Caribbean Times International

IRO urges political parties in Guyana to sign peace pact

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

Members of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) recently met with officials from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to discuss ways in which they can assist in ensuring a peaceful environment prior to the May 11 elections.

IRO’s Chairman, Reverend Ronald McGarrell led a team of six to the meeting which was held last Tuesday with GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally; the Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Election Officer, Vishnu Persaud; Legal Officer, Juanita Barker; and Public Relations Officer, Richard Francois among others.

It was during that meeting that the IRO indicated that it would like all the political parties contesting the General and Regional Elections to sign a peace pact. This move, by the organisation, is seen as a tactical effort to ensure that peaceful and responsible political cam-

paigning and elections are held in Guyana.

Several other peace building initiatives, as well as its involvement in Civic and Voter Education, were also raised by the IRO.

GECOM, in a statement, said Dr Surujbally welcomed the initiatives outlined by the IRO, and promised that the commission will provide any help needed by the IRO, within a knowledge sharing framework on election

processes and Civic and Voter Education issues.

Dr Surujbally also outlined the process for organisations applying for and being granted Domestic Observer Status during the May 11 elections. In so doing, he carefully underscored some of the key areas to which potential domestic observers must adhere as they conduct their respective activities on Elections Day.

“GECOM recognises that violence has no place in democratic elections. Therefore, the commission would like to echo the call of the IRO in encouraging political parties and supporters alike to behave responsibly, to engage each other with mutual respect, and to refrain from all words and or actions which may have a tendency to incite, support or provoke any kind of violence before, during, or after the votes have been counted. Citizens have a responsibility and a right to keep the peace, no matter who wins,” the statement read.

(Guyana Times)

TT looks at Colombia model of medical tourism

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD: For medical tourism to be successful in TT there is need for a change of attitude by the people who interact with tourists, when they enter TT, beginning with immigration officers, Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan said on Tuesday. Khan, who delivered the feature address at the U Health and Wellness Exposition at the Hyatt Regency, Portof-Spain, said: “In order

to produce a product— medical tourism—you have to give that product the appeal that you are trying to attract. What is your target market? What do we have here in our niche that will attract that market to come here?"

Khan said it makes no sense having a visitor experience hostile treatment before experiencing destination TT, or the services offered within Trinidad’s medical tourism sector.

The minister said

hospitals need to get accredited to bring them up to a certain standard.

Khan said the proposed legislation will make the accreditation plan mandatory for all hospitals and programmes. Hospitals will have to be up to standard or they won’t be accredited, he added

The minister said TT is looking at Colombia’s medical tourism model where that country sends an aircraft to pick up the patient. (TT Guardian)

Harvard Business Review to report on Jamaica's FDI attractiveness

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica's attractiveness as a destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) could sink or swim with the upcoming publication of a report on its readiness by an influential business magazine.

International magazine Harvard Business Review (HBR) has recruited three international reporters to come to Jamaica to assess the country's ability to attract FDI over the next few years.

The magazine, a publication of the ivy league Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has a readership of more than 600,000 that includes highly placed business executives and decisionmakers.

"We came to Jamaica to look at the transformations that have been taking place in the economy, the government, and of the country realising its vision 2030 goal," project coordinator from international communication agency World Investment News (WINNE), Emma Goldsmith, told the Jamaica's media in an interview last Friday.

WINNE has partnered with HBR for the publication of indepth economic reports of countries or regions around the world looking to attract FDI through economic development. When published, the report on Jamaica is expected to reach more than 600,000 readers

globally.

Goldsmith, who has been in Jamaica with teammates Ernesto Diaz-Bastien and Simone Goldsmith over the past month, said Jamaica is the first Caribbean country to be economically reviewed by the magazine company.

She stated that Jamaica was awarded the review after being placed at the highest ranking in the Caribbean on the ease of doing business in the World Bank's Doing Business Report along with the passing of seven International Monetary Fund tests.

Concurrently, the planned visit of the United States President Barack Obama to Jamaica also presents an opportunity to communicate Jamaica's development to the international investment community, according to Goldsmith.

So far, the researchers have discussed development plans with the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment and the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing.

Interviews have also been conducted with the private sector groups to thoroughly understand the Jamaica's growth strategies as well as the opportunities that are available, Goldsmith said.

Under Jamaica's logistics hub programme, the Government anticipates that about 16 Special Economic Zones (SEZ) will be developed

as trading and distribution hubs.

The SEZ Green Paper, which was recently tabled in Parliament, proposes a number of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to attract international businesses over the medium to long term, including a low corporate tax rate for qualified companies.

"Diane Edwards from JAMPRO certainly went into the different opportunities available in Jamaica, especially in tourism and the business process outsourcing sector which is certainly something important to foreign investors," Goldsmith stated.

Jamaica is in close proximity to US with English speaking, highly trained individuals that can create more competitive businesses for international investors, according to the reporter.

"I believe the SEZ initiative is a big influence for investors looking in but we are not clear on what the fiscal and non-fiscal incentives will be for investors, so the Government needs to continue working on that," she added. The reporters are expected to conclude their research over the next three weeks.

HBR is a wholly owned publication of the Harvard Business School. It is considered a general management magazine that focuses mainly on management techniques and is read by senior corporate and financial decision- makers.

(Jamaica Observer)

To contact: Caribbean Times International

Unit 12, 680 Rexdale Blvd., Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario M9WOB5

Advertising: 647 990 7438/416 450 1672

Email: news@caribbeantimesinternational.com caribtimes@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Questions on teen pregnancy

In the wake of the cheating scandal in Bihar, India, an education official appealed to parents – and students – to assist the Education Ministry in stopping the activity. The situation in India brings to mind our own issue of teenage pregnancy in Guyana, said to be the second highest in the Caribbean, and the role both parents and teenagers – many of the latter students – must play in reducing its rates.

As in India, Opposition members have laid the blame squarely at the door of the Education Ministry, seeming to ignore the role society, including parents and teenagers, must also play in reducing teen pregnancies.

While Guyanese teens seem well educated about celebrity, movie and music culture through television and the internet, especially with its often highly sexualized content, many remain seemingly uninformed of sex and birth control education, though well aware of their own sexuality.

Why, in the days of instant information via the internet or TV programmes, should a Guyanese teen’s information download relate mainly to these topics and not include sex education? How can Government and society effectively use these popular technologies to teach sexual responsibility among Guyanese teenagers?

Despite the efforts of agencies such as the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), programmes such as Health and Family Life (HFL), and free access to methods of birth control, teen pregnancy rates are still high. Is there a need for more education or education that is more effective, or is this a reflection of a lack of attention to these efforts among teens?

The GRPA notes that many Guyanese adults display a lack of education about sex, so it should be little surprise that their offspring also lack awareness. Is it that Guyanese traditional society sees sex and birth control as taboo topics, and parents would rather “someone else” have these discussions with their children?

It is bewildering that teen pregnancy often focuses on teenage girls; it takes the male and female to create a pregnancy yet it has become the burden of young girls to avoid teen pregnancy.

Why aren’t teen boys also held responsible for teen pregnancy? Why are teen mothers often blamed for the pregnancy? There should be no chauvinistic approaches to tackling teen pregnancy.

As teen years are those of increased sexual energies, to quote one politician: “sex happens” – in these times, ideas of abstinence and the morality of sex before marriage are considered archaic, even derisory. To blame a single Government agency for the increasing sexual activity and pregnancies among teenagers is short sighted at best. It requires both Government and society to arrest teen pregnancy.

One puts policies in place to help prevent teen pregnancies and one encourages teens to follow the policies put in place. Alternatively, one encourages a responsible approach to sex while the other complements this with policies geared to make these responsibilities easier to attain and maintain.

This brings to question the role of teenagers themselves in preventing teen pregnancies: how much do teens themselves adhere to the education and guidance they receive from these programmes and from their parents, if they do, regarding sex and birth control?

We are encouraged to view teens as capable of a lot more than we give them credit for – indeed teens insist on their independence and ability to make their own decisions. But is the high incidence of teen pregnancy one result of their own decision making, or an illustration of the need for adult guidance (what teens often consider adult “interference”)?

Blaming everything Government is not the approach needed to tackle teenage pregnancy in Guyana. A strong look at the role society plays in helping to make teenagers educated and aware of sex and their responsibilities if they wish to engage in sex is also necessary –several programmes, laws and policies are already in place, with plans and support for others to come.

Sound Government policies, good parental/societal guidance, and an informed and willing youth population together are key to stopping teen pregnancies.

Oh beautiful Guyana

Fine cocoa industry project gets going in TT

PORT-OF-SPAIN,

TRINIDAD: The Cocoa Research Centre (CRC) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) has embarked on a three-year project which will transform the fine cocoa sector across the Caribbean region, ensuring the sustainability of Caribbean cocoa and pioneering a model for regional food crop security.

Dubbed the International Fine Cocoa Innovation Centre (IFCIC), the project was conceptualised by the CRC and its partners, Newer Worlds, Caribbean Fine Cocoa Forum, Cocoa Industry Board of Jamaica and funded by a 2 million euro grant from the European Union under the ACP Science and Technology Programme II. The launch of the IFCIC was the highlight of a two-day conference hosted by the CRC on March 23-24.

In a media release the UWI said more than 125 local and regional cocoa stakeholders attended the conference which took place the Ortinola Great House — a former cocoa estate in St Joseph, Trinidad. The event also attracted stakeholders from international chocolate companies and other organisations such as Casa Luker from Colombia, Mars Chocolate and Mondelez International from the US, and the Cocoa Research Association and Association of Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionery Industries, both from Europe. Themed “Seeding Innovations along the Cocoa Value Chain”, day one featured presentations on the ongoing applied research that focuses on creating innovations in production, processing, manufacturing and marketing in the cocoa industry. On the second day, the agenda spotlighted the fine-flavour cocoa industry and the challenges and opportunities it faces. More importantly, however, on both days, the conference showcased how this new innovation centre could facilitate the development of the industry through science and innovation, and providing support in terms of apprenticeship training and provision of technology and business services, the release said.

The cocoa industry is an almost US $100 billion dollar industry, poised to grow by an-

other 20 percent over the next decade. According to World Cocoa Foundation between 4050 million people depend on cocoa for their livelihood. While most of the cocoa in the global market is traded as “bulk cocoa”, there is a small but growing segment of the market referred to as “fine” or “flavour cocoa” which fetches a significant premium often three to four-fold of that of bulk cocoa. Many countries in the Caribbean are regarded as exclusive fine cocoa producers; which provides an opportunity to build a niche high value cocoa industry. The IFCIC is envisioned as a triple helix of university-industry-government relationships that could harness these comparative advantages as well as innovations to develop the Caribbean’s fine cocoa industry, the release said.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference, Ms Kathrin Renner, international co-operation officer of the Delegation of the European Union to Trinidad and Tobago said, “The Caribbean is held in high regard as a cocoa-producing region because most countries produce a fine or aromatic (as opposed to bulk) cocoa.” She added, “I think we would all agree that the Caribbean region holds great potential to be a major player in the international fine cocoa and chocolate trade and the work of the International Fine Cocoa Innovation Centre is bringing us closer to that reality. This is why the EU is happy to support it.”

Also at the opening ceremony was associate director of the World Cocoa Foundation, Virginia Sopyla. She stated, “Innovative strategies, science and technology, farm management techniques, business models, and extension are all essential to the future of the cocoa sector. The International Fine Cocoa Innovation Centre will play an important role in this process, and there are other positive signs of a growing momentum in this direction.”

Many aspects of the IFCIC are well underway; the conference and symposium for instance, was a key activity in building awareness of the project among the region’s stakeholders. It is the first of three

planned annual conferences and symposiums, aimed at articulating the vision of the IFCIC project and contributing towards steering the cocoa sector to realise its full potential, the release said.

A physical multi-purpose fine cocoa innovation centre is set for completion in 2017. It will house a modern model pilot cocoa orchard, a fine chocolate and couverture factory, teaching theatres, incubators, a restaurant kitchen and labs and a fine cocoa museum and visitor centre. For the first time ever, an innovation centre will integrate agriculture, food processing, research and commercialisation for a single food crop – cocoa.

Prof Clement Sankat in his remarks affirmed, “As principal I am extremely pleased with this development, particularly at this juncture when our country and region are searching for diversification options.”

He indicated that the IFCC is a futuristic project that seeks to develop a niche cocoa market industry from production, processing, and product development. He believes this to be a “nerve centre” that will support cocoa development throughout this region. This centre is based on the “tripe helix” model led by the UWI, but involves integrally the government and the private sector.

Sankat believes that value creation in this industry is very important for its survival and he thanked the EU and all the global chocolate manufacturers for their presence and support of the CRC. He was especially seeking their assistance for the maintenance and upkeep of the internationally known Cocao Gene Bank in St Helena. He lamented the decline in cocoa production locally and emphasised the need to re-engineer farms so that the use of mechanisation can be maximised. He went on to challenge the CRC to ensure that its work continues to be very impacting, the release said.

Additional support for the IFCIC is being sought from government and the private sector agencies. For more information on the project: the Cocoa Research Centre, UWI, St Augustine or email pumaharan@sta.uwi.edu. (TT Newsday)

TT passes Bill to imprison illegal firearm offenders without bail

Illegal firearms accused face 120 days in prison

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD

: There will be no bail for up to 120 days if a person over the age of 18 is caught with an illegal gun or accused of using a gun in the commission of a crime.

The Bail (Amendment) Bill 2015 was passed in the Senate on Tuesday with a majority although three Opposition Senators voted against it.

Independent Senators Elton Prescott SC, Helen Drayton and temporary Senator Dr Aysha Edwards who is acting for Independent Senator Ian Roach voted against the Bill.

The Bill, once proclaimed by the President, will become law as it was already passed in the House of Representatives on March 20, with 36 members, including the Opposition bench, voting in favour of it. The Bill required a special majority for passage and has a sunset clause—it expires August 2016.

At the Senate sitting on Tuesday, Attorney General Garvin Nicholas moved that

the second reading of the Bail (Amendment) Bill, 2015 be taken and he kicked off the debate in the Upper House.

Both Opposition and the Independent benches raised concerns over the Bill but in the end the Opposition members all voted in favour. There were 27 votes in support of the Bill.

The Bill states that a court shall not grant bail to:

(a) a person who is under the age of 18 years and charged with an offence under the AntiGang Act, 2011;

(b) on or after the commencement of the Bail (Amendment) Act, 2015, is charged with an offence (i) under section 6 of the Firearms Act, where the person has a pending charge for an offence specified in Part II of the First Schedule; or (ii) specified in Part II of the First Schedule, except an offence under section 6 of the Firearms Act, where the prosecution informs the court that the person or any other person involved in the commission of the offence used or had

in his possession a firearm or imitation firearm during the commission of the offence.

The person can apply for bail after 120 days if the prosecution has not started a case.

In winding up the debate on Tuesday, Nicholas said the Bill was geared to solve the problem of gun crimes in Trinidad.

He said at the end of the day the legislation is to solve one real issue—Trinidad and Tobago is overrun with guns, and although the Government’s policies have kept criminals at bay there was need to go further to ensure people with firearms do not continue to terrorise the innocent people of Trinidad and Tobago.

Nicholas accused the PNM of being pretensive in its care and concern for the people in its constituencies.

“The constituencies which the PNM considered to be safe seats, if you walk those areas, if you talk to those people they are the ones, Mr Vice President, who are seriously affected by

gun crimes,” said Nicholas. He said he walked these areas and the people themselves thanked him for bringing the Bail (Amendment) Bill to deal with guns.

Opposition Senator Camille Robinson Regis asked Nicholas, “When you walk there?”

He responded that he walked in the Diego Martin areas over the past couple weeks.

“That’s why you got beaten in the last election,” said Opposition Senator Fitzgerald Hinds.

“It is not about if I got beat in the election or not, the issue, Mr Vice President, is that I am here as the Attorney General today...to ensure that whatever I can do to protect the lives of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago I shall do,” said Nicholas. He said he was startled that Opposition members could speak of confidence in judicial officers and apparent lack of confidence when it comes to the Police Service.

Nicholas said he has equal

confidence in both the judiciary and law enforcement.

“Who killed Dana Seetahal?” asked an Opposition member.

“We will find out who,” said Nicholas as he went on to say there are “gaps” in the forensic system but Government was already looking at a system to engage private forensic services to fast track matters.

Nicholas pointed out that Opposition Senator Avinash Singh made a case for the Bail Bill as he himself noted that over 75 per cent of murders committed in Trinidad were by the use of firearms.

Temporary Government Senator Wayne Sturge said the Bill was not draconian, adding that there were safeguards in place to deal with persons who may claim they are “set up” by police.

He said there have been cases before where persons made legal challenges against the State for gun charges and were vindicated in the courts. (TT Express)

Conflict of interest seen in former Guyana Minister Gy$4M house purchase

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

Shockwaves swept through Guyana last Saturday when former President Bharrat Jagdeo revealed that former Finance Minister under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Administration Carl Greenidge had entered into an alleged corrupt transaction to buy the posh property – house and land – in the elite Bel Air Gardens area for a paltry Gy$4 million with no tender.

However, a defiant Greenidge has refused to explain to the press what can be characterised a corrupt transaction, but instead has resorted to hurling angry insults and making unsubstantiated accusations at the former President who made the startling revelation.

There appears to be glaring conflict of interest in the manner in which Greenidge acquired a prime property. There are questions as to how the transport of property, purchased from the Guyana Stores Limited (GSL), when it was issued in 1993, named Greenidge as a Government Minister

when at that time his was Government was already voted out of office. Jagdeo has since challenged Greenidge to produce evidence of his accusations against him, insisting that the former PNC Finance Minister was clutching at straws and should explain to the Guyanese nation why under his tenure there was no Auditor General’s Report.

An openly outraged and embarrassed Greenidge stuttered helplessly through his explanation, which still failed to provide any reasonable or sensible explanation as to how he was able to acquire a house

and land in the prestigious Bel Air Gardens, that was and is the residence of many prominent lawyers, doctors and ambassadors.

According to the documents seen by this newspaper, Greenidge, whose occupation wasidentified as a Minister of Government, entered into an agreement of sale for the purchase of Lot 45 Bel Air Gardens for Gy$4 million. Today, a property such as this one could easily sell for Gy$150 million.

A trace of public tenders and transfers of properties in the 1990s in the same area revealed that properties were sold

by Property Holdings Inc for prices ranging between Gy$24 million to Gy$56 million without renovations or repairs being conducted on the properties sold.

In his belligerent defiance, Greenidge challenged the former President to call the Police on him, still refusing to explain what process resulted in his purchasing the property.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has long referred to the PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) “finance guru” as the Finance Minister who obstructed the Auditor General from doing his work, and who blocked the Auditor General from auditing privatisation transactions.

There are now speculations about what appears to be an ominous link between Greenidge’s now disclosed property purchase and the reported claims by former Auditor General Goolsarran that he was prevented from auditing such transactions that occurred while he was the Auditor General. (Guyana Times)

Divestment of Jamaica's cocoa industry commercial assets in ‘final stages’

KINGSTON,

JAMAICA: The Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Derrick Kellier announced that the proposed Government’s divestment of its commercial assets in Jamaica’s cocoa industry, spearheaded by the Cocoa Industry Board (CIB), is now in the “final stages” of implementation.

The minister said that there is “strong” local and overseas interest in the sector, “to establish new acreages as well as rehabilitate existing acreages”.

The minister was speaking with the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA) at their Breakfast Forum, held in Kingston, on Tuesday, under the theme: ‘Building Export Markets in the AgroIndustry’. Kellier advised that in addition to divestment, the Government will deregulate the marketing of cocoa by repealing the Cocoa Industry Board Act.

