Guyana Times International

Westford, ministry employee on bail over attempted larceny, forgery charges

BY ANASTACIA CLEMENTSON

Former Public Service Minister

Jennifer Westford and her Personnel Officer (PO) Margaret Cummings were on Wednesday brought before the court to face larceny and forgery charges respectively, in connection with the alleged illegal transfer of eight vehicles to themselves and friends, which were the property of the Public Service Ministry.

Westford was slapped with four counts of attempting to commit a felony and granted bail in the sum of Gy$800,000.

The 42-year-old former Minister allegedly tried to have several motor vehicles, belonging to the Government of Guyana transferred to four persons. Motor vehicles bearing registration numbers PJJ 8113 and PKK 8175 were given to Dwayne Walker, motor vehicle with registration plate PFF 1780 was given to Delroy Lewis, while several other vehicles are purported to have been transferred to herself and her spouse Gary Beaton, who is a Guyana Defence Force officer. The four

charges were indictable.

However, Prosecutor Deniro Jones applied to the court for the Administration of Justice Act which allowed the matters to be tried at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Westford pleaded not guilty.

Attorneys Bibi Shadick, Keisha Chase, Dexter Todd and Eusi Anderson represented Westford and appealed to the court for reasonable bail. Chase, in particular, informed the court that her client has no reason to flee justice as she has been a public servant for several years, has a fixed place of abode at Victoria Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, and has never been charged for an

offence before.

Also, for the court’s files, she stated that Westford is a mother to one son who is currently a certified doctor and has been married for several years. No objection was put forward by the Prosecutor for the request of bail. However, while Magistrate Ann McLennan allowed bail she issued a substantial sum of Gy$800,000 – Gy$200,000 for each of the four charges against the former Minister.

Meanwhile, Westford’s former Personnel Officer Margaret Cummings at the time the alleged transfers were made was also charged. It is alleged that Cummings signed the supposed receipts that

issued the transfers to the above mentioned persons. The court heard she is accused of four counts of intent to defraud after allegedly forging several receipts to indicate that Lewis, Walker, herself and Beaton had purchased the mentioned vehicles. These charges were indictable, but as before, the Administration of Justice Act was applied for and granted. Cummings pleaded not guilty to the charges and Todd stood in her defence. In his bail application, he told the court that she is 36 years old with three children under her care. She is currently on leave as PO at the Social

Cohesion Ministry.

With no objection from the prosecution, Magistrate McLennan granted Cummings bail in the amount of Gy$300,000 for each of the charges against her, bringing the grand total of Gy$1.2 million. Both matters were transferred to Court Five where Inspector Stephen Telford will be prosecuting. Magistrate Fabayo Azore will be presiding over the matters in that court.

The charges were officially lodged against the accused following advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar AliHack after it was sought

by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum. The file was returned to the Crime Chief on Tuesday, enabling the Police to act.

However, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in a statement said that pressure was exerted on the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP’s) Chambers, to advice in favour of bringing charges against members of the Party.

“The Party further notes efforts by the Granger Administration to persecute PPP members using the Police and the courts to do so. The Party wishes to remind of statements made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, who was quoted in sections of the media as saying, “I think there is a lot of pressure on the relevant Ministers to ensure that people are prosecuted.”

The PPP said Greenidge’s statement is not the only one which is centrally directed to exert pressures on the DPP’s Chambers, the Police and ultimately the courts. “Minister of State Joseph Harmon was purported to have publicly declared that “we are going after the big fishes.”

“I

had

nothing

to do with

killing” - Rajput Narine

…says allegation has tainted his character and put his life at risk

By Michael younge

Ex bodyguard of former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) employee, one of the two men who have been arrested in connection with the murder of former soldier and political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing has finally broken his silence to maintain his innocence.

Rajput Narine, speaking during snippets of an exclusive interview with the Evening News aired on Television Guyana Channel 28 on Wednesday evening, said that he never participated in the planning, organization or execution of Crum-Ewing who was cut down in a hail of bullets at Diamond, East Bank Demerara back in March this year. The main suspect, Regan Rodrigues, who has been arrested for Crum-Ewing’s murder after police conducted a raid at his home and apparently found a pistol which matched the one used to kill the activist, has recently alleged that Narine contracted him to do a “hit” on social and

political activist Mark Benschop.

Rodrigues aka “Grey Boy”, also told the investigators that a second hit, once the first was completed, would have been Crum-Ewing but he decided to share the information with Benschop after turning down a Gy$3M dollar offer on that individual’s head. But Narine recounted a totally different story on Wednesday explaining that he never knew “Grey Boy” personally and was never part of any plot to assassinate Benschop or CrumEwing. “I am surprised at these allegations”, he stated before saying that he never participated in any criminal activity in

his past as he “is not a person like that”.

Asked whether he knew Crum-Ewing before his death, Narine responded “I never knew him. I never saw him. I never met him before.” He maintained that the allegations made by “Grey Boy” were false and an attempt on the part of the known criminal to frame him and implicate him in the mix of things with the hope of securing some plea deal with the police and Government.

Asked what his relations to “Grey Boy” were then, the ex-law enforcement officer then explained that they did not share a personal relationship or friendship.

“I know of him. He lives like about 8 houses away from my in-laws them and while I am in and out…going to work (and) going about my business, they hang out in gangs… and while passing I does just raise my hand and go my way….no conversation…no talking…no communications otherwise..” he remarked.

Pressed further as to why the known criminal would want to implicate an apparently unknown, law-abiding citizen in such a high profile crime, Narine opined that Rodrigues knew that he worked with Government and was also aware that he had “links” to persons as-

sociated with the former PPP/C Government.

He recounted that the main suspect in CrumEqing’s murder would have seen him in the company of some officials in the security sector in their neighbourhood and therefore could have concocted with others a plot to frame him and implicate him in what he insisted was a politicallydriven situation.

Narine said that since being arrested by police on Wednesday last, he was interrogated and questioned by different persons but maintained his innocence and lack of knowledge about CrumEwing’s murder and the claimed assassination

plot on Mark Benschop. He told this newspaper that he was profiled and had his fingerprints taken by the police after consultation with his lawyer Glenn Hanoman explaining too that the police have been dealing with the case in a professional manner. “I gave them all…full cooperation in terms of their investigation…”, the Government worker said.

According to him, police arranged a confrontation between him and “Grey Boy” where the main Crum-Ewing suspect maintained that he was contacted by Narine to carry out a hit on the two political activists. He is expected to return to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today (Thursday) upon the request of the lawmen as he has so far been unable to provide a statement about matters that he insists he has no knowledge about.

Nandlall connection

Meanwhile, Narine’s statements to this publication also backed up the account by for-

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Closure for Rodney

It would be imprudent to claim that when in 2012, the PPPC administration acceded to the request by the family of Dr Walter Rodney for a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into his death on June 13 1980, they might not have considered its political impact. But the irrefutable fact is that it really did not matter when such an Inquiry was conducted: the political fallout was inevitable because of the circumstances of his death, within the history of his political activism against the then incumbent PNC regime.

Back in 2005, there had been already a motion introduced by the then PPPC government to initiate such an Inquiry. They however insisted that the motion speak to the “assassination” of Dr Rodney, while the Opposition felt such a formulation would be self-conclusive. The motion was passed with the PPPC abstaining but no Inquiry was ever launched. The Workings People Alliance (WPA), representing the interests of the Rodney family, claimed that with elections scheduled for 2006, the Inquiry would poison the political climate for the PNC. The Inquiry died a stillborn.

It is probably because of that experience that the family of Dr Rodney dealt directly with the then PPPC Government in 2014 to proceed with an Inquiry. Thirty-four years would have been too long not to have closure of Dr Rodney’s death. The Inquiry began a year before the elections of May this year, but unlike what had been predicted by the WPA in 2006, there was no adverse impact of the political image of the PNC, which by then had been merged in the A Partnership for National Unity. In fact, in coalition with the Alliance for Change, they won the elections and now form the Government.

With the knowledge that a Rodney COI was not a silver bullet to destroy their electoral chances, it was therefore with a great degree of surprise that citizens learnt via one of the first announcements of President Granger, was that “the COI was a waste of time” and that it would have to wrap up its hearings forthwith. The Government subsequently refused the formal request of the COI to grant it one more extension so that it could examine three witnesses to whom it had issued “Salmon Letters”.

The latter is a notification to individuals that they would be presented with aspects of the report of the COI that may affect them negatively. This innovation was introduced in the 1970’s by Lord Salmon to address issues of fairness to witnesses. The witnesses that the COI wanted to examine included, interestingly enough the present Minister of Education Dr Rupert Roopnarine, who had been a very close associate of Dr Rodney in the WPA.

Dr Roopnarine, however, unlike the other members of the WPA such as Eusi Kwayana, had insisted that Rodney had been engaged in collecting arms before his death. As Mr Granger said at the time when the allegation was made, this justified the security forces taking measures to deal with the “threat” from Dr Rodney’s activities. When the announcement was made to arbitrarily bring the COI to an end, most of the active members of the WPA, with the exception of Dr Roopnarine, called for the extension to be permitted.

As their release pointed out, the end of the COI in this abrupt manner, unnecessarily leaves an aura of uncertainty and ambiguity over whatever report the COI will now be forced to issue. Since over Gy$300 million have been already spent on the COI, the additional funding would be a drop in the bucket in the big picture. In the opinion of many observers, this uncertainty would leave a cloud not over the hopes of the family of Rodney for closure, but over the PNC, which finally had the opportunity to let the chips to fall as they may on this unfortunate incident in Guyana’s history.

Happy Emancipation Day to all our readers

ECLAC projects 4.5% growth for Guyana

…amid uncertainty, weak prices for gold

Despite indications of a slowing down of the economy, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is projecting a 4.5 per cent growth for Guyana this year, underpinning its prediction with what it termed a buoyant agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors.

The Commission said too that low fuel prices would continue to benefit the economy, but weak prices for the country’s mining outputs would have an adverse effect. International gold prices have been taking a beating for the longest while and only last week small miners complained about the adverse effects they were having on their output and reinvestment plans.

According to the organisation’s 2015 Economic Survey, although Guyana is not a tourism-based economy, the sector should see a boost from the opening of the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. The survey also mentioned that the split of the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry into the Tourism Ministry and the Business and Investment Ministry reflected plans to enhance the tourism infrastructure in Guyana in coming years. “Oil reserves, discovered in Guyana’s territorial waters in early 2015, may represent a further opportunity for Guyana to boost its [Gross Domestic Product] GDP and diversify its economy,” ECLAC said.

Stymieing of projects

Meanwhile, ECLAC said that the Guyanese economy expanded by 3.9 per cent in 2014, down from growth of 5.2 per cent in 2013. It said fiscal policy remained expansionary, widening the Government deficit, which is expected to increase further in 2015. Government expenditure grew,

owing in part to wage increases for Government workers. Monetary policy remains focused on continuing to control inflation, which was low at 1.2 per cent in 2014.

The Commission said that the then People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government had had difficulties in implementing its agenda since the Opposition gained control of parliament in 2011. This agenda included regulatory reforms, in particular anti-money laundering legislation, and progress on infrastructure projects, such as the planned Amaila Falls hydroelectric plant. In May 2015, the Opposition coalition won both the General and Regional Elections. Because the Government is now in transition, it is difficult to predict with any certainty what policies it will adopt for 2015.

According to ECLAC, Central Government revenue was up by 6.7 per cent to 22.9 per cent of GDP in 2014, on the back of higher tax and customs receipts. However, revenue was still 13.4 per cent below the Government’s optimistic target. In terms of direct tax revenue, corporate income tax and personal income tax yielded increases of 12.4 per cent and 17.8 per cent, respectively, while withholding tax and property tax fell by 11.8 per cent, and 7.1 per cent, respectively. Indirect tax revenue from the Customs and Trade Administration grew by 5.8 per cent, reflecting higher receipts from Value Added Tax, excise taxes and import duties and lower takings from environmental taxes and export duties.

Total expenditure grew by 9.7 per cent to 21.0 per cent of GDP in 2014, owing primarily to higher transfer payments (including education subventions, grants and schol-

arships, and subsidies and contributions) and wage costs. Employment costs rose by 9.9 per cent, reflecting wage increases for public workers. Pension expenses also rose by 5.8 per cent.

In 2014, the central government deficit widened by 28.7 per cent to stand at US$ 168.5 million, equivalent to 5.5 per cent of GDP. This was largely due to higher current expenditure and lower capital revenue. However, the deficit of non-financial public enterprises decreased owing to lower current and capital expenditure. The net result was a larger government deficit, which was financed by borrowing from external and domestic sources.

The organisation said Government is expected to maintain an expansionary fiscal policy, noting that current revenue and current expenditure will both be higher in 2015, and projected increases in capital expenditure are expected to inflate the central government deficit.

Additionally, ECLAC says the economy posted a balanceof-payments deficit, in spite of debt forgiveness. Nonetheless, the stock of domestic debt shrank by 20.6 per cent, while the stock of external debt diminished by 2.3 per cent. A total of 83.5 per cent of existing bonded debt is held by commercial banks. Interest charges on domestic debt fell by 11.7 per cent in 2014. The decline in external debt reflects a reduction in credit under the PetroCaribe agreement and lower disbursements from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). External debt service payments swelled by 10.9 per cent to US$51 million, equivalent to 4.4 per cent of export earnings. Total debt at the end of 2014 was equivalent to 51.2 per cent of GDP.

Guyana's Budget Day is August 10th

- PPP says will return to Parliament in time for debates

- Westford's fate still undecided - Luncheon

Finance Minister Winston Jordan will unveil his maiden National Budget in the National Assembly on August 10, 2015. Jordan made the announcement during a sitting of the House on Thursday.

He provided no insight of what the likely contents of the budget are.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) says it will head back to the National Assembly in time for the presentation and debate of the National Budget.

Executive Member of the PPP, Dr. Roger Luncheon made the announcement on Thursday morning at a Freedom House press conference. He indicated that the new Members of Parliament for the PPP have already completed their orientation and are set for the sittings.

Dr. Luncheon also indicated that the Speaker and Clerk of the National Assembly have been informed that former President Jagdeo will serve as the Leader of the Opposition while Gail Teixeira will serve as the Chief Whip for the Opposition.

The PPP picked up 32 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly at the May 11 elections. But the party did not attend any sittings while it pro-

tested against the results of the elections.

Meanwhile, Dr. Luncheon said that the party has not made a decision on whether to remove former Minister Jennifer Westford from its list of Parliamentarians but is concerned about the issue of perception.

Westford appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where

she pleaded not guilty to four charges of attempted larceny in the state vehicles transfer scam. She was granted bail. She is also reportedly at the centre of another fraud investigation at the Public Service Ministry, where she last served.

