Guyanatimes 1 august 2017

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

Issue No. 3288

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Emancipation an auspicious event in Guyana’s history – President

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: 2020 elections

Jagdeo confident about PPP P7 win

Pages 12&13

…as PPP urges Guyanese to build a united, democratic nation

Pastor jailed for dangerous P8 driving

Armed bandit overpowered by victims P5 … nabbed by Police

Escapees manhunt

Celebrating Emancipation: Employees of GTT on Monday celebrated the auspicious occasion of 2017's Emancipation anniversary by donning African cultural wear

Media owners, operators concerned over Broadcast Amendment Bill Page 9

...say no consultation by Govt

Escapees manhunt

Another Lusignan escapee recaptured

Assassination claim

Page 2

Page 3

“I did not order Nizam Khan’s release” – Top Cop … as businessman denies paying to kill president

Ramjattan P14 admits a lot more needs to be done

… says taking nothing for granted

Linden hospital plagued by drug shortage, lack of ECG machine P10 Berbice murder

"Teen was suicidal so I allowed relationship" P8 – mother

2 news

tuesDAY, august 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Escapees manhunt

Another Lusignan escapee recaptured … 4 more in total still on the run

O

f the 13 prisoners who escaped from the Lusignan Prison on Monday last, another was early Monday morning re-

captured in Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara (EBD), bringing the number of total recaptured prisoners to 12.

Twenty-nine-year-old

Shawn Harris was captured around 07:20h by Joint Services ranks.

According to reports, the convicted robber was hiding in the bottom flat of a two-storey house.

Ranks reportedly swooped down on the premises and captured the escapee without incident.

However, a couple occupying the upper flat of the building was detained by Police for questioning regarding the harbouring of the man.

Harris, originally of Lot 131 Pike Street, Kitty, was charged along with three others for the 2016 robbery of the Bank of Baroda branch at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

It was alleged that on January 22, 2016 ,at Mon Repos, being armed with a gun and in the company of others, Harris robbed Bank of Baroda tellers Raywantie Lall and Latchmie Mohabir of $2.75 million; and Shirley Lucas, a female security guard, of her .32 Taurus revolver, property of RK Security Service.

At the time of that charge, he had just finished serving time in prison for a drug possession related charge.

On Sunday evening, 29-year-old Clive Forde, also called “El Sinkie”, was shot and killed after members of the Joint Services received information about the fugitive’s whereabouts.

Upon their arrival at the East Ruimveldt house, the wanted man attempted to flee while opening fire on the lawmen. In retaliation, the Joint Services ranks returned fire thus mortally wounding the

Recaptured: Shawn Harris

man.

A 9mm pistol with five live rounds of ammunition was recovered a short distance away from where the escapee’s body fell.

Reports are that a male resident of the area was said to be harbouring the criminal. However, the Police was yet to reveal if anyone was detained in this regard.

Meanwhile, another escapee, this time from the Camp Street penitentiary, was arrested by Joint Services ranks in Hampshire, Corentyne, Berbice, on Saturday evening.

Murder accused Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander was apprehended after a special operation was launched in the Police B Division with support from the Police Headquarters.

At the time of his arrest,

Alexander was said to be receiving medical attention for an existing wound from a medical institution which was not named. He was immediately transported to Georgetown and was due to make his court appearance on Monday.

Further, Kerry Cromwell, another of the 13 who escaped from the Lusignan Prison on July 24, surrendered himself to the Police on Sunday evening.

According to reports, Cromwell’s mother contacted a senior Government functionary and revealed her son’s whereabouts.

She told the official that the escapee was willing to turn himself in to the Police.

The woman, along with other relatives, took Cromwell to the Brickdam Police Station, where he was rearrested. He also is expected to be charged for escaping from lawful custody.

To date, 12 of those who escaped from the Lusignan Prison have been recaptured with the exception of Paul Goriah.

And three of those who escaped from the Camp Street Prison are still on the run and are considered armed and dangerous.

They are Uree Varswyck, Mark Royden Durant, also known as Royden Williams, and Cobena Stephens, also known as OJ.

news

3

tuesDAY, august 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, August 1 – 12:00h-13:30h and Wednesday, August 2 – a nighttime retraction of 01:00h and a daytime retraction of 13:30h-15:00h.

Assassination claim

“I did not order Nizam Khan’s release” – Top Cop …as businessman denies paying to kill President

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, July 31 –09:50h-11:20h and Tuesday, August 1 – 11:10h-12:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions followed by thundery and heavy rain showers, with lightly cloudy skies in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging between East South-easterly and West North-westerly from 0.89 metre to 2.23 metres.

High Tide: 11:25h and 23:52h reaching maximum heights of 2.15 metres and 2.20 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 17:19h reaching a minimum height of 1.08 metres.

SATURDAY, July 29, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS H

09

10

13

14

16

24

17 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

MONDAY, JULY 31, 2017

DAILY MILLIONS 02 12 13 16

26

LUCKY 3 4 4 1

3

Afternoon Draw

9

4

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

04

10

11 15

16 19 20

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud testifying at the CoI

P

olice Commissioner Seelall Persaud has told the Commission of Inquiry into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger that he did not order the release of the alleged mastermind; rather, he merely gave the detective his suggestion following an unrequested briefing.

“I was making a suggestion; I was giving an opinion. It wasn’t my intention to ensure he [Nizam Khan] go on bail.

I had a concern with how the policy of the Force was being implemented,” he told the CoI. On March 29, Andrif Gillard reported to the Police that he was offered $7 million by his neighbour, Nizam Khan, to assassinate the President.

Inspector Prem Narine last week testified that he received a call from Commissioner Persaud instructing him to place Nizam, his brother Imran, and Gillard on bail.

Imran and Gillard were arrested on the same night allegedly for disorderly behaviour and threatening language respectively. Narine told the Commission that, had it not been for Persaud’s intervention, he would not have sent the Khan brothers away.

Commissioner Persaud explained that he had received from Imran Khan a call informing him that he has been placed on $20,000 bail for disorderly behaviour, but he had no money to pay the bail.

He said the Guyana Police Force has a policy to not hold anyone for longer than necessary, and not for minor offences like the one Imran was charged for, the Force processes and releases on bail at the earliest time possible.

Persaud revealed that, during a cellphone call, he suggested that Imran Khan be sent on his own recognisance and Nizam Khan be placed on bail. However, he said, had that course of action been taken, he would have been breaching a policy of the Force and he would have been disciplined.

He said that prior to calling Narine, he tried to calling Crime Chief Wendell Blanum and Head of the Major Crimes Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mitchell Caesar, but those attempts were unsuccessful.

“I told him it is wrong to put someone in custody who hasn’t committed any breach of the law; but when a senior rank makes a suggestion, it is the culture of the Force to carry it out. If he takes that as instructions I wouldn’t be surprised, but the expectation was

that he would factor that into his own judgement,” Persaud related.

Persaud said his friendship with Imran Khan does not extend into any business relations, and for the record, he has no private or joint business ventures with Khan.

“It’s not unlike any of the other friendships I have.

I’ve known him since 2004, when I was appointed the Divisional Detective Officer in ‘A’ Division,” he said.

Persaud later admitted that, as Police Commissioner, he had approved a gun licence upgrade for Khan, from a 9mm handgun to a .45 pistol.

CoI Chairman Paul Slowe had questioned the licensing of a .45 calibre handgun, since he said he is unaware that the Police allocate that calibre for civilian use. Persaud also told the Commission that it was rather unfortunate that Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine had testified that a thorough investigation was not done. “It’s quite contrary to that…I think a thorough investigation was done,” he explained. He said doubts were expressed on the credibility of Gillard’s statement, and evidence was absent in the case.

Persaud added that he supports the position that Gillard be charged for providing the Police with false information.

$20,000 bail

Alleged mastermind of the plot to assassinate President David Granger, Nizam Khan, said he was not on speaking terms with his accuser, Gillard, during the period mid2014 to 2016, and as such he could not have made the offer Gillard is alleging.

Khan told the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that Gillard never approached him to borrow $6M, and that he did not have a face-to-face interaction with his accuser until late

Alleged plot mastermind, Nizam Khan

2016. He recalled that in the past he had loaned Gillard $1M and was repaid $500,000, but Gillard had failed to repay the rest. He added that Gillard had asked to be loaned $800,000 to start a taxi service, and had promised to repay him in installments. Khan recounted that on March 29, three officers came to his home, told him about the allegation and requested to search his prem-

ises, and he agreed. The search yielded nothing illegal, but Khan was taken into custody and transported to the CID, where he was questioned.

Khan related that he gave his statement and observed his brother at the station. He said that after giving his statement, he was placed to sit on bench, and was later told that he was on $20,000 bail. However, the 38-year-old businessman said, he does not know who, when or where bail was posted for him.

He also denied allegations of threatening to cripple Gillard, and of stealing two radio sets from him.

Back in 2015, Nizam Khan was shot during a robbery, and subsequently shot and killed his robber. He also caused four officers to be kicked out of the Guyana Police Force for professional misconduct.

They were all convicted in the Magistrates Courts.

The final report of the COI is expected to be handed over to the President on August 18.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, august 1, 2017

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Protectors of criminals should be prosecuted

T

he untimely death of Prison Officer Odinga Wickham during the recent conflagration and mayhem at the Camp Street Prison location brings to light again the precarious, life-threatening conditions our security service ranks face every day in the line of duty.

One can only imagine the devastation of families of security ranks killed in the line of duty, as well as the victims of thieves and murders; but the relatives and supporters of the perpetrators are aptly described by the local colloquialism ‘Wrong and Strong’, which defines the contentious attitudes of relatives and sympathizers of the deadly killers, whose murderous rampages have left many homes destitute of precious lives and possessions.

Seeking to blame the police for the demonic actions of their relatives merely adds to the vileness of those persons who seek to justify the robbery/murder of vulnerable and other innocent victims in the sanctity of their homes, or in the perpetrators’ pursuit of their respective endeavours.

Among the throngs who attend the funerals of the twolegged killers who finally meet their demise, and condemn the police ranks who take them out, are obviously many who provide/d them with shelter and succour in exchange for some of their booty, or for some other gain.

And while the actual bandits paid the ultimate price for their crimes, these aiders and abettors are no less culpable for the deaths and destruction of the lives of innocent persons, targeted by these monsters for sometimes indecipherable reasons. The instigators and planners are also culpable. Not much encouragement would be necessary for these indisputably merciless beasts in human form to pursue what they perceive as easily-acquired riches, especially when they are provided the wherewithal to do so in the form of arms, ammunition, and a network of relatives and supporters to provide food, shelter and transportation in exchange for a share of the loot.

Most likely, while the intent would have been present, it probably would not have solidified into reality without encouragement and assistance, as well as a promise of vindication – in whatever form that takes.

The attempts to lionize these criminal beings are indications of degradation in the human psyche, best described by Dante.

The victims of these killers are members of every race and every political and religious persuasion in Guyana.

The rampages of the “jailbreak gang” and subsequent gangs, including those of Lindon ‘Blackie’ London and Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins, are well-documented.

In 1959, one named Cuffy was killed by the police after a desperate manhunt. A policeman was killed during this encounter, while others were wounded. Cuffy’s own family had refused his body, and he was buried as a pauper because his father, who was a poor cartman, rejected a son who had shamed him by making crime his profession.

But that was when Guyanese were proud and decent, with lofty ideals and high standards, whether rich or poor.

Some sections of society today do not care how their jobless relatives acquire riches overnight, once they can benefit.

And certain sections of the media do not care if they cause a conflagration in the land if they could profit by incendiary reporting.

