Guyana chronicle new york edition 09 15 2017

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ISSUE No. 67

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2017

Storm rips 20 buildings in Linden Page 7

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Court throws out Nandlall’s injunction Page

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British visitor found hanging Page

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UG Turkeyen to have two convocations Page

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Middle-aged man gets four years for ‘ganja’ trafficking Photo showing the damage done to the buildings that were affected by the freak strom

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017

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FIFTY YEARS “PON DE PARKWAY” HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY WIADCA

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abor Day 2017 represented 50 years since Carlos Lezama, Rufus Goring and their happy band of Troubadours from Laventille decided to migrate from Harlem and hold their annual bacchanal “pon de Parkway.” Since then, the crowds have grown exponentially, and the bacchanal “pon de Parkway” has become the “greatest show on earth.” The West Indian Labor Day Carnival is undoubtedly the largest ethnic parade in North America. It is larger than the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Columbus Day Parade, the Pulaski Parade, the Puerto Rican Parade and the Dominican Parade. With the possible exception of the Brazilian Carnival, the Labor Day Carnival is the greatest cultural extravaganza in the world. It has even attracted more revelers than its parent — the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. It has also attracted more revelers than its other counterparts in the Diaspora — ‘Caribana’ in Canada and ‘Notting Hill Carnival’ in London. But Labor Day Carnival is more than a bacchanal. It is more than fun and frolic. It is more than a Brassfest. It is more than a Kiddies Carnival. It is more than Panorama. It is more than the Dimanche Gras. It is more than Calypso and Soca. It is more than Masquerade Bands. It is more than Jouvert. It is more than the Grand Parade on Labor Day. The West Indian Carnival is the largest tourist attraction in New York City. It is a catalyst for significant economic activity in the borough of Brooklyn, the City of New

York and the State of New York. The Lugano Group, which conducted a study of the Carnival in 2003, found that it attracted over 1,000,000 people from New York City, the suburbs of New York City,

New Jersey and Long Island, and other parts of the United States, Canada, the Caribbean Islands and the United Kingdom. These visitors generated an

expenditure of over $100,000,000 dollars in retail spending, transportation cost, local and foreign airline transportation, food and beverage expenditure, lodging and hotel accommodation costs and entertainment expenditure. The MTA estimated that there was an increase of over 150,000 subway fares that was attributable to the riders on the Labor Day weekend. The LaGuardia and JFK Airports estimated that there were

Labor Day On Eastern Parkway.

It was a real colorful affair (note the Guyana flag representing)

65,000 airline tickets that were attributable to visitors from Canada and the Caribbean Islands. New York State collected $7,438,000 in State tax revenues on the Labor Day weekend, and New York City collected $6,531,000 in New York City taxes. Even though the City and State of New York have collected millions of dollars from the West Indian Labor Day Carnival, New York City has only given back the abysmal amount of $50,000 to WAIDCA, whereas the New York State has not made any official donation to WAIDCA. On the other hand, the Province of Ottawa has given Caribana a subvention of $147,740, and the Canadian Federal Government in Ottawa has given Caribana a sub-

vention of $73,870. It should be remembered that both the City of New York and the State of New York generate more in revenues than the Canadian Federal Government in Ottawa. New York City generates annual revenues of $82.2 billion, and the State of New York generates annual revenues of $153 billion. Yet neither the State of New York or the City of New York has seen it fit to support the Carib-bean goose that lays the golden egg. by Colin A. Moore

WAIDCA consists of a group of cultural entrepreneurs who possess the passion and dedication to promote the Caribbean culture, but who are increasingly beleaguered by a wide array of financial challenges, which make it difficult for them to expand the Caribbean cultural footprint.

The events which lead up to Carnival day, such as the Reggae and Brassfest performances, no longer generate the revenues that they once did. The ban on alcohol sales on the parkway that was imposed by Mayor Giuliana has led to a dramatic decline in the number of vendors purchasing space on the parkway. With the possible exception of Healthfirst, the corporate sponsorship has declined, due largely to the lack of TV coverage of the Carnival events. There has been a decline in the number of steel bands competing in Panorama and the organizers of the masquerade bands have complained about the increasing cost of making costumes and their inability to raise the funds necessary to finance these events.

The unwillingness of the City and State to donate a subvention, is the final blow that will cripple the ability of the Carnival organizers to leave an indelible cultural footprint in the borough of Brooklyn. We call upon the Mayor of the City and the Governor of the State to step up to the plate, and to do what their counterparts in Canada have done. Donate a generous subvention to ensure the survival of the greatest show on earth. “Do not only talk the talk, but walk the walk.”

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 15, 2017

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CCJ bemoans backlogs, delays in Caribbean courts jurisprudence, and the extent to which we have fulfilled the expectations of helping to develop Caribbean jurisprudence, and during the last six years, I think we have done that,” he said. Sir Byron said over the

CCJ President Sir Charles Dennis Byron being interviewed

PRESIDENT of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Sir Charles Dennis Byron has said that while the CCJ has made significant strides, backlogs of cases in courts throughout the Region remain a major concern. “Everywhere I go in the Region, people complain of the delay in the process and the backlogs in the courts. And I have first-hand indication that many of these complaints are justified,” Sir Dennis told media operatives while at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday. He said the CCJ has not only raised these concerns, but provided the requisite solutions while setting the highest standards. “We have implemented the highest standards of case management and good practices. So I was able [to] say for example that in our court there is no backlog, that every case that was filed before the 1st June this year has already

been heard,” said the proud CCJ President. Additionally, he said the CCJ has done significant work in providing capacity development for its court systems in judicial education and training programmes. The quality of technology being used by the CCJ has also been improved. “I am formally committed to the view that the development of e-filing systems in the courts and increasing the use of case management supported by court technology programmes is essential,” he stated, while emphasising that the use of technology is key to a fair and efficient judicial service. Sir Byron is set to demit office next year, and though he did not share his future plans, he expressed a sense of satisfaction with the accomplishments achieved during his stewardship. “The reputation of a court to a large extent depends on the quality of its

Canada-bound man excretes 86 cocaine pellets

Some of the cocaine pellets excreted by the suspect

THE Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Tuesday pulled a Canada-bound man off a flight at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the man later excreted some 86 cocaine pellets. In a release, CANU said that Julius Fidel Watkins, 39, of 27 Second Street, Cummings Lodge, was Tuesday morning taken off a flight destined for Canada. CANU said the man was escorted to a city hospital where he was admitted, medically examined and released a total of 86 suspected cocaine-filled pellets. He is believed to have swallowed over 100 pellets.

last six years, a number of very important decisions were made, many of which have been highly accepted both in the academic and legal communities, regionally and internationally. He noted that al-

though only four countries – Guyana, Barbados, Belize, and Dominica – have accepted the CCJ as the final court of appeal, there has been a very wide range of important (continued issues that were brought

before the court and were adjudicated. “In addition to that, I think that the court has tried to set standards which could assist in improving the quality of justice in the Region,” on 16) Sirpage Byron added.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 15, 2017

President to head high-level delegation to UN General Assembly

PRESIDENT David Granger will lead a delegation to the 72nd Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 72) next week, on the sidelines of which high-level meetings will be held with Guyana’s bilateral partners from Eastern Europe, South-east Asia, Africa, the Pacific, the Caribbean and Latin America. Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Carl Greenidge; Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Audrey Waddell; Director of Multilateral and Global Affairs, Mr Troy Torrington; and Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow, are among officials expected to accompany President Granger to the UN confab in New York. The General Debate is slated to open on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at the UN Headquarters under the theme, “Focusing on People:

Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet”, with President Granger expected to deliver his address the following day.

ence of the Ministry’s Director-General and the Director of Multilateral and Global Affairs, Minister Greenidge said that in addition to the

Reform and Climate Change, a number of side events are also scheduled to discuss among other things, Gender and Women’s empowerment,

ings are scheduled to be held with countries from Eastern Europe, Africa, the Pacific, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Carl Greenidge (second left) briefing the press on Monday. With him are, from left, Public Diplomacy Officer, Mr Mark Murray; Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Audrey Waddell; and Director of Multilateral and Global Affairs, Mr Troy Torrington

Speaking during a press conference at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in the pres-

general debate, which will cover a range of topical issues such as terrorism, UN

energy and communicable diseases. Several bilateral meet-

Minister Greenidge noted that since 2015, the Government of Guyana has sought to

have more than just dialogue. “Since 2015, what we have sought to do is not simply to have the same dialogue with the same set of countries, but to ensure that we keep a conversation with countries where the dialogue is still relevant; where there are matters of urgency. We take into that circle additional countries with whom we may not have spoken to recently, or in the recent past or in cases where something new has arisen,” the Foreign Affairs Minister posited. He said that as such, meetings are expected to be held with countries such as Singapore, Peru and Chile. Additionally, Minister Greenidge said as usual there will be sessions covered by the Commonwealth to deal with matters of common interest such as border problems and preparations for next year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference to be held in the United Kingdom.

Spanish ambassador accredited

GUYANA looks forward to deepening its relations with the Kingdom of Spain in the areas of investment, trade and tourism, President David Granger said Wednesday. The President was at the time speaking after receiving Letters of Credence from His Excellency Javier Maria Carbajosa Sanchez, who has been accredited the new non-resident ambassador of

Spain to Guyana. The Head of State said too that the recent conclusion of the Agreement for the Reciprocal Elimination of Visas for Holders of Diplomatic Passports between the two countries is a demonstration of a strong commitment to improving bilateral relations. Speaking of bilateral cooperation, President Granger said Guyana’s petroleum industry has already attracted

Spain’s investment. “We anticipate increased involvement of Spanish companies in the oil-and-gas sector of our economy.” In terms of environmental protection, the President informed the ambassador that Guyana is moving towards establishing a ‘green state’ in which more focus will be placed on biodiversity preservation, the provision of eco-tourism and eco-educa-

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Ambassador Javier Maria Carbajosa Sanchez presenting his Letter of Credence to President David Granger in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge and Director-General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Audrey Waddell. (MoTP photo)

tional services, the promotion of renewable energy generation and the adoption of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation. In this regard, he noted that Guyana is “deeply impressed” and is “intensely interested” in Spain’s success at increasing energy generation from sustainable sources and looks forward to enhanced country-to-country cooperation in this area. Meanwhile, similar sentiments were expressed by Ambassador Sanchez, who said that his accreditation is not merely a formality that

is dictated by tradition but rather, a renewal of the will and determination of the two countries to the strengthening of friendship and cooperation. “Cooperation between our two countries can help forge global solutions to global challenges…. Spain has been focused traditionally, on the Spanish-speaking Caribbean; however, we have come to realise that there is much that Spain and Guyana can do together. Not only is Guyana a promising country for trade and investment opportunities, it also possesses

a strong entrepreneurial spirit and is also very active in the context of CARICOM,” he said. Guyana and Spain established diplomatic relations on October 12, 1979. Their relations are founded on mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for treaties and international law and the maintenance of international peace and security.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017

The Handel Andrews Column hen Hurricane Irma left the Caribbean, only The Great Hurricane of 1780, had wreacked more damage to a British Caribbean island. Barbuda, part of the twin state of Antigua and Barbuda, was hit the severest.

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T TH HE E H HI IS ST TO ORY RY PA PAG GE E

The Devastation Caused By Hurricane Irma

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The Category 5 hurricane destroyed 90% of the country’s structures, including the only hospital and its schools. Winds gusting up to 310 kilometers per hour destroyed the island’s vegetation, including 300-year-old tamarind trees and 150-year-old mangroves. It will take $150M (USD) to repair the damage. BARBUDA

Because Barbuda is not as wellknown as Antigua, it is fitting to bring the island into focus. Until 1860 it was a separate colony of Great Britain. The island is located 27 miles north of Antigua, in the middle of the Leeward Islands. To its South is Montserrat and Guadeloupe and to its West and North west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Bart’s and St. Martin. The island is 61.99 sq. miles and has a population of 1,638 persons (2011 ncensus). The island is about 14 miles long by 8 miles wide. Its aborigine name was "Wa'omoni”. Aborigines—Siboney, Arawaks, Caribs — were the islands first inhabitants. EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT

In 1493, Christopher Columbus sailed into the Eastern Caribbean, south of Antigua; but it is not clear whether he had any contact with Barbuda. In 1628, Captain Smith and John Littleton attempted to colonise it from St. Kitts, under Letters Patent that had been issued to the Earl of Carlisle in 1625. The attempt failed due to fierce Carib resistance. THE CODRINGTONS

Christopher and John Codrington succeeded in establishing the first largescale sugar plantation on the island in 1685 at Betty’s Hope. They were granted a 50-year lease for the island by King Charles II on 9 January, 1685. The Codringtons were descended from the first Christopher Codrington, an English aristocrat who went to Barbados in the 1630's and married Frances Drax, the daughter of another planter family with considerable estates in the Caribbean. During this period, Barbuda was established as a provisioning station, growing crops and providing most of the supplies for the Codringtons’ estates in Antigua and Barbados. African slaves from West Africa were brought to work on them.

John Codrington died at age 46 and Christopher became Governor of the Island, a reward for establishing English supremacy in an area still constantly threatened by French invasion. On June 5, 1705, Queen Anne renewed the lease

of Barbuda for 99 years to Christopher Codrington the third. He was born in Barbadosin 1668, but was sent to England for schooling.

He attended Enfield private elementary school in England. After this, he studied at Christ Church, Oxford. While retaining his fellowship, he joined the British Army and served in Huy and Namur in 1694. In 1695, he was made a captain of the 1st regiment of foot guards. In 1698, after the peace of Ryswick, his father died, and King William gave him the succession to his father's office of Captain-General and Commander-in-

British Parliament dismissed him. He retired to his estates in Barbados, passing the remainder of his life in seclusion and study, chiefly of church history and metaphysics. When he died in 1710, he was the wealthiest man in the British Caribbean. In his will, he left his two estates in Barbados and certain areas of Barbuda to the 'Society for the Propagation of the

Chief of the Leeward Islands. As Governor of Barbuda, he was unpopular and in 1702 an appeal was made against his behavior by the inhabitants of the island. Consequently, the

Gospel', a Church of England society. The produce and profit from these areas were to be used for the construction of a

Hurricane Irma destroyed 90 percent of Barbuda.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 15, 2017 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy...

Greenidge nixes return to Good Offices Process Further to that, he said that the President and the Secretary-General are expected to meet on Monday, September 25, 2017, where it is anticipated that the progress made in relation to the work of the personal representative on the border controversy, and its likely outcome, would come up for discussion. Asked whether Guyana would agree to an extension of the UN Good Offices Process, the Foreign Affairs Minister noted that Guyana never had any difficulty speaking to Venezuela regarding its willingness to resolve the controversy, but there is no room for a permanent stay on the situation. “As you would recall, the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, in October 2015 set a process in train; and in setting that process in train, he called for a last effort at dialogue,” Minister Greenidge said.

