Guyana Times International 11th October 2018

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Miners in Guyana protest Govt’s crackdown

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14, 2018

ISSUE NO. 419

See story on page 8

...say callous, uncaring approach will create more hardships on families

Political parties hit the campaign trail ...as LGE draws closer

Canada to provide assistance to Guyana in developing oil and gas sector Page 23

RUDY PERSAUD: A CRICKET HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE IN NEW YORK Page 46

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Pressure mounts on Govt to make GECOM Chairman’s contract public

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ressure is mounting on the Government to have the terms and conditions of Guyana Election’s Commission (GECOM) Chairman James Patterson’s employment contract made public, as concern is being expressed that it may hide a more lucrative salary than any of his predecessors.

Making this call was Opposition Member of Parliament, Anil Nandlall, who on Tuesday noted the importance of the Guyanese public being privy to this information. According to Nandlall, the Chairman is after all being paid with public funds derived from taxpayers.

“Every Chairman of GECOM signed a contract of service upon their appointment. It is this contract that contains the terms and conditions of service, inclusive of the remuneration package and benefits to which the office

holder is entitled,” Nandlall said.

“This position is not a private office but a public and constitutional one paid from public funds.

Therefore this contract, its terms and conditions and the remuneration and benefits paid thereunder are not secrets but information to which the public is entitled,” he added.

Nandlall pointed out that it is almost a year since Patterson was appointed as the Chairman of GECOM. “Yet to date, no one has seen a copy of his contract of service, despite repeated requests from the Opposition Commissioners at the Commission for a copy of the contract to be brought before the Commission for their perusal.”

“Why the secrecy? Why is this contract not being made public? Is this another cover-up, like the disastrous petroleum contract with the oil companies? Is

this another sweet heart deal?” the MP questioned.

Meanwhile, sources have indicated to this publication that Patterson’s contract trumps that enjoyed by his predecessor in the Chairman’s position, Dr Steve Surujbally. Efforts by this publication to make contact with Patterson on the matter were futile.

While Government is not known for releasing information on the salaries earned by public officials off their own initiative, the Administration has previously made such details available upon request.

In the past, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had previously submitted a list of salary scales in the Ministry of the Presidency, when requested to do so by the Opposition in the National Assembly.

The non-disclosure of his employment terms would be the latest controversy since Patterson ar-

Justice (Rtd) James Patterson (left) taking the oath of office before President David Granger (file photo)

rived at the Commission.

Patterson’s appointment itself, which was under a cloud of controversy, was even challenged at the level of the High Court.

After rejecting three lists of nominees submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, President David Granger had gone ahead and appointed retired Justice Patterson

as the new GECOM Chairman.

This decision had been, and continues to be, the centre of contention and debate, especially among civil society. In fact, it was as a result of this that People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Secretary, Zulficar Mustapha, approached the High Court to challenge the appointment.

But on June 8, 2018, acting Chief Justice Roxane George had ruled that the Constitution of Guyana allowed for the President to unilaterally appoint someone to fill the position of GECOM chair. As such, Mustapha subsequently filed legal proceedings to appeal the High Court decision.

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EDITORIAL

Working towards credible elections

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he spate of reforms that begun in the early 1990s were intended to drastically transform the manner in which elections are administered in Guyana at the local, regional and national levels. Those reforms were also specifically designed to ensure that Guyanese could have confidence that their will was being protected and reflected in the outcome of elections which should at all times be transparent, free and fair.

This is exactly the reason behind a decision to put enough measures in place to ensure that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is insulated from Executive interference in the performance of its functions. And by virtue of Article 226 of the Constitution, GECOM, like other constitutional Commissions, shall not be subject to the direction and control of any other person or authority. As a consequence, schedules for the conduct of general, regional and Local Government Elections are decided upon by the Commission once a date for the election is announced by the President.

Also, it is the Commission which decides on the location of polling stations and counting centres; assignment of voters to polling stations, arrangements to be made in and around polling stations and counting centres and all related matters. It is also the Commission’s responsibility to correct any reported deficiencies and valid objections made before, during or after the staging of elections at any level.

As of late, there have been a slew of criticisms from the main Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) about the process and the alleged indifference displayed by the Commission to flagrant violations of electoral law and time-honoured procedures as well as practices.

The PPP has been raising alarm across the country too that there may be sinister plans in place to rig the upcoming Local Government Elections because of GECOM‘s posture and its unwillingness to assist the Party in addressing the concerns of many of its candidates. GECOM too, surprisingly, has been quite in the midst of many of these allegations offering only basic and blanket comments to media personnel who enquire about the entity’s rationale behind many decisions that appear odd.

Even though Nomination Day concluded last week, GECOM has not yet offered an official reason why it could not remove people’s names as backers and candidates before the deadline was arrived at, despite them stating publicly that they were fooled into signing lists for the A Partnership for National Unity, the Alliance For Chance and to a lesser extent the PPP. The entity has failed to address concerns raised about the disappearance of its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at critical intervals of the electoral process when duly appointed Commissioners were seeking their intervention to resolve various problems.

Surely, these two most senior GECOM officials understand the ‘danger of the single story’ being told by the PPP and reported in the press and on social media. Their integrity demands that they immediately address all of the concerns of the Opposition and ruling parties contesting the upcoming polls.

Integrity in public life also demands that they do all that is necessary to sanitise the voters if there are dead people, nonnationals and overseas-based Guyanese contained therein.

GECOM cannot allow the Opposition or any stakeholder to get the impression that it is losing its independence or becoming politically biased. It can ill-afford a resurgence of the view that its officers were being compromised and part of a process that allows for rigged elections at the local level. The entity must be seen at all times professional and completely independent as the Constitution envisages.

It must understand that the blunders made at the 2015 elections are still fresh in the minds of many and the PPP’s campaign to expose anything it deems sinister has not ended.

This means that GECOM must assert its creditability and salvage its reputation if any stakeholder is to back the results that will emanate from the upcoming LGEs.

An Indigenous Home

These Indigenous homes that are scattered in the villages of the Rupununi are not only Eco-friendly and econ-friendly, they keep you cool on hot days, easy to maintain, and are beautiful. (Photo by Girendra Persaud)

2020: A test for the AFC I

n 2005, the Alliance for Change (AFC) party, which was then considered ‘the third force’, promised to liberate Guyanese from the politics of divisiveness, hate, revenge, race and immaturity. It promised to work hard to usher in a period of unprecedented development, should it enter Parliament or become Government, by focusing on poverty reduction, the implementation of modern constitutional reforms, strengthening Government and State agencies, and paving the way for a new political culture wherein consensus and compromise as well as putting Guyana first would be paramount.

As the years went by, the AFC and its ‘third force’ politicians, rallied against Government corruption. They accused the then ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) of incompetence, abuse of power, executive lawlessness, and condoning corruption. Raphael Trotman, the late Sheila Holder and Khemraj Ramjattan were considered by some as the new beacons of hope in the Guyanese society. The AFC rose to fame and continued its political work, vowing to never betray the working class people; and, most importantly, never to join a coalition with the PPP or the People’s National Congress (PNC).

After all, the AFC resented both parties, and blamed them for the socioeconomic and political conundrum that Guyana was facing. As history recorded it, many Guyanese, especially those of mixed ancestry, bought the message of the AFC and gave them the votes they needed to taste parliamenta-

ry power. This happened despite boisterous warnings from the PPP that the AFC could not be trusted because those at its helm where defectors from the major parties, and were bitter, untrustworthy, revengeful, and thirsty for Executive power.

Sheila Holder died before the AFC underwent transformation under the leaderships of Trotman and Ramjattan. When she departed this world, the AFC was still a party that had the potential to force the other two main political relics into oblivion, because of the freshness of the AFC’s untested approach mixed with its promise to shake up the Government bureaucracy and engineer real change.

Now the party has become one of the biggest disappointments in Guyana’s political history, thereby beating the United Force and the Working People’s Alliance from the top slots after they, too, had failed to keep their momentum and deliver the kind of change the country needs to progress.

The post-2011 AFC is no longer the ferocious tiger guarding the public’s interest and purse. Instead of declining A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU’s) offer to join the coalition, which had the People’s National Congress (PNC) as its senior partner, those at the helm of the AFC became discontented with their lot. They wanted to taste Executive power. They wanted to use that power to wreak havoc on the PPP. There was no other mature political voice within the AFC to challenge their desire.

Moses Nagamootoo entered

the pageant after failing in his last-ditch attempt to wrest the presidential candidacy position from other senior comrades in the PPP party. He later succeeded in wresting power away from more suitable persons in the AFC, like Cathy Hughes and Raphael Trotman, to become the coalition’s Prime Ministerial Candidate in the 2015 General and Regional Elections. The decision was now obvious, as both the AFC and PNC were on the same wavelength. They now shared a common interest, and it was not about delivering meaningful change to the masses, but rather securing their individual political futures.

Nagamootoo is now Guyana’s first Prime Minister without a serious portfolio.

The AFC is now justifying and defending every single executive abuse by the Government in which it serves. For the first time in 10 years, its leaders now are at the lowest point of their political careers, because they lack the moral authority and integrity to lecture the PPP or any other important stakeholder on matters pertaining to transparency, accountability and good governance.

The AFC appears happy with this coalition arrangement, but 2020 will prove how happy its supporters and financiers are with status quo.

AFC can be considered as part of the annals of history that will never be forgotten, because of its failure as a third force and a failed attempt at conciliatory politics. It did not have the political patience or discipline to break the trend of domineering politics.

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4 outstanding Guyanese to Trinidadian UWI student be conferred with Honorary perishes in accident in Guyana A Doctorates from UG 20-year-old Trinidadian student of the University of the West Indies (UWI) succumbed while being treated at a city hospital after she was struck while attempting to cross the Industry Public road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), Guyana, on Wednesday afternoon.

Dead is Shivanan Brazlon who was said to be residing at Lot 384 Seventh Field, Cummings Lodge, ECD. Guyana Times International understands that at around 17:45h, the

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Yesu Persaud

he University of Guyana (UG) will be conferring honorary doctorates on four outstanding Guyanese from various fields, naming a female activist and a business tycoon among the recipients.

Leading the list of nominees is business magnate Yesu Persaud; Indigenous rights activist and Governance and Rights Coordinator at Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) Laura George; acclaimed singer Eddy Grant and philanthropist Jay Sobhraj.

UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith made the announcement on his Facebook page.

“Yesterday (Monday) occurred another milestone in the journey along Renaissance Road, when the Academic Board approved my petition to confer honorary doctorates on four outstanding Guyanese – the first time UG will be bestowing this honour,” Griffith wrote.

An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university or any other degree awarding institution has waived the usual requirements.

The degree is typically a doctorate or, less commonly, a master's degree, and may be awarded to someone who has no prior connection with the academic institution or no previous postsecondary education.

Persaud was born in 1928 at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara, and started his first job as assistant to the assistant rat catcher at a sugar plantation. He went to England to study and learnt accounting before returning home to join the public service as an inspector of taxes.

He was instrumental in the changeover of Bookers into the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). He joined Demerara Liquors Limited and Demerara Sugar Company and transformed them into DDL. He then pioneered the El Dorado brand rum, the Demerara Bank Limited, Diamond Fire

Eddy Grant

Jay Sobhraj

and General Insurance Inc, and the Guyana Trust Company Limited.

He is also the Chairman and the driving force behind Demerara Bank Limited; the first indigenous Private Sector bank.

Recognising his stellar contribution, the University of Warwick granted Persaud an honorary doctorate for his work in helping in the restoration of democracy in Guyana in 1992, plus his skills as a businessman in making El Dorado into a quality world brand and the creation of Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED).

He is the recipient of several national and international awards, inclusive of the Gandhi Organisation Plaque, the Cacique Crown of Honour, the Glory of India Award and the Certificate of Excellence by the India International Friendship Society in 2005. One year later, in 2006, he would receive the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman for his outstanding contributions to business and Indian history and culture.

Grant was born in 1948 at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara. In 1965, Grant formed ‘The Equals’, playing guitar and singing background vocals, and the band had two hit albums and a minor hit with the single "I Get So Excited" before having a number one hit in 1968 with his selfpenned song "Baby Come Back". The tune also topped the UK Singles

deceased and her fiancé, 25-year-old Micheal Yearwood were crossing the above mentioned road from north to south when motorcar, PLL 9039, which was being driven by a pilot, of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, struck her.

Brazlon was quickly picked up and rushed to the Woodlands Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries at around 23:00h.

This publication was informed that the pilot is in police custody as the matter is being investigated.

Laura George

Chart in 1994, when covered by Pato Banton, featuring Robin and Ali Campbell of the reggae group UB40. ‘The Equals’ had five further top 40 hits in the UK up to the end of 1970. The Baby Come Back album featured a song by Grant titled, "Police on My Back" which was recorded by the Clash for their 1980 album Sandinista! Willie Nile released his version of "Police on My Back" on his Streets of New York CD. The Equals' song "Green Light", co-written by Grant, from their 1968 album Supreme, was recorded by the Detroit Cobras, for their 2007 album, Tied & True. Grant also sang hit single “Electric Avenue.”

According to his profile, Jay Sobhraj is the sixth of 10 children, who rigorously pursued his education.

In 1966, he was among the first in his family to graduate with a secondary education from Kitty Progressive College. He then went to the Guyana Technical College and completed his certificate there in 1968. He moved to England and registered for a degree in mechanical engineering.

While pursuing his degree, he took on several menial jobs including dishwashing, pumping gas and just about any other part-time job that was available. In 1972, he graduated and began working at several industrial companies and in 1975 he got married and moved back to Guyana where he worked for the Guyana Bauxite Company.

After an economic downturn in Guyana, Sobhraj applied for a job in the Middle East and began working in Abu Dhabi as a mechanical engineer for a large petrochemical company. In 1988, he returned to New York to work with George and Ken at Zara Realty Holding Company.

Laura George expressed her appreciation for the honour via her social media page.

High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Hassan Jika Ardo exchanges a hand shake with President David Granger.

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The tales of sorrow of the dismissed sugar workers in Guyana

Dear Editor, When I read this headline, “Sometimes my children wake up hungry and all I can do is cry”, I could not believe what this Coalition Government has done to the lives of the hardworking sugar workers of this country.

How can our President and his plethora of hardly-working ministers digest their 50 per cent salary increases? How can they still regurgitate the worthless ‘good life’ mantra, which now represents an insult to anyone with an iota of intelligence or reasoning?

In 2015, both the President and the Prime Minister had pledged that the ‘sugar industry is too big to fail’, and that no sugar estate will be closed. The Governmentsponsored CoI, which was completed in October 2015, had endorsed this stance. The PPP had warned that this is sheer hypocrisy, and that the Coalition Government would use the scalpel destructively to extract their pound of flesh from the sugar workers.

However, just two months after the CoI was completed and made public, the guillotine fell on the Wales Sugar Estate; and the following year, Rose Hall, Enmore and Skeldon estates were added to the casualty list. The sugar workers have become expendables, they were ‘raiders of the Treasury’, according to Moses Nagamootoo, their erstwhile ‘champion’, who is now enjoying the ‘fat cat’ status , a term he had coined to describe the previous Government but now aptly fits his.

In their haste to castigate the sugar workers, who are deemed to be PPP members and supporters, the Coalition made a great tactical blunder that not only destroyed the economies of the various communities and the country as a whole, but irreparably damaged their reputation, which will not only serve to decimate their support in this LG Election, but in the 2020 General Election as well. Humpty Dumpty had fallen!

The tales of sorrow and woe of the dismissed sugar workers, Eon Collymore and his wife Melissa Sinclair, are reverberating throughout the communities of Wales, Rose Hall, Enmore and Skeldon.

Parents and children are forced to live in dire poverty, struggling daily to have meals on the table, and school is becoming a distant memory for some. Even those sugar workers who are employed in the operational estates are having a rough time, since they have not received any wage increase since 2015, and many benefits have been snatched from them.

Why are the cries of the

dismissed sugar workers not heeded by this Government?

Is it because they feel that these people did not vote for them?

But alas! Not only are the dismissed sugar workers suffering, but all those who were dependent on them: the taxi drivers, the vendors, the businessmen, the carpenters and other tradesmen. The ripple effect is terrifying. How is it that the social and economic impacts of the closure of these estates were ignored?

The European Union, in its National Adaptation Strategy, had specifically stated that the Government must support the livelihoods of workers who are going to be negatively affected by the sugar reforms. This ‘good life’ Government ignored this stipulation.

The National Adaptation Strategy has implied that workers must be paid their severance to buffer any hardships which are bound to accrue after losing their jobs.

Let us, for a moment, pause and put ourselves in the position of the worker who has lost his job, does not have a saving, owes money to creditors or the bank, has a family to take care of, and has not received his severance pay. A few workers have committed suicide because of this, while others have been reduced to begging. Moreover, those who owe the bank are being pressured to find the loan installments. The underperforming loans are now on the increase, as the economy is shrinking uncontrollably.

All this is happening while the Government is illegally withholding the severance of many of the dismissed sugar workers. This is most heartless!

Then amidst protest by sugar workers, many of whom are yet to receive their full severance pay, the President has the temerity to tell the Skeldon residents, “You are the commercial capital of Berbice.” This is preposterous! Skeldon, New Amsterdam and Rose Hall are dying municipalities under this Government. They have been relegated to ‘ghost town’ status. I do submit that the President should have used the past tense!

The President seems to be an expert in empty rhetoric, tired clichés and boring platitudes! His speech writers need to be fired!

I am calling on this Government to visit these dying communities and to fully comprehend the adverse social and economic impact resulting from their unconscionable and obscene haste to shut down the four estates.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor, Region 6

GECOM Chairman adopting the language of APNU

Dear Editor, At a press conference held on Friday, October 5, 2018, Guyana Elections Commission Chairman, Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson, seems to have adopted the tactic of making unsubstantiated charges about “racial conflict” and efforts to stymie the holding of Local Government Elections (LGE) at the level of the Commission itself and external to it.

It is indeed regrettable that the Elections Commission Chairman would go public to try to deflect and obfuscate the justifiable criticisms of GECOM. Article 162 of the Constitution mandates GECOM to always act fairly and impartially. It would appear that the GECOM Chairman is adopting the language of the APNU, which frequently resorts to charges of race when valid issues which warrant serious reflection, deliberation and action are raised at the national level.

This behaviour readily results in the polarisation of the Guyanese people on the basis of ethnicity.

Further, it is even more astonishing that on October 5, 2018, the very anniversary of the acclaimed ‘Restoration of Democracy’ in 1992, and bearing in mind the generally shameful experiences of prior elections in Guyana, that anyone would characterise efforts to rectify illegalities as warranting a challenge by a member of the legal profession against ‘the misuse of the legal system’!

I would like to clear up some of the real mischief embedded in the wild assertions of the GECOM Chairman.

On the assertion that he makes of racially motivated political bickering, I want to remind the public that I raised an issue of lack of diversity in the establishment and hiring practices at GECOM, wherein I identified that up to 90 percent of the top management at GECOM is dominated by one group, and that it was wrong in principle for any group to have such dominance in what is a critical institution, given the diverse nature of our society. Because there was strong feeling about this matter, it was felt necessary to bring it to the attention of the Ethnic Relations Commission. This matter is under that Commission’s diligent review, and that commission has so far responded as befits its mandate.

I might point out that the stakeholder group to which I belong at the Commission is the most diverse in the representation of gender, age range and ethnicity. And I am almost certain that the Commissioners on all sides would be surprised at the charge of racially motivated bickering, given the decided effort of all parties to have a diversified electoral appeal.

On the assertion of “designs and machinations” to stymie the holding of the LGE, one should not have to inform the Chairman that Local Government Elections are elections by themselves in separate Local Authority Areas, constituencies and municipalities. If, for reasons of death, ties and court decisions, elections have to be held outside of the general appointed date, the laws make provision for that to occur.

For the Chairman, a former judge, to speak about “the misuse of the court system” and it becoming “a tool of disruption” is deeply troubling.

The Chairman has to recall that the basic mandate of GECOM is to provide for free, fair,

transparent, nationally and internationally verifiable democratic elections in Guyana. No resort to the courts of the current matters relating to the required legal process for the dismantling of LAAs and the declaration of new ones by the Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan in the face of “charges of bias” and ‘gerrymandering’ could be termed as “disruptive and a misuse of the legal system”. GECOM itself, as the steward and custodian of the elections process, should be happy to have these issues fairly and expertly reviewed and pronounced on by the Court system.

How could efforts to remove fraudulent names – either of candidates or from lists of nominators — come under such attack? Is the Chairman himself unaware that an Elections Petition relating to the 2015 National and Regional Elections has been seemingly languishing in the courts, and is it not in his best interest, as Chairman of the Elections Commission, to have it heard quickly even after three years?

I have the unfortunate duty to remind the Chairman that he was the prime actor, after an invitation to the United Nations was made and accepted, to have international technical expertise hired at UN cost to assist GECOM with certain critical issues relating to advice on and the upgrade of elections technology and capabilities.

The refusal to meet the UN in Guyana as scheduled at the instance of the Chairman as was his studied refusal – in excess of three weeks – to design a reply to the UN in explanation was a grave error and embarrassment to GECOM. Beyond truly taking up his constitutional responsibilities, and eschewing badly timed histrionics, Mr. Patterson needs to offer genuine explanations for certain recent questionable hirings in which he has had a direct role, and for the preferential treatment of a newly hired staffer.

Also, he should not appear to be supporting the serious indiscretions of GECOM staff, particularly in not offering acceptable explanations for the disappearance of CEO Lowenfield for some 10 hours at a critical time on Wednesday, September 26 last, which allowed for the non-removal, and therefore acceptance, of fraudulent names on lists by GECOM Returning Officers in a number of areas.

I can list at least ten (10) important and critical matters for which the continuing silence, dilatory excuses and delayed considerations by the Chairman is having serious negative impacts on the improvement in the management and efficiency of the GECOM in achieving the ultimate goal of having exclusively free and fair elections in Guyana.

Lastly, I am unaware, both at GECOM and with the obvious energy and interest being exerted by stakeholders and electors, that any political organisation is intent on stymieing the holding of the LGE. Given his unique placement at GECOM and the evidence of LGE activity thus far, this conclusion of the Chairman of GECOM is indeed remarkable.

I can only leave it to the media and the public at this time to consider this and to arrive at their own deliberate conclusions.