At a press conference this morning, Dr. Luncheon insisted that the party member is innocent until proven guilty

but he said the party will have to assess the perception of the allegations involving the former Minister.

Dr. Luncheon said the party remains concerned however with the impact the perceptions surrounding the matter could have on the participation of the party in Parliament.

“The perceptions indeed are real and it has contributed to a look by the party, how do

you deal or how do you intend to deal with the perceptions.”

On Thursday also, former Minister Bheri Ramsaran appeared in the Whim Magistrate Court to answer to a charge of insulting language. He had threatened to ‘slap and strip’ a female Rights Activist while attending a Court hearing for Bharrat Jagdeo who the Party has named as its opposition leader.

The High Court should save Guyana from this chaos

Dear Editor,

The present APNU/AFC Government seems to be intent on destroying the PPP/C, and is distracting Guyanese from their failure at governing this country.

Less than three months in Office, the country has become dismal. Why should the people support them? Since their election in May 2015, there have been disasters,

one after the other. Floods, crime, robberies and a border controversy getting worse by the minute are making people and investors flee from the country. The tourism industry will suffer and development would stop.

Their guilt is evident as they attempt to throw the blame on the PPP/C leadership.

The APNU vendetta,

This is a clear violation indigenousof peoples’ rights

Dear Editor, I read the Guyana Times article of July 23, captioned “Postponement of Toshaos electionsMinistry says “villages” did not qualify for elections”. In responding I wish to advise President David Granger that the Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Honourable Sydney Allicock as well as his team of advisors, that they have misinterpreted the Amerindian Act 2006. As such, the advisors, in particular the legal advisor, should submit their resignations.

It was a violation of section 88 of the Amerindian Act 2006 for the Minister of Indigenous Affairs to direct the postponement of elections in Four Miles and Eclipse Falls Top in the Port Kaituma sub-region, Region One. Furthermore, the reasons given by an advisor named Mervyn Williams have little to do with titled or untitled Amerindian Communities as specified in the Amerindian Act (Part X).

The Communities Minister is not mandated to deal with Amerindian communities. It is the responsibility of the Indigenous Affairs Ministry to provide for and defend all titled and untitled Amerindian communities in Guyana.

The Amerindian Act 2006, is “an Act to provide for the recognition and protection of the collective rights of Amerindian villages and communities, the granting of land to Amerindian Villages and Communities, and the promotion of good governance within Amerindian Villages and Communities”.

It is the Indigenous Affairs Minister who can

scornful language, lies and deception are evident and the bully tactics they commonly employed when in the Opposition haven’t changed. Politically lynching members of the PPP/C leadership is the Government’s way of trying to hide its failure.

This coalition Government has dismissed many employees perceived to be supporters of the PPP/C, people who

are of Indian descent. Yet, it hasn’t the skills and experience needed to run the country.

Maybe this is why this Government feels threatened by people such as Bharrat Jagdeo. At least the Law is still alive in the High Court, to defend victims of political lynching.

Only the High Court would now be able to save the coun-

try from the chaos in which it now finds itself. The High Court should have ordered a recount of the votes a long time ago to save the country. This matter should be seriously dealt with by the High Court because the country cannot move forward on what is deemed by a majority of the population to be a non-transparent election. Stan Law

Guyanese business owners have started to suffer

Dear Editor,

make such decisions, which must be consistent with the Amerindian Act 2006, and not the Communities Minister. However, Minister Allicock and his team of advisors should have familiarized themselves with the Amerindian Act 2006 and understood that when Amerindians speak of “CDCs” they are really referring to Community Councils as specified in Part X of the Act.

Former Adviser to the Amerindian Affairs Minister, Yvonne Pearson, is indeed an Indigenous expert who in the article I am referring to, was very factual in showing Minister Allicock and his advisors how they were misled in the postponement of the elections in the Amerindian Communities. Worse yet, the Minister and his team have also violated the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) since no prior notice was provided to the Community Councils.

What is more grave is that with the postponement of the elections in the communities, the Minister and his team violated articles 3 and 4 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) which refer to the deprivation of self-determination.

It is disappointing that Minister Allicock and his team of advisors would contradict the Amerindian Act 2006. Amerindians should pay keen attention to the future proceedings of the Ministry to ensure that no further violations would be made to indigenous peoples’ rights.

Yours faithfully Martin La Cruz

The small to medium businesses in Guyana are the bread and butter for a large number of the Guyanese population, either through employment or indirect circulation of money in the economy. These business owners have come to enjoy a standard of living and economic security over the past decade or so, but they are now struggling just to survive and that standard of living is quickly vanishing.

The Government is certainly in a dilemma, because anyone can see that if business is slow, fewer taxes will be collected. If the Government is not getting taxes, how can it increase salaries and decrease VAT? It is important to note that this is not a PPP/C generated situation, since the business owners did not

have this issue during the PPP/C Government.

APNU made promises during the elections that it knew it couldn’t respect. This means that APNU has betrayed the public trust, which is the worst sin to commit in politics. The young man/woman who was able to get a loan to build a home and start a little business to make their mortgage comfortably is now looking down the barrel of the poverty line with no home to live in.

This is the APNU-led implosion which was mentioned during election time and this is just the beginning, of a series of events which will make businesses, especially small ones, suffer tremendously. It remains true that this Government is too caught up with revengeful propaganda at the expense of economic growth. It is

not showing signs of any economic prowess or vision.

APNU and its supporters have taken the position that no one should criticise them for anything, since they can justify their inaction and incompetence with the “PPP/C was worse” line, a line that is rooted in reactionary “schoolboy” behaviour that will bear no fruits for this country. Brothers and sisters, don’t forget that reactionary politics is the starting point for fascism. Regardless of my position in politics and my objections to the electoral system, I am more concerned about my country’s development and safety. Therefore, for the sake of my countrymen and women, I would hope I am wrong and our economy may improve.

Malcolm Watkins

Bisram should inform the Diaspora on Amerindian situation

Dear Editor,

I refer to a letter in the Guyana Times of Friday, July 24 captioned “Guyanese Diaspora disturbed by Govt firings” by one Vishnu Bisram.

It is important for the Guyanese Diaspora to know as well that Guyana’s Amerindians are also fired from their jobs based on political victimisation and witch-hunting by the APNU/AFC Government.

Quite recently, approximately 2000 young Amerindian Community Support Officers (CSOs) of 187 communi-

ties were fired from their Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme. They are now denied the opportunity to stay in their villages and contribute to their active development.

These young Amerindians are now unemployed and many had to go to Brazil to seek employment to fend for their families. Further, some key staff members of the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry have also been abruptly dismissed from their jobs including the important Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) Project team leaving the

Amerindian land-titling process at a virtual standstill.

The Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry is now packed with APNU/AFC cronies who know next to nothing about Amerindian issues and development.

So I am appealing to Vishnu Bisram to let the Guyanese Diaspora know that Guyana’s Amerindians are also fired from their jobs as a result of political victimisation and witch-hunting by the APNU/AFC Government.

Yours faithfully, John Herman

New Army and Police for Berbice, WCD and Essequibo

Dear Editor,

In most countries, the Army and Police Forces are formed by the people. In the USA, every State has its own Police and regiment. In Britain, each County has its own Army regiment.

In India, every State has its own Police and regiment; namely Punjab, Marati, Bihar, Madras, Dogras and the Gurkha.

In Guyana, the Police and Army are mostly from Georgetown

and do not represent the country’s people. There is a need to form new regiments in Berbice, West Coast Demerara, Essequibo and Rupununi.

These regiments would be composed of people from each administrative region and trained by outside forces and not the present Army. The Amerindians should have their own Police and Army.

Such a system would prevent

violence across the country and also ensure that elections are not rigged. I hope the People’s Progressive Party is listening because the People’s National Congress-led A Partnership for National Unity seems to already be forming a new Army to control Guyana as it did between 1964 and 1992.

Sincerely, DN Singh

Ramjattan urges support for 2:00 am curfew

The Public Security Ministry is calling on the public for its full support as the 02:00 am (02:00h) curfew continues to take effect.

Since Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan decided to enforce the shutoff time and threatened to revoke licences of those who fail to comply, there has been a massive public outcry from various sections of the public including those from the entertainment industry.

The curfew took its full effect since the beginning of this month, much to the dismay of restaurant/bar proprietors, club owners and partygoers.

Guyana Times International understands that although an official announcement was made regarding the curfew, many prominent bars still remained open

past 02:00h.

Buddy’s Entertainment Complex General Manger told this newspaper that it was an extremely difficult transition and admitted that at first, it was hard to turn back devoted customers or get them to leave by the required time.

The imposition of the 02:00h curfew even sparked many debates within the public do-

main, with the majority of the commentators condemning the Minister for this decision, citing that it was an extremely ineffective and poor move to fight crime.

But unrelenting in his cause, Minister Ramjattan has staunchly maintained that the 02:00h curfew can change the society for the better.

In a recent press release, his Ministry re-

iterated this position, pointing out that alcohol consumption is closely related to crime; violence, such as domestic violence; traffic accidents, and a decline in the productive capacities of the population, especially the young, along with other attendant circumstances, including the adverse effects of the proliferation of noise nuisance.

As such, it is the view

of the Minister that it is in the best interest of the country to enforce “existing laws” which have mandated that the entertainment facilities be closed at 2:00h.

The Ministry noted also that this move has gained wide support from women’s groups and the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

In urging the public to give its full support to the initiative going forward, the Ministry pointed out that such restrictions were not uncommon in other countries.

The 2:00h closing time is, in fact, provided for in the Music and Dancing Licences (Amendment) Act Chapter 23:03, Act #12 of 1982, which states at section 9 that: “A place, so kept or used, although so licensed as aforesaid, shall not be opened for any of the purposes afore

said except on the days and between the hours stated on the licence: Provided that the holder of a first-class hotel licence may keep open the licensed premises for the purpose of dancing, singing, music or other public entertainment once in every week until the hour of two of the clock in the morning except on any Sunday.”

“Place” as used in Section 9 means “house, room, garden, or other place” and will cover bars, clubs and restaurants – also inclusive of open spaces used for dances and entertainment purposes.

On that note, the Ministry wishes to remind the public that the law is being enforced in the interest of citizens’ security and safety with the aim of suppressing criminal and other offences which typically occur after 02:00h.

Govt ups pressure on Bai Shan Lin, Vaitarna to build processing plants

Chinese logging company Bai Shan Lin and its Indian counterpart Vaitarna Holdings Private Incorporated (VHPI), have until the end of this year to honour their agreements, or prepare to have their contracts terminated.

This is according to Minister of Governance and Patrimony Raphael Trotman who on Wednesday said that Government is currently reviewing the agreements and concessions awarded to the two foreign companies.

The companies have failed to honour the promises made to the effect that they would establish a wood processing facility in Guyana and the manufacturing of value-added products. At his post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, Trotman said that Government has had consultations with both companies, where assurances were given that they will come up to acceptable standards.

“Both have been addressed, both have been spoken to. They said that they will, in the matter of months, be addressing the value-added concern. In a matter of months, I am hoping that by the end of the year, the nation will start to see value-added products being produced by the two companies. If they fail in this regard, then their contracts will have to be reviewed for termination”, Trotman told journalists at the briefing.

He said Government

has been looking, and will continue to look at, those matters. He said too that Cabinet will be taking into consideration the recommendations made by Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Dr Clive Thomas in another section of the media.

“Thomas has made some pronouncements.

Government will be looking at the recommendations made by Professor Thomas during discussions at Cabinet. I could not stand and say that concessions will be slashed here and there, but Government is in fact reviewing all agreements and seeing where there has been compliance and violation and where things could be tighten up”.

Asked if Government would be assessing how the nation has been benefiting from the concessions granted to these companies, Trotman said while that is a good idea, such move will require a studied review, as Government will have to look at jobs, taxes paid, concessions on duty-free vehicles and equipment versus what is being given back, along with value-added.

Thomas was quoted as saying that he would recommend that the tax concessions enjoyed by these companies be taken away, since Guyana could not continue giving out hundreds of millions of dollars worth in tax and breaks or concessions when citizens are not benefiting.

Last year, the

Chinese company said it had invested over US$160 million in Guyana since it set up shop, even as it dismissed allegations that it was shipping out logs illegally. It said in 2008, it had applied to the Government of Guyana through the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) and other agencies to lease lands to set up a factory to process logs and engage in value-added production, such as the making of furniture, craft and hardwood flooring.

“Because of the fact that our value-added operation is currently in development, the processing of raw materials is currently being done in China. Our products are sold in Europe and North America in addition to China and India,” the company explained.

“We were granted that lease for the construction of our processing plant four years after we applied for it. The lease is around 200 acres of lands located in Region 10.”

Bai Shan Lin said for strategic reasons, it would have preferred lands closer to port Georgetown, but the Government insisted that the factory be set up in Region 10 to provide employment to the people of Linden.

“Our company commits to fulfilling its social responsibility to the people of Linden and its environs. Specialist engineers in China drew up the layout and design of this factory in the beginning stages of

our company’s engagement in Guyana. The estimated cost of setting it up is in excess of US$80 million. We began clearing the lands but encountered difficulties with the administration of Region 10. Objections

were made about processing 100,000m³ logs per year.”

The Chinese firm said it has already expended approximately US$30 million to purchase equipment, conduct site-preparation works, and recruit specialist engineers for this factory, and other development aspects, but have been unable to commence construction because of the difficulties referred to, among others.

Ramsaran pleads not guilty to using insulting language

Former Minister of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran on Thursday appeared at the Whim Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the use of insulting language against rights activist Sherlina Nageer. Ramsaran appeared before Magistrate Charlyn Artiga accompanied by his lawyer Adrian Anamayah. He was released on his own recognisance.

The charge came after Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack advised the police to charge Ramsaran for verbally abusing Nageer. Contacted on Wednesday Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said that the police had received advice to charge him in relation to allegations that were made by

Nageer.

This revelation comes hours after former public service minister Dr. Jennifer Westford was charged for her alleged involvement in a vehicle transfer plot.

On April 20, Ramsaran was recorded verbally abusing Nageer, saying he would slap her for the fun of it and have her stripped in a public place.

Ramsaran had journeyed to Whim to support former president Bharrat Jagdeo, who was expected to attend

the court to answer a private criminal charge filed against him by attorney at law Christopher Ram. The confrontation occurred after the minister labelled Ram a “wife beater” while being interviewed by reporters. Nageer interjected and proceeded to confront him about the deaths of women and children in the health care system under his watch.

At this point Ramsaran could be heard calling Nageer a “piece of shit” and an “idiot” before asking her to get out of his face.

After the recording of the exchange between the minister and Nageer began circulating in the

public, Ramsaran issued an apology in which he claimed to have been provoked into anger and uttered harsh words which he regretted. However, the day after, the minister was recorded at a health forum calling Nageer a “miscreant,” accusing her of spitting on him and saying she was in need of psychiatric help.

