Guyanatimes 3 september 2017

LOOK INSIDE !

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

Issue No. 3321

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Sunday, September 3, 2017

PRICE

New Houston/Versailles bridge

Proposed Demerara bridge model not feasible – Region 3 Chamber Page 3

Govt not spending on economy – Jagdeo Page 9

Page 8

Drunken Cop hits down WCD pedestrian

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Former NCN CEO “Fuzzy” Sattaur passes P10

Banks DIH employees to get raise of salaries P13 …as company, union sign new agreement

…placed under close arrest

Last minute back-to-school shoppers flood commercial zones Page 12

Vice P14 Chairperson objects to Region 2 female teachers’ placement in interior

Ban on interior shuttling

NATA to P7 make safety procedure submission this week

1 murder every week in Berbice – Commander Page 9

Charles Ramson Jr awarded best student at UK University P11

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news

SUnDAY, september 3, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

Amerindians urged to Region 3 economy still reeling exercise rights of culture from effects of Wales’ closure protection and preservation Sugar woes

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– Chamber of Commerce and Industry

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t has been more than a year since Government took the decision to close the Wales Sugar Estate, on the West Bank of Demerara, and have workers moved to Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, and it’s been several months since these plans were actually carried out.

In the aftermath, however, the Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) economy has been feeling the impact.

According to President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Radesh Rameshwar, the Wales shutdown has had spin-off effects that are being felt.

“The Wales situation is one other reason that has caused a slowdown in the economic situation in Region Three,” Rameshwar said. “It

Some of the workers who rejected proposals to move to Uitvlugt and called for severance packages; in some instances, the move was too uneconomical a decision to make

has contributed significantly towards that. The people don’t have money to spend, the spending power (and) especially all the people that would have lost their jobs.”

A decision was taken last year to close the Wales factory. The operations have since partially been integrated with those of Uitvlugt Estate. However, the closure

has affected not just hundreds of workers, but their families and the surrounding communities as well.

Many workers told Guyana Times of the difficulties they have encountered finding employment, while many women who traditionally were housewives were forced to seek jobs to support their families.

During a public meeting between residents of Wales, former sugar workers and Government officials, it was highlighted that while some workers wanted to go into farming, concessional financing was not available. Rameshwar, however, raised the issue of markets.

“You can get loans to do all these things, but if you don’t get markets then what is the purpose of all of this?

It means that (farmers) are only going to put themselves in more debt. So it’s paramount that markets for these products that will be produced by these farmers be provided to them or guide them to where they can get markets,” Rameshwar said.

He continued, “It’s going to go back to square one; if you’re asking me to plant 5000 tomatoes instead (of sugar) and there are no markets to take them off, then what do we do with them?

So the Government should help with securing markets for them.”

It was at high-level sugar consultations last year with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the Union and the Opposition that Government disclosed that only three estates across the country would be kept operational.

The Private Sector Commission and its affiliates; the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association; the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development; the Region Three Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association have all called on Government to rethink its plan to close and privatise estates in Berbice.

A Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo had recommended that the Corporation be privatised within three years. It also recommended that a serious evaluation of all diversification options be conducted, to avoid total reliance on sugar for GuySuCo’s revenues.

Sugar is one of the biggest foreign currency earners for Guyana, along with rice and gold.

s Indigenous peoples we have the responsibility to maintain the rich cultural heritage passed on to us by our fore parents.

They left us our prayers, our dances, our music, our languages and so many more”.

Those were the words of Amerindian’s People’s Association (APA) Representative, Michael McGarrell in his charge to the gathering at the ceremonial launch of Indigenous Heritage Month 2017 at the Sophia Exhibition Center in Georgetown on Friday evening.

Hailing from the remote riverain village of Chenapou in the Potaro River, RegionEight (Potaro-Siparuni) and being of Amerindian descent himself, the young activist related to the struggles of the younger generation in their fight for equal rights as the rest of the younger Guyanese generation, many having difficulty in accepting their ancestral identity. “(They) must believe that there is pride in being who we are and where we come from, and that it is their responsibility to accept that they are the keepers of our knowledge, customs and traditions for the generation that will come after them”, McGarrell said.

However this cannot be realised without the critical role of the elder generation who are proactive in transferring critical traditional knowledge to their offspring without breaking the cycle, to ensure that they are not lost.

While the hefty responsibility lies in the hands of the state to ensure that the Indigenous heritage and are protected, it was reiterated that Indigenous peoples must be consulted and enabled to actively participate in the process of identification, evaluation, interpretation, preservation and development of the cultural and natural heritage of the first peoples in compliance with Article 19 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous

Peoples (UNDRIP) of “Free Prior and Informed Consent” (FPIC).

With this year marking the 10th Anniversary of the UNDRIP, two out of which Guyana is signed and bound by, McGarrell made reference to Article 11 (1) which affords Indigenous peoples the right to practice and revitalize their traditions and customs, while Article 25 of the declaration grants the right of maintaining and strengthening spiritual relationship with traditionally owned and occupied territories in upholding their responsibilities to their future generations.

While many do not, and may never understand the importance of land to Indigenous peoples not only confined to Guyana, but rather on a global scale – land is a vital part of Indigenous peoples culture which was highlighted in a presentation to the UN Human Rights Council in 2015, as lamented by the speaker. “it must be noted that for Indigenous peoples, cultural and natural values are inseparably interwoven and should be managed and protected in a holistic manner… In Guyana, the lands, rivers and mountains are our homes and these have kept our culture alive and thriving.

That we are close with these features are evidenced in the names we have given them, some of which have been mispronounced by those who came after us. Kayik Tuwuk (you will know that this is Kaieteur) is one of the more of the famous places we have named and this place must go back to being called the way our Patamona ancestors did even before it was first sighted by a non-Indigenous person”, the APA representative suggested.

Amerindian Heritage Month 2017, is geared at celebrating Guyana’s first peoples by reflecting on their contributions; and to protect, pursue and promote Indigenous culture while trying to recapture lost traditions.

NEWS

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, September 3 – a night retraction at 03:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Monday, September 4 – a night retraction at 03:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, September 3 – 14:40h-16:10h and Monday, September 4 – 15:15h-16:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

New Houston/Versailles bridge

Proposed Demerara bridge model not feasible – Region 3 Chamber ... say traffic woes will return

By Jarryl Bryan

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Heavy rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, with partly cloudy skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to Easterly between 2.23 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 02:22h and 14:52h reaching maximum heights of 2.33 metres and 2.35 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:23h and 20:43h reaching minimum heights of 0.83 metres and 0.85 metres respectively.

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SunDAY, september 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

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recent feasibility study undertaken by Dutch consultant LievenseCSO has recommended a retractable, low level Demerara River Bridge at a proposed site spanning Houston, EBD and Versailles, WBD, but an important stakeholder is of the view that the recommended model is not feasible.

In an interview with this publication, President of the Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Radesh Rameshwar, raised several concerns pertaining to the proposal. According to Rameshwar, the design will only cater for short term traffic control, rather than long term.

“We are very happy that the feasibility study has been completed, and we are happy to know that it would be three lanes,” Rameshwar

President of the Region Three Chamber, of Commerce and Industry Radesh Rameshwar

“In my opinion, it will solve the problems we have now,” the business executive emphasised, “(with) two lanes for the peak and one lane coming from the other direction. But what is going to happen in 10 to 15 years from now? Every year we are having 10,000 vehicles on average entering this country.”

Rameshwar has said that with the amount of motor-

over the years, (the volume of traffic) has grown significantly, and that is what has caused the problems here,” he explained.

Rameshwar noted that a new bridge for the Demerara River would ease the problem for Region Three. “But we strongly believe that this is going to ease the problem probably for another ten years. With the amount of money we will be investing as tax payers to pay back the loan for this bridge, we feel that instead of a three-lane, it should have been a fourlane (bridge).”

Fixed vs retractable

The feasibility study and design for the new Demerara River Bridge, which had reportedly cost some $146.3 million, was on Wednesday presented to Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson.

The 57-page final report was done by Dutch company LievenseCSO. The proj-

ect team had included officials from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation and Transport and Harbours Department.

It is understood that the feasibility study determined that the proposed location of Houston-Versailles was the most ideal. It was further noted that the bridge should be a low-level one with a movable part and three lanes. But Rameshwar pointed out that this still leaves the problem of traffic build-ups.

“That obviously is going to hold back traffic,” he said.

“It is going to continue to disrupt traffic and disrupt business people in Region Three.

Because of the limitations of the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the volume of traffic, business on the West Coast has been affected.

“Many times you have to put aside an entire day if you just want to go to Georgetown to procure some items to bring it back over the West Coast, because of the bridge and the traffic situation,” the executive observed.

2013 study

Another study had been done back in 2013, when the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation had collaborated with the then Public Works Ministry to carry out a pre-feasibility analysis. That study had concluded that a ‘fixed high level’ bridge was the best option to pursue, rather than the retractable model, echoing the recommendations of today made by Rameshwar.

SATURDAY, september 2, 2017

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DAILY MILLIONS 02 06 08 18 24 LUCKY 3 8 3 4 Afternoon Draw

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Traffic on the Demerara River Bridge

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said. “(But) we were hoping that it could be four lanes because, at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, which is two lanes, many times they have to close off traffic at the eastern or western end for both lanes to go one side, thereby hindering traffic from the other side.

ists expected to increase over the next decade, there will come a time when the very bridge being proposed would be inadequate. He used the present Demerara Harbour Bridge as an example. “(That) bridge was built in the 70s, and at the time it was built, the volume of traffic was not that (much). Now,

turn to page 11

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sunDAY, september 3, 2017

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 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

Editorial

Warriors’ success

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or a nation that has had more “downs” than “ups” in its recent history, the performance of the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) offers our policymakers object lessons in the power of cricket to bring our peoples together and the latter’s stimulation of willpower towards success. The start of the 2017 Hero CPL T-20 tournament was not an auspicious one for the GAW with only one win in their first six games – including their first two home games.

Their record belied their performance in the previous four seasons, when they proved to be the most consistent team in the tournament. But what their united fans – especially in Guyana knew, was their losses were not one-sided and showed if the will to win could be stimulated and nurtured, they could once again prove themselves to be the winners they were.

And this is precisely what occurred in their last two games at Providence Stadium, especially when they prevailed over the Barbados Tridents, with whom they were competing for a spot in the playoff’s “qualifying match”.

Leaving Guyana with their will to win fortified by the support of their fanatical home fans, the GAW turned up the heat in their final two outings to ensure they would be masters of their fate. This time they crushed the Tridents with their bowling after their striker Sohail Tanvir matched the best bowling figures in this format of the game with a five-wicket haul for three runs. The bowler at the other end assisting him, Rashid – was the one whose record he matched. Tanvir later said the team had all committed themselves to a higher standard in all facets of their game.

And the GAW showed in their final game of the season against the second place Jamaica Tallawahs in their home ground that their commitment was not confined to mere words but to action in the field. The Tallawahs scored a respectable 149 runs in their 20 overs but this was bested in a mere 10 and a half overs by the fired-up Warriors. In this manner, they upped their net run-rate to such a level that their participation in the qualifying playoff match, scheduled for this Tuesday, is all but a formality. While there is the cricket cliché of cricket being a “game of glorious uncertainty”, it is certainly not a game of impossible improbabilities.

Returning to the larger picture we alluded to at the beginning, it is our hope our policymakers are taking note. The Government inherited an economy that was doing better than most of its regional partners but we have unfortunately slipped badly, save for the production in gold. But that is analogous to one player in a cricket team doing well, but the latter inevitably losing because economic development, like cricket, needs an all-round effort.

We are at the cusp of finally launching an oil industry and that lesson needs to be reinforced, since the experience of so many countries in Africa, at our level of development, demonstrate the follow of placing all hopes on “one player”. The Government has to commit itself to developing all sectors of the economy, especially agriculture in a world where “food security” is the need of so many countries and we are endowed with the requisite land and water that is lacking elsewhere.

But the developed world has shown that “man does not live by bread alone” and in our Caribbean, cricket is food for our soul. The entire West Indies perked up when our team won their Test match against England and it is quite possible if we were measuring production more granularly, our productivity had a blip the next day.

For Guyana, the coming together of our peoples at Providence to inspire their Warriors to greater efforts and success should remind the Government that the Opposition should be brought aboard to inspire the business community and the entire Guyanese nation to similar heights and successes.

Amerindian Heritage Month 2017 continues at the Sophia Exhibition Site. In this photo, these young ladies preform their cultural dance (Carl Croker photo)

More thoroughness by international observers needed

Dear Editor, I have noted the decision of the Kenyan High Court in relation to the recently held presidential elections in that country. The Court pronounced the elections null and void.

The Court came to that decision because of the many irregularities that were found. The Parties would go to the poll in two months’ time.

This is a historic decision and it spells well for democracy, not only in Kenya, but in Africa and the world.

It is apposite to note that the reasons for pronouncing the elections null and void has many similarities with the elections in Guyana, held on May 11, 2015.

The Kenyan Court found credible evidence of fictitious polling places and statements of poll. In Guyana,

one of the charges was that fake statements of poll were used to determine the election results.

In Kenya, the charge was that the IT system was hacked. In Guyana the IT section was shut down. It was not used to tally the votes to determine the results of the poll as the law prescribed.

Both the Kenyan and Guyanese elections clearly instructed that international observers need to be more thorough in elections observation.

It should be noted that the Carter Centre was there headed by John Kerry, former Secretary of State in the US Government. The European Union was also present.

In Guyana we have had international observers, including the Carter Centre.

Yet significant fraud took place in Kenya and in Guyana.

I wish to point out that in the case of Kenya in less than a month the Kenyan Court heard the case and pronounced on it. This is indeed a giant step forward in the advancement of democracy and the rule of law.

In Guyana, after more than two years, the case cannot be heard. This is due mainly to the manoeuvring of the Secretariat of the Elections Commission and the sloth of the Judiciary.

In normal circumstances, the CEO and Secretariat of the Elections Commission would be pushing to vindicate themselves in the courts and in public opinion.

It is therefore, strange and monstrous that the body is trying to frustrate a hearing by the court.

I wish to once more call on the Elections Commission/ Secretariat to stop frustrating the hearing and urge the courts to hear this case immediately.

The delay will further undermine our democracy and lead us back to a period of similar to what we had from the late 1960s to 1992, when Guyana’s Government was regarded as dictatorship due mainly to electoral fraud.

I wish to express my congratulations to the Court of Kenya in the professional and efficient way in which it conducted itself. This is a great example to all countries striving for democratic government, separation of powers and the rule of law.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

Need to update, contextualise job evaluation/classification systems Dear Editor, My friend and senior professional colleague, E B John, has been doing yeoman service in pointing out deficiencies, flaws and anachronisms in various aspects of Human Resource Management, including the improprieties in the categorisation/classification of jobs within the public/civil services of Guyana; his latest appeared copiously in various issues of the local media last week.

I feel obliged to support John’s repeated calls for urgent remedial action which, incidentally, resonate with the recent report of the Commission of Inquiry

(CoI) into the public service of Guyana. As an adjunct to his extensive contribution, I wish to point out that there are varying ‘systems’ of job evaluation/classification of which the one used for jobs in the Guyana public service is among the oldest; this undoubtedly adds to the anachronisms indicated by John.

A significant consequence of the system in use within the Guyana Public Service is the multiplication of ‘finite’ grades or classifications, in this case a total of 14 grades. I know of another arm of the Government where there are 15 grades which in my

view can be beneficially halved. In contrast, for example, I am reminded of at least two systems, namely: Elliott Jacque’s: “Time Span of Discretion” and Tom Patterson’s: “Decision Band “ systems, both of which provide for about six hierarchical classifications.

Of more recent vintage is the “Broad-banding” approach which also caters for about half a dozen classifications within most organisations.

Undue multiplication of grades with corresponding increases in the number of narrow salary scales tend to result in steep hierarchical, top-heavy organisation-

al structures with invisible walls/ceilings which often frustrate career growth by constraining natural job enlargement/enrichment – the epitome of employee commitment, job satisfaction and growth.

Current Human Resource Management philosophy and practice favour fewer grades and flatter organisational structures.

For example, Zingheim and Schuster, joint authors of The New Pay and Pay People Right are among the more popular current proponents of the best thinking on compensation principles and practices. continued on page 5

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

If we fail to listen, we fail to learn

Dear Editor, The curtain has been drawn and the stage is boldly set to go into fulltime paddy production at the now abandoned Wales Sugar Plantation.

The lands that have been converted by the Ministry of Agriculture for the sole purpose of propagating new strains of seed paddy through state Agency GRDB and the state institution Burma Rice Research Station is another Government ploy to go into paddy production, in order to fully occupy the vast unutilized cane lands at Wales Estate.

The whole concept is for the state to go into competition with the country’s peasant rice farmers.

Let us look at some outstanding facts. Burma Rice Research Station has a vast expanse of fertile land -500 acres or more, and well laid out for experimental purposes. It also, has a full complement of useful infra-

structure, well placed for modern scientific research operations.

