Guyana Times International

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You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 298

WEEK ENDING June 19, 2016

Massive parade, unity concert bring curtain down on Jubilee celebration in New York See story on page 3

CPL 2016: Moody predicts bright future in sunshine State See story on page 52

Several Guyanese and persons of other nationalities converged at Church and Utica Avenues in Brooklyn, New York, to celebrate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary

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NEWS 3

Man ordered to pay fine or face jail time for ‘Facebook’ death threats against PPP officials

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he self-professed A Partnership for 3National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) activist who posted death threats on social media against Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and other leaders of the PPP/C was today ordered to either pay a $75,000 fine or face six months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the offence.

Tameshwar Beekham, 39, of Crabwood Creek Corentyne, Berbice was accused of threatening by way of writing on his ‘Facebook’ page plans to murder former Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar as well as Clement Rohee and Dr Roger Luncheon.

Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Beekham pleaded guilty.

“I regret my actions because of ignorance. I am sorry,” he told the Magistrate.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that in May, 2016, Beekham used his cellular phone to make several posts/comments via Facebook to threaten the above mentioned persons and also other PPP/C supporters.

Jones stated that the virtual com-

plainants had made a complaint to the police and after investigations into the matter began, ranks arrested Beekham.

Beekham was cautioned and admitted to posting those threats and the relevant information was extracted from his cellular phone which was used to facilitate the posting of the threats, the police prosecutor declared.

Jones explained that further investigations were carried out and Beekham was subsequently charged with the offence.

This publication understands that Jones was also taken to Dr Bhiro Harry, a psychiatrist attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was examined to ascertain whether he had mental health issues.

After examinations it was revealed that Beekham was of sound mind.

Magistrate McLennan then ordered that Beekham pay a $75,000 fine or be sent to the lockups for a period of six months.

Beekham in 2005 was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of fraud and forgery charges. (Kristen Macklingam)

Police escorting Beekham out of the Georgetown Magistrates’ court on Thursday

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 19, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EDITORIAL

The bitter fruits of hate

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s the world reels from the shock of 50 persons from the LGBT community in Florida being slaughtered like shooting fish in a barrel, we have to examine the systemic factors at work in the US and apply them in our small country to ensure such an event never occurs here again. And while it may surprise some to see the word “again” used, that simply means we have forgotten, or refuse to confront, the madness of Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek. On a per capita basis, they outweigh the Florida horror.

The question on everyone’s lips is “Why?” In these matters, we have to distinguish between “proximate and ultimate causes”.

With the shooter in Florida, we can cite, as his ex-wife did, his mental instability and the men kissing each other that triggered his evidently deep hatred for homosexuals. But even if we look at the two presidential terms of Obama, we can examine 16 mass killings that might offer us a clue of the ultimate causes.

March 2009, Geneva County Massacre, Alabama, 10 dead; April 2009, Binghamton shootings, New York, 13 dead; November 2009, Fort Hood, Texas, 13 dead, 42 wounded; February 2010, University of Alabama in Huntsville, 3 dead, 3 wounded; August 2010, Manchester, Connecticut, 8 dead; January 2011, Tucson, Arizona, 6 dead, 11 wounded; October 2011, Seal Beach, California, 8 dead, 1 wounded; April 2012, Oikos University, California, 7 dead, 3 wounded; July 2012, Aurora, Colorado, 12 dead, 58 wounded; December 2012, Sandy Hook Massacre, Connecticut, 27 dead, 1 wounded; June 2013, Santa Monica College, California, 5 dead; September 2013, Washington Navy Yard, 13 dead, 3 injured; May 2014, University of California, Santa Barbara, 7 dead, 7 wounded; June 2015, Charleston, South Carolina, 9 dead; August 2015, Roanoke, Virginia, 3 dead, 1 wounded; October 2015, Umpqua Community College, Oregon, 10 dead, at least 7 wounded; December 2015, San Bernadino, California, 14 dead; March 2016, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, 6 dead, 5 injured; June 2016, Orlando, Florida, 49 dead, 53 injured.

We have given this exhaustive list over the last seven years, to show that the mass shootings in the US are as representative as you can get geographically. They are not, however, representative by gender when it comes to the killers: these are overwhelmingly male. Each of the mass killers used guns to exterminate their victims. But these are the “external” variables: what about their frame of mind that goes to deeper causes? In each incident, while the killers were facilitated by the easy accessibility of guns in the US, more pertinently, they were motivated by hate.

Hate is a very strong emotion and in the end, it occurs when we separate the objects of our hatred from our common humanity in a special instance of a process called “othering”. As humans, we have inbuilt physiological mechanisms that make us differentiate ourselves from “others”.

Unless we are taught to respect differences in our early socialisation process, only to the extent we see commonalities we consider important beneath the difference, we might tolerate the other.

But if one is taught to see specific differences as “evil” or “beyond the pale”, then the other is “dehumanised” in a hatecathected continuum that in the end justifies using violence to exterminate them. And this is the process we find in common in most of the mass killings in the US. Whether it was a case of slaughtering college students, African-Americans, or gay Americans, the individuals wanted to make a “point” about their hatred.

But hatred spreads easier in a climate of dehumanisation that is spread by leaders about others. During different periods of history this was taken to its limits when whole groups were exterminated – from the Jews of Germany to the Tutsis of Rwanda.

In America today, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has been dehumanising Muslims and immigrants, much as some Guyanese were dehumanised with devastating consequences between 2002 and 2008. We must eradicate guns and hate.

Dog's day out: A proud pet owner takes his cool pooch for a bike ridein the capital city Georgetown

Lessons of Enmore I

t is now a cliche – and a tired one at that – to point out “those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them”.

Today (Thursday) is “Enmore Martyrs’ Day” and while there will be a plethora of speeches invoking the five unfortunate cane cutters who were killed by the colonial Police back on June 16, 1948, what does the incident mean to us today in Guyana?

At the barest minimum, with our country having just completed a mammoth celebration of the 50th anniversary of our independence from Britain, we should be asking whether independence delivered to the sugar workers the promises that were made at the gravesides of the martyrs 68 years ago. And if not, why?

Guyanese do not even need the recently submitted report of the Commission of Inquiry to appreciate the state of the industry. The travails of a corporation that once produced 350,000 tonnes of sugar while employing 28,000 persons are now well known, since the country has been regaled for the past decade with its struggle to just surpass 250,000 tonnes.

From one perspective, some might claim “independence” failed the sugar workers, even though successive Governments claimed they worked to improve the lot of the sugar workers. While the 1948 strike that led to the death of the workers at Enmore was for better wages and working conditions, it was more importantly, a strike for

recognition of a trade union to bargain of behalf of the workers. The Man Power Citizens’ Association (MPCA) that was formed a decade earlier at the time of another mass killing of sugar workers (at Leonora), had lost the confidence of the workers and the new Guiana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU) was seeking recognition by the sugar producers.

But that union – transformed into Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) – did not succeed until 1976 when the People’s National Congress Government nationalised the industry. But the latter, ostentatiously placing signs in front of every estate “owned and operated by the people of Guyana”, yet quashed the profit sharing scheme for sugar workers introduced by the departed British BOOKERS, by introducing a levy on sugar that wiped out all profits. This was interpreted by sugar workers and “punishment” for not supporting the Government at the polls. However when GAWU’s ally, the PPP acceded to office in 1992, the levy was not extinguished until a decade later.

The lesson for today’s sugar (and other) workers is they must insist their unions place their interest ahead of any other concerns especially that of political parties to which they may have fraternal relations. History has shown that parties in power have to look at issues from a “national” perspective, which on occasion may clash with that of

sugar or other particularistic interests.

Another lesson would be to factor in the global economic structures in which sugar is embedded and which might dictate a logic that is at variance with local plans. In 1948 for instance, our sugar was being sold to Britain by Bookers.

The next year negotiations were opened on a Commonwealth Sugar Agreement that was consummated in 1951 and was in place at independence 1966.

This continued until 1973 when Britain acceded to the EU and was transformed into the Lome Convention in 1975.

The new agreement to last “in perpetuity” was crafted in the midst of a spike in the price of sugar.

In all of this, Guyana did not have very much “independence” in the marketing arrangements, which to be fair at the time was quite lucrative for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) – but for reasons that concerned European farmers rather than Guyana’s. When conditions in Europe changed in Europe in the new millennium, Europe unilaterally broke the protocol in 2009 as sugar prices were slashed by 36 per cent.

The Government has had to struggle to keep sugar’s head above water.

What made matters worse is the levy was siphoned off by the governments for “economic diversification” rather than in profit sharing or capital reinvestment and sugar workers have to pay the price.

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING JUNE 19, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Massive parade, unity concert bring curtains down on Jubilee celebration in NY N ew York: A mammoth parade through the streets of Brooklyn and a massive unity concert at South Shore High School Park, Brooklyn, brought the curtains down on the one-week New York celebration of Guyana’s Golden Jubilee of Independence.

The New York Guyana Jubilee Celebrations from held from June 4 - 12, 2016, was organised by Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary Celebration Committee (New York).

The parade, which commenced at Church and Utica Avenues in the heart of the GuyaneseAmerican community in Brooklyn, was led by Committee Chairman, Mr. Rickford Burke, Guyanese American New York State SenatorHon. Roxanne Persaud, Guyana's 2nd VicePresident and Minister of National Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and Guyana's Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson. The Christian Fellowship Pathfinder Club Marching Band was the drum corps of the parade.

Thousands of proud Guyanese revelers danced and gyrated to Adrian Dutchin's "Show Me Yuh Flag," and sev-

lice officers on motorcycles and in marked vehicles steered through the Brooklyn streets lined with spectators waving

Singh is organiser of the annual Diwali parade and cultural show in Richmond Hill, Queens.

Another float, on a

Some joined the celebration, which also attracted many other West Indians.

The after parade

A section of the massive crowd at the Brooklyn parade

eral other Jubilee songs

by Guyanese artists and Soca music from around the Caribbean.

The parade flowed up Church Avenue, south into to Ralph Avenue and ended at the South Shore High School Park at Glenwood and Ralph Avenues. Hundreds of NYPD officers lined the barricaded route as po-

Guyana flags.

The parade reflected diversity and Guyanese unity.

The IndoGuyanese community in Queens led the parade with a float promoting Lakshmee Singh's Radio and TV shows.

The talk show host herself, flanked by several beauties and dancers, waved to the overjoyed crowd.

decorated giant eighteen wheeler tractor trailer, blasted Soca music which electrified the massive crowd of thousands of Guyanese of all ages. The rare of the parade was a picturesque carnival scene with a sea of Guyana flags and revelers decked in colours of the flag. Passersby stopped and waved.

unity concert at South Shore attracted a massive turnout, causing the New York Police Department to mobilise additional personnel and close entrances.

Hence thousands of persons, including Jubilee Celebration Committee members, could not gain entry. Patrons who were locked out of the park

were however undaunted. They continued the festivities on the street which was blocked off by Police.

Committee Chairman Rickford Burke said the Police measures were standard precautionary procedures and apologised to patrons who could not get in. He signaled that in future, consideration will be given to venues that can accommodate larger capacities. The Chairman noted that in spite of the glitches the concert went well and is one of the best in the New York Guyanese-American community.

Burke also observed that NYPD reported that there was no incident and showered high praises on Guyanese community for being orderly and well behaved.

“This level of civility and orderliness is rare in New York City.

This speaks to the peaceful nature, self-discipline and decency of the Guyanese people. I congratulate them. They've done our country proud.

I’m confident that we’ve earned greater respect and influence here in New York,” Burke said.

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The President should Commentaries on Independence struggle racially aligned be commended for speech at NY event Dear Editor, Last Saturday night, as guest of Captain Gerry Gouveia, I attended the 50th Independence Anniversary “Golden Jubilee” Dinner in New York City at which President David Granger was the guest of honour and keynote speaker.

For me, the highlight of the evening was the President’s address which did not include any mention of the former government’s 23 years in office, which did not include any mention of any partisan politics, did not include any mention of forensic audits but rather highlighted the assets including

our flora and fauna, the achievements and prosperity.

In introducing the President, the young lady slipped and said “I give you….President of the United States….then quickly corrected the faux pas. But she might have been on to something for the President’s speech was Obama like in content…a bit of history, identification of the attributes that make Guyana great, some analysis of the current state of affairs and recommendations about how the country might best develop over the next 50 years, not to mention snippets of humour.

At various events in the past to celebrate our Independence and Republic anniversaries, some of which I was involved in planning in Florida, one of the trends of the speakers from Guyana was to refer to 28 years of dictatorship and to highlight their perceived ills of the Opposition of the day. Not so Saturday night!

We saw more than a glimpse of statesmanship. Take a bow David Arthur Granger. Thanks Capt Gerry Gouveia for inviting me to be among your guests.

Regards, Wesley Kirton

Who says the Deputy Mayor can’t speak?

Dear Editor, There seems to be fear and insecurity existing in the Georgetown mayor’s office. From recent reports, the new Mayor is trying to muzzle her deputy. One may accept her position when she said that the comments of deputy mayor on the issue of parking meters in the city were reflective of his own views and not those of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC). But luckily he did express those views as they are out of genuine concern for continued impropriety within the council.

Someone has to tell the citizens of Georgetown of the council’s indiscretions, including its current movement to award a gigantic contract to a little known company, for the installation and operation of a park-

ing meter system without adhering to proper and transparent financial systems and procedures.

But it goes from the sublime to the ridiculous when she suggests that the only persons with authority to speak on the council’s behalf were the town clerk, or the public relations officer (PRO). So why then was she addressing the press about the matter and not King or Lewis?

What obtained before the council had a PRO? And why was it that when she was deputy mayor, she was allowed to seize every opportunity she could to interface with the press in an effort to get the limelight?

Quite simply, knowing her limitations in public speaking, and constraints in leadership capacity, one should not be surprised

at her reluctance to let the public see the virtuosity of her deputy, lest when her year is up, she is replaced by him. Is this the same Patricia Chase-Green, then Deputy Mayor who constantly tried to prevent all the previous town clerks from having press conferences? And where in the Municipal and District Council’s Act that only the town clerk and PRO are allowed to speak on behalf of the Council?

This would have to be the first and only city across the globe that the mayor and deputy mayor are prevented from speaking on behalf of the respective councils.

Or is this an edict issued by Royston King the new Czar of the City?

Sincerely, Debra Gibson

Shocked at Govt’s decision to target Alim Shah’s store Dear Editor, With reference to a Guyana Times June 13, 2016 article where Alim Shah’s store was targeted.

Dr Rupert Roopnaraine played an important role in the return to democracy in Guyana. He has earned a great deal of respect from the Guyanese populace because of his struggle against a dictatorship. I was deeply shocked at his Ministry’s targeting of Ryhaan Shah a PPP/PNC critic

and an Indian rights activist.

Shah’s business establishment has provided affordable clothing materials since the 1940s in Georgetown and Berbice.

Most poorer classes of Guyanese, who cannot afford “ready-made” clothes, shop at Alim Shah’s store.

This establishment is well known in Berbice and the owner is well respected in the business and religious community.

The Ministry of Education has a taint-

ed history of corruption. The procurement of computers and textbook frauds were exposed a few years ago. Now we are witnessing political directives to target persons who openly express themselves against the APNU/AFC Government.

This is not what Guyanese voted for and certainly not what we expected from Dr Roopnaraine’s Ministry.

Regards, M Craig

Dear Editor, In browsing through the dailies, almost every commentary pertaining to the struggle for British Guiana’s Independence has been polarised or influenced by race and party with Afro writers praising PNCites (African figures) and Indo-writers praising PPPites.

It is indisputable that Dr Cheddi Jagan was the leading figure in the struggle for Independence, hence the title the Father of the Independence Struggle.

Forbes Burnham was also a leading figure in the struggle, but his anti-Jagan, anti-Indian, anti-socialist, and anti-PPP positions resulted in the delay of the colony’s Independence. It was his sister Jesse, who exposed his machination collaborating with the imperialists in order to delay Independence and establishing the situation whereby he would take the colony to Independence.

Burnham does not command much respect

among progressive forces who blame him for the racial conflict in the then British Guiana during the 1960s and subsequently.

He is also viewed as an ally of imperialist forces since he was on the payroll of the CIA and collaborated with British intelligence to create racial disturbances in Guyana.

Recently, Elton McRae, in a letter mentioned the names of “Martin Carter, Sydney King, Hubert Critchlow, Burnham, Winifred Gaskin, Kendall and John” as the leading figures in the struggle for Independence.

While all of those who fought for Independence cannot be mentioned in a short missive, at least the towering personalities like Cheddi and Janet Jagan should have been mentioned. Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Rudy Luck, Moses Bhagwan, Pandit Ramlall, Nasrudeen (all five of whom spent time in jail for advocating for Independence); Yacoob Ally; Boysie Ramkarran;

Fenton Ramsahoye; Ashton Chase; Brindley Benn; JB Singh; Latchman N Singh; CV Nunes, etc – were far more instrumental in Guyana obtaining its Independence than some of the names McRae mentioned.

It is noted and in public records that Burnham was criticised for collaborating with Britain and the US to delay Independence.

Critchlow was initially for Independence, but then had a change of heart when Jagan and the PPP would have taken the colony to Independence, a move he opposed; Critchlow also opposed adult universal suffrage, according to Jagan, saying he could not support all adult Indians getting the right to vote.

Writers should try to focus on facts and give credit to all figures – regardless of ethnic and party affiliation – who partook in the liberation movement.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Citizens should have been consulted on city parking meters Dear Editor, The recent announcement by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council of the implementation/installation of parking meters in certain sections of the city has been met with consternation, outrage and dismay by citizens who are already burdened with additional taxes and the constant enforceability of rules and regulations that have significantly weakened their daily income.

In his www.conversationtree blog, former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, charged that: “Coming so soon after the elections, the decision to install parking meters was clearly on APNU/ AFC’s agenda prior to the elections. During the elections, APNU/AFC contestants had ample opportunity to inform the residents of Georgetown that parking meters were on the agenda but they kept this plot a secret for obvious reasons.”

Democratic principles, respect and empathy for the public dictate that stakeholders should have been consulted before such a position was taken.

Apparently, it appears as though City Hall has adopted the diktat position and unilaterally exercised its right to impose systems, which only places additional financial burden on citizens.

Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan, who has voiced his non-support of the project, went on record to state that he has been provided with little information by the contracting firm, National Parking Systems/ Smart City Solutions from

which he can make a quality judgment.

