E

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature Black History Month

xtract an view

of interwith Jonathan Adams, August 2016, Guyana.

Adams is the Vice-Chair of the Guyana Reparations Committee.

Adams and Eric Phillips coedited ‘The Guyana Reparations Story’)

PP For a long time our history has been written by the conquerors/the colonial powers, mainly Britain, but that history was not the whole truth.

Then we started to write our own history and still that was not the whole truth. Whose truth must we adhere to? Must we always, are we always be in the mood of questioning the text? Whose truth must we believe?

JA Well that’s an interesting question, Petamber.

Through the Guyana Reparations Committee, the CARICOM Reparations Committee had advised the national committees to find the true narrative of the history of the Africans and the Amerindians because the Caribbean reparation is taking both histories into consideration.

What we found out when we began to research the history of Guyana, we found that the African context of that history was missing and what was there was distorted …

PP Or started at a particular time…

JA Well, that’s part of the distortion because subsequently what we found out that the African presence here in Southern America did not begin with slavery but began at least 12, 000 years ago …

PP …

V a n Sertima’s ‘They came before Columbus’…

JA Van Sertima deals with some aspects of that but he places emphasis on the North American context. There is very little work done on the Southern America context and to Central America. What I talking to you about is secondary sources and not primary sources and

33

Jonathan Adams

herein lies the travesty of justice…

Anyhow, Prof. Noel Menezes in her book, ‘British Policy towards the Amerindians’, points out that Moruka in the North West was actually Morocco – it was the province of Morocco. And then the other day, I was watching television and learn there is another Moruka in Trinidad.

Now if there is a correlation between the Moruka in Guyana and the Moruka in Trinidad then it stands to reason that the North Africans had trading posts down here in the new world long before the New World came into being. And had it not been that this information coming through Prof. Menezes, one would have dismissed it as a sort of crank.

Interestingly, when Eric Williams raised the issue based on that skeleton, Lucy, [a local newspaper] tried to downplay that date….

So it is a question of whose interest is being served.

PP So my opening statement is not off the mark.

JA No, because facts are facts – I could only be talking to Petamber right now in NCN Studio on Homestretch Avenue irrespective of who says what fifteen years from now that Jonathan was talking to Petamber and Ravi Dev and Eric Phillips etc. – those are only serving a particular person’s interest. But facts remain single in their origin and context. So it is a

question of interest.

Fortunately, what has happened – and this is part of the history of the new world – when the African came here they came here as nonpersons; they did not have their personalities but through struggle throughout history they have gained positions of influence where they began to look at their own interests.

PP One major omission in the writing of the history of the Africans is that many writers neglected to acknowledge the humanity of Africans as seen through their struggle and persistence and perseverance and triumph…

JA Oh, that is beautiful. But I would prefer – not that I’m saying you’re not right in that context – but I would prefer to use the word ‘resilience’.

You know there is an oral tradition in order to clean my mind of the propaganda that we have been fed about ourselves – what I’m beginning to do is to look to the African continent because they have got histories too.

There is that interesting oral tradition that comes out of Ghana which it is said that when they were putting our fore parents on the ships, that is after experiencing life in the holding pens or baracoons which was bad, so they knew wherever they were being taken to couldn’t be better) …so they were saying to each other as they were being

put on the ships ‘byana’ which means “we shall flourish”. That speaks to the spirit of the African, the resolve of the Africans in spite of all they were going through they never lost hope. Why did they never lose hope because they have got millions and millions of years of existence we go back to Lucy – a skeleton dating back to 3.5 million years so you had to learn how to survive.

So that humanity you speak of, that resilience came from their existence in Africa.

Prior to the period of enslavement, Africa was an equal partner in the establishment of international justice/ international administration. And if you look at the literature, you would find that much of the international law which was used to govern nations came out of Africa. So that the Africans who came here were not slaves,

they were not non-persons, they were people who came here with the knowledge of how to run empires.

PP How to run empires – how to start villages. Building empires started with the home, the family – let’s talk about the village movement.

JA There is a colleague of mine who objects vehemently when I say our ancestors did not buy villages, they bought estates. For instance, Buxton was an abandoned estate, Victoria was an abandoned, Agricola…these people bought estates for the express purpose of getting into production and also to find dwelling places for themselves as they had made a decision to remove from the sugar estate.

There is something which is not really explored. I think a number of writers including Walter Rodney and Alan Young, point out

that between 1830 and 1850 the Africans spent $2.5m to purchase 25 estates and if you want to find out about their spending power at that time and the amount of money they put in the local economy that $2.5m in current value would be 1.3 trillion dollars.

So these were not people who were small thinkers. They went on to eventually buy approximately 188 estates. And Petamber, this is what I want us to understand that we witnessed the re-establishment of the African capacity to build empires…(To be continued) Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com What’s happening: Coming in March "Guyanese Writers of Indian Ancestry" by Petamber Persaud.

34

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

DRIVING WITH UNDOCUMENTED PERSONS MAYBE ILLEGAL

By Rakesh Rampertab, Esq.

T

he US Customs and Border Protection agencyposted a story on its website that may surprise some.

On February 16, 2017, a permanentresident or a man who has a green card was driving aHonda civic in Tucson Arizona when he was

stopped by US Border Patrol agents. In the car were three undocumented immigrants. They were arrested and will be deported.

The permanent resident was also arrested and will face smuggling charges. Indeed, under United States Code (USC) subsection 1324 (a) (1) (A) (ii), it is

and to keep such person in the US. Given the atmosphere we now live in with the Trump administration increasing its efforts significantly to deport millions of undocumented aliens, one has to be careful even beyond driving our vehicles.

After all, the Trump administration has

a federal crime to know or recklessly disregard the fact that someone is not a US citizen or green card holder, and transport (or attempt to transport) that person within the US. This is regarded as one of numerous crimes of human smuggling under federal law.

Specifically, the law(and its penalty) reads as follows: Any person who—knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that an alien has come to, entered, or remains in the United States in violation of law, transports, or moves or attempts to transport or move such alien within the United States by means of transportation or otherwise, in furtherance of such violation of law, is to be fined, imprisoned for as much as 5 years, or be both fined and imprisoned.

Fortunately, the courts have ruled that evidence of just transporting someone who is undocumented is not enough to convict a person of smuggling an alien. If the US Government wants to prosecute such a person for smuggling an undocumented person in a vehicle, then the government must showthat such a driver acted specifically and intentionally to keep an undocumented person inside the US. Now, this may not be that difficult to show.

For example, a US citizen driving an undocumented person away from a subway station or a job site that is about to be raided by immigration agents, may be regarded as transporting such person intentionally to avoid any arrest

claimed that its priority is to deport undocumented persons with a criminal record, thereby making the US safe.

But this is not exactly so. In reality, any undocumented person may be arrested without any regard for a violation of any law.In fact, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been directed by the Trump administration to hire some 10, 000 immigration and customs agentsto help arrest, process, and deport undocumented persons.

Also, DHS has been told to increase the number of existing detention facilities to house those arrested and convicted.

Additionally, to help expose undocumented persons, the Trump administration has now made medical, legal, and other information about undocumented persons that were once undisclosed under limited privacy protection since 2009 under President George Bush, accessible to immigration agents.

Finally, there will now be an expansion of expedited removals of undocumented persons who have been in the US for up to two years, regardless of where they are arrested.In contrast, under President Obama, expedited removals were done only for undocumented persons in the US for 14 days or less, and found within 100 miles of the US border. This article is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. For immigrationrelated questions, you may contact this attorney at (917) 943-1336 or rrampertabesq@gmail. com.

news 35

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Former Army Lt Regional Administrations beset by appointed new staff shortage – PAC meeting hears CH&PA CEO R etired Lieutenant Colonel of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Lelon Saul has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan has confirmed that Saul will replace Myrna Pitt, who stepped down as CEO of the Authority in June 2016.

Minister Bulkan told the Government Information Agency that Saul, who is a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Guyana Defence Force, also worked with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Saul was selected from a field of over 20 persons interviewed for the position.

The CH&PA has been operating without a CEO for a few months after Pitt resigned following a number of issues at the Agency.

Saul is expected to take-up his appoint-

New Head of the CH&PA, Lelon Saul

ment within a day or two, in time for the implementation of key CH&PA 2017 housing project, including the delivery and construction of 758 housing units in the form of either town houses or duplexes in Regions Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), particularly targeting public sector employees, youths and low-income earners.

Guyana-China relations: President discusses infrastructure development training for Army corps

T

The PAC engaging Regional Officials at Parliament Buildings

he need to recruit staff to fill administrative positions was highlighted yesterday, when the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) held an extraordinary meeting with Regional Officials.

The necessity for staff, particularly in the financial departments of the regional Administrations was brought to the PAC’s attention by the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Communities, Emile Mc Garrel.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communities, Emile McGarrell making his presentation to the Public Accounts Committee PS Mc Garrel informed the meeting participants at Parliament Buildings, that there are three chief accountants instead of the required 10. This issue was among several that came to the fore during discussions about lapses and errors in regional administrations, in terms of handling procurement, contracts and finances.

PS Mc Garrel opined that the regional financial management system was negatively affected. He cited the example of the National Regional Accounting Unit which currently operates at 14 percent of its full staffing strength. The PS said an assessment showed that 260 staff members were required for effective management, but only 150 persons were employed in the unit.

The PAC was also informed that the need for staff was critical at the authorisation and certification levels in Regional Administrations. Mc Garrel described this as, “Levels with responsibilities for checks and balances, the controls, to ensure the laws and regulations and that circulars are observed and expenditures for regional councils are in keeping what the requirements.”

These challenges, he added, are further amplified at regional oversight and administrative levels.

The meeting was also notified

by Mc Garrel, of the need for more Finance Secretaries, pointing out

that up to a maximum of 40 accountants are needed, but there are only six.

He urged that immediate steps be taken to boost the system so it will be able to serve the residents, in the delivery of services being sought regionally.

Previously, the Regional Officials met with Ministry officials on the same day, for discussions on the financial management structures.