But GRDB most admit, of course, that without the usual manoeuvre skills to cover up that Burma Research Station is budgetary restricted, it has become less than it used to be, and the generally semi-skilled and unskilled labour force is far too limited. Burma Ric Research Station is in a state of quandary because of foolhardiness.

There has to be optimum use of all available land space, and proper focus on plots that are designated for the propagation of seed paddy for farmers.

We can never deny reality -- what you paid for is what you will get. Burma Research does not have the necessary financial resources to do its work uniformly.

Let’s be even more realistic: remuneration for every category of worker at this institution needs to be upgraded so as to encour-

age better performance. In the end who will suffer?

The poor rice farmers.

The above is an overview of what we have and are not properly utilising.

But then we want to undertake a similar project on lands bereft of all things to do proper seedling production.

Lands that have been growing sugar cane for almost all its entire existence can be very difficult and expensive to convert into rice cultivation.

I would like to ask GRDB Board of Directors one salient question, and that is: why decentralize paddy seedling production when all that Burma Rice Research Station needs is an infusion of cash flow and more attention? For several crops, rice farmers are unable to obtain basic seedlings because this particular qualify of seedling has never been in the right quality to satisfy the needs of a greater number of rice

farmers.

On various occasions, all seed paddy stocks had become completely exhausted, which more often than not sent rice farmers into a frenzy looking for same, only to be exploited by fellow rice farmers with very poor quality at exorbitant prices.

It appears as though all is well at Burma Research Station, but there are policy constraints and there are under-wraps by GRDB’s Board of Directors where bureaucracy is foremost.

To avoid a debacle in paddy cultivation at Wales Estate, why can’t Central Government be generous in their resolve, and by way of resolutions give the sugar workers of that particular abandoned sugar plantation titled parcels of lands so that they can continue to earn a decent livelihood?

The lands can be zoned for different crops, and this will bring some semblance of trust, peace and satisfac-

tion in all directions.

I am really concerned about the daily plight of our brothers and sisters at Wales Estate. They don’t deserve to be left financially broke and stranded, without a proper source of income.

In another section of the media, the statistics of GRDB’s chief extension officer was quoted as vouching, that this autumn crop has seen an increase of acreage in rice cultivation.

This declaration is erroneous, and statistically nor geographically lots of rice farmers did not put in a crop; and those who were willing, had no financial resource to do so. The main reason for leaving rice lands idle is the very low prices paid for rice farmers’ paddy.

I have the deepest appreciation and the highest regards for M. Ragnauth’s devout and principled services to the country’s rice farmers. He understands

the language and the feelings of the farmers. He is the most popular of the extension personnel.

He has always been very humble to everyone, and he is a university graduate whose services could be evaluated to that of the late Production Manager of GRDB, CP Kennard.

However, I feel that I should caution him on his source of information to prepare his all-time sensitive reports.

Statistical information must come from the farmers’ mouths and the establishers’ proof of his fields.

Lastly, when “Rear Guards” have finally emerged to become herds of Government agencies and Government institutions, a once honourable man can be forced to do the unexpected.

If we fail to listen, we will fail to learn; and if we fail to learn, we will all be consumed.

Yours faithfully, Ganga Persaud

Society of Marijuana Advocates for Reform and Treatment (SMART) Dear Editor, A chorus representing a broad spectrum of individuals grows larger and louder with each passing day, which believes that incarcerating citizens, especially those from poor communities, for possessing or using small amounts of marijuana is unjust, unproductive and unwise.

It is time that we normalise and reform the laws pertaining to marijuana use and implement the rehabilitation and treatment provisions as contained in sections 65 to 72 of the 1988 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Act (NDPA).

While we applaud, and view as essential, the efforts of Michael Carrington, a Member of Parliament,

to propose and bring to the National Assembly, legislation to amend sections of the NDPA, these moves do not address sufficiently the issue and would require a more comprehensive reform of the current system. For instance, certain exemptions from fines and prosecution should be extended to those who use marijuana for religious purposes.

These would include as a sacrament in adherence to the Rastafarian faith and for events to celebrate/observe the Rastafarian faith. Other exemptions should encompass medical or therapeutic purposes as recommended or prescribed by a registered medical doctor; for purposes of scientific research conducted by an accredited tertiary institution; and for inter-

Need to update...

Their expositions on the Broad-banding approach emphasise that “Broad grades and career bands are the newer kids on the block and have become popular pay infrastructure, reflecting a flatter, de-layered organisation… with less hierarchical, more expansive opportunities for base pay growth to correspond with individual growth.” This supports the broadening of jobs which is conducive to organisational growth and staff development, etc

from page 4

etc…..all of which are true motivators over and above normal interest in financial rewards”.

Readers who are professionally interested in the subject matter might also find comfort in recent publications of the Harvard Business Review such as on “Change Management” as well as “HBR’s 10 Must Reads”, published by Harvard Business School in 2017.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

national visitors to purchase lawfully for medical or therapeutic purposes.

Moreover, the establishment of a licensing authority should regulate these recommendations, issue licences and permits and ensure that regulations do not contravene Guyana’s international obligations.

Additionally, while the NDPA contains legal provisions for strengthening mental health and counselling institutions and services with the establishment of rehabilitation centres, a ‘Rehabilitation Fund’ and an ‘Advisory Council for Rehabilitation of Narcotic Addicts’, too few rehab centres have been set up across the country.

In addition, no actions

have yet been carried out to conform with the law as it relates to the rehabilitation fund and the advisory council. In this regard, the NDPA should contain specific clauses mandating the Government to direct a percentage of revenues towards implementing these mandates.

It is our collective obligation as Guyanese citizens to step forward and support efforts to help end the punitive measures that have resulted in more harm than good to our society and which have caused many families much excessive pain and suffering, in both emotional and financial impacts. We hope that everyone will join us as we intensify an enlightened approach of advocacy for a more

just and sensible legal framework when it comes to the issues and circumstances of marijuana use and rehabilitation services.

Faithfully, Nicole Cole Chontelle Sewett Keoma Griffith Ras Leon Saul Clinton Urling

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Foundation

‘Negative parenting’

starts aggressive personalities early

By Jennifer Welsh

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Anu Dev

ow that I’m approaching the end of the road in Med School, and am soon to enter the “real world”, I’ve decided to revisit a piece on being a “professional,” which I wrote some time ago, when I was still a callow youth! We’ve all had those experiences: going to the doctor’s office, shopping in some store, or visiting a travel agency, where we probably went through the worst ordeal of our lives because of the way we were treated.

It’s really the pits to go somewhere on a chore and you end up being treated like some lesser being. Call me melodramatic, but after some jarring encounters with sales clerks, I started paraphrasing Shylock’s speech from Merchant of Venice to myself: “Hath not an Anu eyes? Hath not Anu fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases?”

As I rise up in righteous in-

‘Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on the days you don’t feel like doing them.” “Dr J” - (Julius Erving - basketball legend) dignation, vowing never to return to that store (at least not until next week!).

It can really leave a bad taste in your mouth, and makes you wonder if that offensive person had an overabundance of bile – or, more likely, absolutely no training. But the thing I don’t understand is it’s not like they’re doing you a favour; you're paying them for the service. If it's a doctor, it’s not like he/she is diagnosing you for free. You've already had to wait an hour in the waiting room, inhaling everybody else’s germs, and now the doctor is treating you like you’re an errant 3-year-old? What? That's not being a professional, and I hope I don’t succumb to that hauteur!

And professionalism goes beyond treating your patrons like they’re actual human beings. It includes things like punctuality, accountability, and being able to carry out your tasks efficiently. We really need to

break the mould of things always starting ½ hour late in Guyana (and the rest of the Third World). Sure, it’s a running joke that always manages to get a few laughs, but, in reality, it’s a sad reflection of how we’ve accepted our tardiness, and aren’t prepared to do anything to change.

In whatever profession we choose, we must always also have accountability. And not just being able to account for finances - we should be able to account for our actions. We’re not living in our own personal vacuums. Our actions and decisions affect the people around us, sometimes more than we could ever imagine. Nothing has disproved Aristotle's dictum that we're social beings. (Incorrectly interpreted nowadays as "political beings") But it can be difficult; sometimes you’re just having an “off day”. Some days you can’t be all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. But in

some professions, that’s exactly what’s expected of you as a professional.

To be a true professional, you have to be professional in the way you dress, the way you carry yourself, the way you relate to the people around you. It could’ve been that little girl in the Bank who came in with her mom might've gotten inspired by the way you carried yourself, and now she wants to work in a Bank when she grows up, to be just like you.

As professionals, you’re representing your profession. You’re the ones who either inspire us to want to do what you do, or who make us swear never to touch, for instance, “the law” with a tenfoot pole.

And in some professions, you only ever meet some of your patrons for once in your life. Do you really want to be remembered as the impolite, scruffy sales clerk? Or, like Dr J, who can still soar and dunk the ball in his sixties?

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arents who express negative emotions toward their infants, or handle them roughly, may be inadvertently harming their babies' psyches, new research suggests. This type of "negative parenting" results in aggressive, defiant kindergarteners and even affects adult behaviour, the researchers said.

"Before the study, we thought it was likely the combination of difficult infant temperament and negative parenting that put parent-child pairs most at risk for conflict in the toddler period," study researcher Michael Lorber, of New York University, said in a statement. "However, our findings suggest that it was negative parenting in early infancy that mattered most."

Aggressive behaviour is fairly common in toddlers, but in most cases, this drops off by the time they reach age five.

In children whose aggressive behaviour does not stop, they have a pretty good chance of staying that way, Lorber said.

"Conduct problems around age five are probably one of the strongest predictors of anything that you care to predict for years to come, including depression, substance use, academic problems and peer rejection," Lorber told LiveScience.

"They predict even aggression against one's romantic partner later in life."

Infant temperament

The researchers studied 260 mothers and their children from birth until first grade. The sample was selected from mothers who received prenatal care from a public health clinic, a "high-risk urban sample," selected between 1975 and 1977.

The researchers assessed the infants' temperaments and the mothers' parenting styles in the first six months of life (by observing the pair during feeding time) and during the toddler years through observational and parental reports.

The researchers followed up with the mothers and the children's teachers when their kids were in kindergarten (ages 5 and 6), asking them to rate the children's behaviour.

The researchers found that children who exhibit aggressive, defiant and explosive behaviour by the time they're in kindergarten very often have tumultuous relationships with their parents from early on.

"Moms that did more of that stuff, that was a stronger predictor of conduct problems later on," Lorber said. "In toddlerhood in the pairs where the mom had been negative to the child during infancy, the mothers were more hostile and the children were more angry in a series of teaching tests."

What they didn't find was a correlation between difficult early-life behaviours of the child (if the child was irritable or quick to switch mood in his or her first six months) and later aggressive actions and attitudes.

Negative cycle

The negative activity of parents in an infant's first few months of life seems to start this cycle, the researchers say; negative parenting results in highly angry toddlers, the research finds, thus spurring more hostility from mothers.

It is possible that such negativity could be caused by an outside source, possibly the family's genetics or even the environment around them during those early years. Either way, the findings from infancy also carry on to later in life for the study participants.

"This study's been going on now for over 30 years," Lorber said. "We've found that those parenting measures, those feedings in infancy, not only predict early conduct problems, but 26 years later, those children we saw as babies, they are more aggressive as adults."

Discovering what causes these overly aggressive toddlers could help researchers design and implement appropriate interventions to prevent negative parenting before this cycle develops.

"If you want to prevent conduct problems before they start, you would want to do something in infancy," Lorber said. "Even in the first six months you would want to do something to improve the parent-child relationship." (livescience. com)

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sunDAY, september 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ban on interior shuttling

NATA to make safety procedure submission this week T he National Air Transport Association (NATA) has now been asked to get the input of every single air transport operator at the Eugene F Correira International Airport before submitting their safety procedure manual to the Guyana Authority Civil Aviation (GCAA).

President of NATA, Annette Arjoon-Martins told Guyana Times on Saturday that the organisation is currently consulting with the operators to make a submission early this week to the GCAA, with hope of having the ban lifted.

“The general procedures of Roraima Airways, they will add in theirs. Air Services Limited will also submit their shuttle procedures and a private operator (Orland Charles) he will submit his too. So there is still a lot of work and basically, we will have those submitted by early next week,” she stated.

Arjoon-Martins claimed that this instruction was given following the move by Trans Guyana Airways to go ahead and submit its own safety procedures, instead of submitting collectively with NATA. The NATA head feels that they should have been done as one standard industry procedure. But she said now that the GCAA has asked for additional information, the organisation will go with the instructions.

“I was hoping that we could have done it as an industry. You could imagine how challenging it will be to get a

fully regularised. The GCAA boss acknowledged the impact the decision would have on the mining industry as well as on some Indigenous communities.

This newspaper was told by a senior aviator that a meeting

was held on Thursday evening with pilots from across the country, to put things in order to lift the suspension.

Also a high-level team from the Eugene F Correia International Airport met with

GCAA officials on Thursday to come to an amicable solution in regard to getting to the root causes of the recent accidents and to strengthen the safety system at the airport and with its operators.

Sole sourcing should not be the standard – TIGI NATA President Annette Arjoon-Martins

procedure from NATA, Trans Guyana and others. How do you mesh that? We can’t force anybody to do anything to do anything,” she added.

The GCAA Director General, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Egbert Field told sections of the media on Friday that Trans Guyana could have the shuttle ban lifted before the other operations, following a demonstration of the operational procedures involving their hinterland shuttle flights.

Trans Guyana was the only operator, whose manual came up to par with the GCAA requirements. Field said the Authority received the manuals of all local operators on Thursday and immediately commenced inspection of their operational procedures. He said Trans Guyana’s manual was found to be acceptable and the Authority granted its approval.

Meanwhile, the NATA head also told this newspaper that Field has given his assurance that he will have his

GCAA Director General, Egbert Field

team work overtime, so that the process could be expedited.

Once the GCAA are pleased with the submissions, they could lift the suspension.

The GCAA on Wednesday ordered that all domestic shuttle operations be suspended until operators can provide Standard Operational Manuals and other documents showing how they conduct their business. These documents would have to be reviewed and approved by the GCAA before operations can be resumed.

This move comes in light of the three recent crashes in the local aviation sector that resulted in the deaths of two pilots. All of the planes crashed while on shuttle operations.

The GCAA met with domestic operators, but the decision to suspend shuttling did not go down “too good” with the operators.

Field noted that the decision is necessary, since shuttle operations have expanded over the years, and this is the first time it is going to be

…Govt circumventing transparency by continuing practice

T

he Government’s continued reliance on sole sourcing for the public health sector has drawn the attention of Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI).

TIGI President Dr Troy Thomas has stressed that by continuing to sole source from companies who are in some cases not pre-qualified, there can be no guarantee of value for tax payers’ money.

Thomas told this publication that TIGI has also noted that the problems within the health sector, including incidents of sole sourcing drugs and medical supplies, have been recurring, but should have been stamped out by now. He noted that

Government has instead gone ahead and sole sourced from a blacklisted company.

This is a reference to an incident of a few weeks ago, when Cabinet approved a contract for Trinidad company Western Scientific to supply millions of dollars’ worth in Sysmex reagents to the Public Health Ministry although that the firm was only last year blacklisted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) because of what the donor agency referred to as “fraudulent practices.”

“The Government of Guyana needs to consider (whether) it is fixing a broken system or realigning whatever fractures exist. If you say that so much is broken and wrong

TIGI President, Dr Troy Thomas

and you want to be transparent, and then you’re using these means (sole sourcing) to fix it, that doesn’t inspire confidence,” Thomas said. turn to page 9

8 news

SunDAY, september 3, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

Drunken Cop hits down WCD pedestrian

…placed under close arrest

F

orty-nine-year-old Quintin Anderson of Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara was struck and injured on the Stewartville public road, WCD by motorcar HC 2850 on Friday at about 22:40 hrs.

Reports are that the vehicle, being driven by a Police constable, was proceeding east along the northern carriageway of the road when the pedestrian attempted to traverse the road from south to north.

The impact of the collision allegedly sent Anderson crashing on the road way, and he sustained a fractured left foot and other injuries. Rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), he was admitted a patient, and is said to be in stable condition.

Following the accident, a breathalyzer test was conducted on the 24-year-old rank who was driving, and his blood alcohol level was found to be over the legal limit. Accordingly, he was arrested and taken to the Leonora Police Station.

Unwelcome spate

On August 18, another allegedly speeding Police rank was said to have caused the demise of 58-year-old Pulmattie Ramotar of Success, East Coast Demerara, who succumbed two days after being struck down on the Success Public Road, ECD. The mother of three was reportedly hit while attempting to cross the roadway on her way to the Mon Repos Market. Police say a breathalyzer test

Famous last words…

T The West Demerara Regional Hospital where Quintin Anderson remains in a stable condition

done on this cop had not found any trace of alcohol on his breath.