The contention of some persons -- that the killers should be captured for questioning, even while they were firing at police -- would be ludicrous if it did not have such serious implications, such as policemen and victims losing their lives, or being seriously injured instead.

Psyched by preceding instances of death and injury to ranks and the evasive strategies of criminals -- with ample assistance from a criminal-minded society, as well as the criticism of society and the media -- the joint services often have no recourse but a spontaneous conclusion to unrelenting manhunts that span the country, leaving countless casualties in their wake.

Ranks are often engaged in deadly confrontations with criminals, who are famous for pulling every trick in the book to make evasive and successful escape bids.

Self-defence is an automatic reaction to brutal forces and the unknown factor of possible accomplices, which create a climate for a spontaneous response to the dynamics of the battle, which is to shoot to kill. The criminals made their choice when they opted to pursue careers in criminality.

Stealing and subverting the truth are both dishonest acts.

Some in society --including in sections of the media -- are adept at the latter, regardless of the cost to society. Criminality is relative, and there are many masquerading behind the guise of decency who are just as culpable as those who pull the triggers, or those who light the fires and cause literal and figurative conflagration in communities.

Staff of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, Corporate Office, Georgetown outfitted in their African wear as Guyana celebrates Emancipation 2017

Societal response to prison breaks under PPP & now Dear Editor, Should not the coalition Government be held accountable for the spate of prison breaks and riots?

And where are the objective critics on the handling of the prison problem? They were very critical of the PPP, but have now relaxed their vigilance. There was one prison break (2001) under the previous Government, and it was lambasted left, right and centre for alleged incompetence. Even when there was use of force in 2012 in Linden, the PPP Administration was assailed for incompetence, for not

preventing the violence.

And in regard to the 2001 prison break, we have learnt about the connection between those escapees, certain communities, certain political operatives, and drug lords and drug money.

The escapees were termed 'freedom fighters' and were supported by many opposed to the government of the day, as the escaped prisoners created havoc by murdering scores of innocent Guyanese.

The PPP Government was assailed, perhaps justifiably, for its handling of the entire episode. Fast forward to the present time, and in

the two years of this current Government, there have been four prison breaks or riots thus far: Camp Street twice, Lusignan, and the Juvenile Centre in the Essequibo. In fact, there have been ongoing problems at Lusignan, with several breakouts occurring. No one has been held accountable for any riot or breakout.

Under the previous regime, there was a call for heads to roll for the prison breakout. Now not only are the previous critics silent, but they see no fault on the part of the current Government, and are saying this spate

of prison breaks should not be politicized. To their credit, the current opposition are on record as saying they will not support the escapees or seek political mileage from the situation, as their opponents did when the PPP were in power. The Government must accept responsibility for the breakouts and riots, and must stop blaming others. In addition, the Government must work with the Opposition and civil society to address prison issues.

Dear Editor, As a dedicated and humble logger from the Essequibo Coast, I write to express grave concerns about the rights of small loggers of our country.

On Wednesday 21st June, 2017, three officers from the Supenaam Forestry Station were involved in a raid on 41km Buckhall Road. During the ordeal, custody form #018177 was issued, reflecting 50 pcs or 2500bm purpleheart lumber. However, the officers failed to identify 1200 bm washiba lumber among the purpleheart. One month has elapsed with no feedback from the Supenaam Forest Station, despite numerous promises. I have visited the Supenaam Forest Station five (5) times, and made numerous phone calls during this period. I was always cooperative. Editor, I accept full responsibility for harvesting the lumber on AMS ESS 06/85 (a concession owned by A. Mazaharally and Sons). I have three children to maintain, and due to financial con-

straints, I was forced to harvest on AMS ESS 06/85.

On the 21st July, 2017, I once again called the Supenaam Forest Station, only to be told by the supervisor that he was instructed by the commissioner that the lumber had already been sold.

Here are some questions for the Commissioner of Forests 1. Why was a custody form (illegal harvesting #018177 issued for 2500bm purpleheart lumber found at 41km Buckhall Road for 1200bm washiba and 1800bm purpleheart lumber?

2. Why did you overrun this document? And what procedure did you use to hand responsibilities to Cummings Wood Products Ltd? Why was the producer not allowed to pay the penalty? And why was a public action not held?

3. Why is it that, despite visiting the Supenaam Forest Station on five (5) occasions and making numerous phone calls, I was not informed that the commissioner had differ-

ent plans for the produce?

How did Cummings Wood Products gain access to the lumber?

4. Why is it that the three officers (including the supervisor) involved in the custody cannot tell the difference between purpleheart and washiba hammer #331? What training are those officers receiving? Yet, upon visiting this forest station, officers are busy on their cell phones chatting, or frequenting the nearby shop.

5. Why was the producer not given the first option regarding the resale of the produce (Why was a custody form issued?)?

6. Why is a lumber yard located in Anna Regina fully operational although it is yet to uplift its licence from the Supenaam Forestry Station?

Isn’t this document supposed to be on display? And doesn’t failure to display this document lead to closure of the facility?

7. Why are there double-standards regarding pen-

alties for various offences?

8. Why was the washiba lumber (1200bm) transported to Buckhall Landing by an individual who is an ex-forestry officer and a well-known figure within the forestry sector for various negative reasons?

Why was the 1800bm purpleheart not transported as well?

This trampling on the rights of citizens must be rejected in all forms. In the face of such travesty of justice, silence is not an option. Article 144 of the Constitution of Guyana guarantees that a man is presumed innocent until proven guilty. I call upon the commissioner to uphold the rules governing the forestry sector.

Each citizen should speak up, and not wait to become the next victim. Let’s stop this madness now. What message is this sending? We know what happened in the past, we must never allow this to happen again.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

Trampling on rights of citizens

Sincerely, J John

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

5

News

“Govt is engaged in people Charity labourer commits suicide smuggling” – Jagdeo alleges O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has accused the Government of being engaged in alleged “people smuggling”, citing the recent case where several Haitian nationals were caught entering Guyana illegally and using this country as an in-transit hub to travel to French Guiana.

“We heard that they are registered here, but even if they are not, we believe that this Government is engaged in people smuggling. People come in, they get Government service and special help to go into French Guiana, illegally,” Jagdeo alleged while addressing a political meeting on Sunday.

Making a department an entire ministry to deal specifically with births and deaths (the Citizenship Ministry) is something that Jagdeo said has caught his attention. “We are watching it carefully because we have heard about the issuance of false birth certificates,” he asserted.

Jagdeo claimed if 10,000 false birth certificates were issued, which have the possibility of being used in the registration process, “then

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Citizenship Minister Winston Felix

they (Government) can even thwart the will at election time”.

“And we know not to trust these people, because they’ve done it before.

They’ve been riggers before. So, we are keeping our eyes wide open,” the former Guyanese Head of State alleged, while referring to the People’s National Congress (PNC), the lead party in the coalition Government.

Jagdeo said Guyanese could not afford to become complacent, but must remain vigilant. “The day we close our eyes, we will wake

up one morning and find that in this country, you won’t have rights anymore.

And so it goes beyond sugar and the economic hardships, it’s also about what kind of country we want to live in, in the future. It is about what kind of country we want to raise our children in.”

In early June, it was revealed that several Haitians, both adults and children, were sent back to Haiti after it was suspected by the Police that they were reportedly part of a human smuggling ring.

Citizenship Minister Winston Felix had declined to give further details about the probe, but said the Police acted on the outcome of the investigation and upon the advice of its legal adviser.

Felix had disclosed that not only were discrepancies found with the Haitians’ documents, but “a collection of circumstances” were found which led to a decision to send them back. He did not rule out trafficking, saying that “it might be lurking in the horizon”.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud had disclosed that the probe had found that some of the Haitians were entering Guyana to travel to other destinations. He disclosed that the investigation found that they were doing this for organised reasons.

Officials in neighbouring Suriname have claimed that many Haitians have been travelling there by plane on their way to French Guiana, but they could not convince immigration authorities of their onward journey.

Back in September 2016, at least 12 Haitian men were caught in Linden heading to neighbouring Brazil.

Armed bandit overpowered by victims … nabbed by Police

A

n armed bandit who on Sunday evening attempted to commit a felony at Coomacka Mines, Demerara River was overpowered by the victims and later arrested at his house.

Based on information gathered, 67-year-old Stanley Couchman closed

his shop on Sunday at about 21:00h, and went into the yard to close his gate when the suspect, armed with a shotgun, confronted him.

He struck the elderly man to his head and demanded cash and other valuables, but Couchman managed to raise an alarm

and his son-in-law rushed to his aid.

The two men together subdued the suspect and relived him of the shotgun and four rounds of live ammunition, but the bandit managed to escape into the darkness. The firearm and cartridges were, however,

handed over to ranks of the Mackenzie Police Station, and a report was lodged.

Based on the description provided to the police, ranks went to the home of the suspect and arrested him. Upon his arrest, a small quantity of cannabis was found in his possession.

Herstelling fatal accident victim identified

T

Deceased: Ingrid James

he woman who was struck down and killed on the Herstelling Public Road, East Bank Demerara

(EBD) on Saturday night has now been identified.

She was identified as Ingrid Mayfield James, 64, of Lot 1294 Section C, Block Y, Golden Grove, EBD. According to reports, the identification was made around 13:00h on Monday by the victim’s daughter.

James was killed when she was struck down by a motorist who was said to be speeding at the time of the accident.

The driver of motor car PKK 3251, the vehicle that hit the woman, was identified as a 45-yearold resident of Burnham Boulevard, Mocha, EBD. Guyana Times understands that the man was proceeding south along the

eastern carriageway of the Herstelling Public Road.

Police investigations revealed that James who was a pedestrian allegedly crossed the road from west to east into the path of the vehicle.

As a result of the impact, the left leg of the woman was severed and she also sustained serious

injuries to her head and body.

She was picked up and rushed to the Diamond hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

A breathalyser test was administered to the driver and no alcohol was detected in his breath.

Investigations are continuing.

A

41-year-old labourer of New Road Village on the Essequibo Coast has tragically ended his life. Dead is Mohan (only name given), a father of four.

He ingested a quantity of poisonous substance on July 29 around 17:30h and succumbed on July 30 at the Charity hospital.

Information revealed that the now deceased man and his wife had constant arguments and on several occasions, she threatened to leave him. On July 29, he went drinking with a few friends and became intoxicated. When he arrived at home, he and his wife had a heated argument and ‘the situation got out of hand’. The man reportedly ventured to the back and ingested a quantity of weedicide.

Ten minutes later, his

Dead: Mohan

wife reportedly went to the back of the house and discovered him.

He was immediately rushed to the Charity hospital where he was admitted and later succumbed.

His body had no marks of violence. The body is currently at the Suddie mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

3 Venezuelans deported for entering Guyana illegally

T

hree Venezuelan nationals: 27-yearold Greimar Jose Nedina, 29-year-old Yeisy Soriannys Laguna, and 26-year-old Norelki Anderina Cardoza, were arrested on July 30th at Charity village on the Essequibo Coast (Region Two: PomeroonSupenaam) when Police ranks from 'G' Division erect-

ed a road-block during a Joint Services’ exercise.

Arraigned yesterday before Charity Magistrate Ester Sam, they each pleaded guilty to entering Guyana illegally and were each fined Gy$30,000 and ordered deported to their country.

Venezuela is currently reeling from an economic crisis.

6

tuesDAY, August 1, 2017

Page

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

How to lessen children’s risk of drowning

By Erinne Magee

K

ids ask a lot of questions.

