Guyana Times International April 06 2018

Guyana’s First Lady meets with Medgar Evers College reps Page 29

INTERNATIONAL THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com WEEK ENDING april 8, 2018

ISSUE NO. 391

Guyana asks World Court to stop Venezuela from scaring away investors See story on page 3

A two-day workshop sponsored by the Ministry of Education and the British High Commission aimed at improving educational Leadership skills among teachers in Guyana was declared open at the School of the Nations in Georgetown on Thursday. (In photo students showing off their steelpan skills during the opening ceremony)

Wife, friend get death sentence for killing USbased Guyanese man

See story on page 14

Guyana to access US$900 million from Islamic bank

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WEEK ENDING April 8, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING April 8, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana asks World Court to stop Venezuela from scaring away investors G uyana, in its application filed with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Venezuela is requesting, among other things, that Venezuela refrain from threatening or using force against any person and/or company licenced by Guyana or engaged in economic or commercial activity in Guyanese territory.

Guyana is seeking that Venezuela “refrain from threatening or using force against any person and/or company licensed by Guyana or engage in economic or commercial activity in Guyanese territory as determined by the 1899 Award and 1905 Agreement, or in any maritime areas appurtenant to such territory over which Guyana has sovereignty or exercises sovereign rights, and shall not interfere with any Guyanese or Guyanese authorised activities in those areas,” a statement by the Principal Judicial Organ of the United Nations said.

Venezuela, an oil produc-

ing nation that is currently reeling from hyperinflation, has staunchly been against oil exploration in Guyana’s Stabroek Block, where US oil giant ExxonMobil has found more than 3.2 billion recoverable oil-equivalent barrels.

In fact, Venezuela’s National Assembly had approved an agreement to reject the oil exploration activities in March of 2017.

Moreover, Guyana in its application, also requested the ICJ to declare that “Venezuela shall immediately withdraw from and cease its occupation of the eastern half of the Island of Ankoko, and each and every other territory which is recognized as Guyana’s sovereign territory in accordance with the 1899 Award and 1905 Agreement,” and that Venezuela claims responsibility for “violations of Guyana’s sovereignty and sovereign rights, and for all injuries suffered by Guyana as a consequence.”

Since 1966, Venezuelan sol-

Flashback: Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre) joins President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela (left) and President David Granger of Guyana in a three-way handshake at the United Nations headquarters in New York in September 2016.

diers have been occupying the eastern half of Ankoko.

The decades old controversy between the neighbouring countries began in 1962 when Venezuela claimed that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the GuyanaVenezuela border, is null and void.

Guyana on March 29, 2018, submitted its Application to the ICJ requesting the Court to confirm the legal validity and binding effect of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

The Application follows the decision of UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, in choosing the ICJ as the next

means of resolving the controversy.

In its application to the ICJ, Guyana is claiming that that the 1899 Award was “a full, perfect, and final settlement” of all questions relating to determining the boundary line between the colony of British Guiana and Venezuela.

“Guyana affirms that, between November1900 and June 1904, a joint AngloVenezuelan Boundary Commission ‘identified, demarcated and permanently fixed the boundary established by the Award’ before the signing of a Joint Declaration by the Commissioners on 10 January 1905 (referred to by Guyana as the ‘1905Agreement’)” the ICJ statement said.

As such, the application requests that the Court adjudge and declare that “the 1899 Award is valid and binding upon Guyana and Venezuela, and the boundary established by that Award and the 1905 Agreement is valid and binding upon Guyana and Venezuela.”

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WEEK ENDING April 8, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EDITORIAL

Let opinions flourish

H

eeding the UN’s call for this year to be observed as the “International Year for People of African Descent”, in Jan 2011, the then PPPC government launched what promised to be a year-long series of events. From the reaction of some domestic African groups to the Government’s programme, however, it signalled it was going to be a year-long war of sniping and attrition. These groups, which surprisingly included the erstwhile “multiracial” opposition Peoples National Congress”, accused the Government of excluding them from the planning process. The painstakingly detailed riposte of the Minister of Culture – under whose bailiwick the commemoration falls — was of no avail. The groups boycotted the successful launch, which was, ironically, dominated by very credible African-Guyanese persons.

Now, in and of itself, there was not much untoward in that reaction. Even though the Minister was able to identify a host of individuals and groups from the African community that were integrally involved in the planning process, if the complaining organisations felt they were sidelined, it was their right – and indeed their duty — to highlight their opinions. What we found troubling was the approach they took to those African organisations and individuals that did participate and confirmed that the planning process was broad-based. They were branded as somehow less authentically “African,” and in the end, betraying “the side”. Seven years later, with the “slipper on the other foot”, these groups are now sidelined.

This proclivity to force individuals into a “group think” mentality, which is also behind the Chronicle’s firings, is one of the major obstacles towards the development of a democratic culture in our country. And it must be resisted. The essence of democracy is that the individual must be permitted, nay encouraged, in placing his/her opinion in the public realm for the consideration of others. And those “others” in the public realm must give such opinions the respect that it deserves: there is, after all, the inalienable presumption of equality. The premise that some “know better” than others, and by which premise they arrogate the right to belittle and excoriate opposing views, is the sure sign of an anti-democratic mindset.

But the danger goes deeper. In his classic “On Liberty”, John Stuart Mills wrote: “Society can, and does, execute its own mandates: and if it issues wrong mandates instead of right, or any mandates at all in things with which it ought not to meddle, it practises a social tyranny more formidable than many kinds of political oppression, since, though not usually upheld by such extreme penalties, it leaves fewer means of escape, penetrating much more deeply into the details of life, and enslaving the soul itself.

Protection, therefore, against the tyranny of the magistrate is not enough; there needs to be protection also against the tyranny of the prevailing opinion and feeling; against the tendency of society to impose, by means other than civil penalties, its own ideas and practices as rules of conduct on those who dissent from them.”

It is purely a matter of contingency that we are born into the social group in which we have found ourselves. This is not to deny that the social conditions determined by that contingency have to a great extent shaped our identity, and indeed much of our circumstance. In fact, the declaration of the “International Year for People of African Descent” was in acknowledgement of that truth. But the declaration in based on the belief that such circumstances are not immutable; they can be transcended, and individuals must be left free to navigate their own way.

In the end, we are all part of one humanity. Those that practise the “social tyranny” of labels, insults and ostracism to bludgeon into conformity those that refuse to define their identity only by opposition to others in the society are ghettoising their group.

In the multiracial, multicultural, multireligious community that was created by imperial happenstance, we cannot continue in perpetuity not to reach across our now self-imposed barriers.

Once a year, Lethem comes alive as people descend in swarms, cowboy hats and plaid shirts are donned everywhere. These are the signs that it’s time for the Rupununi Rodeo. Held every Easter weekend, it is the centre stage of the Rupununi cowboys and cowgirls. It is a much anticipated event for the vacqueros and ranches as they compete to prove their supremacy. For the crowds, it is the thrill of witnessing this adrenaline pumping competition with amazement and anticipation. In the photo, a vacquero bravely matches his skills with a raging bull.

Youth and the political process S

ince commencement of the 21st century, political leaders have been encouraging young people to play an integral role in the development of their communities and countries by getting actively involved in the decision-making processes of their societies.

They have, time and time again, posited that “young people are tomorrow’s leaders” as they underscored the importance of equipping youths with the requisite skills, knowledge and resources that are necessary to make a positive impact on the world.

This has resulted in some experienced and genuine politicians lobbying within the Executive and Legislative branches of their respective Governments for larger investments to be channelled towards education as a sector, and towards youth development. There has also been a dedicated campaign on the part of some modern-minded politicians aimed at fighting for youths to be included as a serious and permanent partner in the democratic structure and decision-making inner group of Governments and leading national policy-making bodies around the world.

At the same time, these politicians realise that, despite their best efforts, they are unable to cope with the wave of social change that has gripped their countries and disrupted the traditional political status quo. They understand that, as politicians, they must enlist the support and bright new ideas of younger people if they are to remain in control and protect the legacies that they have fought hard throughout their careers to achieve.

It is at this point that the situation becomes interesting and dangerous. While some older politicians have no difficulty with passing the baton to younger minds to continue the political struggle for the creation of more developed and economically sound coun-

tries, others either procrastinate or quietly refuse.

The first group embarks on a process of training and educating youths by delegating major tasks related to governance and political activism to folks who are considered political novices. It is these novices who, with the right guidance from party elders, embark on bold and revolutionary policies that not only radically and positively change their own political institutions, but change the prevailing national political culture and country.

The second group has a history of enlisting youths as distant observers of the governance process. The involvement of youth is limited, and they are reminded, even when they have worked hard, that they must remain loyal and be thankful for any reward they receive, especially if it is a Government posting or elevation in party rank.

These youths are kept like ornaments on shelves in a backroom, and are oiled and placed in front of the windows only when an election is imminent.

And the problem is that these very young people are being used to fool and convince their peers that a better life is ahead of them if they exercise their franchise to keep their elders in and other younger and sometimes promising candidates out.

The final group consists of politicians who do not govern in the interest of the country, but for a particular constituency. While they hide behind the guise of patriotism, they are, in fact, the biggest threat to the unification of the society they strive to govern. To them, youths are collateral damage and ‘strange fruits’ that they can exert influence over.

They promise change and youth empowerment and leadership, but reward only those in line with their mantra.

Youths must wait until all the elders have served. They lock youths out, and attempt to

speak and make decisions for them.

In Guyana, youths have grown weary of the aforementioned types of politicians. The elections of 2011 and 2015 have left many youths from the three major political parties feeling bitter, dissatisfied, hurt, betrayed and used.

Many of the issues that drove youths to cross political lines and support elder candidates for the posts of President and Prime Minister are still unresolved, as unemployment soars and youth violence remains constant.

Apart from completion of the National Youth Policy, young people are not treated with the respect they deserve. If they are seriously the leaders of tomorrow, then the present crop of today’s politicians needs to give way so that they can directly impact tomorrow’s policies.

As a former American leader, Rachel Jackson, said: “Our youth are not failing the system; the system is failing our youth. Ironically, the very youth who are being treated the worst are the young people who are going to lead us out of this nightmare.”

Also, statements attributed to a youth from the Bronx in the US are full of food for thought for Guyanese leaders.

He said, “If you had a problem in the Black community, and you brought in a group of White people to discuss how to solve it, almost nobody would take that panel seriously. In fact, there’d probably be a public outcry. It would be the same for the women’s issues or gay issues.

“But every day, in local arenas all the way to the White House, adults sit around and decide what problems youth have, and what youth need, without ever consulting us.”

Therefore, as 2020 approaches, if young people are not allowed to speak for themselves, then they will speak via their ballots.

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING April 8, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana to access US$900 million in development financing from Islamic bank I n 2017, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) fielded a work programme in Guyana for a three year period – commencing 2018- in which financial and technical assistance to the tune of US$900M will be directed into this country’s key development areas, including economic infrastructure, rural development, human development and trade and competitiveness.

This is according to the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan during his speech at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the IsDB Group in Tunisia.

At the gathering, which included H.E Dr. Bandar .M. H. Hajjar, President of the Islamic Development Bank, Jordan asserted that since its assumption to office, the Coalition Government has “been steadfast in its resolve to ensure growth in the economy.”

“That resolve has resulted in economic growth averaging about 3 per cent, between 2015- 2017,” he said.

As such, he assured that the Government is continuing its focus

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Islamic Development Bank Group being held in Tunisia [Ministry of Finance photo]

on providing strategic approaches for the economic wellbeing of Guyana. This includes strengthening national planning, building a robust oil and gas industry, and consolidating the macroeconomic fundamentals, among others.

The Minister posited that Guyana will continue to assess the economic tides and employ timely policy measures

to correct imbalances and mitigate negative effects that could stymie growth.

In this regard, the Government, through continued partnership with the IsDB, aims to strengthen its analytical capability to determine the macroeconomic effects of various policies and interventions employed to grow the economy.

“Guyana has recent-

ly adopted a PublicPrivate Partnership (P3) Framework, which we recognize has the potential to expand the resource envelope for public sector investment in a prudent, efficient and effective manner. This Framework provides a structured platform for local and external private sectors to meaningfully engage with Government to achieve economic devel-

opment,” he said.

Moreover, Jordan noted that with Agriculture being a major contributor to the growth and expansion of the economy, Government has leveraged the inter-locking capacity of the Bank, and is currently in an advanced stage of designing a ReverseLinkage Project with the Malaysia Agricultural Research

and Development Institute (MARDI), which will assist in updating Guyana’s expertise and technology in rice production.

“This project will support the introduction of innovative rice varieties that are more resilient and will significantly increase rice yields per acre,’ he asserted.

Another critical aspect of human development, according to Jordan, is that of harnessing, caring and paying homage to a nation’s elderly populace.

He noted that in 2017, the minimum standards for elderly residential care facilities were completed and enacted in Guyana.

Concurrently, the Government approached the Bank for its support and assistance to design a project which will modernize and upgrade the facilities of the Palms Geriatric Facility.

This project is expected to procure equipment and furniture. It will also result in the provision of enhanced medical care.

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WEEK ENDING April 8, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

2020 Elections: PNC leadership appears lethargic and incompetent Dear Editor, I must advise at the outset that even though the PPP is still run by an Executive Committee in between Congresses, it is my observed view that the post-1992 PPP leaders have no desire to take Guyana to any communist or socialist system.

So what is it that they are trying to promote? It is my observed view that they are hell bent on completing the hundreds of necessary deals to uplift the lives of the Guyanese people economically after failing under the Ramotar term.

Deals like completing the hydro-electric project (AFHP); the transportation link to Brazil, the deep water harbour; the restructuring of the productive sectors to take them up the value chain

to the point where they can become more productive; creating greater value and more jobs for the people; and, of course, that specialty hospital, among other things.

This is what distinguishes them from the current PNC-led Granger government.

This Granger government has exposed its stripes as the same old PNC that is focused on form rather than substance, and pageantry rather than human progress.

What this Granger government is focused on is reviving Burnham’s words as issued in the Sophia Declaration in the 1970s. This Granger government is a political force still stuck in the past, and does not know how to build the future.

The PPP losing pow-

er in 2015 was necessary, because it caused two things: 1.

It created the memories of their political humiliation that took them back to their core – Jaganism, (lean, clean and mean administration).

2. It has created the opportunity for the great purge, where the party apparatchiks who served for generations but who are still stuck in the old world are moved out to create room for more youths who are living in the present moment. The PPP in 2020 is expected to have almost all its candidates under 60 years of age, with the majority in their 30s and 40s. That said, history has taught us that the PPP has a natural political strength of about 190,000 solid

votes come rain or storm.

The PNC, on the other hand, has about 160,000 of those. But the winning force needs 205,000 votes.

The mathematics reveals that the PNC has to hunt for 45,000 votes for victory, which I believe is unachievable with a record like what they have today. The PNC leadership appears lethargic and incompetent, and logged off from the people’s problems.

They seem more focused on self-enrichment, with two AFC ministers being reputed to have become billionaires already, and one PNC minister in the Ministry of the Presidency also in that elite group. Additionally, the AFC and WPA are more focused today on fighting each other for

the political crumbs, and thus are of no help to the PNC politically.

The one thing that is driving the PPP today is “no more humiliation for the PPP”, and thus they were forced by the people to clean up their act.

But where does this leave Bharrat Jagdeo?

Well, he was the creator of Ramotar, and must share the blame for the mess the PPP is in today.

But what we must never discount is that among the rank and file of that 190,000 voters who are considered at the natural strength of the PPP, he is almost like a demigod. These 190,000 people know only a Jagdeo can beat a Granger in 2020. Though he has much baggage, he is the most capable of the entire Executive Committee.

But that does not mean that if the CCJ rejects the third-term case, the PPP is finished. They have two other very capable members of the Executive Committee who have the talent and experience to do this job under the guidance of Jagdeo — Gail Teixeira and Anil Nandlall.

Frank Anthony is a nice fellow, but he is a political mook when it comes to the national stage. He is seen as a shallow politician who does not have a position on most matters, and that projects him as one with no charisma. Therefore he does not have what it takes to combat in the ring with candidate Granger.

Maybe in 10 years’ time.

Respectfully, Albert Allen

Time for ‘trials and errors’ at All parties should state GuySuCo be brought to an end unequivocally their position on parking meters in Georgetown

Dear Editor, The trial and error approach to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) continues with the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) at the helm; more SPU than NICIL. The Agriculture Minister has now made it pellucid that GuySuCo no longer falls under the Agriculture Ministry but the Finance Ministry. His happiness with this new ‘trial’ is understandable since he and his Ministry have made several ‘trials and errors’ from 2015 to 2018 resulting in the dissipation of G$32 billion with nothing to declare except increasing underperformance and drastically dwindling production levels of the entity.

More remarkable also is the fact that during this same period Wales, Rose Hall,

Enmore and Skeldon Estates were closed and over 5000 workers booted resulting in social and economic chaos in these communities. The ‘sugar experts’ did not do any feasibility study to measure the negative social and economic impact of these closures, although they were repeatedly educated by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union and the Opposition.

We are now told by another ‘sugar expert’ that to keep the remaining three estates alive and to bring them to profitability, there is a need to inject G$30 billion. I could recall that the People’s Progressive Party in their manifesto had planned to inject G$20 billion into GuySuCo to continue its mechanisation process and to bring it back to profitability without any closures or job losses. After getting into power, many negative terms were used by this

Government to label and get rid of GuySuCo. More notable are the ones used by the former sugar workers’ ‘champion’, Moses Nagamootoo, who likened GuySuCo to a “black hole” and the sugar workers as “raiders of the Treasury”.

The Government through the Finance Ministry now sees GuySuCo as being ‘viable’, a complete about turn from what is said a few months ago.

Moreover, the ‘sugar experts’ now need G$10-15 billion to reopen the operations at Wales, Rose Hall and Skeldon in a ‘miniaturise’ way so that they can become more lucrative to the 70 odd investors who have expressed interest to purchase the estates as they are, that is, in their current conditions. At this point I want to bring to attention the destructive capabilities of this Government. continued on page 7

Dear Editor, There is no dispute – the Parking Meter Contract is opposed by a vast majority of the citizens of Georgetown and of Guyana as a whole.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) is responsible for this fiasco. While it is City Hall in Georgetown which is implementing this horrendous contract, APNU/ AFC is making it possible.

I suspect Guyanese citizens will come out in force to protest and reject the parking meters.

It is an obligation of the political parties and their leaders to state unequivocally what their position is. I am calling, therefore, for each political party to state their unequivocal position on parking meters and the newly amended Parking Meter Contract and By-laws.

The toxic Parking Meter Contract, unfortunately, is back, auspices of APNU/AFC. The People’s National Congress (PNC) threat, as expressed by Oscar Clarke, that the parking meters cannot be stopped is vulgar and insulting.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillors have expressed their opposition and, as far as I know, their position reflects the position of the PPP. The PPP, like their Councillors at City Hall, is opposed to the parking meters, at least as far as I am aware of.

Clearly, given the position of the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and Oscar Clarke, we know that the

PNC, and their creature, APNU, not only support parking meters, they want an imposition regardless of what the citizens feel. But what is the official position of the AFC and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA)?

Are these political parties political opportunists, waiting to see which way the wind blows?

The AFC, which has seen its autonomy usurped by the PNC (APNU), has a unique opportunity to demonstrate some guts and to show that they can stand up for the right thing. I know that certain Councillors with AFC labels, example Councillor Duncan, have expressed their dissatisfaction about parking meters for Georgetown.

But I would like to hear the official position of the AFC, as well as the WPA, now.

Make no mistake the Oscar Clarke edict that nothing can stop the parking meters comes out of the belly of the PNC. While there might be a spattering of opposition within their ranks from certain Councillors, the APNU/AFC machinery will ensure that they force the parking meters on the people.

Will the AFC be a willing poodle or will they demonstrate spine and object now?

The City Council has made it clear that parking meters will become a part of daily living, no matter what citizens think. Oscar Clarke arrogantly declared that citizens can huff and puff, but they cannot stop the

parking meters from being introduced now. In his own way, he made it known that no matter how many people protest and no matter how much noise in the world they make, nothing can stop City Hall from imposing parking meters. The PNC has spoken and they fully expect that the APNU/ AFC machinery must follow the edict fully.

Clarke’s blunt, if vulgar, warning to the citizens of Georgetown and of Guyana is not shocking.