Earlier that month, 22-year-old Eno David of Matthew’s Ridge, North West District, Region One was struck down on the Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara by a police rank who was reportedly transporting to hospital an injured colleague who himself had been involved in a separate car accident in the early morning hours.

Before the pedestrian Eno David had met his demise, Constable Gavin Gentle had lost control of his PTT 5444 motorcar and crashed into a utility pole at Timehri, EBD. The constable who is implicated in David’s death came along, and was in the process of

transporting his colleague to hospital when he struck down the man (David) with his privately owned Toyota Allion motorcar, PPP 8497.

It was claimed by police that just before the fatal accident, the Allion motor car of the implicated constable was being escorted by a police vehicle with flashing lights and the sound of its siren. Police further stated that the driver of PPP 8497 had allegedly swerved from the pedestrian, who was said to be at the centre of the road when he was struck down by the constable’s car.

The driver of PPP 8497 has been detained and tests also reportedly revealed that no alcohol had been traced on his breath.

…on Marriott

he Marriott Hotel, built by the PPP government, was a red flag to APNU/AFC while in Opposition.

They dubbed it a “wasteful and extravagant” whim of then President Bharrat Jagdeo, and vowed to dump it if they were ever to get into power. Well, they’ve been in power for over two and a half years, and it seems the Marriott’s now their crown jewel! Pick a day - any day - amble over to the Marriott and you’re sure to see Government Ministers or other functionaries enjoying the “good life”!

Just this week, the State Chronic ran an extensive interview with Hewley Nelson, Chairman of the Board of AHI, which runs the Hotel. It’ll be best to let the fellow speak for himself from the Chronic’s report - lest you readers think your Eyewitness is partial. “Whether you like it or not, Guyana needs a Marriott,” Nelson noted, adding that if the evolving oil industry is taken into account, the Marriott receives the bulk of its business from large companies, such as ExxonMobil.

Eduardo Reple, general manager of the hotel, said that “the expectations of those companies are to stay at an internationally-branded hotel with such standards and qualities of accommodation.

“Today, Marriott is the biggest hotel chain in the world,” Reple said, adding that whoever made the decision to bring Marriott to Guyana did so with a purpose of finding reliable partners to support the venture. “As the country develops, it will need additional hotels”, Reple added, noting that the oil sector will bring a lot of business to the country’s hotel industry.

Now isn’t this exactly what President Ramotar said when the Marriott was completed during his term truncated by the vindictiveness of the APNU/AFC? But the APNU/AFC’s earlier bitterly negative stance is indicative of their fundamental disconnect with the world of business. They insist Guyana needs foreign business investments, but those are just words they mouth from some briefing paper some flunkey handed to them.

Business investments are made by business executives, and these are people used to a certain level of comfort in the new, globalised world. When they’re asked to fly into a fly-speck country like Guyana - which they probably never heard about before the Exxon oil find - they’d like to know they wouldn’t have to be sleeping in some thatched hut, drinking water from some nearby river.

When they hear about a Marriott…they not only know what amenities to expect there, but assume that the country itself is developed enough to deal with them with a modicum of sophistication.

But they’ll never admit to the strategic vision of Jagdeo…it just sticks in their throat!

…on cancer sticks

By now you loyal readers know your Eyewitness is down on cigarettes…really down. He has absolutely no sympathy for tobacco addicts. It is a well-known fact that even fundamental rights - such as free speech -- aren’t absolute. They extend only to where they can affect the rights of others. The famous example is your right to swing your arms ends at the nose of the fellow next to you!!

Well, there are no barriers to cigarette ENTERING, much less stopping at your nose, even though Pressie has just signed into law the Act prohibiting smoking in public spaces.

So this should be just the beginning…la luta continua - on banning cigarettes: period. Think about it…why is cocaine banned? Because it is addictive and eviscerates its users, making them into burdens on society.

Well…SO ARE CIGARETTES!!! Governments allow cigarette smoking because of the power of the multinational cigarette manufacturers and distributors.

The latter have just replaced the British Govt, introduced international drug pushing to China. Stop them!

…on objecting to smoking

Your Eyewitness just read about a ganja smoker shooting a bystander who objected to the smoke wafting into his lungs.

The reaction of the cigarette smoking lobby to the public ban suggests similar reactions. Bun dem!

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

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SunDAY, september 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Government not spending on economy – Jagdeo A s Government continues its budget preparations for the next fiscal year, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has berated the Administration for its management of the economy, suggesting that much of the country’s money is being invested towards the perks and benefits of Ministers. Jagdeo, a former President, made these comments when he addressed sugar workers and their families at a Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) public meeting at Enterprise, East Cost Demerara (ECD) during last week.

“This Government spends large sums of money but it doesn’t spend it on the economy; it doesn’t spend it on enhancing welfare for people,” Jagdeo claimed in his address on Wednesday.

Government has repeat-

edly noted that it has expended significant allocations to sugar but Finance Minister Winston Jordan suggested last year that it would be money wasted if finances were given out in similar fashion to the ailing industry. Jagdeo however countered that sugar was not a burden to the $250 billion 2017 Budget, telling the gathering that allocations to the industry were a small portion. He also suggested that the coalition Government is misplacing budgetary allocations.

“Sugar gets a tiny fraction of the budget but when you look at where the money is going – $40 billion increase in recurrent expenditure; non-productive, wasteful expenditure. Over $100 million on building a fence around the Office of the President; millions more spent of fleets of vehicles for Ministers and drivers and

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

everybody else; fixing up State House and the Prime Minister’s Office [and] trips abroad,” Jagdeo told the crowd.

The Opposition Leader further referenced that some Ministers have sought trips for medical care to Ireland in Europe and elsewhere.

“Just a couple weeks ago,

they have decided to insure Ministers [for] $38 million a year,” he noted.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon had however defended the move of the foreign medical care, suggesting that Ministers were footing their own bill.

Jagdeo later criticised the President’s bus programme, saying that resources would

have been better allocated to the $10,000 school voucher programme which had existed under the previous Administration.

“They took away $1.6 billion from the children of this country when they removed the $10,000 grant. In the three years, it would have been $5 billion. They could have bought over 1000 bus-

ses with the $5 billion but they took it away claiming they couldn’t afford it but they afford a 50 per cent increase for Ministers,” the former President stressed.

Months after assuming office in 2015, Cabinet Ministers were allocated salary increases amounting to 50 per cent, which saw their monthly earnings rising to $870,000 from the $579,000 which was handed out monthly under the previous Administration.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was allocated a $2 million increase to $20,580,000 per annum, while other Vice Presidents are paid just over $11.1 million per year.

Members of Parliament with no specific portfolio were awarded a 20 per cent increase in salaries which reflected an uptick to $2,402,532 which moved from the previous $2,002,116.

1 murder every week in Sole sourcing should not...

Berbice – Commander

A

33 per cent reduction in incidents of breakage and entry has been recorded in the Police ‘B’ Division since new Commander, Paul Williams, has taken over at the helm of the division; but the murder rate has climbed.

The Commander revealed that, over the past five weeks, five murders have been committed in Berbice, but all of them have been solved.

There have also been four robberies committed with the use of firearms, but three of those have been solved.

There have been 18 reported instances of break and enter and larceny, and persons have been placed before the court for 10 of them. In two of the matters, justice has been served.

As it relates to illegal drugs, Commander Williams has said the Police have made five interceptions and two raids at the New Amsterdam Prison, and also found a bag with a quantity of marijuana which was thrown over the fence.

“As it relates to traffic,” he said, “we had two fatal accidents, and both have been solved. One was on the West

Divisional Commander Paul Williams

Coast of Berbice and the other on the East Coast of Berbice.”

He disclosed that in recent times there has been a proliferation of noise coming from sound systems installed in vehicles. On many occasions, there have been sound slashes and other loud music being played from these vehicles along Main Street, New Amsterdam, and on some occasions, early morning church services have been disturbed.

“In view of the police presence as it relates to Main Street and other places, we

have been able to have those places under control, and (we) have (had) the full cooperation of the general public,” he explained.

“What we are doing now is that we have deployed ranks in the busy shopping areas, and also I have sought the collaborative efforts of the various municipalities to have the (Town) Police and us working together to police those busy shopping areas and Rose Hall Town, Corriverton, and New Amsterdam,” the commander revealed.

This, Commander Williams said, is to ensure police dominance over all situations and to ensure that a proactive approach to crime fighting is maintained.

Commander Williams attributes the success ‘B’ Division has been enjoying to the cooperation the police have been receiving from Berbicians since he assumed leadership of that division on July 23 last.

“There is still a challenge being posed with break and enter and larceny, but so far we still have a thirty-three per cent decrease as it relates to break and enter and larceny,” the Commander said.

On May 8, the Parliamentary Opposition had fielded questions in the National Assembly to the ministers of Public Health and Communities in relation to the public procurement practices being used by the Government.

When a response came from the Communities

Minister Ronald Bulkan, it was revealed that nine out of 10 regions in Guyana did no public tendering for drugs and medical supplies between January 2016 and February 2017.

In addition, all regions indicated that no prequalification process was followed.

Procurement of drugs and

from page 7

medical supplies had all been done in the name of emergencies.

In the case of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Opposition Parliamentarian Juan Edghill had noted that 77 per cent of the total allocations for drugs for that entity (GPHC) had been expended.

10 news

sunDAY, september 3, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Former NCN CEO “Fuzzy” Sattaur passes

T

he former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Communications Network (NCN), Mohamed “Fuzzy” Sattaur, passed away on Saturday afternoon.

Reports are Sattaur breathed his last breath at a city hospital after being ill.

Former President of Guyana and friend to Sattuar, Donald Ramotar after reflecting on the successes of the former CEO, said he will be sadly missed.

According to Ramotar, Sattaur was a very “optimistic fella and to work along with him was a joy be-

Former NCN CEO Mohamed “Fuzzy” Sattaur

cause he was very easy to get along with. He was never lazy and was one of the first to volunteer for any type of work, any type of job to be done and from that point of view; it has always been a pleasure to work along with him”.

Sattaur was a member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and was also the Administrator of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre.

The former CEO of NCN resigned from his post following a probe which was launch into the irregularities that were at the time ongoing at the facility.

Upgrade of access road to Kara Kara dumpsite completed

The road leading to the Kara Kara dumpsite while upgrade works were in progress

U

pgrade works to the troublesome access road which leads into the Kara Kara dumpsite at Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has been completed.

Central Government had responded to calls by the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) last year to improve the state of the deplorable road that made access to the dumpsite difficult for the municipality, one of

the entities tasked with garbage disposal.

Completion of the access road, according to Head of the LM&TC Environmental Committee, Councillor Wainwright Bethune, would ease the burden for the municipality, and would serve as a means to an end of disposal at the Dakoura dumpsite in the vicinity of the Dakoura Creek at Wismar, Linden, which is close to the community’s watershed.

In this regard, Bethune said the municipality has engaged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to facilitate a meeting between the council and the private waste management company which also utilizes the Dakoura dumpsite, following which a memorandum of understanding will be developed for those entities utilising the Kara Kara dumpsite.

“So as soon as that meeting is called by EPA, dumping will stop immediately at the Dakoura Creek”, he noted.

Bethune said, however, that as it relates to waste management, the Council still does not have the capacity to fully service the entire Linden community.

Nevertheless, he said moves are in train to develop management systems.

As such, he noted that Engineers are currently working on a modern landfill facility in the area, where proper waste management practices can be adopted.

Savouring the victory

S

atiricus’s eyes felt grainy as he walked over to the Back Street Bar. He and his brother-in-law had looked at the Warriors’ demolition of the Tallawahs the night before, and even though the game was over one hour earlier than scheduled, he’d gotten so pumped up he just couldn’t fall asleep almost till dayclean.

“Da bin a wan real game, eh Sato?” Bungi exclaimed before Satiricus could even sit down. There was no need to mention what game he was talking about.

“Well, I won again!” Satiricus smiled broadly, as the waitress dropped three cold ones on the table. “Beers on me!”

“So who you does bet against, Sato?” asked Hari. “I though all our friends backed the Warriors.”

“My brother-in-law,” said Satiricus as he grinned even wider. “The idiot says he was playing the law of averages.”

“And wha’ average he a play?” asked Bungi as he polished off his beer with one practised gurgle and signalled for another. He liked free beers.

“He figured after the Warriors won their last two games in Guyana,” Satiricus explained, “they couldn’t win their other two - especially against second place Tallawahs!”

“Well, I know Jamaicans boast about ‘me lickle but me talawa’,” sniggered Hari. “But last night while they were small they certainly weren’t ‘feisty’ enough!!”

“Me t’ink dat Tallawah bowla tek tuh much notes!” suggested Bungi. “An’ ‘e force abee bai Walton fuh mek ‘e own notes pan ‘e bat!”

“So how come you fellas didn’t compliment my fearless leader Rum Jhaat?” asked Satiricus as his pals settled back to savour “their” victory along with the free beer.

“Fuh wha’?” demanded Bungi; taken aback at the turn in the conversation.

“Well, the man showed he was a true Guyanese when he went to see Warriors cricket!” said Satiricus. “And pi55ed off those Toshaos!”

“Leh abee tek wan drink fuh de Jhaat!” said Bungi.

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SunDAY, september 3, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

Charles Ramson Jr awarded best student at UK University Review of the midyear report – the Fiscal Sector (Part III)

A

s mentioned last week, in today’s theme, I shall zoom into the fiscal sector in respect to the performance as at the half-year ended June 2017. First and foremost, let us begin this discussion by defining what fiscal policy is, and how it is used and/or should be used to influence the activities within the economy.

The most basic definition of fiscal policy is the use of government spending and taxation to influence the economy. The ideal objective in this regard is that fiscal policies are normally used by governments to promote resilient and sustainable growth, and reduce poverty. Now, putting this into context, governments can only influence an economy; or rather, the objective in respect to the management of an economy can only be done from either of two dimensions; expansionary – expansionary policies to support the growth of an economy; or contractionary – to slow down the rate of growth in an economy and, by extension, the result is a contracting economy, wherein firms downsize their operations, unemployment rate goes up, and so on.

Point of interest, however, is that these outcomes (expansion & contraction of an economy) can either occur or be achieved through deliberate policies that are being implemented; or unintentionally, for example, the Government may implement a policy, such as reducing income tax or, in Guyana’s context, increase the income tax threshold, thereby increasing disposable income for consumers or spenders in an economy. The goal of such a policy is to encourage and stimulate increased spending, but if, due to lack of confidence by householders/consumers and even firms – whereby they fear to spend amidst great uncertainty, then in such circumstance, they would rather save the excess than spend, and this will ultimately lead or contribute to an even more contractionary outcome, which would in effect be contrary to the objective of the policy.

In the wake of the recent global financial crisis of 2008/2009, governments have had to lend support to financial systems, jumpstart growth, and mitigate the impacts of the crisis on vulnerable groups.

How does fiscal policy work?

In order for policy makers to influence the economy, they basically have two main tools at their disposal; fiscal policy and monetary policy. Economic activities are influenced by governments through changing the level and types of taxes, the extent and composition of spending, and the degree and form of borrowing. On the monetary aspect of the equation, economic activities are indirectly targeted by Central banks, by influencing the money supply through adjustments to interest rates, bank reserve requirements, the sale of government securities, and foreign exchange.

The manner in which resources are used in the economy is also influenced by governments, both directly and indirectly. To contextualise this assertion, let us illustrate this using the basic equation for national income, which is: GDP = C + I + G + NX Where GDP is gross domestic product (the value of all final goods and services produced in the economy; ‘C’ represents private consumption; ‘I’ represents private investments; ‘G’ represents purchases of goods and services by the government; and exports minus imports, or net exports, is represented by ‘NX’, most economics texts express this as X-M – in other words, the right side of the equation represents aggregate spending, or demand. This equation illustrates evidently that governments affect economic activity by controlling government spending (G) directly and influencing C, I and NX indirectly through changes in taxes, transfers and spending. An expansionary policy is therefore achieved when fiscal policies are designed to increase aggregate demand directly through increase in government spending.

By contrast, fiscal policy is considered contractionary or tight if aggregate demand is reduced via lower spending.

Aside from providing goods and services, fiscal policy objective may vary. For example, in the short term, a government’s focus may be macroeconomic stabilisation – stimulating an ailing economy, helping reducing external vulnerabilities, and fighting rising inflation, for example. In the long term, on the other hand, the aim may be to foster sustainable growth or reduce poverty. In doing so, such focus would be centred on things like infrastructure and/or education – these could also be referred to as supply side activities.

Having thus laid a theoretical underpinning of fiscal policy from a practical standpoint, next week I shall extend this discussion by contextualising today’s discussion on the actual outcomes of the fiscal performance achieved, as reported in the recent mid-year report for the fiscal year of 2017.

(For comments, questions and responses on articles featured in this column, readers can reach the author at jbinsights@outlook.com).

F

ormer Member of Parliament and Attorney Charles Ramson (Jr) has been awarded the best graduating student at the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom.

