GuyanaTimes International 30th November 2018

INTERNATIONAL THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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BBCI moves to Court over Berbice Bridge takeover

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018

ISSUE NO. 425

See story on page 3

‘I have nothing to fear’

- Irfaan Ali says ‘trumped up charges’ will not deter him from serving country PNC/R General Secretary refuses to comment on Volda’s alleged remarks ...about providing jobs for only party supporters and friends

Page 9

Woman battling for life after brutal cutlass attack by husband Page 12

Page 7

…lifeless body of attacker found hanging

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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NEWS 3

BBCI moves to Court over Berbice Bridge takeover

he Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BCCI) has commenced legal proceedings to have the Court reverse the Guyana Government’s takeover of the operations of the Berbice Bridge.

On Thursday, the BBCI announced that it has served Notice on Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, and the Attorney General that legal proceedings have commenced in the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature over the government’s takeover of the bridge.

The BBCI said that it has filed a Notice of Application to the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature for hearing on the 5th Day of December, 2018, at 3:00 pm or soon after that time as the motion can be heard, at the Law Courts, Georgetown, Demerara.

The BBCI had denounced the shocking announcement that the Public Infrastructure Ministry has taken control of the Berbice Bridge, describing the order as unlawful and had signal its intention to challenge the decision in the High Court.

The company had criticised the Government for the move and demanded answers from Minister Patterson.

The Company had noted that pursuant to the Judicial Review Act, it had written to the Minister demanding an explanation. Section 15 of the Act compels anyone making an administrative decision to supply justification for said decision, upon request.

According to Section 15 (1) of the Act, “It is the duty of any person or body making an administrative decision, if requested in accordance with this section by any person adversely affected by the decision, to supply that person with a statement setting out the findings on material questions of fact, referring to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based and giving the reasons for the decision.”

In a shocking move on November 5, the Public Infrastructure Minister announced that the Government would be taking over the Bridge. While the Minister sought to assure it was only temporary and that the Board would remain untouched, the move has already touched off concerns in sections of society.

The BBCI has been seeking increases to its toll structure for the past three years to no avail. It, therefore,

announced new increases last month, something the Government has been resolute against. The increases were announced by BBCI Chairman Dr Surendra Persaud, a close associate of the Alliance For Change (AFC) party.

Following is a list of orders the company is now seeking from the court: (a) An order of certiorari quashing paragraph 2 of the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order 2018 dated the 11 November, 2018, No. 42 of 2018, made by the first named defendant under the Berbice River Bridge Act Cap 51:06 ordering that the functions of the concessionaire, namely the claimant, to maintain and operate the Bridge shall be exercised by the Government, the first named defendant having determined that the exercise of those functions by the Government is necessary and expedient in the interests of the public during the period 5th November, 2018, to the date the Minister specifies by notice on the cessation of the threat to public safety. (b) An order of certiorari quashing paragraph 3 of the Berbice River Bridge {Public Safety) Toll Order 2018 dated the 11 November, 2018, No. 42 of 2018, made by the first named defen-

dant under the Berbice River Bridge Act Cap 51:06 ordering that the tolls levied and collected and any exemptions shall be the same as those levied, collected and exempted immediately before the coming into operation of the said order. (c) An order of prohibition prohibiting the first named defendant or the Government of Guyana from exercising the functions of maintaining and operation the Berbice River Bridge. (d) An order of prohibition prohibiting the first named defendant from ordering that the tolls levied, collected and exempted immediately before the coming into operation of the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order No. 42 of 2018, shall be the same as those levied, collected and exempted before the coming into operation of the said order. (e) A declaration that the first named defendant has no power under the Berbice River Bridge Act, or otherwise, to approve or reject an increase in tolls by the claimant. (f) A declaration that the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order No. 42 of 2018 is ultra vires sections 4 continued on page 9

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EDITORIAL

Is the Government dodging?

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he official results of the Local Government Elections (LGE) were finally announced by GECOM, and they confirmed what the PPP/C had declared a week ago: the PPP had won the popular vote with 61 per cent of votes cast, while APNU trailed far behind with 34 per cent and the AFC collected an insignificant 4 per cent.

Because the political parties had contested the LGE separately in their own names, it is not surprising that the vote is seen as a referendum on the performance of the incumbent PNC-led coalition.

The PPP/C then decided to file a “motion of no confidence” in the Government, paraphrasing the stark language set by the British House of Commons: ‘That this House has no confidence in the APNU+AFC Government’. In such motions, there is no need to state the reasons for placing them before the Legislature; the practice is an intrinsic aspect of Westminster-style Parliamentary governments.

The official House of Commons’ description of “no-confidence” motions quotes Rodney Brazier’s “Constitutional Practice, 2nd ed”: “The real significance of the general requirement that a Government retain the confidence of the House of Commons is not in the rare loss of a vote of confidence or in the somewhat more frequent legislative defeat, but rather that it obliges every Government to defend itself, explain its policies, and justify its actions to its own backbenchers, to the Opposition parties, and through them to the country as a whole.”

When filing the no-confidence motion, the PPP/C had insisted that it be given the highest priority, and had placed this responsibility on the Speaker of the National Assembly. In clarifying this latter point, the Clerk of the National Assembly released a statement which revealed that in the event that our National Assembly’s Standing Orders do not cover a particular point of order (as, in this case, who controls the timing of the debate on a no-confidence motion) the said Standing Orders instruct that the practice from the British House of Commons be followed. He then quoted from the authoritative Erskine May, Parliamentary Practice, 23rd edition, 2004, as did the House of Commons itself in the aforementioned definition of no-confidence motions: “From time to time, the Opposition puts down a motion on the paper, expressing lack of confidence in the Government, or otherwise criticising its general conduct. By established convention, the Government always accedes to the demand from the Leader of the Opposition to allot a day for the discussion of a motion tabled by the official Opposition which, in the Government’s view, would have the effect of testing the confidence of the House. In allotting a day for this purpose, the Government is entitled to have regard to the exigencies of its own business, but a reasonably early day is invariably found…”

From this statement, the Clerk averred that it is the Government, rather than the Speaker, that sets the date for the debate. For us in Guyana, this is unfortunately a moot issue, since the actions and decisions of the incumbent Speaker have never — not on a single issue, no matter how contentious — taken a position against the Government.

The PNC-led Government, to its credit, did not question the right of the Opposition to call for the no-confidence vote, even though PM Moses Nagamootoo questioned its propriety in light of President Granger’s unfortunate illness. He appeared not to appreciate that the fortunes and fate of the Government that is in charge of the state demand that the representatives of the people look beyond personal challenges in favour of the greater good.

But as for the timing, which the Government insists must be after the Budget Debate, it is unfortunate that the Clerk did not include the rest of the paragraph from Erskine May: “This convention is founded on the recognised position of the Opposition as a potential Government, which guarantees the legitimacy of such an interruption of the normal course of business.

For its part, the Government has everything to gain by meeting such a direct challenge to its authority at the earliest possible moment.”

Is the Government dodging the debate?

Government officials from Brazil and Guyana are flanked by officers and ranks from the Guyana Defence Force and the 6th Construction Battalion of the Brazilian Armed Forces at one of the completed wells in Aishalton.

Aishalton is an Amerindian village that is situated in the Rupununi Savannah of southern Guyana, in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region (Region 9) of the country. (DPI photo)

Budget 2019: What it means for the ordinary man

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he analyses of Budget 2019 are ongoing and soon the G$300 billion odd package will be debated in Parliament. Unfortunately, if the past were to be a guide, there will be little or no room for any meaningful change that may be proposed by the Opposition due to the Government’s majority in the National Assembly.

The Opposition has already branded the budget ‘visionless and disappointing’, while the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), having noted that some money will be coming back into the hands of consumers, has expressed disappointment over the non-reduction of the Excise Tax on fuel.

From the Government standpoint, the budget is another major step towards fulfilling its promise to provide a good life for all Guyanese and sees as vital that new taxes were not announced. It is confident that will ensure no additional financial burden be imposed on taxpayers and, along with the other measures announced, providing that ‘good life’ seems on track.

In announcing increases in the Income Tax threshold, old-age pension and public assistance, the Government is seemingly brimming with confidence to deliver its elusive promise.

Expectations of the ordinary citizens are always rife at budget time. For them, the bottom line is always basic bread and butter issues; will they be earning more? A cursory look through the relevant sections does offer some encouragement that workers’ income will in effect be increased resulting from the upward movement of the tax threshold. Similarly for pensioners and those who depend on public assistance.

However, the reality may be vastly different when the magnitude of those increases and the actual value in terms of spending power are taken into

consideration.

Come 2019, the Income Tax threshold will go upwards by G$5000 and those who earn above G$65,000, the necessary tax regime kicks in. In reality, for that group, the increase is less than G$5000. Pensioners will benefit from an increase of G$1000 per month which is equivalent to just one modest fast-food meal or three loaves of bread for the 30-day period. Those increases must have sounded good during the presentation but the harsh reality would be the lack of effectiveness on people’s spending ability.

Fuel prices, which generally determine the cost of commodities, have quietly crept up.

Transportation and manufacturing costs would be unmoved and with constantly rising food prices, the announced increases will be of little value. While it is something despite the miniscule amount, it is not as exciting as it was made out to be.

Of course the Government will boast of implementing necessary measures to increase workers’ income and no new taxes for 2019. The preference will be to highlight the increases in terms of percentage as against the actual sum given the assumed public relations and political value for higher figures relating to benefits seem to bode well with the mind. It will therefore make interesting reading when the various analyses, especially from the labour unions, are made known.

With regard to the no new taxes, a plethora was already unleashed on the working class since the 2015 to 2018 budgets by the current Government.

That broke the backs of many and precipitated a vast reduction in disposable income which redounded to lesser spending and sloth in the economy.

Aside from the closure of sugar estates and the devastated effect it continues to have on the lives of thousands of work-

ers and their families, hundreds of other jobs continue to be lost as businesses close due to the lack of the necessary enabling financial environment.

This budget, and the Government’s previous four, have done little to address or reverse those worrying trends and to create jobs. As a matter of fact, its projected growth rates were not met and in some cases readjusted downwards.

That in itself speaks volumes over the lack of holistic effectiveness of Government’s budgetary measures.

One can argue that it probably became cognisant of the hardships it imposed on the populace since 2015 with that point effectively brought home by the results of the recently held Local Government Elections. On the heels of the Government’s dismal showing, salary increases were announced with tax-free retroactive pay and the sudden announcement of social projects including a proposed hospital for the Sophia area.

That was not a subtle reaction to make its promise appear as not just a promise. With its own support base utterly disappointed over the lack in delivering the promised good life, the Government would have been hard-pressed to announce any new tax measure. It could also be that there is little or nothing left to tax.

In the context of the realities on the ground, Budget 2019, given its size it terms of its sum, pages and the probably the longest presentation in the nation’s history, may either be an exercise in verbose prowess for maximum screen time to realistically and ironically say little; an endeavor to create a façade to mask the lack of substance; unbridled hope and high expectations for oil revenue down the road. Some may conclude it’s a combination of all three.

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana to introduce 46-page passport G

uyanese business owners and frequent travellers will have the option to choose a 46-page machine-readable passport, at a cost of G$10,000 as against the country’s current 32-page passport.

During his Budget 2019 presentation in the National Assembly on Monday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan announced the new passport.

The Minister explained that the new pass-

port would reduce both the cost and the time spent to renew the document once it has expired.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) spoke to persons at the Central Immigration Passport Office about this new measure.

Collin Chung, a Venezuelan by birth with Guyanese parentage, said as a frequent traveller this new passport would be quite convenient for those persons who were too busy to undergo the renewal process and should be embraced.

“I think the 46-pages passport would be beneficial, because we are entering industrialisation through our exploitation of petroleum in the country, so it would open a lot of doors and break down barriers to expand on tourism within the country.”

In expressing her view, Gloria Giddings said that although she was simply visiting the country, she could appreciate how the new measure would benefit the regular

air traveller.

Guyana’s passport has recently increased in value according to the Henly and Partners Passport Index 2018. The Index shows that Guyanese can now travel to 88 countries visa-free/visa-on-arrival, moving the country up four places on the Index’s rankings, to 55 in the world.

According to the 2017 index, Guyana’s passport allowed Guyanese to travel to 81 countries without requiring a visa or with a visa granted on arrival.

NEWS 5

Guyana, UK forge discussions on oil and gas sector

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uyana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Frederick Hamley Case is leading a team in Aberdeen, Scotland, for discussions on improving relations in light of this country’s impending oil and gas sector.

In a brief release, the Foreign Affairs Ministry outlined on Wednesday that the discussions which also involved UK High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, have been “encouraging”.

The Ministry noted that the mission is aimed at fostering relations to support the emerging oil and gas industry in Guyana, adding that the team will meet with a number of oil and gas suppliers as well as academic institutions over the five-day visit to Aberdeen.

High Commissioner Case was quoted by Energy Voice as saying that Aberdeen’s experience with the North Sea sector will be indispensable to Guyana’s journey.

“In terms of oil and gas, this is our first trade mission and next year there will be a reciprocal mission to Guyana from Aberdeen,” he told the online news outlet. “I think the enthusiasm is there both from the Private Sector and the Government and I am sure a lot will evolve from this,” he said.

High Commissioner Quinn also spoke with the foreign agency expressing his belief that Guyana could benefit from Aberdeen’s vast experience.

“Aberdeen has been there, done it and got the picture. There are lessons, positive and negative, to take away on how to handle things and I think there is an opportunity for us to pass on that experience to Guyana to help them see the way forward,” he was quoted as saying.

Quinn encouraged that Guyana has

Guyana’s High Commissioner to UK, Frederick Hamley Case

to prepare for the time when oil “is no longer going to be there and creating an economy that’s not 100 per cent dependent on oil and gas.”

Many international players have been seeking to partner with Guyana following finds of large oil deposits in Guyana’s deep seas. Earlier this month, a high-level five-member team from the World Bank visited Guyana to explore the possibilities of partnering with this country on the oil and gas sector. The World Bank had approved a US$35 million development policy credit to better prepare the country to benefit from its oil and gas reserves, and to support Guyana’s efforts to strengthen financial sector development and fiscal management.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Character assassination will become more rampant during General Elections period Dear Editor, Campaigning for General Elections due in 2020 has begun in earnest, and with it the attempts at character assassination that has become part of the parcel. The go-to claim is usually ‘racism’ and I strongly believe this is a result of lazy intellectualism. My experience is of a Guyana where most differing perspectives are due to economic and social positioning rather than ethnicity and some are based on social conditioning within ethnic structures, however, recent statements attributed to the Minister of the Presidency where he asserts there will be no more ‘nice-time’ for opposition (PPP) supporters who ‘sabotage’ his Administration’s programs, are indeed racist and thoughtless.

Editor, am I to believe that Mr Harmon has had knowledge of ‘sabotage’ in the past and let it slide? Or that ‘sabotage’ by non-PPP elements will be allowed ‘nice time’ status?

The obvious answer is no to both of these questions, Mr Harmon has instead allowed his emotions to overtake his reason and crossed a line in his quest to absolve his Administration of failure to execute even the smallest of projects. With less than nine houses delivered in three plus years, APNU/ AFC have boldly promised nine new housing projects in 18 months.

Editor, no doubt this doomed to fail promise will be laid at the steps of Freedom House’s ‘saboteurs’ in due course, but the better course of action would have been to re-evaluate the failing policy of delivering ‘ready-made’ houses to citizens. There are thousands of Guyanese living in Diamond, Providence, Tuschen, Farm, Herstelling etc who were provided house lots and who have built their own homes at their own pace as their economic situation allowed.

The Harmon line of ‘PPP saboteurs’ has been parroted again by Carwyn Holland’s talk of ‘Manchurian candidates’ among APNU elected councilors. This is the danger of speaking to sycophants- bereft of intellect they believe anything said by their leaders is ‘gospel’.

Editor, during this prolonged campaign, the lies that have so often been repeated will be sung as truth, the claim of the execution of 400 black men persists, can we, the people ask that this be independently investigated by journalists

and the truth be published?

Can we ask the press to investigate what the subsidy has been on each house lot ever delivered to the citizens of Guyana by the PPP, or shall we pretend that only ‘Pradoville 2’ received subsidies? Shall we investigate why Ashni Singh and Winston Brassignton have been charged with ‘gifting’ 4.7 acres of land by selling it at GUY $30,000,000 per acre while current GoInvest CEO Owen Verwey is lamenting those who refuse to take advantage of incentives? “We have incentives in various categories like general, specific and even land…land has been added because nowhere else you can get an acre of land to lease for lower than US$1, and in Guyana land is being leased for as low as GUY$25,” (http://guyanachronicle.com/2018/11/23/goinvest-aided-45b-in-investments), Verwey would be better off advising Ministers of the ills of nationalisation as done with the Berbice Bridge Company.

No amount of $25 an acre land will attract investors to a nation that has no respect for private property. Verwey may also want to seek legal advice before signing any agreement at 12 US cents per acre. Recently I have seen the emergence of claims that ‘corruption and thieving’ have their genesis in the PNC and PPP administrations past, Editor, Strain theory ascribes criminal behavior to the gap between social goals and social structures to achieve them, those who commit crimes have chosen expediency over morality, the crime and blame must rest with the criminal; providing him/her with an excuse is a slippery slope we do not want to go down.

Editor, as with above, principles and precedent are often more important than the issue they address, the recent ceding of authority by the Speaker of the House will no doubt have ramifications for future generations, the very public control being displayed by the Prime Minister over the Speaker’s office is offensive to sensibilities, and this type of political expediency comes at a high cost to any nation.

Editor, the next General Election is going to be about truth and on which side of it we stand. The integrity of our Fourth estate is critical to our understanding of events. Our very futures depend on it.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

CCJ’s ruling is a blatant, backward step Dear Editor, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo overstepped his authority when he announced Government’s commitment to “giving teeth” to the CCJ’s ruling that, in Guyana, men are free to disguise themselves as women, and women are free to disguise themselves as men, in public.

The Prime Minister has perhaps forgotten that he and his Government are accountable to the 800,000 people of Guyana, and not to the seven judges of the CCJ. Whether or not the CCJ’s ruling is right is irrelevant, because the Government of Guyana has bound itself to abide by that ruling. However, the CCJ cannot, and will never, usurp the sovereignty of the elected Parliament of Guyana.