Robeson Benn GECOM Commissioner

Local elections did not bring about the change that was expected

Dear Editor, After almost three years of Local Government Elections in Guyana, Guyanese believe that many local issues would have been resolved. Unfortunately, that has not been the case.

The question is: what differences have Local Government Elections and governance made to our lives and communities?

I am absolutely sure that nothing much has changed in your communities or lives, but it is absolutely necessary to ensure that you continue to vote, in order for you to be pro-

tected against any increase in rates and taxes or any additional burdens by this coalition Government.

The Government’s policies of modernising the country local system of democracy are nothing but increased hardship and burdens. Since the Local Government Elections of 2016, the coalition Government has refused to increase and delay subventions to assist LAA areas, but has insisted that rates and taxes’ increases is the solutions to various issues within these areas.

This contributed significantly to the decline of the local authority areas, some areas are even worse than before 2016, with clogged drains, deplorable streets, garbage disposal crisis etc., and this continues to plague all the NDCs and municipalities across the country.

Even the municipalities and NDC that are governed by the APNU/AFC coalition Government, where they imposed 100 per cent increases in rates and taxes, nothing has changed. continued on page 7

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LGE 2018: AFC contesting Librarians to be equipped 38 Local Authority Areas with robot-making skills

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he Alliance For Change (AFC) on Wednesday announced plans to contest only 38 Local Authority Areas (LAA) at the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) set for November 12.

This announcement follows previous statements made by the party, where they had initially said the AFC had planned to contest the elections in more than 50 areas.

AFC member Michael Lenard told a media conference that his party is now contesting in less Local Government Areas than it had intended earlier in the year.

The minority party in the coalition Government blamed a number of issues for the decision not to contest more areas, including political bullying and issues with communication.

“We had intention to contest a lot more, but we had issues in those places,” Lenard explained, noting that in one instance the Police were called in to address the issue.

The party’s campaign manager, David Patterson said nevertheless, he is satisfied with the position the AFC is in at the moment and they will continue to work hard to prepare for LGE. Asked to name the specific areas in which the AFC pulled out of, Patterson refused to say but added, “I like to concentrate on where I am fighting as opposed to where I am not.”

He continued, “Whatever it is, we are satisfied with where we are.

We are in the townships as well. We will be putting our full efforts in wherever we are.”

Just last week, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) through one of its constituency candidates in Berbice filed legal proceedings against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and another individual to have the names fraudulently affixed to the backer’s lists in Berbice re-

AFC campaign manager David Patterson

moved.

The court document names Shafraz Beekham as the applicant, along with the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and Orlando Christopher Persaud as the respondents.

The document outlines that the challenge is seeking to have the names of 49 other electors appearing on list of backers in support of the AFC constituency candidates removed.

It noted that the submission was made to Persaud on September 21, 2018, in Whim Bloomfield, Berbice LAA, for the LGE 2018. The PPP is challenging on the grounds that the said decision is unlawful, illegal, and unreasonable and is in violation of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act. The document also cites Persaud’s alleged refusal to withdraw the applicant’s name and the names of 49 other electors.

It said unless the names are withdrawn, the election in the LAA would be tainted with “illegality and fraud.” It also noted that Persaud’s refusal happened before the expired deadline on September 26, 2018.

The matter is fixed for hearing before Justice Navindra Singh today. The attorneys representing Beekham are Adrian Anamayah, Ian Anamayah and Anil Nandlall.

Debates

Patterson also announced his support for

Local elections ...

from page 6

The reason why the APNU/AFC coalition Government is trying to impose local democracy pressure on the Guyanese people is because of the numerous failures of the Government to deliver; as such, they are using the local authorities’ management as a scapegoat, to hide their incompetence and mismanagement.

If the APNU/AFC were serious about the success of the LAA areas, then they would pump

more resources into the LAA areas to satisfy the needs of the grassroots people.

Remember that Local Government Elections are just the renewal of Local Democracy.

Guyanese should recognise that the only hindrance for the APNU/ AFC to become a total dictatorship Government is the Opposition Leader, Cde Bharrat Jagdeo, and the Peoples Progressive Party.

Regards, Zamal Hussain

the hosting of public debates among constituency candidates vying for positions within their Local Government organisations. He expressed his party’s willingness to participate in any such event as the time draws closer for the LGE. “We do feel there should be a debate among candidates, particularly, in the larger constituencies and municipalities, like persons in the constituencies in Georgetown, Linden, Bartica, New Amsterdam, Rose Hall, should have a public debate…on policies and positions,” he added.

However, Patterson says the AFC will not seek to organise any such debates itself, as it may be viewed as a strategy to dominate. Nevertheless, the party said it is willing to participate in any event organised by any civil society group or organisation in Guyana.

The party’s campaign manager was clear, however, as to the conditions under which AFC candidates will participate. He said the party would prefer having these debates hosted in the larger constituencies, rather than smaller ones spread across the country.

First Lady Sandra Granger; Chief Librarian Emily King; and Co-Founder of STEM Guyana, Karen Abrams, pose with the participants of the training programme

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one are the days of going to the library just to read books as librarians across the country are now being equipped with the knowledge of building and programming robots to be able to share with young intrigued minds.

Presently, over 30 persons from various parts of the country are being trained in an initiative, which seeks to incorporate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in libraries.

At the kick-start of one of the training programmes on Wednesday, which was hosted at the Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, CoFounder of STEM Guyana, Karen Abrams explained the importance of having these vital areas involved in the lives of children.

Chief Librarian Emily King endorsed this message saying, “The libraries are seen as a place whereby we can cultivate an interest in STEM and I know many of you, particularly the younger staff members, have a key interest in technology and this is one opportunity which is provided for you (librarians) in order to be adventurous and also innovative”.

King in her address even urged the participants to, in the coming days, engage young folks and even the older ones, as they are altogether responsible for bringing about change in communities.

First Lady Sandra Granger who gave brief remarks said she feels quite excited about this new project which will combine two of her most loved childhood things, which are reading and robotics.

She said, “We recognise the importance of our young people, as our elderly, because I will say that some of our seniors are asking ‘why aren’t we getting training in robotics as well’ and they have a point but at this point, we are focusing on our young generation because technology is where the jobs will be”.

Granger shared that it was predicted that in the years soon ahead, 60 per cent of jobs will be done by robots. “A recent survey indicates that right now, 50 per cent of the jobs are being done by robots,” she added.

The First Lady further stressed that women’s jobs are likely to become obsolete because of this, hence the importance of becoming involved in robotics.

According to the Co-Founder of STEM Guyana, this happens to be the second training being rolled out, as just recently a number of other youths benefited from the sessions.

Currently the organisation is seeking sponsors as kits and other assets have to be bought for the trainees. So far GTT and a few others have come on board to sponsor meals and other necessities for the beneficiaries.

8 news

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Miners in Guyana protest Govt’s crackdown ...say callous, uncaring approach will create more hardships

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large group of small miners in Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) on Wednesday protested the seizure of their mining equipment by operatives of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) as they expressed calls for amnesty.

The miners gathered in the town of Mahdia as they stood united, saying “bread” is being taken out of their mouths as they called for total amnesty after their equipment were seized. The miners accused the David Granger led-administration of snatching their livelihood from them.

The protest comes days after the GGMC raided Mahdia and surrounding communities seizing equipment for alleged breach of mining protocols.

The miners are contending that the long waiting period for permits and the alleged corruption by GGMC officers have left them non-compliant with regulations.

“We are asking for total amnesty… whatever the consequences are after this breach then we will accept it,” one protesting miner said.

They said too that the penalties meted out to them were too harsh. The aggrieved miners told members of the media that the process of obtaining a mining permit takes some six weeks to two months to be granted and they noted that they cannot leave their operations to transact business in Georgetown for such prolonged periods of time.

“We have to be waiting long periods before we could get and renew the applications so all of them things does cause

Several small-scale miners gathered in Mahdia, Region Eight as they protested the GGMC’s seizure of their equipment

these people to breach orders and when they do, they does be treating us like criminal, running us with guns!” one miner decried.

“We are just asking that they come with good orders so that we can follow… the rules could have been fit in in a systematic way so that the people could comply and continue earning,” said a dredge owner who had his motor engine seized.

Others spoke out against alleged corrupt compliance officers in the area who they say would often accept bribes from errant miners.

“They did not say anything

to us, they usually take bribes and allow people to work so now when the people feel free to work, they coming down on them harshly,” one miner expressed.

Some small miners even berated the granting of lands to foreign nationals, saying that Guyanese are being “left with nothing”.

“The big men them are getting lands to work and the small miners are being suffocated, nothing for them, we own Guyanese people!” the media was told.

Unconscionable assault

The miners observed that

they want President David Granger to intervene even as Opposition Leader Bharat Jagdeo termed GGMC’s actions an “unconscionable assault”. He too called on the Head of State to immediately reverse the decision which is affecting working class citizens in Mahdia and elsewhere.

“This sort of callous and uncaring decision will only serve to further hurt our small miners, who have families to maintain and children to send to school…. we have a Government that has done nothing to improve the fortunes of small miners or the working class, for that matter. The Ministers sit in their offices and gorge themselves

Mother of 2 dies in Corentyne accident

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Dead: Deslyne Armogan

Corentyne pedal cyclist, who is a mother of two, is now dead after she collided with a motorcycle on the Nigg Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.

Dead is Deslyne Gaitri Armogan, 49, of Lot 180 Nigg New Housing Scheme, while the injured motorcyclist has been identified as 20-year-old Arvin Ramnarace of Lot 105 Chesney, Berbice.

The accident occurred at about 07:30h on Wednesday.

According to reports, Ramnarace was riding motorcycle CH 2690 pro-

ceeding East along the northern side of the road when Armogan, who was proceeding West along the northern side of the said road on a bicycle, allegedly turned South into the path of the motorcyclist and they collided.

Both Armogan and Ramnarace were picked up and taken to Port Mourant Hospital, where the 49-year-old woman was pronounced dead on arrival. The young man on the other hand was transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital, with head injuries. Nevertheless, his condition is stable.

The dead woman’s husband, Gopaul Singh, told this newspaper that he was on his way home from work when he noticed a bicycle lying on the side of the road and immediately recognised it.

“I went home because I see people [at the scene] but nobody didn’t say anything and when I get home, my brotherin-law wife called and

asked if [Deslyne] come home and I said no because I didn’t see her. So I went back out on the road to see if what going on and then a lady from across the road ask if is we bicycle and I tell she yes and then she say that the person didn’t make it,” the man related.

Singh said he rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital where his worst fears were confirmed.

Guyana Times International understands that Armogan had gone to a shop in the community to purchase pastries as she was about to take a trip to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport

Two small-scale miners hold placards in front of the Mahdia GGMC’s office

(CJIA) to bid farewell to some relatives.

According to her husband, the woman sustained head injuries and was bleeding through her nose and ears.

The couple has two children.

This newspaper understands that on September 28, 2001, the couple’s third child – a six-year-old son – died in a road accident also on the Corentyne highway.

Singh said he always warned his wife about the Corentyne highway, recalling that that was the conversation he had with the now dead woman.

The dead woman’s bicycle on the road after the collision

on privileges using taxpayers’ monies, while every single day they come up with new ways to launch an assault on our working class and productive sectors,” the Opposition Leader said.

As such, he called for attention to be given to small miners given the importance of the mining sector to Guyana’s economy.

The Opposition Leader has also been for the last few years calling on the coalition Government to reduce the tax burden on the business sector, including the mining industry. Calls to GGMC Chairman Stanley Ming for comment on the matter on Wednesday afternoon were unanswered.

Jamaica PM expects more flights and better service at now privatized airport (JAMAICA OBSERVER)

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RIME Minister Andrew Holness says governments over the years have ended up holding onto assets that drain the public purse because of the sentiments attached to the State retaining ownership.

He was speaking at the signing of a 25-year concession agreement with Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) for the privatisation of the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA), at Jamaica House yesterday.

Under the agreement, the State will retain ownership of the airport, but the prime minister pointed out that the Government is not the expert in the management of airports.

“At the end of the day, what I believe the public wants more than anything else is a well-managed facility that delivers a service efficiently and at

an affordable price-point, so we have to keep engaging the public because there is a short-sighted view of ownership which actually close out the full utilisation of the value of the asset,” he stated.

Holness argued that allowing entities with the competent skills to take over an asset like the NMIA unlocks a new world of opportunity for the airport, adding that the Public Private Partnership process allows the resources of the country to be paired with the skills and competencies that can best unlock the value of the assets.

He said as a result of this divestment, Jamaicans will become beneficiaries of an expanded runway, an infrastructure investment that the Government could not undertake on its own without sacrificing important social and economic expenditure. continued on page 9

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana’s Education Minister Armed bandits terrorise says teachers’ increase in Corentyne family salaries “a work in progress” …son shot, father beaten

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Smiling representatives of the Guyana Teachers Union and the Education Ministry after “fruitful” talks on Wednesday

temming from a more than twohour long meeting between the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and the Education Ministry on Wednesday afternoon, teachers are being assured that they can now sleep well, as “fruitful” discussions were harnessed, where a “matrix of figures” for teachers is now being promised to be presented

by Friday.

As smiling representatives walked out of the meeting held at the Ministry’s 26 Brickdam, Georgetown office, tightlipped officials would only say that “new information was provided that was not discussed nor considered prior to the offers made earlier.”

When asked what was the “new information”, GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald explained, “Well, of course we would want to have all of our teachers benefiting from whatever the increase is going to be so… we would have had promotions and so with promotions come new salaries and so those are all new information”.

Further, she noted that the Union is looking forward to having a final resolution to the teachers’ wages dispute

by Friday, when the two sides will again meet to reveal the “matrix of fig-

ures” for teachers. The Ministry will stand the responsibility of presenting this figure, the GTU said.

Meanwhile, the Education Minister described the new salaries for teachers as “a work in progress”. “If we may say, it’s a work in progress, and so the new information is nothing specific that we would wish to share at this point in time. A lot of what has to be sorted out requires the interaction of both parties so that we can resolve the issue.”

Earlier on Wednesday, President David Granger had announced that he was shocked by the Union’s move to reject the increase being offered.

On Monday, a new offer of a 10 per cent increase for 2016 and eight per cent for 2018 was put forward by the head of state.

The GTU had also said in a social media post that, “…an offer of G$350 million is made to settle debunching for the period 2011-2018.

Teachers to be placed in scales as of January 2019. Payments for debunching and 2018 will be made in December while retroactive 2016 increase will be made in January 2019 if agreed.”

Monday’s intervention by President

David Granger came after Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo advised that the Head of State take a stand on the impasse regarding teachers’ salaries.

Initially the GTU was asking for a 40 per cent increase and were set for arbitration after calling off a nationwide strike on September 6. The Union was however ready to return to the streets after the Education Ministry and the Union were unable to agree on an arbitration panel.

This was after conciliator, Labour Minister Keith Scott, unilaterally appointed a Chairman who was introduced as University of Guyana Professor Leyland Lucas.

The last nationwide teachers’ strike took effect on August 27 during schools’ pre-term activities and lasted for a little under two weeks, as the Ministry gave into pressure and agreed to arbitration on September 6, 2018.

The Union has been clamouring for the Education Ministry to honour a proposal for a 40 per cent increase in salary for 2016, 45 per cent in 2017, 50 per cent in 2018, 50 per cent in 2019 and 50 per cent in 2020 be granted to all categories of teachers/educators. (Davina Ramdass)

Jamaica PM expects more...

“Now we can take in more flights,” said the prime minister.

In the meantime, he said practically every agency that the Government runs creates a fiscal risk. “An agency could run into problems; it could run up debt and, ultimately, who would be responsible for that? You, the people of Jamaica, which we have seen happen with several public enterprises, because Government sometimes are not the best people to provide some of the services that these enterprises are providing, but governments are sometimes afraid to enter upon a conversation about who best should run the enterprise and provide the service,” he stated, adding that governments end up paying for that with national debt.

The NMIA has been marketed to investors as an entity that should provide strong improvement in financial performance under a private operator with potential for earnings before interest, tax,

from page 8

depreciation, and amortisation margins above 50 per cent.

Under the deal, GAP has an option to extend the agreement by an additional five years. During the concession period, GAP will fully operate the NMIA and is responsible for improving the efficiency of landside and airside operations, financing and completing the modernisation and expansion, and maintaining and upgrading the facilities of the airport.

“This investment modality is, without doubt, a critical element of the Government’s economic growth strategy. It is evident that PPPs are excellent vehicles for unlocking the value of assets, reducing debt, and mobilising local and foreign investment in our economy,” Holness stated.

He pointed out that GAP is no stranger to the airport business as the NMIA will be the 14th international airport managed by the Mexican company.

father and son are now hospitalised after three armed bandits attacked their Corentyne, Berbice, business, terrorising them.

The incident occurred at about 18:00h at the Lot 6 Cromarty Farm property, where the family operates a grocery shop that is attached to their house.

Injured are 52-yearold Dhirah Kumar and his 22-year-old son, Balram, who was shot to his jaw.

Guyana Times International understands that three men – one masked, one carrying a gun and the other a cutlass – entered the grocery store, which Kumar and his son operate.

According to the businessman’s wife, 48-yearold Asha Kumar, at the time of the attack, she was preparing dinner for the family when she heard her husband screaming.

“When I run, I see a man with his head covered up. So when I see the bandit, I run and go in the backyard and hide. While hiding, I could hear when they beating my husband – every lash he was hollering and he was telling them “don’t, beat meh, I gon give y’all everything!

Y’all don’t beat me, don’t

The business place which bandits invaded and terrorised the victims

beat meh son”,” the still traumatised woman recalled.

The woman continued that she then heard her husband telling the perpetrators that he would give them all the money they had at the business.

Guyana Times International was told that the elder Kumar handed over G$280,000 to the bandits.

However, not satisfied, the bandits continued beating and terrorising the businessman and his son, asking for more money.

“They tell he, “Y’all get more [money]” and they beat my son more, asking “where is the gold”.

My son said we nah get gold and he tell them take a silver band he had on so they pull off the band

and ask “silver y’all does wear, y’all nah get gold” and my son tell he no,” Asha Kumar related. The younger Kumar during the ordeal put up a fight and was shot to the left side of his face.

Mrs Kumar went on to say that the perpetrators still continued to beat her husband and son, stamping and kicking them before going to the upper flat of the two storey house and ransacked the rooms.

Asha could not say, however, if the men took anything for upstairs. The woman’s husband and son remain hospitalised at a private medical institution and are in stable condition.

Meanwhile, the Police have since detained a person for questioning as investigations are ongoing.

10 news

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Mismanagement and unaccountability at City Hall started over 20 years ago’ - says Gaskin

unaccountability at City Hall started over 20 years ago and never stopped, only getting worse. He said it began under the leadership of former Mayor Hamilton Green and continued with Patricia Chase Green.

“These two people should not be forgotten. Royston King is a product of Hamilton Green and Chase Green too,” he said, explaining that even while King would have more direct responsibility, City Hall is run by a Council where most decisions are made.

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Ramon Gaskin

ow that the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the spending at City Hall is in its third week, there have been numerous testimonies submitted to the Commission already, most of which are complaints made out against embattled Town Clerk Royston King.

But outspoken economist and former Presidential Advisor, Ramon Gaskin, says that while “he is the main man” in the controversy that is taking place at City Hall, based on his “privileged position,” he should not be the only subject to be put in the spotlight.

Gaskin argued that the culture of mismanagement and

Current Mayor Patricia Chase Green

Former Mayor Hamilton Green

“The culture developed over the years, there has to do with

corruption and incompetence.

The so-called elected Councils are a useless group as well, and the corrupt group of managers, when you have those two… nothing good could come out of it.”

Gaskin is not confident that the upcoming Local Government Election (LGE) will bring any changes to the way things are done at City Hall. He is hopeful however that the CoI will look at all the matters and make suitable recommendations for some changes.

In 2012, the economist conducted an audit at the Georgetown municipality; and, in some instances, rec-

ommendations were made for criminal charges to be pressed against those culpable of several financial improprieties that were uncovered.

Gaskin is expected to provide the evidence to substantiate his recommendations based on that audit to the CoI soon. He explained that he had produced and delivered three comprehensive reports to the then Government which had ordered a CoI. At the public hearings, which commenced on September 24, it was revealed that a plot of riverfront land, reportedly not the property of City Hall was leased to a shipping company by King since April 5, 2016, at the cost of G$625,000 per year.

It was also heard that the Town Clerk allegedly collected monies from nine specific drivers of the Route 44 (Industry) route. A rental of G$3000 from each of the drivers was collected to occupy a stretch of the roadway that spans from the Avenue of the Republic to Hinck Street. Consequently, some 45 drivers are left to fend for themselves as the area remains occupied by the said drivers.

Only recently, it was also reported by sections of the media that King also purchased a property located at Happy Acres, East Coast Demerara,

Town Clerk Royston King

for G$30 million. This was confirmed by his Attorney Andrew Pollard to be true.

The hearings are expected to conclude on October 31.

The necessary actions will be taken by the Commission after conclusions are drawn from the Inquiry.

Over the years, City Hall has complained about lack of funds, which is a mere contradiction to its excessive spending. Concerns were raised over this issue, and it was noted that while the building is in need of repairs, millions of dollars have been squandered.

King has been sent on leave pending the outcome of this CoI. (Samuel Sukhnandan)

LGE 2018: Youths urged to get involved in decision-making process

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ith over 50 per cent of young people making up the general population of Guyana, youths have an important role to play in the decision making process of the country, to shape a brighter future for generations of Guyanese to come.

This is the message of People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) candidate for Constituency Three (Stewartville/ Cornelia Ida) Amelia Ali who told Guyana Times International in an interview on Tuesday that is the reason she chose to contest.

Ali, who sits on the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), said she feels there is plenty room for young people to get involved in community development work.

“I think if we as young people are going to shape our future, we need to get on a certain platform where our voices are going to be heard, and be part and parcel of the decision-making

PPP/C Constituency Three (Stewartville/Cornelia Ida) candidate, Amelia Ali

process,” she added.

The 24-year-old feels youths should get out and join the local political movement, regardless of which party they chose to be part of. She is encouraging those persons to work towards ensuring that their ideas and plans

become a reality.

She said, “If they are up for it, then just come out. Under whichever party you chose to support or even if you want to campaign separately from any political party that is fine as well… but we definitely have to get involved in the

decision-making in our country.”