After the first episode, Nageer made a report to the police. In her statement which was filed with the Crime Chief on April 27, she said that at one point during the confrontation she felt threatened by Ramsaran, as it appeared as though he wanted to hit her.

Journalist, HGPTV in hot water over alleged defamatory broadcast – ex-Assistant Commissioner mulling multi-million $$ lawsuit

By Michael younge

Former Assistant Police Commissioner Steve Merai on Tuesday made a formal report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force following what he deemed to be a defamatory and slanderous broadcast news report on HGPTV Nightly News presented by Journalist Travis Chase linking him to the murder of MFK Boss Mohammed Khan.

Khan was murdered on August 21, 2014 after disappearing from the local scene. His dismembered body was found at Cummings Lodge.

On the newscast, Chase was interviewing

murder accused Lennox Wayne who is also known as “Two Colours” who is currently on remand in the Camp Street Jail. The broadcast interview appeared to have been conducted via the telephone.

Wayne accused Merai of being part of the plot to murder the businessman and recounted on that newscast an encounter he reportedly had with the former top cop.

Speaking with this newspaper on Tuesday, Merai said that after viewing the newscast, he immediately contacted his legal counsel and was advised to take up the matter with the relevant policing authorities first before taking private legal action. “I went to the Beterverwagting Police Station, made my complaint and it was recorded in the Occurrence Book. I spoke to a CID officer and provided a statement,” he said during the interview. He was adamant that all of the information broadcast was false and it was done maliciously as no one attached to the

media house attempted to get a response to what it reported as “new revelations” and “confessions”.

He said that at no time did Wayne give Police information which linked him to the murder of the businessman. “The only time I met this man was in the presence of the Crime Chief and other ranks. He could not provide any evidence against me at that time and made it clear that I did not kill nor was part of any plot to kill the businessman,” an angry Merai recalled.

He said that he was cleared after “Two Colours” made the initial allegations by the Director of Police Prosecutions. “Now he is telling a whole different story and I believe he was put up to this. Someone is concocting these lies and using these people,” he said. Merai is now concerned about his safety and that of his family as he believes that the irresponsibility of the statements illegally obtained from “Two Colours” could see him becoming a possible target for those close to the MFK Boss. If the Police did not respond effectively within a responsible time frame, Merai said that he would privately sue the principals of the television station and the journalist. “I know it’s a lot of offences they commit,” he said.

Only last week, the same media house broadcast other information which implicated Merai in extra-judicial killings and misconduct while in public office.

FFTP commissions Gy$42M community project at Akawini … 27 houses, cassava mills, passenger boat gifted

By IndrawattIe natram

The livelihood of approximately 895 residents living in Akawini – an Amerindian community located some 50 miles from Charity, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) in the Lower Pomeroon, will be significantly improved, with the commissioning of a Gy$42 million community development project, which includes the construction of 27 houses, sanitation blocks and four cassava mills.

On Wednesday, Food For The Poor (FFTP) Inc Guyana, in collaboration with the Rainey family of United States, under the “God is the Foundation” and other generous donors from FFTP Inc commissioned the project, which includes 27 houses and sanitation blocks for families; the construction of 25×8 foot shaded wooden passenger boat and a 42×811 foot cargo boat, for the purchase and distribution of four cassava mills to the village. The houses were constructed by Fildhari and Son Constructing Service and the lumber was provided by the community.

The project was officially commissioned at a ceremonial ribbon cutting done by Minister within the Indigenous Peoples Affairs Ministry Valerie Garrido-Lowe, assisted by Region Two Chairman Daveanand Ramdatt. Also in attendance were Project Manager (Guyana) Andrea Benjamin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) FFTP Kent Vincent, Projects Manager FFTP Inc (Florida) Susan James Casserly, Toshoa of the village David Wilson and

other residents.

Speaking to residents at the inauguration, Garrido-Lowe said she is happy for the project in the Amerindian community; one that will enhance the livelihood of Indigenous peoples. The Minister called on residents not to take the project for granted and to care for the houses.

The Minister said that the cassava mills are a plus for the village and will contribute significantly to the income of the community. She congratulated Food For The Poor Guyana Inc and the Rainey family for partnering with residents in their bit to become more self-sufficient. “The new Government does not see people different, despite race; as such as a Government that is moving forward, we want to understand the plight of the people” GarridoLowe said. She urged persons to apply for their land titles, adding too that the hinterland areas are not another country and explained it is part of Guyana, as such, residents deserve everything that the Administration has to offer all Guyanese.

Region Two Chairman Daveanand Ramdatt said he is extremely happy for the partnership between FFTP Inc Guyana and the Rainey family, in bringing about projects that are beneficial to the community. He called on residents to sustain and aide in the continuity of development. Ramdatt said that for any project to be executed, consultations and feasibility studies must be done for community participation.

Speaking about the community development, the newly elected Chairman said over the past years, several transformative projects were done in the community to further enhance the lives of residents in Akawini. He pledged the Region Two Administration support in the continuous development of the community as well as the project.

Meanwhile, outlining details about the project was FFTP Guyana Project Manager Andrea Benjamin who told those gathered that the Akawini community development project was birthed after a feasibility study was conducted, saying “there was a desperate

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“I had nothing to do with...

mer Attorney General Anil Nandall in relation to how the two came into contact following Crum-Ewing’s murder. While Nandlall was a Government Minister and became embroiled in a notorious telephone recording with a local journalist, which went viral Crum-Ewing had been protesting outside of his office calling for his resignation. Nandlall said that he hired Narine to be his bodyguard after Crum Ewing’s murder and never knew before. After just four days of service, he became dissatisfied with Narine’s service and terminated him.

“I never knew him. I never met him before...I knew that he is the Minister because everybody knows the names of the cabinet and govt

ministers and they does see them on publication but personally I never knew him or met him before. I never spoke to him except for when he came back from the US. My brother called me and told me to support him in terms of providing security for him and that was the only time I met with him…to discuss the security aspect”, he said during the interview.

He was baffled at the allegations and connections that some are seeking to make explaining that he is not a political being.

“I know in time that people will find out that I am innocent. I am concerned that the lies told by ‘Grey Boy’ and others have put my life in danger and that of my family. It has tainted my character and now

the whole country…the whole world is looking at me…”, he said holding back tears from his eyes.

Asked what message he wanted to send to those probing the case and the general public, Narine said, “I am not responsible for this gentleman’s assassination and I’m not responsible for any allegation made against me to plot to assassinate anyone. The allegations made against me are not true. I feel this allegations made against me is not just an allegation. This is a political motive and I am asking the relevant authorities to go do their investigations properly and to find the true killer of Mr Crum-Ewing…and try not to implicate ordinary people like that… This is damaging my character”.

ing the cassava which sometime took days.

need for housing, as well as transportation problems according to a feasibility study”. She said it is the hope of FFTP Guyana Inc that the boats will enhance the villagers’ socioeconomic status; with the cargo boat being utilised to transport lumber and other produce to the various markets, including Charity. Benjamin further explained that the project will further boost the earning capacity of persons residing in the community.

Economic boost

The cassava mill, Benjamin noted, will go directly towards enhancing residents’ ability to process cassava products at a faster rate. Previously, farmers had the tedious task of grat-

CEO of FFTP Guyana Inc Kent Vincent in his remarks said it is always a joy for FFTP to see smiles on the faces of beneficiaries. Vincent said the FFTP over the years is pleased to assist various depressed communities in areas of education, housing and sport. He said it is a great honour as a non- governmental organisation to be able to change the lives of persons living in desperate communities. Further explaining, Vincent said the donors – Patrick and Louis Rainey – were impressed with the community, and as such, gave their support.

“There are very bad depressed communities in Guyana, FFTP cannot reach out to, it’s difficult… very costly. We depend on the help from local donors in whatever way; whether a prayer or thank you, I commit FFTP to help the community in whatever way we can” Vincent ended.

Toshao of Akawini David Wilson extended gratitude to FFTP for the project. Speaking on behalf of the community, he said the development project was a good partnership, adding that the beneficiaries are thank-

ful. The Toshao said residents can proudly raise their hands and say they have their own homes and a safer transportation service. Wilson said over the years, the village council tried to enhance housing in the community and several efforts were made to partner with various organisations. He called on beneficiaries to take care of their houses and other assets.

Wilson said the project officially commenced in the village on October 14, 2014, and had the full cooperation of residents in the community. He proudly said that the cassava mill will assist residents to produce and market cassava bread.

One beneficiary, Ugenie Williams, extended gratitude to FFTP for the gift of a new home. She said she was living in a dilapidated shack with a thatched roof. Today she said she can enjoy a better home and feels more comfortable. Williams has three children and has already occupied her new home. The project was executed by FFTP Guyana Inc, with 67 per cent of the funding being provided by the Rainey family and the remainder of the funding provided by other generous donors of FFTP.

Rodney CoI: Commissioners, lawyers slam early end to inquiry

By Alexis Rodney

Commission -

ers and lawyers participating in the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) are adamant that the premature end to the investigation will definitely rob the Commission of a comprehensive, thorough and fair outcome.

The team met on Monday for the second to last day of public hearings whereby lawyers representing various interests in the investigation are expected to make their final submissions, summarising the evidence that have been so far presented. But before the official start of submissions, the legal minds had a lot to say

about Government’s decision to have the final session wrapped up in a mere two days.

Chairman of the Commission, Sir Richard Cheltenham said while Commissions of Inquiry were “creatures of the executive”, the move by the David Granger Administration will not speak well for the fairness of the final report which commissioners were expecting to present by November.

“The current Administration has determined that the Rodney CoI will have just two days of hearings. We feel obliged that while it is within the competence of the executive arm of Government to terminate the public hearings of the Commission, that

kind of action is not at all unknown following the change of Government, in our Westminster type of Government. It must be remembered that Commissions of Inquiry

are creatures of the executive,” the Barbadian Queens Counsel read from a prepared statement.

He continued, “The executive sets them up,

Govt in moves to lower Berbice Bridge toll

… to make announcement in budget after talks with company

Under pressure to fulfil at least some of its 100day plan promises, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government said it will be moving to consider a reasonable restructuring of the fares to cross the Berbice River Bridge; something which they had tried while in opposition but was rebuffed by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government and the Private Sector.

The announcement was made by Minister of Governance and Patrimony Raphael Trotman who told a news conference on Wednesday that Finance Minister Winston Jordan will soon commence consultations with shareholders and the Bridge Company and will hopefully make the announcement of the toll reduction in his budget presentation slated for mid next month.

Trotman also informed media operatives that Jordan has received Cabinet’s guidance to engage the management of the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated, in meaningful negotiations. “Government has no intention of interfering with the Company’s right to a rate of fare or rate of returns on their investment… however; we have heard the cries of the people of Regions

Six and Five in particular and we must act on their behalf”

Minister Trotman explained that while existing legislation pronounces on the setting of fares, a subsidy by the Government to ensure fares are lowered is an alternative that the Administration will explore, if needed. This move by the Administration is in keeping with the APNU+AFC first 100day plan in office. Since the construction of the Berbice River Bridge, commuters specifically from Regions Five and Six have bemoaned what in their view is an exorbitant fees structure. Chairman of the Berbice Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCCI)

Rajnauth Ramroop when asked about his take on the proposed idea of a reduction on the bridge toll said “It will affect the Berbice region in a positive way. We have been calling for a reduction in the tolls for a long time and we welcome the move. It is not safe for us in the region to be paying so much when the Demerara [Harbour] Bridge is not even so much.”

However, sections of the Private Sector were against this move. Earlier in the year, President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association Clinton Williams said he was against the move to reduce the toll because of its implications for the sanctity of contracts in Public Private

determines their terms of reference, decides who the Commissioners are and who presides over them.” He said while all those freedoms reside within the ambit of Government, Commissioners cannot, however, be told what to do, and what final decisions to make. “What the executive arm cannot do and is not permitted to do is to tell us as commissioners, whatever evidence we must find and what we must reject. That is the area where we take complete independence.”

The CoI, which was convened in February 2014 by former President Donald Ramotar, has had some 66 sittings with a total of 29 witnesses giving evidence;

three of whom are still to be cross-examined. The evidence of those witnesses – retired Major General Norman Mc Lean, former Police Constable Allan Gates and Holland Yearwood are said to be crucial to the investigation. Further, the Commission is still to hear from witnesses such as former Crime Chief Cecil “Skip” Roberts, Working People’s Alliance (WPA) leader Rupert Roopnaraine and former People’s National Congress leader (PNC) Robert Corbin, all of whom have been issued with Salmon letters to appear before the Commissioners. Salmon letters, named after Lord Salmon who held an in-

Govt denies buying 52 luxury SUVs

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government has rubbished claims by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), that it was investing some Gy$1 billion for the purchase of 52 new luxury Land Cruisers.

Partnership financing for projects.

Williams’ contention was that this move can affect the Public Private Partnership in the future, as the profits the Private Sector expects to make would be less and therefore, would think twice before investing. “No businessman would want to get into business with the Government as a Public Private Partnership if in fact this is going to be the trend,” he had said.

Former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Ramesh Persaud had similar views, asserting that “A unilateral decrease in toll by the Government or any Government will not be received very well by private business…”.

The PPP/C had late Tuesday evening released a statement claiming the Government was soon to receive the vehicles which it said was custom designed with leather seats, highend entertainment centres, inclusive of High Definition TVs, among other luxurious fittings.

But Governance Minister Raphael Trotman scoffed at the allegation, saying that the Opposition party was probably seeking to shift the public’s attention from the more serious allegations that party is facing.

Trotman said all Ministers were using the same vehicles that were used by previous ministers and will continue to do so until time and the budget make provision for an upgrade.

The PPP, in a statement late Tuesday, said it was appalled that the APNU+AFC Government was investing some Gy$1 billion to purchase 52 new luxury Land Cruisers to be used by the Ministers and advisers. It said the move was sad since the APNU/ AFC Government has abandoned its election promises of a reduction in the Value Added Tax (VAT) and a 20 per cent pay increase for Public Servants, claiming there was no money in the treasury. “The APNU/ AFC Government continues its exorbitant lifestyle at the expense of the nation, while the sugar and rice industries continue to fall apart,” the statement added.

Trotman said that Government was informed of a vessel heading to Guyana with the 52 vehicles. He said questions were raised about the purchasing of such vehicles by any government and it was his responsibility to make contact with the Beharry Group of Companies.

Trotman engages Region 9 Toshaos during “fact finding” trip – emphasises need for sustainable development, good governance

Governance Minister Raphael Trotman, who also has responsibility for the natural resources and environment sector, over the weekend, met with several Toshaos and other representatives in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) where several issues, including good governance and sustainable community development were brought to the forefront.

The meeting held last Friday morning in Lethem, saw the attendance of the Toshaos of St Ignatius, Moco Moco, Shea, Yurupukari and Maranau, who are also representatives of the Kanuku Mountain Range Development Group (KMRDG).