Ramson, who resigned last year to pursue studies on a British funded Chevening scholarship, studied Oil and Gas Enterprise Management,

graduated from the University with distinctions.

Ramson made a perfect score in the area of Sovereign Wealth Funds which saw him copping the award.

The programme which Ramson pursued covered all the major areas in the oil and gas sector such as energy economics, geoscience in oil exploration, drilling and

well engineering, management in engineering: production, risk management and phycology, oil and gas law and regulatory framework, portfolio optimisation, and remediation technology for geosciences.

The attorney left Guyana to pursue his studies as the country is now becoming an oil and gas producing nation.

In his resignation letter,

he noted that it is critical for Guyana that there are persons trained in the oil and gas sector, adding that it is particularly important for our political leaders.

Ramson returned to Guyana last week and while he continues to practise as a lawyer, he also intends to assist with the development of the nascent oil and gas sector and to remain active in politics.

Proposed Demerara bridge model...

The “fixed high level” option would ensure that traffic would be able to flow even while boats passed underneath the structure. At present, the bridge operates according to schedules, in order to cater for riverine traffic.

This has traditionally resulted in a rush hour and lengthy traffic lines, as motorists hurry to catch the bridge before it closes. It was to solve these traffic woes and address the advanced age of the

Demerara Harbour Bridge that a new bridge was contemplated in the first place.

According to the 2013 report, consultations were carried out with various private sector agencies and non- governmental organisations (NGO) representing cross sections of the production and manufacturing sectors in Guyana.

Those consultations, the report detailed, were to obtain valuable data to complete the

report, introduce stakeholders to the new Demerara River Crossing concept, and garner feedback that could potentially influence the project.

The agencies the Ministries of Public Works and Finance engaged were the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSC), Guyana Shipping Association (GSA), Guyana Lands and Survey

from page 3

Commission (GL&SC), Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE).

According to the report, these stakeholders “indicated a strong desire for a new fixed bridge structure across the Demerara River. The new structure would not only relieve road and marine traffic congestion, but would also facilitate and catalyse improved mobility, sector growth, and planned development at the Georgetown Harbour.”

12 news

SunDAY, september 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Last minute back-to-school shoppers flood commercial centres

T

here was an ambivalent air in central Georgetown on Saturday, as last minute back-to-school shoppers enthusiastically flooded the commercial shopping areas of Robb and Regent Streets, while local street vendors bemoaned loss of business to the presence of foreign investors.

In what many believe to a Guyanese tradition, par-

last shopping before school reopens.

Tyrese (only name given) was shopping with his cousins when he spoke to this newspaper. “It’s kinda fun but when you shopping last minute, it’s kind of a rush, so next year I would try to get everything before last minute.”

Queens College student, Andrew Persaud, described

Late shoppers flooded Regent Street on Saturday

ents and guardians rushed down to the city’s central shopping locations to snap up supplies mere days before schools across the country open their doors to welcome students for the new academic year.

Guyana Times spoke with several late shoppers, who hustled and bustled around Georgetown on the

his experience as very busy and hectic which was inevitable, having had to wait for his CSEC results before deciding to leave St Roses High to further his studies.

Meanwhile, this publication encountered several parents who identified themselves as “sweepers” in the recent protest, decrying their strained finan-

cial situation resulting from non-payment and depressed wages for their services, which was more than inefficient to support their schoolaged children when the doors open on September 4.

“I am not comfortable but I am coping with it… that is the most I could do.

I wouldn’t steal so I have to cope,” one single parent lamented.

Meanwhile, while some vendors reported an increase in sales during the course of the past week, other sellers complained of relatively low and stagnant sales despite the heavy presence of customers who paraded the commercial shopping district.

“Business is so nice… off of this vending, I got a daughter who write some subjects, she got five twos, three threes and one four,” a single parent vendor proudly declared.

Two particularly feisty sales girls dressed in flashy red and white school outfits made well with effective advertising as customers flocked their stands.

“Because this is the last day for all the school shopping, so we just decided to come up with something to make it more spicy. We have a variety of stuff, right now we are helping out the youths to get cheap things for school, we have bags for as low as $1000, lunch packs for as low as $500… we

have a big sale at Ashley’s Fashion... we have a lot to offer,” the enthusiastic girls announced.

However some smallscale vendors made little or no sale at all for the day, claiming business is “not the same as before” prior to the influx of relatively large numbers of Chinese stores in the city.

“Business is not too good and not too bad, it’s coming around. The Brazilians, the Cubans and all of those persons they come and shopping at the Chinese so we who are on the street are not making any money. They (the Guyanese shoppers) going in, they picking up their brother, sister, cousin, auntie and they going and buy at the wholesale place... so

Ashley’s Fashion sales girls take over the sales on Regent Street

we out here, we’re suffering,” one vendor stated.

According to another vendor, “it’s not like before, you know, things drop back a lot but we still trying with it. I’m hoping for business to

pick up.”

The vendors, despite having accepted their fate, are nonetheless hoping that business improves overtime as school reopens on Monday.

Police probing suspicious death of miner

T

he investigation into the demise of Devon George, a miner of Leopold Street, Georgetown, has left more questions than answers.

A post-mortem examination (PME) done on his remains has suggested that he died as a result of downing compounded with blunt trauma, and family members have since voiced suspicion that his death is a homicide.

The Police have said that

George’s death occurred on August 24 at about 21:50h.

They note that initial investigations had revealed that the deceased had drowned whilst attempting to cross the Mazaruni River near the Pappy Show Landing.

Reports suggested that his paddle boat had started to take in water and persons in the area were said to have heard his screams and had gone to his assistance; however, before help could

reach the man, his body had reportedly already gone under the water.

His body was later recovered and taken to Georgetown, where the PME was conducted. Its findings have raised eyebrows among George’s relatives, and they are calling on Police to conduct more investigations into the matter.

Accordingly, ranks have been sent to the location to conduct further investigations.

news

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Banks DIH employees to get raise of salaries … as company, union sign new agreement which is expected to increase by four and two per cent for the subsequent years.

Signatories for the GWU included General President Morris Witter, General Secretary Pancham Singh

End of the Plantation?

I

t appears the days of the plantations, the raison d’etre for Guyana’s existence, are numbered. As one who grew up on one, I really do not mourn their passing, save for the callous way this administration has gone about the job. Surely, we cannot accept the neo-liberalism dogma that decisions rendering 10,000 persons jobless must be made by the “market”.

The plantation has been described by some as a “total institution” that acted to socialize, through force and other coercive methods, the workers into an organized “machine” for production. There is no question the planters had a clear picture of what the ideal plantation worker ought to be: docile, industrious, concerned about the plantation’s interests ahead of his own, and willing to follow orders. That the workers would have resisted this dehumanisation of Ravi Dev their being was also not unexpected, and the plantations were structured to overcome this resistance.

The plantation, founded on slave labour, was predicated on violence backed by the always available State coercive institutions. The demands of the sugar plantations required comparatively large investments, which in turn demanded consistent and cheap production to deliver demanded high returns. Violence and coercion were integral features of the plantation economy, to discipline individuals into this new technology of production. The abolition of slavery, while a landmark change in the legal relations between planters and workers. as owner and chattel, simply forced changes in the methodology of applying the violence to extract production during the indentureship period and after.

Workers were organised into “gangs” under the direct supervision of “drivers,” who were selected for the position by white overseers recruited from the underclasses of Scotland and Ireland. Drivers were men most willing and capable of obtaining the greatest amount of labour for the least amount of money from their fellow workers - by any means necessary. This arrangement was crucial, since the nature of sugar cultivation and harvesting created variable conditions necessitating daily bargaining over the content of the “task” that had to be completed for a day’s pay.

Drivers of women’s gangs, as well as the White overseers, were notorious for taking advantage of the women in their gangs. These two issues -- wages and women -- were at the heart of most of the “official” violence against the Indians during their sojourn on the plantations, when they protested the quotidian injustices. The managers had a tactic of initiating the issuance of summons for any infraction, with its withdrawal contingent on the worker agreeing to pay costs. Up the 1880s, the majority of drivers over Indian gangs were Africans, and there were many reports of these drivers assaulting Indians.

The plantation discipline featured floggings, assaults etc. that helped to fix in the Indian mind the image of the African driver as a “bully”, which was not alleviated when the Police Force formed in 1839 was staffed overwhelmingly from that section of the population.

The attitude of the planters towards the sugar workers was exemplified by the planter William Russell, who agreed with the view of plantation managers that indentured workers should be “at work, in hospital, or in goal”. These locales defined the three institutions over which total control of discipline and domination could be exercised over the immigrant: the “overseer/driver” system to deal with the immigrant at work; and the medical and judicial systems to impose the planters’ wish and will over them within the “hospital and goal”.

In his indictment of the immigration system in 1869, Des Voux not only castigated the magistrates (who would typically have lunch with the local manager before presiding over his court that imposed criminal penalties on civil charges, and beside whom the manager would sit if charged by an immigrant) but the medical doctors who conspired to ensure that immigrants get back into the fields. The hospital became part of the system and surveillance of the immigrants to ensure that the ideal worker was available to the plantation.

In the one hundred years following the end of indentureship in 1917, not much has changed in social relations on the plantations that were now ironically dubbed “estates”, invoking the “estates” of the English nobility with their serfs. Even local managers became “nobility”!

Clifford Reis, Chairman/Managing Director of Banks DIH Limited, presents a copy of the Agreement to Charles Ogle, Chief Labour Officer in the presence of a Labour Ministry official

B

anks DIH Limited and the Guyana Worker’s Union (GWU) on Wednesday signed a new three-year agreement which will see the distillery company’s employees benefiting.

The agreement was signed in the presence of the Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle in the boardroom of the Labour Ministry

by the Chairman/Managing Director of Banks FIH, Clifford Reis along with Human Resources Director, Andrew Carto.

The agreement includes increase in condition of employment allowances, meals, travel and long service recognition allowances.

Employees will now have a seven per cent increase for the first year of the contract,

and Senior Vice President Quincy Bailey.

The memorandum will cover the period starting October 1, 2017 to September 30 of 2020.

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SunDAY, september 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Vice Chairperson objects to Region 2 female teachers’ placement in interior Younge’s Take

R

egion Two Vice Chairperson Nandranie Coonjah, currently acting as Regional Chairwoman, has said she is very concerned for the safety of young female teachers who are being placed in the interior to work after completing training at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

In an interview with Guyana Times, Coonjah revealed that 16 young female teachers from Region Two who recently completed their training at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) were given letters to start teaching in Regions Seven, Eight and Nine, and a delegation of their parents and guardians had visited her to vent their frustrations at the situation.

The RDC member noted that her concern is the safety of the youths in the hinterland areas.

Also a commissioner on the Women and Gender Commission, Coonjah said she is dissatisfied with the MoE’s decision, since young people will be venturing out in the world of work with limited or no experience and would be placed at a disadvantage.

“Sabrina Gamell was murdered due to inexperience, and she was

Region Two Vice Chairperson Nandraine Coonjah

forced to work under harsh conditions,” Coonjah said. Gamell, a teacher from Pomeroon, Region Two, had been killed in Region Nine.

The Regional Vice Chairperson is therefore calling on the Education Ministry and the placement unit to revisit the policy of choosing teachers

to send to the riverine areas, and to exercise consideration in this choosing.

Coonjah acknowledges this as being an issue over the years, but has called for young people’s welfare to be represented.

She also said that, based on information she received from parents, most of them will not be sending their children to teach in those forested areas, and she is concerned at how they would source the money to repay their loans.

One parent who was very worried over the situation has said his daughter was given a letter to report for duty at a school at Sand Creek in Region Nine. He said his daughter is going to work for the first time, and he is disturbed that she is being placed so far away from home.

“I won’t allow my daughter to go work so far (away from home),” the father has stated. Other parents have since expressed similar sentiments.

Contacted, Regional Education Officer for Region Two, Baramadai Seepersaud, has said the Regional Department of Education has nothing to do with the placement of teachers. (Indrawattie Natram)

The Quest

T

hree weeks ago, a stunning and uniquely beautiful young lady from Essequibo was adjudged the winner of the Miss Guyana Universe Pageant, which was held in New York for the first time this year. And while she is no stranger to the world of pageantry, Rafieya Hussain accepted the crown with humility as she prepares to possibly make history at the international pageant by attempting to place in the top 15, or even sealing the deal by winning the coveted crown.

Hussain, who is based in New York, has since dedicated all of her energy towards preparing for the November event, and appears intent on remaining focused on reaching what she said on social media was one of her “main goals” by making Guyana proud. Apart from her work in pageantry, the young lady is also notably involved in a lot of charitable projects aimed at bolstering the fight against domestic violence and suicide prevention. She continues to use Michael Younge her local stardom as a platform for advocacy and awareness whenever the need and opportunity arises.

But her quest for the crown has been anything but smooth and exciting for the most parts, since the announcement of her name back in August. Some would even argue that Hussain’s problem initially started when she entered the Miss Universe Pageant after creating an upset at both the local and international Miss World Pageant, where she placed and performed splendidly.

Hussain competed but surprisingly did not win, despite her stellar performance. Soyini Fraser was announced winner, much to the dissatisfaction of many.

Now the tables have turned, and it would appear that controversy is surrounding Hussain’s win. It is widely being alleged that the judges had selected Sharise Victor as the winner of this year’s pageant. Two persons associated with the Miss Guyana Universe Organisation have since resigned out of so-,called “principle” following the purported dishonesty on pageant night.

The first runner up, Victor and other delegates are moving to social media and telling their tales of disenfranchisement, mistreatment, and alleged robbery at the hands of the current Pageant Franchise Holder, Jyoti Hardatt. And while their claims appear serious in nature, a group of persons with known and unknown motives locally and in the US are clearly egging and cheering them on. What has become a recurring theme, however, in the diatribe of attacks against Hardat and the Organization is the subliminally coded messages directed at Hussain. She has been accused of all manner of things, from buying the crown and collusion to rig the results, right down to ‘wuking obeah’ on food given to the contestants during the training. The young lady has also been body shamed by persons who clearly have an agenda to sabotage her quest for the international crown. She has been the victim of cyber bullying and racism, as one person actually vowed to “send her into depression if she does not return the crown”.

The truth is, not a single judge has come forward disputing the ‘announced’ results of the pageant. None of the contestants have come forward to formally contest the results by lobbying either the franchise holder directly or the international organisation for a probe. Apart from inferences contained in coded statements, none of the hosts of the event has put out a bold statement challenging the validity of the results, the departure from agreed process, or the fact that they allegedly received three sets of papers. Also, why did these well-educated girls, who have the means to access all of the finances which they claimed were expended out of their pockets on the pageant from day one, continue to compete. They appeared to have had the foresight to predict that the pageant was not going to be fair. Why not save one’s honour and reputation by opting out if one believes in justice and fairness? That aside, why haven’t any of the girls formally sued Hardat and the organisation to recover costs and benefits contained in the contract? Why the delay if the intent isn’t to sabotage, discredit, and defame Hussain’s tenure.

Social media is not the forum to make allegations and put people on trial for mismanaging a franchise. Get more serious and demonstrate class by taking formal steps to achieve wider redress.

But obviously something is amiss. Someone is bitter. Someone is eyeing the Miss Universe Franchise, and in order for it to change hands, strife and confusion must reign supreme.

In the midst of all of this, Hussain’s conduct, patience and sincerity to her duties are commendable. They speak volumes of her integrity and standing as a thick-skinned modern woman in the spotlight. What is, however, grotesque and regrettable is how these contestants are allowing themselves to be used as scapegoats in a personal battle between personalities gaming for the coveted franchise. After all, the allegations about rigged pageants and dishonest franchise owners is nothing new. Ask Derrick Moore, Pamela Dillion, Odinga Lumumba and Negla Brandis how many times people have tried to challenge the results of pageants they have held and the concocted tails that they tell the media. These persons have been tried and tested. Some, particularly Brandis, have passed with flying colours. Hardat will have to ride the storm, and be prepared to defend the integrity of her pageant, the terms of the contract she entered into, and the winner announced. If not, she will crumble. The public is waiting to hear her side of the drama.

The biggest victim in this ordeal is not those making wild accusations on social media after the fact and event has ended.

Heavy is the head that currently wears the crown. And Hussain will have more hurdles to cross when she registers her bid in the quest to become the new Miss Universe.

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Anna's

Carl Parker, the alleged sexual offender, must be judged

L

ast February, Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region Nine, Carl Parker was slapped with charges of sexual assault for having allegedly molested Lethem’s Deputy Mayor. Parker is reported to have hired the legal services of Jerome Khan to represent him in court and the victim has indicated that at each hearing, attempts to slut-shame her were made in the presence of the Prosecutor. It must Anna Correia be noted that both Parker and the victim are members of the People’s National Congress; the party which dominates the coalition Government and that efforts were made by the party to hush the matter.