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Editorial Intensifying the fight against corruption THE presence of David Robinson, British advisor for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), who will be spearheading an anti-corruption project here is good news to this country. It is public knowledge and as noted by British High Commissioner Greg Quinn in February at a government training seminar, that corruption and money-laundering are like cancers plaguing our society. The envoy further noted, “Too many people still think that they can get away with corruption and with financial abuse. If Guyana is to continue to grow and to use future resources for the betterment of all, it will be necessary to address both these issues.” Where previous efforts by countries and international institutions to help Guyana rid itself of these cancers did not produce measurable successes and the APNU+AFC Government is showing willingness to tackle this scourge, it must be supported. As known with cancer, it’s a disease that can spread throughout the entire body, eating away and destroying organs, ultimately resulting in death. Guyanese are conscious that there exist among us those who are fully aware their actions are corrupt. Edifying citizens to recognise corrupt practices -- including the consequences -- will not only see civic involvement in policing the law, but will also serve as a deterrent to engage in the malpractice. The Anti-Corruption Sensitisation Seminar, embarked on by the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs that sets out to educate the public on legislation and bills aimed to tackle corruption is timely. Whereas there is no excuse for not being aware of the laws, in societies such as ours where corruption has become rampant and entrenched, many have grown accustomed to thinking such is the manner in which the system is structured and what ought to be done. The ministry may also find it useful to complement this seminar by compiling an easy-to-read booklet which can be accessible to the general public in hard and electronic copies. Changing behaviour, especially what has become endemic, requires sustained efforts in recognising and appreciating what is right and supporting efforts to do what is right. For instance, uncertainty regarding the new banking requirements as cautionary measures and Guyana’s obligation to prevent money-laundering and the financing of terrorism can be addressed through sensitisation and education. There is a political side to corruption which too cannot be ignored. While the PPP/C Government has earned Guyana the

President David Granger

THE Guyana/Venezuela border controversy will come up for discussion when President David Granger meets with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General (SG), António Guterres, next week on the sidelines of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72). Just before demitting office in December, 2016, former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, had decided that Guyana and Venezuela should return to the Good Offices Process for a period of one year, and if no significant progress was made, the matter would be referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Norwegian diplomat, Dag Halvor Nylander, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Representative has been engaging both sides on the controversy. During a press conference here on Wednesday ahead of the visit to the UN, Guyana’s Vice-President and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, disclosed that President Granger will address the General Assembly next Wednesday. “The President’s statement will no doubt make reference to the process, and Guyana’s wish to ensure that the Secretary-General adheres to the commitment that he made to facilitate dialogue between the parties, and to ensure that by the end of 2017, if there was no resolution or significant progress to the resolution, the matter would be referred to the ICJ,” Minister Greenidge said.

Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Carl Greenidge

UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres

“And the last effort was supposed to take one year; we are approaching two years since that request was made, and that effort was launched. I don’t think that there is any reason to expect that it could be requested to extend this time,” he told journalists at the press conference. As to the consequences of the controversy, Minister Greenidge said Venezuela’s behaviour to date is intended to undermine Guyana’s economic development and social and political stability. “In the Secretary-General’s communication to the two countries, a process... and the process has timelines. And not

withstanding our concerns about some of the ideas of the SG, we embrace the process on the understanding that it will be implemented by good faith by all the parties, including the United Nations,” he said. Speaking on the country’s preparedness to advance its cause at the level of the ICJ, Minister Greenidge noted that it is well prepared. “We have been doing work domestically, and putting together teams that can undertake that work. So, as regard the preparedness, we are as well prepared as we can be at this point in time, given the resources that we have,” he posited. The Foreign Affairs Minister reminded journalists here that the UN’s involvement in bringing an end to the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy has nothing to do with the modifications of borders. “The controversy which the UN was called upon in 1966 to agree to participate in is a process that says in event that these two States are unable to peacefully resolve this controversy, the UN will choose from a menu of options. And the controversy itself is an allegation that the 1899 Arbitrary Award is null and void, and that is the exercise, and at the end of that exercise, one will arrive at the conclusion that the treaty was either null or void, or continues to be valid,” Minister Greenidge explained.

disrepute of being the most corrupt English-speaking Carib- allowed to run wild. Where this scourge, however small bean country, now in the Opposition it has been accusing the or large, continues to retard and debilitate the growth APNU+AFC Government of corruption. And while some are and development of a people and society, it requires inclined to believe this, could reference allegations of it, irre- surgical/meticulous intervention to excise the cancer. spective of beliefs or allegations, it is to the country’s benefit It cannot be over-emphasised Guyana’s obligation as a of thein United Nations to uphold the are Convention when all governments recognise corruptionexpressed is unacceptable and inmember The views and opinions articles this newspaper there are consequences for those engaging in such misconduct. against Corruption, which was ratified by the GovernApril, 2008. Thepolicies presence of and the UNODC The political aside, the socio-economic con- ment on 16th those of theaspect authors and do not necessarily reflect the sequences wreaked on this country as the result of cor- which promotes adherence to the convention augurs well in making of Guyana’s to execute the ruption cannot be accurately quantified. It isof reasonable views of the management the New Yorkgood Edition ofresponsibility the Guyana however to surmise that it has to be humongous, given mandatory and legally binding agreements ensconced the years it was cuddled in the corridors of power and within. Chronicle.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 15, 2017

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Storm rips 20 buildings in Linden

THE Wismar Christianburg Secondary School and the Mackenzie Municipal Market are among more than 20 buildings damaged in Linden, Region 10, following a freak storm Tuesday afternoon. Reports reaching the Guyana Chronicle indicate that residents in Retrieve, One Mile Extension, Wismar Housing Scheme, Christianburg and Blueberry Hill had to run to safety after their roofs were ripped off, lamp posts broke, trees were up- rooted and fell on their houses. The freak storm reportedly occurred around 15:30hrs with heavy showers accompanied by strong winds.

When the Guyana Chronicle contacted the Regional Chairman Renis Morian, he stated that their main focus is on the Christianburg Secondary School presently “because the children have to return to school.” He added that the Regional Democratic Council does not have the resources to look after the individual houses, however, the residents of the mentioned communities are working together to put back their zinc sheets. Morian along with his team, will return with engineers to the Christianburg Secondary School today to commence repairs on the school. According to Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, the

police along with the Regional Democratic Council are working together to ensure that everyone in the communities are okay. He also stated that the police have received emergency reports causing the Acting Divisional Commander Anthony Vanderhyden to activate a mobile patrol. Luckily, there have not been reports of persons being injured so far, but the Linden Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) has activated an emergency number 444-6303 and the Police, 444-3512. Holland added that they will be approaching the government for some relief funds.

Linden freak storm...

Morian spearheads rebuilding efforts --to make Christianburg Secondary serviceable

REGION 10 Chairman Mr Rennis Morian and a team of regional officials have set about to ensure that students of the Christianburg Secondary School get to return to school as soon as possible. The Christianburg Secondary School was one of more than 20 buildings that were badly hit during the freak storm that ripped through the mining town at around 15:30hrs on Tuesday. In the mayhem that followed, some of the school’s zinc sheets along with its rafters were ripped from the building. Morian, along with the Regional Educational Officer, Ms Marcia Paddy; the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mr Gavin Clarke and Councillors on Wednesday visited the Christianburg Secondary School and the other government institutions that were damaged due to the storm. “I can tell you now that there is a contractor on spot, because we don’t want the children to be out of school for a long time,” Morian said. “The whole idea is not to have children out of school; it’s not the government’s focus and mission to have children out of school. So our job is to make certain that we follow the government trend; children must be in school,” he added. He said that they are looking forward for the students to be able to return to school by next Monday. They then visited houses in the teachers’ hostel compound, the Region 10 Agriculture Office, and the Wis-

mar Hospital Complex, where it was observed that some parts of those buidings were so badly damaged that some persons to be removed to another location. The Guyana Chronicle was told that a contractor is still needed to look at those situations. Apart from that, Morian said the region has contacted the Civil Defense Commission, and that their officials have since gone into the fields to recce the situation. “We are working in partnership to make certain that the livelihoods and wellbeing of persons are where it supposed to be,” the Regional Chair said. Meanwhile, Ms Desiree Hopkinson of Moraballi Street, Retrieve is still in disbelief after the house she is currently in the process of purchasing was destroyed by the storm. “I was trying to save the stove in the kitchen from getting wet, and all I know is that my father said he pulled me out of the kitchen and I landed in the pathway to the second bedroom, and my father landed in the dining room,” Hopkinson said. She received a puncture to her head, which resulted in her receiving six stiches while her father got some cuts and scrapes on one of his legs. “I was really in panic mode ‘cause all I was thinking about was my father. It’s really emotional,” the thirty-five year-old said as tears welled in her eyes. Hopkinson is currently receiving help from members of her family, a family friend, neighbours and also the council.

A section of the Christianburg Secondary School that was damaged during the freak storm

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017

EMPHASIS ON TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Guyanese in BVI appeal for Government help H

undreds of Guyanese in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are appealing to the Guyana Government for aid and assistance with repatriation following the devastation of Hurricane Irma that left thousands homeless on the Caribbean island. Guyanese on the island are facing food shortages and a growing security threat, including from looters. A news article has also noted that at least 120 prisoners are on the streets after the hurricane also destroyed the prison. Rhonda Edwards, a former BVI teacher with knowledge of the situation took to social media to plead for assistance from the Guyana Government. She called on Guyanese all over to put some pressure on the Government of Guyana to send aid and some form of relief to the many Guyanese residents suffering in the British Virgin Islands. “People are begging for help. Some want to get out and go home immediately. This is a call to action. Please share and encourage people to bombard them with calls,” Edwards stated. News Room has confirmed that Caribbean Governments have started evacuating its citizens. St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are working with the BVI Government to get their citizens

to safety. BBC has described the BVI in the aftermath of the hurricane as a ‘war zone’. The communication infrastructure is shattered, making it difficult for residents to communicate with relatives and friends. The BVI is home to some 1,500 Guyanese and confirmed reports are that a Guyanese man, Derek Ragnaught, is one of five persons that died on the island as a result of Hurricane Irma.

A scene from the aftermath of the hurricane Irma in BVI.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 15, 2017 Chronicle Pepperpot September 10, 2017

XIX9

Guyanese writer to publish murder-mystery novel

By Shauna Jemmott

AN enthralling tale of murder, mystery and romance has caught the attention of an American publisher and will soon take the world by storm, giving fame to the name of the Guyanese-born writer who penned it. Charles Higgins never considered himself to be among the smartest boys in school. But the young boy, who grew up in the countryside on the East Coast of Demerara, was always recognised as a gifted writer in every school he attended. Now, with the passing of time, his skill has shown progress and has the potential to shoot him to economic success in the world of creative writing, even as he prepares for retirement in May, 2018. As he spoke about his first full-length novel, ‘The Evidence,’ which is scheduled to be published in December 2017 by Pate Publishing, Charles told the Pepperpot Magazine that he looks forward to a beautiful life of retirement. Finally, he said, he will be able

Gifted United States-based Guyanese writer Charles Higgins holding a copy of his novel titled ‘The Evidence’

to place more effort on his writing, as he expresses his passion for what he does best. Charles lived in Clonbrook Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, before he migrated to the U.S. with his wife Victorine some decades ago. They have six children, all of whom are adults, and lead humble lives along the Brooklyn corridor in New York City. But, now at the age of 62, Charles Higgins has his name set to travel through cities and countries on the pages of a stimulating piece of fiction. “It’s a beautiful story, I really enjoyed writing it. In certain areas it is sad and in other areas, it’s romantic, in other areas it’s exciting and in some areas dangerous,” he said. During what he indicated has been a marvellous journey, he discovered another beautiful thing about himself. “I never believed – yes I know I had the ability – but to complete such a project I didn’t think I could [but] I was into it. I enjoyed the creativity, because it’s not something that really did happen. It was something that I had to create. It was a friction [sic]. So I had to create everything in my mind and I

had to visualise everything in my mind as if this thing really occurred. So I was having a conversation with myself, asking myself the questions and answering the questions,” he detailed.

EARLY DAYS OF WRITING While ‘Charlie’, as he is popularly called, became aware of his gift in creative writing at a tender age in primary school in Ann’s Grove Village, he still did not understand his full potential. One day in primary school each student was asked to produce an original poem and his story was praised as the best and read to the entire class. Something similar happened in secondary school and his poem was chosen as number one again. Charles recalled his teacher saying, “I cannot understand why the majority of you in this class is [sic] smarter than Charlie and none of you can write a poem like him.” Charles added, “But what I was really thinking about as a young man was playing cricket and things like that and still for all at that time I really wasn’t conscious of my ability to be so creative along that line.” His life took a different direction as he tried other profitable fields meeting family needs before he finally established a deeper and permanent love for writing, penning lyrics for gospel songs and writing a play which gained community recognition. Migrating to the USA, leaving four children behind, Charles and his wife worked on having the children join the family in New York. One song he wrote found favour with the American Songwriting Studio but he never followed it up. “I continued working and I just gave up on that part of my life,” Charles recalled. One day in 2008, however, while at work, Charles felt a yearning for the art and stepped outside to secure beginners’ material. “I came back and I started writing the book ‘The Evidence’ and I never stopped. The information just kept flowing. I picked up the pen and just kept writing and writing and writing line after line, chapter after chapter and I just kept going and going and going.” It took five tedious but exciting years before he submitted the material and the publisher fell in love with the product immediately after reading the manuscript. Writing has now become the tool which will make his name great. “I write night, I write day and I continued until I finished it… I would go back over it to see how it would sound, because I realised that if it doesn’t sound believable to me it would not be believable to anybody. I would ask my sons [and] my daughter-in-law what they thought. I went back over it five times [then] I just sent it to the publisher and it was immediately accepted by them,” the novelist related. With the book about to be published, Charles now has his sights set on having his work of fiction turned into a movie.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017