The lack of verifiable information on the contracting firm itself raises eyebrows. There is no website for any company named National Parking Systems/ Smart City Solutions and one prominent media house published an article, which stated that a visit to the Manhattan address was met with consternation by the building’s officials, who were emphatic that no space was rented to any such company nor were there future requests from the said company.

Furthermore, Duncan said, in his independent research on Simon Moshevilli, who represents Smart City Solutions, he has found no one with said name connected with the said company. In fact, he said there is no evidence that such a company even exists.

What is the rationale behind charging vehicle owners Gy$500 to park in streets that are located in the prime business hub of the city?

Can you imagine a vehicle owner who has a mortgage, loan and other domestic expenses having to pay Gy$4000 per day to park outside his/her place of work for the normal eight-hour work day?

And what about the much-touted tourism drive? Tourists who stay at city hotels will be forced to pay exorbitant sums to not only rent a vehicle, but also to park outside the hotel (if parking is not provided within the compound of the said hotel).

City Hall has also not provided any solid, de-

tailed and well-researched supporting documentation/ plan as to how the proposed project will ease the traffic congestion in the city. On the contrary, this project, in all likelihood, will see a reduced number of persons using their vehicles to go to work and/or conduct business in the city.

The resultant domino effect will be evident sooner rather than later.

The Mayor and her Councillors seem at a loss to identify the discrepancy between creating new revenue collection ventures and identifying the factors that have influenced the current poor collection of revenue.

Instead of trying to craft solutions that will remedy the issue of huge sums owed in rates and taxes, they have sought to wantonly implement sophisticated systems that seek to stifle the small man. The removal of the Stabroek Market vendors is one such contentious issue.

Again, no consultations were held with those vendors before their forced removal. Their bitter outrage at being treated like second class citizens has fallen on deaf ears.

Stand up and take a bow Mr Duncan. The professionalism you displayed in the execution of your duties is commendable.

Government officials, regardless of rank, if they are committed to the development of a nation, must always adopt and practice this principled, democratic stance. Nationalism must always take precedence over self-interests.

Sincerely, Vanita Mahadeo

news 7

WEEK ENDING JUNE 19, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

President welcomes 12th Learning channel broadcasting Chinese Medical Brigade GINA programmes to Guyana - lauds warm – Prime Minister tries to justify move Guyana/China relations

Coordinator of the TGLC, Dr Seeta Roath

P

President David Granger delivering his remarks at the reception at the Chinese Embassy

resident David Granger, on Wednesday evening, attended a reception to bid farewell to the 11th batch of the Chinese Medical Brigade and welcomed their replacement; a 16-member team of medical professionals, who arrived in Guyana two days ago. The reception was organised by the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown.

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon and Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan also attended the function.

The Head of State, in brief remarks, said that the relationship between Guyana and China has flourished on many levels since formal diplomatic relations were established on June 12, 1972, particularly in the area of health.

“Cooperation in the health sector has been a distinguishing feature of human relations, which

emphasises the formal engagement between our two republics and, most particularly, the personal and everyday friendship between our two peoples,” President Granger said.

He said that the presence of the Chinese medical team in Guyana has contributed significantly to the development of a healthy population and, thereby, has contributed to the wealth of the nation.

“Thousands of our Guyanese have benefited from the expertise of these specialists and from the equipment, which was donated under the programme.

Guyanese are extremely grateful for the work and contributions of the Chinese Medical Brigade,” the President said.

Additionally, the President reminded that the cooperation between the two countries is further evidenced by the establishment of an Eye Centre at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the commis-

sioning of a centre for laparoscopic surgery at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) in September, 2014.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Zhang Limin said that China has, to date, dispatched medical teams to over 70 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean and they have treated over 300 million patients. The Ambassador also spoke of the warm and cordial relations between Guyana and China over the past 44 years, which he said keeps deepening with time.

The first batch of Chinese medical professionals came to Guyana in 1993 as a result of the Protocol on Medical Cooperation, which was signed between the two countries on May 26, 1993. During the course of their two-year stint, the outgoing batch of medical professionals treated over 41,000 patients and performed 6000 surgeries.

Myrna Pitt served Housing Ministry with distinction, says former Minister Irfaan Ali

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ormer Housing and Water Minister and current PPP/C Member of Parliament, Mr. Irfaan Ali said he is "saddened by the news that Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Mrs Myrna Pitt has tendered her resignation with effect from July".

"While I served as the Minister of Housing and Water during the Peoples Progressive Party Civic’s tenure in office, Mrs Pitt proved to be a competent, ardent and committed public servant as well as professional," Ali said in a statement on Thursday.

"She executed her functions with distinction and demonstrated very high levels of dedi-

Myrna Pitt has resigned for her post

cation despite the challenges faced by the entity while rolling out various policies and decisions as adumbrated by the Government with collective and comprehensive input from the staff at the Central Housing and Planning Authority,"

Ali stated.

He said it was "definitely an honour to have served alongside Mrs Pitt" who proved concerned and truly committed to Guyana’s overall development.

Noting that she was a stern and disciplined professional, Ali said he "enjoyed our moments working round the clock during my tenure as Minister whether in the field, Building Expo, during one of our many One Stop Shops or our retreats. Guyana should be proud of this daughter. I pray that God grants her the continued good health and peace.

The CH&PA and Ministry has lost one of the best and brightest minds in its field of work."

T

he Guyana Learning Channel (TGLC) is now broadcasting a number of Government Information Agency (GINA) programmes, including activities of Cabinet Ministers, the President’s Diary, The President’s weekly telecast, “The Public Interest” among others, despite no public disclosure of this move to place such programmes on a television station established exclusively to broadcast educational materials, without having any political influence.

After Guyana Times International learnt of the programmes being broadcasted, Coordinator of the TGLC, Dr Seeta Roath was contacted, but she dodged the question on whether or not the Channel is now airing such programmes, but confirmed that there was no change in the Channel’s

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

mandate.

“The Guyana Learning Channel Trust has not changed its mandate. All broadcasts are supposed to be educational – apolitical and non-commercial. Public education is still education. No politics should be shown and definitely no commercials should be included. Public Service Announcements take the place of commercials,” she told this publication in an email exchange, adding that “programmes from GINA, shown on the Guyana Learning Channel Trust, should reflect this mandate.”

When ask specifically if developmental programmes and activities of government ministers were being aired by the TGLC, Dr Roath again skirted over the issue and said she was on vacation, but trusted the judgment of her staff.

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

“As long as developmental programmes are educational and are free of advertisements, then there is no problem in broadcasting them. I am on leave at the moment. I trust my officers’ judgment during the review process,” she stated.

Meanwhile, later on Wednesday, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) sought to defend the decision to broadcast the programmes on TGLC, whose mandate is the proliferation of educational content exclusively.

In a statement, the OPM said the decision to use the Learning Channel in this regard was as a result of constant complaints from residents of several hinterland villages about not being able to access public information and reports on the work of the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive. urn to page 8

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 19, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Learning channel...

Guyana Gov’t hits back at Venezuela for denying military shooting from page 7

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he Guyana Government has expressed grave concerns about the Venezuelan Government’s staunch denial of the shooting incident which almost claimed the lives of four Guyanese.

Approximately two weeks after the alleged shooting incident in the Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), the Venezuelan Government has denied that the shooting occurred, maintaining that officers of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces did not open fire at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) officers as is being reported locally.

Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips officially announced on May 30, 2016, that workers attached to GGMC came under fire from the Venezuelan Army whilst they were patrolling an area along the border.

The Guyana Government had since dispatched a Note Verbale to the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveying its gravest concern over this incident, and calling on the Venezuelan Government to desist from such provocative and dangerous actions on the border.

However the Venezuelan Government issued a media release, denying that the incident ever occurred.

Responding to this development, the Guyana Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement Sunday evening, registering its deepest concerns over the fact that the Venezuelan Government did not find the courtesy to formally respond to the claims, but to instead choose to strongly deny the allegations, especially in light of the diplomatic situation.

According to the statement, the Venezuelan Government’s stance flies in the face of direct reports which the authorities of Guyana received from the vic-

President David Granger

tims as well as the explanation which the representatives from Guyana’s military received from the Venezuelan army Corporal In Charge of the six troops who were involved in the incident.

“The Venezuelan authorities would have done well to have checked with the troops in question at the observation post, La Boca, on Ankoko Island who had furnished Guyana’s investigators with an explanation which the Government of Guyana believes and which it has found to involve unacceptable behaviour because it assumed that they had rights of policing the river which is in Guyana’s territory,” the statement posited.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry reminded that in the past such incidents led to the loss of lives.

“It is irresponsible to brush off this incident, an occurrence which the Government of

Guyana continues to hold as being completely reprehensible” the government stated.

In this regard, the Guyana Government reiterated that it categorically dismissed the claims by the Venezuelan Government that Guyana’s actions are part of an international media campaign to destabilise their country.

Furthermore, the Guyana Government re-emphasised that Venezuela must desist from such provocative actions on Guyana’s border since such acts could only lead to destabilisation of relations between the two countries.

Recently, President David Granger had expressed confidence that the situation will not escalate into an international conflict, noting that it was just a localised matter: “It is localised…It was a local incident and we are not saying that there is no fault but my information is that the rain was falling very heavily and there might have been some misunderstanding with the boat that was taking the officials….”

Nonetheless, Granger made it clear that the matter is still unacceptable.

This is not the first time there has been tension at the Guyana/ Venezuela border. In September last year, the Venezuelan military dispatched heavily armed troops as well as a gunboat and other heavy artillery to the Cuyuni area.

Then in December, a Venezuelan helicopter landed at the Kaikan Airstrip, in the said Region Seven.

Relations between Guyana and Venezuela have been tense over the past few months because the Bolivarian Republic continues to lay claim to over 2/3 of Guyana’s territory, even though an 1899 Arbitration panel awarded the disputed Essequibo region to Guyana.

The statement added that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo met with Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Dr Roath and negotiated for broadcast time on the educational channel, which led to an agreement for the programmes to be aired “during non-primetime, late night hours during weekdays and on midday and afternoon hours at weekends.”

It said that the time slots being used are 22:30h to midnight on weekdays and 12:00h to 13:00h and 18:30h to 19:30h on weekends.

“These timeslots, in no way disrupt TLC’s core educational programming designed for schoolchildren. During weekdays, the late night time slot is after traditional bedtime hours for children. At the weekends, many children are engaged in sports and recreational activities during the day and early evening. These time slots represent a small fraction of the full programme time and amount to less than seven per cent of the total weekly programme time of 168 hours,” the OPM statement said.

It said that some of the video content which was being aired on the channel was “mistakenly branded” but, have since been recalled and promised that the video content provided will be of “a national nature and properly and appropriately titled.”

According to the OPM, the Community Radio Project which has already been rolled out in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) and Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) as well as a community television station’s programme will eventually air this content.

“In the interim, how-

ever, programmes of national interest such as His Excellency President David Granger’s weekly ‘Public Interest’ television programme and Government Information Agency’s magazine news briefs, along with other national programming, will be broadcast via TLC, to the 16 locations to which it broadcasts via satellite as facilitated by the National Communications Network (NCN),” the statement explained.

According to the OPM, it treats the constitutional right of access to information for all citizens most seriously and will continue to pursue arrangements and endeavours which will ensure that all citizens have improved access to information and are not left isolated and uninformed on national issues.

The Guyana Learning Channel was launched on April 1, 2011 by the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government with the sole mandate of broadcasting educational content.

In fact, the PPP had said that the channel would not be used for politicking, when those concerns were raised at its inception.

The Learning Channel was modelled after similar public broadcasting services in India, Mexico, the UK and US. It targets preschoolers, kindergarteners, primary, secondary, university and technical and vocational education students.

The Guyana Learning Channel also caters for teachers, early school leavers, lifelong learners, parents, educators, farmers, and others interested in instructional/info-educational programmes in different areas of interest.

Cocaine in frozen fish: 2 charged, remanded

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wo relatives were on Monday charged and remanded to prison following the seizure of a large quantity of cocaine discovered in a cargo shipment of frozen fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, last week.

Safoor Ali, 27, and 22-year-old Nazeema Inraze who hail from the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) made their first court appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLenan in relation to the matter on Monday.

They were not required to plea to the charge and were remanded to prison until July 7.

Ali and Inraze were charged for attempting to traffic 20 pounds of the

illegal substance which was concealed in frozen fish at the CJIA last Wednesday.

Initially, a large number of individuals were detained by law enforcement officials, but after some days of intense grilling and investigative work, members of the Police Narcotics Branch, the others were released and Ali and Inraze were charged.

INews understands that the consignment of frozen fish was destined for the United States of America.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) said it is intensifying its efforts to clamp down on the scourge of drug trafficking.

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PPP rejects Govt’s plan to impose separate flags for each region

By Devina Samaroo

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he move by Government to assign separate flags for each administrative region has been met with strong objections from the parliamentary Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), which believes more time, energy and resources ought to be spent on better governance.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Party declared that the Golden Arrowhead is the constitutional flag of Guyana, adding that any other flag imposed will be contrary to the country’s Constitution.

The decision to give each region its own flag was announced last year by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, who noted that the initiative was all part and

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

Region Nine Regional Chairman Brian Allicock

Region Seven Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford

parcel of a wider effort to promote the decentralisation of each of the 10 administrative regions and encourage each district to embrace its uniqueness.

Recently, the Minister disclosed that consultations are still ongoing with the various regional representatives before rolling out this project.

However, the PPP/C believes that there will

be an overwhelming rejection from the regions, mostly by residents who would prefer jobs, enhanced public security, money in their pockets, better roads, improved potable water supply and efficient garbage collection over flags.

“Rather than seeking to change things that obtained under the PPP/C and to make things look different under the [A Partnership for National

Unity/Alliance For Change] APNU/AFC, the Granger coalition Administration should change their racial and political discriminatory and witch hunting practices, as well as their wasteful spending and focus on improving the economic and social well-being of all Guyanese,” the Party stated.

During a previous interview with Guyana Times International,

Police detain 2 in connection with drug bust at John Fernandes wharf

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customs broker attached to a wellknown company, along with another person, was arrested following the discovery of 1276 pounds of marijuana in a container at the John Fernandes Limited wharf at Water Street, Georgetown on Tuesday.

Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh told Guyana Times International on Wednesday that officials from the unit were in close contact with their counterparts in Jamaica since it was suspected that the compressed marijuana might have been loaded onto the vessel when it docked in that country.

He, nevertheless, stated that investigations were ongoing while confirming that the two suspects remained in custody.

According to reports,

agents from the Guyana Revenue Authority’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the Container Control Programme (CCP) were inspecting the container which was said to be carrying heavy-duty machinery when the marijuana was found in several packets.

This publication understands that the container arrived in Guyana on May 16, on board the MV Fouma from Jamaica but had originated in the United States.

In 2013, DEU officers had intercepted more than 4000 lbs of compressed marijuana inside a container at the John Fernandes Container Terminal.

It was reported that the marijuana was packed in several bags and was found among a shipment of cars which arrived in Guyana from Japan via China and Jamaica.

several regional heads expressed concerns over the regional flag initiative.

Region One Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley had indicated that his region will not be supporting the idea.

Region Two Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt also objected to this move. “I don’t know if a flag can bring any degree of independence for a region. I think what needs to be done to bring independence would require a lot of strategic thinking so this can be streamlined properly… we are speaking about certain ministries which may need to be decentralised and certain key operations need to be decentralised. It is much more complex and it would require great consultations,” Ramdatt asserted, noting that flags will not help the

Government achieve its goal.

Region Five Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal and Region Nine Regional Chairman Brian Allicock also shared the same view.

The only Regional Chairman contacted who was in support of this venture was Region Seven Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford. But even so, he indicated that some persons in the district have not welcomed the idea.

Former President and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo already pointed out that this move could be dangerous for Guyana as it could put the country’s sovereignty at risk and reinforce Venezuela’s attempts to win over the Essequibo, through encouraging secessionist tendencies.

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National sports policy Three remanded for Kaieteur awaiting input from News grenade attack sports associations T

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Minister Nicolette Henry

he long-awaited National Sports Policy is one step closer to completion now that consultations have been held with various sports associations across Guyana.

Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, was quoted by GINA as saying that sports associations across Guyana were given a draft policy document which they would review and make their input.

“We would have shared with them a draft

sports policy document and with a view of the associations and the federations brining submissions to us to update that sports policy document,” Jones elaborated.

According to Jones, once the associations make their submissions, the sports policy could soon come into existence.

Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, in addressing the sports associations last Saturday, noted that the policy could be the tool that

strengthens sports in Guyana.

“I believe that this is something that requires the undivided attention of highly skilled and technical persons who can take the lead on developing that strategic plan,” Henry stated.

However, the Minister pointed out that in developing the sports policy, all objectives need to be well thought out. “We have to have objectives that are in keeping with where we are as a country. We know that we do not have the infrastructure nor the resources like the developed world and therefore the policy must take that into account,” she explained.

According to the Minister, the crafting of a solid sports policy would require everyone working together.

Henry pointed out that the crafting of the policy grabbed the attention of the international sporting community who offered to lend their expertise.

Once the policy is completed, it would essentially monitor the course of sports for the next 15 years.

hree men accused of throwing a grenade at the vehicle of Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall, were on Wednesday remanded to prison.

The men – Leroy Williams, called “Buxton”, 25, of Durban Backlands; Alfie Garraway, 36, of Norton Street, Lodge; and 20-year-old Janiel Howard of Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, were all charged for unlawfully and maliciously conspiring to cause danger by way of an explosive metal device, being the grenade. They all appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail on the grounds of the severity of the offence and the associated penalty which the charge carries. The Prosecution’s submissions were upheld and the trio was remanded to prison until July 7.

The Police had issued a wanted bulletin on Friday for 20-year-old Shemar Wilson, also known as “Abdue”, of Lot 43 North Sophia, Greater Georgetown and of Lot 51 West La Penitence, Georgetown, for questioning.

The live grenade was hurled at the luxury vehicle belonging to Lall on June 4, during the first night of the wake to pay last respects to deceased Assistant Editor Dale Andrews.

Persons who were at the wake recalled hearing a strange sound but assumed that it was the sound of glass shattering. However, when a thorough check was made, the grenade was found lying next to the right tyre of Lall’s black

Two of the three accused covering their faces at court

Lexus vehicle.

The Police were summoned and the area was immediately cordoned off, while bomb experts deactivated the device. They noted that it was a miracle the grenade did not explode.

