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Guyana's rice farmers plead for more assistance from Govt ISSUE NO. 292

WEEK ENDING May 1, 2016

See story on page 24

Flying high The Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) is well decorated with the Golden Arrowhead fluttering on every lamp pole along the route of the bridge, in keeping with preparations being made for the country’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. (Photo

by Carl Croker)

Response to CPL ticket sales in US very encouraging - organisers Page 54

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WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Mini-unrest at Grove/ Diamond Police Station …Prisoner starts fire after being denied cigarette

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prisoner who is in the lockups at the Diamond/Grove Police Station, East Bank Demerara (EBD) allegedly started a fire today after he was denied the request of having a cigarette from an officer.

Reports are that the fire began sometime around noon on Thursday when the man asked a female rank on

duty if she would allow him the opportunity of having a cigarette which he wished to smoke.

According to a relative of another prisoner, the officer denied him such, and this prompted the inmate to “make a lot of noise.”

“One of them tell her to give the man a cigarette to calm him down because he frustrated but she said that she

isn’t giving him anything to calm him down. Then he say how he going to start a fire, and she say how if any fire start she not opening any door that they have to stay in there basically…but the man frustrated too because he just come out of jail and them police pick he up just like that and tell he how he getting lock up for some old robbery,” the relative ex-

plained.

This newspaper understands that some family members and friends were at the police station during visiting hours to take meals for their loved ones when the fire broke out.

They were prevented from entering the building and handing over the food to the prisoners, another woman stated.

When this newspaper arrived at the scene, fire tenders were already at the location and police ranks with firearms fanned out across the station’s perimeter securing the location. Media operatives were not allowed inside of the compound to see the extent of the damage to the building, but it was evident that there was water damage inside of the station due to firefighters extinguishing the blaze.

Senior officers were

seen inspecting the police station and speaking to the female rank who is said to have been the one to “denied the request of a cigarette”.

It is unclear at this point of time as to how this prisoner was able to start the fire in the lockups and what measures

will be put in place to prevent a recurrence of this at this police station.

Earlier last month, inmates at the Camp Street jailhouse began a deadly riot which claimed the lives of 17 prisoners when fire burnt down a section of the penitentiary.

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WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

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

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EDITORIAL

Pharma Procurement muddle

“S

ole sourcing” is the procuring of supplies without any bidding process to ensure that the most competitive prices are secured. In the less than one year it has been in office, the APNU/AFC government has repeatedly “sole sourced” pharmaceuticals – the sin it had falsely criticised the previous regime of practicing. Previously in our health sector, medicines and medical supplies were procured through two mechanisms: open bidding and bidding by pre-qualified suppliers. The latter was recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Bank for comprehensive country purchases so as to address the complexities and scale of the pharmaceutical supply chain.

In 2010, following the recommendations of the Auditor General, the list of pre-qualified suppliers modelled after a WHO model was compiled. The prequalified suppliers would still have to bid on governmental contracts, but the prior screening served as a due diligence for reliability in the supply of pharmaceuticals that literally determined “life and death” for citizens.

A “Pre-qualification Questionnaire” by the National Procurement Administration and Tender Board (NPATB) spelled out the criteria necessary for compliance, even as it noted that the traditional international suppliers PAHO/WHO, the UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP and IDA were automatically qualified.

Suppliers also had to be legally registered in Guyana and the Caribbean; be “principally” involved in the distribution of drugs; and be in a position to supply at least 75 per cent of the number of line items on each list. The questionnaire also requested business, manufacturing, quality and product information.

In 2014, the application for pre-qualification explicitly spelt out the point system utilised in the 2011-13 criteria. There were 200 maximum points for allocation to bidders according to how they scored on a number of questions in the categories of General Information, Financial Capacity, Infrastructure, Previous Experience, Established Linkages, Manufacturer/Distributor Information, Quality Information and Product Information.

In the interest of the integrity of the process, three unnamed experts were selected by the NPTAB to select local pre-qualified suppliers, based on their ability to satisfy the publicly stated criteria.

According to the new evaluation criteria, bidders were awarded points according to how they scored on a number of questions in the above mentioned categories.

Entities seeking to pre-qualify to bid had to score 80 per cent of the 200 points. Preference was given to local pharmaceutical manufacturers and companies that have appropriate warehousing facilities. It said, too, that products manufactured in Guyana and certified by the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department automatically qualified and were eligible for a 10 per cent price advantage compared with imported items.

Under “General Information”, the evaluators were asked whether they are a legally-registered company in Guyana and would have been awarded a maximum score of five points for this. Under “Financial Capacity”, an applicant would be evaluated for its financial capacity to deliver on the bids it was awarded.

Five points are awarded if the company has over 50 full-time employees with an average time on the job of three years. Under “Infrastructure”, 10 points are given if the applicant has a warehouse facility of 30,000 square foot in Georgetown or its environs, with suitable equipment, staff, IT, security, certification, and sanitation.

An additional five points were awarded if the facility has three separate temperature control zones for the storage of temperaturesensitive pharmaceuticals. Having a separate area for the storage of controlled substances, that is, narcotics, will attract a score of 10 points.

After promising to establish “new criteria” for open bidding since last December, nothing was done apart from abandoning the WHOapproved pre-qualification process.

The open bidding to be conducted today will be a free for all in which the citizenry will eventually suffer because there is no mechanism to winnow out the “fly by nighters”.

In the rush to introduce “competition” the baby was thrown out with the bathwater.

Rainy Day at the Parika Stelling: Parika is located in the Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara region of Guyana. It is popular for its ferry service. It is also notable for its Sunday markets. (Photo by Girendra Persaud)

UN’s prohibitionist approach with illicit drugs demonstrates impotency Dear Editor, The UN held a special session, the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on Illicit and Illegal Drugs between 16 April and 19 this year.

The session was called in recognition of the increasing health and economic burdens posed by the growing problem of illicit drug use and drug dependency in the world.

The illicit and illegal drug use problem has morphed into an enormous tragedy affecting individual lives in millions of families and threatening the economics and security of families, communities and countries around the world, with no exception.

The drug problem is not only a social problem; it is an economic and security issue of enormous proportion. The involvement of the UN rightly underlines the recognition that this global problem can only be solved through concerted global cooperation and action.

The UNGASS 2016 on Illicit and Illegal Drugs was intended to formulate and agree on a framework strategy to tackle, stop the growth and reverse the illicit drug pandemic.

Unfortunately, the agreement reached is a continuation of the prohibitionist strategy presently being used, calling for more concerted and better implemented prohibitionist programmes.

The prohibitionist approach seeks to make the world an illicit drug-free world, a goal that is unreachable.

In so doing, the UN reinforces its continued impotency in dealing with global social crises with significant economic impacts.

The weak drug agreement at the 2016 UNGASS, together with the failure to introduce a global minimum tax collected at national levels for tobacco and soda, major global killers, further intensifies the feeling among global citizens that the UN is impotent in dealing with global social crises.

The 2015 UN Global Drug Report estimates that about 250 million persons ages between 15 and 64 used illicit drugs at least once in 2013.

There is an estimated 27 million people with drug use disorders, and more than 400,000 of them die each year. About 13 million of the 27 million are injecting drug users and about 1.7 million are HIV-positive.

The health, social and economic harm caused by the illicit use of psychoactive drugs is an enormous development problem for every country in the world.

While illicit drugs cause direct damage to the physical and mental health of users, drastically reducing the length and quality of their lives, the problem has morphed into an economic and security challenge.

In facing up to the challenge globally, there are two factions. The traditional faction wants to treat all drug users as criminals, confronting the problem as strictly a security problem.

But the second faction wants to treat the illicit drug problem with a more humane approach, seeing the illicit drug disorders from a

health perspective. Both factions concede that the drug lords are criminals.

Of the 27 million persons who suffer from a drug disorder problem, 16 million overuse opioid drugs, psychoactive substances derived from the opium poppy, or their synthetic analogues.

Examples are morphine and heroin.

Worldwide, an estimated 69, 000 people die from opioid overdose each year. There are effective treatments for opioid dependence, yet, only 10 per cent of people who need such treatment are receiving it.

The inexpensive medication, naloxone, can completely reverse the effects of opioid overdose and prevent deaths due to opioid overdose.

Programmes such as these must become global initiatives, supported at the UN. Since the 2016 UNGASS on drugs ended last week, Richard Branson, the Head of Virgin Group of Companies in the UK, three former presidents and a renowned Aids researcher have called for all drugs to be decriminalised at a press conference that was sharply critical of the UN’s latest drug policy agreement, adopted this week.

They concluded that the UN’s first special session on drugs in 18 years had failed to improve international narcotics policy, choosing to only tweak its prohibition-oriented approach to drug regulation.

Activists for drug policy reform had hoped for greater emphasis on harm reduction programmes. But some countries like Russia and Egypt, countries that favour strong repressive criminal actions, exerted undue influence on the outcome. The Representative from Indonesia insisted that capital punishment must be an important part of the global drug policy. Nations like China also support this notion. The 2016 UNGASS on Drugs has made the drug lords very happy.

The continued prohibitionist approach means that the over $400 billion illicit drug trade will continue to grow to become the world’s largest business and continue the plague that kills too many in an extrajudicial death sentence.

The impotency of the UN to deal with problems that are global in nature calls into question the manner in which we make decision. The fact is that the outcome document at the 2016 UNGASS in New York City had the rhetoric of the world leaders, but the outcome document was formulated in 2015 in Austria.

About 75 countries without representation in Austria did not participate. Virtually all of Caricom, many Latin American, African and Pacific countries were not present.

Now countries must await the follow-up meeting in 2019 to ensure a change in direction to end this plague. It is high time that the UN awake from its slumber and deal with its impotency in confronting a deadly pandemic.

The time has come for real action and to stop the talkshop.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Global Fund multimillion-dollar fraud findings: Probe to be launched soon – Dr Norton

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

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overnment will soon launch an investigation into findings of a multimilliondollar fraud in its malaria programme, which is funded by the Global Fund International Organisation.

Following complaints of mass irregularities in the Global Fund malaria grant in Guyana, the international organisation commenced an investigation into the matter, covering the period January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015.

According to the findings of the investigation, there were complaints of fabricated data in relation to the distribution of bed nets, malaria surveillance activities and associated fraudulent expenditures, including ‘per diems’ and fuel for programmatic work that allegedly did not take place.

Reports indicate that these irregularities affected expenditures totalling US$72,973 which the organisation will likely seek to recover.

The irregularities were facilitated by the inadequate management of the Global Fund malaria programme by the Vector Control Services (VCS) of the Public Health Ministry, which included

poor record-keeping and a failure to respond to Global Fund Secretariat Management Actions.

During the period under investigation, Dr Reyaud Rahman was the Director of the VCS. He resigned in December 2015.

Taking action

With an allegation of corruption and fraud of such magnitude being levied against the Government, Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton said an investigation will be launched as soon as possible in order to determine the best course of action to be taken.

Since the possibility is high Government that will be required to pay back the recoverable monies, Dr Norton said an independent investigation into the findings in the Global Fund report is necessary to confirm the validity of the information.

“The Global Fund is probably asking for a repayment or a refunding, and we would not go about doing so without investigating and see what measures we need to take… We will take whatever measures and the corrective actions will be taken,” he explained.

He noted too that the investigations will deter-

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

mine whether or not any actions should be taken against culpable individuals.

Asked if the international organisation has threatened to withhold untouched funds or prohibit further funding until the matter is resolved, the Health Minister responded in the negative; however, he noted that nothing is preventing them from taking such a route.

“While I hope this is not the case, it certainly stands to reason that such actions might very well be taken,” he stated.

Moreover, Dr Norton said he plans to arrange a meeting with the local representatives of the organisation to further discuss the matter.

Burden

Dr Norton posited that it will be awfully bur-

densome if Government is mandated to reimburse Global Fund of the millions of dollars allegedly swindled under the malaria programme.

Even more disadvantageous, he said, is the likelihood of Guyana becoming blacklisted from receiving further funding.

“At this point in time, paying any debt of that nature would certainly not be in the best interest of the economy of the country. We cannot afford to do that. It is unfortunate that this had to happen, we are definitely in need of such funding and we are just hoping that this will not affect us in the future to access such funding,” he expressed.

Nonetheless, the Minister noted that it was quite odd that the Global Fund chose only now to launch the investigation.

“Why would Global Fund wait five years after they started giving us access to funds before they started checking on accountability…” he pondered.

Inflated figures

According to the report, employees of the Global Fund malaria programme, VSC, and the Health Ministry were interviewed in relation to the complaints of irregularities.

The report said the investigation found evidence that VCS employees inflated the number of long-lasting insecticide impregnated mosquito nets (bed nets) reported as distributed and had fabricated underlying bed net distribution documents to support the inflated figures.

Additionally, the report said VCS employees also fabricated documentation for another surveillance activity relating to the operation of malaria committees.

The report further stated that two VCS malaria supervisors responsible for distributing bed nets in the regions confessed that they had inflated bed net distribution figures in the Semester Reports and that they had fabricated underlying documentation to support the figures.

The two individuals claimed that an administrative employee had instructed them to inflate the figures.

However, when interviewed, the VCS administrative employee denied passing instructions for the figures to be inflated.

The report also stated that the former VCS Director claimed he nev-

er gave instructions to inflate the figures or fabricate the documents.

The report noted that there was an analysis of over 46,000 individual names and signatures on the bed net distribution activity sheets to assess if the activity sheets contained indicators that bed nets had not been distributed to beneficiaries, and upon completion of this exercise, it found that it could not obtain reasonable assurance that 20,981 bed nets, which represents 45.2 per cent of the total reviewed, had been delivered to beneficiaries on the basis of anomalies found in the bed net distribution activity sheets.

This figure did not include bed nets where it appeared that a single individual, such as a community health worker, mining camp leader or a family member, had signed legitimately on behalf of a group of individuals.

The investigation also found that the average incidence of signature anomalies across the regions and periods under review was similar, indicating that the fabrication of underlying bed net distribution documentation was systematic.

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WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

President should show compassion by forgiving woman who allegedly made FB posts about him Dear Editor, I have noted with concern the recent headlines as it relates to a lady being charged for allegedly posting threatening remarks against President David Granger on her Facebook and WhatsApp social media accounts.

Clearly, the keystone cops and medieval justice system that prevail for the most part in Guyana are way out of their league in this specific matter. The charge is being laid under the “Racial Hostility Act” but the alleged crime itself is one that has its origins in cyberspace and there is no existing cybercrime legislation, statutes or precedents in Guyana or the Caribbean Court of Appeal to use as a yardstick.

The big question is, how can Guyana exercise suzerainty over a piece of correspondence that is literally residing in “the cloud” connected to a server locat-

ed outside of the sovereign jurisdiction of Guyana.

Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial reach could not possibly extend beyond its immediate shores with the exception of properties or assets it owns or exercises control over in another country or territory such as any of its embassies or consulates abroad as enshrined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Immunity (1953 and 1961).

The data servers of Facebook, Google, Microsoft and other global content, OTT and messaging providers are located anywhere else but the terra firma or territorial waters of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and, as such, could be in any number of locations such as the US, Canada, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, UK, Germany, Israel, South Africa, Australia or India. If the case is to be tried in a proper court of

Behaviour of Minister Ramjattan is despicable and unacceptable Dear Editor, I write in relation to Khemraj Ramjatan’s recent ranting in the press in response to a statement made by former Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee. It is with great disgust that citizens of Guyana and the international community at large had to witness Ramjattan responding to Rohee by stating that he can “haul his ***”. I sat at my desk wondering if Ramjattan was inebriated as he appeared or just plain crazy.

Behaviour of this nature from a Minister of Government and a VicePresident is despicable and unacceptable. It reflects badly on the people of Guyana and sets a terrible example for the children and youths of this great country. What is more alarming is that Ramjattan had no reservations in uttering these words in the presence of a female. I shudder to think what his home and personal surroundings are like.

It is quite unfortunate that

Ramjattan has not been reprimanded as it relates to his recent ranting.

No statement has been forthcoming from the Office of the President or the Ministry of Presidency. I recall Former Minister Bheri Ramsarran being fired over making similarly derogatory statements. Why is Ramjattan still being able to act as a Minister?

It is time the President and people of Guyana take a stand against this type of behaviour. It should not be allowed and the people should not settle for it. As a Minister of Government and Vice- President, Ramjattan should be held to the highest standard.

Where is the infamous Code of Conduct as it relates to Government Officials on this? Why are we settling for nonsense? As a citizen of this country, I do not want to be represented by a man like Ramjattan. It is time for him to apologise to the people or go.

Regards, Tiana King-David

Officials must provide details of Bai-Shan-Lin investments in Mall

Dear Editor, Last night, I was at the airport to pick up my wife, I saw facing the arriving guests a very large billboard advertising BaiShanLin International Mall. As the Chairman of MCG Investments Inc, the owners of the Giftland Mall, I am concerned and I am kindly publicly requesting from the Finance Ministry and the GRA Commissioner, who I do not hold accountable in any way, the details of these two mentioned investments which were concluded before their control of these two Government departments.

For the record, Giftland Mall received no concessions for anything from the previous Administration in terms of duty-free and VAT

waivers, tax holidays, tax exemptions of any sort, etc. In fairness to our investment and parity between local investment and international enterprises such as these, it is important that a level playing field is had.

I would find it abhorrent if it is a case that multibillion-dollar international companies should be treated with preferential treatment and unfair trading advantages over local companies. I eagerly await a response from the two mentioned departments.

With regards, Roy Beepat Chairman Giftland Group

law, then it will have to be accorded ‘locus standi’ in the territory or country where the actual physical server hosting the correspondence is located.

Not too long ago, there was a similar case involving the current Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago (the then Leader of the Opposition) – Dr Keith Rowley and many high-ranking Cabinet Ministers of the disgraced Kamala Persad-Bissessar regime.

This case has since been referred to as “Emailgate” and it took several months and war of nerves between the then Government of Trinidad & Tobago and the powers that be at Google’s HQ in Silicon Valley to bring clarity to an otherwise murky situation (for the lack of a better word). In the end and millions of dollars later – no good was achieved and the case remains one for the history books or, for that matter,

Ripley’s Believe It or Not. This case that is now engaging the attention of the local judiciary is nothing but a frenzied rush and can be best described as ‘a wild goose chase’ or ‘a fishing expedition’.

In less than a month, we will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary and so let us all let bygones be bygones and I respectfully call upon President Granger to take a page from the exemplary conduct of Gandhiji, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. He is the President and he can show his compassion and love as a fellow human being by forgiving this fellow sister of the soil for whatever transgressions she is alleged to have committed.

We must live up to our creed of One People, One Nation, One Destiny.

Best regards, Mike Singh

I will be vindicated in the end – Kwame McCoy Dear Editor, After several months of intolerable harassment at the hands of the Guyana Police Force, I am convinced that there is a political agenda to use the criminal justice system to witch-hunt me because of journalistic and political activism.

Over the last few months, I have had to endure several days of imprisonment; I spent numerous hours at police stations; I gave several statements to the Police; I have been asked innumerable questions; attempts have been made to frame me for murder; I have been charged with an assault which allegedly took place over five years ago; although assault is one of the most trivial charges known to criminal law, I have been taken to court in chains.

The latest series of harassment are concocted charges that I assaulted Mark Benschop, damaged his motor vehicle and that I stole from the same. This incident is alleged to have occurred again some five years ago.

I submitted a written statement explaining that I was nowhere in the vicinity at the time this incident is alleged to have taken place. The Police claimed that they have an eyewitness.

Myself and my Attorneyat-Law requested the name of this witness. We also requested to have a confrontation with this witness. Both of these requests were denied.

My Attorney-at-Law submitted statements from three different eyewitnesses who were present at the time the incident was alleged to have occurred. All of these persons confirmed that I was not at the scene and that I came on the scene some 15 minutes or more after the incident occurred.

These statements were submitted to the Police in a timely manner with a request that they be included in my file which was being reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and/or the Police Legal Adviser (PLA). The Police refused to include those statements in that file or to send them subsequently to the DPP and/or the PLA. I reiterate, that I am in no doubt that I am being persecuted because of my journalistic and political activism; I am in no doubt also that the criminal justice system will continue to be used

and misused as a political weapon against me.

I call on the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and on all other human rights organisations in Guyana; I call on the DPP; I call on the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR); I call on the Police Complaints Authority (PCA); I call on those in charge of the administration of justice; I call on our diplomatic community; I call on the Caricom Secretary General and I call on every peace-loving Guyanese and on all political leaders to condemn this political persecution of me.

I will endure this ordeal and I have no doubt that my innocence will be vindicated in the end.

I am strong. I worry not for myself but for the other victims that will follow, for I am confident I will not be the last.

Sincerely, Kwame McCoy

news 7

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

5-month-old baby killed Father of 3 in accident at Mahaica chopped to death A A five-month-old baby was yesterday killed when a motor lorry slammed into the stroller he was being carried in by his brother who was attempting to cross the road.