The minister advised that the new Jamaica Agricultural Commodity

Regulation Agency (JACRA) will be introduced, “which will establish a licensing regime for exporters of cocoa in a deregulated industry”.

It is anticipated that the industry’s divestment, which Kellier announced last year, will better position Jamaica to fulfil a significant percentage of global cocoa demand, which he described as “immeasurable”.

“Jamaican cocoa is highly sought after. It is acclaimed as one of the eight fine flavoured cocoas, and is desired by connoisseurs worldwide,” the minister said. (JIS)

Three - day workshop seeks to examine Science Technology, Innovation policy indicators in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Ministry of Education, on Tuesday, began a three - day Science Technology and Innovation (STI) workshop, to examine the policy and indicators in Guyana. The workshop is being facilitated by experts from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Participants are drawn from a number of agencies which include UNESCO, CARICOM, University of Guyana, Private Sector Commission, the Bureau of Statistics, Office of the President, Environmental Protection Agency, Sterling Products, and the Public Works Ministry, and is being held at the Grand Coastal Inn, on the East Coast, Demerara.

Education Minister

Priya Manickchand noted that whilst the workshop deals with indicators in Guyana, she stated that the weakest part of most policies is monitoring and evaluating. She also observed that the workshop comes at a time in the ministry’s structure, when every policy must include the ways by which it is measured.

PM: TT must be jewels of the Americas

Gov’t finalises proposed Sando Waterfront Project

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has announced that Cabinet will this week consider and finalise one of the largest proposed investments in South Trinidad—the San Fernando Waterfront Development Project.

The project would open the gateway to industry in the South and would transform Trinidad and Tobago into one of the jewels of the Americas, she said.

Persad-Bissessar was speaking at the United National Congress (UNC) Monday Night Forum in Debe.

“San Fernando is our second city. We intend to do the waterfront development project for San Fernando there. That waterfront, we have created the infrastructure phase. And Cabinet will this week consider and finalise one of the largest investments in South Trinidad. The feasibility study for the project has been completed. My vision of Trinidad and Tobago is that Trinidad and Tobago must be the jewels of the Americas,”

she said.

Persad-Bissessar said the waterfront project would “open up” the entire southern community, creating jobs and investment.

And as Government moves to complete the TT$7.5 billion Solomon Hochoy Highway extension to Point Fortin, Persad-Bissessar reminded citizens that construction will soon begin on the San Fernando to Mayaro highway.

She said the sod will soon be turned to begin construction of the Point Fortin and Arima hospitals.

And a specialist hospital will be built at Clarke Road, Penal.

Persad-Bissessar delivered the bag of goodies to a roaring crowd at Debe Junction.

She said the Port of Spain General Hospital and Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex will be refurbished and modernised.

Minister of Housing and Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal told supporters that a fire station will also be constructed in Penal in the next five years. (TT Express)

Observing the call from persons outside of Guyana to access the LCDS policy, the minister added that European countries are interested in Guyana because of the LCDS, as well as the input into the field of science and technology. She explained that this was not an accident, since the government has focused and invested in science

and technology in schools through a conscious strategic plan.

The Minister also explained that through inputs from the World Bank, work would be focused on making the university better, by rehabilitating/rebuilding all the labs there. She also pointed out that whilst research grants are being given to persons in

Guyana seeking answers from science, the curricula of UG is also being reviewed in the areas of science and technology, as this is a focused policy position of the government.

With the draft of the five- year strategic plan completed, ‘science and technology’ has taken a large part of it. Further she pointed out that

Cabinet has approved the National Science and Technology innovation plan and out of it, the national council was set up. This, she noted was done by the late Navin Chandarpal.

Minister Manickchand pointed out that because Chandarpal lives on in these kinds of policies, “he will continue to live and we take the opportunity to thank him.” Guyana is the only country in the Caribbean with anything close to a draft policy that can be implemented she added. UNESCO has helped to in 2009/2011, the Science Unit, NCERD, develop a National Science and Technology Policy and Master Plan for the Socio-Economic and Environmental Advancement of Guyana. The policy was recently reviewed and approved by the Government of Guyana. (GINA)

Labour Market Information System helping J’can

students make wise career choices

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Making a career choice is one of the most important decisions that anyone will make in their lifetime.

However, before that decision can be made there are many factors to consider such as personal interests, earning potential, parental influence, qualifications and labour trends.

This decision can be especially daunting for high school leavers.

That is the main the reason why the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through its Labour Market Information System (LMIS) division, has made it its mission to traverse throughout the island to educate high school students on all they need to know about making wise career choices.

Director of Research and Analysis within the Ministry, Simone McKenzie-Mair, tells the Jamacian media that the initiative, which began in 2009, was born out of a need to work with students on their career development, especially those from non-traditional high schools.

“Sometimes they don’t do very well in their subjects and career choices. So we decided to work with them in a more detailed way rather than just having expos,” she says.

The LMIS is the arm of the Ministry that is responsible for providing cost free employment information to employers and jobseekers. It also provides career guidance and training and has three components, the Electronic Labour Exchange, the Skills Bank and the Labour Market Intelligence.

Student Council president and aspiring lawyer, Odeka, says “sessions like these are crucial and should be considered in other schools because you want to make sure that students leaving our in-

stitutions are prepared for the working world”.

Evaughn, who is the school’s Deputy Head Boy, says “each student should have this experience especially for those who come from the inner-city who are stuck in a certain mindset and don’t expect much of themselves”.

Though still undecided about his career choice, he is confident that when he finally makes that decision it will be the right one.

For students like Evaughn who are uncertain about their career path, Mrs. McKenzie-Mair is suggesting that they select Information Technology as one of their CSEC subjects as there are a number of jobs in the field.

According to her there are also emerging jobs in the tourism and business processing outsourcing sectors for school leavers.

The Research and Analysis Director is advising students to be aware of current labour trends through the LMIS and the media and to form networks as well as to do a mixture of subjects that can easily allow them to move from one

field to the next.

She stresses the importance of volunteerism as it will provide school leavers with the experience that is required by most employers.

In the last two years, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through its LMIS division has been successful in obtaining scholarships for two students from the Holy Trinity High School to pursue associate degrees in Information technology and Natural Sciences.

The Ministry also provides grants to school leavers through its social intervention programmes.

Meanwhile, students are being encouraged to register with the LMIS so that they can benefit from its services, be updated on the current labour market trends and so become competitive in the job market.

As part of ongoing research Mrs. McKenzie-Mair says that the Ministry will be conducting a tracer study to track the progress and to provide continuing support to students. (JIS)

Harper to help push anti-domestic violence agenda in Guyana

By Devina Samaroo

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: Prime Ministerial

Candidate of the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Elisabeth Harper declared that she will personally ensure and push for a more rigorous campaign against domestic violence in Guyana, among many other pressing issues affecting various sections of society.

Harper was at the time delivering an extensive speech to thousands of supporters at the PPP/C campaign rally in Kitty on Sunday. Harper vowed to ensure that the rights of all Guyanese are represented and outlined the PPP/C’s policies for addressing, and

potentially eradicating, the scourges in the Guyanese society. “Once elected, you have my personal commitment that I will continue to build on the foundation laid by the PPP/C to deal with these issues that are so close and personal to me,” she promised.

Starting with domestic violence, Harper said the PPP/C administration will embark on reviewing all the laws surrounding women to identify gaps and loopholes and consequently, address them accordingly to make certain women’s rights are strongly represented in Guyana.

Further, she said the PPP/C will establish a special crimes unit that will address issues related to domestic violence

11,000 acres for ex-sugar cane farmers in TT

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Land and Marine

Affairs Minister Jairam Seemungal has said Cabinet’s decision to distribute 11,553.37 acres of land among 4,400 former sugar cane farmers of now defunct Caroni (1975) Limited is not a ploy to help the People’s Partnership (PP) coalition win a second term in office.

Responding to reporters’ questions at the postCabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair, on Thursday, Seemungal said, “We don’t plan when we are planning, we plan for elections. We plan for delivery.”

Seemungal and the PP recently came under fire from the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) over plans to expand the Land for the Landless Programme which falls under his ministry.

While indicating this particular exercise started in 2012 under the PP, Seemungal hinted

and child abuse.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand spoke about this development before, noting that victims of abuse currently have to visit more than one establishment

to relate their concerns, which, in most cases, discourage them from making a report in the first place.

“If you have one center, and it has a social worker, a nurse, the police, everything in one place, the victim will only have to relate his/ her traumatising experience once, instead of visiting these difference places and saying the same thing over and over again,” she explained.

Additionally, Harper promised the party’s supporters that her administration will work towards strengthening the justice system so that victims can be represented fairly by the law.

It was previously highlighted by the Presidential Adviser on

Governance and Former Home Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira that there is a low conviction rate when it comes to domestic and sexual violence cases because the problem lies in ensuring that justice is administered in a timelier manner.

Being a victim of domestic abuse herself, Harper noted that no woman should ever have to experience the feeling of being abused as it destroys her self confidence and her family.

Harper then went on to address the concerns of teenage mothers in Guyana, noting too, that her government has a plan to help them succeed in life.

Moving on to the woes of single parents, Harper noted that the PPP/C

recognizes the challenges they face and therefore will establish programmes to allow them to receive further education and training to better themselves which will ultimately reflect on their children.

The Prime Ministerial Candidate also addressed the issues facing the elderly in society. She expressed her party’s commitment in caring for the aging population and ensuring this section of society is treated with dignity and that their rights are protected.

Harper added that the PPP/C will ensure that those who are differently-able will be provided with skills training and more opportunities for jobs. (Guyana

J’can educators laud Science in education project

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Educators say positive results will emerge from the Government’s two-year Science in education project, being funded by the European Union (EU) at a cost of over Ja$130 million.

The project is targeting eight schools, and is being implemented by the Scientific Research Council (SRC), with an aim to increase the appreciation of Science, Technology and Innovation among the student population.

the genesis of the overall programme began in 2002 under the PNM. He explained that the 4,400 former cane farmers “all held contractual agreements with Caroni.”

Stating that TT$440 million was allocated by the European Union (EU) to help Trinidad exit from the sugar industry, Seemungal said a Cabinet note will be brought to allocate this funding.

He explained these persons must show how they will bring the lands they are allocated into agricultural production within three years, and pending subsequent approvals, they will be issued an agricultural licence “to enter the lands and start the preparation aspect of the land.”

Identifying Woodland, St Charles and Hermitage as some of the areas where these lands are located, Seemungal added that 12 years have passed since Caroni’s closure in August, 2003. (TT Newsday)

At a recent ceremony held in Kingston, where the schools received computer gadgets for the aiding of Science teaching, the teachers shared with the media their delight of getting the equipment, which they are confident will make the subject easier to learn.

“Getting them (equipment) will move us from one dimension to the next, in a positive way,” states Science teacher at the St. Andrew based Bull Bay All Age School, Lorraine Francis, even as she commends the SRC for including primary schools on the intervention project.

Also grateful for the project, is Acting Principal at the Portland based Windsor Castle All Age School, Beverly Clarkes, who says her teachers and students will make “the best use” of the opportunity that the projects provides.

Other partners on the project are the Mico University College; the Mandeville based Church Teachers’ College,

and the University of Technology (UTech). The three institutions have established Science programmes, and are working with schools to develop their Science capacity.

Science Coordinator at the Church Teachers College, Tillack Hadeen, informs that students in Manchester, Clarendon and St. Elizabeth, are being given the opportunity “where they will have hands-on dealing with the current concept that they have issues with.”

Manager at the Mico Centre of Excellence in Science Teaching, Rohan Carr, shared that they plan and design programmes for schools,, while adding that children who participate in their school visit initiative, always show improved results.

He notes that at Mico, they ensure that the subject is taught in way that encourages the participation of children, “thereby increase the capacity of the kids.”

The schools were selected for the intervention project base on analysis of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) data. It is envisioned that the initiative will guide school administrators and teachers to implement Science activities that are of interest to both teachers and students.

Also, the project is geared at increasing critical and problem-solving skills of students, and the improvement of teacher competencies in Science, which should translate into an overall increase in successful examinations at the primary and secondary schools.

The Science project is part of a Regional EU funded programme, called the Improving Innovation Capacities in the Caribbean (INVOCAB) and, according to Project Manager for the Jamaican compo-

nent, Kerry-Ann Curtis, the project aims to realize at least a 10 per cent increase in external examinations for the participating schools.

She says the involvement of the three tertiary institutions should “result in a significant boost in the critical thinking and analytical skills of teachers and students involved.

The INVOCAB project aims to contribute towards improving the levels of innovation in the Caribbean, by building and strengthening capacities in the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation, as an enabler of poverty reduction, growth and socioeconomic development of countries in the Region.

Head of the EU Delegation in Jamaica, Ambassador Paola Amadei, tells the Jamaica media that Science is relevant for all careers, and children to do well in the subject, they need to start at an early age. (JIS)

13th Pakaraima Safari in Guyana sees record participation

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA: The 13th Pakaraima Safari started out on its 851-kilometre trip from Georgetown to Orinduik Falls and back on Saturday, departing the Regent Street Guyoil Gas Station at 01:00h.

The Safari, one of the landmark events of the local tourism calendar, saw record participation, with the convoy comprising 26 motor vehicles and eight motorcycles –the most yet for the rugged adventure.

The record participation was hailed, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

The safari goers who come from Guyana, Jamaica, Germany and Holland will pass through Karasabai, Tiperu, Rukomoto,

Morabaiko, Yurong Paru, Monkey Mountain, Paramakatoi, Kato, Kurukubaru, and Itabac, before arriving at the base of the Pakaraimas Mountain Range, where the middle point, the Orinduik Falls are located.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh; and former Local Government and Regional Development Minister Harripersaud Nokta, who spearheaded the development of the event, were at the launch.

The GTA Director noted that the Safari was “the most adventurous trip in Guyana”, taking participants through some of the most pristine and beautiful parts of

J’can remittance flows up by 5.6%

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Jamaica recorded its third-consecutive year of increased remittances since the Western financial crisis, due to flows from overseas workers, the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) reasoned.

The island's net remittances totaled US$1.92 billion in the 2014 calendar year, or 5.6 per cent higher than a year earlier.

"For the leisure and hospitality sectors, increased earnings driven by an expansion in the number of reported jobs held within this sector may have led to an expansion in gross remittance inflows to Jamaica," stated the 'Balance of Payments Remittance Report' December 2014 published by the BOJ this week.

"For the education and health sectors, continued improvement in job prospects have resulted in a trend increase in the average weekly earnings, which may have contributed to an increase in gross remittances inflows from the United States recorded for the review period".

Traditionally, remittance inflows to Jamaica are influenced by "trends" in earnings and employment in key sectors in which Jamaican

Guyana. He added that other routes are being explored for safaris.

Hinds, who has been a frequent participant in the Safari, described it as “interesting and chal-

workers are employed overseas.

The report added that employment of foreign and migrant workers in the US grew over the last six quarters.

The rise in Jamaica's remittance inflows at US$2.15 billion (net remittances at US$1.92 b) paled in comparison to select peers, including Mexico up 9.6 per cent, Guatemala up 8.4 per cent and El Salvador up 6.6 per cent, the data indicated.

The island's remittance inflows are usually rivaled only by tourism -- at some US$2 billion -- for the title of highest foreign exchange earner.

Over the calendar year, GraceKennedy Money Services (GKMS,) the exclusive remittance agents of Western Union, recorded a 16 per cent revenue rise to Ja$6.4 billion. This translated to its aftertax profits jumping by one-third to Ja$1.2 billion, according to financials at Grace Kennedy (GK,) its parent company.

Roughly half of Jamaica's remittance inflows pass through GKMS, according to GK Chief Executive Don Wehby, in public statements made last November at a Stocks & Securities Limited investor forum in Kingston. (Jamaica Observer)

lenging”, especially for beginners.

He did not spare the chance to praise Nokta for his work on the event.

“It was Harripersaud working with the villag-

es, working with the people along the way (route) and getting them in the first years to manually improve the walking trails so that the vehicles could come by [that made

Caribbean countries must make budget adjustments – IDB

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA: Many Latin American and Caribbean countries need to make budget adjustments in the face of rising fiscal imbalances and higher financial risks, according to the Inter-American Development Bank’s annual macroeconomic report issued on Monday.

The 2015 report addresses the question of how budgets should be adjusted and how fast, and projects a baseline annual growth scenario for 2016-2019 of 3 percent, on par with the 1990s but below the 4.7 percent registered during the pre-crisis 20032008 period. Additional negative external shocks in China, Japan and Europe could further erode economic growth.

On the bright side, stronger U.S. growth and lower commodity prices, including oil, may give a boost to countries that import energy and have strong trade ties with the United States. “Latin America and the Caribbean has performed well in the years that followed the global financial crisis, increasing fiscal spending to fuel economic growth,” said IDB Chief Economist José Juan Ruiz. “But lower commodity prices and higher inflexible spending are threatening to erode many of the gains. Countries will need to find ways to enhance revenues and the efficiency of spending while they protect so-

cial gains.”The report –The Labyrinth, How Can Latin America and the Caribbean Navigate the Global Economy – points to common trends affecting the entire region but also provides analysis for the specific situations faced by individual nations, and provides policy suggestions going forward. It was issued during the IDB’s Annual Meeting held in Busan, Korea.

The slowdown in growth comes amid rising inflation in some countries, which will constrain their ability to use exchange depreciations to respond to negative shocks. At the same time, corporate bond amortizations are expected to rise annually to US$64 billion in 2020, the majority in dollars. Dollar issuance soared in recent years but is now falling and may fall below the level of required payments.

From 2011 to date, metal prices have fallen 44 percent, food prices have declined 20 percent and oil has plunged 59 percent. While commodity prices are subject to volatility, the report does not foresee prices bouncing back to their previous highs anytime soon. For nine commodity-dependent countries, the average decline in fiscal revenue is 9 percent in the baseline scenario, ranging from a 2 percent drop for Peru to over 10 percent for Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

the Safari possible],” the Prime Minister said.

Today the journey is much smoother, “an indication of how the country is being opened up”, he added.

The Safari is a collaborative effort of the Tourism Ministry, the GTA and Rainforest Tours. It is a 10-day journey through the interior of Guyana, exposing participants to nature and communitybased tourism Guyanese style. They travel by day through the rough and rugged terrain and rest at night in hammocks or makeshift beds. Participants get to test their outdoor, cooking and organisational skills and participate in numerous outreaches and school visits as well.

(Guyana Times)

Impacts vary on the trade balance. The winners are 11 countries in Central America and the Caribbean that will enjoy net positive effects larger than 1.5 percent of GDP from commodity price declines. Countries such as Brazil and Mexico will see mild negative effects while Bolivia, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador will be harder hit.

For the fourth year in a row, the structural primary fiscal budget was in negative territory, -1.1 percent of GDP in 2014. Since 2010 the structural primary fiscal balance has improved in only 6 of 20 countries. Eleven countries – accounting for 58.5 percent of the region’s GDP – should make fiscal adjustments to avoid higher debt levels.

The right fiscal adjustment will vary across countries. Dialing back spending may be difficult for many in the region. Over seven years, primary public spending has grown 3.7 percent of GDP, of which 2.7 percentage points are on inflexible items such as wages, subsidies and transfers. Those with high tax intakes may be better off reducing spending, while those with low fiscal revenues as a proportion of GDP will be better served by widening the tax base, removing tax subsidies and exceptions, and improving tax administration. Low energy prices offer an opportunity to

consider green taxes that also bring environmental benefits. Countries can also put their resources to better use. In health, the region is between 12 and 44 percentage points below the most efficient country in generating healthy life expectancy with given resources. In education, spending has risen from 4.2 percent to 5.6 percent of GDP in 13 years, with little evidence of better effectiveness.