One of the issues brought to the fore during those discussions was the need for better inventory and internal control, across the Regions, in addition to having the work of storekeepers and field auditors be upgraded.

In closing, Mc Garrel stated that the Ministry of Communities was aware of the problems and challenges. These were among issues addressed during a Regional consultation forum held earlier this year.

The PAC has the responsibilities to examine the audited accounts, as presented in the Auditor General's Report, showing the appropriation of sums granted by the National Assembly to meet public expenditure, and such other accounts laid before the Assembly, and to exercise general supervision over the functioning of the Auditor General in accordance with the Rules, Policies and Procedures Manual and any other law.

It also nominates members of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) for approval by the National Assembly, and thereafter, the appointment by the President and to determine the emoluments and allowances of the PPC members in consultation with the Commission.

(GINA)

Venezuelan jailed for narco trafficking

A P

President David Granger in conversation with Ambassador Cui Jianchun and his delegation at State House

resident David Granger met on Wednesday with China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun, at State House to discuss the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries. The Ambassador was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission, Yang Chenqi, and Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy, Shen Huiyong. Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Patrick West, was also present.

During the meeting, President Granger explained that poor infrastructure, particularly in the hinterland, has impeded the development of tourism, agriculture, and the extractive sectors, and has been a deterrent to foreign inves-

tors. Noting that there is an existing cooperation agreement between the GDF and the Chinese military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the Head of State said Guyana could benefit tremendously from infrastructure development training for GDF officers.

“We want to develop a strong engineering corps at the GDF, so that they can make a bigger contribution to infrastructure development in this country,” the Head of State said.

The Ambassador has informed the President of his plan to convene a forum to further engage the Government of Guyana in discussions, so as to identify priority areas in which the two countries can collaborate.

22-year-old Venezuelan was on Wednesday jailed

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he admitted to a narcotics possession charge.

Wlavimir Guerrero admitted that on February 28, 2017, at Iteringbang Landing in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni District, Region Seven, he had in his possession 100 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that Police Officers on patrol duty inIteringbang visited the hotel at which the accused was staying after receiving a tipoff.

A search was then carried out

on Guerrero along with four others and the substance suspected to be cannabis was discovered in one of his pant pockets – a quantity of leaves, stems and seeds.

Guerrero confessed to ownership of the substance, stating that he uses it for pleasure purposes. He further related to the court that he was a taxi driver in his home country and had crossed the border into Guyana to pick up a client in order to escort him to a hospital over in Venezuela.

After listening to his version of the incident, the Magistrate fined him G$120,000 and sentenced him to three years in prison.

Wlavimir Guerrero

Son admits stealing mother’s jewellery

M

agistrate Clive Nurse has ordered that a probation report be compiled on a 16-year-old and submitted to the court after the teen admitted that he had stolen a quantity of jewelry and raw gold from his mother.

The teen appeared at the Wales Magistrate’s Court and admitted that on January 30 at Lusten-Rust, West Bank Demerara, he stole a silver band, 6 diamonds and ½ oz of raw gold from his mother.

In court, the Prosecution disclosed that the Virtual Complainant (VC) was at home on the day of the larceny and made certain checks around the house, thus she discovered that the articles were missing. She made additional checks to locate the items, but to no avail. After realizing that the articles were missing, the woman made a report to the La Grange Police Station. Her son was later confronted by Police,

and admitted that he had stolen the items. In Court, the teen also admitted to the magistrate that he had indeed stolen the items; as such, the probation report was ordered.

The case will continue on March 20, when a sentence will be imposed. In the meantime, the teen has been released into his mother’s custody.

36

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

This week's Crossword

This week's Puzzle

see solution on page 47

The law isn’t an ass…

L

…just the AG makes it so

ike everything else in life, the law evolves. But as with everything else also, there’s always some who want to hold back evolution for their own selfish ends. Take the law. At one time the “law” was whatever the biggest, baddest and meanest fella in the tribe said it was. When they became “chiefs” and then “kings” as the tribe expanded, nothing much changed.

But with the expansion of the “tribe”, it became necessary for the king to delegate as to how his law was applied. In England, we had “writs” – literally “writing” – which described the specific transgressions and their sanctions and relief, issued to his officials. Problem was, these writs were very specific and if a particular wrong didn’t fit on all fours (literally) with the writ – the victim was screwed. As folks became more civilised and demanded some kind of equity, things opened up, as the new “courts”, as laws were broadened, they didn’t have to stick to “the letter of the law” – but could interpret as reasonable men.

It was a Dickensian character who dubbed the law an “ass” if it didn’t allow for exigent circumstances.

And so it is in modern jurisprudence, we have to be leery of those who’d insist on a mechanistic application or interpretation of the law – so that it becomes an “ass”. It always means they don’t want to see real justice done – just to have the law fit their interest.

Right now in Guyana we see this insistence on the law being an ass in three egregious instances. One is the GECOM Chairman’s appointment. Attorney General and newly baptised Senior Counsel Basil Williams finally offered one of the most tortured interpretation of the words “or” and “other” – even pulling out an old Latin term from the Dark Ages of writs, “EJUSDEM GENERIS” to insist that only a judge can be the GECOM Chairman!

That none of the preceding five GECOM Chairs were Judges doesn’t matter – those Presidents and Opposition Leaders who appointed them didn’t know what they were doing. Including the two that oversaw the insertion of the “or” and “other” clause into the Constitution to make a CHANGE from the prior Article that insisted on only a Judge! Now any ordinary person would ask “What the heck was there the change if the intent was to remain with only judges as candidates?”

But then Basil Williams is not an ordinary person. He is the kind of lawyer who’d make the law an ass! …just being dressed like one Imagine in this, the year of our lord 2017, a magistrate insisted a person cannot seek justice in the court of his land because the applicant wasn’t dressed “like a man”!! There’s a law, of course, going back to the Victorian era that assumes the mores of those procrustean days, and specifies that stipulation. But the question in 2017 has to be – “What are the clothes of a male??”

Females in Victorian days had to wear skirts – but today females are allowed to wear pants to courts – so why can’t men wear dresses? In fact, a hundred years before Victoria the men of her court DID wear what could be called dresses! Even Islamic Malaysia has adapted! And the men of Scotland still wear kilts – which are skirts. But we know the clothes aren’t the issue, don’t we?

It’s this particular magistrate and others of his sanctimonious ilk – who would control sexuality and like BujuBanton, say “Bun dem!”

A pox on their courts!! …and the people will decide The last “assishness” in law is the case that’s about the extent of people’s power in a republic, but used as a trope for BharratJagdeo‘s supposed desire for a “third term”.

But whether that is so or not, isn’t it the people who’ll decide in the end?

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

travel & tourism 37 Village benab at Shulinab Village

C

onsidered one of the most pristine and wild regions of the country, Rupununi is a land of beauty and is among the last frontiers for wildlife in Guyana and the world.

On your next visit, experience the vast savannah wilds and rustic life of the Rupununi communities of south Guyana.(Photos courtesy Mr.L.Hernandez)

Sunset outside Rupunau Village near a petroglyph site 100-year-old mango trees line the entrance to Sand Creek Village

A bullock-drawn wood wheel cart is a traditional mode of transport between villages of Rupununi. In earlier days the wheel/axle would have been greased with cow fat to prevent squeaking

Shea Rock,which carries the name of the nearby Shea village, with typical house in foreground. Important to the indigenous culture, the rock has a large cave which once contained Amerindian pottery and relics. In more modern days Shea residents are known to climb the northern flank to carry out Stations of the Cross.

38

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

news 39

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana’s Foreign Service Officers briefed on possible impact of US immigration policy S taff of the Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Guyana were today, debriefed on the possible effects of the immigration policies of the current United States administration.

Today, in the boardroom of the Ministry of Agriculture, a presentation by Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith titled “The emerging Trump Administration Foreign Policy and dynamics related to Guyana and the Caribbean” was made to the staff, according to GINA. The presentation was facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Director of the Foreign Service Institute, Ambassador Ronald Austin explained that recent decisions on immigration by US President Donald Trump, “will

Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith addressing staff of the Foreign Service Institute

have an immediate impact on our lives.”

He said, “We have to, I think first of all, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and I think throughout the Government of Guyana, decide how we respond to the emergence of President Trump and the consequences of his poli-

Talks being held for opening of UG branch in Essequibo Coast

R

egion Two (PomeroonS u p e n a a m ) Chairman Devanand Ramdatt has announced that currently, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is presently in negotiations with the University of Guyana to establish a branch of the tertiary institution within the region.

Ramdatt was at the time speaking at the flag raising ceremony held at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground to mark Guyana’s 47th Republic anniversary.

He said he met recently with a team from the University of Guyana and possible options were explored. The Regional Chairman said a branch of the University of Guyana will provide opportunities, as well as avenues for young people to enhance their qualifications. He has also acknowledged publicly during his brief address that youth employment is a major challenge within the region; as

such, the RDC is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that youths are qualified and can become more marketable in the competitive world of work.

Addressing the gathering at the flag raising ceremony in the presence of Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, the Chairman also lobbied for a cultural centre and a agro-processing facility to be established within the region.

Speaking on the country’s Republic status, Ramdatt said those great leaders; Dr Cheddi Jagan and Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, were visionaries who fought during the struggle for Guyana to become an independent nation and therefore called on all Essequibians to practice their civic duties as citizens for a better Region Two. Ramdatt also called for persons working in the productive sector to be respected, noting that Region Two is an important region for the development of Guyana.

cies,” Austin said in opening remarks.

Last week, the US Department of

Homeland Security revealed plans for the

enforcement of immigration laws that have been deemed aggressive and discriminatory against Muslims.

According to GINA, Ambassador Austin stated that, “This is not abstract foreign policy, this is direct consequences of a man who has decided to change the way the United States sees the world, and in particular as far as the immigrant population is concerned in the United States.”

US President Trump is likely to sign a new immigration executive order on Wednesday, a day after addressing lawmakers at a joint session of Congress.