HOW TO REVERSE ECONOMIC DECLINE

"I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings." — Jeremiah 17:10 His solution? "Every great e concluded in last week's column that optimal team goes through a cycle of thinking expedites the process of embracing love and eradicating fear as we traverse the growth, optimal performance stagnation and eventual decline. But dejourney to sustainable success. cline can be prevented or reversed if Sustainable success is inextri- self-renewal to stay at the pinnacle a second growth curve or psychocably linked to economic growth. If of world rugby, West Indies Cricket logical rebirth is created when the we apply optimal thinking to reverse Board, now Cricket West Indies team is still playing well. This usueconomic decline then we are ahead (CWI), defiantly stuck to the status ally requires (1) self-examination, quo and allowed its cricket to sink of the game. (2) a new vision for the future, (3) Noted sports psychologist Dr. Rudi Webster in an article entitled "Webster's Way" in Barbados Today on May 16, 2017, stated that the West Indies cricket team will begin winning again when they start believing they can win. He said the team was currently trapped in a failure spiral. Dr. Webster, in a more recent article entitled "Time to reverse West Indies decline" in Barbados Today on August 11, 2017, stated that "with a population of just over four million people, New Zealand has achieved the incredible feat of dominating world rugby for more than a hundred years...West Indies dominated world cricket between the 60s and early 90s, but unlike New Zealand, its team went into a steady decline and became trapped in an ever increasing failure spiral." Rudi, who was my contemporary at Harrison College in Barbados in the 50s, went on to say that reorganization of priorities, and (4) "while New Zealand Rugby Union to the bottom of the ICC's Test and an infusion of new leaders and play(NZRU) went through continual ODI rankings." ers with fresh ideas, attitudes and

W

Dr. Basil Springer’s Column

agendas for change." In the context of CWI, I would preface Rudi's formula by stating that CWI should first begin by confessing to failure, then ask for forgiveness and finally open their hearts to God's love. In other words CWI needs a strong dose of optimal thinking. Cricket is dear to many of our hearts but all of us should be concerned with our economic plight which also includes the reversal of the performance of other sectors such as education and agriculture, as well as the growth of the tourism and the cultural industry sectors and the relatively new Caribbean Premium League (the domestic Twenty20 cricket league in the West Indies), which positively brands the Caribbean. We must remember that the essential elements of sustainable change in the global space in which we interact are mind set change, skill set change and cross cultural communication change. More anon. August 26, 2017 was a snippet of what is required to effect the reversal process. An ESPNcricinfo extract explains: "Test cricket still provides aspiration for the young and both satisfaction and glory for those involved. The faces of Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope told one enough about the realization of an ambition to pursue it further. Any West Indian crowd on any of the Caribbean islands would have wildly celebrated their partnership and crowed about the fight back from Edgbaston. Such things are an inspiration and provide both relief and hope." Let us hope that our public and private sector leaders open their minds to divine ideas and will provide that enabling environment which fosters the initiatives of those who are willing to try to reverse the trends of our socio-economic decline and pursue the path to prosperity for all. (Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a Change-Engine Consultant. His email address is basilgf57@gmail.com. His columns may be found at www.noth ingbeatsbusiness.com and on www.facebook.com/basilgf.)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017

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Ease The Tension — Enjoy A Laugh

The plane leaves JFK airport under the control of a Jewish Captain. His co-pilot is Chinese. It's the first time they've flown together and an awkward silence between the two seems to indicate a mutual dislike. Once they reach cruising altitude, the Jewish Captain activates the auto-pilot, leans back in his seat, and mutters, "I don't like Chinese..." "No rike Chinese?" asks the co-pilot, "Why not?" "You people bombed Pearl Harbor, that's why." "No, no", the co-pilot protests, "Chinese not bomb Peahl Hahbah. That Japanese, not Chinese." "Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese. Doesn't matter, you're all alike." There's a few minutes of silence ... "I no rike Jews", the co-pilot suddenly announces. "Oh yeah, why not?" asks the captain. "Jews sink Titanic," says the co-pilot. "What? That's insane. Jews didn't sink the Titanic," exclaims the captain, "It was an iceberg."

THE CHINESE CO-PILOT

BALTIMORE STYLE CRAB CAKES ½ cup mayonnaise 1 large egg, beaten 1 tablespoon mustard 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ½ teaspoon hot sauce 1 pound jumbo lump crab meat, picked over 20 saltine crackers, finely crushed ¼ cup canola oil add lemon wedges, for serving Ingredients:

3. Scoop the crab mixture into eight 1/3-cup mounds; lightly pack into 8 patties, about 1 1/2 inches thick. In a large skillet, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the crab cakes and cook over moderately high heat until deeply golden and heated through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the crab cakes to plates and serve

with lemon wedges. Make Ahead:

The crab cakes can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated overnight.

1. In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the egg, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce until smooth. 2. In a medium bowl, lightly toss the crabmeat with the cracker crumbs. Gently fold in the mayonnaise mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. How to Make It:

IT’S A FACT by JAMES SYDNEY

SUGAR APPLE So Delicious, the People of India Think it Divine

O

ne of the truly delicious fruits found in Caribbean markets is the sugar apple (Annona squamosa). In Jamaica, the Bahamas and some other places in the Caribbean, it is called the sweetsop. In India, it is sometimes called custard apple, although strictly speaking, the custard apple is quite another fruit. The sugar apple is not handsome. Green or greenish, it is nearly round, but knobby. It is a compound fruit with a thick, rough, rind composed of cone-shaped segments that come apart when the fruit is ripe and has been described as looking “rough and tough and definitely not delicate and appealing from the outside.” No wonder that one of the names it is called in India is “scaly custard apple.”

"Iceberg, Goldberg, Greenberg, Rosenberg, no mattah …. all de same.

Two men, John and James sat in a bar drinking. John said to the James, “I have a hell of a lot of family problems and it is causing me a lot of stress.” James replied, “You think you have problems, let me tell you my family situation. I married a widow having a young daughter. My father married my daughter and so my father became my son-in-law and I became my father’s father-in-law. My daughter is my mother and my wife my grandmother. “More problems occurred when I had a son. My son is my father’s brother and so he is my uncle. The situation turns worse when my father had a son. Now my father’s son that is supposed to be my brother is my grandson. Ultimately, I have become my own grandfather and I am my own grandson. “And you say you have family problems!!!”

FAMILY PROBLEMS

poison and insecticides in India. A paste made from the seed powder is applied to the head to kill lice but must be kept away from the eyes as it is a strong irritant and can cause blindness. Heatextracted oil from the seeds has been employed against agricultural pests.

The sugar apple is cultivated in tropical South America, southern Mexico, the West Indies, Bahamas and Bermuda, and occasionally in southern Florida. It is generally believed to have originated in that part of the world. In some of these areas, it is even found wild in pastures, forests and along roadsides.

The Spaniards probably carried sugar apple seeds from the New World to the Philippines and the Portuguese are assumed to have introduced them to southern India before 1590.

SUGAR APPLE Its beauty is under the skin. In- arating out the 20 or more seeds side is its sweet, creamy-white, fra- from their delicious covering is congrant, juicy flesh. The way most sidered well worth the trouble. And people enjoy a ripe sugar apple is as some types have no seeds at all. a fresh fruit. They break it open and Though the seeds, if swallowed eat the flesh segments while separat- by mistake, may just be harmless, ing the hard brownish black seeds in their kernels, if bitten, can be harmthe mouth and spitting them out. The ful. The seeds are acrid and poisonfruit is so good that the work of sep- ous. Powdered seeds are used as fish

Cultivation is most extensive in India and the fruit is also very conspicuous in markets there. Indians have devised some great recipes for using this fruit in sorbets, salads, ice creams and the like. In India, the sugar apple is one of a family of fruits honored with the names of Hindu deities such as Sita, Rama, and Hanuman. The sugar apple is called Sitaphal, meaning “Sita fruit.”

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Guyana Chronicle New York Week-ending September 15, 2017 Guyana Chronicle NewEdition York Edition week ending September 15, 2017

British visitor found hanging --in friend’s New Amsterdam house

By Jeune Bailey-VanKeric A FIFTY-year-old British woman on a visit here was found hanging in her friend’s home on Pope Street, New Amsterdam just before 19:00hrs on Sunday evening. Dead is Sarah Rosmary Dajee, who, hours earlier, had returned from the Cheddie Jagan International Airport, where she had hoped to board a return flight to the United Kingdom. Dajee, who had accompanied her workmate, Guyanese-born Jessica Grumble here, arrived on August 23, and was expected to depart on September 17. Instead, her friend found her dead in her living room area. The corpse was reportedly in a standing position, slightly suspended off

the wooden flooring, with an extended phone charger cable wrapped around her neck. Grumble had, seconds before, awakened from her sleep after responding to calls from her mother, Sue. Her stepfather, Jason Hanniff, said it was around 18:45hrs when he heard Jessica calling him to go over to the house to see something. He said that after switching on the fluorescent lights, he saw Rosemary standing just under the interior arch. He said that initially, he did not think anything was amiss, but it was after he contacted a friend, he was advised to inform the police, which he did at around 18:53hrs. After the cops arrived, they took possession of the deceased’s belongings, includ-

ing US$900, £900, G$5500, some Barbadian currency, her British passport, a quantity of pharmaceutical medications, clothing and other person items. Hanniff said he also made contact with the woman’s employer in the United Kingdom, as a result of which a representative from the British High Commission here has since contacted him. Interesting enough, reports are that just the day before, at around 22:40hrs, Dajee, in the company of Hanniff, had gone to Central Police Station where she reported that she was feeling insecure and was

Dead: Sarah Rosary Dajee

Britain. Hanniff said that on Sunday, he, his wife Sue, and stepdaughter Jessica all ac-

her friend went to the cottage. He said that moments later, Dajee told him that whilst having a shower, she saw someone pull the bathroom curtains. He said that after checking the house thoroughly, he assured her that there was no one else there. And in response, she reportedly turned to her friend and asked her whether she thought she was delusional, before turning on her heels and walking away. Hours later, she was found hanging. Reports are that she was well dressed. Many curious viewers from the neighbourhood and

The house in which British citizen, Sarah Dajee was found hanging

leaving Guyana the following day. She’s also alleged to have claimed she was being verbally abused by the music she was hearing. Hanniff said he’d only learnt the day before that the woman had rescheduled her travelling arrangements and had brought forward her flight from September 17 to September 10. He said that he, too, had at one point gone to the Central Police Station to report that Dajee was behaving strangely, and was claiming to be threatened. He said she’d even sent text messages to her contacts in London, indicating that the police should be contacted in case she does not make it to the airport and home to

companied the now deceased woman to the Cheddie Jagan International Airport where she was expected to board the 04:15 Liat flight. But after being informed by an Immigration Officer that the woman’s name was not on the manifest, and Dajee later claiming that she had forgotten her passport, they all decided to return to New Amsterdam. Hanniff explained that there are two houses in the yard. He occupies the lower flat of one with his wife, while the other cottage was occupied by his stepdaughter and her friend. He said that on their return from the airport, he and his wife went to their apartment, while his stepdaughter and

nearby church thought it was a mannequin that was standing at the archway. Meanwhile, reports emanating from the Pope Street neighbourhood say the woman had at one time accused the children in the community of interfering with her, and had even alleged that someone had hacked into her mobile phone and had removed large sums of money from her mobile money account. The Guyana Chronicle has since learnt that Sarah Rosmary Dajee was a judge in the recently held Karaoke competition organised by her host. The body is currently at the Arokium Funeral Home awaiting a post mortem. Investigations are continuing.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 15, 2017

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Guyana pledges US$100,000 GUYANA has doubled its contribution towards relief for the Caribbean territories affected by Hurricane Irma from US$50,000 to US$100,000, the Government announced Thursday. In a statement issued by the Director of Public Information (DPI), Imran Khan, it was also disclosed that Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, will head a team of officials to the islands of St Maarten and the British Virgin Island (BVI), tentatively on Saturday. “The Government of Guyana is intensifying efforts to coordinate relief for Guyanese nationals affected by Hurricane Irma in a number of Caribbean islands, particularly St Maarten and British Virgin Islands which both suffered serious devastation following the passing of the Category five hurricane,” the statement said. Felix will be joined by representatives of his Ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC). The team will conduct a needs assessment and will return after conducting assessments in Tortola and St Maarten. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Ministerial Task Force on the Caribbean Disaster, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, along with Felix who is also a member of the task force, held consultations with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Major General (r’td) Joe Singh (who is acting on behalf of Minister of State Joseph Harmon who is currently out

...Min. Felix to lead Guyana delegation to storm-hit islands of the jurisdiction) and other officials, on Thursday. Director General of the CDC, Colonel (r’td) Chabilall Ramsarup, briefed the task force on the initial plans for Guyana’s response, following a briefing from officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relative to the situation faced by Guyanese nationals in the affected islands. It was after the threehour-long meeting that it was decided that Minister Felix will head Guyana’s Needs Assessment Team to Tortola in the BVI and St Maarten via Antigua, to conduct an initial assessment of the needs of Guyanese nationals on the islands and report to the Ministerial Task Force appointed by President David Granger. Prime Minister Nagamootoo expressed deep concern for the welfare of Guyanese, particularly in Tortola and surrounding islands, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, and uttered words of relief at reports that Guyanese who were evacuated from Barbuda to Antigua are being accommodated by relatives and friends on the main island there. The Ministerial Task Force also includes Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge; Minister Harmon; Minister of Finance Winston Jordan; Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson; Minister of Public Affairs, Dawn Hastings-Williams; and Minister of Public Service Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine.