After a review of footage from surveillance cameras, it was revealed that the grenade was thrown from a grey motor car. That vehicle was later found abandoned in the vicinity of Norton Street and Mandela Avenue. It had reportedly hit a woman before slamming into a utility pole in the area.

Prompt investigation led to the discovery of the car and the arrest of six persons who were later joined by another seven as investigations continue.

Harmon challenges young leaders to become ‘agents of change’

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inister of State Joseph Harmon charged 57 graduates of the Youth Leadership Training Programme at the Madewini Training Centre to be ‘doers’ and not just talkers for the development of Guyana.

The Minister was at the time speaking at the closing ceremony of the first in a series of eight training programmes on Sunday, which will draw on youth leaders from across the country between June and December.

“The true demonstration of your effectiveness as youth leaders will be the practical things you get done and the positive tangible things that you achieve through your endeavours. Be doers, not talkers. We have too many talkers in Guyana; people who have the best ideas about everything but they do nothing. Change that paradigm. Become agents of change, become people who do things. Make your communities better, make your regions better and ultimately you will make Guyana better,” Minister Harmon advised.

Referring to the contents of a publication by President David Granger, where he referred to the crises of employment, education and empowerment faced by young people, who make up 60 per cent of the nation’s pop-

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

ulation, the state minister said government has a clear vision for the development of this important sector of the population.

Following national consultations across the ten regions of Guyana, a draft National Youth Policy, headed by the Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment Aubrey Norton has been reviewed by Cabinet and is now being prepared as a ‘white paper’ to be laid in the National Assembly and made public for scrutiny and consultation.

However, Harmon noted that even as the National Youth Policy is in the pipeline the challenges facing Guyana’s youth are of a critical nature and hence it is important that interventions like this training programme begin immediately.

The minister also spoke on the importance of social cohesion and

lauded the organisers of the programme for the diversity reflected by the faces of the graduates. He called on them to return to their communities and resolve to work to remove the political, economic, social and cultural barriers that divide Guyanese.

“I hope the training, which you have received here, will enable you to establish cohesive relationships and cohesive groups to foster cohesive communities and thus a truly cohesive society in our country… Your government is unequivocal and resolutely committed to the establishment of a cohesive society. We cannot, we will not develop by half or any other fraction or configuration… a holistic arrangement where all of our country’s people are committed and involved is indispensable to any real development that we achieve as a nation.”

Further, Harmon called on the young people to not see politics as a ‘big people’ thing but to become involved in the “political, economic and social affairs of your communities as precursors to your involvement in regional and national affairs.”

He added that even as they work to develop existing and new youth organisations at the community level, they must also focus on their personal development.

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Brickdam Secondary closure put on hold following protest action by teachers, students

By Ramona Luthi and Merissa Wilson

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nraged parents, teachers and students of the Brickdam Secondary School on Tuesday took to the street in front of the educational institution to express their frustration and disgust over the Education Ministry’s decision to permanently close the school instead of repairing the facility.

In the eyes of the infuriated persons, the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Olato Sam was unreasonable. Teachers voiced that this and other protests were based on concerns for the safety of the students of the Secondary School, pointing out that even engineers from the Education Ministry had declared the school a danger zone and banned persons from the upper flat.

At the protest in front of the school, scores of parents, accompanied by their children clad in their school uniform, held up placards expressing their dissatisfaction and refusal to accept the closure of the Secondary School.

Parents said there was a need for a new

Parents protesting the Education Ministry’s initial plan to close Brickdam Secondary School

building to house the students and teachers and if that request was met, they would be content, highlighting that they were adamant in their non-acceptance of the schools given as options for relocation.

“We need a building.

They have a lot of buildings; they could give us a building. We can use other buildings in a shift system to house the children for the rest of the term. I don’t see a problem with it. But we are not send-

ing our children to those … schools like Multi and Christ Church. No way!” an adamant parent noted.

The students of the school also vented their anger and feelings of being unfairly treated by the Ministry.

“Why is it we’re being placed in lower schools?

Why? Don’t we have a voice? We want a new school, not to be placed elsewhere. In this situation they’re saying that it would be temporary,

but we know that is not true. We wrote exams to come to this school and I don’t think our school should just become deceased, it needs repairs.

That is all,” one visibly upset student said.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Ministry came to a compromise with the teachers and parents to recommence classes from today.

That decision was based on the grounds that students are in examinations period and

a shift to another school could hinder their concentration and promotion for the next semester.

Noting these factors as well as the consistent pleas not to have the students and teachers separated due to “cultural diversity”, the Ministry had taken the step to have classes resumed.

In a document, teachers had signed on to this indicating their endorsement.

As of today, the stu-

dents will begin their exams at the building on a fixed schedule that has been formulated by the Ministry.

The Chief Education Officer, during a press conference, had stated that the Ministry was confident that the building would be sufficient to house the children for the next three weeks.

Given that there is now a smaller contingent of students as those from Form Five have finished their studies there, the Ministry believes that with adequate supervision there should be no unfortunate incidents in the shabby structure.

Engineers attached to the Ministry have commenced work to ensure that there are no immediate hazards. The faults that are being addressed were initially raised by the teachers and students during their first sit-in on Friday.

The Chief Education Officer assured that the Ministry was doing all in its power to create an environment which was safe for the teachers and students for the time being. It is currently mulling options for a permanent solution to the situation.

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PM on 10-year-old boy who died mysteriously ‘inconclusive’ – further tests to be done

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Yogindra Persaud, called ‘Buddy’

post mortem (PM) conducted Monday on the body of a 10-year-old boy who collapsed last Wednesday and died at school is inconclusive, according to the medical examiner who conducted the autopsy.

Yogindra Persaud, called ‘Buddy’ or ‘Shawn’ collapsed last Wednesday and died while in his classroom at Graham’s Hall Primary School, Cummings Lodge, Georgetown.

The boy’s father Rakesh Persaud was quoted in a section of the media as saying that the doctor did not discover anything significantly wrong to cause the death of the child; however DNA samples were collected for further testing.

The distraught father said the family was told that they will have to wait at least three months to find out the actual cause of death.

The results of the first test is expected within three weeks while the results of a second and final test could take up to three months, the man said he was told by doctors.

However, the family was given the clearance to go ahead with the lad’s funeral which is slated for today.

The father revealed that on Wednesday, his son had just returned from a morning recess and collapsed shortly after consuming a snack he purchased at the school.

The child was picked up by teachers and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Residents and teachers described the lad as a loving and polite child.

The father pointed out that his only son was not suffering from any serious ailments.

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‘It should be scrapped’ …Stakeholders up pressure on City Council to cancel controversial parking meter contract Georgetown Patricia Chase

Mayor Patricia Chase Green

By Edward Layne

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ressure is mounting on the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to scrap the highly-secretive and controversial parking meter contract it has inked with National Parking Systems/Smart City Solutions, to hold consultations and then go to public tender in the interest of accountability and transparency.

Former First Vice President of Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI) and Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram said “it’s very troubling indeed,” that for a project of such magnitude, information is hardly available.

Ram, in an interview with Guyana Times International on Wednesday said that transparency must be the hallmark of the project.

He lambasted the M&CC for failing to follow proper public procurement procedures for the multimillion-dollar parking meter project, noting that it is not a project which the Council can just walk in and walk out of it”.

“Clearly this should have been an open tender process. In fact, even before you go to that, maybe you invite interested parties having expression of interest, you then

Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram

see detailed proposal and between the two, you do some due diligence,” Ram stated, adding that “if Local Government Elections is to mean anything and if local democracy is to mean anything, then it’s clear that the people’s representatives must have a say in the decision of how their rates and taxes are being expended.”

He recommended that the process be abandoned and a fresh process be undertaken in keeping with the principles of transparency and accountability.

Meanwhile, independent commentator and transparency advocate Ramon Gaskin described the entire controversy as “very very fishy”.

Gaskin, a trained economist, told this publication on Wednesday that there is hardly anything that was made public on the project, save and except for a few persons on the City Council.

“The only information that is available is what’s in the press… nobody has seen any contract of anything. The whole thing as my friends said has the smell of unrefrigerated fish. The whole thing sounds very funny, not transparent, it didn’t go to tender, it’s a big problem. It’s very, very fishy,” he remarked.

Gaskin also criticised the highly secretive Mexican trip which

Mayor Green,

Councillors Junior Garrett and Oscar Clarke,

along with Town Clerk Royston are current on as

a “gallivant”. turn to page 25

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Service lacks Suspect remanded for Prison resources to deal with mechanic’s murder mentally ill inmates – CoI T R

ayon Jones, 20, of Lot 121 Fourth Street, Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) was on Tuesday remanded to prison for the brutal stabbing to death of mechanic Puranand Baljit, also known as “Andrew” at Madewini, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The charge, which was read by Magistrate Judy Latchman, stated that on June 9, 2016, at Madewini, EBD, he murdered Baljit during the course of a burglary. Jones was not required to plea to the indictable charge.

He was represented by Attorney Latchmie Rahamat, who told the court that Jones has a reputed wife with a minor child and also has no prior or pending convictions.

Rahamat made an application for the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) to be a paper committal, based on what was related by her client.

She explained that this may be the best option to expedite the trial in the High Court.

Jones was remanded to prison and the matter was transferred to the Kwakwani

Remanded: Rayon Jones

Magistrate’s Court for July 5.

On June 9, 25-yearold Baljit was reportedly stabbed seven times to his body while lying in his bed at about 22:00h. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

At the time of the stabbing incident, the young man’s father and stepmother were at home and heard a moaning sound coming from his room and it was then they realised something terrible had happened.

Jones was arrested on Sunday in Georgetown and

during interrogation, he confessed to the crime. He reportedly told detectives that he had been monitoring the movements of Baljit for quite some time. On the night of the murder, he went to the house and as the occupants retired to bed he made his move.

He admitted walking towards the young man’s bedroom window and as he looked into the bedroom, he saw several phones on a table. The young man, he said, was asleep.

The suspect recounted that he collected a concrete block which he used to climb through the window.

However, while in the bedroom, Baljit woke up and a scuffle ensued between them.

During the scuffle, the suspect claimed that he was chopped to the hand by the now dead man and in retaliation; he collected another knife and dealt one blow to the young man’s neck.

As Baljit collapsed on the bed, he continued to stab him. He then took a phone and a laptop computer and escaped through the window.

he Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has no resources, financial or human, to deal with mentally ill prisoners. This was concluded by the Commission of Inquiry into the deadly Camp Street Prison riot which occurred earlier this year.

According to the findings of the CoI report, the GPS was noted as “the major casualty of as an inexcusably primitive approach” to mental health in Guyana.

The Commissioners pointed out that even though the prison service lacks the requisite resources to integrate the psychologically challenged inmates; those who pass through the courts still end up in the facilities of the over-crowded penitentiary. While the Commissioners recommended that the Public Health Ministry provide a full-time medical doctor at the prison, they noted that the delivery of routine medical care, including mental health services, remains a constant problem.

It was further pointed out that the lack of medical care brings “systematic hardship on all aspects of prison life” since less concern is devoted to the stressful effect on other prisoners who live with mentally

ill inmates in the over-crowded spaces.

Commissioners also recommended that an intervention led by the Public Health Ministry in collaboration with the magistracy, the Police and the prison service is urgently needed to better integrate these prisoners.

When Chief Prison Officer, Medex Patricia Anderson testified to the Commission, she noted the grave emotional impact which the riots had on the staff of the prison. At that point, Chairman Patterson expressed shock that the prison did not have a permanent doctor stationed there.

The CoI ran from March 8 to May 9, 2016 and the report was handed over to President David Granger on June 1st.

The Head of State ordered the inquiry into the fire after inmates met with Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan after a “gentlemen’s agreement” was reached. It was after two days of rioting at the Camp Street penitentiary and the death of 17 inmates after fire engulfed the Capital A Block on March 3.

It was concluded that the fires were as a result of the actions by inmates.

World’s largest cruise ship to sail into Jamaica

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armony of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, is slated to make its inaugural call to Jamaica in November.

The vessel, owned

by Royal Caribbean, is scheduled to dock at the Falmouth Pier in Trelawny.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, said the visit will provide a major boost for Jamaica’s growing cruise-ship sector, which is still celebrating a 13.6 per cent growth for the 2015/16 winter season.

He made the disclosure to the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) at the recent annual general meeting of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA).

“In addition to Royal Caribbean’s other vessels – Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas –

Jamaica will now have the three largest ships in the world calling on our ports,” Bartlett pointed out.

He said Harmony of the Seas is on its inaugural voyage in Barcelona, Spain, and will remain in Europe for the summer before going to Fort Lauderdale in the fall for its Caribbean cruise, when it will make its Jamaica stop.

Bartlett told JIS News that Royal Caribbean has had a long relationship with the local cruise industry, with the Falmouth Pier accommodating most of the cruise line’s flagship vessels.

“As a matter of fact, it’s not just Royal Caribbean. It is no secret that all the cruise lines that ply the western Caribbean route continue to see Jamaica as a marquee destination,

boasting some of the Caribbean’s finest attractions,” he said.

“When itineraries are being put together, the quality attractions we have here in Jamaica have to be taken into consideration.

Where else in the Caribbean or in this hemisphere will you find a natural gem like Dunn’s River?”

The Tourism Minister said the cruise sector is poised for further growth.

“I am actually going to Miami next week to meet with the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association to discuss additional ships for Jamaica. We see Kingston coming into the picture now as a cruise destination…these are really exciting times,” he disclosed.

At 226,963 tonnes, Harmony of the Seas has been described as a “floating mega resort”.

It boasts three main pool

areas, a water slide complex, adults-only solarium, an ice skating rink, two rock climbing walls, a basketball court and a mall-like indoor promenade with shops, bars and eateries.

Harmony holds nearly 100 more passengers than its sisters at double occupancy.

Its total capacity is 6,780 people, not including crew, which is a record for the cruise industry. (Caribbean360.com)

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NEW GPC launches new products at Pharmacists' Convention

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he Guyana Pharmacists' Association held its 15th Annual Pharmacists' Convention on Sunday June 12th, 2016 at the Marriot Hotel in Georgetown.

The convention, touted as the largest gathering of Guyanese pharmacists, was attended by hundreds of pharmacists.

Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer, delivered the feature address and declared the event open.

The event featured presentations by medical practitioners speaking on three particular areas of interests; OTC in Paediatric Medicine,

The NEW GPC booth

Emergency Medicine and Thyroid Disorders. Also making presentations at the convention were sponsors of the event, which included; POEM, Mead Johnson, Federated Pharmaceutical, ASPEN and NEW GPC INC. Mr. Michael Stuart, representing NEW GPC, made an informative educational presentation on Fever, Cold and Flu Management in Children, which laid the platform for the introduction of the company’s new Children’s Phanadyl Multi-symptom Cold and flu.

Participants had the opportunity to visit the sponsors’ booths and in-

teract with their representatives during the breaks. NEW GPC unconventional display booth, in particular, received an influx of interest with pharmacists and doctors gathering to get a closer glimpse of the newly launched products.

The Children’s Phanadyl Multisymptom Cold and Flu, Xcite Sildenafil Citrate tablet and BabyCare Gripe Water were among the top products of interest. Other notable mentions include; Atorvastatin, Atenolol and Metformin Hydrochloride tablets.

Many of the persons who visited NEW GPC

booth interacted with the representatives providing valuable feedback while benefiting from merchandises and samples from the first batch of Children’s Phanadyl Multi-symptom Cold and flu.

The Children’s Phanadyl Multisymptom is an extension of the popular PHANADYL brand.

The brand includes the Phanadyl Tablets and Phanadyl Paediatric elixir, which is widely distributed through the public healthcare system and administered to children across the length and breadth of Guyana.

PPP/C says looking forward to debate on Rodney CoI Report

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s thousands in Guyana and many other countries, observe the 36th anniversary of the assassination of Dr Walter Rodney, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) says it is looking forward to the debate in the National Assembly on the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the scholar’s murder.

General Secretary of the PPP, Clement Rohee, today told reporters during a media briefing at the party’s headquarters that the PPP is joining with all progressive, democratic and peace loving persons in Guyana and around the world in observing Dr Rodney’s 36th assassination anniversary.

He stated that the PPP supports the findings in the Rodney Commission of Inquiry and will reject any attempt to either ‘water-down the recommendations’ or denigrate those who contributed to the Commission’s work.

According to the General Secretary the shades of evils and transgressions that Dr Rodney fought against “continue to haunt us” and that early signs of a return to “vintage Burnhamism” being executed unabashedly by the heirs to his dictatorial

Dr Walter Rodney legacy are now being witnessed.

“The Rodneyite beliefs in racial and working class unity are now being whittled away by the Burhamite beliefs in divide and rule reminiscent of British Colonial rule, and now being executed by the Ministry of anti-Social Cohesion.

Regrettably, this process is being aided and abetted from within by Clive Thomas, David Hinds, Rupert Roopnarine and Maurice Odle who once openly opposed the PNC and its iron rule but who for reasons known only to them but more particularly because of their deep hatred for the PPP, its members and supporters, chose to jump into bed with the same people who were part and parcel of the political and coercive apparatus that is responsible for Rodney’s tragic demise,” Rohee contended.

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Relatives of Walter NDIA audit finds Rodney continue Surrendra owing Govt fight for justice G$26M in spares – call on Govt to act on CoI recommendations

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he widow and family members of slain historian and founder leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr Walter Rodney have commenced a worldwide petition, calling on Government to make the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into his death public and the recommendations therein acted upon.

The widow is continuing to fight for justice for the death of her husband, who died in a bomb blast some 36 years ago. She, along with her children, friends and supporters, began circulating a petition throughout the Caribbean and around the world, calling for justice for the renowned scholar.

The petition is also calling for a change in the manner of death stated on Rodney’s death certificate, from “death by misadventure” to “murder”, for the change of his profession from “unemployed” to “Historian/Professor”, for the overturning of the conviction of his younger brother Donald Rodney, and to expunge any related criminal history.

The petition has also fired at Government, stating that its celebration of the life of former Prime Minster and People’s National Congress (PNC) Leader Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham during the celebration of Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary was a revisionist account of Guyana’s history. The findings of the CoI report have fingered the former Prime Minister as the mastermind behind Rodney’s death.

Dr Patricia Rodney The statement said “enough is enough”, speaking to those who have continued to cover-up what it said are the staggering facts and findings in the CoI Report.

Details coming out of the 18-month investigation – heard evidence from numerous witnesses – revealed that the Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham regime of the 1980s had been very forceful and had used its political power to injure smaller and defenceless political parties.