Sometimes the questions repeat themselves. Most of the time we've answered them over and over. And let's be honest, we've been known to ignore one or two here and there or do an internal eye-roll over the constant barrage of why's and how's.

To be fair, studies have shown that young children ask over 300 questions each day – and so we can't really be expected to answer all of them. (Right?)

But here's the thing, kids should actually be encouraged to ask more questions—not fewer! (I know, you want to stop reading right now, because, why?! How?!) Turns out there's a very good reason: When you answer your child's questions, you help keep your child's mind open, says author and parenting expert Michele Borba, EdD. Plus, she adds, "You're modelling what a good question looks and sounds like."

It's important we let kids know their imagination – and desire to know more –is a wonderful thing, and it turns out we can help achieve this not just by answering our kids' many questions, but by making a point to ask them just as many questions in return.

After all, it's proven that kids mimic the words, patterns, routines, and behaviour of their parents.

So move beyond the basic "How was your day?" and consider this list ofques-

tions to help get your kids talking: 1. What do you like daydreaming about?

2. What makes you happy?

3. What have your friends been up to?

4. If you could do anything right now, what would you do?

5. What do you look forward to when you wake up?

6. Do you ever

think about renaming the colours of your crayons?

7. What character makes you laugh the most?

8. If you opened a store, what would you sell?

9. What's your Superhero name and what powers do you have?

10. You're at the beach. What's the first thing you do?

11. If you could grow anything in

the yard, what would it be?

12. What makes you feel brave?

13. What makes you feel loved?

14. How do you show people you care?

15. What does it feel like when I hug you?

16. If your stuffed animals could talk, what would they say?

17. If you could give $100 to a charity, which would you choose?

18. How would you design a treehouse?

19. What do you enjoy giving people?

20. Did you smile or laugh extra today?

21. If you wrote a book, what would it be about?

22. If you drew everything that came to your head, what would you be drawing right now?

23. If you designed clothes, what would they look like?

24. How do you best like helping others?

25. Pretend you're a chef, and tell me about your restaurant.

What foods do you serve?

26. What do you think you're going to dream about tonight?

27. Where would you like to travel?

How would you get there?

28. What sounds do you like?

29. If you could ask a wild animal any question, what would you ask?

30. You're outside for a whole day: what would you do? (Excerpt from parenting.com)

By Ellen Sturm Niz

W

hile teaching children to swim can save lives – and is the number way to reduce the risk, as parents, we have our own preferences and beliefs about at what age a child should learn and what techniques should be used. No matter your choice, Sue Mackie, executive director of the USSSA, suggests following these guidelines so you're not putting your kids at increased risk while they're learning to swim:

Don't be nonchalant about entering the water

Create a process the child must go through before entering a pool or any body of water, such as putting on a swim diaper, changing into a swimsuit, and applying sunscreen. "Having a pool routine will teach your child that the pool cannot simply be jumped into at any time, and it can help reduce the chances that your child might be tempted to try to go swimming without you being aware," Mackie says.

Don't allow your child to be the one to decide when to enter the water

"Create a verbal cue for your child that must be given by you before he or she can enter the pool," Mackie says. "This creates an additional barrier of entry for your child if used consistently. He or she will learn that jumping into the pool requires permission first."

Never use flotation devices or water wings

While life jackets are designed to save a child from drowning and should always be worn near open bodies of water like lakes or the ocean, flotation devices and wings can slip out of a child's grasp or fall off.

"This can create a false sense of security around water," Mackie says. "Instead, teach children how to locate, swim to, and then climb hand-over-hand along the pool wall to a step or ladder where a safe exit can be made from the pool."

Don't always use goggles

"Teach them to open their eyes under the water so if they fall in they can open their eyes and find the side or a step and leave the pool safely," Mackie says.

Don't let your fears hold them back from learning to swim

Do not panic if your child's face dips below the surface of the pool or transfer feelings of fear to your child if that happens. "For very young children, practice having them put their entire face under water in the bathtub and blow bubbles to build their comfort with water," Mackie says.

Of course, always keep children under constant supervision around water, install fences and barriers around pools, and know CPR. And enrol your kids in swim lessons when they – and you! – are ready to take the plunge. (Excerpt from parenting.com)

news

7

tuesDAY, August 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

2020 elections

Jagdeo confident about PPP win

By Samuel Sukhnandan

W

ith more than three years left before the next General Election in Guyana, the Opposition has made known its intention to get the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government out of office when Guyanese head to the polls in 2020.

While making several points about the perceived weaknesses of the current Administration, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo argued that Guyanese from all walks of life were not pleased with the performance of the Government, and these people were not just supporters of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Jagdeo claimed that many people who voted for the new Government were now regretting their decision and have openly expressed how they feel about its performance in several areas. He said the “good life” which was promised was nowhere close to being realised and Guyanese were cognisant of that fact.

The former Head of State, who is also General Secretary of the PPP, made these remarks on Sunday while addressing a massive

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the public meeting at Leonora, West Coast Demerara on Sunday

crowd of supporters at a public meeting at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

He said while the PPP recognised that its support base was mainly people of Indo-Guyanese origin, there was also much support from the first peoples of Guyana – the Amerindians.

However, Jagdeo observed that the Party has had trouble in attracting a large support base in AfroGuyanese communities because it has been often peddled by its opponents that the Party was racial.

But the Opposition Leader claimed that that was far from the truth because the PPP was a

multi-cultural party, whose members come from all races in Guyana, including Afro-Guyanese.

While claiming that the 2015 election was not fair, Jagdeo said the PPP was defeated only by 4500 votes. “We are going to take this country back. One year later, at Local Government Elections, we swept the polls with 28,000 votes.

But they didn’t say anything about that. If we go to the polls now, there would be 50,000 difference (more votes),” Jagdeo confidently boasted during the public meeting.

He said Government officials were claiming that the Americans were on their side and have guaranteed them 10 years in office, but he knew that was “not true because I have spoken to the people.”

Further, the former President claimed that the Government’s plan for sugar could be an attempt to get people to migrate, but promised supporters that the PPP would get the APNU/AFC coalition out of office.

Jagdeo was critical of the Government removing the $1.67 billion grant for schoolchildren, stating that the tax write-off given to companies could have been used to keep that subsidy

instead.

He also referenced the removal of subsidies for electricity and water from 44,000 pensioners, claiming that the Government was not spending money where it was needed.

The APNU/AFC narrowly won the 2015 General Election, securing 206,817

votes while the PPP/Civic accumulated 201,457 votes, a difference of 5360 votes.

The coalition’s gain created a devastating loss for the PPP/C, which held political power for over 23 years.

The PPP/C’s grip on political power was strong until the 2011 General and

Regional Elections when it lost parliamentary control.

As a result, a few years before the 2015 election, then President Donald Ramotar ruled Guyana in a minority government. The APNU/ AFC secured 33 seats in the 11th Parliament of Guyana, while the PPP/C received 32 seats.

8 news

tuesDAY, august 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

“Choka Dhall” remanded for “Chiney Man” murder

S

hariff Bacchus, the prime suspect in the Meadow Bank wharf murder of Chan Wen Wong, was on Monday morning hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and arraigned with the capital offence of murder.

The 42-year-old fisherman of Albouystown, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which was read

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, detailing that on July 20, 2017, he unlawfully murdered Wong.

Bacchus, popularly known as “Choka Dhall”, was a composed figure in the prisoners’ dock and was

Shariff Bacchus, called “Choka Dhall’ being led to the lockups

ordered to return to court on August 14, for report and

fixture.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Arvin Moore told the court that the post-mortem results were outstanding.

This publication previously reported that the parties were engaged in a heated argument, which quickly escalated into an altercation. Fishermen in the area reportedly separated the combatants, but as Wong departed, his adversary rushed behind the now deceased man with a sharp object and dealt him a blow to his chest before escaping.

The injured Wong was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

When Guyana Times visited the Lot 14 Seaforth Street, Campbellville home of the deceased, other tenants related that he had worked at the Mei Tung Restaurant as a cook for quite some time, before later branching out into the fishing business. He and several other Chinese nationals had rented the house, but none was at home at the time. The Chinese national had reportedly arrived in Guyana as a child, leaving his parents back in China and was known as “Chiney Man” at the Meadow Bank wharf.

Wong was described as a peaceful and helpful individual.

Pastor jailed for dangerous driving D

onald Downer, a pastor, who was accused of causing life-altering injuries to two pedestrians at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara in 2016, was found guilty of dangerous driving at the Wales Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

He was sentenced to oneyear imprisonment.

Wazir Ali of Industry, East Coast Demerara and Goed Fortuin resident Shemar Henry, who was just about to turn 13, were both standing on the Goed

Fortuin Public Road on May 29, 2016 when Downer’s speeding motor car struck them both.

Henry suffered a fractured skull and internal injuries while one of Ali’s legs was amputated.

Based on Police evidence, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Campbell had contended that the defendant was speeding and urged the court to find the defendant guilty as charged. After assessing the case, Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse ruled that a prima facie case was made out

against the defendant, but Downer had denied that he was guilty.

The court’s sentence was intended as a signal to other drivers to use more caution when traversing the nation’s roads.

Shortly after midday, Downer was escorted to a holding area at the Wales Police Station, where he was processed to be transported to serve his one-year prison sentence. Earlier, during the trial, it was revealed that Downer had driven his motor car dangerously,

failing to use consideration when he operated the vehicle. Prosecutor Campbell had stressed that the accident resulted in Henry and Ali being permanently injured.

According to reports, Downer had claimed that he lost control of the car and slammed into the duo.

Accident victim Ali had told Guyana Times in June 2016 that on the day of the dreadful accident, he was visiting his two children at Goed Fortuin.

Berbice murder

"Teen was suicidal so I allowed relationship" – mother

T

he mother of the Berbice teenager who was brutally murdered a few days ago has claimed that she had allowed her then 15-year-old daughter to live with her boyfriend because she had been fearful that the girl would take her own life.

Indrawattie Narine told this publication that the dead teen’s father had been a victim of suicide, and moments before he had taken his life, he had attempted to kill two of his children, including Parbattie Lakhpaul, also called ‘Rosanna’, whose lifeless body was discovered in a pool of blood on Saturday afternoon.

The girl’s aunt has also been a victim of suicide, it was explained.

Lakhpaul and the now fugitive murder suspect Ryan Singh had been in a relationship for close to two years, and Narine admitted to knowing of this relationship in its initial stages.

However, she said she was unaware that Lakhpaul had been secretly planning to drop out of school and settle down with Ryan Singh.

According to Narine, she was attending a religious function when her only daughter disappeared from the home. She explained that her daughter subsequently called her via tele-

Dead: Parbattie Lakhpaul

phone to say that she was ‘okay’ and that she was living with the now murder suspect at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

Narine told the Guyana Times that she had gone to the police, but later allowed the relationship, although she did not approve of it.

“He kept taking her to different places; he wasn’t settling with her. When she fell sick, I got scared. Then she was in Eccles with him. I was just praying to God that one day she will come home,” the grieving mother lamented. According to Narine, a few days later, she received a text message from her daughter, informing that she wanted to return home.

However, she was requesting that the lower flat of the two-storey building be given

to her to live with her boyfriend.

“I told her that it will be okay, and that I was so happy to hear that. So she came back home, and was here for just over two months. But my neighbours keep telling me that he (boyfriend) would beat her up, but I would be at work,” Narine disclosed.

The woman said she contacted her daughter about the alleged abuse, but the teen said it was not true.

According to the grieving mother, she treated the now murder suspect with great respect, and had a soft spot for him, treating him like her own son, since he did not have a mother.