At Monday’s high-level meeting with the President. Seated from right are: Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon; President David Granger; Prime Minister, Mr Moses Nagamootoo; Director of Protocol in the Ministry of the Presidency, Col Francis Abraham; Minister of Public Affairs, Ms. Dawn Hastings-Williams; Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan; Minister of Citizenship, Mr. Winston Felix; and Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr. David Patterson (MOTP photo)

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A craft shop

Food stalls

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 15, GUYANA CHRONICLE,TUESDAY September 12,2017 2017

Pakuri Village

The President being led into the village by Chief L

A day out with

--at St. Cuthber

Piwari stall

A child in all her traditional finery

One of the many craft stalls in the village

Residents of Pakuri Village

Part of the gathering at Pak

Ma

By Michel Ou

President David Granger (second right) as he arrived at Pakuri Village in the company of Chief Lenox Shuman and his wife (second and first left, respectively), and Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Mr Sydney Allicock (right)

PRESIDENT during his visit t the Heritage Vil Month celebration to make use of th fruits for sale in t eco-diversificatio all in the commun Granger also man to pay attentio be introduced in th and will be the gu relates to the villa The Head of the feature addres where he lauded changing the nam bert’s Mission to He said the au

The child

Guyana Chronicle New YorkSeptember Edition week ending September 15, 2017 GUYANA CHRONICLE,TUESDAY 12, 2017

1515

A dance item from members of the Lokono Wiwas

enox Shuman Lenox Shuman and andMinister MinisterSydney SydneyAllicock Allicock

h the President

rt’s Mission Mission

Members of the Pakuri Culture Group doing the ‘Hikuri Beni (Turtle Dance)’

uri on kuri on Saturday Saturday

A cultural item by Pakuri residents

ake use of the land

utridge

T David Granger on Saturday to Pakuri which was designated llage for Amerindian Heritage ns urged Guyana’s First Peoples he land to produce more foods, the markets and to look towards on in providing employment for nity. encouraged Toshao Lenox Shuon to the protocol plan which will he community as the way forward uide in achieving objectives as it age. State was at the time delivering ss at Pakuri Village Heritage Day, the residents for their insight of me of the village from St. CuthPakuri Village. uthentication exercise was com-

mendable, since the village was one of the largest in terms of geographical location and bigger than most Caribbean islands. Granger told the large gathering that the protocol plan would serve as a guide, since Pakuri must go where it is going and it will work systematically to achieve that goal in which change is continuous. The President said the protocol plan would eliminate the use of generators in the village and ultimately enhance the lives of residents and promote education for the children in which Pakuri must accept responsibility for each child. He added that with the protocol plan, no child should drop out of school and he would like to see more indigenous youths graduating from CPCE and UG and for the creation of more jobs for the villagers of Pakuri. Granger said for greater job-creation in Pakuri Village, they have to introduce agro-processing and more craft production since the village had easier access to markets than other Amerindian

communities. He said, “Every indigenous youth can be employed by utilising the resources in the village such as having[MO1] crops of plantains among others to make chips to supply supermarkets and shops.” The President added that the residents could convert traditional products into an industrial footing and use agricultural science to produce more from less land. Against this background, Granger told the indigenous people that Guyana belonged to us and the ‘Giants of Guyana’ that is, the animals are part of Guyana as well as, part of the environment as protection – as being the habitat of the creatures in our high, low, grass, Rupununi lands and Essequibo islands. Granger said that we have our rainforest, rivers, and beautiful waterfalls and as such, Pakuri Village can make a living out of eco-tourism to the benefit of its 1,500 residents by promoting canoeing, fishing, bird watching etc., where people can visit to

ren of dren of Pakuri PakuriVillage Villagepatiently patientlyawaiting awaitingthe thearrival arrivalofofPresident PresidentDavid DavidGranger Grangeron onSaturday Saturday

…President urges Pakuri residents

experience clean air and fresh water among other things. He also implored residents to make Pakuri Village more environmentally friendly by removing empty bottles in its surroundings and to embrace eco-diversification where produce can be processed, packaged and sold in Guyana in our supermarkets, shops, and markets. On this note, Granger told the gathering of indigenous people to get rid of the addiction to oil, which he reminded them that is coming and it will go as well. “We wouldn’t get drunk on oil. We can produce the best hammocks,” he said. Granger said Pakuri can have eco-tourism as profit and introduce its goal of eco-diversification for greater job-creation and to protect our habitat for animals. Also making remarks was Chief Kafoteh Lenox Shuman, who was outfitted to page 17 President David Granger on tour of Pakuri Village (Photos by Turn Delano Williams)

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017

PRESS RELEASE

3rd-ANNUAL LGBTQ PEOPLES OF COLOR MENTAL HEALTH CONFERENCE

(NEW YORK, NY) — DBGM, Inc. (www. dbgm.org) and a team of volunteers host the third-annual "In My Mind: An LGBTQ Peoples of Color Mental Health Conference — Navigating Mental Health Care: Concerns, Developments, and Promises" on October 5 & 6 at The Stewart Hotel, 371 Seventh Ave (opposite Madison Square Gardens), NYC.

The Conference examines concerns, acknowledges developments and looks to the future for LGBTQ peoples of color, especially in the current political climate, which rhetoric threatens, beyond race and homophobia, to further destabilize the mental wellbeing of members of these communities. To establish common starting points, the two days will begin with a plenary, including NY City Councilmember Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx); Earl Fowlkes, Jr., Center for Black Equity, DNC LGBT Caucus; Kenyon Farrow, Treatment Action Group (TAG); Johanne Morne and Kraig Pannel, NYS AIDS Institute; and Hansel Arroyo, MD, Mt. Sinai. The plenary will be followed by concurrent sessions, some geared for clinicians and others for community members. At the end of the second day, there will be an opportunity for conference participants to have their “say”, on additional ways of addressing the mental health of LGBTQ people of color and the necessary next steps for improving the conference. Following an abstract submissions process, the conference received an overwhelming response from the NY region, across the country and internationally. The schedule with more than 25 different presentations, will include a yoga and meditation session (those interested should come prepared in loose fitting and relaxing clothing, and their mats), and mental health screenings. Partnering with the conference, the National Association of Social Workers, New York Chapter, will provide continuing education credits/units on qualifying presentations to mental health professionals requiring units for their li-

censes. On Wednesday, Oct 4, there will be a welcome/networking reception; on Thursday, Oct 5, in the evening there will be a performance presentation "Sound and Two Spirits" by the Native American Community, and “Our View”, a LGBTQ Film Forum curated by Southern Fried Filmworks. Conference co-chair, “America’s Psychologist”, Jeffery Gardere, Ph.D., commenting on the conference opined that despite addressing inequalities in our society, LGBTQ communities continue to face both micro and macro aggressions on a daily basis. He said, “It is incumbent that LGBTQ people, especially those of color (and who suffer double discrimination), attend the “In My Mind” Conference, which will provide the most up to date information on the current state of the nation and its perceptions and interactions with the LGBTQ community. But just as importantly, this conference will be a celebration of the ongoing work and achievements of LGBTQ warriors and advocates to bring to the world the reality "that unless we are all free, none of us can be free." Farrow, said, “Personally, I've lost dozens of young Black and Brown gay friends and colleagues over recent years, who were HIVpositive [and] who've died young – not because they didn't have access to treatment, but because of depression related to homophobia and internalized stigma. I think the “In My Mind” conference is a critical intervention for communitybased organizations, activists and service providers to come together and plan strategies to create more supportive environments for LGBTQ people of color nationwide,

and mobilize, to ensure we don't lose ground on critical supportive services, given the threats to health care by the Trump Administration and Congress." One of the independent abstract review team members, Western Connecticut State University Professor Donald Gagnon, Ph.D., said, “This conference is an attempt to transcend emotional, social and psychological challenges by encouraging the root of the challenges, naming them and confronting them in meaningful ways.” Conference planning team member, Daton Haywood, the founder of the Copper Complex, said, “I am excited to have a platform to discuss barriers to progress, as well as to create opportunities for healing. This conference provides a safe space to educate and advocate for experiences unique to both race and sexuality and sexually marginalized communities.” To REGISTER for the conference: http://bit.ly/2tGvdvH ABOUT DBGM: DBGM, Inc. (www.dbgm.org) is a non-profit organization raising awareness of the underlying psychosocial and sociocultural factors contributing to a Black gay man’s descent into depression, to prevent his suicide, including contracting HIV. Among its products, the organization lists a documentary “You Are Not Alone” (see the trailer at www.yana-the film.com), the “In My Mind” conference, workshops on mental health and HIV, and support groups – recommencing in September - for gay men of color and for mothers of color. Contact: Antoine Craigwell antoineb@dbgm.org

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 15, 2017

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From page 15

Make use of the land...

with his traditional wear and head-dress. He said in order for the village to be transformed, they must maintain their rich tradition and culture and congratulated the President for accepting his application on behalf of the village for a name change. Meanwhile, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock,

track record of Amerindian rights and land titling and noted that Amerindians are the true protectors of our environment, since they were the first peoples to settle at our borders – a debt we can never repay. Teixeira noted that instead of us deciding who came first, we should celebrate as a diverse group

Residents of Pakuri Village

in his remarks on Saturday at Pakuri Village reflected on indigenous persons who have made contributions to Guyana, starting from former minister Vibert De Souza, who was instrumental in advocating for the Amerindian event “Village Day” to become a national one which was first celebrated in Annai. He also highlighted the roles of other indigenous individuals as he spoke of how rich a village Pakuri is since it has all the ingredients for its residents to have a good life, but suggested they require good leadership which will have the interests of the community as a priority and not for their own personal interests. Allicock said there was a need for Indigenous peoples to work together and to identify good leaders for development of the community and had a donation of musical pieces for the villagers. In her brief remarks, Opposition Member of Parliament, Gail Teixeira said she was there to represent Opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo and was pleased with the changes in the village over the years. She said that the PPP was however, proud of its

since we have a lot to be proud of and reflect on our achievements and move forward. She asked President Granger to assist the flood- hit Regions of Seven, Eight and Nine and in one community 60 houses were washed away where a budgetary allocation is needed for the residents to ‘get back on their feet’ so to speak, since he has signalled his support to assist hurricane-hit Caribbean islands. The atmosphere at Pakuri Village was one of celebration which was well attended by Guyanese of all walks of life and there was plenty to eat and drink from the many stalls set up. After the packed programme, there were activities of cassava processing, tocuma bursting, straw plaiting, tocuma eating, fly drinking, bow and arrow shooting and spear throwing ,all of which President Granger viewed. He also had a walk around the village as he met and greeted both visitors and villagers. The programme included cultural chants, prayers, songs, dances, poems, and display of traditional outfits.

Pakuri Village

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017

18

Emphasis on Real Estate, Taxes and Business The Edgar Henry Column

Why not start your own businesses?

urely, and beyond a doubt, business is not cut out for everyone. There are some basic characteristics, enthusiasm, sacrifice, dedication, honor and dignity that go along with business, especially as it relates to sustainability.

right where you are sitting today. All you have to do is to give it a shot. Explore it not in a halfhearted way; rather exploit the possibilities with vigor.

Many fortunes begin, when an individual sees a customer need that is not being satisfied and which their current company has no interest or desire in satisfying. Often it comes as the result of customer inquiries or complaints. So the individual decides he'll start a new business, sometimes on the side, to give these customers what they're asking for. Sometimes there is a great business opportunity staring you in the face,

You'll always be most successful doing something or marketing something that you really love and care about. Every product or service and business must have a champion. This is someone who believes intensely in the goodness and value of the

S

Let us say you've decided to start your own business, either for the first time or to change direction from the business you currently own. How do you find a new product or service, recognizing that 80 percent or more of products and services will be new or different in five years? Here are a series of approaches that have been used successfully over the years to help people decide what type of business to launch. START WITH YOURSELF Begin with your own talents, your own abilities, your experience, knowledge, interests, background, education and so on. Look carefully at your current position and the current company you work with or, conversely, at your current business and the current product or service you sell. Look within your own life and work towards your own foundation in order for you to stand firmly on both feet. Look into yourself and search for whatever qualities you have that account for your greatest successes in life thus far. What personal skills and abilities have gotten you to where you are today? How could you apply those same skills and abilities in starting and building a new business? If you already have a business, what are the special talents, abilities, experiences, knowledge and background of your

business today? What qualities have enabled your business to succeed? What are the things you do best? What are the greatest opportunities within your business right now?

WHAT CAN YOU GET EXCITED ABOUT? Look for a product or service about which you can really become enthusiastic. Sometimes people become wealthy by translating or transforming their hobbies into a business. Do not be shy, also do not allow negative people to dissuade you from your simple idea. The next thing you know they themselves may explore it unknown to you and reap the benefits from your simple thought or idea. For example, the famous Pierre Omydar collected Pez dispensers as a hobby. In an attempt to find a market for his collection of Pez dispensers, he started a little Internet business that has grown today into eBay, with over 171 million customers worldwide.

product or service for the customer. There must be someone in the business who really loves the product or service and is eager to get out and tell other people about it. This enthusiasm should start with you. Then you have the responsibility of convincing others via several methods that your idea is worthwhile. WHAT CAN YOU IMPROVE? Look for something that's an improvement to an existing product or service rather than something brand new. Look for something that's cheaper or of better quality. Look for something that has additional features or functions that current products don't offer. Improving an existing, successful product or service is the fastest, surest way to build a successful business. An idea only needs to be 10 percent newer and better to capture substantial market share, and selling updated versions of common, popular products is a safe way to start into business. Selling brand new products, for which there is no demonstrated market, is very risky. For almost 100 years, companies have been manufacturing and selling donuts, and there are thousands of donut shops successfully doing business all over the country. Then, a few years ago, a new company, Dunkin Donuts, entered the market, offering a type of donut that was only slightly superior to what other donut companies that had been in business for decades were offering. The rest is history. A small difference in quality and presentation has translated into an enormous difference in financial results. Here are three keys to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Start with your own talents and abilities, do something you can get excited about, and look for ways to improve on an existing business. But the most important part is for you to get started, you have to make that first step. Do not be influenced by others who probably had some prior bad experience. Rather, take action and dare to move forward. There are no limits except those you place on your own self. Do things to generate positive projections. Get with it before it’s too late. Stay in the company of progressive individuals. Never take no as an answer. Pretend as if the word “NO” does not exist in the dictionary of the wise only in the minds and hearts of fools. “It is always better to have information and not need it than to need it and not have it.”