According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, the team travelling with the Minister included Adviser on Sustainable Development, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Clayton Hall; Permanent Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Justin McKenzie and Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), Damien Fernandes.

Minister Trotman told the group that the meeting was an opportunity to understand first hand, the work which was being carried out by the group in the region. He noted that his role in the Ministry of the Presidency and the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment was not to disrupt any arrangement or system the villages have put in place, but rather to facilitate and aid the

work which was being carried out, provided that it was sustainable and done in good faith.

Minister Trotman said that the Government was willing to work with and support the systems which promote good governance and sustainability and was seeking to put an end to those which did not display those characteristics.

“Where there are good systems in place, we would like to promote and support them. We are not here to shut anything down. We must be able to continue good work where there is good work and to cease bad work where there is bad work and I will rely on your guidance to tell me what things are working and what things are not working… This is a factfinding mission,” he told the group.

During the meeting with the KMRDG, the Minister was given an update on the various projects which had been undertaken by the group while he provided them with the opportunity to raise any matters of concern they may have had.

The members of the KMRDG consist of 21 settlements and communities set up as a representative body when the central boundaries and management plans for the protected Kanuku Mountain Range area were discussed and finalised.

However, the members told the Minister that since then, the group has been working on its own projects to promote sustainable development for the communities.

The Toshaos related that they were having some amount of difficul -

“A big joke” – Rohee

“Nagamootoo’s statement is a big joke; it is a huge joke. If there is anyone in this country who knows Nagamootoo as best as I do, as best as possible, politically and otherwise, I’m one of them.”

These were the words of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee in response to recent statements made by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo that there was some conspiracy between that Party and criminal elements to target him.

ty in setting up a much needed Farine (native Amerindian staple of ground, dried cassava) factory which has the potential to bolster the communities. In addition, the challenges in combating the effects of climate change were also raised during the meeting.

Following the meeting, Minister Trotman toured the KMRDG Farm and praised the facility as an important revenue-earning initiative for the communities. Later in the day, the Minister visited the neighbouring Moco Moco Village, site of the now defunct Moco Moco Hydropower Project, which was examined.

Toshao James George discussed energy generation challenges in the community and expressed his desire to see the hydropower station operational once again.

Nagamootoo also recently said that selfconfessed death squad member Sean Hinds had

PPP General Secretary clement rohee

Naraine, the ex-bodyguard of Anil Nandlall who was questioned for Courtney Crum-Ewing’s murder, had attempted to infiltrate the Alliance For Change (AFC).

Nagamootoo said

staked out his house – a charge the former murder accused denied. In an article in another section of the media on Monday, Nagamootoo was quoted as saying that he has reason to believe that there was a “criminal syndicate” attached to the PPP/Civic which ruled Guyana for 23 years.

He said too that Rajput

Naraine “came to my office during the campaign and offered his service as one of my security… he said he was going to watch my back.” He said with all that is being revealed now, including Naraine’s arrest, he was beginning to see the bigger picture. “I am connecting the dots. His

name is being called in relationship with criminal elements and he found a person like me leading up to the elections as a person of interest, saying he want to help to protect etc, etc,” said Nagamootoo. He added, “So I think there might have been a wider conspiracy which we do not know of and this is where I would expect that the Police should follow all leads to see whether there was a criminal syndicate attached to the PPP. I have a suspicion that there might have been because why would the former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee go public to say during the campaign that ‘those who ain’t dead will be badly wounded’. It is a matter for him to explain.”

The PPP General Secretary, however, appeared to be unfazed about such statements coming from Prime Minister Nagamootoo. Rohee said that the Prime Minister was “good at spinning things, good at concocting things, he has what you call a wild, imaginative view of things”.

PPP slams Govt for “mishandling” tension between Guyana and Venezuela

As the controversy continues between Guyana and Venezuela with regard to the Spanishspeaking country laying claim to Essequibo, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has reprimanded the present Administration for the manner in which it is handling bilateral relations between the two countries.

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee, during a media briefing at Freedom House Monday, stated that the new Government has already committed major economic blunders as it relates to bilateral agreements between Venezuela and Guyana.

He made reference to the oil-for-rice deal be-

tween the two countries which comes to an end in November as well as

preventing CONVIASA, Venezuela’s state-owned airline, which had not

paid the mandatory security fee, from landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) quite recently.

This decision had resulted in hundreds of passengers heading to Venezuela being stranded at the airport. Rohee explained that such a move was “inexcusable” by Government and when the PPP/C was the ruling party, it always tried to maintain a common balance with other countries especially those that have bilateral agreements with Guyana.

“I think diplomacy has to be done in a certain way, diplomacy has to do with toning down, exerting every effort at toning down, even though the adversary would have adopted the

position that you are against…We are upset with this Government about the mishandling of the diplomatic bilateral relations between these two countries. That’s where our beef is.”

According to the PPP General Secretary, there are a number of signed bilateral agreements between Guyana and Venezuela which have the potential to generate and develop closer ties between the two.

Meanwhile, he noted that the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration was not letting the public know the outcomes of various bilateral meetings that

it has or should have participated in. The Guyanese public should be aware of such events since they are matters of national interest.

“I did not hear anything from Granger about what took place between the Guyana delegation and the Venezuelan delegation during the Caricom summit. We have heard nothing. Did they meet? And if they met, what did they discuss?”

Rohee also lamented that Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge recently met with the Organisation of American States (OAS) and there was no public update on what transpired at the meeting except what Greenidge reportedly said.

Rodney CoI: Commissioners, lawyers ...

quiry into public ethics in the 1970s, are designed to give people potentially facing direct criticism from an official inquiry a chance to reply before a report is published, according to the Guardian.

Adverse evidence

Cheltenham said there were adverse evidence provided against many individuals who were alive, who have not been provided with an opportunity to come forward to confront that evidence and comment on it.

He said the Commission would be disinclined to make any adverse findings on such, adding that if it was found that it was necessary to make a finding, commissioners would be sure to add that the individuals against whom the evidence was given did not have the opportunity to comment on and any comment made should be subjected to that omission.

He said the decision of the executive to bring to an end the public hearings may well have implications for the thoroughness of the report as witnesses still to testify will not be heard and some of the terms of reference not adequately supported by testimonies so far will remain in that incomplete state.

Fellow Commissioner Seenath Jairam told the hearing that they have an obligation to be fair

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and impartial in their ruling. He said, the situation as is, had allowed him several choices, among them, opting out of the continuation of the hearings; however, “good sense” has prevailed on his part to go through to the completion as he has an obligation to fulfil. He said that the public could be assured that based on the evidence thus far, the Commission could be assured that Commissioners would do their best to be fair, although they were limited by incomplete evidence.

Meanwhile, Queens Counsel Andrew Pilgrim, the lawyer representing the interest of the widow and children of Dr Rodney urged Commissioners to petition the new Administration to see if it could give some leverage to its decision to allow for at least two more weeks so that the remaining pertinent witnesses could be heard.

He said the family members of the Dr Walter Rodney, the WPA co-founder, have waited some 35 years to find solace and closure. He urged the Administration to take into consideration the Salmon letters that were sent. He said there was still time for Government to make a decision in this regard, noting that he was willing to support any entreaty the commission would make in that manner.

One Laptop Per Family now One Laptop Per Teacher

Governance

Minister Raphael Trotman told media operatives on Wednesday that the Government was aware of a new batch computers ordered by the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Project, and has decided to give these to teachers across Guyana.

He shared that the Cabinet has been in discussions about taking care of the teachers, so the Government of Guyana has been thinking about possibly renaming the project One Laptop Per Teacher (OLPT). He added, however, that this move will have to be tied to a programme that ensured

that these teachers used the laptops for training in improving their methodology or delivering their curriculum in a faster electronic manner.

In relation to the almost 50 employees of the Project who were sent home, Trotman reiterated a statement made by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon that the Government could not continue in good conscience to pay employees to do nothing. He mentioned that on a tour of the project facilities, they discovered tonnes of computers stacked, all faulty for many reasons.

Minister Harmon had placed the Project un-

der review, sent most of the staff members home and shared that files and documents and officers that managed the project were being reviewed.

Trotman stated that many persons were indeed dismissed, but some were asked to remain to handle certain technical issues and the new batch of laptops that will be in Guyana soon.

The OLPF Project was launched in Guyana in January 2011 by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic).

The Government at the time had planned a distribution of about 90,000 computers to poor families across the country over a three-year period.

No relationship between PPP and Sean Hinds – Rohee

PPP/C General Secretary, Clement Rohee, during a press conference on Monday, vehemently stated that his Party had no relationship with Hinds, and at no point in time since his appointment as the PPP’s General Secretary was he aware of any security contract being awarded to Hinds by the Party.

“There is no relationship between the PPP and Sean Hinds, none whatsoever…As far as I’m aware of as the General Secretary of this Party up to the time I assumed this position, I do not know about any security being provided by Sean Hinds.”

Hinds, a former Police Officer, had paid a visit to Freedom House last week and Rohee noted that while he was aware that Hinds was there, he had no knowledge about who Hinds was supposedly meeting there. “I saw him here (Freedom House) sitting. He claimed that he was waiting to see someone. I never asked who was the someone, I just left and went away,” explained Rohee.

With regard to claims made by Hinds that officials of the PPP/C were involved in the murder of political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing and that during the election period he was given the security contract for the PPP/C, Rohee stated that this was not the case. “Mr Hinds can say what he wants to say. He is free to say what he wants to say but we can also dispute what he is claiming. There is no absoluteness in the truth in so far as anybody on the

Earth is concerned.”

Hinds, during an exclusive interview on the HGPTV Nightly News last week, confessed to being a member of the death squad and implicated the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), which he claimed provided the weapons to the said squad.

According to the self-confessed killer, the reason he made such a revelation is because he does not wish to return to prison for crimes he is not accountable for. Hinds, along with Ashton King and Mark Thomas, was charged with the murder of George Bacchus in February 2004.

However, Hinds was acquitted of the charge in the High Court. He was also charged with abducting a 13-yearold female in 2009 and for a multimillion-dollar theft in Bel Air, Georgetown, in July 2012. Those charges were subsequently withdrawn on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Ramotar roasts Govt on abrupt end to Rodney CoI

Former President Donald Ramotar has bemoaned the present Administration’s decision to end the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) established to investigate the death of renowned Guyanese historian and leader of the Working People Alliance (WPA), Dr Walter Rodney.

Ramotar condemned the action of the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government to truncate the life of this Commission as he explained that the decision made to establish the CoI was not inspired by any political motive.

The former President said it was his desire to shed light on “one of the darkest and most controversial events” in Guyana’s post-independence history and political landscape, as well as assist the family and relatives of Dr Rodney in bringing closure to such a traumatic incident.

In a press release Tuesday, the former President stated that while the CoI was an expensive undertaking, it

was definitely a justifiable one where all monies spent could be accounted for and were approved by the National Assembly except for a brief period when Parliament was prorogued and then dissolved.

“Indeed, it is no secret that Guyanese both in Guyana and those living in all parts of the world have, for years, called for a credible Commission of Inquiry into the death of one of Guyana’s most brilliant sons. This death has been a scar against the international reputation of our country. It is public knowledge that the Commission of Inquiry and the evidence adduced have attracted national and international attention and there is a great expectation that the Commissioners’ final report will answer many of the questions which have hung like a dark cloud over the death of Dr Rodney,” said Ramotar.

It was noted that for these reasons that the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had commissioned a book to be written and a television documentary to be done

on the Inquiry.

“Strong umbrage”

According to the former President, he takes “strong umbrage” to the decision of the APNU+AFC Government to end the life of the Commission.

“I have no doubt that the Commissioners needed just a few weeks more to complete their tasks in a professional way. It simply makes no sense to bring the Commission to such an abrupt end to save a few dollars when hundreds of millions have been spent already and the Commission’s report will most likely be affected by the failure of the Commission to receive evidence from important witnesses who are yet to testify and from those who have testified already and who are to complete their testimony,” the press statement read.

Ramotar went on to say that he was aware that persons whose names have been called by witnesses in significant ways were to be invited by the Commission to make a contribution.

“The PNC itself may have been invited and

offered an opportunity to defend itself against some very damaging allegations. With the Commission now to be abruptly aborted, none of this will take place. I am, therefore, forced to wonder whether the decision to bring the life of the Commission to an abrupt end is one that is intended to avoid these witnesses from giving evidence and face crossexamination,” Ramotar said.

Meanwhile, the former President also stated that he was satisfied that history would record that the PPP/C Government established a credible CoI into the death of Dr Rodney and that it was a government comprising the PNC + AFC + WPA among others that killed that inquiry.

“At the time when this took place, they together formed a Government. I am also satisfied that enough evidence has been made public in this Commission for the people to draw their own conclusion regarding who were responsible for the death of Dr Walter Rodney. Nothing can change that,” he added.

Problems of rice industry could be overcome – President Granger

By Vahnu Manikchand

Despite there being no replacement for the 200,000-plus-tonne Venezuelan rice market, President David Granger on Monday told a conference of farmers and millers that while the local rice industry was currently facing many challenges, it was not in crisis.

He was at the time addressing the National Rice Industry Conference, which was held under the theme “Sustainable Development amidst challenges” at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre. The Conference was one of the promises the governing party had made in its 100-Day Plan.

The President acknowledged that there were challenges facing the industry, but urged stakeholders not to believe that it was on the verge of collapsing. “Rice is not in crisis! We do have challenges yes, but we must disabuse ourselves of the view that the industry is at the point of collapsing. It does face challenges because of years of neglect, institutional decay and some bad decisions, but we must make those challenges into opportunities for change,” he posited.

According to the Head of State, his Administration wants to bring an end to the anxieties and apprehensions of stakeholders in rice production. He outlined that the problems in the industry could be overcome by cooperation and not confrontation. The President stated that the conference provides a

Professor Clive Thomas appointed Chairman of GuySuCo

Renowned economist, Professor Clive Thomas has been appointed Chairman of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), replacing Shaik Baksh as the new Government commences the herculean task of reforming the sector and turning around the fortunes of the ailing sugar company.

rice remained a major export commodity and a significant earner of foreign exchange as export earnings have increased to more than US$250 million annually

forum not only to strengthen relations, but to also hold consultations between the Administration and stakeholders in order to overcome these challenges.

Granger is adamant that the woes of the industry can be overcome while expressing his confidence in its future. He outlined that growth in the industry remained buoyant and while last year’s production showed that Guyana almost reached the million-tonne mark, the country is still a “minor producer” on the international scene. On this note, the President underscored the need to make the local rice industry more competitive in order to broaden its marketing potential on the international market.

“There are competitors out there; we are not alone, we are not fighting among ourselves.