The PPP/C candidate told this newspaper that she first started out in politics a few years ago and quickly developed a love for it.

She is a member of the youth arm of the PPP/C, the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), where many of the leaders, including General Secretary and former President Bharrat Jagdeo also started.

Asked what inspired her to join politics, Ali said she was drawn to it because of the avenue it creates to assist people, communities and the country as a whole. As a young female who has ambitions of becoming a mainstream politician someday, she said she admires party veteran, Philomena “Fireball” Sahoye-Shury the most.

“She is tenacious and her story is inspiring.

She was involved in politics when the atmosphere wasn’t as easy as it is now. Even though those times were tougher, she still managed to get her message through and she represented her party well,”

she added.

Aside from her, Ali said despite being a youth politician, she also draws her inspiration from women not particularly in politics, but those who have made and/or continue to make a tangible contribution to the development of Guyana.

These persons include, but are not limited to, President of the Guyana Trade Union Congress and General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Coretta McDonald; and writer/ activist, Anna Correia.

Ali, who is currently reading for a bachelor’s degree in social work at the University of Guyana will be contesting the Constituency Three (Stewartville/ Cornelia Ida) West Coast Demerara area.

She said that she hopes to take some changes to the area.

“Most of the ideas I have for my community are not necessarily new but what I think needs to happen is the approach to which we deal with things in the Neighbourhood Democratic Council

(NDC) needs to change.

What I do hope to accomplish if I do get elected is to develop waste management strategies because littering in my NDC has proven to be a sore issue,” she explained.

Ali said that petty theft, robberies and other social ills continue to affect her community. Once elected, she said she will push to have an improved working relationship with the Community Policing Group and the Police to tackle these issues.

The young PPP/C candidate also boasted about her party’s vision for her constituency and Guyana as a whole, emphasising that it has what it takes to manage local democratic organs effectively and efficiently, and will ensure that no new taxes are implemented.

She is encouraging everyone, especially youths, to take part of the democratic process and ensure that the vote at the upcoming Local Government Elections set for November 12.

(Samuel Sukhnandan)

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sheriff Street contractor could soon face sanctions ..for slow pace of work

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ith eleven months already passed since a contract was signed with Sinohydro Corporation Ltd for the construction of the Mandela Avenue/Sheriff Street expansion project, no significant progress has been made, which adds to years of being delayed by various technicalities, as such, the Guyana Government is contemplating implementing possible sanctions.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has said he is disappointed at the pace at which the project is moving and his ministry had made this opinion known to the contractor.

The Minister reminded that the contract was signed since 2017. He said that while

there were some issues that may have led to a delay, there is barely anything done.

The Minister further explained that there is nothing preventing the contractor from pushing in extra hours to ensure that the project meets the deadline.

According to him, there is no restriction on work time, especially since the company would have submitted a traffic management plan, which was reviewed and approved allowing it the time to work on that major road.

The US$31.03 million contract was awarded to the company last year. The two-year project is aimed at covering approximately seven kilometres of road.

The project which is being

funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), involves the following works: relocation of utilities, lane and shoulder improvements, placement of sidewalks and paved shoulders, traffic signals, traffic signs, streetlights, drainage, a pedestrian overhead walkway, bridges, among others.

The IDB had, earlier last year, revised the scope of works on this road project, putting it on hold and delaying the opening of tenders for the project.

This was done following discussions entered into with the Finance Ministry aimed at achieving completion of the project before the loan deadline set by the IDB had expired.

Young mother raped during robbery in Berbice

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teenage girl was raped shortly after returning home from an outing in Berbice.

Her family was also robbed of cash and jewellery by the two bandits, who fired shots in the direction of a four-monthold baby, to have the family comply with their demands.

The 18-year-old mother of two and her 52-year-old mother arrived home on Monday evening about 22:00h from the Berbice Expo, and saw two men under the house, but could not escape.

The house is situated close to the Corentyne Highway.

The unemployed mother said both men were carrying guns.

"My daughter had her two children, and one went to her and the other one came to me and put me to lie down. He put his foot on me and then kick me and say that they want the money and jewellery,” the woman said.

She told Guyana Times International that both men were masked.

She explained that her daughter was pushed into the hammock with her fourmonth-old baby and her other child was placed to sit on the ground.

At the time, the woman's 32-year-old differently abled son was in the upper flat of the house, but owing to his disability, he was unable to aid his mother and sister. The woman related that he managed to run away from the

men and rushed over to her neighbour’s yard. She said the Police were called and they responded quickly, but as the men left, they grabbed her teenage daughter and took her with them.

Meanwhile, the teenager told this newspaper that the men demanded her cellular phone and the silver jewellery she was wearing at the time.

She said that two gunshots were fired – one landing inches away from her baby's head.

"They told me that I have to go with them and they pull me and carry me down to the cemetery," she said.

In tears, the teen told this publication that one of the men then raped her.

According to her, when he was finished, the second one was about to rape her also, but they saw the flashing lights of the Police vehicle and both escaped.

“When they finish with me, they tell me don’t tell nobody or they will come back to me…”

The scared teenager also related that since the incident, a particular neighbour has been mocking and teasing her about the incident. She said this has made her more depressed about the ordeal.

Meanwhile, Police on Tuesday arrested a man at his Whim Village, Berbice home in connection with the incident.

Police are investigating.

12 news

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese Prison Officers Calls being made for Region 2 REO to resign being offered financial …over alleged misconduct

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ouncillors of the Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) have passed their saturation point with Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rupert Hopkinson as they led a picket outside his office on Tuesday calling for his removal. Both the Opposition People’s Progressive Party and the ruling A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Councillors, united in their call for Hopkinson’s removal. This action followed repeated concerns Councillors have been registering over REO’s conduct and alleged misuse of public funds.

The Councillors told Guyana Times

REO never took any action even after he won his matter in court. Ram also said that the REO is busy building parks and a gated community while the entire regional machinery needs to be fixed or replaced. He expressed that millions of dollars were lost in the rice industry due to the lack of fixing the access dams.

Non-consultation Region Two, which is predominantly dependent on agriculture, only has one grader that has been reportedly out of order for several years. One of the main issues the Councillors said would be discussed at the RDC meeting is the submitting of the 2019 Regional Budget Proposals without the final consultation and approval of the RDC.

the Chairman and Vice Chairman will sign off a transmitter statement before it’s presented to the Ministry of Finance,” she said.

Coonjah outlined that they were told that the REO had sent off the budget proposal even though she had not seen it. She even expressed fear that her signature may have been “forged”.

“At our last statutory meeting last month… he told them that they signed off already.

Because the meeting that they had, the attendance sheet was signed.

But I’m told that a further investigation revealed that the signature we put on the 2018 budget that is what (was) used,” she revealed.

She further informed this publication

RDC Councillors from both the Government and Opposition joined in protest for the removal of Region Two REO Rupert Hopkinson

International they opted to picket the REO after they turned up at the RDC Boardroom in Anna Regina for the monthly statutory meeting, only to discover that a ‘junior staff’ was sitting in for the REO, who functions as the RDC’s Clerk and Accounting Officer.

Chairman of the RDC, Devanand Ramdatt said the REO has been absenting himself from the RDC meetings without informing the RDC. The Regional Chairman said Councillors from “both sides of the RDC are very much disappointed with the behaviour of the REO, who “is not working in the best interest of the people of the region.”

APNU/AFC Councillors Naithram and Hardat Narine also supported the call for the REO’s removal.

Naithram, during the picketing exercise said the REO is “sabotaging the progress of the region” and is doing work without consulting the RDC. He said too that he and Councillor Narine were both slapped in the line of duty and the

The elected representatives have expressed much concern over the secretive nature in which the proposal is being formulated. Region Two Vice Chairperson Nandranie Coonjah had in fact written the Finance Ministry on the matter. In the correspondence seen by this publication, she revealed that the region’s budget proposal was ratified but not circulated by REO Hopkinson.

According to Coonjah, this was despite changes being made to line items under regional administration, finance and agriculture. She noted in the correspondence that circulating copies of the ratified budget to the office of the Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman is mandatory.

“We had a meeting with the REO where some of the things he had in the budget weren’t in agreement with the Council. And we had to remove and rectify and send it back for perusal to the RDC… the Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman office.

And when they peruse,

that when she was invited on September 18 to attend a budget debate, she told the REO that she had no information about the budget as she was not included in the consultations.

The PPP/C representative said she emailed not only the Finance Minister but copied the letter to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan as well, though her letter was “not acknowledged.”

Speaking on Tuesday, she told this newspaper that the REO is failing his duties, especially in education and health.

She outlined that the doctors’ quarters in the hinterland were constructed and left unoccupied due to the lack of furnishing. She added that sanitary blocks at schools need to be fixed, noting that the Rest House built at Onderneeming for expectant mothers from the interior needs to be furnished.

The REO had indicated to this newspaper that he will be proceeding on leave. Calls to the REO on Tuesday went unanswered.

incentives to expose rogue colleagues

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s the Guyana Prison Service continues its quest to stamp out corruption, the route to success has been spiced up with prison officers now being rewarded with incentives valuing as much as G$25,000 to expose criminal activities.

This was announced on Monday by Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, via a statement to the media.

“The Ministry of Public Security and the Guyana Prison Service would like to see officers speak out on corruption at all levels. As such, Officers are encouraged to help in this fight. For all those officers who come forward with details that can result in detection and prosecution, they will be given an incentive of between G$15,000 (and) G$25,000,” he said.

The Director’s statements come at a time when the smuggling of contraband into prisons has peaked in recent days. Last Saturday, the Joint Services carried out a countrywide search at the various penitentiaries. The raids were conducted at the Georgetown, Lusignan, Mazaruni, New Amsterdam, and Timehri prisons.

The six-and-a-halfhour-long exercise, which commenced at 06:00h, resulted in the discovery of over 275 contraband items, ranging from weapons and cellphones to homemade wine and pepper sauce.

A full list of the contraband found included 28 cellular phones; in excess of 30 cellphone chargers and batteries; six USB cables; four SIM cards; a memory card; and four earplugs; along with a quantity of cigarettes and cannabis; 84 cigarette lighters; ash-

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels

trays, and 20 smoking utensils.

In addition, over 65 improvised weapons, five pairs of scissors, a staple machine and a quantity of razor blades, nails, wire, sand paper and small boulders were found. The ranks also unearthed 24 metal spoons, a tattoo machine, two mirrors, playing cards, as well as bottles of homemade wine and pepper sauce.

Except for the Lusignan Prison, there was no other incident during the exercise. At the East Coast Demerara penitentiary, inmates in the Holding Bay hurled stones and other objects at the Police and prison ranks; however there were no injuries reported.

Contraband smuggling has long been a perennial problem within the local prison system, and this is compounded by the fact that both prison and Police Officers are facilitating the illegal trade, which is said to be “big business”.

While the authorities have been struggling to curb the illegal practice, there has been a breakthrough in the apparent network among rogue officers. In fact, only last week, two prison ranks were fingered in contra-

band smuggling at two separate facilities.

One of the officers was caught on camera with a parcel containing 1032 grams marijuana and 39 packs of cigarettes, which was thrown over the fence at the New Amsterdam Prison and been hidden in the facility’s kitchen. He later admitted to committing the act.

The other rank was taken into custody after an inmate at the Timehri Prison was found with a container of 584 grams of marijuana in the compound. The prisoner said he was given the narcotic by the officer, who has since denied the allegation.

Meanwhile, last month, four Prison officers were arrested after they smuggled a bottle of rum and a pack of cigarettes into the Lusignan Prison the weekend prior.

These officers were subsequently charged and interdicted from duty.

Furthermore, five other Prison officers were relieved of their duties back in July after they were fingered in an incident wherein a parcel containing cannabis had been thrown into the Lusignan Prison Holding Bay area.

“Fake” doctor fined for pretending to be heart specialist

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43-year-old man was on Monday granted bail by Magistrate Judy Latchman when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with a simple larceny charge.

Prem Chan admitted that on October 4, 2018 at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD), he falsely pretended to be heart specialist, Dr Mahendra Carpen in order to obtain the sum of G$100,000 from Frank Shanicharara.

The prosecution contended that on October 4 about 12:00h, Chan called the Virtual Complainant via telephone pretending to be Dr Carpen asking for

a donation of G$100,000 for a heart patient. The VC, realising that he was being conned, asked the caller to visit his business place to uplift the money. The VC then called the Police, and Chan was caught red-handed.

In court on Monday, the unrepresented man claimed that he committed the act since he was frustrated. He claimed that he was making little effort in raising money for his own heart surgery. He was fined G$100,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in him serving six months in prison.

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Local elections is about empowering people …President Granger says during Region 2 campaign launch

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resident David Granger on Monday told residents of Anna Regina and neighbouring communities in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) that Local Government Elections (LGE) are not about winning or losing but about empowering citizens.

The Head of State was at the time speaking at a community meeting held at the Anna Regina car park on the Essequibo Coast.

As such, the President noted the need for competent persons to be elected to the municipality and for residents to move away from voting on the basis of party politics. He called on residents of the town to vote for people who are going to develop Anna Regina, thereby ensuring Region Two became the powerhouse it was destined to be.

“When we are in government, we don’t say this is PPP (People’s Progressive Party) municipality or a PPP Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), we say this is a part of Guyana and we help Guyanese wherever they are,” the Head of State said.

He made it clear that “this government is a government for the whole country” and so, no matter the outcome of the November 12, 2018 elections, “we will continue to help Anna

The President distributing bicycles at Anna Regina

Regina to be a better town”.

The President pointed to improvements within the township and noted that Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rupert Hopkinson knew his responsibilities.

Government, he stressed, has three tiers – local, regional and central – which have to work together to ensure that citizens benefit and enjoy the good life.

But while this is ide-

al, President Granger pointed to the fact that Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt was absent from the community meeting. “Look around, you think the Regional Chairman for Region Two is here? He is not here. That is the problem in Guyana. The President is here, the neighbourhood is here, but the middle piece is not here. That is what we have to solve in this country. All three levels have to work to-

gether if we are to move this region forward,” he declared.

Further, the Head of State said the time has come when residents must think of the future and look towards developing the Region.

The President assured those gathered at the Anna Regina car park that his government and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) were prepared to work to improve the town.

“I want people to get rich; I want people to open enterprises, to develop all parts of Guyana, but [I want]Anna Regina ,which has so many advantages, to take the lead, because you have the experience of being part hinterland, part coastland,” President Granger is quoted by the Ministry of the Presidency as saying.

He noted that over the years, Anna Regina has struggled because of poor leadership while assuring that better leadership was on the horizon.

Moreover, President Granger said it was his vision that Anna Regina would have its own municipal aerodrome so that business persons from the Caribbean could land in Anna Regina, conduct their business in the morning and leave before nightfall.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson also spoke to the importance of LGE and local democracy.

At the conclusion of the community meeting, President Granger presented some 20 bicycles to school-aged children of Anna Regina and neighbouring communities. The handing over of the bicycles is part of the Public Education Transport Service (PETS).

Social Protection Minister Amna Ally was also present at the community meeting.

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Probe commences Guyanese named 1st non-British MU’s Worldwide President into GECOM G hiring practices

– Team expected to wrap up investigation before LGE

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Retired Justice Stanley Moore will be heading the investigation into GECOM’s hiring practices

he Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Monday said it was currently in the process of investigating employment practices at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and has assembled a team to do so.

In a statement from the Commission, it was announced that a special investigative team has already begun work on the case. The team is being headed by retired Justice Stanley Moore, who served as a Home Affairs Minister under former President LFS Burnham. It also includes former Deputy Commissioner of Police Lloyd Smith and human resource consultant Jairam Petam. According to the ERC, the team was given a period of three weeks to complete their investigation and submit a report. But it is understood that during the process, they requested an extension, which has been granted.

In a brief interview with this publication, ERC Chairman, Dr John Smith noted that the team was looking to wrap up its work before Local Government Elections (LGE). Local polls are expected to be held on November 12.

GECOM Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn had written a letter of complaint to the ERC. They contend that there is an ethnic imbalance at GECOM, and hiring practices are being manipulated in favour of one group. The ERC has since met Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, and the matters were raised. The entity also met with President David Granger.

At a recent press conference, GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson had said that qualifications ultimately trumped race when filling vacancies. When asked whether deliberate efforts to achieve racial diversity were being made, Patterson contended that deliberate efforts were being made to get the best people and he has “no apologies” for that.

Other work

Besides its work on the GECOM case, the ERC confirmed that it has met with senior officials of the Guyana Defence and Police Forces and the Fire Service. Meetings were also held with Councillors of Regional

Democratic Councils across Guyana.

“The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), since it was re-established earlier this year, continues in its efforts to engage national stakeholders across the country. Councillors of the Regional Democratic Councils of Regions Two, Three, Five and 10 were also visited by the ERC at their respective offices at Anna Regina, Essequibo, West Demerara, Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice and Mackenzie, Linden,” the Commission explained.

“Meaningful discussions on the promotion of harmony, unity, and good relations were held and agreements reached for collaboration on this national venture.

Related suggestions were also offered for the ERC’s consideration in delivering its mandate. Similar meetings are planned for other Regions this month.”

The ERC is a constitutional body established under the Herdmanston Accord. It works with persons and agencies to promote harmonious ethnic relations. The Commission also deals with complaints, promotes training in racial harmony, and fosters a sense of security, among all ethnic groups.

It is understood that since its resuscitation, the ERC has been flooded with requests. Some of the earliest issues that engaged the Commission’s attention were the now resolved allegations of discrimination at Mae’s Schools and claims of ethnic imbalance at GECOM. The Chairman had informed this publication a few months ago that the Commission was in the process of refining its work plan, looking at its legal framework, and recruiting to bring its staff complement to working strength.

Retired Major General Norman McLean, one of the members of the Commission, had said that despite the challenges, the Commissioners are committed to working as a team to ensure that social cohesion was truly realised.

This, he had said, is the main objective of the work programme that is being drafted.

Similar sentiments were also expressed by the other Commissioners.

uyanese Sheran Harper defied tradition when she became the first non-British resident to be elected as the Worldwide President of the 142-year-old Mothers’ Union (MU). The MU has over four million members in 84 countries across the globe.

The elections were held under the revised Constitution, approved by the Privy Council in April 2018, designed to ensure that governance practices meet the latest standards required and that the Board truly reflects the global nature of the movement.

In addition, 11 Trustees have been elected from within 11 zones worldwide: five from the Provinces within Britain and Ireland, and six from outside. The Board will also have the flexibility to appoint four trustees with specific skillsets to complement the experience and expertise of the elected members.

“I am delighted to accept the role of Worldwide President for the new triennium. I feel very excited and privileged and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our members who voted to make this dream a reality,” Harper, who will take up her new position in January 2019, is quoted as saying by the Anglican Communication News Service.

MU’s CEO, Bev Jullien said that they were extremely excited about the results, adding that not only would Harper bring her global ex-

Sheran Harper

perience but they now also had a diverse board with members from eight different countries for the first time. Additionally, this is the first time that a man is included as a board member.

The current Worldwide President, Lynne Tembey, has overseen the constitutional changes together with the current Board, and she will continue in the post until the end of December 2018.

“I thank God for his abundant blessings and his unfailing loving guidance. I pray that the Lord will continue to guide members and leaders everywhere and especially Sheran and the new Worldwide Board as they take up leadership of the Worldwide Mothers’ Union for the coming three years,” she said.

Harper, wife of famous Guyanese cricketer Roger Harper, said she was proud to be leading an organisation that was making a difference in the lives of over three quarters of a million

people worldwide.

“Mothers’ Union is as relevant today as it was 142 years ago as the call to support families globally is now even greater. We are working alongside Governments and other organisations in tackling issues which affect families wherever they are. In remote areas, where there is no access to social services, it is often Mothers’ Union that is leading the way,” Harper told the Anglican Communication News Service.

Harper studied at the University of the West Indies School of Physical Therapy. She undertook her Clinical Practice at Guy’s Hospital in London and then worked with the Health Ministry in Guyana where she opened and managed new physiotherapy departments in hospitals throughout the country and lectured on the Rehabilitation Therapists Programme.

She stopped working in this area 17 years ago to focus on her calling of serving the MU. She has served as a volunteer at all levels from parish, to diocese and to province and is currently a Worldwide Trustee.

Until recently, she was the Worldwide Parenting Trainer where she rolled out Mothers’ Union Parenting programmes in 23 countries across the globe. Her expertise is often called upon and she has been a spokesperson in her region for Mothers’ Union on various inter-faith and international panels and forums.

Young motorcyclist perishes in Lethem accident

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24-year-old man is now dead after his motorcycle collided with a pickup vehicle while crossing a single lane bridge in Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo). The accident occurred on Monday sometime around 21:20h on the St Ignatius Village Bridge.

Dead is Sylvester Junior De Mendonca of Lot 41 Lethem, Central Rupununi.

Guyana Times International understands that prior to the accident, De Mendonca was allegedly seen consuming alcohol with friends in St Ignatius Village. After some time, the

group of young men left the village, heading to Lethem during which the accident occurred.

It was reported that the young man was riding an unregistered motorcycle reportedly at a fast rate, heading in the northern direction, when he failed to stop upon approaching the St Ignatius Bridge, which can only accommodate one vehicle at a time.

Reports are a pick-up truck, bearing registration number PJJ 7485, which was proceedings in the southern direction, was already on the bridge which caused De Mendonca to collide with the right front side

The accident scene on Monday night on the St Ignatius Bridge

Dead: Sylvester De Mendonca

of the vehicle.

As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist lost control and fell onto the bridge, sustaining severe injuries including a fractured skull.

The young man was pronounced dead by a doctor at the scene. His body was subsequently removed and taken to the Lethem Public Hospital Mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, the 45-yearold driver of the pick-up vehicle, who is said to be a regional contractor of St Ignatius, has since been taken into Police custody assisting with the investigations.

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Handy man gets 13 years for 2015 attempted murder

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ourda Market handyman Quincy “Fix It” Henry, who reportedly stabbed a man for refusing to give him G$100 which he had requested, was on Monday sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment by Justice Brassington Reynolds at the Demerara High Court.

The prosecution’s case was that on September 20, 2015, somewhere around the Merriman’s Mall at Bourda, Georgetown, someone asked Troy Bacchus, known as “Fletcher,” for a G$100; and seeing this, “Fix It” also requested the same sum, but Bacchus refused his request. This angered Henry, who stabbed Bacchus once to the neck.