Almost one in four of the region’s inhabitants benefit from conditional cash transfers, but many programmes can better target the extreme poor. “Many countries are facing difficult tradeoffs. On the one hand higher productivity is required to boost potential growth but on the other, given lackluster world prospects, the arithmetic of debt sustainability must be carefully monitored,” said Andrew Powell, the coordinator of the report for the IDB. “Consolidation efforts must be carefully calibrated in terms of both composition and timing to navigate the months and years ahead.” (Guyana Times)

PPP/C only party with clear vision for Guyana

… Ramotar tells Zeelugt/Hague meetings

BY AHREEFA BACCHUS AND DAVENDRA KISSOON

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA: Hundreds of Guyanese turned up at Zeelugt and Hague, West Coast Demerara in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) to listen to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) message of continued development and progress ahead of the upcoming May 11 election.

The public meetings which both began at 18:15h were dominated by energy as supporters of the ruling party vowed to go door to door to encourage other Guyanese to vote the current Government back into power.

Presidential Candidate and Incumbent President, Donald Ramotar addressed the crowd at Zeelugt telling the hundreds gathered, some standing and some sitting on make-shift benches and structures, that the party remains the only one with a clear vision, plan and policy that would take Guyana forward.

He explained that the PPP/C wants another opportunity to continue to transform the socio-economic landscape of Guyana through pru-

dent macroeconomic policies, pointed social policies that would target reforms and good foreign and regional international relations.

Ramotar, speaking with enthusiasm, urged those present not make a mistake and vote the People’s National Congress (PNC) back into power as it was disguising itself as a new creature in the form of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition.

He explained that Guyanese must take a look at the Opposition’s posture and behaviour in Parliament if they wanted to get a picture of the massive destruction and confusion that would reign were they to be elected to office.

Ramotar said that he was humbled and satisfied with the PPP/C’s track record which was dominated by change and progress in every sector. He made it clear that the PPP/C was a party of struggle and over the years, it has learnt from the mistakes it made in the past.

The PPP/C Presidential Candidate warned Guyanese in Region Three about the desperation in the Opposition camp and their fear of discussions centred on the sordid

state of affairs that obtained in Guyana in the pre-1992 era.

Ramotar gave an example of the state of the health sector during the PNC/R’s tenure reminding Guyanese that it “was in a rundown state”.

Placing attention to the modern day political affairs, the President accused David Granger and other parliamentarians who served as part of the Opposition in the tenth Parliament of sabotaging Guyana’s overall development by voting against policies, programmes that could have further transform the lives of Guyanese.

Meanwhile, PPP/C Executive Member and Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon said that Granger and his allies are eager to get their dirty hands on the State’s resources.

He said that they the PNC-led APNU+AFC coalition do not represent change or forward movement but rather were a representation of the notion “forward to the past”.

Luncheon accused the Opposition parties of being “shocked into virtual silence when asked about policies”, sending the crowd into a frenzy as they agreed with Luncheon’s style and arguments. (Guyana Times)

TT Ministry forecasts increase in oil

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD: The Energy Ministry is forecasting an increase in oil production of just over four per cent for the first quarter of 2015. This increase over the corresponding period in 2014 is based on improved production from three energy companies— Repsol, bpTT and Leni Gas and Oil (LGO). The ministry said production in the first quarter is expected to average about 83,000 barrels per day compared to 79,466 barrels per day in the first quarter last year.

“Oil production has been in decline since 2006 and that trend continued to 2014 when the country recorded a minor increase in oil production,” the ministry said in as brief statement. Noting that the energy companies were continuing their drilling and investment schedules despite lower oil prices, the ministry added: “In the past five years it has been government policy to incentivise upstream companies to increase exploration and developmental drilling.

Barbados hosts ICT training programme

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS:

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in collaboration with the Organization of American States (OAS) partnered with the Information and Communication Technology (CTIC) for the implementation of a training programme for ICT advisors from 11 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti) during the period March 23 –25, 2015 at a face to face workshop in Barbados aimed at improving the competitiveness of firms through access, implementation, and use of ICT in business processes.

“We want more busi-

nesses to take advantage of the trade opportunities that are out there, and we can do this by enhancing their competitiveness and productivity through the adoption and utilization of ICT in their businesses,” said Pamela Coke-Hamilton. “The reality of the situation is that SMEs must embrace ICT to survive in today’s environment.”

CTIC has successfully led a programme over the last twelve years to build capacity in the use of ICTs by SMEs through the training of ICT advisers. ICT advisers are then tasked with the responsibility of training SMEs in how to incorporate ICTs in their businesses so that they can become more innovative, profitable, and ultimately more competitive firms.

The programme commenced in January of this year with six weeks of online sessions and completed during March

23-25, 2015 when technical advisers and ICT consultants from around the CARICOM region who work with micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) were brought together. At this session a commitment to establish an ICT Advisory Group comprising of regional practitioners to further the work required to assist regional SME’s to utilise ICT within their business processes was made. This action will dovetail with Caribbean Export’s regional ICT strategy. The ultimate objective is the enhancement of competitiveness and capacity of private sector firms. Following the training, the ICT advisers will work with various business support organizations (BSOs) in the region to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs through infusing ICT in their business operations. (Caribbeannewsnow)

Moon Palace Hotel says its committed to opening five star property in Jamaica

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

The Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Hotel in St Ann says it is expending Ja$150 million to upgrade the former Sunset Jamaica Grande into a five-star property.

This was achieved mainly through amendments to the fiscal regime that governs the energy sector.”

Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine said: “Oil production had been in decline since 2006 due to a lack of strategic focus by the former PNM administration. “Our harshest critics would agree, and the facts would show, that under this Government we have not only stabilised production but have managed to realise an increase in output.” (TT Guardian)

And despite the hotel missing its April 11, 2015 completion date, following recent industrial unrest at the construction site, General Manager Clifton Reader said all is set for the grand opening to take place soon.

Reader and members of his team were addressing journalists at a press launch held at Evita's Italian Restaurant in Ocho Rios, last week, to officially introduce the Mexican brand to Jamaica.

The Moon Palace Jamaica Grande is the first hotel in the Palace Resorts brand to open

outside of Mexico.

When completed, the property will boast more than 700 guest rooms and suites with ocean-front views of the Caribbean Sea.

Extensive renovations at the former Sunset Jamaica Grande include modernising rooms, overhauling meeting spaces, upgrading and redesigns of the common areas, and upgrading of the restaurants.

And, although it is yet to open its doors locally, the Moon Palace has already expanded the Palace Foundation in Jamaica. The Palace Foundation is a nonprofit organisation, created in 2004 by the directors of Palace Resorts to contribute to addressing social issues in the local community.

The organisation's goal is to improve the

lives of those most in need.

According to Reader, the Jamaican arm of the Foundation was started with Ja$250,000. In addition, all furniture of the former property were sold and the money placed in the foundation.

The general manager also reported that all staff of the former property have been retained following the take over last September. He announced that approximately 200 of these employees have gone to Mexico to experience the Moon Palace brand as a part of their training. Staff who have had to stay home are still being paid half of their salary, while others have been able to continue working and receiving their full salaries, according to Reader. (Jamaica Observer)

Guyana must invest in viable renewable energy

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: Natural Resources and Environment Minister

Robert Persaud has underlined Guyana’s intention of becoming a country in which renewable sources of energy are utilised to create a green economy.

He told the gathering at the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) and other partners’ Earth Hour 2015 observance at the National Park on Saturday, that Guyana has demonstrated a high level of awareness of climate change and has taken several steps to reduce its carbon footprint.

Guyana has em-

barked on a Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) that puts Guyana on a pathway to development with low carbon emissions.

The Minister reiterated that Guyana was one of the few countries that have a developed low carbon development model. “This indicates political commitment and buy-in by the population that we will proceed in this direction.”

Persaud stated that Guyana’s model has been an example to the international community and doubters of an environmentally-friendly development model. “We have proven you can pursue sustainable development, that you can do the things that are climate friendly and at the same time you can grow the economy and create opportunities for our people,” he said.

the importance of the Earth Hour initiative to spreading awareness and consciousness, as well as reaffirming commitment to sustainability.

Persaud was hopeful that Guyana would end its dependency on fossil fuels and join the league of countries that have ended their reliance on these fuels. He said, “Before 2020, Guyana should be proud to stand up and say to all that our energy source comes from renewable sources and particularly hydro.”

He highlighted the fact that Guyana’s US$200 million fuel bill would be eliminated and the savings plugged into other sectors of the Guyanese economy. This money will be used to create green industries and further cement the country on the path to green development.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINDAD:

Renowned chef

Wolfgang Puck will soon be launching a restaurant at Piarco International Airport. The Wolfgang Puck Bistro and Bar will be located on the upper floor of the duty free area at the airport and will be a contemporary casual restaurant with the guiding principle of “Simple is Delicious.” The menu will provide quick bites or leisurely meal options, with opportunities for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chef Puck will use only the finest ingredients to prepare food fresh-to-order. The beverage programme will feature a full bar including non-alcoholic beverages.

He pointed out that Guyana was receiving payments for the ecoservices that it provided. “We have been able to put dollar figures on those concepts that many people doubted and have been sceptical about,” he said.

He highlighted

The Minister said that such a move would benefit Guyana economically, as well as significantly reduce the country’s carbon footprint.

The World Earth Hour is observed each year: major cities are plunged into darkness for one hour. This year, the symbolic LightOut was from 20:30h to 21:30h. The initiative was founded by the WWF in Australia in the year 2007. Now, the event has expanded to over 100 countries.

(Guyana Times)

Renowed chef Puck to open restaurant at Piarco, Trinidad

Chef Puck is an Austrian-born chef who began his rise to stardom in 1981, when he authored his first cookbook and a year later opened his award-winning restaurant Spago in Beverly Hills. He has received several awards during his auspicious career, including an induction into the Culinary Hall of Fame in 2013. He has more than

80 branded operations throughout the US.

The Airports Authority of TT (AATT) said it was fortunate that Delaware North Corporation (DNC) and Superior Hospitality were able to persuade Chef Puck to bring his

brand to TT. DNC is one of the largest master concessionaires in the aviation industry. In addition to the Wolfgang Puck Bistro, DNC will be bringing two additional businesses to the Piarco International Airport –The Piarco Gourmet and Trinidad Chic.

Piarco Gourmet is a specialty food shop focused on locally made and/or grown TT special-

ty products and related merchandise: rum cakes, chocolates, hot sauces and spices, coffees and teas, and related branded merchandise.

Trinidad Chic will sell locally made fashion, accessories, and jewelry and beauty products. Local artisans are contributing to the stores. The company has prided itself on identifying and introducing local tal-

ent to the world’s stage at the Piarco International Airport. They are supporting the small businesses in Trinidad by providing a world stage for them to display and sell their merchandise. The AATT said introduction of these ventures is the continuation of the its continued work in making itself “the premier provider of aviation driven business in the region.” (TT Guardian)

TT firm embarks on massive dry dock project

- second dock will be in Guyana

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:

An ambitious plan that will see the Caribbean get two of the largest graving dock facilities in the world has taken a step forward. The Trinidad Dry Dock Company Ltd (TDDCL) is inviting companies to submit proposals to conduct an environmental impact assessment and geotechnical investigation for a major new ship repair yard development project in Port-of-Spain.

The Trinidad shipyard is one of two planned by the company. The other will be in Guyana. Each will have five graving docks catering to vessels from 20,000 dwt to 250,000 dwt and up to 380 m long.

TDDCL has signed a memorandum of agreement with Invest TT, to facilitate the future development and operation of the Port-of-Spain Dry Dock on the reclaimed 140-acre Sullivan Island. The project is located offshore in the Gulf of Paria, in the vicinity of Sealots, just north of

the Caroni River outfall. It includes a 250-hectare dredged turning basin and a causeway connecting Sullivan Island to mainland Trinidad’s highway network.

TDDCL has now procured the final terms of reference from the Environmental Management Authority for an environmental impact assessment. As part of its engineering designs and as may be needed for the environmental impact assessment, TDDCL will also conduct detailed geotechnical investigations with soils analysis and report over an area of seabed of some 300 hectares.

The company has issued a request for expressions of interest from qualified and experienced firms to submit proposals no later than 2 pm Friday via e-mail to info@trinidaddrydock. com. The full request for proposals will be sent to respondents after receipt of expressions of interest. TDDCL says its projects will cater to the growing international demands

of the expanding global shipping fleet, with specific emphasis on meeting what it says is a critical need in the Western Hemisphere.

The firm’s project in Trinidad, the Sullivan Island, Port-of-Spain Dry Dock Facility will constitute world-class graving dock and bunkering facilities situated on the proposed Sullivan Island, along the Gulf of Paria. In Guyana, the New Amsterdam Dry Dock Industrial Port Complex will comprise graving dock and port facilities situated on the Berbice River estuary.

The two projects will have a combined total drydocking area of 199,300 square metres. In addition to the core drydocking facilities, TDDCL plans to maximise the potential of the projects by embarking on the development of a number of on-site, downstream projects including a marine and industrial park, and residential and commercial centres at both locations. (TT Guardian)

Regional representatives attending fisheries confab in Grenada

ST GEORGE'S, GRENADA:

A two-day Caribbean fisheries forum began here on Monday to review the status of fisheries and aquaculture in the region and chart the roadmap for enhancing their contribution to national and regional development.

Representatives from the 17-member Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), as well as observers and partner agencies, are attending the meeting that is expected to review and finalise the latest version of the regional lobster declaration and recommend its approval by the Ministerial Council, when it meets here in May.

"The fisheries and aquaculture sector is playing an increasing

J’can

The meeting is expected to review and finalise the latest version of the regional lobster declaration and recommend its approval by the Ministerial Council, when it meets here in May.

role in food and nutrition security, as well as the provision of income and livelihoods for the people of the Caribbean," said CRFM Executive Director Milton Haughton.

The CRFM said that the regional lobster declaration is an agreement to promote harmonised regional actions to ensure the sustainability and conservation of spiny lobster resources, and to protect its hab-

itats and ecosystems against the threats of irresponsible fishing, habitat degradation, and climate change and related adverse impacts.

The meeting in Grenada will also review and refine the plan of action for the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy as well as review activities in CRFM states to achieve the sustainable management and use of fisheries resources. (CMC)

Health Minister condemns attack on Cuban nurses

KINGSTON,

JAMAICA:

Minister of Health, Dr Fenton Ferguson has condemned the attack on two Cuban nurses attached to the Buff Bay Community Hospital in Portland.

The nurses were reportedly attacked and injured by a gunman while at their residence.

“This is a disgusting and vicious act undertaken by a coward. To enter the residence of two females and attack them in this manner is cowardly and unforgivable, especially since they have committed themselves to service to the people of that community," Dr Ferguson said. "It is time that we start

Jamaica’s Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson

thinking about the implications that these acts can have on our country as a whole and stand up against this type of behavior."

A release from the ministry said the matter has been reported to the police.

“We will do everything we can to bring the person to justice and I urge the residents of Buff Bay and anyone else who may have information to share it with the police immediately. None of us is immune to this kind of action and so we have to support each other and send a strong message to criminals,” he urged.

“We cannot allow persons to disrupt services to others and prevent our health workers from carrying out their duties in a safe and comfortable atmosphere," Dr Ferguson said. Both nurses are said to be in stable condition.

(Jamaica Observer)

New CCJ judge sworn in

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee was sworn in by Trinidad and Tobago President Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona as a judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Friday at a ceremony in Port of Spain.

Carmona praised Rajnauth-Lee for her “selfless sacrifice” in dedicating herself to the service of the public and commended her achievement as “the first woman citizen of Trinidad and Tobago” to be appointed to the CCJ bench.

Rajnauth-Lee was selected from among applicants from the Caribbean,

North America and Eastern Europe.

Judges appointed to the CCJ are evaluated on the basis of wide-ranging criteria that include; experience, high moral character, intellectual and analytical ability, sound judgment, integrity and an understanding of people and society.

Rajnauth-Lee is a former justice of appeal of Trinidad and Tobago. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and of the Hugh Wooding Law School with a Legal Education Certificate. She was admitted to the practice of law in

Trinidad and Tobago in 1980. Thereafter, she served as state counsel in the solicitor general’s department in Trinidad and Tobago. In 1985, she embarked on a career in private practice.

Rajnauth-Lee is a member of the International Association of Women Judges. She was a member of the Steering Committee and now serves as vice president of the Caribbean Association of Women Judges. She is also a member of the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers. Rajnauth-Lee is a certified mediator and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. (Caribbeannewsnow)

Qualfon opens US$12M call centre in Guyana

…

on a mission to improve quality of life

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA:

Qualfon, one of the leading global business process outsourcing (BPO) providers, on Thursday opened its doors to one of the largest contact centre campuses in the world at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

President Donald Ramotar declared open the contact centre campuses in the presence of the company’s top brass which included Founder and Chairman of Qualfon, Alfonso Gonzalez; Mike Marrow, Chief Executive Officer; Scott Warner, Vice President and General Manager and Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh.

The campus which is the property of Qualfon, points to the expansion of the Mexico-based company in Guyana, which has now created thousands of jobs for young people and established Guyana as a leading outsourcing location in the Region. The US$12 million facility will serve as a campus where persons employed by the company will be trained be-

fore they begin working. Qualfon is a global provider of contact centre, back-office and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services with locations in Mexico, Phillipines, USA and Guyana.

In his address to the gathering, after extending congratulations to the company for embarking on the initiative, President Donald Ramotar related that the facility will be a definite boost to Guyana’s economy but more so, its human capital, noting that while training will be done for Qualfon, at the same time, persons will be able to build on their knowledge of information technology which will lead to the growth and development of the technology industry in Guyana and subsequently, the economy.

Ramotar, on behalf of his Administration, promised his commitment towards the industry, identifying its potential contribution to the growth of the information and technology industry in Guyana. “We all recognise the importance of developing the

human capital… it goes to the very philosophy of my Government; the most important factor for development is not just all the natural resources we have… but life has shown us that the most important factor for development is the quality of people that we have,” Ramotar told the gathering which included Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ramesh Persaud.

Founder and Chairman of Qualfon, Alfonso Gonzalez in

brief remarks, extended his thanks to President Ramotar, Guyanese and all his employees, noting that without their hospitality, the company would not have been able to reach this milestone.

He noted that when he ventured into Guyana in 2005, it was his hope that he could change and better the lives of people and their families and he is now proud and satisfied that he has been able to do. Gonzalez noted, “it was the mission

of my company to make lives better.”

Guyanese hospitality was praised as General Manager and Vice President of the company Scott Warner told the invitees that when he entered Guyana just one year ago, he immediately realised that there was something “unique” and “special” about Guyana and he was enthused that expansion is taking place.

Meanwhile, according to Qualfon’s CEO Mike Marrow, some

US$6 million has already been utilised for the project while another US$6 million is expected to be spent by the time the campus is completed, before the year is out.

Qualfon expects that operations in the existing building on the campus will commence as soon as May 5, with all things going as planned, with over 100 Guyanese currently being trained at the two existing centers at Beterverwagting and Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

Another two-storey building with the same footprint will be constructed shortly where a total of some 3000 seats will be installed and will provided employment for persons mostly from the East Bank corridor and outlining areas, amounting to 6000 within coming months. The current building will house just over 1000 persons with 250 cubicles already installed and ready to be occupied. The finish campus will also include an interfaith chapel, community center and a healthcare clinic. (Guyana Times)

TT PM Kamla promises secondary school to Baptists

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Monday promised the Baptist community a secondary school if they help her return to Government.