The CCJ is limited to interpreting the laws of Guyana. Our Government is tasked with effectively writing the laws of Guyana within the context of our Constitution, which itself is

subject to amendment.

The CCJ’s ruling is a blatant, backward, retrograde backdoor step to the introduction of proposed legalisation of same-sex marriages and similar human relations, which are beneath the dignity of Guyana’s dogs, cows, cats and rats.

Instead of giving teeth to enforce the CCJ’s ruling, the Prime Minister should be rallying the legal minds of his Government and civic society to legislatively protect the socio-economic and spiritual fabric and values of Guyana, by plugging the Constitutional loopholes through which the CCJ has inserted its pernicious ruling.

Cross-dressing, buggery, homosexuality and their affiliates are all offensive to the values of Guyana’s Christian and Muslim majority; to the majority of its Hindu population, and to the foundational principles on which Guyana’s greatness is built.

On the other hand, every Guyanese enjoys the inalienable right and freedom to act behind

closed doors in a manner of his or her choosing, so long as the exercise of those rights and freedoms do not offend, invade, or wrong the rights and freedoms of others.

The laws of Guyana must always protect Guyana’s vulnerable minority from the tyranny of the majority. However, it is palpably abhorrent for our laws to promote the tyranny of the large majority by a small minority.

We value our women for who they are, and for what they bring to our society. We value our men for who they are, and for what they bring to our society. When a small minority of our men fail to value themselves for their own inherent self-worth, we must lovingly aid their restoration, not empower them to corrupt and demoralise the rest of our society. This must be the underlying objective of our elected Government: to enhance the values that have made Guyana great.

Sincerely, Phyllis J Jordan

APNU/AFC coalition has proven to be a failed government

Dear Editor, The fourth National Budget for the APNU/AFC coalition Government was presented to the National Assembly despite the majority of the Guyanese population, through the Opposition Leader has declared no-confidence against the APNU/AFC administration for the mismanagement of affairs in Guyana Since the 2011-2015 period when the APNU and the AFC were the combined opposition with a dangerous weapon of a parliamentary majority, they have used it deliberately and conveniently to take Guyana down the path of destruc-

tion. The combined opposition, during that period, who promised a good life and a better future, deliberately, by their vindictive actions destroyed the very foundation upon which they are presently collapsing now.

How can people sleep at night knowing that they are guilty of not fulfilling the role the electorate gave them?

During the 2011-2015 period the lack of support for major national development projects such as the Amailia Falls Hydroelectric plant, the CJIA expansion, Marriott hotel, a Specialty Hospital, the blocked security measures that would

have prevented money laundering and many other measures that are contributing towards a failed APNU/AFC government.

During this period the APNU/AFC/PNC was determined not to support any projects that would further enhance the popularity of the PPP/C, regardless of how much the entire nation stands to benefit.

Unfortunately, the APNU/ AFC coalition government can’t recover from their present collapse, despite presenting four consecutive budgets. We can conclude: From a destructive opposition to a failed Government.

Your sincerely, Zamal Hussain

Shocked that Scotiabank is pulling out

Dear Editor, I was astounded when I read an online article from a prominent news establishment that Scotiabank has sold its local operations and will be exiting the Guyana operations.

I am astounded because as a long-time account holder of this Bank, I would have expected

to be informed by the Bank before this information reached the public domain.

I would hope the arbitrary transfer of my account to the sold bank is not a done deal without any consultation with me.

Your respectfully, Shamshun Mohamed

news 7

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

“Self-defence” should be taught PNC/R General Secretary in schools – psychologist refuses to comment on

Volda’s alleged remarks

...in relation to providing jobs for only party supporters and friends

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ith domestic violence becoming widespread across the country, especially violence against women and girls peaking in recent years, a psychologist who recently earned a Masters in Science and in counselling psychology has noted that she believes self-defence should be taught in schools across the country.

This was shared

by Raiza Khan during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International on Tuesday.

According to the psychologist who has been in the field for close to two years, there is a need for self-defence to be taught, as its benefits can be multi-fold.

Khan explained, “Often times a lot of the Government organisations and a lot of the schools, what we would encourage them to do is as much psycho-social training and psycho-social programmes, something as simple as developing your sense of identity… I think that what needs to be understood is that self-defence can be helpful in terms of developing empowerment and healthy and active children just like the same reasons you would offer physical education and dance classes and track and field”.

She noted that while the Government may already have provisions for classes which may include physical health and wellbeing, what is urgent to be addressed is how children own up to uncomfortable situations which they may not necessarily be brave enough to talk about, although being encouraged to do so.

In fact, the psychologist pointed out that the classes which may very well help a child when they age, is really not intended to help fight violence with violence but rather to engage youths

Psychologist Raiza Khan

on understanding that you can be prepared for an assault since self-defence techniques are not only used when a person’s boyfriend or girlfriend hits them.

Important to note is that these classes, she pointed out, can also help to fight crime as many times persons are attacked and are unable to defend themselves.

Khan argued, “Selfdefence is not only used against your domestic violence partner but we do have crime and women are pick-pockets and men are pick-pockets and young children are attacked on the streets, so it would more be for self-development and being able to protect yourselves from other circumstances not to be used in the case of (only) violence against women”.

She alluded to the fact that there needs to be a more holistic approach to understand where violence comes from and what the other party actually sees in the other person while trying to be possessive and how to deal with insecurities.

According to her, just as other life skills are being taught in schools such as Home Economics, classes should also be developed geared towards tackling peer pressure, depression and even mental health, as well as dealing with anxiety.

“We talk about diabetes, we talk about other forms of medical conditions but we are not talking about mental health in schools,” she posited.

The Education Ministry is presently in the process of drafting a new curriculum for schools.

The new curriculum is intended to benefit nursery, primary and secondary levels up to Grade Nine, as classes from there on utilise the Caribbean curriculum to prepare for the Caribbean Secondary

Examination Certificate (CSEC).

According to a Senior Public Relations Officer of the Education Ministry, Brushell Blackman the new curriculum will include a number of broad areas, which he acknowledged the Ministry previously overlooked.

The new syllabus, will among other things, seek to include oil education, he posited.

Blackman added the Ministry promised not to drag their feet on the paperwork, as they are fully aware of its importance and vitality at this time.

Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson also pointed out how critical it is for the curriculum to be updated, while saying, “This process cannot be a long and drawn out process. I know curriculum writing takes time, but it cannot be forever. We don’t have all the time in the world”.

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PNC/R Chairwoman and Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence

e n e r a l Secretary of the People National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Amna Ally when questioned about the alleged remarks made by Chairwoman of the party, Volda Lawrence at Congress Place during a District Convention on Wednesday evening, did not confirm nor deny the remarks, but rather said she did not hear her say that.

Lawrence was quoted in a section of the media as saying, among other things, that her party should place more

focus on providing jobs for friends and party supporters.

“The only friends I got is PNC so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC and right now I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese and ah want one that is PNC,” Lawrence who is also the Public Health Minister of the coalition Government allegedly told those present at the gathering.

When contacted

by INews for a comment on the alleged statements and to ascertain if the remarks were reflective of the party's

position, Ally questioned whether this news entity heard Lawrence make the said remarks.

Further, when directed to the attributed quote, Ally responded: “Don’t ask me! Because I didn’t hear Miss Lawrence say so,” before abruptly ending the call.

Lawrence was at the time of the alleged remarks lambasting members of her party for inside bickering, which according to her, if not rectified, will cost the Coalition Government the 2020 General Elections.

8 news

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Teachers’ union to submit new multiyear salary proposal next month

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resident of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Mark Lyte has recently disclosed that the Union is currently working on a new multi-year proposal to submit to the Education Ministry which will address salary and other non-salary benefits.

According to him, the Union is hoping to submit the document by the second week in December in an effort to avoid the discrepancies encountered during the last bargaining process with the Ministry.

Although he was reluctant to reveal the percentage that the Union is proposing in the new agreement, he said the Union will find ways to justify its proposal.

Things went haywire during the most recent bargaining process between the two parties which left children in empty classrooms as teachers resorted to the streets, calling for increased salaries.

In fact, it was only late October that the GTU and the Education Ministry came to an agreement with regards to teachers’ salary.

As the agreement was inked on October 24, 2018, for a 12 per cent increase for 2016 and eight per cent for 2018, Lyte said the Union

GTU President Mark Lyte

has learnt its lesson and is looking forward to brokering a better agreement come 2019.

Moreover, the GTU President pointed out that the Union has “learnt so many lessons” and is now better prepared for the next bargaining process with the Education Ministry.

He explained that he believes the agreement made will better satisfy teachers and their families, thus resulting in classrooms being better serviced.

On the other hand, General Secretary of the GTU, Coretta McDonald during a telephone interview with Guyana Times

International said she believes the Union should have been more diligent.

She stated, “As a Union we needed to do a little more work, we needed to be a little more diligent in what we were doing, but it’s a learning experience and come 2019 our teachers, if it’s going to be a three-year or a fiveyear agreement, our teachers will see many more benefits coming their way”.

“Those teachers who would have felt neglected over the past years and they weren’t being able to gain access to their benefits I want to say to them rest assure, the GTU has been there for you, we will continue to be there for you and your benefits are intact,” she added.

A 40 per cent salary increase for public school teachers was initially proposed for the year 2016.

Over time, the percentage would be increased for all categories of represented teachers. For the year 2017, the Union was hoping to have bargained for a 45 per cent increase, which would then increase to 50 per cent for the remainder of the years indicated in the agreement (2018-2020).

Cyclist killed after colliding with container truck A pedal cyclist met his demise on the Houston Public Road on Wednesday when he collided with a container truck, registration number GWW 7629, just outside Parc Rayne in Rahaman’s Park, Greater Georgetown.

He was identified as Seeram Seecharran of Lot 16 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Guyana Times International understands that at the time of the accident, it was raining. However, the now dead man reportedly darted across the road ahead of oncoming traffic.

Reports stated that the container truck collided with him before swerving and coming to a halt after ploughing into the fence, which was meant to shield the 70-foot artificial tree that is being erected for the Annual Rahaman’s Park Christmas tree light-up set for Friday.

Host of the yearly event, Ray Rahaman was present at the scene and indicated that he was not discouraged even though the area has seen multiple accidents. He also related his account of what transpired.

“The cyclist went across the road, the truck was coming in the rain, he pulled brakes, he couldn’t be going fast, because there was a lot of traffic, so it is not the fault of the truck; it is the fault of the cyclist,” the businessman surmised.

The fence collapsed as the tree shifted; several parts of the bicycle were seen smashed and strewn along the road. This is the second year in a row that the famous Christmas tree was shifted from its position owing to an accident.

The truck driver reportedly received injuries to his hands. Police are continuing their investigation into the incident.

Rahaman further noted that it was fortunate that the tree did

A section of the fence damaged by the truck

not fall as it did last year. He once again praised the business community for assisting to ensure that everything was in place for the tree light-up.

“These things happen and are unfortunate for the nation … But the fortunate part is that it (tree) is not on the ground, this year it didn’t fall, so the Lord is testing us but he still helping us. So, we will lift it with a crane now … the entire tree from the top, put it on the road here, build over the stand, put it back by this afternoon (Wednesday), and then we are in business again,” Rahaman told this newspaper as workmen worked feverishly to repair the damaged section.

An official Police account of what transpired disclosed that the lorry was proceeding in the same direction as the pedal cyclist, but on the “eastern side of the western carriageway” in the vicinity of Rahamans Park. The cyclist then “proceeded to cross the road from the eastern side to the western side and in the process of doing so, he ended up into the path of the motor lorry”.

Police confirmed that the driv-

er of the motor lorry swerved to avoid a collision, but “the right side front of the lorry came into contact with the pedal cycle, the cyclist was thrown off the pedal cycle and landed on the road surface, where he received injuries about his body.”

It was explained that Seecharran was picked up in an unconscious state by Police and public-spirited citizens and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was examined by a doctor on duty, who pronounced him dead on arrival.

His body is currently lying in the Hospital’s Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem. Police said that a breathalyser test was conducted on the truck driver which revealed a reading of 0.000 per cent.

After the tree fell and got damaged last December, two men were found afterwards with the tree snaps. Later that month, a truck driver avoiding a collision crashed into a nearby utility pole.

The businessman’s wife, Angela Rahaman later called for caution on the roadways.

Sting of the PNC scorpion…

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…and Irfaan Ali

here’s the old story of the scorpion and the frog. Wanting to cross a swollen river, a scorpion pleaded with a frog to take him across on the latter’s back. The frog demurred, raising his fear that the scorpion would sting him.

The scorpion asked if the frog thought he was mad: pointing out that if he did so, they’d both drown.

The frog thought this was a reasonable answer and allowed the scorpion to hop onto his back.

Midway across the river, however, the frog felt the scorpion sting him and as he began to sink under the water, he asked the scorpion, “Why?” The scorpion replied laconically, “It’s my nature!”

And they both drowned. The PNC’s demonstrating that, like the scorpion, they just can’t help using brute force and ignorance against their political opponents – even though they need the latter to govern this country to deliver the “good life” to all its citizens. Especially after the rejection of the PNC by the people of this country at the LGE. Take for example SOCU eerily rushing over to arrest Irfaan Ali, the former PPP/C Housing Minister at FOUR AM in the morning!! Now let’s not even discuss the retort we’ll be hearing that the PNC is not SOCU!! Really??! We all know where SOCU’s directives come from…and it sure ain’t from Police HQ! This arrest is pure political spite, intended to deflect from the news of the PPP’s overwhelming wins at the LGE – and especially their inroads into traditional PNC territory.

SOCU’s been hinting at this arrest in relation to the ex-Minister’s role in the Pradoville land sale, for months. Why was it necessary to trek into the torrential rains to Leonora and drag him from his bed at that unholy hour?? Jeez…the fella didn’t even have time to perform his Fajr (morning) prayer! How come when they finally decided to question Minister David Patterson on his unilateral G$148 million sole-sourced contract award for the Demerara bridge design, they politely asked him to show up at their HQ??

If they wanted to lay charges on Wednesday for Ali, why not ask him on Tuesday to show up at SOCU’s HQ?? Why the double standard? Did they think he’d flee the jurisdiction? Patterson was a better flight risk? But as they nurse their wounds from the drubbing they took and look anxiously at the upcoming no-confidence motion, the PNC’s instincts have taken over. They know Ali’s one of the upcoming young leading lights of the PPP/C, as is Nandlall, who’s already been dragged before the courts.

The PNC would rather drown than go down in defeat to another generation of PPP leaders!! …on energy To continue where your Eyewitness left off yesterday on the Budget, he wants to continue discussing our manufacturing sector’s dilemma on their astronomical electricity costs. He perused the releases intensely to see whether any of David Patterson’s fat talk over the past year about a “gas fired” G$200 million generator using excess gas the Lisa field was being catered for. He didn’t see a penny! It was all a gas!! And very foul gas at that!

The episode illustrates another characteristic of the PNC – and have no doubt, Patterson is PNC! – their proclivity to talk and their inability to “do”!!

At this time Patterson doesn’t even know how much gas will be available – so why’d he have to mouth off and give the business community hope that electricity prices might head southwards? And then again, did they factor in the carbon dioxide emissions from a gas fired plant in their “Green Development Strategy”, which they still can’t release?

Balanced against the dinky solar panels they’ll install, it’s one step forward and 10 steps backwards!! …and AFC’s “unequivocal” Budget support!

The AFC announced that the PNC has their “unequivocal” support for the Budget!! What else could the “dead meat” party do??

Protest that there was nothing for sugar workers who now have to strike for better wages??

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘I have nothing to fear’

- Irfaan Ali says ‘trumped up charges’ will not deter him from serving country

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n light of the politically trumped up charges brought against former Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali on Wednesday by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) strongly condemned the move, describing it as a deliberate act intended to tarnish the Party’s leaders in order to impact the choice of its presidential candidate for the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The Party is contending that after thrashing the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Government at the Local Government Elections (LGE), the no-confidence motion filed against them and the “visionless budget” that has plunged them into even deeper political woes, as promised, it has upped the political vendetta against the Opposition.

According to reports gathered, a vanload of Policemen turned up at the Member of Parliament’s house at about 04:00h, arrested him and took him to the Headquarters of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

This however, came as a surprise since Ali attended SOCU’s office on every occasion he was requested to do so over the last year hence, the Party stated that there was no need for the show of power.

“But, this is the [People’s National Congress] PNC back in form,” it added.

“We are not oblivious to the fact that these charges are intended to tarnish our leaders in order to impact the choice of the PPP’s presidential candidate for the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

This plan will also not succeed but it will succeed only in making us stronger and even more determined to lead and unite, not only our supporters, but every fair, law abiding and patriotic Guyanese, irrespective of class, race or religion in an indefatigable movement and struggle to remove this corrupt, incompetent and vengeful cabal from Government”.

Ali appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where the 19 politically trumped up charges in relation to the sale of plots of land on the East Coast of Demerara were read to him.

According to SOCU, Ali sold 19 plots of land located at Goedverwagting and Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, below their valued prices. The plots of land, they claimed, were “recklessly” sold at G$39.8 million when they were actually valued G$212.4 million at the time of their sale.

Nevertheless, Ali was not required to plead to the charges. SOCU’s Special Prosecutor Patrice Henry, had no objections to bail but asked the court that it be granted in a substantial amount to guarantee the defendant returns to court.

But Ali’s battery of lawyers – including Anil Nandlall, Priya and Jaya Manickchand, Davendra Kissoon and Sase Gunraj – opposed the cash bail application.

Attorney Kissoon argued that there is no reason for the 38-year-old Member of Parliament not to be released on his own recognizance, citing his numerous commitments pertaining to national duties, which he “intends to

dutifully fulfil”.

The defence attorney also mentioned that Ali does not only have his parliamentary commitments but also has quite a reputation since he acted as both the President and Prime Minister under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

After listening to the two sides, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan granted the former Housing Minister self-bail on all 19 counts and set January 7, 2019, as his return court date.