He sits as a Councillor at City Hall to ensure that the PNC-hegemony is unchallenged; his position reflects the position of Congress Place. He acts totally within the ambit of the PNC and in accordance with the PNC’s dictatorial DNA. In the PNC-world, City Hall is a creature of the PNC and must act accordingly.

Thus, when Mayor Chase Greene and Deputy Mayor Peter, together with the City Clerk Royston King, act as if there is a divine right to impose parking meters, it is because they envisage those divine rights to have emanated from Congress Place and delivered by Clarke, as if he is Moses.

In the end, this fiasco is wholly the making of APNU/AFC. It might be driven by Congress Place and the PNC, but the fiasco cannot be disowned

by APNU/AFC. They must carry this albatross forever.

Yours truly, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

WEEK ENDING April 8, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Gatekeepers’ Programme should be continued Dear Editor, The Gatekeepers’ Programme was launched under former Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy to train lay counsellors, individuals who would possess the skills and knowledge to be proactive first responders in tackling suicide and abuse.

A number of persons who were trained under this programme indicated to The Caribbean Voice that the programme was beginning to make an impact when it was dropped, after Dr. Ramsammy was replaced by Dr. Bheri Ramsarran as Health Minister.

Since the launch of our campaign in 2014, we have been lobbying for a return of this programme, and while the current government did promise to bring it back, a timeline to do so has not been set up.

Consequently we reached out to Seva International, an NGO based in India, and they offered us a trainer for a

period of one year.

While we are not paying for the services of the trainer, we need to cover her living expenses and the cost of the training programme for the year, estimated at just under US$32,000.

Towards this end, we have set up a gofundme account, and are humbly requesting readers of this newspaper to help us realize the goal of implementing this training programme by donating (no amount is too small) to our gofundme account, which can be accessed at https://www.gofundme.com/lay-counselor-training-program or through the gofundme link at the top of the cover (first) page on our website, www.caribvoice.org.

We also implore you to please share the link as widely as possible, and urge family, friends and colleagues to support our efforts.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

Time for ‘trials...

When these estates were closed, these factories were cannibalised to a large extent and the parts moved to the remaining three estates so the amount of monies required will be to largely replace these cannibalised parts and which I do not for a moment think will be enough the even ‘miniaturised the operations’ at these estates. It will be another G$15 billion down the ‘dark hole’ created by this Government.

Why the need for a syndicated bond of G$30 billion? We are told that this amount will provide capital, support infrastructure maintenance and upgrade at Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt.

In addition, funds are expected to go towards developing co-generation capacity for the estates’ operations and sold to the national grid. While this may look good on paper, the reality is far different. According to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), at that time, GuySuCo has the capability of supplying 17MW of power to the Grid but GPL can only take 15MW. Therefore, with co-generation capacities at Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt will GPL be in a position to effect the

from page 6

transmission?

The same CoI had said land sale at Ogle and La Bonne Intention can generate in excess of G$57 billion. It stated that Ogle has 26 acres while LBI has 2,282.5 acres which real estate dealers have proposed can be sold at a whopping G$25 million per acre. So why go into more debt when you can sell these lands and have enough monies to conduct your ‘experiments’?

Another alarming fact is that all the assets of NICIL and GuySuCo have been used as collateral for the syndicated loan and it said the repayment of the loan will come from selling lands, privatisation, co-generation and value-added products, so why not sell the lands mentioned above now rather than later?

Lastly, it is time that these ‘trials and errors’ are brought to an end, rather than squandering another G$45 billion on the closed and the existing estates, the entire GuySuCo should be fully privatised now!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor, Region Six

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WEEK ENDING April 8, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Keeping the lights on is the biggest challenge’, says GPL boss …company seeking US$110M from Govt to improve services

By Samuel Sukhnandan

I

n an effort to end the constant blackouts and bring some level of efficiency to local electricity services, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc is seeking US$110 million to assist with a strategic plan to overhaul the entire operation, as well as upgrade and reconfigure the supply system to produce better electricity.

This revelation was made by the newly-appointed Jamaica-born Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GPL, Albert Gordon, who said that he has already made the proposal to Government.

Speaking on Wednesday at a cocktail reception at Pegasus

Hotel, where he was formally introduced to members of the local media, Gordon said that there were several deficiencies that he discovered while on his familiarisation trip to almost all the GPL facilities across the country.

“That is the biggest challenge now, keeping the lights on and as I have mentioned in a different forum, there are different contributors to that. Not the least of which is the existing infrastructure and configuration of the system. The GPL system is evolving from a bunch of smaller systems that are being integrated and right now, there are serious deficiencies in the system that we need to ad-

New GPL CEO, Albert Gordon

dress,” he said.

Power outages In providing a detailed explanation on one of the issues that cause the constant power outages, the CEO explained that in a normal case where a distribution line takes power to someone’s house, in several in-

stances they are connected directly to the generator. But he said this is not how a power system is configured.

“You generate, increase the voltage to some high-voltage lines, move it to a substation, reduce the voltage and then distribute to cus-

tomers. That way the generator is shielded from events that may happen on the distribution lines that run along the road. Right now, that is not the case for a number of substations.”

Gordon said in the case of the Kingston substation, there are a number of lines leaving that station. “If there is a fault on any one of those lines, and they are long distribution lines along the road, if a tree falls on it, it feeds all the way back to the generator, takes out those generators. The other generators that are there to protect itself goes off, and the system goes down.

So, that’s one major deficiency in the system.”

Another deficiency, the CEO pointed out, is the fact that there is not a lot of ‘redundancy’.

“Normally when you are designing a power system, if any major piece of equipment should fail, the customer should not know, because there is a backup piece of equipment to ensure that power is still reaching customers.

“However, that is not the case. In fact, the transmission system is supposed to keep the rest of the system stable.” According to him, there are a number of lines leaving Sophia, which leads to other substations like Good Hope, Skeldon, and Kingston, which he described as spurs coming off a star system.

“It means that if there is a fault on line 16 going up from Good Hope to Skeldon, everything along that side is out and if you have a system separation and there is no balance in the generation, and one side has too much generation, the generators will speed and trip to protect themselves. One side has too little, they will slow down and trip to protect themselves and the entire system goes down again,” he explained.

According to him, it is not a case where the units do not try to stay on, but if you keep them on beyond a certain point, they will damage, and it, therefore, shuts itself off. While maintaining that there is a multiplicity of things that can take down the system, he said it going down 25 times as it did last year is unusual.

“Normally, if you have a power system that goes down once every 25 years, it is a cause for concern. We had 25 in one year, so that is some-

thing that needs immediate attention. Aside from the entire system going down, because of the lack of redundancy in the network, there is no back up. If you take out a line for maintenance, you have outages because you don’t have a backup supply,” he added.

Priority

Given these issues, the new CEO said his first priority was to keep the lights on, but noted that all depended on the investment to make the necessary changes that were required to bring some normalcy to the system.

He said, “There is a lot of immediate action that is needed to address the problems…

Aside from that, about 50 megawatts of the generating capacity, which is just over 130 megawatts is very old and in need of replacement. So, they fail very regularly.

We need to change that and many other things we have to do.”

Meanwhile, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson also announced plans to assist the company in its quest to improve its services and possibly loan the entity the required sum that is needed to assist with the strategic plans to bring some level of normalcy to the supply of electricity in Guyana.

Patterson also noted that a new Board of Directors for GPL could be named in two weeks’ time as plans are already being made to have a list of the possible nominees submitted to Cabinet for consideration. According to the Minister, this could be taken to Cabinet as soon as next week.

Meanwhile, this money now being sought by GPL from Government has already brought up discussions about the decision of Government to scrap the Amaila Falls project.

Amaila Falls could have been almost operational by now and consumers could have been close to seeing the end to expensive and unreliable electricity. Guyana would have been entering into the ranks of the top 10 users of clean energy worldwide.

The project, which would have been the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country’s history, had the potential to reintegrate the country with the global capital markets for the first time in over 40 years.

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WEEK ENDING April 8, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Return of parking meters in Georgetown inevitable …as Council approves amended By-laws

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he Mayor and City Council of the City of Georgetown, on Wednesday at an Extraordinary Statutory Meeting, voted to adopt the amended By-laws for the controversial parking meter project, hence signalling its return despite strong objections from some Councillors.

Prior to the vote, Councillors were afforded the opportunity to debate the proposed amendments to the Bylaws. However, Mayor Patricia Chase Green restricted them from discussing, among other things, the contract and concessionaire.

“We would have dealt with the contract on many occasions and we would have agreed that the contract that we have is binding and we will move forward. We are at a stage where we had negotiations with the relevant partner where we would have agreed also how we do adjustments…that was brought to the Council, that was agreed upon we are at the last stage of the parking meter entire project which is the 2018 By-laws,” Chase Green said.

However, the Mayor’s statements did not go down too well with

Councillors at the Extraordinary Statutory Meeting on Wednesday

People’s Progressive Party Councillor, Bishram Kuppen, who argued that the by-laws are linked to the contract with Smart City Solutions. He noted that the council is attempting to move forward with a contract whose legality is still in questioned and advised that it should not be proceeded with.

“The fact of the matter is that we are attempting to pass or approve bylaws for a contract that is yet not being proven to have come about in a legal manner…there were statements made at this council that this was approved at a previous council but there has been no evidence

produced so far. The fact of the matter is due diligence was being conducted after the fact when in fact it should be done before that contract,” Kuppen argued.

“I don’t see how we are moving forward with this particular contract or discussions because once it is approved today (Wednesday) then it will be forwarded to the Minister and maybe they will gazette the By-laws to make it legal for that parking meter project to come back in play,” he added.

Kuppen told all the Councillors present that if they support the amended By-laws then in essence they are

forcing the citizenry of Georgetown to accept an illegal 40-year contract.

Additionally, Councillor Malcolm Ferreira called for the decision to be put on hold until all court issues regarding the controversial project is addressed.

“We need to exercise caution and allow the court to rule so as to offer legal guidance as well as endorsements of whatever decision we would then decide on… we should not rush into any decisions and more so decisions that have proven to be unpopular…,” he argued.

Expressing his unwavering support for the project was Councillor

Heston Bostwick, who called for its speedy implementation.

Following all the debate, People’s National Congress Councillors Akeem Peter, Winston Harding, Yvonne Ferguson, Welton Clarke, Oscar Clarke, Noelle Chow-Chee, Heston Bostwick, James Samuels, Trichria Richards, Lyndon Hilliman, Ivelaw Henry and Mayor Chase Green along with Team Benschop’s Jameel Rasul voted to adopt the Bylaws. While, Councillors Kuppen and Sharma voted no and Ferreira and PNC’s Carlyle Goring abstaining.

Staying away Meanwhile, former Deputy Mayors Lionel Jaikaran and Sherod Duncan – both of the Alliance For Change (AFC) refused to participate in the process by staying away. Taking to social media, following the vote, Duncan posted a photo of a ripped-up copy of the By-laws accusing the Administration of stifling those who oppose the project.

Now that the amended By-laws are approved, the Administration will have to display them for a minimum of 14 days in public spaces and during that time persons could write to City Hall expressing their concerns.

Following that 14-day public display, the adopted By-laws will be forwarded to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan for his approval and if given will be then gazette.

Under the new agreement, persons will be paying G$150 per hour and G$800 for eight hours of parking in the city. Meanwhile, residents of the city would be issued with a restricted residential pass for free parking from 17:00h-19:00h Monday to Friday while parking will be free on Saturdays.

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WEEK ENDING April 8, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Process leading to a final judgement has now been set into motion’ …Guyana’s Foreign Minister says of border controversy

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By Jarryl Bryan

n the heels of Guyana submitting its border case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the call by the Venezuela Government to return to the Good Offices Process, Government is adamant that the wheels are in motion.

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge in a statement on Tuesday, the application Guyana filed on March 29 is seeking a final and binding judgement on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

“Coming from the principal judicial organ of the (United Nations) UN, such a judgement will once and for all put to rest this baseless contention. As you are aware, Guyana has suffered from Venezuela’s contention of nullity ever since our independence in 1966,” the Foreign Affairs Minister said.

“This assertion has undermined our ability to develop our sovereign territory and resources, including our natural wealth in the sea. By means of a judgement of the court, our objective is to put this controver-

Registrar of the International Court of Justice, Philippe Couvreur (left) and Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

sy to a definitive end so Guyana and Venezuela can live together as neighbours without the shadow of this conflict.”

Greenidge noted that with the Good Offices process being officially brought to an end by Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, the process for this final judgement has started.

“We will now await the response of the Court to our application,” Greenidge affirmed.

“Venezuela of course has

the right to respond and disagree with Guyana’s position on the validity of the 1899 Award. But either way, the process leading to a final judgement has now been set into motion.”

“This judicial process will unfold in several stages and the Government of Guyana will periodically inform the public of its progress. This is likely to be a lengthy process, but having waited more than 50 years, we are fully committed to seeing it through until the very

end.”

Describing it as a “great moment” in the international and regional rule of law and an example for the peaceful resolution of conflict, the Minister was hopeful it would result in better relations with Venezuela.

Since the UN’s decision to send the matter to the ICJ, Venezuelan President Nicholás Maduro had been quoted publicly affirming that his Government did not agree with the decision, and that continued negotiations would have been preferable.

Relations between Guyana and Venezuela have been rocky ever since oil giant ExxonMobil announced in 2015 that it had found oil in Guyana.

Venezuela has staunchly been against oil exploration in Guyana’s Stabroek Block, where multiple oil deposits were found by ExxonMobil.

In fact, Venezuela’s National Assembly had approved an agreement to reject the oil exploration activities in March 2017. Venezuela has claimed, in 1968, the entire territorial sea of Guyana by means of the Leoni Decree, despite the

Former Commonwealth Secretary General, Sir Shridath Ramphal will lead the legal team

1899 award.

In 2015, the Government of Guyana requested then UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, to take steps toward resolving the controversy. In 2016, as a consequence of a stalemate on the matter, the outgoing Ban Ki-moon agreed with his successor, António Guterres, to continue to use the Good Offices Process until the end of 2017 as a means of arriving at a settlement.

It is with that intention that Guterres appointed Nylander as an envoy to resolve the border controversy.

According to the mandate of the Personal Representative, “If, by the end of 2017, the Secretary General concludes that no significant progress has been made toward arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy, he will choose the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement, unless the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela jointly request that he refrain from doing so.”

That process expired and Guterres subsequently ruled that the matter will engage the attention of the ICJ, where a panel of distinguished judges will hear Guyana’s case in The Hague, Netherlands based court.

Guyana’s legal team is being led by former Commonwealth Secretary General, Sir Shridath Ramphal. The team is a holdover from the Foley Hoag law firm delegation that successfully petitioned the UN in Guyana’s maritime controversy with Suriname. Other members of the team are Paul Reichler and Payam Akvan.

Protected Areas Commission to develop Biodiversity Garden

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he Protected Areas Commission (PAC), over the years, has been raising awareness on the conservation and proper care of the environment; as such, the organisation has begun efforts towards developing a Biodiversity Garden on the eastern section of the Botanical Gardens in Georgetown.

PAC Deputy Commissioner Odacy Davis highlighted these plans.

“For most persons who would frequent this location or even drive around, it may appear as if it’s just bush, but it’s an actual representation of different types of forests. So, what we’re envisioning is for schools, students, institutions, the ordinary man or family to be able to come into the Botanical Gardens and see what a wetland eco-system would look like,” he is quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying.

“This is not very common in many places, and so what we want to do is encourage all Guyanese

Staff of the Protected Areas Commission

to really embrace what we have here in the Botanical Gardens. We have at least over 180 species of birds in the Gardens; we have sloths here; we have caimans in the canals. This is really an ecosystem that supports many animals and many species so what you see here is really something special in the capital city of the country,” she noted.

The Garden would be a unique landmark in the heart of the city.

The Biodiversity Garden will also serve as an educational tool.

There are plans to conduct tours, and the con-

struction of three teaching benabs for primary, secondary, and tertiary students has already begun. “…They can sit there and teach concepts on conservation and the environment, and they can go through the entire biodiversity gardens. So, really, we want to use the Botanical Gardens not only as a place for recreation, but for education and even to support the Green Development Strategy. This is really how we can protect and embrace this beautiful environment that has been entrusted to us,” Davis said.

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WEEK ENDING April 8, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Ram urges Govt to give dismissed sugar ICT hub opens in Linden workers lands to earn livelihood

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s thousands of retrenched workers, who were put on the breadline following Government’s downsizing of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), continue to struggle to earn a livelihood, calls have been reiterated for these workers to be given sugar lands to sustain themselves and their families.

The most recent call was from social activist Christopher Ram last week as he addressed the opening of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana’s Sixth Triennial Conference. Ram told the gathering that the Conference was being held against the backdrop of what he described as the “single largest layoff in the history of Guyana” in one of the major sectors of the economy.

He went on to blast the coalition Administration as well as GuySuCo for not putting in place “mechanisms to cushion the financial, social, economic and personal impact and consequences on lives and livelihoods of these people”.

To this end, Ram outlined several recommendations, which he believed are needed to ensure that the dismissed workers were able to adequately provide for themselves and their families.

“Workers must be given lands to carry out the trade and earn their livelihood in the activity in which they are most proficient.

The value to the Government of some privatisation proceeds in the short term is simply not worth the long-term effects of deprivation of some safety net to the workers,” Ram outlined.

Among the other recommen-

Christopher Ram

dations the social activist detailed were: the retraining and re-educating of workers; businesses being given incentives to employ workers; and direct and indirect contributions to the welfare of terminated GuySuCo employees, including scholarships to the children of the workers, should be made tax deductible, especially for businesses.

Since Government’s announcement of the closure of several estates under GuySuCo, there have been widespread calls for the lands under GuySuCo to be distributed among the displaced workers in order for them to sustain themselves and their families.

However, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had said back in January that plans to lease sugar cane lands to the retrenched workers have been put on hold, pending the completion of ongoing valuation of the Corporation’s assets that was being carried out

by United Kingdom-based Price WaterhouseCoopers (PWC).

Following Government’s announcement of plans to downsize the local sugar industry – leaving just the Uitvlugt, Albion and Blairmont Estates – in order to make it more viable, the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) was set up under the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) to manage the divestment of the Corporation’s assets. These include “all the moveable and immovable property owned, used, leased, or licensed by GuySuCo or the State, save and except for Albion Estate, Blairmont Estate, and Utivlugt Estate”. Also included in the takeover are all properties owned by, or leased to, the Skeldon, Rose Hall, Wales and Enmore Estates, and other properties in the Demerara and Berbice counties as well as 4700 acres of State land.

In order to bring in revenue to sustain its operations, GuySuCo had, in 2016, sold to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) some 3000 acres of cane land reportedly between Sophia, Greater Georgetown, and Ogle, East Coast Demerara. Government previously communicated its intention to use acres of land owned

by GuySuCo for housing projects and other developments.

However, at a meeting of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in February, it was revealed that the CH&PA paid over G$1 billion for lands, but those lands have not yet been identified and handed over by GuySuCo.

R

A section of the ICT hub

esidents of Block 22 in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) will now have access to free Internet services with the recent opening of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub.

Eight Internet-ready computers are now available for use to residents of the community following the official opening of yet another ICT Hub. Situated in the Block 22 Multipurpose building, the hub was officially opened with the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon and a simple ceremony.

Director, Community Development and Social Management of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Phillip Walcott speaking at the recent opening, said that the plan is to ensure that Guyanese become computer literate.

According to Walcott,

while affordability is a challenge for some citizens, connectivity is a problem for others; hence he noted a US$31 million project will be launched later this year, to extend the reach of the Internet.

“An ICT hub is created so you can have access to a device and then for others the challenge of connectivity and ICT hubs provide free wifi so that that challenge is removed. You run out of data that you can use in the comfort of your home, you can come to the hub during the hours the hub is available and you can use that,” he added.

Members of the community are soon expected meet to elect a Management Committee which will be responsible for the operation of the hub. The NDMA is under the E-Government Unit of the Public Telecommunications Ministry.

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WEEK ENDING April 8, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

IIA Chair questions process Govt used to keep oil bonus outside Consolidated Fund

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he US$18 million signing bonus controversy has engaged the attention of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Guyana chapter, with the Chairperson of the body questioning the process Government used to keep the money outside the Consolidated Fund.