When the victim refused to remain silent, she was eventually summoned to Social Protection Minister Amna Ally’s office. According to the victim, Ally invited a leader of the Red Thread organisation to the meeting, without serving the victim prior notice. Interestingly, Ally proceeded to meet with the member of Red Thread behind closed doors – a meeting to which the victim was not privy. It was only after this that she received the victim separately in her office and dismissed the matter, without providing guidance or assistance as should a Social Protection Minister.

The victim returned to Lethem where the case is being tried. However, the Lethem Court has ordered that the victim procure the services of a lawyer to represent her for the upcoming September 6 hearing, without which the case will have to be dropped. The victim doesn’t have the resources to fund her defence, and calls for legal assistance on her behalf were unsuccessful.

This was not the first time Parker is being accused of sexual impropriety and harassment. A District Education Officer (DEO) in the Rupununi in 2015, publicly denounced him for having sexually bullied her at the workplace. Other women were intimidated into silence for fear of losing their jobs in the region. The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) had also alerted Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan, on the tyrannical comportment of the REO which extends beyond what appears to be a pathological tendency for sexual impropriety towards women in his professional environment, to political and ethnic discrimination.

This would explain why in 2016, over 1200 Amerindians petitioned President Granger to have Parker removed (sexual harassment figured among the 14 accusations levelled against Parker). President Granger delegated the responsibility to investigate the petition to Minister Bulkan.

However, Bulkan doesn’t just refuse to meet with the civil representatives of petitioners, but has done little to bring clarity to the situation.

This is no trivial matter to be taken lightly. Parker must be judged and condemned if found guilty before the law, and this will set precedence for all politicians who use their power abusively. Sadly, we are confronted with a typical case in which a financially impaired victim is overshadowed by politics, wealth and a patriarchal party within a patriarchal society.

Meanwhile, Parker continues to brag about his impunity as he enjoys the perks of a GY$300,000 salary despite his “suspension” from office since February, as well as housing accommodation in Lethem, funded by tax-payers. He currently occupies a building which was intended for the purpose of lodging nurses who work in the region. Calls by the RDC to have him relocated fell on Bulkan’s deaf ears.

It is hoped that those who have the power to act, would not refrain from helping to bring justice to the victims and all those in Region Nine who have been prejudiced by Parker and the system.

Contact sundayarrow@gmail.com

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T&T coach feels let down by senior players

A

Dennis Lawrence

fter just locking up three points and three goals in six games from the CONCACAF World Cup quali-

fying final round, Trinidad and Tobago coach Dennis Lawrence says he got less fight than he expected after the team fell 2-1

to Honduras at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Friday night.

“I don’t understand exactly what went on with the boys,” said Lawrence.

“In the first half, I was expecting the senior players to grab a hold of the situation and calm things down a bit,” Lawrence said. “[…] We all need to question ourselves and find out why the boys performed in that manner in the first 45 minutes of the game,” he added.

“Okay, we conceded a goal. But every time Honduras came into our penalty area, we looked like we were going to concede.”

T&T have a very experienced team with at least four players enjoying more than 50 caps for the national outfit.

That experience, Lawrence said, should have kicked in.

“We’ve got experienced play-

ers who have gotten a number of caps for Trinidad and Tobago,” Lawrence lamented, “and I didn’t feel they took the responsibility to try and take control of the situation so I was a bit disappointed from that aspect.”

A series of defensive miscues opened the door for Honduras to take a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute. T&T goalkeeper JanMichael Williams couldn’t corral a ball that bounced in the box, allowing Alberth Elis to gain control. The 21-year-old forward regained possession after his pass took a deflection in the right side of the box. He then attempted a half shot/half pass that hit off Kevon Villaroel and landed at the feet of Alexander Lopez, whose right-footed effort from 18-yards out hit the back of the net.

Ten minutes later, it was 2-0 as Romell Quioto delivered a

cross from the left side of the box that found an unmarked Houston Dynamo teammate Elis for a slotted, right-footed finish from 10-yards out.

Joevin Jones halved the deficit in the 67th minute, converting a penalty kick for his team-best fifth goal of the current qualifying cycle.

T&T travel to Panama for September 5 fixture but hold little hope of grabbing one of the two remaining automatic World Cup spots or the fourth-place half-spot for that matter.

“We needed to have that [intensity] from the very first whistle which we didn’t have,” Lawrence said. “And as I said before—the concern I raised against Jamaica—we can’t keep conceding goals so early in games; to climb that mountain, it is tremendous.”

Stafanie Taylor Elated Osorio sets sights on Russia 2018 rebounds from A poor World Cup with Super League title W fter Mexico became the fifth nation to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Juan Carlos Osorio is determined his side will be competitive.

Hirving Lozano’s

indies women’s captain Stafanie Taylor rebounded from her disappointing outing in the Women’s World Cup in England to help the Western Storm lift their first-ever Super League title on Friday.

The Storm beat the Southern Vipers in the final of England’s Women’s Super League, chasing down 146 to earn a seven-wicket victory.

Rachel Priest top scored for the Storm with 72, while Taylor and Sophie Luff ensured a successful run-chase with unbeaten 30s.

Another Windies player, Hayley Matthews was on the losing end of the effort, scoring 31 for the Vipers as they racked up 145-five from their 20 overs.

Taylor was also good with the ball, helping to restrict the Vipers with her 3-28 from her four overs.

A number of the Vipers’ batters got starts with Mignon du Preez also scoring 31, while Suzie Bates and Danielle Watts scored 21 runs each. However, the intermittent Taylor strikes ensured that nobody built on those good starts, slowing the scoring rates to give the Storm every chance of overhauling what was still a challenging total. (SportsMax)

keen to celebrate their latest achievement, he knows he must begin plotting how they can go deeper in the competition next year.

“The most important thing is to enjoy this mo-

Juan Carlos Osorio

53rd-minute strike against Panama secured Mexico’s place at the 2018 World Cup on Friday but coach Juan Carlos Osorio knows the hard work starts now.

Mexico’s 1-0 win maintained their unbeaten record in qualifying and ensured they will return to Russia after finishing fourth at this summer’s Confederations Cup. It is the seventh successive World Cup that Mexico have qualified for but on each of those occasions they have failed to get past the round of 16.

And while Osorio is

ment. We set a goal for Mexico to qualify for the World Cup without any fuss, we have achieved our goals,” he told a media conference.

“Now we have the great honour of representing Mexico in the World Cup. Now a new stage begins.

“We have to enjoy it, but at the same time there is a big responsibility for what is coming, for that we are going to prepare.

“For this World Cup we will have less preparation, but we will try to have the best 11, and for those places there is a lot of compe-

tition.

“Here is a very important generation, it is a great moment, we will do our

best as professionals to give a great World Cup. “The goal is to continue building a better team. All

that has happened we have to analyse to improve, so that this group of players think about glory.” (SportsMax)

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sunDAY, september 3, 2017

Mayweather-McGregor is a pay-per-view smash C

onor McGregor's improbable challenge of Floyd Mayweather Jr. was a hit at the box office and could end up the biggest pay-per-view ever, with an estimated 50 million people watching in the United States alone.

Preliminary figures released by Showtime PPV on Friday showed the fight was tracking in the ''mid to high'' 4 million range, threatening the 4.6 million record set by Mayweather's 2015 fight with Manny Pacquiao. Showtime's Stephen Espinoza said the number will likely rise some as more firm figures come in. ''It's a little soon to be predicting a record,'' said Espinoza, who heads sports for Showtime. ''But the record is definitely within reach.''

Estimates vary, but if an average of 10 people watched each pay-per-view the total audience for Saturday's fight in the US could reach 50 million people, or nearly one in six Americans. ''I'd absolutely call this a complete success,'' Espinoza said. ''This was a fight that had massive expectations in

both the fight itself and the business results. It lived up to those expectations in every respect.''

At $99.95 a buy, the pay-

be around $100 million.

Though the fight suffered some at the box office because of extremely high ticket prices, it hit the kind of numbers

the first time he has had a real stoppage in nearly a decade. But McGregor's performance also won some applause, as he boxed better in

Floyd Mayweather Jr hits Conor McGregor during their super welterweight boxing match on Saturday, August 26, 2017, in Las Vegas (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)

per-view generated at least $450 million in revenue on domestic television alone, money from which each fighter gets an undisclosed percentage. Mayweather estimated after the fight he would make $300-350 million, while McGregor said his take would

on pay-per-view that promoters were hoping for. When added all together the fight could generate some $600 million in total revenue, which would be along the lines of the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.

Mayweather stopped McGregor in the 10th round,

his first boxing match as a pro than many thought he would.

Assuming the preliminary estimates hold up, Mayweather will have participated in the top four pay-perview events of all time. His fight with Oscar De La Hoya in 2007 sold 2.4 million payper-views, and his 2014 fight with Canelo Alvarez sold 2.2 million.

Espinoza said he should know by next week whether the fight will end up No. 1 or No. 2 on the all-time list. But he said the early estimates were lower than what the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight ended up to be, and that this would likely go higher, too.

''There could be a good amount of growth between the initial numbers and where we eventually end up,'' Espinoza said.

The pay-per-view numbers include streaming on the Showtime and UFC apps as well as cable and satellite television buys. The fight was held up briefly because of some streaming issues, but Espinoza said reports of widespread problems with the online feed were overblown. ''We were particularly pleased with the digital streaming aspect,'' he said. ''It was our first venture going direct to consumers on Showtime and we were thrilled. We generated over four times the buys we had expected online.''

There were also reports of several million illegal streams of the fight and Espinoza said Showtime's anti-piracy technicians saw more illegal streams than any previous fight. But he said the nature of the fight meant groups of people gathered to watch it, and that most bought it legitimately to be guaranteed the best possible feed. ''We knew we had a massive event with huge interest,'' he said. ''And we knew a huge amount of people were going to be watching, including some who watched illegally.''

Mayweather improved to 50-0 in what he said was his last fight, while McGregor is expected to return to UFC following his only pro fight. (AP)

British Police arrest man over crossbow incident at Oval Cricket Ground

B

ritish Police arrested a 35year old man on Saturday over an incident at London’s Oval Cricket Ground which was evacuated on Thursday after a crossbow bolt was fired onto the pitch.

The incident saw a County Championship match between Surrey and Middlesex suspended.

Initial reports suggested a metal-tipped arrow, which landed on the playing surface as the match was ongoing, had been fired from outside the ground.

L o n d o n ’ s Metropolitan police said the man had been arrested on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm and later bailed pending further enquiries.

“This was a reckless action taken with no regard for the safety and wellbeing of the spectators or the players,” said Detective Constable Dominic Landragin of Lambeth borough police. (HindustanTimes)

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sports

21

Northern Rangers, Western Tigers

book semi-final spots in Corona Invitational Tournament

By Michelangelo Jacobus

T

he consistent Northern Rangers booked their semi-final spot in the Corona Invitational Football Tournament by beating Camptown FC in the first quarter-final on Friday night at the Georgetown Football Club ground.

Despite winning on penalty kicks, the Rangers deserved their semi-final berth, as they were consistently the better team throughout the match, and the score-line did no justice to their performance.

As expected, the Rangers played aggressive, attacking football, and were rewarded in the 19th minute when the dependable Sunil Logan found the back of the net to give his team a 1-0 lead.

However, before the first half was finished, Camptown managed to equalize through Richie Richard in the 41st minute, to leave the game hanging in

the balance.

In the second half, it was more of the same, with the Rangers continuing their relentless attack, but being unfortunate not to add to the score, as their forwards spurned quite a few chances.

The two sides were level when the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of normal time, and both sides went into extra time showing signs of fatigue, and failed to capitalize on defensive lapses on both sides of the pitch.

With penalty kicks needed to decide a winner, Northern Rangers had first go, and their first penalty kicker had his shot saved.

Up stepped the first Camptown player, who duly converted. However Rangers’ next three kickers were on target, while Camptown’s next two kickers also converted.

A twist would come when the latter’s fourth kick was saved. With the pressure mounting, the Rangers

Western Tigers beat Pele FC 6-0

scored to leave the penalty count at 4-3 in their favour.

The following kick-taker wilted under the pressure and sent the ball flying over the crossbar to spark celebrations from the Rangers.

In the second quarter-final, Western Tigers mauled a young Pele FC team 6-0 to go one step closer to winning the inaugural title.

The unbeaten Tigers had the majority of possession,

and created chance after chance. The score line could have been more embarrassing, but for errant positioning of the forwards.

Dellon Kells was the first to get on the score sheet when he bundled in the ball from a corner in the 9th minute. Jamal Pedro would be next in the 30th, while Darren Benjamin made it 3-0 just two minutes later.

Jarel Tyrell also notched

up a goal in the 55th minute, while Benjamin had his second in the 72nd minute.

Mark Gittens completed the rout in the 75th minute with Western Tigers’ sixth goal. The remaining two quarter-finals will be played tonight at the same venue, with the first match between Santos FC and Police FC at 19:00hrs, while home team GFC take on Riddim Squad at 21:00hrs.

Waitress for bar 612-2522

Tuesday is D-Day for several teams as they face Classified the exit

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O

rganisers of the inaugural Guinness Cage Indoor Championships continue to recognize the support of devoted fans, who have been turning out in numbers to witness the exciting matches.

The championships, which will conclude on September 16, commenced with thirty-two of the best teams vying for prize money in excess of $800,000 along with a special prize of a gold chain for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) compliments of YK Investments & Pawn Shop.

Two days of competition have produced some surprising performances, with the notable ones coming from MBK All Stars and Ol Skool Ballers, the two teams responsible for the exodus of established teams Sophia and Broad Street respectively.

Also highlighting the two days of competition was the elimination of national Guinness champions Dave & Celena All Stars, giving weight to the serious preparations of perceived underdog teams.

To add legitimacy to the competition, Guyana’s most successful futsal team, Sparta Boss, which had for that quite a few years reigned over the format, no longer drives fear into opponents, but rather seems to be the one intimidated by the sight of rivals, a conclusion drawn by their recent wretched performances.

A team that has split with fans over terms of allegiance, mainly due to their undisputed dominance over a prolonged period, still managed to remain the crowd puller among all the teams, and their presence could determine a tournament’s success.

As the saying goes, ‘success breathes enemies’, and this tested and proven idiom still holds true in relation to Sparta Boss.

MVP to get gold chain compliments of Y K Investments & Pawn Shop – Guinness Cage/Three Peat Promotions Indoor C/ ship

However, some of the other teams, such as Albouystown ‘A’, Back Circle, Future Stars and West Front Road, ‘Gold is Money,’ are all getting to the point where they are now rivaling Sparta Boss as garnering plenty support from the communities they originate from which certainly makes the setting an electrifying scene.

The futsal style format has become the most thrilling aspect of local football. It is responsible for the attendance of large audiences and the introduction of the Cage format that provides virtual non-stop action while being extremely testing on the fitness of players, it is being embraced by the loyal fans.

The business end is approaching, and as the young exciting teams continue to show no fear for the established teams, the possibility of a not-so-fancy team creating a major upset is very real.

Already we’ve noticed a few pre-tournament favourites under pressure to advance to the quarter-finals, and it will be interesting to see how they perform with two rounds of the Group Stage still to be played.

It might take a massive outpouring of residents from the respective communities to add critical support to increase the chances of their teams making it to the latter stages.

Should the fans from the respective communities grace the arena with their presence, odds of a fascinating battle for the prize-paying positions are even more compelling.

Tuesday’s round of matches should exceed the fireworks witnessed in the preceding two nights of action.

Y K Investments and Pawn Shop Managing Director Marlon Yenkana (right) handing over the sponsorship to Three Peat Promotions representative Rawle Welch

A

consistent supporter of sports and athletes, Y K Investments & Pawn Shop has added its name to the list of sponsors of the inaugural Guinness Cage/ Three Peat Promotions Indoor Championship, presenting a gold chain for the Most Valuable Player.

In a simple ceremony at the entity’s location on Regent Street, Managing Director Marlon Yenkana pledged his support for the MVP following a request made by Three Peat Promotions representative Rawle Welch.

Yenkana said he was pleased to assist the Championship, adding that his love for sports played a pivotal role in his decision to get on board, while his longstanding friendship with one of the organisers was also instrumental in convincing him to offer his assistance.

“I have known Rawle for a long time, and our association, which started through business, has blossomed into a friendship over the years,” Yenkana disclosed.

In response, Welch thanked the entity for its continued support to sports, and promised to deliver an event that would make the business proud.

More than $800,000 in total prize money is up for grabs.

22

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sunDAY, september 3, 2017

GCB/ Jaguars 3-Day League

Adams’ unbeaten 145, Rutherford’s 7-48 highlight opening day

S

pectators present at the Albion Community Centre Ground witnessed a competitive first day of the commencement of the 2017 GCB/Jaguars 3-Day

Boodie and Ricardo Peters scored 10 and 3 runs respectively, before being dismissed by Raun Johnson.

However, exhilarating all-rounder Ricardo Adams rebuilt his team’s

Ricardo Adams

League, where reigning champions Lower Corentyne were engaged in fierce rivalry with Essequibo.