40

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The end of Indentureship B y R avi D ev

W

hen a friend from Fiji broached the idea of commemorating the end of Indian Indentureship – and this is an academic with a PhD from New School for Social Research in NY – he was also trying to pin down the actual date it occurred. Indentureship in South Africa and Mauritius ended in 1911 and 1912, respectively, but not Fiji, Guyana, the rest of the British Caribbean and Suriname. There were several dates mentioned in literature and after tracking these down, we settled on March 12, 1917 when Governor General Hardinge of India passed an order

prohibiting any further recruitment and shipping of Indian Indentureds. The official date from the British Parliament came on January 1, 1920.

But in doing the research, I was struck that it had to be done in the first place: it was not a date that was stuck on the calendar over the years to be commemorated. I found this surprising in light of the significance of Emancipation Day for the descendants of enslaved Africans, since so much of the historiography of Indians in the Caribbean had been mapped on to that of the former group.

On reflection, however, it is not that surprising: there was no way to shoehorn the

two events into one historical box. Even though some historians have attempted to suggest that Indenture was “A new form of slavery” – following Hugh Tinker’s seminal work from 1974 with that same name, fundamentally they really were not.

Emancipation Day arrived after centuries of struggle, including riots, uprisings, a humanitarian struggle in the British Parliament and behind it all, the inexorable development of the British economic order from Merchantalism to “Free Trade”. It was a day when human beings who had been classified as “chattel”, became free. It was not just a change in the status of their labour – from slave to

By Ravi Dev “free labour” – but an acknowledgement of their humanity. That is an inaugural even that has to stand alone.

For the Indentured Indians, however, even though in retrospect one could question how “voluntary” was a decision made to emigrate after their livelihoods

had been destroyed by the British, the immigrants themselves took the contract seriously. In fact, in Fiji the “agreement” was rendered into Bhojpuri as “Girmit” and they defined themselves as “Girmitiya – people of the agreement.

The “agreement” harked back to the indentured contract under which the majority of Europeans in the New World were brought as “bound” labourers. This started before and was coterminous with the beginning of African slavery.

They had to work for a specified period for specified wages, after which they were usually given freedom and a plot of land.

The Indian indenture contract was generally for five years and included a clause that gave them the right to a return passage to India, rather than a plot of land. And this was the seminal difference with the end of slavery versus the end of Indian indentureship. Each immigrant had his/her own “end of indentureship” and collectively, new immigrants were seen as workers who were undercutting their wage rates as “free labour”.

While the conditions of labour were quite abysmal and transgressions of the contract were subject to criminal prosecutions, at no time were

Indian indentureds legal chattel. The terms of the contract were invariably interpreted to favour the planters and at least on a dozen occasions the strikes by the indentureds to protest severe breaches were answered by bullets that killed dozens and wounded hundreds. But while there were several local Indian critics of indentured system, there was no organised effort to end it.

In the end, it was the work of Gandhi in South Africa that brought the plight of the indentureds in the British colonies to the consciousness of the Indian nationalists in India. Promised if they cooperated with British rule in India, Indians eventually would be British citizens in the British Empire they were stung when the “free” Indian merchants and professionally were treated like the “coolies”.

They forced the end of indentureship as much to salve their own pride, as ending the inequities of the system, which ended with a whimper and not with a bank here.

It is time we interrogate indentureship from the perspective of the present with an eye to the future.

1 dead after Pomeroon boat collision

T

he Police have recovered the body of 52-year-old Kenneth Joseph, who disappeared into the Pomeroon River following a river mishap. An intense searchboat accident was launched by relatives after the cash crop farmer went missing following a boat collision on Sunday, about 20:00h.

According to information reaching this newspaper, the mishap occurred in the vicinity of Grant Anna Regina. The second vessel involved in the collision is owned

by 28-year-old Reshanna Cameron, and was captained by his 24-yearold brother, Rondel Cameron.

Joseph was reportedly navigating a small wooden balahoo along with Leon George, another farmer from the Pomeroon River. The duo were proceeding south on the eastern side of the Pomeroon River while Rondel Cameroon was proceeding north. Joseph was thrown overboard following the collision.

An investigation has been launched.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

E

Sugar & sacrifice

xcept for the country’s First Nations, we are all here because of sugar. Our fore parents’ arrival on May 5, 1838 was the first of many voyages across the kalapani that brought 239,909 indentured labourers from South and Northeast India by the time the indentureship programme was ended by an Act of Parliament in India on March 12, 1917.

This year marks the centenary of that abolition and the date will be commemorated by Indian diaspora communities around the world. Guyana’s Indian community will be part of the global events that will include religious observances, cultural shows, conferences and symposiums.

Our families, wherever they are today, all stand on the shoulders of the earliest labourers, that immigrant generation who worked on the sugar plantations for a pittance of a wage.

They lived in the logies and worked in the fields doing the backbreaking work and, like the African slaves before them, rose up in revolt for various reasons. These included wage disputes, disagreements over task work, the sexual exploitation of Indian women, and the overbearing behaviour of the overseers.

The idea of Indian docility is belied by the strikes and disturbances that numbered over 100 during the indentureship period and which resulted in the death of some 41 labourers and injuries to many more.

The first recorded disturbance occurred at Plantation Leonora in July 1869 when the shovel gang complained that wages were being withheld because they could not complete a job on waterlogged soil.

A confrontation between armed Police and the labourers was avoided, but the ringleaders were arrested, convicted and imprisoned at the Mazaruni penal settlement.

The following year, violence erupted at Plantations Hague, Zeelugt, Vergenoegen, Uitvlugt, Success and Nonpareil, and in 1872, a major disturbance occurred at Plantation Devonshire Castle.

This time, the colonial Police opened fire. Five were killed and several seriously injured. The dead were: Maxidally, Beccaroo, Kaulica, Baldeo and Ackloo.

They were the first Indian labourers to lose their lives in the fight for workers’ rights.

In October 1896, another

five were killed and several wounded by Police during a strike at Nonpareil. In 1903, six were killed and seven wounded at Plantation Friends, and in 1912, at the same plantation, one worker was killed. He was shot by the manager, RE Brassington, who was charged, but subsequently acquitted of the murder.

A year later, and just four years before the Abolition Act was passed, on March 13, 1913, resistance by Indian labourers at Plantation Rose Hall ended in carnage when the Colonial Police killed 15 and injured 39 in what was perhaps the deadliest outcome of any indentureera revolt in the Caribbean.

The dead were: Badri, Bholay, Durga, Gafur, Jugai, Juggoo, Hulas, Lalji, Motey Khan, Nibur, Roopan, Sadulla, Sarjoo, Sohan, and a lone woman, Gobindei.

In 1939, at Plantation Leonora, a weeder named Sumintra, identified as a ringleader, was among three labourers who were shot dead during a protest for better wages and lighter tasks for pregnant field workers.

The next deadly confrontation occurred at Enmore on June 16, 1948 when five labourers were killed while demonstrating for better working conditions, fair wages, and for the recognition of a trade union of their choice.

The dead were: LallabageeKissoon, Pooran, Rambarran, Dookhie, and Hari. This tragedy has become better known because this was the brutal injustice that brought the young DrCheddiJagan into politics as a champion for workers’ rights.

The colonial carnage continued even until 1964 when on March 6 at Leonora Estate, Kowsilla was mowed down by a tractor during a strike. The tractor driven by a scab was ordered to clear the bridge blocked by the strikers.

Kowsilla bravely stood her ground. She was crushed to death and 14 other women were seriously injured.

African slaves and Indian labourers fought valiantly for justice. Many paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives in the struggle. They are our heroes.

Sugar has been our country’s lifeblood for centuries. It has shaped us like no other industry and is the very reason for the birth of this country we all call home.

Yet the Granger Government seems able to casually toss it aside along

By Ryhaan Shah with the thousands of mainly Indian Guyanese sugar workers still on the estates today.

This shows a clear disregard and heartlessness for an industry that, more than any other, contributed to our country’s development.

Even if it faces a natural demise, there must be honour and dignity in its dismantling and in the treatment of the workers for history’s sake and for the sake of our heroes and their legacy of courage.

41

42 fashion

D

esigner Sonia Noel has launched a collection of versatile scarves in a variety of colours, perfect for any occasion.

Dubbed the “convertible scarf”, these bespoke designs can be transformed from simple styles to statement pieces.

In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Noel said the collection also caters for pregnant women, because they too should look “super sexy”. “[These]designs will help you find your personable style”, she added.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Locally, regionally and internationally, Noel is famous for her sophisticated, versatile designs that can be worn from the beach to the ballroom.

Recently, the designer celebrated 20 years in the fashion industry and will be releasing stylish designs in celebration of her milestone.

For more information, visit Sonia Noel Designs on Facebook or call 684-8129.

(Models featured today are Anasha, Nekchi, Peggy and Ambika)

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

43

44 art & culture

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Art and Style

U

A collection of artistic jewellery made from driftwood and other types of local wood

nique, handcrafted wearable wood art jewellery by local art/fashion house Dis Is De Place showcases the richness of Guyana’s forestry.

Dis Is De Place, launched in 2013, is a business which creates and markets handmade jewellery and craft made by skilled Guyanese and West Indian craftsmen. The emphasis is on ‘upcycled’ sustainable products, which are eco-friendly and well-priced.

The Timber Line consists of jewellery made from tropical woods from the forests of Guyana to the driftwood found on the seashores and river banks of our famous rivers.

“All the woods that we use are reclaimed and environmentally sustainable. We source our wood from the Guyana Forestry Commission, which includes over 20 species of beautiful, exotic tropical woods such as greenheart, bulletwood, ulu, mahogany, purpleheart and many others,” said Wayne Barrow, manager of Dis Is De Place, in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

Barrow explained that the wooden pendants are of various geometric shapes (circular, triangular, square, diamond and trapezoid) and may even have Zodiac signs and petroglyphs embossed on

the surfaces.

He pointed out that wood is a traditional 5th wedding anniversary gift and 90 percent of wooden jewelleriesare purchased by men.

While the entire Timber Line of artistic wooden jewellery is stunning, the fascination comes from examining the ones made from driftwood.