Two weeks ago, an unrepresented Henry pleaded guilty to the charge just when his trial was set to begin. In a lengthy explanation before sentencing on Monday, he admitted to stabbing Bacchus, but claimed it was done in self-defence, and said the victim had attacked him with a ‘2×4’ piece of wood.

Henry said he was gambling on the day in question, and had an exchange of words with Bacchus. The victim was present in court, and was seen sobbing at various intervals. “Fix It” further stated that Bacchus was hammering him, but left the scene when he saw Henry with a knife.

He claimed that it was sometime after this that Bacchus returned with the piece of wood and

Quincy “Fix It” Henry

started hitting at him.

“He was being very aggressive to me although I said to him that I didn’t want no story…I try to take the wood, and I fire a jook to he neck,” the offender told the court.

After relating his story with near perfect subject and verb agreement, and using many adjectives, Justice Reynolds said Henry was a waste of a good human being, and that he was a victim of his circumstances.

A probation report read by Probation Officer Anand Sharma revealed that Henry’s parents separated and migrated individually to the Caribbean. As a child, “Fix It” lived in Barbados with his mother, but was deported after his sister reported his abuse of cocaine to the authorities.

After his return in 2009, he continued using the prohibited drug, did odd jobs, and lived around Bourda Market. Henry developed problems with hearing over time.

The State’s case was presented by Attorney Tiffini Lyken.

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‘We alone’ made 2015 Coalition victory possible - Cathy Hughes GTT boss says still awaiting 4G spectrum Two years later

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

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n a fiery address at the official launching of the Alliance for Change’s (AFC’s) Local Government Elections campaign, Deputy Campaign Manager, Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes, declared her party solely responsible for the 2015 victory of the now Coalition Government.

“We, the AFC, we alone, made 2015 possible. Anybody else that want to say that they could have done it by itself — and you know who I talking about — ask them how, in all them elections before, they couldn’t do it. Even if by some terrible fluke we ended up with half the seats we got before then, somebody who was forming a Government still got to come and talk to we; so remember that when everybody pulling you down,” Hughes charged.

She made the statement at the AFC’s Railway Embankment, Kitty Center for Change at the first Candidates Expo on Saturday.

The minister said that, some 13 years ago, the AFC met and committed to be the agents of change, and they have excelled at doing just that.

She told the Local Government Election (LGE) candidates they

need to understand that they will know when they are working hard, because there will be a lot of external forces attempting to pull them down.

“In terms of the stability of the Coalition, we may have been too accommodating; who knows?

We get blamed for that, but guess what: we learn fast, and we are ready for this next important phase,” she noted.

Hughes reminded the candidates that change is a process, and that now is the time to instill the long-lost hope in the communities. She urged the new members to start working at the grassroots level and make their way up the ladder towards political success.

“Local content is not about legislation, but how you prepare yourself, your children and families to grasp the opportunities that are ahead. You got to look for the opportunities and grasp them. Only you are responsible for yourself, and failure to grasp these opportunities,” Hughes added.

Meanwhile, AFC Campaign Manager, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, said the time is now when the AFC shows the country that it is alive and well, and not dead and buried as some

people have been saying.

He said he has been receiving numerous complaints of dirty campaigning, and he urged the candidates to be respectful to their opponents.

Additionally, he said that if they are leaving messages on social media, then they ought not to attach their names, since “plausible deniability is what we live by.

“If war break, defend yourself at all times. I don’t believe in turning the next cheek. People complaining that the AFC ministers are going into regions and saying that the community projects that Government done we are claiming (them) as our contribution. Any road I build, you tell them is David Patterson from AFC build it, and we have to walk the walk. We are too modest to take our credit,” Patterson said.

“They had a chance.

We went to it and said to them that here are our rules of engagement and here is what we would like as a coalition to participate in Local Government. So therefore you tell them that every single IT hub – yes, the money come from the Government, but the brains, the style, the execution, the charisma is Minister Cathy Hughes…You don’t be ashamed to claim what is yours,” Patterson said, while throwing shade at its Coalition partner APNU. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo also delivered remarks, urging the candidates to fight the good fight.

The party will host similar events in other regions on upcoming dates. The event also saw the launch of the party’s campaign jingle, ‘Fit & Proppa’, and the LGE Edition of The Key – the party’s newspapers.

Father charged for beating son with pipe in head

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father of four was hauled before the courts last week after he was accused of hitting his 10-yearold son to his head with a piece of pipe.

Rudolph Lyken stood before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman and denied the charge that was made out against him when it was read.

The 40-year-old man is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding the lad on October 10, 2018 at their D’Urban Street, Werk-en-Rust home.

The court heard that on the day in question, the boy was dealt one lash to his head by the defendant after he refused to carry out an order.

He was subsequently taken to a city hospital, where he was treated for the injuries he sustained and sent away.

Lyken, in his defence, told the court

that he never intended to hit the child to his head. He noted that he instructed the boy to carry out an order which he refused.

“I never really wanted to hit him in his head; I talked to him before. After I lash him, I went to him and told him ‘you see how you mek I hit you, you have to listen’,” he said.

The man further informed the court that he was the sole breadwinner for himself and children, who resided with him.

Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones made no objections to bail being granted to the single father.

Magistrate Latchman granted Lyken his pre-trial liberty in the sum of G$80,000, and adjourned the matter until November 2, 2018.

– optimistic of competition in liberalised sector

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espite reports circulating in 2016 that Government had granted GTT approval for a 4G spectrum, the company is still awaiting this approval in order to bring faster internet service to its customers.

This is according to GTT Chief Executive Officer Justin Nedd, who communicated this news during a press conference on Monday at the Herdmanston Lodge.

Nedd was optimistic of the changes liberalisation will bring, and has said GTT has plans of its own to upgrade services.

“Competition is good!

Competition in the space of a fair and level playing field is absolutely great for customers and operators. It makes operators like GTT really look and ensure (there is in operation) an operation focused on the customer,” Nedd has declared.

“I would say GTT has been moving in that space. We’ve upgraded the mobile network to 3G. We’re awaiting spectrum for 4G. We’ve rolled out Fibre to the Home to more than 50,000 homes.

We’re working on our customer experience.”

It is understood that, as at August, the company has expended US$20 million on its Fibre to the Home (FTTH) project roll out. And the capital expenditure price tag is said to be steadily rising.

Level playing field

The CEO, meanwhile, noted the importance of a level playing field when it comes

GTT CEO, Justin Nedd

to the legislative framework. He, however, observed that for some time now, operators have not been playing by the same rules.

“We would expect the same tax structure and regulations for the players. I think that’s very fair. GTT has been here for over 20 years, and I believe that we have a good relationship with the customers. And we will continue to grow that relationship. But in order to really work with the customer and make us prosper, we need solid equitable regulation,” Nedd explained.

This framework, according to Nedd, must also include fairness when it comes to paying taxes. While he stressed that he did not mean the taxes were unfair, he pointed out the importance of companies shouldering their fair share of the tax burden.

“What we want is: if we are paying one tax rate, then all the players in the sector should pay the same. And that

is something every business would want in their industry… The sector is already liberalised, it’s just that some people don’t play by the same rules,” he said.

It is understood that negotiations with GTT and the Public Telecommunications Ministry to lift the monopoly will conclude by year end. In January of 2018, it was reported that negotiations with the GTT and the Ministry to address the lifting of the monopoly were effective.

These negotiations began in 2016, when the intention of ending the 26-year-old monopoly on the fixed line market was discussed.

Liberalisation, once in place, would ensure there is fair competition and regulation among all enterprises in the business sector. It is, however, heavily dependent on the settlement of a US$44 million tax claim against GTT. Atlantic Tele Network, GTT’s parent company, made mention of this in its quarterly filings to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including a sum of US$5 million for an adverse decision against the telecoms giant.

“GTT is also involved in several legal claims regarding its tax filings with the Guyana Revenue Authority, dating back to 1991 and regarding the deductibility of intercompany advisory fees as well as other tax assessments,” the report had stated.

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US$35M development credit

Guyana to get more money from WB before first oil

– Bank to review draft SWF Act, provide technical support

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arlier this year, the World Bank agreed to give Guyana US$35 million in Development Policy Credit to help prepare the country to manage its future oil wealth. It turns out that a second tranche of financing will be given before first oil.

This is according to the Finance Ministry, which in a statement noted that it was presently hosting a Joint World Bank Mission comprising the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD); the International Development Association (IDA) and the International Financial Corporation (IFC).

It is understood that the visit will last from October 1 to 9, 2018. According to the Finance Ministry, Government also shared the draft Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) Act with the World Bank officials, in a bid to have the Bank review and offer its technical advice on the document.

According to the Finance Ministry, the World Bank team “committed to providing more technical guidance and support as Guyana moves towards the completion of the draft SWF legislation”.

“The visit signals the Bank’s continued confidence in the macroeconomic stability of the economy and growing

Finance Minister Winston Jordan (centre) with members of the World Bank team

interest in Guyana’s development agenda, and the inclusion of the IFC underscores the importance Government has placed on ensuring that the new World Bank partnership framework incorporates policies and measures to support the development of a vibrant Private Sector that is geared to benefit from the emerging oil and gas sector.”

This Mission, according to the Ministry, is expected to kick start discussions on the second tranche of the Programmatic Fiscal and Financial Stability Development Credit. The Ministry revealed that the second tranche of money would be negotiated and disbursed to Guyana in 2019.

In addition, engagements with Government officials and

the wider stakeholder community to prepare a Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD) assessment for Guyana will be carried out. This assessment, according to the Ministry, is a precursor to developing a full Country Engagement Strategy that will provide data for the Bank’s future programming for Guyana within the institution’s next investment cycle.

It is understood that the Mission is led by World Bank Country Manager for Guyana with responsibility for the Caribbean Country Management Unit, Galina Sotirova. The Mission also includes Judith Green, Principal Investment Officer of the IFC and eight other senior technical experts, including oil and gas specialists.

“As part of its wider mandate, the Bank Mission consulted widely with the Private Sector, civil society, several commercial banks and the University of Guyana among other stakeholders,” the World Bank said.

There have been criticisms of the SWF framework, which places much power in the hands of the Finance Minister. A Green Paper, which was laid in the National Assembly in August, sets out preliminary plans on how the Government hopes to manage the revenue from oil and other natural resources, with clear objectives of the Natural Resources Fund.

The document states that the Finance Ministry will be responsible for the overall management of the Fund, in-

cluding requested withdrawals in the annual budget proposal.

The Ministry is also responsible for “…calculating the Fiscally Sustainable Amount, drafting the Investment Mandate, entering into the Operational Agreement with the Bank of Guyana and drafting the annual report and reporting on the Fund through the annual budget”, the document said.

It sets out specific rules, including the Fiscal Rule, which caters for the development gaps, both in terms of human capital and physical infrastructure, that exist and the need to accommodate development spending via the national budget.

To oversee these decisions, the Government has recommended the establishment of a macroeconomic committee which would consist of five members, including a representative of the Finance Minister.

In terms of the management of the Fund, a sovereign investment committee would be responsible for advising the Minister on the investment mandate, but would also include a representative.

Further, the Green Paper states that the Bank of Guyana (BoG) will be the operational manager of the Fund. (Jarryl Bryan)

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Canada to provide assistance to Guyana in developing oil and gas sector B y S amuel S ukhnandan

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n an effort to boost local capacity in the oil and gas sector, the Governments of Guyana and Canada’s Newfoundland will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) this month.

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lillian Chatterjee in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International said the Natural Resources Minister from the Canadian Province of Newfoundland will be visiting Guyana on October 15 to ink the agreement.

“What we’re hoping to be able to do in our relationship with Guyana is to share our expertise to help you build up your own capacity; both in Government and in the Private Sector so that you can realise the economic benefits in your own country,” she told this publication.

The Canadian envoy said the MoU will last for three years and will allow Guyana the

opportunity of learning how Newfoundland managed to utilise that sector to improve its economy.

Canada has the third largest oil reserves, is the fifth largest oil producer and fourth largest oil exporter in the world.

“They want to share their Public Sector expertise with the new Department of Energy, to help them prepare in terms of regulation, governance, and public accountability in the oil and gas sector,” Chatterjee said of Newfoundland’s decision to partner with Guyana through an MoU. The Canadian High Commissioner explained that the experience in Newfoundland is unique and will fit into Guyana’s new discovery. Chatterjee said there are many things that Guyana could learn from that province.

According to her, Newfoundland discovered oil offshore Canada 30 years ago, just like the case of Guyana.

“It was the poorest province in Canada.

Its entire resource was based on fishing and then there was a moratorium on fish. And that meant high unemployment, people lost work, people left in droves.”

Chatterjee recalled that when Newfoundland discovered offshore oil, the first thing they did was to build capacity to deal with the oil boom.

Assistance was sought from within Canada, the United States, Scotland and Norway.

“And now if you go to Newfoundland you won’t recognise that it is the same province 30 years back because it’s got the oil industry, and other revenues streams coming in,” she explained.

In addition to that, Newfoundland was able to build its infrastructure, not only around the oil sector, but to aid support services. The province which once depended on the contribution of other provinces to fund their work programme now gives back.

“So, some money from the richer provinces go to the poorer provinces, Newfoundland was a receiver. But now they are very proud to say that they are a giver.

They are very proud of that,” she added.

The Canadian envoy said the exploitation of Guyana’s energy reserves will generate increases in revenue that will provide funding for capital works, while the energy sector itself will create a broad spectrum of jobs.

With several Canadian companies already involved in oil and natural gas exploration activities in Guyana, the visit by the Natural Resources Minister of Newfoundland provides yet another indication of Canada’s interest in playing a pivotal role in the economic exploitation of the local energy sector.

Only recently, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) signed a MoU on Energy Sector Cooperation, which saw T&T Prime Minister, Dr

Keith Rowley visiting Guyana for the first time with a delegation of Cabinet Ministers.

President David Granger and Dr Rowley assured that there was no ‘takeover or sellout’ of any sector by either side, but rather a sharing of information and ideas in the sector. This was a major concern for many local Private Sector companies.

Dr Rowley speaking to the Guyanese press following the signing at State House, said the document contains bilateral arrangements for the cooperation on energy issues such as possible financing and providing entrepreneurial skills as a “good neighbour.”

The Trinidadian Prime Minister expressed disappointment over concerns raised by Guyana’s Private Sector that the MoU allows for a takeover by T&T businesses.

“We are working towards ensuring that we, as a people not just the people of Trinidad and Tobago but the

people of Caricom – Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago – do better for all ourselves and to come up against that is disappointing and to the extent that there is any potential takeover which I don’t think is happening or is going to happen,” Rowley said.

President Granger also debunked claims that the signing of the MoU lends to a sell-out of Guyana’s patrimony or natural resources. The Guyanese Head of State said Guyana stands to benefit from Trinidad and Tobago’s decades of experience in the oil and gas sector in areas of production, marketing, dealing with oil spills and international corporations.

Guyana is now home to the world’s biggest new deepwater oil discovery. US oil giant ExxonMobil has been keen to push development of the oil reserves.

Production could begin in 2020 with production of some 500,000 barrels of oil a day.

24 news

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Canada advocates for free, fair elections in Guyana A

s the time draws closer for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) in Guyana, the Canadian Government through its High Commission in Guyana is advocating for free and fair elections.

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lillian Chatterjee said that Canada has always been supportive of free elections in Guyana and would advocate for this to continue.

“I know a lot of people turn to me and say we need Canada there to ensure that the elections are going to be free and fair, and we certainly will advocate for free and fair elections,” she stated.

On that note, Chatterjee said that Canada welcomed the fact that Guyana was committed to LGE, especially given that it was the second time in almost 20 years that the country was holding such an election.

She said, “It’s important because it allows the citizens of Guyana to have more decentralised management in terms of municipalities and councils. And it brings the decision making closer to home so that not everything happens in the capital and they have more of a say over issues that affect their daily lives.”

The Canadian diplomat said that Canada would be present for the LGE and would continue to serve as an observer for general elections.

As such, she committed her country to being in Guyana in 2020.

Chatterjee acknowledged the importance of international partners such as Canada being present during elections in Guyana, to ensure that the results were not compromised and that all elections were fair.

During the last LGE, Canada donated CD$20,000 to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The funds were used to purchase several pieces of equipment, including public address systems.

It helped to aid in fostering greater inclusion, civic responsibility, empowerment and participation of the citizenry.

While a commitment has been made by Canada and other coun-

Guyana has below average capacity to tackle crime – IDB report – lagging behind Jamaica, other countries in effective investigations

T

he Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB’s) recently released report — ‘Smart Spending on Citizen Security, Beyond Crime and Punishment’ — is warning that the latest statistics on Guyana’s crime fighting show that the Guyana Police Force has a below-average capacity to speedily tackle crime.

Last year, a state-

marginally better than Guyana at investigating crime, Guyana is better rated when it comes to the judicial aspect of dealing with criminals.

“High levels of (crime) are related to the low capacity to apprehend and prosecute offenders (effective investigation), as well as to judge and sanction the accused (effective adjudication). The average

were robbery-related, and three were labelled as unknown.

In addition, there was a 28 per cent decrease in robbery under arms wherein an instrument other than a firearm was used, a 34 per cent decrease in larceny, and a three per cent increase in burglary.

The Police also recorded a total of 55 firearms being taken off the

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee

tries, there are already major concerns with the electoral process in advance of LGE, mainly raised by the Opposition.

Concerns The People’s Progressive Party (PPP), through one of its constituency candidates in Berbice, has filed legal proceedings against GECOM and an individual to have the names fraudulently affixed to the backer’s lists for LGE in the Ancient County removed. The PPP is challenging on the grounds that the said decision was unlawful, illegal, and unreasonable and was in violation of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act. The document cites the individual’s alleged refusal to withdraw the applicant’s name and the names of 49 other electors. It said unless the names were withdrawn, the election in the Local Authority Area would be tainted with “illegality and fraud”. The matter is fixed for hearing before Justice Navindra Singh on October 11, 2018. The attorneys representing the candidate are Adrian Anamayah, Ian Anamayah and Anil Nandlall.

The PPP announced recently also that it would not contest one seat in the Wakenaam Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) at the November 12 LGE, having withdrawn its list of candidates because a number of the names of nominators were either dead or they no longer lived in the area.

PPP General Secretary and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said his party only pulled out from contesting one

of the nine constituencies in Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) – Constituency Two, Rush Brook/Maria Johanna, which has 185 listed electors. The PPP/Civic will still be contesting the other eight constituencies and Proportional Representation seats.

However, the PPP/C has sought to point out that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) and the United Republican Party of Guyana (URP), on the other hand, have had allegations of fraud and other improprieties levelled against them in 42 of 80 NDCs, but have done nothing to this effect.

At Crabwood Creek, Corriverton, Number 63 and Whim Villages in Berbice, a total of 202 persons objected to the fraudulent inclusion of their names on lists of backers. Similar claims were made at La Grange, La Jalousie and Canal Polder in West Bank Demerara by dozens of persons.

The Party also has a legal matter pending.

It has called for the legal challenge against the unilateral appointment of GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson be expedited before the holding of LGE. Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall has said the issues which the case raises strike at the heart of constitutional democracy and are intricately connected to peace, order and good governance in the country. (Samuel Sukhnandan)

Last year, a state-of-the-art 911 emergency system was commissioned as part of the reform of the security sector

of-the-art 911 emergency system was commissioned as part of the reform of the security sector This IDB report compares the various security capacities of different countries in the region. In statistics that detail countries’ capacity to apprehend suspects and process and sanction without undue delay, Guyana’s 32 per cent capacity to effectively investigate and 42 per cent capacity to speedily prosecute is ranked behind Suriname, Barbados, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Saint Lucia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis as at 2017. The statistics particularly show that the aforementioned countries, including Jamaica, carry out more effective investigations than Guyana does.

However, Guyana ranks better than several countries, including Venezuela, Bolivia, the Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

While the report’s statistics show that Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil and Panama are

of both for the region is a startlingly low 38 per cent, compared to the United States (74 per cent) or Spain (70 per cent). Again, this measure varies widely in the region,” the report notes.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) had disclosed in June of this year that while serious crime statistics were showing reductions, there had been an increase in robbery under arms and rape cases compared to last year’s corresponding period.

The statistics from January to May monthend show a seven per cent increase in robbery under arms, an eight per cent increase in robberies where no instruments were used, and a four per cent increase in rape cases. Robberies were up by three per cent.

According to the GPF, serious crimes have decreased by seven per cent, and there was a 23 per cent decrease in murder, with a total of 36 murders recorded in 2018. Of these murders, 17 stemmed from disorderly circumstances, nine resulted from domestic causes, seven

streets so far for this year, as compared to 64 for the corresponding period last year. Most of the guns seized were pistols – 33 in total. Most of them – 27 – were reportedly confiscated by ‘A’ Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara) ranks.

Government has been vocal on the need to reform Guyana’s security agencies, and under the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP), has been making efforts to effect changes.

There has been talk of plans to construct a command centre and victim-friendly police stations. And there have been initiatives like the commissioning of a state-of-the-art 911 emergency call system at Brickdam last year.

In January, British Security Expert Colonel Russel Combe had handed over to President David Granger a number of recommendations for security reform, with special focus on reforms within the Guyana Police Force. But the report has since never been released to the public.

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana’s Opposition Leader says Govt’s borrowing a matter of serious concern E xpressing concern over the Government’s borrowing habits and the recent revelations that over G$100 million was paid to arrange a government-backed bond, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is warning of the future consequences of these decisions.

At his most recent press conference, Jagdeo noted that unsustainable levels of borrowing can have detrimental effects for Guyana as a whole. He referenced other economic variables, like the Bank of Guyana’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities showing billions of dollars in overdraft.

“We’ve pointed out that unsustainable levels of borrowing will harm our country in the future… (billions of dollars) overdraft at the central bank, US$150 million of development borrowing,” Jagdeo said.

“The Minister of Finance (Winston Jordan) was in the Middle East talking about closer relationships with the Islamic Bank and he has already signalled that he intends

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

to borrow some US$900 million there.”

Jagdeo also zeroed in on the G$30 billion bond that was negotiated by the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

According to Jagdeo, he warned President David Granger about the pitfalls of this transaction.

“I sat with the President. I said to him, ‘this is not necessary, because you’re not using the money now’. He did absolutely nothing

about it. Now there is a raging controversy between the Agriculture Ministry and the SPU and he does not intervene.”