To have all your real estate questions answered — FREE CONSULTATION — call: Edgar Henry @ (718) 930-9526

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 15, 2017

14

Brazen miner resumes operation at Micobie

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

--mere days afterresumes being ejected by authorities Brazen miner operation at Micobie Alva Solomon mining delegation last week, the officials there were not –By mere days after being ejected byhelpful. authorities the man’s employees on the very

A MINER who operates ground blatantly disregarded Then, earlier this year, By Alva dredges Solomonin the wa- the Andre said decision he believes theofMinistry of Indigseveral authority’s and within officials the GGMC visitreason thePotaro delegation Affairs, Ms terways off the Region the returned to the River, enous ed the Peoples village and informed A MINER who operates travelled all thatclose way totomeet Garrido-Lowe Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) which passes the Valerie the council of its rights ashad reseveral dredges in brazenly the wa- with him was because he said talks But wereaccording ongoing village of Micobie, village. gardsthat mining. terways the Region raised showed the concerns the between ministry the resumed off operations last had Andre this pubto Andre,herthe entire and village Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) had ofwith the way Ministry weekend, mere days after village lication two the machines felt that tone of theResourcofficials of Natural village of Micobie, Micobie es his machines werebrazenly ejected things which were weredone beingat operated at with the time suggested that the aim of finding a resumed the recentfrom National Tosha- solution from the operations area by the last au- at down-river the village. the entity wasissue working “in to the of illegal thorities. mere days after os TheCouncil “dragga”(NTC) machines were activities favour of in thebuffer miners.” weekend, annual zones. Indigenous operating oninaGeorgetown. bend within “We don’t the his Micobie, machines an were ejected conference In April this trust year, this villagethe onarea the outskirts of At the the river under Andre the hot highmid- newspaper GGMC. Last when from by the auconfab, had week reported on Mahdia, the region’s admin- lighted day sun.the numerous mining atheconfrontation delegation came to ocour thorities. which istrative capital, is home to issues faced by the Patamona curred village,onboard the manone from the Micobie, an Indigenous of the approximately residents. EPA dredges was stern on the issue, village on the 550 outskirts of village, and385 according to river between MicoIt has been with min- him, NOMinister MININGofZONE because he asked maps Mahdia, thebattling region’s adminNatural bie’s Toshao and afor manager ing issuescapital, within the village’s The village council ex- of andthe reports. And istrative is home to Resources, Raphael Trotman machine in we the believe Potaro 22 square miles land for was plained that there is a to buffer he is the person who help approximately 550ofresidents. very responsive his River. That matter is will presentmonths. zone which lies between the ly us before in thisthe problem,” It has been battling with concerns. courts. Andre The village council the be- lowest edgesthe of said,Last adding: mining issues within He point said on thattheafter Sunday, Andre exlieves it is “powerless” where the Potaro River and stretch“Between 2015 and now, the lands on its reservation es 65 feet inland. The zone, this miner supposed to reare concerned, and with good they say, belongs to the State, ceive plenty charges because reason, since it was only and as such no one is permit- they break the law all the recently that it learned that ted to mine there. time.” the mining authorities had “Neither us or the claim He said that last week green-lighted some 305 min- holder has rights for the area; when the EPA official quesing claims there, which fig- it’s the State who owns it,” tioned the Mahdia-based ure the council says translates Andre said. GGMC official about whethto more than three-quarters of In March this year, in a er any mining penalties were the total lands occupied by Department of Public Infor- imposed on the miner in the settlement. mation (DPI) report, Minister question, he was told just Toshao of Micobie, John within the Ministry of Indig- twice. Andre and members of the enous Peoples Affairs, Ms village council met with Valerie Garrido-Lowe had 434 the Guyana Chronicle over said that talks were ongoing WORRISOME DEVELthe weekend in the village, between her ministry and the OPMENT which lies on the edges of the Ministry of Natural ResourcTo crown it all, the vilPotaro River. es with the aim of finding a lage council told this publiAccording to the leader, solution to the issue of illegal cation that it was only this a meeting was called by a activities in buffer zones. year that it became aware of delegation of environmental In April this year, this the 305 mining claims within bodies which travelled from newspaper had reported on a its lands, information which the Coastland last week to confrontation which occurred was not previously provided The siltedThe Potaro River near the village one of Micobie RegiontoEight. Two water dredges Micobie. group, which onboard of theinriver the village council. It was were operating distance when the Guyana Chronicle visited area lastthree included officialsinofthethe dredge’s between Micobie’s noted that athe map with weekend (Photos by Alva Solomon) Guyana Geology and Mines Toshao and a manager of the claims was provided to the Commission (GGMC), the machine in the Potaro River. plained previous village that incouncil. mid-2015 Environmental Protection That matter is presently be- when “We to know if village’s 22 square miles of Georgetown-based miner’s he want assumed the post Agency fore the courts. since 2006leader, these aclaims land for (EPA) months.and personnel equipment, which includ- of village groupare of from Last “dragga” Sunday, Andre ex- Brazilians there, or when claims T hnon-governmental e v i l l a g e c o u nsupc i l ed five machines, had these owned the port agencies, with An- were plained that in mid-2015 were issued on our lands,” believes it is met “powerless” ejected from the area river dredges operating in the dre andthe discussed theits issue. when assumed the post Potaro Deputy River Toshao, Hilton Henwhere lands on res- by thehemining delegation near Micobie. Andre he believes of village leader, a group of They dricks have asked.since “We the werelatter nevervation aresaid concerned, and last week, the man’s employthe reason the delegation Brazilians had owned the er given any maps with these with good reason, since it ees on the ground blatantly part of 2016 sold the machintravelled that way to meet river dredges the operating in the ery claims; showed was onlyallrecently that it disregarded authority’s to thethey localnever miner. with him he decision Potaro River near Micobie. said. then,” Andre learned thatwas the because mining auand returned to the us,” he “Since had raisedhad thegreen-lighted concerns the Potaro They have since thepasses latter said,Andre the only reathorities River, which “the said problem started, village305 hadmining with the way close part ofto2016 sold the machin- son he became aware of some claims the village. because, by right, the village thingswhich were done Micobie to the local miner. the claims within the lands there, figureatthe coun- ery Andre showed this pub- has to know what is happenat the recent National Tosha“Since then,” Andre said, was because a villager who cil says translates to more lication two of the machines ing the lands. os Council (NTC) annual “the problem started, be- was within on a “dragga” sawAnd the than three-quarters of the which were being operated they started breaking down conference in Georgetown. cause, by right, the village delineations on a map and total lands occupied by the down-river from the village. the river banks and polluting At the confab, Andre high- has to know what is happen- informed the village council settlement. machines water, whichafter is a source lighted the numerous mining The ing “dragga” within the lands. were And the of the situation taking Toshao of Micobie, John operating on a bend within for the village.” issues faced by the Patamo- they started breaking down photographs of it. “They Andre and members of the the river banks under and the polluting hot mid- (GGMC) Soon after started na village, and according the river never that showed me village council met with day sun. said, he to him, Minister of Natural the water, which is a source happening, a map with Andre these claims,” the GuyanaRaphael Chronicle over for the village.” started visiting the GGMC Resources, Trotman Andre said. the in the village, NO-MINING ZONE in add theupcity to dewasweekend very responsive to his Soon after that started offices “If you the amount which lies on the edges of happening, The village council extent concerns. Andre said,exhe termine of claimstoonwhat this land, wethe as the Potaro River. plained that there is a buffer miner was permitted to He said that after the started visiting the GGMC a village would only mine have According to theminer’s leader, zone theofriver, according Georgetown-based officeswhich in the lies city between to deter- in five the 22but square miles to of aequipment, meeting was called by a the lowest point onthe theminer edg- him, the officials there were which included mine to what extent our land,” a former Toshao delegation of machines, environmental the Potaro Riverinand five “dragga” were es wasofpermitted to mine the not whovery sits helpful. on the present vilbodies travelled from feet inland. The lageThen, earlier this year, ejectedwhich from the area by the stretches river, but65 according to him, council noted Sunday the Coastland last week to zone, they say, belongs to the officials of the GGMC visit-

of whom make their daily living from the waterways, and if the Potaro River is polluted, as they says very that well The council suspect, manymining livelihoods while it permits in the will itbeislost. To whether bolster its area, unclear it argument, the body cited has any control of the lands the many recurring health within its boundaries. The issues such as malaria, and body is calling on a ministethe many health defects in rial team to visit the village children, which they say, and withberesidents. maymeet very well caused by “We believe the EPA people improper mining practices in are more concerned, because the area. the officer wastoasking the According the AmerGGMC to of provide maps,” indian Act 2006, AmerinAndre said,have adding thatright the dians will a legal mining official noted that to traditional mining with the the mapsofwill be presented consent the Village Counby to thecomply EPA. cilDecember and they 1must According to the council, with the relevant legislation. residents Micobie a Thereofhas been a are conpeace-loving many certed call bypeople, residents of Toshao of Micobie, John Andre, (left) and his deputy, of whom make theirfor daily Amerindian villages the Hilton Hendricks, discussing a section of the from the amendment of waterways, the Act in Amerindian Act of 2006. Behind them is the Potaro River living and if the Potaro River is relation to mining. during the meeting with the believe the EPA people are polluted, as they well In June 2016,very Minister GGMC. Last week when the noted that a map with three more concerned, because suspect, Guyana Chronicle. of Indigenous People’s many livelihoods was provided to the delegation came to our vil- claims The council says that the officer was asking the will Affairs, Sydney Allicock, be lost. To bolster its previous village council. lage, the man from the EPA provide maps,” argument, while it permits mining GGMC to told the Government Inthe body cited “We want to know if was stern on the issue, bein the area, it is unclear Andre said, adding that the the formation Agency (GINA) many recurring health 2006 these noted claimsthat are cause he asked for any mapsconand since mining official whether it has that the Act will be and reissues such as malaria, or when these claims reports. believe he there, the maps will be presented trol of And the we lands within viewed and thedefects revision the many health in issued on1 to ourthelands,” isitsthe person whoThe will body help were by December EPA. children, boundaries. will also which focus they on Free, say, Toshao,toHilton Henus this problem,” Andre Deputy According the council, is in calling on a ministerial Prior and Informed Convery well be caused by dricks asked. “We were nev-a may said, adding: residents of Mocobie are team to visit the village and sent (FPIC) and many in of improper mining practices er given any maps with these “Between 2015 and now, meet with residents. “We peace-loving people, many the the land issues. area. (continued on page 20) this miner supposed to re- claims; they never showed According to the Amerceive plenty charges because us,” he said. indian Act of 2006, AmerinAndre said the only reathey break the law all the son he became aware of dians will have a legal right time.” He said that last week the claims within the lands to traditional mining with the when the EPA official ques- was because a villager who consent of the Village Countioned the Mahdia-based was on a “dragga” saw the cil and they must comply GGMC official about wheth- delineations on a map and with the relevant legislation. There has been a coner any mining penalties were informed the village council imposed on the miner in of the situation after taking certed call by residents of question, he was told just photographs of it. “They Amerindian villages for the (GGMC) never showed me amendment of the Act in twice. a map with these claims,” relation to mining. In June 2016, Minister Andre said. WORRISOME of Indigenous Peoples Af“If you add up the amount DEVELOPMENT fairs, Sydney Allicock, told To crown it all, the vil- of claims on this land, we as lage council told this publi- a village would only have the Government Informacation that it was only this five of the 22 square miles of tion Agency (GINA) that year that it became aware of our land,” a former Toshao the Act will be reviewed the 305 mining claims within who sits on the present vil- and the revision will also its lands, information which lage council noted Sunday focus on Free, Prior and was not previously provided during the meeting with the Informed Consent (FPIC) and many of the land isto the village council. It was Guyana Chronicle. sues.

‘Tear Drop’ on $1.1M robbery charge ONE-TIME, local social media sensation, Leon Clarke, called “Tear Drop”, was on Wednesday arraigned before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore for allegedly robbing a La Penitence businessman of $1.1M. The 23-year-old West La Penitence resident is charged for being in the

in court as he denied the charge. According to the accused he has recently gained employment at the Georgetown Public Hospital as an attendant and was beaten by police while in custody for the crime. The victim, Vincent Howard, who was also in court, explained that during the robbery his daughter

tribes, were almost wiped out from The listening to the tales of the long forgotten Due to the fact that they often reside who, despite the brand of ‘savages,’ 20 Guyana Chroniclethe New Edition September 15, 2017 Bahamas by the Spaniards. and trying to remember a history I was in reservations, firstYork people suffer week neverending needed to become ‘civilised.’

School teacher accuses husband of infidelity, torches home

POLICE are looking for a Sophia Primary School teacher who allegedly set her house ablaze, with her husband and teenage son inside in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. Fire Chief Marlon Gentle said that the Fire Service is investigating a case of arson at the Section ‘E’ Field, Cummings Park, residence and the Police have been notified. The teacher, identified as 46-year-old Brucene Walters, initially tried to burn the building down on Monday when she set fire to building materials which were stored under their home. She was however unsuccessful. It is alleged that the

materials were bought by her older son with her assistance, as he had intended to construct a small shack in which he and his girlfriend planned to live. However, in the wee hours of Tuesday morning she set fire to the bed in which her husband, 49-year-old Richard Walters was sleeping. He suffered minor burns to the body which was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The man related that when he jumped out of his bed he saw flames and initially did not know the fire was set by his wife. However, it was when he rushed to assist her and his 15-year-old son out of the house that he realised

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that it was she who had committed the act after she threw a lit kerosene stove at him before fleeing the scene. The traumatised husband said he could not believe what had happened since their youngest child was in the house when it was set ablaze. When questioned what could have been a motive for her action, he said they had an argument earlier in the night and he was accused of infidelity, something which he denied. He noted that all his possessions and important documents have gone up in the flames. Brucene is believed to be hiding out at her sister’s home in Berbice.

The remains of the house that was set ablaze. (Samuel Maughn Photo)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017

The Devastation Caused By Hurricane Irma (from page 5)

theological college in Barbuda. Named Codrington College, work started in 1714 and the college was eventually opened on 9 September, 1745. ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA POLITICALCONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS The Federation of the Leeward Islands served as the governing body for Antigua and Barbuda from 1871 to 1956. From 1958 to 1962, it was part of the Federation of the West Indies.

In 1951 when adult suffrage was introduced, the ALP won the elections that year and became the majority party. It won every election until 1971. Under the West Indies Act 1967, Antigua and Barbuda became an associated state with internal self-government. Vere Bird Sr became its first premier.

Army. Six months later, he was appointed a Cadet Sergeant in the Salvation Army Training College Staff in Trinidad. When he returned to Antigua in 1929, he severed connections to the Army. It is unclear why he left. Some assume that it was because he had faced racial discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago Before entering politics, Bird worked for the largest merchant-importer in the country. Like many Caribbean leaders– Cheddi Jagan, Sir Alexander Bustamante, Sir Grantley Adams and Robert Bradshaw, to name a few -Vere Bird’s political career was fashioned and nurtured by the labour movement. Through the union, he organized and rallied the masses against the British plantocracy, particularly

gan “We will eat cockles and the widdy bush. We will drink pond water instead of toiling in the canefields for a shilling a day.” The workers went on a strike, which lasted for about a year and was instrumental in gaining higher wages, the right of ATLU to negotiate for Antigua’s working class and to sign contracts with management. Subsequently, other rights and developments evolved in Antigua: land was distributed to about 7080 percent of Antiguans, a unique phenomenon within the Caribbean. Antigua became an associated state in 1967 and progressed from a backward, colonial plantation economy to a thriving tourism economy with the second highest per capita income in the Eastern Caribbean.” POLITICS

Bird was elected to the colonial legislature in 1945 and became an executive member the following year. The ALP won Antigua and Barbuda became an indeevery seat in elections held from 1956 to pendent state within the Commonwealth of 1965. Nations on 1 November 1981. The Right It lost the 1971 elections to the ProHonorable Vere Cornwall Bird Sr was its gressive Labour Movement (PLM), led first Prime Minister by Sir George Walters; but was returned to power in 1976. It remained the ruling VERE CORNWALL BIRD SR party until 2004 under the leadership of Rt. Honorable Dr. Sir. Vere C. Bird was Vere Bird and later his son, Lester. born 9 December 1910 on New Street, a The great one died 28 June 1999 at slum area in St. John’s, Antigua’s capital. He St. john’s. He was 89. was an illegitimate son of a penniless father who later committed suicide. Mr. Bird, at 7 Like Trinidad and Tobago, the union feet, “was a large, athletic and powerful man of Antigua-Barbuda is working. Everyone Barbuda was the worst hit island in the West Indies. with a preacher's voice and a sharp tongue.” wishes the island well through its devasMoody Stuart, a powerful sugar syndicate. In January, tation by Hurricane Irma. It has picked up the pieces beHe attended St. John’s Boys Primary School (now T.N. Kirnon Primary School), the only formal education 1951, in front of a crowd of hundreds under a tamarind fore and will do so again. he completed. At age 18, he enlisted in the Salvation tree near a remote village of Bethesda, he used the slo-

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017

New York Chronicle Horoscope

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CROSSWORD CROSSWORD

ISSUE 66 CROSSWORD ANSWER

ARIES (Mar. 21 - April 20) You are best to work at home, clearing up overdue projects. Relationships have not been the best for you lately and it’s left you somewhat gun shy. You will be extremely receptive to new and progressive methods at work. You have a tendency to think that no one else will do things properly. Your lucky day next week will be Monday. TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Insincere gestures of friendliness may be misleading. Be careful not to consume too many spicy foods, or minor health problems could put you out of commission for the day. Don’t evade issues or twist the truth around. Be careful of the groups you join or the people you associate with. Your lucky day next week will be Saturday.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Things aren’t as they appear. You may want to get a little extra rest. You are prone to infections and fevers. Don’t overspend or give too freely to others. Don’t let your friends talk you into taking time off. Your lucky day next week will be Saturday.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) Things are looking good for you, so open your eyes and get to it. Try to ease any disappointment by making amends. Organize all the responsibilities that have to be attended to and make sure everyone knows what to do. Look closely at motives and honesty in your personal encounters. Your lucky day next week will be Wednesday.