The woman said she supported the couple because the young man was not working, and she had mostly done her best in the hope that her daughter’s decision would not come back to haunt the family later.

However, she soon realised that the allegations of physical abuse were indeed true, and she asked her would-be son-in-law to leave.

That was on Thursday; three days before the horrific incident. The young man had returned to the home when Narine was at work, and after a fight with Lakhpaul, he allegedly committed the act.

An autopsy performed on Lakhpaul’s body gave the

Grieving mother: Indrawattie Narine

cause of her death as shock and haemorrhage resulting from a stab wound to the neck.

“If he had slashed her throat before, the blood would have pitched everywhere; but it was just running out,” the mother of three explained.

However, the mother feels that the girl was strangled to death before the suspect slashed her throat.

Since allegedly committing the act, the suspect has gone into hiding.

The late Parbattie Lakhpaul, who would have attained the age of 17 years in December, leaves to mourn her mother, two siblings, other relatives, and friends.

Signifying…

H

…freedom ow does your Eyewitness deal with Emancipation Day, when the nation is still grappling with two prison breakouts – not to mention one from the youth facility at Onderneeming – in which the escapees are obviously seeking to become “free”. Now, you Dear Reader, may say that the two types of “freedom” are not in any way related.

But, aren’t they?

The question, of course, is why is it that the descendants of slaves, who were emancipated in 1834, are such an overwhelming majority of our prison population? In fact, every one of the 17 escapees from Camp St and Lusignan were from this demographic.

Now a basic rule of sociology is that if members of any one particular group in a society are overrepresented in a particular behavioural pattern – the reason is not to be sought only at the individual level – but also at the societal level.

In fact, the field of sociology was founded when one fella discovered that Catholics in Germany committed suicide at a much lesser rate than their Protestant fellow citizens. While one can argue about the connection between the individual conditions and the macro ones – one cannot escape in these times, the need to look at the broader societal structures if one wants to deal with the societal problems holistically.

Take, for instance, being jailed for “substance abuse”. In Guyana, alcohol abuse is more prevalent among the Indian Guyanese populace than African Guyanese. Ganja or marijuana is the latter’s “abusive” substance of choice – especially among Rastas.

However, no one is jailed for possession of alcohol – but just a couple ounces of ganja will earn you jail time in a cell at Lusignan (until Camp St is rebuilt?).

There is, of course, the irony that in the beginning, it was the Indians who brought ganja (a Hindi word) to the Caribbean and introduced it to Jamaica.

Decriminalising ganja or criminalising alcohol will give a whole new complexion to our prison population!

But there’s an even deeper historical linkage.

At Emancipation, the planters ensured the village movement remained at a subsistence level through any number of stratagems. What they wanted – and achieved – was a strata of lumpen elements in the towns – especially in Georgetown – who’d be available for the occasional temporary jobs in such locales. Like porters and stevedores, etc. By the time Critchlow organised some of them, the invidious structural patterns of the “marginal” life were already inculcated.

The point, Dear Readers, is there will always be bad guys in any human collectivity. But if all things are equal, they should be evenly distributed.

Emancipation is empty, if “all things aren’t equal”! …Constitutional change The Carter Center just emphasised they have no axes to grind in promoting constitutional reform here, just because they’re an American organisation.

Your Eyewitness wouldn’t break a lance over that…

But, their grant from the US Embassy for the EITI initiative does suggest a nexus with oil interests that would be furthered if there is less political tension in our dear, old mudland, wouldn’t it?. Your Eyewitness must admit the Carter Centre’ve moved away from their 1990s’ stance that ethnic identity wasn’t such a big deal and that the standard toolkit for “conflict resolution” would suffice. Dialogue and suchlike. So they shouldn’t be so bashful about what it was that made them change their tune. Our politicians here seem to want to hang on to the older shibboleths and maybe their confession might provide them with the much-needed epiphany! But why not go the whole hog and suggest what might be the constitutional arrangement that would solve our problems.

Consociationalism, anyone? …identity?

Our younger generation’s picked up the tattoo craze from the US. There, research suggests tattoos don’t just express identity. They help define it for a generation that’s been totally alienated by their consumer society.So, our youths are ALREADY willing to commodify their bodies: And oil hasn’t even started flowing?

News

9

tuesDAY, august 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Media owners, operators concerned over Broadcast Amendment Bill ...say no consultation by Govt

A

number of media proprietors and operators met on Monday to discuss the potential ramifications of the Broadcast (Amendment) Bill 2017, recently tabled in the National Assembly by Prime Minister & First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo.

In a statement issued late Monday evening, operators said their primary concerns were the negative impact the Bill could have on sustainability of operations with regard to the licensing fee structure, the imposition on property, and the infringement on freedom to determine broadcast content.

To this end, the group is in the process of writing the Prime Minister, seeking an audience so their related concerns can be made known. Having been made aware that the Bill could be passed before the end of the week, the group is urging that its passage be deferred until meaningful consultations can be held.

According to the group, having not been consulted to date or during the preparation of the Bill, they are

hoping that the authorities would afford them opportunity for consultation now, before this important piece of legislation is passed.

Group members believe that this bill’s impact on freedom, livelihood and jobs compels the decency of having consultations with the allowance for inputs.

According to the operators, having examined the proposed bill, they have concerns in regard to its constitutionality, and they accordingly seek clarification for their concerns. The group is of the firm belief that the meeting requested, and calls for a deferral of the passage of this bill, would provide opportunities for their concerns to be addressed.

They are hoping, their release has stated, that in the “interest of democracy and freedom of expression, the authorities would understand the magnitude of the impact the Bill in its current form could have on the future of television and radio broadcasting in Guyana”.

As such, their desire is for “a Bill that can be reached through consensus.”

The Broadcast

(Amendment) Bill 2017 was laid in the National Assembly on Thursday, but concerns have been raised about its far-reaching powers ever since it was revealed to contain provisions that compel private media to air Government broadcasts.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, during a press conference on Friday last, zeroed in on the bill -which he referred to as an “expropriation of property and time” – adamantly contending that even when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was in office, it would not have dared make such a bill law, even though TV stations had refused to air programmes the then Government was willing to pay for.

Touching on the 24-hour timeframe that a broadcasting entity has to register with the Guyana Broadcasting Authority (GBA) its objection to carrying a particular broadcast, Jagdeo noted that a “win-win” situation has been created for the Government because, even if the GBA rules that the broadcast is not a public service announcement, the only

outcome would be that the Government has to pay for its airing.

Jagdeo urged broadcasters not to sit idly by and allow the Government, through its one-seat majority, to get its way with the passage of the bill; but broadcasters should seek recourse through the courts.

Reapply

Revoking the 2014 broadcasting regulations, the Act also puts those broadcasters

who are already licensed at the mercy of the authority.

It mandates that any licensed entity carrying out broadcast services immediately before the act went into effect would have no choice but to reapply within thirty days for a licence, in accordance with the amended law.

“Where a person fails to make an application for a licence within the time specified, or where an application for a licence is not grant-

ed by (GNBA), he shall immediately cease to carry on the broadcasting service,” Section Nine, subsection three of the bill states.

Failing to cease operations if they are not granted a new licence by the GNBA would cause to be imposed on that broadcaster, on summary conviction, a fine of $1M and imprisonment for one year. In addition, all machinery and equipment used for broadcasting by the entity can be seized.

Farmer remanded on narcotics trafficking charge

F

orty-year-old Grove, East Bank Demerara resident Jamal Bacchus, who works as a cash crop farmer at Sharima, Linden, was remanded to prison for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Bacchus appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Wales

Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Police said that on Friday last at Rockstone, Linden, the defendant was found with 77.8 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. The father of one denied the charge, but was refused bail on the grounds that he listed two different addresses after being

detained. As he was being taken into Police custody, he expressed worry for his pumpkin and calloo crops, which he indicated were ready to be reaped. The matter was transferred to the Linden Magistrate’s Court, where Bacchus will next appear on August 24.

10 news

tuesdAY, august 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Linden Hospital plagued by drug Agricola teen slapped with several armed shortage, lack of ECG machine

T

he Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) continues to be plagued by drug shortages, officials at the institution have confirmed.

Following numerous complaints by residents, Guyana Times was told by hospital officials that the situation continues even months after a visit by the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee.

A senior official at the hospital told this publication that the hospital -which also supplies other sister hospitals, including Kwakwani and the Upper Demerara Hospital -- is presently experiencing the same fate. The official noted that the institutions would request drugs on a monthly basis, but as of early July, about 40 per cent of drugs have been unavailable at the hospital, as the situation continues to worsen.

Another senior official noted that the medical institution is doing everything in

its power in order to secure the necessary drugs, but when requests are made to the Materials Management Unit (MMU), drugs are ei-

only get four or three (prescribed drugs). The problem lies with the Materials Management Unit. So, presently there is still a drug is-

E G A T R SHO ther not available, or are coming up short.

“It’s coming back either nil or short. Sometimes we don’t get it back, and all sorts of things. That is the problem. Sometimes we send down for 200 medications and we only get like 100. We’re getting like half the amount. At first, we used to get about 15 percent. If people come here (to get) medications, they might

sue,” the official said.

Officials added that persons have been placing the blame for the drug situation on the medical institution, but the problem lies with the Public Health Ministry. Nevertheless, the official explained that all efforts are being made by the hospital’s administration to provide the necessary drugs.

Need for an ECG machine

The official further stated that the institution is presently in need of an ECG machine, and pointed to the fact that this issue is a countrywide one. The official explained that, as a result, surgeries are cancelled and patients in need of the services provided by the machine are forced to spend large sums to access the services elsewhere.

“The ECG machine…the hospital don’t have. Right now, for the past 2 months, we have been writing to the Ministry over and over again, and we have been telling them, and we still can’t get one. So it’s not the hospital or the management’s fault”, the official stated.

According to the official, Public Health Ministry officials were contacted to secure the machine, but all efforts have so far proven futile.

“Our hands are tied, and we depend on the Ministry for these things,” the official explained.

robbery charges

– found hiding in barrel

By Paula Gomes

E

ighteen-year-old Melvor Jeffery, the mason who was found hiding from Police in a barrel at a house in Agricola, East Bank Demerara (EBD) following his escape from lawful custody at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) last month, was on Monday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and Georgetown Magistrate Sunil Scarce on a string of charges.

Before the Chief Magistrate in Court One, Jeffery pleaded not guilty to two armed robbery charges sworn by Constable Greene during the morning session. It is alleged that at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo on January 3, 2017, while in the company of others and armed with a dangerous weapon (gun), Jeffery robbed Latchmini Kumar of one laptop and $340,000 cash, among other valuables to a total value of $521,000.

It is also alleged that, at Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast on November 9, 2016, while in the company of others and armed with a gun, Jerrery relieved Rafeek Ali of $40,000 cash.

Jeffery was denied bail and the matter was transferred before the Leonora Magistrate.

Subsequently arraigned before Magistrate Sunil Scare, Jeffery pleaded not guilty to five other charges.

The first of the string of allegations read that, on May 24, 2017 at Peter’s Hall Housing Scheme, EBD, Jeffery robbed Alexis Pollard of a quantity of gold jewellery and two cell phones, to the total value of $245,000.

He was also alleged to have robbed Akash Seepersaud of a gold ring valued $140,000, and Hansranie Seepersaud of several pieces of jewelry and cash totalling $210,000, while toting a gun.

Jeffery is also alleged to have fired a loaded firearm on July 5, 2017 at Grove EBD with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or cause Alex Sinclair grievous bodily harm.