According to Jagdeo, the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration never arranged a bond of this magnitude, much less paid such a large arranger fee. In addition, the former President expressed concern over possible links between the point person for the bond and a member of

President David Granger

the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Board.

“That, if it is true, is really a serious issue.

That would explain the rush to raise all of the money –because the arranger then gets a percentage – even though you do not need the money now and even though the taxpayers have to pay a 4.75 per cent interest,” Jagdeo observed.

Earlier this year, NICIL acquired the G$30 billion syndicated

bond at a rate of 4.75 per cent interest to spend on capitalising GuySuCo’s remaining estates. It subsequently emerged that part of the bond was used by GuySuCo to repay interest on another debt.

As the bond has strict requirements for how it would be used, Republic Bank Managing Director Richard Sammy wrote to the bond trustees – Hand-in-Hand Corporation, to complain. The Bank also called for a full explana-

tion as to the apparent breach of the terms of the Trust Deed.

Hand-in-Hand had written to Republic Bank requesting that the purpose of the Trust Deed be changed regarding how the proceeds of the bond shall be applied. While Republic Bank has stated its no objection to the proposed changes to the Trust Deed, it said it remained disappointed that proceeds from the bond were utilised for a purpose other than what was approved.

The SPU has not taken lightly criticisms which seek to suggest that the bond would be wasted and that it was acquired at an unreasonable rate. In fact, the SPU had said it should be noted that, as standard for any debt financing, security is required to secure payments to bondholders.

The term of the bond is five years, since it is expected that the proceeds of the land sale for GuySuCo would be used for repayment. But Agriculture Minister Noel Holder himself has been publicly critical of the transaction.

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City Treasurer blames taxpayers for lack of funds at M&CC

A

cting City Treasurer John Douglas testified before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Wednesday, after he was subpoenaed to provide documents and a statement into the financial affairs at the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

Douglas has been tasked with the responsibility of handling the financial affairs of the entity since the first quarter of this year after City Treasurer Ron Almont would have withdrawn from his duties for medical reasons.

It was in that instance that he blamed taxpayers’ for the lack of funds at City Hall, which has led to billions of dollars in outstanding debts and the Council barely finding funds to pay its employees.

The Council would have tried to retrieve some of the monies that were owed by taxpayers and other stakeholders during an amnesty but according to Douglas, it is not something that he would recommend. He believes that a one-onone consultation should be convened with these stakeholders, so as to decide on a payment plan.

At that time, the acting City Treasurer sought to point out that there is always a shortfall in their budget, which should not be, adding that the Council is always in a struggle to pay its workers and as such, they have to weigh their options when it comes to paying entities such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

It was admitted that they do owe their main solid waste collectors a minimal of G$150M. As it relates to the auditing, Douglas explained that the lack of information and documents are the main reasons why there hasn’t been accurate and substantial record-keeping of the City Hall’s spending.

Irregular payments

A former accounts manager and current employee at the M&CC also testified about payment procedures at City Hall, noting that irregular payments have been made in the past.

The witness, Edwana Miller, told the CoI that there are also instances where steps in the dis-

Mayor Patricia Chase Green

bursement of monies can be skipped.

It was explained that the City Treasurer would prepare the vouchers, which would be sent to the Finance Sub-Committee for approval. After the sum is granted, the Town Clerk and City Treasurer would be the main signatories on the documents and the payments would be made thereafter. This is the standard operation for payments that are above G$2000 in value.

When asked by the Commission as to whether these steps can be skipped or if the system can be expedited, Miller posited, “Yes, it can… stages can be skipped.”

She was also probed into whether irregular payments have been made to which she responded, “The answer to that is yes.”

At that time, Miller also explained the importance of having an individual with suitable qualifications to manage the City Treasury, given the fact that this has not been done in the past.

The Deputy Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe has acted on three occasions while the City Treasurer was on leave.

The former accounts manager showed her dissatisfaction with the manner in which revenue and other incomes are being managed by the Council as she said, “If you don’t plan and control your income, your expenses will always be more…”

A yearly audit was also recommended along with plans in place to remedy the non-payment of benefits to retired workers. Since the commencement of the Inquiry, many retired employees of the Council

have claimed that they were not paid any benefits after paying contributions for many years.

Miller would have served in the City Treasury Department for several years and was asked to act as the City Treasurer as of this year. However, she refused the post, stating, “if the document in front of me does not state what it is supposed to state, I will state that it is not right.”

After that encounter, she was removed from the department and placed in the Market Department to “overlook a project.”

Consequently, it has been almost a year and that project has not yet materialised.

Meanwhile, other witnesses have similarly called for accountability and proper supervision of the generated funds, which they believe can

only be successfully managed by a suitably qualified individual.

In the coming week, Mayor Patricia Chase Green, City Engineer Colvern Venture and Town Clerk Royston King will be summoned before their Commission.

Legal Assistant Sherwin Benjamin proceeded to highlight sections of the Municipal and District Councils Act (Chapter 28:01) which speaks to those who may try to evade the CoI after being subpoenaed.

The probe is expected to conclude on October 31.

Acting City Treasurer John Douglas

30 FEATURE

B y L akhram B hagirat

P

eople choose not to share their experiences for a number of reasons and one of the major ones is to escape society’s judgment. The feeling of being judged is too much for some people to deal with and it quite often deprives some people

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

“Don’t be ashamed because you did not give yourself cancer”

of the help they really need. Not everyone is willing to share that they are suffering from a disease so deadly that it requires a great deal of courage to beat, and even that is not guaranteed.

However, Christine Jardim is of the belief that we should embrace what is going on in our lives and share

our experiences in order to help and get the help we need to deal with those issues.

Jardim was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago and says that she finds talking about what she is going through has helped her to encourage as well as help those in similar situations.

“Don’t be ashamed of it; you didn’t bring it on yourself. Don’t be afraid to talk to people. Reach out to people to help you.

You need to do that.

It is good to share it because in sharing we get help, because there is always somebody going through it and by sharing they would tell you how not to treat your body and stuff like that,” she advised.

The 47-year-old mother of two discovered a lump in her right breast in 2013, and immediately became aware that something may be wrong.

She would usually check herself and never found anything so it sparked her curiosity and that led her to the

Woodlands Hospital.

She was examined and a lump was discovered after which she was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for a biopsy.

The sample was sent overseas to be analysed and it came back with a ‘nothing to worry about’ letter.

“They said that I could take out the lump and the doctor took out the lump at Woodlands. Two years after, I felt another lump in the same right side and I decided to go to Trinidad and when I went to Trinidad, they did everything there and took out the lump and there it was, it was stage two cancer.”

She had her procedure done at the West Shore Medical Private Hospital in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and her right breast was removed along with the lymph nodes off the right arm. She then began receiving chemotherapy right at the Hospital.

Jardim completed eight rounds of chemo along with 16 sessions of radiation,

and has been cancerfree for almost three years. She remembers travelling back and forth between Trinidad and Guyana so that she could receive her treatment.

She remembers being scared and feeling all alone even when her family and friends were right there holding her hands. She remembers how much she needed her family’s and friends’ support to get through session after session of chemotherapy and radiation.

Her extended family has a history of breast cancer, but she never thought that she would have been the next victim.

“I would cry and so, because after I started my chemo, one day I noticed that my hair was falling off and then my eyelashes and the hair went. It is hard to adjust to a change like that, because one day you are okay and the next day everything is haywire.

I would get depressed and I would stay like that and cry, because you know when you

take chemo, you would get bad feelings and you want to throw up with the medication,” Jardim explained.

She said throughout it all her family has been her rock and her daughter was there every step of the way. Jardim said that a support network for someone battling cancer was integral, and that was why she would encourage persons to speak about their experiences because of the mere fact that your experiences could help someone who is just as scared as you were.

Cancer has changed the way Jardim looks at life now. She is much more conscious of the decisions she makes as well as what she puts into her body.

Exercise is integral so is ensuring that the right amount and type of food is eaten.

Now she basks in helping her family and those less fortunate as well as sharing every little thing she did during her battle. (Times Sunday Magazine)

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Who will watch…

O

…the watchmen?

ne problematic of democracy has been when giving ultimate power to any person or group of persons or institution has been the worry that they’ll then abuse that power, unrestrained by any control. During antiquity, it was expressed in the Latin phrase, Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? – Who will watch the watchmen??

In the bitter battle over in the US for their Senate to confirm Kavanaugh as a Justice of their Supreme Court, both sides knew exactly what was going on: President Trump was “packing the court”.

Meaning, he was pushing a nominee whose record on judicial decisions was solidly “conservative” and “right wing” – like Trump – and expected the Republican-dominated Senate to go along with the like-minded Justice.

He wasn’t proven wrong!! And the US Supreme Court now has a built-in majority of conservative Justices who’re expected to promote the ideological bent of Trump on issues that’ll be coming before them. Now while all Presidents who preceded Trump wanted to have Justices of their apex court sharing their orientation, the “packing” was never done so blatantly and in a country that was so divided ideologically. The danger lies in the fact that in the US, the Supreme Court ends up pretty much creating most of the law on social issues – through sometimes rather creative methods. For instance, their famous “right to privacy” was discerned by one Supreme Court in “the penumbra of the Bill of Rights”!! Who will now watch the watchmen??

Trump himself exemplifies the cleavage of a right-wing upsurge against the Liberal paradigm that had dominated in the US for decades. One issue that will prove to be a lightning rod has been what the liberals had described as “the right of a woman over her body” as decided by the Supreme Court in the case of Roe v Wade in 1973. Women from then were able to legally have abortions until the foetus was “viable”. Conservatives oppose this position vehemently, stressing, “the right to life of the child” and thus opposing abortions. The division is summarised as “pro-choice vs pro-life”, but extends into almost every facet of life – political, social, economic. Kavanaugh’s confirmation, therefore, presages a seismic shift in US social positions.

But while we’ve all been transfixed on the fight over US Supreme Court Judicial appointments, very few Guyanese have been commenting on President Granger’s determined effort to unilaterally appoint our top judicial officer – the Chancellor. Granger’s attack dog, Basil Williams, hounded Justice Carl Singh from the office and now has sidestepped his own acting appoint who was bumped up.

He wants an ex-GDF squaddie turned Judge to fill the spot. “Packing” doesn’t get more blatant than that!! …coastal agri?

Guyanese can’t complain that the PNC didn’t tell them about their plans for agriculture. Since it was dominated on the coast by supporters of the PPP, in their manifesto they announced they were pushing “hinterland agriculture”. And we know supporters of the PPP are notoriously tied to their homes and family and aren’t about to relocate to the “bush”! After facilitating the movement of THEIR supporters to those locales, the PNC mightn’t even NEED gerrymandering!!

Agri Minister Holder just announced he’s setting up “agricultural stations” in interior locations to provide seedlings, etc, for a host of crops. Expect other goodies to follow – like back in the “co-op” days to make the “small (PNC) man into the real man”!! But that wasn’t their entire plan to kill coastal agri – Candidate Granger had announced he’d privatise sugar but pretended to change his position on the entreaties of the AFC. But as soon as the vote was counted – wham!! There went four sugar estates!!

Now we know why fired coastal sugar workers weren’t facilitated to enter into cash crops! …Ramnarine’s back?

Khemraj Ramjattan, the putative Public Security Minister, wants ex-COP (ag) Ramnarine to return and work under five persons who were his juniors!!

Your Eyewitness hopes Ramnarine, unlike Ramjattan, has a modicum of self-respect!!

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By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he strength of a thousand soldiers is not even close to the amount of strength and courage it requires to fight a disease so deadly that it is among the top five killers in the world. The strength of a thousand soldiers is not comparable to the strength it requires to watch that disease ravage your family, taking two loved ones.

The strength of a thousand soldiers is insignificant when compared to the strength that is required to beat cancer.

Rosaline Clarke is a strong woman, a fighter, and a survivor. She lives to tell the tale of how she kicked cancer’s proverbial backside and is now an inspiration to

many out there. She advocates for early checkups and ensuring that you do not wait too long before you visit the doctor’s office for your examination.

The 59-year-old mother of three comes from a family with a history of cancer. In order to understand how strong the family is we would have to go back a bit in time and get to know younger Rosaline.

She grew up in a big family that valued and respected everyone regardless of background.

She called Princes Street, Georgetown home along with her five brothers and four sisters. Their father was employed with the then Works Ministry while their mother took care

of the family. Clarke did not grow up in the most ideal of circumstances, but their family was always contented with whatever little they had.

As a child, Clarke and her siblings would rummage through an incinerator after the Food Inspectors would have dumped expired goods seized from the shop owners. They were especially happy when they found corned beef and it would make a delicious meal. Potatoes were also a staple, and checking at the incinerator was a way of life for many families at that time.

She attended St Stephen’s School and remembers coming home for lunch and then having to walk all the way to Kingston, Georgetown to deliver lunch for her father and then back to school.

“Sometimes, when you go home, it don’t have anything to eat and you would get a handful of biscuits and some water and a spoon of sugar and you would add lil’ essence and be contented. We were contented with whatever we had and never envied anybody,” she tells me.

So now that we know Clarke was a fighter since her small days, let us see how she would have continued fighting all the way into adulthood.

She got married at 19 years of age and had three children, but would go on to divorce her husband after a decade of marriage. She then remarried Brentnol Langford and their union lasted for 28 years until he died in May

2018.

Clarke vividly remembers the events that led to her diagnosis.

She explained that she was visiting her sister in New York when she began experiencing a sharp pain in her breast.

“It was in 2016 and you know Guyanese, how they does be when they go to the US, they does carry everything for everybody and I thought it was because of how heavy my suitcase was, but the pain did not go away. I spoke to my sister and she encouraged me [to get checked out],” she said.

Clarke explained that she had lost a brother and a sister to cancer and she has three other siblings who were cancer survivors. The sister who she was visiting was also a breast cancer survivor.

“She was the one who encouraged me to be checked out and told me to be strong and I watched at her: how she was going through her chemo and radiation and it was not easy to watch her and it was not an easy thing to see the other two pass away.”

Her sister insisted that she got checked out when she returned to Guyana and when she landed in September 2016, one of the first things Clarke did was to visit the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) and have an examination done. The GRPA’s doctor examined her and referred her to a private institution for some additional tests which confirmed that she had a potentially cancerous

feature 33

tumour in her breast.

She immediately checked herself into another institution to have the tumour removed; a lab analysis confirmed that the tumour was cancerous and the doctors there wanted to perform surgery immediately. However, Clarke wanted a second opinion, so she went to the

Rosaline Clarke

Georgetown Public Hospital’s Oncology Department, where they ran a series of tests and laid out her options.

“They sat my husband and I down and asked him if he wanted one breast less or to lose his wife and I immediately told them to take off the breast since it was in its early stages.

I did my mastectomy on November 21, 2016.”

Since the cancer was discovered early, Clarke was given the option of using a pill called Letrozole instead of having to endure chemotherapy and radiation. Letrozole is an oral, anti-estrogen drug that is used for treating postmenopausal women with breast cancer. She has to use the pill for five years and is currently in her second

year and says she feels optimistic.

“Being a Christian helped give me strength and I work at the Open Bible Day Care and being among the small children gives you a lot of inspiration and when you go in the morning and you hug them and kiss them, you forget all about your condition, because they are so loving and you have no time to worry. It gives me the strength not to think about cancer,” she said.

Clarke keeps herself active and ensures that she lives every day to its fullest. She thanked her family for their unconditional support and love, because it is they who gave, and still give, her the courage to fight with the strength of more than a thousand soldiers. (Times Sunday Magazine)

34 NEWS

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana’s bauxite workers feel Jamaica: Father killed, son injured in abandoned by Govt – Lewis ‘cook shop’ attack

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ven with an extended deadline of November 12 on the sanctions to be placed on Russian aluminum giant, Rusal, President of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) Lincoln Lewis has said that workers in the local bauxite industry feel abandoned by Government.

Lewis told Guyana Times International on Tuesday that he too is disappointed by the Government’s response and handling of the issue. He feels they have been dragging their feet on plans to prepare for this impeding closure of the company, due to the issues on the international market.

“I get the impression that the issue that affect workers, that the Government does not want to address them and the union will be forced to take some course of action,” he said.

Lewis did not divulge any further details to say what type of action the Union and its members hope to take.

Nevertheless, the Union’s President said to date, the Government of Guyana has never made

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

any attempts to put the task force they had established, to work fully. “They feel like they are being abandoned by the whole political office,” Lewis said of the workers’ feelings on the ground.

He made reference to Government putting the interim report produced by the task force on pause. This in effect, he said, will do nothing, as it implements a wait-and-see approach.

He said it also gives Government more time to promise to look for a replacement for Rusal again.

The veteran trade unionist argued that

workers’ rights and respecting of the law cannot be put into remission. “These have to be respected and enforced every single day of our lives and Government continues to fail us in the discharge of their duty and responsibility,” he observed.

But Lewis said many foreign companies come to Guyana and determine what happens in contravention of local laws. He said while the Government has the responsibility to ensure that the laws are activated, and people are fully protected, they have not been delivering.

Intervention

Meanwhile, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has responded to Lewis’ issue, stating that his Ministry will continue to work to ensure that bauxite is mined and shipped so that workers and their families, and by extension, the national economy, can benefit.

“By no means are we pushing aside the rights of workers and the legacy issues which remain, but at this time, our efforts are understandably focused on keeping the pro-

GBGWU President Lincoln Lewis

duction going. Our sister Ministry, the Ministry of Social Protection, has been charged by the President, and directed by the Cabinet, to address the ongoing labour issues.”

Only last month, Lewis told Guyana Times International that the task force was inactive, while raising concerns that the team should have been actively engaged in intense discussions with bauxite workers, particularly those who are likely to be affected by the US sanctions.

The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) levied sanctions upon Rusal on April 6, citing its alleged interference in the Governments of several countries, including allegedly meddling in the 2016 US presidential elections.

Rusal was among several organisations named under the sanctions. However, the impact upon Rusal and the wider aluminium trade has been significant.

As one of the world’s most prolific providers of alumina, sanctions on Rusal have threatened vital supplies of the substance to a market that was already reeling from the partial shut-down of an alumina refinery in Brazil.

The threat of sanctions has also sent many of Rusal’s customers scrambling for different, potentially more reliable sources of aluminium and alumina. Even if sanctions are lifted later this year, many experts warn that Rusal will continue to suffer the effects.

Rusal employs over 500 persons at its local operations. The company owns 90 per cent of the Aroaima, Berbicebased Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI).

The company’s operations are located on the Berbice River between Kwakwani and Linden, with residents from those areas making up the majority of its workforce.

say, ‘Police deh here’, and a so the police rush in and take him (Courtney) to hospital and mi neighbour rush with [my son] up a UWI [University Hospital of the West Indies],” she told the J a m a i c a Observer.

The police are also checking to determine whether the shooting Dead: Courtney Russell is connected to a recent motor (JAMAICA OBSERVER) vehicle crash involving man was Monday one of her employees.

However, Joan is night shot dead and his teen- convinced that Monday age son shot and in- night’s attack was an jured when a gun- attempted robbery.

“The guys who man attacked them in Patrick City, a middle- came here last night income community in [Monday], a money them come for ’cause Kingston.

The Hunts Bay po- when dem a guh weh, lice reported that about dem a ask fi the monshe recounted.

9:25 pm, Courtney ey,“ Russell, 53, and an- “After mi fling the chopother man were at a per at him, mi a duck ‘cook shop’ when they to find something else were pounced on by an to dash on him when him a come through the armed man.

It was discovered window and mi a run; that Russell had been so maybe him think say shot multiple times and mi take up the money. the other man injured So a me him a run after by a bullet. The police and him and Courtney were summoned and collide in the passage,” they were both taken to she added.

The teenager, who hospital where Russell was pronounced dead is a university student, and the injured man was treated and retreated. The gunman leased.

On Wednesday, allegedly escaped in a when the Observer viswaiting motor car.

However, Russell’s ited the area, an eerie wife; Joan, otherwise silence hung over the known as Miss Donna, community.

Family friend Junior told the Jamaica Howell was in disbelief.

Observer that her hus“Him [Courtney] a band and her son were shot inside their house. good person, quiet, qui“About quarter past et man. Him nuh give nine a slim guy came problem; it surprise mi in and say, ‘You have to know that this hapfood?’ Mi say, ‘Yes’, but pen. It wicked man. I at the same time when was not expecting this he asked if mi have food to happen because Miss Donna live good with mi a watch him”.

According to Joan, everybody. If yuh nuh the man moved towards have nuh money she her but the door sepa- still a give yuh food,” rating them was locked. Howell said as he sat “If mi tell you the on the veranda.

“My son-in-law is truth, a must jump a good person… and him jump on the table still to chuck inna the this unscrupulous man kitchen, and when him come kill him. Him get a chuck in, mi fling the two kids and him stand chopper at him,” she up with them. Him send him son guh university continued.

She said she ran and them cut him off while screaming, now. Him don’t make “thief”. Joan said, at worries, [is a] hardthe time, she did not see working man. Every morning him wake up her husband Courtney.

“A when mi hear take him shower, eat the shot now and mi him breakfast and go to see [my son] a bleed, work. All mi grandson a mi rush go round and 19 and them shot him, call someone… to see him cyaah get to do his if we could get a taxi,” exam tomorrow (yesterJoan said. “A when mi day),” Louise Whitter go inside mi hear a man cried.

A

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Firing a shot…

F

…at the teaching profession

riday was “International Teachers Day”. Since 1994, the UN has saluted them by, first of all, declaring that “Day”, and secondly to offer an annual theme to remind the world, but especially governments, as to the importance of the profession.

This year, the theme is: “The right to education means the right to a qualified teacher.” Last year it was “Teaching in Freedom, Empowering Teachers”, which had followed “Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status”.

You get the idea? Teachers are crucial in our modern world. Used to be that knowledge was passed down to our young by elders in the tribe or clan.

But with the ever-increasing body of disciplines and knowledge that keep the world developing, the need for specially trained individuals to perform that role is unquestioned. The family, of course, remains a very important institution for socialising and imparting knowledge to children. But with ever increasing instances of mothers and fathers now in the workforce, teachers are forced to pick up that slack.

But in Guyana today, you’d never suspect the importance of teachers from the way this Government has handled their demand for wages that would allow them to live with a modicum of decency. “Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status” is their call!! Before independence, teachers had status and respect in this country, and the level of our educational institutions and their graduates was the equal of any other country.