LEO (July 23 - Aug 22) You must take care of health problems that have been lingering. There’ll be difficulties if you spend too much. Avoid being intimately involved with clients or colleagues. You might find that coworkers will support your endeavors. Your lucky day next week will be Friday. VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 23) Take time to listen to children and help them with projects that seem impossible to them. Your involvement in organizational events could open doors to new and exciting opportunities. You will be able to make financial gains. Minor accidents are likely if you take risks. Your lucky day next week will be Thursday.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) You can make progress professionally. You can sell your ideas to those who have the money to back them. Make sure that you have all the pertinent information before any reprisals or making any moves. Get help setting up a reasonable budget. Look into ways of making extra cash. Your lucky day next week will be Sunday.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Try not to discuss important matters with colleagues. Plan your day thoughtfully, but try not to rely on others. You should get involved with activities that can be enjoyed by both young and old alike. Personal alterations will be in your best interest. Your lucky day next week will be Friday.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) Some relatives will be extremely perplexing. Your self esteem will come back if you take part in organizational functions that allow you to be in the lime light. Keep calm. Someone around you is bouncing off the walls. You need a day to rest and relax with the ones you love. Your lucky day next week will be Friday. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Delve into your work if you can’t make amends at home. Your input into their activities will help bring you closer together. Unreliable people will be negative about your ideas. Update and review your personal investments. Your lucky day next week will be Monday. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) Partnerships could prove to be lucrative. Hidden assets can be doubled if you play your cards correctly. You can enhance your reputation by making contributions to worthwhile causes. Networking will be a necessity. Your lucky day next week will be Sunday. PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) Don’t be too quick to let friends and relatives know what you’re up to. You can get a great deal accomplished if you bring work home. Don’t hold back. You will feel tired and rundown if you have allowed yourself to get into a financial mess. Your lucky day this week will be Friday.

ACROSS 1. Joan of ___ 4. Small quarrels 9. Sloe ___ fizz 12. Co.’s head 13. Planet’s trip 14. Before deux 15. Take it on the___ 16. Born ___ 17. Zenith rival (abbr.) 18. Tips over 20. Normal 22. “Girls” channel (abbr.) 23. Garment edges 25. Bartender’s “rocks” (2 wds.) 28. Biblical spot 32. Neither hide ___ hair 33. Waco’s state 35. Nautical affirmative 36. Went briskly

W O R D F I N D

ALUNITE

M I N E R A L S

ANALCITE BERYL

5. Paid athletes 6. Stomach muscles, briefly 7. Knotted neckwear 8. Guitarist’s verb 9. Hindu mentor 10. Ancient Peruvian 11. Actress Patricia 38. Peaches & Herb hit 19. “Grimm” network 40. Flats (abbr.) 21. Compass reading 42. Age 23. Bewitches 43. ___ Gras (New 24. Isaac’s son Orleans event) 25. Parts of ft. 46. Opposite of robust 26. “Kindergarten ___” 27. Yellow Muppet 49. Boxer Muhammad 29. Computer collection of 50. November stone information 53. Yahoo! rival 30. Check out 54. Brief sleep 31. Beatty of “Superman” 55. Small amount 34. Goes “achoo!” 56. ___ Lanka 37. Father, affectionately 57. 19th letter 39. Anger 58. Seasons popcorn 41. Actor Brad and family 59. Some Scrabble tiles 43. Lion’s hair DOWN 44. Melodramatic cry 1. Bill of Rights defend45. Tears apart ers (abbr.) 46. Reality 2. Gather grain 47. Lonely 3. Summoning words 48. Yalies (2 wds.) 51. “Are you a man ___mouse?” 4. Box office sign (2 wds.) (2 wds.) 52. Mutt, to Jeff

IKAITE

JENNITE LEAD

BORAX

OLIVENITE

CORUNDUM

SPHENE

CHLORITE COPPER

DATOLITE EPIDOTE

FLUORITE GALENA GOLD

HORNBLENDE

PLATINUM RUTILE SPINEL TALC

TOPAZ

TURQUOISE VIVIANITE

WILLEMITE

ISSUE 66 WORDFIND ANSWER

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 15, 2017

Change will come only with investment -- UG vice-chancellor

By Alexis Rodney

THE University of Guyana (UG) in its attempt to stand out as a world-class tertiary institution must be able to attract considerable amounts of support and investment. By this, all stakeholders, including government, must be willing to invest not only financial resources, but every available reserve that could push it in this direction. UG Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr Ivelaw Griffith said the changes being sought for the country’s premier tertiary institution can in no way come about if stakeholders do not invest and has even called on his critics to see the “bigger picture” in what he, and to a wider extent the university’s administration, is trying to achieve. During an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, the vice- chancellor, who has been serving in the capacity for just over a year, said the university has been receiving much criticism, especially by persons who have a “myopic view of reality” and who are stuck in the past.

Most of the criticisms, he said, are not based on facts. “This university is not a university of the 1970s. Over the years, the institution grew in student numbers but not in support system, not in full-time lecturers or administration. If you are going to make improvements at the university, you will have to spend,” Dr Griffith told this newspaper. The professor had received some criticisms following a multimillion-dollar proposal to the university’s Council earlier this year for the renting of a Camp Street, Georgetown facility, which would have been regarded as a “downtown campus.” That proposal was shut down by the Council; however, it did approve the establishment of a School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “The idea of that new campus was to do some innovation and expansion. It was not only to spend money, but to make money. To establish a business development unit,” he said. ‘THE CHEAP’ The professor said there

University of Guyana Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Ivelaw Griffith

are still sections of society that are accustomed to “the cheap.” “The cheap does not earn you respect and investment,” he said, continuing that whether it is the proposed “downtown campus” or any other, “this university has to go beyond Tain and Turkeyen.” He said the university’s population has grown to some 8,000 students and with that magnitude, the in-

stitution continues to endure complications, including sewerage and parking space. “We are not going to get a changed university until we are willing to invest. We need to be willing to invest. Ask graduates to invest, ask government to invest, businesses and also we have to be innovative,” he maintained. He made reference to a 2012 Hamilton Associates Report, which addressed the university’s need to pay

better salaries, having at least four deputy vice-chancellors and a better support system. A task force established by Chancellor Dr. Nigel Harris also pointed out similar deficits. While steps are being taken to make the necessary changes, the efforts have been stymied. “The university must be the enabler of better educational and economical livelihoods. The university must be an agent for change and innovation. It must also be the place that has a developmental role linking Guyana to the rest of the communities including the Caribbean, other parts of South America.” NEGLECTED AND UNDER-RESOURCED Professor Griffith said the university is at a point where it has been neglected and under-resourced, noting that there is need for a massive infusion of funding. That funding, he pointed out, is not expected only from government. “It has to go beyond government. It has to ask how we can connect with graduates, with Guyanese in the business world and non-Guyanese who have a passion for education who want to give

back to the university. We are not going to be able to do those things if we only tinker with what we know, if we are averse to change and innovation.” According to him, while steps are being taken to upgrade the level of faculties and teaching staff, he said lecturers are not going to come to the university with the salaries it pays. He said a university is not only a teaching institution, but also a business “Think of being a lecturer, a researcher, where every day your power goes out, not only at the university, but at home.” He said there are conditions that will have to be improved in the university and society to be able to attract lecturers. “So part of my strategy was to look to see who in the diaspora would want to come back as I did for less pay, come back and endure circumstances of insufficient labs, power shortages, etc. It’s not about getting new lecturers, it’s about creating the conditions for the qualified lecturers to come, not as a weigh station to stay for a few months.”

UG Turkeyen to have two convocations THE University of Guyana (UG)’s Turkeyen Campus will this year observe its annual convocation ceremony in two parts, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ivelaw Griffith has said. The graduation exercise will be held on November 11, and will have two sessions. According to Dr Griffith, the move is an attempt to reduce the lengthy hours spent at the graduation ceremony. “One of the things we are doing differently is, we are going to have two graduation ceremonies rather than one. There are four to five hours, and by the time you get to technology, half the people gone,” the VC said on Tuesday. “Why not create two shorter ceremonies and excite people who are graduates to come back,” he added. The two ceremonies will have two former graduates as guest speakers. The first session, which will be held early in the day, will hear from Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) and former UG student, Mr Michael Tenpow. The name of the second speaker is yet to be announced, he said. The following week, on November 18, the Tain Campus will hold its graduation ceremony, and will have as its guest speaker Lawyer and graduate, Ms Patricia Bacchus. The vice-chancellor said he hopes to begin a culture of inviting graduates to speak at

convocations going forward, “so that students can see what they can become in the future.” Meanwhile, the university has announced that it has added some 16 new programmes/ courses to the 2017/2018 Academic year. These courses include eight from the newly established School of Education and Business

Innovation (SEBI), and include the Bachelors of Science in Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Tourism Management and Special Education Needs. The other programmes are an Associate of Science Degree in Mining Engineering; and a

Bachelor of Science in either Environmental Science, Forestry, Industrial Engineering, Medicine or Surgery. There are also the Master of Social Work, Master of Science in Agro-Technology and Business, and Master of Medicine in Diagnostic Radiology.

Guyana Chronicle New YorkSeptember Edition week ending September 15, 2017 GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, 14, 2017

23 11

Parika added to growing list – of ICT hubs countrywide RESIDENTS of Parika, Region Three are now the recipients of an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Hub, commissioned by the Ministry of Telecommunications, E-Governance department on Wednesday, at the Parika Community

Playground. The hub, outfitted with 20 computers, will afford residents of the community to have free access to computers and to the internet. It is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Telecommunications and residents who were instru-

mental in ensuring that the hub became a reality. Opening hours of the Hub are from Monday to Friday from 15:30hrs to 20:30hrs. On weekends and holidays, it will be opened from 13:00hrs to 18:00hrs. The Department of Public Information (DPI) was at the opening ceremony and spoke to students, teachers and residents of Parika who

Children putting the ICT Hub at Parika to good use

thrilled by the initiative. All of the students indicated that they intend to use the ICT hub to assist them with their homework, research and assignments. Aalayah Leighton of Parika Salem Secondary said, “It is very helpful. I will use it for doing most of my homework and my SBAs and so on.” Renetta Fernandes also plans on taking advantage of the hub to complete her homework and research. Ten-year-old Alvena Singh, of Parika Salem Primary said, “I am so excited to use the computers; it will help me a lot with my homework and my assignments.” A parent and community resident, Ms Alexis Fernandes said that the establishment of the ICT hub is a great initiative by the government. The mother of three noted, “Before you had to use the private Internets; and one picture sometimes cost $40. And if you have to get like four or five pictures, and with three kids, it would be costly… So I see it as a great thing for the community.” Parika Salem Primary School teacher, Ms Naomie

Ms Alexis Fernandes, a parent

Phillips said she believes that the ICT Hub will be of great benefit to children of all ages. “Many times they do not have the money to go out and get research done; and it’s not far from the school, so they can walk over in the afternoon and get their work done,” she said. Director of Community Development and Social Management, Mr Phillip Walcott thanked the com-

munity for their support in making the ICT Hub a reality. He remarked that the establishment of the ICT Hub is not the end, but a means to an end. “While we are here, dealing with the part of providing the access through community ICT Hub, E-government agencies all across the country are also working on making the government services accessible,” Mr Walcott said, adding: “And so, over time, you will no longer have to travel to make a passport application. Within each hub, you will be able to access relevant software that will allow you to apply for your passport online.” The ICT Hubs are an initiative of President David Granger to bridge the digital divide in the country. Within the next five years, Walcott said, there will be an ICT Hub in almost every community countrywide. On Wednesday afternoon, a similar facility was formally opened at the Agricola Community Centre in Greater Georgetown.

Businessman charged Middle-aged man gets four for wounding Benjai years for ganja trafficking BUSINESSMAN, Maverick DeAbreu on Wednesday appeared before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore charged for allegedly wounding popular Trinidadian Soca artiste, Benjai, outside Palm Court night club in April. DeAbreu denied that on April 16, 2017 at Palm Court, Georgetown he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Rodney “Benjai” La Blanc. His lawyer, Mark Waldron told the court that his client is 25 years old and lives at Broad and Alexander Streets, Charlestown. However, La Blanc's lawyer, Eusi Anderson told the court that his client came all the way from Trinidad for justice. The lawyer further told the court that on the day in question the artiste had just wrapped up his performance at Pulse Entertainment’s Soca theme party at the Palm Court Night Club, Georgetown and that he was standing in a nearby car park in the company of his manager and other people when the driver of a vehicle in the car park reversed into them. According to the report,

Maverick DeAbreu

Rodney “Benjai” La Blanc

when alerted to the presence of the group, the driver came out and pointed a firearm at Benjai and the group. DeAbreu came out the passenger’s side of the vehicle and hurled a glass object at La Blanc and slashed him to his face with a glass bottle. He was rushed to a private hospital, where he received over 15 stitches for two deep cuts. Police Prosecutor made no objection to DeAbreu being released on bail. The Magistrate released DeAbreu on $50,000 and adjourned the matter until October 11. In

May, DeAbreu was charged with discharging a loaded firearm at his pregnant girlfriend and her sister. However, he was freed of the two charges after the women refused to offer evidence against him in court. It was alleged that on February 1, 2017, at Industrial Site Ruimveldt, Georgetown he discharged a loaded gun at his girlfriend, Tiffany Herbert and her sister, Jomelle Herbert with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause grievous bodily harm to them.