The charm and beauty of driftwood is captivating and Dis Is De Place has artistically transformed it into amazing jewellery. Each piece of driftwood is unique, shaped by nature and the elements, which are reflected in the collection of Dis Is De Place’s driftwood jewelleries.

According to the manager, Dis Is De Place was founded with the aim of helping local craftsmen and women access a steady income and an acceptable level of empowerment.

From necklaces and earrings to bracelets, each piece of handmade art jewellery showcases the artistic and technical skills of the artists of Dis Is De Place, while making a unique statement onart and style.

This week Sunday Times Magazine features a few pieces from Dis Is De Place’s Timber Line.

For more information, visit Dis Is De Place on Facebook.

"Constellations"

Driftwood chain and earring set

Earrings made from chunks of wood found in Guyana

"Olympics"

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

45

46 NEWS

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Berbice 2017 Mash attracts Women in Science hundreds

By Ashley Anthony

…as Govt participation dwindles

D

espite the fact that several Government Ministries had no representation during the Mashramani 2017 float parade in Berbice, revellers turned out in their numbers on Sunday in New Amsterdam as the

the crowd’s attention with their three bands that took to the streets.

The Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Administration, which has never failed to wow, led the way as they portrayed a green economy under the steward-

education and culture can make safer communities.

Even with the absence of the Government Ministries’ participation, revellers enjoyed the festivities.

“Not because they ain’t come, we can’t enjoy

The B Division Police float

annual celebrations culminated.

The Culture, Public Health and the Indigenous People’s Ministries were represented by several officials who joined the parade.

However, the Regional Health Services captured

ship of President David Granger. The need for renewable energy was also depicted in their Morrice Moria float.

B Division Police did not miss a step and attracted scores of teenagers behind their band, as they depicted how sports,

we self,” one of the several thousand revellers told this newspaper.

Notably absent from this year’s celebration in Region Six were the Agriculture, Indigenous People’s Affairs , Education and Communities Ministries.

I

nspired by the topic for my communication studies exposition, I have decided to pen my thoughts on women in science, and in particular those about the discrimination that they face. This is of particular importance to me, since my intended field of study is in the sciences, and I am both female and a feminist.

On a whole, fewer girls pursue scientific careers.

For example, in the US, women make up about 48 per cent of the workforce, but hold only 24 per cent of the scientific jobs. One of the major reasons this occurs is that it is said for you to enter STEM related fields, you have to be good at Mathematics, and it is said that as compared to boys, girls just simply aren’t.

While it is statistically true that generally, girls underperform as compared to boys in Mathematics, there isn’t much evidence to suggest that it is caused by a biological difference.

Contrary, there is much support by the scientific community that the difference occurs because of sexist beliefs, which mature into gender discrimination.

For example, a study by Science Magazine in 2008

found that the gender inequality within a country corresponded to the gap between the performances of girls as compared to boys in Mathematics. The author of the study posited that girls believed they would not be successful in fields such as the sciences, because they did not possess the innate ability to succeed. This is to say that we have been telling girls to do well at science requires a talent with which one is born, and because you are female you do not possess it.

Furthermore, the belief that girls are predisposed to being poor at Maths can lead to them not receiving equal attention as their male counterparts in school, an example of gender discrimination.

However, let’s suppose that a girl overcomes this bias and enters university with dreams of pursuing a scientific career. She will then have to overcome gender bias within her university, as again, studies show (for example one done by Scientific American), that when equally competent female and male students vie for jobs such as lab supervisor, the male student is twice as likely to be selected, and the professors in the experiment were more inclined to mentor the

Ashley Anthony

male student. These little biases overall work out to female students having to work harder to achieve the same quality of education as their male counterparts.

Finally, if a girl overcomes all of this and enters the scientific community as a researcher, it is still quite possible that she will not be credited for her contributions to science. In fact, it happens so often there’s a whole terminology dedicated to the phenomenon, known as the Matilda Effect. You can read more about it and read the details of the women’s stories online.

What can we do? Well, if we want to see a change, the first thing we need to do is to stop perpetuating stereotypes. We need to also empower and educate our girls so that if they do face discrimination in university, they will be equipped to both recognise and deal with it.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Weight gain and loss

S

atiricus and company were mulling over the just finished Mash 2017 at their usual watering hole – the Back Street Bar. They hadn’t bothered to go this year to gawk at the gyrations and bodily exposures as was their wont over the years. As Bungi put it, “Things brong!” They looked at the goings on from the TV perched precariously over the glasses behind the counter.

“Dem Ministah put aan some pound, Budday!” Bungi exclaimed in amazement. “But dem can still flounce!”

“That’s not flouncing, Bungi. That’s ‘backballing’,” said Hari. “Flouncing is at Masquerade.”

“Talking about Masquerade, that used to be only around Christmas time,” Satiricus complained. “Now these Masqueraders blocking up the traffic at Mash time, now.”

“But at leas’ demna gat de bull cow,” confessed Bungi. “Me bin really friken da when me lil!”

“Well, from the people I saw winin’ down Brickdam,” grinnedHari. “I don’t think we needed cows of any sort! Bull or otherwise!”

“Now… now,” scolded Satiricus. “Be nice!”

“But I’m serious fellas,” retorted Hari. “Did you see the size of most of those who were Mashin’ down? We have a serious obesity problem in Guyana!”

“Hari, da na Guyana: all a dem who bin a backball a people who wukwid de guvment,” said Bungi. “Yuhevah see wan fat cane-cuttah?”

“Well I spoke to Cappo last night in New York on Skype,” reported Satiricus. “And that is one cane cutter who put on size!!”

“But he’s not cutting cane anymore,” objected Hari. “How’s he doing?”

“He says he might come back to Guyana,” said Satiricus. “’E miss abee, na?” said Bungi hopefully, who actually missed his cane-cutting buddy. “’e miss de beer!”

“Naa,” replied Satiricus laconically. “Because Trump hunting down immigrants!” “’E hear ‘bout da ‘merican who shoot wan fariner who look just he?” Bungi wanted to know.

“That’s what made him want to come back,” replied Satiricus soberly. “Even though he’ll lose weight!”

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Anu Dev MahaShivaratri Last Friday was MahaShivaratri.

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

We are all projected out of Brahman (making us and the rest of the universe part of God) – and we call that aspect “Lord Brahma”; we are all sustained by and within Brahman and we call this power “Lord Vishnu” and finally after billions of years we all return into Brahman as we call this attribute “Lord Shiva”.

We are not ‘destroyed’ as some assert, but subsist in Brahman in ‘prayala’ until the next round of ‘projection’. We do not

47

“Fighting for identity is something that is very much in my life” ever die – but are children of ‘immortal bliss’.

Hindus offer special prayers to Lord Shiva on Shivaratri. In Sanskrit, ‘ratri’ means night and thus, Shivaratri literally means ‘The Night of Shiva’. There are several traditions associated with the night: Lord Shiva performed the TandavaNritya (the dance of dissolution); he appeared as the Lingam; or he married Mother Parvati. MahaShivaratri is observed for one night, but the preparations begin the preceding day.

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

Who would want God to enter a grubby house?

Traditionally, this sacred festival is observed by offering Abhishek or

Dhar. This is the several types of liquid offerings that we make to the Shiva Lingam (literally the “sign” of Shiva as the formless Brahman) – milk, honey, ghee, dahee (yogurt), Ganga jal, coconut water, and cane juice. Each of these offerings has a symbolic significance, but overall they represent a ‘cooling of the linga’ the desire of our souls to merge with God. So, in observance of MahaShivaratri, we offer prayers and Abhishek to Lord Shiva.

Friday, thousands would have gone to the Cove and John Ashram, go to their local Mandir or stay home to offer their Dhar and prayers at their Shivala in their yard. My Mom is a Shiva bhakta (worshipper) and Shivaratri is always a big occasion in our home.

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

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

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

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

So I hope all Hindus proudly celebrated Shivaratri on Friday, whether they observed the festival at home or at Mandir.

Keeping mum…

D

…on hate crime

onald Trump’s about the least inhibited person on planet Earth when it comes to speaking his mind. Some insist his thoughts mightn’t even be mediated by his mind but boil over directly from his id. This is a fella who critiqued Meryl Streep’s film performance, SNL, and the sale of his daughter’s shoes – but yet hasn’t made a comment about the hate-crime murder of an Indian immigrant, the wounding of another and also of a white American, who intervened.

What gives? Have his advisers advised him not to get involved with a hate crime that was clearly precipitated by the climate of hate he’s aroused around immigrants? This would’ve forced Mr Trump to do some introspection that would definitely help his country deal with what’s obviously a burning issue that’s continued spiking after pretty much defining the presidential campaign.

The facts are quite clear. Two Indian men walk into a bar in a Kansas town…order their usual whiskey and start chatting at a table. A nearby white man, assuming they’re “middle Eastern” from his comments, grills them about their visa status. He gets enraged when the fellas complain to the bartender and he’s told to leave. He returns with a shotgun and starts blasting at the immigrants. He later ambles over to another bar and takes a drink to “cool off”. This clearly isn’t the Kansas of Dorothy and Toto and their yellow brick road from the Wizard of OZ! Two weeks later, it’s not only Trump who’s mum but the Kansas Police who haven’t made up their minds as to whether it’s really a hate crime!! Trump had the FBI look into the accusations of Russian hacking so clearly he has a pipeline to their office.

Why hasn’t he asked them their opinion on the killing since the FBI has defined a hate crime as a “criminal offence against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.”

The bar was filled with whites – this is Kansas remember? – and it was only their brown skin that distinguished the two Indian engineers for them to be harassed about their immigration status. But Trump won’t comment ‘cause the hysteria about immigrants he’s created will be shown to have a racial basis. Very few realise that immigrants from Eastern Europe are on the same level as to Britain which precipitated Brexit.