Speaking with reporters moments after stepping out the courtroom on Wednesday, the former Housing Minister said, “I have during my tenure, with the help of my staff and the PPP/C Government, we have distributed more than one hundred thousand house lots and regularised lots so maybe it should’ve been a 100,000 charges then for

BBCI moves to Court over Berbice Bridge ... and 12 of the Berbice River Bridge Act. (g) A declaration that the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order, No. 42 of 2018, made by the first named defendant under the Berbice River Bridge Act is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect in that it is tantamount to the compulsory taking of possession or compulsorily acquiring an interest in or right over property, to wit, the Berbice River Bridge, owned by the claimant without prompt and adequate compensation in violation of article 142(1) of the Constitution of Guyana. (h) A conservatory order prohibiting the defendants, by themselves, their servants and/or agents from assuming the functions of the claimant as the Concessionaire to maintain and operate the Berbice River Bridge under the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order No. 42 of 2018 made under the Berbice River Bridge Act Cap

from page 3

51:06. (i) A conservatory order prohibiting the defendants by themselves, their servants and/or agents from ordering or continuing to maintain the order that the tolls levied and collected and any exemptions from the payment of tolls shall be the same as those levied, collected and exempted immediately before the coming into operation of the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order No. 42 of 2018 made under the Berbice River Bridge Act Cap 51:06. (j) An order directing the first named defendant to supply to the claimant as a body affected by the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order, No. 42 of 2018, a statement setting out the findings on material questions of fact referring to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based and giving the reasons for the decision.

every house lot that was given. But I believe firmly in justice, I believe firmly in trusting the creator and understanding that no form of wickedness, no form of political victimisation, no form of this pressure that the Government believe they can bring on us to silence us, to silence democracy, to silence free speech, to silence an opposition that is exposing them, it is not going to work. This has made me strong, I am more reso-

lute”.

He recalled in Parliament two weeks ago that Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had said to him and Nandlall in the Chambers, during one of his hecklings, “Don’t worry you will get convicted (to Nandlall) and you will get charged (to Ali) very soon.” Hence, the charges on Wednesday were no strange occurrence.

Nevertheless, Ali told reporters that he is confi-

dent in the country’s justice system and that he would be vindicated of the 19 charges.

“I have nothing to fear.

I have served and I’ve served to the best of my ability and I will continue to do so without fear or favour… We will defend this, we will defend everything that they throw before us because we believe in what we did. We did it with honesty and integrity and… the only condition that we did it in was in service to the people of this country,” he posited.

Nevertheless, Attorney Priya Manickchand had told media operatives earlier that the PPP will be fighting this ‘act of oppression’ by the coalition Government against Ali, who is set to kick off the Opposition’s debate on the 2019 Budget next Monday.

“This will be met with lawful but equal force. So this kind of oppressive behaviour that the Government is engaging in right now, which is to charge and/or lock up members of the Opposition, and attempt to intimidate members of the Opposition… it’s not going to work,” she asserted.

10 news

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Budget 2019

Pensioners get G$1000 increase

…other measures to benefit ordinary citizens noticeably absent

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t G$300.7 billion, the National Budget for 2019 was presented on Monday to the National Assembly. But through it all, measures that can directly benefit the small man are noticeably absent.

The only thing that Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who spoke almost uninterrupted for five hours during his budget presentation, announced under ‘measures to increase workers’ income was the increase in the income tax threshold to G$780,000 per annum (G$65,000 monthly).

This is an increase per month of G$5,000, as the salary threshold was previously G$60,000. Accompanying this increase was a promise from the Government that it would re-engage the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) in negotiations to improve allowances.

There were also measures for the elderly. For instance, pension was increased by G$1,000, from G$19,500 to G$20,500.

Following the G$1,000 increase trend, public assistance was also increased from G$8,000 to G$9,000.

“Many former public servants, Members of Parliament and other categories of workers who retired prior to 1992 have approached me with a view to doing something about their pensions, which were decimated as a result of repeated devaluations in the 1980s and early 1990s.”

“They have indicated that they are getting on in age and wish for the Government to bring urgent relief to them. I want to assure those persons that the matter is under active consideration,” Jordan also announced.

In addition, Jordan announced exemption from Value

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan arriving at Parliament for Budget 2019 presentation.

Added Tax (VAT) on orthopedic appliances like crutches, surgical belts, splints, hearing aids and false teeth. He also announced exemptions on boats used in rural and riverine areas designed for the transport of goods and persons not exceeding 7.08 cubic metres. The import Duty of five per cent will also be waived.

Tax incentives

Jordan also announced tax incentives focused on the disabled, persons importing cars and companies. For instance, Jordan said, changes would be made to the Income Tax Act to facilitate the write off capital expense within two years, and also waive import duties and VAT on new equipment for companies using alternate energy technology.

The minister also announced measures to waive customs duty for hybrid and electric vehicles with an equivalent cylinder capacity of 2000, exemptions for change over kits and to waive excise tax on all electric motor cycles. He noted, however, that

vehicles modified within two years of entering Guyana attract full duties and tax.

Jordan announced that a system of credits would be used in the Remigrant Scheme, with a ceiling of G$5 million. For example, he noted, if a remigrant brought in three vehicles with a value of G$20 million, they would receive a tax-free allowance of G$5 million and pay applicable taxes on the remaining G$15 million. This proposal did not sit well with several Opposition parliamentarians, who heckled the move.

Another measure Jordan announced was to allow returning students who have completed at least three years of continuous study eligibility for re-migrant status. In addition, he proposed removing the six months overseas ownership stipulation.

“This allows the remigrant the option of purchasing the vehicle locally within six months of his/her arrival. This would be advantageous to the remigrant who lived in a country where driving is on the right, as op-

posed to Guyana, where it is on the left,” Jordan said.

Jordan also proposed exempting vehicles to be used by persons with disabilities from Excise duty and VAT. He said that Government will also examine the feasibility of tax rebates on handsets that have accessibility features for disabled persons.

“This will allow Guyanese who are visually and hearing impaired to afford a smartphone.

In order to avoid abuse, the exemptions would be granted after the Commission representing Persons with Disabilities certifies that the person, the vehicle and the handset are eligible for the concessions. These two initiatives solidify Government’s commitment to equity and inclusion for all its citizens through the use of (Information and Communication Technology),” Jordan said.

Private sector

The minister proposed that changes be made to the Income Tax Act to ensure that tax on gold mining activities be as-

sessed based on a sliding scale.

This, he noted, would be the final tax on income from such activities.

Small businesses will also benefit from a reduction of income and corporate tax rates to 25 per cent on taxable profits. To benefit, however, these businesses have to be registered with the Small Business Bureau. Jordan also announced a reduction of the manufacturing rate to 25 per cent, from the previous 27.5 per cent rate.

Also to be adjusted is the property tax threshold to G$40 million for individuals and companies. In addition, persons who sell their house and reinvest the proceeds in another home of equal or greater value will be exempted from Capital Gains tax.

This must be done during the year of assessment, or within 60 days of the year the property is sold.

“In addition, Mr Speaker, in recognition of inflation through the years, I propose to increase the threshold for Capital Gains Tax arising from disposal of property from G$1,000 to G$500,000.

The revenue loss is expected to exceed G$102 million.”

But it was Jordan’s announcement that 2019 would herald a new age wherein there are no more shortages of drugs that touched off a crescendo of heckling from the parliamentary Opposition, who have long criticized Government for persistent drug shortages at public institutions.

The budget made little mention of monies that would be allocated for institutional capacity-building in the oil sector. This is even as first oil is little over a year away. Jordan did note, however, that the Cost Oil Audit Unit would be set up in the large taxpayers unit.

Guyanese firemen charged for stealing from crashed Fly Jamaica aircraft

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our firefighters appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, slapped with simple larceny charges after they were found in possession of items suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.

Thirty-year-old Aubrey Frank of Lot 106 Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke Linden Highway; Jammie Kingston, 30, of Lot 21 D’Urban St, Lodge, Georgetown; and Roiden Kennedy, 27, of Lot 390 Timehri Hill, East Bank Demerara, were all charged jointly with having under their control articles reasonably suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained.

The trio denied the charges after it was read to them.

Frank, Kingston and Kennedy were represented by Attorneys Clyde Ford, Eusi Anderson and George Thomas respectively, who all made applications for bail for their respective clients.

However, Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail being granted citing the

Aubrey Frank

Jammie Kingston

Roiden Kennedy

seriousness of the charge as well as the circumstances under which the crime was committed.

As a result, the Chief Magistrate placed each defendant on G$100,000 bail and attached conditions for them to report to the Providence Police Station on a weekly basis as well as to lodge their passports.

The matter was transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court and adjourned until December 12.

Meanwhile, a 38-year-old

Section Leader of the Guyana Fire Service, Collis Williams, of Lot 14 Coverden, East Bank Demerara, was slapped with a simple larceny charge which alleged that on November 9, 2018, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, he stole an IPhone and a Samsung cellular phone belonging to Basil Ferguson. Williams denied the charge after it was read to him.

Prosecutor Mansfield also objected to bail citing the seriousness of the charge as well as the circumstances under which the crime was commit-

ted.

However, Williams was placed on G$100,000 bail along with being ordered to lodge his passport and report weekly at the Providence Police Station.

He is expected to re-appear at the Providence Magistrate’s Court on December 13.

The men were accused of stealing several items on the morning of November 9, 2018, moments after a Fly Jamaica aircraft crash-landed at the Cheddi Jagan international Airport. The firemen were the first responders who assisted

Collis Williams

the distressed passengers to disembark the damaged aircraft.

It was until later that day that the flight crew realised personal items were missing from the aircraft. This prompted an investigation which led to the discovery of the items at the Timehri Fire Service. The men were placed in custody and a thorough investigation was carried out.

More than two weeks later, the Police Legal Advisor recommended that charges be instituted against the four men.

news 11

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Budget 2019

Education Ministry gets G$52B; $3.1B for UG – oil and gas related courses; anti-bullying programmes targeted

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overnment has announced allocations totalling G$52.2 billion for the education sector in its 2019 Budget, including a G$3.1 billion subvention to the University of Guyana that will go towards upgrades.

According to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, G$508 million out of the money will go towards upgrading facilities at both the Turkeyen and Tain campuses. In addition, the Minister explained that G$2.6 billion will be used to cover operational expenditure.

Jordan also revealed to the National Assembly that the University will be formulating a strategic plan that includes plans for new degrees in the oil and gas field, such as petroleum engineering.

In terms of the entire sector, Jordan said the money will go towards, among other things, eliminating the shortage of books in the classroom. Money will also be invested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) subjects.

A priority for spending, he noted, is address-

The University of Guyana will get a subvention of $3.1 billion

ing disparities in education between the coast and hinterland. Jordan also noted that monies will go towards alleviating social ills within the schools system, as well as the school feeding programme.

“Programmes to reduce bullying and violence as well as other social problems in schools will be expanded to ensure regular school attendance. In this regard, two mobile welfare units will be introduced to expand access to a wider student population.”

“Importantly, the

school feeding programme across the country will be expanded, with an additional 9545 students expected to benefit. This programme has been shown to be pivotal to improving school attendance and enhancing learning in the absence of hunger.” $5.4 billion will also be spent on constructing, rehabilitating and extending schools throughout Guyana. This includes the continuation of works on St Rose’s High, which was torn down earlier this year to be rebuilt.

During his speech, Jordan expressed optimism of Guyana achieving 90 per cent pass rates in Mathematics. Despite the implementation of a series of measures aimed at improving students’ performance in the core subject areas, Mathematics recorded low pass rates at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

During an overview of pupils’ performance at this year’s examination, which was written in March, it was highlighted that only 38 per cent of the pupils who wrote

the NGSA exam this year gained 50 per cent or more in maths. This is compared to 45 per cent last year.

Education Minister Nicolette Henry had said at the time that exam pass rates normally fluctuate and it always becomes a cause for concern when that percentage drops below what was obtained previously. To this end, she had noted that the Ministry will have to continue what it started last year, that is, mainstreaming methodology that were used in the emergency interven-

tion.

“Last year as you are aware, it was an intervention year… so what we have to do is sustain… There is no subject area that is below the Maths 38 per cent, which was considered high for Mathematics,” she said, while adding that they want those days to be a thing of the past, whereby subject pass rate percentages are in the 20s, teens or even lower.

Following disturbing low performances in 2016, Cabinet had mandated in October that year that a strategy be established targeting improvements in students’ performance in the core subject areas. That plan was subsequently approved and implemented.

Among the measures that were recommended are training of teachers in content and methodology, developing learning communities where teachers were able to share information and experiences regarding mathematical concepts and recruitment of monitors and coordinators to ensure that the emergency plan was implemented.

12 news

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana’s private Woman battling for life after brutal cutlass attack by husband sector says Budget …lifeless body of attacker found hanging

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32-year-old mother of six is battling for her life after she was chopped to her neck and hands by her reputed husband during an argument at Swan Community, LindenSoesdyke Highway on Tuesday.

The woman, Malicia Andrews was attacked and chopped around 02:30h on the day in question.

The suspect, 39-year-old Ian English, subsequently took his own life after committing the act. He was found hanging a short distance from the home the couple and their two children shared.

Charmalita Adams, the youngest sister of the now injured woman, related that Andrews visited her mother’s home to discuss some problems that she was facing in her relationship.

“She went down by mommy, cause we ain’t know if they get problems, she never used to speak out … he follow she down there and tell she come with he, but she didn’t want to ‘cause she ain’t want he no more….,” the sister stated.

The suspect, however, followed Andrews to her mother’s home at Lot 22 Swan Community, and demanded that she return home with him, but

E Injured: Malicia Andrews

she refused while informing him that she wanted to end the relationship.

The suspect reportedly became enraged, armed himself with a cutlass, went into the house and dealt Andrews several chops to her body. The injured woman reportedly ran into the yard and collapsed.

Believing his partner to be dead, the suspect collected a rope along with the blood-stained cutlass and fled the scene. Andrews was picked up and rushed to the Diamond hospital in critical con-

dition and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

English’s body was later discovered by Police ranks who were summoned to the scene after the chopping incident. His body was cut down and taken to the Lyken Funeral home to await a post mortem.

Andrews remains in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The couple, who shared a relationship for several years, had two children ages 13 and 2.

Justice Andrew Burgess appointed to CCJ B

arbados Court of Appeal Judge Andrew Burgess has been appointed to the Caribbean Court of Justice.

This was announced on Monday by the Chairman of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC) and President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders.

Justice Saunders welcomed the newest CCJ Judge, stating: “Justice Burgess brings with him a wide range of international and regional experience, which will be a great complement to the outstanding jurists already serving the Court. I look forward to him joining us in the new year, and i am confident that he will continue the tradition of excellence that has characterised his career thus far.”

Justice Burgess became a Court of Appeal Judge in 2010.

Judge Andrew Burgess

He was previously a Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus and a Professor of Corporate and Commercial Law. He also had a distinguished career internationally as a judge of the Inter-

American Development Bank’s Administrative Tribunal in Washington DC, and was the body’s Vice President in 2007 and 2009 and served as President from 2009 to 2010.

He serves as a judge on the World Bank Administrative Tribunal, having been appointed in 2013. In 2017, he was elected by his fellow Judges to be the Vice President of the tribunal.

He was a Senior Commonwealth Fellow at Oxford University, England between 1992 and 1993.

Burgess is also an author, having published Commonwealth Caribbean Company Law in 2013 and the Law of Corporate Receivers and Receiver-Managers in 2002. His appointment will fill the vacancy left by the elevation of Justice Saunders to the position of President in July 2018.

High Court trial for bus conductor accused of raping school girl

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he Route 40 minibus conductor, Ashel Williams, who is accused of engaging in sexual penetration with a 14-year-old schoolgirl appeared on Monday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman, and was committed to stand trial in

2019 a disappointment

the High Court.

The indictable charge against Williams detailed that on October 7, 2015, while in the vicinity of Plum Park, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, he raped the 14-year-old schoolgirl.

The conductor is currently on G$300,000 bail.

It was previously reported that on October 7, 2015, the accused carried the teen to a house in Plum Park, and committed the act. The teen subsequently related to her parents what transpired, and a report was made to the Police.

GCCI Executive Director, Richard Rambarran

xecutive Director of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Richard Rambarran, has said that although the private sector is happy to see some money coming back in the hands of the consumers, it is extremely disappointed that the Government has made no move to remove or reduce the excise tax on fuel.

He made this pronouncement following Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s presentation of the 2019 National Budget in the National Assembly on Monday.

“I am very happy money has been placed back in the hands of the consumers and private sector; however, what is very worrying is that the excise tax on fuel and the nature and cost structure of the fuel remain the same, which is something the private sector certainly could have done with a reduction in,” he said.

He explained that in 2018 fuel has had a rehabilitating effect on the private sector because of its multipurpose. He noted that it is not only used in manufacturing, but in every other aspect of business.

“It is used in distribution, it is used in just about every single aspect of the production and distribution line; and as such, there should be something, or there should have been something, which addresses fuel costs,” he noted.

Rambarran further related that the Government needs to be more serious about the development of a green economy, and not just talk about developing a green economy. He identified the lack of advancement in this area despite the Government repeatedly talking about the Green State Development.

“If we are going to talk about green economy and renewable energy and all of that thing, we (the private sector) have been saying for some time that the private sector is very advanced in this regard. And the private sector has been saying that we need to have mechanisms in place where we can do grid tie and getting rebates etc for when you put in place your solar pow-

er and renewable energy, for us to be able to get something where we channel energy back to the grid. We see once again another year has passed and nothing along this line,” Rambarran pointed out.

He noted that the current budget presented need to be taken within the current context of Guyana since, according to the 2018 numbers, there has been minimal growth in a number of sectors and sub-sectors, as well as contraction in a few as well. However, he said that they are pleased with the measures identified, which would ultimately put money back into the hands of the consumers as well as the private sector.

On the issue of tax reduction, he explained that the private sector are somewhat pleased with some of the reduction identified, but reminded that they are not across-the-board.

“The Chamber of Commerce specifically is very happy that we have gotten some of our requests granted to us from our budget document. We would have met with the Minister of Finance during consultation period and he provided us with the opportunity to air our views. Specifically, we are looking at things like pesticides, limestone, toxic chemicals, and even the aviation industry. We were looking at fuel, but those which were granted were aviation industry pesticides limestone, and those were some we bargained for. We have an entire list we submitted for other things, and we see those coming out in other sectors indirectly for example infrastructure regarding farm to market road etc,” the GCCI Executive said.

Guyana’s private sector bodies have been calling on Government to cushion the effect of the excise tax on fuel prices, which affects every aspect of their businesses. Leading that call was the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) who, during its budget consultation meeting with Minister Jordan, also called for better roads and incentives for the renewable energy.

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‘Incoherent and loaded with platitudes’ …Jagdeo says of Budget 2019

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overnment came in for harsh criticism from Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo over what he described as the “visionless and disappointing” National Budget presented in the National Assembly on Monday.