The Prime Minister was speaking at Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day holiday celebrations at the Empowerment Hall, Maloney, on Monday.

Persad-Bissessar reminded the people she, too, was baptised as a Baptist when she was a child and she was committed to ensuring their place and rights to education, in the form of their own schools in Trinidad.

The blood that flows in my veins is the same red blood, and I am a child of God as you are all children of God,” said Persad-Bissessar as she noted in 2010 when she attended their celebrations as an opposition member, she urged the People’s National Movement (PNM) government to build the primary school for the Baptists.

She said as God ordained it, she became Prime Minister in 2010 and in 2012—she opened not one but two schools

for the Baptist community—a primary school and an early childhood care education centre.

“God willing and with your help, we will partner together to do what next you want, which is your secondary school,” said Persad-Bissessar.

Persad-Bissessar related her own story as a little girl from Siparia, the child of a Brahmin pundit who over 50 years ago was baptised as a Baptist.

“That little girl’s parents were forward thinking, and she remembers the day, so many years ago, when a Shouter Baptist mother took her hands and those of her siblings and walked her to the seaside in the area and baptised her in this glorious faith,” she said.

Persad-Bissessar said she grew up to embrace all religions, the Hinduism of her parents and grandparents, the Presbyterian Christianity of her husband, the Muslim of her daughter-in-law, “all wrapped into one, for we may come to the Lord God through different paths, but we all converge to His Holy House at the end, for it is one God who we worship”.

She said the Lord led her on the path of ser-

vice to the people and to be the first woman to aspire for political office, and she was now the first person of the Baptist faith to be Prime Minister of Trinidad.

The Prime Minister disclosed her journey was not an easy one, but she remembered the Holy Book of Psalms, which said: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Also in attendance was National Security Minister Carl Alfonso, Minister of Gender Youth and Child Development Clifton DeCoteau, Minister of Multiculturalism Rodger Samuel and Labour Minister Errol McLeod.

Head of the Inter Religious Organisation (IRO) Harrypersad Maharaj, in his greetings, noted the Baptists must be proud as they have struggled to achieve what they have today and they should be grateful as they move forward.

I want to remind you that you must ever be grateful for those who have served you, for those who have given you, for those who have liberated you,” said Maharaj. (TT Express)

Guyana Gov’ t lauds India’s contributions through ITEC programme

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Government of Guyana has expressed its gratitude to the Indian Government for the contributions made in developing the capacity of Guyanese professionals in various fields.

For the past 30 years, the Government of India has been supporting Guyanese nationals by granting scholarships under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. The programme was established in India in 1965 for bilateral assistance to developing countries. It aims at sharing the gains made by India in socioeconomic fields and its technological advancements with partner countries.

On Monday, the Indian High Commission in Guyana celebrated ITEC Day at the Aagman Restaurant, where several Government officials were present along with ITEC alumni for a special luncheon.

Speaking at the event, High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam pointed out that while the feedback of the ITEC programme has been well received by Guyana, the country has not taken full advantage of the initiative.

“We would like to see a 100 per cent utilisation of the ITEC seats allotted to Guyana and the Caricom Secretariat

as well as the two other countries. I would like to urge more nominations for these courses in a timely manner so as to use the complete quota of seats allotted to Guyana, Caricom, St Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda. I’m sure such utilisation of ITEC seats will go a long way in capacity building, institutional building and also in helping technological and economical advancement of our partners,” the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana said.

Mahalingam disclosed that more than 600 persons from Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, along with others from Caricom, have been trained under the programme thus far. He noted too that India has given technical assistance to some 36 countries in the Latin America, Caribbean, and Central America.

As it relates to Guyana, Mahalingam said that ITEC currently has an agriculture experting in Guyana who had done some work with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and was now working along with the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

The Indian High Commissioner further outlined that some of the other aspects of collaboration under the pro-

gramme include project development, coconut production, legal drafting, telecast and telecommunication, agronomic services and disaster management. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sam Hinds expressed his gratitude to the Indian Government for its support through the ITEC programme. He noted that Guyana and Indian have shared a sound relationship mainly because of ancestral ties, adding that with initiatives such as the ITEC programme the relationship will continue to grow.

The Prime Minister recognised that the ITEC programme not only educated but gave participants the opportunity to interact with nationals from other countries around the world.

Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford noted that the ITEC programme has allowed Guyanese in the Public Sector the opportunity to further develop themselves in their fields.

Westford voiced her appreciation to the Indian Government for unswervingly ensuring over the years that Guyanese were given this opportunity. She noted that a recent review of the countries from whose training programmes Guyana benefited revealed that India was at the top of the list.

(Guyana Times)

Guyana's opposition leader uses women as “front”

– Selman says wants to keep them “barefoot and pregnant”

By Michael younge

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA:

Former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Africo Selman, has accused Opposition Leader David Granger of using the hard working women within his party as a front to give the impression that the party respects women and has a plan for their overall development and upward mobility. But, she said, in reality, Granger wanted to relegate them to subservient roles.

Selman, who threw her support behind the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) back in January after claiming she experienced the worst forms of emotional, verbal and psychological abuse with the Opposition camp, spoke at several political public meetings for the ruling party over the past few weeks.

She addressed crowds gathered

at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara and Yarrowkabra, located on the Linden Highway telling them that the coalition and some of its male members including those at its helm were sidelining women and young ladies who have dissenting, independent views and wanted to be promoted to senior postings on the basis of meritocracy.

Selman condemned what she called the “sheer hypocrisy” and “window dressing” occurring with the PNCR and APNU as she called on Guyanese present at the PPP/C’s meetings to take a stance against the abuse, misuse and maltreatment of women in politics.

“They are saying one thing and doing another. They are using wom-

en as a front and they are ill-treating and sidelining them behind the scenes,” she said as she shared her own experiences with the crowd.

“They want to just keep us ‘barefoot and pregnant’.”

Selman further alleged that the Opposition had no real plan for women development and it was evident from its campaign that

it was less concerned about women issues as it appeared more bent on the sensational stuff which would secure political mileage

Expressing gratitude each time she took the platform at the various meetings, Selman said that she was pleased to see the ruling Party actively involved in strengthening the zeal of woman and advocating their rights. She said that it was clear that the PPP/C has promoted women empowerment at every level of its structure explaining that it had space to accommodate women who wanted to make a difference in their lives and that of their community. The female politician, a youth activist herself, lauded the work done by the Government to boost the education sector and provide equitable access to education at all levels.

She urged Guyanese to vote for the PPP/C who she said was a party that was willing to work long and hard for Guyana’s continued progress and development.

Selman is slated to speak prominently at several other PPP/C meetings and rallies in the lead up to this year’s General and Regional Elections on May 11. The University graduate, who resigned her seat as a parliamentarian with APNU before the dissolution of Parliament, had argued that she was abused by APNU Chief Whip Amna Ally on several occasions and the party leader David Granger was aware, stood by and did nothing to rescue her.

The schoolteacher whose role had been miniaturised in Parliament by Granger, offered other illustrations of Granger’s alleged anti-women proclivities: “Vanessa Kissoon is feeling the victimisation from Granger…but unlike me, she wants to continue inside the PNC. I would like to tell her that she will be destroyed, because there is no space for her unless she wants to be a lapdog for Granger,” Selman said.

(Guyana Times)

J’can Tech entrepreneurs head for training in Jordan

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Three local startup technology companies have been selected to benefit from a US$90,000 (Ja$10.3 million)-investment and a trip to Jordan-based accelerator company Oasis500.

Last year, Oasis500 inked a deal with the Government and the World Bank to invest up to US$30,000 in the tech entrepreneurs under the Youth Employment in Digital and Creative Industries (YEDCI) project.

The three start-up projects, RevoFarm, CrimeBot and the Vinelist, were selected from a pool of 60 potential entrepreneurs who

participated in a 45-hour intensive boot camp with Oasis500 last September, dubbed Start-Up Jamaica. The camp provided the entrepreneurs with the necessary tools, concepts and skills to create and manage successful companies.

The start-up techs depart for Jordan on Tuesday for a 100-day training initiative, which will see part of Oasis500's planned investment come in the form of cash, while the remainder will be in mentorship, training, and other business support. In exchange, the Middle Eastern development company will take up to a 20 per cent stake in each start-up.

"We are looking to

increase our users as well as expand into new markets," chief executive officer of CrimeBot, Dave Oakley, told the Jamaican media. "Oasis500 says it has the necessary connections to do so and we are hoping that we can tap into any opportunity that this will provide to spread CrimeBot around the world."

CrimeBot is a programme that seeks to enhance an individual's safety through the provision of crime reports on the desired location. CrimeBot uses notifications, crime hot-spot illustrations and allows the submission of completely anonymous crime reports to persons who

may wish to report a crime.

RevoFarm, a business analytics platform that was designed by Ricardo Gowdie, Warren Robinson and Oshane Gooden, seeks to improve the efficiency and productivity of local farmers by advising them when, where and what to plant.

Mannin Marsh, Alesha Aris and Tajhlois

Laidley have also designed a shopping platform called Vinelist, which allows consumers to find the products they need online in Jamaica. Ultimately, the team hopes to bring convenience in commerce to both consumers and merchants.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Julian Robinson stated that Start-Up

Jamaica is modelled from the success of a programme in Chile. He added that Oasis500's support is ideal for the start-up entrepreneurs since the local market is too small for such companies to realise their full potential.The StartUp Jamaica programme will be open to another 60 applicants, come May. (Jamaica Observer)

CARICOM seeking international support for future socio-economic growth

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are still grappling with the effects of global economic crisis as well as the impact of climate change, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie has said.

Addressing the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, Christie, who is the CARICOM chairman, said that regional countries are acutely aware of the complexity of the global economic environment and the major transformation underway in the world economy.

“Indeed, the aftermath of the global economic and financial crises has translated into a less than favourable international context for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the CARICOM region into much of the next decade or so,” Prime Minister Christie told the High-Level Interactive

Dialogue on Monday held under the theme “The International Decade for Action: Progress achieved and lessons learned for sustainable development”.

He told the delegates that the process of climate change has emerged as a global issue, with the increased frequency and severity of climatic events, along with the growing incidence of health pandemics and the risk of terrorism and war threatening to set back the development gains achieved over time by developing countries in particular.

“Given its susceptibility to external shocks, the global realities and challenges are either mirrored or heightened in the CARICOM region, evidenced in persistent low growth rates and crippling external debt, as well as in growing unemployment, especially among our youth.”

Prime Minister Christie said that

CARICOM has adopted either home-grown or multilaterally-supported stabilisation and structural adjustment programmes, which have not yet resulted in sustained growth in those member states experiencing significant macroeconomic imbalances.

He said revitalizing economic growth is therefore of critical importance to preventing further deterioration in the region’s human development gains and thus the Region has embarked on a plan to reposition itself.

“It is apparent that

such a plan must take into consideration the rising levels of unemployment, particularly in the youth, which exists alongside skill shortages in several key areas.

Prime Minister Christie told the Council that last year, regional leaders approved a fiveyear strategic plan for the future development of the regional integration movement, describing it as “an ambitious document, which lays out a comprehensive plan for building economic, social and environmental resilience in the Community,

as well as strengthening governance along with coordinated foreign policy, research and development, and innovation.

Prime Minister Christie said efforts would be made to advance human capital development, through the enhancement of key skills, education reform and youth development.

“We will build capacity and create green jobs in our efforts to manage adaptation to climate change and mitigate it effects, and enhance our resilience to natural disasters. And we will forge a culture of innovation, increase job creation, entrepreneurship and new business development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).”

He said regional leaders at their last inter-sessional summit in Nassau had focused on best they could leverage the region’s human, cultural and natural assets for the development of

the Caribbean.

But he said to accomplish these goals, the Caribbean wouldneed the support of the international community. “In this connection, CARICOM has been keen to align our plan with that of the international agenda, and to ensure that the special needs of the Region, and SIDS in general, are central to the Post-2015 Development Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.

“We believe that with a renewed commitment to a global partnership for development, we would be able to provide the necessary support to Regional and national efforts to achieve the proposed Sustainable Development Goals, including the proposed goal 8, entitled “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all,” he told the UN Council. (CMC)

TT lawyer secures murder conviction for Turks and Caicos Gov’t

PORT-OF-SPAIN,

TRINIDAD: After a three-week trial which gripped the attention of the media and attracted widespread attention among the Turks and Caicos islands population, Cortez Simmons, the son and employee of Carl Simmons, a well known and prominent and respected Turks and Caicos Islands businessman, has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Cortez Simmons was sentenced by Chief Justice

Margaret Ramsey-Hale after being found guilty by a majority verdict of 11-1 of the murder of 25-year-old Kaziah Burke on April 13, 2013 at Uncle Doe’s Bar at Airport Road Providenciales. The jury deliberated for six hours until it became apparent that they could not arrive at a unanimous verdict.

Simmons had only four years prior been acquitted after a jury trial in 2009 of the murder of one Shamade Ingham, the first cousin of Burke who had

been gunned down in front of the yard of Simmons’s home. The DPP’s office retained TT attorney Evans Welch as a special prosecutor to lead the prosecution team in the trial. Simmons was defended by well-known English criminal lawyers Roy Ledgister and Laurie Anne-Power of the UK based Bedford Row Law Chambers in London.

The court heard that while playing a game of dominoes at the bar around 8.30 pm a gunman

walked into the bar and in the presence of several patrons opened fire on Burke. As Burke retreated out of the bar on his hands and knees, the gunman followed him and continued shooting him along the way until he eventually fell in the courtyard of the bar where the shooter stood over him, fired three more shots into his body and then ran from the scene.

The autopsy revealed that Burke died from eight gunshot wounds from a 40-calibre weapon, eight exit wounds were also found on his body as they all completely penetrated his body, doing damage to several of his organs and arteries in the process. Several spent shells were found by crime scene officers scattered on the floor of the bar and in neighbouring buildings and the court yard.

The prosecution based its case entirely on circumstantial evidence as there were no witnesses willing to come foward and identify the gunman despite the presence of several people who were seen fleeing from the bar during the shooting.

The star witness for the prosecution was Haitian national Boker Odema. The prosecution led evidence of CCTV footage of an incident three weeks before Burke’s murder in which Odema was identified as one of the gunmen seen in the footage engag-

ing in a gun battle at the Digicel Cinema Complex on Leeward Highway with three other men.

United States ballistic expert Allen Greenspan testified that the gun used by Odema at the Digicel cinema incident was the same gun which was used to kill Burke as the shell casings found on both scenes bore the markings of one and the same gun.

Although the gun was never recovered, Odema testified that he had gotten the gun he used during the Digicel gun battle, from Cortez Simmons by snatching it out of Simmons’s hand. Odema further testified that after he fired Simmons’s gun at the men, Simmons demanded the return of his gun and he (Odema) complied and returned the gun to Simmons.

The prosecution argued that this evidence placed the gun that killed Burke in the hand of Simmons and that Odema was a credible witness whose evidence rang true.

The defence submitted he was a downright liar.

The prosecution also presented CCTV footage evidence showing a vehicle belonging to Simmons being among the first to be seen leaving the scene of Burke’s murder. There was also evidence of a relationship of bad blood which existed between Simmons and Burke.

A serious bone of contention during the trial

was the weight to be attached to the finding of a single particle of gunshot residue on the driver’s door handle of Simmons’ vehicle when it was seized after 1 pm, the day after the shooting. The issue gives rise to a clash of opinions between gunshot residue experts Angela Sure of England who was called as a defence witness and prosecution expert witness Michael Martinez of the United States, both of whom testified in the trial via the use of Skype technology.

Sure contended that as no gunshot residue was found inside the car or on the clothing or person of Simmons, that the single particle could have been deposited on the handle by some form of accidental contamination by the police or from an environmental source.

Martinez contended that notwithstanding the absence of any residue anywhere else, it was a distinct scientific possibility given the circumstances of the case that the source of the single particle was the hand of the shooter who might have been getting into his vehicle to drive away from the scene of the shooting when the particle was transferred from his trigger hand to the handle of the vehicle. By their verdict of guilty the jury strongly favoured the prosecution’s arguments as advanced by lead by Welch. (TT Guardian)

Former Guyana President to Opposition leader: explain 1973 Ballot Box killings

…why say “soldiers performed splendidly”?

By Devina Samaroo

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA: Former

President Bharrat Jagdeo has challenged the newly formed A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition to address several pressing issues in connection with the village of Whim, as they took their rally to the community to try to sell their alliance as the next Government of Guyana.

Incidentally, Jagdeo challenged the party’s officials to explain the brutal killings of two civilians while trying to protect the integrity of the ballots in 1973.

“Ten miles from Whim in 1973, two persons – Jagan Ramessar and Bholanauth Paramanand – were killed when they tried to protect the ballot boxes from being stolen, they were shot dead…,” he highlighted.

On that note, he dared Opposition Leader David Granger and Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo to stand on the platform at Whim and explain why those two men were killed.

Despite many foreign territories indicating that elections were rigged in Guyana post1992, Jagdeo pointed out that Granger constantly denies those allegations. Therefore, he concluded that when Granger hides from the past and maintains that elections were not rigged, then he is justifying that those

two men died in vain. Granger had written in his book, New Road about the 1973 event. He said that the “soliders had performed splendidly in the face of provocation” after explaining that the PPP was trying to disrupt the process.

In the book New Road, Granger appeared to be glorifying the role played by the Army and fails to acknowledge the fact that Guyanese were killed while demonstrating for their rights as the ballots were not counted at the place of poll back in 1973 and there were

fears that the PNC using the Army would have taken the ballot boxes to an undisclosed place and changed the votes in support of the PNC.

In fact, after killing the two men, who were later declared to be “The Ballot Box Martyrs”, the GDF took the ballot boxes to Camp Ayanganna in Georgetown where ballot boxes from all over the country were also brought. The government said that the ballots were counted – even though the process was observed by none of the invited official observ-

ers and the PNC was declared to have received 70 per cent of the votes. With more than two thirds of the Assembly, the PNC could change the Constitution at will.

Further, Jagdeo challenged the Opposition to justify why they were against the construction of the University of Guyana Campus in Tain, which is now benefiting the education of all the children in Berbice.

He pointed out that the Opposition had unreservedly opposed to having a campus in Berbice.

Jagdeo highlighted

that the coalition will show up in Whim and then claim to have a plan for education and the betterment of life while all their actions throughout the years is contradicting their campaign speeches.

The former President did not stop there; Jagdeo had more suggested issues for the coalition to address during their rally.

He highlighted that, during the Burnham era, the Government had denied residents of Whim the right to electricity. Jagdeo went on to challenge the coalition to explain why they were readily willing to shutdown the sugar industry – an industry that basically drives the economy in Berbice.

Jagdeo reflected on when an APNU Member of Parliament had called for the closure of the industry, which facilitates the livelihood of most of the residents in Berbice. (Guyana Times)

Baptist Liberation Day in TT Jamaican GG gives assent, 'Ganja

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Nothing good comes without struggle, Attorney General Garvin Nicholas said on Monday as he addressed members of the Spiritual Baptist community during celebrations at the St John’s Ambulance Hall, Woodbrook, Port of Spain. It was one of many such celebrations held on Monday.

Laventille West MP Nileung Hypolite, who also attended, told those gathered that elections were here and they needed to open their minds.

Nicholas spoke “off the cuff” remarking that he wanted to speak from the heart as the occasion suited such.

He did however inject some politics into his speech, saying, “This community has come a long way but you still need to go much further and I know you will go further under this Government.”