In an interview with Guyana Times International on Tuesday, IIA-Guyana Board Chairman and Financial Consultant John Seeram noted that while the signing bonus could be held outside the Consolidated Fund, there were certain prerequisites.

“What is important is that once money is received, it should be recorded in the Government’s statements of assets and liabilities, comprising of the Consolidated Fund as an entity and there is the Deposit Fund as an entity and the Contingency Fund as an entity,” he explained.

“My view is that that US$18 million bonus could be deposited in the Deposit Fund bank account and be shown in the Deposit Fund as an

entity, thereby showing up on the statements of assets and liabilities.”

He noted that only when it is appropriated accordingly could it be moved from the Deposit Fund. Asked whether this process was followed in the case of the signing bonus, Seeram replied in the negative.

“Not to my knowledge,” the experienced auditor said. “But I wrote an article suggesting the use of a deposit fund. I’m just waiting to see what happens.”

The bonus

Recently, local economist Ramon Gaskin said in a letter to the media that the Bank of Guyana’s financial statement was recently issued and there was no trace of the signing bonus.

The bonus became a matter of controversy last year after it was revealed that not only did Government fail to disclose that it had received the money since 2016, but also it had deposited it into a private account at the central bank instead of the Consolidated Fund.

IIA Chairman and Financial Consultant John Seeram

Government had defended its actions saying that the money was placed at the Bank of Guyana since Government intended to use it to pay the legal team that would represent Guyana’s interest at the World Court on the border controversy with its western neighbour, Venezuela.

However, Gaskin on Monday wrote that, “The Bank of Guyana has published the list of 128 Government Account Balances at the end of January 2018 in excess of 36 bil-

lion Guyana dollars… the US$18M ‘Signing Bonus’ received by Guyana and allegedly placed in the account is not listed”.

But, when contacted, an aide to Finance Minister Winston Jordan told this publication that the money has not been moved, thus it could not have been spent. “It is still there,” the aide assured.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had also denied that the monies were used.

“The signing bonus is monies that belong

to Guyana, but that bonus, wherever it is, will be placed into the Consolidated Fund and it is from that Fund that any team whatsoever will be paid,” he stated.

Although the legal team has already begun work and has completed Guyana’s submissions, which were filed with the World Court on Thursday last by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, Harmon told reporters that Government intended to follow prudent fiscal management policies regarding the use of the US$18 million.

“Whether (the legal team) work before or they work after, it is from the Consolidated Fund, these monies will come from (to pay them.

But before that)… we will of course have to make applications to the National Assembly for its approval for these funds… It is just prudent fiscal management,” he stated.

Moreover, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, when probed on the whereabouts of the signing

bonus, had declined to pronounce on the matter, but told media operatives that there was nothing sinister afoot if the monies were to be moved.

While Government Ministers have said that Section 37 (2) of the Financial Management and Accountability Act provides for public monies to be held in Extra Budgetary Funds and deposit funds until they are credited to the Consolidated Fund, there are steps to be followed.

Section 42 mandates that after a deposit fund is established, the Minister has to inform the National Assembly of the fund’s existence.

According to Section 42 (2) of the Act, the Minister also has to specify “the source or sources of the monies in the deposit fund; the purpose or purposes for which monies may be expended from the deposit fund; the banking arrangements for the deposit fund and the intended investment strategy for the monies deposited in the deposit fund.”

Daughter’s boyfriend jailed for 16 years for murder of pensioner …taxi driver freed for time served

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Freed: Devon Brown

wo years after two teenaged girls were charged with murdering their father, Roger Manikram at Nonpareil, East Coast Demerara (ECD), their alleged accomplices – Veeram Dias, the boyfriend of one of the sisters; and taxi driver Devon Brown both admitted to their crimes at the opening of the Demerara Criminal Assizes on Tuesday. The girls, Nalinie Manikam and her sister Alicia Manikam did not appear at the proceedings but they remain on remand pending the outcome of their matter.

Dias, 23, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to serve 16 years in prison

Murdered pensioner Roger Manikram

while Brown, who pled guilty to being an accessory after the fact, knowing that Dias and others committed the gruesome act, was released after having served two years on remand. The sentences were handed down by Justice Sandhill Kissoon, who considered the facts presented

by Prosecutor Mandell Moore. The court heard that Dias bashed in Roger Manikram’s head with an axe and placed the man’s body into Brown’s car before later dumping the 64-yearold’s body at Coldingen Railway Embankment, ECD, on April 2, 2016.

However, Dias’ Attorney, Latchmi

Rahamat in her plea of mitigation highlighted that there were several accompanying circumstances which motivated her client to commit the crime. Having accepted the prosecution’s facts, the court was told that the admitted killer was in a relationship with the deceased man’s daughter.

Attorney Rahamat observed that her client was only 21 years old at the time, noting that he was a first-time offender. She also noted that her client has never opted to waste judicial time as he has always accepted that “his actions did result in the death of the deceased”. She described Dias as a model prisoner since he has not had any brushes with the law since being incarcerated. The Attorney also submitted legal arguments to support her case, even citing a ruling

by Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) which described Camp Street jail as one of the most de-humanising facilities in the region.

The attorney further claimed that her client almost lost his life in the 2016 Camp Street prison fire. While plead-

Veeram Dias accompanied by Police Officers, was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment

ing for mercy, she added that Dias is now active in Bible studies and spends much time reading.

In a brief address in which some emotion was shown, Dias indicated that he is forever sorry for his actions. “Not a day goes by that I don’t regret what I have done.

I don’t know how many times to say sorry,” the admitted killer pointed out.

Meanwhile, Dexter Todd, attorney from Dias’ accomplice, Devon Brown, also made an impassioned plea to the court, where he detailed the “rough life” his client had with losing many of his loved ones. Noting that Brown, a father of two, was only 24 when he committed his crime, Todd claimed that all his

client did was respond to a call from his friend to assist him on the day in question.

The court heard that Brown migrated to St Lucia when he was two years old and that his father and brother died over time and that his mother passed away whilst he was behind bars.

Todd noted that Brown re-migrated to Guyana and settled at Crane, West Coast Demerara and had interacted with Dias and the two became friends.

Brown supposedly had not known that there was a murder when he was called to transport Dias.

Todd claimed that his client only knew what he did was against law after he was arrested.

Justice Kissoon sentenced Brown to two years imprisonment. In computing Dias’ sentence, he started at a base of 30 years, deducted eight years for guilty plea, five years for his lawyer’s mitigating plea and one year for having shown remorse. This meant that the court’s sentence was 16 years.

However, the court was ordered to deduct the time the defendant spent on remand awaiting trial.

Meanwhile, Nalinie Manikam is being represented by attorney Charrandass Persaud while her sister Alicia Manikam is represented

by Shellon Boyce. Both attorneys were present at the sentencing of Dias and his accomplice, Brown.

According to reports, when the man’s body was found, it was claimed that the man might have been killed during a robbery. However, as investigations continued, Police ranks reportedly found a piece of rope at the Non Pariel home of the man, which appeared to have been a part of the rope that had been used to tie the deceased man.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

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WEEK ENDING April 8, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Issues ironed out’ …Ramjattan says APNU, AFC contesting local polls under one ticket A

fter months of uncertainty, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have finally decided to contest the Local Government Elections (LGE) under one ticket.

This disclosure was made by AFC Chairman Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on Wednesday. This decision, he said, was made even as the parties are still trying to put certain mechanisms in place to ensure that they contest the elections with a good slate of candidates.

“We have made a decision that we are going as a coalition. We have to trash out a number of issues preferably in relation to the candidates, and number of other things,” he told the press, while noting that the AFC has noticed some unfortunate development in the Georgetown municipality.

Ramjattan was referring to the attitude of APNU Councillors,

including Town Clerk Royston King towards AFC members, which he claimed is “bothering us.”

The AFC Chairman indicated that statements in this regard have been made and will be officially raised through communication with APNU officials.

“A letter has gone to the President (David Granger) as leader of APNU and we are supposed to address that through our leaders, Raphael Trotman and him. I think there will be some development this week,” he explained. A meeting between the two could be held soon to iron out those issues.

In mid-January, Trotman had announced the possibility of the party breaking away from the APNU for this year’s LGE. The AFC leader went as far as to reveal that there was a strong opinion of body within the party that the AFC should go alone, which may have been prompted over delays with reviewing the Cummingsburg

have resulted in APNU controlling both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions. Only recently, the PNC dominated Council voted to replace AFC member Lionel Jaikarran as Deputy Mayor.

Despite this move, Ramjattan said democracy must be respected. “It is a democratic decision and we have to learn to live with democratic decisions and indeed, I rather suspect that those who voted the way they did, didn’t like the principled positions of Sherod (Duncan) and Dr Jaikarran and so President David Granger Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan if they have the majority in that Council and they Accord.

LGE without the AFC. el is cordial. want the new guy – Peter The AFC has, of re- However, the President “We have tremendous- – well they will have cent, come under fire for had hinted that contest- ly cordial relationship him,” he added. the perceived submis- ing LGE as a coalition at that highest of level.

In trying to explain sive role it played when it would have been the best I have a very good rela- that the dynamics of joined forces with APNU. option. tionship with President Governments, whethIn 2017 top leadership Meanwhile, despite Granger and his entire er coalition or not, he of the AFC had decid- several infightings among team and it’s not reflective said everyone has some ed to revise its governing coalition members, espe- of any kind of relationship amount of issue. He adagreement with APNU. cially at the level of the at the bottom there as had vised therefore that deciDays later, General City Council, Ramjattan happened in the munici- sions should never be takSecretary of the People’s sought to defend both par- pality,” he explained to the en on the basis on one’s National Congress (PNC), ties when he was asked to media. emotion, and suggested the leading party in the comment on the issue. He The Minister admitted that the infighting at the APNU coalition, Amna claimed that the relation- that the AFC’s opposition municipality is more of a Ally, said the APNU is ship particularly at the to the controversial park- personality issue. prepared to contest the Central Government lev- ing meter project might

Security Minister throws support behind ranks in Kingston Seawall shooting

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ollowing the shooting to death of three suspected bandits at the Georgetown seawalls, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on Wednesday threw his support behind the Guyana Police Force.

On March 15, 2018, undercover ranks shot and killed Dextroy Cordis, Kwame Assanah and Errol Adams, on the Kingston seawalls after they allegedly attempted to rob a customer whom they had reportedly trailed from a city bank.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Regional Seminar for National Drug Observatories, Minister Ramjattan expressed confidence in the work of Police ranks.

“I am going to support my Policemen until such time that they are proven to have done something wrong,” Ramjattan observed, pointing out that the legal principal regarding the presumption of innocence is across the board.

He noted that while he believes and supports the report given by acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine, Government is committed to ensuring that the matter is fully investigated.

and killed Reona Payne at First Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown following a heated argument between the two on Saturday last. He accused her of infidelity. The GDF Captain turned himself in at the Ruimveldt Police Station, and is awaiting formal arraignment at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for the capital offence.

A post-mortem ex-

Dextroy Cordis

“We are going to ensure that there be a complete, full investigation.

We are waiting on the three statements from Mr Nigel Hughes. He called me and indicated that they are very fearful [but] we would like to complete the file and send it to the DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions] and I rather suspect that a coroner’s inquest will be ordered,” the Minister highlighted.

He maintained that he is more inclined to trust the reliability and credibility of the Police Force.

Following the shooting, the Police claimed that they came under fire first and it was in defence that they returned gunshots killing

Kwame Assanah

the men. But last week, an ‘eyewitness’ Devon Lyte, who was reportedly working on a rooftop nearby, disputed the Police’s version of the story. However, he is yet to submit his statement on the matter. Following the surfacing of the alleged eyewitness, the acting Commissioner, David Ramnarine on March 29 declared that Lyte was never on the roof of the Guyana Softball Association on Carifesta Avenue, as he claimed.

Ramnarine asserted that investigators were in possession of three key statements which indicated that the Devon Lyte, a labourer, was working on the ground floor of the said building at the time of the shoot-

ing on March 15, 2018.

President David Granger has since announced that a probe was ordered into the shooting and a coroner’s inquest by the Director of Public Prosecutions will follow.

GDF rank shooting

Meanwhile, in a separate case involving the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank killed his partner, the Public Security Minister has indicated that while the situation was “unfortunate”, it was not a regular occurrence.

“One swallow doesn’t make a summer,” he stressed. However, following the shooting, the GDF swiftly interdicted the accused, Captain Orwain Sandy, who shot

amination was conducted on Payne’s body on Wednesday, revealing that she died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. The woman was shot 14 times, 13 to her chest and once to her head, at close range.

Meanwhile, detectives have since obtained an extension to hold the former soldier in custody while they await legal advice.

Jury empaneled to hear case against EBD man accused of murdering wife in 2014

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indra Siriram on Tuesday denied murdering the mother of his three children, Shelly Ann Persaud, at their Friendship, East Bank Demerara home in June of 2014. The woman was found with her head in a bucket of water but when Siriram appeared before Justice James Bovell-Drakes at the High Court, he entered a not guilty plea. As such, a 12-member jury was empaneled to hear the case.

The State’s indictment read that Siriram committed the act between June 9 and 10, 2014. In September 2014, Vindra Siriram was com-

mitted to stand trial for the woman’s murder.

He is being represented by Attorney Damian Da Silva while the State’s Prosecutors are Shawnette Austin and Seeta Bishundial.

On the day in questioned, Persaud, a mother of three, was found with her head submerged inside a five-gallon bucket of water. The post-mortem examination later revealed that she died as a result of drowning and manual strangulation.

According to reports, Siriram and Persaud were heard arguing prior to the woman’s death.

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Wife, friend get death sentence for killing US-based Guyanese man

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he wife and her friend who killed the woman’s husband were last Thursday handed the death penalty by Justice Sandil Kissoon in the Berbice Assizes.

Moments after the sentence was passed, the wife fainted and had to be resuscitated while her friend seemed helpless on hearing her destiny.

On March 13, 2018, the two were found guilty and the court postponed sentencing until Thursday, when a probation report on the two was to be presented to the court. The women, Hemwattie Abdulla, also known as “Annie” and her friend, Seerojini Permaul, known as “Usha”, murdered Abdool Shakeel Majid in 2012.

They were given the death sentence for unlawfully killing Majid, a US citizen, whose battered body was discovered on the Number 63 beach, Corentyne on April 26, 2012.

Following the presentation of the probations reports, Justice Kissoon said despite the circumstances which they experienced in

Convicted wife of the deceased, Hemwattie Abdulla

life which could be considered unfortunate, the court cannot turn a blind eye to the circumstances which led to the death of the USbased taxi driver.

Speaking of the crime, Justice Kissoon told the two women that the crime was a planned and calculated event which lasted several months and evolved cross-border communication. The wife, he said, did not want to murder her husband in the US and so she contacted her former neighbour who she knew for over two decades.

He also noted that Permaul accepted US$5000. “The victim might have been alive today but for a few pieces of silver,” the Judge said.

Special Prosecutor Ganesh Hira represented the State, while Attorneys Mursalin Bacchus and

Seerojini Permaul helped her friend plan the murder

Arud Gossai represented Abdulla and Attorney Nigel Hughes represented Permaul during the trial which lasted more than one month.

The prosecution’s case was that Abdulla arranged the murder of her husband for the money which he had received from an accident in the US and got Permaul to assist her in executing the plot.

However, Justice Kissoon in his ruling said although that evidence was led in the Magistrate’s Court during the Preliminary Inquiry, Attorney Bacchus successfully led evidence to forbid that bit of evidence from being told to the jury and as such, it is only a speculation.

Majid and his wife Abdulla had arrived in Guyana back in April 2012,

with the intention of spending a two-week vacation.

However, five days after coming to Guyana, Majid’s battered body with the scalp missing was found on the beach.

By then, Abdulla had returned to the United States of America, where she is a resident and had informed relatives of the deceased that her husband was enjoying himself in Suriname and that he had urged her to return home as her daughter was ill.

It was a relative of the dead man who found his suitcase and other personal belongings including his passport at a house and the Police began a probe.

Meanwhile, the selfmade widow fainted as she was waiting to be transported from court to the prison until the execution of the sentence.

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WPO recognises work of former President Janet Jagan

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he Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) paid tribute to former President, the late Janet Jagan by way of a wreath-laying ceremony on the occasion of her ninth death anniversary on Friday last.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo was the guest speaker at the event, which was held at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, Corentyne.

The Chicago, USborn Janet Jagan served as President of Guyana from December 19, 1997, to August 11, 1999. She was 77 years

old when she succeeded her husband, Cheddi, after his passing, becoming the first female President of Guyana.

She previously served as the first female Prime Minister from March 17, 1997 to December 19, 1997.

Jagan was awarded Guyana’s highest national award, the Order of Excellence in 1993, and the Mahatma Gandhi Gold Medal for Women’s Rights in 1998.

She also served as a Member of Parliament and as Minister of Home Affairs, Labour, Health

and Housing.

In 1963, Time Magazine described her as “the most controversial woman in South American politics since Eva Peron”, partly because she was a “strident Marxist” who many believed was the “brains and backbone” behind Cheddi’s Government.

Addressing the hundreds at Babu Jaan, former President Jagdeo referred to the late leader as a fighter. He said the challenges we face today were nothing compared to what she experienced.

“Cheddi Jagan and

Janet Jagan in the darkest days never lost hope, they kept our party intact, they kept their minds focused and changed this country.

They fought for independence and got it, and then for the return of democracy, and so, the challenges we face now are nothing compared to what they faced, so we in this generation should not lose focus,” Jagdeo stated.

Nevertheless, Jagdeo called on the women present to take up more active roles in the Party while advocating for more women to join the WPO.

Former President, Janet Jagan

He said women in the PPP have an enormous role to play. Meanwhile,

he urged the WPO to set a target of getting to 5000 members.

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New York duo charged for smuggling birds from Guyana in the complaint, ABC News reported, while adding that, “In such contests, often conducted in public areas like parks, two finches sing and a judge selects the bird determined to have the best voice.”

Those who attend the singing contests wager on the birds. A

finch who wins can sell for US$5000 or more, Harper said.

“Although certain species of finch are available in the United States, species from Guyana are believed to sing better and are therefore more highly sought after,” Harper said in the complaint. “An individual

willing to smuggle finches into the United States from Guyana can earn a large profit by selling these birds in the New York area,” the report added.

Benjamin and Ali were stopped by US Customs and Border Protection after they landed at the airport on a

flight from Guyana.

According to the US news agency, the men made an initial appearance in US District Court in Brooklyn and were released on a $20,000 bond.

They did not enter a plea.

If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison, according to the ABC News.

Linden gets New Mayor

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The birds found in curlers

wo New York City men were arrested on Wednesday at John F Kennedy International Airport and charged for illegally smuggling Finches from Guyana, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn said, according to an ABC News report.

The article published on Wednesday detailed that 26 of the birds were found stuffed in hair curlers and placed

in the socks of the defendants, identified as Victor Benjamin, 72, of Brooklyn and Insaf Ali, 57, of the Bronx, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Eastern District of New York.

“My investigation has revealed that individuals keep finches to enter them in singing contests,” said Gabriel Harper of the US Fish and Wildlife Service

ewly-appointed Mayor of the Linden Municipality, Waneka Arindell and Deputy Mayor Wainewright Bethune were given an honorary welcome into the Council on Wednesday with an officiating march-past by Constabulary staff.

Following this, Arindell hosted the first statutory meeting of the Council since being officially sworn in as Mayor on March 28. Outgoing Mayor Carwyn Holland was also awarded a token of appreciation by staff for serving two conservative terms. His name has since been added to the official list of Linden Mayors displayed on the walls of the Constabulary Hall.

Mayor Waneka Arindell and Deputy Mayor Wainewright Bethune take the salute during the Constabulary march-past on Wednesday

Holland also thanked Councillors and members of the municipality for nominating and electing him to serve as Mayor. He also wished the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor a successful term, advising them to work togeth-

er. “I wish to leave with the understanding that service to the community comes first. We have to pay keen attention to petty politicking which can affect and stymie progress and cause major distractions. I wish that the new Mayor

be allowed to function without these interjections coming from both Councillors and from Administration”, he noted while advocating for the Deputy Mayor to be given an office owing to the demands of the post.

Victims’ families lost confidence in Police investigation …Attorney Hughes tells Lindo Creek CoI

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ttorney Nigel Hughes told the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 2008 Lindo Creek massacre that the victims’ families lost all confidence in the Police Force’s investigative capabilities after independent forensic services were denied.