All of that fell apart from the time the PNC first got into power in 1964. Ironically, Burnham was sincerely committed to education, but that commitment was trumped by his insistence on absolute power. When the Teachers Union agitated for greater benefits and wages, Burnham manipulated the formation of a competing union – the “Association of Masters and Mistresses” — which undercut the GTU. Burnham evidently thought his “free education from nursery to university” should be delivered by teachers for free! With the collapse of the economy, that became the reality, but with both teachers and Teachers Union hitting rock bottom.

With the removal of the PNC in 1992, teachers’ salaries and working conditions improved slowly, constrained by the need to remove the debt burden with which Burnham had saddled the country.

Fast forward to the present, the now PNC leader, Granger, has followed his mentor. He’s refused to follow the recommendation of his own task force on teachers’ salaries!! He’s also refused to follow the law on voluntary arbitration — the arbitral chairman must be accepted by both sides.

The Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson, exemplified the duplicity of the PNC Administration when he oleaginously declared on Friday: “World Teachers Day represents a significant token of the awareness, understanding and appreciation displayed for the vital contribution our teachers made.”

Appreciation? Pleeeease!! …to protect his Chair Referring to the challenges during the run up to the LGE, James Patterson, Chairman of GECOM, uttered several outbursts that really question his suitability for the position into which he was parachuted by President David Granger. He claimed, “There seems to be quislings and fifth columnists in the (GECOM) camp,” – internal and external – to derail the LGE. Now that’s the opinion of a person who definitely doesn’t believe in the democratic right of citizens to challenge what they consider to be violations in the electoral rules. How can a man who claimed to be a Chief Justice of Grenada call persons who challenged dead persons nominating Councillors “quislings and fifth columnists”??

He also moaned, “Our politicians have retreated into ethno-political camps”! Really? Where was he since 1961?

Or was he firing a shot across the bow of Chancellor (ag) Cummings – who’ll decide on his tenure this week? …at fair elections GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield insisted: “GECOM is sticking to the letter of the law at every step.” Sure.

Excepting when his phone’s turned off for eight hours so he can’t take calls from Election Officers who’re refusing to take off nominators from AFC fake lists!

He was with “his lawyers”!! About those radio sets??

FEATURE 35

Preserving our literary heritage by

Petamber Persaud

A

fter exploring a part of Guyana’s heartland via Stan Brock (‘Jungle Cowboy’) and Gerald Durrell (‘Three Singles to Adventure’) a few other books and their authors vied for a mention in my column. I was unable to get my hands on ‘Ninety-two Day’ by Evelyn Waugh (an account of his travels in Guyana and Brazil) and I had already written about ‘Zoo Quest to Guiana’ by David Attenborough (his three months spent in Guyana filming and collecting animals), so I focused on Charles Waterton of Walton Hall, Guyana and of Walton Hall, England, who wrote ‘Wanderings in South America’.

I focused on Waterton mainly of two quotations; one on the man and the other about his book.

Theodore Roosevelt, naturalist and conservationist, said that ‘Wanderings in South America’ is ‘the beginning of literature wherein field naturalists who were also men of letters, have described for us the magic and interest, the terror and the beauty of the faroff wilds, where nature gives peace to bold souls and inspires terror in the mind’. Gerald Durrell writing the foreword to Julia Blackburn’s book ‘Charles Waterton, 1782-1865, Traveller and Conservationist’, said Waterton ‘was a man who did no harm to the world he lived in but enhanced it by his presence and his care of it.

Would that we could all have similar epitaph’.

After surviving numerous life-threatening encounters during his wanderings in British Guiana and other parts of the world, Charles Waterton died in his own backyard, stumbling on the flora (a briar-root) he nurtured to serve as sanctuary for the fauna he revived and sustained in his park, the world’s first wildfowl and nature reserve, at Walton Hall, Yorkshire, England.

Waterton was interned on his birth anniversary, June 3, some 83 years after he was born; his coffin on its floating briar was towed on the lake surrounding Walton Hall accompa-

nied by boats draped in black cloth. He left detailed instruction for an elaborate funeral. Yet he disapproved of mourning and wearing of black.

He died at twenty-seven minutes past two on the morning of May twentyseventh, 1865.

His life was replete with curious incidents; some commentators went as far as labelling Waterton ‘a curiosity’ having done a few things different to the norm like sporting a crew-cut instead of a full head of hair and healing himself by bloodletting. But he was catholic in nature and Catholic by religion, praying daily in the wee hours of the morning, sleeping on bare floor with a block of wood for pillow.

He was well-read, saturating his mind with classical literature like Horace, Virgil, Ovid, but his bible was Cervantes’ Don Quixote which he read almost every day of his life, sometimes, reading by the light of a multitude of fireflies in the jungle of British Guiana. His life and work fitted aptly to a line from Don Quixote: ‘He is mad in patches, full of lucid intervals’.

He invented the bird nesting box and created the world’s first wildfowl and nature reserve accommodating 17, 000 visitor in a year.

He was credited with taking the anaesthetic agent curare to Europe and taking “taxidermy from a sorry handicraft to an art” – his creations were ‘perfect and extraordinary lifelike’, taking back to England after his third trip to Guiana ‘two hundred and thirty birds, two land tortoises, five armadillos, two large serpents, a sloth and antbear, and a cayman’. He was an early opponent

to pollution, successfully fighting for the removal of the soap factories around his estate that emitted poisonous chemicals which damaged the trees and waterways.

Charles Waterton was the Squire of Walton Hall, Yorkshire, and manager to Walton Hall, Essequibo, British Guiana. He first came to British Guiana in 1804 to manage his uncle’s estates, Friendship and La Jealousy, on the West Coast of Demerara, at a time when yellow fever was wrecking havoc with the population, coffins were a constant flow out of the city of Georgetown.

Between 1812 and 1824, he made four forays into the jungle of Guiana; the best days of his life ‘where a man would lose his senses, and forget the world’ and enjoy the silence and solitude of the forest.

There are many reasons for his expedition into the jungles of Guiana. One, he was a changed man, a more humane man, after dealing with the slaves on the plantations. So much so that he said one had to have had a heart of stone to defend slavery. He taught the most important science of the day, taxidermy, to John Edmonstone, a freed African who went to England and in turn imparted the art to Charles Darwin. And the other reason for exploring the virgin forest of Guiana was bound up in the fact that an acquaintance, Sir Joseph Banks, encouraged Waterton to bring back samples of curare in order to experiment with the substance as a curative agent for certain aliments.

Waterton was born at Walton Hall, West Yorkshire, England, on June 3, 1782. At an ear-

ly age he was attracted to nature, this interest was encouraged at Stonyhurst College.

His first foreign trip, to Malaga, like many subsequent voyages was not smooth sailing; he escaped the black plague slightly wounded.

His ailment triggered his sojourn to warmer climes in British Guiana. His adventures were captured in an immensely popular book, ‘Wanderings in South America’, published 1826. It was translated into French, Dutch and Spanish and endorsed

by Dickens, Darwin and Roosevelt. It would be useful to know that ‘Wanderings in South America’ was not meant to be a text-book but as Waterton declared that he only ‘penned down a few words’ to encourage naturalists to explore.

After his wanderings, he settled at Walton Hall, England, and married Anne Edmonstone at whose christening he was present on the Mibiri Creek, Demerara River, British Guiana.

The union produced one son, Edmund, who was opposite in nature to his father and at whose feet lay the blame for lost of a great deal of information on Charles Waterton.

W H A T ’ S HAPPENING: New Arrivals: Monsoon on the Fingers of God (poetry) by Sasenarine Persaud; Red Hibiscus (novel)

by Scott Ting-A-Kee; Aftermath of Empire: The Novels of Roy A. K. Heath (literary criticism) by Ameena Gafoor.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo. com (Times Sunday Magazine)

36 FEATURE

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A section of the attendees

T

he Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) last Sunday embarked on its second “boat cruise satsangh” which saw hundreds of individuals taking part in the numerous spiritual and cultural festivities.

The event, which materialised in collaboration with the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), the Hare Krishna Movement, the Nirvana Humanitarian Society and generous sponsors featured discourses from prominent speakers and cultural performances with many from as far as Berbice, Bartica and other sections of Guyana’s coast.

Chants and singing were accompanied by henna designing, face painting and a vegetarian food bar which covered a wide variety of dishes, beverages, sweet meats and fruits.

Whilst venturing through the Essequibo River through the islands of Leguan and Wakenaam, many were engrossed in religious hymns and addresses after which the vessel was docked at the Supenaam Ferry Stelling, where the

Delicacies on sale

inhabitants of nearby communities stepped out on the harbor to welcome the ferry.

Those who were interested in the sceneries along the banks of the river proceeded to the upper deck where the Hare Krishna Movement chanted for most of the journey.

After one hour into the windy midday atmosphere, the vessel resumed its route back to Parika for a three-hour journey, cruising through the calm Essequibo waters. Cultural performances of dances, skits and musical renditions were performed by local artistes along with appearances by television personality, Joel Ghansham and other accompanying entertainers. The Dymanic Tassa Troupe also took the stage to perform to the crowd’s amusement.

With the sunset yet to descend, the ferry arrived at its destined port where many good reviews could be heard as persons exited and of course, with expectations that the initiative will continue in the coming years. The organisation posited that this idea was taken up to create diversity in the way the

scriptures are being delivered to capture the attention of all and as well as to preserve Hinduism.

All proceeds will also be used to fund other activities at the Sabha.

The entity is also seeking to create a centre where studies can be pursued and is seeking assistance from the business community.

They are currently in search of land as the first step towards this realization. (Times Sunday Magazine) Chanting

Part of the cultural programme

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38 FEATURE

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The first sight of the yellow orange stage of sunrise, daybreak at Parika Stelling

G

uyana is defined by its dense rainforest as well as its diversity. The name Guyana translates to “Land of Many Waters� but Guyanese often take the beauty of our rivers, lakes and creeks for granted. Water has a strange way of calming the mind and with so much water around us we should learn to appreciate the beauty of it as well as the power.

So let us explore some of the waterways along the coast line since the majestic creeks and waterfalls in the interior/remote locations are more promoted because of their tourism capabilities.

(Photos by Subhash Haimraj) (Sunday Times Magazine)

Saxacali Beach, Essequibo River

Transportation from Canal #2 to Canal #1, West Bank Demerara

A section of the beach at Leguan Island in the Essequibo River

Capoey Lake, Essequibo

FEATURE 39

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Lakhram Bhagirat

C

ancer is one of the most feared illnesses throughout the world and the fact that there is no cure in sight compounds that fear even more. For Janalyn Fraser, she was paralysed with fear when she was diagnosed with breast cancer almost two years ago.

“When they first told me that I had cancer, I felt my world collapsing and I didn’t know what was happening after, but I placed everything in God’s hands and I have been guided and is still being guided,” she said.

Fraser said following her diagnosis, her life immediately changed and she began thinking about all the ramifications.

She remembers feeling as though someone had plunged a dagger through her body repeatedly, knocking all the air out of her lungs.

“I was so speechless and it was a good thing that I had a friend there to comfort me and make sure that I got home safely and I started to plan my life and look at the treatment options,” Fraser said.

The 56-year-old mother of four grew up in New Amsterdam, Berbice in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

She remembers her childhood as one she thoroughly enjoyed.

It was filled with fun, and she enjoyed having Sunday lunch with her family and her days

as a tomboy running around the village.

As she grew up, responsibilities took over and she remembers working in a garment factory in New Amsterdam and then moving to Georgetown when she got married. While in Georgetown, she worked with another garment factory and then at National Hardware for some 18 years. The last four years of her working life was spent at the Footsteps Mega Mall.

Going back to Fraser’s diagnosis, she said that it was actually a girlfriend who inspired her to go get checked out. She remembers vividly it was during the month of October in 2016 when she finally decided to go and have herself checked out. She went to the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) and was initially told that there was nothing to worry about.

“I went to GRPA and they checked me; I ‘ginched’ a little

and he (the examiner) asked me what happened and I said I feel a slight pain when I ‘ginched’ and he said it is okay.

I came home because he didn’t feel any lump and two days after I said, ‘let me check to see what the guy was feeling’ and when I checked, I felt the lump and I called them back. When I explained to him and I went and he rechecked me, and he said that he is sorry and he sent me to do an ultrasound at Woodlands Hospital and I was diagnosed then and there.”

She was told that she had a malignant tumour in her left breast. When it was discovered, the cancerous tumour was already in the second stage. Fraser immediately started chemotherapy at the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Oncology Department. She would eventually undergo eight sessions of chemo and explained that it was a difficult period.

Her hair fell out and she felt weak during her sessions.

Her mobility was limited after she would have completed her chemotherapy sessions.

“Only the day of the chemo I felt weak and so and after that I was okay. My tongue was black, my nails were black and face was black... [but] I never vomit or sick during the period. I lost all my hair,” Fraser explained.

She had a mastectomy on December 12, 2017, and her entire left breast was removed

along with the lymph node.

Recovering from her surgery was a journey that brought her closer to family and God. She is now adjusting to life without her left breast.

“I did a CT Scan about three weeks ago and it showed that I have a simple cyst on my kidney and the other organs are clear and I have to go for radiation. I am waiting for funding to do the radiation. I have to accumulate some money to do the radiation which I am hoping to get that done for next month.”

She said that because of her unemployment, funding for her treatment is now an issue. The radiation session is $460,000, but the Government usually contributes $200,000 and the patient is required to pay the remainder.

“I have to wait, because I don’t have the funds. I do not work and I have one of my sons here and he has been assisting with the house and my treatment. I started asking a few friends for some help and I am waiting on their word now,” she said.

Now she spends her time worrying about the money for her radiation therapy as she is battling the deadly illness.

“I have trust in God and he will show me a way to getting better. I am a believer and I will overcome all of this when the time is right.”

(Sunday Times Magazine)

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A section of those who attended the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

T

he Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease.

There are about 1.38 million new cases and 458 000 deaths from breast cancer each year (IARC Globocan, 2008). Breast cancer is by far the most

common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries. In low- and middle-income countries the incidence has been rising up steadily in the last years due to increase in life expectancy, increase urbanization and adoption of western lifestyles.

Currently there is not sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer, therefore, early detection of

the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured. If detected late, however, curative treatment is often no longer an option. In such cases, palliative care to relief the suffering of patients and their families is needed.

The majority of deaths (269 000) occur in low- and middle-income countries, where most women with breast cancer are diagnosed in late stages due mainly to lack of awareness on early detection and barriers to health services. A situation that can be reverted if adequate public health programmes are put in place.

The World Health Organisation promotes comprehensive breast cancer control programmes as part of na-

tional cancer control plans.

The recommended early detection strategies for low- and middle-income countries are awareness of early signs and symptoms and screening by clinical breast examination in demonstration areas.

Mammography screening is very costly and is feasible only in countries with good health infrastructure that can afford a long-term programme.

In Guyana, a lot of headway has been made in the fight to raise awareness to breast cancer as well as other cancers. During the month of October a plethora of activities are held to raise awareness as well as screen for new cases.

However, there are no specific statistics as it relates to breast cancer in Guyana. (Times Sunday Magazine)

Launching of GTT’s Pinktober activity which aims to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer treatment as well as honour breast cancer survivors

FLASHBACK: 2017’s Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

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46 FEATURE

Sham Ali

R

udy Persaud has been inducted into the United States of America Cricket Hall of Fame last Saturday, Oct. 6, at a gala event held at the Hotel Hilton in Queens, New York. It is a deserved recognition for a man who has been a symbolism of hard work and dedication to cricket, and someone who never seek recognition or praise. A quiet, unassuming individual, Rudy Persaud developed his love for cricket on the streets in a small village named Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara where he, like so many others, whose innocence in playing cricket eventually became a lifelong obsession with the hope of one day idolizing their heroes at the highest level.

He attended Enmore Government school where he played cricket merely as a pastime activity. While many of his peers excelled on the playing field, Rudy, as he is referred to by his peers, was always prompt at the matches, and was committed to any task that was given to him on the day, and on occasions, he remained unfazed if there wasn't a spot for him on the team. But Rudy knew his compass well, and always had a good measure of his abilities and confidence in himself.

He knew that his ability with bat and ball was not on par with the other boys, but that he can contribute to the team in other ways. He willingly took the responsibility of organiz-

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ing the matches and ensures that a team was available, and as faith would have it, that was the beginning of his journey as a cricket administrator, and his deep desire to contribute ultimately became his passion that spanned over the last three decades.

He brought that passion with him when he moved to the United States in 1986, and it didn't take him long before he got involved with the Eastern American Cricket Association (EACA).

He founded the Enmore Cricket Club in the EACA’s competition. As the President of Enmore Cricket Club for many years, he was eventually elected to serve as an executive in the EACA; the assistant Secretary Treasurer in 2004, and then as Treasurer in 2005 and 2006, and the association’s Vice President in 2007.

In his years in the EACA’s administration, Rudy served with integrity and demonstrated the ability to lead. Subsequently, he earned the confidence of the league's membership, and was elected President of the EACA in 2008. Under Rudy Persaud’s leadership, the EACA has enjoyed successes in the New York City Mayors Cup, the Inter League Competition, and the U19 competition, and Rudy became a fixture and a notable face in the New York Region.

With a greater interest to promote cricket, Rudy became more involved in the administration of the sport in the New York Metropolitan area and the New York Region (NYR) particular, and he did so while sacrificing vital time away from his business and family. His was committed to progress and had a keen interest and vision in the grassroots development of the game.

As such, he collaborated with other Leagues

presidents to establish a New York Region U19 tournament. He exhibited an unwavering sense of purpose to ensure that the NYR U19 youth competition succeeds.

His determination became apparent when he took it upon himself to manage the EACA’s U19 team. His success as a manager earned him the stripes to manage New York Region Under-19 team to Florida in the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) Regional championship. Success followed Rudy, and his U19 team brought back the championship trophy to New York.

Forging ahead, Rudy’s passion for the sport was canvassed on a wider spectrum when he led the organizing committee in the New York City Mayor’s Cup for four years in a competition that involved a team from each of the five boroughs. He worked tirelessly with the New York City Parks Department and other league Presidents to ensure the five Borough’s tournament was a success. The Queens Borough XI with EACA as the lead league won the championship three out of four finals.

The tournament was a grand success and it attracted the interest of many of the New York City’s political represen-

tatives at every level who came out to the games in support of their borough, and they showed an even greater presence at the finals. Rudy also served as the Secretary of the representative Guyana Team in the Ed Ahmad New York Cup tournament for several years. He has also been instrumental in the annual Guyana Inter-County cricket tournament for a number of years, and most recently in 2017. He has also successfully managed the NY Regional Team in the Annual MAQ T20 Tournament.

Rudy is a hard worker, and has been vibrant and diligent in administering cricket both at the club and league level for the past thirty years. As Chairman for the New York Cricket Region, Rudy Persaud has led with distinction and his firm focus on the development of the youths in New York Region took priority. Under Rudy Persaud’s leadership he has enhanced his League’s profile and involvement in the broader cricket community, and has placed the EACA as one of the leading Leagues in the NYR. He has extended himself unselfishly to help promote the game.

Like so many before him who are often vilified for doing so, he just keep marching on administering cricket. In his own inimitable way, he took his challenges in quiet strides and remained pure and honest.

Rudy just did what any decent individual would do and continue to make his contribution by keep doing what is right, and never flinch in maintaining the discipline of the game. It revealed his class, one of those silent stalwarts who kept the game close to his heart. His leadership can easily be measured by his success over the years, however, his generosity is one that is unmatched. His generosity was demonstrated, in a financially stressed New York Region, when he delved into his personal funds on many occasions to assist the youths with their travel expenses so that they can travel to participate in national tournaments around the country. He ensured that the youths had everything they

needed, and that they were guided in the right direction.

As an ardent admirer of game and a devoted administrator, and one who played cricket on the streets in Enmore, and then to higher grounds at Enmore Community Center. He never imagined that his work would one day be given the light under the sun in a culture where cricket for all its worthy endeavors are usually revered for the very talented. But for Rudy, the soul of the game is undoubtedly stored in a chamber carved in the hearts of those who find value at their local cricket club. However, his accomplishments were not guided by his hands only, but also by the wise counsel from many of his associates in the EACA to whom he expresses his gratitude, and none more special and dear to him than his beautiful wife for her support over the years that allowed him to do his work.

It is the work of many at the grassroots level who have made enormous contributions, and gave of themselves unselfishly for decades is truly that which defines the core of the game’s existence, and that which gives cricket its identity.

For leaders like Rudy, it is that place which embodied the true spirit of camaraderie, sportsmanship and dedication. That place which encompasses the pleasantries of lifelong friendship nurtured along the way in the hearts of those who hold the game greater than themselves, and a brotherhood that exists in unwritten volumes for the mere preservation of the game.

And for a modest peaceful man who often appeared unfazed by the noise around him, and someone who does not dance easily in company, Rudy Persaud never anticipated that his tireless work in the cricket arena was shining somewhere, albeit, that Cricket accolades are often reserved for the elite few at the highest level of the game. But today, his diminutive figure stand on even shoulders with humility, simplicity and innocence towering on that elite platform of stalwarts, and the recipient of one of cricket most prestigious honor, an inductee into the United States of America Cricket Hall of Fame. It was an unbelievable journey to travel for Rudy Persaud, a servant of the game, who just wanted to help.

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Myth in AfricanIndian relations

Unfit and imprappa… L

47

By Ravi Dev

T

…AFC Dead Meat

he AFC are running on their own in the LGE, after they were rebuffed by the APNU…or more specifically, the PNC. They’d demanded the same 40 per cent of offices they’d demanded in Cabinet appointments before the 2015 General Elections, when they promised to bring their 11 per cent support into the APNU/AFC coalition platform. The PNC said, “No way Jose!!”, or more pointedly, “Go show us what you have, losers!!”

Point of the matter is, the AFC never did bring in their promised 11 per cent from the Indian community that would’ve traditionally gone to the PPP. So when they were given the promised 40 per cent in the Cabinet, hard core PNCites were livid. Never mind AFC Cabinet Ministers – being creatures of the President – were made so ineffectual they might as well have been dog catchers!! Like, of course, the man who so lusted to be “Prime Minister”, he betrayed all!! All he got was “Larwah” – but he seems to be liking it. Go figure!!