And on May 24, 2017 at Peter's Hall Housing Scheme EBD, he is alleged to have discharged a firearm at Desmond Phillips with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or cause him grievous bodily harm.

Magistrate Scarce refused this defendant bail after he heard that the accused has matters ongoing before the Leonora Magistrate, whom he has been evading. The magistrate declared that, in light of the above circumstances, the court has every reason to believe that Jeffery

Melvor Jeffery

would not attend trial if he were to be released on bail.

Accordingly, he remanded Jeffery to prison until August 16, 2017, when the matters are expected to proceed to trial.

Jeffery was, in mid-July, 2017, apprehended by police allegedly for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition, and to answer two counts of discharging a loaded firearm.

In the police’s efforts to arrest Jeffery, the teenager had reportedly opened fire on the law-enforcement officials; and during the exchange of gunfire, the teen had sustained to his back a gunshot injury that required his hospitalization.

He was hospitalised under police guard at the GPHC, but according to reports, the teenager was, reportedly for some time, planning his escape from lawful custody, since pieces of female clothing and a wig were found in the vicinity of his hospital bed.

After Jeffery had been recaptured hiding in a barrel in the dwelling house, four other persons, two of whom are females, were taken into police custody.

Three persons (one man and two women) accused of harbouring the escapee were brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to the charges last week.

Seventeen-year-old Shayan Freeman; Charlotte Geer, a 24-year-old mother of three; and 18-year old Esaun Gibson, all of whom reside in the Agricola Community, made their appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, jointly charged with knowingly harbouring Jeffrey, whose name and photo had been published in connection with a crime, between July 19 and 23, 2017 at Lot 80 Brutus Street, Agricola, EBD. While Freeman and Geer denied the charge, Gibson admitted to his involvement in the crime.

The women were remanded to prison and are expected to make their next Court appearance on August 19, 2017. Gibson, meanwhile, was jailed for three years and ordered to pay a fine of $80,000.

11

tuesDAY, august 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

12 news

tuesDAY, august 1, 2017 | guya

Emancipation Day an auspicious event in Guyana …as PPP urges Guyanese to build a united, democratic nation

G

uyana marks another Emancipation Day celebration, and President David Granger has said that, because of its rich cultural history, this is an important calendar event for the country.

The President said Emancipation Day should be observed by all, as it marks the end of more than 200 years of enslavement in the colonies of Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice.

“This day marked, also, the start of Guyanese nationhood,” the President added, while extend-

ing best wishes to all Afro-Guyanese and those observing this important holiday in Guyana.

Reflecting on the Africans who had been enslaved on the plantations, the Head of State said this group and the other races make up the population of the free nation of Guyana today.

Granger pointed to the great ‘Village Movement’, which was started in 1839 and eventually led to the ‘political movement’ for civil rights and constitutional change, and to the ‘labour movement’ for the improvement of condi-

tions of work in urban and rural areas.

He said, “Emancipation Day, therefore, is a most auspicious event of Guyana’s history, which should be observed by all. It was, indeed, the start of the process by which the plantations became the foundation of one nation, and through which the various peoples began to live and work together in pursuit of a common destiny.”

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) also extended Emancipation greetings to every Guyanese, especially Afro-Guyanese brothers and sisters.

In its Emancipation Day message, the PPP said slavery remains the cruellest and most inhumane system of subjugation and discrimination known to human history, and stressed that the celebration of its abolition is the right and duty of every single human being.

“Under the most intolerable and horrendous conditions, the slaves were able to mobilize and struggle relentlessly for their freedom.

When freedom finally came,

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

the freed slaves and their descendants, though uneducated, demonstrated an exceptional degree of industry, thrift and financial acumen, and hence were able to acquire large portions of land, which today remains the foundation of our Village Movement and subsistence cash crop industry,” the PPP said.

According to the party, the contributions of slaves and their descendants to every facet of

life i be im just “A natio only the para men ratio to b from whic achie T on th Qua lized the d tory “F man warr hund resto pend said.

T ema olitio

news

st 1, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

yana’s history – President

ts, though tional del acumen, portions of tion of our sh crop in-

butions of ry facet of

life in Guyana are immeasurable, and it would be impossible to accurately capture all of this in just a few words.

“As we celebrate this important historic and national occasion, we urge every Guyanese not only to reflect upon the Herculean sacrifices of the slaves and their descendants, their incomparable struggles and their remarkable achievements; but also to use them as a source of inspiration and guide as we continue to work together to build a united and democratic nation, free from poverty and discrimination, and one in which every Guyanese believes that he/she can achieve his/her true potential,” it added.

The coalition Government’s message focused on the struggles of local freedom fighters Cuffy, Quamina and Damon, who organized and mobilized to effect redress to what they described as the darkest and most heinous act in human history – the enslavement of Africans.

“Following centuries of despicable and inhumane enslavement, these indomitable African warriors demanded and fought for an end to hundreds of years of abhorrence. Freedom was restored, and this represents the original independence in our nation’s history,” the statement said.

The coalition Government reminded that emancipation of African slaves predated the abolition of indentureship, the struggle for univer-

President David Granger

sal adult suffrage and labour rights, independence from colonial rule, and the attainment of Republican status.

“In a democratic nation, where freedoms have been restored and are zealously guarded, we thrive and look toward the future with great hope and expectation. Long may this continue, as we build Guyana towards a glorious future of the good life in a green economy,” it stated.

13

14 news

tuesDAY, august 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Escapee manhunt

Ramjattan admits a lot more needs to be done ‌says taking nothing for granted

Still on the run Uree Varswyck, Mark Royden Durant, Cobena Stevens

J

Still on the run: Paul Goriah

oint Services ranks were able to recapture 13 of the 17 escapees from the Lusignan and Camp Street Prisons, but Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has said a lot more work has still to be done. The recapture of escapee Shawn Harris at Mocha, East Bank Demerara on Monday morning has taken the number of prisoners so far recaptured to 13, with four still on the run.

On Monday, as he updated the media on the developments over the weekend, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said the situation has not yet stabilised. To this end, he has pleaded with members of the public -- particularly family members of the fugitives -- to be vigilant and assist law enforcement authorities in restoring the country’s security.

TURN TO PAGE 17

15

tuesDAY, august 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

16 NEWS

tuesDAY, august 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Pensioner killed in Craig hit-and-run accident

P

ensioner Francis Persaud, a 61-yearold cook of Craig Village, EBD, was on Sunday evening killed in an apparent hit-and-run accident on the East Bank Demerara public road.

According to reports reaching the Guyana

Times, Persaud was making his way across the public road at Craig, East Bank Demerara when a motorcyclist struck him down.

Picked up in an unconscious condition, he was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body of the late Francis Persaud is presently at the Lyken Funeral Home, awaiting a post mortem as police continue their investigations.

The 26-year-old motorcyclist who allegedly had struck Persaud down fled the scene after the accident,

but was later arrested after he turned up at a medical facility to receive treatment for injuries consistent with that of a vehicular accident.

He remains hospitalised.

The helmet belonging to the motorcyclist was found in close proximity to the accident scene. A breathalyzer test was administered on the motorcyclist and he was found to be slightly below the legal limit of alcohol consumption.

Dead: Francis Persaud

tuesDAY, August 1, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

News

16-year-old girl shot Guyana gets non-resident Nigerian High Commissioner by gun-toting man

B

A

16-year-old girl of Lot 3188 Recht Door Zee, Canal Number One Polder, is now nursing a gunshot injury to her upper right shoulder after she was shot by a man during an incident at Westminster Access Road, West Bank Demerara on Sunday evening.

The teenager was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital where her condition was listed as stable.

Reports are the teenager, along with her parents and a 17-year-old female friend, was returning home from church when they were confronted by two males, one of whom was armed with a handgun.

The 17-year-old friend

was held at gunpoint by the man, who instructed the others not to move. Although that order was passed, the 16-year-old victim stood in front of her friend and it was at this time, the gunman discharged a round hitting her in the shoulder.

The gunman and his accomplice immediately fled the scene in a heavily tinted Carina 212 motor car that

had been parked some distance away.

The injured teen was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where she was treated, but was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she remains a patient. The shooting incident was reported to the Police, but no arrests were made.

ilateral relations between Guyana and Nigeria will be further strengthened with the recent Cabinet approval of a non-resident High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Alhaji Hassan Jika Ardo, who recently served as Interim Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) of Nigeria, will now serve as the non-resident High Commissioner of Nigeria to Guyana. Prior to joining active politics in Nigeria, High Commissioner-designate Ardo worked as an accountant and later as the Assistant Director of the Office of the Accountant General before retiring in 2013. Since the discovery of oil here, Government has been looking to Nigeria to

176 years after Emancipation

African Guyanese still have a long way to go – Hinds A

lmost 18 decades after Emancipation, the general condition of African Guyanese is not as encouraging as one would want it to be.

And with the economic and social evolution happening globally, Guyanese of African descent are a far way off.

Cultural and African rights activist, Dr David Hinds weighing in on the issue on Monday said there has been a significant decline in the general standard of living in the African communities across Guyana, which has led to a general sense of alienation and frustration.

According to him, a lot of the problems in these communities have to do with the challenges that the African-Guyanese economy has had to face historically.

“We must start with the challenges within the context of the colonial economy, which saw the African village economy as a direct affront to the interests of colonialism.

Second, we must look at it within the context of the ethnic competition — from decolonisation to the present– whereby the ethnic demarcation of the Guyanese economy, itself a legacy of colonialism, has made economic progress in the separate ethnic communities a victim of the larger ethnic politics,” he told Guyana Times.

Hinds said although the decline in AfricanGuyanese communities was not just economic, their economic condition has a lot to do with it. Zooming in on

Dr David Hinds

the last set of data published some two decades ago revealed that 43 per cent of African Guyanese were living below the poverty line, while their unemployment rate stood at 13.6 per cent – two per cent above the national rate of 11.7 per cent.

“There is every reason to believe that those numbers have not changed – in fact, things are more likely to have become worse,” the African rights activist said.

Another area of concern, he said, is the fact that African Guyanese are not well represented in the business sector. He explained that most African Guyanese are employed in the Public Sector, which has seen the highest reduction of jobs over the last two decades and which because of structural adjustment pays less than other sectors, both public and private.

“More than any other group, African Guyanese work for others. The

African Guyanese community has one of the highest rates of functional illiteracy and homelessness.

They own less transported land than other races and live in the most rundown houses in both the urban and rural areas,” he remarked.

Hinds said it was the combination of all these things that was at the heart of the “crisis” in the African-Guyanese community. In addition, he posited the evolution of a culture of accommodation where “political bribery” has led to a weakening of group solidarity, pride, and dignity.

Finally, he said heavy migration has had a negative effect on the community.

One of the devastating consequences, he said, has been the loss of role models who live day to day in the communities. He said one could not discount the impact of some negative group habits, but these should be seen within the larger dynamics of post-plantation evolution among the formerly enslaved.

“It is clear to me then that the emancipation of African-Guyanese has become a very urgent necessity for that group and for Guyana at large. There is definitely need for some form of Affirmative Action to correct the structural changes facing AfricanGuyanese, particularly in the business sector. Unless African-Guyanese can compete again in the business sector, that community would remain dependent and empowerment would be an elusive dream,” Hinds said.

He added the Government must muster the courage to implement policies and create institutions that cater to this particular problem, noting that in the country’s fragile ethnic environment, such a course of action was fraught with political risks, including charges of “favouritism” being laid by the political Opposition and the ethnic commentators.

However, he said he saw no other way out.