Rodney, a world respected political and social activist, died in June 1980, after a communication device he was examining exploded in his lap.

It was the theory of those close to the founding Leader of the WPA that the man he had somewhat come to trust; a then Guyana Defence Force Sergeant and communications expert William Gregory Smith, had implanted the explosive in the device Rodney was expected to test.

The theory claimed too

that the Government of the day, the People’s National Congress and its leader, Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, had used Smith to carry out the attack.

In the report, the three Commissioners – Barbados Queen’s Counsel Richard Cheltenham, Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline SamuelsBrown and Trinidad-based Guyanese Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam – concluded that given all the relevant facts, events and circumstances set out in the report, they could do nothing else but establish that William Gregory Smith was not acting alone but had the active and full support, participation and encouragement of, and/or was aided and abetted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) – both agencies of the State – and the political directorate including Prime Minister Forbes Burnham in the killing of Dr Rodney.

The Working People’s Alliance on Monday issued another call to Government to allow the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report to be laid in the National Assembly.

Executive member, Dr David Hinds, called on Government to fulfil its promise and have the report properly laid before Parliament and debated.

He also urged Government, of which the WPA is part of, to honour Dr Rodney in the most non-partisan manner by re-naming the University of Guyana “the Walter Rodney University of Guyana”.

T

he forensic audit conducted into the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has revealed that the India-based company that was contracted to supply the Government of Guyana with drainage pumps was also supposed to provide several spares, but failed to do so.

According to the audit report, compiled by Nigel Hinds, of the US$2.9 million paid to Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited of Mumbai, India, for the acquisition of pumps, some US$126,000 was for the supply of spares.

“The spares were never received by NDIA,” the auditor revealed, adding that “consequent upon the non-receipt of spares, the contract was terminated on October 8, 2014”.

The monies paid were part of an agreement between the Guyana Government and the ExportImport (Exim) Bank of India on July 26, 2010. The agreement provided for a Line of Credit to the tune of US$4 million for the purpose of acquiring, installing and commissioning fixed and mobile pumps. The contract was awarded to Surendra.

Hinds noted that while the NDIA was unable to provide the dollar credit line agreement, from discussions and documents reviewed by his team it was noted that Surendra was contracted in May 2011 to supply and install eight fixed and six mobile drainage pumps. As part of the contract, the company had to also supply spares and provide technical support.

The auditor pointed out that a total of US$2,991,147 was disbursed, leaving a balance of US$1,008,853, which they are trying to locate.

“We are yet to receive a confirmation from Exim Bank through the Ministry of Finance that this balance exists,” the auditor stated.

Moreover, it was pointed out that the then Chief Executive Officer Lionel Wordsworth had indicated that four of the pumps were rejected because of poor quality materials. The report further stated that there were significant delays in the shipments

from India as was noted at several Board meetings.

“The first batch of (mobile) pumps along with auxiliary components along with engine, radiator and hydraulic hoses arrived in January 2013, the remaining pumps along with engine, radiator and hydraulic hoses arrived in March 2013,” the auditor stated.

These complete units are presently installed in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) at Lima Sluice and Three Fields Sluice; at Lusignan, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Pine Ground, Mahaicony in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) at Rose Hall Town Sea Side and Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder.

As it relates to the fixed pumps, they consist of several units including: engine and radiator, power take off or clutch assembly, drive shaft, gear box and pump assembly. Most of these components had arrived with the exception of one piece each in most cases.

The 14 pumps supplied by Surendra Limited are located at: Albion; Bengal, Corentyne; Black Bush Polder; Canal No 1; Crab Wood Creek; Eversham and Gangaram, Corentyne; Lima, Essequibo; Number 19 and Number 43, both in Berbice.

The other locations for the Surendra pumps are: Paradise/ Enterprise; Pine Ground, Mahaicony; Rose Hall and Windsor Forest.

Surendra Engineering Company Limited had several other contracts with the Government of Guyana, including one for the construction of the Specialty Hospital; however, that contract was yanked from the Indian firm in 2014 after there were allegations of fraud and financial irregularities.

Following this, the other contacts that the company had were terminated including the one for the supply of the pumps. As part of the contract, engineers from Guyana were sent to India to inspect putting together of the drainage pumps that were being acquired for local use.

Trial continues into 2007 Businessman charged for stealing Barama rape case

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mixed jury was on Tuesday empanelled at the Demerara Assizes to begin the trial of Paul Abrams, Claude Craig and Holston Melville who are accused of raping and sodomising a 17-year-old girl in the Barama Complex, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara on December 5, 2007.

Three of the seven witnesses that the prosecution intends to call testified on Tuesday.

Attorney-at-Law Bernard De Santos is

representing two of the accused – Craig and Abrams – while Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes and Kezia Williams are representing Melville.

The matter is be-

ing presided over by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow while the prosecution is headed by State Counsel Siand Dhurjon.

According to reports, the teen was

allegedly raped by Abrams, her supervisor, while she was working on the night shift with him. Reports are Abrams asked for help and then led her into a room and had sex with her without her consent.

After the accused was finished, he allegedly locked the teen in the room and returned with a friend who reportedly sodomised her after which the third accused allegedly went in and did the same.

The trial continues today.

truck, chainsaws from BaiShanLin

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Kwakwani businessman was released on Gy$400,000 bail on Tuesday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts accused of stealing millions of dollars in items from Chinese-owned logging company BaiShanLin. Sherwin Sealey, 38, of Lot 220 Kwakwani Water Front, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), allegedly stole a truck valued at $20 million along

with 10 chain saws valued Gy$2,000,000 – all valued Gy$22,000,000 from the logging company between May 20 and 25.

Sealey pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones made no objection to bail, but requested that it be in a substantial amount.

The matter was transferred to the Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court for June 17.

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Public disclosure of assets an Annandale fraudster important aspect of democracy fined Gy$100,000 A – US Embassy deputy

By Vahnu Manikchand

O

utgoing Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy in Guyana, Bryan Hunt is of the view that Guyanese public officials should be made to publicly declare all assets, both local and overseas, in the name of transparency.

This comes in light of Government using its one-seat parliamentary majority back in January to turn down a motion tabled by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition that would provide for all Members of Parliament (MPs) making public declarations of taxable income and all assets to the Integrity Commission.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International on Tuesday, Hunt said that without siding with any of the political parties, he believed that public disclosure of assets was an important aspect of transparency. He noted that it was important for not only the executive branch but all State officials to publicly declare all of their assets.

“While this is a debate the Guyanese public needs to have as oppose

Outgoing Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy in Guyana, Bryan Hunt

to the international community, I think in principle the ultimate objective should be to have all public office holders, all senior civil servants disclose fully all assets they may hold whether it’s in Guyana or overseas,” he posited.

According to Hunt, there needs to be disclosure legislation that is not only on the books but actively enforced across the board for all public office holders at all levels. The US diplomat, who will be leaving next month after a three-year tour in Guyana, said that it was equally critical for the same to be applied to Opposition members as

well.

“So, I would encourage both sides of the (National Assembly) to move as quickly as possible to put those sorts of public disclosure laws in place,” he urged.

However, the outgoing Deputy Chief of Mission opted not to take a position on what process should be adopted to ensure such transparency.

“What specific legislation, whether it’s multiple legislations, whether it’s broad or in over some period of time, whether you start with A and move to B, I’ll leave to the politicians and the public to debate, but the end goal of all of this needs to be full disclosure of all assets, wherever they may be held anywhere in the world,” he stated.

The proposed Code of Conduct for Government officials and parliamentarians is part of a menu of measures that call for accountability and proper demeanour by MPs and Government officials.

According to the proposed Code of Conduct, the coalition Government has, over time, committed to being scrutinised by all as it believes that

it is accountable to the people. The Government assures that it will continue to strive to live up to its promise of transparency and accountability in all of its endeavours.

In fact, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration had long been pushing for transparency and had even accused members of the PPP/C regime of stashing their wealth abroad.

However, when the Opposition proposed the motion to have Ministers’ tax records and statements made available to the Integrity Commission and released to the public, it was defeated by Government. The coalition noted that it was not in favour of the public declaration, and would prefer to make such disclosures to the Integrity Commission instead.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had stated that he had already declared all his assets to the Integrity Commission and was willing to disclose his international possessions as well, if Government was prepared to follow suit.

n East Coast Demerara man was fined $100,000 when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded guilty to a fraud charge.

C h r i s t o p h e r Ramsammy, of Lot 51 Courbane Park, Annandale, East Coast Demerara, admitted that during the month of May 2016, he fraudulently obtained Gy$850,000 from Ravi Duran claiming to be the owner of a motor vehicle bearing registration plates PVV 3489.

The 31-year-old man was also accused of uttering to Duran a fake registration document for the said vehicle, on May 13, 2016.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that the vehicle was entrusted by its legal owner, whose name was not provided to the court to his friend, identified to the court as “Tall Man”, who also happens to be a friend of the defendant.

However, ignorant of their plot, Duran agreed to purchase the vehicle and paid the Gy$850,000 sum.

An agreement of sale was made between the complainant and Ramsammy, who also created the fraudulent vehicle registration documents.

Ramsammy told the

Christopher Ramsammy

court that his intention was never to sell the vehicle to Duran but rather to pawn it since his friend “Tall Man” told him he was low on cash, and it was a way for them to make money.

It was at this point that Magistrate McLennan enquired from the Prosecution the whereabouts of “Tall Man”. Prosecutor Jones told the court the man’s location is currently unknown to Police.

Ramsammy was ordered to repay Duran his Gy$850,000 on or before September 30, 2016, with his first payment of Gy$250,000 on July 30 for the fraud charge.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of Gy$100,000 for uttering the fake registration documents to Duran. However failure to pay will result in him spending two years in prison. He will return to court on July 1.

PPP pays tribute to Enmore Martyrs T he gains made for sugar workers on the whole are gradually being whittled away by an unsympathetic and uncaring regime. This is according to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) which in observance of Enmore Martyrs Day noted that the Party was committed to defending the rights of all sugar workers, especially at this time when the industry was experiencing extended periods of challenges.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the PPP saluted the memory of the five sugar workers who were gunned down by colonial Police in British Guiana on June 16, 1948.

“The five slain sugar workers, now referred to as the Enmore Martyrs stand as a living monument to the struggles and sacrifices waged by sugar workers for a living wage and better conditions of work,” the Party noted.

The workers who died were Lallabaggie and

The Enmore Martyrs Monument at Enmore, East Coast Demerara

Dookie from Enmore, and Rambarran, Harry and Pooran from Enterprise/Nonpareil.

It was noted that the killing of these five workers served as a catalyst to the formation of the PPP back in January 1950. “Indeed, it was at the graveside of the slain workers that Dr

Jagan made that silent pledge to dedicate his entire life to the cause of the working people,” the Party said.

According to the PPP, sugar workers today face an uncertain future with the decision to close Wales Estate and the impending closure of the La Bonne

Intention (LBI) Estate.

It added that workers are also being denied their Annual Production Incentive (API) and the fruits of other collective bargaining agreements with their union.

“The gains made for sugar workers and workers on the whole are gradually being whit-

tled away by an unsympathetic and uncaring regime, which is more concerned about feathering its own nest rather than that of the working class. The PPP urges all workers to unite and close ranks against this onslaught in honour of the heroic struggles waged by the Enmore

Martyrs who paid the ultimate price of sacrificing their lives in defence of their rights,” it added.

The PPP is also calling on the Administration to stop “playing politics” with the livelihoods of sugar workers by immediately halting the closure of sugar estates. The PPP has reiterated calls for Government to instruct the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to “respect the collective labour agreement it has with unions operating in the sugar industry”.

“This disrespect and callous attitude displayed by GuySuCo is a clear violation of industrial relations enshrined in the Conventions of the International Labour Organisation.

The PPP takes this opportunity of Enmore Martyrs Day to serve notice on the APNUAFC administration that it will not sit idly by and allow the rights of workers to be ignored and violated,” observed the Party.

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‘It should be scrapped...

“Chase Green and all of them gone to Mexico for something, to gallivant, nobody knows. I don’t think the Councillors were even told about this trip to Mexico, Oscar Clarke and all of them,” he remarked.

The economist, like Ram, is recommending that the Council abandon the current project and start a new process that is open and transparent.

“Scrap all of that and cancel all of that and start over. They have to scrap it and start over,” Gaskin recommended.

On Sunday last, former Speaker of the National Assembly and commentator Ralph Ramkarran said the undertaking seems to be nothing but a “getrich-quick scheme”, given the capricious and tenuous strategies and justifications provided for some aspects of the project.

In his weekly blog “The Conversation Tree”, Ramkarran outlined a number of issues in relation to the project and even suggested alternatives that the M&CC could explore before moving ahead with the contentious parking meter plan.

Among the issues he outlined are lack of consultation with stakeholders including those who will be affected the proposed location of the meters which is deemed unfair and exploitative.

Ramkarran also con-

tended that the fact the contractor would be taking 80 per cent of the revenue earned from these meters while the City Council would cash in on 20 per cent was extremely worrying.

“This smells very much like a get-rich-quick scheme to exploit owners of motor vehicles, many of whom are regular working people, for the substantial benefit of the 80 per cent private contractor(s) and not the City Council,” he stated.

Reports indicate that some 300 parking meters will be installed across the City, charging Gy$125 every 15 minutes for an expected yearly income of approximately Gy$100 million to Gy$200 million.

Cultural Policy Advisor to the Education Minister Ruel Johnson also criticised the manner in which the project was being executed. In his Facebook post, Johnson posited, “Why on earth would any sane person interested in good governance want this deal to go through? And while I applaud Sherod Duncan, who has been completely reticent on many issues, for speaking out coherently on this one, where are the voices of the other Councillors on this?

Even if there were a majority in favour, there has to be a reasonable minority against this.”

Johnson also called

on the public to use this opportunity to hold the Government accountable and demand better governance. The short-lived excitement of the parking meter project was eclipsed by controversy and accusations of corruption after City Councillors, including Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan refused to endorse the project on the grounds that the Council

from page 15

was not provided with enough information on the project and its contractor, including the contract with the Council inked with National Parking Systems/Smart City Solutions to install and operate the meters.

There are also questions about the companies’ track record in parking meter installation.

Cush has been argu-

ing that his companies have worked in Panama, Argentina, Peru and Mexico City among others; however, checks by this publication in these locations turned up empty as there is no mention of either company.

Further, the company’s website, http://npsgreatcities.com was registered on April 8, 2016, about the same time fresh dis-

cussions about the installation of parking meters in Georgetown surfaced.

There are also concerns that the company provided a false address for its headquarters.

Key stakeholders are raising concerns over the possibility of the undertaking being a shady deal aimed at exploiting the local populace.

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Fashion dream becomes reality

S

tacey Angoy is a designer and creative director of Stacey A Collection. Her chic pieces have set her apart as a doyenne of fashion.

Born in Georgetown, she grew up around women of creativity and entrepreneurial skills.

Her mother and late grandma were seamstresses, her aunts and cousins were bakers and cooks – all of whom used their skills to earn.

As a child, Stacey watched her mother sew and sell baby clothing, while pursuing a nursing career. Stacey’s love for the arts and sciences were instilled at a very young age; she sewed, drew, painted, studied science at Bishops’ High School and later earned her BA in chemistry from the City University of New York.

For many years, fashion design was a deferred dream for Stacey.

However, after taking a few classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City to enhance her skills, along with encouragement from family and friends, she took a leap of faith. What started as a showcase of her designs at church fashion show quickly began a steady request for custom orders. In 2014, the brand Stacey A Collection was born.

The Stacey A collection, based in New York City, is a made-to-order clothing line inspired by bold and vibrant African prints framed in modern and regal silhouettes.

The collection includes skirts, dresses, jackets, men’s bowties/neckties, head wraps and clutches.

The designs are versatile

and are perfect for people who want to stand out, or those who have a bold sense of style.

Stacey A Collection is a growing brand that hopes to expand beyond fashion. Stacey aspires to build a brand with a lasting legacy, with modern style and cultural aesthetics. One of her goals, for the brand, is to inspire women to dream and pursue their dreams. Stacey A Collection ‘Made in Guyana’ is a dream in the making.

Participating in the recently held launch of Guyana Fashion Week 2016 gave Stacey a sense of pride. Stacey A Collection is set to release its first ‘spring/ summer’ collection, which is inspired by classic resort wear with an essence of jubilation and festivity.

For more information, visit Stacey A Collection on Facebook.

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GTUC renews call for re-establishment of ministry dedicated to address labour issues

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n light of claims being made that persons are turned away from the Social Protection Ministry when they attempt to make complaints against their employers who fail to meet their legal obligations, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has issued a call for the reestablishment of the Labour Ministry so that issues relating to labour will get the desired attention..

In a statement issued on Monday, the umbrella union said it continues to receive complaints from workers that they are being turned away from the Social Protection Ministry when they seek to lodge complaints against employers. The process in industrial relations on

matters of such nature is not to turn away complainants but to activate a process to investigate and resolve the complaint.

According to the union, it is issuing a call to government to ensure that workers’

concerns are addressed as they play a vital role in the development of the country’s economy.

“This Government is put on notice that it has to be mindful of Labour’s role and importance in any developmental agenda.

It is of concern to the Labour Movement that workers continue to be treated as incidental to production and productivity, even though neither can be achieved without their input,” the body iterated.

As such the union is

calling for the re-establishment of the Labour Ministry that will be responsible for addressing and resolving worker’s concerns.

“GTUC once again is nudging the Government to establish a Ministry of

Labour that will be dictated to address labour and its attendant issues. During the 6-months Minister Broomes held the portfolio of Labour responsibilities; strident efforts were taken to uphold time-honoured principles, conventions and laws in the interest of all, such as workers, employers and government. This has been an approach consistent with good governance and ensuring stable industrial relations climate. Efforts must be made to restore and build on good practices,” the union emphasised.

Efforts to contact Minister within the Social Protection Ministry Keith Scott, who has responsibilities for labour, proved futile.

Kaicumbay landscape

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aicumbay is a predominantly Makushispeaking satellite community situated at the edge of the forest along Kaicumbay Creek, 12 miles north of the Kanuku Mountains.

The village is home to around 300 persons who have their houses on the savannah hills away from the village centre, where the community primary school building is located. There is also a health centre.

Their main activities are farming, hunting and fishing. A few families own several heads of cattle that graze in the savannah.