Anyhow, at an event dubbed “Fit and Proppa”, to rally their candidates for the LGE, even the ones who’d evidently been nominated by Guyanese “walking dead”! – AFC’s Kathy Hughes — claimed bitterly they were the ones who’d put the PNC into office. The notso-subtle implicit subtext, of course, what that the PNC was ungrateful for throwing them out on their own, and not keeping them on its coattails!!

But even their “Fit and Proppa” label shows how disconnected the elitist AFC is from the grassroots – which is where the LGE is fought. No grassroots voter would be caught dead saying “Fit and Proppa” – they’d be run out of their village with the derisive hoots greeting their pretentious pronunciation of “fit an’ prappa”!! Truth is, the AFC has become the “Dead Meat” that Ramjattan predicted before they sold their souls to the PNC for thirty pieces of silver. And dead meat, by definition, has to be “unfit and imprappa”!!

Your Eyewitness doesn’t have to wonder what the PNC will do with the AFC after the LGE reveals they’ve got no supporters! They’ll demand every leader from the AFC – starting with Nagamootoo and Ramjattan – swear fealty to the PNC in general, and Granger in particular, by kissing his ring and, of course, his posterior!! If, when there were no objective grounds for rejecting their 11 per cent pretentions, the AFC accepted being humiliated by the PNC, imagine the treatment they’ll accept when they’re exposed as the fakes they are!!

Especially when the PNC’s hand is strengthened with the new corps of soup drinkers they’re cultivating during the LGE nomination process!!

It’ll be a new Larwah time!! …Town Clerk No Guyanese — of whatever political persuasion — can be surprised at the revelations from the CoI into the actions of Town Clerk Royston King. Not if they’re honest and not sleeping during the last four years.

King’s ascension to the position had been born out of illegalities, which naturally defined his modus operandi.

He’d been appointed Town Clerk in 2014 by then Mayor Hamilton Green, after serving as his PRO – even as Carol Sooba occupied that position. Even after the Court ruled King’s appointment illegal, Green backed him and had vendors harass Sooba.

From the moment the Government changed and Bulkan removed Sooba – violating the very principle Green had challenged Sooba’s appointment over – and appointing King, in July 2015, King naturally concluded he could do whatever he wanted. He was blessed from “on high”.

The 2016 LGE strengthened his hand, when his old compadre and hard core PNC insider Patricia Chase Green became Mayor. Along with past PNC General Secty Oscar Clarke, they were now given the licence by the PNC to do whatever they wanted with the City’s purse – to take care of the largest PNC base, of course.

But King and Patricia Green had other plans – personal plans.

The question is why Patricia Chase Green’s not also under investigation? …for GECOM Chair GECOM’s Chair James Patterson warned, “Mischief is afoot”. Yes….from the moment he was appointed by Granger!!

ast week, the Kaieteur News essayed an editorial, “Local Government Elections and racial voting”, wherein it sought to discuss the “racial voting” that characterised Guyanese politics.

The Editorial claimed, “The animosity between Indo- and AfroGuyanese is historical; it can be traced back to the freed blacks becoming suspicious of the arrival of indentured East Indian servants from India, whom they feared would have compromised their bargaining rights with the planter class in British Guiana.”

Now, there is no question that the planters introduced indentured labour because they wanted cheap labour.

But in Guyana (and Trinidad), it was primarily because the planters feared the freed Africans would move off the plantations due of the availability of land to provide a means of self-employment. In islands such as Antigua and Bermuda, where there was no alternative, the planters didn’t even introduce the “apprenticeship” transition period, but gave the slaves immediate ‘freedom”.

Since the later nineteenth century, many African leaders in Guyana opposed Indian immigration for several good reasons, not the least being that taxes w

S

into the Government coffers (of which a considerable sum came from African pockets) were used to partially fund the cost of bringing the Indians to Guyana.

However, the charge that Indians undercut African wages on the sugar plantations directly after the abolition of slavery is not borne out by the facts. The charge was built on a myth that remained unchallenged for so long that it has become “history”.

In 1990, I noted in my paper, “Aetiology of an ethnic riot”: “It was not Indian labour that broke the back of African attempts to wrest higher wages from the planters. Rather, if labour were to be “blamed”, it was more the Portuguese and, ironically, fellow Africans from both the W.I. and Africa who played key roles. The exslaves called the strike of 1847 at a point of financial crisis for the planters who, encouraged by the indentureship of 15,848 Portuguese, 12,898 Africans from the W.I. and 6,957 Africans from Africa, compared with only 8,692 Indians, held off the demands for higher wages. People of African descent outnumbered all other immigrants during this critical period of “undercutting” wage demands by the Guianese exslaves.

After 1848, the un-

skilled ex-slaves, by and large, decided to make their living off the plantations. Even though Indian indenture was suspended between 1848 and1851, there was no movement back to the plantation by the Africans, nor was there any increase in the wage scale. The latter was precipitated by the removal of preferential tariffs into Britain for WI sugar in 1846, and caused freed Africans from Barbados and the smaller islands to migrate to British Guiana, where the wages were higher.

While the Portuguese did first arrive in 1835, during the “apprenticeship” period of the freed slaves, their immigration continued until 1881-82, with the bulk arriving by 1858. There is no question that the Portuguese died in considerable numbers, as did the Indians. In 1849, a planter gave evidence to a committee of the House of Commons: “A good many of the Portuguese died, and a good many of the Coolies have died; they wandered about the Colony.

I should think a vast number have died, but I have no means of stating the exact number.”

In the key years of 184647, when the efforts of the African to raise wages ultimately failed, we should note that 9736 Portuguese arrived, as opposed to 7480 Indians.

In terms of work-output, the Portuguese were even more industrious than the Indians. In 1847, on an East Coast plantation, Portuguese earned an average of $28 compared to the $21 of Indians.

The point I have been making is that we are going against the analyses of history made by eminent West Indian historians such as Drs. Eric Williams and Walter Rodney (among others) when we lay blame to the immigrants – whether Portuguese, Indian, Chinese, West Indians or Africans, who were all indentured. It was the working of the labour and political systems imposed on us by the British, whether political, economic or cultural, to extract our labour at the cheapest price that kept us all in thrall.

Today we are still busy blaming each other for our mess, and not questioning whether those bequeathed systems are not contributing to our problems.

And we should get busy, as a first step, in modifying those systems to assist in leading to greater equity and justice for all of us.

Cricket woes

atiricus was so disconsolate he didn’t know what to do with himself. So he headed to the Back Street Bar. How could they do this to him? He’d been up all night in front of his computer screen trying to keep up, even though he knew he’d be bleary-eyed the next day. But what was a West Indian cricket fan to do?? It was West Indies versus India!

“Fellas, I knew after the first day it wasn’t going to be easy,” Satiricus said dolefully as he took his beer. “But I was hoping and praying our boys would at least salvage a draw.”

“Draw?” asked Bungi derisively. “Ole fr’en’, afta Jason Holder sprain ‘e ankle an’ Roach come ba’k home fu ‘e gran’mumma funeral, who wou’da bowl out dem Indian?”

“Bungi has a good point, you know,” said Hari. “When you allow a team to score 649 for 9 declared, that will intimidate any batting side.”

“Na gi’e me da!” exclaimed Cappo angrily.

“Me bin up all nite too. Ev’ry waan a abee batsman jus’ fling dem bat like dem a cut cane!”

“An’ dem bowl de ball like dem a shy paddy!” complained Bungi.

“The question I have is: don’t the coaches and captain tell the fellas what to do out there?” asked Satiricus as he continued to sip his beer mournfully.

“Test cricket is a test of character,” said Hari.

“That’s why it’s called ‘test cricket’. Our boys don’t have the character for the long game.”

“Da mek me na bin ‘gree w’en dem drap Chandrapal,” said Bungi, as he nursed his beer.

“But he’s too old now!” protested Satiricus “Well,” replied Cappo, “’e wou’da show dem new bais how fuh keep dem head dong.”

“But the question I have,” said Hari, “is what happened to Gayle and the other big hitters?

They’re still young and playing good cricket.” “’E na mek ‘eself available fuh play,” reported Bungi. “’E wan’ fuh play in de Afghanistan T-20 league.”

“Now, this might be the reason why we’ll never make in again in test cricket,” said Satiricus.

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Aishwarya Rai on #MeToo movement: God bless and strength to the voices that need that kind of support

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ishwarya Rai Bachchan is happy with India having its own #MeToo movement and the actor on Tuesday said more support and strength should be given to the women who are sharing their experiences of sexual harassment.

The #MeToo movement gained momentum in the country in the light of Tanushree Dutta’s allegations of harassment against Nana Patekar. Many from the entertainment industry, including Alok Nath, Rajat Kapoor, Vikas Bahl and comedy group AIB, have been called out for various incidents of sexual misconduct and harassment.

“The #MeToo movement has gained momentum in present times. The world has got smaller with social media, one voice is be-

I

n a video released by Yash Raj Films on Tuesday, the team of Thugs of Hindostan revealed what it took to build two life-size ships for the film, and why the process lasted more than a year.

The over five-minute long making video opens with director Vijay

coming larger. What is nice to see in the present time is that the members of the media are becoming allied and propelling voices that need to be heard and giving them the platform. The law of the land will take over for justice to be served.”

“It wouldn’t be right to specifically comment on individual cases as matters would be subjudice and that would not be responsible on our part but having said that, God bless and strength to the voices that need that kind of support and you all need to be there,” Aishwarya said in an interview here.

The 44-year-old actor, who is

Krishna Acharya sharing how they picked Malta as the place to build the ships. It also shows shots of the making process complete with a team of foreign and Indian craftsmen. And amid all this, actors Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Mohammad Zeeshan

the brand ambassador of L ’ O r e a l Paris, today announced i t s India col-

also looking forward to sharing her future husband’s track pants,” said Katrina as she recalled all that Neha has said about her.

Later in the conver-

B

ollywood actor Sonali Bendre on Tuesday once again opened up about battling metastatic cancer and sur-

though I was fighting a long drawn out, draining battle… it was one that was worth the fight.”

laboration with House of Sabyasachi and launched the festive collection. (Indian Express)

Ayyub shared their reactions on seeing the ships in real.

“I thought if we managed to show the ships’ portion in the film organically, then we might end up giving the audience something new, which might have its own challenges, but if we pull it off, then it’ll be fun,” the director said.

Talking about his apprehension before shooting on the ships, Bachchan said, “It all sounded very grand when I was hearing the sequence and I was always apprehensive how they are going to pull this thing off, so I kept asking them.”

“There’s a lot of work on the ship in this film. And to be honest, I was concerned about that because it is not something we’ve been doing in India in films,” Aamir said. (Indian Express)

T

he third season of Neha Dhupia’s talk show No Filter Neha went on air Tuesday and had Katrina Kaif as its first guest. Fifteen minutes into the conversation and Katrina was convinced that she will walk out with a matrimonial ad by the end of the episode.

After Neha described her many qualities, the 35-year-old actor came up with the idea of preparing a bio for her matrimonial advertisement.

“She is glamorous, a tomboy, a chilled out bro, free-spirited, someone who loves to bat, a boho-chic, she likes not to have a strong sense of self, don’t want to have a big ego and is very humble in life. And, is

Sonali Bendre on cancer treatment: I allowed myself to cry, to feel the pain

sation, when Neha mentioned about Katrina’s friends having doubts about her dating life as they feel how will she ever find a man when the only thing she does

is work. Katrina, who is a private person, replied, “I think there are some areas in life you can work on. The area I feel you should not necessarily work upon is finding a

viving the painful chemotherapy sessions.

Starting her post with a quote from Cheryl Strayed, the 43-yearold wrote, “‘I knew that if I allowed fear to overtake me, my journey was doomed. Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told.

I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave.

Nothing could vanquish me.’ – Cheryl Strayed, Wild.”

She continued, “Over the past couple of months, I have had good days and bad ones.

There have been days when I’ve been so exhausted and in so much pain that even lifting a finger hurt. I feel like sometimes it’s a cycle… one that starts off with physical pain and leads to mental and emotional pain. The bad days have been many… Post chemo, post-surgery and the like… where even just laughing hurts.”

With an attitude of a warrior, she added, “Sometimes it felt like it took everything I’ve had to push past it… a minute to minute battle with myself. I got through it knowing that even

Emphasising on the importance of accepting one’s emotions, the actor said that she allowed herself to cry and feel the pain. “It’s important to remember that we’re allowed to have those bad days. Forcing yourself to be happy and cheerful all the time serves no purpose. Who are we being fake and putting on an act for? I allowed myself to cry, to feel the pain, to indulge in selfpity… for a short while.

Only you know what you’re going through and it is fine to accept it.

Emotions aren’t wrong.

Feeling negative emotions isn’t wrong. But after a point, identify it, recognize it and refuse to let it control your life,” wrote Sonali.

Summing it up, she added, “It takes an immense amount of selfcare to get out of that zone.

Sleep always helps, or having my favourite smoothie after chemo, or just talking to my son. For now, as my treatment continues… my visual focus remains to just get better and get back home.

It’s yet another test…

Student all my life…

Learning all my life… #OneDayAtATime.”

(Indian Express)

romantic partner or finding a partner. I feel that is something that should happen on its own, naturally and organically and it should come to you when the universe is going to bring it to you.” For now, the actor has a relationship only with her tracksuits and sweatpants.

In the over half an hour long episode, Katrina admitted to being a complete bully, someone who likes to talk a little too much and someone who loves to only do batting while playing cricket. She also recalled dancing with Sidharth Malhotra on

the hit number “Kaala Chashma” and hitting him in his eyes while doing so. She said, “I kept hitting him accidentally with my hands and whacking him in the face. I’m not very good at sharing the dancing space. I learned a good lesson in Kala Chashma that apparently, I’m not good at splitting the center. So naturally I was just wearing to the center of the camera and in the process, Siddharth often got a finger in his eye or a finger in his ear.

He did mention it one or ten times – Stay out of my space!” (Indian Express)

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Avengers 4’ to be set five years after ‘Avengers Infinity War’

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eter Dinklage, who is best known for playing the role of the witty dwarf Tyrion Lannister in HBO’s Game of Thrones, has said that the ending of the show would be brilliant. Game of Thrones’ eighth and final season airs in 2019.

While speaking with etonline.com, Dinklage said, “There are no better writers in television than [showrunners] Dan Weiss and David Benioff.

They ended it brilliantly. Better than I could have imagined and you people are in for it. It ends beautifully for my character whether it be tragic or not.”

Peter Dinklage has won three Emmy awards and a Golden Globe for his performance on the show. While he has not made it clear whether his character will die before the end, the show is famous for killing off the major characters, usually unceremoniously and in a gory fashion.

The final season will feature the war between the forces of the dead led by the Night King and basically everybody else. The six-episode final season will also have episodes with a longer length than the usual one hour.

Recently, Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, had also talked about the ending of the

P

roducer Barbara Broccoli has ruled out the possibility of a female James Bond. The producer said instead of giving a gender switch to iconic characters, there should be more such parts written for women.

“Bond is male. He’s a male character. He was written as a male and I think he’ll probably stay as a male,” Broccoli told The Guardian.

“And that’s fine. We

Hollywood 49

show. She had told Britain’s Elle magazine, “For me, Game of Thrones is a medieval world in which women don’t have a lot of rights yet they still prevail. But I do think that as the seasons have gone on, it’s become more and more amazing for women. And this final season is going to be incredible.

It just feels great, being on set with all these girls. They’re all ruling, you know, they’re all back on top – it’s pretty impressive.”

Game of Thrones season 8 will air in 2019. (Indian Express)

don’t have to turn male characters into women.

Let’s just create more female characters and make the story fit those female characters,” she added.

Earlier this year, actor Rosamund Pike, who featured in the 2002 Bond film Die Another Day, had offered a similar opinion about the famed British spy.

“I think the character of James Bond is a man.

He is really. Why not

make a kick-ass female agent in her own right?” she had said.

The next installment of the James Bond franchise will be directed by the True Detective helmer Cary Fukunaga.

Earlier, announcing the replacement of Danny Boyle, the producers of the film shared a statement on the Twitter. The statement read that the 41-year-old filmmaker, best known for directing films such as Jane Eyre and Beasts of No Nation, will start shooting for the project in March next year with a release date of February 14, 2020.

Production of the film is set to begin on Dec 3, 2018. MGM will partner with Universal Pictures to release the film worldwide. The 25th Bond film is scheduled for U.S. release on November 8 next year. However, with Boyle leaving the project, a delay in the release doesn’t seem unlikely. (Indian Express)

I

t seems we are going to see a considerable time-jump between Avengers: Infinity War and its sequel Avengers 4. What this means is we will likely not see the heroes dealing with the immediate aftermath of the film. Of course, this is just a rumour, but it is worth exploring because if it is true, it would portray a world dealing with half its population gone.

It would be like the world inside HBO’s The Leftovers, only 25 times more melancholic.

If Avengers 4 begins immediately after Infinity War, the Avengers and others characters, too, would be dealing with their own losses. Tony Stark would, for instance, be blaming himself for Peter Parker’s death and Steve Rogers for the death of Bucky Barnes.

But five years hence, who knows?

This rumour comes from a writ-

T

he Hulk had a run-in with Aquaman at the New York Comic-Con, and they were friendly. Well, at least the actors who play these comic-book characters — Mark Ruffalo and Jason Momoa — met at the event. Ruffalo was wearing a Grunkle Stan mask before Momoa asked him to pull it off for the camera. Grunkle Stan is a character from Disney animated series Gravity Falls.

Both Mark Ruffalo and Jason Momoa shared the videos on their social media sites. Ruffalo captioned it on Twitter and Instagram, “Incognito at #NYCC. Grunkle Stan had some fun today. A big thanks to the fans, @javitscenter, and Comic-Con! #gravityfalls.”

Jason Momoa said, “I love this man.

Legend @markruffalo Aloha j.”

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he first look of Fast and Furious spinoff Hobbs & Shaw is out. It is an image showing Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham giving a hard stare at each other. Hobbs & Shaw is based on Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw, Johnson and Statham’s characters in the series. Deadpool director David Leitch is helming the film.

Dwayne Johnson posted the image on his Instagram account. He captioned it, “FIRST LOOK: HOBBS & SHAW.

er working in a publication called Super Bro Movies, Daniel R. He tweeted, “Avengers 4 starts YEARS after Infinity War. Not just a few months later as some people were hoping for.

Sorry guys.” After asked to specify the number of years by a follower, he replied with five.

Avengers: Infinity War ended with Thanos acquiring all the Infinity Stones, putting them into his gauntlet, and snapping his fingers. The result was half of the universe’s life disintegrated into dust, including many notable Avengers, nearly the entire Guardians of the Galaxy and many more. The movie ended with this heartbreaking cliffhanger and a ray of hope in the form of Captain Marvel’s eventual arrival.

Avengers 4 releases on May 4, 2019.

(Indian Express)

Momoa’s first standalone superhero film as Aquaman is out later this year on December 21. While Ruffalo is playing the role of the Hulk since The Avengers in 2012, he is still to get a standalone film due to some issues between the studios.

After a San Deigo Comic-Con trailer, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman got a five-minute extended trailer a couple of days ago.

The trailer has inspired mixed reactions, but the extended footage has almost universally been received well, though some have complained the footage is too spoilery.

Meanwhile, Mark Ruffalo is finishing his Avengers 4 photography. It is not clear yet whether he is already done with it. Avengers 4 comes out on May 3, 2019.

(Indian Express) Apart from the dynamic between the two titular characters, Hobbs & Shaw will also explore Shaw’s family, especially his sister – played by The Crown and Mission: Impossible – Fallout’s Vanessa Kirby. Idris Elba is said to play the main villain.

While Jason Statham was last seen in the giant shark movie The Meg, Johnson’s last movie was Skyscraper.

Hobbs & Shaw will release on August 2, 2019. (Indian Express)

50 SPORT

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Family man Carl Hooper returns to cricket via commentary

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arl Hooper's is a cautionary tale for anyone thinking about taking a little time off work. He wanted to take some time off for the birth of his first child, and before he knew it, they were saying he had retired. Soon enough, the world forgot he even existed.

"My son was premature and I had asked the West Indies board for some time off and at the time they probably didn't want to give it. But I had to go back to Australia and be by my wife's side, and what I initially thought would be a couple of months or a couple of games ended up being 18 months.

"I thought that I would have made some lifelong friendships with some players I shared the room with for months. But that's not the case. I understood that during my retirement.

"My telephone wasn't ringing. None of my team-mates calling up to say, 'Carl, are you doing okay?' The only person I heard from was Brian Lara, who was the captain at the time, and he was asking me when I was going to come back.

But nobody else called."

Hooper did eventually return to international cricket, as captain no less. In his final 22 Tests, between 2001 and 2002, he was one of West Indies' Test batting mainstays, averaging 46, with four centuries, and this time he signed off on his terms, with Hooper junior watching.

"He grew up being in dressing rooms," Hooper says of his son. "I can remember my last tour to India; my last tour.

Harbhajan Singh, he loved [my son], because he was so little and he had these dreads and he was running up and down in dressing rooms. Harbhajan actually bought him a remotecontrolled car because he fell in love with him.

"But he never took to [the game]. Now, even if there's cricket on TV, he doesn't watch it."

If there's even a smidge of disappointment at this turn of events, Hooper hides it well.

"He's going to go into medicine.

He's studying at the University of Adelaide. It would have been nice if he had played. But you

can't choose the direction he takes. Whatever he wants to do, I'd be behind him 100%.

You've got to find something that you love doing, if you want to be good at it."

Hooper - currently in India, working as a radio commentator - is one of only 66 men (out of a total of nearly 3000) to have played over 100 Tests.

A right-hand batsman in the middle order, he could play jaw-dropping strokes, especially against spin. He made a century in his second Test, at Eden Gardens. He bested Wasim, Waqar and Imran when they reverse-swung the ball like crazy in Lahore. He ran down the track and lofted Shane Warne three seconds after he arrived at the crease in Bridgetown. When in form, it was like the man had cheat codes for batting.

"Cricket for me was just a lot of fun. Even when I was a youngster coming through, there were no aspirations of playing for the West Indies, Even when I was playing, I wasn't thinking one day I'd like to play for West Indies. It just happened."

But when he got there, Hooper thought he didn't need to push anymore. "To me, Test cricket was a destination.