The CoI heard that following news of the Lindo Creek massacre, the mining camp’s owner, Leonard Arokium, retained the services of Attorney Nigel Hughes to ensure that a proper investigation was done since the families of the victims were suspicious of the Joint Services’ involvement in the incident.

When Hughes took the stand before the Commission of Inquiry, he related at the time he wrote to then Police Commissioner Henry Greene indicating that they retained the services of United Kingdom’s Forensic Science Service to aid the Police in their investigation of the incident.

Then Chief-of-Staff, Rear Admiral Gary Best, was also copied in the correspondence.

However, Greene acknowledged receipt of the letter but never took up the offer.

Instead, they relied on the United States for help, which never materialised and then settled for assistance from Jamaica and Trinidad to identify the remains of the eight men.

“There was a very testy exchange between myself and Commissioner Greene in which I indicated to the Commissioner that we had virtually lost confidence in the ability of the Guyana Police Force to conduct a fair investigation or an investigation with any credit at all and we expressed those sentiments in a letter,” Hughes testified.

“I indicated to him that since the end of June or July had offered these services and now it appears that he had deliberately delayed the investigation and we expressed the sentiments and he responded, in I would say, the similar tone,” he added.

Hughes recounted that in August of 2008 they received information that the cellular phone of victim, Dax

Attorney Nigel Hughes testifies before the CoI on Wednesday

Arokium, was still being used. He said they then got a print out of the calls made using the number and furnished it to the Police resulting in Greene denying any knowledge of the phone number and subsequently accused Arokium of withholding information.

However, Hughes testified that they then wrote to Greene informing him that the number was provided when then Prime Minister Samuel Hinds along with the Home Affairs Minister and other official visited Leonard’s home on the

West Coast of Demerara.

Additionally, the CoI heard that Yonette Torres, mother of victim, Nigel Torres last saw Dax alive on June 5 when he was heading into Lindo Creek.

According to Hughes, she reportedly sent a message to her son informing him to be careful because of the heavy Police presence in the Backdam.

Varswyck’s role

Hughes posited that ex-Policeman Urie Varswyck, who had escaped from the Georgetown Prison and

was killed in 2017, was part of a Joint Services team that went into Lindo Creek when the Police Force had been in search of the “Fine Man” gang.

“I do have information that I received in a professional capacity, that I cannot disclose, that actually indicated the identity of some of the members of the team, one of them is now deceased, Mr Varswyck was part of the Police Force,” Hughes said.

He added that Varswyck was under the command of a serving member of

the Guyana Police Force.

When asked by the Commission’s Chairman, Justice Donald Trotman to reveal the name of that serving officer, Hughes declined citing fear of the officer’s life.

During the last CoI hearing, retired Assistant Commissioner Heeralall Mackanlall, who was at the time of the tragedy the Deputy Head of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), said he investigated the massacre upon request from Greene and was unable to find evidence implicating the Joint Services in the killings. At the same time, it was determined that a Police, Army and Special Forces team were in the general Lindo Creek area.

Sometime between June 12, 2008 and June 24, 2008, miners Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Compton Speirs, Horace Drakes, Clifton Wong, Lancelot Lee, Bonny Harry and Nigel Torres were shot and killed, and their bodies burnt at the Upper Berbice River mining camp.

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‘I did what the Constitution requires’ …President says in response to Bar Association’s call for current Chancellor, CJ confirmation

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George

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resident David Granger last week dismissed calls made by the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) for the confirmation of acting Chancellor, Justice Yonette Cummings-

Acting Chancellor, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

Edwards and acting Chief Justice Roxane George.

The Head of State was at the time fielding questions from media operatives about the appointment of a Chancellor, saying he went through the constitutional process and recommended the appointment of Justice Kenneth Benjamin as Chancellor but Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, whose approval is needed for a substantive appointment under Article 127 of the Constitution, has not agreed to the recommendation.

“So that’s where we are but life goes on and I need to ensure that the Judiciary functions without interference.

That’s all I can say at this stage, it is up to him. I’ve made my proposals, they’re still on the table. If he wants to review those proposals, it is up to him,” the President said.

However, when asked whether he had considered the Association’s calls for confirmation of current judicial heads, Granger said point-blank, “I don’t know which article of the Constitution tells me I should comply with that requirement.

I’m quite clear what the Constitution says; I did what the Constitution requires.”

Amidst the impasse between the President and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo over the appointment of a Chancellor of the Judiciary, the local legal fraternity has been calling for the confirmation of the current two judicial heads.

In fact, President of the Guyana Bar Association, Kamal Ramkarran, had told reporters last month that the legal fraternity as a whole is happy with and confident in the ability of the two distinguished women to head the Judiciary.

“We are very confident in their abilities and their hard work… and we hope that the Government would recognise that the lawyers are happy with the persons we have acting and we’d like to see them confirmed,” he noted.

The GBA President went on to say that not only are the two female justices doing a tremendous job with regards to reducing the backlog and making improvements in the Judiciary but are also thinking outside the box. He was referring to the hosting of the first ever Guyana Oil and Gas Law Conference which was organised by the Chancellor last month.

During his welcoming remarks at the Conference, the GBA President had told the gathering of legal luminaries that the local judicial sector is on the right path under the leadership of the Justices CummingsEdwards and George.

“This is what happens when you have two dynamic women heading the Judiciary who care enough about filling the gaps in our collective knowledge by adding to their heavy work load of hearing cases all day as well as administering the legal systems and improving it by planning something of this magnitude and seeing it through to reality. I’m sure that you will all agree that this is exactly the sort of energy and capacity we want from the heads of our Judiciary,” he posited to loud applause from the gathering.

Government has since come under fire for overlooking Justice Cummings-Edwards for the top judicial post and demoting her to the Chief Justice position.

Justice CummingsEdwards was appointed acting Chancellor and Justice George acting Chief Justice in March last year.

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GuySuCo to rehire over 1000 workers …as divestment plans continue to take shape

By Samuel Sukhnandan

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hile it remains impossible for everyone to be re-employed by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), there are immediate plans to rehire some 1200 workers in various categories at the remaining estates.

This disclosure was made by Head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited’s (NICIL’s) Special Purpose Unit (SPU), Colvin HeathLondon, who told this newspaper in an exclusive interview that this move is being made as the divestment plans continue to take shape.

“The SPU operations, in conjunction with GuySuCo, will be able to employ directly and indirectly in excess of 1000 people. In the following weeks, we will have additional employment at Enmore and SPU estates, around 200 factory

workers, harvesting and agriculture staff,” he explained.

But what is also driving this re-employment initiative is that GuySuCo, through the SPU, now has to deliver on an agreement signed with Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) to produce molasses.

Heath-London explained that the alcohol industry in the entire Caribbean is in a predicament because of the hectic hurricane season experienced last year and previous years before that.

“A lot of plants in the region have been damaged, and also GuySuCo provided most of the molasses for these plants in the region. With us closing the three estates, we basically cut the raw material source for a lot of plants in the Caribbean.

It also puts DDL in a crisis mode where it needed raw material,” he stated.

DDL and the SPU entered into an agreement

wherein DDL is to advance the SPU in a collaborative effort to produce the molasses that it wants. DDL has a shortfall that exceeds 27,000 tonnes of molasses.

Heath-London said, “We are hoping, from our operations at both Enmore and Skeldon, that we will be able to fulfil this gap. DDL will be advancing the cost for the molasses production, which we collectively used to do the production.”

The SPU is also tasked with finding investors for the three estates closed last year,

as well as Wales Estate, which stopped grinding at the end of 2016. There are over 70 expressions of interest for the three closed estates.

PriceWaterhouse -Coopers (PwC), which is critically involved in the privatization and divestment process of the sugar industry, is mainly responsible for the valuation of all GuySuCo assets.

The SPU head said that while PwC is a little ahead of its schedule, the unit is currently preparing the information memo to send out to prospective investors and

ask them to send fixed proposals.

“We have already gone ahead and started to sell as real estate the staff compound at Wales Estate. I must say it was oversubscribed. We were heartened by the response that the market gave,” he said.

The privatization process, according to Heath-London, is well on stream, with several major agro- and agriculture-based companies showing serious interest in the Wales Estate.

It has been recently reported that, through the Chamber

of Commerce in Delhi, India, several Indian companies have indicated interest in investing in the local sugar industry, or acquiring assets therein.

The SPU has also been able to secure a syndicated bond worth G$30 billion to assist with the revitalisation of GuySuCo. Heath-London said the loan has been acquired at good rates, with several banks participating. The Trinidadowned Republic Bank is the major lender.

The idea behind the borrowing of this syndicated bond is to assist the SPU with the reopening of the estates, to facilitate providing proof to potential investors that the estates are viable.

Some 4000 sugar workers from Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon were dismissed from their jobs following the downsizing of the sugar industry, which began to take effect in late 2017.

Govt denies moving Guyanese crushed US$18M oil bonus to death at TCL …says monies earmarked for Consolidated Fund

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n light of reports that the US$18 million signing bonus Guyana collected from US oil giant ExxonMobil that was placed in a private account at the Bank of Guyana (BoG) was removed, several senior Government Ministers have dismissed the claim.

Earlier this week, local economist Ramon Gaskin said in a letter to the media that the Bank of Guyana’s financial statement was recently issued and there was no trace of the signing bonus, which became a matter of controversy last year after it was revealed that not only did Government fail to disclose that it had received the money since 2016 but also deposited it into a private account at Central Bank instead of the Consolidated Fund. Government had defended its actions saying that the money was placed at the BoG since Government intends to use it to pay the legal team that would represent Guyana’s interest at the World Court regarding the border controversy with its western neighbour Venezuela.

However Gaskin in a letter on Monday wrote that, “The Bank of Guyana has published the list of 128

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

Government Account Balances at the end of January 2018 in excess of 36 billion Guyana dollars… the US$18M ‘Signing Bonus’ received

by Guyana and allegedly placed in the account is not listed”.

“I conclude subject to correction by the Minister of Finance that the monies, if indeed placed there, have been removed or withdrawn or spent without the authorisation of the Parliament as required

by Article 217 of the Constitution of Guyana,” Gaskin said in the letter.

He, therefore, called on “the Minister of Finance to immediately disclose precisely

where exactly the money is, how much has been spent from it, and for what purpose, and what is the present balance in the account if, at all, there is any.”

But, when contacted on Thursday, an aide to Finance Minister Winston Jordan told this newspaper that the monies have not been moved, thus could not have been spent. “It is still there,” the aide assured.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Joseph Harmon too had denied that the monies were used earlier on Thursday at the post-Cabinet press briefing.

“The signing bonus is monies that be-

long to Guyana but that bonus, wherever it is, will be placed into the Consolidated Fund and it is from that Fund that any team whatsoever will be paid,” he stated.

Although the legal team has already begun work and has completed Guyana’s submissions, which were filed with the World Court on Thursday by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, Harmon told reporters that Government intends to follow prudent fiscal management regarding the use of the US$18 million.

“Whether (the legal team) work before or they work after, it is from the Consolidated Fund, these monies will come from (to pay them.

But before that)… we will of course have to make applications to the National Assembly for its approval for these funds… It is just prudent fiscal management,” he stated.

Moreover, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman when probed on the whereabouts of the signing bonus on Wednesday had declined to pronounce on the matter, but told media operatives that there is nothing sinister afoot if the monies were to be moved.

Port in Trinidad

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Guyanese man was on Sunday crushed to death while loading a vessel at the Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) Port in Claxton Bay, Trinidad.

The dead man has been identified as 44-year-old Doonauth Nateram of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara. Based on reports gathered, the man, who had been living in the twin-island republic for some time, died while receiving medical attention at the San Fernando General Hospital in the wee hours of Sunday.

According to reports coming out of Trinidad, Nateram was employed with ANS Shipping Company and on the day of his demise, he was one of several workers who were loading a general cargo vessel with a shipment of cement.

He was reportedly on board the vessel when he was pinned to the rail by an excavator operated by his countryman, Ravi Mahadeo Persaud of Plantain Walk, West Bank Demerara.

A Police report revealed that while Persaud was turning the excavator, Nateram was accidentally pinned. The incident occurred about 02:40h.

The injured man was picked up and taken to the Hospital by a TCL Ambulance, and doctors made every attempt to resuscitate him, but their efforts were in vain.

Nateram’s body was taken to the hospital’s mortuary and an autopsy is expected to be conducted.

The Police are continuing their investigation into the unfortunate demise of Nateram.

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‘Political career not finished’ Sand Creek beauty wins Miss Rupununi – Vanessa Kissoon

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former Member of Parliament (MP) for the People’s National Congress (PNC), Lindener Vanessa Kissoon, was once part of the frontline party workers at the national and regional levels.

Now she has taken a step back from that frontline party work in an effort to focus on her educational career, family, and work with women and youth.

She is, however, not ruling out a return to big politics.

“Sometimes I believe that in life we have to step back,” Kissoon related in an interview with this publication. “By God’s grace, I still have youth, and like I said, by God’s grace let’s say I have time, because you can’t determine what tomorrow brings. But I believe that by God’s grace I don’t think that my political career is finished. But sometimes you need to take a step back and watch from a distance.”

When it comes to the contemporary politics of the PNC, part of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Kissoon noted that there are some concerns from the people in her region. And she urged the administration to put its ear to the ground to listen.

“Persons on the ground, they have concerns with the way things

Former Member of Parliament (MP) for the People’s National Congress (PNC), Lindener Vanessa Kissoon

are being managed in Region 10. Like the old adage rings, ‘there’s always room for improvement’. And I believe there is strength in some areas and, of course, like any other organisation, you have weaknesses,” she explained.

“Sometimes, though, you know, the buck might stop at the head. We have to be careful of the representation that we’re getting from the branches. So I think better is expected.

I know persons are looking forward for more, but

things are happening.”

In the meantime, Kissoon remains an educator at Mackenzie High School in Linden. She has also founded and coordinates the Linden Youth Corps, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

She has also founded a Virtuous Women on a Mission group.

“My women’s group would have had a domestic violence workshop.

Coming out of that workshop, we had women benefitting from one-weekfree internet classes at the

LTI institute,” Kissoon explained.

Kissoon became a PNC/R Parliamentarian back in 2006. During her time as a Parliamentarian, she took a leading role as a political and social activist. At one time during her stint, she was suspended from the party after a rift erupted following a Congress Place decision to appoint another politician as coordinator for the region. The appointment of Sandra Abrams was contested by persons from the region.

In a PNC/R statement issued in July of 2014, the declaration was, “It was evident from the outset that certain persons resented the appointment and resisted attempts to allow the Coordinator to be given access to the Party’s office.”

“These differences culminated in the June 20th incident at Congress Place, where party general secretary Oscar Clarke demanded the keys to the party’s regional facilities from Kissoon, and an altercation occurred. This incident led to the suspension of Kissoon.”

After this incident, and having served for two terms in the National Assembly, Kissoon was not returned to the APNU/ AFC roster in 2015.

Rodeo 2018 title

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Miss Rodeo Queen 2018, Shanelle Thomas

eventeen-year-old Shanelle Thomas of Sand Creek, South Rupununi, one of six beauties vying for the annual Miss Rodeo Queen title, has been crowned Miss Rupununi Rodeo 2018.

An aspiring nurse, Thomas won the Rodeo pageant on Friday evening at the Takutu Hotel in Lethem, Region Nine, in front of hundreds of patrons who had gathered to witness the annual event which forms part of the Rupununi Ranchers’ Rodeo festivity.

Miss Sand Creek won the hearts of the audience with her confidence and eloquence even from the introduction segment of the pageant, as she strutted out in her long booths and cowgirl hat. This Sand Creek

resident is fluent in Wapishana, enjoys bird watching and horse riding, and loves to eat fried tasso (beef) and farine.

The highlight of Friday night’s event was the ‘cowgirl wear’ segment, wherein the young ladies displayed their vaquero outfits. Samara Melville of Parishara and Subrina Albert of Karasabai, respectively first and second runners-up, dominated this segment with their stunning ensembles.

The other contestants represented Annai Village in the North Rupununi; Rokomuto, South Pakaraima; and Central Lethem.

The event was sponsored by Banks DIH, the Guyana Oil Company, Shantel’s Exotic Creations, and Trophy Stall.

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Govt in process of selecting Consultancy Company for hospitals’ upgrade

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Finance Minister Winston Jordan and Resident Representative of the Indian Exim Bank, Sailesh Prasad signing the LoC agreement back in July for the upgrade of the three hospitals

ome nine months after signing a multimillion-dollar Line of Credit (LOC) with the Indian Government for the upgrade of three primary healthcare facilities in Guyana, the Government of Guyana is now in the process of selecting a consultancy firm to oversee the project.

This was recently revealed by Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venekatachalam Mahalingam during a press conference at his Church Street, Georgetown office.

According to High Commissioner Mahalingam, a list of companies has already

been compiled and handed over to the Guyana Government for selection.

“The Government of Guyana is in the process of identifying one of the companies, which will undertake the Detail Project Report (DPR) as well as the Project Management Consultancy (PMC).

That is the first step so that (the selected company) will know exactly, what are the specifications of the project that they are supposed to undertake,” the Indian diplomat had explained.

Back in July last year, Finance Minister Winston Jordan signed the US$17.5 million LoC

with the Export/Import (Exim) Bank of India to refurbish existing facilities and construct new buildings at the Suddie Hospital in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and the Bartica District Hospital in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). The LoC will also be used to procure medical equipment to furnish the new and renovated facilities.

Since the Indian Government is funding the project, it is required that the contracts be awarded to companies from that country.

At the signing,

President says Bartica should be used as model for other towns in Guyana

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President David Granger giving brief remarks at the commissioning of the new boardwalk on the Golden Sands Beach in Bartica

hile commissioning Guyana’s first boardwalk, on Sunday at the Golden Beach in Bartica, capital town of the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region Seven, President David Granger charged the mayors and town councils across the country to follow the lead of the town of Bartica in its pursuit of initiatives which not only promote the ‘green’ agenda, but add to the aesthetics of

the environment.

Commissioning of the boardwalk — lighted by solar electricity and having a number of seating areas — drew the usual large crowd, there for the annual Bartica Easter Regatta, and President Granger said the facilities Barticians are now enjoying should be replicated across Guyana.

“Bartica is dear to my heart,” he said. “You are now a town, some-

thing that should have happened more than 100 year ago; but it is now irreversible and unchangeable, and you can look around and see the changes that the Town Council has made in two brief years.

“Mayor [Gifford] Marshall and his Deputy set out to establish a clean, ‘green’ and safe town, and they are well on their way to achieving that objective. turn to page 24

Minister Jordan had stated that the upgrade of these facilities would not only improve healthcare delivery in Guyana, but the project as a whole will also ease the burden currently placed on the Public Health Ministry ’s budget, which already caters for evacuating hinterland patients to the Georgetown Public Hospital during emergencies.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, who also witnessed the signing, indicated that primary health care was the most important level of health care. Therefore, she added, “it is incumbent on her Ministry to ensure that services, including prevention, promotion, rehabilitation and palliative care, are delivered.

The Public Health Minister expressed gratitude for this gesture and assured that the LoC will be utilised to fulfil the Ministry’s mandate of enhancing the delivery of primary health care.

This project is an initiative of the coalition Government, which wanted to use funds set aside for the controversial Specialty Hospital Project for the moderni-

sation of the three primary health-care institutions.

However, the Indian Government had committed to provide a separate loan to make-over the three hospitals in exchange for the Specialty Hospital project continuing. But the Specialty Hospital project fell through.

With an US$18 million LoC from the Indian Exim bank, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration was hoping to create a thriving health tourism industry locally with the construction of a Specialty Hospital.

However, the project quickly found itself in much controversy causing the then Government to end a contract with the India-based contractor Surendra Engineering in 2014, citing instances of alleged fraud and delays.

The Donald Ramotarled regime subsequently filed a lawsuit against the firm for failing to honour its obligations.

Guyana is yet to recover close to G$1 billion from that company.

While in Opposition, both the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance

For Change (AFC) had strongly opposed the Specialty Hospital Project and upon its assumption to office in 2015, the coalition had decided to scrap the project, which had already expended some US$4.2 million on certain preliminary works.

However, after some convincing by the Indian Government, the coalition Administration hesitantly proceeded with the project, handing it over to another India-based contractor, Fedders Lloyd to complete using the remaining US$13.8 million. But a few months later, that company was blacklisted by the World Bank until 2020, forcing the project to a standstill once again.