A 59-YEAR-OLD man recently busted by the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) with 75 pound of marijuana at his Camp and Norton Streets home was on Wednesday sentenced to four years jail and fined $30,000 for drug trafficking. Standley Pyle, a single parent of seven appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman and confessed that on September 10, 2017 at Lot 10 Camp and Norton Streets, he had 34.048 kilograms of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. CANU prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford told the court that on the day in question ranks went to Pyle’s home and conducted a search. In the upper flat of the home a makeshift room was found and three carton boxes along with two barrels containing bulky parcels of cannabis were found. While at CANU headquarters, Pyle had given an oral statement confessing

bust. Pyle begged the magistrate for leniency saying he is the sole breadwinner for his seven children. Before handing down her sentence, the magistrate took into consideration that Pyle pleaded guilty and also the method used to conceal the drugs. Pyle was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment along with $30,000 fine.

JAILED: Standley Pyle

to the crime and explained to ranks that someone living ‘over the river’ had given him the cannabis. Sandiford further told the court that a second suspect is currently in custody in relation to the same drug

Exhibits of some of a suspected marijuana

24

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017

THE 800,000 HUMAN LIVES PROBLEM! “O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation. Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.' And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!” — Excerpt from The Star-Spangled Banner (The national anthem of the United States of America). “America isn't Congress. America isn't Washington. America is the striving immigrant who starts a business, or the mom who works two low-wage jobs to give her kid a better life. America is the union leader and the CEO

The ALBERT BALDEO Column

As an immigration lawyer, immigrant and community advocate, Albert Baldeo knows firsthand that Dreamers deserve a better chance to succeed and help build America. Above he is seen with some of those Dreamers. who put aside their differences to make the economy stronger.”— Barack Obama The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), was introduced by President Barack Obama in 2012

and brought hope and structure to the lives of 800,000 young people to date with the opportunity to live, work, drive, and participate openly in society without fear of apprehension and deportation from America — the only country they call home. It gave these “Dreamers” a chance to live the American dream. The program’s termination is one of the most inhumane acts of disenfranchisement known to humanity and an affront to the highest principles of American civilization. We can no longer call ourselves “a nation of immigrants,” or “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” It will place hundreds of thousands of young people directly affected in jeopardy and fear, and will collaterally affect their families, friends, and neighbors, as well as workplaces and educational institutions. It is most un-American. We have enough natural disasters affecting our lives to add more of our own creation! The elimination of DACA without adopting an alternative solution is as tragic as it is draconian. It sends the wrong message to young people who grew up in our communities that they are not deserving of any rights, that they are inferior, and can be removed from the United States of America on a whim. The central requirement for strong, integrated societies — public trust in our govern-ment and laws, will be further eroded. Trust me, I have personally experienced this abomination of laws and injustice. See, e.g. this Daily News article on how my American political aspirations were savagely abrogated: h t t p : / / w w w. n y d a i l y n e w s . com/opinion/errol-louis-nyc-campaignfinance-tangle-article-1.2403316. DACA, because of its basic good-

ness, has forged an emotional connection with the broader US population, called the “DACAmented” population — a sophisticatedly organized collection of sympathetic elements, with a presence in every corner of America. The time to act is now! It must flex its muscles, and mobilize resources and numbers. The DACA movement must never give up its collective rights to stay in America, and must not be silenced while forcing the legislative and executive branches to enact a permanent solution to a growing problem that can no longer be swept under the carpet. A large number of states, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and DACA recipients have immediately petitioned the federal court to stop DACA’s termination. Three lawsuits have been filed thus far. One lawsuit was filed by 15 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.), another by the state of California, and a third by a DACA recipient and Make the Road New York (MRNY), they all seek to have the court declare the administration and Department of Homeland Security’s DACA announcement unconstitutional. The widespread opposition to DACA’s repeal around the country must be supplemented by urgent Congressional action to reinstate and/or make the program permanent. Remember President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s counsel to us, “Peace, like charity, begins at home.” Note: Albert Baldeo is a civil rights activist and community advocate. As President of the Baldeo Foundation and Queens Justice Center, he has continued to fight for equal rights, dignity and inclusion in the decision making process. He can be contacted at the Baldeo Foundation: (718) 529-2300.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 15, 2017 2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017 25

Court throws out injunction against AG – Judge finds it lacked merit THE application for injunction filed by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP), Anil Nandlall, against Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, was on Wednesday denied by High Court Judge Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. Justice Sewnarine-Beharry found, among other things, that the injunction had no merit. Back in April, Nandlall had approached the High Court with an injunction, seeking to prevent the Minister of Legal Affairs from publicly stating that he (Nandlall) would be charged for stealing several law books, property of the State. Justice Sewnarine-Beharry refused and dismissed the application for injunction on the grounds that

Nandlall was charged for the very offence the AG said he would be charged. During her ruling, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry pointed out that the application for injunction over the “defamatory” statement was made some 11 days after it was allegedly made by the AG. According to her, that suggests that there was no urgency from Nandlall to have the matter addressed. The Court also observed that Nandlall, in his application, failed to mention that he had approached the very court before on the same matter and was refused. The court also said that since the filing of the Application by the complainant, certain events had overtaken the statements made in it. In the circumstances, the court said it was therefore satisfied that the current circum-

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

stance would be sufficient for denying the application. Nandlall, who was represented by Attorney Manoj Narayan, was ordered to pay the standard $30,000. The Attorney-General was represented by a four-member team. Added to the injunction, Nandlall is claiming

damages of in excess of $25M for libel published on March 24, 2017, at a press conference, hosted at the National Communication Network Inc; damages of in excess of $25M for libel published in the Guyana Times newspaper on March 25, 2017; damages of in excess of $25M for slander published during an outreach programme in Berbice on March 26, 2017; and damages of in excess of $25M for libel published by Demerarawaves on March 27, 2017. The substantive matter has been set for November 6, for the Case Management Conference before Justice Sewnarine- Beharry. Over the last two years, Nandlall has repeatedly confirmed that while he was AG, law books were purchased for him by the State, using taxpayers’ money. The missing books were bought from Lexis Nexis

(U.K.), publishers of the Commonwealth Law Reports, and are said to be worth over $2.5M.

Former Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall

However, after the PPP was unseated in 2015, Nandlall took possession of the books which were bought for him as AG, by the state. Since then, Minister of Le-

gal Affairs, Basil Williams, has been questioned about the missing books and has committed to taking legal action against Nandlall. The AG has accused Nandlall of allegedly stealing the books, since they were not in possession of the AG’s chambers, despite the fact that they were bought for the then AG with state funds. The AG has been maintaining that the Law books were purchased with state funds and were intended to be used by the state and its officials. He said any arrangement that does not conform to the established Public Service Rules or Regulations can be deemed a breach of the Fiscal Management Accountability Act (FMAA). The AG said his duty as Custodian of state assets is to protect the assets and undertake a reasonable investigation into the location of the assets.

Narine lays down theefforts law Morian spearheads rebuild Linden freak storm...

--just onepage garbage bin per household (from 23) – to make Christianburg Secondary serviceable

REGION 10 Waste Chairman zinc in sheets with its therequired children be out HEAD of Solid Management the along Department, you want will be to to make all city, Walter Narine,and has said thatwere the ripped payments City Treasurer Mr Mr. Rennis Morian rafters fromto thethe of school for a Department long time,” rates andoftaxes residents pay to the City at City Hall before collection a team regional offibuilding. Morian said.and disposal is Council only made,” Narine cials have set provide about tofor en-the collection Morian, along with the has said. “The whole idea is not and of garbage wasteEducational At the statutory meeting sure disposal that students of thein one Regional Of- council’s to have children out on of receptacle. Monday, though, Mayor Patricia Chase-Green Christianburg Secondary ficer, Ms Marcia Paddy; school; it’s not the governIn other words, garbage collectors are re- said she received many complaints that conSchool to clear return to the Regional Executive ment’sonly focus mission quired by get law to one receptacle; and if tractors were emptying oneand barrel, and school as soon as possible. Officer (REO), Mr Gavin to have children residents have more, they would be required asking residents to pay for the others. out of Thea fee Christianburg Sec-disposed Clarke school. So our contractors job is to to pay to have the rest of. and Councillors “I don’t understand if the ondary School was one on Wednesday visited the make certain that we follow According to Narine, residents should don’t understand their role, but it’s been reportof more than 20 buildings thethegovernment trend; chilcall the Municipal Solid WasteChristianburg Manage- ed Secondary to my office that trucks collect one drum ment Department on 223-5127, 223-5126, andother tell you you have pay for others,” the that were badly hit during School and the govdrentomust be the in school,” he and for that information how suchinstitutions mayor said, adding: the 223-5128 freak storm ripped onernment that added. waste canthe be mining collectedtown and at disposed unacceptable! through wereof.damaged due“Town to theClerk, this Heissaid that theyThey are waste fridges, only intend to do one pick-upforward a day through the around“Bulky 15:30hrs on include Tues- old storm. looking for the stoves, washing machines, sofas, tree trim- streets of Georgetown!” day. “ I c a n t e l l y o u n o w students to be able to return mings, shrubs, bed frames, wood, grass etc. When asked for clarity on the issue, In the mayhem that folthat there is Narine a contractor to school Monday. Please note a collection fee will be attached, said emptying only by onenext receptacle is lowed, some of the school’s on spot, because we don’t They then visited and upon advice from the Solid Waste comsistent with the laws governing thehousmunicipality. “It is unacceptable for them to have more than one bins,” Narine said, adding: “Take a walk down Regent Street any morning and you will see how much garbage a store has; look down your street and see how many bins one household has. “The law is clear, but we still carry all their waste and don’t complain.” Meanwhile, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is finding it increasingly difficult to cover garbage collection on its own in Georgetown, and now wants to reduce collections in some quarters due to the overwhelmingly high amounts of waste generated by some residents. After its two main contractors, Purans Disposal Services and Cevons Waste Management, pulled their services early in August, the M&CC had boasted that this new development has opened their eyes to the possibility of providing the same services competently on their

To advertise in this newspaper call Dennis at: 917-379-6590

A section of the Christianburg Secondary School that was damaged during the freak storm

own, and that the money saved could be paid 26 tonnes of refuse weekly, as compared to to the contractors to cover heavy, outstanding the other groups in Georgetown that produce debts. about eight to 12 tonnes weekly. But Narine told the Guyana Chronicle Town Clerk Royston King last week earlier this week that areas such as Charles- said the M&CC is looking forward to opening town, Albouystown, Wortmanville and new talks with the contractors, and setting up Werk-en-Rust are producing significantly new conditions, especially since the contracts more waste than other neighbourhoods, and are up for review in October. that twice-weekly clearance will have to be The contracts, which feature a review changed to once weekly because the council’s clause, remain in force until 2020. resources are limited at the moment. City Hall, through its Solid Waste However, residents of Charlestown Management Department, has undertaken to and Albouystown have confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle that they are hardly provide garbage collection and disposal sergetting even the once-per-week clearance. vices throughout Georgetown, with assistance “We put out our barrels and leave them from a few small contractors. But King has subsequently reportthere for days, and then we just take them ed that the trucks and other equipment back inside when we are tired of waiting,” a resident of St. Stephens Street, Charles- belonging to M&CC are very old and have never been subjected to this type of town said on condition of anonymity. Narine is saying that the above-men- pressure before, since the municipality had Hopkinson’s that was destroyed by the freak been depending on thestorm contractors. tioned areas are producing house approximately

City must be prepared for flash floods

es in the teachers’ hostel compound, the Region 10 Agriculture Office, and the Wismar Hospital Complex, GEORGETOWN Mayor where it observed that Patriciawas Chase-Green has some parts ofthethose questioned city’sbuidpreings were so paredness forbadly a flashdamflood aged that some persons and called on councillors totobemeet removed to another and advise on the location. way forward. The Guyana Chronicle “While we sympathise was told that a contractor is with our brothers and sisters still needed to look at those in the Caribbean, I hope you situations. are reading and following Apartthat fromthere that,may Morian reports very said the region has conwell be a flash flood coming tacted the Civil Defense to Guyana sometime after Commission, and that their the hurricane,” Chase-Green officials sincestatutogone said at thehave Council’s into the fields to recce the

situation. “We are working in partnership to make certain that the livelihoods and wellbeing of persons are where it supposed to be,” the Regional Chair said. Meanwhile, Ms Desiree Hopkinson of Moraballi Street, Retrieve is still in disbelief after the house she is currently in the process of purchasing was destroyed by the storm. “I was trying to save the stove in the kitchen from getting wet, and all I know is that my father said he Georgetown Mayor pulled me out of the kitchen Patricia Chase-Green and I landed in the pathway

to the second bedroom, and my father landed in the dining room,” Hopkinson said. She received a puncture ry meeting earlier this week. to her head, which “I would like toresulted find in her receiving sixprepastiches out if there are any while her father got some rations; is there a commitcuts and scrapes on one of tee set up? We are right his legs. on the water front. Our “I wasMarket really isinatpanStabroek a ic mode ‘cause I was great disadvantage.allI hope thinking about was my fathat the administration ther. It’s really emotional,” along with the councillors the thirty-five year-old said responsible for that particas tears welled in her eyes. ular committee that deals is and currentwithHopkinson that could sit adly receiving help from vise somehow or the other members of her family, their preparedness for a family friend, neighbours such an event,” she added. and also the council.

26 GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 15, 2017 13

President bids farewell to brother THE funeral service for the late Mr. Cesare Francis Granger, brother of President David Granger, was on Wednesday held at the Kaashi Dhaam Hindu Crematorium, Ruimzeight, Region Three, (Essequibo Islands -West Demerara). Members of the Cabinet and the Diplomatic Corps were among those who at tended the service. The late Granger, fondly known as Frank, was born on October 4, 1937 and is the first son and third child of the late Mr. Chetwynd and Mrs. Verleigh Granger. He married Ms.