You've got there. You're playing for West Indies. But really and truly, the journey only began then. Because you've got to work even harder, because you're pitting your skills against the best in the world.

However hard you worked to

get there, you've got to work twice as hard to stay there.

"I think I missed that trick.

I practised much harder to get there, but once I got there, everything slacked off. I started paying less attention to my skill. When I was younger, I used to hit a lot of balls. I hit less when I got there. I used to wait until I'm under pressure, maybe had a bad series or didn't score enough runs and there's whispers in the air about being dropped, and then I'd get a score. It was always like that."

Family and faith are a big part of Hooper's life now. They got him through a rough time when he actually had the desire to keep playing for West Indies - he flew from Adelaide to Melbourne every week to play club cricket, so he was match-ready - but it wasn't reciprocated.

"We'd lost to England in two days at Headingley. We came to Australia, lost terribly.

So I knew that was my opportunity to get back. I returned home and played domestic cricket. I had a fantastic season. The best season. I had scored some 700 runs in six or seven games, got wickets, I felt really good." [Hooper made 954 runs and took 25 wickets from nine games.]

The excitement from all those years ago was bubbling back up. But when Hooper got in touch with the establishment, they said they wanted to build a team for the future and weren't interested in bringing

back a 33-year-old.

"I can remember speaking at one time to the chairman of selectors, Michael Findlay, and he said, 'Carl, we're looking at younger players now and it's highly unlikely that you would get back into the playing group.'"

Facing this uncertainty, Hooper needed a guide and he found one in his mother-in-law.

"What she did was reaffirm my faith, just in conversations.

She said, if you want to play, prepare yourself for when you go and play, and God will lead the way. And that's exactly what happened. Not only did he give me the chance to play, he made me captain. I was asking for five and he gave me ten.

"I played my best Test cricket after I went back. What you begin to understand is, your immediate family is so important because that's all you've got. So when I went back out to play, inasmuch as it was for me and for West Indies, more importantly, it was for the people who supported me during a very trying time, which was my family."

Hooper made only nine centuries in his first 80 Tests, but when he came back, he managed four in 11, including a career-best 233, against India at his home ground in Georgetown, Guyana. He had come a long way from the boy who would slip away - against the wishes of his mum and dad - to hit a few balls with his friends.

"I would think that most Indian parents would give their right arm for their son to play for India and be a Virat Kohli or a Virender Sehwag or a Prithvi Shaw or whoever. But it wasn't like that in my case.

My parents wanted me to go to university. So there was resistance, and as a result there'd be, like, a lot of whippings and stuff like that. Suppose there's a chore that you need to do clean the yard - and I didn't do it because I was in the fields playing cricket, it would be a problem.

"Maybe the words of encouragement weren't as forthcoming as they should have been from my parents. I'm the sort of fellow that loves to share success, and that's why

even after I came back out of retirement, I was sharing my success with my family, which I think was missing in my early years as a Test cricketer. This is not to do with whether I love them or not. It's just that they were working in New York and I was out playing elsewhere, so we never had that kind of relationship.

"My father and mother have never said that they were proud of my achievements with cricket. Never. But that's only because of the way my father's life was. We have a better relationship today and it's only because he's opened up more. I'm sure he was proud back then too - he just didn't communicate it. Now I reminisce and remember his actions and I'm sure that he was proud of me."

All of that, in a way, has impacted Hooper's relationship with his own son and daughter. His wanting to be present for them is why, since his actual retirement, he has barely been around the game.

"There was a time when I was just like one of the lads.

You go up and down, today you're in Delhi, tomorrow you're in Australia, you know?

But my family needed more stability than that. I thought it was really important for me to be at home, be the stabilising influence along with my wife. I'll be there to take them home from school. I'll be there to take my son to soccer. I'll be there if they wanted to talk to me about anything. I just wanted to be there."

Hooper has been in Adelaide for 21 years now, helping run a restaurant, at a time when players of his repute aren't really lacking for options. Teams go around looking for coaches and mentors and consultants - Hooper has already worked with Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL - and broadcasters are always happy for new voices to help boost their viewership. He was practically run over by people seeking his opinion on the way West Indies crumbled to India in Rajkot. Will the family man be tempted out of retirement again? He sure had fun the last time it happened.

(ESPNCricinfo)

Marriott Beachfront Football: G$500,000 up for grabs

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t all goes down as one of the biggest football tournaments to grace the Marriott Beachfront under the theme “Bragging Rights 5-a-side Football” with a cash prize of G$500,000 up for grabs, the tournament is set to commence on October 19 at 18:00h.

The tournament is being hosted by one of Guyana’s most popular promoters, Marlon Jacobs aka “Freedom Boss”.

Speaking with Guyana Times

International Sport, Jacobs, the mastermind of the event, said, “I am a fan of football; I usually go to a lot of street events that they have football, so I decided that since I’m a promoter, I would use my platform and venture out into sports and give back to the community, that is how I came up with “Bragging Rights: three days, three nights of intense fun”.

Jacobs went on to state that the aim of the tournament was to reach

out to youths in vulnerable communities who are very talented and involved in sports as most of them are talented and already have a fan base thus providing the opportunity for their fans to come out and watch them.”

He added that 16 teams were already confirmed for the competition and they hailed from Linden, Berbice and Georgetown. Some of the teams included in the tournament are Leopold Street, Sparta

Boss, Future Stars, Gold is Money, and Albouystown.

When asked about predictions, the promoter lightly stated in a humorous manner that he expected the best team to win, presuming that every team would come out and do their best to claim the spoils.

This event is being sponsored by ANSA McAL under its Stag Beer brand as the executive sponsor and the National Sports Commission (NSC).

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WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 14 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

WINDIES SUPER50 CUP: United States, Marooners stage upsets

B

Nosthusha Kenjige

RIDGETOWN, B a r b a d o s – N o s t h u s h a Kenjige and Timil Patel sent ripples through Group “B” of the 2018-19 WINDIES Super50 Cup, when they bowled the United States to an 88run victory over Leeward Islands Hurricanes on Wednesday in Barbados, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has reported.

Left-arm spinner Kenjige and parttime leg-spinner Patel shared five wickets and backed up the work of their side’s pace bowling side, as the Americans claimed their first victory of the Tournament.

In the other Group “B” contest, Carlos Brathwaite put in the clichéd captain’s performance to lead Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners to a sevenwicket victory over territorial rivals Barbados Pride.

At Kensington Oval:Kenjige grabbed 3-22 from eight overs to earn the Player-of-theMatch award and Patel completed a tidy allround performance with 2-4 from 2.1 overs to undermine the Hurricanes’ pursuit of a target of 198.

Orlando Peters hit half-dozen boundaries in the top score of 37 from 35 balls, but no other batsman reached 20, as the Hurricanes were bowled out for 109 in 30.1 overs.

Earlier, Patel was one of a handful of United States batsmen that got starts, but failed to carry on, leading the way with a circumspect 39 from 80 balls.

Monank Patel scored 27, Steven Taylor made

22 and Alex Amsterdam got 21.

Leg-spinner Damion Jacobs was the pick of the Hurricanes bowlers with 3-40 from 10 overs; Rahkeem Cornwall, Jeremiah Louis and Chesney Hughes supported with two wickets apiece.

At the Three Ws Oval: Brathwaite struck three fours and three sixes in an unbeaten, even 50 from 31 balls, as the Marooners successfully chased 175 for victory.

He shared a 90-run – unbroken – fourth-wicket stand with Jonathan Drakes, whose 41 from 46 balls included four boundaries.

Marooners had a strong start with openers Kyle Corbin and Kjorn Ottley sharing 70 before they were dismissed – and the home team stumbled to 88 for three in the 20th over.

Brathwaite joined Drakes and they carried the Marooners over the finish line in the 32nd over.

There was neither substance nor stability from the Pride, after they were sent in to bat, except for a period where Kevin Stoute joined lefthander opener Shayne Moseley and they put on 40 for the fourth wicket.

Moseley made 49 from 87 balls to lead the way, Stoute supported with 37, Shamar Springer got 22 and Miguel Cummins made 20.

Brathwaite was the pick of the Marooners’ bowling with 3-21 from 10 overs and Akeem Jordan took 3-36 from 9.2 overs.

Virat Kohli criticises quality of SG ball, and prefers the Dukes for Test cricket

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ndia captain Virat Kohli has criticised the quality of the SG ball used for Tests in India, saying that it gets scuffed up too early and brings down players' performance significantly as a result.

He vouched for the Dukes ball to be used uniformly in Test matches around the world.

The SG ball has been used for Test cricket in India, but it has come under scrutiny lately.

Offspinner R Ashwin said he was "pretty disappointed" with it after the Rajkot Test against West Indies, and now Kohli is also suggesting its quality has declined.

"To have a ball scuffed up in five overs is not something that we have seen before," Kohli said. "The quality of the ball used to be quite high before and I don't understand the reason why it's gone down.

A Dukes ball is still good quality, Kookaburra is still good quality whatever limitations a Kookaburra might have, the quality is never compromised.

"The Dukes, I think, is the most suited ball for Test match cricket and if there's a situation, I would vouch for that to be used all over the world because of the consistency of the ball and how the bowlers are in the game at any stage because the seam is so hard and upright.

"And [for] the spinners as well, if the ball is hard you can get that extra pace, but if the ball goes so soft in 10-12 overs, then your effort comes down by 20%. So I think the quality of the ball has to be maintained, there's no doubt about that.

Otherwise, you have too many dead sessions in a Test match, which you don't want to see. You want to see exciting cricket and guys working hard for runs, being in the battle all day. I totally agree with Ash [Ashwin]."

At present, it is only England that regularly uses the Dukes ball for Test cricket, with West Indies occasionally trying it out. Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka generally play with the Kookaburra, which at the moment, is Ashwin's favourite. "Right now I would say the Kookaburra red ball is a lot better than most of them.

Virat Kohli

Dukes is also right up there," Ashwin said while speaking to Sanjay Manjrekar on Star Sports after the Rajkot Test. "I'm pretty disappointed with the way the SG ball is at this point of time. When I started playing first-class cricket, the SG ball used to be top-notch, and you could bowl with it even after the 70th or the 80th over. The seam used to be standing up strong and straight, but it's not the same anymore."

Shifting focus to the second Test against West Indies, starting on Friday, Kohli was thrilled with the way the younger players in the team were performing. India have opted for the same XII as the Rajkot Test, meaning 18-year-old Prithvi Shaw has once again beaten Mayank Agarwal to a place in the XI. "This guy [Shaw] is supremely talented and he has got great ability as everyone saw," Kohli said.

"We definitely think he has it in him to play at the highest level and he can repeat what he did in the first game. He is a very keen learner and a sharp guy. He understands situations well. We shouldn't compare to him to anyone yet. We shouldn't put him in a space where he feels the pressure of any kind. He should be left in a space where he enjoys his cricket and slowly grows into a player we all believe he can."

That the team's rookies appear better equipped to take on the strain of playing international cricket may be because of the level of cricket they get to play while coming through the ranks. Shaw, for example, has been a prominent

member of the A team ever since he led India to victory in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup and opened regularly for Delhi Daredevils in this year's IPL. "Definitely [it] could be one of the reasons because they're already exposed to the environment that an international game would replicate," Kohli said. "But there's always the pressure of playing for the country. When you get that cap in the morning of the game, there are always butterflies in the stomach. Everyone feels that pressure but I'm sure it's not as intense as [it was] 10-15 years back when you didn't have any exposure in this kind of cricket and suddenly you were put out there in a Test match making your debut for India - the highest or toughest thing there could be."

Very little can beat experience though and Kohli relied on it to score his 24th Test century in Rajkot, where 99 of his 139 came through singles, twos and threes.

"You have to realise that by the time the middle order walked in at that game, the ball was soft. The pitch was not as quick, the harder ball comes onto the bat, so you have more boundary opportunities.

I think that [scoring runs without taking many risks] has probably come with the experience of playing so many games. You can run your way to a hundred as well. There's no harm in that and I think with that mindset you understand your game, that you can bat all day, you can bat for two days and just score in singles and doubles, you don't necessarily need to hit a boundary.

And if you are convinced about that in your own head, then the bowler gets to know as well and then the battle of patience starts.

"So I think you have to be convinced first that you can play all day with singles and doubles, and not necessarily wanting to hit big shots, but given an opportunity, obviously, you'll cash in on the loose balls. I think that's probably the balance in Test match batting that I've experienced and something that you have to keep switching according to the conditions that you're playing in." (ESPNCricinfo)

Chase says West Indies ready to 'fight back' against India

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YDERABAD, India (AFP) — West Indies allrounder Roston Chase said Thursday the West Indies were looking to come back fighting in the second Test against India after their crushing defeat in Rajkot.

"We didn't play well in the first game but are looking to fight back in the second," Chase said a day ahead of the game in Hyderabad.

"Had a bit of nervous energy in the first one but guys are good to go in the second," said Chase, top scorer with 53 in his side's 181 all out in the first innings in Rajkot.

A hapless Caribbean side, led by opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite, went down to hosts India

by an innings and 272 runs in Rajkot to trail the two-match series 1-0.

Prithvi Shaw, 18, became India's youngest player to score a debut century and his country's second youngest in all Tests after the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, notching up a sparkling 134.

"That youngster Shaw took us apart early in the first game, so hope we can learn from our mistakes and move on smartly in the second game," Chase said.

A boost in the second Test for the West Indies will likely come from the return of fast bowler Kemar Roach after he missed the first Test to return home for a funeral.

Roston Chase

Skipper Jason Holder, recovering from an ankle injury, might also be back. India have retained the 12 they had announced for the first Test.

"It is always good to have the captain back, but I am not sure what the line-up will be for the next match," Chase said.

"I can't say who's playing but it's good to have Kemar back as well, he is a senior play-

er and brings a lot of experience to the team," he added.

Both Holder and Roach have played 82 matches between them and remain the team's most experienced players.

Holder has captained West Indies in 26 of his 34 Tests. Roach has taken 163 wickets in 48 matches.

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Gayle will be part of Golden Jags shortlist World Cup squad a squad of 26 …insists Windies skipper Holder A CONCACAF Nations League…

26-man squad has been named by Michael Johnson, Head Coach of the National Senior Men’s team, the Golden Jaguars, to face the Turks and Caicos Team on October 13, as Guyana looks to register a victory in its second appearance at the CONCACAF Nations League.

This squad, which includes three Goalkeepers, seven Defenders, seven Midfielders and six Forwards, will see the return of seasoned players Walter Moore and Emery Welshman, as well as the appearance of a debutante in Stephen Duke-McKenna.

This debutante is an 18-year-old from Bolton Wanderers FC in England, who has been described as a “versatile attacking option who can play across the forward line.”

Johnson has said he looks forward to DukeMcKenna’s presence in the squad, as “he will bring professionalism, energy and a freshness to an already good team spirit.”

In previewing the match — which is scheduled for 16:00hrs at the TCIFA National

Windies skipper Jason Holder is congratulated by Chris Gayle (SportsMax)

Stephen Duke-McKenna

Academy in the Turks and Caicos Islands — Johnson has said it will be no easy feat coming up against this islander side.

“It’s a game that we know will be tough if we don’t prepare right, given their most recent results in previous games.

I’m expecting an improvement from them, so we need to be ready.

The team spirit fostered since our last meeting together has been a huge bonus, which will hold

us in good stead for this game,” he predicted.

Speaking about the team’s preparation, Technical Director Ian Greenwood said continuous work has been done.

“The Guyana-based players have been preparing themselves by following their individual and specific training programmes set by our Head of Sports Science alongside squad practices. All the players understand the importance continued on page 54

W

indies skipper Jason Holder is confident star batsman Chris Gayle will be a part of the team for the 2019 World Cup once he is fit and ready.

The 39-year-old has expressed an interest in making a final appearance at the tournament, which will take place in England next year but it will be up to the Cricket West Indies panel of selectors to pick the player. The big left-hander has, however, made the criteria for selection after taking part in the regional Super50 competition for the Jamaica Scorpions.

The player recently opted out of taking part in the ongoing tour of India in order to compete in the Afghanistan Premier League (APL), leaving some to speculate on the possibility of his selection. Holder is, however, confident

Gayle, who was a part of the team that took part in the World Cup qualifiers, will be part of the squad.

“He (Gayle) is definitely going to play the World Cup once his body holds up and he’s fit. We’d welcome him into the team. If you go back to the beginning of the year, Chris made himself available for the World Cup qualifiers. He only did that really because he wants to play the World Cup, he wants to play well for West Indies and he wants to do well,” Holder said.

“When he does that he has plenty of options around the world to make money it says something about the individual, says something about what he wants and I really admire that. He was obviously a pivotal part in us qualifying to the World Cup,” Holder said.

(SportsMax)

Demerara Mutual Tournament tees off Saturday

A

fter a year’s hiatus, Demerara Mutual’s sponsorship will return to the Lusignan Golf Course this weekend as the insurance company collaborates with the Lusignan Golf Club to host yet another exciting tournament.

Demerara Mutual, which has been in the business of providing financial security and assurance since 1891, has grown to become a leader in Guyana as more than 100 employees provide services to thousands of clients.

Senior Marketing Manager Clarence Perry noted that the company was now focused on giving back to their customers and one avenue through which it hoped to do so was sport.

“We do believe that sport in general is a very good thing to support. We believe that it helps to foster good community relations, so we’re happy to be partnering with Lusignan Golf Club to host this tournament this weekend,” Perry said.

Zeroing in on the gentleman’s sport, Perry disclosed that it was his hope that golf could continue to gain popularity in Guyana.

“We do hope that we can see not only as a result of ourselves, but other corporate groups participating, so golf will grow from strength to strength. You know in Guyana, it’s traditionally cricket and football, but with continued exposure and sponsorship of these events, hopefully, we can have more persons participating in golf in the future.”

Turning his focus to this weekend’s open, the Marketing Manager stated that he was looking forward to fierce competition come Saturday. “We do expect it to be a very competitive tournament,” he said.

Coming up just three weeks before

LGC President Aleem Hussain

the annual Guyana Open, the Demerara Mutual tournament is being seen as a ‘warm up’. As such, the competition will see the participation of at least 35 golfers, but Club President Aleem Hussain expects that that number will reach 50. Many of the successful participants from the Suriname Invitational tournament will participate, in addition to veteran golfers Clifford Reis, Maurice Solomon and Robert Hanoman.

In an attempt to make the competition more enticing, the arrangement of prizes will differ for this tournament. “The Demerara Mutual Group has asked us to make sure that we have a wide range of winners, so as a result this tournament is going to be run a little different from our traditional tournament where there’s just a winner overall,” the Club President said.

As such, there will be categories A, B, and C, where the first and second prizes will be distributed. Additionally, there will be special prizes for the golfers with the best gross, best net, chipping, and putting.

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Guyana jumps 26 places in Chess rankings

– 1st Guyanese elected to International Ethics Commission

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he 43rd World Chess Olympiad which recently concluded in Batumi, Georgia could be seen as Guyana’s most successful Olympiad yet, with a number of historic occurrences having occurred over the two-week period.

While the competition was coming to a close, Members of the Guyana Chess Federation, President James Bond and Yolander Persaud, found themselves engrossed in the happenings of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) General Assembly. Here, Persaud was said to have fallen in love with the Ethics Commission; and seeing this, Bond began his campaign for what would be the first Guyanese representative on the international body. Coming out of a considerable pool of fifteen nominees, Persaud eventually made it to the top five, after two rounds of voting. Persaud is the first Guyanese to serve on any FIDE body.

Guyana’s contingent to the 43rd World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia

Sharing with media operatives, President of the GCF noted, “It was our sole purpose to put Guyana on the map of FIDE, and this is the start. We have now made strategic alliances, and the Federation is poised for impacting administrative changes in the months ahead.”

And when the overall review of team performances was released, Guyana again found herself scoring success.

The Open team, consisting of Anthony Drayton, Taffin Khan, Loris Nathoo and Glenford Corlette, racked up 9 points, a vast improvement from

their five in the 42nd Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2016, and the 6 in Tromso, Norway in 2014.

Taffin Khan ended on a high for the team with 6.5 individual points; Drayton was close with 6 points; and the first time players at the Olympiad, Nathoo and Corlette,

registered 3.5 and 2.5 points respectively. This resulted in the team placing fourth in their category, the first time that Guyana has made it into the top ten in their last three Olympiads.

As for the women’s team, which comprised of Maria Varona Thomas, Sheriffa Ali and teenagers Nellisha Johnson and Sasha Shariff, they also played to a massive improvement. With 7 points this year, the women have recorded a one point improvement over their 6 in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2016.

Being the most experienced of the lot, Varona Thomas and Ali racked up 6.5 and 4.5 points respectively. Playing a commendable hand for their first such international tournament, 17-year-old Nellisha

Johnson copped 3 points while 14-year-old Shariff had 1.5.

Taking individual performances into consideration, Guyana finished 138th out of 184 participating countries.

Given that they finished at 164th in 2016, this means that Guyana has made a 26 place jump in 2018. This has been the most improved performance of Caricom countries for 2018, given that both Aruba and Bahamas have dropped 18 places, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica have dropped 15 places, Barbados has dropped 7 places, and Bermuda has dropped by 4.

The only other teams to record improvement were Haiti and Suriname who jumped 5 and 2 places respectively.

Chess will continue to be alive in Guyana, as the Federation has already planned a packed calendar of events for 2019.

Golden Jags shortlist... from page 52

Golden Jags Head Coach, Michael Johnson

of earning the right on and off the field to wear the badge. The Turks & Caicos fixture offers another opportunity for the Golden Jaguars to build their growing reputation in the CNL.” This will be the first ‘away’ match for Guyana in the qualifiers, with the second being in French Guiana on November 20 at 21:00hrs. Guyana will play its final qualifier against Belize in March 2019 in Guyana.

The internationalbased players will be released from their clubs from Monday, October 8,

with opening of the official FIFA Window.

The shortlisted players are: Jason Cromwell, Kai McKenzie-Lyle, Akel Clarke, Terrence Vancooten, Sam Cox, Kevin Layne, Jake Newton, Walter Moore, Jelani Smith, Ronayne Marsh-Brown, Curtez Kellman, Delwin Fraser, Ryan Hackett, Anthony Benfield, Daniel Wilson, Vurlon Mills, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Emery Welshman, Dellon Lanferman, Kelsey Benjamin, Trayon Bobb, Kadell Daniel and Sheldon Holder.

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