The main access to the village is via a good trail that intersects the old Yupukari trail in Rupununi, which runs from the main Lethem-Kurupukari road, about 4-5 miles south of Pirara, westerly through Marakanata village. (Photos thanks to Patrick Carpen www.patrickcarpen.com)

Thatch roof houses in the village

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Times Reflections

Watercolour painting of the port of Georgetown with the lighthouse around 1850-1860

Ali's visit to Guyana

A 1940 British Guiana Telephone Directory

Ali at the opening of Whim Islamic Centre (Photo by Mona Boodram)

A British Guiana exercise book bearing the portrait of King George VI who was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions from December 11, 1936 until his death on February 6, 1952. George VI ascended the throne after his older brother Edward abdicated to marry an American divorcee. His reign saw the acceleration of the dissolution of the British Empire, and the birth of the Commonwealth in 1949, making him the first Head of the Commonwealth. George VI was the father of the present Queen Elizabeth II.

An unforgettable visit by a legend (April 22, 1979)

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orld heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, who died on June 3, 2016, visited Guyana in April 1979, to declare open the Whim Islamic Centre.

Ali’s arrival in Guyana at Timehri Airport (now Cheddi Jagan International Airport) was received with celebrations and music.

There was pan music and much enjoyment. It is said that Ali walked straight to the steel pan and started playing like a natural. Those who witnessed the legend on pan were mesmerized, as he had shown to be one with the people of Guyana.

There was also a motorcade that transported the champ to his destination. Eyewitnesses said the streets were overflowing with people as they tried to get a glimpse of the legendary boxer.

According to the web-

site, chs-jccss.org, a photograph was taken by Mona Boodram (owner of Roopmahal Cinema) in 1979 when Ali declared open the Whim Islamic Centre. During this visit, he was said to be the house guest of Mohammed Kamal of Bloomfield and of Abdool of Rose Hall Town.

On the website, Mohamed Ally Sookwa commented on the photo: “I met the champion who sat me on his lap and fed me an ice cream cone. I was only 11 at the time…”

Mj Singh (chs-jccss. org) recalled: “I remember the champion visit to Guyana. I was 16 years old at the time. I use to live on Robb St then. My school had us line up by the masjid on Robb St to welcome him…The champion shake all of us hands. Great memories... will be sadly missed.”

Karen Dannett said:

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nowing our history is knowing our origins; knowing our rich heritage and who we are as a people.

There are numerous historical objects we

Muhammad Ali attends the Robb St. Bourda mosque, Georgetown

“I was six years old when Muhammad Ali visited Guyana. We lived in the Big Yard on Hadfield Street in Lodge across from the Cultural Centre.

There were lots of people following the motorcade down the street. I called out to my mom, Jean Clarke, and she took me, my sister Dionne Clarke and my cousin Marc Dannett to see him at the Sports Arena. He sparred with the prime minister at the time and made the crowd laugh. He truly was the greatest boxer of

all times. May he R.I.P.” Once asked about his preferred legacy, Ali said: “I would like to be remembered as a man who won the heavyweight title three times, who was humorous and who treated everyone right. As a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him … who stood up for his beliefs … who tried to unite all humankind through faith and love.

“And if all that’s too much, then I guess I’d settle for being remem-

bered only as a great boxer who became a leader and a champion of his people. And I wouldn’t even mind if folks forgot how pretty I was.”

Indeed, the attitude in Ali’s quotes was reflective when he visited Guyana, as those who remembered him saw he was someone who “unites all humankind through faith and love”.

Ali was buried Friday June 10 in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, USA. (Colour photos courtesy L. J. Hernandez.

Thanks to chs-jccss.org for information on Ali’s visit)

may have inherited from parents or grandparents that may seem invaluable, but is priceless when its history is considered.

Many times persons would have held these now historic documents or objects that at a time in our history had meaning or symbolism different to ours today; items that reflected hopes and reflected our place in the world.

Some of these objects have survived the test of time and are safely preserved in public and private collections. (Cover left to right: Tourist brochure from the 1930s (Wayne McWatt photo); ‘Folk Songs of Guyana’ published in 1970 (Wayne McWatt photo); Ad on ‘Guyana’s Exciting Future’ after 1966 (Wayne McWatt photo))

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Region 1 Chairman accuse REO Jamaican woman Florida charged of acting outside legal authority in with double murder …to move No-confidence motion against him

By Kizzy Coleman

R

egion One (Barima-Waini) Chairman Brentol Ashley has announced that he will be moving a no-confidence motion against the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Leslie Wilburg, as the dispute between the REO and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) spirals.

Speaking at a press conference at Freedom House last Saturday, Ashley said the REO has refused to follow the mandates given to him and is moving beyond his legal authority.

At a recent RDC statutory meeting a number of issues were raised by the various standing committees that were to be addressed by the council.

According to the chairman, as a result of the questions being posed by the RDC councillors regarding the non-implementation of works programme in the region, Wilburg became defensive, causing the meeting to be adjourned.

“He and his officers became defensive for their inaction and their slowness in implementing works for the region. And also they were very reluctant to give clarity to questions when it comes to the usage of finances in the RDC,” Ashley said.

According to the chairman, the REO has made it clear to Council that he and his officers do not have to carry out instructions given by the RDC, which is contrary to the Constitution in Article 28:01.

Region One (Barima-Waini) Chairman Brentol Ashley

Additional complaints voiced by the Regional Chairman divulged that himself along with the Vice Chairman have been without vehicles for a considerable period as the money to acquire this cannot be accounted for by the REO. “When questioned on this, the REO puts himself in defence as to why he was spending the money, making it clear to Council that as the Accounting Officer of the region he can spend money because he is the one that approves it. This is contrary to what is actually the case, the money that is given by Central Government is not given to the REO, it is given to the RDC

and is implemented by the REO and the other staff with the guidance by the RDC.” The Chairman is calling for the ‘disrespect and undermining’ by the REO to cease as the decision have been made to file for a no-confidence motion if the matter continues.

“We at the level of the RDC will not be subjected to disrespect or undermining of the authority of such an elected body and more so will not give way to anyone being insubordinate and not carrying out the function that they are appointed to do”.

The RDC councillors are calling for the REO to become acquainted with the rules and responsibilities to be carried out and to act within the confines of what the constitution prescribes.

They are also calling for the council to be able to carry out its mandate as they are the representatives of the people of the region.

“Allow us, the council to carry out its mandates because the council is there to represent the people of region irrespective of their political affiliation, their religion or their ethnicity, and we will continue to do so. So we will not give up the struggle for the people of Region One because we firmly believe that the people of Region One deserve better, they must have better; and those that are entrusted with the responsibility to do so, to carry it out in a very sober and very professional manner.”

President says long-delayed national youth policy closer to reality

F

ollowing years of constant delays on its completion, the National Youth Policy might finally come on-stream sometime this month, according to President David Granger.

Prompted for an update on this much talked about matter, President Granger explained that a white paper on the National Youth Policy is being prepared and will soon be laid in the National Assembly.

While noting that this is a cautious pronouncement, the President said the document could be ready sometime in this month.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan during the presentation of Budget 2016 announced that the National Youth Policy was finalised.

In August 2015, Presidential Adviser on Youth Empowerment Aubrey Norton had announced that the National Youth Policy draft had been completed and was awaiting review from the President and Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.

The National Youth Policy is supposed to be a comprehensive policy document that states the vision of the Government of Guyana (GoG) for the youths of

the country, and also how this vision would be realised by the Government. The Policy caters for the needs of the youths in the age group of 15-35 years, which constitutes over 50 per cent of the population.

It also identifies the vision and the five key objectives that are further sub-divided into several priority areas for youth development.

It further suggests policy imperatives that should be implemented in each of these identified priority areas.

The National Youth Policy 2015 seeks to achieve a nation where all the young people are safe and healthy, have equal access to opportunities, can participate in public life, and are empowered to meaningfully contribute to Guyana’s sustainable, national development.

The previous Administration had held numerous consultations on this initiative in an effort to finalise and subsequently implement the policy

of her children

Sophia Hines reportedly killed her seven-monthold son and three-year-old daughter by suffocating them with a bed sheet. (Photo: Caribean360.com)

A

Jamaican woman in the US state of Florida is facing two premeditated murder charges after allegedly suffocating her two children.

The mother of four, Sophia Hines, reportedly killed her seven-monthold son St. Leo and three-year-old daughter Ariel on Wednesday in Miramar, a suburb in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Police said the 40-year-old woman admitted to suffocating the young children by holding a bed sheet over their mouths. She said she had killed the baby first.

Hines lived in Philadelphia with Anthony Singleton – St.

Leo’s father, to whom she was married for four months – but had driven with the children to the home of her cousin, Neisha Nettleford, in Florida a week ago.

A complaint affidavit released by police yesterday said that Hines had called Nettleford around 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday, urging her to come home right away.

When Nettleford arrived, she found her cousin crying and the children unresponsive.

Both children were pronounced dead at the scene.

“The defendant gave no explanation for her actions,” according to police. (Caribbean360.com)

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This week's Crossword

This week's Puzzle

It’s a dog’s life…

O

…with western media bias

nce again the “Lychee and Dog Meat Festival” in the Chinese city of Yulin has drawn outraged protests – and worldwide reportage – even here in Guyana. Over the course of ten days about 10-15,000 dogs would’ve been savoured. The consumption of the lychee goes unremarked. Even your Eyewitness raised a jaded eyebrow and felt a slight squirm in his stomach at the mention of eating “dog meat”.

Cause he’s a fella who just loves his Labba in pepperpot! Just goes to show there’s still a lot of truth in the old saw “One man’s meat is another man’s poison”! The British philosopher Julian Baggini considered western meat-eaters “hypocritical” for being outraged by the Chinese eating “cute animals”: “The double standards at play here are numerous, complicated, and not always obvious…Vegans are the only group who can oppose the festival without any fear of hypocrisy”.

But Baggini’s point about vegans raise a deeper question: what’s the reason behind the revulsion towards dog mean? Is it just because they’re cute, as he says? Well rabbits are just as cute, don’t you think…but millions of them are turned into stew and consumed with relish. Pun intended! And how about all those millions and millions of cute sheep that Mary used to frolic with that are then turned to mutton?

They’re fair game?

Is the line drawn with dogs by the West because they’ve served humanity for eons as fellow hunters back in the day? Well horses also served us well, didn’t they? Both in war and in work. Didn’t stop the west from enjoying their horse meat. Even if it’s on the sly because they’re a bit sheepish about it. Pun intended!

Then of course, “dogs are man’s best friend”… that’s the rationale most often thrown up. But have you ever gone to India and seen how the billion or so Hindus treat their cows? They’re more than even “best friends” – they’re part of the family…with names and everything. Even called “mother” for their sustaining roles. Yet the west regularly castigates Hindus for rather starving than eating their cows. “Superstitious” is a kind appellation. One doesn’t have to even wonder how they’d answer the analogous question, “Would you rather starve or eat your dog?” In every western city there are annual food fairs where the meat of thousands of cows and sheep are consumed.

The real question we should publicise is whether we can literally afford to eat meat – and especially beef.

Each cow needs 2 acres of space …plus fresh water.

Of which the world is running out, as we and China switch to beef.

…to “woo” investment

Did you notice, dear reader, our movers and shakers in government always have to “woo” investors. It’s not by accident, you know. In these matters our leaders have to literally “put out” to get those foreigners to plunk down their money to develop Guyana. You say, they don’t have to “put out” too much after the Bai Shan Lin brouhaha? We’ll see.

Our government worthies just finished their latest courtship of investors at the “Harvard Club” in mid-Manhattan. Last October there was a highlevel team that visited Toronto on the same mission and we were told they were “inundated” with offers of investment. Some of the attendees were made “Business Advisors” – no pay, though – to presumably assist the “inundated” officials to prioritise the deluge of investment opportunities. It ain’t easy, is it?

In Toronto, the high level delegation had met at the Riverstoen Golf Club. With Harvard Club they probably had to shell out a pretty penny. But we’re sure the investments will exceed the Toronto deluge.

Avalanche?

… In flooded villages

Wouldn’t it have been better to install pumps in West Berbice with the billion dollars spent on the Jubilee Bash?

Don’t these coalition supporters – who’ve been living with their animals under water for more than a month – count? see solution on page 47

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By John Gimlette Extract from Gimlette’s “Wild Coast: Travels on South America’s Untamed Edge” uring my last week in the Rupununi, I travelled out to the great ranch at Pirara, to see what was left. Evelyn Waugh had said that, in 1933, it was “one of the most imposing and important houses in the district”.

He described a schoolroom, fruit trees and a compendious library with books on every conceivable subject “much ravaged by ants”.

I paid it a visit with my friend, Mr Li. “I used to come here as a child,” he said as we reached the drive.

Ahead of us was a mountainous billowing of mango trees, topped with a wind pump. Beyond it we could just make out a river – the Pirara – like a long thin lake, curling away through the hummocks of grass. Mr Li said he’d camped here in 1963, and had almost

D

lost a finger, fishing for perai.

“The ranch was owned by the Harts,” he recalled, “a rough and tumble lot.”

I asked what he meant. “Like something from a Louis L’Amour. Fantasists.”

Everyone had stories about the Harts. They were descended from a giant American, who’d arrived in 1911, after a spell digging railways in Brazil.

Ben Hart had weighed over 200lbs, and the sight of so much space was clearly to his liking. He settled, and married another of Harry Melville’s daughters, Amy. Waugh remembered him as “a kindly middle-aged American of wide experience” and piety.

But it was a curious type of piety.

By night, Ben led moonlit processions through the grounds, accompanied by his six wild sons, their governess and their Wapisiana grandmother. By day, the boys were “tumultuous”, and spent their school hours reciting the rosary and getting whipped.

But Waugh was clearly taken by their governess, a Creole who wore shorts. She was, he wrote (with uncharacteristic fervour), “as lithe and vital as an adolescent Josephine Baker”. Even she, however, managed to exercise only a “precarious care”.

“No wonder the boys were so wild,”

said Mr Li. We were now almost at the mango trees, churning through the sand.

Waugh’s tumultuous urchins had, it seemed, turned into natural rebels.

“They used to hold rodeos here,” said Mr Li, “and parachute jumps. I think two of the boys had been in the US army, and had served in Korea. But all of them were always fighting! I think most were involved in the uprising …”

Beneath the mango trees, all trace of the old ranch had gone.

Mr Li stopped and stared. “I still find this hard to believe …”

In front of us, an imposing mansion had vanished, along with its schoolroom and its compendious library of half-eaten books. After the 1969 Rupununi revolt, the army had burnt and destroyed everything, even the corrals and the fences. The Harts had fled; every single one.

President Burnham Forbes had regarded their Pirara as “the centre of the operation”, and this was his terrible revenge. Now all that remained were a few shoddy brick structures erected in the eighties, and abandoned ten years later.

From one of them an Indian emerged, grinning and waving. “Me truck broken down on the road,” he said, “I been here two days now!”

He said that, although he was surprised by the fruit, he’d not felt easy here.

“Something not right,” he beamed, “Too many ghosts.”

(Used with permission from the author) John is an award-winning travel writer, having won the prestigious Shiva Naipaul Prize for travel writing in 1997.

He is the author of four books: “At the Tomb of the Inflatable Pig: Travels in Paraguay”, “Theatre of Fish; Travels in Newfoundland and Labrador”, “Panther Soup: A European

Journey in War and Peace” and “Wild Coast; T r a v e l s on South America’s Untamed E d g e ” , launched in February 2011. He also regularly contributes articles and photographs to a wide range of magazines and broadsheet newspapers.

All four books have featured on BBC Radio 4, and the first two were nominated by The New York Times as being among the ‘100 Notable Books of the Year’.

John lives in London where he also practices as a barrister. “Wild Coast” was awarded the Dolman Travel Book Prize in 2012, and, in 2015, was nominated by The Daily Telegraph as one of “The Twenty Best Travel Books of all Time”. (Photos by John Gimlette) (Cover: Landscape of Pirara, where the ranch once existed)

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Women of Kaieteur

W

omen of Kaieteur is a global empowerment network for Guyanese women and girls that works on three principles: inspiration, empowerment and motivation.

It is a not-for-profit organisation, focused on the personal and professional development of Guyanese women and girls through these three principles.

The organisation’s

mission is to “deliver these three themes by galvanising the collective skills and talents of Guyanese women globally to effect positive gender equality changes in Guyana”.

In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, its founder Roianne Nedd said that all members of the network are Guyanese or of Guyanese heritage.

“I have worked on gender equality policies

With her biggest inspiration, her daughter Christianna Nedd (right)

in the UK for over 15 years, which gave me a unique insight into the barriers that face women and girls when they aren’t adequately supported to achieve their full potential. I have also watched, with increasing horror, as the scourge of suicide and domestic violence and homicide have taken root back home [Guyana], with women being most affected in many cases. Some friends and I just felt that we had to do something to make a change in Guyana,” Nedd expressed.

Women of Kaieteur creates and builds networks with Guyanese

women across the globe, encouraging them to share their skills and experiences to positively impact and unlock the potential of women and girls in Guyana.

“Kaieteur was chosen because of it is a natural phenomenon that has sprung from the soil of our homeland. A thing of strength and beauty it perfectly embodies our purpose,” Nedd explained.

Through Women of Kaieteur, Nedd and her team aim to raise the voices of women and girls in Guyana. They want to see “women being recognised for their important contributions to society, and create a safe place for women and girls to raise concerns and challenge the status quo as a collective”.

So far, the organisation has launched the Women of Kaieteur Business Directory, which profiles femaleowned and operated business in Guyana, and foreign businesses owned

by Guyanese women. Its current project involves publishing a book about

Guyanese women called “50 Women: 50 Years”, which will profile everyday women who are making significant contributions to society and highlight their achievements. Additionally, the organisation is currently planning its ‘Summer Programme’ which will involve events in London and Guyana.

“We have a unique delivery proposition which enables us to work with the widest range of stakeholders and collaborate innovatively with delivery partners. We take a balanced scorecard approach to our work which is underpinned by strategy and operations,” Nedd outlined.

Some of these “strategy and operations” include ‘Education (E1)’ which focuses on its intention to work with schools to deliver empowerment and education sessions on topics which are relevant to its campaigning priorities.

‘Entrepreneurship (E2)’ encourages economic independence by supporting female entrepre-

neurs through webinars and masterclasses to establish and strengthen sustainable and viable business practices.

‘Campaigning (C1)’ focuses mainly on social justice and social change and will involve policy comment as well as petitioning and campaigning for change. ‘Corporate Responsibility (C2)’ will work to challenge organisations to consider gender equality and practice non-discriminatory policy-making as part of their employer and service provider responsibilities.