Theresa nee Chang, with whom he fathered two sons, Mr. Kevin Granger and Mr. Marc Granger. The deceased attended the St John the Baptist School at Bartica, Central High School and Queen’s College in Georgetown. He subsequently attended Columbia University in New York. He graduated with the Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Economics, winning the Mathew M. Frydre Award for outstanding undergraduate work. After studying and working abroad, the late Mr. Granger returned to

Guyana, where he joined the Ministry of Works, Hydraulics and Supply as an Economist, conducting economic feasibility studies from 1969 to 1972. He then joined the Commonwealth Caribbean Regional Secretariat and, from 1973, the Caribbean Community Secretariat as a Senior Economist, holding various positions until his retirement on October 4, 1997. Mr. Cesare Francis Granger is survived by his sons, and his siblings Ms. Barbara Granger and President Granger. (Ministry of the Presidency)

GAWU in another counter-productive strike

WORKERS aligned to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) staged a protest against the privatisation of the Skeldon Estate on the first day of the first crop for the year on Tuesday. The estate was out of operation due to a faulty boiler which has since been fixed. This move by GAWU has taken many by surprise since it has come after several months of non-activity at the estate. Many who spoke with Guyana Chronicle say they had to follow suit since they are of the view that if they did not join the protest, they would be deemed traitors. “I glad the estate finally start grinding cause I did deh out a work for a long time, now we hear we get protest on the day we gotta start chop cane, I vex but gotta follow the cause they does represent we, but we could a do this before crop start suh it ain’t

ing the boiler so that workers could have turned out today but GAWU chose to hold a protest which caused 60 per cent of workers not to turn out to work. Where was GAWU from January to September when these workers were not working? GAWU doesn’t have the workers interest at heart and have their own hidden agenda; to me this is all political.” Harbhajan contended that GAWU’s action is a reverse of what it preaches, pointing out that the union keeps lamenting that the government of the day is placing the workers on the breadline, yet when they have an opportunity to let them earn they are choosing to strike. “As the prime minister regional representative many sugar workers had visited my office with all sort of problems and sometimes I asked them where the GAWU representatives are in these times and the answer is none but yet

He made reference to the 50 per cent increase which ministers have enjoyed since the new government took office while the workers have had little or nothing in comparison. He urged the workers to not give up but keep fighting and promised that the union will not allow the efforts of those who made the ultimate sacrifice to go down in vain. Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Union, Seepaul Narine, said there is no need to privatise the Skeldon Estate since last year alone the co-generation plant earned over $9.5 billion. This figure, he said is proof that the industry, specifically Skeldon, can be profitable and was not a failed investment. The protest by GAWU came as the government expressed the desire to have the Skeldon Estate privatised due to numerous problems that has been plaguing the facto-

President David Granger, with nephews Marc and Kevin, and other friends, as pallbearers, position the casket at the beginning of the funeral service

Sugar workers on the protest line on Tuesday

President David Granger and First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, (first and second from left) and Minister of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin (second from right) and other relatives at the funeral service. Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Mr. Keith Scott, is also pictured first from right

15 receive GBTI bursary awards

THE Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI) on Wednesday presented bursary awards to 15 members of its Early Savers Club who were successful at the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). Senior Education Officer (Mathematics), Ameer Ali, congratulated the students and urged them to continue being ambassadors for the bank. Ali said the students have only now begun their journeys to success and called on them to remain focused on

their education, while having a bit of fun. The bank was commended for the initiative and Ali noted that the Ministry of Education was pleased to participate in the award ceremony. Meanwhile, GBTI Senior Manager Sean Noel said the bank has always had a long and fruitful relationship with the Ministry of Education and noted that GBTI places great emphasis on education. He disclosed that the bank has launched its Annual Calendar Art Competition

and encouraged all children to enter to be a part of the GBTI 2018 Calendar. This year’s awardees included Gabriella Roberts, who secured the second position at the NGSA. Other awardees included Shelby Gomes, Leonard Grant, Leonardo Juan, Marlon Benn, Ryea Algu, Shilendra Haripersaud, Saif Khan, Bholanand Seenarine, Carey Sutherland, Oma Seeraj, Shaquan Adams, Naita Rafick, Deonarine Dukharan and Shania Andrews.

gonna affect we from earning,” a worker from the Upper Corentyne said. Members of the business community also found the move strange and some even questioned the motive of GAWU since they too felt the protest action could have been held in the off-period or at a later date. “I don’t have a problem with the protest but the timing is just wrong, they could have done this before the crop start or wait until them get settled in rather that protest on the first day of the crop.” Gobin Harbhajan, regional representative for the Office of the Prime Minister, who has been exchanging words with GAWU via letters in the media, said the move by GAWU is a clear indication that they do not have the interest of the workers at heart. WICKED He described the move as being “a wicked and vindictive act aimed at creating mischief which will only cause misery to the workers” at the Skeldon Estate. “I find this very sickening that only yesterday (Monday) Skeldon Estate burnt cane after nine months of servic-

they will use the workers for calling strikes and protest and make unreasonable demands. The actions of GAWU have revealed their true objective and today brought themselves to the lowest as a union.” The workers organised by GAWU gathered at the estate compound and marched from the estate to the Independence Square, where they were addressed by the union representatives and fellow workers. UNSAVOURY COMPARISON President of GAWU, Komal Chand, in his address referred to the government as being equal to Hurricane Irma in terms of the destruction they have caused the country. He lamented that unlike Irma, which passed through for a short period, the government has been at the helm for two years and workers are subjected to the wrath of their sledgehammer, which is responsible for the sad state of affairs of several industries, including sugar. Chand accused the government of having double standards while claiming to put the interest of the people first but are merely looking out for themselves.

ry since it began operation in 2011. Since then several companies have expressed a desire to take over the reins of the estate, including local companies. Recently reports have surfaced that a South African consultant, who was hired by the previous administration to fix some of the defects at the factory, highlighted to upper management that the numbers at the estate were skewed to make the estate appear to be performing better than what was actually happening. This report was reportedly swept under the rug and the consultant was banned from entering certain sections of the factory. Since taking power, the government has tabled a white paper on the industry as it seeks to get it out of the doldrums and make it profitable. This move included closing a few estates and diversification of those in operation to make them profitable rather than ploughing billions of taxpayers’ money into the industry as the previous administration had done for numerous years with no plan of saving the industry.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, 14, 15, 20172017 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week endingSeptember September

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Impressive road works

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The council says that while it permits mining in the area, it is unclear whether it has any control of the lands within its boundaries. The WORK on the US$46M West Coast, Demerara Road which commenced in March 2015, seeks to improve effi- of Demerara. body is calling on a ministeImprovement Project is on-going. A few weeks ago it ciency andtosafety of road transportation for the approxiGovernment had secured US$45M Chinese funding rial team visit the village was reported as being 75 percent complete, according to mately 30.7 kilometers of the West Coast, Demerara Road for the East Coast road expansion. It was reported that and meet with residents. the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Senior Projects from Hydronie, just about one mile east the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, had signed “We Vreed-en-Hoop believe the EPA to people Engineer, Kester Hinds. of a Concessional Loan Agreement (CLA) with the ExareParika. more concerned, because officer waswork asking the ongoing to expand the road port-Import Bank of China for RMB Yuan 313,838,800 Hinds told the Department of Public Information (DPI) theMeanwhile, is also GGMC to provide that despite challenges and harsh weather, the project between Better Hopemaps,” and Belfield, along the East Coast or approximately US$45,318,337. Andre said, adding that the mining official noted that the maps will be presented by December 1 to the EPA. According to the council, residents of Micobie are a peace-loving people, many Toshao of Micobie, John Andre, (left) and his deputy, of whom make their daily Hilton Hendricks, discussing a section of the Amerindian Act of 2006. Behind them is the Potaro River living from the waterways, and if the Potaro River is GGMC. Last week when the noted that a map with three polluted, as they very well delegation came to our vil- claims was provided to the suspect, many livelihoods will be lost. To bolster its lage, the man from the EPA previous village council. “We want to know if argument, the body cited was stern on the issue, because he asked for maps and since 2006 these claims are the many recurring health reports. And we believe he there, or when these claims issues such as malaria, and is the person who will help were issued on our lands,” the many health defects in us in this problem,” Andre Deputy Toshao, Hilton Hen- children, which they say, dricks asked. “We were nev- may very well be caused by said, adding: “Between 2015 and now, er given any maps with these improper mining practices in this miner supposed to re- claims; they never showed the area. According to the Amerceive plenty charges because us,” he said. indian Act of 2006, AmerinAndre said the only reathey break the law all the Taking shape! The expansion of the ECD road is ongoing Taking shape! The expansion of the ECD road is ongoing dians will have a legal right son he became aware of time.” to traditional mining with the He said that last week the claims within the lands when the EPA official ques- was because a villager who consent of the Village Countioned the Mahdia-based was on a “dragga” saw the cil and they must comply GGMC official about wheth- delineations on a map and with the relevant legislation. There has been a coner any mining penalties were informed the village council imposed on the miner in of the situation after taking certed call by residents of question, he was told just photographs of it. “They Amerindian villages for the (GGMC) never showed me amendment of the Act in twice. a map with these claims,” relation to mining. In June 2016, Minister Andre said. WORRISOME of Indigenous Peoples Af“If you add up the amount DEVELOPMENT fairs, Sydney Allicock, told To crown it all, the vil- of claims on this land, we as lage council told this publi- a village would only have the Government Informacation that it was only this five of the 22 square miles of tion Agency (GINA) that year that it became aware of our land,” a former Toshao the Act will be reviewed the 305 mining claims within who sits on the present vil- and the revision will also its lands, information which lage council noted Sunday focus on Free, Prior and was not previously provided during the meeting with the Informed Consent (FPIC) and many of the land isChronicle. to the village was Guyana Thiscouncil. worker It battling the intense heat in order to getsues. the work done

‘Tear Drop’ on $1.1M robbery charge ONE-TIME, local social media sensation, Leon Clarke, called “Tear Drop”, was on Wednesday arraigned before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore for allegedly robbing a La Penitence businessman of $1.1M. The 23-year-old West La Penitence resident is charged for being in the company of others on September 8, 2017 and robbing Vincent Howard of $980,000 in cash, $175,000 worth of GTT phone cards, $50,000 worth of Digicel phone cards, and $80,000 worth of scratch tickets. Clarke broke down

in court as he denied the charge. According to the accused he has recently gained employment at the Georgetown Public Hospital as an attendant and was beaten by police while in custody for the crime. The victim, Vincent Howard, who was also in court, explained that during the robbery his daughter had positively pointed out Clarke as one of the perpetrators. Howard further pointed out that his daughter explained that she was able to point him out as the robber because of seeing him on Facebook.

Workers laying the asphalt on the road at Leanora, as part of the expansion of the WCD road

Leon Clarke called “Tear Drop”

The magistrate released Clarke on $75,000 bail and adjourned the matter until October 4, 2017.

A smooth ride

Harold ‘Mr 111’ Adams happy after erasing Tappin’s 33-year-old record Auric Tappin

By Rawle Toney IN 1984, playing for the YMCA Kings, Auric Tappin scored 58 points against the Mackenzie Knicks at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Hard Court. Tappin’s 58 points was the most scored by a Guyanese player in a senior competition, but that was until September 11, 2017, when Harold Adams scored a jaw-dropping 111 points in the Victory Valley Roy-

als’ 206-46 points win over Bankers Trust Falcons. “I feel good becoming the first person to score that many points in a game, but I was just having fun,” Adams told Chronicle Sport yesterday. For many, Auric Tappin is considered one of the purest scorers Guyana has ever produced, with the ‘back court’ player proving his worth for both club and country. Tappin’s record stood for 33 years - accom-

plished four years before Adams was born. Many tried and could not erase the 58 points set by Tappin. Ravens point guard dropped 54 points against Eagles basketball club this year (2017), but that was as close as anyone got to pass Tappin’s mark. In 1995, ‘Fat Wayne’ Andrews dropped 53 points on the Colts, while Steve Neils (Sr) in 1976 scored 51 points. Chris Williams, Adams’ teammate, had a 76-point performance, but that was during an Under-23 tournament in a game against the Kings. While Adams was “having fun on the court” he could have cared less about mammoth points piled up by his team, where the 206 scored was the most by any team in Guyana at any level. “The team playing good basketball and that’s all that matters to me right now. I honestly didn’t care about the points, but the guys told me to keep playing because

I wanted to come off since the third quarter,” Adams said. Prior to his historic 111-point performance, Adams had scored 46 points in his previous game and had a series of outstanding performances; but the small forward made it clear, “This is not about me, but right now, we’re trying to rebuild the team, so this was really a team thing.” “The guys kept giving me the ball and encouraged me to keep playing,” said Adams, who added “right now, we have a good bunch of players, a nice young team and we’re good.” Adams listed Orlon Glasgow, Marlon Pollydore, and Williams as the senior players on the Royals team, telling Chronicle Sport that “right now, we have a good group of youths and along with couple senior players, we’re taking things one game at the team.” The team formed by former National coach and bas-

Harold Adams

ketball enthusiast, Linden ‘Sancho’ Alphonso, made a name for themselves being a tough no-nonsense unit from Victory Valley and have always been one of Linden’s hardest teams to overcome. The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) ‘Road to Mecca’ National Club Championships - a tournament where the Royals, despite never winning, but found consid-

erable amount of success - will be held in November and Adams believes that his team will make it all the way to the final. According to Adams, the team is looking forward to the tournament, since “we have a good team, a good young team that I believe can compete and even go all the way. Right now we’re focused on playing good basketball and the Road to Mecca. We will be ready.”

Gayle, Samuels inclusions will help Holder - Richards FORMER West Indies batting legend Sir Viv Richards believes the inclusion of the experienced Jamaican duo of Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels could provide needed support for team captain Jason Holder ahead of the England tour. Samuels and Gayle have been returned to the squad following an amnesty of sorts for the region’s senior players, which once again makes them eligible for selection having previously been made ineligible due to stringent regulations. Richards, while hinting that the availability of key players could have been of great use to the team and Holder in recent struggles, hailed the move as a step in the right direction. Despite showing signs of promise, Holder, the 25-year-old Barbadian, has at times come in for heavy criticism - a fact Richards believes could be attributed to a lack of experience around him.

“It’s pretty tough for you to get things right at all times and that is where, sometimes, I think you need some of the more professional folks in the room; folks who would have gotten the experience at the higher level to give the sort of information, and that’s the time where I think he would have had a letdown because of the lack of information,” Richards told the Antigua Observer. “One has got to remember as well that he is very inexperienced and his performances as captain haven’t quite warranted him, in a sense, to be that dominant, to say the things and to do the things aggressively when you are performing as a captain,” he added. “Chris has been pretty phenomenal. Anyone who can score 10 000 runs at the T20 level is someone very special. He is one of the West Indian greats in that sense, Marlon Samuels being also experienced. “There have been some problems but I just believe that there are times when you hear

Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels

people speak about better late than never, but I don’t think it works in this particular situation but it’s nice that they are back.

“I think it’s just a sort of dressing and it could be the kind of send-off that I think Chris Gayle deserves.”