We have to compete against larger and more efficient producers. Historically, rice has been resilient… it has survived floods, it has survived droughts, it has survived pests but it will not be able to survive volatile international markets unless we bring changes into the industry,” he noted.

New markets

According to Granger, Guyana’s internal market is far too small to absorb the quantity of rice being produced. He further declared that the country was unique in paddy production as it exported over 75 per cent of what it produced to some 40 countries around the world; however, those markets were not secure.

“We will have to continue to find new markets. This Administration

Thomas, who is also Presidential Adviser on Sustainable Development and Economic Affairs, is also one of the commissioners of the recentlylaunched Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo. Commentators say that Thomas brings to the post a wealth of experience having written extensively on sugar reform over the years. He has also with him on the board noted sugar experts Earl John, former Human Resources Director of GuySuCo and Anthony Vieira, former shareholder of Houston/Versailles estates and a manager in the industry.

The board will sit for one year with its appointment date listed as July 1. The other named members are: General Secretary of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) Seepaul Narine; Adrian Anamayah; Louise Bouyea and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, George Jarvis.

The board will also comprise representatives of the PPP/C and the Attorney General Chambers as well as the Corporation’s Corporate Secretary.

Back on June 4, the David Grangerled Administration terminated the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

of GuySuCo, Dr Raj Singh with immediate effect and instructed the members of the former Board to tender their resignations. In a statement then, the Government said that GuySuCo has been suffering increased losses over the years, noting that in 2014, the Sugar Corporation received a Gy$6 billion bailout. For this year, the Corporation has requested a Gy$16 billion bailout package. “On the directive of Cabinet, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder issued the letter of dismissal to Dr Singh and it took immediate effect.

The Board was chaired by former Government Minister Baksh and included: Dunstan Barrow, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Linden Enterprise Network (LEN); Dr Dindyal Permaul, Chief Executive Officer, Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA); Keith Burrowes, Executive Chairman, Board of Directors, Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest); Badri Persaud, Managing Director, Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) and Geeta Singh-Knight, and Dr Raj Singh who sat on the Board as an ex-officio member.

Over the years, GuySuCo has been “sinking further into debt due to ineffective operations both at the financial and production levels”. Government said to ensure that the Corporation continued to survive, it would be putting in place an Interim Management Committee that would oversee the Corporation for at least six months.

US wants Guyana to jail human traffickers

…up financing for anti-TIP crusaders

The United States Government has once again called on Guyana to vigorously convict and hold human traffickers accountable, appealing to the David Granger-led Administration to provide more funding for organisations that help fight against the global crime.

In its 2015 Trafficking In Persons (TIP) report, Washington called on this country to: “Vigorously investigate and prosecute sex and labour trafficking cases and hold convicted traffickers accountable with time in prison that is commensurate with the severity of the crime; [and] provide increased funding for [NonGovernment Organisations] NGOs to identify and assist victims.”

should develop and publicise written standard operating procedures to guide and encourage front-line officials – including Police, health, immigration, labour, mining, and forestry personnel to identify and protect victims of forced labour and forced prostitution. While urging

from three years’ to life imprisonment.

“These penalties are commensurate with penalties prescribed for other serious crimes, such as rape.”

However, the US said weak law enforcement efforts hindered the process of holding traffickers accountable.

The Combating Trafficking of Persons Act of 2005 prohibits all forms of trafficking and prescribes sufficient stringent penalties ranging from three years’ to life imprisonment

The US said too that efforts must be made to investigate, prosecute, and convict Government officials complicit in trafficking; make additional efforts to enable victims to appear in court and testify against traffickers in a way that does not further endanger victims and develop child-sensitive investigation procedures and court procedures that protect the privacy of children and minimise their re-traumatisation.

Additionally, the US said in partnership with NGOs, Government

that it does not punish victims for crimes committed as a result of being subjected to human trafficking, the US recommended, Government offer increased protection and assistance for victims near mining communities.

Prosecution Regarding prosecution, Washington said law enforcement efforts remained insufficient, noting that the Combating Trafficking of Persons Act of 2005 prohibits all forms of trafficking and prescribes sufficient stringent penalties ranging

It noted that between April 2014 and January 2015, the Government investigated seven trafficking cases involving an unknown number of suspects and prosecuted four suspected traffickers.

“Information on the distribution of sex and labour trafficking cases was unavailable. The Government convicted one trafficker, compared with three in 2013. The convicted trafficker was a Police Officer sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for child sex trafficking; he was ini-

continued on page 17

Cops continue hunt for suspects in sex worker’s murder

The Guyana Police Force has issued wanted bulletins for the two men who were implicated in the murder of Nephi Luthers, a sex worker who was gunned down on Wednesday at Carmichael and Quamina Streets, Georgetown.

One of the men has been identified as 42-year-old Ron Forde called “Andel” of Lot 19 Meadow Bank, East Bank Demerara and of Lot 31 Rahaman’s Park, EBD, while the other is 24-year-old Kanand Ojha of Lot 2 First Street, Meadow Bank, EBD.

Luthers, 20, of ZZ Durban Street, Wortmanville, was shot once to his chest during a confrontation with Ojha and Forde.

It is believed that on the night of the shooting, Ojha left the Guyana National Stadium and went in the vicinity of the St George’s Cathedral, where he paid a sex worker Gy$5000 to perform a sex act.

During the act, he was reportedly relieved of his personal belongings. After the act was completed, he left in his motor car, but sub-

sequently realised that his phone and cash were missing.

Ojha, from reports received, collected Forde and went back to the location where they confronted Luthers, but he denied doing business with the man, which resulted in an argument.

During the argument, the client reportedly told Luther “You have to give back the thing”, but in response, the commercial sex worker said: “Me ain’t been with you”. At this time, the client’s friend allegedly pulled out the gun and pulled the trigger, shooting Luthers to his chest.

The sex worker fell to the roadway and the two men fled the scene. Luthers’ colleagues picked him up and rushed him to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. From all indications, Luthers was mistaken for someone else.

Bandits steal $millions from West Coast home

…Police arrive 3 1/2 hrs after numerous calls

Bandits on Saturday evening burglarised a Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara home carting off millions in cash and other items while the occupants were at a family function a few villages away.

The men, from all indications, entered the house by removing several louver panes from one of the bedroom windows on the upper flat of the house located at Lot 7 Kastev, Meten-Meer-Zorg.

The house is owned by hairdresser Geeta Nadiram whose Canada-based daughter is visiting along with several relatives from Wakenaam, Essequibo.

According to reports received, Nadiram left home about 22:00h for Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo for a wedding and when she returned a few hours later, she was greeted by a ransacked house. Upon checking, she realised the house was bro-

ken into, and further checks revealed that four iPods, Cdn$300 and over $1 million in Guyanese currency were

missing among other items.

Speaking with this newspaper from her home on Sunday morning, the dis-

Marketing consultant appointed Chairman of rice board

…other boards in Agri Sector appointed

By Vahnu Manikchand

Amid the uncertainty of markets for Guyana bumper rice crop, government has appointed Marketing Consultant, Claude Housty as the new Chairman of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRBD) – a move industry stakeholders said gives a clear indication that the administration will be focusing heavily on trying to sell the product.

There is also indication that Marketing executive, Nizam Hassan is tipped to be the next General Manager of the board. The former chairman of GRDB was Badri Persaud. Government had announced that there would be a total shakeup of the GRBD and as part of its reforms, would appoint both farmers and exporters to sit on the rice board.

Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder told a conference on Monday that the members have been appointed and their names gazetted. Currently, Housty is also a member of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), tasked with responsibility in the area of marketing.

The Cabinet has reviewed and approved the appointment of the new GRDB member who will preside over the period covering July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016. In addition to Housty as the Chairman, the following persons have been appointed new

members: Dr Peter De Groot; Rajindra Persaud; Jinnah Rahaman; Naith Ram; George Seales; Ricky Roopchand; Leakha Rambrich; Rajdai Jagernauth; Cecil Seepersaud; Dr O. Homenauth; and John Tracey, CEO of GBTI. The 13th spot was given to the General Manager of GRDB who will sit as an ex-officio member of the Board. While no name was listed, this newspaper was informed that former Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) General Manager Nizam Hassan has been appointed acting head of the GRDB, replacing Jagnarine Singh who resigned his post last month after serving in that capacity for 15 years.

Several other boards

On the other hand, the Agriculture Minister also managed to get Cabinet’s approval for several other State Boards under the umbrella of the Agriculture sector such as the National Drainage

tressed woman stated that she arrived home from work about 21:00h and left about 22:00h for Tuschen, to attend a weeding. She noted that on account of her working all day, she decided to leave the wedding house a little early with her daughter for home.

As she arrived home, she tried to open one of the doors, but she realised that it was locked from inside, so she went to another door and as she opened it, she saw the place had been ransacked and immediately raised an alarm.

In fear she rushed to the area where she kept the money and other valuables – everything was gone. Her daughter’s room and personal belongings were also tumbled.

Nadiram stated that they contacted the Police, but were told that there were no vehicles available, since the ranks were out responding to several reports of noise nuisance.

The woman stated that they sent a vehicle to collect the Police, but after one and a half hour, the driver returned claiming that there were no Police available to accompany him.

At this point in time, they again attempted to get the Police to come, but the woman on the other end of the line could not say when the Police would be available to visit the scene. This publication was told the Police arrived at the home at 03:30h and took statements.

Nadiram was furious at the way the Police at Leonora Police Station handled the situation. The homeowner was later made to understand that several strange boys were seen in the village during the day, and she was in the process of getting a copy of the surveillance footage from a neighbour’s home with the intention of getting the images of the perpetrators.

US wants Guyana to jail human...

from page 15

and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). John Piggot was named the Chairman of this organisation. He will be presiding along the Chairmen of Region Two Devanand Ramdatt; Region Three Julius Faerber; Region Four Genevieve Allen; Region Five Vickchand Ramphal; Region Six David Armogan; and Region 10 Renis Morian, as well as Sirepaul Hemraj; Hemraj Ragnauth; Pastor Sewnauth Punalall; Victor Wilson; Walter Persaud; George Jarvis; Bernard Lord; Godfrey Vaughn; Rene Dewsbury; and Omadatt Persaud and the Chief Executive Officer as an ex-officio member.

The new members of Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) board includes: Michelle Johnson; Vilma Da Silva; Brian Sears; Rajdai Jagarnauth; Deodat Doodnauth, and Michalene Wilson. A seat on the board was allotted to the new General Manager as an ex-officio member, however no one has been named.

Meanwhile, Patrick De Groot was reappointed the Chairman of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA). He is joined by Rambhajan Ramlagan; Kari Persaud; Azad Habibulla; Eric Anderson; Roopnarine Matadial; Rickey Roopchand; Nigel Cumberbatch; Colin James; George Jervis; Cecil Seepersaud; Rueben Robertson; Aubrey Charles, and Nicolas

tially denied bail, but ultimately granted bail pending appeal on April 1, 2015,” the US report stated.

It added that in 2013, the Government released three convicted traffickers on bail while their cases were under appeal; these three convicted traffickers were still free on bail and had not had their appeals heard at the end of the reporting period.

In 2014 and previous years, Guyanese courts ultimately dismissed the majority of ongoing trafficking prosecutions, the US report stated, noting that the Government trained eight Police Officers on trafficking victim identification and case investigation.

It said law enforcement cooperated with the Governments of Suriname and Jamaica on four international sex and labour trafficking cases. Additionally, the report stated that a separate NGO provided housing and assistance to 12 victims of sex trafficking without Government support. “Donor-funded organisations provided much of the support for victims. In areas outside of the capital, NGOs provided shelter and assistance to victims, often in dangerous conditions, without any Government funding. Longer-term shelter and protection were not available in Guyana, putting victims at risk of traffickers’ reprisals as the Government did not punish most traf-

fickers with incarceration. Reports indicated identified victims were re-trafficked or became homeless after receiving inadequate protection services from the Government. The Government reported it was developing standard operating procedures to guide officials in identifying trafficking victims.”

The US said that victims often did not testify in court as officials failed to locate and inform them of court dates. “Victims also did not testify when they had no transportation to courts or could not afford residency in Guyana in the months before their court date. The Government did not adequately address this problem, which contributed to the low number of trafficking convictions. Guyana’s law protects victims from punishment for crimes committed as a result of being subjected to human trafficking; however, in November, the Government charged and subsequently placed in Police custody, a group of Nepalese suspected to have been subjected to trafficking while illegally present in Guyana. Government officials reported cooperation with NGOs to develop child-sensitive investigation and prosecution procedures; a lack of these procedures put children at risk of reprisal from traffickers. Guyana’s law provides relief from deportation

for foreign victims; the Government did not report extending such relief to foreign victims over the past year.”

Prevention

In the area of prevention, the US noted that Government sustained efforts to prevent trafficking, making reference to its ministerial taskforce, which consisted of representatives from multiple Government entities and two NGOs. It said a leading NGO that has played a significant role in identifying and assisting trafficking victims was not included, despite the organisation’s critical role in victim protection.

“The Government released an action plan to address trafficking in June 2014; however, it made uneven efforts to implement the plan. It conducted a variety of awareness-raising activities including distribution of posters at checkpoints in the interior, programmes at secondary schools, community awareness initiatives, and publication of a newspaper article in observance of Trafficking Awareness Day. The Government operated a trafficking hotline, but did not report how many calls it received. The Government did not make efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts or forced labour. The Government did not provide antitrafficking training or guidance for its diplomatic personnel.”

Nigel Hughes sees “nothing wrong” with representing self-confessed death squad member

Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and Attorney Nigel Hughes has defended his decision to offer his legal service to the selfconfessed death squad member Sean Hinds. Hinds retained Hughes as his Attorney before turning himself into Police custody for questioning into several serious crimes, including the recent stakeout of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s residence two weeks ago.

In an earlier interview with Guyana Times International Hinds had stated that he was waiting on his lawyer who was overseas before turning

himself in. However on Sunday evening, he disclosed that he met with his lawyer and a decision was made.

The following day, the former death squad member handed himself over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eve Leary, Georgetown, accompanied by Hughes. Attorney Hughes has come under much criticism for his decision, given his political affiliation with the ruling A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition. However, the experienced criminal lawyer maintained that he is merely offering

his services to someone who retained him.

Responding to comments of his representation being a “conflict of interest” in light of his involvement with the governing party, the Attorney told this newspaper “…I’m not in any Government office, I’ve never held any Government post but I’ve been a lawyer all my life”.

Furthermore, Hughes went on to say that he was retained by Hinds and has facilitated the response to the Police’s request for the man to be taken in custody for questioning, emphasising that it has nothing to do with his involvement with the

First Lady underlines important contribution women make to national development

First Lady Sandra Granger on Friday last saluted Guyanese women for their sterling contribution to national development, through the diverse roles that they play in moulding their families, communities and the nation at large.