Jagdeo said that the G$300.7 billion budget presented by Finance Minister Winston Jordan was one that was filled with repetition and disappointment, adding that they could not support such a budget in its current state. He said that the Finance Minister’s presentation was one that was incoherent and seemed as though it was written by different persons and then hastily combined for presentation on Monday. According to the Opposition Leader, the Budget fell far short of fulfilling objectives that are important to enhancing the welfare, well-being and future of the Guyanese people.

“We had the Minister of Finance going on several times talking about the same Green State Development Strategy and coming back repeatedly to promises of the future in oil and gas; almost exact meaning, the essence of what he spoke together. His presentation was incoherent, disappointing, replete with repetition…replete with repetition and contradictions, incoherent and loaded with platitudes, including comments about possible undertakings that would not be realised within the next fiscal year,” Jagdeo said.

The Opposition Leader, who recently tabled a motion of no-confidence against the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration, said with that looming over their heads he thought that the Government would have given ear to the issues identified and tried to alleviate them.

“This was not a budget, it was sterile and full of platitudes hoping that they can deceive the people of this country by talking for a very long period and repeating words…the timeline for the implementation of this budget goes way into the next five years from now and some of them may never happen.

Take for example the road, we have heard a lot of nonsense again about this road from Linden to Lethem, but most of it is filled with studies,” he identified.

Jagdeo, a former Finance Minister himself,

said that Minister Jordan used his budget presentation to confirm that the economy performed badly in 2018, identifying the – 1.8 per cent growth in the fisheries industry, 0.2 per cent growth in rice, 0.9 per cent in forestry and – 2.3 per cent in the extractive industry.

“You would have noticed that the Minister at midyear had revised the target upwards to 3.7 per cent after they achieved 3.4 per cent in mid-year. The final outcome was 3.4 per cent and we are not sure that will be, given the history that this Minister how often he has misled the House when he presents the figures in November in his budget and then in January when the figures drastically change for the worse,” Jagdeo sought to remind.

“He (Jordan) confirmed the economy performed badly. The Minister confirmed, and it was a shocking departure from the picture he painted last year when he presented his budget for 2018. He said that we are going to see a surplus on the balance of payment (BOP) and what happened was that we had a deterioration in the overall deficit of the BoP from G$69 million projected last year to G$187 million now. The current account from – G$297 million, it’s now – G$463 million and that is the outcome under current account of the balance of payment,” he added.

Increase in tax collection

The former President also predicted that the exchange rate would be under immense pressure.

He explained that the net domestic credit to mining and manufacturing practically collapsed which ultimately means that people in those sectors are not borrowing. This, he attributed, to the high taxation.

“The biggest story is how tone deaf this Government is. We heard the Government read out a series of measures at the end of his (Jordan) speech and he said these are the measures that will improve welfare. I doubt it. These are the measures that will enhance growth,” he said.

The Opposition Leader said the most worrisome thing about Budget 2019 was the projected increase in tax collection, which would be a further burden imposed on the people.

“Budget 2019 proposes a G$31 billion increase in tax collection per annum, compared to 2018.

This will represent an G$88 billion increase in

tax collection per annum, based on the 2014 levels.

This increase in tax collection comes, even as, there have been no moves to cut down on extravagant and wasteful spending on things that do not bring benefit to our people. All considered, it is unclear who this massive Budget is helping.

Is it helping our miners?

Is it helping our farmers? Is it helping our pensioners? Is it helping our public service employees?

Is it helping our productive sectors? Is it helping those in the retail trade?

The answer in each of these cases, and in others, is no,” he noted.

Jagdeo said that Guyana’s national debt continued to climb because of the squandering

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo speaking with the media on Monday evening. Also in photo are PPP Members of Parliament Irfaan Ali, Juan Edghill and the party’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira

of the Government. When asked to provide two good points from Budget 2019, the Opposition Leader

said that he was baffled as to what to say and eventually commended Minister Jordan’s attire

and speculated that he may be a “closeted hater” of the Government hoping to pass this budget.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Nandlall ordered to lead defence in law books fiasco

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Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

ormer Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minster Anil Nandlall who appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday, was instructed to lead his defence on December 6, 2018, by Magistrate Fabayo Azore, after she adjudged that the evidence provided by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) was enough for him to face the charge which alleges that he stole some 14 Commonwealth law books worth G$2.3 million.

SOCU’s Prosecutor, Patrice Henry presented on behalf of the State, meanwhile defence Attorney Glenn Hanoman informed the court that it is expected

to have former President Donald Ramotar as a witness into the matter.

The former Attorney General was on April 27, 2017, released on self-bail after he was charged for fraudulently acquiring and converting Commonwealth law books to his own use and benefits, property of the State.

On April 24 2017, Nandlall was called in to SOCU headquarters for questioning in relation to the Commonwealth law books. The day after his detainment, the attorney took to the High Court and filed legal proceedings against Attorney General Basil Williams, SC, to prove that the 14 law books are his property. continued on page 21

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Life hard’ …says Berbice woman who lost her husband, son and brother

Guyana delegation makes strong case for lifting of greenheart import restrictions in the UK

By Andrew Carmichael

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he woman who lost her son, husband and brother in 2016 when they were murdered at Cookrite Savannah in Black Bush Polder, Berbice, benefited from assistance from the Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj on Friday.

The New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission has as its motto: Dedicated to helping children, seniors, victims of gender-based violence, and other individuals who are living in dire poverty. The organisation’s aim is for the beneficiaries to be healthy, educated and self-reliant.

Executive member of the entity, Mahindradass Nandalal said the Mission wanted to ensure that Indrawattie Rooplall is in a position to live a normal life, hence the donation of livestock.

“We always believe that handouts is not the answer. We also believe that before we give an individual fish, we teach them how to fish. So we gave her this poultry and two sheep so that she could rear them and turn over the business so that she can get a profit that would be able to assist her financially,” Nandalal said.

Nandalal said Rooplall has been found to be a person with integrity and honesty.

According to Rooplall, her children are absent most days from school.

“We does struggle. I plant but don’t get much.

I use to do security work but because of the night shift, I left it,” she said.

Rooplall in giving thanks said the Mission had come to her assistance when her financial situation took a downward turn and she could not afford to send her two remaining children to school.

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According to the widow, the Mission has been reaching out to her ever since her plight was publicised in the media.

Corporate businesses have also assisted, she said.

“I thank God for that.

I have all the stationary for my children to go to school. Over the past two years things were rough and I was struggling all the time but for the past three weeks things are getting better and for the New Year I am planning to get some creole fouls and get some eggs, rear some animals and plant…”

On July 23, 2016, the bodies of Pawan Chandradeo, also called “Surish”, 37, of Black Bush Polder; his son Jaikarran Chandradeo, also called “Kevin”, 15; and his brother-inlaw, Narish Rooplall, also called “Mice”, 33, of Number 73 Village, Corentyne were discovered lying next to each other on a dam

at Cookrite Savannah, Black Bush Polder, with gunshot wounds. The Police said that bodies bore a single gunshot wound each.

The bodies were discovered shortly after daybreak by a rice farmer, about three miles into the savannah, a short distance away from “King’s Camp”.

The men had gone on a fishing expedition around mid-afternoon and were expected back home the following morning.

Police had reported that a farmer, Carlton “Lyman” Chetram; his wife; their 19-year-old son Jairam Chetram; and an employee, Tameshwar Tajmohan confessed to the killings and revealed that another man was involved.

Those persons have since been charged and the matter is currently being heard at the Whim Magistrate’s Court, where it will come up again on November 29.

Guyana Delegation among representatives of the UK Environment Agency and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

he Guyana delegation in the United Kingdom (UK) has made Guyana’s case for the lifting of the greenheart import ban which was placed by UK Environment Agency (EA) in 2015.

The delegation which included Guyana Forestry Commission’s (GFC) Chairman of the Board, Joslyn Dow; EU-FLEGT Secretariat Head, Kenny David; GFC Deputy Commissioner, Andrew Mendez, of McVantahe Inc; among others, made a combined presentation to Andy Powell of the UK EA and Clare Marsden of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The presentation focused on the many accomplishments of Guyana when it comes to sustainable forest practices, and the key impacts the restrictions have had on the industry and the country as a whole. It also focused on the current code of practice and the maintenance of Guyana’s biodiversity.

From the presentation the delegation then sought clarification from the EA and DEFRA representatives on whether or not the FLEGT certification which will be given to Guyana in about five-six years, will be accepted for Category B timber since the UK only accepts Category A FSC 100 per cent Greenheart from Iwokrama as of 2016.

They also challenged the UK EA’s stance on offering support to the country in getting FSC certification since only this is accepted but is costly.

Further, they asked what can be done

between now and the time FLEGT certification starts to restore trade between the two countries.

From the presentation, the EA and DEFRA representatives clarified that they did not consider the restrictions a ban; though conceding that standards had acted as a barrier to imports. They also shared that more needs to be done in terms of awareness and thus far, they have met with some of their suppliers to clarify their position on this.

Overall, the UK EA was very impressed by the presentation and noted that the information was very useful in clarifying the negative perception of timber from Guyana’s forests. Guyana will now have to await feedback from the UK EA on moving forward as they consult superiors and make recommendations.

The greenheart restrictions were introduced by the EA in the UK in 2015. Then it was claimed that proof of sustainable sourcing of the forest product was inadequate, and this has since resulted in a drastic decrease in export of the product to the UK. In December 2016 the EA relaxed the restrictions on greenheart, but only began to accept Category A FSC 100 per cent Greenheart from Iwokrama.

The Guyana delegation is confident that this direct engagement will lead to greater relaxation of the restrictions and lead to increased access to the United Kingdom market for producers and exporters of greenheart forest producers.

Nandlall ordered to ...

Following the legal arguments in court, the Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George had granted the conservatory order, restraining officers of SOCU and the Guyana Police Force from seizing or detaining the said books.

Nandlall had explained to the media that when he was appointed Attorney General, he requested as part of his contract of service for the Government of Guyana to stand the expense for his subscriptions for the Commonwealth law books. He had subscribed to Lexis Nexis, the publishers of the law reports.

His contentions were corroborated publicly by then President Donald Ramotar. However, two days later, on April 27, 2017, Nandlall was arraigned before Georgetown Magistrate Fabayo

from page 20

Azore on a charge instituted by members of SOCU. Nandlall continues to maintain that the accusation laid against him

by SOCU was instigated by Attorney General Basil Williams because he [Nandlall] continues to criticise his [Willams’] performance.

Insisting that nothing was abnormal about the practice, the former AG had argued that it was done by other Government Ministries such as Finance and Health.

He had expressed awareness that for decades prior, the Government had paid for professional and technical publications, journals, periodicals, magazines. This, he said, had been done for Ministers as well as professional and technical personnel.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Stakeholder urges legislation to protect against oil spills

– says double-hull oil tankers, compulsory booms necessary

Gaico Chief Executive Officer Komal Singh

By Jarryl Bryan

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uyana is still reliant on Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) despite plans to transition to renewable energy. But one industry stakeholder, with a background in both shipping and oil, believes legislation to protect local waterways is sorely lacking.

Gaico Construction and General Services provides, among other things, oil spill response services. In an interview with Guyana Times Interview, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Komal Singh spoke of the dangers of an oil spill and best practices around the world to prevent these occurrences.

“We have a lot of fuel transporting in our waterways,” he said. “And when you look at contingency plans and mitigating

strategies when discharging or loading fuel, there are none. If there is a human error in terms of connecting a hose to a pipe, there (may not be) any booms around the vessels to contain it (the oil).

“So, by the time someone responds, it gone in the river. What we are pushing for, from a good corporate citizen standpoint, we want to see legislation to ensure that any vessel discharging or loading fuel should have booms around those vessels before such activities take place.”

Because of its composition, oil floats on top of the surface of water. A boom is a flotation device that surrounds a vessel and/or, in the case of an oil spill, surrounds the spill. It is deployed using a boom reel, in much the same way a fishing reel works.

Singh explained that

the Demerara River flowed at approximately five knots per hour, a rate he described as very fast. He noted that if oil were to spill without being contained, it would likely spread quickly in the River.

The CEO also explained that some persons were transporting HFO in single-hull vessels. He cited the example of the Valdez oil spill, which occurred in 1989 when oil tanker Exxon Valdez struck a reef off the Alaskan coast and spilled millions of gallons of crude oil. It is widely considered as one of the worst manmade environmental disasters.

“We have wreckage in our river. And in moving fuel oil in single-hull vessels, it means fuel is going in and storing in a compartment and if that compartment punctures, the fuel will disappear out of the tank. Now the US has banned the use of single-hull vessels, since the Valdez spill. All vessels carrying fuel must be double hull. It means there is a separation between the (compartments).

“Our issues are right in our backyard … we need to have legislation to push stakeholders dealing with fuel to use double-hull ves-

sels. Imagine one of those vessels moving 3000 barrels of fuel oil, and it runs into a wreck under the water and it spills. You don’t want to imagine the amount of area 1000 barrels of fuel oil can cover and shut down. Imagine you have a spring tide!

We’re hoping legislation will pass to fix (these) things.”

tion commenced in the future. Asked for an update on the operations, Singh said that the service regularly engaged staff in training exercises. He noted that they were put through rigorous training sessions to sharpen their ability to handle real-life situations.

“Gaico is still very active in oil spill response.

the CEO explained.

With oil production expected to begin soon in the Stabroek block, a study was done last year by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the matter. It had found that while an oil spill was possible, factors such as the location of Exxon’s subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana

Gaico’s oil spill response vessel

Oil spill services

Gaico’s oil spill services were launched in 2016, when President David Granger commissioned what would be Guyana’s first oil spill response operation service at the Gaico Wharf at Nismes, West Bank Demerara.

It was set up as a pre-emptive measure against possible spillage once oil and gas produc-

We’re continuing training in house with our employees. We have another training scheduled for January. And all our training we do is done in the Demerara River, so the guys get the feeling of how a boom that one guy can pull on land, how it gets difficult in the water, where you need six or seven men and a boat to pull it due to water pressure,”

Limited (EEPGL) operations combined with the region’s water temperature would minimise the effects.

There is also a draft National Oil Spill Contingency plan, for which public consultations were held earlier this year.

It was reported last month that the EPA had commenced a review of the document.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

President Granger’s public engagements reduced as he continues cancer treatment P resident David Granger, consistent with advice from his team of specialist doctors at the Centro de Investigaciones Medico Quirugicas (CIMEQ) in Havana, Cuba, continues to take precautionary measures in light of his recent diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

This is according to the Ministry of the Presidency, which in a statement on Sunday said that owing to his continued treatment, the Head of State’s public engagements have been reduced. It added that notwithstanding, President Granger continues to perform his duties.

According to webmd. com, chemotherapy targets cells that grow and divide quickly, as cancer cells do. Unlike radiation or surgery, which target specific areas, chemo can work throughout the body. But it can also affect some fast-growing healthy cells, like those of the skin, hair, intestines, and bone marrow. That’s what causes some of the side effects from the treatment.

According to the website, some of the most common side effects of

chemotherapy are fatigue, hair loss, easy bruising and bleeding, infection, anemia (low red blood cell counts), nausea and vomiting, appetite changes and constipation.

Accompanied by his wife, the Head of State travelled to the Republic of Cuba on October 30, to undergo a medical investigation. While there, the President was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma after an intensive series of tests by specialist doctors at

CIMEQ. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in a person’s lymph system.

The President’s medical team performed a number of medical interventions, including the first round of chemotherapy.

On November 21, one day after his return, the Head of State expressed gratitude to all his well-wishers and those who have lent support while he was away in Cuba.

“Thank you for your

expressions of concern over the last three weeks …

Throughout that time, I received greetings from you all and from other well-wishers.”

Lymphoma occurs when the lymph node cells or the lymphocytes begin to multiply uncontrollably, producing cancerous cells that have the abnormal capacity to invade other tissue throughout the body.

The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin Lymphoma and Non-

Hodgkin Lymphoma.

N o n - H o d g k i n Lymphoma is further classified into a variety of subtypes based on the cell of origin (B-cell or T-cell), and the cell characteristics. The subtype of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma predicts the necessity of early treatment, the response to treatment, the type of treatment required, and the prognosis. The risk of developing NonHodgkin Lymphoma increases with age.

In May of this year,

the President and the First Lady had travelled to Trinidad and Tobago to undergo what was referred to as their annual medical check-up.

At the time, and in response to reports in the press, the Government had revealed that the couple did their tests under a Caribbean medical insurance scheme at the Good Health Medical Centre. Those results, Government had said, indicated a clean bill of health.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Petroleum expert says chances of Coalition Govt being re-elected very slim

Guyana’s debt spikes by 4.4% in one year

– debt to foreigners account for 74.3% of total debt

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uyana’s total public debt has been increasing over the last three years; going from G$317.7 billion in 2015 to G$344.9 billion in 2017. Of this amount, almost 75 per cent is owed to foreigners.

This is according to the Public Debt Annual Report of 2017, recently released by the Finance Ministry and made available to Parliament.

According to the report,

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to continue pursuing a debt settlement agreement with YugoimportSDPR.” “Currently, Guyana does not service its debt to Yugoimport-SDPR and any other Non-Paris club creditors that are in arrears, owing to the requirement imposed by the Paris club as a condition for debt relief.”

Other non-Paris club members Government continues to engage include Libya, Kuwait,

million resulting mainly from a 23.2 per cent reduction in interest payments for Treasury bills. Interest payments for the 182- and 364day bills fell by 38.7 per cent and 17.6 per cent to GY$36 million and GY$358 million respectively,” the report stated.

“This position resulted mainly from competitive bidding primarily amongst the commercial banks compounded with lower interest yields

Former Presidential Petroleum Adviser, Dr Jan Mangal and President David Granger

ormer Presidential Advisor on Petroleum to Guyana, Dr Jan Mangal says a lot of what the coalition Government does now and how it plans for the future, particularly as it relates to the oil and gas industry, will determine whether or not it can be re-elected to office.

However, Dr Mangal believes that the Government’s chances are low based on a number of factors. His comments come in light of the recently-concluded Local Government Elections (LGE) which saw the coalition performing poorly as compared to the main Opposition party.

“The margin in the 2015 election was in the range of noise. It is unlikely an incumbent Government, somewhat bruised after five years in power, will benefit the same way it did when it was new, untested, and full of promise,” he said in a social media post.