Ironically, many enter the US on the same type of HB1 visa as the Indian engineer killed – as skilled workers. Like the founder of GOOGLE. Are the official “real Americans” only white? …on shady deals The Muckraker ran a fake news concoction about the NEW GPC paying dividends to NICIL for their 10 per cent shares. Shrieked that the company “finally coughs up millions owning to NICIL.” Now, it’s clear they know squat how dividends are paid since even though they “bought” Guyana Stores. They still owe G$400,000,000 for it and NEVER paid dividends to the employees for their 10 per cent shares!! Ow, man!

So let’s educate the wankers. Dividends are paid when profits are made and the Directors decide how much they want to retain for investing. No company “owes” dividends!! For NEW GPC, the Muckraker and the Govt must be amazed it paid dividends even though they’ve denied contracts to the company.

Your Eyewitness hopes they’re happy that ANSA, which gets most of the contracts, pays dividends to their Trini shareholders. And that Guyanese pharma companies can’t bid for Trini contracts.

But what the heck…the Muckraker’s boss is enjoying the Lexuses he smuggled in, isn’t he? But Uncle Donald Trump has him in his sight for his backtracking.

The orange jumpsuit has already been fitted! …on WPA’s street cred Nigel Hinds, like your Eyewitness, seems to be a fella who feels Rodney’s efforts to help Guyana move forward shouldn’t be jettisoned.

Sad that Rodney’s old comrades don’t feel the same.

48 Bollywood

Amitabh Bachchan stays mum on Gurmehar Kaur row

E

xpectedly, megastar Amitabh Bachchan avoided commenting on the ongoing row involving Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, and said that he would prefer to keep his opinion to himself than sharing it on a public platform.

Bachchan is known for his no-comments stand on most of the issues beyond films. So, when at the trailer launch of his upcoming film Sarkaar 3, he was asked about his take on the rape threats that Gurmehar was subjected to after she spoke

against a right-wing student organisation, he downplayed the question. Instead, the actor replied, “What I feel (about it) is my personal opinion. If I say it here, it will become public.”

Delhi University’s Ramjas college saw members and supporters of ABVP and AISA thrashing each other over an invite for JNU’s Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid for a cultural event. In the aftermath of the violence, Gurmehar, who is also the daughter of an Indian Army martyr, posted on Facebook a photo of herself hold-

ing a placard saying, “I am not afraid of ABVP.” Her post went viral and while many appreciated her, she got a lot of flak too, a part of which were rape threats.

When asked if expressing oneself on social media is a challenge nowadays, Bachchan, who himself is an avid internet user, said people should be ready to get abused if they want to go online. “If you are on social media, you should be prepared for abuse. I love it,” he said. (Indian Express)

‘Dangal’ girl Sanya Malhotra reveals what it takes to intern with Aamir Khan

I

f you thought Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Shaikh were in a holiday mood, travelling and clicking selfies, apart from doing photoshoots and making red carpet appearances after their film Dangal, then possibly you are living under the rock. As much as the two debutants worked hard for the blockbuster film, they have been equally busy after its release too. Sanya has finally revealed that post Dangal, the two officially joined Aamir Khan’s camp.

But before you jump to conclusions of them being part of Aamir’s next project, well, this time they’ve been behind-thecamera, interning with Aamir’s production company. Isn’t that a dream job?

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

I’m not judgmental about any character, says ‘Masaan’ actor Vicky Kaushal

H

e played a simpleton in Masaan, a singer in Zubaan and a drug-addict and policeman in Raman Raghav 2.0. Vicky Kaushal has given critics and audiences enough reason to call him a versatile actor and says it helps him that he is not judgmental about the characters he gets to play.

In his last release Raman Raghav 2.0, Vicky played a dark character named Raghav Singh. Asked about how he justifies factors like drug abuse and violence in a character, Vicky told IANS: “As an actor, I am not judgmental about any character. From a person who is a murderer to a person who is doing social service — everybody justifies their action with a reason (based on their individual need).”

“As an actor, I will not be able to perform if I judge them as an individual. The first job of an actor is to believe in the actions of the character rather than judging them as right or wrong. Otherwise, we would not be able to make the character believable on screen.”

No wonder then that he managed to make audience twitch and cry with his debut performance in Masaan as Deepak, a boy from ‘Dom’ community, looking for a new life out of cremation ghat; and scared the audience in “Raman Raghav 2.0”. His other film was Zubaan — which was supposed to be his debut film but was released after Masaan — and failed to make much of an impact. His performance, though, was applauded.

Mulling over it, Vicky said: “Well, each film has its own destiny. I do not analyse too much on the success and

‘Anaarkali of Aarah’ makers file complaint over leaked scenes

A Sanya, who recently celebrated her birthday, during an interview with Mid-Day said, “So, Fatima and I decided to go on an India darshan.

That’s when AK [that’s how they address Aamir] asked us if we would want to intern with him.

For a moment, we went totally blank, but then nodded at the offer.”

But, if you thought it is easy to work with Aamir, who is famously called Mr Perfectionist, then you are absolutely wrong. Shedding light on the intern schedule, Sanya said that they had to report to the office at 9 am, “On some days, we would sit for almost five to six hours at Pritam’s [music composer] office working on the background score. Later, we would go with Aamir for

dubbing sessions, which would be followed by a meeting with the music or editing team. We would return home by 10 pm. When we went to work, we would listen to stories of how Aamir worked till 4 am.”

Sanya also revealed that the two had to be with him round-theclock and have also accompanied the actor to his meetings with NGO, Paani Foundation, which is working towards a drought-free Maharashtra. She added that they have been with Aamir when he was prepping up for Thugs of Hindoostan with Amitabh Bachchan, and during the post-production of Secret Superstar.

(Indian Express)

failure at this stage of my career because I have just started. Acting is a practicing art and as a performer, I should put my heart and soul while acting. And the rest, I believe in destiny,” said the actor.

He is the son of ShyamKaushal — one of Bollywood’s most celebrated action directors — but Vicky says neither had he discussed too much about films with his father, nor did he visit film sets often as a child. In fact, he says he had gone to the set of KahoNaa… PyaarHai as a fan of Hrithik, and ended up getting bored.

“Perhaps that’s why it was important for me to work as an assistant director to learn about the process of filmmaking, interact and observe actors and many other factors that one should be aware of, to be a part of a film,” said Vicky, who even assisted filmmaker AnuragKashyap for the two-part Gangs of Wasseypur series.

As a child, Vicky says he was quite active in performing arts in school and college, and loved watching all the Govinda films. (Indian Express)

police complaint was filed on Wednesday

by Priya and Sandiip Kapur, the producers of Swara Bhaskar starrer Anaarkali of Aarah, regarding some leaked scenes of the film. They suspect a team member to be the culprit.

The complaint was filed at the Malviya Nagar police station here.

“We suspect that a few critical scenes of the film have released in digital and social media platforms. These have been on media for at least three days. This act is criminal in intent and aimed at sabotaging the film and ensuring that the producer loses the investment of Rs 6 crore made on this film,” read a copy of the police complaint.

Anaarkali of Aarah revolves around an erotic singer (Swara) from

Arrah in Bihar, who sings double meaning songs. One day things take an ugly turn when Anarkali has a confrontation with a very powerful man who molested her and instead of bowing down she chooses to fight back.

“I am not sure about the person (who leaked the scenes), so I don’t want to name anybody, but there is a very senior member of the team who might have done it — it can be an actor or director of the film,” Sandiip told IANS. “Out of three scenes which have been leaked, only one scene was the one that the censor board asked us to cut out… So it has not gone out from the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) for sure,” he added.

“I got calls from a lot of people today (Wednesday) morning.

We were shocked after

hearing it. Something like this is really not good for independent producers like us,” Sandip said.

The trailer of the film, which is directed

by Avinash Das, released last week. One of the clips, which has been doing the rounds of the internet, shows Swara in a bold avatar. The censor board asked that the scene be cut. “The police are taking action now.

Even I have applied on YouTube to take down all those scenes. They will stop it soon. Some of the sites have removed the scenes already. Our team is working on that,” Sandiip said.

“Piracy has really become a very serious issue for the industry,” he rued.

The film, also featuring actors PankajTripathi and Sanjay Mishra, is slated to release on March 24.

(Indian Express)

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Lion’ actor Sunny Pawar gets royal reception in Mumbai

E

ight-year-old Lion actor Sunny Pawar, who created waves at the 89th Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles with his The Lion King act, returned home to a royal welcome as he stepped out of the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport on Wednesday morning.

Accompanied by his father Dilip Pawar — a former sweeper-turnedson’s business manager — Sunny sat on the trolley stacked high with his luggage and was wheeled out to a large number of people cheering and waving, as a media battalion braced for an encounter with the young celebrity.

Though appearing a bit weary from a longhaul flight, Sunny was a bundle of energy, en-

thusiastically smiled and waved back at the people, as a couple of bouncers struggled to keep their valuable subject safe from the mobbing crowds.

Some emotional elderly family members and relatives garlanded him as he stepped out of the airport, offered him sweets and blessed the actor, who attended the star-studded awards ceremony on February 26.

“I am very happy and enjoyed attending the Oscars ceremony,” Sunny, who featured in the Oscar-nominated Hollywood film Lion, said to a media person.

To another, he shot back: “I will continue to study and also pursue my acting career.”

The Class III student of Air Indian Model

School, Kalina, was selected out of a nationwide talent-hunt around one and a half years ago and finally cleared the auditions in Mumbai and Pune to land the plum role in Garth Davis’s Lion.

Lion is the true story of a young child who is separated from his family and later gets adopted by an Australian family. When he grows up, he uses Google Earth to find his real parents. Sunny’s family is on the cloud nine and is proud of him.

“We all are very happy that Sunny has reached this far. It all seems like a dream. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see the Oscars due to some technical problems we will surely watch it soon,” Sunny’s grandfather Bhima Pawar told PTI. His mother Vasu says her son has been a movie buff and one of his favourite films is Hrithik Roshan’sKrrish. “I don’t know what to say…It’s all happening too quick.

Happiness is a small word to describe my feelings at the moment. We are thankful to the entire team of ‘Lion’,” she said, adding that Sunny is good at studies as well.