Nedd noted that the informal mentoring relationships in place allow members to support each other.

“Our big plan for 2017 is to launch a helpline that people can telephone and get through to someone who will listen to them and try to help them take a more positive view of their situation. This is based on the Samaritan model, which operates in the UK. If you want to eradicate gender inequality and be part of the movement to create positive outcomes for women and girls in Guyana while joining a supportive network of like-minded individuals, then join Women of Kaieteur - the global empowerment network for Guyanese women and girls,” Nedd declared.

Nedd pointed out that Women of Kaieteur Facebook group is open to anyone with a particular focus on Caribbean people. For more information, visit www.womenofkaieteur.org.

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The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

Welcome to Guyana

Part III

which ‘delineates the countries visited during my expeditions, and which will assist better than any description in pointing out those spots which have been depicted in the accompanying plates and woodcuts’.

So it would be easy to find ‘Pirara’, ‘Roraima’ and ‘Pure-Piapa’ at given latitudes and longitudes. And herein where the scientific account and the sublime description met lays the strength of the book, bringing to the fore Schomburgk’s many talents as explorer, surveyor, cartographer, botanist, naturalist, and writer.

There is another diTitle page of “The Twelve Views in the Interior of Guiana”

By Petamber Persaud

I

t appears as if the productive powers of nature, on receding from the poles, had collected themselves in their greatest strength at the equator, spreading their gifts with open hand, rendering every scene more imposing and majestic, and manifesting the abundant fertility of the soil…Nature as if not satisfied with the soil allotted to her, richly decorates the trunks and limbs of trees, the stones and rocks; even the water is covered with a carpet of plants interspersed by magnificent flowers. Robert Schomburgk.

June 5 was designed ‘World Environmental Day’. Robert Schomburgk was born on June 5. His formative years were steeped in the love and interest of nature, natural science and botany. After trying his hand at a few jobs and failed entrepreneurial ventures, Schomburgk finally found his calling in life when, in 1831, he submitted to the Royal Geographical Society, London, a map and his findings on Anegada, Virgin Islands.

This report found favour with the Society which invited Schomburgk to lead an expedition to explore British Guiana. That expedition undertaking during 1835-1839 resulted in the publication of ‘Twelve Views’ and the ‘Schomburgk’s Line’ – a line of contention, current and continuing contention.

“The Twelve Views in the Interior of Guiana” by Sir Robert Schomburgk, reprinted by the Guyana Heritage Society, 2010,

is a big book; a very big book in many ways – physically, imaginatively, geographically, ambitiously, graphically, and descriptively. This big multidimensional book is provocative, inspirational and entertaining.

Physically, ‘Twelve Views’ measures approximately 19 inches by 13 inches, warranting a bookstand for easy handling but it is worth every inch of discomfort from the exciting ‘Front piece’ sucking the reader in into the twelve sublime works of art and unto the accompanying detailed and descriptive text.

Descriptively, ‘Twelve Views’ will blow the mind of the reader (see above quotation).

Graphically, this book is novel and superlative in concept. In the ‘Preface’, Schomburgk declares that credit must go to a number of persons who contributed to the twelve artworks namely, John Morrison, a draughtsman, who accompanied Schomburgk on Schomburgk’s first journey to British Guiana, 1835-1839, and who made sketches of localities visited, and Charles Bentley, a watercolour artist who put finishing touches to the sketches by adding colour, light and shade. Credit for the other graphic dimensions of the books goes to Barnard Gauci and Coke Smyth who drew the images on stone and to Charles Blunt and G. P. Nicholls working on the woodcuts.

Geographically, ‘Twelve Views’, is great in scholarship for academics and for the reader so inclined with the inclusion of a map

mension to Schomburgk as the book reveals in its final pages – his concern for the welfare and wellbeing of the Indigenous Peoples because they ‘have not received the attention which I am so anxious to give them’.

This is seen through his recording of their life, manners and customs including birth, marriage, death traditions, their food and eating patterns, their love for celebration and dance, language, housing, tools, utensils, games, and physical features ‘so wellproportioned that they might serve as models’.

So much was his concern that Schomburgk put

his words to action; after stating that ‘the Indians are capable of progressive improvement, and that the establishment of social order, Europeans arts and Christian morals among them is possible’, he took three natives to England in 1839 for a short while in which they did him proud with ‘progressive improvement’.

The first edition of ‘Twelve Views’ published in 1940 was an ambitious project, engaging the backings of 360 subscribers to get it published. That first edition and was also published in colour and black and white, making use of in-

novative colour lithography. This recent edition published by the Guyana Heritage Society was also an ambitious project; long was the gestation period, but the Society was partnered by the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) which funded the reprinting.

The reprinting of ‘The Twelve Views in the Interior of Guiana’ by Sir Robert Schomburgk, has reopened the adventure in rediscovering El Dorado – the rich natural and literary heritage of Guyana.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

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Rodney, culture and unity

By Ravi Dev

By Ravi Dev

N

ext Monday will be the 36th Anniversary of the death of Dr Walter Rodney. The Commission of Inquiry that examined the circumstances of his death has made its Report public. But Rodney made too much of an impact during his short life for his legacy to be reduced only to his death.

Rodney was deeply

influenced by the three ideological currents that swept the Caribbean after WWII – Marxism, anti-colonialism and Black Power/Pan Africanism. A member of a study group that coalesced around CLR James in London as he studied for his PhD (1966) (“History of the Upper Guinea Coast 1545-1800”), he obviously agreed with the assessment of the great Marxist: “The race question is subsidiary to the class question in politics, and to think of imperialism in terms of race is disastrous. But to neglect the racial factor as merely incidental is an error only less grave than to make it fundamental.”

Rodney did not return to Guyana because of the complexities the racial hostilities engendered between 1962 and 1964 among the Indian and African segments. In Tanzania, where he taught at the University between 1966 and 1968, he criticised the transfer of power by the British to local African leaders from a Marxist perspective as a “briefcase revolution”.

Refused a teaching appointment at UG in 1968 he went on to the Mona Campus of UWI, where he had studied for his first degree in history. He dismissed the Jamaican leader Hugh Shearer as another “briefcase leader”.

His slim 1969 book, “Grounding with my brothers” summarised the lessons he took outside the classroom and into the “gullies” of Kingston. He opened their eyes to Black Power: “Black power is a doctrine about black people, for black people, preached by black people….the colour of our skins is the most fundamental thing about us….In doing so I am not saying that is the way things ought to be.

I am simply recognising the real world – that is the way things are.”

He pointed out the power of oppression to sustain identities: “So long as there are people who deny our humanity as blacks for so long must we proclaim and assert our humanity as blacks.”

Speaking in Jamaica with its 1% Indian population, and away from the challenges of his

native Guyana, Rodney yet noted its racial divisions and pleaded for working class unity.

He pointed out that to “whites” there were no differences between Africans and Indians: “Today some Indians (like some Africans) have joined the white power structure in terms of economic activity and culture; but the underlying reality is that poverty resides among Africans and Indians in the West Indies and that power is denied them.

Black power in the West Indies therefore, refers primarily to people who are recognisably African or Indian.”

Describing Black Power as, “The hope of the black man (remember Rodney uses this term to include both Black and Indian) that he should have power over his own destinies”, Rodney made a point that is very apropos to Guyana today, “This is not incompatible with a multiracial society where each individual counts equally. Because the moment that power is equitably distributed among the several ethnic groups then the very relevance of making the distinction between groups will be lost.”

But after he returned to Guyana he acknowledged the salience of culture over class. While pointing out the homogenising impact of creolisation, Rodney conceded that Indians and Africans had not overcome their cultural differences to develop working class consciousness.

In his last book published posthumously in 1981, he concluded: “…the existing aspects of cultural convergence were insufficiently developed to contribute decisively to solidarity among the working people of the two major race groups.

The obverse of this raceclass conjuncture is that the development of class forces and class consciousness was inadequate to sustain unity of the working people across the barriers created by legal distinctions, racial exclusiveness, and the separate trajectories of important aspects of culture.”

Where do we stand today to create a Guyanese unity?

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Ryhaan Shah alleges victimisation in Govt’s uniform voucher programme

T

he management of Alim Shah Stores, Regent Street and Corentyne, notes that their stores have been dropped from Government’s School Uniform Voucher programme for the first time since the programme began under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.

From the list issued by the Education Ministry in its full page advertisement it appears that Alim Shah is

the only business that has been singled out for omission this year.

The management feels that this is a direct result of Alim Shah’s daughter, Ryhaan Shah, a columnist of Guyana Times, being critical of the Granger Administration.

According to Ryhaan Shah, “as an Indian rights activist” she was also very critical of the PPP/C Government but her father’s business was never singled out

for victimisation under that government. She feels Guyana is moving once again into dangerous territory where “criticism of the Government is being stifled and any critics will be aware that they will pay a heavy price.”

Since the Alim Shah stores provide competitively priced school uniforms, the management feels that while government’s decision to drop the stores might affect business, the shops will

continue to do back-toschool business.

“It will also affect the local manufacturers who employ people to sew the uniforms for us, but we’ll all manage,” Alim Shah said.

Alim Shah has been in business since 1947 and noted that the business survived the worst of the Burnham era: “Being dropped is a setback but we’ll continue to do business.

Our good prices and products will contin-

ue to attract customers. I’m very disappointed with the Granger Government’s decision but I’ve lived through it all and this will not break us.”

Ryhaan Shah says she is very troubled that government has taken this decision to “victimise her father and her father’s business. He’s 90 years old and has never hurt anyone. This is plain cowardice. Why not come after me?” she said.

Ryhaan Shah

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T

he Waiwai are known for their beautiful craftwork that adorn their everyday, functional utensils and clothing. From lightweight basketry, bows and arrows, beaded necklaces and hammocks still being crafted, to war and dance clubs no longer produced, their artistic artefacts can be found in places ranging from international museums to local craft fairs.

The Wai Wai war and dance clubs, once so profusely made that there were many to be sold or donated to museums around the world, has since ceased to be created.

According to the Horniman Museum, this is almost certainly the result of the strong influence of early missionaries who not only reduced inter-tribal conflict but were putting an end to traditional ceremonies and dance festivals.

“This is broadly true of all the Amerindian groups of Guyana amongst whom clubs are rarely, if ever, found,” it stated.

In his book “Additional studies of the arts, crafts, and customs of the Guiana Indians...” (1929) wellknown Guyana historian Walter Roth displayed

Photo of Waiwai dance clubs from Roth’s 1929 book. Today – if any such clubs are being made – they are only for tourist sales or heritage events

several

clubs

he

de-

scribed as Waiwai dance

clubs, called shawarahara in Waiwai.

The ornamental craft were sometimes sheathed in a basketcovered handle, along with feathers raging from macaw to yard fowl feathers. The clubs were painted, Roth notes, with a red (annatto) base over which black paint or white incisions were patterned.

The Horniman Museum collection of Guyanese Amerindian material, located in South London’s Forest Hill, contains 18 war and dance clubs, of which there are basically two types: the block shaped and paddle shaped.

Of the 18, ten are said to have been purchased in 1949 from Philip Peberdy who travelled widely in the interior of Guyana between 1938 and 1948. Seven are of Waiwai origin; two are described as dance clubs, of which one is a toy dance club.

The head of the toy dance club is flat and shaped like a fish tail. It is painted with a black and cream pattern.

Orange, red, grey, and cream feathers decorate the head of the club.

The feathers are kept in place with string. The wood is polished.

According to the museum, it is not easy to classify clubs by their function. Whereas the block-club is more closely associated with warfare and hunting, and the paddle-club seen as a ceremonial accoutrement and a badge of status, their uses were interchangeable. Nor is the existence of decoration, feather, beads, etc., on the club a necessary indication of function.

The organization also pointed out that just two years after collector Nicholas Guppy came into possession of Waiwai clubs in 1952, when the Danish National Museum un-

Made of rainforest wood, the patterns on Wai Wai dance clubs vary but the same designs were also used on baskets, body paint, canoe paddles and wooden stools, and generally represented wildlife and other sacred elements of Wai Wai tradition

dertook extensive research among the Waiwai, clubs received

no mention, suggesting that by 1954 they had all but disappeared.

Dance club painted in red and black, with geometric patterns, and decorated with tassels of red and yellow toucan feathers bound on with cotton string.

There is a krawa (Ananas comosus) string loop in the handle

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Forensic of forensic auditing

By Lomarsh Roopnarine

W

hen the PPP, and in particular, Cheddi Jagan came to power through an uncontroversial election in 1992, most Guyanese wondered what would become of the PNC gang that raped Guyana for over three decades. The word in the street was that Jagan would go after Burnham’s assets he stole from the state and deposited in foreign banks. The street lingo was that Burnham was the “fourth richest African in the world.” The question as to whether such a label is true or not, is meaningless.

What is meaningful is the people’s perception of this man what makes the above label immensely believable.

Jagan did not engage in any substantive forensic auditing.

Instead, he removed many inept PNC administrators from foreign and domestic posts. Jagan did not conduct forensic auditing for two reasons.

The first is that the new PPP government was afraid to do so because of the fear of being removed from power. The military and

police were still loyal to the PNC. In 1994, the political conversation was that “the PPP won the 1992 election but the PNC was ruling”.

The second reason is that Jagan believed a forensic auditing of the PNC would create more mayhem in Guyana.

Moreover, Jagan thought that to conduct any sort of forensic auditing would have been a moot effort since most Guyanese understood how bad and corrupt Guyana was under the PNC. Jagan wanted the PNC to help in the rebuilding of Guyana instead of isolating them.

The current members of PPP can shed some information as to why a forensic auditing was not conducted, at least when compared to what is going on right now. What is certain is that a forensic auditing of the PNC grip on power after three decades in 1992 would have sent a clear message to politicians as to what can happen when the principles of leadership are violated.

This was a missed opportunity.

What happened instead was that the current opposition thought that they would never be in the opposition, much less subject to any form of auditing. This is bad leadership anywhere and

anytime and those who are found guilty through the courts, not by propaganda reporting, should face the consequences, including serving time in prison.

I have always supported forensic auditing – Guyana’s style of checks and balances of government – to ensure transparency and good governance. However, this is not what is happening with the current forensic auditing.

The current regime has floundered immensely in this regard. I will provide three reasons why.

Firstly, those who are leading the forensic auditing are staunch critics of the PPP and some have even voted for the coalition. The question then is, how objective can these individuals be in carrying out mandated responsibilities? One of them has been writing regularly in one of the dailies, expressing dislike and disgust of the former government. This person has recently launched a self-published book and guess who was there supporting this book? Yes, the President of Guyana.

Am I to believe what is written in that book is carved in stone, not to be questioned or criticised?

Someone should review this book.

Another so-called leader of the forensic auditing

has his own television programme which, until recently, was at odds with the previous government.

Again, these individuals may be honest but I question their judgment. I would go even further and ask for a forensic auditing of these individuals.

Secondly, these forensic audit officers are deeply involved in Guyanese politics to be objective.

Many believe that they were dogged, rightly or wrongly so, by the previous administration. It is not what they have discovered but it is what they have chosen to discover coupled by the fact the forensic auditing is restricted to the past decade. Why not extend it backwards to 1970. By the way, I now have a copy of the Rodney report. I can see why the current regime is reluctant to release the report to the public.

Thirdly, the dailies are publishing the findings of forensic auditing as if they are facts. The people who are implicated in the forensic auditing should have an opportunity to respond.

Instead, the government’s media mouthpiece and the national daily tabloid (KN) are purporting reckless and rancorous views, acting like the Supreme Court of Guyana. Let me repeat, any politicians or persons who abuse state funds, who engage in corruption, and who violate the law should face the consequences. But there must be a fair journey of jurisprudence.

Finally, the President should use the findings of the forensic auditing to go beyond “corrective measures” but the findings must be assessed by an independent international firm before any action can be taken (lomarsh. roopnarine@jsums.edu).

Laser-Parking

S

atiricus was bemused at all the fuss being made about the parking meter installation offered to Georgetown. “This is such a typically Guyanese reaction!” snorted Satiricus to his friend Cappo. “We are so technologically backwards!” They had just settled in their seats at the Back Street Bar and ordered two beers.

“Wha’ mek yuh like cuss abee down, Sato?” asked Cappo plaintively. “Me bin visit me buddy in New Yark, you know. And me na see not’ing fancy wid dem parking meter.”

“Well, that’s what I’m talking about, Cappo,” Satiricus said exasperatedly. “The meter this overseas Guyanese fella Tush bringing to Georgetown isn’t those pieces of pipe in the ground where you have to put in coins.”

“So abee gon tu’n mo’ advance dan ‘merica?” said Cappo with his eyes opened wide. “But me hear Tush gon charge abee “advance” money too! $500 fuh wan hour parking!”

Satiricus slapped the table and nearly toppled Cappo’s beer bottle. “That’s the same thing I can’t understand with you Guyanese!’ he exclaimed.

“Tush want to give us better than First World parking and you complaining. Jeez!!”

“Suh if Tush na put pole wid meter in de ground, wha’ he gon do fuh abee park abee cyaar and tek abee “advance” money?” asked Cappo sarcastically.

“Budday, I’m glad you asked,” said Satiricus excitedly. He’d missed Cappo’s sarcasm. “Tush will install invisible laser beams that will intersect to create a parking space. No poles in the ground!”

“Like dem laser beam dat does guard dem bank night time?” queried Cappo with a raised eyebrow. “Me see dat in “Ocean 11″!”

“Yes! Yes!” continued Satiricus impatiently.

“And you will pay with your phone credit…or else an alarm will go off.”

“But wha’ gon happen if me stan’ up in waana-dem Tush parking place?” said Cappo, downing his beer.

“If you park you tail for an hour, then you’ll have to shell out $500!!” said Satiricus with satisfaction. “High tech cost money, boy!”

“But Sato, tell me somet’ing,” said Cappo softly. “If abee cyaan keep abee street light goin’; you t’ink abee gon keep laser light wukkin’?”

Satiricus became very quiet.

“Suh buy wan nex’ beer, na, Sato!” said Cappo slyly. “An’ tell me mo ‘bout Tush “advance” parkin’”

news 47

WEEK ENDING JUNE 19, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Political will needed to fight discrimination against LGBT groups – SASOD

Saving Guyana

S

atiricus liked weekends. He liked weekends because he could throw back much later into the night at the Back Street Bar. And he liked it even more when someone else was picking up the tab. Filling that role was his cousin Georgie, who was winding down his visit for the Jubilee Bash. Their friend Cappo, the Canecutter was also enjoying the freeness as they created a jungle of beer bottles on their table.