He pointed to some areas where the incumbent Administration could improve, stating that it must assume that the chances of being re-elected were slim. Dr Mangal said the Administration’s manifesto promises of making Government accountable would form part of the decision.

The David Granger-led Administration has failed to fulfil key promises, chief of which is ensuring constitutional reform. Also, while the coalition has made a commitment to creating jobs, it has instead fired thousands of sugar workers countrywide.

“Assume first oil by 2020 will not be a big factor with the voters in the 2020 election … Assume the voters would like to see the Government negotiating a fair deal with Exxon which maximises the benefit to the people of Guyana over the long term,” he advised.

Again, the Government has been staunchly criticised for the deal it inked with the US oil giant. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had flayed the Government for the less-than-favourable terms it negotiated on Guyana’s behalf in the oil contract.

Jagdeo made it clear that despite Guyana holding all the cards when it sat down at the negotiations table, the end product was a contract heavily favouring Exxon.

He did not attack the oil company, as he noted it was Government’s duty to properly negotiate with the company, which no doubt had its eyes on profit maximisation and cost reduction.

The deal was also not well received by civil society groups and other citizens.

Meanwhile, Dr Mangal said the Government must also bear in mind that voters would be looking to see if it set up an oil industry that was free of future mismanagement and corruption. However, this remains a widespread concern, especially since the Administration was focused on making the Finance Minister a key manager of how the funds were spent and saved.

Jagdeo has long criticised the Petroleum Commission Bill, saying it was both “oily” and “slick”. He is against full ministerial control of the Natural Resources Fund also.

Although the Government has catered for a representative from the Opposition to sit on the committee governing the Fund, Jagdeo has objected to this proposal, stating that politicians should not be included.

National development

The former Presidential Advisor on Petroleum said Government must also assume the voters would like to see some national development prior to 2020 in the form of infrastructure, education, and health care, etcetera, which would require borrowing.

He is suggesting that robust longterm strategic and tactical plans for developing Guyana using oil revenue should be implemented. Dr Mangal said he would like to see these plans include a significant pay raise for all sectors’ employees; making the University of Guyana the preeminent university in the Caribbean; and extensive infrastructural and agricultural development.

Also, he said focus should be placed on making Guyana (and Iwokrama) the leading centre for research into rainforest and green issues; making Guyana a test case and leading research centre for dealing with rising sea level; and finally, making Guyana a cultural and commercial link between the Anglo-Caribbean countries and Latin South American countries.

While some economists, accountants and analysts have mixed views on how the oil revenue should be spent, most of them have concluded that Guyana’s rising debt was something to also consider. Guyana’s total public debt has been increasing over the last three years – going from G$317.7 billion in 2015 to G$344.9 billion in 2017, according to the Public Debt Annual Report of 2017.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

in one-year Guyana saw a 4.4 per cent spike in its debt. At the end of 2016, the total public debt was G$330.6 billion. This included G$240 billion in external debt and G$90.5 billion in domestic debt. As of 2017, external debt was G$256.1 billion, while domestic debt dropped to G$88.8 billion.

While Government has tried to implement debt relief measures, there have been challenges. Government has been trying to negotiate the settlement of its debt with the South-eastern European country of Serbia, through its State entity YugoimportSDPR. According to the report, Guyana owes Serbia US$1.3 million, including US$745,359 as penalty interest and US$587,719 as the principal arrears. This loan was contracted since 1976. “ H o w e v e r , Yugoimport-SDPR and Guyana were unable to reach a mutually acceptable position on the debt settlement,” the Finance Ministry explained in the report. “We intend to make every effort

Argentina and the United Arab Emirates.

This, according to the report, is being done under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.

Guyana had signed a debt relief agreement under the HIPC initiative back in 2005 under the then People’s Progressive Party Administration, with the Organisation Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund for International Development.

Indebtedness vs servicing

Even though Guyana’s indebtedness to external creditors has increased, so has debt servicing (repayments).

According to the Bank of Guyana Quarterly Report and Statistical Bulletin released earlier this year, repayment of external debt grew by some US$24.3 million to US$85.3 million.

This is a rate of 59.1 per cent, when compared to the corresponding period of 2017. This was not the case for domestic debt.

“Domestic debt service payments fell by 14.6 per cent to G$726

during the review period,” the report outlines, a telling indicator.

The report had pegged the total hike in public debt at US$19 million. It divided this debt into external and domestic. External debt increased by 1.5 per cent hike from a December position of US$1.241 billion. The report therefore pegged external debt at US$1.265 billion for the quarter.

“The rise in the stock of external debt was on account of higher disbursements by multilateral creditors, specifically, IADB and CDB for financing of social and economic infrastructural projects,” the report states.

Domestic debt, on the other hand, increased to G$89.5 million, from a December position of G$88.8 million. Domestic debt, the report notes, increased because of a hike in treasury bills by 1.3 per cent. “(This) resulted mainly from a 1.5 per cent growth in the stock of the 364-day treasury bills during the first quarter,” the report had added.

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“turn your back and render them stateless” to those who wish to return to TT after leaving to join ISIS. She added that the Ramirez family should make representation should be made to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, National Security and

(Trinidad Newsday)

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elatives of a woman locked up in a Syrian prison for just under a year wants the state to assist in having her repatriated.

Adill Ramirez, who last communicated with his mother, Summer Ramirez in January last year spoke with Sunday Newsday after receiving a letter from her on Thursday.

Ramirez said that the letter is penned in his mother’s handwriting.

He said his mother was held trying to cross into to Syria trying to make her way back home.

Both Ramirez and her husband Chris Lewis left TT in 2014 supposedly to fulfill their religious obligation and take part in the holy pilgrimage of Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Ramirez said after performing Hajj and their sins forgiven, the couple wanted to remain in an Islamic country, Ramirez told Sunday Newsday. He said as a Muslim his mother had to obey her husband, who he said had militant views and wanted to fight for his beliefs.

“Honestly this is the first time we got in contact with her for at least a year. The letter does not say what she inside for whether she was convicted or on remand. She was held in Syria trying to leave.

She was depressed and wanted to come back home to her family because it (living in the Islamic country) didn’t turn out how she planned it would be.” he said.

Lewis, 34, was originally from Richplain Road, Diego Martin.

He left home in August 2014, accompanied by his two wives and two children to perform

guard duties in Syria.

Lewis was known as Abdul Rahim and ‘Fig Man’ as he sold bananas in his community.

In August 2014, Lewis told Jamaat members and relatives that he was going to England to do guard duties and make a better life for himself.

Lewis travelled to Syria with his wives and children and carried out guard duties for ISIS rebels.

While in Syria, he married a third woman.

In August 2016, while guarding an ISIS compound a US aircraft bombers fired missiles at the compound where he was stationed. Lewis and other ISIS members were killed.

Ramirez said there were rumours that his mother had died in another bomb attack and later that she had been imprisoned but the family had no proof of either and was in an emotional purgatory.

During the period of uncertainty the family prayed and asked that God help her. Ramirez said the family plans to visit an attorney and speak with Interpol to get some assistance on his mother’s incarceration and possible repatriation.

In her letter Ramirez stated: “I have been here for 11 months it’s so hard. Please keep close with Jaleel and Tammy please keep out of trouble I need you I miss you. You’re my strength please forgive me for all my short comings, make good examples for the kids and L…Go to the government to see if they can take me back please keep pushing ask anyone who can help please, please I’m begging.”

Speaking with Sunday Newsday

on Friday, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi advised the family seek legal advice. Asked what if anything the Government could do, Al-Rawi said: “I don’t have the facts of the case first time being made aware of this. If this is a real position, one has to ask why is someone incarcerated for what purpose, what judicial process? It will be dangerous to speculate in this instance.

If the family is asking for assistance the family should seek an attorney at law who will give them proper advice” he added that he could not say if the couple were on any terror watch list.

Attorney Nafeesa Mohammed, who has defended the rights of TT Muslims wanting to return after fleeing to Syria said each case should be treated on its own merit. She advised the government not to

Attorney General explaining the circumstance and asking for assistance between governments. She added that there are ways to monitor returning nationals so that those with some fear that they were “brainwashed” and are a

threat to the country can appeased.

“Women and children are vulnerable. I don’t think a two year old child can be so radicalised that they can’t be allowed to reenter the country” Mohammed said.

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Mamaguy….

T

…Budget

hese PNC types are so transparent…but then, when something’s in your genes, it HAS to be expressed! Genotypes and phenotypes and all that!! Take the Budget Winston Jordan just read out in Parliament over a stupefying five hours!!

Your Eyewitness doesn’t have to say he “told you so” on the PNC’s priorities: every Tom, Dick and Harilall predicted they’d be spelling out it’s a “bigger and better” Budget, stacked with handouts for its supporters!!

But, as all Guyanese should know by now, bigger isn’t necessarily better – it’s how you use what you have to do the job. And with Budgets, the job is to spend the hard-earned taxpayers’ money to encourage high-paying job creation. It’s not surprising people prefer jobs over handouts. They know that, in this world, nothing’s really free…and with those PNC handouts, they’ll be expected to stifle their consciences and vote them back in 2020!!

On the other hand, when you have a job, you’re your own man or woman; you call your own shots.

But that’s precisely what the PNC doesn’t want… they’d rather have a ring through your nose!! Look at how they fired those 7000 sugar workers! But even with the jobs they control in the Government service, they’ll be doling out salary increases in dribs and drabs – for one reason and one reason only: control!!

The pattern should’ve been clear in the PNC handling of the teachers’ demand for a “living wage”.

It was not a “negotiation”, but a declaration that it’s either the PNC’s way or the highway! You can go through the Budget with a fine-tooth comb and you’ll be hard pressed to find an initiative that leads to job creation in the private sector.

The most pressing need of the latter is to get a cheap and reliable supply of electricity. If that’s provided, businesses will be encouraged to expand – and of course expand employment – because their cost of production will now be competitive with those foreign products we now import. With US$80 million of its own in the game, Norway told this Government the Amaila Falls Hydro is the best way forward with generating “green” energy for our industrialisation.

But rather than AFHEP, we see these dinky little solar projects that can’t offer us 24/7 TV!! Control!!

As your Eyewitness has been stressing, a Budget, while detailing Govt spending for the next year, has to be part of an overall strategy to develop the country — by creating jobs. Forget all the hoopla about “Green Development Strategy” – where are the green jobs? If they were serious about developing people, wouldn’t they’ve diversified Wales into green co-ops so the small man could become the real man?

But it’s all a big mamaguy!! …and reparations With Britain finally getting the terms of its divorce from the EU, all the signs are we’ll be left out to swing (slowly) in the wind! By both the EU and Britain. Your Eyewitness was idly wondering whether their closer ties with Africa was because they’re not demanding reparations when he was seized by the headline “Glasgow University to make reparations valued at £200m extracted from Caribbean”!!

It seems the indefatigable Sir Hilary Beckles had worked out this deal while everyone was napping!!

When the frisson of excitement had subsided, your Eyewitness then worried how the money was going to be shared out between all the territories of Caricom. Were we all going to get a lump sum payout like Professor Thomas had suggested for our oil money? Another delicious shiver of excitement!

But then he noticed the fine print in the article: the ‘reparations” were to be in “cash and kind”.

More specifically, “research in chronic diseases in the Caribbean, including hypertension, diabetes, and childhood obesity”.

Meaning most of the money will go to Glasgow’s personnel!! …on President’s health Your Eyewitness had already complained about the President’s PR handlers putting too much pressure on him by announcing he’s “fully back on the job”.

They’ve thankfully backtracked and admitted he’s cut back his public engagements.

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iolence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it. It is alarming to know that one in three women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most frequently by an intimate partner.

According to the United Nations (UN), only 52 per cent of women married or in a union freely make their own decisions about sexual relations, contraceptive use and health care. Additionally, almost 750 million women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday; while 200 million women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM).

To further compound the need for the protection of women and girls from violence, the UN says one in two women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or family in 2012; while only 1 out of 20 men were killed under similar circumstances adding that 71 per cent of all human trafficking victims worldwide are

women and girls, and three out of four of these women and girls are sexually exploited.

Violence against women is as serious a cause of death and incapacity among women of reproductive age as cancer, and a greater cause of ill health than traffic accidents and ma-

laria combined, UN notes.

The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women issued by the UN General Assembly in 1993, defines violence against women as “any act of genderbased violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physi-

cal, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.�

The adverse psychological, sexual and reproductive health consequences of VAWG affect women at all stages of their life. For example, early-set educational disadvantages not only represent the primary obstacle to universal schooling and the right to education for girls; down the line, they are also to blame for restricting access to higher education and even translate into limited opportunities for women in the labour market.

While gender-based violence can happen to anyone, anywhere, some women and girls are particularly vulnerable - for instance, young girls and older women, women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex, migrants and refugees, indigenous women and ethnic minorities, or women and girls living with HIV and disabilities, and those living through humanitarian crises.

Violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, peace as well as to the fulfilment of women and girls’ human rights. Overall, the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to leave no one behind - cannot be fulfilled without putting an end to violence against women and girls.

In Guyana, VAWG is very prevalent and while some inroads have been made we are yet to reach a stage where we can say that the issue is being adequately addressed. Every day there are several reported cases of VAWG but despite this, there are no significant data collected by the relevant governmental agencies to holistically address the issue of violence against women.

To observe International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women there are several activities held by advocacy organisations and they range for marches to workshops and seminars. They all serve to create awareness surrounding the issues faced by women and how we can address them. (Times Sunday Magazine)

34 FEATURE

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iolence, particularly violence against women, takes a heavy toll on everyone and everything around us, and here in Guyana, it is estimated that one in every

three women experience some form of violence and, quite often, it is at the hands of those who promised to care for and protect them.

After the number of reported cases of vi-

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olence against women and children started to significantly rise, in 1994, Help & Shelter was founded to tackle those cases. Since then, the Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO)

has become the forerunner in the protection of women and children against all forms of violence. Its work has been so extensive that in 2011 it received a Medal of Service.

Help & Shelter's mission is to work towards the elimination of violence in all its forms by

Domestic violence takes a heavy toll on the individual’s emotional and physical health, and has high social and economic costs for families, communities, workplaces, and the country as a whole.

The goals of the organisation include working towards building re-

was formed was the establishment and maintenance of a shelter for abused women and their children. It took some time for the first element of this objective to be realised, but thanks to a donation of land by the Government of Guyana, a building grant from the Basic Needs Trust Fund and donations of cash and kind and fundraising to furnish and equip the building, the shelter (now called The Ixora) was first opened in November 2000.

However, keeping its doors opened has been a constant struggle for the organisation.

The shelter was closed several times as a result of the lack of resources as well as low rates of occupancy.

However, in March 2006, the organisation permanently reopened the shelter’s doors to those desirous of such help.

Since then, the number of women seeking refuge there has increased, in no small part, we believe, to the effectiveness of the NGO’s public education work.

Efforts have always been and continue to be made to achieve some measure of self-sustain-

helping to create a society where attitudes to use of violence and violent practices have been transformed. According to its website, in a client base of over 8000 persons, 85 per cent are female and 80 per cent victims of spousal abuse.

Help & Shelter was the brainchild of a support group created in 1994 as an adjunct to the Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic (now Guyana Legal Aid Clinic). Since its establishment in November 1994, Help & Shelter has become a recognised leader in the fight against violence in Guyana, particularly in the areas of domestic, sexual and child abuse.

spect for the rights of women, children, youth, and men to live free of violence and the threat of violence. Help & Shelter also provides options for victims of domestic violence by providing temporary shelter for abused women and their children, along with training that can develop psychological and practical skills needed for increased self-sufficiency.

It also provides a recourse for victims of domestic and sexual abuse by lobbying for the strengthening of relevant laws and implementation mechanisms where necessary.

One of the objectives when Help & Shelter

ability for the shelter, including the rearing of chickens and planting of fruits and vegetables. Regular donations of foodstuff and other supplies from a number of business entities and donations of furniture, clothes, books, and toys also help to keep running costs down.

Over the years, Help & Shelter has been instrumental in rescuing numerous women from different situations and degrees of violence. The organisation’s impact is one that is immeasurable in protection of the nation’s women and children from violence. (Times Sunday Magazine)

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ne of my favourite poets, Maya Angelou famously said, “if you don’t like something, change it.

If you can’t change it, change your attitude.

Don’t complain”, and that is exactly what the women of the Guyanese Women In Development (GUYWID) has been doing for almost two decades. They have been transforming the lives of women across Guyana not because

sitions and to always be ready to share their skills and expertise has motivated the founders of GUYWID to push even harder. The organisation has about 12 active members currently and is based in New Amsterdam. It is currently being led by Sharon Samlall, who is serving her second term as President and, according to her, it is the most fulfilling job she has had.

“Our mission is to create an environment

those women cannot help themselves but because those women are the most vulnerable, since the people around them who seek to control them are dragging them down.

Quite often, that control is exercised by “showing who is boss” and that is where the various degrees of violence and abuse come in. Recognising the need for women to be empowered, particularly in the Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) area, a group of women formed GUYWID Berbice Chapter and for almost two decades, they have been transforming the lives of countless women.

Guided by their vision of having a community of independent women who are empowered to function in key leadership po-

of care and confidence, to empower women to take leadership roles and develop their communities and we do this through community service and providing information and awareness and advocating for change in those areas.

We are a small group, but we are making an impact and transforming the lives of the women in this area. We are quite pleased with the impact we have had and are hoping that it becomes even greater as time progresses. We want to have a society where violence is nonexistent and women are empowered, they are independent and can function in any position,” Samlall tells me.

She said that their calendar of activities is always packed, as they try to educate the public about various obser-

By Lakhram Bhagirat

O

vances as well as work with the women to improve their skills.

“We would have

ous situations. For this Elimination of Violence Against Women activity, we will be having

workshops and invite people to take part, and we teach women independence and how to deal with vari-

a candlelight march to spread the word that women are not to be beaten, but to be loved and cared for. We are

FEATURE 35

tough and we can handle any situation. We want women to know that they can say no and be in control of their lives and development,” Samlall said.

She joined GUYWID about five years ago.

Prior to that, she did little work in the field of women’s empowerment, but ever since joining the organisation, she has been motivated to do more for her fellow women. She believes that it is everyone’s job to help each other so as to ensure rapid growth and development as a people.