Reports are that around 17:00h at Belmont, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD), Randy Williams was being pushed in his stroller by his eight-year-old sibling when the accident occurred.

It is alleged that when the two children were about to cross the access road at Belmont the motor lorry collided with the stroller.

The five month old baby was rushed to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was pronounced Dead On Arrival (DOA).

It is unclear at this point in time where the

parents/guardians of the two children were at the time of the incident.

Meanwhile, the driver of the motor lorry is presently in police custody and is said to be assisting with the investigations.

Former Natural Resources Minister acted contrary to powers vested in him – audit report

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orensic auditors who examined the books of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) have concluded that former Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, on several occasions, acted contrary to the powers vested in him.

The Gold Board Act vests in the Minister the power to give directions of a general or special character as to the policy to be followed by the Board and also requires the Minister to approve the appointment of, and the remuneration payable to, the General Manager, Secretary and such other officers and other employees.

However, the 114-page report from the audit conducted by Chartered Accounting Firm Ram and McRae said Persaud was guilty of several breaches, including, on many occasions, acting contrary to the Act. Among those breaches, the auditors highlighted, was the appointment of Senior Policy Analyst/Adviser in the Ministry, Bobby Gossai, as Secretary to the Guyana Gold Board, which is contrary to the powers vested in the Minister.

“In our opinion, the Act does not give the Minister the power to name or nominate the Secretary to the Board and the Minister’s action amounted to a usurpation of the Board’s authority,” the auditors said in the report.

Unjustified expenses

The auditors added that included in the expenses paid by the Guyana Gold Board were payments made on behalf of the Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry, totalling Gy$63.1 million for the period January 1, 2012 to May 31, 2015.

Included in the above amount are mainly payments for salaries, gratuity, leave passage allowances and entertainment expenses.

“The payments are clearly a means of circumventing the Appropriation Act and action should be taken against those responsible for the payments. However, the Directors of the Gold Board cannot escape culpability for the payments which were not proper expenses of the Board.

It should be noted that the Guyana Gold Board has not been reimbursed for any payments made on behalf of the Ministry,” the report stated.

It added that the employment contracts of several individuals engaged to undertake duties at the Ministry were entered in to between the Guyana Gold

Former Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Robert Persaud

Board and those persons.

“The Board should terminate all current contracts for employees of the Ministry and have the Ministry issue such contracts directly,” it recommended.

The auditors said that the then Minister and his Ministry may have misinterpreted the Gold Board Act and have, on occasion, given instructions to management on operational issues, including matters relating to contracts.

It singled out one occasion when Persaud advised the Gold Board through Gossai that the termination package of the General Manager, Anantram Balram, who resigned on November 4, 2014, could not be negotiated by the Board.

Gossai, the report said, stated that the Board has to fulfil the mandate of Cabinet.

“He also voiced his disapproval in bringing back the General Manager for a week to “save face” and stated that this suggestion should be turned down,” the audit report stated.

Improper conduct

The auditors said that there was evidence which showed that Gossai forged the signature of the Board Chairman, Dr Gobind Ganga, which allowed the then General Manager to proceed on his remaining annual leave for 2014.

“Acting on information provided to us, we confirmed that the signature of the Board Chairman was lifted from another document. This is a gross act of forgery that should be pursued by the appropriate authorities,” it stated.

Meanwhile, this newspaper’s efforts to contact the former Natural Resources and Environment Minister for a comment or response to the allegations proved futile.

security guard who was on duty at the Best Buy Hardware Store, Bladen Hall, East Coast Demerara (ECD) last night is now dead after he was chopped about his body by two men in what is believed to have been an attempted robbery.

Reports are that around 22:45h last night Sattaur Kadir who hailed from Foulis, ECD, challenged two men who had entered the compound from the back.

It was during this encounter with the perpetrators that the 53-yearold security guard was dealt several chops about his body with cutlasses.

The duo is said to have fled the scene immediately after inflicting severe wounds to Kadir.

Kadir was subsequently rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was pronounced Dead On Arrival (DOA).

Meanwhile, police ranks have launched an investigation into the matter.

Speaking with publication on Thursday

Dead: Sattaur Kadir

morning, the dead man’s son, Hafeez, stated that his uncle had telephoned late Wednesday night notifying him and the rest of the Kadir family about the incident.

They immediately rushed to the hospital but when they arrived, they were told that Kadir had already passed away, the son explained.

“When we got the news and we went hospital but when we get there they already covered him

up… but we were not allowed to see him, even up to now, we have not got to see him…he was a fun, loving, caring person,” the dead man’s son stated.

The security guard had been working with the company for almost a year now and was on the night time shift when the tragedy struck. He leaves to mourn his wife and three children along with relatives.

8 NEWS

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana participating in T&T moving to court Green Climate Fund’s against terrorist fighters conference and workshop (Trinidad Guardian)

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Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and Head of the Project Management Office, Mr. Marlon Bristol and Head of the Office of Climate, Mrs. Janelle Christian during the meeting with Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

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onitoring and Evaluation Specialist and Head of the Project Management Office, Mr. Marlon Bristol and Head of the Office of Climate, Mrs. Janelle Christian are currently in Songdo, South Korea representing Guyana at the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) “Accelerating Access” conference and workshop. The one-week forum concludes on Friday.

Prior to their departure on April 22, Mr. Bristol and Mrs. Christian met with Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, within whose purview the Project Management and Climate Change offices fall. The Minister is also Guyana’s National Designated Authority (NDA) to the GCF. The purpose of the forum is to present proposals for funding from the GCF over the medium term. In this regard, the local team will formally present and discuss written proposals and grant funding options. Guyana’s four submitted projects are: Guyana’s Model Green Town (Bartica) Phase I and II; Policy Development - Environment Policy and Climate Change Policy; Increasing Resilience through Enhancement and Maintenance of Guyana’s Sea Defence Infrastructure; and Public Health Adaptation to Climate Change.

These projects are interlinked and aligned to Guyana’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Climate Resilience Strategy Action Plan (CRSAP), the Green Economy Plan and the Green Bartica Plan, among other documents.

Guyana’s GCF Inception Report for the Readiness and Preparation Proposal was approved in March 2016 with a budget of US$ 300,000.

This project will strengthen the capacities within the NDA (expanding to the Ministries of Finance, Natural Resources, Public Infrastructure, Civil Defence Commission, inter alia) to facilitate efficient planning and administration of fund-related responsibilities through the development and implementation of a Country Strategic Framework to the GCF. Guyana is implementing this first project with the GCF through a delivery partner. This Delivery Partner is Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC/5Cs). A delivery partner is a GCF-accredited entity. Guyana has not accredited any entity and hence the reason for 5Cs acting in that capacity. However, Guyana intends to identify accredited entities in the near future.

The GCF was established as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the UNFCCC. The Fund is expected to play a significant role in the mobilisation of climate finance, which is planned to increase over time to reach US$100 billion per year by 2020.

(GINA)

overnment is about to approach the courts to have a number of T&T nationals designated as terrorists and will also very shortly present to Parliament new legislation to deal with people alleged to be terrorist fighters, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said yesterday.

“The country deserves action and enforcement and that’s exactly what we intend to do,” Al-Rawi said in the Senate.

He gave details of how Government plans to treat with T&T terrorist fighters and such persons returning from overseas, in reply to Opposition Senator Wade Mark’s queries on the issue.

Mark sought details concerning the future of nationals who’ve gone overseas and are reportedly fighting with the Islamic State (Isis) terrorist network. He asked if Government intends to invoke laws in respect of citizens with proven links to Isis and who wish to return home.

Al-Rawi said two key pieces of legislation relevant to people proven to be linked to Isis and who wish to return were the Anti Terrorism Act (chp 12.07) and Proceeds of Crime Act (chp 11.27).

He said his powers as AG are restricted to sections 22b, 36 and 37 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. “But other key legislative tools under these two acts are available to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Judiciary,” he noted.

“Where someone is proved to be linked to

TT Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi

Isis, this Government will invoke the provisions of the law that are within the discretion of the Executive to apply— regardless of whether the person has already left the country or whether they wish to return.”

The AG said in circumstances, such as described in Mark’s question, of citizens linked to Isis wishing to return, Section 22B of the AntiTerrorism Act will be invoked. He said Section 22B (1) allows him to apply to a judge for an order under section 22B(3) to designate an individual or an entity and to freeze their assets. AlRawi said Section 22B (1-b-ii) allows such applications to be made in respect of entities or individuals where there are reasonable grounds “to believe an entity/individual is knowingly acting on behalf of, at the direction of, or in association with an entity designated as a terrorist entity by the United Nations Security Council.”

Al-Rawi noted Government had successfully invoked Section 22B in the first-ever application to the High Court regarding Kareem Ibrahim. That application was filed in November 2015 and a court order was granted shortly after listing Ibrahim (as a terrorist) and freezing his assets.

“The courts’ guidance in this matter will now greatly assist the State in charting a course for the various types of applications available under Section 22B.” Al-Rawi said other sections of the AntiTerrorism Act (36-37) focusing on terrorist property will also be applied where “circumstances so dictate.”

These allow the DPP to apply to a judge for an order to restrain property that may ultimately be made the subject of a forfeiture order. Sections allow Government to request a judge to appoint a person to take control/ manage/deal with the property according to judicial orders. Anyone possessing the property must give it to the ap-

pointed manager.

Mark asked the AG about reports of “hundreds” of T&T fighters with Isis returning to T&T if Government was monitoring such people and whether it would invoke the Anti-Terrorism (22B1) Act in respect of these returnees.

Al-Rawi said there was no information of “hundreds” of T&T nationals, though there may be anecdotal information, but Government must be driven by evidence.

“The matter of foreign terrorist fighters is being addressed with all seriousness by all security apparatus, with all foreign partners, particularly foreign states, by Europol and Interpol.

That has led to the monitoring of a number of people in active and real time circumstances,” AlRawi added.

“The Anti-Terrorism desk of the AG’s office, in co-ordination with the National Security Ministry, is about to approach the courts in relation to a number of persons for Section 22B (Anti-Terrorism Act) designations.”

Mark asked the precise number of nationals fighting with Isis at this time and about the resulting threat to T&T from such people.

Al-Rawi said, “A precise number is an incapability, as one relies on anecdotal information usually originating from a different country where the information has to be specifically verified. … I wouldn’t be in a position to provide a number. Suffice to say, this is a multi-dimensional treatment that’s being applied.”

The AG was also asked by Opposition Senator Gerald Hadeed about a number of alleged terrorists travelling to Venezuela and returning to T&T via porous borders.

AlRawi said National Security Council agencies are tracking all issues and Government has deepened its intelligence sharing with the Venezuelan government and border patrols.

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Adventure man found lying along roadway succumbs

…Police launch probe

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67-year-old man who had been discovered lying along the roadway in the Adventure village, Essequibo, with injuries to his head is now dead.

Reports are that the older gentleman, Claude Arthur, was found under a shed along the roadway at Adventure, and was rushed to the Suddie

Hospital for emergency medical treatment.

However, despite efforts by the medical staff to save his life they were unable to due to the severity of the injuries to his head. He succumbed at the Suddie Hospital shortly after being transported there from under the shed where he was discovered.

“I does do a lil’ hustle” …Campbellville man jailed for 3 years for drug trafficking

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37-year-old unemployed man was found guilty of a drug trafficking charge and was jailed on Wednesday for three years by Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Abdul Burnett, of Stone Avenue, Campbellville, Georgetown, had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge on January 11.

The charge against him read that on December 14, 2015, at Stone Avenue, he had in his possession 672 grams of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

On the day in question around 14:15h, according to court documents, acting on in-

formation received, the Police went to a shop in Stone Avenue and found him with the drugs.

After being questioned by the ranks about the illicit drug, the defendant told the Police, “I does do a lil’ hustle.” He then took them to an empty lot next to a shop where he pointed out two transparent bags in the bushes. Checks were made on both bags which contained the prohibited drugs.

On Wednesday, the Court ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Burnette was also fined $3000.

Jamaican woman is world's third oldest person K INGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica's oldest citizen, supercentenarian Violet Moss Brown, is approximately eight months younger than the world's oldest person, Susannah Mushatt Jones of the United States, according to information available from the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) website.

Moss Brown, who is ranked third by the GRG and who was introduced to local readers by an article published on March 19, 2009, turned 116 years old on March 10. Mushatt Jones turned 116 on July 6, 2015, while second placed Italian Emma Morano turned 116 on November 29 last year.

This means that the three oldest human beings, which includes Moss Brown, are only separated in age by months.

Moss Brown, affectionately called Aunt V, lives in Duanvale, Trelawny. Her eldest child, Harold Fairweather, at age 95, is said to be the world's oldest living child

Supercentenarian Violet Moss Brown (File photo)

with a parent alive.

Japan has the most supercentenarians. The top 10 oldest people alive are all women. The highest ranking male is 112-year-old Israel Kristal, a Polish/Israeli citizen who was born on September 15, 1903.

A supercentenarian is someone who has lived to or passed their 110th birthday. There are estimated to be 300–450 living supercentenarians in the world, though only 50 verified cases are known.

(Jamaica Observer)

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Kennard reports high prevalence of Region 2 ranks neglecting their duties

By Indrawattie Natram

R

etired Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) Cecil Kennard has noted with great concern, reports that law enforcement from G Division (Essequibo CoastIslands) in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is neglecting its duties and officers are not acting on reports as soon as they are made.

The former Judge, during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International after his recent two-day visit to the region, said there is a high prevalence of officers neglecting their duties, and he will intervene in same.

The PCA Chairman had visited Region Two on Friday and Saturday last as part of his outreach to interact with citizens at the grassroots level and well as officers of the Force.

On Friday, the retired Chancellor met with officers from the G Division, where he spoke to them about the roles and responsibilities and conduct as Police Officers. During his address, he commended the efforts of the officers but called upon them to give more for the safety

of persons living within the region.

He reminded them that they have a role to protect the citizenry and should do so with determination and much courage. He also reminded that no person should be detained beyond 72 hours at any Police station and at no time should motor vehicles be detained over the weekend without good reason.

In addition, he implored officers to exercise patience and to be courteous to the public at all times. He was also concerned about persons having to visit the station for follow-ups; instead he suggested that the officers should give constant feedback to persons inquiring.

The PCA Chairman also noted that no Police Officer has the authority to take away any document or driver’s licence from a motorist.

Kennard’s visit concluded with him interacting with residents of Essequibo in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council on Saturday evening. He said while there, he met with over 30 residents who voiced their concerns. One prevalent concern, he noted, was neglect of Police duties – an issue he intends to address.

Many persons also complained about Police Officers not fully identifying themselves when taking reports or investigating a crime. The Chairman promised to follow up on same and hailed his trip to Essequibo as successful. He also commended the efforts of the Regional Chairman and the Regional Executive Officer for making his trip comfortable. His next visits are schedule for New Amsterdam, Lethem, Madhia and Port Kaituma in the coming months.

President satisfied with progress made at D’urban Park Development Project

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Chief Works Officer of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Mr. Geoffrey Vaughn updating the President on the work done so far.

resident David Granger has expressed his satisfaction with the progress of work at the D’urban Park Development Project, under the direction of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

President Granger, toured the facility, early this morning, even as the Public Infrastructure Ministry is implementing a double shift system to ensure that work is completed in time for the May 12 deadline.

He emphasised that the safety of the Guyanese people is a top priority.

“Well the purpose of the visit is to find out exactly how much work has been achieved and how far it has gone. I am

very satisfied. This is going to be the main area in the city of Georgetown for public events and as you know we have made a lot of headway during 2015 and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure is now continuing that work. We are looking at capacity to ensure that the maximum number of citizens, particularly from central Georgetown, could have access to this facility.

We are looking at safety and we are also looking at the events, which could be viewed [here],” he said.

The President gave the assurance that the facility will be brought to acceptable international standards and will be a

venue Guyanese can be proud of.

In the meantime, Mr. Geoffrey Vaughn, Chief Works Officer of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, said that he was pleased that the Ministry has been able to stick to the work despite inclement weather.

President Granger had mandated the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to take over the project, which was initially advanced under a public-private partnership model, since it has the capacity, expertise and resources to ensure that it is ready for the hosting of the golden jubilee anniversary celebrations.

Monk visits Guyana to establish yoga society M onk Acharya Siddeshvaranana from the Ananda Marga NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) is visiting Guyana after five years to establish a centre for the Ananda Marga Yoga Society Guyana branch.

Siddeshvaranana disclosed he was happy about the construction of a facility to accommodate members instead of having them use various locations to host their meetings. The NGO is focused mainly on yoga, meditation, chanting, mysticism and charity.

Ananda Marga Yoga Society Guyana aims to help the Guyanese population through a variety of voluntary programmes. It plans to visit schools and educate students and teachers on the benefits of yoga and meditation.

Siddeshvaranana has toured a number of other South American countries, including Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil, lending his assistance to the people.

“I just want to help people in this time where things are really hard and frustrating,” he told this newspaper.

According to the Monk, “I am here watering seedlings while the land is fertile.”

The Ananda Marga NGO disclosed that the goal was to make the world a better place, a prosperous one with opportunities for all, and to bring people upon a common platform of unity, love and multifaceted talents.

Monk Acharya Siddeshvaranana

It said meditation was tested at the Stanford University by Dr James Corby and was found to be one of the most powerful forces in time.

“In many places of the world, people have enjoyed a multicultural, rich and diverse experience by incorporating Ananda Marga style of yoga in their own traditions,” the group noted.

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Linden/Ituni/Kwakwani road repair part of Region Ten’s plan to fuel development

Non-functioning cameras increase risks of jailbreak – prison officer testifies A

U

Region 10 Chairman, Renis Morian

pgrades to the Linden to Ituni to Kwakwani road are part of a plan geared at stimulating development in Region Ten. The development of the road networks is vital to the creation of jobs, and the possibility of improving commercial activities, according to Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, and this is why the region has included it into its fiveyear “action plan”.

“We are thinking about the linkage between Linden and Kwakwani, because the movement of goods and services is too costly on that stretch of road…,” Morian said.

He observed that the planned upgrade will reduce transportation costs while stimulating trade and other economic opportunities, which will significantly enhance the lives of citizens, particularly traders using the route. “…it will bring down cost, it will open up more lands for business… businesses are going out of Georgetown, which is cramped, so if you could do LindenItuni-Kwakwani road, the Linden to Lethem road, all the corridors along the road, people would want to go there and do different things, manufacturing etc,” he said.

Morian observed that minibus drivers plying the route from Linden to Ituni to Kwakwani have long complained over the worsening state of the roads. “Drivers are complaining about spending more money to repair (their vehicles). You do not even have jobs (in the region) but you have a case of the drivers spending more money to repair their cars, service their cars,” he said.

“We are doing a lot of work on the ground, but the populace is looking for money to earn so we are caught between a terrible situation where; yes we have to get jobs

for the people, but before we can get jobs for the people, we have to get the kind of infrastructure to attract investment,” he added.

Additionally, to improve public infrastructure in the region, Morian said that a part of the plan of action for the region is to bring electricity to Bamia. He said that the regional administration is also working with an investor to power Moblissa. The Administration is also working to have a new Regional Democratic Council (RDC) building.

Morian explained that this is to ensure that the councillors perform and deliver services to the region as is expected.

“We feel that we have outlived this building because the RDC really should be the agency that is looking over the whole development in Region Ten, which means that we would have to take on more technical staff, more qualified people, so we are looking for a site for a new building,” he said.

“The focus is to ensure that the RDC does the function that it was built to do,” he added.

“The RDC was supposed to be the hub of employment and development but somehow it lost that mandate. President David Granger is taking it back along that line,” he said.

The Regional Chairman explained that funding for the necessary studies, drawings and soil testing for this new RDC building is provided under the Region’s 2016 Budget.

The new plan of action for Region Ten’s development is a clearly articulated and dynamic framework designed to best position the region to 2020 and beyond. The plan articulates improving transportation infrastructure and making the region a productive landscape.

s the inquiry into the riots at the Camp Street Prison continues, Commissioners heard on Tuesday that defective surveillance cameras at the penitentiary increase the risk of a jailbreak.

Prison Officer Dekanna Benjamin in her testimony explained that surveillance equipment has been in a non-operational state for “three or four months”. She conceded that the non-functioning equipment did impact upon her work to some extent. The officer noted that she was however able to carry out her job “effectively”.

Benjamin, who has been stationed in the Operations Room for over two years, told Commissioners of the sections which are currently without coverage, but the media was advised that this information must not be made public for security reasons. Apart from being responsible for the video surveillance, it

was explained that the Operations Room has oversight for telephone switchboards and arms and ammunition.

The officer who was stationed from the evening of March 2 into the morning of March 3 also told Commissioners of the prevailing challenges which may hinder the overall department.

Benjamin testified that the Operations Room department is understaffed and would sometimes have only two officers monitoring all of the prison activities.

Despite these many challenges, Officer Benjamin pledged that she will remain in the prison service.

The Commissioner of Inquiry (CoI) also heard that there are no smoke detectors at the penitentiary. The Commission was previously told of contraband items like matches and lighters being in possession of the inmates.