(Indian Express)

My career has been exactly as I wanted: Casey Affleck

Hollywood 49

Academy Awards 2017: Viola Davis wins best supporting actress Oscar

A

ctress Viola Davis completed her award season haul with a welldeserved best supporting actress Oscar for her forceful portrayal of Rose Maxson in the movie revival of August Wilson’s play “Fences”. Davis, 51, has been winning hearts with her speeches at precursor awards like Critics’ Choice, Golden Globes, SAG Awards and BAFTA and at the Oscars, she once again delivered a poignant speech highlighting the importance of telling stories of people living on the margins.

“People ask me all the time, what kind of stories do you want to tell Viola. And I say exhume those stories, the stories of people who dreamed big and never saw those dreams… to people who fell in love and lost. I became an artist and thank God I did because we are the only profession that celebrate what it means to live a life,” she said to

a resounding applause from the audience.

The actress also credited fellow star and director Denzel Washington and playwright August Wislon. “O Captain!

My Captain! Denzel Washington. Thank you for putting two entities in the driving seat– August and God and they served you well,” Davis said quoting Walt Whitman’s famous poem.

She also thanked her parents and sister with whom she played games where they were “rich white women” besides her husband and daughter.

The actress was previously nominated in the best supporting actress category for her breakthrough role in 2008 drama “Doubt” and then in 2011 she was nominated for the best actress for her performance in “The Help”.

With the nomination, Davis became the first black woman in the history to be nominated for

three Academy Awards.

Davis was a front-runner in the category which also had names like Naomie Harris (‘Moonlight’), Nicole Kidman (‘Lion’), her “The Help” co-star Octavia Spencer (‘Hidden Figures’) and Michelle Williams (‘Manchester by the Sea’). Davis already won a Tony award for playing Rose in the 2010 Broadway revival.

She has called Rose, a long-suffering wife of a bitter man trying to hold the family together, a complete and rare character.

Considered one of the best performers in Hollywood, Davis worked in showbiz for almost two decades before gaining recognition. She is also known for her role of lawyer Annalise Keating in the ABC drama “How to Get Away with Murder” for which she became the first woman to win lead actress Emmy. (Indian Express)

Warren Beatty wants Academy President to ‘publicly clarify’ Oscar fiasco

C

asey Affleck has said he has enjoyed his career so far and it has turned out to be exactly as he wanted.

The 41-year-old actor, who won the best actor Oscar at the 89th Academy Awards for his performance in Manchester by the Sea, also talked about his comparisons with actor brother Ben Affleck, reported Entertainment Tonight. “I’ve been able to see other people’s careers and how they’ve worked out and it’s been an education. And so I’ve really enjoyed my career. It’s been exactly what I wanted and I feel very blessed and happy with it,” Affleck said.

He added he has been in the industry for more than two decades and gone through various ups and downs. “I’ve been out here since I was 17-years-old and so I’ve gotten to know lots of actors

who have had a lot of success and some failures and some hard times and some success again,” the actor added.

Meanwhile, at the 89th Academy Awards, when the Hollywood came together to see who won the Oscars, they also expected to hear some of the best acceptance speeches. Some of the most wonderful thoughts and feelings have been shared during these speeches. Be it about making a political stand, or about questioning disparity in wages – we have seen amazing things unfold during the speeches. We saw all of this at the Academy Awards this year as well. Moonlight’s acceptance speech for winning the Best adapted Screenplay award, Viola Davis’s speech that left her fans in tears, or AsgharFarhadi’s politically influenced acceptance speech, each was a revelation. (Indian Express)

A

ctor-filmmaker Warren Beatty has asked Cheryl Boone Isaacs, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, to “clarify what happened as soon as possible” with the goof-ups that led to the wrong film being announced as the Best Picture at the 89th Academy Awards. Beatty has issued a statement on the controversy, in which he and co-presenter Faye Dunaway presented the award of the

evening to La La Land instead of to Moonlight, reports variety.com.

“Rather than for me to respond to questions from the press about the Academy ceremony, I feel it would be more appropriate for the President of the Academy, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, to publicly clarify what happened as soon as possible,” Beatty said.

The accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers has already issued a statement and conced-

ed that one of its partners handed the incorrect envelope to Beatty, just before he took the stage to present the Best Picture award with Dunaway.

Beatty was given a “backup” envelope with the winner of the previouslyannounced Best Actress category enclosed — naming Emma Stone of La La Land the winner of that award.

Beatty hesitated to read the card but held it out to Dunaway, who pronounced La La Land as the winner.

Roughly two minutes later, La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz took the microphone to acknowledge that a mistake had been made, and Moonlight was the real winner. (Indian Express)

50 sport

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Florida Cup Softball Tournament 2017…

Regal completes Sunshine State double -Thomas, Sanasie sparkle in finals

Regal Masters and All-Stars teams come together to celebrate the double on Sunday at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium, Fort Lauderdale

By John Ramsingh in Florida

R

egal Masters and AllStars teams left Guyana for the United States Sunshine state of Florida for the Florida Cup well prepared and full of confidence which ensured a clean sweep when the tournament was played last weekend.

Both teams played unbeatable over the three days and were heavy favourites for the top prizes even before the first ball was bowled on Friday.

The finals were played at the international cricket venue, the Central Broward Regional Park stadium in Lauderhill and were blessed with brilliant weather for the finale. In the opening fixture, Regal Masters were led by Eric Thomas with assistance from Rudolph Baker as the pair rescued their team from disaster against dark horses, Orlando Masters.

Regal Masters were sent in and were once again in top order troubles on a flat track and lightning fast outfield with boundaries not so far apart.

Eion Abel (4) was bowled in the first over and his opening partner, Mahendra Hardyal (0) was snapped up in the covers next over at 9/2. The most consistent pair, Mahesh Chinilall

and Mohendra Arjune then joined forces and played some shots to get the innings going but their dismissals to good bowling from the Orlando Masters saw a significant dip in the scoring rate especially when Linden Lyght played and missed for 17 from 28 balls. Chunilall who played a match winning innings, 95 not out in the semifinals against Floodlights of Guyana made 28 (4×3) and Ajrune who looked in good touch all tournament without getting a big score made 14 (4×1; 6×1).

At 62/4 after 10 overs, the Regal Masters camp looked uneasy but after Lyght limped off in the 12th over with a hamstring injury it was time for the Thomas/Baker show. They put on 129 in under seven overs that give them momentum for the second half of the final while knocking the wind out of the sails of Orlando Masters.

The left-handed Thomas hit 10 maximums and three fours in the top score of 82 from 29 balls while the hard hitting Rudolph “Gussy” Baker finished on 41 not out from 19 balls with three fours and four sixes to push the score to 199/4 from their 20 overs. All of the Orlando Masters bowlers’ second spells were expensive,

Sewchand Budhu poses with his silverware which represents a memorable debut in Florida Cup

Motie Singh picked up 2-48, Colin Gonsalves 1-28 and Tony Kissoon 1-35 were the wicket takers.

Orlando Masters began the run chase on a positive note and after 10 overs they were 74/3 entertaining thoughts of an upset. Laurie “Tony” Singh and CapatinThroy Kippins had other ideas and spun webs around the opposition before they were dismissed for 152 in the 19th over. Singh finished with 2-16 and Kippins 2-19 while Hardyal (1-28) and Fazleem Mohamed (152) claimed one each. Daniel Sahadeo made 39, John Joseph

23 and Gonsalves 20 tried valiantly while the tournament’s highest run scorer Terry Permaul who hit 204 on the opening day against Legends was sent back for a single to give Regal Masters the 47-run victory and the championship in their third attempt at the Florida Cup. The championship was set up by clever bowling from Tyrone Sanasie and Delroy Perriera whose combined figures are 10-2-24-7. Quick bowlers, Richard Latif and Sewchand “Randy” Budhu opened the bowling and after 4 overs, Hurricanes were accumulating steam at 23 without loss when Fazal Rafeek tossed the ball to the 40-year old Sanasie who was playing his first match of the tournament.

After the over the score was 24/3 with Rayon Sukhnandan (16), Kevin Budna second ball duck and Ravi Girou first ball duck all sent back. It was soon 26/6 then 38/7 before Paul Sukhnandan (22) and Ansar Baksh (23) put on 46 to push the score to respectability at 104 all out from 24 of the 25 overs. Sanasie finished with 5-1-19-6, Roohit Dutchin 3-1-32, Perreira 5-1-5-1 and Rafeek 1-23 (4).

Playing in their first

Florida Cup, the Regal openers wasted little time in taking home the big prize finishing on 106 without loss after 10.2 overs. Richard Latif stroked an attractive 74 (4×5; 6×6) and got great support from Navin Singh with 24 (4×2; 6×1). Latif hit his fifth boundary straight in the dressing room of hi9s team mates to spark wild celebration from the new champions.

At the presentation ceremony, both championship winning teams received trophies and medals while Sewchand Budhu was named Most Valuable player of the tournament. He was also awarded for making the most runs in the tournament including an even century against Orlando AllStars on Saturday. Sanasie was adjudged the Player of the final while in the Masters category Eric Thomas was the Player of the final. All centurions and bowlers taking five wickers or more in a match received cash incentives.

Both Regal teams were preparing on and off the field for the tournament well in advance and will add the Florida Cup double to the New York Independence Cup double and the Guyana Softball Cup double to their resume.

Brathwaite can’t repeat World T20 heroics every time – Browne

C

ourtney Browne, the West Indies chairman of selectors, has said that allrounder Carlos Brathwaite cannot be expected to produce the heroics of the World Twenty20 final each time he plays. Browne was commenting on Brathwaite's lean form with the bat in the recently-concluded Regional Super50 domestic one-day tournament, won by Barbados Pride, Brathwaite's team.

Since the beginning of 2016, Brathwaite has scored just 304 runs in 27 List A games at an average of 14.47, with a highest score of 46. With the ball, he has taken 46 wickets at an average of 30.66. Brathwaite, who was recently made West Indies' T20 captain, hasn't enjoyed too much success in the shortest format either. In 26 T20s since 2016, Brathwaite has managed just 212 runs at 12.47 and 33 wickets at an average of 30.66.