In conditions conducive for cricket, Essequibo won the toss and chose to bat. Their openers Kevon

innings along with Kemol Savory, who batted at number three. Adams top scored with 145 not out while Savoury reached 62.

Essequibo was eventually dismissed for 274 off 61.2 overs.

Lower Corentyne went

in to bat, and before the day’s close of play, amalgamated 62 for 3 off of 26 overs.

The reigning champs will start day two in a spot of bother, but could still manage to surpass their opponents’ first innings based on their approach.

Meanwhile, the other teams were locked in battle on day one.

Over at the Lusignan Community Centre ground, Georgetown won the toss and sent Upper Demerara/ East Bank in to bat. It was a decision that proved worthwhile for Georgetown, as their opponents found themselves in early trouble -- at 16 for 2, after fast bowlers Paul Wintz and Qumar Torrington sent back openers Browne and Sachin Singh for duck and one respectively.

Captain Robin Bacchus then entered as the first change bowler, sending back Danny Narayan cheaply to have Upper Demerara/ East Bank reeling at 24 for 3.

Fast bowler Joshua Wade took out Ronaldo Ali Mohamed, caught at short leg for duck, to make the score 77 for 4.

Bacchus then introduced spinners Gajanan Suknanan and Steven Sankar, who made batting even more difficult for their opponents, and Upper Demerara/ East Bank crashed to 115 all out off 39.3 overs.

Batting for Upper Demerara/EastBank, Vishual Singh made 32, Sherefane Rutherford 19, Ershad Ali 18, and Totaram Bishun 13.

Bowling for Georgetown, Suknanan grabbed 3 for 24 and Steven Sankar 3 for 38.

Fast bowlers Paul Wintz, Qumar Torrington, Joshua Wade and Robin Bacchus each took a wicket.

Georgetown, in reply, had a minimum of 58 overs to bat out the day’s play.

However, Upper Demerara/ East Bank pace bowlers AliMohamed and Rutherford had other ideas, the former clean bowling Martin Pestano-Bell and Sunil Singh, while Rutherford had National Under-15 captain Marvan Prasad comprehensively bowled for 4, to leave Georgetown on 22 for 3.

Nevertheless, Robin Bacchus and Dexter Solomon, consolidating,

Steven Sankar (left) and Gajanan Suknanan spearheaded Georgetown’s bowling attack with three wickets apiece

posted a fourth wicket partnership of 71 before Bacchus was adjusted LBW to Rutherford for a solid 51.

Rutherford also had Paul Wintz caught and bowled, Solomon LBW for 29, and both Sankar and Suknanan LBW for duck, even as Torrington caught Seegobin before he could score.

Lord and Joshua Wade were the only other batsmen to make double figures, with 19 and 12 respectively. Rutherford ended with superb figures of 7 for 48 from 16 overs.

Upper Demerara/East Bank, in their second innings, were 20 for 2 off 7 of the remaining 19 overs that were left in the day's play when play ended at 17:30h.

In the game featuring West Berbice versus Upper Corentyne, Upper Corentyne tallied 152 runs in 32.2 overs, while West Berbice summed up 93 runs off 31 overs all out.

Play continues today, Sunday, September 3, and the first ball of the day in all of the matches is expected to be bowled at 9:30h.

sunDAY, september 3, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

23

Amazondestroy Warriors Tallawahs in staggering run-chase

Chadwick Walton

A

n

astonishing run-chase by Guyana Amazon Warriors made a mockery of Jamaica Tallawahs total of 149 in match 28 of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League.

Chadwick Walton’s unbeaten 84 propelled the Amazon Warriors to the total with 57 balls to spare.

Walton was in no mood to

hang around in pursuit of a total which although below-par seemed it might trouble the visitors on a tacky pitch at Sabina Park. A superb display of ball-striking ensured that was certainly not the case.

The Amazon Warriors innings begun in the manner in which it continued. Oshane Thomas started with two no balls, the second of which was hit for six and the ensuing free hit was hit for six too, meaning 14 runs came from the first legal delivery. Thomas recovered to dismiss Sohail Tanvir by the end of the first over but that was the last moment of joy for the Tallawahs in a staggering innings.

Walton clinically punished fractional errors in length from the Tallawahs, striking boundaries on both sides of the ground.

After hitting boundaries off Kesrick Williams he celebrated by mimicking Williams’ trademark notebook celebration. With a little help from some lusty blows from Luke Ronchi, Walton and the Amazon Warriors set a new record for the highest Powerplay in CPL history of 88 for 1 despite only eight runs coming from the fifth over, bowled by Mahmudullah.

The field dropping back did not stop Walton. He was given a reprieve when on 48—Rovman Powell and Mahmudullah colliding to drop a high catch—but

he continued furiously on. As the runs continued to flow the Tallawahs discipline abandoned them: Williams at one point bowled three consecutive no balls.

There was just time for Ronchi to reach his fifty before the Amazon Warriors sealed victory with a scarcely believable 57 balls to spare.

After the Tallawahs elected to bat first their innings got off to a slow start and cost them both opening batsmen. First Glenn Phillips missed a sweep shot off Veerasammy Permaul and was bowled and then Lendl Simmons was caught at mid-wicket off a leading edge, duped by a Rayad Emrit slower ball. The Tallawahs Powerplay score of 30 for 2 was their lowest of the season so far.

It was not until the eighth over of the innings that the Tallawahs really got going, when Andre McCarthy put away two short balls from Permaul for six and then four. McCarthy took a four and a six off each of the two overs after that, from Steven Jacobs and Rashid Khan, dispatching boundaries off the front and back foot.

After the drinks break Kumar Sangakkara hit his first boundary off his 19th ball moments before McCarthy was caught off a topedged pull off Roshon Primus for 44 off 35 balls, ending a sprightly partnership. Two overs and one more boundary later Sangakkara

was gone too - caught playing a lap sweep for the third dismissal in a row off the bowling of Emrit for 38.

His dismissal left the Tallawahs 120 for 4 with four overs remaining leaving Rovman Powell and

age. A four for Jonathan Foo and a six for Krishmar Santokie took 14 from the last over, lifting the Tallawahs to 149 for 7 - the average first innings score at Sabina Park. Of the Amazon Warriors

Rayad Emrit (second right), Luke Ronchi, Roshan Primus and Rashid Khan of the Guyana Amazon Warriors celebrate the dismissal of Lendl Simmons

Mahmudullah the responsibility of capitalising on McCarthy and Sangakkara’s work. Neither man was able to do this with both of them being dismissed by Sohail Tanvir in the penultimate over without causing any notable dam-

bowlers only Jacobs had an economy rate higher than 7.25 - restricting the Tallawahs was a team effort. Khan, despite not taking a wicket, was arguably the pick of the bowlers with 0 for 25 from his four overs.

Hetmyer, Dowrich keep Windies confidence bubbling

R

Shane Dowrich

ookie Shimron Hetmyer produced a stunning unbeaten century while wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich also chipped in with three figures, as West Indies dominated the opening day of their two-day match

against Leicestershire here Saturday.

The 20-year-old lefthander struck 128 not out at better than a run-a-ball as the Windies registered 377 for seven declared off 88 overs, after winning the toss

and electing to bat at Grace Road.

Dowrich also made the most of his opportunity, scoring 108 not out off 176 balls with 16 fours as he regained touch in the lead-up to the decisive third Test at Lord’s next week.

He added an unbroken stand of 186 with Hetmyer for the eighth wicket after West Indies’ innings seemed to be petering out tamely at 191 for seven in the final session.

Earlier in the day, left-handed opener Kieran Powell also tuned up with a stroke-filled 82. He batted 3-½ hours, faced 154 balls and hit 12 fours and a huge six over midwicket.

However, the day belonged to the exciting Hetmyer who made his Test debut against Pakistan earlier this year but is yet to feature in the ongoing Test series against England.

Coming at number nine in just his third innings on tour, Hetmyer hit 17 fours and five sixes in just over two hours off 120 balls. He treated spectators to an array of breath-

taking strokes on both side of the wicket, reaching his half century off 49 balls with nine fours and two sixes.

He then accelerated to raise his century off 100 balls, counting 12 fours and five sixes – two of which came in the same over from off-spinner Robert Sayer.

After reaching the landmark, Hetmyer continued to dominate and the declaration came in fading light as he cracked three boundaries in the final over of the day from left-arm pacer Dieter Klein.

Earlier in the day, the visitors slipped to five for two in the fourth over when opener Kraigg Brathwaite (2) and Kyle Hope (1) were both trapped leg-before in then space of seven balls.

Second Test hero Shai Hope then joined Powell and they repaired the early damage, adding 48 for the third wicket.

Hope counted six boundaries in a fluent 28 off 33 balls before he was bowled by seamer Richard Jones, leading to two quick wickets for seamer Gavin Griffiths, who finished with two for 70.

Shimron Hetmyer

Roston Chase was lbw for two, trapped on the crease as Griffiths got a delivery to swing in and two balls later Jermaine Blackwood fell for a duck, well held at cover from a powerful drive.

Powell then began the re-

vival for West Indies, putting on 117 for the sixth wicket with Dowrich, before Hetmyer arrived to swing the game in favour of the tourists.

Left-arm seamer Dieter Klein was the best bowler with three for 77. (CMC)

SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES 1st Innings K Brathwaite lbw b Klein 2 K Powell c wkp Swindells b Kle in 82 K Hope lbw b Chappell 1 S Hope b Jones 28 R Chase lbw b Griffiths 3 J Blackwood c Sayer b Griffiths 0 +S Dowrich not out 108 *J Holder b Klein 4 S Hetmyer not out 128 Extras (b7, lb4, w5, nb5) 21 TOTAL (7 wkts, 88 overs) 377

To bat: D Bishoo, Roach, Gabriel, A Joseph, M Cummins, R Reifer.

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-5, 3-53, 4-64, 5-64, 6-181, 7-191.

Bowling: Chappell 19-2-751, Klein 19-4-77-3, Jones 123-50-1, Griffiths 18-1-702, Sayer 11-1-53-0, Wells 8-0-24-0, Ali 1-0-17-0.

LEICESTERSHIRE – Ned Eckersley (captain), Harry Dearden, Samuel Evans, Aadil Ali, Tom Wells, Zak Chappell, Harry Swindells, Rob Sayer, Dieter Klein, Gavin Griffiths, Richard Alan Jones

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

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2017

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Hero CPL 2017

Patriots seek second spot in final preliminary against Tridents The 2017 edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League is in its final week and the final preliminary match between the Barbados Tridents and the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots is on tonight. The latter will be competing to secure second position on the points table, while Barbados – depending on the outcome of their penultimate match against Trinbago Knight Riders, which was played late on Saturday night, and if they win against the Patriots – could squeeze into the playoffs ahead of the Guyana Amazon Warriors

Signed, sealed and delivered!

See details in Monday’s edition

President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), K A Juman Yassin congratulated Youth Commonwealth Games silver medallist Keevin Allicock at the GOA Headquarters on Saturday. The 18-year-old flyweight boxer will receive from the GOA a monthly stipend of $40,000 until the 2020 Olympics. Also in photo are Guyana Boxing Association President Steve Ninvalle (right) and GOA Vice President, Dr Karen Pilgrim

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.

September 3, 2017

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Dentistry and Bottle Painting

Page 2

2 Sunday Times Magazine

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september 3, 2017

Feature

Dentistry and Bottle Painting

...a winning combination from Dr Clive Jagan the field of dentistry. My father described it as a ‘noble profession’ and I shared that same advice with my sons. We are now three generations of dentists.

Looking back, I would say dentistry chose me,” Jagan recalled.

The expert dentist men-

F

However, I do enjoy working with intricate patterns, where one piece can tell multiple messages and each time you look at it you discover something new hidden in the patterns,” he explained.

The self-taught artist stated he actively uses the

it. However, with the current cricket fever and being a fan, he decided to paint the bottle showcasing the colours and logo of the Amazon Warriors.

Jagan said the celebrated cricketer, Rayad Emrit, was appreciative of his artistic piece and commended

Dr Jagan (right) presents Rayad Emrit, Guyana Amazon Warriors' captain, with one of his painted bottles with the Warriors' colours and logo (Carl Croker photo)

or Dr Clive Jagan, a veteran dentist, bottle painting is not only an ingenious way to ‘upcycle’ discarded bottles, but serves as therapy and a means of keeping his mind active.

In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Dr Jagan said he has been practising dentistry for the last 40 years. His career began in January 1978, and to date, he has continued to practise at the Jagan

Dental Centre on Lamaha and Light Streets, alongside his three sons - Drs Shane, Kyle and Ian Jagan.

“As a child, I was strongly influenced by my father and uncles, Cheddi and Sirpaul, who all worked in

A few of Dr Clive Jagan's artistic bottles

tioned he always had an “appreciation for the arts”; however, it was “merely a passing hobby”. Now, due to his sons managing the dental clinic, Jagan said he has more free time. And as a “firm believer in keeping the mind active by constantly learning new skills”, he started pursuing painting again.

“I painted my first bottle back in 1997, but it is only within the last year that I have been consistently painting and producing pieces. I have no specific design preference as my pieces are wide-ranging in theme and design.

internet for inspiration and enjoy using apps, such as Pinterest, to garner ideas as well as share his own artwork.

“I have always had an interest in art, but it is only now that I am actively painting that I have an appreciation for the value of art and artists and the time invested in bringing these pieces to life,” he admitted.

Recently, Jagan presented one of his artistic bottles to Amazon Warriors’ captain, Rayad Emrit. Jagan mentioned that the bottle was sitting on his desk for a while, and he could not find a fitting theme for

him on a job well done.

“Painting has been therapeutic for me, and for that reason alone I want to continue exploring it refining my skills. Keeping the mind and body active is essential for both physical and mental health. In addition to painting, I meditate daily and enjoy yoga and I believe a healthy hobby can also help keep the doctor away, so I would strongly encourage other professionals to take up a hobby. For future plans for my art, my sister, Sonita Jagan, has been strongly encouraging me to market my pieces, so that is a possibility,” Jagan noted.

guyanatimesgy.com

september 3, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

Indigenous Heritage Month 2017

‘Guyana’s First Peoples: Sustaining a Rich Cultural Environment’

G

uyana is a nation that has a colourful history, and is home to several cultures.

For this reason, it is critical to preserve our heritage and the month of September has been designated to do just that.

Declared by the late President Cheddi Jagan, Indigenous Heritage Month has been celebrat-

crafts and food, as part of the customary festivities in recognition of our indigenous peoples.

Under the theme, “Guyana’s First Peoples: Sustaining a Rich Cultural Environment”, Indigenous Heritage Month 2017 will showcase the rich culture of our "first peoples".

From September 1-5,

Indigenous Heritage Month logo 2017

ed grandly with activities throughout the month, since 1995.

Throughout this month, various indigenous villages will engage in activities, such as sports, traditional dancing, exhibitions of art,

there will be a Cultural Extravaganza and an Indigenous Food and Craft Exhibition at the Indigenous Village at the Sophia Exhibition Centre.

Then on September 6, an Indigenous Heritage Art Exhibition will be held

Winner of the Heritage Jingle Competition, Julian ‘The Mighty Pakuri’ Kattow (Photo by Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs)

at the National Gallery of Art, Castellani House, Vlissengen Road.

On September 9, all are invited to St Cuthbert’s Mission, also known as Pakuri Village, for the Heritage Village Day celebrations. The life and works of Guyana's first indigenous parliamentarian, Stephen Campbell, will be celebrated on September 13 at the Indigenous Village, Sophia Exhibition Centre.

On September 11-15, various hinterland schools will be participating in educational tours in Georgetown. The Umana Yana will house several educational lectures from September 11 to 22. At the Everest Cricket Ground, there will be exciting heritage/indigenous games and sports from September 22 to 24. On September 29, the annual Heritage Fundraising Dinner will be held at the Georgetown Club. Several beauties will showcase their talent and heri-

Indigenous youths performing a traditional dance at a past Heritage Day event

Learn how to make cassava bread at the Heritage Village at Sophia Exhibition Centre

tage at the Indigenous Heritage Pageant at the National Cultural Centre on September 30.

A noteworthy win during this Indigenous Heritage Month was the newly-crowned Heritage Jingle Competition champion, Julian ‘The Mighty Pakuri’ Kattow.

For more information on the activities during this month, contact the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs on 2256646.

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

september 3, 2017

Feature

Motifs in Akawaio basketry A motif is a decorative image or design, especially a repeated one, forming a pattern. In Guyana, motifs are artistically incorporated in a variety of indigenous items, especially basketry.

Faye Case, author of “Akawaio Basketry Techniques”, specifically looked at motifs used in Akawaio basketry. She mentioned in her book that to interpret correctly the motif designs employed in Akawaio art, knowledge of the fauna of Guyana is necessary. This is made manifest when studying the motifs on basketry or beadwork from the Amerindians surroundings.