“Budday!” said Cappo effusively as he slapped Georgie on the back. “Suh wha’ de lates’.”

“The latest, Cappo, is Guyana now saved!” replied Georgie with a grin, as he signalled for another round. Georgie drank “foreign” while Satiricus and Cappo drank local.

Satiricus’ interest was aroused. “I didn’t hear about any new Preacher coming to town.”

“Not that kinda “saved”, Sato. This is even better.”

Georgie paused for effect. “The Government just had an Investment Conference at the Harvard Club in New York and man…you won’t be able to deal with all the investment coming down!”

“New York? I thought Harvard was in Massachusetts,” pointed out Satiricus.

“They have a fancy club in Manhattan where you can rent fancy rooms to impress clients,” replied Georgie with a knowing smirk.

“Me bet ‘e mussee cast “fancy” money, na Jargee!” Said Cappo slyly.

“You need fancy bait to catch fancy fish.

US$100,000 for the day!” said Georgie, who rented apartments in Richmond Hill. “And New York has all the big, fancy, financial fishes, you know!”

“Suh dis diffrent fram dem fancy big fish who bin suppose to come fram Toronto last year and save abee?” Cappo also smirked as he winked to Satiricus.

“My friends,” said Georgie expansively, “Those people in Toronto deal in Chicken Feed. Not like us in New York.”

“Suh who and who show up fuh invest in Guyana?” Cappo wanted to know. “All dem big fish who own Bank and t’ing?”

Georgie paused before answering. “Well, is only Guyanese show up. We own apartment buildings and grocery stores.”

“Suh yuh na had fuh rent fancy Harvard Club fuh fancy money,” pointed out Cappo. “Me bet dem na even put de Large pan de table fuh dem bais drink.

Dem gi’e yuh by de shat! And alyu real estate chaps na like da.”

“Well me hear some a dem bais did behave bad,” confessed Georgie. “Dat night dey move de sport to Sylvie’s by Church and Flatbush!”

“Suh wha’ dis about “Guyana save”?” demanded Cappo.

“Well yuh na hear de guvment want suggestions fuh save Guysuco?” Georgie stared at Cappo the Canecutter directly. “Abee real estate guys can sell aff de land!”

E

ven after 13 years of robust advocacy and campaigns, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) Guyana observed that the political will to address issues affecting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community remains largely unchanged.

SASOD Guyana hosted a discussion forum in observance of its 13th anniversary on June 7, where LGBT human rights advocates and organisations reflected on the struggles and progress made in reducing the discrimination against those vulnerable groups in society.

The discussions were moderated by SASOD Managing Director Joel Simpson and the panel included Lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of Guyana, Dr Jewel Thomas, transgender advocate Antonio Paul, and University of West Indies student of Sociology and Gender and Development Studies Derwayne Wills.

Politics

According to the panelists, the LGBT movement in Guyana is bound to make little progress unless the country’s political leaders demonstrate genuine willingness to reduce instances of discrimination and violence against LGBT persons.

Wills posited that the movement needs to start with politicians and that the lack of political will to make the necessary changes and the fear of losing constituencies have contributed significantly

Panellists: From left, Dr Thomas, Antonio Paul, Derwayne Wills and Joel Simpson

to why homophobia persists in the Guyanese society.

“They are afraid to speak out in defence of the weak and poor because they might lose a few voters,” Wills remarked.

It was also observed that extreme homophobia and punitive laws are still being enforced by the State, creating a difficult society as discrimination and prejudice with extreme homophobia supported by the State stifles and chokes many vulnerable communities, especially in rural areas. She said though this is a terrible social ill, it can lead to stronger inter-personal relationships and people who feel weak or voiceless can come together to find community support – much like what is seen in the LGBT community with SASOD and the Guyana Trans United (GTU).

“Homophobia robs people of the right to speak and participate in

societies.

What we see is that LGBT people will then have to navigate in their own space and are effectively being made refugees in their own countries. It really is a difficult society when homophobia is left to foster, much less endorsed by the State,” Dr Thomas lamented.

Media

Calls were also made for the media to play a more integral role in the fight against LGBT discrimination and violence.

“The role of the media, particularly the State media,” Wills, also a member of the media fraternity, expressed.

He continued, “The media should really be giving voice to minority groups, marginalised communities, and really legitimising the existence of these vulnerable groups in our society.”

PPP/C condemns attack on Orlando gay nightclub it.”

CROSSWORD SOLUTION Members of the LGBT community gathered in downtown Orlando, Fla., for a vigil (Photo: The Star)

D

ays after a lone gunman walked into a gay nightclub at Orlando, Florida and shot dead 50 persons, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is calling for enhanced international co-operation to stamp out terrorism which has reached alarming proportions globally.

This is according to General Secretary of the PPP/C Clement Rohee who during a press conference on Monday stated that his Party condemns in the stron-

gest possible terms the ‘wanton and cold blooded’ shooting to death of those 50 persons in Orlando, Florida.

“It is recorded as the worst killing in recent American history and came on the heels of a series of terrorist related activities which have left scores of people dead, not to mention the untold number who suffered physical and emotional trauma as a result of such barbaric actions.

Actions such as these can only be the work of sick and warp minds re-

gardless of the motive or motives they may wish to attribute in justification of their murderous actions. The fact that the killings took place at a soft target is suggestive of a terrorist activity which is a clear violation of the norms of civilized beings,” said Rohee.

He posited that it is clear that terrorism has now become a global phenomenon which requires a collective response of the international community to “defeat and seriously injure

According to the Party’s General Secretary, the PPP/C shares the pain of all those affected by this barbaric act and extend its deepest condolences to the relatives and friends of those killed and seriously injured.

Reports are that Omar Mateen, 29, of Fort Pierce, Florida, carried an assault rifle and a pistol into the packed ‘Pulse’ club about 2 a.m. Sunday and started shooting in an indiscriminate manner.

In the process, 50 persons were shot dead at least 53 others were wounded, the U.S. police stated.

It must be mentioned that during the attack, Mateen called 911 to pledge allegiance to the ISIS terror group and mentioned the Boston Marathon bombers, according to a U.S. official.

This move by Mateen has been recorded as the deadliest terror attack in the United States since 9/11 when terrorists hijacked two planes and had them fly into the Twin Towers killing several persons.

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING JUNE 19, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Playing a cocaine addict was Salman Khan is a gifted human being, says Aamir Khan most challenging in ‘Udta Punjab’: Shahid Kapoor

S

hahid Kapoor found playing a drug addict a major challenge in ‘Udta Punjab’. The actor who is a teetotaller in real life said that it was difficult to put on the garb of an ‘always high on drugs’ rapper.

Speaking to

IndianExpress.com, Shahid said, “It was very difficult. The most challenging part was to play a cocaine addict. I have never ever had even alcohol. Most people have tried something or the other in their lives. I have never tried anything. It was scary to

play a character who is always high when you don’t even know what it is like to be high. So it was not a normal challenge as an actor but a challenge as a person to play this role.”

To prepare for his role, the actor saw various documentaries apart from spending time with director Abhishek Chaubey trying to grasp the finer nuances of the role.

“There were a lot of documentaries that I watched. I also to spoke to Abhishek at length to get into the physical nature of the character.

Also, Tommy Singh is not just an addict, he is a huge star. He is a musician. He is this ghabru guy. There are many layers to it and him being an addict is just one aspect of it.” (Indian Express)

B

e it Salman Khan’s physique, looks or acting prowess, Aamir Khan has said he and his wife Kiran Rao are the biggest admirers of the “Dabangg” star.

Aamir said whatever his “Andaz Apna Apna” co-star does it becomes a trend in the Hindi film industry.

Both the actors are portraying wrestlers in their upcoming films and have attained a certain body type to fit into their roles, but the 51-year-old “PK” star does not want to be com-

pared with Salman.

“My wife and I have always been Salman’s fans. He has always had a very fit body and in fact he has been the inspiration for actors like me to have a body like him,” Aamir told reporters here.

“I have just tried to be like him in ‘Dangal’ but I don’t feel, my body is as good as him. He is the original body builder,” the actor said.

Earlier, Kiran had praised Salman’s ‘langot’ clad look in “Sultan”.

Quizzed about that, Aamir jokingly said,

“Where was I?” The actor later added, “Salman is anyway a handsome actor. He looks more handsome when he is without clothes… He is a gifted human being and very charming.”

There are reports that Phantom Films is planning a sequel to filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi’s 1994 comedy “Andaz Apna Apna”.

Aamir said though he did not have any idea about a proposed sequel but if it happens he would love to star with Salman in it. (Indian Express)

Glad I’m not stereotyped Malaika Arora Khan campaigns in Bollywood: Sunny Leone to end cruelty against horses

A

A

ctress Sunny Leone says she is glad that she hasn’t got stereotyped in Bollywood.

“Initially I was perceived in a certain way.

But now I can proudly say that people have accepted me and are approaching me for good work. I am glad that I am not stereotyped in the industry,” Sunny told IANS. Sunny, who made her Bollywood debut with the erotic thriller “Jism 2” in 2012 and went on to do films like “Ragini MMS 2”, “Ek Paheli Leela” and many more, will be next seen doing an item number in her upcoming film “Luv U Alia”.

The film is based on divorce issues and Sunny feels that such problems are definitely on the rise

these days.

“Divorce is definitely on the rise these days due to high levels of stress.

Without patience and trust, it’s extremely difficult for a couple to cope with the pressures.

“My husband and I are

very clear on the kind of relationship that we want and hence there’s a lot of love, respect and admiration for each other,” she said.

Directed by Indrajit Lankesh, the film is releasing on Friday. (Indian Express)

Tiger Shroff to dance with Disha Patani on tunes of Befikra, reveals first look

A

ctors Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani will be soon seen together in a music video titled Befikra. Tiger revealed the first look and the song’s teaser on twitter.

“Coming soon! #Befikra #Love #LighteningDance @ dishapatani @sambombay @pareshshirodkar @tseries.official,” Tiger tweeted.

The Bagghi actor also shared the teaser of the song with caption: Not just another love song! #Befikra @ dishapatani @tseries.official @pareshshirodkar The song is composed

by Meet Bros and produced by T-Series.

The first look shows the actors dressed in white and posing with Disha. Tiger has already shown his fabu-

lous dancing skills in the past so it will be interesting to see the actor doing this romantic dance number with his rumoured girlfriend Disha.

Last week, Tiger had shared a clip from the rehearsals of this music video on his Instagram and wrote, “Happy feet rehearsals! Coming soon faster than we can dance @sambombay.”

ctress Malaika Arora Khan has teamed up with animal rights organisation PETA India to star in a new campaign, calling for an end to horsedrawn carriage rides.

The print advertisement for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) features Malaika standing with a horse. The accompanying words read: “Compassion Is Beautiful — Say No to Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides”.

Talking about it, she said in a statement: “I’m adding my voice to PETA’s campaign to ask

kind people everywhere to think again before supporting an industry that subjects intelligent horses to slavery.”

“By choosing other forms of transportation, everyone has the power

to spare horses the misery of being forced to work past the point of exhaustion.”

PETA India has documented the abuse horses endure in Mumbai, and was an intervener in a Bombay High Court case which resulted in the directive that horse carriages be phased out of Mumbai within a year.

In April, however, the Supreme Court allowed for horse-drawn carriages to ply for the following six months or until a review petition is finally decided by the Bombay High Court, whichever comes first. (Indian Express)

Films on sports very necessary: Randeep Hooda

A

ctor Randeep Hooda, who played a mixed martial arts (MMA) artist in “Do Lafzon Ki Kahani” and will be seen as superstar Salman Khan’s wrestling coach in “Sultan”, says films on sports are “very necessary”.

“Films on sports are very necessary. It gives birth to a sporting culture, which I think, we need as a country,” Randeep told IANS over phone from Mumbai on the sidelines of #ShareTheLoad course launch by Akshara Centre and Ariel India on Thursday.

The #ShareTheLoad course will be taken to universities to help educate the next generation on gender bias within one’s household.

“Films about boxing and MMA, like ‘Do Lafzon Ki Kahani’ or ‘Sultan’, are ultimately about an all-encompassing sport. The whole thing about sports movies or boxing movies — which is a genre in Hollywood — is to draw the

parallel of struggle within the ring in life,” he added.

The “Sarbjit” actor said that these “are very inspirational films”.

“These are always very inspirational films. They should be made. There can never be enough inspiration,” he added. (Indian Express)

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 19, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Tattoos cover up Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher dark past, scars: expecting second baby Paris Jackson A

P

aris Jackson has revealed the reason she has had 23 tattoos is because they help her forget about her “dark past”.

The 18-year-old aspiring actress – the daughter of the late Michael Jackson – only turned 18 in April, but has already had an impressive 23 inkings on her body.

However, to Paris – who was only 11 when her father died in 2009 – the pieces are more than just body art as each

time she looks in the mirror she remembers how far she has come since being sectioned to a psychiatric hospital for three months in 2013 after an overdose, reported Femalefirst.

Alongside a picture showing off her inked forearms on Instagram, she wrote: “The craftsmanship of tattoos will always be a controversy.

Some people like them, some people absolutely hate them. I appreciate art, I always have,

especially when that art means something to me.

“Today I can look at my inner forearms and see art that has meaning for me, I don’t see a dark past anymore.

My scars and self-hatred have been covered up by loving marks, creativity, ingenuity… and depth. Sure I will always carry my past with me, but I see ink as a way of changing for the better, always improving. They represent the strength for me. I look back at my old self and then I look in the mirror, and I see a fighter looking back at me. (sic)” One of Paris’ tattoos is her father’s ‘Dangerous’ album cover, her second permanent tribute to the late King of Pop, after she had the words ‘Queen of My Heart’ in her father’s handwriting etched onto her left wrist. (Indian Express)

Movie-making, audiences have matured: Jeff Goldblum

A

ctor Jeff Goldblum, most popular for his work in films such as Independence Day, The Fly and Jurassic Park, says the movie-making process has matured and so have the audience.

Currently awaiting the release of the sequel Independence Day: Resurgence, Goldblum told IANS in an interview over phone from Sydney: “I’ve become more appreciative of this beautiful planet since I played the character David Levinson in the first film. It has made me more caring towards life and be thankful for the opportunity of being present on this planet”.

Since the events of Independence Day, his character David has become the director of Earth Space Defence Program (ESDP), a defence unit where hybrid weapons are created to

protect the world from alien invasion.

“I’m (David is) leading a whole new life now. Probably everyone on Earth is since the war of 1996. As an MITgraduate, I was thrust into some circumstances I wasn’t prepared to face. Twenty years have gone by, and we’re facing something much bigger and stronger than what we faced last time,” he said.

Was he aware of a sequel in the offing?

“I wasn’t sure if they were going to work on a sequel. A few years ago I got a call from director Roland Emmerich and producer Dean Devlin.

They’d said they cracked the story idea for the sequel. When I heard the story, I was quite excited, and I really liked what they had done to my character,” he said, and added he had to revisit his character.

“Twenty years is a long time to stay attached to a character.

Before we started shooting for this film, I revisited my character and it was educational, enlightening and really fascinating. I was so thrilled to see it again, even though it’s played on the television quite often,” he added.

The film also marks Goldblum’s reunion with Emmerich, whom he considers a very passionate filmmaker. (Indian Express)

Brooklyn Beckham misses bae Chloe Grace Moretz

B

rooklyn Beckham is missing his actress girlfriend Chloe Grace Moretz.

The 17-year-old son of former football star David Beckham and Victoria Beckham took to Instagram to share a picture of him with Moretz, 19.

“When you’re missing bae” he captioned the photo and included a sad emoticon.

Brooklyn is currently living in London, while his ladylove is busy working in Los Angeles. (Indian Express)

ctress Mila Kunis and her actor husband Ashton Kutcher have announced they are expecting their second child together.

The Hollywood couple welcomed their first child, daughter Wyatt, in October, 2014, and the parents’ representative confirmed that the little girl will soon become an older sibling, reported People magazine.

32-year-old Kunis’ pregnancy news may come as a surprise to some fans, as just last month while she was promoting new comedy “Bad Moms”, the star insisted she was not carrying a child, despite being

eager to expand her family with Ashton.

“I’m not pregnant… but absolutely I do want to have more kids one day, for sure,” she told Entertainment Tonight at the time.

Kunis and Kutcher,

38, initially met on the set of their hit sitcom “That ’70s Show,” but the pair did not become engaged in a romantic relationship until 2012. The longtime friends married in July, 2015. (Indian

Express)

Jennifer Lawrence is unpredictable: Liam Hemsworth

L

iam Hemsworth has revealed the pitfalls of working with The Hunger Games co-star and close friend Jennifer Lawrence.

While on Britain’s The Graham Norton, the 26-year-old Australian actor revealed some of the bizarre things that the Oscar-winning actress would say to him before they filmed a scene.

“She often, right before a take, would turn to me and ask me…

Anything along those lines,” Liam laughed.

“You never really know what’s going to come out of her mouth.”

The actor was on the show alongside his Independence Day: Resurgence co-star Jeff Goldblum as well as Dwayne The Rock Johnson, with Dwayne

then asking him what his answer to Jennifer’s question was.

“Absolutely!”

Liam joked.

“That’s what Australians do!”

The Hunger Games star also confessed to being accidentally hurt while filming 2012’s The Expendables 2, as he was kicked in the chest by veteran action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme.

“At one point in the scene, he has this moment where he kicks this knife into my chest.

We did a bunch of takes, and in one particular take he gave me a full Van Damme kick to the chest. And I dropped to my knees, the director called cut… he proper kicked me in the chest, and I had my hands tied behind my back,” he recalled. (Indian Express)

Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly dating Nina Agdal

H

ollywood star L e o n a r d o DiCaprio has reportedly rekindled his romance with model Nina Agdal.

The 41-year-old actor was first linked to the Victoria’s Secret model, 24, in 2014 but the pair

were spotted together in Montauk, New York over the weekend where they paid a low-key visit to Goldberg’s Famous Bagels and the Montauk Point Lighthouse, reported the New York Post.

The pair are dating again and spent a ro-

mantic weekend in the Hamptons, said a source.

This is not the first time they have been linked recently as last month DiCaprio and Agdal were spotted partying at Up&Down nightclub in New York.