Following this, the APNU/AFC Administration got the US$18 million LoC written off, with the Indian Government taking the remaining funds and an agreement was signed for Guyana to only pay back the money that was already spent. This paved the way for the new LoC for the upgrade of the primary healthcare system.

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Nandlall takes Govt to task over Exxon contract

…says agreement contradicts Minister, prohibits impromptu visits

F

ormer Attorney General Anil Nandlall is taking the Government to task for its utterances regarding its right to make impromptu visits to ExxonMobil’s operations, noting that the contract it signed with the oil giant prohibited this.

Recently, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman was quoted in sections of the media saying that impromptu visits would still be carried out.

Nandlall, in a statement on Monday, however, dismissed this as absurd.

“How does Minister Trotman conceive the Government making impromptu visits to the oil operations when the contract expressly and specifically provides that the Minister, through his duly-appointed representative, must give at least seven days’ notice before they can be allowed to observe the petroleum operations conducted by the contractor?” Nandlall questioned.

“What this means is that the Government may attempt impromptu visits, but unless that seven days’ notice is given in the manner provid-

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

ed for by the contract, the contractor reserves the right to prevent the Government access to the operations.”

Questioning whether the Government meant to disregard its contractual obligations, Nandlall noted that the better thing to do was to acknowledge that they were in a conundrum. He pointed out that the clause restraining Government from inspections – Article Nine – was meant to prevent comprehensive scrutiny.

“More significantly, when the clause, which requires the seven days’ notice, is read in conjunction with other related clauses, one gets the clear impression that the collective intent of the contract is to

prevent the Government from accessing certain type of data, in respect of the oil operations.

“For example, even where the seven days’ notice is given, there are express prohibitions against the Minister interfering with the petroleum operations and there are a whole host of records and reports, which are deemed “confidential” and to which the Minister has no access,” the Attorney-atLaw pointed out.

Meanwhile, taking on recent statements from Business Minister Dominic Gaskin whereby he urged Guyanese to not become distracted by the “tiny vocal minority”, Nandlall pointed out that the only persons supporting the contract have been members of the Cabinet.

“Apart from Cabinet Ministers, almost every organisation in Guyana and every major commentator are on public record making condignly critical remarks about the contract. The position is no different among the ordinary citizens, including supporters of the Government,” Nandlall said.

The contract The contract was signed in June 2016

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

between the coalition Government, ExxonMobil and its partners in the Stabroek Block. While the contractor is obligated to maintain and submit all pertinent records, the Government can neither make impromptu visits nor interfere with Exxon’s operations.

Article 9e states that “The Minister, through duly-appointed representatives, upon providing the contractor with at least seven days’ notice, shall be entitled to observe petroleum operations conducted by the contractor at his sole cost and expense…”

It goes on to say that “in the exercise of such rights under this paragraph the Minister shall not unduly interfere

with the contractor’s operations under this agreement”.

In Article 15 of the contract, Exxon is exempted from paying Corporation, Excise or Value Added Taxes on its earnings from petroleum. Article 15.4 also provides for the Government itself to pay the company’s Income Tax. To facilitate this, the oil company has to submit tax returns to the Government.

Article 32 also stipulates that Government cannot modify the contract or increase any fiscal obligation the company has.

This, therefore, puts a cap on the taxes, royalties, duties, fees, or charges outlined in the contract.

Government also has to compensate the operator if a change to existing laws causes loss of revenue for the company.

According to Article 32.3, “If at any time after the signing of this agreement, there is a change in the laws of Guyana… and such a change has a materially adverse effect on the economic benefits, including those resulting from the fiscal regime provided by this agreement… the Government

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin

shall promptly take any and all affirmative actions to restore the lost or impaired economic benefits to contractor, so that contractor receives the same economic benefit under the agreement that it would have received prior to the change in law or its interpretation, application, or implementation.”

The contract goes on to say: “The foregoing obligation shall include the obligation to resolve promptly, by whatever means may be necessary, any conflict or anomaly between this agreement and any such new or amended legislation, including by way of exemption, legislation, decree and/or authoritative acts.”

President says Bartica... from page 24

This is a model, and I wish that every other town should emulate this example. Most of (the other towns) are waterfronts, and this is a joy to see. Bartica is a model, and I am vindicated in making Bartica a town and giving Bartica the name, ‘a clean, ‘green’ town’,” the President said.

Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, in his remarks, said the Mayor and Town Council is working assiduously to ensure that it achieves the mandate of becoming the first ‘green’ town in Guyana and the Caribbean.

Importantly, too, he said Bartica has a role to play in tourism in Guyana if it continues on its current developmental trajectory.

“Bartica can become the tourism capital of Guyana. We are working to ensure that our true potential is met.

We are working to ensure that we enforce a ‘green’ agenda. We are working to ensure that there is a good life for all. Let us continue to work for the development of our town; and, most importantly, let

us work for a better Guyana.

“We have unveiled our first boardwalk.

Next year we will (add) an extension, and His Excellency will declare open the extension.

These projects are here to show not just what we can do, but (they are) a pillar of development. It places us on the centre stage of the Caribbean and the world,” Mayor Marshall said.

Bartica resident Roxanne Jardine, in an invited comment, said that, like the Head of State, she, too, is pleased with the developmental works that have been taking place in Bartica.

“This is a great and big change for us here in Bartica; this boardwalk. We feel different.

It’s less crowded and confusing out here, and cleaner; and we welcome all of the infrastructural works. This is a real change in 2018 from the time I have been living in Bartica, and I definitely look forward to seeing more changes in the near future,” she said.

Commissioning of

the new boardwalk was done on the sidelines of the annual Bartica Regatta, and in referencing that event, the Head of State posited that the sport has continued to grow from year to year, with it now become a national and international event.

However, he noted that it is his desire to see the participation of the villages in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region.

Mr. Rod Henson, Country Manager for ExxonMobil Guyana, who is in the region to partake in the festivities, said he is impressed with what he has seen so far, even as he noted that he was encouraged by friends to go to the event.

“This is my first time, but I am having a blast. It is absolutely a great environment and great people and lots of sun, so it’s a great day for racing. When I got the opportunity to come and see, my wife and I decided to come, and it is fantastic; and I wish many more people could come out and see this,” he said.

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Lethem Industrial Estate likely to become operational by next year – Gaskin

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Lethem Industrial Estate under construction

usiness Minister Dominic Gaskin conducted a site visit to the Lethem Industrial Estate while he was in the border town over the weekend.

Construction of the facility, which is located on the outskirts of Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), is right on schedule and, once completed, will be a stimulus for many of the entrepreneurs within Lethem and the wider Region Nine area.

Minister Gaskin, who also has the responsibility for tourism, pointed out that a business incubator is being established to give small businesses an outlet where they can cultivate and acquire enough skills in an enabling environment with the necessary support mechanism.

“The project is likely to be operational by next year, we are pinning a lot of hope on how that estate develops,” Gaskin said.

The goal is that within a year of the establishment, the businesses should be in a position to branch off independently and possibly expand.

The industrial site is expected to be a source of employment for the residents of the town. “When the estate is open, it will take a while to get full occupancy, it’s a long-term project, but businesses that will be opened in that environment will require employees and staff in a variety of levels and we expect that these positions will be taken up by persons from Lethem or by the region, and we expect that the Brazilian market will play a role in the viability of the busi-

nesses that are looking to be established,” Minister Gaskin is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

The Business Ministry has responsibility for industrial estates at Lethem, Belvedere, Eccles, and Coldingen.

The latter two, which have a combined total of 120 developed plots, house close to 60 developed estates providing jobs for about 4000 Guyanese.

The main industries are wood-processing, cement and block-making, food processing, fish processing, furniture manufacturing, metal fabrication and pharmaceuticals.

In the 2016 National Budget, the Government allocated G$212 million for the development and repair of the industrial estates at Belvedere and Lethem.

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Guyana’s First Lady meets with Medgar Evers College reps Akisha Payne

Anasa Williams

Anita Baker

F

irst Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, on Tuesday, received a courtesy call from officials of the Medgar Evers College, a senior college of The City University of New York (CUNY); Director of International Education, Prof. Eugene Pursoo and Interim Director for the Caribbean Research Centre, Dr. Maria DeLongoria. The pair shared, during the meeting, the scope of work to be covered under the USA-Caribbean International Education Consortium (UCIEC) project and used the opportunity to discuss possible areas of collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, the Ministry

of the Presidency reported.

In an invited comment, Prof. Pursoo explained that the College, through the UCIEC initiative, has partnered with higher education institutions across the Caribbean to promote academic collaboration in order to help solve the developmental challenges of the countries and regions of participating member institutions.

“This is the second time the consortium will be meeting and the University of Guyana has volunteered to host that meeting. We’re honoured to have the opportunity to meet with the First Lady. We’re hoping that as the consor-

tium grows, we will be able to have the support of dignitaries in the region like the First Lady, who would look at what we’re trying to accomplish and contribute in any way she can towards the growth of this consortium,” he said.

Medgar Evers College offers bachelors and associate degrees at their tertiary institutions in the State of New York.

In March of this year, the college’s Professor Ivor Barker and Dr. Clinton Crawford collaborated with the East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) Department of Education to host a literacy conference for the region aimed at improving literacy rates.

Luann Pellew

Gabriella Chapman

Merissa Garraway Orianna Castello

Prudence Lam

Xamiera Kippins

N

ine beauties from across Guyana will compete for the title of Miss Earth 2018 which is slated for later in the month.

The last Miss Earth Guyana pageant was held in 2010 when Soyini Fraser was crowned as queen but a representative was sent up for the international pageant as recent as 2014.

It was local belle, Stacy Ramcharran who took the crown back then, but after the franchise was lost one year later, it was not possible to choose another girl. As such she remains the reigning Miss Earth Guyana; that is until the grand coronation of Miss Earth Guyana 2018.

The Miss Earth Pageant is one with a difference which gives women from across the country the opportuni-

ty to raise awareness, not only about the environment but health related issues that follow.

As the pageant builds momentum, the contestants were already sashed at a Gala Dinner and Sashing Ceremony held at the Aracari Hotel.

Miss Earth Guyana 2018 and her court will benefit from a prize package of over one million dollars in cash and other prizes. The coronation night is scheduled for April 28th, 2018.

Vying for the title of Miss Earth 2018 are Xamiera Kippins, Prudence Lam, Luann OnikaRay Pellew, Merissa Garraway, Anita Baker, Gabriella Chapman, Oriana Castello, Akisha Payne and Anasa Williams.

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he Promenade Gardens will be in full bloom today, as the second annual Kids Fest 592 kicks off. This event is one of many activities being staged countrywide for Easter 2018 celebrations.

According to the Director at AOne events and the founder of Kids Fest 592, Ms. Natalya Thomas, the highly anticipated activity, is geared towards promoting the country’s cultural diversity through music, dance, fashion and games. In addition, it provides the perfect opportunity for the children to express themselves and to explore their interests and passion.

While there are many activities to look forward

Families enjoying Kids Fest 592 last year

to, for both kids and their parents, the event’s main attraction is the grand Princess Pageant; the delegates in each category will be competing in talent, theme wear (Easter) and Formal Wear. Each group will have an overall Queen and runner up.

Of the 16 contestants, seven will participate in the 4-6 age category; six in the 7-11 age category and two in the 12-15 age category.

“Our main attraction is the Miss Kids fest

592 pageant, and our theme concept is Alice in Wonderland. There will be vending, games, puppet show, bouncy castles and much more.

However, the special aspect will definitely have to be that we have 16 beautiful girls in the pageant. We will also be having a tea party every half an hour for the event.”

Ms. Thomas explained during an interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

Special awards will be given in each age group for Best Dress, Best personality and Most Creative. The winner will also receive trophies and medals in each category. There will also be an award for most

Photogenic.

The delegates will be judged in personality, performance, smile, confidence, dress, grooming, stages presence, modeling ability overall presentation and spirit, the Organiser added.

She emphasised too that the concept is to bring the children’s wildest imaginations to life.

Kids and their families will also have the chance to participate in many other activities including face painting, clown

There are many activities for the entire family to enjoy

show, can- d y land, bouncy castles, magic shows, Disney characters, and the talent show, which aims to nurture character and build confidence.

Kids Fest 592 is the brainchild of

Natalya Thomas of ‘A One Events’ and Nadia Thomas of Duo Collection. The duo recognised the importance of the family to community development. Added to this, they also saw the need for quality children’s entertainment and activities; consequently they worked with a va-

riety of quality children’s brands and entertainment companies to bring this large outdoor festival to reality. Now in its second year, the activity continues to foster relationship building, it encourages the children’s creativity and provides wholesome entertainment for the en-

tire family.

Given the benefits of such an activity, Ms. Thomas used the opportunity to encourage families to visit the Promenade Gardens today. She said, “I would say use this opportunity to come out and have fun with your family for a day of exciting activities.”

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Eldorado Offshore trains twenty for Guyana’s Oil and Gas industry

I

n an effort to boost the capacity of Guyanese in the Oil and Gas sector, Eldorado Offshore offered yet another training course for persons interested in becoming employed in offshore rigging.

The Marine Rigors training will cover the topic of health and safety along with rigging.

The exercise is being conducted by Edison Chouest Offshore, an offshore support company whose objective is to educate and train marine rigging individuals.

Quality Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) Coordinator, Eldon Thompson explained that “it’s a basic reading course to work on board our vessels.

The guys will be exposed to training, rigging, the correct way, and be exposed to our vessels and the safest way to do things. We are doing the theoretical work here and then go to the shipyard down in Houston to do practical work so they will be exposed to actually doing it in the field.”

The training runs for two days and upon completion, the participants will receive a certificate of training.

Health and Safety Executive Officer of El Dorado Offshore, Ann Baron highlighted the purpose noting that once trained, they will be recognised on board the vessels for these safety initiatives learnt.

“As we’re here to-

Some of the persons benefitting from the training

day we’re providing a new batch of trainees for rigging services on the Edison Chouest vessel.

On the vessel, they are being recognised by safety initiatives given that

they are safety conscious on board. What we look for is safety within the vessel, they must know because we want everybody to go on board and return safely without

any injuries.”

Potential employees present noted that they enjoy the challenge of learning more about oil and gas and the experience is one that they

would enjoy since more doors are being opened.

This is the fourth class conducted by the company over the last year.

The aim is to qualify Guyanese in an effort to be involved in the oil and gas sector and work on board the vessels coming into Guyana.

El Dorado Offshore has previously facilitated training for 16 deck hands to work on existing and future rigging operations, 16 candidates from the Carnegie School of Home Economics trained in Offshore Catering and Hospitality Techniques, and 4 Government Technical Institute graduates in oil and gas industry training.

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Scores of Guyanese turned up at the seawall, despite it being contaminated, in Georgetown for the traditional kite flying

The clear skies on Monday afternoon allowed families on the East Coast of Demerara to line the seawall at Ogle

One of the many families who opted for an Easter Day pinic at the Joe Vieira Park on the West Bank of Demerara

Persons lined the beaches along the Essequibo Coast in the afternoon

uyanese from all walks of life turned out in their numbers on Monday to celebrate the resurrection of Christ or Easter as it is commonly known.

Despite the heavy downpours in the early morning hours which enveloped almost the entire country, the midday and afternoon hours breathed life into the popular areas where hundreds of kite lovers turned up to celebrate Easter 2018. While some were interested in showcasing their one-of-a-kind designs, others were there just to get a glimpse of the heart-warming spectacle and kaleidoscope of colours.

At the seawall, along which the Atlantic waves break on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), many kite lovers took advantage of the prevailing ocean breezes to display their magnificent creations.

Very popular this year was the bird kite which was capable of enduring the light showers in the latter part of the day. Some also took the liberty of introducing prevalent Soca music to the festivities, which resounded with those in attendance, making them even livelier.

Noel Holder, a spectator who came out to witness the celebrations, related to Guyana Times that the holiday was indeed a great one.

“We came out in the afternoon after the rain and it was a great one this year,” he revealed.

At the National Park and the Joe Vieira Park, the atmosphere was more of a family-oriented one as many engaged in picnics and other family-filled experiences in keeping with the Easter theme.

Children, all decked out in their festive outfits, accompanied their parents to learn the techniques used in flying kites.

A vendor at the National Park, who used the holiday as an opportunity to further his livelihood, noted that there was a reasonably good turnout of individuals this year.

“Throughout the rain, we see people stepping in and more will step in later. It hasn’t been that bad.

It was a good turnout,” he stated.

Meanwhile, in Linden, the constant morning showers also threatened to put a damper on the Easter observances in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), but, nevertheless, Lindeners came out in their numbers at various locations to participate in the annual kite flying and fun activities.

As the weather improved by mid- afternoon, children, along with their families and friends, flocked the more popular areas for the kite-flying extravaganza.

Over at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground at Wismar, kite lovers took advantage of the light afternoon winds. Other side attractions and fun activities were also ever present, as families picnicked and listened to music which blared from large speakers.

This publication caught up with a few Lindeners who shared their experience.

"The Easter wasn't bad, although we had rain. People still come out and bring out their kids to fly kite and enjoy the Easter. As for me, I bring out my two daughters to fly kite even though one of the bird kites didn't go up, they still had smiles on their faces," one woman remarked.

"I thought Easter would've been cancelled today, but the weather clear up good this afternoon. So, we're just going to enjoy and make the most of the rest of the day," Denisia Liddell told this newspaper.

As kites filled the clear afternoon skies, the famous "bird kite" also appeared to be the biggest attraction this year in Linden with popular cartoon character designs.

Guyana Times was, however, able to spot some unique designs, including the “I love Guyana” kite and a few unique 'box board' designs. Despite the morning showers, families were able to get together in the afternoon. As is customary, the holiday appeared to bring people together from all walks of life.

From the turnout this year, it was safe to say that the rain did not hinder the celebration of Easter the Guyanese way.

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Persons in Linden took advantage of the clear skies to get their kites up at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground in Wismar

Proudly showing off their larger-than-life kite

These kids showing off their kites in the National Park

The National Park was bustling on Monday afternoon despite the dark skies

National Cyclist Alanzo Greaves assisting his son with his kite

Persons lined the East Coast Seawall on Monday afternoon following a rainy morning

A family trying to get their kites up on the seawall on Monday afternoon

This little girl trying to catch a gust of wind to get her kite up

This family from Trinidad having an Easter campout in Guyana

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Oil exploration offshore T&T cops kill Barbados to start soon man beating

E

xploration of Barbados’ potential offshore petroleum resources is expected to begin within the next year.

Speaking in Trinidad at a regional symposium on Strengthening CARICOM Energy Collaboration, Minister with responsibility for Energy, Senator Darcy Boyce said that Barbados had successfully negotiated exploration licences for two blocks within BHP Billiton and had awarded another block to Repsol.

“BHP Billiton is now in the final stages of the EIA (Energy Information Administration) process, and once complete, we expect exploration to begin within the next year,” he disclosed.

Noting that Barbados had a substantial offshore petroleum acreage comprising more than 70,000 square kilometres, Senator Boyce said it was the intention of the Energy Division to continue to market the island’s offshore acreage internationally, with the hope of generating more

his mother

A Minister with responsibility for Energy, Senator Darcy Boyce

investment and exploration opportunities.

He further disclosed that, in consideration of the industry’s renewed interest in offshore deepwater exploration, particularly within the Caribbean region, it was Barbados’ intention to restart its licensing efforts within the next year.

He gave the assurance that as a tourist oriented country, great care was being taken in the pursuit of this initiative,

in order to ensure the preservation and protection of the coastal and marine environment.

“We have established a robust regulatory regime in terms of our offshore petroleum legislation and will continue to ensure that we learn from the experiences of other jurisdictions, and explore opportunities for developing stronger partnerships with our regional counterparts,” Boyce said.

In this regard,

the Energy Minister stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration with both the established and emerging offshore oil and gas jurisdictions within CARICOM, describing this as a critical step in charting a successful energy future. “The region is fast becoming a hotbed of activity due to its promising and largely untapped offshore petroleum potential and it is therefore imperative that we work closely together in building capacity and developing a collective resilience,” he said. (Caribbean360. com)

mentally challenged man found by police beating his elderly mother was shot dead by officers on Tuesday.

Collin Roopchand, 26, was shot once in the chest as he lunged at one of the officers with a knife, police said.

He died inside a bedroom of the family’s La Romaine home.