Waxing both political and religious, Nicholas asked the congregation to remember two of Jesus Christ’s rules in the New Testament one of which is that there was no other God. Nicholas however zeroed in on the second rule which was basically to treat one’s neighbour as one would like to be treated.

Laventille West MP Nileung Hypolite in delivering his speech gave a brief history of the Baptist community but lamented that in 2015 they still had to hunt for a location because they

have a school, “but no place to call home”.

“This is an election period and I have about ten more weeks and the powers that be have decided on their candidate but be wise, open your eyes and open your minds as not everything presented to you will be gold and I will say no more at this point in time,” Hypolite said. Recently, during the screening of candidates for the upcoming general election, Hypolite was rejected by the screening committee of the People’s National Movement (PNM) to run again for Laventille West.

Asked if he was trying to allude to anything when he asked the congregation to “open their eyes,” Hypolite said, “No.” (TT Express)

Klaw' now in effect

INGSTON, JAMAICA: The governor general has given his assent to the Bill amending the Dangerous Drugs Act, making possession of two or less ounces of ganja a ticketable offence.

Justice Minister Mark Golding made the disclosure on Monday, just over a month after the House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing the legislation now being called the Ganja law.

"My understanding is that the GG has now assented to the Bill and the signed Bill is now on its way back to Parliament," Golding informed advocates of decriminalisation or legalisation of marijuana, who were anxious that the amendments became law as soon as possible.

The House passed the Bill on Tuesday, February 24, 2015, following which it was expected to be signed into law about a week later. But Golding did not say what might have contributed to the apparent delay in the Bill returning to Parliament from King's House to be gazetted.

During the month-long wait,

there was speculation among some ganja advocates that Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, a member of the SeventhDay Adventist faith, might have been having difficulties giving his assent to the amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act.

The Act is highlighted by a provision making possession of two or less ounces of ganja a ticketable offence, among other provisions that could pave the way for establishment of a ganja industry that advocates believe would make a dent in poverty in Jamaica.

"When they (Parliament) receive it, they will send it to the Printing Office for gazetting," Golding assured. (Jamaica Observer)

Guyana’s Education Minister informs Granger on work in the sector …says PPP/C revolutionised sector after PNC’s destruction

By Michael younge

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA:

Education Minister and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Executive Priya Manickchand has educated the Presidential Candidate of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/)-led coalition about the work done by the ruling Party to revolutionise Guyana’s education sector over the last two and a half decades.

Manickchand, hitting the campaign trail on Sunday at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, defended the Government’s track record in the sector while rubbishing many of the arguments made by the Opposition coalition group about the state of Guyana’s education sector. Granger and his running mate, Moses Nagamootoo, had flown to the U.S. and held meetings with various

Diaspora groups as part of their campaign strategy ahead of the upcoming May 11 elections. They told the overseas-based Guyanese, who would not have been au fait with the tremendous strides made in the delivery of education since the PNC years, that Guyana’s education sector was on the decline and that enough was not being done to further improve the quality of education that was being delivered at the nurs-

ery, primary and tertiary levels. Granger specifically alleged that the Government was busy spending billions of dollars on questionable large-scale and unnecessary projects at the expense of making wellthought-out investments in the education sector which could lead to the creation of an “education nation”.

He also surprisingly made several promises to reform the sector and boost it with the neces-

sary resources to take it forward were he to be elected to the presidency. But Manickchand, speaking at the rally, wasted no time in telling the mammoth crowd that the Opposition coalition had no original plan for Guyana’s overall development much less the sector. She said that by the time the ruling Party came to power in 1992, the education sector was in disarray, there were few primary and secondary schools, there was a lack of critical teaching resources including books and learning aids, and the notion of equitable access to education was foreign to many.

The Education Minister told the gathering that the government had its work cut out for it as there was also a lack of teachers and other personnel to man the sector as well as drive policy change. “Do you remember not being able to send your children to schools,

there were no place to send them…no chalks… no books….that’s where we came from…no teachers…but where are we today? Eighty-five of our nursery children can go to school,” Manickchand said in an emotion- driven address.

Manickchand even made references to a boy who topped the country and the Region in Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Technical Vocation who was born, schooled and bred in Region Five. “He was a cane cutter’s son,” the Minister explained as she detailed the challenges faced by his parents to ensure that he gained an education by utilising all of the opportunities made available by Government in the public education system. “We have a plan for you. We have done well, but we are not satisfied with where we are,” she said to a very supportive

crowd that stood on the sidelines of the streets listening to her presentation. Manickchand spoke about the millions of dollars in assistance used to provide hot snacks, meals, uniforms, cash grants and other incentives aimed at further providing an enabling environment for children to benefit from a free quality education. Since 1992, there has been a marked increase in the number of Guyanese students achieving top grades at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and secondary school placement exam, and access to increased subsidies for meals, uniforms, the “Because We Care” grant and transportation for children living in remote communities. At the tertiary level, over 30,000 students have graduated from the University of Guyana post 1992, compared to 9391 pre-1992. (Guyana Times)

King Shepherd of NY’s spiritual Baptists dies on arrival in TT Jamaican-born athlete drowns in St Kitts

PORT-OFSPAIN,

TRINIDAD:

Excitement over visiting their spiritual homeland has turned to sadness and mourning for members of the Spiritual Baptists Diaspora in New York, after they learned that the spiritual head of their delegation died unexpectedly at the Arima Health Facility on Thursday afternoon.

Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration, Rodger Samuel, has expressed his condolences on the passing of King Shepherd, Carlton Callender, to the elderly man’s family, friends and the wider Spiritual Baptist community.

KINGSTON,

JAMAICA

: Daundre

Barnaby, a Jamaicanborn Canadian Olympic 400m runner, is suspected to have drowned while swimming in St Kitts-Nevis on Friday.

Athletics Canada on Friday reported that Barnaby, 24, was swimming at a training camp on the Caribbean island with his teammates when a strong current swept him out to sea.

"Daundre was swimming in the ocean with teammates during down time when he disappeared around 11:00 am.

According to a statement issued by Samuels, Callender was born in Tobago and eventually migrated to NY. The minister also said Callender believed in the inter-generational transference of

knowledge, traditions and beliefs, and that his desire was for the New York Diaspora to visit TT, “the epicentre of the Spiritual Shouter Baptist Faith, and learn of the origins and their foundations as a community.”

Samuels added that he was honoured to have had the opportunity to meet and work

with such a gentleman. The four-day trip, which began on Thursday with a reception hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s continues with field trips and even a discussion on Saturday (March 28) about the benefits of this indigenous body overseas.

Consul Tourism from the Consul General of TT in NY, Adeola James, spoke briefly with reporters at Piarco International Airport, prior to the shocking news of Callender’s death, about the purpose of the visit by an estimated 120 members of the Spiritual Baptist Diaspora in NY. (TT Newsday)

A strong back current took him out, his teammates tried to save him," Athletics Canada said in a statement. "His body was found around 3:30 pm by local search and rescue.

The statement also said an Athletics Canada grief counsellor was on the way to St Kitts to provide the necessary support to athletes, coaches and staff on-site.

Barnaby is from St Ann and, according to Athletics Canada, officially became a Canadian

citizen in 2012, representing Canada at the 2012 Olympic Games. He reportedly finished sixth in his heat at the London Olympics 2012 and reached the semi-finals at last year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Barnaby's most recent international competition was the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Athletics Canada Chief Executive Officer Rob Guy called Barnaby “an outstanding athlete and an even better young man”. (Jamaica Observer)

Vegas shares ‘Euphoria’ with Pitbull Historic Lima Sands in Guyana

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Dancehall

artiste Mr Vegas has teamed up with hip- hop star Pitbull for a remix of his single 'My Jam'.

The single is from Vegas' Euphoria album which was released last year.

"We wanted it to be a happy song and we needed an artiste to take us to another level, so we sent a copy of the track to Pitbull's team and they instantly jumped on the remix. He recorded his part and sent back to us in Jamaica and we did the rest," Vegas told the Jamaica media.

ents are Cuban, has a massive following in the Latin market, one of the most lucrative in contemporary music.

"This is great, as he has propelled me to a level that I only dream about. Pitbull has a huge fan base," said Vegas.

He has worked with the Miami-born Pitbull before. Culo, Pitbull's 2004 collaboration with rapper Lil Jon, samples Vegas' 'Pull Up'.

Pitbull, whose par-

The video for the single was shot two weeks ago in Atlanta.

Mr Vegas, whose given name is Clifford Smith, is no stranger to international col-

laborations. Standing in ‘The Sun’, his remix with Beyonce, will be featured on her upcoming album Platinum Edition.

He has also worked with Wyclef Jean and DMX and is featured on Snoop Lion's 2013 Grammy-nominated album, Reincarnated.

Last year, he collaborated with Jason Derulo on the dancehall remix for ‘Talk Dirty’. (Jamaica Observer)

By Isahak BasIr, CCh

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA: Lima Sands is a stretch of impetus flat sands, half kilometre wide and a length of 10 kilometres, bordering the Tapakuma Project, and located five kilometres west of Anna Regina, Region Two, on the Essequibo Coast.

It was first occupied by the Dutch in 1640, when sugar cultivation on the Essequibo Coast was prominent.

The plutocracy from Richmond to Paradise, comprising 11 estate owners, decided in 1788 to use about 150 slaves to manually dig a canal north-west of the Tapakuma Lake landing to the back of Lima estate, so as to avoid the high charges and sabotage of water supply from Anna Regina owners and slave masters.

This canal was supplied by water from the nine kilometres wide Tapakuma Lake. This effort was met with armed opposition that forced the location of the canal further inland. However, the canal was completed about eight miles, cutting the Lima Sands.

The area is historical, where a high level sand dam was built by slave labourers and it is still visible today. The wooden koker structure, built in the 1920s, still exists.

The stretch of land led to a creek known as Manieuro Canal. Manieuro is an Arawak word meaning “hiding place” as escaped slaves would seek refuge in the area, since it is more than 30 feet above sea level. From surrounding sub-soil vegetation, it appears that this area was the foreshore of the Atlantic Ocean.

By 1923, the British government attempted to use this area with adjacent canal to expand the Tapakuma Lake, but the project was abandoned because of poor engineering skills. However, the PPP government later made a success story in 1961 and built the Tapakuma Project making 45,000 acres of land available to the landless during that period.

With Hampton Court in 1934 the last sugar estate to be closed, dozens of buffalos were abandoned. This is the domesticated water buffalo

from Asia that was used to pull cane punts along the canals. As such, these huge animals made Lima Sands their haven of survival, only to march at night destroying rice crops between Anna Regina and Dartmouth.

Lima Sands is exposed to 36 square miles of open savannah, which offers a well for these animals that are water-loving and good swimmers. The last buffalo, also known as ‘Baisa’, was killed by Sirnauth Ali in 1954 at Danielstown.

One daughter of a veteran resident from 1959, Mrs Moonwattie, who operates a fruit store, said that the area is a prime destination for natural livelihood. The entrance to this unique scheme is filled with awara trees, a huge agriculture project, the gateway to the Mainstay Resort, two high bridges and a nearby spa known as Feather Beach, at the precincts of Red Lock.

One cannot escape the imposing image of the four-door water regulator, as well as the huge Chinese lock. This lock was built around 1860, to facilitate ingress and egress to the Pomeroon River up to 1909. With sheds usually painted with red oak during the colonial period, the area was known as Red Lock.

In 1993, the Ministry of Housing established a housing scheme in collaboration with the Food for the Poor’s programme. The area is now quickly developing, with a current population of 2,000 residents, social amenities, shops, medical clinic, schools, churches, playground, Holiday Inn and electricity. The area has well-maintained sand-loam road and a regular mini bus service from the Anna Regina terminus, which takes 20 minutes and affords commuters, farmers, school children and tours an easy and safe ride around. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Jamaica's passionate Dr Anna-Kay Taylor-Christmas

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: She's a Christian, jovial, passionate, strong, and she's usually busy delivering a baby, performing surgery or attending to patients. But despite her hectic schedule, she finds time to use her singing talent to help save the lives of cancer patients.

Tall, with a slender frame complemented by high cheekbones, Dr Anna-Kay TaylorChristmas, 32, is often mistaken for a teenager. Born in Kingston, she tells the media that like many people, she grew up singing in the church and developed her gift as she progressed.

"I started singing in the choir at church and occasionally we would do concerts so I was ac-

customed to singing in front of a large crowd," she says.

And so, it was no surprise that when she left Campion College and enrolled in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies, Mona, to pursue her degree in medicine, she also joined the University Singers.

Though an obstetrician-gynaecologist (OBGYN), Dr TaylorChristmas tells Jamaica that she has an interest in oncology.

As a result, when the soprano songbird was approached by the Jamaica Cancer Society to assist with their benefit concert in 2012 and 2013, she willingly obliged, and with the help of her husband Maxim, her fundraising journey began.

Now, she will not think twice about singing at a benefit concert.

"My husband, who's also a doctor, plays the piano and he plays for me while I sing," she says.

A big fan of Whitney Houston, she says she also enjoys a wide range of music, inclusive of gospel, classical, soul reggae and inspirational songs, most of which she pulls from while doing her gigs for charity.

But in 2012 when her mother, Monica, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and required treatment in United States which was very costly, Dr TaylorChristmas further availed herself and her talent to assist her mother.

She explains that

multiple myeloma is a disease of the bone marrow, where abnormal cells multiply and take over the normal cells in the body. It affects the bones and causes anaemia and other symptoms like kidney problems. However, she says her mom caught hers early and was able to get intervention.

Dr Taylor-Christmas dubs her mother her true hero, as she found the strength to start a support group locally for people living with the disease.

Also a mother of two girls, Dr TaylorChristmas, in her role as an OBGYN, is also passionate about women being in control of their health and champions the importance of doing yearly pap smears.

Dr Taylor-Christmas, also a fellow for the American College for Obstetrics and Gynaecology that produces guidelines and continued education for gynaecologists, believes that more focus needs to be placed on contraception for women as too many children limit their educational opportunities and puts a strain on the economy. Her inspiration to

continue her work comes from God, and mentors like Dr Carole Rattray, whom she looks up to as a teacher and her senior in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Apart from music, Dr Taylor-Christmas also believes in the power of prayer and her daily mantra is taken from the Holy Scripture -- "Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you".

(Jamaica Observer)

The Giant Mora of Iwokrama in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: Often, when people explore the rainforest, there is much interest in the birds and other rainforest animals. But the world of plants is equally enchanting, and Guyana’s forests, with an excess of 8,000 plant species, present a haven for plant lovers.

One such encounter if you visit the Iwokrama forest is the imposing Mora tree (Mora excelsa). This species is an icon of the Mora forest type, found along creeks and rivers, and adapted to the seasonal flooding. The large kidney bean-like seeds are endowed with an airspace that allows floatation for dispersal. The large spreading buttresses are impressive to many tourists and often present a nice

scene for photographs. The Mora tree is an ‘emergent’, so it towers over many of the other forest species, making it easy to identify. During the year, the species shed some of their leaves (semi deciduous) and as new leaves emerge, they exhibit a red colour, giving a glimpse of an autumn experience. This is ecologically important as the red colouration is caused by a chemical called anthocyanin, and it protects the young leaves against insect attacks.

Mora is a very heavy and dense wood and is suitable for heavy construction work, jetties and foreshore work. The wood is also suitable for both traditional and mosaic flooring.

You can see the Mora tree on several trails in the

the Iwokrama River Lodge and also on the Turtle Mountain hike.

Also on the trail to Iwokrama, a variety of flora life can be seen such as the elegant Vochysia sp, huge tree fungi, the sunny-looking Compositae sp, and the stunning Bignonia.

The Iwokrama Forest is a vast wilderness of nearly one million acres – a protected area and homeland of the Makushi people who

have used the forest for generations. A unique blend of technology, ancient culture, and traditional knowledge, Iwokrama fulfils its mandate and promise to the world.

Iwokrama International Centre, which protects the Iwokrama forest, promotes conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rainforests in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in

general by undertaking research, training and the development and dissemination of technologies.

Ecotourism is one of the important components of Iwokrama’s strategy for financial self-sufficiency. Visits to Iwokrama directly contribute to the communities in and surrounding the Iwokrama forest. Tourism there supports the development of an eco-friendly sustainable model, which is being shared locally, nationally and internationally.

The Iwokrama forest and the Rupununi wetlands and savannahs offer visitors exceptional natural and cultural experience set in a learning context. Iwokrama is a place for all ages and all interests and you choose what you want to do.

At Iwokrama, you can retrace the footsteps of the Makushi people, wander the extensive trail system and discover the unforgettable flora, fauna and Amerindian history so special to this tropical paradise.

The Iwokrama forest is an extraordinary destination for naturalists, birders and anyone seeking an authentic retreat to the jungle.

For more of the tours that Iwokrama offers, call the Iwokrama office on (592) 225-1504 to speak with Chauncy or Diana or email tourism@iwokrama.org. Visit http://iwokramariverlodge. com or check out Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development on Facebook. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Yonex Badminton Club in Guyana: It’s not just about badminton

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: Placing Guyana on the international badminton list of champions, the Yonex Badminton Club (Guyana) is an energetic group known for their talent and sportsmanship.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Gokarn Ramdhani, badminton coach and president of Yonex Badminton Club, said that the club started in the late 70s for junior players and was housed in Queen’s College, where 99 per cent of its players were from.

The club was founded by the late Philip-Small, a former Queen’s College student and national player for Guyana. Ramdhani took over in 1985 after the death of Philip-Small and now serves as the club’s president and head coach.

Yonex Badminton Club, which plays three times a week, is run by a management committee and head coach. Membership varies from 40 to 60 members, with junior players from various schools in Georgetown and 75 per cent of the senior players being former Queen’s College students. The age range of the club’s players is from six to adult.

“Our club has been training

players to get on the national team and represent Guyana at international competitions. Our club also produces 90 per cent of all players that represent Guyana,” Ramdhani explained.

The Yonex Badminton Club’s most notable wins were at the Caribbean Games, Pan American Championships Suriname International and South American championships.

Over the last seven years the club has dominated the junior level at international matches. The club’s most recent victories include Caribbean championships 2014 in Jamaica, IGG in Suriname, and on the local scene the GUMAC Open Doubles and the Trophy Stall Age Group Tournament.

Ramdhani added that train-

TT Fruit Festival focuses on agriculture, holistic lifestyles

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:

The Tableland Pineapple Farmers’ Association has launched the fourth edition of its National Fruit Festival in partnership with iTHINK Global Consulting Services at the Todd’s Road RC Primary School, Longdenville.

This year’s festival is scheduled for June 26 to 28. The festival, themed Understanding and Respecting the Fruits of our Land, will highlight various aspects of agriculture and holistic lifestyles and will continue

to engage the nation’s youth.

At the festival's launch, agricultural economist Omardath Maharaj said: “Our collective actions are meant to raise the profile of family farming and smallholder farming by focusing world attention on its significant role in eradicating hunger and poverty, reducing the cost of living, providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing natural resources, protecting the environment and achieving sustainable development,

particularly in rural areas.”

Students and staff members engaged in planting pineapples, coconuts, plantains, pomegranate, five fingers and bananas. The activity strengthened agricultural education, beautification, awareness of holistic lifestyles and camaraderie among children. The farmers’ association will also join with the Felicity Charlieville Fishing Association and other stakeholders to stand up against bullying, especially in schools. (TT Guardian)

ing involves good health and discipline. Members practice three times a week for two hours and for the other nonplaying days, light weights and running.

Yonex Badminton Club has been playing over the years at the Queen’s College badminton court and is instrumental in helping its players to get into colleges overseas via its recommendations.