Hinds said if AfricanGuyanese were to return to agriculture, then the infrastructure in the villages must be repaired or put in place where it did not exist.

Another area in which investment should be made, he said, is the creation or improvement of small businesses. “There is urgent need for a banking institution that provides low-interest loans. The situation with the vendors should be solved, so that their location offers them commercial benefits. They must be able to sell in areas where buyers traverse; confining them to a yard, which is away from the path of buyers is counter-productive,” he stated. Hinds said African people must understand that Governments were important and the larger institutions of society were important.

However, it is only through their collective effort, they can draw attention to their situation and thereby can begin to do something to repair it. Once you begin to do something to repair it, then you begin to put pressure on those who are in authority, he said.

Nigeria’s non-resident High Commissioner to Guyana, Alhaji Hassan Jika Ardo

assist in developing its petroleum industry and is also looking to improve trade relations with the African

country.

While attending the 71st United Nations General Assembly in September 2016, President David Granger met with his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, and discussed possible cooperation in the area of petroleum industry management, given Nigeria’s extensive experience in that sector.

The two Heads of State had agreed that there were also potential areas of collaboration in several other important areas such as education, culture, security, and trade. Since establishing formal diplomatic relations on August 2, 1976, Guyana and Nigeria have engaged in bilateral cooperation, including in the political sphere.

Ramjattan admits...

FROM PAGE 14

“Certainly we are not out of the woods; we have lots of work to do to catch the four.

But in addition to that, (we have to work) to maintain order in the institutions that we have -- Camp Street and Lusignan, the tarmacked area primarily,” he told journalists at his Brickdam office.

Ramjattan said nothing is being taken for granted. He noted that security has been beefed up to provide for heightened security, and said the New Amsterdam and Mazaruni Prisons are at this time saturated with inmates.

He reiterated that every effort is being made to intensify security.

Director of Prisons, Mr Gladwin Samuels, uttered similar sentiments. Updating the media on the shooting incident on Saturday at the Lusignan Prison, he reported that one prisoner is currently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital. That prisoner is said to have a pellet lodged under his eye.

He said the medical team continues to monitor the condition of the other inmates at the Lusignan facility. He, too, called for vigilance from the public.

Samuels informed that he recently visited the injured officers, some of whom are yet to give statements to the police for the July 9 fire and shootings. Some have already provided information to

the police. Samuels said the police will be acting on that information. Some are scheduled to give statements today at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

“We are in a better position, where persons who were not being pressed for information because of their medical state, because of the significant advancement of their health condition, have been able to provide statements to the Police,” he declared.

Of the 17 prisoners who escaped from the Camp Street and Lusignan Prisons over the past three weeks, four remain on the run, following the capture of Shawn Harris on Monday morning. Over the last 24 hours, one escapee was killed during a shootout with police; while another, with the help of his mother, surrendered to the police.

Clive Forde, called ‘El Sinkie’, was involved in an exchange of gunfire with ranks of the Joint Services, during which he was killed. Fellow escapee Kerry Cromwell surrendered to the law enforcement officers at the Brickdam Police Station. On Saturday, Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander, who had escaped from the Camp Street Prison on July 9, was recaptured at Topoo, Albion Corentyne. Still on the run are Uree Varswick, Mark Royden Durant, Cobena Stevens and Paul Goriah.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, august 1, 2017

ARCHIE

Follow through with your ideas. Invest time or money in (March 21- something that will help you April 19) get ahead. Pursuing educational pursuits, honing your skills or networking will lead to greater opportunities.

ARIES

Don’t let stubbornness ruin

TAURUS your day. You may not agree (April 20- with everyone you encounter May 20) today, but withholding your

dilbert

opinion will help you avoid an argument with someone you need to get along with.

You should engage in projGEMINI (May 21- ects and activities that you June 20) find energizing. Be proactive and follow through with the promises you make. Don’t be fooled by someone trying to mislead you.

Creativity will engage your

CANCER mind and promote new oppor(June 21- tunities. Networking functions July 22) will bring you in touch with

Peanuts

someone you find inspirational.

A youngster will offer insightful remarks that make you think.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

WORD GAME

Look for a bargain. Make a point to exercise or get involved in a project that requires physical strength or endurance. Hard work will lead to personal satisfaction.

Attend to your responsiVIRGO (Aug. 23- bilities before someone comSept. 22) plains. If you work alone, it will help you avoid interference and setbacks. Go to the theater or attend a function that interests you.

Get involved in your comLIBRA munity or in family affairs (Sept. 23that can help improve your Oct. 23) life. Don’t get bullied into doing things you don’t want to do.

SUDOKU

If you watch what others SCORPIO do and how they react to chal(Oct. 24lenges, you’ll gain the knowlNov. 22) edge you require to do things right the first time. A unique idea will lead to advancement.

Let your emotions and deSAGITTARIUS sire to bring about positive (Nov. 23- change be your driving force.

Dec. 21) If you can visualize your goal, you can make it happen. Don’t let anyone discourage you.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Avoid emotional spendCAPRICORN ing. If you want to feel better, (Dec. 22- don’t get into predicaments Jan. 19) that allow others to take advantage of you. Your intuition won’t mislead you, but your ego will.

Let your reputation speak AQUARIUS for you. Partnerships can be (Jan. 20- established, but rules should Feb. 19) be set and individual responsibilities clearly outlined.

Equality should be the focus.

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Your trusting nature will PISCES be taken advantage of if you (Feb. 20March 20) aren’t careful. Don’t make promises that you won’t want to keep. Inner growth is the answer to personal happiness.

19

News

tuesday, August 1, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

The Struggle for Liberty – FITUG

T

he Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) joins easily with all Guyanese in the observance and, indeed, celebration of Emancipation 2017.

We are well aware of our colonial history which this occasion reminds us of. We recall that the British colonial plantocracy did everything in its guile and power to keep African slaves in plantation bondage even after the British Parliament passed the Emancipation Act in August of 1833. The enslaved had to wait until August 1834 – one full year later – to enjoy liberty. But with stiff conditions.

They had to register as “apprentices” to work for limited

payment on the same pre-1834 plantations. This apprenticeship was intended to last for four to six years.

FITUG highlights the foregoing to illustrate that freedom was not easily granted.

Hundreds of slaves had died in the 1823 East Coast Uprising – just 11 years before 1834.

Slaves on the Essequibo Coast saw their leader, Damon, executed for thinking that complete emancipation had been granted. To add salt to the wounds of the forced population, the planters were awarded thousands of pounds as “compensation” for the loss of their African labour. The slaves received nothing for their years of slave service.

But the spirit of man –

however severely tested – is resilient and given to liberty. The African forefathers utilised savings from the Apprenticeship service to buy lands and began anew their lives under the new conditions. Since then their descendants have made admirable strides in the various fields of human endeavour. They have become an important part of Guyana’s demography.

However, 179 years after 1838’s “full freedom”, Guyana is still beset by modern-day problems. Today, we see a new struggle being engaged in by Guyanese of various persuasions. The rising cost of living affects FITUG’s working-class members; crime is dramatic, dangerous and there are lit-

erally daily occurrences. The Government itself does not seem inclined to negotiate a living wage for its own employees, even as the Private Sector – whether in commerce, mining, manufacturing or agriculture – lays out the restraints hampering production.

At this time, even as we celebrate our Emancipation Day and the positive strides made, FITUG urges workers to unite in solidarity against any burgeoning repression.

We must take inspiration from the African pioneers of post1838, in the pursuit of economic and social justice for all.

Let not the forefathers’ struggles be in vain. A reflective and happy Emancipation Day 2017 to all Guyanese.

GAWU’s Emancipation Day message – Liberty, Arrival, presence and challenges

T

he final “full freedom” of Emancipation was won after decades of death, suffering, slavery and exploitation from 1763 through 1823 to 1834 and finally 1838.

The spirit of yearning for freedom – that liberty of mind, body and soul from ownership by others never deserted the African slaves and the indentured contracted workers who followed them after full Emancipation in 1838.

Numerous were the uprisings, rebellions, protests, riots and strikes. Emancipation never came willingly or cheaply from the colonialists.

Against those sentiments, GAWU salutes the memory of those who struggled and sacrificed for freedom and the de-

scendants of our African forefathers who today have hopefully inherited their spirit of justice and true freedom from those who dared to stand up against the brutal, enslaving colonial system. It is now popular to repeat that “had there been no Emancipation there would have been no Arrival”. But it is still a valid observation of our shared history. Both slave “apprentices” and indentured labourers were children of the plantation – however illegitimate they were made to be. Sugar is the historical reason for today’s diverse demography we know as Guyanese society.

It is perhaps a curious but understandable fact of Guyana’s socio-economic history that sugar brought us to-

gether, often forged bonds of collective struggle against the plantocracy and for independence.GAWU feels that this Emancipation 2017 period should reinforce in us all the lessons of the post-1838 history. In unity, strength is most sustained. Today, sugar workers are at a low ebb facing the disaster of unemployment as Government flounders to fashion a valid, structured and lasting plan to rescue a historic industry. Closure threatens thousands – both sugar workers and other members of the working class. As with the forced apprentices in 1838, today’s sugar workers face a bleak, hopeless future unless economic sense prevails and the workers’ representatives are listened to with

serious intent. The descendants of Emancipation must all share in equal opportunity as our natural and human resources become available for development for all. No group should be favoured or discriminated against because of political expediency. It is such approaches that will help preserve and give enduring meaning to achievements like Emancipation and Independence. GAWU urges reflection at this time.

Emancipation, Arrival and today’s challenges are issues that hold lessons for us and guide us in our pursuit and future endeavours. Let us heed them on Emancipation Day and onwards. A pleasant Emancipation observance 2017 from GAWU.

Guyanese must guard against disunity – AFC

A

ugust 1 in Guyana marks a day of celebration of the attainment of freedom and the end of slavery. It is also imperative that we spend time reflecting on the life of tribulation and servitude that our foreparents were forced to endure for centuries under brutish colonial rule.

Even as we engage in the festivities of Emancipation Day 2017, the Alliance For Change urges the nation to reflect on the oppression and brutality of slavery and bondage, in all its

forms, including its modern incarnations, and renew our national commitment never to return to the dark days of oppression, servitude and submission when basic individual freedoms were deprived and a ‘Massa’ mentality pervaded.

As we engage in prayer, culinary delicacies, socialising and fraternising, we must never forget the sacrifices of our forefathers who suffered and paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we now enjoy. As the heirs of Emancipation fought

for by Cuffy, Accra, Damon and other heroes, we have a sacred duty to ensure that their struggles and sacrifices are never forgotten or eroded. It is our duty to celebrate their lives and sacrifices and recognise their contribution to the human and social upliftment of our beloved nation.

The beat of the drums in celebration should forever remind us that we are called upon to ensure the protection of those rights and freedoms which were fought for and won

at Emancipation time.

Order and individual freedoms have been restored in Guyana as have been the rights of freedom of speech, expression and association and the access to information, which continues to expand each day. Guyanese must guard against the forces who wish to return our nation to a state in which Guyanese are treated as property for political, economic and other purposes.

This is the solemn duty of every citizen. Happy Emancipation to all Guyanese.

With determination, commitment anything is possible -GTUC

O

n this day 179 years ago, the valiant struggle

by Africans for human dignity and respect was advanced a step further with the Emancipation Proclamation, which ended the most brutish system of man’s injustice towards another. Freedom from chattel slavery not only set in train a series of events proving to the world the indomitable spirit of the newly freed, and the capacity of human fellowship across racial diversity, but that of self-determination in charting a course for further upliftment and development. The nation will recall the dogged pursuit of economic freedom, via the Village Movement, that saw the pur-

chasing of plantations to establish communities and local government, build stability, familial and otherwise, and advance development. This sense of thrift not only proved beyond a shadow of doubt a people’s capability, who – though for hundreds of years toiled and lived under inhumane conditions, whips raining down on their backs, families torn asunder, treated as property not human beings – in the four years of Amelioration (1834-1838) were able to achieve what others thought impossible.