After Carlos Brathwaite helped West Indies win the World T20 last year, he hasn’t enjoyed much success © Getty Images

"What you must understand is this is still a young man," Browne told a Caribbean radio station. "If we expect Carlos to repeat what he did in the World Cup every single time, we're going to fool ourselves. Carlos needs to develop like any other cricketer. We've dug ourselves in a massive hole over the years, there's no quick fix to our problem. It is about hard work. It's not about 'you've had five games, you have not performed' so just throw the player away."

Browne pointed out that Brathwaite has earned a lot of respect from coaches and captains over the years with his attitude and hardwork. In January, Brathwaite opted to leave early from the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League where he was signed as a replacement for fellow West Indies allrounder Andre Russell.

Incidentally, he was one of the three players - along with Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels - to decline a WICB

contract late last year. Although he is an attractive buy for teams across domestic Twenty20 leagues, Brathwaite has said he wants to focus on doing well for West Indies.

Brathwaite, Browne said, was an "investment" that would come good eventually. "He's a young player who is a very exciting player on his day, who hasn't played a lot of international cricket either," Browne said.

"He's an investment and we all know if we get him right what he can produce for us. Carlos's strike rate would be more than the other bowlers because of the time of the games when he bowls.

"Carlos and a lot of the other players, we have players now who actually want to play, we have players who are committed, they are self-starters, they work hard. When you see players who are doing that, you know that you will be able to create

that environment that is conducive to producing cricketers that can perform consistently."

Browne said West Indies' selection panel are likely to give players an extended run in the playing XI to help them develop, as opposed to the approach of selection in the past.

"We are number eight in the world because we put ourselves there by playing bad cricket over the years by making bad decisions. When you look at our players, there are some who have been given a little extension because you want them to develop," Browne said.

"We don't want to have a case where you have a whole bunch of players, like what used to happen in the past, where we had so many players, all of them had games under their belts but none ever got a good extension or fair run to help them to develop.

We need to develop cricketers."

(ESPNCricinfo)

sport 51

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

World stars sign up for 2017 Hero CPL Player Draft - Moody hails “growing international appeal” of the biggest party in sport this year’s list of applicants both in the West Indies and across the world, Director of

A

Brad Haddin

record number of local and international stars have been officially registered for the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Player Draft which takes place on March 10 in Barbados.

In all, 258 players from across the Caribbean and most of the leading cricketing nations are in the frame to secure a coveted place in the tournament, which is this year scheduled to take place between August 1 and September 9, with fixtures and dates to be announced in due course.

Commenting on

International Cricket for CPL, Tom Moody said: “T20 is capturing the world of cricket by storm, and with the huge numbers of talented players from across the cricketing world eager to sign up to the biggest party in sport, I’ve no doubt that the 2017 season will be our best yet.

“In attracting the cream of international talent from a healthy blend of established and fast-developing nations, it extends the growing international appeal of the sport and of the Hero CPL itself, and I have no doubt that we are going to see a hugely contested Player Draft in Barbados on March 10th.”

There’s a strong list of West Indies talent

who were both drafted and undrafted in 2016, in-

cluding former Antigua Hawksbills and St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots star all-rounder Marlon Samuels who was the man of the match for the West Indies in their ICC World T20 final victory over England last year.

There will be 28 players from Australia in the Draft, an increase of six from the 2016 campaign, including a blend of experience in Brad Haddin, Ben Hilfenhaus and Brad Hogg allied to a crop of up-and-coming talent which includes leg-spinner Adam Zampa who was a star for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the 2016 season. A further 17 New Zealanders, including the likes of Corey Anderson, Grant Elliott and Jimmy Neesham, are also in the mix.

England have four players and included is T20 specialist fast bowler Tymal Mills, who made his T20 international debut for England against Sri Lanka last summer, and is an eye-catching addition amongst the contenders who will be

aiming to secure a place in the Hero CPL for the first time. Ireland will have three representatives in the Draft.

Pakistan will have the highest representation in the Draft after increasing last year’s tally from 38 players to 46. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s rise in the shortest format of the game sees Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi named in a five-strong contingent who will also be hoping to make their tournament bows.

With the high-profile transfers of Chris Gayle

(Jamaica Tallawahs to St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots) and Dwayne Smith (Guyana Amazon Warriors to Barbados Tridents) already confirmed, the list does not include those players who have been retained by their franchises. They, like the marquee players, will be announced at the Player

Draft.

Players Registered for 2017 Hero CPL Draft (253): AFGHANISTAN (5): Rashid Khan, Nawroz Mangal, Mohammad Nabi, Asghar Stanikzai, Najibullah Zadran

AUSTRALIA (28): Sean Abbott, Fawad Ahmed, Tom Beaton, Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff, Doug Bollinger, Cameron Boyce, Joe Burns, Ureshen Chinia, Tom Cooper, Ben Cutting, Ben Dunk, Cameron Gannon, Chris Green, Brad Haddin, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hogg, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Nic Maddinson, Ben McDermott, Shaun Marsh, Ben Rohrer, Alex Ross, D’Arcy Short, Mark Steketee, Jake Weatherald, Adam Zampa BANGLADESH (4): Tuskin Ahmed, Anamul Haque, Tamim Iqbal (St. Lucia Zouks),

Mahmudullah Riad CANADA (2): Rizwan Cheema, Ruvindu Gunasekera ENGLAND (4): Recordo Gordon, Tymal Mills, Monty Panesar, Ashar Zaidi IRELAND (3): George Wahab Riaz

continued on page 53

52 sport

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

This year’s Fitness Challenge set for March 5th

Last year’s winner, Dillon Mahadeo

A

s Guyana continues to promote a healthy lifestyle, the third annual Fitness Challenge which is title-sponsored by Kares Engineering Inc will see six teams of six players; a total of 36 competitors taking to the line when the tournament gets underway on March 5.

The Fitness Challenge was launched at the Giftland Mall Strip, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara with notable personnel present, including Director of Sport Christopher

Jones and Giftland Chief Executive Officer, Roy Beepat.

Not only was it a star-studded launching, it will be a star-studded event as there will be a number of local celebrities taking part including Reon King, who is a former west indies player, Entertainers, KerwinBollers, Vanilla, Former Miss World Guyana Nuriyyah Gerrard, just to name a few. Apart from the celebrities, some of the fitness enthusiasts such as last year’s winner, Dillon Mahadeo will be once again competing.

The first event will be two laps around the National Park which is a total of two miles, after which the athletes will have to go 400 meters with a 50-70 pound sack.

Following that, they will then try to complete 33 dead lifts at 155225lbs, in 15 minutes; 33 30-inch jumps and 33 kettle bell swings (35 pounds); as well as 33 chin overs; and 66 jump chest to bar and 33 overhead squats. This marks an increase of events from last year.

With the celebrities involved, Scotia Bank has issued the Challenge that will see them competing for the benefit of charities, including the Ruimveldt Children’s Home and Care Centre,

and the Help and Shelter.

Apart from Kares Engineering, a number of businesses have joined in the action such as AnsaMcAl through their Lucozade Brand, DeSinco Trading, Wind Jammer, Johnny P Supermarket, Scotia Bank, Arrow point resort, Tech Pro, Fitness Express, Star Party Rental, Wings Investment, Baganara Island Resort, Trophy stall, Courts, Genisis Fitness Express and St Joseph Mercy Hospital.

Organiser of the event, Noshavyah King, related that there will be cash prizes for the first to third place fittest individuals, as well as the fittest team.

Last year, Mahadeo (395 points) won the Male segment, followed

by Carlos Mendonca (332) and Monano Jeffrey (328), while Candace Lynch (390) won the Female category, ahead of Semonica Duke (385) and Neesa Bhagwandin (355). Life Gym took the team title with 975 points, while Elite Systems finished second on 969 and Cross Fit Bel Air third on 866 in last year’s tournament.

Tickets cost G$1000 and are available at Fitness Express and all local gyms.

CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship…

Haynes wins best young player award Jamal Haynes’ spectacular “bicycle kick” stunned many of the fans who attended the matches

G

uyana’s Jamal Haynes won the Scotiabank Young Player Award at the 2017 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship on Sunday which was held in The Bahamas.

Haynes impressed fans and tournament organisers with a dazzling array of tricks and goals.

Guyana’s beach soccer national team, performing at this level for the first time, defeated Belize 4-1 in the group stages and Antigua & Barbuda 6-4 in the placement stages. Guyana finished 12th out of 16 teams.

Playing up front for most of the tournament, Haynes scored a hattrick in the win against Antigua & Barbuda, including one of the goals of the tournament – a spectacular overhead kick that soared into the top corner; in total, Haynes

scored six goals.

“It was a nice experience playing against the bigger nations. I feel really pleased knowing that I’ve played against players with a lot of experience and who’ve been to World Cup so my firsttime performance in this tournament was excellent and I’m pleased about it. I am extremely excited collecting the award,” Haynes said.

The Guyana Football Federation is working to encourage more players to take up beach soccer, and to lay solid foundations for future success in the sport. Other smaller footballing nations have found success on the global stage through the development of beach soccer, including Tahiti, who finished as runners-up in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2015 and hosted the tournament in

2013.

“We are extremely proud of the progress that Jamal and the whole men’s beach soccer squad have made in the Bahamas during this tournament,” said GFF President Wayne Forde. “Jamal saw off a lot of very strong regional competition to win this award, and it is deserved recognition for all the hard work he has put into his game.”

“Jamal’s performances have been one of the clear highlights of the competition, at the heart of an exciting team that has placed Guyana firmly on the beach soccer map and given us every reason to be very confident about the future.”

GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood said: “Jamal’s personal achievement is remarkable, given the limited exposure this squad has had to beach soccer at this level. It shows the strength of individual talent that exists in Guyana, which we are now working to harness and develop more effectively. Jamal and the team have improved steadily throughout their preparations and the tournament, and we have a promising platform to build on for the future.