50 sport

WEEK ENDING JUNE 19, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Pressure was on top four Over 30 int’l athletes expected to compete in Aliann to set us up – Simmons W Pompey Invitational Meet

T

Aliann Pompey

he much anticipated Aliann Pompey Invitational Track and Field Meet is set for this Saturday June 18, just four days away at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, West Coast Demerara from 15:00 Hrs. In excess of 30 international athletes are expected to compete with overseas and locally based Guyanese athletes and at the same time push for qualification for the Summer Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

Athletes are expected from Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Haiti, Ireland, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States of America and the US Virgin Islands.

Some of the sponsored events are the Fly Jamaica’s women 100m, the Ramada Princess Hotel 110m hurdles, the Quality Plus Men’s 200m, the GUYSUCO

Men’s triple jump the GOA men’s 400m and the Digicel men’s 100m and women’s 200m.

All events will have cash incentives but according to Pompey, the 100m and 400m (the premier races) will have the most, with to the top three finishers receiving $US1000, $US600 and $US300.

Sponsors of the event include Digicel 4G, Fly Jamaica, Quality Plus, Ramada Princess Hotel, GUYSUCO and Banks DIH. Meanwhile, Allian Pompey the 400 metres specialist who has represented Guyana at the Summer Olympics on four separate occasions (2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012) will be the special guest on TVG’s Sports Beat tonight at 21:00 Hrs. The 2002 Commonwealth Games Gold medalist will bring viewers up to date with the long awaited international meet including disclosing the big names that are expected to be on show at Guyana’s premier track and field facility.

est Indies coach Phil Simmons has credited the side's top order for driving their four-wicket win over Australia in the ODI tri-series match in Basseterre. Marlon Samuels led the 266-run chase with an aggressive 92, after West Indies benefited from a brisk opening stand of 74 between Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher, and Darren Bravo's 39 at No. 3.

Charles and Fletcher took advantage of the short boundaries at Warner Park to collect six fours and three sixes in the first seven overs.

Their swift partnership also allowed Samuels and Bravo to settle and forge an 82-run stand for the third wicket. Once Bravo was dismissed in the 31st over, Samuels opened up to attack the Australian bowlers and helped ensure a comfortable victory for West Indies.

"The pressure has been put on the top four to make sure that they set up whatever we have to do at the bottom," Simmons said. "We know how devastating we can be at the end of an innings with the players we have, so the top four have been asked to put their dancing shoes on and make sure that we are in a position where the latter part of the batting can do what they do, and they've done that today and they've seen us through."

The 87-ball 92 was Samuels' second fifty across formats in 2016, after his match-winning 85 not out in the World T20 final against England in April. He had a poor tour of Australia in December-January scoring only 35 runs in five innings of the threeTest series - and copped heavy criticism, and one of his critics was former Australia legspinner Shane Warne, with

West Indies coach Phil Simmons

whom he had an infamous run-in during the Big Bash in 2013. After his Man-of-the-Match winning knock in the World T20 final, Samuels made a reference to those comments and dedicated his award to Warne.

Simmons, however, believed Samuels had left those feelings at the World T20.

"I think the fact that he has taken us to victory in the game will be enough for him. I don't think he's still worrying about what some people in Australia said," he said. "I think he answered that in the World T20 final. I think he's left that there. He's just happy to score the runs and help the team win."

The West Indies coach stressed the importance of the experience that Samuels and Kieron Pollard brought to the their line-up. Charles and Fletcher have opened in only six ODIs so far and with a young captain in Jason Holder, Simmons believed Samuels and Pollard were important to the side.

"In every team you can see there's experience. You have to have experience all through the team," he said. "Most of the teams in the world,

you have young guys coming in, but only one or two [youngsters] and the rest of the team is experienced veterans, you would call them; after five years, you are a veteran. It's great to have him, it's great to have Pollard back because he's experienced in limited-overs cricket, young Bravo is getting there. So it's great to have that sort of experience especially where Jason is a young captain and Carlos [Brathwaite] is young."

Despite the victory, Simmons had an area of concern he wanted the side to address, specifically the importance of set batsmen carrying on and finishing the game.

"Marlon and Bravo finishing off the game rather than somebody getting out. It's a case where we have two guys who have put us in a position and they need to carry on. I think there can be a little bit of improvement," he said. "We are always looking to improve our fielding, which I think today was as good as it has been. And I think we are looking to improve on where we bowl in the first 10 overs and things like that."

(ESPNcricinfo)

CPL 2016: Moody...

On the competitiveness of squads across the board in this year’s CPL: “There’s no doubt that every side was very shrewd through the Draft process and recruited very well.

You can’t pick a winner. In the past you could have hinted that maybe the (Barbados) Tridents and the (Jamaica) Tallawahs were destined to play Finals cricket.

But you look at the teams now and it’s very hard to pick a top two.

And that’s very exciting for the tournament.

There’s nothing better than having all six teams towards the back end of the tournament vying for the Finals.”

On the Australian influence at CPL 2016 (Watson, Hussey, Lynn, Zampa): “You can guarantee that the Australian audience Down Under will be keeping an eager eye on some of their favourite players. I know that the CPL has definitely got traction in Australia

from page 52

and people do follow the tournament closely. Obviously likes of Watson and Hussey are favourites in all forms of the game, Hussey is continuing to show how it’s done long after his international retirement and with Zampa, everyone’s excited with his meteoric rise, there's no doubt it's exciting when he gets the ball in his hand.”

Tickets for all CPL matches across the Caribbean and in Florida are on sale from www. cplt20.com. (Extracted from cplt20.com)

sport 51

WEEK ENDING JUNE 19, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

No decision yet on Hero CPL finals venue

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ust 15 days away from the opening match of the Hero Caribbean League (CPL) 2016 and there is still no word on the venue for the final.

Organisers are still to finalise negotiations with the bidding parties and before making a choice for the showpiece match of the June 29 to August 7 tournament, they want to ensure everything was in place.

In an interview with WEEKENDSPORT, CPL chief operating officer Pete Russell said it was somewhat frustrating that they had not yet been able to pick a venue.

“We’re obviously very keen to announce the final as quickly as we can but as you can appreciate, it is a very important decision for the CPL. It’s our flagship event of the tournament.

For us, it is very important that we get the right partner there,” Russell said.

CPL has so far announced that four matches will be played in St. Kitts and Nevis, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean and six matches will be played in Florida at the Central Broward County Ground in Lauderhill.

However, no official word was made about the venue for the three play-off matches and grand final.

The fourth installment of CPL is slated to bowl off on Wednesday June 29 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain with the defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders hosting the St. Lucia Zouks from 21:00 hrs. The Guyana Amazon Warriors will open their campaign a day later at Warner Park against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots from 20:00 hrs.

This year Warriors will be led by experienced New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill will play four matches in Guyana at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. On July 7 they open against the powerful Jamaica Tallawahs from 19:00 hrs, then on Saturday 9th from 12:00 hrs they will engage the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

Sunday July 10 will be a key fixture from 19:00 Hrs against the Trinbago Knight Riders with the St. Lucia Zouks wrapping up the home matches for the Roger Harper coached team on Tuesday July 12 from 19:00 hrs.

Tahir seven-for 45, Amla ton lead WI rout

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outh Africa 343 for 4 (Amla 110, du Plessis 73*, Pollard 2-64) beat West Indies 204 (Charles 49, Tahir 7-45) by 139 runs Hashim Amla scored his 23rd ODI hundred and brought up 1000 runs in the format against West Indies as South Africa put on their best batting display and the only 300-plus score of the tri-series so far.

But that was only half of how the visitors boosted their hopes of qualifying for the final.

Imran Tahir claimed 7 for 45 - the best ODI returns by a South African bowler, and he also became the fastest to 100 ODI wickets from the country to deny West Indies, who have never been successful chasing a target over 300.

South Africa bundled West Indies out for 204, secured a bonus point, and topped the table.

The result meant the St Kitts' segment of the series ended with all three teams in the same position as they were after the Guyana leg. Australia, South Africa and West Indies have played four matches, won two and lost two.

In the lead up to Wednesday, Amla stressed the need for the top six to take more responsibility. On Wednesday, he stood by those words and shared a 182run opening partnership with Quinton de Kock. Allrounder Chris Morris, who returned from a hamstring niggle, was promoted to No. 3 and provided a cameo before Faf du Plessis led the late assault. South Africa plundered 105 runs off the last 10 overs.

Although this was the best surface for batsmen in the series so far, West Indies' bowlers lacked control and penetration.

Four of their six-man attack conceded more than six runs an over with only the spinners,

Imran Tahir (AFP photo)

Sunil Narine and Sulieman Benn, able to hold up an end.

The pacemen could not find the right lengths and runs came easily for South Africa.

Amla dominated the early exchanges, outscoring de Kock. The pair brought up 50 in nine overs, 100 at the start of the 18th, and 150 inside the 27th during a chanceless stand.

Amla attempted to accelerate further after he brought up his century, off 89 balls. He got low to scoop a ball to the fineleg boundary, flashed hard and edged one to third man, and eventually holed out to long-off looking for his first six.

The stage seemed set for de Villiers' entrance but Morris was pushed up. It seemed a mistake when, in the next over, de Kock's off stump was taken out by a Jerome Taylor yorker.

The left-hander had made 71 off 103 balls. Still, de Villiers did not appear.

Morris struck a flashy 40 off 26, including four boundaries, before he found deep midwicket. De Villiers finally arrived, and along with du Plessis, played Narine out before cutting loose. The pair plundered

64 runs off seven overs to take South Africa over 300. Du Plessis stayed unbeaten with 73 and got them close to 350.

A similar breakneck pace was set by West Indies' openers Andre Fletcher and Johnson Charles as they took advantage of Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell's insistence on bowling short. The score raced to 58 in the first six overs before Tahir was brought on. The legspinner made the first incision at the end of his second over thanks to a stunning catch by Farhaan Behardien on the midwicket boundary. Fletcher swung hard but Behardien grabbed it inches off the ground, with the ball dying on him.

Morris and Tabraiz Shamsi helped Tahir keep West Indies in check. The spinners were exerting their control as Shamsi foxed Charles with a googly that he sliced to long-off.

Realising the help on offer, Parnell resorted to offbreaks and bowled Darren Bravo to leave Marlon Samuels having to stage a coup. West Indies needed 254 runs in only 204 balls with seven wickets in hand.

Denesh Ramdin hung around before top-edging a googly from Shamsi to deep backward square leg for 11.

Then Tahir took over. He picked up his 100th wicket in only his 58th match when Samuels edged to de Kock, and knocked over all three of West Indies' big-hitting allrounders in the same over. Jason Holder was trapped lbw for 19 off 31, Carlos Brathwaite was handed a golden duck, and Kieron Pollard was caught at deep midwicket to give Tahir five.

West Indies lost their last five wickets for 35 runs and were bowled out in 38 overs.

(ESPNCrincinfo)

‘We are counting down the days to the biggest party in sport’ - Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan, owner of TKR

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ooking ahead to the start of the 2016 CPL campaign, Shah Rukh Khan, owner of TKR, said: “We’re counting down to the start of CPL, which I believe will be the biggest party in cricket. We have assembled some of the best players from the West Indies and across the world this year and I know our players are raring to step out on to the field and represent Trinidad & Tobago with pride. I know we can count on the full support of the Trinbago fans to cheer TKR as we commence the defence of our title.”

Mr. Venky Mysore, Director of Trinbago Knight Riders said, “It feels extra special to start our defence of the title at our home ground. The passion of T&T fans is unmatchable and I am sure

that the team will enjoy the support and perform to their best in front of their home crowd.”

TKR will launch their defence of the CPL title against St. Lucia Zouks on Wednesday, 29 June and will play four night games in total between 29 June – 4 July.

TKR will once again be led by the influential Dwayne Bravo and will include enigmatic batsman Brendon McCullum – one of a trio of New Zealanders in the panel alongside Colin Munro and Anton Devcich.

The Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) based side will also include offspinner Sunil Narine, following his recent transfer from Guyana Amazon Warriors, as well as the likes of Sulieman Benn who was a key part of the West Indies squad who lifted the ICC World Twenty 20 title in India back in March.

In addition, TKR will be able to call on the experience of Proteas star batsman Hashim Amla and Pakistan’s Umar Akmal, while the Under-19 berth will be filled by Anderson Phillip.

The TKR squad will be coached once more by Simon Helmot who will be assisted by Imran Jan and Chief Mentor Jacques Kallis.

Trinbago Knight Riders Home Fixtures (all times local): 29 June – St. Lucia Zouks (9pm), 1 July – Barbados Tridents (9pm), 2 July – Guyana Amazon Warriors (9pm), 4 July – Jamaica Tallawahs (7pm). (CPLT20)

Morkel says ‘super excited’ to be part of CPL 2016

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Morne Morkel

t. Lucia Zouks fast bowler Morne Morkel is relishing the prospect of being a part of the fourth edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and is excited about lining up with and against some of the biggest stars in world cricket.

Experienced pace-man Morkel, who has claimed 45 wickets in 39 T20 internationals to date for South Africa, believes that this could be the Zouks’ year to progress as Darren Sammy’s men bid to win the coveted title for the first time. The 31-yearold is one of the most respected fast bowlers on the international scene and to date has played 71 Test matches and 106 One-Day Internationals for the Proteas.

In an exclusive interview with CPLT20 Morkel said: “I’m very excited. It’s going to be my first time playing in the Caribbean for the Zouks, so I’m super excited because we have a

fantastic team. To share a dressing-room with Shane Watson and Mike Hussey will be incredible. From what I’ve seen on television it looks like a fantastic tournament to be a part of and I can’t wait to get there. I think this year is the year for the Zouks and hopefully we can go all the way and win the trophy.”

Tickets for all CPL fixtures in the Caribbean and Fort Lauderdale are on sale now from www.cplt20.com.

The Zouks will have four home fixtures in Gros Islet, St. Lucia. The opening match against the Patriots on Thursday July 21 at 18:00 hrs, is sure to attract a large following and is one not to be missed as it will mark the launch of the newly re-named 12,400 capacity Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, previously known as the Beauséjour Stadium.

Fans will also get to be a part of history for the opening of the newly-renamed Johnson Charles Stand. The second home match is on Saturday July 23 against the 2014 champions the Barbados Tridents at 12:00 Hrs. The next day the Zouks will host the Guyana Amazon Warriors from 17:00 Hrs and will end their home campaign against the Trinbaog Knight Riders on Tuesday July 26 from 18:00 Hrs. CPl 2016 opens on June 29 in Trinidad and Tobago with defending champions the Trinbago Knight Riders hosting the St. Lucia Zouks from 20:00 Hrs at the Queen’s Park Oval.

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CPL 2016: Moody predicts bright future in sunshine State

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ustralian twotime ICC Cricket World Cup winner Tom Moody believes that this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be the most competitive yet and that the inclusion of a myriad of world-class players across all six teams will make it the biggest and best yet.

Moody, who recently steered Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden IPL title as Head Coach, is the CPL’s International Director of Cricket and played a key role in securing the signing of overseas players of the calibre of AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Brendon

McCullum and Shane Watson for the first time.

The 50-year-old believes that their commitment to the biggest party in sport, allied to a host of outstanding local West Indies and international stars, is a ringing endorsement of the growing international stature of the CPL, which will this year be played between 29 June and 7 August.

Speaking exclusively to www.cplt20.com, in an interview which is available for free download and editorial use, the former Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Western Australian allrounder, who scored

Tom Moody

21,001 first class runs and took 361 firstclass wickets in a career spanning 16 years, spoke about winning the IPL, the growth of CPL’s standing internationally and outlined his hopes for the forthcoming season.

On coaching the IPL winners: “It was definitely career highlight to be involved in a successful IPL campaign.

The IPL, as we all know, is a big tournament and to end up winning what is a pretty hard-fought battle, and get the reward at the end of it is a real bonus for all involved in the campaign.”

On the impact of West Indies’ Treble winning success over the last six months: “I think it (the Treble victories) was just wonderful and it’s not just the Men’s team, it’s right through from the Under-19s winning their World Cup and the Women winning their World Cup and then then Men putting the cherry on the cake. I think that’s an enormous boost to West Indies cricket and it’s a great way to launch another CPL season. The CPL is on the rise, everyone’s talking about it, everyone wants to be involved in it and to have that success at all those levels is only going to have the islands buzzing.”

On the CPL’s recruitment drive in the close season: “I think it’s enormous (boost). I obviously spoke to all of these players (AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kumar Sangakkara and Shane Watson) with regard to getting involved in the CPL in 2016 and it wasn’t a hard sell. The best players in the world want to play in this tournament because they have heard a lot of positive things about the tournament, they’ve heard how successful it’s been, they’ve heard how competitive it’s been and the best players want to play in the best tournaments. It’s as simple as that. To lure the likes of McCullum, de Villiers, Watson and whoever it might have been to this tournament, and it’s littered with big international names, was a reasonably easy task purely because of what the CPL has managed to build over the last three years.”

On developing the next generation of West Indies players: “For me

the CPL is one pathway where players, right from the Under-19’s level through to domestic players, who might not get the light shone on them during the summer, can launch their careers. We’ve seen it before in the IPL with young Indians, and in Australia with young Australians (in the Big Bash). And it should really be no different in the Caribbean where the CPL can be a vehicle for young players to be really highlighted on the big stage because they’re playing against some of the best players in the world. If they can stack up against those players and perform consistently and really shine over the tournament, it’s a real launching pad for them into their career.”

On the emergence of Guyana Amazon Warriors-bound Adam Zampa in recent months: “It doesn’t matter if you’re a veteran of 100 Test matches, or a rising star, the Caribbean Premier League is a tournament that people want to perform in.

Adam Zampa is a great example of someone who sees the Caribbean Premier League as an opportunity for him to continue to develop and increase his stock as a cricketer. If he continues to have a good TriSeries prior to this tournament, and he backs it up with a good CPL, he’s going to be looked upon more and more as a real contender for Australian cricket in all formats of the game.”

On the move to Lauderhill in Florida and the entry of CPL into the USA: “I think it’s a very exciting opportunity for the CPL to introduce a formal, vibrant and successful tournament to the American market. We know it’s going to be very diverse, in terms of the audience, and that’s the exciting thing. We’ll be introducing the game to some new people and we’re going to be bringing the game to people that have been starved of live cricket.

I can see a lot of people travelling from far and wide just to capture a few days’ cricket and, to me, it’s a really exciting opportunity for the players of the Caribbean and the internationals who are involved to really showcase their skills and put on a show in that week were in Florida.” turn to page 50

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