Neighbours reported loud screams at the house at around 5.30pm.

Two officers stationed at the San Fernando police station responded.

Police said as the officers pulled up at the house 61-year-old Pamela Roopchand ran outside.

The woman told officers her son was beating her and threatened to stab her with a knife.

She showed the officers bite marks on her arms and shoulder.

Police said the officers entered the home and pleaded with Roopchand to drop the weapon.

But he turned around and ran into a bedroom.

The officers followed, police said, and Roopchand threatened to stab them.

One of the officers fired a shot in the man’s direction. He was hit in the chest.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) paramedics arrived but Roopchand was dead.

His body was removed to the Forensic Science Centre in St James.

The Express was told that the officers involved in the shooting were traumatised and would receive counselling. (Trinidad Express)

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Deus ex machina…

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…in Guyanese elections eus ex machina – the god from the machine – was a device from ancient Greek theatre by which the god was lowered onto the stage by a crane to intervene in the goings-on there. Nowadays, it signals an author concocting an intervention to get him out of a contradiction in the plot, which is completely out of the blue. It can also happen in real life.

Recently, that data mining company, Cambridge Analytica (CA), has been in the news; more from the issue of Facebook – company from where data on 50,000 account holders in the US was collected – betraying its users who thought the data from their personal postings were safely sequestered away. CA is owned by SCL Elections, which hires itself out across the world to mine and manipulate social media for political and other interested organisations.

Back in February, when the story first broke, your jaded Eyewitness described how CA influenced the Kenyan elections, and asked, “And, dear reader, if data manipulation could affect the Kenyan elections, why should we be exempt??” Well, no newshound followed up here…but lo and behold…it was just announced that Guyana was one of the countries in which CA did its thing!! And immediately the three parties still standing — the PNC, PPP and AFC – all followed Shaggy and shouted, “Wasn’t me!!”

So, if it wasn’t the usual suspects, who did the dirty? Well, your Eyewitness will use the Sherlock Holmes test: “when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” The question, then, is: apart from the political parties – which other organisation used social media very heavily and got involved in elections??

And the answer, dear readers, is – the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC)!! You remember them and the young persons who led the organisation to their remarkable intervention in 2015 that led to the PPP being ousted from office, don’t you?? Well, if you don’t, that’s the point, isn’t it? Who was the deus ex machina that intervened to make a completely unknown bunch of young people burn like a supernova and then became a black hole in executing their most CA-like “Vote like a boss” campaign??

After they PARTNERED with GECOM to “educate voters”, they claimed: “GNYC is a legally registered and independent youth-led NGO established in September 2014 after a series of broad-based consultations with youth and youth serving entities.

While this was before the GNYC’s partnerships with its current donors (Cuso International and USAID LEAD project), the process was facilitated by the Commonwealth Youth Programme.”

Maybe it was a coincidence, but the group was formed just after the famous “feral blast” of July 4, 2014!!

…in seawall Police shootings

Your Eyewitness must confess he’s of the “hang ‘em high” school when it comes to applying justice to wrongdoers. But he must confess also that the “justice” part must first be applied. The “shoot first and ask questions later” approach just can’t work – if for no other reason that Justice being blind, has to HEAR testimony, since she can’t see what goes down.

And that’s what’s been going through his mind with this seawall shooting that just won’t go away.

At first he thought, “Good!! At last these withdrawal robberies will stop – just like the carjacking epidemic – now the gang’s been taken out.” But as details started to slowly trickle out, there were just too many gaps in the Police’s account. As is, it’s either there’s some kind of coverup going on – or a deus ex machina being invoked to explain the unresolved plot.

With Hughes bringing forward witnesses, there should be an impartial inquiry, so we can hear all the sides of the story.

…on kite flying

As a callow youth, your Eyewitness could never get the loop right for his home-made kite to stay up in the sky. Caused him no end of “tantalising”!

He’s happy for the deus ex machina keeping up his Chinese kites nowadays!!

Designer Vanda-Allicock- Calistro

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ears of experience in the clothing design business have not tempered Vanda-AllicockCalistro’s creativity, in fact, the local designer continues to grow from strength to strength. During an interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Ms. Calistro revealed that by harnessing her creativity, she was able to transform the lives of her family after the tragic passing of her sister. She explained, “After my sister died, her son started at Borrowes [School of Art] and we were financially challenged, so I started designing on shirts.” Her father, she added was her first customer.

Since that time, the 33 year old has participated in several local and

regional events. “Apart from fashion Week, I have participated in the Suriname Expo and a few local shows with Sonia Noel, mainly find raising activities,” she said.

Vanda recalled that she left her home in the Rupununi at the tender age of ten, when as the recipient of a scholarship, she moved to Georgetown. However, despite the transition, the designer never lost touch with her Indigenous roots. “I do fabric painting mostly and I try to capture indigenous aspects like the birds, trees and basket weaving,” she said.

For her, inspiration comes from customers’ appreciation of her designs which incorporate the various aspects of her culture. While she continues to build on her successes, Vanda has acknowledged that her journey has not been without its trials. “One of the biggest challenges has been finding a seamstress to get the product I wanted, which I use as a medium. It is a lot better now though,” she added.

Vanda credits her continued success to her persistence and the support she received from family and friends, including the Radziks, her nephew Nigel, Anna Isles , her seamstress and Sonia Noel. “I would tell anyone, do not to give up when you fail.

If you embrace failure there is something better on the other side; and remember to be kind to people,” She emphasised.

According to the local designer, she has grown as an artist over the years and she is looking forward to embracing the future. She said, “I had no idea in the beginning what I was going to do, at least now I have a fair idea; I am still learning.”

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One own’s drummer

By Ravi Dev

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ast Saturday was Ram Naumi, the celebration of the birthday of Sri Ram, the seventh incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu. I returned to my boyhood Mandir at Uitvlugt because it insists on following the prescribed time line of the sacred appearance of Ram at 12 noon precisely. It brought back memories of fervent debates as to how we could

practice Hinduism after what we would later understand as the “hegemonisation” imposed on us during the colonial period – and which was still glaringly obvious in the late 1960’s. The following is a reflection from 1993 published in SN. What has changed since?

The Hegemonisation of Hindu beliefs begin with the words Hindus now use to conceptualize their practices. Having been stripped of their language

in Guyana, most Hindus are forced to use English to both study and preach their faith. Two problems arise out of this. Firstly, and sadly, most of the translations of Hindu sacred texts [Shastras], and compilations of dictionaries were done by Christian missionaries, or those imbued by the ethos of Christianity. Consciously or unconsciously, their biases infuse their works.

Secondly, as we have mentioned before, all languag-

es, including English, have their own history and their words reflect and project that history.

We can begin by looking at the word “religion” which is substituted for Hinduism’s “Dharma”. In the history of the West, religion has come to encompass only a limited sphere of man’s existence.

They speak proudly of the separation of Church and State as if man’s activities can be so neatly compartmentalized.

They ignore the concrete facts such as Henry V11 and his tussle with the Pope, which helped to bring about such a dichotomy. Hinduism, which never had the problem of a Theocracy since Brahmins could not be Kings, had a holistic view of society and its governance. Hinduism would never condone the behaviour of those Hindus who never spoke out against the PNC dictatorship by sanctimoniously murmuring, “religion and politics could not mix”.

In fact every Hindu ruler had to have a religious preceptor, and the Nitishastras [texts elaborating the duties of rulers], religion, economics, and much more.

“Dharma” is a very wide concept and covers the gamut of man’s activities and possibilities …

Duties, laws, rights, morality, and truth are only

some of the words suggested. Dharma is both a way of life and a view of life; there is no facet of man’s existence that is untouched. Thus there is no separation between dharma and say, cosmology or philosophy. Dharma does not end with attending Sunday’s “service” in the mandir.

“Idol” rather than the Hindu word “murti” is another problem word.

Christians and Jews use it in the sense of a “false god” because in their history, their people actually worshipped specific images as Gods. Their conception of a “one God”, came out of a long and tortuous road as among other things, one tribe arose victorious over the other tribes and their god was made supreme. Hinduism never had this problem since in its earliest conceptions of God, images were never used.

In their earliest text, Rig Veda, there is no mention of images used in worship. It is only used much later, when in an effort to explain the lofty Vedic conception, that stylized images were utilized for the masses.

These images were always seen as representations of a deeper reality, never as the reality.

The map was never confused with the territory.

For example, to convey the concept that God was

infinite, Vishnu, whose name means “pervader of the universe” is always painted blue to symbolize infinity because the common man could analogise the blue sky which he saw every day and knew was infinite. In their minds many Hindus, accepting the word “idols” are a bit sheepish about their faith’s “strange murtis”.

There are so many other words which dominate Hindu thought but instead of conveying Hindu thought, distort and subvert it – evil, heaven, hell, demon, sin etc. etc.

We will conclude this section by briefly looking at the word “God”, which is at the center of religious thought. Because of the hegemony of Christian thought in Guyana most Hindus “see” God as some old bearded man floating somewhere “up there”.

The notion of a Nirgun Brahman, of a God beyond human categories of space, time, qualities etc, is rare. The notion that it is only our need to conceptualize that creates an Ishvar or personalized God is little appreciated.

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PM Nagamootoo returns home after successful heart surgery in US P rime Minister M o s e s Nagamootoo is back home after spending several weeks in the United States of America (USA) recuperating following a successful heart bypass surgery.

The Prime Minister accompanied by his wife, Mrs Sita Nagamootoo and his eldest daughter, Maria Nagamootoo arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at 07:10hrs on Thursday to a warm welcome from several government ministers including Minister of

Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and Member of Parliament, Michael Carrington and wellwishers, according to a report from the Department of Public Information (DPI).

In February, a routine medical examination done in Guyana revealed that the Prime Minister had some cardiac issues and had to undergo the heart bypass surgery at a medical institution in the USA. Following the successful surgery, he spent recovery time at his family’s residence.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamooto, his daughter Maria Nagamootoo (left) and wife Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo entering the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) VIP Lounge, along with AFC General Secretary, Marlon Williams (right)

T&T National Security Minister: ‘NY Judge finds I did no wrong’ to be Piper’s signature and the elderly man denied ever executing such documents and denied any recollection of the transaction.”

‘Allegations not true’ Dillon said last month that reports that

he has been charged or convicted for fraud are untrue and that his signature and that of his friend Neville Piper on property documents were notarised.

He said that allegations of fraud levelled against him continue

to be heard in the New York Supreme Court.

In a release, Dillon took issue with what he deemed to be several “erroneous and libellous” statements about him regarding these civil proceedings.

(Trinidad Express)

‘Do not let excitement about oil deflect us from the attention to Agriculture’

…warns UG Vice Chancellor

V

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon (second from right) accompanied by his family members and attorney Ernest Wilson outside the Court.

Source: Ministry of National Security (Trinidad Express photo)

N

ational Security M i n i s t e r Edmund Dillon has issued a statement saying he is pleased to report, that the Court Proceeding in the United States, with respect to his friend Neville Piper, “has been fully and effectively resolved”.

Dillon stated that presiding Justice Laura Visitacion-Lewis moved the proceeding out of open court and into Chambers.

According to Dillon, the judge ordered that the record of the proceeding be sealed and restricted, all parties interested in the proceeding from making any public state-

ments, save and except, that there has been no finding of wrongdoing against Dillon.

Dillon left Trinidad and Tobago on Monday for a civil court hearing in New York expected to take place this morning (Thursday).

The hearing involved the guardianship and property hearing of 88-year-old Neville Piper.

Piper’s niece alleges in court documents filed a few months ago that her uncle had been the victim of elder financial abuse, exploitation and fraud.

For more than seven months, Dillon has been visiting the Uni­ ted States to attend the

US Supreme Court civil matter in which allegations of fraud have been levelled against him.

US civil court documents alleged Dillon attempted to defraud Piper of his money and his Manhattan condominium sometime last year.

An order filed by his attorneys claims that Piper, an alleged incapacitated person (AIP), transferred 50 per cent of his condominium located at 301 Cathedral Parkway, Uptown Manhattan, to Edmund Dillon.

The document said, “The purported signature of Piper on the deed and transfer documents does not appear

ice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana (UG), Professor Ivelaw Griffith has urged that Guyanese not lose sight of the important role agriculture continues to play, even as the oil and gas sector comes to the fore.

According to a DPI release, he made the comment recently while indicating the university’s plan to inaugurate a pilot Institute of Food and Nutrition and Security.

The University of Guyana has organised a feasibility team to seek out the possibility of establishing the institute and has already received a US$50,000 grant from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to aid the initiative.

The team includes a Guyanese Chemist and Vincentian Biochemist.

According to Professor Griffith, the University is hoping to be able to inaugurate the Institute on World Food day, in October of this year.

The Vice-Chancellor

Professor Ivelaw Griffith

said the University is continuing its investment in the Agriculture sector since it sees it as relevant and will continue to be even after oil is gone. “We have to be true to ourselves and remember that we are at heart an agricultural nation and so we cannot let the excitement about oil deflect us from the attention to Agriculture.”

While the university is also preparing to meet the oil and gas sec-

tor, the professor said, it is paying equal attention to agriculture.

“We need to do better at agriculture and forestry and while oil is important, agriculture is just as important. Not just for Guyana, but for the capabilities that we have for the Caribbean and some parts of South America…We are looking to not only lift our boats on oil and gas but on agriculture as well,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

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46

Yale 2022

By Ashley Anthony

A

fter months of college applications, the verdict is in! As of September, I’ll be joining the Yale class of 2022. A lot of people have wished me congratulations, and quite a few have come with numerous questions. Although I’m no expert, I’ll try my best to answer the most commonly asked questions, but keep in mind this is only one perspective!

Are you the first Guyanese to go to Yale?

I’m not actually sure about the answer to this one. A few years ago, a Guyanese born young woman, Kelly Hyles made headlines for getting into all of the Ivy League schools.

Although born in Guyana, Hyles moved to the United States at the age of 11, and completed her high school education there. However, Hyles ultimately decided to head to Harvard. I’ve been reading as much as I can online, trying to spot some Guyanese alumni, but so far I have come up blank.

However, I will definitely make it a mission of mine to get involved with the international community at Yale, so that I can perhaps check through the records.

Keep in mind though, the records

S

will be reflective of the people who got accepted to Yale and then proceeded to attend the school, and would exclude those who were accepted but ultimately decided to attend another university.

What was the application process like?

Although in previous articles I’ve spoken a bit about the process, I don’t think I’ve gone into much detail.

Personally, I used the common application platform, which allows you to apply up to 20 schools. Most schools require that you submit several essays; the first is the general essay, which is part of the common application, and the rest are school specific so that the school can better understand the type of person you are. Each school will have different requirements; for example, Yale had three mandatory short essays in addition to the common app essay, whilst Harvard had one optional long essay in addition to the common app essay.

Other than you speaking about yourself, you also have to get other people to speak about you! Nearly every college will require a recommendation from at least two teachers. I believe that the essays and recommendations are the plac-

atiricus was feeling quite chipper! And why not?

With two holidays coming up – Good Friday and Easter Monday – making it that most valued US “four day weekend” what could be better? He and the fellas had honed their plans for the holidays to a science over the years. As he entered the Back Street Bar, he thought about his usual job to provide the “Bunjal Duck” and how duck prices were skyrocketing at this time of the year as usual.

“Hey Sato!!” exclaimed Hari, as he spied Satiticus. “Why so glum, chum?”

“Nothing really. I was just thinking about preparing my special Bunjal Duck,” Satiricus explained. “And how prices are jumping up!”

“Budday, w’ateva yuh do, na cut back!” exclaimed Cappo, as

es where you can really distinguish yourself from other candidates.

Essays and recommendations shouldn’t simply list your achievements; they should tell a story. They should share a bit of your personality, be unique, and I think above all, be an honest assessment. Colleges receive thousands of applications that it’s nearly impossible to read each in detail, so you really have to stand out to make an impression.

Most students, after submitting the application will attempt to schedule an interview.

Interviews or visits to the campus indicate your dedication and sincere interest in the University. Sometimes, though, these may be impossible due to cost.

I wouldn’t place too much emphasis on doing an interview, as I only interviewed for one place (virtually), and I wasn’t accepted.

I don’t feel as though I’m good enough, should I even bother applying?

Yes. You definitely should. Although Ivy League schools will have a certain academic standard if you are within their general accepted range, I’d say go for it. But be prepared to deal with rejection. Despite getting into Yale, there are many schools I

WEEK ENDING APRIL 8, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

…Venezuelan eye-pass

didn’t get into, even a few that aren’t highly ranked! Each college is looking for a different kind of student. The admissions officers are seeking to build a class of people with particular traits, and what might seem attractive to one group of admissions officers might not be to another. You never know what will happen. When I applied to Yale I thought, “An acceptance rate of six per cent? I have to be better than 94 people out of 100”. Yet I was accepted there, but denied at places with acceptance rates of 15 per cent and 33 per cent.

The point is, more than likely, the college that does accept you will be one that believes you will mix well with their community, and that’s not a bad thing.

A great academic education is wonderful, but it means nothing if you’re getting it in a place that makes you uncomfortable, anxious and depressed.

All of this being said, I’m incredibly excited to be attending Yale, and I hope to be able to give an inside perspective of what an Ivy League school is actually like.

Abusing power and Bunjal Duck

he passed a beer to Satiricus.

“Las’ year abee run out, rememba?”

“Abee na run out!” retorted his pal Bungi. “You run the Bunjal Duck out!!”

“OK fellas, I’ll take care of things,” assured Satiricus. “So what’s new?”

“Nothing new,” Hari assured him. “Your leader Nagga Man up to his old tricks all the way from the States!”

“I thought we’re going to finalise our Easter plans,” said Satiricus in alarm.

“Well…ah you aks wha’ new!” chuckled Cappo.

“Suh wha’ Nagga Man do dis time,” asked Bungi, as he turned away from the worried Satiricus to face Hari.

“Mouth open and story jump out,” reported Hari. “The WAPA fella said on TV it was Nagga

Breaking…

W

Man shill who carry news on the Chronic Editor!”

“So it wasn’t Nagga Man himself who did the dirty,” exclaimed Satiricus in relief. “Just the water boy!!”

“Sato, na t’ink abee schupid!” said Cappo a bit exasperatedly.

“De wata bai jus’ carry de news.”

“It was a senior Minister who instructed the poor editor,” said Hari. “And you know the water boy can’t order a senior Minister.

“Gat to be Nagga Man!” said Bungi. “Rememba how ‘e seh somebody sen’ Joey tape?”

“Da can only be Wata Bai!” exclaimed Cappo. “’E mussee complain to Nagga Man about dem WAPA bais de same time!!”

“Can we get back to the Bunjal Duck fellas? said Satiricus desperately. “I’ll prepare double this year!!”

ell, as old people say, “boat gone a wata… cyaan turn back!” on the eye-pass the Venezuelans have been taking on us for fifty-six years after they claimed two-thirds of Guyana.

It was Feb 1962 when they told the UN that the 1899 Arbitral Award that fixed our border, was “null and void”. So its poetic justice that the UN Secretary General decided to send the controversy to the ICJ for a decision.

But not surprisingly, Maduro immediately announced Venezuela won’t be accepting the ICJ’s decision. Meaning, of course, he accepts Guyana’s case is so strong, Venezuela has no chance of coming away with even “a blade of grass”. Maybe with the US ban on our catfishes, we can send Maduro a spring cuirass?!!

So where does this leave us?? In a very strong position to use the upcoming ICJ’s decision as a springboard to remove the Venezuelan sword of Damocles from over our Essequibo forever. As some – including the Venezuelans – have said, the ICJ doesn’t have an enforcement mechanism to enforce its decisions. And countries like the US and Israel flouting its decision have set very bad precedents.

But that’s where real politik comes in. We just have to look at the origin of the controversy to see how we can end it. After US President Kennedy decided in Oct 1961 that Jagan was a Moscow-friendly communist, he immediately unleashed action on several fronts to head off a “second Cuba” in “his” Hemisphere.

Pressuring the Brits to change the electoral system to PR to allow the PNC-UF coalition was one arrow in his foreign policy quiver.

Another was put into play when he flew down to Venezuela in December 1961 to signal the US wouldn’t be displeased if the border controversy was reignited. So said…so done and the rest, as they say, is history. A very frustrating history in which Venezuela blocked the construction of a Hydro Power dam in the seventies that could’ve transformed our economy.