She was at the time speaking at the Annual Women’s Empowerment Conference held at the Egbert Benjamin Centre at Mackenzie, Linden. According to a Ministry of the Presidency release, the conference, which was held under the theme, “Knowing your purpose” was organised by the Women of Mission International (WOMI), a non-profit organisation based in the United States.

The First Lady spoke of young Guyanese women who died at the hands of their partners long before they were able to realise their true purpose and reach their optimum potential; women who are lured into prostitution under false promises of employment; and teen mothers who are forced to drop out of school.

She informed that

nearly 25 per cent of babies in Guyana are born to women under the age of 19 and one per cent of that amount to girls under the age of 16. She noted that 88 girls under the age of 15 delivered babies last year – a clear indication of the level of statutory rape being committed. These girls, she said, are made to feel that their lives lack value and purpose.

“I believe that conferences such as this and the work of organisations such as WOMI can bring about the changes we need in our society by helping girls and women achieve their full potential… Every life has purpose and every life has value. Too often we as women undervalue ourselves,” Mrs Granger said.

During a panel discussion, Valerie Patterson, who is a Member of Parliament, spoke on entrepreneurship opportunities and financing for women. She said that women can be just as successful as their male counterparts in any field they choose. Patterson pointed out that in Linden

Government or politics. In the meantime, while many have criticised the Attorney’s decision, several of his colleagues are standing by his decision, positing that lawyers are allowed to take whatever cases that come their

way. Speaking to this newspaper, Attorney Glen Hanoman explained that despite his “character”, Hinds has a right to retain a lawyer of his choice. “Most, if not all lawyers have political affiliations but [this] does not mean they can’t practice objectively,” he declared.

Nevertheless, the experienced criminal lawyer stated that Hinds has publicly confessed and admitted to conspiracy to murder, an offence which persons are being jailed for, as such, he too should be punished.

Additionally, Head of the Guyana Bar Association Christopher Ram, also opined that

the Attorney has a right to be practicing his profession, despite his political affiliation. Asked about Attorney Hughes’ advice to Hinds not to respond to questions posed by investigators, Ram outlined that the Attorney’s advice would be based on instructions given to him by his client.

Over the past few days, Hinds took the country and Diaspora by storm after he made some damning revelations about major events in Guyana’s history and levied accusations against several ex officials of the Guyana Police Force during an interview the HGPTV Nightly News.

Samad to Govt: Don’t get sidetracked with the past, focus on the current issues affecting citizens

By Jillicia Pinder

Fmore women are heading businesses because they are known to be more prudent and can better interact with suppliers and buyers. However, there is still a huge equality gap that must be bridged, since women have to overcome the challenge of balancing business and family, she noted.

“The world needs women entrepreneurs and we must provide the necessary tools and resources to ensure that women-led enterprises flourish,” Patterson said.

Adding to this discourse, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Chairman Rennis Morian spoke out against the bureaucracy that prevented women from branching off as entrepreneurs and assured of the support of the Regional Democratic Council to prioritise issues affecting women.

The aim of WOMI is to develop social, economic, and educational development programmes for women of all ages, providing them with necessary resources to make them self-sufficient.

ormer Alliance For Change (AFC) Consultant, Professor Daizal Samad who had once declared that the coalition between the AFC and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was never going to happen is urging the new Government to pay more attention to current issues and not get sidetracked in “digging up the dirt” of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

He also said that he would welcome the position of Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana and insisted that he was not offered any job by the current Administration although he had campaigned for them.

In an interview with Guyana Times International on Tuesday, Samad stated that there were many issues that were affecting persons in Guyana and the Government was yet to take notice, leaving the citizens feeling neglected. Samad stated that the current Administration should not only look to the past on criminal activities that may or may not have occurred, as it was even more important to remedy the current situation and look to the future.

He stated that he understood the current Government’s dilemma, with the alleged misuse of funds by the previous Administration, but it still needed to communicate to the people and convey to them that they did matter and that

there was hope for them in Guyana. “Let them know what is going to happen and when, and strive towards that goal for a better Guyana.”

An example of those suffering are Berbicians, explained Samad, as there were many issues that this county faced on a daily basis. He added that there was tremendous suffering in Berbice. “With that suffering, I really do not see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The former AFC member shared that the most prevalent issue in the county is the issue of starvation, which he knew of firsthand. Samad said additionally, many persons have to travel long distances for water, and the county also faced power outages. He also mentioned that crime in the area was at an all-time high, as the people have become desperate in their will to survive. He said to make matters worse, there were no jobs in the county whatsoever. He shared that he had broached the idea of establishing job banks in

all 10 regions, but that was yet to be taken up. Willing to serve Meanwhile, since resigning as Director of the UG Tain Campus, Samad said he has been unable to find employment and he has offered his services to the new Administration. He mentioned that he had shared his desire to serve in any area of Government, including technology, education, energy, drainage and irrigation.

Samad’s name was mentioned as one of the possible candidates for the post of UG Vice Chancellor and when asked about this, he shared that he thought the position was a “hand in glove fit” for himself. He added that he has done the exact same job in Malaysia, South East Asia, Africa and the Middle East and to some extent in Canada, and was more than qualified to do the same in his home country.

He added that if given the chance to be Vice Chancellor of the University, he would accept in a heartbeat, as he was very sure that he could turn UG into a world-class learning institution in no time. He stated that the move to a better university is about ideas and the implementation of these ideas and not “skulduggery or tomfoolery”. He further added that leaders were sometimes too self-serving and self-centred, and in some cases, lacked the imagination to help a country grow. He shared that the same applies for UG.

Need for increased focus on the education sector – Minister Roopnaraine

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has disclosed that the reports coming in from the school audits demonstrate the need for Government to place special focus on the education sector.

The Education Ministry earlier this month had launched a countrywide environmental audit of all public

last week. “It’s an area of work that is very challenging but will have to be done,” Roopnaraine continued.

“If we don’t get education right, we will get nothing right. All other ministries will have to be depending on this Ministry to produce the great minds,” he noted, relating that many schools needed invigorating

tions are good, he would prefer to sit with the Union so that they could both settle on some policies.

The Education Minister was responding to questions on whether he has considered the requests being made by the Union.

schools, which was aimed at ascertaining the infrastructural and other physical needs of each school. Dr Roopnaraine said the audits were critical to the implementation of strong evidence-based national policies. So far, the Ministry has received eight reports. Two regions are still outstanding.

“Those that have come in so far are what we had expected. The system is creaking, many are on life support,” he commented when asked for an update on the investigation late

and renewing.

The Minister said the Ministry was still working to establish the Commission of Inquiry into the sector, highlighting that the school audits would be fielded into the CoI, since it will give an indication of what has been happening in the public schools across the country.

Meanwhile, Roopnaraine said that he has already looked at the list put forward by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), and while the expecta-

The GTU has raised several concerns with both the current and previous Governments, ranging from unconducive work environments, to better wages and proper protection for teachers.

“The GTU is the first group I met with since taking office and they put forward their concerns. My own attitude to the Union is that they should sit with me so that policies could be formulated. So that when teachers are in the classroom and their members are operating the educational mandate, they would be implementing policies that they have contributed to,” Roopnaraine explained.

He said he has already told the GTU that it needed to identify persons to work along with educational officials at the Ministry, so that there could be an enhancement of the work.

Border controversy: Handing out ID cards won’t

help, says Greenidge

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has broken his silence on plans by Venezuela to issue Identification Cards to the estimated 200,000 inhabitants of Essequibo county, as a part of its massive plan to gain ownership of the region.

Minister Greenidge indicated that this move would definitely not give the Spanishspeaking nation any standing in the ongoing controversy.

Venezuela in the final years of the 1800s had signed a treaty with Britain in which it had agreed to accept as final the decision made by an international arbitration panel which in 1899 unanimously settled the border as it is today.

Greenidge, during an interview on a radio broadcast on Sunday, explained that the award of citizenship to Guyanese is “open to any country” and it does not mean that Venezuela can “deem claim to the territory”.

In fact, Greenidge pointed out that the Venezuelan officials cannot step foot in Guyana to conduct this activity and he highly doubted Guyanese “will be willing to run the gamut of the Venezuelan military” to secure ID cards.

“The point is this, if you are so desperate that you need to be issuing ID cards to foreign citizens, then good luck to you,” the Minister retorted to Venezuela.

According to Venezuelan reports, in the coming days, its Government intends to launch a diplomatic offensive to gain ownership of the western Essequibo area.

The plan is dubbed a diplomatic approach to “recover” the geographical space that Venezuela claims. With Guyana’s resistance growing stronger, Venezuela has seemingly decided to intensify its efforts to steal the country’s territory. According to the reports, other aspects of the plan include having the border controversy taught in elementary and high schools and universities; having the issue widely broadcast in media located in bordering areas; and the launching of an awareness campaign to make Guyanese understand that the territory purportedly “belongs” to Venezuela.

Political activist blasts APNU+ACF

Govt for sacking “young professionals”

Former President of the Guyana Trade Unions Congress (GTUC) and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Gillian Burton expressed utter incredulity over the rationale given by Minister of State Joseph Harmon regarding the sacking of over 40 individuals who were employed under the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project.

Harmon, during a public meeting at the Stabroek Market Square on Friday, told the gathering that the Government fired the employees because “there was no work for them to do” and it was not wise to have so many persons employed under a project which really did not require that magnitude of a workforce.

However, Burton took to social media to express her dissatisfaction with the move to fire the professionals and ridicule Harmon’s justification of the decision.

“Mr Harmon’s utterances are riddled with inaccuracies as it relates to the operations of OLPF…Mr Harmon never addressed the

staff of OLPF during his visit there, he was more or less on a walkthrough of the facilities, during which time he spoke to individuals in their respective departments, and after his visit no one mentioned having been told those comments.

“Mr Harmon must be truthful and state that the main reasons for the hurried closure of the OLPF project is: 1- the final batch of laptops will not be distributed in the same framework as it

was done by the PPP/C Administration…2there is the urgent need for office space to house sections of this administration such as the Youth Empowerment Programme and… 3-the most important aspect is that the majority of those sent packing are known supporters of the PPP/C,” she posted.

Further, Burton pointed out that the only person to address all staff was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry

of the Presidency, Omar Shariff, and it was he who delivered the news of the termination.

Moreover, Burton argued that the problem really is not what was done but rather the manner in which it was executed. “The competent staff of OLPF, 95 per cent of whom are young qualified Guyanese were fully aware that being employed on a project had its defined operational schedule such as a close out time frame. However, what is offensive is the fact that after May 11, 2015, no one sought to engage the staff as it relates to the way forward for the project. Hence, they were all left in a state of uncertainty. The only hint that something was afoot was the constant charade of government officials that kept visiting the OLPF office within recent weeks,” she said.

In fact, Burton insisted that it was “clearly obvious” that the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change coalition had no intentions of keeping the OLPF project.

“After all, it’s a Bharrat Jagdeo initiative,” she said.

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Waldron as members. Monique Ifill was appointed Secretary to the board. The Mahaica/ Mahaicony/Abary Agriculture Development Authority (MMM/ADA) has 14 members with Dr Kenneth Sealey as the Chairman. The other members are: Aubrey Charles; Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal; Freedie Flatts; a Workers’ Representative; Dwight Waldron; Jennifer Wade; Milton Nedd; Kelvin Saul; Emerson Benjamin; Victor Wilson; Lloyd Moore; Wayne Vieira and Steve Jaundoo.

As it relates to the National Agriculture Research Extension Institute, Retired Major General Joe Singh is named Chairman and Dr O. Homenauth as the exofficio member. The remaining members include: George Jarvis; Dr T. M. Velloza; Dr Mahendra Persaud; Brian Greenidge; Wilmont Garnet; Gavin Ramnarine; Cecil Seepersau; Holly Greaves; Prema RamanahRoopnarine; Ricky Roopchand and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer as the Secretary.

In addition, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam was named Chairman of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) while current Chairman of the Guyana

Elections Commission (GECOM) Dr Steve Surujbally was appointed Deputy Chairman. They are joined by Patsy Francis; David Fernandes; Nizam Hassan; Prema Ramanah-Roopnarine; Denzil Roberts; Trecia David-Granath; Quacy Bemner; George Jervis; Jean David and Brian Greenidge as an ex-officio member.

Furthermore, Rueben Charles was also named the Chairman of the Guyana Fisheries Limited. He will be sitting alongside Denzil Roberts; Cecil Seepersaud; Walter Adams; Basil Blackman and Seepaul Narine, who is the secretary.

New members were also installed on the Veterinary Board of Guyana with Dr Colbert Bowen as the Chairman. The other members are Dr Mariel Savory; Dr Trebouhan Meghoo; Dr Colin James, and Dr Nicholas Waldron. Also re-appointed is the Pesticides and Toxic Chemical Control Board. The Chairman appointed is Dr Lesile Munroe while Kharma Sharma; Raghunauth Chandranauth; Charles Ogle; Shamdeo Persaud; Karen Alleyne; David Josiah; Lawrence Farley are the new members and Trecia David-Garnath the Secretary.

Build better community relationships

…Ali urges residents of West Berbice

TVenezuelan experts urge their Govt to move to ICJ to settle border controversy

he Social Cohesion Ministry launched its regional consultation exercise at Belladrum, West Coast Berbice on Saturday with Minister Amna Ally telling a gathering of over 60 residents that with Local Government Elections fast approaching, they needed to make the issue of development a priority rather than put race on the front burner.

munity level. How you relate to neighbouring communities, regardless of your ethnic background, is also important,” she said.

She explained that when individuals and groups fail to find common ground on issues that affect their development and when they are unable to resolve conflicts that arose from time to time, society would break down. In this

The purpose of this initiative is to engage citizens at the community level in a national conversation on the promotion of togetherness and national unity, one of the most important mandates of the Ministry, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a release.

Minister Ally explained the provisions of Article 149 of Guyana’s Constitution which prohibits any form of discrimination against any person on the grounds of race, place of origin, and/or political affiliation.

“Your relationships in the community are important. We want to promote useful and productive relationships within and among groups at the com-

regard, the Ministry wants to build trust among communities and for that to happen, there must be behavioural changes and the creation of an atmosphere of peace and acceptance.

Residents welcomed the initiative and recommended youth involvement and strong relationships between the community and its leaders. Belladrum resident Julian David said: “Residents need to have closer relationships with their [Neighbourhood Democratic Councils] NDCs and [Regional Democratic Councils] RDCs and more importantly, there should be no place for party politics in community development.”

Sense of belonging

He called for effective communication between

leaders and ordinary citizens saying it was key to ensuring that communities become more united. David said that often, leaders allowed themselves to become isolated by the office that they held and communities were left feeling neglected.

The outreaches are intended to be a first step in ensuring that communities work with their leaders to bring about social change. “I want to ensure that you feel a sense of belonging… in your country. We are all different, recognise those differences and respect them. Do not allow them to become barriers,” Minister Ally said.