Region Six is known as one of the regions in Guyana with the highest rates of violence against women and, quite often, the stories are only shared after the woman in question has lost her life. When I asked Samlall how she feels about this, she told me that it is something that affects everyone and it is also the driving force behind GUYWID,

since the organisation is aiming to make the lives of women much more comfortable.

“We have not made much inroad (in tackling violence against women), because every day we keep seeing the same thing over and over and we try to educate, but the same thing over. Guyana is a violent society and we need to tackle that. We have to do more to tackle that. I believe that we can tackle that by starting the education with this younger generation. Let them know that it is not right to hit anyone and we also need to go into homes, because when children are growing in homes that are abusive then that behaviour is normalised. It is not something we want to be normalised so we have to end it with this upcoming generation, or it will just get much worse from here.”

(Times Sunday Magazine)

36 FEATURE by

Petamber Persaud

(E

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Preserving our literary heritage

xtract of a conversa- contact me and I said we would like tion with Laura Johnston to print some of your reflections and Kohl and Jordan Vilchez, questions in the Jonestown Report Guyana, March 2018, both are where it belongs, your perspective Jonestown survivors. Kohl has belongs there – you are not a neualready published one book on tral party, you were very much inJonestown with another forthcoming volved by being neighbours. And it was almost as if people were while Vilchez is preparing waiting for the chance to two books on the subject share. So they wrote for young adults. everyday and I Part 1 was pubwould get ten, fiflished in April of teen, twenty rethis year; the sponses so I opening remark would ask of is shown here them to elabin italic.) orate so the PP N o Jonestown one book can R e p o r t account for a would have people’s hisa Guyanese tory.

Parts p e r s p e c of our histive; I brought tory are still some and stored in diashared it with ries and memthe National oires and in forLibrary. eign archives.

Some peoHowever, someple wrote 500 times we are JORDAN VILCHEZ fortunate to words about have people who are still alive and in their experience and a lot of peoour midst and to whom we can turn ple just wrote a paragraph but who to fill in the gaps. So it is with great had something significant to say. So satisfaction to meet both of you who it is just a beginning just like this trip is the beginning of having oral are survivors of Jonestown.

Much of what we know about communication that was the beginJonestown came to us in various for- ning of having contact that we could mats – books, films, social media. do back and forth; not just a hit and But there are missing pieces. I was you move on but a back and forth dinot there, you were…let’s talk about alogue. So that is what I am really interested in.

[Jonestown].

LJK PP Where did it all start [for The Jonestown Institute – ‘Alternative Considerations of you, Jordan]?

Jonestown and Peoples Temple’- is JV What? the most profound source of informaPP Your attachment to Jim tion about the Peoples Temple and Jones and the Peoples Temple.

Jonestown – they put out an annual JV Well, a friend of our family newsletter and many times the peo- told me about the Temple.... ple who do research, the people who PP First, locate the Temple.... travelled to Jonestown - authors and JV The Temple was located in survivors all write for this newspa- Northern California in the Redwood per.

Valley and we were living two hours What I did this year I talk to the south which was called the Bay area editor saying I’d like to reach out across from San Francisco – the East and get a Guyanese point of view so Bay. Our family friend had gone to I wrote a request for Guyanese to the Temple up north and liked what

G

she saw; what she saw was all races of people in a building singing, talking about social justice issues, serious about making positive change.

She encouraged us to go – my mother, my brother, my sisters, my sisters’ children piled into the car and drove up to Redwood Valley and attended a meeting and we were very impressed. So my sister who was older than I decided to move up there; at that time I was twelve and so my mother decided it would be a good idea for me to move too because this was a community and it was a very supportive community, anything you needed you could get; if you needed community support, you could get that, if you needed clothing, you could get that, whatever you needed, it could be provided....

PP So it met all your needs....

JV So I moved up there, went to school and we had meetings every Wednesday and on weekends the church was more like a community centre with a pool at the back so after the meetings on the weekends we would swim particularly the young people and children.

For a young person who didn’t have many friends because my mother would travel back and forth to Mexico after her divorce from my father; I didn’t have many friends and here instantly I had so many awesome good friends who welcomed me as a newcomer to the community. And so I moved in with my sister and we got to know the people of the temple. It wasn’t long after that that I moved into a commune and another and then another commune. The highest form of loyalty was to go communal which meant you would give up everything – if you had a job, you would turn in your entire pay cheque. I didn’t work, I went to school but I gave all my time and extra time and creativity and, you know, all of myself. And what I learnt in the Temple was that I was only of value to the extent that I could be of

LAURA JOHNSTON KOHL

service. While that was good in its own right....

PP Did this not bother you?

JV While that was good in its own right, it was not good for me developmentally because there was no focus on the individual. The focus was on the cause and what that did was it diminished me and everyone else as an individual. I grew up believing that I need to dedicate myself to the cause – the cause been social justice and equality, all of these noble good things.

It wasn’t too long after that, a few years, we started travelling down south to San Francisco and Los Angeles going back and forth in Greyhound buses between these two cities; for the most part, we sort of abandoned the valley area where we started out in.

I was in the temple in San Francisco communally as well then in a day’s notice in 1976, the summer of ‘76, I was told I was going to Guyana the next day.... (to be continued)

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

uyana is filled with immensely talented people but the creative space afforded to them is very limited. One of those talented young people is Naomi Murray. Naomi is one of Guyana’s go to fashion designer, especially among young people. She has the knack for creating over the top prom dresses but is not only limited to just that. Naomi’s fashion creation is limitless and has the ability to make every head turn. Here are a few of the elegant evening gowns created by Naomi and be sure to check out her showroom on the second floor, Acme Building, Regent Street Georgetown. (Photos compliments of Naomi Murray) (Times Sunday Magazine)

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… Miss World Pageant slated for December 8

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uyanese are urged to vote for Miss World Guyana as the Miss World pageant has launched its online Head-to-Head Challenge. As such, Miss World Guyana, Ambika Ramraj, is seeking the assistance of her Guyanese fans to cast their votes in favour of her. The voting is done in a four-way medium. First on the official Miss World Page at Https://Missworld.com/#/ contestants/5408.

In addition, persons can vote on Facebook by liking, sharing, following and commenting on posts done by Miss Guyana World. Simply go on Facebook and click on Miss World Guyana.

Ramraj is currently in China preparing for the competition slated for December 8.

In that competition, more than 120 delegates from around the world will be fiercely competing for the coveted title.

From all reports, the delegates have all arrived in the host country, and have already started to heat up the international stage. The other two media is for persons residing in China. They can cast their votes by going to China’s Model Power

Live Vote or download Mobstar.

The 19-year-old beauty ambassador was crowned Miss World Guyana 2018 after outshining nine other contestants at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel in May. Ramraj, during the local leg of the pageant, promoted metal health issues using sport and physical activities. She will nevertheless promote the same issue during her ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ project which she will present to the Miss World Committee and judges during the preliminary competitions in the international pageant.

Ramraj departed Guyana last month but spent a few weeks in New York and the United Kingdom before heading for China.

During her time in the USA and UK, she underwent training in various aspects such as pageant/catwalk walking, talent, etiquette and others. She had however, promised to represent the Golden Arrowhead with pride and dignity but more importantly, she was optimistic of bringing the title home.

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he Government of Guyana is pleased to support a new initiative to save the jaguar (Panthera onca). In an unprecedented global commitment to saving the jaguar, key jaguar range states and leading international conservation organisations joined together to launch the Jaguar 2030 Conservation Roadmap for the Americas, which was presented on the side of the Conference of Parties (COP) 14 of the Convention on Biological Diversity currently being held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

The roadmap aims to strengthen the Jaguar Corridor, ranging from Mexico to Argentina, by securing 30-priority jaguar conservation landscapes by the year 2030. This bold, regionally-focused initiative will pave a new path to strengthen international cooperation and awareness for jaguar protection initiatives, including those mitigating human-jaguar conflict and connecting and protecting jaguar habitats, and stimulate sustainable development opportunities, such as ecotourism, that support the well-being of communities and indigenous peoples coexisting with this species.

Jaguar conservation transcends the intent of safeguarding a single species.

Successful jaguar conservation maintains forests, carbon, biodiversity, watersheds, and national and cultural heritage.

Odacy Davis, Deputy Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission, on behalf of Guyana, welcomed the new initiative and indicated Guyana’s commitment to the process, noting that the pathways proposed in the roadmap

The Guyana delegation, from left: Odacy Davis, Deputy Commissioner, Protected Areas Commission; Dr Patrick Chesney, Coordinator, MEAs ACP Project Caricom; Stacy Lord, Programme Lead, Biodiversity Resources Management Programme Area, Environmental Protection Agency; Dr Vincent Adams, Executive Director, Environmental Protection Agency and Diana Fernandes, MEAs Coordinator, Department of Environment

will lend to further conservation of the species, and enable the country to address increasing threats. She further stressed the importance for the inclusive participation and sharing of best practices among range countries and partners.

Also at the launch, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Panthera and Government representatives announced the creation of the first-ever International Jaguar Day to be celebrated annually on November 29. This day will raise awareness about threats facing the jaguar, conservation

efforts ensuring its survival and the role of the jaguar as a keystone species whose presence is indicative of a healthy ecosystem – the foundation for a sustainable future for wildlife and people alike.

The launch of this roadmap was preceded by a high-level forum held in New York on March 1, 2018, where 14 jaguar range countries, international and national partner organisations, launched the Jaguar 2030 New York Statement at the United Nations headquarters.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon in his comments at the high level forum stated that “the jaguar represents

much more than just an animal; it is a part of a way of life of our people.”

The New York Statement recognises that investing in the conservation of jaguars and their habitats can improve broader efforts to manage natural resources, strengthen community livelihoods, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Department of Environment and its agencies – Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission, Protected Areas Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency – will continue to contribute to the finalisation of the roadmap and its implementation in the Americas.

Guyana’s private sector raises concerns regarding Budget 2019 A lthough the Private Sector was part of the consultation process which helped to shape Budget 2019, its umbrella organisation, the Private Sector Commission (PSC), has listed a number of issues it has with the coalition Government’s annual financial blueprint for the country.

The Commission said in a statement on Tuesday that it was mainly concerned about the level of proposed overall tax revenue on businesses and individuals as Budget 2019 projects a 9.9 per cent increase in revenue, while the economy is projected to grow by 4.6 per cent. “Most importantly, there is no provision for relief on energy costs, which are stifling businesses,” it said.

However, the PSC recalled that it had recommended the gradual lowering of the Corporation Tax over a period of 10 years to 20 per cent. “The PSC is, therefore, pleased at the

reduction to 25 per cent which was announced for 2019 and signals a commitment to this mutual goal.”

Further, the PSC said it was cognisant of the need to incentivise the manufacturing sector and had hoped that given the large input of the services sector to Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product, thought would have been given to reducing the tax rate for commercial businesses from the draconian 40 per cent as this is having an adverse effect on legitimate businesses.

“Worrying too is the impact of Budget 2019 upon the foreign reserves of the Central Bank; an impact that does not appear to have taken cognisance of the need to cushion against external shocks to which the country and its currency are vulnerable,” the statement added.

Nevertheless, the PSC said it was pleased that Budget 2019 contained several measures such as the raising of

the tax threshold, which it had proposed for the relief of the tax burden upon employees, and the monies earmarked for hinterland airstrips.

The PSC said it was also pleased that plans have been announced for the construction of the Linden-Lethem road which it said will ease the woes of businesses and residents which depend on that area for their livelihood. “The dire need for the East Bank road, which had been proposed by the Commission, has also been addressed and the Commission is heartened that the development of modern Port Georgetown is being addressed.” The PSC also was pleased with provisions for the differently-abled, a demographic which was often neglected.

Following the Budget presentation on Monday, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Executive Director Richard Rambarran said that although The

Private Sector was happy to see some money going back into the hands of consumers, it was extremely disappointed that the Government has made no move to remove or reduce the excise tax on fuel.

He explained that in 2018, fuel has had a rehabilitating effect on the Private Sector, because it was multipurpose. He noted that it was not only used in manufacturing, but in every other aspect of business. “It is used in distribution, it is used in just about every single aspect of the production and distribution line; and as such, there should be something, or there should have been something, which addresses fuel costs,” he noted.

Rambarran further related that the Government needed to be more serious about the development of a green economy, and not just talk about developing a green economy.

He noted the lack of advancement in this area

PSC Chairman Desmond Sears

despite the Government repeatedly talking about the Green State Development Strategy.

The GCCI Executive Director also noted that the current budget presented needed to be taken within the current context of Guyana, since, according to the 2018 numbers, there has been minimal growth in a number of sectors and sub-sectors, as well as contraction in a few.

However, he said that they were pleased with the measures identified which would ultimately put money back into the

hands of the consumers as well as the Private Sector.

On the issue of tax reduction, he explained that the Private Sector was somewhat pleased with some of the reductions identified, but reminded that the decreases were not across-the-board.

Guyana’s Private Sector bodies have been calling on Government to cushion the effect of the excise tax on fuel prices, which affect every aspect of their businesses.

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Sisyphus, his rock...

…and Guyana ou remember the ancient Greek story of Sisyphus; don’t you, dear reader? A real “wise guy”, Sisyphus thought he could pull a fast one on the Gods. But he was inevitably exposed, and sentenced to rolling a huge boulder to the top of a hill…only to have it roll downhill and he having to repeat the task. Again and again for all eternity. Those of us who lived in Guyana under the PNC during its first incarnation, and now again, know the feeling; don’t we?

You would think we’d learn from that first experience, when some of our goodly citizens gave the PNC a free pass to rig elections to keep itself in power for 28 looooong years. But some people are “hard ears”, and fell in 2015 for the same ruse the PNC had pulled in 1964 to slip into office. Then, the hot-button issue was made out to be the PPP and “the spectre of communism”, so the PNC sweet-talked the anti-communist UF into a coalition…and the rest, as they say, is history — a most sordid history of betrayal and abuse that plunged all the citizens, including PNC supporters, into Sisyphean lives of futility for the aforementioned 28 looong years.

Fast forward into 2015 – after the PNC had to roll the rock uphill for 23 years with its own dirty hands — when the issue is now ethnic security. The PNC has repeated the identical coalition ploy with the AFC to keep out the “racial” PPP. The “multi-racial” AFC insisted it could represent Indian-Guyanese on account of its 2011 performance at the polls!! But in just 3 years, Guyanese have seen the PNC just can’t change its spots – excepting, evidently, the much-abused AFC. In the first go-around, the leader of the UF refused to be a rubber stamp, and quit the coalition. But in the present, it’s clear that Nagamootoo and Ramjattan of the AFC have actually embraced their abusers.

Stockholm Syndrome?

But the results of the LGE show that the voters – including erstwhile supporters of the PNC – aren’t prepared to haul that rock up the hill for another two years, much less another term. By giving the PPPC 61 per cent of their votes, versus 34 per cent to the PNC and 4 per cent to the AFC, they’ve made it clear that they won’t be fooled a second time.

The LGE also convinced some MPs from the PNC benches that they’d better hedge their bets.

Come December, they’ll be giving Guyanese a Christmas present via the no-confidence motion.

General Elections in three months!! …and rum in Baramita The folks up in Baramita in the North-West District are fed up with the rum-binging in their community, as it leads to domestic violence, suicide, and all sorts of dysfunctional behaviours.

So their female Toshao has proposed a ban on alcohol in their community, complaining that after countless visits by Government officials to deal with the problem, there’s been absolutely no change. The Government have signalled they’ll support the ban.

The residents of Baramita are mostly Carib Indigenous Peoples. It’s been shown that the idea that Indigenous Peoples are more susceptible to liquour is a myth. Having, for centuries, access to their own alcoholic drink – piwari – they never exhibited the present pathological behaviour during that time. That started after rum was foisted on them, and their relative deprivation and marginalisation were exposed.

The solution is to develop Baramita economically – and educate its people about binge drinking. …and pie in the sky With typical vacuity, Nagamootoo carried on about an “Atlantic Air Bridge” reversing the old “Atlantic Crossing” with the signing of an air agreement with Ghana.

Does he have a clue about the economics of air travel?

Offer horizons to the poor

By Ravi Dev

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n Guyana, if nothing else, we should at least have the grace to avoid belittling the poor because of the circumstances of their lives.

After all, we all came, in the words of Martin Carter, “from the Nigger Yards” – whether we were of African, Indian, Chinese, Portuguese or even Amerindian origin.

The last were also not spared the scorn of not being white.

But yet, from each group, there were many who clawed their way out of their degradation through sheer determination and grit, to assert their humanity. We saw this in the great movement of freed Africans to initiate the Village Movement, and in the peoples who followed them to expand “Guyana” beyond the sugar plantations. This capacity was sustained by a willingness, in modern economic language, to defer their gratification.

Today, this willingness to imbibe self-control, plan for the future, and defer gratification to ensure that the plan gets accomplished in the face of humble circumstances is fast disappearing. We are now generally living and consuming for the moment, but still want to see our lives improve over time. We want to “suck cane and blow whistle at the same time.” It can’t be done, so we end up

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frustrated; sink into despair, or demand handouts. Some, of course, use force and take what they want.

From whence have we imbibed this new ‘don’t give a damn’ attitude?

For one, in any group, there will be some that go against the grain. But generally, it’s as a result of outside pressures and influences – cultural and otherwise. In the Caribbean, there are aspects of the dominant Creole culture that present some of these pressures and influences, and they were encouraged by those with power. And this has been part of my rejection of the assimilationist imperatives in the present dominant mode of ‘integration’. As Malcolm X said in an analogous context, “Why integrate into a burning house?”

Back in 1984, there was an International Roundtable in Guyana to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. Then Prime Minister Desmond Hoyte delivered an address: “Towards 2034: A Deeper View of the Horizon”, in which he made some pertinent remarks on the refusal to live for the future.

Because my assertion about Creole culture can be (and have been) egregiously misinterpreted, I quote rather liberally from Mr Hoyte’s address.

atiricus was still in a state of euphoria! He now understood how MLK must’ve felt when he shouted, “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, I am free at last!!” He was strolling towards the Back Street Bar and realized he must’ve yelled out aloud, since several persons near him jumped back in shock!! He smiled sheepishly as he ducked into the Bar. “Fellas, I can’t tell you how a weight has lifted from my shoulders since I quit the KFC!” said Satiricus, as he sat down with the fellas. “But now abee na get none news fram Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat,” complained Cappo. “Don’t worry!” said Satiricus expansively. “They still call me, hoping to get me back!”

“You mean for your paper to cover them!!” smiled Hari, as he touched bottles with Satiricus.