12-year-old Karateka Tyler Orderson enjoys Black Belt accomplishments

By Ravi Madholall

T

welve-year-old Tyler Enrique Orderson has expressed enjoyment with his accomplishments in what can be deemed as a terrific career so far, with the latest being the third-degree Black Belt (Sandan Rank) which always is run under the auspices of the International Karate Daigaku (IKD).

Having fought twice already in Canada at the biennial IKD, Orderson stated that the exposure was immensely instrumental to where he is now.

Currently attending Marian Academy Catholic School and the Guyana Karate College (GKC), Orderson is aiming high to dominate the sports both locally and internationally.

After he had earned the impressive feat of the first degree Black Belt (Shodan Rank) at the age of seven, Orderson two years later became the youngest second degree Black Belt (Nidan Rank).

Orderson reiterated the importance of staying focused and in an unlimited training period.

“I [am] very proud with

Tyler Orderson receiving his third Dan Certificate from Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai

my achievements so far; these achievements are because of self-discipline and determination and opting to practice my techniques against other bigger and bulkier students who are two or three times

my body weight,” Orderson related.

According to him, it requires extreme physical, mental, emotional and spiritual strength and also considerable skill, experi-

ence and dedication of his Sensei Jeffrey Wong, a sixth Dan Black Belt who is a Senior Instructor and ViceChairman of the GKC. Ordersonalso spoke highly about his participation for Guyana at the two successive World Cup tournaments that were held at the Ryerson University Auditorium in Toronto, Canada in 2012 and 2015 when he performed outstandingly as well.

“I think it was a wonderful experience; it had fighters from around the world and you had to compete very hard but I am still cherishing the two tournaments that I would have learned a lot,” an enthusiastic Orderson mentioned.

He gave his deepest gratitude to Chairman and Chief Instructor Canadian-based Guyanese ShusekiShilan Frank Woon-A-Tai, a Ninth Degree Black Belt of the IKD and other senior instructors for their assistance in various ways to his successful endeavours. He stated that their examinations were very gruelling, but simultaneously capitalised on the opportunity to better his skills.

Notably, the IKD is ded-

icated to the teachings of Master Funakoshi, the founder of modern karate, and Master Masatoshi Nakayama, the internationally renowned master of Shotokan Karate, who saw karate as an unfinished art that would grow with knowledge. The IKD has mandated itself to further the art by studying the medical and scientific aspects of karate. All aspects of karate will be studied and analysed including, philosophy, physical education and fitness, self-defence, and sport.

Meanwhile, Orderson also took the opportunity to say that his extracurricular activities include listening to music, while he regularly plays Chess and Tennis. He revealed that he will continue to work and train hard for a national tournament which is set for early May. He has a message for other youngsters that says, “If you have a dream, you must chase it no matter where it takes you, and no matter what the naysayers utter, no matter when people doubt you, focus on what you want to do and go out there and achieve it.”

sport 53

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

World stars sign up for 2017 Hero CPL ...

Dockrell (T&T Red Steel), Kevin O’Brien (T&T Red Steel), Niall O’Brien NEW ZEALAND (17): Corey Anderson, Hamish Bennett, Tom Bruce, Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Anton Devcich (Trinbago Knight Riders), Grant Elliott (St. Lucia Zouks), Lachlan Ferguson, Jimmy Neesham, Narun Nethula, Glenn Phillips, Seth Rance, Hamish Rutherford, Jesse Ryder, Ish Sodhi, Anurag Verma, Ben Wheeler OMAN (1): Sufyan Mehmood PAKISTAN (46): Ehsan Adil, Tanwir Afzal, Iftikhar Ahmad, Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal, Adnan Akmal, Kamran Akmal (T&T Red Steel), Umar Akmal (Trinbago Knight Riders), Fawad Alam, Anwar Ali, Hassan Ali, Rahat Ali, Umar Amin, Yasir Arafat, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Zulfiqar Babar, Bilawal Bhatti, Salman Butt, Asghar Durrani, Umar Gul, Mohammad Hafeez, Mir Hamza, Faisal Iqbal, Muhammad Irfan, Imran Khalid, Imran Khan, Jr., Junaid Khan, Shadab Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Sohail Khan, Ahsan Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Ghulam Mudassar, Mohammed Nawaz, Sikandar Raza, Wahab Riaz, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Sami, Asad Shafiq, Yasir Shah, Ahmad Shahzad (Jamaica Tallawahs & Barbados Tridents), Mohammad Shahzad, Hussain Talat, Misbah-ulHaq, Amir Yamin SOUTH AFRICA (16): Farhaan Behardien, Johan Botha, Dillon du Preez, Rob Frylinck, Beuran Hendricks, Eddie Leie, George Linde, Aiden Markram, Justin Ontong, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander (Jamaica Tallawahs), Dwaine Pretorius, Jon Jon Smuts (St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots),

Grant Thomson, Shadley van Schalkwyk SRI LANKA (19): Dushmantha Chameera, Niroshan Dickwella, Anuk Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Lahiru Kamara, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Farveez Maharoof, Jeevan M e n d i s (Barbados

Amazon Warriors), Anderson Phillip (Trinbago Knight Riders), Gidron Pope (St. Lucia Zouks), Christopher Powell (Jamaica Tallawahs), K r i s t o p h e r Ramsarran (St. Lucia Zouks), Krishmar Santokie (Guyana Amazon Warriors, J a m a i c a Tallawahs & St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots), Lendl

Tridents), Kausal Mendis, Seekkuge Prasanna, Ramith Rambukwelle, Gihan Rupasinghe, Sachithra Senanayake, Dusan Shanaka, Kaushal Silva, Milinda Siriwardana, Jeffrey Vandersay USA (1): Zishawn Querishi WEST INDIES – drafted in 2016 (26): Christopher Barnwell (Guyana Amazon Warriors), Sulieman Benn (Trinbago Knight Riders), Devendra Bishoo (Guyana Amazon Warriors), Nkrumah Bonner (Jamaica Tallawahs), Anthony Bramble (Guyana Amazon Warriors), Yannic Cariah (Trinbago Knight Riders), Derone Davis (T&T Red Steel & St. Lucia Zouks), Shannon Gabriel (St. Lucia Zouks), Kyle Hope (Barbados Tridents), Delorn Johnson (St. Lucia Zouks), Alzarri Joseph (St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots), Jeremiah Louis, Kyle Mayers (St. Lucia Zouks), Andre McCarthy (Jamaica Tallawahs), Ashley Nurse (Barbados Tridents), Orlando Peters (Antigua Hawksbills, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots & Guyana

Farhaan Behardien

Simmons (Guyana Amazon Warriors & St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots), Navin Stewart (Guyana Amazon Warriors & Barbados Tridents), Steven Taylor (Barbados Tridents), Chadwick Walton (Jamaica Tallawahs), Paul Wintz (Guyana Amazon Warriors) WEST INDIES – undrafted in 2016 (81): Nicholas Alexis, Fabian Allen, Sunil Ambris (St. Lucia Zouks), Justin Athanaze (Antigua Hawksbills), Jonathan Augustus, Robin Bacchus, Tino Best (St. Lucia Zouks), Ansil

from page 51

Bhagan, Jermaine Blackwood (Jamaica Tallawahs), Travis Blyden, Justin Brathwaite, Gavan Brown, Odean Brown (Jamaica Tallawahs), John Campbell, Jon-Ross Campbell, Kellon Carmichael, Keacy Carty, Stephan Casey, Rajendra Chandrika, Derwin Christian, Rahkeem Cornwall (Antigua Hawksbills), Keron Cottoy (St. Lucia Zouks), Dane Currency, Marvin Darlington, Narsingh Deonarine (Jamaica Tallawahs), Akeem Dewar, Mark Deyal, Javelle Glen, Jyd Goolie, Nicholson Gordon, Derval Green, Trevon Griffith (Guyana Amazon Warriors), Jahmar Hamilton, Keon Harding, Jermain Harrison, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Alcindo Holder, Danza Hyatt, Damian Jacobs, Ricky Jaipaul, Amir Jangoo, Ray Jordan (St. Lucia Zouks), Keon Joseph, Kavesh Kantasingh, Richard Kelly, Brandon King, Christopher Lamont, Yannick Leonard, Reynard Leveridge, Kennar Lewis, Xavier Marshall, Marquino Mindley, Vikash Mohan, Gudakesh Motie, Raj Nannan, Ewart Nicholson, Ryan Nurse, Kjorn Ottley, Keemo Paul, Amit Persaud, Adelvin Phillip, Omar Phillips, Khary Pierre, Roshan Primus, Isaiah Rajah, Marlon Richards, Kemar Roach, Peat Salmon, Marlon Samuels (Antigua Hawksbills & St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots), Liam Sebastian (St. Lucia Zouks), Damani Sewell, Romario Shepherd, Gajanand Singh, Odean Smith, Kevin Stoute, Jacques Taylor, Gavin Tonge (Antigua Hawksbills), Ryan Wiggins, Tonito Willett, Gavin Williams, Oraine Williams ZIMBABWE (4): Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Malcolm Waller

54 sport

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

18 athletes to represent Guyana at Islamic Solidarity Games

C

ome May 12-22,Guyana will be represented by 18 athletes at the third annual Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku, Azerbaijan according to the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) at a recent press conference.

Among the sport dis-

ciplines that will be contested by Guyana at the games are: Table tennis, Athletics, Swimming, Judo and Taekwondo.

The table tennis team will be led by National male champion Christopher Franklin and Trenance Lowe and includes

Chelsea Edghill Winston George

Chelsea Edghill, Natalie Cummings, Nigel Bryan, Joel Allyne; the coach is Idi Lewis.

Winston George, Alita Moore, Natrena Hooper and Emmanuel Archibald are the track and field athletes, Desmond Amsterdam and Joel Williamson, the boxers, Joshua Buchanan and Erskine Trotman, the judokas, Earlando McRae and Andrew Fowler, the swimmers and Adrian Spellen and Jibreel Malik, the taekwondo athletes Ramjeet Ramphal, coach of the taekwondo team, will serve as chefde-mission.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

55