Fellow Prison Officer Esther Charles, who

Prison Officer Esther Charles giving her testimony at Tuesday’s hearing

Prison Officer, Dekanna Benjamin taking the stand

joined the prison service in June 1998, also took the stand at Tuesday’s CoI. She testified that Deputy Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels and Director Carl Graham arrived at 10:55h and 08:05h respectively, but was unsure whether or not they had ever left the facilities.

Charles also related that on March 3, she was the first officer to inform her colleagues of the fire which she testified started around 11:00h.

The prison officer who has functioned in the Operations Room for some 10 years also explained that she had called the fire service and noted that she would also keep personal notes of times when events occur to maintain accuracy.

When the officer referenced her notes from the day of the March 3 fire, it was revealed that before other joint services members were

called, the fire service was called at 11:04h.

This account was in contrast to that included in the evidence provided by the Guyana Fire Service on April 13 which stated that the report of fire report at the prisons on March 3 was received at 11:18h.

At that time, in crossexamination, Attorney Glen Hanoman had postulated that a staff member attached to the Fire Service assisted in “drafting up the log book” for the purpose of bringing it to the Commission and noted that another log book exists for March 2 and March 3. Hanoman had raised suspicion since the Georgetown Fire Station’s log book started at the time of the riots.

After a period of rioting, 17 inmates at the Camp Street facilities lost their lives. The hearings will resume this morning.

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Telecoms Bill to be tabled No increase in passport fees – Govt by May month-end – Minister Hughes

T

I

n light of information being peddled that there has been an increase in fees for the application and processing of passports, the Guyana Government is maintaining that it has neither made nor implemented such a decision.

Quite recently, a large number of persons have been flocking the Central Immigration and Passport Office located on Camp Street, Georgetown, to avoid paying the increase that they were informed would be with effect

from the beginning of May. According to the Government, the original cost of GYD $4,000 remains effective and has not been hiked to GYD $15,000.

This publication understands that for any increase in fees to take effect, the government of the day or the Legislative Assembly would have to make that decision and neither of the two has made any changes to the original cost for the application of passports.

he long-awaited Telecommunications Bill will soon be tabled in the National Assembly. This comes after months of consultations with many of the relevant stakeholders.

In a recent interview, Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes related to the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the date was still being finalised and should be completed before May 31.

“There were extensive discussions, so what we want to do is to bring the legislation to the Parliament as soon as we can, and we are working on that. I do not have a date yet, but I would envision it would be probably be before the end of May,” Hughes pointed out.

Once this Bill is passed, it is expected that it will specifically address the expansion of telecommunications services to remote areas. The Minister, however, pointed out that final adjustments were being made to the Bill by way of consultations with telecoms companies GTT and Digicel Guyana.

It was noted that passage of the Bill would “allow Guyanese the opportunity to enjoy better telecommunications services, and wider and faster Internet bandwidth”. Hughes also noted that the Public Telecommunications Ministry was working with the telecommunications service providers to deliver enhanced services for visitors for the Jubilee celebrations. The Minister also told GINA that many people have already indicated that they were coming to celebrate Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary, so there is a need to

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

make them comfortable.

“We are working with the telecommunications companies to ensure that visitors are able to use their phones and will be able to have the technical support that they require,” she added.

It was further posited that the Bill is being crafted to “build a competitive system in the telecommunications sector, and is expected to result in greater choice, better quality of service and lower prices for consumers”. To this end, it will provide for “an open, liberalised sector that will attract new markets and investors”.

The Telecommunications Bill was introduced in 2011 and revised in 2013 in the 10th Parliament. In 2015, Government had given approval for two legal consultants to be hired to fine-tune and make adjustments to the Bill.

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Cabinet gives approval for new Gaming Authority Board

G

overnment has given its approval to a new Gaming Authority of Guyana which convened its first official meeting on Tuesday.

The members of the new Board include Roysdale Forde, who will serve as Chairman; Christine King; George Vaughn; and Geeta ChandanEdmond.

The group during the meeting pledged to fulfil the mandate which has been assigned to them. They also committed to ensuring that their operations are conducted in a manner that is fair, transparent and which adheres to the laws, rules and regulations which govern the Authority.

The Gaming Authority of Guyana is a statutory body established under the Gambling Prevention Act of Guyana and is vested with the power to regulate Casino operations in the country. The new members will serve for a period of two years, with effect

from March 1, 2016, to February 28, 2018.

The Authority was established in December 2008 under Section 32 (1) C of the Gaming Prevention Amendment Act, and is responsible for the issuance of licences under Section 32 of the Act; the monitoring of casino operations here; the administration of regulations made under the act and advising the Minister with respect to the administration of the regulations or any other relevant matter.

In February 2009, the Gaming Authority issued a premises licence to Georgetown Investment and Management Services Inc for the establishment of a casino and an operator’s licence to the former Princess Hotel Casino.

The Gambling Prevention Law amended in 2007 allows only registered guests of the hotel and overseas nationals to be patrons of the casino. There has over the years been widespread objection

to the legislation from members of the religious community, who argued that there are serious societal ills connected with gambling.

It was said that having such a facility here could lead to economic ruin. The Act states that contravention or failure to comply with the regulations will result in conviction and could lead to fines of not less than Gy$1 million or more than Gy$20 million, and imprisonment for terms of not less than six months or more than two years.

The legislation allows for the issuance of casino premises licences to a new hotel or resort complex with a minimum of 150 rooms ideal for accommodation.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo had said at the opening of the Princess Casino that while he was not in support of gambling, he believes that Guyanese need to be able to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of choice.

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Guyana revising Food Based Dietary Guidelines G

o v e r n m e n t is collaborating with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) to revise the Food Based Dietary Guidelines for Guyana.

The objectives of the two-day workshop which commenced on Tuesday at the Cara Lodge Hotel in Georgetown, are to

preserve the health and nutrition situation of Guyana; present the findings from the evaluation of the existing food based dietary guidelines; determine priority issues to be addressed, through the revision of the FBDGs; and to establish a national FDBG task force.

FAO’s representative in Guyana, Reuben

Robertson said while the Organisation has been widely known for its close association with the agriculture sector, it has over the last four years seen to need to reconfigure and connect with the Public Health Ministry and place significant emphasis on food, by ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has a right and access to good, safe and

nutritious food.

This commitment on food and nutrition, he said, has been heightened within recent times. Speaking directly to the representatives of Government Ministries, civil society and agencies, Robertson said each has an obligation to ensure that the commitments given are achieved.

Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings

“All civil society and organisations, we have an obligation to ensure that the commitments are achieved. We would recognise that we as countries just last year, give a commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (one and two), where number two focuses on ensuring that food and nutrition security for all. We have an obligation to work together to ensure that we achieve these objectives,” he said.

FAO, as an international organisation within the UN, is cognisant that nutrition is the mandate of the Public Health Ministry. However, it is too great an issue to be left for the Public Health

Ministry alone. He said it requires an inter-ministerial, inter-sectoral collaboration. “… We have to meaningfully address the issues affecting our countries in terms of stunting, malnutrition, undernourishment and the ugly faces of non communicable diseases.

We have been promoting good governance of food and nutrition security, it embraces the concept of all institutions, agencies, civil society and Private Sector, working together to achieve a common goal.”

Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings said Government, through her Ministry, is committed to seeing Guyanese eat healthily. According to Dr Cummings, essential to enjoying the good life, is being fit and healthy enough to enjoy it to the best of your ability.

“Therefore, as a Government and a Ministry, we have placed great emphasis on nutrition and are committed and determined to ensuring that every Guyanese, not only understand the importance of eating healthy, but recognise that it is vital to practice healthy eating on a daily basis.

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Barry Dataram Health Minister disappointed with performance of doctors, nurses at GPHC testifies at CANU’s CoI P

Self-confessed drug lord, Barry Dataram

Commissioner, Retired Brigadier Bruce Lovell

midst criticism of its establishment, the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of corruption at the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Monday heard the testimony of self-confessed drug lord Barry Dataram.

Dataram appeared unrepresented before single Commissioner, Retired Brigadier Bruce Lovell at the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of the Public Service Office on Vlissengen Road.

The inquiry heard of allegations that CANU officers have with drug traffickers. The retired

Brigadier was appointed by President David Granger to probe allegations which Dataram expressed in an oncamera interview with HGPTV Nightly News in February.

Dataram reportedly disclosed that he based his testimony on what he knows about CANU’s operations. Earlier this year, during an interview with television reporter Travis Chase the selfconfessed drug dealer alleged that senior officials of CANU are involved in illegal drug activities.

He had also stated that

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continued on page 21

ublic Health Minister, Dr George Norton has expressed his disappointment over the work ethic of doctors and nurses at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) maternity ward after learning of a mother’s tragedy at the facility.

The mother who is still a patient at the maternity ward, along with her newborn, disclosed that the nurses had taken a blood sample from her newborn since last Wednesday but were yet to return the test results.

According to the mother (name withheld), when she enquired about her discharge from the facility, she was told by the doctor “she cannot leave the facility until the test results return”.

“It is since last Wednesday the blood sample was taken and up to now they can’t return the results.

I ask the doctor when they are getting the results and he said he doesn’t know. I am in here a while, I want to go home,” the frustrated mother vented.

Speaking with Guyana Times International on Monday, Minister Norton registered his disappointment and condemnation of the maternity unit officials.

“Despite all of the efforts being made to regularise the system at the health facilities, patients are still not being treated satisfactorily,” Dr Norton noted.

Further, he expressed his empathy with the mother and affirmed he will investigate the matter immediately.

The woman disclosed to this newspaper that she had a surgical

GPHC’s maternity ward

delivery (Caesarean section) and suffers from hypertension, so she could not breastfeed her newborn.

“The newborn was supposed to be fed by the nurses with formula; however, the newborn was left hungry many times which gave the baby jaundice,” said the mother. She revealed she had called upon several nurses to feed her child, but was always made to wait.

According to the mother, when she enquired about her newborn “yellowness of complexion”, a doctor disclosed to her that this occurred because the “baby wasn’t fed adequately”.

A relative of the new mother has been made to purchase hypertension pills daily as prescribed by the doctor since the hospital does not have the drug.

Meanwhile, the Government

has set aside Gy$89 million in the 2016 National Budget for the development of the country’s premier health facility’s maternity unit.

The issue of mothers sharing beds at the medical institution still exists: Early in April, a photograph capturing a mother with her newborn under a bed surfaced in the media, prompting an investigation, but the hospital could not account for when it had occurred.

The overcrowded maternity ward is in dire need of significant improvement, both in the infrastructure and the treatment given. Earlier in the month, Minister Norton had announced that the issue of mothers sharing beds would end soon as the facility is currently being extended and work should be completed by mid-May.

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President announces “massive PM’s office denies deployment” of prisoners from ‘censorship’ of State media Georgetown to Mazaruni

President David Granger

M

ore prison blocks are being built at the Mazaruni Prison in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) to facilitate a massive transfer of prisoners from the Georgetown Prison in an effort to ease the overcrowding at the facility.

This was disclosed by President David Granger who was at the time responding to questions posed by media operatives during his weekly telecast ‘The Public Interest’.

In light of last month’s deadly prison riot, Government began taking proactive measures towards ensuring there is no repeat of the situation.

“The problems will not be resolved unless there is a massive redeployment of prisoners from Georgetown to Mazaruni…

Mazaruni has the space and it needs to be reinforced and fortified,” Granger emphasised.

In fact, he outlined three basic issues that

Mazaruni Prison

need to be addressed in order to effect successful reforms to the prison system.

Unprofessionalism

President Granger ranked the second biggest problem contributing to the weakness of the prison service as the staff – their limited numbers and unprofessionalism. He said arrangements are being made to provide these individuals with enhanced training.

Returning to the issue of overcrowding, Granger pointed out that it is a consequence of the criminal justice system – an element which the prison service has no control over.

“So if the Magistrate remands someone to prison then the prison service is obliged to keep that person,” he explained.

Nonetheless, he assured that engagements are ongoing between the executive branch and the judicial branch to examine the sentencing policies to ensure that custodial sentences would

be reviewed so that there will not be a huge buildup of persons on remand in the prison.

According to the Head of State, it appears that the prisoners on remand are the ones more likely to rebel than those who have been convicted.

Contraband trade

Another issue that needs to be addressed is the smuggling of contraband items into the prison.

President Granger indicated that changes in this regard will occur overtime, once the first three problems identified above are addressed fully.

“It is impossible for that level of contraband traffic to have occurred without the complicity of a few officers,” he noted.

On this note, the Commander-in-Chief said the main purpose of the heightened cordons around the Camp Street facility is to ensure persons no longer throw items over the fence into the prison compound.

Barry Dataram testifies...

from page 20

one of the agents bagged some “Gy$10 million in exchange” for allowing cocaine to leave the country.

Dataram had also told the newscast that CANU was “the biggest drug dealer” this country has and alleged that half of drugs seized “goes back on the street”.

Dataram had further alleged that staff associated with CANU would obtain Gy$5 million upfront from the trafficker while the balance of 50 per cent would be paid on arrival of the cocaine in Canada or the United States.

Following the numerous allegations, President David Granger had revealed that the National Security Committee (NSC) headed by himself had decided to establish a Board of Inquiry to look into the allegations.

However, the

CANU Head, James Singh

Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in a statement had said while it supports any effort to ensure that CANU maintains its integrity and professionalism, it was dismayed at the President’s haste to probe allegations made by a known drug trafficker who is seeking to bring into disrepute the whole of CANU. Public Security Minister Khemraj

Ramjattan who supported the probe had stated he was confident CANU would be exonerated. He had rubbished Dataram’s claims, and stated that, “I disbelieve all of them but that’s my opinion. It’s like Pablo Escobar saying that the Drug Enforcement Agency is not a good thing because of course he has interests but indeed we have to pay attention to what was said to clear it up and I want to believe that an inquiry would be the best way to deal with it.”

CANU Head James Singh said Dataram’s “savagery” against CANU may be as a result of his uneasiness owing to the commencement of his trial for possession of 129.230kg of cocaine found in shrimp at his Lot 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X, Diamond, East Bank Demerara, residence on April 16, 2015.

BY EDWARD LAYNE

A

s confusion continues to rage over allegations Government ministers and other officials, including Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Director of Public Information (DPI) Imran Khan constant meddling in the works of the state media entities, the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday came out swinging at the Guyana Press Association (GPA) which has written on the matter.

The GPA in a recent letter to the President but leaked to sections of the media, singled out PM Nagamootoo and Khan as among government officials who continue to censor state media.

But, the statement issued under the letterhead of the DPI said the “Government of Guyana” was “baffled by the stance of the GPA to write to the President to “politically intervene” in matters that ought to have been raised with the competent board of directors of the respective state entities.

The GPA in its let-

ter informed President Granger that the Prime Minister himself issues directives to the managers of the state media entities on a weekly basis.

“It is our understanding that the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, hosts a weekly meeting at which clear directives are given to the state media (also the Government Information Agency) regarding propaganda to be dispensed by these agencies,” the letter stated.

It continued that the GPA is of the view such meetings not only bear the hallmarks of government interference in the work of state media, “but also constitute a grave act of intimidation into slavishly following the dictates of the executive government.”

Regarding Khan’s role, the GPA said there have been “numerous” instances where Khan “has either sought to dictate content of NCN and the Guyana Chronicle, and in some cases even having content removed.”

He is also accused of chastising state media employees, which the GPA said “clearly amounts to acts of intimidation and causes these state media workers to practice self-censorship.”

The GPA in its missive also cited instances where other government ministers and officials have been interfering in the work of the state media.

It also complained that the board of directors of NCN and the Guyana Chronicle “deeply involved” in making editorial decisions, including deciding who

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

should attend overseas training programmes and assignments.

However, a Monday afternoon statement issued by the DPI denied the allegations of the GPA. The DPI acknowledged that the Prime Minister meets on a weekly basis with state media personnel, but said there have not been any complaints of intimidation at those meetings.

“Government of Guyana strongly refutes that the state media personnel are intimidated during the Prime Minister’s weekly meetings. The Office of the Prime Minister has received no complaints from the Board of Directors or management of any state media entity of intimidation or interference. No member of the Guyana Press Association attending these meetings has made any objections,” the statement said.

It explained that the “periodic meetings” with state media heads focus on coordination of schedule of Government events and coverage of continued on page 23

22 NEWS

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Legislators push to prioritise Guyanese man US-Caribbean relations shot dead in TT W ASHINGTON, USA (CMC) — Two highranking United States Congressmen have introduced legislation that they say would prioritise USCaribbean relations.

New York Democratic Congressman Eliot L Engel, ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Florida Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a former chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced the bill that would require the US Secretary of State and the administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to submit to the US Congress a multi-year strategy focused on outreach to the countries of the Caribbean and Diaspora communities in the US. The two legislators said the measure would also improve energy security, counter violence, and ramp up diplomacy, among other priority areas.

“While they are sometimes overlooked, the countries of the Caribbean are profoundly important to the United States, and particularly to the many Caribbean-American citizens in the United States,” Engel said.

“With so many crises

New York Democratic Congressman, Eliot L Engel

around the globe that demand US attention, we can’t lose sight of our longterm interests closer to home but should instead strengthen and expand ties with our Caribbean neighbour. This legislation makes it clear that Congress will prioritise US-Caribbean relations for many years to come.”

Ros-Lehtinen said she was “pleased” to join with Engel in introducing this “important bill.

“As someone who represents South Florida and a large number of individuals from the Caribbean diaspora community, I’m well aware of the unique importance of the Caribbean and a strong US-Caribbean relationship,” she said.

“Now that the Caribbean should be less dependent on a deteriorating Venezuelan economy, this bill will go a long way in improving those strategic relationships and show the region that the US is redoubling its efforts to remain engaged in the Caribbean to enhance our diplomatic and economic ties.

“It’s also more important now than ever that we increase coordination and co-operation on security-related issues, especially in conjunction with our leaders at SOUTHCOM (Miami-based US Military Command).”

According to Engel and Ros-Lehtinen, the legislation would require the US State Department and

USAID to identify agency efforts to prioritise US policy towards the Caribbean, outline an approach to broaden outreach to the Caribbean Diaspora community in the United States, and outline an approach to partner with governments of the Caribbean region to improve citizen security and reduce drug trafficking.

The bill would also establish a comprehensive, multi-year strategy to improve energy security and increase access to diverse, reliable, affordable and sustainable power; and outline an approach to improve diplomatic engagement with governments of the Caribbean region.

In addition, the congressional representatives said the legislation would also develop an approach to assisting Caribbean countries in the diversification of their economies.

The bill would require the Government Accountability Office to produce two key reports, namely an evaluation of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and a breakdown of CBSI assistance provided to each country, and an evaluation of US diplomatic engagement with the Eastern Caribbean.

Dead: Kemraj Persad (Trinidad Guardian)

O

ne man was killed and another critically injured in a shooting incident in San Fernando on Monday.

The dead man was identified as Guyanese national Kemraj Persad, 30, a construction worker, of Hummingbird Avenue, Duncan Village.

Eyewitnesses said Persad, another man identified as Sean Boodoo, and the shooter were having drinks and liming at an apartment when an argument broke out and the suspect shot the two men.

Boodoo, who also lived at the same apartment, was shot in the chest and was listed in critical condition in San Fernando General Hospital last

night.

A villager said he heard three explosions and thought it was fire crackers. He said he saw a man running up the road with blood on his chest.

Police said the shooter escaped in a car.

Residents said the men have been renting the apartment for over a year.

Another tenant, Kumar Shivprashad, pleaded for financial help to send Persad’s body back to Guyana as he came from a poor family.

ASP Rawle Ramdeo, Insp Don Gajadhar, PC Doray and other officers of the San Fernando CID Task Force and Homicide Bureau visited the scene.

So far 149 people have been killed for this year.

NEWS 23

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com from page 21

PM’s office denies ‘censorship’ of ...

Director of Public Information, Imran Khan

same, which it said is a practice in place since 1992 and clarification of information regarding government’s policy on a number of matters.

“State media attendees have all commented on the usefulness of the engagement,” it added.

It said that “reactions” by government officials regarding positive, negative, limited or one-sided coverage of government business in both the state and private media is route and does not amount to interference.

The statement added that while it is fit for the GPA to advise its members to act professionally and to defend standards of journalism, for the GPA to call on the Executive to ‘manners’ his ministers on “unsub-

stantiated allegations” is another matter.

“The Guyana Government reaffirms its commitment to an open, free and plural media. It is indeed refreshing to witness the re-introduction, in state media, of positive coverage of opposition views and activities and access to the state media by persons who are routinely critical of Government. Press freedom is alive and well in Guyana,” the statement said.

The government, particularly Nagamootoo and Khan, have been in recent times constantly called out for their alleged censorship of state media, allegations they constantly deny.

These allegations have come on the heels of a United States Department of State’s 2015 Country Report on Human Rights Practices which scolded the Prime Minister who in August, 2015 issued a directive that all headlines in the State-owned print media be first scrutinised and approved by his office before they are published.