The Minister is urging all faith-based organisations to get on board as the Ministry strives to find ways and means of eradicating discriminatory practices that have plagued communities in Guyana for decades.

Meanwhile, the newly-appointed Regional Chairman of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Vickchand Ramphal, assured Minister Ally that the Ministry would have the full support of the RDC in its quest to bring about positive changes.

Region Five Parliamentary Representative Jennifer Wade said that this initiative was one that was badly needed in the region and spoke about the longstanding social barriers between communities such as Hopetown, Bath Settlement and Bush Lot.

This outreach follows a consultation exercise with key stakeholders in Georgetown and is the first of a series of similar exercises across the country.

Venezuela is likely to move to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to settle to border controversy between itself and Guyana, once and for all.

According to Venezuelan media, tenured Juridical Sciences Lecturer at the Central University of Venezuela Elsie Rosales said the Geneva Agreement which was signed between the two countries at the initial stages of the border controversy, establishes several methods for the legal solution between the parties. Rosales explained that such methods encompass good offices, negotiation, historical investigation, mediation, conciliation and even litigation at the ICJ, once all the previous steps have been exhausted.

She clarified that if any of the methods is refused by either country, “the UN Secretary General (Ban Ki-Moon) is requested to make the selection and so on in each step.”

The Geneva Agreement, she said, is meant to settle the territorial controversy by peaceful means, and exhausting the methods is what applies, from the most flexible one to arrive at the last resort – litigation at the ICJ. “Venezuela is prepared to appear in the Court, I speak as a jurist,” the expert related.

The People’s Progressive Party Administration had already indicated that it was moving away from the UN Secretary General Good Offices process and was elect-

ing to go to the ICJ to resolve the controversy.

The new A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change Administration of Guyana had adopted this approach.

Another Venezuelan expert on international law, Attorney Eduardo Trujillo Ariza, said Venezuela can resort, in agreement with Guyana and within the framework of the Geneva Agreement, to the ICJ, but not only to resolve the controversy on the territory but to interpret the agreement.

Trujillo also said Venezuela should move forth and swiftly with the distribution of identification document and welfare programmes to the people born in the Essequibo as they are true “Venezuelans by birth”.

The lawyer, in a sense, is lobbying for his Government to establish an expert committee to work on this cause for the next couple of years. In addition, he suggested that Venezuela form an international movement with its neighbours as its main allies, particularly

Brazil.

“It is unthinkable that a Foreign Ministry as expert as that of Brazil is not to back us,” Trujillo said, adding that the Government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro did the right thing by seeking support from the Common Market of the South (Mercosur).

“Venezuela has to get ahead legally in the case with Guyana, but should combine political and diplomatic actions to make it”, he insisted. It should be noted that the Government of Maduro has insisted to the UN Secretary General that it wants the Good Offices process to continue. It should be noted too that Venezuela and Guyana have completely opposed positions as what the Geneva Agreement entails.

Venezuela and Venezuelans contend that the actual Arbitral Award of 1899 must be reviewed, while Guyana holds that the controversy to be settled is whether revelations issuing four decades after the Award have any effect on its legality.

Declining Gold prices: Guyanese small miners stand to lose most

As gold prices continue to steadily tumble, with a drastic drop to US$1094.5 per ounce, the livelihood of over 100,000 Guyanese are at stake.

Experts have already predicted that gold prices will continue to slump, hitting more than a five year low with a high possibility that the precious metal could plunge to a detrimental US$1000 per ounce.

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has taken note of this grave situation, already foreseeing prolonged hardship for miners and a crumbling economy.

“Mining remains the largest creator of private

wealth among Guyanese and the current slump, if not checked, will result in poverty for many,” the body said in a release to the media.

It noted that there is already a noticeable downturn in the economy of many hinterland mining communities such as Bartica, Port Kaituma, Mahdia, among others. Other communities such as Linden, Diamond, Beehive, Ann’s Grove, Essequibo Coast and other coastal communities where miners generally reside are also seriously affected as there is a visible reduction in the economic spending power.

Compounding the situation is the fact that, even as prices continue

to fall, the cost of production, particularly for the small and medium scale miners of gold and diamond remain largely unchanged. “At the current price, miners are finding it extremely difficult to meet their obligations and the sector is now plagued with repossessions, of mining equipment and property, and defaulting bank payments as many of the smaller operations find it difficult to continue to subsidise the cost of production,” GGDMA stated.

The Association reminded too that the current gold price, combined with the unmoved cost of production, put at a risk not only the jobs of direct employees, but also

the thousands of other Guyanese who indirectly depend on the industry for a living.

“The GGDMA recognises the contribution that these companies can make to Guyana, but notes that the thousands of Guyanese in the local industry contribute far more in terms of gold production, spinoff benefits and employment and should be entitled to assistance.” “Small and medium scale miners, for the past few years, have been producing more gold than is currently projected to be produced by the large scale companies.”

The new world market price could spell doom for many smaller operations which operate

largely through self-financing and on very narrow margins.

“The GGDMA members, who are mainly small and medium scale miners represent more than 90 per cent of the operations in the interior and almost all are financed via the personal pockets of the operators,” the release read.

Engaging the Government

In light of this grave situation, the GGDMA assures all miners that it is already engaging the Government of Guyana at the highest levels to discuss and offer suggestions that would ensure the industry survives these troubling times.

“The engagement is to be seen as proactive and aimed at preventing the need for any bailout as the industry is heading into a recession,” it noted. The Association added that it will actively pursue the long outstanding issues and concessions that can aid in cushioning the gold price drop.

In the meanwhile, the GGDMA is calling on its members to continue to examine methods of cost saving and increased efficiency without any compromise in safety or sound environmental practice.

The Association also reminds miners to continue to sell their gold to the licensed dealers or the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) and to demand a receipt for gold sold.

Indo-Guyanese victims of Govt’s “ethnic cleansing”

…NGOs, Human rights groups silent – ex-President Ramotar

The A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)

Government is not yet 100 days old, but already Guyana is witnessing ominous signs of racial discrimination and victimisation that do not spell well for the future of the country.

Amid these disturbing and alarming actions being carried out by the Government, human rights groups, the international community and the religious community have all been studiously silent, passively watching the Administration continue to discriminate against professionals in the Public Sector.

These are the views expressed by former President Donald Ramotar, who, in a press statement, detailed the many instances where he claimed the Government demonstrated clear signs of dictatorship, and highlighted that the various stakeholder groups were deafeningly mum during it all.

“Not one word has

been uttered by these organisations as the process of once more making the majority of people in this land second-class citizens in their own country continue unabated and is being done boldly and unashamedly.

“This despicable act is occurring in the full presence of the diplomatic community, some of whom profess to be champions of human rights. Today, they, too, are silent as the onslaught against IndoGuyanese citizens is brazenly taking place.

“The United Nations, also, has many offic-

es here in Guyana and they, too, have remained mum as this blatant discriminatory act continues. This body is supposed to be intolerant to any form of discrimination and should be the bulwark in defence of human rights.

“Another group that is being remarkably silent as the regime continues to purge the state apparatus of IndoGuyanese is the religious community. These groups continue to pray for those in authority, even though it is clear that the Government is practising racial discrim-

Son who beat mother sentenced to 18 months in jail

“Guilty” was the verdict handed down by Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday afternoon at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in the case of a son charged for beating his mother.

Magistrate Latchman informed the court that the accused 32-yearold Michael Williams is guilty of unlawfully and maliciously wounding his mother, Lucille Donlap. Thus, he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

The charge alleged that the Virtual Complainant (VC) was in the kitchen of her Cauliflower Street, South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown, home when her son came in and indicated his disgruntlement over an incident that occurred hours earlier. They got into an argument and he dealt her several blows to her head which resulted in her receiving a tender shoulder, swelling along her neck and a gash near her right eye with lacerations.

Donlap was able to escape the blows through a door that was ajar in the kitchen. She fled and went to the Ruimveldt Police Station where she lodged a complaint against her son. Williams pleaded not guilty to the offence, stating that his mother slipped and hit herself. He produced a video to the court to prove this. However, the Police Officer who investigated the matter testified to the defendant’s behaviour upon being arrested, what is known about the accused and produced the medical report from the doctor who discounted a slip.

The VC also told the court about the countless times her son raised his hands against her and the fact

ination.”

“It is time to break the silence,” Ramotar said, as he urged the aforementioned organisations to speak out against the Government’s attack on the hardworking people of this nation, who, he indicated, invested heavily all their time and energy into shaping the economy into what it is today.

Ethnic cleansing

Ramotar reiterated that the witch-hunt that is taking place in the various Government agencies is a form of ethnic cleansing as a vast majority of the persons sent on leave or being dismissed are Indo-Guyanese or are regarded as supporters of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

“They are being ‘discarded’ at a rapid pace. This campaign is being executed despite the fact that Indo-Guyanese have always been a minority in the public service,” he alarmingly stated, noting that it appeared that the APNU+AFC Administration was attempting to denude the

public service of IndoGuyanese.

“The accusation of racial and political discrimination being levelled against the de facto regime by the PPP certainly bears much merit,” Ramotar insisted.

Further, he said the APNU/AFC regime seemed to be determined to turn back the hands of time to the Burnham days.

“During the Burnham period, it took much more time to make every Government institution an arm of the PNC [People’s National Congress]. Indeed, it took years and only accelerated after the 1973 rigged elections. Today, the Granger regime is trying to achieve this in less than 100 days,” Ramotar said.

that she has grown afraid of him. She said the tendency to lash out has reached a point where he also assaults his siblings too. She informed the court that he was arrested two years ago for assaulting his sister.

Donlap declared that she was at her wits’ end regarding what to do with her son, stating that she has even wondered if he may be mentally unbalanced to treat her in such a way. However, she said her husband was the same way and that is why she left him in 2000 but indicated her despair as her son appears to be his “carbon copy.”

After hearing the testimonies,

Magistrate Latchman announced the guilty verdict. She said she believed the VC received no further injuries after she left home to go to the Police station. The Magistrate also indicated that it was Williams’ continuous cuffs to the VC’s head which caused her skin to be broken, adding that she believed his actions were “intentional and unlawful”.

Magistrate Latchman called the actions of the accused “unjustifiable”, stating that she places no importance on his testimony as the video taken by him has no date and could have been from anywhere.

In sentencing him, she considered that his mother had lodged a protection order against him recently and it was granted in her favour. However, Williams maintains that he did not beat his mother. In Court, he admitted that he has beaten her and his siblings in the past but he said that this was not the case on July 22. However, his pleas fell on deaf ears as the court had already handed down its decision.

One day after a young mother died after giving birth at the Georgetown Public Hospital, the Public Health Ministry on Tuesday morning commenced a threeday workshop on its Maternal and Child Health Expanded Programme on Immunisation (M&C EPI).

Speaking at the opening, Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton pointed out that a large portion of the national health budget is allocated for the procurement of vaccines and training of staff. This, he added, is important because every mother and her child should be given the best quality of care.

The Minister stressed the fact that there should be no maternal deaths or infant mortality. “Every pregnancy should result in a live baby and a healthy mother,” he said. On this note, he informed the gathering that for the year 2015, there has only been three cases of maternal deaths recorded, and though the Ministry is aiming for zero, this is an improvement. Further, he highlighted several areas of improvement in the health sector with regards to immunisation.

Minister Norton highlighted that Guyana now offers 16 antigens/vaccines and its coverage is over 90 per cent. Also, for several years, the country has not recorded cases of vaccine

“It is clear that members of the Guyana Police Force, who work road patrols, recognising the attitude of the Central Government towards Indo-Guyanese employees, take that as carte blanche to target road users of Indian descent. This was a problem in the past, but now it appears that the Traffic Police, sensing the Granger Government’s position, is discriminating much more openly,” Ramotar stated.

In addition, Ramotar reminded that the attacks, discrimination and marginalisation of Indo-Guyanese by a previous PNC Government led to massive economic decline and eventually the impoverishment of almost all Guyanese and as such, “it is time” to stop all forms of racial and political discrimination in Guyana.

“Such policies will eventually lead to social and economic ruination,” he predicted.

Moreover, Ramotar said these brazen attacks were being executed even by the Guyana Police Force (GPF). He referred to the recent incident where five persons, all of Indo-Guyanese descent, were charged for drunk driving, citing it as a clear case of racial discrimination.

“We should aim for zero maternal deaths” – Norton

preventable diseases, except for a few tetanus cases in adults, which were recorded more than five years ago. He added that in relation to the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) HIV/AIDS transmission, the country has seen a reduction to less than one per cent.

The Minister urged workers to continue to do their best and not to allow little hindrances to become an excuse for a child not being vaccinated. As he reflected on some of the remarkable efforts made by health care providers to ensure that every child in their catchment area is vaccinated, the Minister said that “it grieves me when I see little things like poor maintenance (of equipment) resulting in babies being deprived of vaccination… and this will be an

area that we will be focusing on.”

Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Guyana Country Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow who also addressed the opening of the workshop, noted that there has been slow progress in addressing infant mortality.

Further, he noted that worldwide, only 68.9 per cent of the babies are fully vaccinated. The workshop which is being held at the Grand Costal Inn, on the East Coast of Demerara, targets health care providers within the child health and immunisation field of the health sector.

It is a collaborative effort between several partners including the Ministry, PAHO, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and aims at bringing staff up to date with the achievements of the sector, as well as its weakness and the way forward.

The workshop will touch on numerous areas including, adolescence health, vaccine distribution, reporting of statistics, immunisation and the way forward. The sessions are slated to be very interactive comprising presentations from various regions along with discussion sessions. The workshop concludes on July 30. (GINA)

Harper not on list for diplomatic posting – Greenidge

Days after telling reporters about Ambassador Elisabeth Harper being considered by the new Government for an overseas ambassadorial position, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has disclosed that Harper’s name was not on the list.

During an interview on a radio programme, Greenidge said that he did not even know if the Ambassador, who was the People’s Progressive Party/Civic 2015 Prime Ministerial Candidate, was interested in the post. However, when asked about the reports of her being considered for a diplomatic post, the Foreign Affairs Minister again did not confirm nor deny that she had been considered.

“I’m not disputing that there are such reports, but I don’t think that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would have conveyed that information to anyone …We are considering many people for these posts. We try to look as widely as we can,” he remarked.

On Monday last, Greenidge revealed to media operatives that the Administration has been in talks with Ambassador Harper. “I, myself, spoke to Ambassador Harper a few weeks ago on a variety of matters including

Venezuela,” he told reporters.

Asked subsequently whether Harper was being considered for the position of Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela, the Foreign Affairs Minister said: “I’m neither denying nor concurring”. He added: “Everybody is being considered … I don’t want to say more than that.”

Guyana’s current Ambassador to Venezuela is Geoffrey Da Silva, who is still stationed in the neighbouring country in light of rising tensions between the two countries. Venezuela has recently renewed claims on Guyana’s territory.