For those who are not familiar with badminton, it is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles), who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court divided by a net.

Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their opponents' half of the court. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net.

A rally ends once the shuttlecock has struck the floor, or if a fault has been called by either the umpire or service judge or, in their absence, the offending player, at any time during the rally.

The shuttlecock is a feathered or (mainly in non-competitive matches) plastic projectile whose unique aerodynamic properties cause it to fly differently from the balls used in most racquet sports. Because shuttlecock flight is affected by wind, competitive badminton is played indoors.

For more information on the group, visit Yonex Badminton Club (Guyana) on Facebook. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Jamaica has made strides in empowering women

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Executive Director of the National Family Planning Board, Dr Denise ChevannesVogel, has commended the strides made by Jamaica in empowering women.

Dr Chevannes-Vogel cited the right to vote and hold public office and training, housing and legal reform measures as some of the causes championed by Jamaican policymakers which have benefitted women.

She noted that Jamaica is also party to several international conventions and agreements that give a voice to women worldwide.

These include the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women; the InterAmerican Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women 1994; the International Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, along with the Protocols to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (2000).

Dr ChevannesVogel noted that the International Convention on Population and Development, to which Jamaica is also a signatory, places individual dignity and human rights, including the right to plan one’s family, at the heart of development.

“These conventions and agreements are aimed at empowering women to take their rightful place in peace negotiations, reject violence and trafficking, and be protected and guaranteed reproductive health rights,” she said.

Dr Chevannes-Vogel noted that the time is fast approaching when Jamaica must give account for its stewardship in meeting the various targets such as the Millenium Development Goals, which means that engagements, discussions

and behaviour change must be accelerated.

She said it is important for the needs of women to be met in relation to planning and the prevention of STIs/HIV/AIDS, gender equality and the right to make free, informed decisions.

She said Jamaica should continue to pave the way and that the democracy enjoyed by women should not be taken for granted, but celebrated.

The executive director said that in envisioning a country where women enjoy freedom to make sexual and reproductive health choices and zero tolerance of violence in all forms, “Jamaica must push forward with our lens focused on sustainable development, achievement of population targets and growth in the economy”. (Jamaica Observer)

The Lady Bee-Keeper in Jamaica

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

"Nobody around here had ever seen a lady bee-keeper till her. She liked to tell everybody that women made the best bee-keepers, 'cause they have a special ability built into them to love creatures that sting. It comes from years of loving children and husbands."

-- Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees

We love the novel The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. It's a gripping, funny and poignant story that uses the backdrop of the art of bee-keeping as a metaphor for life and the varied roles that we, as women, play.

This story resonated so much with us that we were inspired to seek out our own modern Jamaican example of a lady bee-keeper: Enter Grace FosterReid.

Grace Foster-Reid is one of a handful of active commercial bee-keepers and honey producers in Jamaica today, producing top-quality organic honey with innovaton and, pun intended, grace under her brand Eco Farms.

In fact, bees function under an uberefficient system of production that many modern-day factories would kill to replicate. Intrigued, we asked Grace to take us to one of her farms so that we could observe the process for ourselves. Bees live in colonies, or what we like to call little apartment buildings that are, essentially, production centres for honey.

Each colony is controlled by a queen bee (you know we love that part) and the worker bees run around doing her bidding and protecting her, which sounds even better!

Jokes aside, the queen bee is the heart and soul of a honey bee colony and is the only bee without which the rest of the colony could not survive; in essence, a good quality queen means a

strong and productive hive. Take note, gentlemen!

Only one queen lives in a given hive; she is the largest bee in the colony, with a long and graceful body.

As the only female with fully developed ovaries, the queen's two primary purposes are to produce chemical scents that help regulate the unity of the colony and to lay lots of eggs.

All other bees pay close attention to the queen, tending to her every need. Like royalty, she's always surrounded by a flock of attendants as she moves about the hive.

Yet, in this instance, the royal attendants are not there to simply indulge the whims and fancies of a spoiled diva; they do, in fact, play a vital role and are essential to her survival because the queen is totally incapable of tending to

her own basic needs.

The queen can neither feed nor groom herself and she can never leave the hive. And so, her doting attendants take care of her basic needs while she tirelessly goes from cell to cell doing what she does best... laying eggs.

Now you know why we were so intrigued. Prior to our visit to see the hives we got a quick lesson on the do's and don'ts from Grace and then, layered up and armed with camera in hand, we braved our fears and headed out in search of Queen Bee. Actually, we felt a bit like the paparazzi on the lookout for Lady Di, but that's another story all together.

Like most celebrities, however, our queen was evasive allowing us only a quick glimpse, proving herself to be more than just a little camera shy...

Grace's skill and innovation as a lady bee-keeper exceeded our wildest imagination and was reflected in her unique range of honey and honey-derived products.

Eco Farms has certainly reinvented this sweet classic by introducing a range of flavoured honeys like coffee, lemongrass lime and tamarind. It even produces a pimento and a logwood honey, to boot.

The pimento honey was, as Grace calls it, a "buck-up".

One day she randomly discovered that the bees on one of her farms had started gathering nectar from the blossoms of the pimento tree -- who even knew that pimento trees had blossoms? The result: a sinfully delicious, and equally rare treat that holds subtle notes of pimento and allspice... we were blown away! Eco Farms is also the first to launch mead.

Mead or honey wine, for the uninitiated, is one of the oldest alcoholic drinks known to man. Made from honey and water via fermentation with yeast, mead tastes a little bit like sherry. It can be still, carbonated, or sparkling; dry, semi-sweet, or sweet; plain or flavoured with other ingredients. To take it up a notch Grace also produces her honey wines in a variety of Jamaican flavours such as starfruit, sorrel and otaheitie apple, to name a few.

After a day spent in the gracious company of our hostess enjoying some true Jamaican hospitality, The Secret Life of Bees comes once again to mind; in particular we recall the quick lesson on "bee etiquette" offered up by August Boatwright, the lady bee-keeper, to Lily Owens, the protagonist, and we marvel once again at its relevance as a methodology for dealing with the many nuances of life. (Jamaica Observer)

Joyce Ferdinand-Lalljie: Legendary Guyanese music composer, concert pianist

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: Joyce Ferdinand-Lalljie was a Guyanese child prodigy who began playing one of her mother’s piano pieces when she was just three years old. She and her younger sister, Mavis, both became concert pianists and were known as the “two Ferdinand girls”. Joyce is credited as being the first black woman to play a full piano concerto.

In his article on radio in British Guiana for the 1951 Chronicle Christmas Annual, Albert E L Isaacs described Joyce Ferdinand- Lalljie (later Joyce Ferdinand-Saunders) as one of the “Big Finds” of local radio (and stage) during 1951. Isaacs’ article stated that Joyce Ferdinand-Lalljie’s genius was shared with the people of British Guiana through the radio programme Berbice Calling, produced by Olga Lopes-Seale on ZFY.

Joyce was born in 1923 in New Amsterdam, Berbice. Her mother, Edith Ferdinand, was an important musical personality in New Amsterdam. She was a music teacher and organist at both St Patrick’s Anglican Church and Mission Chapel Congregational Church. Joyce’s other teacher in British Guiana was Mrs Ruby McGregor. It was under her tutelage that Joyce earned the Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music (Piano Performing) in 1948.

By 1951, Joyce was the toast of the nation. She dominated classical music and was celebrated for her performances on the British Council broadcasts. As mentioned earlier, Isaacs described her as one of the “big finds”, and the Guiana Times voted her ‘Musician of the Year’ in 1951.

The British Council scholarship enabled Joyce to study at the Trinity College of Music in London. There she completed diploma programmes in piano education and the teaching of music in schools. She

was awarded the Fellowship of the Trinity College of Music in 1964.

Between 1964 and 1976, Joyce taught music in Birmingham. According to the Snijders and Loncke, editors of “One Hundred Years of Classical Music in the Guianas: Selected Pieces for Pianoforte”, Joyce returned to Guyana in 1976 to accept an appointment as a lecturer at the Cyril Potter Teachers’ Training College.

Although her stay in Guyana was relatively short, she did engage in a number of activities that influenced her music creativity. Among the activities were renewing her contact with Guyanese folk music and her engagement with ‘Broadcast to Schools’.

In the late 1980s, Joyce made another trip to Guyana. The period following those visits has been marked by compositions celebrating the Guyanese landscape.

In her correspondence with the editors of “One Hundred Years of Classical Music in the Guianas: Selected Pieces for Pianoforte”, she explained: “The effect on me was profound, and thoughts of Guyana and the difference in life-style produced acute nostalgia. I was compelled to use the only means of expression at my disposal, and it was this feeling that impelled me into composing.”

In a Jan 2015 letter to a local newspaper, in which E B John wrote that he learnt about the passing of Joyce Ferdinand-Lalljie, he stated that Joyce’s “devotion to Guyanese music and song was steadfast, and not long ago she recorded Seymour’s “Legend of Kaieteur” there in Birmingham”.

Joyce is, without doubt, a Guyanese music legend. (www.guyanesegirlsrock.com)

TT’s Nolana Lynch wins Commonwealth Youth Award

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Twenty-Seven-year-old Nolana Lynch is a petite young lady from south Trinidad who is tackling the pretty big issues of climate change and sustainable development. that path has taken her to more than 30 countries in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and Europe, led to her winning Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence in Development Work for the Caribbean 2015 and earlier this month meeting Her Majesty the Queen of England Elizabeth II.

The Point Lisas, Couva native is the daughter of a scuba diver, from whom she learned a lot about marine conservation, and a Tobagonian mother who took her hiking a lot.

“And I guess that was the foundation of me being passionate about the environment,” she said.

Growing up in the South her father liked to carry her family to Icacos Point on holidays. There she would see the “complete, complete degradation due to sea level rise” affecting coconut trees, roads and homes.

Lynch started volunteering at the Pointe-aPierre Wildfowl Trust and there she did a lot of environmental education on the importance of preserving an eco-system, like the Trust, how our actions as human beings affect the environment and the responsibility to care for the environment.

Her academic pursuits also took an environmental twist and she pursued a Bachelor’s

Degree in Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Physics at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. She and other young students revamped the Caribbean Youth Environment Network Trinidad and Tobago Chapter and through this they were able to participate in a number of conferences of activities. They also implemented climate change campaigns on campus to bring further awareness to the issue and sustainable development locally and in the region.

Lynch recalled that bringing environmental issues to the students was a challenge at first “but the key to environmental education is bringing it home as in ‘how does it affect you personally’”.

“Because if you say ‘well it affects this tree in the middle of a forest somewhere that nobody can see or nobody cares about’ then they will be like ‘yeah, whatever, this isn’t serious’. If you can relate it to how it affects your income, your ability to get food — because you know everybody loves food — then people understand and they can relate to you and then they say ‘yes, we need to protect the environment because this affects me’,” she said.

She noted it got easier with time and they got a lot of support on campus and student engagement.

Lynch was national coordinator of Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) for four years and a board member for an additional two

and also alternate youth adviser for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and representing the region at a number of the (UNEP) youth conferences. She recalled these conferences “helped me to bring awareness to the issues that we face as small island developing states” and “how important it is for us to act and implement adaptation and mitigation strategies against climate change because we are an island and we would be the first to be submerged if we continue to do what we are doing”.

Lynch also did a lot of research into low carbon strategies and how institutions like the university and oil and gas companies can reduce their carbon emissions and become carbon neutral “and ensuring that we have a home for a longer period of time”. During the period with UNEP Tunza she worked with a number of different networks like Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD) and they helped to coordinate international coastal clean-up. She later became a project manager at CNIRD and managed sustainable land management projects for rural women in the region.

After completing her Bachelor’s Degree Nolana signed up for Tropical Earth and Environmental Science, a programme that goes from Masters to doctorate. As she “delved completely into her Phd” she began looking at the impact of coastal change, the spatial and temporal variation on the eco-

system as well as on the livelihoods of persons. Her focus area was Bequia, the largest island of the Grenadines. With its very large tourism and marine industry and just seven square miles, Lynch noted that it is one of the islands most affected by climate change and in a shorter time period.

At this time she became more involved in the socio-economic impact of climate change on people.

She explained that women tend to be the stalwarts in families and the ones who pass on knowledge to their children “and if you can empower a woman you can empower a family and hence you are empowering a generation”.

At that point she was going back “all natural” with her hair and skin care routine, and implemented a clean gluten free, dairy free diet; her clear, radiant skin is testament to that regimen. She started making beauty products based on her research and her environmental background and her passion from sixyears-old. She launched Eco-Truffles Lavish Body Treats on June 1, 2012. The products include Hibiscus Infusion Hair and Skin Care Kit, Whipped Shea Butter, Ultimate Healthy Hair Oil Treatment, Organic Coconut and Castor Oil. The company currently has eight-ten parttime staff and they obtain sustainable raw materials from rural women in Trinidad and also in Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica and other islands throughout the region. (TT Newsday)

Belizean soca queen moving to J'can beat

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Belizean soca queen Ernestine Carballo is in Jamaica and doing the rounds with a view to promote her music and break into the local market.

"I am hoping to do collaborations with some local acts," she said. On the top of her list is dancehall deejays Busy Signal and Aidonia.

Since her arrival a week ago, she has appeared on two live shows.

"I performed at an Inkline event in Bog Walk, alongside I Wayne. I went to a dance with Johnny Handsome of Turbo Crown at an event in Kitson Town. I performed five songs including my big hits, 'Soca

Being good

By Narine Dat Sookram

It is very sad that the important things in life like being kind to each other and showing compassion for example are not being practice too often nowhere at all.

Many of us believe that being a good person is someone who doesn’t cause any harm to anyone, but when I think about it; it’s actually more than that. For example it is a big part about what we can also do for other people. The thing is we might not be a bad people, but at the same time the question is, how good of a person we really are?

I understand how challenging life can be, but at the same time it is important for us to look at the bright side of things. This is a tough one to do, because sometimes we fight even with the close ones to us.

But we should accept everyone around us as our brothers and sisters regardless of what race, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or culture they are. I am sure this is not the first time you've heard me say this, but we have to realize that each and every one of us has feelings, and surely deserve to be treated with respect.

Many of us have the tendency to correct people when they are angry, but this is probably not the right approach, because in situation like this irrational answers can be given. In many cases it is best to stay quiet and not say anything. Sometimes just listening to someone is all that is required.

Party' and the carnival road march song, 'Carnival Di Cum'," said the 30-year-old. "I loved Jamaica even before I came here. I had to come here to promote my music because Jamaica is the heartbeat, the hub of music in the Caribbean. I love how you all dress, the culture,

the style, from I was a little girl, seeing Shabba Ranks, Patra, all the way up to Sean Paul coming to Belize," she said.

Carballo said she discovered reggae and dancehall music through her father, who is a sound system deejay in Belize.

A Digicel brand ambassador in Belize, she

was recently awarded the Female Performer of the Year trophy at the annual Krem Awards 2015 in Belize. She also won the Carnival Road March Song of the year with 'Carnival Di Cum', a song from her latest album, Soca Party.

"When people see me first, they think I am quiet and unassuming, but I transform onstage. I want to introduce Jamaicans to the punta, a Belizean cultural dance, fast-paced Arawak-mixed with Carib dance," she said.

In May, she heads to St Lucia while June will see her performing Barbados. The soca queen is also slated for New York Park Fest in the USA in September. (Jamaica Observer)

Another big problem is that we tend to compare ourselves with others. We have to realize that some people have a better life than us, but also many people have it much worse than us as well. When we are spending time comparing ourselves with others, we are basically not going anywhere. We’ll be better off to use our energy to build inner resources.

We can be a good person by respecting our elders. We have to realize that we all will become old one day and may need some sort of help as well. There are many opportunities to help out in this area.

If we were to see a senior person struggling with something at the mall, then it’s an opportunity to help them carrying their bags for example. Another important piece is with people who are mentally challenged.

Be compassionate towards them as well, because they are people with feelings too, and they are someone’s brothers and sisters too. It is important that we take the time to smile to them and show them love and compassion as we look at them.

And my most favourite is to listen more and talk less. In other words it’s very important for us to follow what people are saying. Though these are simple things, it can surely determine the kind of person we truly are.

For questions, comments or feedback, send them to mcnarine@rogers.com.

Tabu not in Murugadoss’ Akira with Sonakshi

AR Murugadoss' 'Akira', that is set to go on the floor later this year, has Sonakshi Sinha in the lead. The film was also meant to have Tabu in an important role. However, after a round of discussions, the pow-

erhouse actress is said to have opted out of the movie.

While a segment of the media even went as far as to say that Tabu had shot for four days before staging a walkout, others hinted that her decision to not do the film had something to do with date issues. While the actress didn't revert to our text message, her spokesperson said, "There has been no official announcement of Tabu being in the film because she hasn't signed it. Naturally she hasn't shot for it either. So the question of leaving the movie doesn't arise either. Talks were definitely on. However the shooting dates were an issue. Since Tabu is currently shooting for the 'Drishyam' remake and she didn't wish to be in a spot with a date-clash; she has decided not to do 'Akira'." (TOI)

Raai Laxmi lands a special role in 'Akira'

Raai Laxmi is set to make her Bollywood debut in a special appearance in A.R. Murugadossdirected "Akira", which features Sonakshi Sinha in the lead. The Southern actress has already joined the team on sets.

"Happy 2 announce my first debut in Bollywood as a guest appearance fr @ARMurugadoss sirs movie #Akira a great start (sic)," Laxmi posted on her Twitter page.

Said to be the remake of Tamil sleeper hit "Mounaguru", the film also features Anurag Kashyap as the antagonist.

"It was great experience 2 share my screen space with @anuragkashyap72Aa versatile actor director n multi talented," she posted.

The film, a thriller, is currently on floors and is produced by Fox Star Studios "Akira" will also feature Sonakshi's father and veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha in an important role. It marks Murugadoss's third Hindi venture af-

ter back-to-back hits "Ghajini" and "Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty". (TOI)

Shahid Kapoor's fiancee Mira Rajput goes off Facebook to avoid attention

SLauren Gottlieb’s dream comes true with three big films

Though she started off as a Hollywood import, today, Lauren Gottlieb has become a household name, thanks to her perfect score almost every week on the dance reality show, 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6'. The actress, who made her Bollywood de-

but with Remo D'Souza's 'ABCD: Any Body Can Dance', will soon be seen in 'ABCD 2' alongside Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor.

While she was shooting the climax of ABCD 2, she got a call from the makers of Detective Byomkesh Bakshy to choreograph a promotional song for the film. Lauren reveals, "Sushant Singh Rajput has always been vocal about being my fan and he suggested my name to Aditya Chopra and Dibakar Banerjee." Adding that she had the time of her life working with them, she continues, "I was completely bowled over when they asked me to not just choreograph, but also feature in their next promotional song, Calcutta Kiss."

Interestingly, she has also been signed on to play an ISI agent in Vashu Bhagnani's Welcome To Karachi. "I've always wanted to step out of the dance zone and do an action role. So, I'm just pinching myself that my dream has come true," she enthuses. Lauren, who wants to do more films in the future, says, "Everyone I work with calls me a workaholic and I'm happy with that. This is my biggest passion in life and I'll always give it my all." (TOI)

Mting too many friend requests, and got sick of all the attention," tells our source. However, there are umpteen fake profiles of the girl floating around on Facebook and Twitter, with even a couple of fan pages dedicated to her.

Mira has already become a celebrity of sorts at the Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi, where she a student of third year in the English Honours course. "When she returned to college after the mid-sems, the news was already out. Girls now slyly try clicking her pictures. Even if she's texting or talking on her mobile phone.