The directive was a response to a headline criticising the Government.

The PM was also criticised by two local newspaper columnists, Dr

Taxi driver on remand for Simone Hackett’s murder

A

GPA President, Neil Marks

David Hinds and Freddy Kissoon over censorship of state media.

Notably, while in opposition, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) had chastised the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration over abuse of the state media and promised that once it gained political power it will make these entities independent.

But many senior media operatives say they are still to see any signs of the government moving to free-up state media so that the views of all, including those who are critical of the Administration, find its way on the NCN airwaves or on the pages of the Guyana Chronicle.

taxi driver was on Monday remanded to prison after being arraigned with the murder of Simone Hackett, whose body was found in a trench at Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, with several stab wounds.

Ranachal Singh, 31, of Lot 7 Good Faith, Mahaicony, was not required to plead to the charge which stated that between April 16 and 19, at Cummings Lodge, he murdered Hackett. The taxi driver’s vehicle was allegedly used to transport Hackett’s ex-boyfriend to and from the scene of the murder.

Singh appeared before Magistrate Zamina Ally at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, and the matter was adjourned to May 18.

Clevon Hamilton was also arraigned for the heinous crime at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court last Friday. According to reports, Hamilton contacted the now dead woman and instructed her to collect a package for their son from a friend at the University of Guyana (UG) Access Road. The woman went to the location only to see Hamilton

Clevon Hamilton

Dead: Simone Hackett

instead of the friend.

The prosecution told the Court that the suspect admitted to the crime during interrogation.

It was reported that the mother of one left home on Saturday evening about 20:30h to uplift the package, but never returned home. Her body was discovered in a trench among the vegetation by two schoolboys on their way to school.

Hours after the discovery, the Police arrested Hamilton in Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni). He told investigators that he travelled to Georgetown on Saturday, and stayed at a city hotel. On the night the woman went missing, he contacted Singh who collected him from the hotel and dropped him off at the bus shed

where he met the woman. At the time, he was carrying a haversack in which the murder weapon was concealed.

Hamilton admitted that during an argument, he choked the woman after which he pulled out the knife and inflicted the fatal injuries. He then tossed the body into the trench, got rid of the murder weapon, boarded Singh’s taxi and travelled back to Mahdia.

The car that was used to transport the murder suspect to Mahdia was found abandoned in a bushy area in the mining district. During an inspection of the car, blood stains were found on the seats.

It is believed that after stabbing the woman, Hamilton boarded that vehicle with blood on his clothing.

24 news

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana's rice farmers plead Cases of delinquent for more assistance from Govt taxpayers will have to

I

n the face of the tremendous challenges that rice farmers countrywide have experienced as a result of the El Niño conditions which have resulted in them suffering major losses, they are yet to receive assistance from Government.

This information was revealed to Guyana Times International by rice farmers who are yet again calling for assistance.

Farmers related to this publication that the General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and representatives from the Rice Producers Association (RPA) visited a number of rice farmers in Leguan and Wakenaam (Essequibo) and promised compensation and assistance for the new crop.

However, since that meeting, farmers have not heard anything from the GRDB and the RPA. Speaking with this publication, a Wakenaam rice farmer disclosed that most of the farmers were considering not planting rice for the new crop as they were in dire financial constraints.

“Most of these farmers don’t know what to do for the new crop, because, first of all, because of the losses that we faced, we do not even have money to plant for the new crop,” the famer explained.

According to another Wakenaam rice farmer, the GRDB visited them and explained that the Board has taken note of the significant losses that the farmers have incurred, noting that discus-

be examined individually – GRA Chairman

By Vahnu Manikchand

C

A rice field which is very dry due to the lack of water

sions were ongoing to provide assistance in order for the rice farmers to restart cultivation.

“They told us that they would provide paddy and so forth for us in the meeting, but it is time for us to cultivate and we are not hearing back anything so we don’t know what to do,” the frustrated farmer explained.

A Leguan rice farmer told Guyana Times International that they have not received any word at all which would suggest that they would be compensated.

“We did not hear anything about any compensation. We need compensation because we are really struggling. I hope that the Government can really look into this, because it’s long we have been pleading for assistance, it’s really hard.”

Early last month, the Regional Chairman of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Julius Faerber had announced that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) would be petitioning the Government to compensate the Leguan and Wakenaam rice

farmers.

Faerber told this publication that the Government needed to ensure that the rice farmers have funds when the drought period is over to replant their crop.

In Wakenaam, the last report received revealed that 300 acres of rice had been lost and some 2000 were at risk.

In Leguan, the situation had become so dire that 38-40 acres of rice were planted instead of the usual 4000 acres.

Also in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), thousands of acres of rice have been lost because of drought.

Despite the struggle, rice farmers of Region Two early last month began harvesting their fields. Rice harvesting has commenced in the north and south of the Essequibo Coast in villages such as Perseverance, Airy Hall, Golden Fleece and Lima.

The farmers are hoping that as the rainy season begins, they can work towards getting back what was lost.

Govt looking at climate change in a broader sense – President

W

hile acknowledging the strides made under the previous Administration with respect to climate change, President David Granger said his Government planned to double those efforts and utilise the remaining Norway funds for more strategic projects.

“The previous Administration was concerned about Low Carbon Development Strategy and was concerned with the direction of some of the funds to projects which were Amerindian retitling of lands and also regeneration of energy through the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project. We would like to look at climate change more broadly,” Granger stated during a recent broadcast of “The Public Interest”.

He noted that the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Administration intended to tackle reforestation in mined-out areas, generation of energy apart from hydropower, coastal zone management, and the impacts of El Niño.

On reforestation, President Granger explained that the most severely damaged areas were located in Region Seven

President David Granger

(Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); and Region One (Barima-Waini).

In this regard, he said those areas would be given priority in any plan that would be crafted to promote reforestation in the country.

Additionally, he said, the vision for renewable energy should not be limited to Amaila Falls and a few handouts of solar panels, but rather huge solar farms that can power an entire community.

The President noted too that the previous Administration did not include any measures to deal with coastal zone management, something he intended to correct since sea defence was an area of vulnerability for

Guyana.

Given that El Niño is a cyclical weather pattern that affects certain parts of the country, President Granger said he wanted to develop a plan to deal with the impacts of the weather phenomenon. While nothing concrete has been crafted, the aim is to have reservoirs for water in areas that are gravely affected by the drought, particularly the Rupununi areas, he said.

“The problem of energy and environment are much beyond the plans or programmes implemented by the previous the Administration. We have a wider view, a longer view, a strategic view,” he stated.

He posited, “It’s not just about land titling, it’s not just about Amaila Falls, it is about making sustainable energy available to a wider part of the population not just handing out a few solar panels but having whole communities powered by solar energy.”

Government has to make a final decision by the end of June on the future of the project or Guyana risks losing the remaining of the US$250 million in funds provided by Norway under the landmark LCDS climate migration deal.

hairman of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rawle Lucas, has stated that cases of delinquent taxpayers will have to be looked at individually before any determination can be made on whether it should be settled.

He was at the time commenting on recent calls by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) for a similar procedure – used to resolve the longstanding legal battle on consumption taxes between Demerara Distillers Limited and GRA – to be adopted in dealing with other delinquent companies.

“From the point of view of the Private Sector Commission, we wish to urge that the Guyana Revenue Authority now engage other aggrieved companies to apply similar formulae to correct the distortions in the market place resulting from this action,” the Commission said in a statement on Friday.

However, in an invited comment, Lucas explained to Guyana Times International that in its calls, the PSC is assuming that all delinquent companies have the same problems.

“They are assuming that but I don’t know that everybody has the same problems… Was the DDL story the same, I don’t know. I have no idea as to what the cases are but all the cases can’t be the same, I know that for sure,” he stated.

According to the GRA Chairman, the cases will have to be looked at individually before any decision can be made for a similar settlement, as was done with DDL. “One has got to look at every case by itself, take the matters case by case. It’s not something where you can just apply a rule,” he noted.

Moreover, Lucas pointed out that persons have to also take into consideration that the GRA might have decided to settle the Gy$5 billion debt with DDL because the matter probably constructed badly. “I have no idea if they have the same problem and remember the people who constructed the DDL problem, might have constructed it badly in the first instance.

I don’t know if people are taking that into consideration,” he noted.

When further probed whether the Consumption Tax assessment that was levied against the local beverage giant was indeed “badly constructed”, the Chairman declined to say, noting that he will not disclose information on any taxpayer’s case.

“I don’t and I don’t expect the GRA to be discussing tax payers’ matters in the public. Notwithstanding the fact

GRA Chairman, Rawle Lucas

that DDL might have put a statement on the settlement, the details of that matter still remains private and we do not intend to disclose details of the matter,” Lucas remarked.

Last week, DDL announced that it has reached an “amicable” settlement with the GRA thus resolving the longstanding legal battle between the two, which arose out of a Consumption Tax assessment levied against DDL by former Commissioner General Khurshid Sattuar in January 2009 to the tune of Gy$5,392,020,753.

However, the legal battle dated back to 2002, when the local beverage giant raised a legal challenge against the GRA on the methodology adopted by the latter for the assessment of Consumption Tax. In February 2005, the High Court found in favour of DDL. The GRA subsequently appealed that decision and on July 31, 2008, the Guyana Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed the GRA’s appeal.

But the following month, GRA commenced a new assessment, this time, issuing a new claim billing the company a crippling Gy$5.392 billion. This was again challenged by DDL in 2009 and the High Court had issued an Order Nisi pending the hearing of the matter.

However, there has since been much speculation and condemnation of the transactions. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had strongly condemned the transaction, calling it a “scandalous out of court settlement” that has cost the State billions of dollars in revenue.

“The settlement sends the wrong message to the business community; that a company can unilaterally decide to stop paying taxes, while other companies comply with the law, take the matter to court and drag it out until a sympathetic Government comes to power and settles its debts to the State,” the former Guyanese President stated.

NEWS 25

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Miners Association slams Govt’s “high-handed” approach in addressing issues affecting industry

R

ushed, high handed, authoritarian and clandestine were some of the words used by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) to describe what the miners said are Government’s decision to unilaterally implement new polices within the mining sector without consulting with them. These polices the GGDMA said, will have deleterious consequences to the future of the already struggling mining sector.

According to GGDMA in an extensive statement to the media, while there are many concerns, the three main issues affecting miners are the moves by the Natural Resources Ministry to no longer facilitate the VAT waiver on the acquisition of heavy-duty earth moving equipment necessary in the medium-scale mining industry; the

enjoyed are to be taken away and we will have to pay even more to work in the industry.”

GGDMA said tax waivers were historically present within the mining sector, since their equipment are used in all scales of production.

With its removal, “the adneed for medium-scale mining permit holders to produce a yearly report on a “confidential basis” divulging sensitive financial records regarding the operations of each Mining Permit; as well as the ministry’s recommendation to rescind all previously approved Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) permission for access and egress via river banks to access mining properties.

Addressing the rejection of VAT waivers on heavy machinery, the GGDMA decried that “despite all the promises and commitments from the current Government of Guyana for waivers, tax concession[s] and other mechanisms designed to boost production in the industry we have been unable to get anything beyond lip service. Now we are told even the conditions we historically

ditional cost that a miner will have to bear on each new excavator will be between Gy$4.5 million to Gy$7 million.

In the case of bulldozers it will be significantly higher. Given that these machines typically have a working life in the interior of three years, this

is an added cost per excavator of approximately Gy$13 million to Gy$21 million over a 10-year period. Such large sums will definitely pose a heavy burden that will be difficult for medium-scale miners to bear and may lead to an increase in the number of operators exit-

ing the industry.”

The body outlined that despite them being compliant with their taxes, medium-scale miners have not benefitted from any of the promised concessions on fuel and other items that were granted last year October for a continued on page 28

26 NEWS

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jagdeo slams Govt’s approach to spiraling crime wave O pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo believes that criminals are now acting with impunity because of the ambiguous signals emanating from government.

Concerns are aplenty that while the crime situation is once again spiralling out of control, Government has been very laidback in its approach to addressing the matter.

Giving his take on the issue, Jagdeo said government has not demonstrated any starkness regarding which class of people they would support: the victims or the perpetrators.

The former President opined that the manner in which President David Granger is par-

doning prisoners and the entire process of negotiating with prisoners have led to criminal elements in society feeling empowered.

Jagdeo noted that while pardoning prisoners is not entirely a bad action, the fact that Government has kept their identities hidden from the public portrays the message that these criminals are being protected.

On this note, Jagdeo alleged that some of the pardoned prisoners were convicted not of nonviolent crimes but of “hardcore ones.”

Comparing the situation with the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, Jagdeo said the people were al-

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

ways clear on the fact that government stood with the people.

Moreover, he noted that when the President tells the security arm of the country to hesitate on shooting criminals

but instead, “bring them in alive”, it also gives rise to worry within the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

“What signal do you send to the Police Force when you say to

the Police Force, ‘do not shoot at people just like that’, Policemen are worried because if they shoot a criminal in an act, then suddenly they will face the wrath of the government because he might be someone’s friend in the government… That is why criminals are acting with impunity today,” Jagdeo stated.

Moreover on security matters, Jagdeo posited that government is floundering in the dark and groping for effective policies to deal with the crime situation.

“We were told before the elections that they had three former heads of the army, a former head of the police force and many military people who are capable to do a better job on crime and keeping our country secure than the PPP because they are security people and they had a plan to deal with it.

What is the plan?” he demanded to know.

Jagdeo pointed out that in the National Budget, the only measure to enhance security in the country is a project that had commenced under the previous administration.

He went on to lambast the government for interfering with key initiatives that were established under the former government to combat crime.

“They quashed the Community Policing Groups, they are interfering with the operational duties in the Guyana Police Force, they will not deploy the Tactical Service Unit in a practical way across the nation, arms of the government designed to go after criminals are now being used for political vendetta,” he stated.

In fact, Jagdeo declared that nearly half of the police force is now focused on going after political opponents as opposed to criminals.

Police hunting main suspect in cattle farmer’s death

P

olice are on the hunt for an East Canje man following the death of Omesh Seelall, 21, also called ‘Rovin’ who was hit on his head.

The man of Betsy Ground Village, East Canje, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne), was hit on the head by a fellow villager on April 17.

Following the incident, he was taken to New Amsterdam Hospital in an unconsciousness state and later transferred to Georgetown Public Hospital but never regained consciousness up to the time of his death.

Speaking with this publication, several villagers said that shortly after the incident the alleged perpetrator went into hiding. As police hunt for him, a close relative of the suspect has been taken into custody.

According to the dead man’s father, his son’s attacker is known to the family.

“Dem boys does come right here and borrow me bicycle to go and distribute milk; me son and them is not really any friend. But still I can’t understand what went wrong; dem boys know one another,” the father said.

Eyewitnesses re-

Dead: Omesh Seelall

called that Seelall was imbibing with friends at a local shop and after parting company went across the road and was a few lots from a wedding house when he was attacked. At the time there were scores of persons in the vicinity.

“He (attacker) just run across the road and pull out a piece of wood from the donkey cart and clap one lash on the boy; the boy ent do he nothing. One lash straight at the back of he head,” one eyewitness related.

Another person said the incident took place about one minute after ‘Rovin’ walked out of the rum shop. “I can’t say if he and the man had any mouth talk [disagreement], but is like one minute after he walk out I hear the noise and when I run out I see he lying on the ground and we pick he up an carry he to the hospital.”

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Norwegian team in Guyana to discuss GRIF projects

From left: Mr. Nikolaus Oudkerk, Project Management Office, Legal Advisor to the Ministry of the Presidency, Ms. Geeta Chandan-Edmond, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, Mr. Tron Lovdal, Senior Adviser, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, Department of Climate, Energy and Environment, Ms. Hege Ragnhildstveit, Senior Adviser, Government of Norway's International Climate and Forest Initiative, Ms. Ane Marit Lid, Adviser, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation and Presidential Advisor on the Environment, Rear Admiral (ret'd) Gary Best.

M

inister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, on Thursday, received a courtesy call from a visiting Norwegian delegation currently in Guyana to meet with their counterpart agencies to discuss Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) projects, at his office at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Guyana’s Office of Climate Change and the Project Management Office for the GRIF Project both fall within the Minister’s purview.

The team was led by Ms. Hege Ragnhildstveit, Senior Adviser, Government of Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative and included Mr. Tron Lovdal, Senior Adviser, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, Department for Climate, Energy and Environment and Ms. Ane Marit Lid, Adviser, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, while Minister Harmon was joined by Presidential Advisor on the Environment, Rear Admiral (ret’d) Gary Best and Mr. Nikolaus Oudkerk, from the Project Management Office, Ministry of the Presidency.

According to a Ministry of the Presidency media release, the Norwegian delegation will hold talks with their counterpart agencies on the GRIF Projects’ development, challenges, implementation and scheduling with the Project Management Office (PMO) and other matters connected to the Guyana-Norway Agreement.

The delegation will also meet with other connected agencies, such as the Guyana Forestry Commission, the United Nations Development Programme, the InterAmerican Development Bank and civil society. The GRIF Projects are at different stages of implementation across Guyana.

In an invited comment, Ms. Ragnhildstveit said that the meeting was fruitful and appreciated.

“The Minister of State was very kind to receive us this morning and it was very encouraging to hear his remarks that Guyana appreciates the cooperation with Norway.

The Minister of State is very concerned about Guyana’s rainforest and the people who live there as well as the importance of combating climate change,” she said.

NEWS 27

28 news

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

State-of-the-art pharmaceutical storage facility faces closure – employees to be laid off

N

EW GPC’s 70,000 square foot state-ofthe-art pharmaceutical storage facility at Ruimveldt, Georgetown is facing closure unless the Public Health Ministry or Georgetown Public Hospital chose to lease it to continue storage of their medicines and medical supplies.

If a decision is taken to close the facility, over 40 employees will face the breadline.

According to the company, NEW GPC has been allowing the Public Health Ministry and Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to utilise storage facilities owned by

the company free of cost.

This has been the practice for many years and such an arrangement was made possible under the WHO-guided prequalification system which also saw NEW GPC performing quality control services, providing logistical support to both agencies in addition to providing a regulated and certified environment for pharmaceuticals and other sensitive inventory.

The warehouse facilities which were specially designed comprise of cold/cool room with 24/7 back-up generators and controlled temperature room and secure/isolated storage for other con-

trolled substances and hazardous items.

At the moment the MPH/GPHC is utilising two warehouses at Ruimveldt and one at Farm within NEW GPC Complex on East Bank Demerara.

With the Government terminating the Prequalification System and the simultaneous introduction of open public international tendering, NEW GPC is no longer required to extend warehousing and support services of this magnitude.

Besides that, such facilities and services are very expensive to operate and maintain.

In light of the above NEW GPC has given

NEW GPC's storage facility at Ruimveldt, Georgetown

the MPH/GPHC the option to either vacate the premises or alternatively continue occupation under a tenancy agreement.

In March a small number of employees were laid off with full payment of all their ben-

efits. This was a result of loss of business and an apparent Government preference for dealing with importers, who by the nature of their business do not need too many employees.

Even in instances when NEW GPC have won tender awards, as the case of the HIV diagnostic supplies, a reason was found to award the business to another company.

The NEW GPC pharmaceutical storage facility which is arguably the best of its kind in the entire Caribbean, was designed in accordance with WHO standards for pharmaceutical storage and it is approved by the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department. The facility has (a) furnished offices, (b) heavy-duty storage racks, (c) conveyor, (d) furniture, (e) sprinkler system, (f) security cameras, (g) biometric

clock, (h) permanent pallets, (i) fire extinguishers, (j) separate receiving and dispatch area, (k) cold, cool and room temperature storage, (l) separate secure storage for high value/risk items, (m) quarantine zone and (n) special storage for controlled substances/ DDA, Hyster electrical lifts and other auxiliary equipment.

The layout provides wide aisles and storage racks with three tiers to facilitate quick access and easy stacking of three pallet placements.

With a ceiling height of 17 ft in the central warehouse total volume is approximately 868,000 cubic feet.

There is also an open yard area within the perimeter fence measuring 415 x 75 ft or 31,125 sq ft to accommodate temporary storage of containers or parking of Canter trucks and other vehicles.

Miners Association slams Govt’s...

from page 25

period of six months.

The GGDMA said miners were duped since the documents for the granting of their concessions, while executed, did not materialise anything: “These are retrograde steps, and we believe they are designed with suspiciously sinister motives.”

Speaking on the requirement to provide financial reports on the operations of each mining permit, the GGDMA posited that many of the ministry and even the GGMC polices are implemented without consulting the miners: “This was the main impetus that led the then President, Donald Ramotar, to establish a Ministerial committee a few years ago with GGMC and the MNR in collaboration with the GGDMA to meet, consult and deliberate on revisions to the Mining Act and other related policies and regulations before the revised 2012 regulations were to

take effect. The main reason was to ensure applicability and practicality.”

The mining body is calling on Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman to rekindle this process before any such “dormant regulations are enforced”.