“Maybe,” conceded Satiricus. “But I still hear from them.”

“Suh wha’ dem tell yuh?” inquired Bungi, who’d been polishing off his beer in one long gurgle.

“That the LGE elections show the KFC is stronger than ever!” laughed Satiricus.

“W’en 4% mo’ dan 11%? Da mus’ be de new Mat’s me a hear ‘bout!!” said Cappo. “KFC a now

“…(O)ne of the most pernicious consequences of slavery was that it bereft the slave of a vested interest in the future by imposing upon him the need to be constantly preoccupied with the exigencies of the moment.

Indeed…the African slave on a WI plantation found himself in a world without horizons. His condition circumscribed within very narrow limits not only his physical, but also his spiritual being. It deprived of the cohering and creative influences of his social organisation and his culture.

“Uprooted from his natural milieu, no longer able to fulfil his civic and religious duties, he was robbed of his spiritual points of reference.

His personality disintegrated, and, in a word, he suffered “social death”.

It is not to be wondered at, then, that his outlook was little informed by any curiosity beyond the immediate, by any speculation about the distant future.

“And so, lacking a social motive, he developed no interest in, or aptitude for, making long-term arrangements. Moreover, the colonial polity which succeeded the era of slavery did not provide the former slave and his descendants with significantly greater incentive or opportunity for cultivating these pursuits.

Thus there persists in

our society, even to this day, a reluctance to focus too intently on the future.

“It is critically important, I believe, that we should analyse and understand this phenomenon of our lack of interest in the future, and our failure generally to plan in a serious, methodical way with respect to it.”

While Mr Hoyte’s address focused on the need for planning at the country and international levels, it is important to note that he grounded the fundamental lacuna at the individual level. And it is here I believe that, in the present, thirty-four years after his warning, we must begin. The question is, “Can we teach our selves how to live for the future, to create the ‘good life’ for all?”

The evidence of the forty-eight thousand descendants – more than half of the freed slave population who quit the plantations within one decade after the Apprenticeship Scheme to found the Village Movement mentioned above — shows that if the opportunities are there, our people will seize them. They turned the “straw” of abandoned plantations to “gold”.

Who’s the plantain? de 4% party!!”

“Nagga Man’s not talking about the strength of KFC numbers, my friends,” said Hari. “He’s now Pee’nSee!” “Me ‘gree,” said Bungi. “Yuh na see de electshan result? Straang breeze ah mek crow an’ eagle light pan waan line!”

“But the PPCEE breeze shake up even the line,” pointed out Satiricus.

“Nagga Man fo’get wha’ me Daady bin tell me,” said Cappo. “W’en cow deh a pas-tah ‘e nah remember weh daag and butcher deh, till ‘e see am!”

“Well it looks like Jagdesh has a rope on the whole Pee’nSee government’s neck with his noconfidence motion!” smiled Hari.

“Suh wha’ Nagga Man seh ‘bout da?!” asked Bungi, looking at Satiricus.

“He said he won’t allow the vote until he catch the traitors who will vote with PPCEE!” reported Satiricus.

“Budday, na he and Rum Jhaat set de pattern fuh trait’ah?” asked Cappo. “If yuh plant plant’in yuh cyaan reap cassava!”

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ wedding festivities kick off in Mumbai

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riyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ wedding festivities kick-started in Mumbai on Wednesday. The couple was spotted at Madhu Chopra’s residence in Mumbai. Clad in their traditional attires, Priyanka and Nick addressed the paparazzi as they arrived for a pre-wedding ceremony. The couple was accompanied by Nick’s brother Joe Jonas and actor Sophie Turner. Joe and Sophie also opted for traditional Indian outfits for the ceremony. Singer Armaan Malik was also present at the celebration.

As the couple walked out after the pre-wedding ritual, they had ‘teeka’ on their foreheads. It appeared as if the two performed a puja ahead of their nuptials in Jodhpur. The PriyankaNick wedding is, reportedly, scheduled for December 2, 2018 at Umaid Bhawan, Jodhpur.

Priyanka and Nick first set tongues wagging when they decided to make their first appearance together on the red carpet of MET Gala 2017. And as they say, there has been no looking back for the couple since then.

Later, both Priyanka and Nick attended talk shows where they were asked about the status of their relationship. The two had then denied that they were seeing each other, stating that their MET gala appearance was just a happy coincidence. After a while, the two were photographed together again, this time during the Memorial Day weekend. Both Priyanka and Nick seemed quite comfortable with each other in the photos.

Things took a decidedly flirty turn when the duo started complimenting each other on social media. The heart emoticons, the casual flirting changed tracks into something serious when

Priyanka was spotted as Nick’s plus one at the latter’s cousin’s wedding.

While the couple still neither denied nor confirmed their relationship, they started making more public appearances together. Be it on dinner dates, or attending a game night together; their relationship was heading towards a more mature zone.

After Priyanka met Nick’s family, the latter made a trip to India and they kind of made their relationship official when they attended Akash Ambani’s engagement party together. Nick was then clicked with Priyanka, Parineeti and their family in Goa. This was followed by further public appearances, with Priyanka attending Nick’s concert in Brazil. They were spotted cycling together on the streets of New York City as well.

Soon after, reports started coming in about how Nick had apparently rented out a Tiffany store in New York to pick an engagement ring for Priyanka. And then there were pictures of Priyanka flaunting what seemed like a huge engagement ring.

This was followed by a traditional roka ceremony and an engagement party. Both Priyanka and Nick took to Instagram and shared pictures of each other, with Priyanka writing, “Taken…

With all my heart and soul…” While Nick shared the same post with a caption that read, “Future Mrs. Jonas. My heart. My love.

And more recently, Priyanka rang in her bachelorette party in Amsterdam with future sister-in-law and Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner, her close friends and family.

Here’s wishing the lovely couple best of luck. (Indian Express)

Shah Rukh Khan and AbRam make the ‘sweetest couple in the world’

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auri Khan on Wednesday shared an adorable photo of Shah Rukh Khan and AbRam Khan. The photo’s caption read, “Can we just declare them the ‘sweetest’ couple in the world. #lovegoals #kissonforehead.”

SRK and Gauri keep sharing photos of their family time. Recently Shah Rukh had shared a picture of himself with daughter Suhana and wife Gauri.

He wrote, “Two many beautiful women..Too little time.

Will be back NYC to savour their company & love again…soon.”

In other news, Shah Rukh Khan was recently seen at the Hockey Men’s World Cup held in Odisha.

SRK performed on AR Rahman’s Hockey anthem “Jai Hind India”. Sharing a picture from the event, SRK tweeted, “Thank u Odisha for all the excitement, love & the grand beginning to the World Cup Hockey. @ naveen_odisha it was lovely to meet u sir. To all the players have a great tournament….& yes..Chak De India!”

On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan will be next seen in Aanand L. Rai’s directorial Zero along with Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif.

(Indian Express)

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oha Ali Khan says she is excited for her niece Sara Ali Khan’s acting debut in Bollywood and is hopeful that she will make a big impact with her work.

Sara, daughter of Soha’s brother Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Sigh, will be seen in Abhishek Kapoor’s Kedarnath, opposite Sushant Singh Rajput. The film releases on December 7.

Sara’s also has Simmba with Ranveer Singh in her kitty and the Rohit Shetty-directed film is set to hit cinema houses on December 28.

When asked about Sara’s two big back-to-back films, Soha said, “She is very talented. I liked the promo of Kedarnath and I liked her work in it. I saw the episode of Koffee with Karan’ and that also I enjoyed watching.”

“She is confident, talented and she has got the right film to launch her, the promo of which looks exceptional. I think she is going to make a big impact and I wish her all the best,” Soha told reporters here on the sidelines of an event on Tuesday.

Soha says she has not given Sara any advice as she believes the young actor is very much “capable”.

“I don’t think she needs it. She is very capable. My mother always said,

there is always a director on the sets of a film and you must follow the director.”

Soha’s daughter Inaaya Naumi Khemmu and Saif’s son Taimur Ali Khan have become internet sensation and she says she is aware of the kids’ popularity on social media. She was talking at the launch of Miko2, the robot, developed to educate, engage and entertain kids of above five years of age.

“As a parent we want development of our child. Working parents are unable to spend time with the child so they look for ways to stimulate the child, how do we give them the right values, how do we be with them emotionally, virtually, educationally and responsibly.

“This (Miko 2) is fun, interactive, entertaining, etc, Soha said. (Indian Express)

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.0, starring Superstar Rajinikanth in the lead role, will mark Bollywood star Akshay Kumar’s debut in Kollywood. Of late, the actor has been keeping the cash registers ringing by doing patriotic movies in Hindi. He has also shown more interest in picking roles that deal with social issues like the significance of low-cost sanitary pads (Pad Man) or toilets in every home (Toilet Ek Prem Katha).

Going by the trailer, in 2.0, he is playing a mutant antagonist with bottomless hatred for gadgets. It’s clear that the movie is a total shift from his recent films, right? However, it seems not. “Let me tell you about this film.

This is also a social film and not many people know about it,” Akshay said in an interview with Zee Tamil.

Akshay Kumar said director Shankar is keeping all cards very close to his chest. “I watched the trailer, again and again. I realized he (has) still not opened up about the film.

Nothing,” he added. “He’s a very smart man.”

Akshay suggested that Shankar has barely shown anything in the trailer of 2.0. “There is a lot of good things

in the film and a great message,” he said. “It is a message that not only goes to India but also internationally.”

He recalled that when the director narrated him for the script for the first time, he was shocked. “How can nobody think something like this? How did nobody realize that there is a problem and that needs to be solved?,” he said.

Akshay Kumar added, “He (Shankar) speaks about the problem.

He speaks about how people should react. And that’s been done very, very well. But, obviously done in a superhero kind of film.”

2.0 is the sequel to Enthiran (2010).

Rajinikanth reprises his double role as Vaseegaran and Chitti. After being in production for three years, the film is all set to hit the screens this Thursday worldwide. (Indian Express)

Bharat: After Punjab, Salman and Katrina are busy shooting in New Delhi

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he cast and crew of Bharat, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, are in New Delhi to shoot for the Ali Abbas Zafar directorial.

Bina Kak, who is very close to Salman, his Khan-daan and Katrina, recently shared photos on her Instagram account. Bina wrote with a click, “Here you go..with The most #talented#hard working #compassionate #charming KK@katrinakaif @amritakak.”

The cast and crew also shot in Ludhiana. A crew member had ear-

lier told The Indian Express that the film’s team recreated Wagah Border in Ballowal village in Ludhiana.

Bharat’s producer Atul Agnihotri has been sharing many videos and photos from the film sets.

Bharat has so far been shot over various schedules in Mumbai, Delhi, Abu Dhabi, Spain and Malta.

The film also stars Disha Patani, Sunil Grover, Jackie Shroff, Tabu and Manav Vij among others and is slated for an Eid release in 2019. (Indian Express)

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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pongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg, who brought the zany cartoon marine underworld of Bikini Bottom to television, the movies and the stage, has died at the age of 57, the Nickelodeon television network said on Tuesday.

Hillenburg had said last year that he was suffering from the neurodegenerative disease ALS, also known as Lou

yellow sea sponge, who lived in an underwater pineapple, and his friends Mr. Krabs, Larry the Lobster, Patrick, and their Krusty Krab restaurant hangout, aired on US television in May 1999.

The series went on to win multiple awards, produced a series of spinoff books, two Hollywood movies and a Broadway musical. The television

A Gehrig’s disease. He died on Monday.

“We are incredibly saddened by the news that Steve Hillenburg has passed away following a battle with ALS,” the network said in a statement. “He was a beloved friend and long-time creative partner to everyone at Nickelodeon, and our hearts go out to his entire family.”

Hillenburg was a marine biology teacher in Southern California when he started creating sea creatures as teaching tools.

The first episode of SpongeBob SquarePants, featuring the cheerful

Hollywood 49

series has aired in more than 200 nations and has been translated into more than 60 languages.

“Steve imbued SpongeBob SquarePants with a unique sense of humor and innocence that has brought joy to generations of kids and families everywhere,” the Nickelodeon statement said.

“His utterly original characters and the world of Bikini Bottom will long stand as a reminder of the value of optimism, friendship and the limitless power of imagination.” (Indian Express)

vengers: Infinity War ended on a cliffhanger. So much so, that fans across the world have been waiting for its final part with bated breath. But before that, it is the trailer of Avengers 4 which everyone is looking forward to. And while Marvel is doing everything to keep the suspense intact, the excitement is only increasing by the day.

For weeks now, fan clubs across social media have been buzzing with rumours that Russo Brothers might drop the trailer of Avengers 4 soon. Indian fans have now posted the big question – “Where is Avengers 4 trailer?”, which quickly went viral.

Soon enough the hashtag #whereistheavengers4trailer began topping trending charts. Actor Rana Daggubati, who had dubbed for Thanos in the film’s Telugu version, also tweeted about the trailer. He wrote, “#WhereistheAvengers4Trailer? Don’t

make Thanos ask again!”

After the shocking events of Avengers: Infinity War, where Thanos wiped off half the universe with the snap of his finger, Marvel’s mightiest superheroes including Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy, Spider-Man and Scarlet Witch have been turned to dust.

The original Avengers including Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Thor and Hulk will now take it upon themselves to fight the supervillain Thanos. While several fan theories and behind-the-scenes leaked images suggest time travel, a lot more action and adventure is in store, as others like Captain Marvel, Ant-Man and Hawkeye will join the superheroes this time.

The yet untitled Avengers 4 is slated for an April 2019 release. (Indian Express)

Aquaman: First reactions to Jason Momoa’s film are highly positive

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ctor Tessa Thompson says it was difficult to think about Creed II in terms of scale. The actor, who reprises her role of Bianca Porter in the Creed sequel, told Collider that she realised the scope of the film only when they started shooting for the boxing scenes.

“It’s funny because for us, we’re

making these films called Creed 1 and Creed 2, it’s easy to forget somehow that we’re making, essentially, Rocky films. Films that exist inside of the Rocky universe,” said the 35-year-old actor.

“And then there’ll be moments on set, almost always when we’re shooting a boxing scene, where we’ll have like a thousand extras and that’s the time where the scope hits you,” she added. She said the film’s cast and its

director approached the film “with real sensitivity and honesty” and she often felt like shooting for a small project.

“It feels like we’re making a niche drama, literally, like when it’s scenes with just Mike and myself or just a couple players, it feels like we’re making something small in scope,” Thompson said.

“Then we get into those boxing scenes and it suddenly feels massive.

Also, we have all these characters that actually exist in the boxing world. Then it’s totally surreal, because you have these guys come in and it’s like we’re making an HBO special suddenly. So that’s incredible,” she added. Directed

by Steven Caple Jr, the film also features Michael B Jordan and Sylvester Stallone. (Indian Express)

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he first reactions to DC film Aquaman have appeared online.

The Jason Momoa starrer premiered in London last night and the reactions came pouring in on Twitter.

Most of the reactions are positive and one in particular called the movie the

best DC film since The Dark Knight.

Directed by James Wan, Aquaman is set after the events of last year’s Justice League. Arthur Curry or Aquaman learns that he is the heir of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis and teams up with Mera to prevent the conflict between the world beneath the sea and the surface world.

Aquaman’s enemies include Patrick Wilson’s King Orm, who is Arthur’s half-brother, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Black Manta. To face them, Arthur goes on a quest to retrieve Poseidon’s trident with Mera to the surface ruins of Atlantis thanks to Vulko’s (Willem Dafoe’s) counsel. Nicole Kidman plays Arthur’s mother Queen Atlanna. Dolph Lundgren plays Nereus, the king of an Atlantean tribe.

Tom Jorgensen of IGN tweeted, “#Aquaman is the best DC movie since The Dark Knight. @creepypuppet delivers a swashbuckling epic full of big emotion, gorgeous undersea visuals, exciting action, and lots of laughs. WB should be handing the DCEU reins to James Wan, he’s proven he can, ahem, right the ship.”

ComingSoon. net’s Spencer Parry wrote, “#Aquaman is like an 80s cartoon, with all of the fun and the problems that come with that.

A good adventure movie that acknowledges exactly what it is from the start, which is a meal made almost entirely of ham.”

Slashfilm.com’s Peter Sciretta said, “ #Aquaman is better than expected.

Feels like a Marvel phase one movie, in a good way. It’s at its best when it’s having fun and not taking itself too seriously. Black Manta is great villain that comic book fans will love. Some truly spectacular one shots and good action.”

Geeks of Color’s Dorian Parks wrote, “I loved #Aquaman! It’s definitely one of the best DC universe movies thus far. It’s a fun underwater fantasy sci-fi adventure everyone will enjoy.

James Wan did a great job of bringing the first Aquaman movie to life.”

Aquaman releases on December 14.

(Indian Express)

50 SPORT

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

ICC bids for Women's T20 cricket to be part of Commonwealth Games 2022 (ESPNCricinfo)

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day after the Women's World T20 2018 concluded in the Caribbean with Australia beating England in the final, ICC confirmed it had submitted a bid for women's T20 cricket to be included in the 2022 Commonwealth Games that will take place in Birmingham, England.

ICC chief executive David Richardson said the move would bring in several new fans and inspire more women to take up cricket.

"We would like cricket to lead the way in the Commonwealth in inspiring more young girls to take up sport regardless of their background or culture," Richardson said.

"Creating a new partnership between women's cricket and the Commonwealth Games demonstrates the commitment both organisations have to growing women's sport and delivering greater equality, fairness and opportunity in sport across the Commonwealth.

"There's a saying that

Australia celebrate their World T20 victory (ICC/Getty)

'you can't be it if you can't see it' - imagine the impact of millions of young girls around the world watching women's cricket in the Commonwealth Games and being empowered with the knowledge that they too can play cricket, represent their country and compete on a global stage."

The bid has been made in partnership with the ECB, and the possibility of crick-

et being part of the Commonwealth Games was welcomed by leading women cricketers.

England captain Heather Knight felt there were many positives to the move. "It would mean a lot. There's always prestige around something like that," Knight said. "The women's game has gone from strength to strength, and this would be another platform to show that."

Australia captain Meg Lanning thought would have an added benefit too. "To have cricket in there would be amazing," Lanning said.

"It shows how far the game is coming It would give us another really big tournament to look forward to. The opportunity to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games would be great as an athlete."

If the bid is successful, it would mark the second time that cricket has been part of the

Commonwealth Games.