"Initially, she deleted a couple of people from her Facebook friend list, but now she has completely deactivated her Facebook account. She was get-

eems like the celebrity status for Shahid Kapoor's fiancee Mira Rajput is getting too hot for her to handle. According to the sources, the affable girl has deactivated her Facebook account and is completely off social media now.

Shahid met Mira through the spiritual group Radhasoami Satsang Beas, and the actor has confirmed that marriage is indeed on the cards in December this year. (TOI)

Fwho is foraying into acting with Anurag Kashyap's "Bombay Velvet", is "nervous" and "stressed out" about how his negative character in the film will be accepted by the audience.

In the romantic thriller, 'KJo' plays a villain called Kaizad Khambatta, who has a flamboyant character.

"I am really nervous about it because it's my first foray into acting," the filmmaker, who did a small role in Yash Raj Films "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge", said here.

"I am really stressed out about how it is going to be accepted when it is out," he added.

Although, the stylish filmmaker wears black normally, he was made to wear all colours in the film. And

Friday. Shahwar uploaded a just married picture on his Facebook account and thanked his friends from the fashion industry who were sending in their wishes. The couple had been together for the last two years.

According to reports, the nikaah ceremony will be followed with a traditional wedding function in Shahwar's hometown, Bhopal and a wedding reception for their modeling friends in Mumbai. Ayesha. (TOI)

Shahwar Ali ties the knot with Marcel Karan

he could not throw tantrums even courtesy "Bombay Velvet" director Anurag Kashyap. He feels Kashyap is "a person you can't hold tantrums with".

"I wear a lot of black but I have worn all kinds of colours in the film. I just kept my mouth shut because I felt that as an actor I can't have the perspective because I have to follow the vision of the filmmaker, and that's what I want from the actors myself," said

Johar, who was present at the cover launch of Filmfare's Glamour & Style Issue. "I couldn't throw tantrums on the sets and Anurag is somebody you can't hold tantrums with because he has a clear vision," he added. Also starring Anushka Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor, "Bombay Velvet" is set for release on May 15.Kapoor, "Bombay Velvet" is set for release on May 15. (TOI)

Vanessa Hudgens admits to being really mean while dating Zac Efron

Vanessa Hudgens, who earlier dated her 'High School Musical' co-star Zac Efron, has revealed that she went through a phase when she was really mean to Efron because she was so fed up.

The American actress asserted that girls used to run after Efron, and she used to give them death stares and then she realized that was not what that was about, the New York Times reported.

The 26-year-old actress added that she realized that one should spread the love, be a good person, support others and be nice.

Hudgens is now dating American actor Austin Butler. (TOI)

Johnny Depp's hand injury delays production on 'Pirates'

The production on "Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" in Australia will resume around April 15 after the shooting was shut down for several weeks follow-

ing Johnny Depp's return to the US for hand surgery.

The producers had said that there would be "minimal impact" to the shoot as the delay was expected to be of two

weeks but that break has now extended to at least four weeks, said the Hollywood Reporter.

The actor is reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the fifth installment of the hit franchise, alongside Geoffrey Rush and Javier Bardem.

The scenes without Depp are being shot after the actor's departure to the US on March 10.

About half of the 400 strong crew has been told that there would be no work for at least two weeks on the Disney movie, that is slated to release on July 7, 2017. (TOI)

Zayn Malik, fiancee Perrie Edwards go house hunting

Former One Direction star Zayn Malik, and fiancee Perrie Edwards were are reportedly checking a mock-Tudor mansion in Welwyn, Hertfordshire.

The mansion is said to have seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, four reception rooms, a huge open-plan kitchen, gym, games room, and parking enough for dozens of cars, reported Daily Mirror.

The two are reportedly planning to wed in spring and have also been looking at marriage venues.

"When Zayn proposed to Perrie nearly two years ago it was so he could marry her".

"Now though, he wants to make that right and get married as soon as

they can plan the day they have been dreaming of since Zayn asked Perrie to marry him back in 2013. Neither of them can wait now that they have the chance to do that," a source said. (TOI)

Sam Worthington, Lara Bingle welcome baby boy

Actor Sam Worthington and partner Lara Bingle have welcomed their first child, a baby boy. The baby was born a few days ago and still there is no report yet on what name has been chosen for the little bundle of joy, reported E!Online.

The couple's new arrival is not the only secret Worthington, 38, and 27-year-old Bingle

Angelina Jolie gives inspiring first postsurgery speech saying 'different is good'

Angelina Jolie recently made her first appearance post-surgery, giving an encouraging speech by saying "Different is good. So, don't fit".

The 39-year old actress, who attended the '2015 Kids' Choice Awards' with her kids Zahara and Shiloh, where she received the award for 'Favorite Villain,' gave an inspirational speech, and moved the audience by saying, "Don't ever try to be less than what you are, and when someone tells you that you are different, smile and hold your head up high and be proud", E! Online reported.

The mother of six also shared that one should never be "afraid" of being different and ended her speech in a villain style, saying that it was fine to cause a little trouble, as long as it was good.

Among the other winners were, Favorite Movie Actor-Ben Stiller, Favorite Movie Actress-Emma Stone, Favorite Cartoon-'Spongebob Squarepants', and Favorite Kids TV Show-'Austin and Ally'.

have been keeping lately.

For weeks fans have been speculating on whether or not the couple have tied the knot after Bingle was featured on the cover of Gritty Pretty magazine earlier this month with her name written as, Lara Bingle Worthington. The Australian model and entrepreneur also recently changed her named on Instagram

to Lara Bingle Worthington. They were first reported to be dating in October 2013. (TOI)

Foxx

Aslammed for making fun of Bruce Jenner

ctor Jamie Foxx has been criticised for making fun about Bruce Jenner's reported gender transition, while hosting the iHeartRadio Awards.

While introducing what the show would have in store, Foxx, 47, took a dig at Jenner, saying, "We've got some groundbreaking performances here, too, tonight. Bruce Jenner will be here doing some musical performances -- he's doing a his-and-her duet all by himself."

transphobic on national television! Those #BruceJenner jokes were wrong!!!"

The host was called out by viewers at home, who took to Twitter to criticize his transphobic jokes, said The Hollywood Reporter.

One wrote, "Boo! Shame on you #iHeartAwards for allowing @ iamjamiefoxx to be

Live-action

"Jamie Foxx's transphobic jokes at the iHeartRadio about Bruce Jenner were gross, glad they didn't garner much laughs," another Twitterati said. A viewer posted, "@ iamjamiefoxx making transphobic jokes at Bruce Jenner's expense while Kylie is in the audience? Grow up & educate yourself. #iHeartAwards" Kylie is one of Bruce's daughters with reality TV star Kris Jenner. (TOI)

version of 'Mulan' in the works at Disney

Disney is now working on a liveaction version of 1998 Academy Awardnominated animated film, 'Mulan.'

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the studio has already bought a script centered on lead character Fa Mulan, the female warrior who fought in the Chinese army.

This latest remake project would be the first film to feature a nonwhite lead.

The company's recent live-action 'Cinderella' opened in theaters 3

weeks ago to critical acclaim, and has so far grossed 335.7 million dollars in global ticket sales.

Disney might just be planning to make a live action of its every project, as in addition to the upcoming 'Beauty and the Beast' live-action starring Emma Watson, the studio is also making a 'Dumbo' movie with Tim Burton as director. (TOI)

Will Smith reunites with 'The Fresh Prince...' co-star

Will Smith and his "The Fresh Prince of BelAir" co-star Tatyana Ali were reunited at the 2015 Black Girls Rock event.

Smith, 46, who was at the show to present an award to his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, ran into his co-star Ali backstage at the show in Newark, New Jersey.

Ali, 36, played Smith's cousin Ashley Banks on the popular sitcom from 1990 to 1996.

The actress shared a quick selfie of the duo on Instagram, writing "Backstage @blackgirlsrock @mbib #imagineafuture #nofilter #fam #tatyanaali #willsmith #FRESHPRINCE."

The TV cousins have been reunited before, with Ali joining another "Fresh Prince" star Alfonso Ribeiro at the premiere of Smith's 2008 film "Seven Pounds". (TOI)

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

Using art as a means of communicating his humanity, emotions, philosophy and life, Kodzo Wilkinson, a Surinamese national born to Guyanese parents, is a young artist on the rise.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the artist said that he was inspired to pursue art because of the urge to say and show what is on his mind or what was happening at the said time in his life.

“As a child I was reserved and observing. Now I feel the need or urge to speak my mind. I was always into art, although I saw my two older brothers’ (Everton and Henk) talents better than mine as a child. I have many interests, but art is my comfort. I drew leisurely and as a hobby,” the artist explained.

Wilkinson mentioned that he enjoys the art process because he can manipulate colour and shapes in any way he pleases, within the constraints of the medium.

“Art can be therapeutic; however, I don't see it so. If I don’t enjoy doing it I will not. Although I once was enraged and decided to pick up a brush and started to paint my frustrations away. It was a pivotal learning point for me. It was the first time I learnt how to convert a negative into a positive,” Wilkinson disclosed.

To date, the art-

ist has held two solo exhibitions: “Camara” in Suriname on July 4, 2014 and “Camara 2” here in Guyana on March 21, 2015. Additionally, he participated in Suriname's National Art Fair in November 2014 and in a few local art competitions hosted by Castellani House, sponsored by Republic Bank.

Initially in his art career, the artist revealed he “detested the idea of art academia”, but soon realised that he knew very little about art. He then enrolled at E.R. Burrowes School of Art, which helped to broaden his scope of knowledge.

After graduating from the art institution, he felt that he still knew little about art and did a lot of personal studies, since he needed to equip himself as a teacher in order to furnish students with up-to-date information.

Wilkinson was an admired teacher at Queen’s

College and Marian Academy in Guyana.

Through art, the artist said, he enjoys “freeing” himself.

“I enjoy being uninhibited during the process, as an idea comes and changes my previous mindset I acknowledge it and go along. Nothing is perfect, we are limitless, so why be “pigeonholed” or “boxed” in?” Wilkinson asked.

The artist admires the work and legacy of late Guyanese veteran artist Philip Moore. He also appreciates the life and work of Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890).

Wilkinson’s artistic style is described as bold, daring, unique and intriguing.

“I hope to travel with my art pieces and exhibit wherever I go. I am also interested in designing simple fashionable clothing,” he stated. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Petite Shari Rhyner, the most senior dancer of the current Metamorphosis Dance Co, has been dancing for the past 26 years. A student of the Caribbean School of Dancing, she is trained in ballet and modern and has completed up to the Advanced 1 Level of Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examinations.

In 1998, after attending a summer intensive at Ballet Hispanico in New York as a teenage student of the Caribbean School, she became a member of the school’s Metamorphosis Dance

Co.

After completing her degree in business education at Florida A&M University, Rhyner returned home to Trinidad in December 2007, and decided that dance was still to play a major part of her life. She teaches now at various schools: the Caribbean School of Dancing, Bishop Anstey Junior School, St Andrews Private School, Dunross Preparatory School and Holistic Primary School.

In 2002 and 2004 she was part of the company’s UK tour, visiting several cities, including Swindon, Bristol, Tewkesbury, Liverpool

and London, performing at summer dance festivals and participating in workshops there. In May 2009 Rhyner performed Andre Largen’s solo Le Deuil at Grenada's 10th Biennial International Dance Festival. In November that year she toured India with a national cast selected by the TT Entertainment Co, visiting Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Jaipur and Mumbai.

The birth of her son kept her off the stage last season but she is rehearsing to perform again this year as Metamorphosis celebrates its 20th anniversary. (TT Guardian)

Jamaican artiste Queen Ifrica takes up Jackson's challenge

KINGSTON, JAMAICA

Reggae: singer Queen Ifrica said she will be taking up a challenge that American A-list actor Samuel L Jackson issued via social media recently. The result will be borne out in a Negro spirtual-flavoured single entitled Swing Low.

"During the recent Ice Bucket Challenge, Samuel L Jackson gave out a challenge to artistes around the world to sing a song about black people not being killed and abused anymore," she told the Jamaica Observer.

"I saw it on YouTube and I am taking up the challenge," she continued.

Queen Ifrica was speaking with the Jamaican media at her 40th birthday party held at the Opa! Greek Restaurant and Sky Lounge on Old Hope Road in St Andrew, last Wednesday.

"I am supposed to be recording it in the studio on Friday. It's about the struggle. 'We ain't gonna stop till people are free,' was what Samuel Jackson sang as the chorus. What I did was to write the verses around that chorus. We'll be sending a copy to him when it is completed," she said.

Queen Ifrica, whose given name

is Ventrice Morgan, said she will be working on the project with respected producer Clive Hunt.

The singer said she was elated to reach her 40th. However, she was also in a reflective mood as this wasn't the case for many of the island's children.

"At 40, I'm begininng all over again. To live to 40 is like reaching a 100 years old because of what is happening in our reality. In 2015, before January ended, there were 15 deaths and most of them were our kids. So it's a very trying time we're living in. So I'm... I am humbled to live to see 40," she said.

A large gathering attended the singer's celebration party and included several members of the entertainment fraternity: King of the Dancehall Beenie Man, his female counterpart Lady Saw, top-flight deejay Bounty Killer, singjay Mr Vegas, singers Tinga Stewart, Nadine Sutherland, NoMaddz's Sheldon Shepherd, Danni-I and producers Donovan Germain and Clive Hunt.

Also sharing in the festivities were Peter Bunting, minister of national security; Angella Brown-Brown and Councillor Venesha Phillips. (Jamaica Observer)

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

Kato, Region Eight, is located in the heart of Guyana's interior and is known for its stunning nature scenes.

Bajan saxophonist Arturo Tappin delivers superb set at jazz festival

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

He wowed the men and wooed the women did Bajan saxophonist, Arturo Tappin when he performed at last Saturday’s “Jazz Artistes on the Greens (JAOTG)” on the WASA Grounds, St Joseph. To paraphrase the show’s co-host, Robert RW Williams, “Ah never see woman enjoying getting so much horn in meh life.”

François, Maxi Priest and Dean Fraser.

Tappin and his band performed a mix of soca, dancehall, pop, soul, rhythm and blues and more all infused with elements of jazz. This had everyone from the many young people that attended to the seasoned senior-citizen jazz aficionados dancing. Tappin also interacted with the audience a lot throughout his set, much to the delight of those at the stage.

In the village, there are government buildings, such as the nursery and primary schools; a guest house; a police outpost; medical facilities; and school dormitories. Neighbouring is Paramakatoi.

Kato itself is a dispersed village of some 2,000 mainly indigenous persons. It is a very traditional village made up of a close-knit, self-sufficient community that cherishes its indigenous heritage. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Within a minute or two of Tappin and his band taking the stage, patrons, mainly women, left their seats and positioned themselves in front of the stage to get a closer look at the dreadlocked musician who has toured the world playing for the likes of, Roberta Flack, Luther Vandross, Monty Alexander, Eddy Grant, Ernest Ranglin, Third World, Luther

Tappin’s set included “Tempted To Touch” (Rupee) merged into “Bad”, which sailed into “Smooth Criminal” (Michael Jackson). People cheered when they realised that the band was playing, “Moves Like Jagger” (Maroon 5), which segued into “Good Kisser” (Usher). Other songs that followed included, “Treasure” (Bruno Mars), “Green Light” (John Legend/Andre 3000) and “Betcha By Golly Wow” (Stylistics).

Tappin then invited Marisia Cadan to join the band on stage and sing, “Our Day Will Come”. A woman from the audience took the stage and Tappin danced with her as her friends cheered her on. Tappin then finished off his performance with, “Ola”, “Ducking”, “Like A Boss” and “Ah Feeling”, which drove the audience even further into frenzy.

After thanking the people and wishing them well, Tappin and company instead of leaving the stage gave a lagniappe to the patrons with, “All I Do Is Win” (DJ Khaled) and “Happy” (Pharrell).

American trio, Jonathan Scales and Fourchestra also thrilled the audience with their truly unique and left field brand of steelpan jazz. From the moment he pulled the first chord on his bass guitar, Cody Wright had the audience in awe and although bandleader Scales proved an excellent pannist and delivered a great performance, it was Wright who mesmerised.

Wright executed riffs and sound effects on his bass guitar that were just phenomenal. Blend this with Scales’ avant garde style and Phill Bronson’s drums and percussion and you had what can be defined as an alternative form of jazz that carried elements of blues, hard rock, nuances of kaiso and a lot of experimental melodic and rhythmic expressions. In a nutshell, Fourchestra rocked.

Guitarist, Clifford Charles and his friends also did a great job on the evening with his mix of smooth jazz along with soca fusions. One thing that must be noted is the performance of drummer, Jerome Charles (Clifford’s son). This 15-year-old youth played like a pro years beyond his age. His tone, dexterity and repertoire of rhythms was impressive. Also in the band were; Sean Friday (bass), Ron Clarke (keyboards) Malcolm Boyce (saxophone), Allan Nelson (trumpet) and Stephen Villafana (trombone).

Performing vocals was Jason “Fridge” Seecharan from the group H2O Phlo who had women swooning when he sang, “Let’s Stay Together” (Al Green) and later on, “What You Won’t Do For Love”. (Bobby Caldwell).

Charles and group opened with an original composition titled, “Strollin”. Everyone in the band got in on the act in the performance of, “Love Never Felt So Good” trading licks with each other.

They then got down to some soca-jazz fusions which got some people dancing as they played, “Happiest Man Alive”, “Baccanalist”, “Epic”, “Call My Name” and the final song, “Dance With You Guitar”, during which Charles invited women to come up on stage and sing the song.

Closing the show was Kay Alleyne who also delivered a fantastic performance although she basically had to carry it all on her vocal strength and that of her back-up singers who were as excellent as she is.

One expects that musicians at a jazz event will be of a certain skill level, near excellent. This was not the case with Alleyne’s musicians who were quite lacklustre.

Even when Alleyne was introducing each band member to the audience and called on them to execute solos on their respective instruments, with the exception of the guitarist, none of them could deliver an entertaining solo.

That aside, Alleyne had the audience spellbound with her hypnotic vocals as she sang beloved classics such as, “A Change Is Gonna Come”, “Saving All My Love”, “The Best That I Got”, “More Than Words” and “If You Asked Me To”. (TT Express)

Female apprentice makes her racing debut in TT

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Darcelle Rodrigo, 22 years old, took her first major step towards becoming a professional jockey when she lined up alongside a packed field of seasoned male riders at the Arima Race Club, Santa Rosa Park, on Saturday.

Vying for honours atop her noble stead, HESUNTOUCHABULL, Rodrigo announced her competitive debut along the sandy track in event eight — a race for horses rated 40-0. It was not a dream debut for the apprentice but Sunday’s historic ride for the young jockey is expected to be a learning experience in her pursuit of achieving the ultimate goal of becoming a professional female horseback rider for Trinidad and Tobago. Rodrigo had a nice break as the horses bolted out the gates but she faded as the race progressed.

Speaking to the Mt Hope Secondary graduate prior to her saddling up on Saturday, Rodrigo revealed that com-

peting at the Arima Race Club is indeed a dream come through for her.

“All my life I’ve grown up on farms with horses so I’ve been around and worked with them all my life,” said an excited Rodrigo on Friday.

“My grandfather is the one who encouraged us in horses because we used to live with him. I used to help around with the horses by filling their water, brushing them, taking them for walks and giving them baths. I’ve always loved riding horses and I really would like to do this professionally. Being one of the only young females in this sport, I’m still motivated because of my passion for these animals.”

Having previously worked at local farms such as Whittaker, Anand Persad and presently employed at Gonzales’, Rodrigo admitted that every one of her opposing male riders on Saturday are also close friends of hers and her family.