The association is objecting to the implementation of any new policy without consultation and is calling for an urgent meeting with President David Granger, to discuss this, and other issues.

According to GGDMA, the MNR’s decision to rescind every single permission previously granted by GGMC for access and egress to mining properties via river banks is unreasonable.

H o w e v e r , Government had recently issued a statement outlining that mining near river banks was banned, so as to protect the natural water sources from being polluted.

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

travel & tourism 29

Panoramic view from Turtle Mountain (Photo by Peggy Rehm)

Breathtaking scene from the mountain (Photo by Karina Noriega)

T

urtle Mountain provides one of Iwokrama Forest’s signature vistas. Standing at the summit of the 952 ft. tall mountain, one can see the mighty Essequibo River and endless pristine jungle.

The views of untouched rainforest as far as the eye could see in every direction from the top of the mountain are breathtaking. There is also plenty of wildlife to be seen on top of the mountain.

Black spider monkeys and large troops of Guianan red howler monkeys feeding in the canopy below are just a few scenes. Birds included the rare orange-breasted falcon, macaws, red fan and black headed parrots can also be spotted on this adventure.

Turtle Mountain summit is mildly challenging to climb (about one and a half hours), but the breathtaking views are more than worth the effort. (Cover photo: Iwokrama top of Turtle Mountain from patrece0511.blogspot) (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine) Picturesque view from the mountain summit (Photo from listennmove. wordpress.com)

There is solace to be found among the trees on top of the mountain (Photo by Iwokrama)

30 feature

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

T

he late Guyanese linguist Dr. Desrey Fox, often remarked that she enjoyed listening to Guyanese quarrelling in creole because they can become so very creative and expressivein their manipulation of the English language.

This has been made possible because of a history of forced and voluntary migration over the centuries. The change from not understanding their captors or employers to pidgin (a “linguistically simplified” way of communicating when users of two or more languages don’t understand each other) to creole has undergone transformations, adaptations and innovations, and continues to do so today.

Indeed, whether in quarrel or in friendly conversations, Guyanese Creole expressions are an innovative collection that has been passed down generations – though some may have become archaic or obsolete today as new expressions and ideas develop,often simply because language, like time, changes.

If you have ever confessed to “working your liver-string out”then you know you may have also told yourself that you “hollered your liver-string out” (and no one is listening to you – think of your kids).

So many Guyanese may have heard and/ or used the expression

The late Dr. Desrey Fox

– but what exactly is a “liver-string”?

Richard Allsopp, in his “Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage” (1996) defines a “liver-string” as a Guyanese “inoffensively jocular”, term that means an (imagined) vital source of human energy. So if you worked, or hollered, your liver-string out then you have essentially exhausted yourself.

Allsopp also notes that in Tobago, “liver” means belly.

Another apparently uniquely Guyanese expression is “eye-pass”, and, as Dr. Fox would have noticed while listening to quarrels, a very dangerous thing to do that could have serious repercussions on the one doing the perceived “eye-pass”.

For Guyanese, to eye pass another is to show deliberate and brazen, insulting behaviour to an older person or someone socially equal or superior; to be rude, Allsopp states.

Sometimes it may be

expressed as “eyespass”: “She eyespass me if she tink she kyan come hay and taak to me like dat…”

Another expression is “take your eyes and pass” (me/ someone) or “take your eyes pass” (me/ someone): “Doan tink yuh kyan tek yuh eyes and pass me…” or “mek your eyes pass” (me/someone).

In fact there are seemingly several other uses for the eyes in Guyanese Creole: there is “eye-water” (tears); “eye-turn” (dizziness); “cut up your eye at (me/ someone) – a gesture of contempt described by Allsopp as “shown by looking at the person and closing [the] eyes while turning [the] face sharply away.”

Then there is “eye up”, usually where a man watches a woman amorously; or even in the sense of “don’t eye-up meh food” (don’t keep looking at/coveting what I am eating).

In addition, you must have heard of “me and she eyes mek four” to mean they both looked at or saw each other the same time; or “four-eye”, a derogatory term for someone who wears spectacles.

And let’s not forget “full yuh eye” (to satisfy oneself or be satisfied by someone else’s looks etc. says Allsopp) or the phrase “eyes don’t meet” to describe estrangement: “Since they had the row their

eyes don’t meet.”

A more archaic term is “bless my eyes”, which meant how fortunate it is to see someone or something again. It seems we may be able to write a book on the use of “eye (s)” in Guyanese Creole because there are still more language uses for this body part.

Still in use is the Guyanese noun “kangalang” that Allsopp describes as a “goodfor-nothing, ne’er do well person”, guaranteed to cause derisive laughter from everyone but the person being called such.

According to Harold Bascom in his “101 Words that tell you're a Guyanese” (2015), a “kangalang” is how Guyanese may describe “a male with a reputation of a streetfighter…a bad-man”.

You can’t miss the extreme variation in meaning there.

Between Allsopp’s and Bascom’s definitions there is an obvious transformation of that expression.

While some older Guyanese may use the expression “haul yuh tail”, the more vulgar version, relating to a donkey (which can’t be printed because of its still socially unacceptable profanity) also means “get out of my sight” or “move from around me”.

“Carry your tail”, “move your tail” or “get a cut tail” are all more socially acceptable variations of the more vulgar form – the latter which we’re sure Dr. Fox would have heard while listening to Guyanese quarrel.

“To get a cut tail” means to get a severe whipping or “licks” in Guyanese parlance.

The word “bad” has also seen creative use in creole such as “bad-name”, “bad-mouth”, “bad-talk” and “bad-mind”. A “bad-name” is a bad reputation; to “bad-

mouth” someone is to bring misfortune on them, and to “bad-talk” someone is to spread malicious gossip about them. “Bad-mind” or “bad-minded” is to be unkind, vindictive or envious.

A “brygah”, notes Harold Bascom can have several connotations, including someone who is “a phony ‘big shot’” or someone who plays both sides for his own gain.

It is not just a creative exchange of words in a Guyanese quarrel, there can also be accounts of one that escalates further: “Trevon chuck Marlon suh Marlon go fuh scramble he.Den Trevon uncle run up and tell Trevon fuh humble heself…”

Sometimes an argument can often lead to a “scramble”, which means someone was roughly grabbed, or there was a fight, especially if someone also “get chuck” (is pushed).

Before that worsens someone may suggest the other “humble” him/herself, (sometimes with the “h-

dropping”) w h i c h means he/ she should take it easy, calm down, or try to be respectful.

An alternative is a “beat up”, where someone gets a sound thrashing. “Beat-up” also describes something that looks well-used to the point of almost destroyed. It also describes someone, a woman especially, who looks haggard and older then she is: “I see Nalini last week. I ent see she since I ent no wen but she look bad, real beat-up.”

There are many words and expressions that can be traced to Guyana’s slavery, indentureship and colonial heritage, and this merging has led to the creole that has become one of our common bonds.

However, while it is not just Guyanese but the entire Caribbean that has its myriad unique forms of expression based on the English language, the debate about the use of Creole English or Caribbean Creole remains an ambivalent issue among the region’s linguists and society.

Bascom’s book cover detail

news 31

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Body of three-year-old Jamaican girl fished from sea …police hunting father

S

ome residents of Flower Hill in this western parish openly expressed their anger on Wednesday when they learnt that a three-year-old girl from the community was found dead and her father was being sought by the police.

Police said that the body of the little girl, Leashay Thomas, was found early in the morning on the popular Dump Up Beach, hours after receiving a distress call from a relative of the child.

According to the police, on Monday night, a man, purporting to be the father of the child, called a family member to say that he was going to commit suicide as he had killed Leashay and threw her body in the sea at the popular Montego Bay beach.

A police spokesman said shortly after officers were dispatched to the beach to investigate the report but returned to their base after coming up ‘empty-handed’ after an extensive search of

Monday evening.

They said the death of the little girl was being treated as an infanticide, until proven otherwise.

Meanwhile, there was a sombre mood yesterday at the Salt Spring Primary and Infant School where Leashay was a student. She was

Leashay Thomas, remembered by her teacher as a very bright little child. (Source: jamaicaobserver.com)

the shoreline. However, upon their return to the area yesterday morning they spotted the body of a child which was subsequently fished from the sea. It was later identified as that of Leashay.

They were yesterday awaiting the results of a post mortem to determine the cause of the little girl’s death.

Police last night appealed for the public’s assistance in finding the whereabouts of the child’s father, Roosevelt Thomas, alias ‘Timmy’, whom they said could assist them with the investigations. Police alleged that Thomas, a resident of Flanker in the parish, took Leashay from her home in Flower Hill on

Lethem man asked to sing in court to support claim he's an upcoming music artiste

A

Lethem man was on Tuesday granted bail in the sum of Gy$35,000 when he appeared at the Georgetown M a g i s t r a t e s ’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with larceny.

Thirty-three-yearold Dexter Rosmay, called “Passa Passa” pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on April 19 at Tabatinga, Central Rupununi, he stole from Nafraz Shamsudeen one gold band valued Gy$125,000 and Gy$93,000 in cash.

In Court on Tuesday, the defendant said that he was an upcoming music artiste who was wellknown within the Lethem community.

When Chief Magistrate McLennan asked him to sing one of his songs to verify his claims, he complied.

He was ordered to report every Friday to the Lethem Police Station until his next court appearance on May 30.

The matter was transferred to the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.

described by her teacher, Zena Bailey, as a jovial individual.

“She is always playing and smiling. She is full of life and to see her gone at this stage of her life is really sad. It is really sad,” the distraught teacher said.

“I am going to miss her and I pray that the

family of Leashay will get through this. We need to support them. Leashay was very bright little child. [She was] bubbly, playful [and] a little mischievous at times, but that’s how children are.

I love her and it is really sad.” (Taken from Daily Observer)

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feature 33

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Ryhaan Shah Part I

By Petamber Persaud

(“Welcome to Guyana” is a new series focusing on books written in such a way as to invite non-Guyanese to explore and discover this land of many waters and to reawaken interest in Guyanese to the glories of this country via its geography, history, culture, architecture, economic bounties, and its potential….

This series is dedicated to the 50th Independence Anniversary)

I

' just discovered that there are scores and scores of Guyanese books with the same title.

Of course, it was a pleasant surprise. But after being involved in Guyanese literature for more than two decades, the discovery was little more than just a pleasant surprise. It was a jolt, a call to invest more interest, time and research; to perhaps write another book on Guyanese literature. How could I have overlooked such a thing: scores and scores of Guyanese books with the

same title: “Welcome to Guyana”.

This welcome is exhibited in various ways: the way the books repose,exuding authority in various fields, bending over backwards in welcome, saying ‘pick me up, buy me, borrow me, take me home, cuddle up with me; let’s travel from Pakaraima peaks of power to Corentyne’s lush sands, from the magnificent Kaieteur to hallowed halls of the St George’s Cathedral – one of the world’s tallest wooden building, from nesting place of endangered sea turtles on Shell Beach to the nesting sanctuary of the harpy eagle, from the petroglyphs and oldest rock formations in the world in the Rupununito monstrous steel and concrete world of the city, from the peace of Iwokrama – the lungs of the world to rumbling of lot 12, from the Ancient County where Edgar Mittelholzer was born to the shrine of Martin Carter inDemerara to the Cinderella County where Sheik Sadeek was born, …from the deep watery

Mark Mcwatt

burrows of MassacurraMan to keyholes that Ole Higue passes through….’

This welcome is exhibited in different ways through various books from the first book “The Discovery of Guyana” by Walter Ralegh to books soon to be released like “Children of Watooka” by Steve Connolly; “Guyana at 50” – the official coffee table book, and “Made in Guyana” by Petamber Persaud.

Between 1596 and 1966, there were many Guyanese books published with the same title: “Welcome to Guyana”.

Here is a short list as we come together to celebrate Guyana Independence Jubilee.

“The Berbice Uprising 1763” by A.J. McR. Cameron “Kaywana Trilogy” and “Corentyne Thunder”

by Edgar Mittelholzer “The Wild Coast” by Jan Carew “Albion Wilds” by J. W. Chinapen “Guiana Boy” by Peter Kempadoo

“The Last English Plantation” by Jan Shinebourne “Hendree”s Cure” by Moses Nagamootoo “A Silent Life” by Ryhaan Shah “The Way we Were, Memories of a British Guiana Childhood” by Margery Kirkpatrick “The Ituni Experience”

by Forbes Skinner “Growing up in British Guiana 1945-1964” by Joseph G. Singh “The Sly Company of People who Care” by Rahul Bhattacharya “The Weston Trial” by Dr. Cheddi Jagan “Timepiece” by Janice Shinebourne “Dear Future” by Fred D’Aguiar “Backdam People” by Rooplall Monar “Songof the sugarcanes”written and published by Sheik Sadeek, 1975 “The Guyana Quartet”

by Wilson Harris “Tumatumari” by Wilson Harris Wholeof the morning sky”by Grace Nichols “Cosmicdance” by

Oonya Kempadoo

Harischandra Khemraj “Thelanguage of El Dorado”by Mark Mcwatt “Son of Guyana” by Arnold Apple “A Ventriloquist’s Tale”by Pauline Melville, “Ninety Two Days”by Evelyn Waugh “Run softly, Demerara”

by Zahra Freeth “Bauxite, sugar and mud” by Patricia Wendy Dathan “ R a t o o n ” b y Christopher Nicole, “Buxton Spice”by Oonya Kempadoo, “February 23 Coup”by Chetram Singh, “Black Water People”by Carmen Subryan Grass-root people by Harry Narain “Halfway Tree”by Roy Brummell “Essequibo” by Ian McDonald, “Bundarie Boy” by Sheik Sadeek “Our Lady of Demerara”by David Dabydeen This short list of books

ought to keep you busy for a long, long time.

For further reading, please turn to the following books on books: “Bibliography of Literature from Guyana” by Robert E. McDowell, published by Sable Publishing Corp.

Arlington, 1975; “The Making of Guyanese Literature” by A. J. Seymour, published in 1978; “Bibliography of Guyana and Guyanese Writers” by Lal Balkaran 2015; and “An Introduction to Guyanese Literature” by Petamber Persaud 2014.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com What’s happening: Coming soon: “Made in Guyana” a new book

by Petamber Persaud.

“Made in Guyana” is a pocketbook bursting with a wealth of information and pictures on people, places, and events, and on things made in Guyana.

34 history

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

A group of Africans described in the 1919 Timehri Journal as “Group of Kongos”Mahaicony, Demerara CONTINUED

T

here were however, Cruickshank states, generally no such whole purchases in Essequibo, instead many former slaves from Essequibo plantations were involved in the purchase of Berbice and Demerara estates where they were previously placed, or were born and grew up in.

Some planters however, retained their estates, unwilling to sell all “as is” or in lots.

Cruickshank in his article quotes the argument of these individuals on the latter sale: “How many hours do you think my people will work in the field if I sell them a front lot of land on which they can work themselves?” …They can have a house on the estate so long as they work on the estate: if they won’t work, out they go!”

However, with arable land plenty and available, many left the estates and established

themselves as freeholders elsewhere.

Front lands

It was an Edward Carbery, owner of Plns. Dageraad, Mocha and Westfield on the Essequibo coast who recognised what was happening and began selling half-acre lots of the front lands of his estates.

After emancipation, the plantations were reverting to bush so Carbery cleared, drained, divided them

out and laid down streets. He later established a school, church (included with a clergyman) and a market-place near the divided lots.

Within six months, all the front lots were sold and the back lots laid out “with provision-grounds”. On Sept.

25, 1841, Governor Sir Henry Light publicly and officially named the settlement Queen’s Town village.

Other settlements to follow on the Essequibo coast from these “front lands sales” included Bush Lot and Daniel’s Town. In addition, Hyde Park and Ruby also developed from front land sales of estates of the same name.

In east bank Berbice, villages developed on the front lands of Plns.

Glasgow and Edinburgh.

In Demerara, Plns. Anna Catherina, De Kinderen, Stewartville and Hague on the WCD became front land villages.

Plns. Peter’s Hall, Rome and La Penitence, EBD also sold front lands that became villages. The front lands of Pln. Thomas Lands, taken up by freeholders, became Albert Town.

Once plantation own-

advice, and eventually infrastructure fell into ruin.

In addition, according to “The Guyana Story”

by Odeen Ishmael, many white planters had sabotaged black farms in an attempt to force them back onto the plantations. They either destroyed farms by cutting down cultivated crops and fruit trees or flooding the area.

After a deliberate period of “hands off” by colonial authorities, described by Cruickshank as resulting from direct orders from Britain, things became so bad in the villages that in 1845 “the first germ of public interference in village affairs” appeared in the form of an Ordinance “to make provision for the keeping in repair the line of public road and bridges passing through and over the front lands of Pln. Dageraad, Mocha and Westerfield respectively, which front lands now form Queenstown.”

A fee was proposed to be levied on villagers and became what was then called “the first step towards municipal institutions for the newly established villages of British Guiana…” Plaisance in

Cruickshank, one of the most common questions asked was how the former slaves could have afforded to buy plantations and lots.

He points out that one reason is that slaves earned money from Sunday markets where they soldvegetables, fruits, pigs, eggs and poultry. They were granted Sunday passes by plantation owners to sell their produce.

And although an Ordinance “for a Savings Bank for slaves” was around, most preferred to stash their earnings in their lodgings or bury it in the ground. In fact mention is made of many coins proffered in the purchase of estates that were often “black with the mud in which they were buried.”

Another reason noted is that during the apprenticeship period (1834-1838) many were paid overtime wages during harvest periods, such as for coffee berries or cane, when extra work was available; labour was paid “liberally” at these times.

Governor Light is reported to have been of the opinion that it was this exaggerated pay

Front lands of Eve Leary Plns Thomas and Kitty (“Some account of the last yellow fever epidemic of British Guiana, 1852” by Daniel Blair)

A view from the river of part of New Amsterdam (circa1908)

Broad Street, Georgetown (no date)

ers however, neglected or abandoned their estates, front lands owners faced dire prospects, especially with regard to sea and river defences, road and drainage maintenance.

Two cases illustrated by Cruickshank involved the De Kinderen (EBD) and Buse’s Lot, Berbice estates where front lots of operational coffee plantations were sold then the plantations were abandoned, leaving overgrown weeds and worse yet the collapse of the koker and river dams.

Not only were back lot owners left to the mercy of the river but front lot owners were also left to deal with the Atlantic Ocean at spring tide.

With lands submerged, there were no funds to maintain public roads despite a Commissary’s

1849 eventually received a similar Ordinance.

In 1859 a general ordinance was passed that granted colonial authority to levy rates on all estates, which included the front and back lots within. That ordinance however was repealed in 1866 by Sir Francis Hincks after 17 “not very effectual years” and replaced with another that created a Central Board of Health.

Land purchases by the now free blacks are said to have continued until 1852. Ishmael writes that by this time there were some 82,000 blacks “of working age”, of which almost half lived in villages and worked periodically on the estates.

Village purchases As

noted

by

that encouraged blacks to have an exaggerated idea of labour costs after emancipation.

Additionally, immediately after emancipation and for several years after – including before indentured labour was steady – competition for labour was highand wages became correspondingly high, since many had withdrawn from the labour force while many others provided “desultory” labour, allowing others to earn and save more money.

Today, descendants of these early villagers may see evidence of their fore parents’ independence in the chapels and churches still in many villages, along with the fruit trees and perhaps even houses developed over the years from an ancestral home built from the labour of long gone families.

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Can my Neighbourhood Democratic Council deliver?

By Lomarsh Roopnarine

I

am delighted to read in the Guyana Times that the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) from 52-74 Village in Upper Corentyne, Region Six is up and running. A new 18-member Council was sworn in to manage the local affairs of about 25 villages, estimated to have around 50,000 inhabitants.

These villages are the rice belt of Guyana. Except for fishing, they serve no other economic purpose than producing rice.

There are two experienced persons at the helm of the NDC, Chairman and Vice Chairman Davanand Chaitram and Ahmad Rajab, respectively. There are good reasons to believe that the NDC will deliver, but I am disappointed not to see the name Rohan Jagnandan amongst the 18-member Council. Rohan is a hardworking man who used to work at the No 71 Village Office, a building resembling one of those buildings from the days

of the Wild West. There is only one way in and one way out. When I saw Rohan way back in 1989, he was busy trying to retrieve late payments and taxes from villagers at the risk of his own life. In recent years, he had become a delivery man/salesman.

Minor disappointment aside, I have a wish list for the NDC, but I am sceptical whether it will have a glimmer of a chance, much less happen. At the swearing-in ceremony for the NDC, the current regime’s representative made an unctuous speech and wished the NDC well and left, but I doubt whether he or his superiors would be proactive and return regularly. I am not sure what resources he left with the NDC. I bet it was not much but more talk and more promises to the now most desperate people in the most desperate Region in Guyana. The crisis in rice cultivation has returned, so have begging and iron bars on windows and doors, giving the impression that

people are living in a prism of prisons.