This time, however, the US is in our camp, not only because of the Exxon oil strike here, but because they want Maduro out so bad, it hurts!! And snuffing out the Venezuelan claim to Essequibo can go a long way in undercutting Maduro’s flagging legitimacy.

Secondly, we’ve got to take the lead of Burnham back in the seventies and rally the developing world to condemn the Venezuelan hypocrisy of pretending to be “progressive” when they’re willing to take candy (oil) from a baby (Guyana)!

It will help our case, of course, if the 2020 elections aren’t rigged – since this practice of Burnham’s undermined much of the good will he earned from progressive states.

…green?

President Granger was in Bartica over the weekend for the Bartica Regatta and he didn’t miss the opportunity to “big up” his boast about making Bartica into a “green town”. This was kicked off back in Dec 2015 when his environmental advisor announced plans for “a new landfill site for waste disposal; alternative energy supply for Bartica; including solar, green parks; capacity building for the green initiative; restoration of public spaces; a new government complex; a new commercial area; solar powered lighting; solar powering of government buildings; including schools, tree lining of all roads; construction of a modern stelling with a boardwalk for community recreation and tourist activities. After much huffing and puffing.”

But all Granger could mention in his “bigging up” was the new boardwalk and its solar panels!!

Nowhere to be seen was the 1.5G power produced by the promised solar farm. But not to worry…the President was able to “show” power!

His people had lugged the Wartsilla plant from Reg 2 to give Bartica power while he was there!!

…the oil contract?

Trotman swore the sky would fall if the oil contract was REGEGOTIATED. But he’s just declared he’s willing to BREAK ever the contract. He says he’ll visit the FPSO when he wants…never mind the contractually mandated 7-day notice!!

What a tough guy!!

news 47

WEEK ENDING APRIL 8, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Fairy tale…

T

Chef charged with murder of Linden businessman

…turned horror story

he Burnham dictatorship brought the economy and society down to its knees and forced Guyanese to become refugees in so many countries today we’re found in probably all of the 196 countries that make up the United Nations!! Quite a feat for a country whose population has never reached one million – but then maybe that’s exactly why!!

Another accomplishment of the PNC’s founder-leader that his present acolytes can boast about: Guyana – the amazing shrinking country!!

As a colony of Britain for centuries and ruled alongside the West Indian island-colonies, we had absolutely no contact with our continental neighbours that spoke Portuguese (Brazil on the South) Spanish (Venezuela on the West) and just a bit with Suriname on the East, which spoke Dutch. But with the Burnham implosion, about 50,000 Guyanese, mostly from Berbice ended up in Suriname, another 50,000 mostly from Essequibo went to Venezuela and maybe 15,000 to Brazil.

For folks to end up living among populations whose language were literally “Dutch” to them, is an indication of the desperation they faced during the Burnham dictatorship. But by sheer grit and determination, they not only survived but in many instances prevailed and ended up carving out decent lives for themselves and their children, who in many instances, were born in their new countries. Especially in Venezuela, they formed communities where they dominated and in fact created “Little Guyanas” there.

But today, with the social and economic implosion in Venezuela – caused ultimately by the same socialist utopian fantasies of Burnham here in Guyana – there is a steady stream of Guyanese returning from that country. This Government cannot wait for that stream to become a deluge before it takes actions to resettle these people who’re our sisters and brothers.

When Dominica was hit by that devastating hurricane, Maria, last year, President Granger made an admirable gesture when he offered them land in Guyana for them to resettle here. Isn’t it time he makes at least that offer to the Guyanese returning from Venezuela where they have lost all their possessions, houses, jobs and everything else just as effectively as if they were hit by Hurricane Maria?? To paraphrase Wedgewood’s cry for the oppressed slaves before their emancipation, are the returning Guyanese from Venezuela not our brothers and sisters like the Dominicans??

It is quite possible that many of these returnees have skills that can be of benefit to our country at this time. Take our incipient oil industry…surely there are a few Guyanese who have experience in the Venezuelan one. They should be tracked down and allowed to pass on their knowledge to us.

Unless, of course, the PNC-led Government doesn’t see them as part of its “constituency”??

…on molasses

How stupid does this Government think Guyanese are? After shuttering Enmore Estate – which had absorbed the LBI estate closed by the PPP Government – because they claimed production costs were several times the selling price for sugar – their Special Purpose Unit (SPU) suddenly did a volte face and announced they’d be hiring workers to cut canes in the fields, transport them to the reopened factory – TO MAKE MOLASSES for DDL!!!

Now let’s pick sense from nonsense. Canecutters are paid by the tons of cane they cut. Transportation costs would be higher because of the lesser tonnage shipped daily. A sugar factory’s reopening means absorbing practically all the old expenses. For molasses only, one process is cut – the centrifuge to separate the sugar crystals from the molasses. Four workers!!

Now if sugar at US$350/tonne and molasses US$93/tonne was a losing proposition…what was the selling price of the molasses – with all its sugar (at least three quarters!!) – to DDL to make the operation “profitable??

And DDL isn’t about to double its rum prices!!

…and Wicked Wizards at City Hall

So will Sherod Duncan crawl on his knees and apologise to Royston King as demanded?? Was Duncan’s vote on the Chronic firings not enough humble pie from the AFC to the PNC??

Nope!!

J

Dead: Romel Edison "Eddie" Gomes

ohn Caesar, a chef of Lot 227 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown, was on Wednesday charged and remanded to prison for the murder of 32-year-old Linden businessman, Romel Edison “Eddie” Gomes.

Thirty-five-year-old Caesar made his first court appearance before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court and was also charged for disorderly behaviour. The charge was instituted after he behaved in a disorderly manner in the said courtroom after the matter was called on Wednesday.

Additionally, Caesar was also sentenced to two years in prison in absentia after he was found guilty of a robbery committed at Lethem some time ago. It is alleged that on Monday, March 12, 2018, he inflicted injuries on Edison Gomes at his Lot 53 Wismar Housing Scheme, Wismar causing his death. After the matter was called, Caesar started yelling and behaving in a disorderly manner in the courtroom, which led to him being taken back downstairs to the prisoners’ holding cell.

The case was adjourned until May 2.

Caesar, who was the prime suspect in the murder case, was positively identified as an eyewitness after his arrest in the vicinity of Carmichael Street, Georgetown, last Wednesday. On the day of Gomes’ murder, Caesar was reportedly one of two persons seen at the home of the dead man. The businessman was reportedly heard arguing with Caesar and another man prior to his death.

It was reported that during the argument, a loud explosion was heard, and the suspects later fled the scene in Gomes’ motor car – PVV 2057 – which was parked in front of his shop. Gomes was later discovered in a pool of blood with his hands bound in front of him and a bandana tied around his mouth. He

Charged: John Caesar

was found with a suspected gunshot injury to his right temple, a small laceration on top of his head and another lacerated wound to the neck.

A post-mortem examination later gave his cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head. His car was recovered intact at One Mile, Wismar, Linden, the day after his murder. (Utamu Belle)

48 Bollywood

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Rani Mukerji on blackbuck poaching case: Manoj Bajpayee: My love will always be with Salman Khan Producing 'Missing' wasn’t a cakewalk H ichki actor Rani Mukerji says her love will always be with her Hello Brother co-star Salman Khan.

A court in Jodhpur will announce its verdict in the 1998 Kankani poaching case, involving superstar Salman Khan, on Thursday.

Asked to comment on it, Rani told the media, “I always say this, my love will always be with him.” Besides Salman, his Hum Saath-Saath Hai co-stars Sonali Bendre, Saif Ali Khan and Tabu were also accused of poaching blackbucks during the film’s shooting. The three actors were photographed at the Jodhpur airport on Wednesday afternoon.

Rani was seen at KidZania here to launch their new logo and to felicitate the winners of ‘Camlin- Hichki’ contest on Wednesday. On her association with KidZania, Rani said

that as a child, she never got the chance to visit the place but now she was looking forward to going with her two-year-old daughter Adira.

“As a kid when I was growing up in Mumbai, there were hardly any places like these. So I don’t remember going to one.

But today’s children are very

lucky that they have places like KidZania. This is my first experience here and I am enjoying it,” she said.

The actor has made her comeback with Hichki, which has received a promising response. Rani portrays the role of a school teacher Naina Mathur suffering from Tourette Syndrome. Helmed by Sidharth Malhotra the film is based on Brad Cohen’s autobiography Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had. The film which hit the cinema halls on March 23 is faring quite well at the box office.

Talking about the film’s success Rani said in a statement, “This box office validation gives me incredible confidence to continue my journey as a working mother who can aim to balance her professional and personal life to the T.” (Indian Express)

Nia Sharma to make her Bollywood debut with a Vikram Bhatt film

H

ere is good news for all Nia Sharma fans! We have seen the actor on the small screen and in Vikram Bhatt’s web series Twisted. And it seems that the director is really impressed with Nia as he has roped in the starlet for his upcoming Bollywood directorial.

A spokesperson said, “Vikram Bhatt has just begun planning his next film after the success of his OTT platform. The thriller mastermind has just signed Nia Sharma, the actress from the web series Twisted 2.

While details of the film are still being etched out, the actor and director will be coming together for their first full-length fea-

ture.”

The spokesperson also informed, “Vikram aims to make it different from anything he has made in the past. He wants to surprise audiences with not only the story but Nia’s look in the film.”

The male lead of the film

hasn’t been decided yet.

Nia Sharma will also be seen in the upcoming sequel of the hit series Twisted. Twisted 2 will tell the story of Aliya Mukherji who is framed in the murder of her boyfriend Vinod. The plot progresses with more turns and suspense than the first part.

A

ctor Manoj Bajpayee, who is gearing up for the release of his first production Missing, says that producing a film is a difficult task when you are also a lead actor in the movie.

Manoj was interacting with the media along with other stars Tabu and Mukul Abhyankar to promote Missing on Tuesday.

The actor has turned producer for the first time and spoke about his experience, “It was a difficult thing. I wouldn’t say it was a cakewalk because this was a job that I have never done before but the pressure of the film was taken by many capable people like line producers and executive producers.”

“However, at the end of the day, taking a final call was always in my hand and taking the right decision was a difficult task because on one day you are playing the lead role in the film and the next day when you are doing a scene the executive producer suddenly starts telling you about the problem he is facing and he doesn’t know which way to go.

“In that kind of circumstances when your mind is completely stuck in the role, you have to take a fantastic decision for the entire production,” he added. Manoj thanked his team members for being very considerate and cooperative.

“I am happy that the experience was fulfilling not only as an actor but also as

a producer. It was only possible because people like Tabuji, Mukul Abhyankar and Anu Kapoor, all of these people were very considerate, cooperative and at times taking the responsibility as well.”

Manoj has played many memorable characters in his career in films like Satya, Gangs Of Wasseypur, Aligarh and Kaun. Asked which character is closest to his heart, Manoj said, “There are many… but I think the character from Missing is one of them and I am not saying this because I am doing promotion of (the film).”

Missing is a psychological thriller which plays on the theme, ‘nothing is what it seems’. The film is presented by Abundantia and Neeraj Pandey in association with Sri Adhikari Brothers, Anand Pandit Motion Pictures & Manoj Bajpayee Productions, and is written and directed by Mukul Abhyankar.

It will hit the screens on Friday. (Indian Express)

Aishwarya Rai dotes on Aaradhya Bachchan: Here’s everything the actor has to say about her daughter

B

ollywood actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has embraced motherhood like a pro. Be it accompanying her daughter Aaradhya to school or taking the toddler to an international film festival, Aishwarya has perfected the art of balancing her professional and personal life. So how does she do it all? Here is everything that Aishwarya has had to say about Aaradhya in her previous interviews: How does she handle it?

In a recent interview with Vogue where Aishwarya was the cover girl along with international singer Pharell Williams, she shared how it is all about perspective. “If you believe you’re tired, you will be, so I choose to find pleasure in the moment and experience the present for what it is. I’m a firm believer of the state of the mind, and that’s the means to keep your head above a high

level of water, every day.”

Aishwarya also added how this is one of the golden lessons she is trying to bestow on her daughter too. “That’s something I’m imparting to Aaradhya—that B-positive is not just a blood group and that everything in life is a learning curve. Experience life in the moment, because you’re going to have to live with your experience,” she tells Vogue.

The struggle is real But like every other modern mother, the struggle for Aishwarya is very real. She remarked how the common perception is that since she is a celebrity, she must be equipped with “an army of help” but that is so not the case. Aishwarya quipped, “It’s busy! In the superlative. I spend all my time with Aaradhya, and I have one nanny, by choice. I read comments saying, “Ah, she must have an army of help” and I understand the per-

ception, but I choose this way, which means life is always busy. I respect homemakers for the endless work they do.”

Ensuring a ‘normal’ childhood With the kind of attention that celebrity kids are conferred with these days, it is nearly impossible for parents to ensure a normal upbringing for their child. Heady of the fact, Aishwarya told Hindustan Times in a previous interview

how she tries to be a very normal mother with Aaradhya throughout.

She said, “I have gone with her everywhere. I go to her school every day. I have done normal things with her like taken her to the park, visited temples, gone to the supermarket etc., so that she understands what ‘normal normal’ is and what social excitement is.”

Aaradhya’s reaction?

While it is definitely difficult for celebrities

to deal with the endless paparazzi, it is equally tough for star-kids. On being asked if Aaradhya realises the kind of attention she gets from the media, Aishwarya pointed out how she is just a child and how she can’t casually say that she understands it. But she also added how she would like to believe that Aaradhya does realise that it happens very sporadically. Aishwarya said, “I haven’t made a conversa-

tion out of it. But it can never be normal as there is nothing normal about it. Aaradhya has seen it since she was a baby, while I was exposed to it only in my twenties. Is it normal to her? I don’t know. It can’t be normal to see human beings behave strangely. But also it’s not like she woke up one day and experienced it. She has seen crowds outside our gates, media outside the airports and I would like to believe that she realises that it happens sporadically.”

Her special message In an interview to Femina, when Aishwarya was asked if there is a special message that she would like to leave with her daughter, she said, “Aaradhya is god’s child, her own person, a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious soul. I’m blessed to have her as my daughter.

All I’d like to say to her is that she can make and do what she wants with her life.” (Indian Express)

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Dwayne Johnson on depression: Don’t be afraid to open up, you’re not alone H ollywood star and former WWE player Dwayne The Rock Johnson recently opened up about his battle with depression. The actor said that he went through some seriously dark phases in his life, and things had become so terrible at a point that he wanted to take his own life.

“Struggle and pain is real. I was devastated and depressed. I reached a point where I didn’t want to do a thing or go anywhere. I was

crying constantly,” the Rampage star told express.co.uk.”

Johnson received an overwhelming support

and love from his fans for opening up about depression. The actor took to Twitter to share the love with a post that

read, “Got tons of responses to this. Thank you. We all go thru the sludge and depression never discriminates.

Took me a long time to realize it but the key is to not be afraid to open up. Especially us dudes have a tendency to keep it in. You’re not alone.”

The fact that Johnson had undergone depression surfaced when the star responded to a fan who had written about his war with depression.

Johnson then proceeded to tell the fan that he

himself has been at the receiving end of depression more than once.

The actor revealed that witnessing his mother trying to commit suicide after they were evicted from their apartment really hit him hard. Johnson was only 15 years old when the incident had happened.

Later when he wanted to pursue football professionally, his dreams were smashed to smithereens after he received injuries that stopped him from reaching his

ultimate goal.

Talking about his mother, he said that she is past the unfortunate incident and most likely remembers nothing about it. The actor also said that it is probably for the best that she doesn’t.

“What’s crazy about that suicide attempt is that to this day, she has no recollection of it whatsoever.

Probably best she doesn’t”, CNN quoted Johnson as saying. (Indian Express)

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan call it Arnold Schwarzenegger tweets quits after almost nine years of marriage “I’m back” after heart surgery

A

A

fter nearly nine years of marriage, Channing Tatum and wife Jenna Dewan Tatum say they have decided to “lovingly separate as a couple.” The couple broke the news in a joint Twitter post on Monday night, saying there are no salacious details behind the split.

They say they are best friends who have decided their relationship has run its course.

“We have lovingly chosen to separate as a couple,” they wrote in a joint statement released on Tuesday.

“We fell deeply in love so many years ago and have had a magical journey together. Absolutely nothing has changed about how much we love one another, but love is a beautiful adventure that is taking us on different paths for now.”

“There are no secrets nor salacious events at the root of our decision — just two best-friends realizing it’s time to take some space and help each other

live the most joyous, fulfilled lives as possible,” the statement continued.

The two had met on the set of the 2006 dance movie Step Up and married three years later.

They have a 4-year-old daughter named Everly.

“We are still a family and will always be loving dedicated parents to Everly.

We won’t be commenting beyond this, and we thank you all in advance for respecting our family’s privacy. Sending lots of love to everyone, Chan & Jenna.” they added in their statement. Tatum has starred in box office

hits like Magic Mike and 21 Jump Street.

Earlier this year, in an interview to Health Magazine, Jenna talked about the public perception that she and Tatum led the “perfect life.” She said, “When people say you guys have such a perfect life, I want to scream and tell them no one’s perfect. I think there are such things as great fits. It is a great fit as long as you are growing together, and I think up until this point we’ve really grown together. Even if one starts to grow, the other catches up and vice versa.” (Indian Express)

rnold Schwarzenegger underwent a heart procedure on March 29. The procedure was successful and according to his spokesman Daniel Ketchell, the actor was in a stable condition the next day.

Ketchell had then tweeted saying, “@Schwarzenegger is awake and his first words were actually “I’m back”, so he is in good spirits.”

Arnold is feeling better now as he took to Twitter repeating his iconic dialogue, “I’m back.”

Schwarzenegger tweeted, “It’s true: I’m back! I went to sleep expecting to wake up with a small incision and woke up with a big one – but guess what? I woke up, and that’s something to be thankful for.

Thank you to the doctors & nurses.

And I’m truly filled with gratitude for all of the kind messages.”

The operation was necessary to replace a valve that had originally been installed in 1997 for a congenital heart defect. Schwarzenegger opted for a less-invasive catheter valve replacement procedure.

Spokesman Ketchell had earlier said that an open-heart surgery team was ready during the procedure but also insisted that their presence wasn’t unusual in such

circumstances.

In addition to his heart ailments, Schwarzenegger had a motorcycle crash in 2001 that left him with several broken ribs. He’s had a hip replaced and had rotator cuff surgery in 2003. A 2006 skiing accident broke his right femur, an injury that required a complicated surgery to repair.

Schwarzenegger was a bodybuilding star before turning to movies. His career as an action hero took off with the box-office hit Conan the Barbarian in 1982. His role in the Terminator in 1984 propelled him into box-office superstardom. (With inputs from AP)

‘Our aim is to ensure freedom of choice for artists and filmmakers’: Christopher Nolan

D

uring their Mumbai visit, filmmaker Christopher Nolan and his sons explored the nook and cranny of Chor Bazaar looking for photochemical films and ended up picking a Super 8 camera at the throwaway price of Rs 1,000. Nolan, considered to be one of the most influential contemporary directors, nurses a special love for the camera, which he started using at the age of seven to make short movies. Yet, he strongly argues that his love for celluloid film and the cameras that use them should not be seen as “nostalgia”.

“Nostalgia is a term people use to dismiss other people’s passion, to put it in a box,” said Nolan during “Reframing the Future of Film”, a conversation held at Mumbai’s Tata Theatre on April 1 on the importance of photochemical film

and the necessity of keeping it available as a medium for future generations of filmmakers.

Sharing his experience of interacting with Hollywood producers, the filmmaker said most of them believe that, at the end of the day, it’s really about the story, and the medium of filming did not make a difference. “That sounds smart and sophisticated. But we don’t write radio plays, we don’t write novels. It’s a complete denial of the appeal of the medium (photochemical film),” the writer-director said at the ticketed event.

The 44-year-old filmmaker — known for the grand scale of his movies such as The Prestige (2006), The Dark Knight (2008) and Inception (2010) — is a staunch “cinema purist”. At a time when studios have stopped using film

prints and switched to digital medium, Nolan has shot all his movies on photochemical films.

Interstellar is shot on anamorphic 35mm and in IMAX while his latest movie, Dunkirk, was shot on largeformat film (70mm) using two

types of cameras. “I have been asked why I shoot on celluloid rather than video. There is always more money to be made in changing technology. There is always an economic imperative to bring in new technology. I don’t want tech to be the invasion. I want the filmmaker to be the invasion,” said Nolan, who teamed up with visual artist Tacita Dean for “Reframing the Future of Film”. Their events in India were presented by the Film Heritage Foundation.