The achievements must not only be testimony of the ability to self-determine, but also determination not to be enslaved or constrained by past unpleas-

antries. Heirs and beneficiaries of these struggles, sacrifices and gains must engage in redoubling of efforts, vigilance and insistency to be allowed to continue the forebears’ work.

Zealously defending, protecting, strengthening and deepening what was bequeathed and leaving a firmer foundation for future generations must become the mantra and solemn pledge. Freedom is not free; it requires eternal vigilance and continuous sacrifices. To the extent where Africans are deprived of equality in the social, cultural, political, civic and economic environment, all-out efforts must be made to secure these. And let it be said, in the pursuit of said determination,

it must matter not the identity or diversity of those who suppress or support the cause. The only thing that must matter is the cause, for it speaks to and solidify the inalienable rights of all humankind. To ignore this would be unlike the ancestors who worked with others in furtherance of their interests and resisted any who participated in their enslavement and deprivations. With determination and commitment, anything is possible, and descendants of the enslaved must continue the unfinished journey to freedom.

Emancipation merely marks an attainment, significant though it is, it is not the final marker/ finishing post for freedom. The struggle must continue!

African Emancipation

F

or over three centuries (16-19th), African-Guyanese lived in a slave society which was socially stratified according to power, prestige, privilege and colour. Each layer of stratification was hierarchically organized along firm boundaries. The structure of slave society looked like a social pyramid. At the top were Whites, comprised of government officials, plantation owners, managers, merchants, clergies, small shop-keepers, craftsmen, and indentured servants. At the second tier were free Blacks and free Coloureds.

The latter group was classified or referred to as Mulatto, Quadroon, and Sambo, and so on. This was really a sandwich group of people that served like a social lubricant between the highest and lowest tiers of Guyana’s slave society. At the lowest level were the enslaved Africans, who were further stratified into field, house, Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine skilled and urban slaves. Taken together, the slaves were the products of the plantation system.

The physical setting of the slave society was also stratified.

The residential area was divided between the slavers and the enslaved. The slavers lived in the Great House, while the enslaved lived in barracks or logies. The factory area comprised various mills, boiling and curing houses, storage and work sheds, and a distillery. It was in the fields and factory areas that the enslaved spent most of their time.

The rhythm of plantation life of the enslaved was an unenviable one. They spent most of their lives working from daybreak to sunset, cultivating sugar cane as well as performing other tasks, like feeding animals and tending their kitchen gardens. As a consequence, the lives of the enslaved were severely restricted and stunted. Poor health, suicide and death were common. The plantation system was simply a killing field for the enslaved. Birth rates were low, while death rates were high. The average lifespan of the enslaved was about forty years, particularly the lifespan of the field slave. There were some obvious co-relations: as agriculture increased, so did the importation of more slaves; as more enslaved died, the importation of more slaves increased.

A plethora of social prohibitions was placed on the enslaved. They were denied an education. They were not allowed to marry, migrate, or engage in their own cultural and economic activities; at least openly, in their own free time. A number of laws and codes were put in place to ensure that the above restrictions were carried out. In spite of this stern and stubborn structure of slave society, not all enslaved Africans bowed to it. Actually, there were enslaved Africans who saw slavery as too powerful to resist; there were enslaved Africans who questioned slavery, but did not act upon it -- at least not openly; and there were enslaved Africans who resisted slavery.

There were actually two broad forms of African resistance to slavery: covert and overt. Covert resistance took the forms of laziness, maiming animals, faking sickness, and maroonage.

Overt resistance took the forms of direct destruction of plantation property, and revolution. Both forms of resistance were intended to slow down production, to reduce profits, and eventually to abolish slavery. Two famous revolts of the enslaved Africans occurred: in Berbice in 1763, and in Demerara in 1823. The former was led by Cuffy, now the national hero of modern Guyana. There were also, in every Caribbean island, major slave revolts that lasted for months; but two revolts were successful in regard to defeating their masters and ex-slaves controlling their own destiny. The first was in Haiti in 1804, and the second was in St. Croix, Danish West Indies, in 1848. What these revolts, and everyday forms of hidden resistance, did was that they challenged and revealed the insecurities of the authoritarian structure of the plantation system. By late eighteenth century, the sins of slavery and African resistance to slavery began to penetrate the consciousness of the imperialists; and by 1808, various laws were implemented against the trading of Africans across the Atlantic Ocean. Slavery was still in place, but there were signs and signals that this vile institution of human bondage would not operate as normal, or according to business as usual. A number of arguments, attacks -- name them as you please -- from the Americas, Europe and Africa, from various movements and from various people, emerged to challenge slavery. Chief among them was African resistance in forms of economic, philosophical, religious and humanism, which, when put together, sounded the death knell of slavery in the Americas in different time periods in the nineteenth century.

Slavery was abolished in the British Caribbean, including in Guyana, in 1834 with the introduction of apprenticeship, and finally in 1838. Slavery was abolished in the Swedish Caribbean in 1847; in the Danish and French Caribbean in 1848; in the Dutch Caribbean in 1863; in Puerto Rico 1873; in Cuba in 1886; in Brazil in 1888; in the United States in 1865.

Happy Emancipation Day everyone! (lomarsh. roopnarine@jsums.edu).

20 Moeen takes historic hat-trick Pacesetters, Kobras, Nets latest as Elgar resistance falls short victors in GABA Basketball League W M GUYANATIMESgy.COM

TUESdAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

oeen Ali became the first bowler to take a hat-trick in a Test at The Oval as England regained the lead in the series with an emphatic win.

Moeen Ali made history by taking a hat-trick to wrap up a crushing 239-run win in style on day five of the third Test at The Oval to give England a 2-1 series lead over South Africa despite a brilliant century from Dean Elgar.

England needed six wickets on the final day to regain the advantage with one match to come at Old Trafford after setting the Proteas a world-record 492 to win the 100th Test at the famous London ground.

Toby Roland-Jones took five wickets in the first innings of his Test debut and struck twice in as many balls on Monday to remove Temba Bavuma (32) and Vernon Philander.

Moeen then came to the fore, becoming the first player to take a Test hat-trick at The Oval and sealing a resounding win early in the afternoon session, finishing with figures of 4-45 as the tourists were dismissed for 252.

The defiant Elgar made Joe Root's side wait, showing great character in his knock of 136 after taking blows to the hand and finger, but England will start the fourth and final match in Manchester on Friday only needing to avoid defeat to win the series.

Elgar was struck on the left hand on day four and

Moeen Ali is hoisted after completing his hat-trick

was clearly still in considerable pain on Monday, but he pulled Ben Stokes for back-to-back boundaries to move into the 80s after the Proteas resumed on 117-4.

The assured Bavuma and Elgar looked untroubled until Roland-Jones (372) struck twice in as many balls just under an hour into the morning session.

Root has not had much joy with the decision review system since taking over as captain, but he got one right when Aleem Dar gave Bavuma not out, only for replays to show the ball hit pad before bat and would have gone onto take middle stump.

After waiting so long to break that 108-run stand, England had a sixth wicket immediately after Vernon Philander inexplicably offered no stroke to a first delivery from the debutant which struck him in front.

Roland-Jones came ag-

onisingly close to a hattrick of his own when Chris Morris edged his first ball just short of third slip and gully before the steely Elgar struck Moeen for a lofted drive over mid-off for a richly deserved eighth Test century.

Morris (24) hung around to offer Elgar some support, but fell from the last ball before lunch after edging Moeen to a diving Stokes at first slip.

Man-of-the-match Stokes also held on early in the afternoon session as Elgar's doughty 228-ball innings was ended four runs short of his Test-best score when the opener tried to play Moeen through the covers and the same pair combined to remove Kasigo Rabada first ball.

Moeen put the icing on the cake, getting Morne Morkel leg before after the Proteas paceman was initially given not out. (SportsMax)

hen play in the Georgetown A m a t e u r Basketball Association/ Rainforest Waters/ Powerade/Malta Supreme Basketball league continued on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the Pacesetters U-23 team, Kobras and Nets 1st division teams were the latest victors.

Play in the first match of the night in the U-23 division was a one- sided affair with the Pacesetters defeating the Guardians 77-66.

In the first quarter the Guardians got the better of the Pacesetters as they led 18-11. However, in the second quarter the Pacesetters turned on the heat and duly outscored their opponents for the remainder of the game. They led by 38-20 at the end of the second quarter, 55-35 in the third and ended the game at 77-66.

In first division action the lop-sided victory trend continued as the Kobras

won 77-55 against the Campbellville based Knights.

At halftime, the Kobras led 32 to the Knights 22 even though both sides were guilty of shabby play.

B y t h e end o f t h e t h i r d quarter the Kobras already had the game in the bag as the score was 55-38 in favour of the latter with the game eventually ending at 7755.

In the third and final game of the night the Nets overcame the University of Guyana Trojans after an intense opening quarter in

which the Nets had a slim lead of 17-15 points.

The Trojans only managed to record 7 points in the second quarter while leaking 22 points to leave the score at 39-22 at halftime.

It was a sorry affair in the third quarter as both teams were poor in finishing and defending to end that period of play at 48-31 with the game eventually ending at 69-51.

The next teams to play in the league will be the Guardians vs the Eagles in U-23 action and Pepsi Sonics vs Kobras in first division on Wednesday (August 2) evening at the Burnham Court.

Game one is at 18:30hrs and game two at 8:30pm.

Renewed scrutiny for Semenya as she chases double gold C aster Semenya is making a bold bid for double gold in the women’s 800m and 1500m but her only guarantee at the World Athletics Championship in London is further scrutiny of the gender controversy that has dogged her career.

The powerful, 26-yearold South African is runaway favorite for the 800m, where she seeks a third world title to add to Olympic gold from Rio de Janeiro last year, and is taking on the 1500m for the first time at a major international meeting.

All of this, though, will come under a cloud of controversy at the Aug. 4-13 championships as many feel high testosterone levels give her an unfair advantage.

Anticipating a storm, Semenya this month granted a rare interview to South Africa’s SuperSport TV channel, expressing her frustration at continually having her gender questioned.

“I don’t understand when you say I have an advantage because I am a woman,” she said. “When I pee, I pee like a woman. I don’t understand when you say I’m a man or I have a deep voice. I know I’m a female so there’s no question for me.

“I have to find a way to deflect (the questioning of her gender), so instead of al-

Caster Semenya of South Africa celebrates after winning the women 800m

lowing it to all be negative, I turn it into a positive. My family’s support system is fantastic.”

After Semenya won the 2009 world title as a 19-year-old, tests reportedly revealed that she was hyperandrogenous, resulting in her body producing an abnormally high amount of testosterone, which makes her more powerful than her rivals.

An International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) rule limiting the amount of naturally occurring functional testosterone for female athletes appeared to have narrowed Semenya's prospects but the IAAF’s Hyperandrogenism Regulations were suspended for two years in 2015 by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, allowing Semenya to make a comeback.

Her time of 1:55.27 in the Diamond League meeting in Monaco this month was the fastest in a women’s 800m for almost a decade and there will be an expectation that she could take down the longest-standing athletics world record set by Czech Jarmila Kratochvilova in 1983.