Representation of the artificer’s attempt to mimic nature can be seen in his designs of the stem of the yam plant, palm seed skin, pimple tree, butterfly mouth and many more objects which are common to his everyday life. These motif designs are usually handed down from father to son. The caterpillar motif is delineated on fans and around the waracoba baskets. Snail tracks can be found on fans. The design of the crabback is also called the crab-chest and is also seen on fans. The body markings of the Awolly snake are depicted around the warishi and on beaded aprons.

The design of the butterfly

The motif of a butterfly's mouth

mouth is sometimes manufactured on a fan or delineated on obas [type of Akawaio basketry]

and on beaded aprons. This design is also referred to as A-LAMA-LE-MU-DA-NU meaning

snake mouth pattern.

The designs of the bird shoulder and the bird tail can

be found on obas and warishi’s back. The bird shoulder can also be seen on the beaded apron.

Water beetles are seen on fans.

The two headed Aramale snake is usually depicted on obas.

Akawaio designs on the finished products differ from Arekuna designs, the former using mainly designs of birds and some animals, but not monkeys and frogs, while the latter use all types of designs.

The traditional designs of the Akawaio are the butterfly mouth, crab back, Awolly snake and the Aramale snake.

(Excerpted from “Akawaio Basketry Techniques” 1977 by Faye Case)

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september 3, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

A Rainforest Farm

By Kendra Seignoret

O

ne of the interesting things about being able to stay a long time in one place is that you get to be a part of people’s everyday lives. And in doing so, it is more likely you will see parts of those lives that a ‘lightning strike’ tourist won’t.

While volunteering in Guyana, my group and I met a woman who had a little shop in Pakuri, a Lokono village, also known as St. Cuthbert’s Mission. She had a farm, located in the surrounding rainforest. About two months into our stay, she invited us to see it. I, for one, was delighted to receive the invitation – it was a way of life I knew nothing about and not to mention, it’s a farm in the middle of the rainforest!

The trip to the farm was

a mini-epic adventure in itself. Tromping through the rainforest, getting covered and almost trapped by sucking mud, keeping an eye out for giant insects, traversing overgrown tracks, struggling to keep up with porters carrying way more things that we were; it almost felt like we were old-time explorers.

After traipsing through the jungle for over an hour, we came to a river, a tributary of the Mahaica River, which itself is a tributary of the Essequibo River. Here, we were introduced to the traditional dugout canoe.

The canoe was about 5ft long and can fit four people and some gear. It’s quite shallow and it sits low in the water. It is quite the balancing act to climb in and out of the canoe.

However, its position in the river meant that it was easy to stick my hand in the dark waters, trailing it behind me

Fruit trees in the rainforest

Preparing land for farming

as I was ferried deeper into the rainforest. As it fit into my idea of adventure, I loved every minute of it.

Due to its isolated location, the rainforest farm had a fairly developed camping area – a small structure to escape the rain, some benches, hammocks, and a covered cooking area. The farm itself consisted primarily of fruit trees such as paw paw (also known as papaya) and citrus, ground fruits such as pineapple, and vegetables like pumpkin.

Wandering around the farm, it is very evident how labour intensive it is to upkeep without machinery.

They also have to deal with produce destruction by animals and insects as well as possible theft by people.

Since this farm is so spread out among the rainforest trees, much of the farm is unattended most of the time.

As such, it is pretty easy for someone to steal what they want – though the farm’s

isolation makes the prospect of human theft minimal.

A day at a rainforest farm can be surprisingly relaxing. I stuffed myself with food, I explored the farm and surrounding rainforest, I tried fishing for the first time (stick and string style), and I most definitely lounged in a hammock. I chatted with the farm owner about her idea of making her farm into an ecolodge as the basics of it were already there. I personally love the idea.

It was fascinating to see how farming is done when one has no access to fancy tools and equipment. What I also realised was that this is the kind of place where you want to be when the world eventually goes to pot!

At the end of the day, we took the dugout canoe back to the village, slowly paddling our way through the tall trees and dense vegetation, listening to the birds call out to each other.

Guyana is definitely a

A colourful bunch of juicy tomatoes

country that could do well in eco-tourism and this farm is a prime example of this.

Kendra Seignoret is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, but currently lives

in Canada. You can find more of her adventures on her blog Rusty Travel Trunk (www.rustytraveltrunk.com) or on Instagram @rustytraveltrunk

6 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

september 3, 2017

Literary Corner

Preserving our literary heritage

Remembering Stephanie Correia (1930 – 2000)

By Petamber Persaud

I

t will never be known how many arrows were left in the quiver of Stephanie Correia when she died in 2000. But those she utilised, Correia fired with unwavering accuracy, acquiring many trophies.

In whatever field of human endeavour – teaching, pottery, poetry, painting or motherhood - she participated with distinction.

“Arrows from the Bow” was Correia’s first and only book of poems.

Published in 1988, some 500 years a f t e r Columbus, this collec-

scribed by the author as “images playing hide-andseek within my head”.

Images of her father taking her to various indigenous reservations where she became acquainted with the rich folklore of her heritage; of her f a ther

"Vase" (1981)

by Stephanie Correia

tion of poems may be the first of such book written in English by an indigenous woman writer. Significantly, the book was published by Red Thread, a Guyanese women’s network, to coincide with the historic retrospective exhibition ‘Sixty years of Women Artists in Guyana’ organised by the Guyana Women Artists’ Association.

The poems in this slim volume were like ‘arrows’ from a bow and were de-

teaching her to boat, fish and farm: “I followed him, small footsteps placed in his/and listened enchanted to his forest lore, secrets of bark and root and leaf and flower/I learned… to understand the laws of sustenance/a farmer’s patient waiting/and after dark he wove a spell with singing strings’ playing mari mari”.

Images of her father, Stephen Campbell, an Arawak from Santa Rosa

on the Moruca Reservation who became the first indigenous legislator in the National Assembly of British Guiana, serving for nine years until his death in 1966.

Images of her mother, Umbelina, the daughter of Portuguese immigrants from Madeira, encouraging Stephanie and her siblings to sing harmonies together.

Images of her mother with her beautiful voice passing on to them the deep feeling found in Portuguese fados.

Images of Cabacaburi children dancing in the sun... finding a place in the sun.

Stephanie Helena Correia was born in April 1930 in Pomeroon, E s s e q u i b o , Guyana. She was the third of nine children. Her parents were Stephen and Umbelina Campbell. She attended Martindale R. C. Primary School and was only 14 when she was appointed pupil teacher at the same institution.

In 1950, she was called to the Teachers’ Training College in Georgetown.

Two years later, she graduated as a Class 1 Trained Teacher. Correia won the Bain Gray Prize for the most outstanding student, placing first in both years at the college. It was at the college she came under the influence of the late E. R. Burrowes who was her tutor in art.

Her teaching career was short; shortened by marriage that frequently ruins the aspirations of

many women. Fresh out of college, her first teaching assignment was at Sacred Heart R. C. Primary School in Main Street in 1953. For the next couple of years, she taught at St. Joseph, Mabaruma, North West District.

In her marriage to Vincent Jerome Correia in 1955, Guyana lost a teacher, but gained an artist, painter, ceramicist and anthropologist. The job of her husband, who was attached to the Interior Department, entailed frequent uprooting and resettling. It was during these trips that Correia started a database of sketches and notes on various nations of the region.

Marriage has its own blessings and frequently offspring become extensions of the parents, of the aspirations of the parents, a fulfilment of life.

Stephanie and Vincent had

eight children together, all of whom are involved in the fine arts, four becoming excellent potters.

In 1969, after the birth of her eighth child, she decided to revisit her artistic desire.

The decision was not easy for she had to balance her dedication to her family, her devotion to her art and fight for creative space, all against the backdrop of the indigenous woman in a somewhat unaccommodating mainstream male-dominated Guyanese society.

Except for short courses in Canada and U.S.A., Correia was virtually self-taught. She was like “that clay pot… ground, washed, blended, kneaded, moulded, carved, caressed, burnt… a battle-scarred warrior”!

In the poem, “A Part of Me”, she described her creations “a sculpture conceived in the mind and

moulded permanently into form/a poem written down in the dawn after a sleepless night/a painting emerging stroke by stroke into a lasting statement”.

For her dedication to the arts and for creative use of indigenous materials and designs, she was awarded in 1980 a Medal of Service by the Government of Guyana. In 1996, she was again honoured by her country, this time with the Golden Arrow of Achievement (AA).

Before she died in 2000, Stephanie Helena Correia was researching the history of indigenous pottery in Guyana. It is hoped that the arrow in her quiver will hit the public soon for a nation ought not to diminish the import of its artistic heritage.

Responses to this author, call 592-226-0065 or by email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

"Kabakaburi Music" (1998) by Stephanie Correia. Watercolour (Photo courtesy of Castellani House)

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Sunday Times Magazine

7

8 Sunday Times Magazine

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september 3, 2017

Travel & Tourism

Heritage Village 2017

St Cuthbert’s Mission

Black waters of the Mahaica River flow through the village

A section of houses in the village

E

very year, during the years.

Indigenous Heritage Month Shuman said his incelebrations, a “heritage vilspiration to return to lage” is identified, where many would his village stemmed from converge to celebrate indigenous culhis dislike of the “goverture. This year we celebrate St Cuthbert’s nance structure that exists in Mission, also known as Pakuri Village, locatindigenous community”. ed on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

In Canada, Shuman served as St Cuthbert’s Mission is one of the most a commercial pilot. He graduated easily accessible indigenous villages along from a college there with a busithe East Bank. The site of this quaint vilness diploma and a commercial lage emerges after about a half-hour travel pilot’s license. Since 1999 he has through a scenic sandy trail. been flying.

On entering the village, one will quickly He has been a pilot for various notice how serene it is. No noise nuisance airline companies, including Fly or traffic, just village life at its best.

Jamaica. He was then re-employed One interesting feature that brings with Sunwing Airlines, which flies many tourists to the village is the pitch out of Toronto, and managed to black waters of the Mahaica River, get a three-year leave of abwhich flows through the village. sence to serve as Toshao It is a serene site where the faof St Cuthbert’s. He, his mous “wash down” happens wife and three children during Heritage Day celebralive in a very traditionSt Cuthbert's Toshao, Lennox Shuman, wearing one of his traditional headresses tions. al Arawak home.

At this year’s heritage celeAsked how he and his family have adaptbrations, which will be held on September 9, visitors to St ed to a more simplified life, the Toshao expressed: “I enjoyed Cuthbert’s will get to enjoy ‘bush’ meat, traditional culinary a really nice life as a pilot, but this is better. I believe one dishes, indigenous arts and crafts and sports. can never fulfil The village has a health centre, nursery, primary and their soul with secondary schools, a youth centre, a huge benab, a commu- materials.” nity playfield, a church and several shops.

In addition Sunday Times Magazine had interviewed St Cuthbert’s to being Toshao, Toshao, Lennox Shuman, back in 2015, the same time the Shuman is the village was celebrating 127 years of recognition as an indig- vice chairman enous community. However, Schuman pointed out that St of the National Cuthbert’s existed centuries before that.

T o s h a o s Shuman has been St Cuthbert’s Toshao since July 2015, Council. His foand hails from a long line of chiefs. One of the founders of cus is to amend St Cuthbert’s was his great, great grandfather Johnson and revise the Bernard.

Amerindian Act The current Toshao migrated from the village when he so that it falls in was almost 17 years old to Canada, where he lived for 25 line with inter-

The Village benab

national law. He said although he is not a lawyer he has studied the Act and, along with colleagues from the Council, aims to effect change in laws and other Acts concerning indigenous communities.

Craft from St Cuthbert's

The youth centre

One of the schools in the village

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september 3, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 9

Feature

The Indigenous and Nature

An Enduring Organic Relationship I

ndigenous culture, unlike others, is a process of accommodation with nature. Their concern for ecology and the environment, and the balance of nature, is part of their belief system.

Ecology is woven seamlessly into the fabric of their culture. Everything in the forest and the surrounding area has a role to play in the overall scheme of things and nothing is wasted. They live in harmony with nature and do not adulterate the landscape or endanger plants or wildlife. One example: they once hunted fish for survival only until they were confronted with a market economy when their entire cultural landscape changed.

Their rich indigenous heritage and culture greatly impacted others. Many of the technological contributions of their societies have already been recognised by the native terminology, which has also entered our culture.

In Guyana, quite a number of native products became current only after the Europeans and other immigrants settled on the coast: pepperpot, hammocks, balata, medicinal herbs, íte palms, and troolie leaves (for thatching roofs).

In their widely differing environments, indigenous peoples adapted and produced a stream of unique inventions, each one a distinct response to a local necessity: asphyxiating fish with ground leaves and roots of specific plants in the absence of hooks and nets, for example, or bending twigs to mark a trail or preventing one from getting lost in the forest and to mark their route.

It was through these bent twigs in Guyana and an indigenous line as a guide, that the cattle trail was cut (1916-1920) from Surama in the Rupununi to Takama in Berbice.

Also, these bent twigs helped explorers find their way in the dense jungles

A selection of natural products produced by a group of indigenous women from North Rupununi

Natural oil and soap from oil extracted from the seeds of the Crabwood tree from the North West District

and, enabled the discovery of many Amazonian tribes, bringing them to civilisation.

Some indigenous persons can be superb mimics of animals and bird sounds.

They can mislead even the jaguar. They bring the yarrow fish to the surface, for instance, through a slow seducing whistle, and can even reproduce the mating call of the tapir. They bring other fish to the surface by splashing the water in such a way to mimic the falling of ripened seeds.

They showed settlers a range of dishes based from the forest plants and animals, e.g., food from root crops like cassava and yams, and oil from turtle eggs.

Their intimate knowledge of forest resources is extensive and remarkable.

They can recognise medicinal properties in hundreds of plants – knowledge that is a priceless resource of the rainforest. From oral contraception to insect repellent, scientists are still to analyse the scientific properties of Amazonian plants. Armed with the knowledge of thousands of medicinal plants, shamans and piaimen fought goitre, headaches, malaria, constipation and other illnesses. Ipecac from Amazonian roots cured amoebic dysentery. Quinine from the cinchona bark cured malaria. Curare killed without affecting the heart. These medicinal plants were eagerly sought by the early colonists to supplement the old world’s pharmacies.

Apart from introducing the benefits of forest resources to the world, the indigenous’ greatest contribution to modern Guyana was the help they gave to colonists and subsequent coastlanders in penetrating and understanding its hinterland.

All expeditions into the heart of the country and beyond relied on indigenous skills as guides, hunters, boat hands, woodsmen or canoers knowing every treacherous rapid, jungle trail, mountain, hill, tree, cataract or waterfall. Indeed, it was these expeditions that opened Guyana to its non-indigenous settlers and showed

the riches of the interior – forest products, minerals, natural scenes and other phenomena that brought tourists.

Text provided by overseas-based Guyanese author, Lal Balkaran - MBA, FCPA, FCGA, FCMA, CGMA. Balkaran worked as a teacher in the Rupununi in the 1970s and travelled throughout the

interior. He is the author of “Encyclopaedia of the Guyanese Amerindians”, “A Photojournal of the Guyanese Amerindians”, “The Rupununi A Visual Journey” and several documentaries including “Historical and Contemporary Georgetown – Guyana’s Heartbeat”.

He can be reached at lalbalkaran@rogers.com

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september 3, 2017

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Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Recipe of the week

Coconut Farine Rock Buns Ingredients:

4 oz farine flour 2 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp grated nutmeg Pinch of salt 2 oz margarine 4 oz sugar 2 oz dried fruit 2 oz grated coconut 1 egg Milk to mix, if necessary

&

Basket Walls A

collection of baskets grouped together and hung on a wall is known as a ‘basket wall’. The look works for a variety of different styles. They are inexpensive and easy to recreate in your home.

Method:

Mix together flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Add margarine and chop into flour. Using fingertips lift mixture until crumbly. Add sugar, dried fruit, and coconut. Bind together with beaten egg, and milk if necessary. Grease muffin pans. Drop mixture into pans. Bake at 375 F for 15 minutes until golden brown.

Makes about six.

Farine Fish Loaf

Ingredients:

1 lb farine 2 lb fresh fish 2 tbsp chopped celery 1 or 2 wiri-wiri peppers, chopped Juice of 1 lemon or lime 1 oz margarine 1 oz flour 1/2 pt milk

Using different sizes of baskets is a great way to create a unique basket wall of your own.

Method:

Pour some water on the farine and strain away any impurities. Leave farine to ‘swell’.

Grind celery and pepper. Clean fish and season with the ground celery and pepper, salt, lemon or lime juice. Set aside.

Steam fish, keeping the liquid. Remove bones, and mash fish finely with a fork.

White sauce: Melt the margarine in a saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and gradually stir in the milk and reserved fish liquid to get a smooth sauce. Return to the heat and, stirring all the time, bring to the boil. Simmer gently for 8-10 minutes and season with salt and black pepper.

Add fish to farine and mix well with white sauce. Place mixture into a greased 1 lb loaf tin and bake in a moderate oven at 375 degrees.