Even though horse racing is indeed a globally male-dominated sport,

Rodrigo hopes that Saturday’s debut can inspire her to not only work harder, but to also raise a nationwide awareness for females who wish to veer into the masculine territory of professional horse racing.

Prior to her race, Rodrigo had been receiving several competitive tips from family members and caretakers of ‘HESUNTOUCHABULL’. She and her stallion have a long history together. Rodrigo recapped her first time encounter with what she described as a “bad” colt approximately five years ago.

“When I first went into his (HESUNTOUCHABULL) paddock, about five years ago, he was a very feisty horse. At that time, I used to work in the yard because this was the only area I was allowed to work in. The trainer at that time always promised me a ride on him. But I have been training basically all my life and this is where I get a shot at my dreams,” she added.

And even though Saturday’s opponents were familiar faces of friends at the starting line, Rodrigo noted that the final result does not really matter at such a tender stage of her hopefully future career.

“I will not be intimidated because I consider all the other jockeys my family. We sometimes have little competitions amongst ourselves during the day so we are a close bunch, but I still want to win. It’s the crowd that might more than likely make me nervous. I still feel at home even if I’m competing against some of my good friends. Everyone is saying my horse has a good chance so I’m not too worried. The instructions I’ve received from the groom and others is to try to remain in front of the race. Ultimately, I would like to continue growing and go on to win a derby or champion apprentice title. This would be ideal for me. I hope to someday be a role model for younger women to come into the sport,” Rodrigo concluded. (TT Newsday)

Jamaican Bloomfield not surprised by record sub-45 run at Champs

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: His story is similar in some ways to that of Usain Bolt's. Some say his long legs remind them of the legendary Arthur Wint. Most believe he is destined for greatness. He is Akeem Bloomfield -- the rising star of the 400m.

Bloomfield, the 17-yearold Kingston College phenomenon, created history by becoming the first Jamaican schoolboy to run the 400m under 45 seconds with an astonishing 44.93 seconds to win the event in Class One at the GraceKennedy/ISSA Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Saturday.

Just last year, the promising Javon Francis ran what was then an unbelievable 45.00 seconds to break Usain Bolt's 400m record, just failing to dip below the 45-second mark. In fact, after Francis' run, the clock flashed 44.98 before settling at 45.00 seconds.

A year on, Bloomfield, standing at 6ft 5in,crossed the line and the clock flashed 45.03 seconds before settling at 44.93 in an eye-popping, jaw-dropping display of speed and stamina.

In 2008, Bolt was working on his speed for the 200m and tested himself over 100m and ran 9.72 seconds in his third 100m event in new York and the rest is history. Five years on, Bloomfield, who runs 100m and 200m, last year at Champs was working on his stamina, and in his first 400m race he clocked an amazing 45.41 seconds at the Carifta Trials a few weeks ago.

"My 200 was good and I was just doing some strength work, but I was not sure what my coach had in store for me.

I just knew I would do something great," said Bloomfield, who has 10 CXC subjects.

College’s

Then, in only his third 400m run, Bloomfield broke the Class One record of 45.00 seconds and Davian Clarke's National Junior record of 45.21 seconds and became the 11th fastest junior of all time in the world.

Bloomfield, who was drawn in lane five, was sandwiched between main rivals from St Jago High Martin Manley, the 2013 World Youth 400m champion, and Nathan Allen, while his teammate Twayne Crooks was in lane seven with the Class Two record holder Devaughn Baker of Jamaica College in lane eight.

Bloomfield, who is a sub21 200m runner with 10.3 under his belt for the 100m, went out fast, swept past Allen and cleared the entire field at the 200m mark, and when Allen came with a renewed challenge in the straight, Bloomfield found an extra gear for a victory that will be talked about for years to come.

In the end, Jamaicans fortunate enough to be at the National Stadium witnessed Bloomfield win in 44.93 seconds with Allen second in 45.30 and Manley some way back in third with 46.41 seconds. KC's Crooks was fourth in 46.54 seconds. (Jamaica Observer)

Forde wins 1st Trevor Rose Memorial Race in Guyana

by TreisTon Joseph

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

Guyana’s best distance athlete Cleveland Forde ran away easily with the first edition of the Trevor Rose 5k Memorial Race on Sunday that started and finished at the Burnham Hard Court, at Forde basically ran unchallenged, showcasing his talent in the race in memory of the former President of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), Trevor Rose who died tragically last year.

Distance Queen Alika Morgan was the winner

cross the finish line first was Franklin Anchor. Current GABA President Junior Hercules was pleased with the event, “It was the first of its kind by GABA or the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation; we were able to attract some of Guyana’s best runners which was good for us and the race was wellattended…we intend on making it an annual event,” Hercules told Guyana Times Sport.

Rose’s family expressed their thanks to the GABA for keeping the memory of Rose alive with the run. (Guyana Times)

GDA launches International Domino Tournament in Guyana

By TreisTon Joseph

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Georgetown Domino Association (GDA) launched an International Domino tournament on Friday which will feature 12 overseas nations scheduled to begin on April 4 at the National Gymnasium.

The tournament is the brain child of the President of the GDA, Faye Joseph who is basically sponsoring the entirety of the event that will have a first place prize of US$5,000.

The second place finishers will receive US$2,500 while third and fourth will receive US$1,500 and US$1,000 respectively.

Joseph highlighted that the conceptualizing of the tournament

was due to the lack on international events in Guyana as well as the hopeful change of the stigma attached to domino.

“This tournament really came about because we always found ourselves travelling for International tournaments and we wanted

to bring the competition here.

“We also want to show the public that domino can be sport and change the perception of the game,” Joseph noted.

The countries that will be participating are The United States of American (USA), Canada, Grenada,

Barbados, St Lucia, Dominica, Anguilla, Puerto Rico, Antigua, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Eustatius and Guyana.

However, all teams across Guyana are invited to participate as the entrance fee for the tournament will be US$220. (Guyana Times)

Jamaica hunt scalp of another Spanishspeaking opponent in second friendly

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica will look to build on their recent victory over Venezuela when they face Caribbean neighbours Cuba on Monday in their last competitive assignment before embarking on the Copa America tournament in Chile in June.

Match time is 8:00 pm at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

The Boyz, who defeated Venezuela 2-1 on Friday night, will be without wide midfielders Joel McAnuff, and Garath McCleary, who were scheduled to return to their respective clubs. McAnuff's Leyton Orient club had reached an agreement with head coach Winfried Scahefer to use the player in just one of the two friendly engagements, while McCleary needs medical treatment.

However, the Boyz were expected to be strengthened by the arrival of goalkeeper Ryan Thompson from Pittsburgh Riverhounds from the United States.

Schaefer, who was

disappointed with the crowd support on Friday night, is looking for his players to continue on their path of progress, having captured the Caribbean Cup at the same venue last November.

"We can't say Cuba is easy," Schaefer disclosed. "They won their last match against the Domincan Republic 3-0, so I want my players to report with the same spirit and the same confidence that they have to

Hong Kong 7’s rugby…

GTT's Lucas wins at Falcon Games

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Trinidad and Tobago, then suffering a 1-2 loss to Haiti.

They are preparing for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July, followed by the start of their Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifying campaign, but with the Boyz in a rampant mood, they could be found wanting.

In the absence of McAnuff and McCleary, Schaefer could return to Duwayne Kerr in goal, guarded by Wes Morgan and Jermaine Taylor in central defence, flanked by Kemar Lawrence and Adrian Mariappa.

win," he added.

Jamaica and their Spanish speaking neighbours have met on 35 previous occasions, with Cuba holding a slight advantage of 16 wins, as against 11 for Jamaica.

They arrived in the island on Friday, after their victory over the Dominican Republic last Wednesday. At last year's Caribbean Cup, they drew 1-1 with French Guiana, edged Curacao 3-2, before playing to a 0-0 draw with

Captain Rudolph Austin, who suffered a knock in a hard challenge on Friday, could partner Daniel Gordon in central midfield, with JeVaughn Watson pushed further up to partner Joel Grant, with goalscorers Giles Barnes and Darren Mattocks given the job to breach Cuba's goal.

The squad is completed by Ryan Thompson, Peter Harrison, Hughan Gray, Dino Williams, Ricardo Morris, and Omar Gordon. (Jamaica Observer)

lose to Zimbabwe, Spain on opening day

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: Guyana’s national Men’s 7’s rugby team made a horrendous start to the Hong Kong 7’s tournament, losing their first two games by huge margins on Thursday night.

The Guyanese conceded a whopping 86 points, while scoring only five. In their opening game of the campaign, Guyana lost 36-0 to Zimbabwe, and then suffered a 50-5 defeat at the hands of Spain.

Patrick King was the only player to score for Guyana, with a try against Spain. The Guyanese, grouped in Pool G, were down to play powerhouse Tonga in their final preliminary game Friday evening. (Guyana Times)

Josanne Lucas was the class of the Falcon Games women’s 400 metres hurdles field, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, late on Friday.

Running in lane four, the 2009 IAAF World Championship bronze medallist quickly established her superiority, seizing full control of the race by the halfway mark. Clearly, Lucas’ only challenger would be the clock, and when the Tobago athlete crossed the finish line in 59.82 seconds, her closest rival was only just clearing the final hurdle.

Antonia Attale finished a distant second in one minute, 07.23 seconds, while third spot went to Mikayla Ottley (1:08.06).

Aleena Brooks emerged victorious in the women’s 800m, completing her two laps of the track in 2:11.40. Dawnel Collymore produced a solid run, clocking 2:12.67 to secure the runner-up spot.

Cliffton Sylvester won the men’s 800m in 1:53.18, beating Ashton Gill (1:54.17) and George Smith (1:55.60) into second and third, respectively.

The Boys Under-18 discus event was keenly contested, Daniel McNish eventually winning with a 42.32 metres throw. Clarence Hannibal and Isaiah

Greaves also went past the 42-metre mark, but had to settle for the minor medals. Hannibal threw 42.18m for silver, while Greaves landed the disc 42.03m to bag bronze. Nkosi James (41.97m) was also a contender for top honours, but was forced into fourth spot.

Genesis Romero disturbed the sand at 6.17m to strike gold in the women’s long jump. The Venezuelan athlete is expected to clash with Lucas in today’s 100m hurdles. Jehue Gordon is on the start list for the men’s 400m final. The reigning 400m hurdles world champion clocked 49.68 seconds in Friday’s preliminary round to advance to the championship race as the seventh fastest of the eight qualifiers. Nicholas Deshong was the fastest of the one-lap qualifiers, the Barbadian getting home in 48.35 seconds.

Romona Modeste established herself as the favourite for women’s 400m honours when she won her qualifying heat, on Friday, in 55.84 seconds. One of the highpoints on the programme will be the men’s 100m dash, expected to feature TT sprinters Darrel Brown, Emmanuel Callender, Marcus Duncan and Jonathan Farinha, as well as Barbadian Levi Cadogan and Suriname’s Ifrish Alberg. (TT Express)

Hosein, Bell shine at Parkites awards

-Guyanese Bell wins Senior Hockey player award in TT

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: A beaming Akeal Hosein copped the coveted Queen’s Park Cricket Club 2014 Sport Personality award on Friday as the Parkites held their annual club dinner and presentation ceremony at the Century Ballroom, Oval, St Clair.

Hosein, a national cricket allrounder, beat fellow nominees Richard Hart (squash), Jerazeno Bell (hockey) and Benedict Barrett (football) for the coveted prize.

Hosein, 21 years old, had five five-wicket hauls for Queen’s Park, taking 68 wickets. The left-hander bowled his way into the history books in a game against Caldrac, claiming two hat-tricks in the match — the first time that was ever achieved in TT at the Premiership level. He was not too shabby with the bat, either, scoring 453 runs with a highest score of 137 not out and an average of 35.4.

“It’s a great feeling. First time I’ve ever been Personality of the Year overall...It’s just good sign for me and I’m going to use this as motivation for years to come,” he said. Hosein, who had a breakout year on in his debut season for

the Red Force in 2014, admitted though that the 2015 season was a letdown with TT finishing the four-day season second-to-last.

“I’m a bit disappointed. I haven’t done my best at all but I guess it’s one of those seasons where every player in his life goes through. You go through something sportsmen call a bad patch.

Jamaica surge late to make quarter-finals

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica progressed to the quarter-final round of the CONCACAF stage of the Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifying Tournament in El Salvador by beating plucky Belize 8-5 on Sunday.

The Jamaicans were scheduled to play quarter-finalists El Salvador in the Group A decider late Sunday, with both teams locked on six points.

In Sunday's clash, Belize seemed to be in great position to surprise their opponents and earn their first win and points of the tournament, but Jamaica took the lead in the final frame before running away to claim three points. The win gave Jamaica two wins from as many games in the group.

Belize took a 2-0 lead, which they held until Jamaica stormed back with two goals from Philip Peddie. Belize regained the advantage to end the first period 3-2.

In the second period, Belize

scored first to increase their lead to 4-2, but the resolute Jamaicans hit back with goals from Rohan Reid, Daemion Benjamin and captain Andre Reid to lead 5-4. However, the Belizeans would not go away and equalised to close the second period tied at five.

In the last stanza, Jamaica pulled away with further goals from both Andre and Rohan Reid. Belize tried to maintain their collective energy, but could not turn the pressure into goals as Jamaica held their advantage. Gregory Simpson closed out the match with another strike as Jamaica won by a three-goal margin.

In the other Group A game played on Sunday, El Salvador blanked Puerto Rico 7-0, while in Group B Mexico hammered Guadeloupe 8-1 and Trinidad and Tobago defeated Turks & Caicos Islands 6-2, while in Group D Guatemala edged Panama 2-1. (Jamaica Observer)

said ‘just train hard and try to relax your mind and keep focus and stick to the basics,’” Hosein explained.

Winning the Junior Sport award was hockey player Jordan Reynos who edged out Jeremy Solozano (cricket), Charlotte Knaggs (squash) and Jovan Marshall (football) for the accolade.

Reynos, who joined the Parkites from SHAPE in 2011, made the national senior team last year, competing in the World League and the CAC Games where TT earned a silver medal. He helped Queen’s Park win the National Super Indoor Tournament and to a runner-sup position in the TT Hockey Board Outdoor League.

“I’m just getting some guidance from the coach, the captain, guys like Kieron Pollard who have my back. They’re just keeping me motivated and going strong. It’s easy to fall away when you’re not doing well or start thinking of negative things. He even spoke to me and said he went through the same process in 2013 and was having a bad season. He

Also honoured at the awards were Queen’s Park members Issa Nicholas and Dr Gordon Naraynsingh who were National Award recipients in 2014.

The Kingston Trophy Award, meanwhile, went to George Wilcox.

Feature speaker, Ian McDonald, who describes himself as “Antiguan by ancestry, Trinidadian by birth, Guyanese by adoption and West Indian by conviction”

reminisced about the glorious past of Queen’s Park and said he was privileged to be speaking at “one of the great clubs of the world.”

Mc Donald, a renowned Caribbean writer who played at Wimbledon in the 1950s and captained the Cambridge tennis team, also worked alongside former Jamaica Prime Minister PJ Patterson in formulating the little-heeded Patterson Report.

Although hesitant to speak on the current affairs of the regional game, he reminded the audience of a part of the report which stated that West Indies cricket does not belong to the West Indies Cricket Board but to the West Indian people. He added that until the governance of the board reflects such, “we won’t get out of the mess we are in.”

Junior sport nomineesJeremy Solozano (cricket), Charlotte Knaggs (squash), Jordan Reynos (hockey), Jovan Marshall (football).

Sport Personality nominees - Akeal Hosein (cricket), Richard Hart, (squash), Jerazeno Bell (hockey), Benedict Barrett (football).

Kingston Trophy AwardGeorge Wilcox. (TT Newsday)

Guyanese McKinnon continues hot run in practical shooting

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

Amid light scattered showers on Saturday, local practical shooters safely balanced the three elements of the practical shooting triangle: speed,power and accuracy at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Timehri Ranges when the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) hosted another Practical Pistol competition.

Ryan McKinnon emerged as the victor of the event with 285 points while David Dharry was second with 178.40 points. Ray Beharry was third with 169.32 points.

The first stage called “Open Season” required the shooters to sit on a chair with their backs touching the back with a table placed some distance away on which their unloaded firearm and all magazines were stationed.

When the start signal was given, shooters had to race to

the table, retrieve their gun, make it ready and then engage four paper targets and one falling plate.

The second stage “Twist and Shout” consisted of 11 paper targets with five NoShoot targets, which were placed in front of and adjacent to the shoot targets, thus making some shooting angles even more difficult as hits on No-Shoot targets would attract a minus 10-point penalty per hit.

The third and final stage named “A Good Hair Day” was adjudged the most challenging but fun stage. This stage saw shooters having to engage 12 paper targets and two falling plates. The start position was seated at a dressing table full of pink accessories.

The start position was holding a pink mirror in one hand and a pink hair brush in the other, while the unloaded handgun and all mag-

azines were placed on the table.

Competitors had to retrieve their firearm then move downrange to be within the fault lines before engaging any targets. Some shot while on the move, thus saving time while others took it slow and steady, giving consideration to ideal shooting positions even when shooting through the two windows.

In closing, special thanks were extended by GSSF President Vidushi Persaud to the match officials – GDF Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, A-Division Commander Clifton Hicken, Tactical Services Unit ranks, the Guyana Police Force; the media and GSSF members for their support and encouragement towards the Federation which is dedicated towards encouraging and promoting sport shooting among all Guyanese. (Guyana Times)

Demerara Distillers in CPL’s corner again

– Guyana to host 4 games between July 15 and 21

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

GEORGETOWN:

GUYANA,

Bursting with excitement after the success of the previous two editions, El Dorado Rum has sealed its partnership for the third staging of the

Caribbean Premier League (CPL) set to bowl off June 20 in Barbados and conclude on July 26 in Trinidad and Tobago.

Dubbed “The Biggest Party in Sport”, the sixteam franchise tournament will once again feature some of the world’s

best T20 players competing in front of anticipated sold-out crowds and millions via their television sets across the globe.

At a simple ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday, officials of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), the makers of El Dorado Rum, were on hand to finalise their partnership with CPL, which was represented by Commercial Director Jamie Stewart.

DDL Marketing Director Sharda VeerenChand spoke glowingly of the company’s partnership with the Region’s premier T20 tournament, which was conceptualised

in 2013.

“Cricket fans can once again celebrate with the world’s best rum as they enjoy what has grown into the Biggest Party in Sport. This year, we promise an even greater engagement with our fans and you can expect that there will be new and exciting opportunities to engage with the brand,” Veeren-Chand said.

It was also announced that Guyana will host four games between July 15 and 21. Guyana Amazon Warriors will feature in all four matches, as the organisers have opted to give each franchise four home games.

On July 15, Guyana Amazon Warriors will play 2013 champions Jamaica Tallawahs at 18:00h; on July 17 they will come up against St Lucia Zouks at 20:00h; on July 18 they will play defending champions Barbados Tridents at 16:00h; and on July 21, they will face Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel from 18:00h.

St Kitts and Nevis will host 10 games, Trinidad and Tobago seven, while Barbados, St Lucia and Jamaica will be the venue for four matches each.

Meanwhile, Guyana Amazon Warriors allrounder Christopher Barnwell, who also attend-

ed Tuesday’s ceremony, said he was eagerly looking forward to the tournament, noting his excitement that Guyana would be hosting four home games.

A total of 33 games are billed for this year’s tournament, which will be contested by Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, St Kitts Patriots, St Lucia Zouks, and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.

St Kitts Patriots will make their maiden appearance in the tournament, replacing the Antigua Hawksbills, who played the first two editions. (Guyana Times)