As far as I know from personal experience, the NDC has always had great vision, but limited resources have prevented it from delivering on promises. The supply of regular water for farming and drinking as well as electricity has been a continuous challenge amidst frustrations. Do you wonder why Berbicians go to bed early and get up early? Limited lights and water, man!

My first wish happens to be in tune with the President’s initiative.

I understand that the President is thinking of adding a few more towns in Guyana. I am not sure what the rationale behind this move is other than townships will have more leverage to take care of their own matters. In this regard, I suggest that the NDC be on stream and put forward a proposal to transform Benab (No 64 Village) not only into a town but the capital of Berbice.

The main

draw is the 10-mile beach, the colonial houses and setting, the schools, the rice cultivation, the various shops and restaurants, the revolutionary square, the defunct movie theatre, various churches, the sport grounds, nearby fishing wharfs, race tracks, and above all, the people and culture. Of course, a hospital is missing. But do not get too excited. Benab needs more investment and development – an effort, I believe, is worthwhile.

My second wish is that the NDC would tackle environment degradation, not only the obvious garbage alongside the roads and gutters and filth, but also the eyesore of abandoned buildings and idle land. For anyone unaware, if you travel from Crabwood Creek to New Amsterdam you would think that hurricanes usually pass through some villages. Actually, there has been a human hurricane of sorts, which is the flight of thousands of Berbicians to the Caribbean islands and further afield. In so

doing, they have left a sordid history of political brutalisation and economic exploitation.

But the question now is what ought to be done to tackle abandoned buildings and idle land? I suggest that the NDC send out a notice with specific instructions and guidelines to the owners of the abandoned buildings and idle land that looks like this: Take care of your property otherwise the NDC will do so at your expense. This approach may sound harsh but it was carried out and received great results in some Latin American countries.

Something has to be done about the aforesaid problems because they are coterminous with continuous out-migration.

Even amongst those who remain, the enthusiasm for a better living environment is low. Does the NDC from 52 to 74 Village have the vision to reverse the current scores of eyesores?

I will be back with a report in six months. (Lomarsh. roopnarine@jsums.edu)

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This week's Crossword

This week's Puzzle

see solution on page 47

Different rules…

S

…for the plebes

cott Fitzgerald supposedly confided to Ernest Hemingway that the rich are different from the poor. To which the paragon of brevity retorted, “Yes…they have more money!” Well, the biggest revelation from the Panama Papers is the rich don’t only have more money – they get to keep it by making the rules. While you and I have to cough it up to the Government as taxes.

For years Guyana’s been dragged over the coals by the FATF for not doing what they demanded on “Money Laundering”. We’ve been threatened with “blacklisting”, placed on a list with “rogue states” and had our international financial transactions slowed down. And all this because we – an economy with barely a GDP of US$3B for our entire 800,000 citizens – were placing the world financial system at risk!!

And as soon as Parliament reconvenes, we’ve been ordered to tweak our AML/CTF legislation once again.

In the meantime, Oxfam’s just announced US corporations have secreted US$1.4 trillion in “tax havens”. That’s TRILLIONS, FOLKS’! One thousand billion is one trillion – 1,000,000,000,000!! . And in US dollars! Technology giant Apple, the world’s second biggest company, topped Oxfam’s league table, with some US$181 billion held offshore. Microsoft just has US$104 billion!! But don’t worry folks…that’s not “money laundering”.

Why? This trillion-plus stash’s been moved around like the fella who plays three card monte and dared you to guess which one is the King. Well, in international finance, we don’t have to guess – the rich are all “the King”. And it’s not just the Americans.

There were Billions stashed away by Latin American drug lords, Russian big wigs, Hong Kong business whizzes, Middle East potentates and Israel arms dealers.

Marx’s been vindicated by the Panama Papers.

Even though they mightn’t know each other, the rich of the world do form a CLASS. And that makes the rest of us – countries and people – all peons. And forget all the media sturm and drang…nothing’s gonna be done with the real big fishes. Cause the rich folks with those secret accounts make the rules of the game.

Over here, businessmen are about to be burnt at the stakes for lobbying for their companies. Over in the States, OFFICIALLY REGISTERED LOBBYISTS for the fellas owning that US$1.4 Trillion spent billions to lobby the American Government to favour their companies. Just 50 corporations shelled out US$2.8 billion between 2008 and 2014 lobbying Govt officials. So that’s OK…it’s LEGAL. And don’t think only the rich countries are hurt by the tax dodge/money laundering by the corporations.

Nokia evaded US$2 billion in taxes to India.

Which coulda fed millions of those children they parade on TV! …for inside folks We still don’t know “who” spent “what” for the D’Urban Park monument to the Jubilee Big Bash. But with the Government pumping in Gy$150 million just to complete the 50 per cent or so that’s still to go, it means that at least Gy$150 million has already been spent. By whom? Well, all sorts of names are floating around…but it gotta be some contractor or the other “lobbying” in the tradition described above.

These contractors, for whatever reason (objections from on high?) have definitely walked off the job.

What to do to save the honour of our fair country?

Well, Prezzie called in the Public Infrastructure Ministry, but it seemed the goodly Minister buckled under the pressure – just like some of the wooden stands! Prezzie was then forced to send in the Army to complete the job.

It was just like when Prezzie was a young soldier and the Army had to save GuySuCo from the GAWU strikers! …for Nagamootoo?

Poor Prezzie must be paraphrasing Henry II of yore, “Will no one rid me of this troublesome Prime Minister?” As he wonders whether it was worth it to give the AFC 40 per cent of the Ministries – and the PM. How dare he and his shill identify military fellas in Government as an “independent political force”. Was he taking lessons from Luncheon?

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Out of the mouth…

…of the sycophant he State-owned Chronic’s been under the gun recently. Part of the reason is its obvious misapprehension it’s actually “Government-owned”.

And consequently had to be the handmaiden of the Minister of Information. Of course, we all know that a “handmaiden” was originally a servant of a Biblical wife who “offered out” the servant for her husband “to lie with”. Not so incidentally, our Minister of Information is in fact our Prime Minister who emphasised “marriage” between his “AFC” and President Granger’s APNU. After the “marriage”, there has been no doubt who was the “man” and who was “on top”.

Be as it may, the “handmaiden” Chronic went so far to “lie with” President Granger, it actually doctored a front page pic to make the latter look good. But in its umpteenth editorial to explain away its handmaiden status, yesterday the Chronic made an interesting observation. In the tradition of “Mouth open; story jump out”, discussing the challenges of a political marriage with multiple partners (not to mention handmaidens) the Chronic pointed out the identity of one it had hitherto denied: “There is also the group of ex-soldiers whom some have argued represent an independent force in the coalition.” Imagine that! Out of the mouth of handmaidens and concubines! “Some”??? The PPP had raised this issue even before the new Government took over when several big wigs from the armed forces hit the campaign trail. Dr Luncheon raised fears of a “military government”. After the Government was formed and even more military types were drafted in as “advisors” to the President and running all sorts of projects, the alarm intensified.

The Government said it was a tempest in a teapot and since none of the other marriage partners…umm… .”coalition” partners complained, the alarm bells became muffled. But here it is, right from the mouth of the handmaiden to the PM comes the articulation of the “military threat from within”!!

Now we know the PM and his AFC have already placed their concerns on the agenda of the coalition that one exmilitary officer – namely Joseph Harmon – seems to be an “independent force”, which is too powerful to boot. Have the fears of the AFC now mushroomed to incorporate the entire phalanx of military comrades in the Government as an “independent force”?

President Granger had indicated now that the first anniversary of the marriage is nigh upon us (to continue with the Biblical lingo!), he was going to arrange a retreat to discuss the challenges in the concubinage arrangements.

We do hope he realises that the concerns of his Minister of Information goes beyond Harmon – and to “an independent military force” in the coalition.

Forewarned is forearmed? …of the prophet Last February, according to the Press Release from his office, Prezzie conducted a recon on GuySuCo’s headquarters at Ogle. And revealed it was being considered for conversion into the “Public Service Staff College” to conduct APNU/AFC’s promised training for public servants. This is now confirmed. The thought that immediately popped into this Eyewitness’ head is why didn’t the Administration launch this College as part of UG

T

– which could certainly use the funding and broadening of its programme?

The second one was, “if any institution in Guyana needs management training, God it has to be GuySuCo! So why not use it for them? After all, that’s what the building’d been used for by Bookers in its “Guyanisation” drive back in the day, nuh? And those managers regularly produced 350,000+ tonnes of sugar annually with their hundred-year-old factories.

37 But maybe the President thinks that’ll be throwing good money after bad? …of dissemblers Over in Berbice, with his huge entourage, PM Nagamootoo said they were only doing their “civic duty” as they squeezed the flesh and played “Santa Claus”.

“This is not a propaganda exercise,” he swore.

Now why would he suspect folks could possibly think that?

38 feature

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caling hills, traversing muddy roads through bushes under the sweltering sun in Mabaruma, Region One, and still looking flawless in six-inch stilettos, Divya Yabindranauth was able to spread joy and hope.

The 20-year-old is an aspiring model, a humanitarian and individual-

ist, and is currently competing in the Miss World Guyana 2016 pageant representing Region One (Barima-Waini).

Raised in Tucshen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, Divya migrated to the United States at the age of 13.

Shepresentlyresides in Houston, Texas, with her

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

parents and two younger brothers, and works at W-Industries in Texas as an administration assistant, while also pursuing her degree in Business Management.

While Divya is passionate about developing herself academically, she feels equally passionate about helping oth-

Handing over a hamper to Martha and Sydney Carvio

Having fun with the children, holding their gifts, at White Water Nursery

ers, especially children.

She spends much of her free time with children at hospitals, and is involved in outreach programmes through her church.

Additionally, Divya has been a part of the Saving Hands Emergency Aid, Inc. (SHEA), a charitable organisation in the U.S., where she helpssource financial aid and medical treatment for individuals in dire need of medical care.

“I was raised in Guyana and have seen the struggle some of my fellow Guyanese face when it comes to healthcare and finding adequate treatment, and from a very young age I vowed to one day make a measurable difference. Two years ago, I joined forces with SHEA with the mission of providing financial medical assistance cou-

pled with pro-bono or subsidized medical treatment for families in need,” Divya said in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

As the Regional Director for SHEA in Guyana, Divya assists with finding treatment services, raising funds, meeting with patients and others for interactions on a one-on-one level.

During her recent visit to Region One to launch her Beauty with a Purpose (BWP), an integral aspect of the pageant, and find out the needs of people in that region, Divya met with Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley. Divya outlined the focus of her BWP and SHEA, which was applauded by the Regional Chairman.

Ashley told her that the region does not have

“certain services or agencies and lacks financial resources” to help the people of Region One adequately, particularly those in remote areas, so he hopes her visit to the area will bring much attention to the needs of his people.

Additionally, she officially launched her BWPin the village of White Water (Region One) where she met with the village toshao Cleveland DeSouza and the villagers, who warmly welcomed her. A sports event was held in her honour, where Divya awarded winners with trophies and hampers, among other prizes. She also interacted with teachers and students of the nursery and primary schools there and handed out large gift CONTINUED ON PAGE 47

art & culture 39

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Samuels’ family members along with former Castellani House curator, Elfrieda Bissember, at his posthumous 2004 exhibition (Cullen-Bess photo)

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merson Samuels straddled art genres from painting to graphics and illustration. One of the first Guyanese artists of the pre-independence era, Emerson was a pioneer of Guyana’s art scene, though he has often been overlooked among the artists of the era.

The 1940s and 50s were the beginnings of the Guyanese art movement; a time that the world caught its first glimpse of local Guyanese talent.Samuels was born Aug. 22, 1928 and made his debuton the local art scene in 1949 at age 21, when he won the 'painting of the year award' in the Guianese Art Group's fifth annual exhibition withhis painting "The Workers".

He was a self-taught artist, noted for his oil paintings and watercolour, pastel and drawing, who had also studied art and art history by himself, spending many hours in the National

Library.

After attending the Golden Grove Methodist Church during his primary school years, in the mid-1940s, Samuels left school and his Nabacalis home to go to Georgetown to find a job.

With his art portfolio comprising some pencil drawings done at school, he headed to the British Guyana Lithographic Company, then considered the premier printing house in the Caribbean.

There the young Samuels would meet Hubert Moshett, one of the leading artists of the time, both as lithographer and painter.

Moshett saw his potential and hired Samuels as an apprentice.Employment at the printing company would introduce Samuels to the world of graphics and illustration; a world he would remain in all his life.

In fact it was his painting “The Workers”, of men constructing the new Lithographic

Stamps depicting GNS emblem (1975)

Company that won him the “painting of the year award”.

As a member of the Working People’s Art Class and the British Guiana Art Group, Samuels also met many leading Guyanese artists such as Denis Williams, E.R. Burrowes and Marjorie Broodhagen. At the printing company, he also associated with other leading artists of the time; all whom he would later recall helped him become a better artist.

It was the artists who encouraged him to further his art education by learning the different art styles, elements of art, art history etc.; an education that Samuels would come to enjoy and appreciate.

For Samuels, his life would remain in the shadow of the more wellknown artists, despite his obvious talents.His works however, have won numerous prizes in national exhibitions and competitions, including the Burnham Gold Medal for Painting in 1961.

Samuels is said to have been influenced by nature and his imagination in his works. He also enjoyed texture in his paintings and went on to create several paintings, including “A Dream to Expand” purchased in the 1960s by the late Guyanese poet Martin Carter.

Samuels produced his ‘Metamorphosis’ Series in the late 70s.

His paintings“Selfportrait” (1959), Untitled Abstract (1966), “Industrial Image” and “Forward Thrust” are among those held in the National Collection.The latter two were prizewinners at the National Exhibitions of 1978 and 1982 respectively.

Samuels eventually parted from the Lithographic Company

in 1961 and moved on to the Ministry of Agriculture from 19611969 where he worked as an illustrator, illustrating for educational literature geared toward farmers. He was later transferred to the-then information ministry, also as illustrator.

It was during this period that Samuels emerged as one of the leaders in local graphic design and illustration when he became involved in stamp designing. Newly independent, Guyana’s locally designed stamps depicted many local personalities, scenes and events such as steelband players, stamps of Clive Lloyd, and stamps to celebrate the Guyana Teachers’ Jubilee, to name a few.

Then in 1973 he began working at the Ministry of Education and started illustrating the wellknown Timehri Readers

Emerson Samuels (Aug, 22, 1928 – Aug. 6, 2003)

foreign consultant working with the education ministry on one on the series of Supplementary Readers, also managed to get lost.

Among the most famously little-known events of Samuels’ quiet career is the fact that he is the painter of two of Guyana’s most notable paintings: the portrait of E.R. Burrowes, which hangs at the Burrowes School of Art, and a por-

In 2003 he was curriculum artist illustrator at the National Centre for Educational Research and Development (NCERD) and art instructor at Burrowes School of Art when, on vacation in the U.S.A, he died of a heart attack at age 75.

Though, through his own self-confessed doubts, Emerson Samuels never held a solo exhibition, just be-

“Invitation to the dance 2” (Oil) 1994

series. Over his 25 years at the ministry, he also illustrated for local books such as “The Rampat family” and “Our flag” as well as the Remedial Textbook series and the Supplementary Reading Materials series. At the ministry, he worked along with Guyanese Victor Davson and Harold Bascom, and American illustrator Tom Feelings.

According to one report, some of Samuels’ illustrations were unfortunately lost: The first set of the Emancipation series of stamps were somehow lost at sea; the original drawings for “The Rampat Family”, sent to the publishers, were reported lost, and another set of original work, put in the care of a

trait of L.F.S. Burnham when he was prime minister thatis hung in Parliament Chamber.

Other lesser known contributions are his design of the emblem of the reportedly soon-tobe resuscitated Guyana National Service (GNS) and his design of the President’s College school badge and its memorial.

Several of his paintings are displayed in the National Collection at Castellani House as well as other government houses. In 1996 and 1998 Samuels won the silver and bronze respectively in Castellani House’s National Drawing Competitions.He was awarded the Golden Arrow of Achievement in 1997.

fore his death he was working towards this with an exhibition at the National art gallery.

The year after his untimely death, Castellani House hosted an exhibition, 'Invitation to a Dance', taken from his paintings of the same name, which presented works from the National Collection, the National Collection at Colgrain House, Samuels' own, and private collections.

Samuels had continued painting, design and illustration well into old age and even up to his death. The exhibition also included his last creations: scenes in Brooklyn and Manhattan, New York, where he was holidaying before he died.

40 FEATURE

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WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Eze Ogueri deplanes on British Guiana soil

he British Guiana League of Coloured Peoples established itself in the 1930s, with one of its aims to bring a sense of awareness and pride, to the coloured inhabitants of British Guiana, of their history and heritage.

Although it was generally focused on African pride, the B.G. league itself comprised any race or creed on the colony, who sought to ensure a sense of pride and purpose in all British Guiana races.

After the end of the Second World War, the League saw a need to provide the African Guianese populace with a representative who could help instil this sense of pride, reasoning that if the East Indians were already successful in bringing distinguished individuals to Guyana to encourage the East Indian identity, they

could also.

It was at the end of 1950 that the League would bring that young representative for a seven-day visit, and his reception by the African Guianese community reportedly surpassed the hopes of any of the executives who had planned the event.

Eze A. Ogueri was a young Nigerian chieftain from Obibi-Ezena, of that country’s Owerri Province. He was the grandson of a famous and well-respected Ibo, Nigerian chief, the late Ogueri Nwokoro I. A recent college graduate, Eze was about to enter Harvard University for graduate studies in political science, after a Nigeria government scholarship to one of Nigeria’s leading schools began his academic career.

Eze had received rec-

ognition as an ambitious and hardworking” “cub reporter” working for the Associated Newspapers of Nigeria as well as correspondent and commentator for a local radio station.

As a student at the U.S. Adelphi College, he was also well-known for his public speeches, interviews and appearances on newsreels and television.

However, his planned arrival in British Guiana was not without its detractors.

While the League had original hoped for an August-September visit, a Mr. Frederick Seal-Coon, editor of the Daily Argosy of Georgetown, waged a “calculated campaign” to discredit the league and discourage the visit.

Indeed, some today still view Eze and his visit “controversial”.

It is said that SealCoon dispatched a “news feature” citing “Washington sources” who spoke with a “news agent” and “editor” stating that Eze was actually a “nobody” so local public opinion had forced the cancellation of his visit.

Despite the Nigerian government’s eventual clarification of the matter, the newspaper never printed a retraction.

This controversy and confusion resulted in the visit being rescheduled

by League executives and Eze, tentatively at first, to a Christmas visit.

But after a letter signed by many of the leaders of Obibi –Ezena was published that endorsed Eze and his reputation and further reinforced his distinguished character, the date was even more certain.

On Dec. 26, 1950, Eze

Ogueri and his entourage touched down at then Atkinson Airstrip to be greeted as one reporter records: “As Eze took the first step out, it seemed as if a cask of inflammables had been ignited. The air resounded with shouts, cheers, and singing, and a band played. A sea of faces, and flags waving ‘Eze flags and scarves’ greeted him, while press photographers’ flashbulbs were popping from all sides.”

and a Yoruba woman greeted him in the Yoruba language.

Another scheduled stop was at Grove where the African Methodist Episcopal (Zion) Church had planned a small program for Eze. However, the crowds bracing the cars were so much that his security feared for his life and the procession was forced to move on.

Eze could only manage a few informal words

cian, well-respected on the colony, and Eze’s host during the visit.

The doctor’s house was secured not just by its privacy hedges but also by many police and secret service men who ensured the crowds outside did not attempt to disturb the guest within. Many though remained outside the home for the entire visit, singing and generally celebrating.

Upon arrival in

Eze (centre) with League executives. He was proclaimed Eze Ogueri II in 1952 by the Obibi -Ezena

Eze Ogueri was considered the first African of noble blood to arrive in British Guiana in some two centuries.

According to one account, many African Guianese were fearful even up to then that he was not on the plane, after having their hopes dashed when the previous AugustSeptember visit was cancelled.

On the 26-mile journey to Georgetown, the cavalcade saw many of the villages festooned with colourful flags and banners in honour of Eze. The first scheduled stop was the village of Soesdyke where African drumming welcomed him

of greeting and thanks from his car before waving goodbye with the promise of returning sometime during the one-week visit.

It was the same at several other villages.

The crowds became more intense as the convoy came closer to the city. At La Penitence, people were shouting, “Awee king!” and “Hail Eze!” as they escorted the car through the streets, their crushing numbers forcing pleas from the police not to spoil the welcome with their enthusiasm.

Eze would finally reach the Georgetown home of Dr. Miller, who was an American-trained African Guianese physi-

the capital city, one of Ogueri’s first scheduled appearances was to meet the press – the Daily Argosy however, was not among them.

In the evening he spoke at the first official meeting for his visitby the League, with the crowd outside the Enterprise High School, then on Camp Street, surging to see him.