Semenya has made a late decision to add a tilt at 1500m glory to her London program, setting up an intriguing clash with world-record holder Genzebe Dibaba from Ethiopia.

Semenya has run the distance only once this year, winning the South African student championship in April, but she is the reigning African champion from Durban last year where she set a personal best of 4:01.19. CAPE TOWN (Reuters)

CLASSIFIED ADS tuesday, august 1, 2017 www.guyanatimesgy.com

ACCOMMODATIONS Conferences and retreats – full service: Hotel, Catering & Facilities.

Aracari Resort WBD – 264-2946 Alex Wayne Weddings and anniversaries: Rental or full service: Banquet Hall & Catering. Aracari Resort 264-2946 Alex Wayne Aracari Hotel, WBD (Near Harbour Bridge) – All modern amenities, rates from $25. Phone 264-2946-8

business opportunity Use your spare time filling 100 envelopes for US $500 or more weekly. Send stamped self-addressed envelope for information to; D Monderson 261 Thomas Street, Georgetown.

LAND for sale No. 7 Village, West Coast Berbice.

86’ x 317’ Located on Public Road. $34 M. Neg. 622-6473 Raj, 648-6873 Bernard, 661-4604 Veronica

FOR SALE 1 Furnished liquor restaurant & bar for sale-$20M or rent, location: E.C.D, 1 AT192 Carina- $520.000 for sale- call 600-7228

property for sale One two-flat building painted, equipped with lights, telephone, water, two overhead black tanks, two sheds and one outside bathroom.

Upper flat green heart wood, three bedrooms, veranda, inside and outside step. Bottom flat concrete inside, toilet and bathroom, one room, place to cook and eat with sink. Price $7M. Lot 218 Patenia Housing Scheme, Wales. Tel: 610-8963

SALON / SPA COSMETOLOGY – FULL COURSE $100,000. TECHNICIAN $40,000.

Aracari Salon & Spa, WBD 264-3312, 600-3927

services Attention all Patriotic Guyanese and overseas visitors in Guyana.

Greetings, interested in helping to developed yourself and this country? For a better tomorrow please contact Wesley Browne. Tel: 6963030 or wensey4life@gmail.com

spirituality & ASTROLOGY

sports

2017 Senior GABBFF Championships aiming for wider audience – to be hosted at the Guyana Marriott

By Michelangelo Jacobus

W

ith the seniors’ Body Building Championships slated for Sunday August 6 at the prestigious Marriott Hotel and being the flagship event of the year for the Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF), President of the GABBFF Coel Marks has revealed in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport that the federation is aiming to attract a wider audience this year as they seek to keep developing and advancing not only body building but fitness in Guyana as well. This is the first Senior event since Marks was elected President of the federation and he explained; “we chose the Marriott hotel as our venue this year because we want to appeal to a wider audience; I urge patrons to come out and support our marquee event and relax in a very congenial atmosphere as it will be a very interesting night with nine (9) major categories of competition. This year we are bringing back the masters category for the over40 competitors and will see the likes of Lenny Sharpe and Noel Cummings competing. There is the Bantam weight, light weight, welter weight, middle weight, light heavy weight and heavy weight categories. In addition there are the highly anticipated Ms Bikini Body and Ms Body fitness competitions.”

Over 30 athletes are expected to compete on the night and Marks maintained

that fans can expect a packed night of quality competition as all athletes are in “tip-top” shape; “patrons can expect value for their dollars.”

In addition to the fair amount of cash prizes and trophies that the athletes will be competing for, patrons will have a chance to win prizes as well.

With an eye on the future, the fairly new executive let on that the GABBFF has been in talks with a few owners of

GABBFF President Coel Marks

private resorts as they are looking at a possible partnership for the hosting of a Beach Body competition which could be merged with a fashion show. This is a part of the federation’s plan to promote fitness and further body building development in the country while attracting more audiences.

While corporate sponsorship for sports in Guyana has always been a sore point Marks noted that this has not been the case for the GABBFF as the “usual suspects” have all come on board. “The ever present Jamie McDonald is one of our platinum sponsors while we have people like Atlantic Mining, Chung’s Global, Windjammer and the Ministry of Youth and sport on board this year among others who have provided support in many valuable ways.”

Tickets can be purchased for $2500 at gyms such as Fitness 52, Buddies’, Space Gym and at the door on the night of the event without any additional cost.

Corona, the official beer...

F ROM PAGE 23

Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 651-9663/600-7719.

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

TO LET Furnished 3-bedroom upstairs at 57 Turkeyen, US$700. Peter 2563887/693-1832

VEHICLES FOR SALE Toyota Allion PSS series. 2003 model $1.8M negotiable. Contact 681-3004

NOT RECEIVING YOUR

DAILY & SUNDAY COPIES OF THE

GUYANA TIMES in your area?

Contact our

Circulation Department on

Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 35

Top Brandz Distributors CEO Wayne James and Warriors’ Manager Omar Khan shake hands to signify the continued partnership

On Thursday, 17th August, Warriors clash with Jamaica Tallawahs at 18:00 hrs and two days later they play Trinbago Knight Riders at 12 noon.

Sunday, 20th August, they Barbados Tridents at 18:00 hrs and their final home match will be Tuesday, 22nd August against St Lucia Stars at 18:00 hrs. Patrons can purchase their tickets from 09:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs Monday to Friday and from 9:00 hrs to 13:00 hrs on Saturdays. Corporate

companies/ organizations wishing to purchase tickets can contact the ticketing office for further details on how to do so. The costs per ticket for this year’s CPL games are as follows: RED AND GREEN STANDS, Gy$5,000; ORANGE STAND, Gy$3,000; GRASS MOUND, Gy$2,500. Car passes for inside the stadium are being sold for $1500, while car passes for parking between the stadium and the Ramada Princess Hotel cost $500.

21

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

TUESdAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

Singh to captain Windies U-15 in England T

he lone Guyanese in the West Indies u-15 squad, batsman Sachin Singh, has been appointed captain of the team for their Invitational XI for a tour of England from August 8 to 21.

The team was chosen following performances of players who participated in last year’s Regional Under-15 Tournament.

Two members of the squad – Tariq Mohammed and Rajiv Redhi – are playing in this year’s Regional U 15, currently taking place in Barbados.

Commenting on the squad, Chairman of the Selection Panel, Courtney Browne said: “It has been widely recognised that our talent pool is limited in the Caribbean, so CWI has taken steps to give opportunities to our young players and encourage them to remain in the game.”

“A trip like this is designed to get players ready for what is to come on the international pathway, as they make the steps up through the youth levels and onto the senior stage.

So we are eagerly looking forward to seeing how much they have progressed.”

The Windies Under-15 Invitational XI will play six 50 overs-a-side matches against age group op-

Sachin Singh

ponents from around the United Kingdom, plus a warm-up 35 overs-a-side match.

SQUAD: Sachin Singh (Captain), Seth Agard (Barbados), Sameer Ali (Trinidad & Tobago), Antonio Fernandes (Leeward Islands), Matthew Forde (Barbados), Romaine Jacob (Jamaica), Tariq Mohammed (Trinidad & Tobago), Antonio Morris (Barbados), Rajiv Redhi (Jamaica), Demetrius Richards (Barbados), Jayden Seales (Trinidad & Tobago), Garvin Serieux (Windward Islands), Lee Solomon (Windward Islands), Taeim Tonge (Leeward Islands)

SCHEDULE OF MATCHES

August Wed 9 Sunbury Academy vs Windies U-15s (35 overs-a-side) – Sunbury Cricket Club Sun 13 Hertfordshire EPP vs Windies U-15s – To be decided Mon 14 Hampshire EPP vs Windies U-15s – Totton & Eling Cricket Club Tue 15 South West England vs Windies U-15s – Banbury Cricket Club Thu 17 Ireland U15s vs Windies U-15s – Merchant Taylor’s School Fri 18 Barmy Army Colts vs Windies U-15s – Stanmore Cricket Club Sun 20 London & East Region vs Windies U-15s – Merchant Taylor’s School

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, august 1, 2017

Dhaniram backs Guyana Amazon Warriors for CPL title this year

By Ravi Madholall in Toronto

H

aving missed out on the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 title on a number of occasions, the Guyana Franchise team is getting support from Sunil Dhaniram that they can cross the hurdle in this year’s edition which bowls off on Friday.

Dhaniram, who featured for Guyana at the senior level and also internationally for his adopted country Canada, is confident Guyana Amazon Warriors should create the huge impression citing they have the resources to do the trick.

“I [am] very confident Guyana Amazon Warriors could be the victorious side in this competition; a number of times they have went to the finals but surprisingly didn’t do well but hopefully they reach to the final again but cart off the championship,” Dhaniram expressed.

Guyana Amazon Warriors will begin their quest for supremacy on Saturday, the second match after the opener on Friday against Trinbago Knight Riders at the Central

Sunil Dhaniram

Broward Regional Park, Florida and Dhaniram, the younger sibling of another former Guyana opening batsman Sudesh Dhaniram, stated once the Warriors players utilize foreign soil to ggod effect, they should be able to start off things in an auspicious manner.

“You have got to play positive cricket from the beginning and maintain winning momentum once they

get the better of the team, you need that start, you need to win from early as possible so you can have that energy and enthusiasm to be a favourite side,” the all-rounder declared.

With Jamaica Tallawahs being the defending champions, and they are set to miss the service of one their most pugnacious batsmen Chris Gayle, who will be representing St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Dhaniram feels there is always a way to be the new victor.

Guyana Amazon Warriors team is joined by Trinbago Knight Riders, St. Lucia Stars, St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Barbados Tridents and Jamaica Tallawahs as this year’s participating teams.

Since the inauguration of the annual competition in 2013, Guyana Amazon Warriors had participated in

three finals and the other time at the semi-final stage.

According to the leftarm conventional spinner Dhaniram, that is a demonstration of their consistency in this exciting format and success is on the horizon.

Jamaica Tallawahs have been the most successful side

having lifted the prestigious trophy for two years (2013, 2016) while Trinbago Knight Riders and Barbados Tridents are the two other teams emerged winners in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Guyana Amazon Warriors will be led by the experienced opening batsman Martin Guptil, the New Zealander.

23

Guptil has been a phenomenal batsman for the Warriors boys over the years and is likely to live up great expectations of doing well again.

Other foreign international star players like Pakistanis Sohail Tanvir and Babar Azam are touted to be topperformers as well.

Corona, the official beer of CPL Guyana

F

or the fifth year running, Corona Beer will be the official beer of the Guyana leg of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Wayne James, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Top Brandz Distributors, the official distributors for the beer, disclosed at the short

but significant ceremony on Monday that they are elated to continue the partnership.

“There really is not any event event more emblematic in the Caribbean more than cricket. Top Brandz Distributors is honoured once again to be the official beer for CPL in Guyana. We are excited to raise the Corona in support of

the Amazon Warriors and their quest for the title”.

Warriors’ Operation Manager Omar Khan expressed gratitude that the partnership has continued to be fruitful. Khan added that he is positive the brand will bring excitement to fans in Guyana’s four home matches.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

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

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Dhaniram backs Corona, the official Guyana Amazon beer of CPL Guyana Warriors for CPL title this year Pg 23 Pg 23

Top Brandz Distributors CEO Wayne James and Warriors’ Manager Omar Khan shake hands to signify the continued partnership

Martin Guptill

Pg 21

Pacesetters, Kobras, Nets latest victors in GABA Basketball League

Action in the GABA/Rainforest Waters/Powerade/Malta Supreme Basketball League

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Sport: sport@guyanatimesgy.com Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.