Speaking about what made Dean and him join hands, Nolan said, “Medium specificity is a concept in the art world.

The institution has to respect the medium the artist chooses to work on, you cannot simply take a photo of a Picasso painting, stick to the wall and tell people they are seeing original work. Look at the history

of cinema and film restoration, you have to start applying that principle to the medium specificity.”

In March 2015, Dean and Nolan presented the introductory edition of “Reframing the Future of Film” at the Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles. “When we did the first talk, the struggle was to diffuse the misconception that it was a film-versus-digital conversation. I believe things have moved forward. People are beginning to understand our message, which is more about freedom of choice for artists and filmmakers,” said Nolan, and added, “We have to stand up to the idea that there’s a difference between something that’s shot and presented photochemically and something that’s done digitally.” (Indian Express)

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Inter-county U-19 to kick off on April 10 T

he Hand-inHand Insurance Company on Wednesday reengaged its commitment with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to host their annual Under-19 InterCounty Tournament.

The collaborative effort between the two entities is now in its third instalment, and seeks to identify and develop young talent across the country. The one-day and three-day competitions have produced exceptional talents over the years, many of whom were eventually selected for the West Indies Under- 19 squad.

Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Howard Cox noted that Hand-inHand was pleased to collaborate with the GCB and was looking forward to their continued partnership.

“We will continue to give our whole-hearted support to the GCB for this worthy cause,” Cox stated.

He went on to highlight that just two years ago the likes of Shimron Hetmyer and Kemo Paul benefited from the intercounty competition and they were now part of the senior West Indies’ One-day, Test and T20 teams.

Before receiving the cheque on behalf of the

Hand-in-Hand’s Howard Cox hands over the sponsorship cheque to GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie

GCB, Secretary Anand Sanasie spoke on the viability of the tournament and the importance of exposing players to both the long and short formats of the game. “The GCB would like to thank Hand-in-Hand for their continued support to the development of cricket, clearly Hand-in-Hand’s contribution has given the GCB an opportunity to provide the U-19s with an ideal preparation ground,” Sanasie stated.

The three-day tournament kicks off on April 10 at Everest Cricket Club Ground and will conclude on April 20.

The one-day competition runs from April 22 to April 28. The matches will be played at Everest, Lusignan, Tuschen and Georgetown Cricket Club Grounds.

West Indies U-19 players Ashmed Nedd and Joshua Persaud expressed gratitude for the hosting of the tournaments. They explained that the tournament was consistent with youth development and preparation for a larger cricket arena. “I think it’s a bigger stage than at the club level; this is a really good tournament in terms of developing youth players

and taking cricket as a career,” Persaud stated.

Meanwhile, Nedd was optimistic about his performance in the tournament this year, stating: “I’m looking to come out as the bowler with the most wickets; last year,

I came close, but I was beaten by just one wicket. I’m also hoping to get a few half centuries.”

Demerara, the reigning champions, will defend their title against Berbice, Essequibo and a Select U-17 team. The

U-17 team were placed in the competition in order to prepare them for their upcoming regional tournament. The county teams will later make up a National U-19 team who will defend their four-time title.

CONCACAF conducts Compliance and League Visit to Guyana

Bramble blitz helps Guyana secure Cheddi Jagan T20 title

Guyana All-Stars Captain Leon Johnson accepts the winning trophy from People's Progressive Party executive member Zulfikar Mustapha

N

ational wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble’s blazing knock helped the Guyana All-Stars seize the Cheddi Jagan T20 Centenary Cup, after romping to a four-wicket win over the Trinbago Titans last Saturday night.

In a low-scoring affair played under lights at the Albion Sports Complex Ground in Berbice, the Leon Johnson-led All-stars easily defended their turf from the Titans, paying ideal homage in the observance of the 100th birth anniversa-

ry of the late President of Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan.

The Titans of Trinidad were led by West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons, with tons of other talented players from the twin-island republic coming out to show their respect for the late Dr Jagan while putting on a show for the Berbice fans.

Led by a berserk 60 from left-hander Nicholas Pooran, who smashed five sixes, the Titans, who were at one point tottering at 39-7 halfway through their innings, managed to end on a respectable total of 118.

After not managing the lightning start they would have wanted, the Titans were forced to play a less attacking form of cricket, which saw them struggle to reach 30 within the power-play. Some tight bowling from the All-Stars ensured that the visitors would have to work hard for their runs.

continued on page 51

The opening ceremony was held at the Carrara Stadium

C

Gold Coast 2018 began with a vibrant and colourful Opening Ceremony

O N C A C A F Club Licensing Representative Alfredo Quiros wrapped up a visit to Guyana on Wednesday during which he conducted an inspection of the facilities of the Guyana Defence Force Football Club (GDF FC) prior to that club’s participation in the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield 2018 in April.

The two-day visit,

which was aimed at confirming that the GDF FC satisfies both the domestic and regional criteria of the club licensing process as outlined in the 2017 Club Licensing Seminar, also saw Quiros reviewing Guyana’s club licensing regulations, club licensing processes and the club administration checklist.

During the Licensing Representative’s visit, he was briefed on the GFF

Elite League and the discussions included the criteria for a professional league.

A Strengths, W e a k n e s s e s , Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis was also conducted.

Prior to his departure, Quiros paid a courtesy call on President Wayne Forde and also visited the Timehri Panthers, the youth arm of the GDF FC.

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GTTA names Squad for Caribbean Pre-Cadet C’ships

T

he newly elected executive committee of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) has named a squad with a view of selecting the final representatives for the 2018 Caribbean Pre Cadet Table Tennis Championships scheduled for the July 2018 in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic.

The squad, a very formidable and talented one includes the likes of 2016 Caribbean Cadet Champion Kaysan Ninvalle, 2017 ITTF Caribbean World Hopes qualifier selectee Krystian Sahadeo, Nkechi Mc Crae, Thuraia Thomas

– Caribbean Bronze medalist 2016, Dhanesh Persaud, Colin Wong and new and emerging talents Jasmine Bilingi, Akera Watson, Quanna Torrington, Samara Sukhai, Tatyanna Mohamed and Roseanna Sanders.

The others are Jonathan Van Lange, Alexander DeAbreu, Jonathan Cox, and Chase Outar.

The Caribbean Pre Cadet Table Tennis is a signature tournament on the GTTA calendar of activities since it forms the incubator and debut for development of young regional table tennis talent.

Of significance is

that the championships will be used to select the best two Caribbean 13-years and under and 11-years and under boys and girls to participate in the Latin American world hopes training and competition slated for later this year.

This would allow our players if selected to benefit from international training and exposure and if select as part of the Latin Hopes team be given training exposure and equipment to sport as an induction to the ITTF development program ITTF Hopes program; ITTF Rough Diamond ITTF with the Future in Mind.

Kaysan Ninvalle

Ninvalle secured selection for Hopes training camp in 2016 where he won bronze in the Latin America qualification and training event.

Sahadeo also secured qualification when he emerged second in the ITTF Hopes Caribbean training and qualification event in Jamaica

2017.

However, he was unable to attend the event due to visa constraints with Paraguay; Guyana other representative is Chelsea Edghill who secured Junior Olympian participation.

The GTTA has commenced the implementation of its national table tennis for schools’ program which is part of its plan to synchronize with the ITTF hopes programs.

The executive committee will be meeting with the parents, coaches and stakeholders to map out its plans for the team’s engagement at the championships.

'Don't enter IPL auction if you're afraid of being embarrassed' – Mills A

year is a long time in the world of a T20 freelance cricketer. Twelve months ago, Tymal Mills was gearing up for his first crack at sporting superstardom, after being snapped up

by Bangalore Royal Challengers for a whopping GBP1.4 million at the 2017 IPL auction - a true rags-to-riches tale for a player who had feared, due to a degenerative back condition, that he might be forced to retire before he had even reached his prime.

But now, Mills is back to being on the outside looking in where the IPL's concerned - he was snubbed at this year's auction after an underwhelming run of form for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash, and overlooked too in the draft for the Caribbean Premier League (although, as he later clarified on Twitter, a partial clash with his county commitments at Sussex meant he had never fully expected a gig).

But Mills insists he has no complaints about the way in which his life has reverted to the norm, or indeed about the process of the IPL auction itself - which has attracted criticism in some quarters, most notably from the chief executive of New Zealand's players' association, Heath Mills, that it is "undignified" and "cruel" to parade players like "cattle".

"It's a little bit tough, but don't put yourself in it if you're scared of being humiliated or embarrassed," Mills told ESPNcricinfo. "If you don't get picked. It's just the way it is. I've felt the good and the bad of the auction, I was obviously the belle of the ball last year and this year I

Tymal Mills celebrates a wicket (PCB/PSL)

wasn't involved. That's okay. We're all big boys and we have got take the rough with the smooth.

"It's not like that in any other league because there's not the money elsewhere that there is in the IPL," he added. "The only way to spread out that type of money is through the auction system, I think.

Obviously with other leagues, it's capped and there's less money involved so you can split it - you can do it in a draft and it's a bit more regimented - but with the money that the IPL generates and the passion and everything that India brings to cricket, it's just the way it is."

And Mills certainly has no reason to bite the hand that chose not to feed him this year. After all, it's not as if the vast sum of money that RCB coughed up for his services last year has gone up in smoke, KLF-style.

"I was very, very fortunate last year," Mills

said. "I invested it well, bought myself a property and all those nice things. I've definitely experienced both sides of the coin - obviously things couldn't have been better last year with the contract I was able to get, and obviously this year I didn't get one, so it works both ways, but I wasn't expecting to get one.

"Going into the auction I was in pretty bad form playing in the Big Bash, and how you perform leading up to the auction really determines how well you go or don't go - last year I had a really good series with England in India; this year bowled pretty poorly. I'm not upset about it or anything, it's just the way it goes. I'm still very happy with how my life is, still very fortunate, and I'll be ready to go if guys get injured or get international call-ups."

In the meantime, Mills' IPL mantle has been passed to his

Sussex team-mate, Jofra Archer, who was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for GBP800,000. And seeing as they were both playing for Hobart when the news from the auction landed, Mills has been on hand to pass on some of the lessons he learned about such a life-changing windfall.

"It's great for Jofra," Mills said. "We come from quite similar backgrounds, not overly well off, then you get given all this money and you don't quite know what to do with it. I saw at first-hand how good he was in the Big Bash, and as I was in the exact same situation 12 months ago, I've put him in touch with some people who helped me get stuff in order. I'm sure he'll be fine as well."

Mills was speaking at Hove during Sussex's pre-season media day, having just returned from Lahore where he was one of a contingent of English players who committed to taking part in the knock-out stages of the Pakistan Super League. And despite being eliminated

by Peshawar Zalmi in the semi-finals, his haul of 2 for 23 in three overs capped a personally sat-

isfactory campaign, and perhaps more importantly given his medical history, proved his ability to remain fit across back-to-back tournaments.

"I've had an up-anddown winter in terms of form and selection, but I have to be very grateful I'm still playing," he said. "Last year I struggled, I tore my hamstring three times and it was a real problem for me. So to get through back-to-back tournaments, even though I didn't bowl as well as I would have liked in the first half, that's a big plus for me, to stand here right now, in good shape and really looking forward to the English season."

And despite so much talk in the English offseason about the increasing divide between red-ball and white-ball cricket, Mills reiterated he was fully committed to playing for Sussex in this season's Blast, in spite of putting himself forward for the CPL which clashes with the latter stages of the competition.

"I'm fully committed to Sussex," he said, "They've treated me really well since I moved down here, but it's just

about being smart and having all bases covered.

"The way the CPL draft works, to be a replacement player you have to be in the draft in the first place. So if Sussex weren't to qualify for the knock-outs, I could then be available for over half of the CPL if there was an injury."

Overall, Mills believes that the specialist route that he was forced to take through injury, and that the likes of Alex Hales and Adil Rashid have since chosen, will be the exception rather than the rule for county cricket.

"Halesy and Rash have their England white-ball contracts, and they've still got contracts with their counties," he said. "If the worst comes to the worst and they don't get picked in a single league around the world, they are financially able to live. Whereas a guy here at Sussex who says he won't play red-ball anymore would be running a big risk.

"So I don't think it'll be that big a deal at domestic level, it's just whether the guys at the international level maybe decide to go down that route." (ESPNCricinfo)

Bramble blitz helps Guyana... from page 50 However, the pair of Pooran and Mark Deyal launched a counterattack for the Titans, adding 61 runs as the former West Indies U-19 player Pooran, flexed his muscles as he spanked a handful of sixes, some of which went out of the venue to end his innings unbeaten.

The bowling for the All-Stars was led by two

Ancient County men – Guyana Jaguars leftarm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who starred with 3-29 and hard-hitting fast-bowling all-rounder Romario Shepherd, who claimed 2-20.

Despite the fireworks earlier, Pooran’s knock ended up being in vain as the right-handed Bramble breezed to 42 from 27 when Guyana batted, sharing a 50 -run part-

nership with Sherfane Rutherford.

After the wicket-keeper narrowly missed out on a rapid 50, Johnson then capitalised on the blistering start as he saw his team over the line with 20 as they finished on 1196. Bramble, in the end, was named the Man of the Match for completing three catches with two stumpings and his top score.

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Smith, Bancroft will not challenge ball-tampering sanctions F

ormer Australia captain Steven Smith and Cameron Bancroft will not challenge their bans from international and domestic cricket, and their 12-month ban from leadership positions thereafter, imposed by Cricket Australia (CA) for their role in the balltampering incident in the Cape Town Test against South Africa.

"I would give anything to have this behind me and be back representing my country," Smith said on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon. "But I meant what I said about taking full responsibility as captain of the team. I won't be challenging the sanctions. They've been imposed by CA to send a strong message and I have accepted them."

Smith's acceptance of his 12-month ban means that he will be able to return to top-flight cricket only around April 2019,

Left: Cameron Bancroft and former Australia captain Steven Smith

about two months before the World Cup is due to begin in England.

Shortly after Smith's tweet, Bancroft followed suit, saying he too had accepted his nine-month ban. "Today I lodged the paperwork with Cricket Australia and will be accepting the sanction handed down," he said

on Twitter. "I would love to put this behind me and will do whatever it takes to earn back the trust of the Australian public. Thank you to all those who have sent messages of support.

The other banned player David Warner and has not yet announced whether he too

would accept his sanction, or take the matter to a hearing. Warner was banned from international and domestic cricket for 12 months and also banned from holding leadership positions in Australian cricket for life.

A day before Smith and Bancroft said they

would not be challenging the sanctions, the Australian Cricketers' Association had said the punishments were "disproportionate" to the gravity of the offence ball-tampering - and appealed to CA to reduce them.

The ball-tampering controversy that erupted on the third day of the Newlands Test, when Bancroft was caught on camera rubbing the ball with sandpaper, also led to Australia's coach Darren Lehmann resigning at the end of the Test series in South Africa. In the days after the incident, a CA investigation claimed that Warner had come up with the idea and got Bancroft to tamper with the ball, while Smith was in knowledge of the plan and did not prevent it.

Even before CA's investigation was complete, following the uproar from the public and the government in

Australia, the board had stood down Smith and Warner as captain and vice-captain ahead of the fourth day of the Cape Town Test.

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine was appointed captain, and Smith and Warner took the field under him as Australia lost the Test that day.

The three players involved were sent home ahead of the final Test in Johannesburg, but before they left South Africa, CA chief executive James Sutherland informed them of their sanctions. Smith and Bancroft held emotional press conferences during which they expressed extreme remorse as soon as they touched down in Sydney and Perth respectively on March 29.

Warner held his press conference on March 31 and also broke down while expressing regret over his conduct in South Africa. (ESPNcricinfo)

Criticism of Australia team culture out of proportion – Ponting T

he ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town is being seen as much more than just that. Australia's team culture has come under the scanner, with suggestions that such a fall was inevitable in a win-at-all-costs side.

Outgoing Australia coach Darren Lehmann even said New Zealand might be a good example to follow for on-field behaviour, and Cricket Australia ordered an independent review into the team culture.

However, former Australia captain and a possible candidate for the role of coach, Ricky Ponting, believes the talk about the team culture is out of proportion.

Ponting, currently in India as head coach of IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils, addressed the issue for the first time at a press conference on Thursday.

Ponting expressed shock at the events in Cape Town, and said the reaction from Cricket Australia was befitting.

However, he didn't necessarily feel the team culture had deteriorated drastically.

"The cultural issue for me is really an interesting thing because

Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Allan Border and Steve Waugh with the World Cup trophy Getty Images

if we wind the clock back to just a couple of months, when Australia won the Ashes like they did, there was no talk about cultural problems or issues whatsoever," Ponting said. "I honestly feel on this occasion the cultural stuff that's been spoken about has probably been blown out of proportion to a certain degree."

Ponting, however, did not play down what a big disappointment the ball-tampering incident was for him and the rest of Australia.

"As a past player and past captain, I was quite shocked to see what ac-

tually took place out on the field," he said. "The pleasing thing for me is that now it seems the issue is starting to come to an end. We hear this morning that David Warner also accepted his sanction, means all three guys have accepted the sanctions before them."

Ponting said the country was jolted by what they saw. "Look, when I was back at home a week and half ago, if you think it was big news over here, it was astronomical how big the issue was in Australia, and rightly so," he said.

"As Australians, we like to play the game hard,

we like to play the game fair. Our fans expect the Australian player to play that way. I think the reaction back in Australia was as big as it was because the Australian public felt the Australian players had not played the game in a fair way.

"It seems it's like coming to an end, it's a good thing for the game's sake, it's a good thing for the player's sake as well, that they can try and get away from it all now. As hard as that's going to be for them, it's also a good thing for cricket in Australia as well. Now that the Test series is

over, the guys have got a few weeks to get away from it all and then start rebuilding what has sort of collapsed for them over the last couple of weeks."

When asked how he would have reacted to the incident if he had been in a position to act, Ponting said it would be unfair for him to say, but did acknowledge that Cricket Australia's sanctions were pretty much necessary.

"There's a very big picture there for the world game's sake, and Cricket Australia, I think, have reacted to what the world game

pretty much demanded," he said. "The world game and the Australian public demanded that these players were dealt with and treated in a certain way.

"Now it would appear that 12-month bans would appear to be a very severe ban. If you go back to what the ICC sanction was: one-game ban for Smith and nothing for the other two.

You can understand the gap is vast between what the ICC deemed fair [and what CA handed out]. I wouldn't comment on what I would have done. It would be unfair." (ESPNCricinfo)

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Windies hover above 9th in Tests as Sri Lanka beckon L

ONDON, United Kingdom (CMC) — West Indies' upcoming series against Sri Lanka will be critical for the home side as they seek to avoid slumping to ninth in the ICC Test rankings.

West Indies will be hoping to make gains in the series against Sri Lanka.

In the latest rankings released on Wednesday, the Caribbean side were eighth on 72 points but just one point ahead of Bangladesh in ninth.

The Windies take on Sri Lanka in a three-Test series in June, and will need a positive result if they are to increase their points tally and make gains on seventh placed Pakistan on 88 points.

West Indies have had a torrid time in the longest format over the last year, winning just three of 10 matches. They have lost 12 of their last 20 Tests and won four.

Only last December, the Windies suffered a 2-0 whitewash in New Zealand, with both Tests ending inside four days.

West Indies will take

on Sri Lanka from June 6-27, starting at Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain before heading to the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia for the second Test, and wrapping up with a historic day/ night Test at Kensington

Oval in Bridgetown.

The hosts will hope history works in their favour as the Sri Lankans have never won a series in the Caribbean in three previous attempts, and have won just one Test in six.

India, meanwhile, top the Test rankings with 121 points with South Africa remaining second but gaining two points from their Test series win over Australia to move to 117.

New Zealand have

overtaken Australia to move into third on 102 points, following their series win over England.

ICC Test rankings 1 India 121 2 South Africa 117 3 New Zealand 102 4 Australia 102

5 England 97 6 Sri Lanka 95 7 Pakistan 88 8 Windies 72 9 Bangladesh 71 10 Zimbabwe 1 Members of the West Indies team.

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WEEK ENDING APRIL 8, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING APRIL 8, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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