This was just the beginning of what has been called “seven amazing days in the life of Eze A. Ogueri II”. (Source: “Seven amazing days in the life of Eze A. Ogueri II” compiled by League of Coloured Peoples (British Guiana), 1954)

The crowd at Camp Street hoping to catch a glimpse of Eze. “I am overwhelmed”, he is quoted as saying about his reception. He had to be lifted shoulder-high by police to get past the crowds to his car

feature 41

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

An overview of the first fifty years

By Lennox J Hernandez

U

pon Independence in May 1966, this country issued its first set of Guyana postage stamps (along with the existing 1954 British Guiana stamps overprinted with the words “Guyana Independence 1966”).

The postage stamps of Guyana during its first fifty years as an independent country may be divided into three distinct periods: (1) May 1966 to early 1981, when the vast majority of stamps portrayed our history, society and culture; (2) mid1981 to late 1989, when the Post Office printed few new stamps and resorted to overprinting and surcharging earlier issues; and (3) late 1989 to the present, when many new stamps were issued, with relatively little of Guyana highlighted.

Celebrating Guyana (1966-1981)

Soon after the introduction of postage stamps in 1840, countries began using them to portray details about the country in particular. Quite appropriately then, the first Guyana stamps depicted the country’s map and new flag, and it’s new Coat-of-Arms. The second issue (October 1966) commemorated the Bank of Guyana Building that was opened in October 1966; followed by the February 23, 1967 issue honouring the unique and highlyprized British Guiana 1c Black on Magenta stamp of 1856.

On March 4, 1968 our first set of definitive postage stamps (for regular use) were issued. This comprised 15 stamps, featuring local fishes, birds and animals, such as the piranha, the harpy eagle and the ocelot.

Our second set of de-

1997 CBJ 50th year Parliament

finitives was issued in 1971-76 – 15 stamps featuring our flora, such as the pitcher plant of Mt Roraima.

Early commemoratives include the November 1967 and January 1968 issues featuring Millie, the macaw that had gained some notoriety in Canada when sent as part of our exhibit to the 1967 Montreal Exposition – Millie had learnt to swear in English and French and had to be returned home!

Guyana’s early stamps also celebrated our religious diversity, for example: Phagwah (February 1969) Youman Nabi (April 1972) and Deepavali (October 1976) while Easter and Christmas stamps were issued almost every year. Though our postage stamps were (and still are) printed overseas, local artists, including Marjorie Broodhagen, Cletus Henriques and Ron Savory, designed a number of our early issues.

Two of Broodhagen’s works are the 4th Anniversary of the Republic (1974) issue, and the August 1974 Guyana Girl Guides 50th Anniversary issue.

Henriques designed at least three issues: the 10th Independence Anniversary (May 1976),

UG 50th Anniversary (2014)

the 1976 Deepavali Festival, and that celebrating the 2nd World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture held in Lagos, Nigeria in 1977 (the last was issued after Henriques’ death in 1976).

The first Guyanese to be honoured on a Guyana postage stamp was the first executive President, L F S Burnham, who was portrayed on the 5c stamp of the first Republic Day (February 23, 1970) issue, and again on the April 27, 1978 issue, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of his entry into Parliament.

called a “surcharge”.)

The first Guyana stamp to be overprinted was the 1975 10c Namibia Day stamp that featured the African Freedom Fighters’ Monument in Kingston, Georgetown; overprinted “1981 Conference” with a new value of $1.05, it was issued on May 04, 1981.

This overprinted stamp had a second surcharge later in 1981, and again in 1983.

Because of overprinting and further overprinting, some Guyana stamps have gone through several “lives” as “new” and separate issues, prompting philatel-

such as revenue stamps, and the National Defence Bonds (Saving) Scheme stamps were also overprinted for postage use during this time – the latter was overprinted in 1982 and carried the patriotic slogan “Essequibois ours.”

Towards the end of this period a new trend emerged: celebrating events very distant to Guyana. For example, 38 stamps were issued in April 1989 to commemorate the Gold Medallists at the 1988 Winter Olympics, held in Calgary, Canada; these were overprints on the 1978 10c archonias Bellona (a butterfly) stamp.

A very appealing set of new stamps issued during 1985-87 is the “Orchids from Reichenbachia by Sanders” a selection of

Guyana (1989-2016)

From late 1989 there was a significant decrease in overprinted stamp issues, and the production of Guyana’s postage stamps entered a new phase that has continued to this day. Many new stamps have been produced, but few of the subjects portrayed are really “ours” - the subjects portrayed have increasingly become non-Guyanese and even non-Caribbean.

We produced so many stamps that in January 1998, “Linn’s Stamp News” listed Guyana as having topped the world from 1994 to 1996 in issuing postage stamps: 530 in 1994, 497 in 1995 and 321 in 1996.

Since then, we have greatly reduced the numbers of stamps issued every year, but the mainly

Rohan Kanhai (1993)

Guyana Stamps - early celebrations

Overprinting and Surcharging (1981-1989)

During the 1980s Guyana was experiencing a financial crisis; the Post Office implemented an austerity programme, printing few new stamps, resorting instead to locally overprinting and surcharging numerous earlier issues (including British Guiana stamps) to celebrate events and to change postage values.

(Any printing over the original design of a stamp is an “overprint” while an overprint that changes the value of a stamp is

ic writers such as James Buchan (Gibbons Stamp Monthly of March 1998) to comment adversely on Guyana’s “liberal use of the overprint.”

Take the 1972 1c Pitcher Plant of Mt Roraima stamp, for example; in 1982 the stamp was converted to an airmail stamp with the overprint “AIR / Princess of Wales /1961-1982” and the value changed to 220c; then, in 1984, the 1982 overprint was partially obliterated and the stamp overprinted with “ITU DAY / 1984” and surcharged with a new value of 25c.

Non-postage stamps

1886 watercolour paintings of orchids from around the world, then being classified and recorded by leading 19th century botanist, Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in Germany.

About 300 stamps in the set, these would make a fascinating thematic collection.

Among the new stamps at this time also, are the November 1985 issue to celebrate Clive Lloyd’s Testimonial Year, and the December 1986 issue in remembrance of L F S Burnham who had died the year before.

Many new stamps, little celebration of

non-Guyanese content remains. These stamps cover many subjects around the world, mostly from the USA. A few, of the very many, are: Olympic Gold Medal Winners (August 1991 – over 72 stamps), Donald Duck posters (December 1993 – about 56 stamps), Babe Ruth – the USA baseball player (February 1995 – about 12 stamps), Disney Cartoon characters (1995, 1996, 1997 – over 90 stamps), Betty Boop (2000 and 2001), and the 100th anniversary of the Cadillac (2003).

Some relevant stamp issues (of the very few) CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

42 feature

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com from page 41

during this time are: 150th Anniversary of the Anglican Diocese in Guyana (1992), the first recipients of the Order of the Caribbean Community (1993 and 1994), Dr Cheddi B Jagan, President of Guyana (1993 and 1997), 180th Anniversary of St Andrew’s Kirk, Georgetown (1998), and Eddy Grant in 2005.

In addition, a few Guyanese personalities, our flora and fauna, have been included in stamp issues that cover the world. For example: in July 1993, a set of six miniature sheets with nine stamps each, was issued to celebrate famous people around the world and included Nelson Mandela, Pablo Picasso, Gandhi, John F Kennedy and Winston

Churchill. Three Guyanese were celebrated in this issue – Desmond Hoyte, Rohan Kanhai and Adrian Thompson, along with two Caribbean personalities.

This trend of producing stamps of mainly non-Guyanese content continues in recent times. In 2014 for example, there were at least 44 issues, including stamps featuring President Obama of the United States of America, His Holiness St Francis, Nelson Mandela, and Elvis Presley.

Only five issues in 2014 portrayed aspects of Guyana, including the University of Guyana’s 50th Anniversary (a year late, however) and the famous British Guiana 1c Magenta

which was auctioned in 2014 for an amazing price of US$9.5 million, “making it the most expensive item in the world by weight.”

In 2016, our Golden Jubilee Year, various stamps have been issued covering themes such as history, the built heritage and flora.

However, the trend of issuing large numbers of stamps with non-Guyanese subjects needs to be reversed; there is much that we can showcase on our stamps, let us so do. Update of an article entitled “Guyana’s Philatelic Tradition: The First Forty Years of Guyana’s Postage Stamps.” published in the Guyana Review. Vol 14, no 163, July 2006, pp 28 & 30.)

1970 LFS Burnham

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

travel & tourism 43 Experience the rapids near Michelle’s Island

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ichelle’s Island lies near the Kurupkari ferry landing along the Essequibo River where much interior traffic makes their crossing.

Not far from the Iwokrama eco lodge, the island is located next to beautiful rapids and has its own private beach with unique views. It also offers waterfall tours where you can also see ancient indigenous petroglyphs.

The island has an

abundance of wildlife, and boats are available for stunning nature trips that include fishing and birding.

However, if you prefer, you can relax under the shade of a thatched umbrella and soak in the sights and sounds of nature.

To find out more about Michelle’s Island, visit Michelle’s Island Resort on Facebook.

Michelle's Island on the Essequibo River (bognairadek.pl)

Kurupkari ferry crossing from the Island

View from one of the cabanas

Relax and watch the comings and goings at Kurupkari ferry landing

Night descending across the Island

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WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Indian women and indentureship …remember one-third quota, coolie woman, Was your blood spilled so I might reject my history… forget tears among the paddy leaves? – Mahadai Das

O

Anu Dev

f recent, I have been forced to think about the question of “feminism” through the lens of being a member of a community that looks at the issue a bit differently than the metropolitan countries where the notion arose. For instance, the reality of worshipping God as female – Mother Saraswati, in my case, as I wrote about a few days ago – has to challenge you to question the feminist take on “patriarchal dominance” when females symbolise “power” and males, “inertness”. And the male gods all had to surrender their weapons to Mother Durga to save them from Mahishasura.

But with Indian Arrival Day coming up, I thought I would lay the groundwork for the

Indian female’s experience in the West Indies to concretely locate the discussion. Now we all know about the first Indians arriving in the Whitby and Hesperus on May 5, 1835. But did we know of the 396 that were in those ships, only 15 were female – of which just 11 were adult women?

This gender imbalance was to characterise Indian immigration until it was ended in 1917 and had a profound impact on the community’s life in their new homeland. That first 1838 batch faced so much hardships on the sugar plantations under “drivers” who still conducted themselves as they had with the newly freed slaves, that two thirds of them returned to India at the end of their five-year contract – along with all the women. One quarter perished.

When Indentureship resumed in 1845, new regulations demanded that one-third of all immigrants should be women. And this is the “one-third” that the poet Mahadai Das (who lived

her last years in my village) referred to in her poem. Finding the “one third” in India was not easy and was a constant source of complaints by the agents of the planters. In India of the 19th century, after a thousand years of invasions, the role of women were firmly fixed in the home to be “protected”.

But the India of the 19th century had also been devastated by famines and uprootings due to the British rape of the economy to funnel off India’s wealth to Britain. Within India, men from the now poverty-stricken north had become a familiar sight in other parts of their vast country looking for jobs. In this way, families were torn apart and many women would have been left adrift when their husbands departed.

As it was, most of the women who immigrated to the Caribbean were single – some being widows with children. But a major adjustment was made at the large “depots” where all the prospects were housed until the “shipping season”

began.

At these depots the change from “Indian” to “West Indian” began – especially for women. While in the Indian villages, their single or widow status might be a burden, in the depots that was reversed. Many got married as the men faced the daunting prospect of becoming strangers in strange lands.

On the threemonth journey to the Caribbean, men and women were forced into even closer proximity and while the custom of having the single women sleep near the married couples was in place, shipboard marriages were also common. They however also faced sexual advances from the ship’s crew and there are several documented cases that described their ordeal. However, the strong bonds that developed aboard the ships (“Jahaj”) made men and women become as close as any family.

They called themselves “Jahajees” – shipmates – for the rest of their lives.

The story is told in my family of my Greatgreat grandfather Ram Bishun who was bound to Plantation De Willem along with one of his female Jahajees. And when she didn’t return from the backdam one evening, he went to search for her in the darkness and brought back to the logees her lifeless body that he fetched for miles in the night. (To be continued)

What “intimidation”?

S

atiricus was never surprised by the mud thrown at his favourite politician, Nagga Man. That came with the territory, Satiricus figured.

For a fellow like himself without much wattage upstairs, folks just assumed he didn’t know what he was doing and didn’t even bother to comment. But with a brain-box like Nagga Man, they were always imputing negative motives to his actions. For some reason which Satiricus couldn’t fathom, they figured he was a “smart fly”.

Take this latest accusation that Nagga Man was INTIMIDATING the folks running Chronic – the People’s Paper. What stuff and nonsense!! Nagga Man was such a sweetheart…how could he possibly INTIMIDATE anyone?

But Satiricus knew exactly when the whole rigmarole started. It was when that Chronic cub reporter had filed a story “Govt bludgeoned the Opposition”. All Nagga Man did when he ran into the reporter (NOT “ran down” the reporter, as the gutter press reported snidely) in the corridors of power, was to tell him gently the headline should rather have been, “Government blundered against the Opposition”.

Now, Nagga Man didn’t have to do this…he could’ve let the reporter be ridiculed. But as a onetime journalist, out of the kindness of his heart, he volunteered to help the young man. Unlike 60 years ago when he’d come to town from Berb Ice and no one lent him a helping hand. But not used to such generosity of spirit, the press immediately claimed Nagga Man was “berating” the reporter.

In the media feeding frenzy that followed, Nagga Man merely explained “guvnment” owned the Chronic. Satiricus was still amazed how the press persecuted Nagga Man for not saying “state owned”. Nagga Man was a man of the people…a son of the soil, as anyone looking under his nails could tell. What do the people know about “state” and “guvment”? They were more worried about the state of the guvment.

And now this latest accusation Nagga Man was “intimidating” the Chronic staff when he and his shill met them weekly. Here again, it was all because no one appreciated the kindness of Nagga Man. He could’ve easily had the Board meet the editors – it was their job. But he wanted to pass on his wisdom as a son of the soil (not “soiled son”, as some said) to the new editors since the old ones had all retired.

How could that be “intimidation”? It wasn’t as if he hinted they too might be retired.

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WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

FROM PAGE 38

bags of stationery to the students.

Venus Jordon, a teacher at White Water Primary school and the village’s secretary, disclosed that the school supplies Divya donated were much-needed as the schools lack such vital items. Jordon added that parents would usually hold food sales at the schools to raise funds to purchase school supplies. She expressed her gratitude to Divya, and said she hopes the area can receive such support from others.

Divya was also able to meet Sydney and Martha Carvio, age 78 and 73 respectively. Martha is blind and

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Sydney is tasked with the responsibilities of a breadwinner and caretaker, which is difficult due to his age and limited financial resources. Divya gave them a food hamper and promised to visit the couple when she is back in the area.

Venturing into remote areas of the region, the humanitarian visited Aracura and Black Water where she handed out food hampers and learned how to bake cassava bread on a ‘fireside’ – an experience she will cherish forever.

In Aracura, she met ten-year-old Carlos Domingo who sustained bodily injuries due to a fall. According to his mother, Carlos cannot attend school because of a piece of steel, placed in his hand due to a fracture, protruding from his elbow. This also prevents him from enjoying his childhood as the protrusion causes infection and unbearable pain. The mother pleaded for Divya’s help in finding medical treatment for her son as she lacks the financial resources to do so. Divya is currently in talks with SHEA to provide help for Carlos.

On April 21, Divya met with Eric Antinucci and Mark Houston from the U.S. Embassy's Humanitarian Assistance Program to discuss how they can collectively collaborate to provide adequate medical care to the people of Region One and Guyana.

“I would like to take a moment to personally express my sincere gratitude to both Mr. Antinucci and Mr. Houston for meeting with me to discuss this partnership and allowing me to be a part of this program.

Also, special thank you to Bobby Adelson, public affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy Guyana, for making this meeting possible. I would also like to thank the Regional Chairman, Mr. Ashley for his support while in Mabaruma, and Toshao DeSouza and the people of White Water for their warm welcome in launching my

Launching her BWP in White Water

BWP,” she stated.

Divya pointed out that she entered the Miss World Guyana 2016 competition “fully confident” that she can and will represent her homeland as she has represented SHEA, whereby she personally made a difference in the lives of those who cannot otherwise help themselves.

Leading up to the Miss World Guyana 2016 pageant, Divya will be meeting with various individuals and organisations in an effort to spread awareness on her BWP and other humanitarian activities.

“I ask for your kind and generous support as I embark on this journey to represent Guyana on a world stage and continue our efforts to save lives through the SHEA Foundation,” she implored.

Visit Barima-Waini on Facebook for more information on Divya’s journey in the Miss World Guyana pageant.

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Deepika Padukone has very special guests on the sets of xXx: Return of Xander Cage

Sooraj Barjatya encourages filmmakers with ‘fresh thoughts’

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ollywood actress Deepika Padukone, who has been shooting for her debut Hollywood film XXX: Return of Xander Cage in Toronto, has special guests visiting her on the film’s sets.

Since Deepika has been away for a long time, her parents decided to go to Toronto to meet her. Deepika was more than happy when she learnt that her parents are flying down to be with her for some days.

“There was a lot of catch up to happen

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which she does, post pack up. It is very comforting to have your own people around especially in a new place,” said a

source.

Deepika’s XXX: Return of Xander Cage will release in January 2017. (Indian Express)

Hrithik Roshan lauds Manish Paul’s physical transformation

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ctor Hrithik Roshan says it’s “incredible” to see actor Manish Paul’s fitter physique. Manish, who was last seen on the big screen in the film

“Tere Bin Laden: Dead or Alive”, says it was Hrithik who inspired him.

“To the man who inspired me! Thanks man Hrithik Roshan…what

say bro?” Manish tweeted on Tuesday (April 26).

The “Krrish” star also mentioned that Manish’s change is inspirational.

“That’s what I call a transformation. Inspiring back!

Incredible,” Hrithik replied.

The 42-year-old actor, who was last seen on the big screen in 2014 in “Bang Bang!”, will next feature in the epic adventure-romance “Mohenjo Daro”, directed

by Ashutosh Gowariker.

(Indian Express)

I have a lot of lust for Malaika Arora: Karan Johar

irector Sooraj Barjatya says that the industry is more conducive for independent filmmakers today who have “fresh thoughts” as the audience is much more “real cinema-oriented”.

“There’s no opportunity better than now for people who have fresh thoughts and who want

Akshay Kumar’s martial arts session with new IPS officer recruits

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kshay Kumar is known for his fitness in the industry and is one actor whose age does not reflect on his face or body, thanks to the strict fitness regime he follows.

The actor, who is currently busy shooting for his upcoming movie Rustom in Hyderabad, took a day off and spent it with the new IPS officer recruits.

From martial arts

M O

nly Karan Johar can openly express his lustful feelings for Malaika Arora. It was a friendly, funny and wee bit lusty atmosphere that prevailed at the launch of India’s Got Talent Season 7.

Karan, who is judging the show along with Kirron Kher and Malaika Arora (who was introduced sans her earlier Khan surname), was all smiles at the show launch. While the director expressed his great love for Kirron and remarked how she has seen him grow in his career, for Malaika it was lust that flew out from Karan’s heart. All in good spirits though.

‘I have a lot of lust for Malaika,” said Karan Johar and followed it by

saying, “Malaika ko dekh kar har koi lustful ho jata hai aur yeh to aap sab jaante hai (Anyone will go lustful after seeing Malaika). Karan was not done yet. Displaying his spontaneous wit, Karan said, “Yahan main Munna hoon aur main badnaam hone ke liye tyaar hoon.”

A blushing Malaika Arora returned the compliment by saying, “We lust for each other so badly and this is a khulasa (revelation) that everybody knows.

The three judges were later enthralled to some live acts put up by a few contestants from the new season that included a mind reader, a magician, gymnasts, a break dancer and singers. (Indian Express)

to do something new because the audience is much more educated, much more real cinemaoriented,” Barjatya said at an event here.

“I wish everyone that whatever is there on your mind, you should definitely make it. It is difficult to make films today, but if you have the passion, then you have

everything,” he added.

Barjatya has been in the industry for more than 25 years now, having delivered some of the biggest hits of the industry with films such as “Maine Pyar Kiya”, “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!” and recently “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo”.

In today’s time where Indian cinema is undergoing many experimental and innovative changes, ‘I Am A Film Maker, I Am Independent’, an initiative of We Manage Filmz, founded by Gaurav Pandey, promises to encourage independent film makers by bringing them close to each other and to the right audience. (Indian Express)

sessions to playing volleyball and interacting with them, he had the best time on his day off from work. He also shared a video of him indulging in martial arts along with an IPS officer as his opponent. With a smile on his face, the actor shows tricks and his moves of the special training he has received, while the rest of the recruits stand and watch him.

alvika Raaj, yes that is how people address the tall and young model who once played the role of young Kareena aka Pooh (Pooja) in the hit Karan Johar film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. The film, which was released in the year 2001, saw Malvika play young Kareena in the film who falls in love with Shah Rukh Khan’s younger brother.