Greatest Cooking Tips

Most baskets are a neutral colour; however, there are definitely more colourful baskets out there. As shown in this photo, they really make a big impact.

Give your veggies space; don’t overcrowd your pan.

The more fat a dish has in it, the more salt you need to make the flavours really shine (think a burger or rich, cream-based sauce).

The best way to clean your greens is to do so the leaf side down the stem. If there’s dirt on the stems - where dirt usually is - you’re spreading the dirt to the leaf if you're doing it the other way around.

Home Help Cleaning a microwave is easy. Fill up a cup of water and put it in the microwave on high for a few minutes.

The steam from the cup will loosen any stuck-on food, and then you can just wipe it away.

Baking soda and water makes a great cleaner and won’t leave your fridge smelling like harsh cleanser.

You can slowly, but surely, keep adding to your wall. Even if you just have a few baskets when you start out, don’t let that stop you from starting up your basket wall.

As you find more and more baskets, you can keep adding to your collection.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

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Puzzles

Crossword

ACROSS 1 Texas town (2 wds.)

7 Petty officers 12 Tijuana youngster 17 Argue for 21 Changes form 22 Dismantle a tent 23 Repair-bill item

24 Patricia of “Cookie’s Fortune” 25 Asimov book (2 wds.)

26 Light as - 28 Exiled Roman poet 29 Court divider 30 Six-shooters 32 Feedbag filler 33 Of high mountains 35 Sufficient, in verse 37 Coral island 38 Franc’s successor 39 Pittsburgh pro 40 Degas contemporary 42 Sturm -- Drang 43 Pulls down 44 Gathered slowly 45 Owners’ papers 47 Pelts 48 Rock ledge 49 -- -relief 52 Really big tees 53 Morrison or Braxton 54 Snack 55 Hubble component 59 Kind of magnetism 61 Worthless talk 62 Sea in Antarctica 63 Interior design 64 Mantra chanters 65 Pass the - 66 Unit of power 67 Glare protectors 68 Dainty swallows 69 Van Gogh’s medium 70 Garrulous 72 Playing card 73 Film speed no.

74 Mighty steed 75 Oui and si 76 Trunk item 77 Zoologists’ mouths 80 Zippy flavors 82 Sitcom afterlife 83 Gaius’ garb 84 Norse giant 85 Pretends 87 Wife, to a lawyer 88 “Brian’s Song” lead 89 Uses a parachute 90 Speaker introducer 91 Klondike - 92 Miser’s cache 94 Elvis’ hometown 95 Romances 96 Praline nut 97 -- Sorvino of films 98 Fem. honorific 99 Common ID 100 Serpent 101 Affectation 102 Pain reliever brand

104 The North Star 107 Drury Lane composer 108 Archaeological site 109 Eats well 113 Yacht basins 114 Math cls.

115 Nuclear physicist Enrico - 117 Baby chick sound 118 Cropped up 119 Supplicates 120 The New -- Saints 122 “Xanadu” rockers 123 Debatable 124 Golden mean (2 wds.)

127 Stevedore 129 Groundless 130 Seething 131 Attack on a castle 132 Maintain 133 Gazed at 134 Type of jacket 135 Dreaded mosquito 136 Grovelike

DOWN 1 Slim Shady 2 -- Ochoa of golf 3 Nucleus part 4 PD dispatch 5 Hit the malls 6 Ancient Rome’s port 7 Shirt fasteners 8 Waiting... (2 wds.)

9 Tell a secret 10 Promontory 11 Pfc. boss 12 Doesn’t bounce 13 Was obliged (2 wds.)

14 Nigerian people (var.)

15 Bovine 16 In baroque style 17 Still closed 18 Disparage 19 Made up time 20 Born first 27 Oafs 66 31 Small earrings 67 34 Lettuce piece 69 36 Single no more 70 38 Spookily strange 71 39 Downhill racers 72 41 Alamo site 74 43 -- -ho (eager) 75 44 Poltergeist 76 46 House wing 78 47 Pete Seeger’s music 79 48 Grimy 81 49 Tropical tree 82 50 Diarist -- Nin 83 51 Like-minded 84 53 Muscle quivers 85 54 Alumni 86 55 -- majeste 87 56 Cuts in expenses 88 57 Mail-motto word 89 58 H.S. graduating class 91 60 More, in Matamoros 92 61 Daffodil planting 93 63 Sharp decline 94 65 Prejudice

Nest builder -- Miles of “Psycho” PTA and NEA “Wolf” lead-in Big Ten team Omen Prince Charles’ sister Red Sea republic Garden dweller Small brooks Torch’s misdeed Geological divisions Pave over Rhett’s hangout Kennel sound Smattering A funny Philips Watch parts Safekeeping Hauled dishes Military headgear Asian immigrants River in France Make an effort

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD -- DIAGNOSE (DIAGNOSE:dye-ag-NOSE: To identify a disease or condition.)

Average mark 40 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 62 or more words in DIAGNOSE?

dais danio dean deign design dine ding dingo does

dogie doing dong dosage dose dosing idea ides adios

aegis aeon aged agon agonies aide anise anode aside

gain genoa geoid goad goes gonad gone node noes

noise nose onside sage sago said sand sane sang

sedan sego send side sign sine sing singe snag

snide soda soigne sonde sone song easing egis

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" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

96 Fierce fish 98 Igneous rock source 100 Barn topper 101 Chandelier pendant 102 Roman galleys 103 Jag 104 Lampoon 105 Colorful percher 106 In the phone book

107 Sock style 108 Flood 110 Essential 111 They make forays for morays 112 Jazzy 113 Bess’ successor 114 Half-hearted 115 Used a skillet

116 Newlywed’s acquisition (hyph.)

119 Elks’ order (abbr.)

120 Fat cat’s friend 121 Mediocre (hyph.)

125 -- Dhabi 126 NASA counterpart 128 Japanese volcano Solution on Pg 13

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Sunday Times Magazine 13

Feature

The versatile Ite Palm F

rom a refreshing beverage to a tasty delicacy, the source of a staple to material for clothing, shelter and jewellery, the Ite Palm has truly been the tree of life for the indigenous society, providing all the necessities of daily living.

Upon entering the Walter Roth Museum, just to the left of the entrance, one can find an interesting exhibition on the Ite Palm. Several items created from the by-products of the palm are displayed, coupled with the ecological and historical background of the tree in English and Portuguese respectively.

Before the Arawaks brought cassava to Guyana, the wonders of the Ite Palm were explored by the Warrau tribe. “To the Warrau, the Ite was called the ‘tree of life’ and we can see why with

Basket for storing personal belongings made from the Ite Palm exhibited at the Walter Roth Museum

Sitting in the cosy gallery of the museum, surrounded by a beam of natural light, enveloped by a

Ite Palms

its benefits and the fact that just about every part of the palm can be used,” explained Guyanese archaeologist Jennifer Wishart in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

cool breeze, Wishart stated that the palm, scientifically called Maurita flexuosa and is generally known as the ‘Morichi’, can be found growing in moist acidic soils in

Crossword Solution

the North Western regions along the coast and in the interior savannah of Guyana.

A wide variety of market

lays eggs in the holes. These larvae that feed off the tree trunk develops into the otocumba worms, which are prepared as a great delicacy,” stated Skeete.

“The tacuma worms come from the fallen palm trees.

We would dig out holes in the trunk, cover it with the leaves from the tree and let it rest for about six weeks.

Within the six weeks we check it constantly. When we hear them buzzing, we take the axe burst it open and take all you can get,” Elysha, who worked at the local indigenous restaurant Tuma Sala, explained.

Traditionally, the Warrau would dig out the heart of the trunk and is usually eaten raw or cooked. This pith would later be drained through a matapi and its juice is used to make the Ite

Sandals made from the Ite Palm on exhibition at the Walter Roth Museum

and household products, as well as various environmental, ecological and economic benefits, can be derived from the tree itself. Even the byproducts of the tree are also be used as a good source of protein and starch.

“The tree provided a source of starch before cassava because the Arawaks were the ones who brought the knowledge of cassava here as the Warrau were already using their Ite. That is why they are called Arawak meaning the ‘cassava root’ in Warrau,” noted Wishart.

According to Roxanne Skeete, a resident of the Barabina Village, “when the fruit is in season it is used for several purposes around the village. The drink is very tasty when chilled and the otocumba [tacuma worm] is used in tumapot (pepperpot) or is fried to be eaten with bakes or cassava bread”.

Even left to rot, the tree proves its worth. “In event the dugout tree trunks are left to rot, the Rhyncophorus palmarum beetle comes and

drink. When the juice settles, the remnants would also produce a powder-like substance that the Warrau use as flour to make bread and cakes. Additionally, they utilised the dugout trunks to make canoes and planks to build houses and structures.

“Even the fibre of the leaves were utilised to make tibisiri, which creates intricate baskets, hammocks, furniture, carpets, thatch and warishis [haversacks],” Wishart outlined.

The shoots of the leaves could be boiled to weave clothing and the ribs used to make kite frames during the Easter season.

Today, the tradition of using the tree’s fan-shaped leaves to bake cassava bread continues to be a dominant part of the indigenous culture.

Notably, the red-brown rounded fruit of the Ite tree, usually available in the dry season, is picked and consumed as fresh fruit or dried to make oil or vegetable ivory - both economical and

Ite Palm seeds

sustainable alternatives to otherwise expensive and environmentally hazardous products.

“The Brazilian Indians are using the seed of the Ite Palm to make vegetable ivo-

the deaths of hundreds of elephants who are killed yearly for the ivory found in their tusks.

Unfortunately, only a few Warrau along the Venezuelan border and their

Mat made from tibisiri

ry, a sustainable alternative to elephant ivory,” Wishart mentioned.

When dried, the seeds can be carved and dyed just like elephant ivory to make figurines, beads, buttons and jewellery. This is a tremendous ecological and environmental benefit in preventing

families know how to extract starch from the Ite Palm, although historically it was their staple according to an excerpt from Marileen Reinders’ “Medicinal Plants and their uses and the Ideas about Illness and healing among the Warao of Guyana”.

Tibisiri fan

14 Sunday Times Magazine

september 3, 2017

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september 3, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 15

Feature

Interesting animals of the Rupununi

K

nown for its rich biodiversity, the Rupununi is an ideal tourists’ destination with some of the most interesting animals. Below are some fascinating facts on a few of the animals found in the Rupununi.

Stingrays Stingrays spend majority of their time inactive, partially buried in sand, often moving only with the sway of the tide.

The stingray's colouration

tial prey. Many rays have jaw teeth to enable them to crush mollusks such as clams, oysters, and mussels.

When they are inclined to move, most stingrays swim by undulating their bodies like a wave; others flap their sides like wings.

The tail may also be used to maneuver in the water, but its primary purpose is protection.

The stingray's spine, or barb, can be ominously fashioned with serrated

Stingray caught in the Rupununi River near Rewa Village

commonly reflects the seafloor's shading, camouflaging it from predatory sharks and larger rays.

Their flattened bodies are composed of pectoral fins joined to their head and trunk with an infamous tail trailing behind.

While the stingray's eyes peer out from its dorsal side, its mouth, nostrils, and gill slits are situated on its underbelly. Its eyes are therefore not thought by scientists to play a considerable role in hunting. Like

edges and a sharp point.

The underside may produce venom, which can be fatal to humans, and which can remain deadly even after the stingray's death. In Greek mythology, Odysseus, the great king of Ithaca, was killed when his son, Telegonus, struck him using a spear tipped with the spine of a stingray.

Savanna Hawk Savanna hawks are commonly seen flying around savannah and

Savanna Hawk near Sand Creek village, Rupununi

its shark relatives, the stingray is outfitted with electrical sensors called ampullae of Lorenzini.

Located around the stingray's mouth, these organs sense the natural electrical charges of poten-

swampy areas in from Central America to the Caribbean to Southern South America. It is a carnivore, feeding on meat such as small mammals and insects.

The savanna hawk has

very long legs and thus is able to easily walk on the ground to catch its prey, or, like other birds, it can swoop down from the sky or a tree.

They are known as opportunistic feeders – they eat when there is an easy opportunity to do so. For example, they follow forest fires and feed on escaping animals or steal food from other birds.

Savanna hawks build their nests out of sticks in palm trees, thorny trees or mangroves and use this same nest year after year. Its eggs however are sometimes eaten by larger birds, snakes and other animals that live in trees.

Boa Constrictor Boa constrictors wear some of the most distinctive markings of all reptiles. Depending on the habitat they are trying to blend into, their bodies can be tan, green, red, or yellow, and display cryptic patterns of jagged lines, ovals, diamonds, and circles.

Boas are non-poisonous constrictors found in tropical Central and South America. Like their anaconda cousins, they are excellent swimmers, but prefer to stay on dry land, living primarily in hollow logs and abandoned mammal burrows.

Significantly smaller than anacondas, boas can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh more than 100 pounds. Their jaws are lined with small, hooked teeth for grabbing and holding prey while they wrap their muscular bodies around their victim, squeezing until it suffocates.

Boas will eat almost anything they can catch, including birds, monkeys, and wild pigs. Their jaws can stretch wide to swallow large prey whole.

Female boas incubate eggs inside their bodies and give birth up to 60 live babies. Boas are about 2 feet long when they are born and grow continually throughout their 25 to 30-year lifespan. The largest boa constrictor ever found measured 18 feet.

Hunted for their fine, ornate skin and for sale in the exotic pet trade, some boa constrictors are endangered and most have protected status in their range.

Black Piranha Outsized jaw muscles allow the black piranha to exert bite force equivalent to 30 times its bodyweight, a feat unmatched in the natural world.

In fact, the muscle complex makes more than two percent of the black piranha's total body mass.

In fact, relative to their size, piranhas outperform

Boa constrictor in the yard at Caiman House, Rupununi

even prehistoric monsters like Tyrannosaurus rex and the whale-chomp-

The measured bite force of the black piranha was nearly three times

Black Caiman The black caiman ranges through Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela, and in French Guiana, and can be found in shallow, freshwater habitats such as slowmoving rivers, creeks and lakes, and would venture into flooded savannah and wetlands.

Black caiman typically hunt at night, using their acute sight and hearing to locate their prey. Fish comprise the major part of the black caiman’s diet, particularly catfish and the much-feared piranha, but adult black caiman also tackle much larger prey such as capybara, turtles and deer.

This aquatic hunter is the largest of all alligator species, with reports of individuals measuring six metres (19 feet 8 inches).

Domestic animals such as dogs and pigs may be taken by large adult caiman, and there are even reports of people being the victim of an attack.

Juvenile black caiman stick to smaller foods, in-

Black caiman among some Victoria amazonica lilies in Yupukari, Rupununi

ing megalodon, a massive shark that preceded the great white, according to a research done in the US in 2012.

greater than that exerted by an American alligator of comparative size, said the study.

cluding crustaceans, other invertebrates such as snails, and fish. (Photos

by Rupununi Learners on Facebook)

Black piranha caught in Mapari Creek

16 Sunday Times Magazine

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september 3, 2017

Fun Times

Archie

Participate in events and ARIES you’ll feel satisfied with the (March 21- rewards. Make plans with April 19) friends or a special person in your life. Personal gains, physical alterations and romance are favored.

Refuse to let anyone get TAURUS the better of you. Stand up (April 20- for your rights and beliefs.

May 20) Anger won’t solve the problem, but a carefully implemented plan will.

A suggestion made reGEMINI garding your job prospects (May 28- will get you thinking about June 20) how you can adapt your skills and experience to fit the position’s requirements.

Emotional spending will not solve your problems. You (June 21- cannot buy love or respect. Put July 22) your money in a safe place and avoid being tempted by someone acting impulsively or excessively.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

Peanuts

Look inward, attend a retreat or focus on personal growth. The changes you make will improve your relationship with a loved one.

Romance is in the stars.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Be honest about what you want and how you want to see things unfold. If you are up-front, you will have a better chance of getting what you want. Personal change is encouraged.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Make your surroundings pleasing or enhance your appearance to suit prospects you are pursuing. Live the life that fits your style and helps you reach your goals.

Communications with SCORPIO friends, relatives or loved (Oct. 24- ones will be difficult if you let Nov. 22) your emotions or impulses run wild. Take time to reassess an unstable situation.

Don’t believe everything SAGITTARIUS you hear. Engage in activi(Nov. 23ties that are competitive and Dec. 21) motivate you to make positive personal changes. Romance is highlighted.

Calvin and Hobbes

Personal improvements CAPRICORN will lift your spirits. Spending (Dec. 22- time with someone you love Jan. 19) will give you a chance to share your feelings and discuss plans. Romance is highlighted.

If you talk about sensiAQUARIUS tive issues, you’ll come up (Jan. 20- with a plan that will encourFeb. 19) age important relationships to become stronger. Positive change appears to be doable and looks promising.

Work toward something PISCES (Feb. 20- you really want to achieve.

Mar. 20) Taking care of health issues or matters that can make a difference to your budget or job prospects is encouraged.