The men had competed at 1998 event, with South Africa beating Australia in the gold medal match.

A report in The Guardian said there would be a presentation to the organising committee, and the Commonwealth Games Federation would then make the final decision, to be ratified by September 2019, while also elaborating on the process and the issue with West Indies, which

is made up of several countries and cannot thus compete as 'West Indies'.

"According to the submission, Edgbaston would be the primary venue for the eightteam competition, with county grounds at Worcester, Derbyshire and Leicester under consideration to serve as the secondary host during the group stages," the report said. "The topeight ranked T20 sides would be granted qualification. The complication, as it was in 1998, is West Indies, who represent several nations. It is understood they would be asked to nominate one country from the region to take part as an imperfect solution to the problem.

"The paperwork submitted the Friday before last will be augmented with a series of visual presentations next Monday and Tuesday to Birmingham 2022 decision-makers. Mindful of how important this will be, the ICC will be represented by David Richardson, their chief executive. The board of the organisation has already given the bid its full support."

Harmanpreet, Healy advance in women's T20I rankings

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ndia women captain Harmanpreet Kaur has jumped up to the third spot in the latest ICC Women's T20I rankings.

Harmanpreet finished the World T20 as the second-highest runscorer after Australia's Alyssa Healy. Her 183 runs from five innings at 45.75 with a strike-rate of over 160 included a match-winning century against New Zealand in the tournament opener.

Eighteen-year-old Jemimah Rodrigues and opener Smriti Mandhana rose to career-best sixth and tenth positions respectively. Meanwhile, Healy, the Player of the Tournament, gained four slots to be ranked eighth. She made 225 runs at 56.25 with a strike-rate of 144.23.

Pakistan's Javeria Khan was also among big gainers in the latest update. She gained seven places to reach a career-best 14th position.

In the bowlers' rankings, Australia's medium-pacer Megan Schutt retained her top-spot.

Her ten wickets were the joint-most in the tourna-

Harmanpreet Kaur eyes the leg side (International Cricket Council photo)

ment. New Zealand offspinner Leigh Kasperek's seven wickets lifted her seven places to the third position with 647 points, 15 behind India's legspinner Poonam Yadav, who occupies the second spot.

Anya Shrubsole, the England pacer, moved from 12th to sixth place after a seven-wicket effort, which included a hat-trick against South Africa.

New Zealand Amelia Kerr (up 15 places to a career-best seventh), Australia's Delissa Kimmince (up ten places to eighth), South Africa's Shabnim Ismail (up 11 places to 10th) and Pakistan's Nashra Sandhu (up 25 places to

a career-best tenth) were among the other bowlers to improve their rankings.

Windies' Deandra Dottin has shot up to the second position in the allrounders' list. She went past Australia's Ellyse Perry and compatriot Hayley Mathews after finishing with 121 runs and ten wickets in the tournament. West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor continues to top the list.

In the team rankings, Australia strengthened their pole position with a fourth World T20 title, while England overtook New Zealand to the second position.

(ESPNCricinfo)

SPORT 51

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Van Lange and company dominate Joola North American Table-Tennis Championships in US

Current Caribbean pitches favour spinners – continuously dominate regional tournaments

By Brandon Corlette

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A winning Li Loeber TTC from left: Shaun Abrams, Bandhu Paudyal, Jonathan Van Lange and Yuqiao Zou

onathan Van Lange continued on his way to becoming one of Guyana’s top young table-tennis players, having starred in the recent Joola North American Team Championships held at the Gaylord National Resort, National Harbour, Maryland, USA. Van Lange and Titans teammate Krystian Sahadeo winged out for a long stint in the United States of America where they will feature in a number of competitions for the remainder of 2018 before returning in early 2019, with aim of earning high USA point rankings.

The 11-year-old sensation Van Lange, overseas-based Guyanese Shaun Abrams, Yuqiao Zou and Bandhu Paudyal, dominated the Division 10 as they represented the Li Loeber Table Tennis Club. The four youngsters topped Group 2 before whipping Group 1 winners Cidra 3 on their way to the Division 10 title.

Van Lange beat Gilianie Avila in

three easy sets 11-6, 11-8, 11-9 before beating Luis Barbosa 11-4, 11-6 and 11-7. Abrams snapped up a three-set win 11-6, 11-9 and 11-5 over Barbosa before defeating Jerall Montijo 11-7, 11-3, 9-11 and 11-9. Zou further extended the carnage with his four-set cop over 7-11, 11-2, 11-7 and 11-6 over an already wounded Montijo.

In the finals between Li Loeber and Cidra 3, Van Lange and Zou ran amok as the former destroyed Luis Rivera 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 and Jesus Rodriguez 11-4, 8-11, 11-5 and 11-7. Zou then dished out some more fire as he burnt Eduardo Sanchez 11-4, 11-7, 6-11 and 11-8 while bettering Rodriguez 11-3, 14-12, 9-11, 12-14 and 11-6.

Abrams suffered the only loss against Sanchez at 12-10, 11-9, 3-11, 10-12 and 2-11, but wrapped up Li Loeber’s victory with a 6-11, 9-11, 1210, 11-9 and 11-9 win over Rivera. Li Loeber’s only loss came at the hands of Maryland TTC, who beat them 5-4.

Rugby North Americas Eliminator…

Guyana Men’s 15s to clash in Cayman Islands

T

he Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) has shortlisted the 15s players that are eligible to participate in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) eliminator match.

The eliminator match that will be played in the Cayman Islands is scheduled for Saturday, February 9, 2019.

The shortlisted players will be training every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at the National Park, Georgetown from 16:30h. Training started on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 and is expected to conclude on January 31, 2019.

The main objective of this rugby federation, RAN, is to pro-

mote and develop rugby in the

Caribbean.

sian countries are known to be more suitable for spin bowling, but the Caribbean pitches in the recent stand-alone Women’s World T20 proved otherwise. In the 2016 Women’s World T20 tournament played in the spin-dominant India, 134 wickets were taken by spinners compared to 140 taken in the Caribbean (Antigua, St Lucia and Guyana).

It may have only been a six-wicket difference, but spinners were able to pick up wickets more regularly in the Caribbean than in India. The spinners in the Women’s World T20 created more chances and were able to pick up wickets every 18 balls in contrast to every 20.7 in India. Six of the top 10 bowlers in the stand-alone Women’s World T20 tournament were spinners with Ashleigh Gardener topping the charts with 10 wickets. Kristie Gordon, Stafanie Taylor, Radha Yadav, Leigh Kasperek and Poonam Yadav were the other outstanding spinners.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional 4-Day tournament 2017-2018 has showed significantly that spinners were the dominant on “slow Caribbean pitches”. Six of the top 10 leading wicket takers in the 20172018 Regional 4-Day tournament were spin bowlers. Leading that chart was Veerasammy Permaul with 50 wickets capturing four five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul. Imran Khan was second on that chart with 48 wickets picking up three five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul. Shane Shillingford

captured 38, Nikita Miller 36, Jomel Warrican 36, and Jamaican leg-spinner Damion Jacobs 28.

Permaul, who made his First-Class debut in 2007, played 103 First-Class matches for 444 wickets, including 25 five-wicket hauls.

How much has the present Caribbean pitches aided in his regional success? The same question may be directed to Imran Khan who made his debut in 2005, after the lively pitches, and has 368 wickets. Gudakesh Motie, another spinner, has had success in regional tournaments with 85 wickets in 24 matches after making his debut in 2015.

In another regional tournament, the Regional Super50 2018-2019, Canada’s spin ace Romesh Eranga and Combined Colleges and Campuses (CCC) spin king Kjorn Ottley topped the charts with 17 wickets apiece.

In the 1981 regional tournament, the Combined Leeward and Windward Islands, captained by Vivian Richards, won the championship for the first time on the back of great fast bowlers; Andy Roberts took 25 wickets in four matches at an average of 9.92. Those were the days when the Caribbean pitches were lively. The likes of Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Wayne Daniel, Sylvester Clarke, Colin Croft, and Michael Holding continuously topped regional bowling charts in the past.

Therefore, the past Caribbean pitches were different than the present pitches; but will the spin trend continue in the upcoming Regional Four-Day tournament?

The eligible players are: Props – Jacque Archibald, Rondel McAuthur, Jason Tyrell, Delroy Gordon, Cloyd Prowell, Malcolm Rhodius, Keyfo Lopz, Ahmad Isaacs, Vallon Adams, Demar Haynes, and Selwin Henry Second Rows – Kevon David, Dwayne Schorder, Daniel Anderson, Kevin Jorden, James Osbourn, Phabian Joseph, Kurt Hunt, Rashad Butcher, Elton Crawford, and Grantly Williams, Hookers –Allen Crawford, Rickford Cummings, and Delroy Fordyce

Flankers – Richard Staglon, Jamal Angus, Toby David, Sean Phillips, Glynroy Pool, and Kareem McKenzie Scrum Halfs – Ryan Gonsalves, Osie McKenzie, Daniel Dabreu, and Leaon Greeves, Backs – Peabo Hamilton, Kevin McKenzie, Cladius Butts, Godfrey Brooms, Troyton Brathwaite, Oneal Charles, Lancelot Adonis, Ronald Mayers, Joseph Rahaman, Blaze Baily, Avery Corbin, Akeno James, Patrick King, Kevin Wills, David Felescian, Quayce Kendal, Kesta Mars, Elwin Chase, and Michael Barrow

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

58th Annual National Schools Cycling, Swimming, Track and Field Championships

West Indies tour of Bangladesh…

A

– Brathwaite laments poor batting

Codrington shatters Batters need to face up to the task javelin record

young woman hailing from South Georgetown, District 13, on Tuesday evening re-wrote the Nationals track and field history books as she dismantled the standing javelin throw record by some 10 metres.

P r u d e n c e Codrington, 18, was extremely humble as she approached the firing line, putting much effort into her throws.

The first attempt went soaring to some 35.38 metres, the exact throw that would win her the gold medal. However, even if her first throw had missed the mark, her second and third attempts flew to 31.62m and 27.63m, either one would have landed her the first position and broke the record which was set last year.

The previous synthetic record was set

by Kimbily Hilliman of North Georgetown with a throw of 25.81m at last year’s National championships. It is important to note that Codrington also holds the javelin Under-18 record, which was set to 27.00m last year at

Leonora.

The silver medal in the javelin event was copped by Denita Marks with a throw of 18.99m.

Miriam Primo’s best attempt of 18.33m landed her in third.

Aside from Codrington’s brilliance, it was a packed day of track and field at the Leonora Synthetic Track as many of the athletes sought to secure their spot in the finals of their respective events. The 400m races in all student age groups (U-8, U-10, U-12, U-14, U-18 and U-20) were run off and saw keen competition, setting the stage for the finals later this week. The teachers also had their time to shine on the track with a similar line of events.

The Boys Under-12 1200m, Girls U-12 1000m, Boys U-10 1000m and Girls U-10 800m were some of the final events that were run off during the third day’s activities.

John Harry of South Georgetown won the Boys U-12 1200m race with a time of 4.07s.

It was just a glance

before Walson Peters (District 1) came trotting in for second with 4.11s.

Gary Paulin (District 9) made up the top three with 4.15s.

Over in the U-12 girls 1000m, Tiana Springer of East Georgetown was the leading lady with a time of 3.31s whilst Hannah Joseph (District 10) was just split seconds behind in a photo finish of 3.31.34s. Akela Hall (District 3) was third with 3.42s.

The Boys U-10 1000m saw Joshaun Marshall of Corentyne winning the race in 3.32s, whilst Tyrese Langhone (District 10) and Raphael Archer (District 12) finished second and third with respective times of 3.34.26s and 3.34.65s.

The Girls U-10 800m was won by Akeela Dover of East Coast Demerara as she sprinted across the finish line at 2.59s. Safina Roberts (District 14) was trailing by just two seconds (3.01s) for her second-place finish.

Akeela Pratt (District 5) completed the podium one second later on 3.02s.

get partnerships early and it cost us,” said Brathwaite.

He went on further by saying for things to change the team need to occupy the batting crease and accumulate more runs, because we are losing too many quick wickets.

Recently, Brathwaite has been inconsistent for the West Indies team with scores of 0, 14, 6, 19, 13 and 8; like all the other batsmen in this team, the final Test match against Bangladesh

A

Kraigg Brathwaite

fter being bowled out for 246 and 139 in less than 100 overs in the first Test match against Bangladesh, the Windies batters need to take a better approach. In the first innings, the young Shimron Hetmyer continued his developing process when he smashed a counterattacking 47- ball 63 that included five fours and four sixes.

Shane Dowrich stroked a contrasting 63* off 101 balls hitting two fours and three sixes. But that did not prove sufficient on the Windies’ behalf as they suffered a 64-run defeat.

In pursuit of 204 for victory in the first Test, only Sunil Ambris and Jomel Warrican batted in partnership scoring 43 and 41, respectively.

The West Indies batters have failed to apply themselves in given scenarios in Test matches, gifting their wickets away to not-so-special bowling. In the recent Test series against India, Roston Chase and Kieran Powell were the only batters to amass 100 or more runs in four innings in contrast to five Indian batters amassing 100 or more.

It is reasonable to say that India are a top-ranked team in the Test arena with high-quality bowlers effective in Asian conditions, but West Indies are ranked above Bangladesh in Test cricket and the batting woes continue.

Kraigg Brathwaite, who is leading West Indies in the absence of Jason Holder, is calling on the batters to build partnerships in the second Test whether it’s at the top or middle. “We didn’t

Shimron Hetmyer

will be very important to get some runs. West Indies will not play a Test match until January 23, 2019 against England at Barbados.

West Indies have only one batsman in the top 20 of the Test rankings – Brathwaite, who has a rating of 632 and is ranked 18. The batters selected on tour are capable of scoring heavy runs, but it requires mental application. (Brandon Corlette)

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Our focus is to play good cricket consistently’ - Johnson

Guyana Jaguars Captain Leon Johnson

By Clifton Ross

G

uyana Jaguars Captain Leon Johnson has said while his team will be chasing Regional FourDay history this season, they are, nevertheless, affixed on playing a mature brand of cricket when they commence their title defence.

The four-time FourDay Championship winning skipper told Guyana Times International Sport during an exclusive on Tuesday that going into this season, their main goal was to play consistent cricket and worry less about winning.

Johnson, who has led the side valiantly to four straight titles, said while winning the title for a record fifth time in a row would be nice, maintaining their win-streak and level of consistency are the key criteria.

“We want to play good consistent cricket and worry less about winning every game, because we don’t want to be side-tracked if things don’t go our way. It’s about playing good, solid cricket and giving a good account of ourselves, because there were a couple of times we won matches easily, but that was because we put in the hard work,” said Johnson.

With Guyana being a force to reckon with in Four-Day cricket ever since the start of the Professional Cricket League (PCL) back in the 2013/14 season; the Jags have dominated the League, going unbeaten for seasons while effortlessly retaining their title and the team’s leader pointed out that keeping focused on playing good cricket has been, and is, the mantra of the champs.

The Jags bowled off their first of two threeday practice games last week at the Everest

Ground, with a number of top performances from some senior and junior players who are gunning for spots in this year’s side.

Regarding what he saw during the first practice game, the former West Indies Test player said he was pleased with some of what he saw and urged players to continue playing top-brand cricket.

“I was happy with the three-day practice game, it’s important to get match practice for the four-day league, so it was good for the players to get some match time in the three-day game.

A lot of the guys played well, Trevon Griffith scored a ton; a few of the guys got fifties, so it was important for them, because we had no threeday league; so guys needed to get out there and spend time in the middle.” Johnson said.

Regarding the bowlers who also looked good, the left-hander said it was important for them to get some mileage in the legs, especially the fast-bowlers as it would be important when they venture overseas on faster pitches likes the ones in St Lucia and Antigua.

The ex-West Indies Under-19 Captain hailed the players for their desire to train and play leading up to the competition, as he described the atmosphere in the team as good, but restated that there was no need to get overwhelmed and try to prove any point. “A few of the guys put in a gym session today, because we couldn’t train outdoors, so that’s just one of the things that show that the guys are up for chasing history. I think that the guys are really looking to be a part of it and it would be nice for the country and the team, to put them on the map but we have done it four times before,

so I don’t think we need to prove anything to anyone,” the skipper ended.

Meanwhile, weather providing, the players will again break up into two sides and seek to get as much out of the next three days at Providence as they can before the start of the 2018/19 Regional F o u r - D a y Championships, which bowl off the first week in July.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

58th Annual Nationals Schools Cycling, Swimming, Track and Field Championships

100m thrills as Porter steals the show

R

ecords continued to be re-written on the fourth day of action as the nation’s youth athletes gathered at the Leonora Track and Field Facility at the 58th Annual Nationals Schools Cycling, Swimming, Track and Field Championships.

Day Four had a long

A glimpse of the U-16 Girls 800m race

list of events, ranging from field events such as discus, javelin, shot-put, long jump and high jump to track events, including the marquee 100 metres event.

One of the shining stars of the day was Okemi Porter of West Coast Berbice (District 5). Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, the Under-20 athlete was listed in the high jump event for the first time in his life just because he is ‘tall’.

Porter, however, did not allow his inexperience to deter him as he watched YouTube videos in order to grasp the basics of the discipline.

With what knowledge he had, Porter became the strongest contender in the Under-20 male high jump, winning the gold and smashing the record. Porter’s jump reached 1.79 meters, a clear improvement on the 2017 record set by

Yannick Walcott of West Demerara at 1.74m. The high jump was not the end of Porter’s good fortune as he then went on to cop silver in the U-20 800m race.

Another recordbreaking performance of the day came from Melon Lowenfield who leaped to 6.47m, an improvement over last year’s record, which was set at 6.14m

by Troni Semple of East Coast Demerara.

As the evening wound down, the track was cleared to facilitate the running of the 800m races. The Under-20 male gold was taken

by District 10’s Ronell Newton, while Porter finished second. On the female side, Serena Williams took gold and was followed by Leyanna Charles and Donelle Mathieson.

The Under-20 100m races saw a more electric response form the boisterous crowd at Leonora as they eagerly awaited the event.

The highlycoveted gold in the Under-20 male event was copped by District 10’s Shane Haynes whilst Alwyn Prince settled for silver.

The girls were led by Tonya Rawlins and seconds later Teia Lowe and Aaliyah Reid completed the Tonya Rawlins (District 3) finishes podium. the U-20 100m race comfortably

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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