The actress, who is the grand-

Akshay has received special training in Martial arts. He was in eighth standard when he started practicing karate. Staying fit with the help of his special diet he has always been in shape because of kickboxing, basketball, swimming and Parkour.

The actor is currently gearing up for his films Housefull 3 and Rustom.

(Indian Express)

daughter of character actor Jagdish Raaj, famous for playing the role of a police inspector in 144 films, has grown up to be a model. With a figure worth craving for and height which suits the ramp, she is the sister of designer Sonakshi Raaj and daughter of producer of Bobby Raaj.

Her paternal aunt Anita Raj is a veteran film actress who is currently seen in the hit show ‘Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani.”

She has been active on Instagram and has many pictures of her from parties and ramp shows on the social networking sites.

Though Malvika is just seen at fashion events, we aren’t sure if she is considering Bollywood as her career in the future.

(Indian Express)

Hollywood 49

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘The Angry Birds Movie’ a Prince had a huge influence ‘break’ for Peter Dinklage on my life: Padma Lakshmi

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ctor Peter Dinklage, who has lent his voice for the Mighty Eagle in “The Angry Birds Movie”, says it’s a “break” from all the “slapstick drama” he has been doing lately.

Ever since “Game of Thrones” burst onto television screens, it was the portrayal of Tyrion Lannister by Dinklage

that had everyone talking. Now the Golden Globe winner is looking forward to taking a break from his dramatic portrayals and finding some comic relief in his professional career.

“Mighty Eagle likes to talk, talk and talk about himself. He has a mighty Ego. There’s a huge group of hilarious

comedians starring in the movie, like the most number of funny people ever together in one movie,” Dinklage said in a statement.

“I had such a blast upstaging all of them.

My favourite part about the film is the slapstick comedy, it’s such a break from the slapstick drama I’ve been doing lately,” he added.

Based on one of the most successful games of the recent times, Angry Birds, the star cast of the movie includes Jason Sudeikis (“Horrible Bosses”), Josh Gad (“Pixels”, “Frozen”), Danny McBride (“Due Date”, “This is the End”) and Maya Rudolph (“Grown Ups”, “Bridesmaids”). (Indian Express)

Deepika Padukone teaches a few Bollywood dance steps to xXx co-star Ruby Rose

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ctress Deepika Padukone, who is currently shooting for her Hollywood debut ‘xXx: The Return of Xander Cage’ in Toronto, has inspired her co-star Ruby Rose to work in a Bollywood film.

The ‘Orange Is The New Black’ star took to her Twitter handle and wrote, “Hanging out with @deepikapadukone has made me really want to do a Bollywood film.”

Ruby also shared a video on Instagram

D

very generous. He was funny. He knew what it was,” she added.

Not only did the mother of one recall dancing at his final “Saturday Night Live” appearance, Lakshmi also remembered her favourite Prince memory.

“He was very mischievous. You think that’s an act, but he’s very witty.

He had a great sense of humour,” she explained.

“I didn’t know how small or how much shorter he was than me when I first was talking to him like this. That was a shock. He was 5’2″. And barefoot, I’m 5’9″. It was incredible to see him live,” she added.

Prince was found dead at the age of 57 at his home at Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota, on April 21.

(Indian Express)

Richard Grant to play mad scientist in ‘Wolverine 3’

“J

where Deepika can be seen teaching her co-star a few Bollywood steps.

Directed by D. J. Caruso, the flick also stars Vin Diesel, Nina Dobrev and

Samuel L. Jackson in lead roles. ‘xXx’ will hit the theatres on January 20, 2017.

(Indian Express)

‘50 Shades of Grey actress’ Dakota Johnson ‘unsure’ of future in Hollywood

akota Johnson says she wants to have a huge body of work as an actress but is not certain if she will have a long innings in the film industry.

“I still feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. Like, I’m unsure of what my life will be like.

I mean, I have such an obsession with making movies that I probably will always do that.

“But sometimes my

S

upermodel-actress Padma Lakshmi has revealed that late pop star Prince was a “huge influence” on her life.

“He was a huge influence on my life and my adolescence. I grew up with Prince,” Lakshmi, 45, told people.com at the TIME 100 Gala here on Tuesday (April 26).

“I don’t remember being this upset when any other performer passed away. Not Michael Jackson, not anybody. Bowie, yes, because I know Iman and David,” she said, adding, “And I knew Prince too, but I wasn’t that close to him. But I just knew him. I’ve been depressed all week”.

Lakshmi was a big fan of the “Purple rain” singer and much to her surprise, the late singer was a fan of her reality TV series “Top Chef”.

“He was a ‘Top Chef’ fan. He was

life can feel so suffocating, and then it can feel so massive, like I don’t have a handle on it at all, and I don’t know where it’s going or what I’m going to do,” she explains.

“Right now, I’m known for making movies. And I wonder if that’s it. I don’t know. It doesn’t feel like it to me,” she said.

The 26-year-old “Fifty Shades of Grey” star says there’s pressure in

Hollywood to find a new face every now and then that she is not sure about her future here, reported Aceshowbiz.

“When I think about filmmakers and actresses that I have admired my whole life, I’ve admired their entire body of work. I have admired what they began with and what they’re doing now. And now I feel like there’s such a weird pressure to find the new face. I don’t get it at all.

I want to see women evolve. I want to see a body of work.

“I want to see all of it.

It seems like the world is so fast to move its interest to someone else,” she revealed what bothers her about showbiz industry. (Indian Express)

ekyll & Hyde” star Richard E Grant has joined the cast of Hugh Jackmanstarrer “Wolverine 3”.

Patrick Stewart, who will play X-Me leader Professor X and Boyd Holbrook as Jackman’s nemesis are also a part of the project, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Not much is avail-

M

ichelle Williams thought she was “on fire” in Cabaret on the night that Shia LaBeouf was arrested for disorderly conduct at the show.

The 29-year-old actor was in the audience back in June 2014 when Williams, 35, was starring as Sally Bowles in the Broadway show at the Studio 54 theatre, reported Contactmusic.

Police were called during the intermission and the actor was escorted out in handcuffs and arrested amid allegations of violent behaviour and obscene language.

able about the plot but Grant is said to play villainous mad scientist type of character.

The movie is being directed by James Mangold.

(Indian Express)

He was subsequently charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

But one person who wasn’t offended by Shia’s behaviour was Michelle.

“I gotta tell you the truth about that night. I thought he was the best

audience member we ever had,” she said.

“I didn’t know it was him. Oh, he was wonderful, he was wonderful. He was so excited, he was so effusive with his applause and his shouting and cheering.”

(Indian Express)

50 sport

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

to replace Malinga PCB wants Windies Taylor in Mumbai line-up for day/night Test M

L

A H O R E , Pakistan (CMC) — Pakistan’s cricket authorities want West Indies to play a day/ night Test during their tour in October, as they prepare for their historic pink-ball Test against Australia in December.

West Indies are set to play two Tests, five One Day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals, during the series set for the United Arab Emirates, and media reports here say the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sent a proposal to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to play one of the Tests under lights.

Former Test Captain Misbah-ul-Haq, an advisor to the PCB’s cricket

committee, said it was important the national team had practice with the pink ball before taking on Australia.

“If you don’t have match practice it will become difficult to play at Test level. It was one of the things discussed in the cricket committee’s previous meeting,” said Misbah.

“The bowlers are at an advantage in the evening session and it becomes very difficult for batsmen under lights.

That is one reason the cricketers from other countries are also reluctant to play Tests under lights.”

He added: “One more reason is the lack of match practice with the pink ball. The players

have hardly played any cricket under these conditions at the domestic levels. They need more match practice before playing it at international level.”

Even if the proposal is rejected by the WICB, the PCB plans to stage matches under lights during the first-class competition in order to prepare players.

International games have not been played in Pakistan in over seven years because the volatile security situation here.

Earlier this month, the WICB rejected a proposal from the PCB to play limitedovers matches during the upcoming series on Pakistan soil.

UMBAI, India (CMC) — West Indies seamer Jerome Taylor has been named to replace Sri Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga for the remainder of the Mumbai Indians’ Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign.

The franchise said yesterday that Malinga had failed to recover from a knee injury and would take no part in the tournament.

“Mumbai Indians have called up West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor to replace the injured Sri Lankan paceman Lasith Malinga for the remainder of the VIVO IPL 2016,” the franchise said.

The 31-year-old Taylor has taken 24 wickets in 20 Twenty20 Internationals and 74 wickets in 61 T20s overall.

He was a member of the successful West Indies side which cap-

Jerome Taylor during the West Indies training session at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai yesterday.

tured the T20 World Cup in Kolkata earlier this month, but played only the opening game against England before being overlooked.

For the Jamaican, it will be his third taste of the IPL after having in the past played for Kings XI Punjab and the now defunct Pune Warriors.

Mumbai Indians are already represented by Taylor’s West Indies teammate Kieron Pollard. Lendl Simmons also plays for Mumbai, but has been ruled out of the season with injury.

The reigning IPL champions currently lie fifth on six points.

Goal Project to start soon, says Forde

G

Wayne Forde

uyana seems to be one step closer to having the Goal Project become a reality after years of fruitful attempts to get the project off the ground.

When completed, the facility will provide the country with a muchneeded FIFA approved international football stadium, a fact that has not eluded the Wayne Forde-led Guyana Football Federation, which has unanimously endorsed the Project since taking office last November.

In an exclusive interview with this publication recently, Forde explained that the contractor who will be installing the artificial turf have already been identified and selected

by FIFA, and in a matter of days, the GFF will be releasing the list of public tenders for the sub-base work.

“Once we have selected the con-

tractor for the sub-base work, we will convey that information to FIFA; they will then enter him into a contract.

Once all of this is done, the project will start,” he further stated.

The FIFA Goal Project was initiated by former FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, for the benefit of all national associations. The Goal Project is a tailor-made development and assistance programme designed to realise projects based on the specific needs of the national associations.

Guyana was among the first five countries earmarked

by FIFA to pioneer its Goal Project. However, despite efforts from the previous administrations of the GFF, the project never got going.

Meanwhile, with the Guyana National Stadium unavailable due to the hosting of the Tri-Series cricket featuring the West Indies, Australia and South Africa later this year, the national football team, Golden Jaguars, will have its ‘home’ games for round two of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup Qualifiers against Curacao moved to Ergilio Hato Stadium in Curacao, due to the lack of an appropriate venue in Guyana.

With the Goal Project construction soon to begin, Guyana will be able to have a certified traditional football stadium at its disposal.

With its completion, Guyana will be in a position to host numerous home games without any hindrance.

Forde is also hoping to have international tournament finals held in Guyana in the future, as this will be a huge boost for the football community.

The proposed site for the Goal Project is the Providence

sport 51

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

18-member Guyana team ready for Penn Relay championships …despite no support from Govt

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18-member relay squad from Guyana, comprising athletes from the Fort Wellington Secondary School, arrived in the United States on Wednesday to participate in the annual Penn Relay championships, scheduled for this weekend.

Although the team originates from Guyana, it has reportedly received no support from the government of Guyana, but rather a Jamaica alumni association from the United States, through former Guyanese runner, Tanya Barry.

This was revealed by manager of the team, Keisha Burnette, who travelled with the team.

Upon arriving at the JFK International Airport on Wednesday, Burnette unequivocally expressed gratitude to Fly Jamaica and the Jamaica alumni in the U.S., who made it possible for the team’s participation in the championships.

She noted that after a recent visit by Barry and her colleague, Mark Webster, to Guyana, they would have seen the potential of the runners and thought that they stand a chance in the competition.

Ever since, they have been in contact with the sport department within the

Roraima Airways Chairman, Gerry Gouveia (right) with members of the Guyana team

Education Ministry, but to no avail. She explained that they took a budget to the tune of just over Gy$4 million for the team members to travel to the U.S., but at the last minute the department informed them that they could not help.

Nevertheless, after the team was selected she said that the ministry promised to assist the children in getting their visas to travel to the U.S.; this again never came through.

“They said they were go-

ing to help with the visas first and after we did the application forms for the visas and the 6th was the due date for the payment for the visas.

They called us the 5th and say they can’t help us because we received a private letter from Pennslyvania and they say the letter was supposed to be addressed directly to the department of sports, but it came to us from Ms Tanya,” Burnette explained.

This she added was devastating news, but they did

not give up. They managed to raise the money to pay for the visa applications, but were also promised by the ministry that after they secured the visas, it will assist with airfares.

“When we get it they say we not registered with the AAG (Athletics Association of Guyana), hence we went there.

We got a letter and took it [to] Christopher Jones, but he told us that they can only buy tickets for two athletes out of 18,” Burnette revealed.

After being told that, they

approached Fly Jamaica on Tuesday and met with Roxanne Reece, who immediately assisted.

Although the team is in the U.S., it still needs help with transportation from New York to Philadelphia and some additional miscellaneous expenses.

Upon hearing the plight of the team, Roraima Airways Chairman, Gerry Gouveia, as well as Dynamic International Airways extended their support.

52 sport

WEEK ENDING MAY 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sir Viv defends Sammy, IPL 2016…

Heartbreaking loss! West Indies players - Smith dazzles, Bravo holds nerve as Lions win one run thriller against Delhi Daredevils

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EW DELHI, India, CMC – West Indies opener Dwayne Smith stroked an up tempo half-century while seamer Dwayne Bravo remained calm under pressure to bowl a decent final over, as Gujarat Lions held on to beat Delhi Daredevils by a single run in the Indian Premier League here yesterday.

Playing at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Lions piled up 172 for six after being sent in with the right-handed Smith carving out 53 and opening partner Brendon McCullum top-scoring with 60.

In reply, South African Chris Morris hammered a careerbest unbeaten 82 to get the hosts within touching distance of their target.

However, with 14 runs required from the final over, Bravo managed to hold his nerve to and see the visitors over the line.

The victory was Lions’ fifth in six outings and it pushed them top of the standings on ten points, two ahead of the chasing Kolkata Knight Riders.

Dwayne Smith

Delhi, meanwhile, remained third on six points.

Smith and McCullum gave Lions a flying start, putting on 112 off 64 deliveries.

In only his second game of the IPL, Smith faced 30 deliveries and clobbered five fours and three sixes while New Zealander McCullum hit six sixes and three sixes in a 36-ball knock.

Smith eventually fell in the 11th over when he missed one from leg-spinner Imran Tahir which skidded on, and was lbw.

His wicket signalled a collapse which saw six

wickets tumble from 30 runs.

Seamer Dhawal Kulkarni then grabbed three wickets to stun Delhi and leave them on 16 for three in the fourth over before Morris and JP Duminy, with 48 off 43 balls, came to their rescue.

Morris faced only 32 balls and slammed four fours and eight sixes while Duminy hit three fours and a six off 43 deliveries.

Bravo claimed one for 40 from his four overs but more importantly, managed to keep Morris quiet in the final over.

Caribbean boxing at Sports Hall this weekend

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uyanese boxers will look to impress this weekend in the inaugural International/Caribbean Schoolboys, Junior, Youth and Female Boxing tournament, which is scheduled to begin at 18:00h on Friday and Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

After weeks of preparation, the Guyanese boxers are primed and ready to tackle boxers from their regional counterparts St Lucia and Jamaica.

President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, sees the tournament as a great stepping stone for the country’s boxers.

Ninvalle stated that he hopes the International/Caribbean Junior, Youth and Female Boxing tournament will be an annual event in the region. “This competition is a regional emphasis and it is to make sure that there is

President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle

competition for our juniors, Guyana has started it, hopefully the other nations will continue from here,” he stated.

The Guyanese team will be led by Head Coach Sebert Blake, along with Terrence Poole, Sherdon Thomas, Clifton Moore and Floyd Grant.

Members of the Guyanese team are as follows: School Boys- Dwayne Baptis, Shaquancy Wright,

Deron William, Travis Invervary, Leon More, Kevin Mullin, Junior Hyman, ShumerHutson, Matthew Mitchell, Brian Harris, Theo Bumbary, Joel Allicock, Isaiah Moore and Delroy Elcock; Junior -Shemar Bumbary, Shaquiel Wright, Kevin Allicock, Omar Pollard, Joshua Ross, Christopher Moore, Michael Edwards, Joshua Corbin, Desan Allicock and Akiel Mounter; Youth– Herman White, Duel Augustin and Quincy Boyce; and Female– Akea Londzion, Rianna Rogers and Rondesa Boget.

Candidates of the main teams to represent Guyana in the International segment will comprise of (A team) Isiah Moore, Christopher Moore, Quincy Boyce and Akiel Mounter; and (B team) Delroy Elcock, Desan Elcock, Joshua Corbin and Michael Edwards.

amidst ICC criticisms

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ormer West Indies captain and one of two living national heroes, Sir Vivian Richards, has criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) over its “reprimand” of Twenty20 captain Darren Sammy and the West Indies players.

The ICC, on Monday, slammed the Caribbean team for comments from captain Darren Sammy following their Twenty20 World Cup victory over England in the finals played in India.

The sport’s governing body described the comments as “inappropriate, disrespectful and (bringing) the event into disrepute”. Serious consideration, it added, had been given to levelling Code of Conduct charges against the players, which could have resulted in fines and/or bans.

But according to Sir Viv, who is regarded as one of the finest batsman to have played the game, there are more im-

Former West Indies captain and one of two living national heroes, Sir Vivian Richards, says the ICC should focus on more important issues.

portant issues plaguing world cricket.

“When you look around the world in terms of the governance of the ICC, there are rules for some and not others,” he said.

Sir Viv, who amassed 8,540 runs in 121 Test matches and a further 6,721 runs in 187 oneday games, pointed to the fact that India is yet to introduce the use of television replays (third

umpire) for international or ICC sanctioned matches in their country.

“I am only trying to hit back because of what they are trying to do because of Sammy’s comments. They are trying to be a body that if you say this, it’s out of order, then you are going to be this and you are going to be that,” he said. (Daily Observer)

Brazil receives Olympic flame for Rio Games

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THENS (Reuters) – The Olympic flame that will burn in Rio in August for the first Games in South America was handed over to Brazil yesterday in the marble stadium that hosted the first modern Games in 1896.

After a six-day trek across Greece, the flame that was lit last Thursday by the sun’s rays at the birthplace of the Games in Ancient Olympia was presented to the Brazilian organisers.

From its overnight perch at the Acropolis museum, it travelled through the streets of Athens before being carried into the stadium – which was built in 330 BC – by Greek high jump Olympic medalist Niki Bakoyianni.

After a relay in the stadium, Greek rowing champion Katerina Nikolairou lit the golden cauldron, surrounded by priestesses in long pleated dresses, and the crowd erupted into cheers.

“We … promise (to) deliver great Games,” Rio Games chief Carlos Nuzman said at the handover ceremony.

Rio de Janeiro will host the Summer Olympics from Aug. 5-21 but preparations have been plagued by the country’s worst recession

Spyros Capralos, head of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (L), hands over an Olympic torch to Rio’s Olympic chief Carlos Nuzman during the handover ceremony of the Olympic Flame to the delegation of the 2016 Rio Olympics, at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, Greece, yesterday..REUTERS/ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS

in decades and attentions distracted by political turmoil.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is facing impeachment for alleged budget fraud and federal prosecutors are investigating Olympic projects for suspected corruption.

Ticket sales have lagged compared to previous Games, with just 62 percent sold so far, according to the Rio 2016 organising committee.

Organisers have also grappled with pollution in waters off Rio where sailing and rowing events will be held, and

an outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, linked to birth defects in hundreds of children in northern Brazil.

The flame will be flown in special safety lanterns to Switzerland for a ceremony at the United Nations in Geneva on Thursday.

It arrives in Brazil on May 3 for a relay across the country in the hands of 12,000 torch-bearers before reaching in Rio for the opening ceremony on Aug. 5.

Greece hosted the Summer Olympics in 2004.

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Response to CPL ticket sales in US very encouraging - organisers

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INGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Caribbean Premier League organisers say the initial response to ticket sales for the Florida leg of the Twenty20 tournament have been encouraging and point to a successful hosting of the matches there.

Six games in the CPL will be played at the Lauderhill Stadium in Fort Lauderdale from July 28-31, marking the first time fixtures have been carded outside of the Caribbean region.

“What’s interesting is that we went on sale with tickets [approximately two weeks ago] and already we’ve

sold close to 5,000 tickets. That’s a phenomenal achievement in a short space of time,” CPL’s chief operating officer, Pete Russell, told the Observer newspaper here.

“We know there is an audience there, and on top of that there are a lot of cricket-loving fans who don’t get to see international players very often, if at all.”

The fourth edition of the CPL will run from June 29 to August six, with matches scheduled for Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, along with Florida.

All six franchises will

feature during the fourday period in Florida, with Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents raising the curtain on that leg, in a repeat of the 2014 final.

Russell said organisers were anticipating a strong response to the games, especially with a large West Indian community living in Florida.

“I think it’s fantastic.

We know there’s a huge fan base in America, and more importantly, there’s a huge Jamaican following in Fort Lauderdale and the surroundings,” Russell said.

“We’re very excited about the prospects of playing there.”

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