Prior to her entering the political arena, Ambassador Harper served as the Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, a post she had held since 2001. She was also an Ambassador to the

Caribbean Community (Caricom) at the time of retirement.

Harper, a holder of the Golden Achievement Award, began her career at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in 1976 as a Registry Clerk, working her way up to Director General. She previously served as Director of the Department of the Americas and Asia at the Ministry from 1996 to 2001; a Consular at the Guyana High Commission, London 1991-1995; Head of the Frontier Division, Foreign Affairs Ministry 1990-1991.

Described as a distinguished public servant, Harper has been a member of Guyana’s delegation to various meetings of Caricom, the Latin American Economic System, the Association of Caribbean States, United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), among others.

Harper has served in several other positions as Non-resident High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago (20032015), Non-resident High Commissioner to Barbados (2004-2015), Non-resident High Commissioner to Grenada (2006-2015) and Non-resident High Commissioner to St Kitts and Nevis.

Govt says will offer protection for “Whistleblowers” …but not for persons connected to criminal underworld

By Michael younge

The new A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition

Government has made it clear that it will not offer State Protection to persons who are engaged in criminal activities or have deep rooted links to the criminal underworld.

State Minister Joseph Harmon on Friday told reporters that Government is prepared to offer individuals with information that would lead to the capture of persons who are responsible for serious crimes explaining that both the legislative and structural apparatus are in place to facilitate such a move.

“If people are prepared to come and provide information to us that will lead to the capture of these criminals and so on, certainly we will provide the kind of protection for them because people who give the information, what you call them? Whistleblowers…we will provide the kind of protection that is needed,” the Minister of State said.

Harmon’s statement comes against the backdrop of growing uneasiness amongst the populace about the sudden hike in criminal activity which is occurring as a result of a breakdown in law and order in several policing divisions in the country.

His comments are also coming on the heels of scandalous revelations made by self-confessed Death Squad Member Sean Hinds who have made allegations against several high-ranking officials and policemen seeking to link them to extra-judicial killings and criminal activity.

Hinds has reportedly expressed in-

terest in meeting with Harmon and the Government to share information that he says he has about the involvement of certain persons in the criminal underworld in exchange for State protection.

“Something got to set up before I talk to the police. I willing to talk to Mr. Harmon, I am no stranger to Mr. Harmon”, he said. He did not expand on the reasons why he is familiar with Harmon. He has also expressed fear that persons that he has and will expose in the coming days will come after him.

“When you mash some people toe, they will come after you. They will come after me, they will ‘try a ting’… they will come after me because I gun be mashing some people toes. If I don’t get to say what I want to say, tapes would be dropping off at different media. I ain’t stupid. I tired going down for people”, he is quoted as saying in another section of the press.

But most likely alluding to Hinds, Harmon made a distinction between “whistleblower so” and what is known in the underworld as “snitching”. He made it very clear that his Government does not support criminals or persons who have had their hand muddied by taking part in murders.

“Persons who are part of the criminal enterprise… involved or engaged in killing people… then they will have to face the music too. So we are prepared to give the kind of protection to persons who are going to give us the information that will lead us to the arrest of these criminals that will get to the intellectual authors of crime”, the Minister insisted.

Waddell’s execution:

Gym owner confirms Merai was exercising at the time political activist was killed

By Micheal younge

The owner of Body Image Gym has confirmed the alibi given by former Assistant Police Commissioner Steve Merai that he was exercising in the gym at the time the murder of political activist and journalist Ronald Waddell was taking place.

Aubrey Bacchus, who was both the 69-year-old owner of the residence located at Lot 102 Third Avenue Surbryanville, Georgetown and the gym located at the bottom, came forward to directly refute the information gratuitously placed in the public by self-confessed death squad member Sean Hinds.

Hinds had told another media house that he saw the retired B Division Commander in the company of another Police Officer identified as Patrick Denny at the scene when Waddell was murdered back in January 2006.

But Bacchus said that “Merai could not have been in two places at one time”. He insisted that the former Policeman was with him in the presence of several others at the gym working out when they heard what appeared to be gunshots. “I came downstairs immediately and asked Merai if he heard the loud explosive noise. I asked first if he thought it was fireworks and he told me no….it

sounds like gunshots”, Bacchus said when interviewed by the this newspaper on Saturday.

Bacchus also stated that while the men were in conversation, another hail of bullets were fired and activity in the gym halted for several minutes.

Asked whether he could recall the time Merai arrived at the gym on the day in question, the man responded in the negative, explaining that it was a long time ago. He did, however, confirm that Merai did not leave the gym and in his company until half an hour after the shooting incident, which claimed the life of the political activist.

“I jumped into my car and headed up Third

Avenue out of curiosity and then onto Sheriff Street. I noticed a police car in front of Mr Waddell’s home and then a crowd,” he remarked, explaining that he returned to his home soon after.

Bacchus said to his surprise, law enforcement officials turned up at his home the next day. “They told me that I needed to go with them because someone has made very serious allegations against me,” he recalled.

He cooperated with the Police and went to the headquarters to be questioned. When he enquired about the nature of the offence he had reportedly committed, he was told that “somebody said anoth-

er left the gym with a heavy bag”.

“Well, I said people come to the gym with bags. I do not know what they are talking about. I don’t know why they asking me that”, Bacchus said he responded.

They also asked him about his whereabouts while the shooting was taking place and he told them that he was at the gym and Merai could testify to that.

He explained that he was detained for about an hour after which he was released.

The Police never made contact with them again. He denied knowing Sean Hinds or ever meeting the controversial figure but expressed shock at his statements against Merai which he said were untrue.

According to Bacchus, Merai was a member of the gym for about a year before the incident took place and it was normal for him to work out on the day when the unfortunate incident took place as on any other day.

One columnist from another newspaper recently mentioned that he conducted an interview with Merai at the gym in Subrayanville. He confirmed too that Waddell’s partner, Bonita Harris, was also a member of the gym. Years after the incident, Bacchus sold his property in Surbryanville and moved to another location.

Driver remanded for Rugby player’s death

Adriver attached to Massy Gas Products who was charged for causing the death of a Guyanese Rugby player, was remanded to prison on Friday.

Greg Stewart, age 40, of 707 Caneville, Grove, East Bank Demerara, stands accused for causing the death of 19-yearold Dustin Crawford at Flour Mill Road, Greater Georgetown, on Wednesday.

During his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday, Stewart told the court that he was not guilty of the three charges lodged against him.

State agencies not cooperating with auditors –Minister Sharma

An apparent ongoing “dispute” between State agencies and their respective contracted forensic auditors is the reason for many of the unnecessary delays in the probe into the various Government agencies throughout the country.

Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma, in providing an update to Guyana Times International about the forensic audits, revealed that the major problem being encountered was the fact that officials from several of the agencies refused to cooperate with the auditors who were hired by the Government to conduct the relevant investigations.

confirmed that only the audit into the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was completed. Previously, the Minister had reported that the audit into the EPA revealed that there were numerous offline accounts being “unlawfully” utilised by the Agency as the revenues earned should have been transferred to the Consolidated Fund.

Asked if the audit into any other agency was completed, Sharma replied in the negative. “All of the work is still progressing, nothing is final…most of the contract is finalised and people are now starting to work … It would take time for things to happen,” he said.

Also, he is accused of failing to stop after the accident occurred, and lastly, it is alleged that Stewart failed to render assistance to the injured man by seeking medical assistance for Crawford.

The charges are all indictable but Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones applied to Court Two for an Administration of the Judicial Act so that the matter can be tried at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, instead of the High Court. However, Prosecutor

The first charge stated that on July 22, he drove a truck bearing registration plate GJJ 7168, with a tray bearing plate number TAA 2203, in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing Crawford’s death.

Greg Stewart says he is innocent

Jones objected to bail, stating that the defendant was speeding and continued to do so when he made the turn into the Flour Mill Public Road. He explained that the tray hit Crawford into the air and sever-

al feet away. It is the prosecution’s contention that Stewart did not stop when this occurred but drove on, thus crushing Crawford who landed in front the truck.

Prosecutor Jones said the Police have an eyewitness to the accident; stating that the witness was the person who called the Police informing them of the accident. After the accident occurred and the driver did not stop, the witness claimed that they went in pursuit of Stewart, getting a good look at the registration plates of the vehicle as well as the driver’s face.

The Police are conducting further investigations into the accident.

“We are satisfied so far that most of them now are on track. But in terms of engaging the various agencies, persons (forensic auditors) are complaining of a slow response by the agencies in getting up information. That is something I am not satisfied with … people in the organisations like the top brass are, somehow, for some reason, not cooperating as they should in supplying information, remember people depend on information to work, so if you can’t give them information, they can’t do anything,” the Minister said.

As a result of this conflict, many of the audits were being held up and the entire process ended up moving along at a slow pace. Sharma explained that when he received reports of these complications, he immediately wrote to the respective Ministers for them to intervene and ensure the necessary information was provided to the auditors.

Thus far, Sharma

Reports to the public Sharma explained that the audits were being done for internal purposes. “Our work is going to be that, as a new Government, we need to know what is happening internally within the Ministries … This work is for internal purpose,” he said. When the audits are completed, the relevant agencies would then be required to provide statements on the various findings. In their comments, the agencies are expected to state their agreement or disagreement with the findings and present the necessary evidence to support their position. When this aspect is completed, the reports will then be submitted to the Finance Minister Winston Jordan for review. Thereon, Sharma explained that the reports would be distributed to the relevant Ministries which would then decide if the reports would be revealed to the public.

Asked whether the audits have uncovered any irregularities as yet, Sharma said it is too premature to determine. Some of the agencies currently being audited are the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL); Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC); the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); the Guyana Gold Board (GGB); the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil).

UG reintroduces legislative drafting, legal education majors

The Department of Law of the University of Guyana has reintroduced three programmes to its academic curriculum with the aim of offering a wider remit of legal education for undergraduate and post-graduate students in the country.

The majors include a Master of Laws (LLM) in Legislative Drafting, a Graduate Diploma

Education will target persons working in the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Prison Service and the wider Public Service including Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chamber, Attorney General (AG) Chambers and the other various regulatory bodies such as the environmental authorities. The Magistracy and Judiciary as well

were previously offered years ago in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat. Mc Donald pointed out a major factor in the re-introduction of the programmes is the well-known shortage of draftspersons not only in Guyana but the world over.

Also commenting on the staffing for the programme, Head of the Guyana Bar Association,

in Legislative Drafting (GOLD) and a Diploma in Legal Education. The two courses on Legislative Drafting sought to provide skills and training for personnel in Guyana and within the Region as well as offer advanced qualification to professionals who are interested in practising in the wider Caribbean and Commonwealth. Additionally, the two programmes will see students being exposed to a variety of drafting styles and lectures which will allow them to select elements that best suit their national laws, and their own tradition, culture and jurisprudence.

On the other hand, the Diploma in Legal

as Non-Governmental Organisations such as human rights groups and environmental entities can also benefit from this programme.

The programmes were launched at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre under the theme “Enhancing Law and Legal Education for National and Regional Development”. These programmes are internationally recognised and will be offered in the upcoming 2015//2016 academic year.

According to Senior Lecturer and Head of the Law Department, Sheldon McDonald, the two courses in Legislative Drafting are actually being reintroduced as they

Christopher Ram implored the UG administration to ensure that persons of the right calibre were selected to deliver the programmes. “The challenge is going to be great…challenging in the sense that you have to ensure that you attract the right calibre of members for the faculty… It is very important that we attract that calibre of persons that would gain us the respect and the comparability with the courses that are going to be offered by the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies (Barbados). Then we’ve got to make sure that we can attract, retain, pay and resource an equal calibre of persons,” he outlined.

Region 10 closer to acquiring own TV channel

Head of the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU), Valmiki Singh has advised that the Region 10 Broadcasting Inc (RBI) could be assigned a channel for use as a regional television channel.

Singh gave the technical recommendations during talks last Thursday with former Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon, one of the directors of the new company representing the people of the bauxite community. The tripartite meeting was convened by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who holds the information and telecommunications portfolios. Singh has undertaken to make an assessment of the company’s transmission equipment, the

Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

In anticipation of being granted a licence to broadcast, equipment was purchased since 2012. However, the previous Government failed to honour the commitment made to Region 10 in an earlier agreement.

This significant development comes following the announcement by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon that the new Government would honour the 2012 agreement with Region 10.

The ownership and management of a community television station formed part of that agreement and the company was set up for the purpose of applying for the licence to broadcast in Linden and surrounding communities.

Consultations commenced over a week

ago and were initiated by Prime Minister Nagamootoo and Director of Public Information, Imran Khan. National Communications Network (NCN) Chief Engineer Dallan Harris provided technical advice.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo and Khan had earlier held discussions with Virgil Harding who manages the operations of Radio Paiwomak, the Annai-based community radio station. These discussions included efforts to strengthen the operations of Radio Paiwomak along with extending the broadcast range. Prime Minister Nagamootoo has indicated that discussions have commenced with regard to extending NCN Television’s range beyond Linden to hinterland communities.

Parliamentary Sectoral Committees: Govt to alter composition to retain control

After amending the Standing Order 86 (1) in the 10th Parliament to give it control of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committees owing to its one seat majority as the then opposition, the new APNU/AFC administration is now reversing the change with it now being in government, so that it can maintain control of the committees that scrutinize the entire operations of government.

Minister of Social Cohesion and Chief Whip, Amna Ally is to move a motion next week in Parliament to effect the necessary amendment.

Titled “Representation on Sectoral Committees”, the motion read that:”

Whereas Standing Order No. 86(1) makes provision for the appointment of the four (4) Sectoral Committees, pursuant to Article 119B of the Constitution, as soon as may be after the beginning of each National Assembly; and whereas Standing Order No. 86(2) provides that each Sectoral Committee shall consist of seven (7) members, three (3) representing the Government and four (4)

the Opposition, respectively; and whereas in this 11th Parliament, the Government is in the majority and the Opposition in the minority; and whereas Standing Order No. 86(2) does not represent the new majority reality in this 11th Parliament.

Ally’s motion urges that National Assembly amend Standing Order No. 86(2) to read that representation on the Sectoral Committees should be calculated in accordance with the seat allocation to the Political Parties in Parliament and that Standing Order No. 86(2) be amended to read that, “each Committee shall consist of seven (7) Members, four (4) repre-

senting the Government and three (3) representing the Opposition, to be nominated by the Committee of Selection. The Government and Opposition shall be entitled to elect one alternate Member for each Sectoral Committee.

In the tenth Parliament, the then government, PPP/C had argued against the change in the composition, since the APNU/AFC had proposed a 3/3/1 ratio with both the PPP/C and APNU entitled to three members and the AFC one.

The APNU/AFC opposition back then had used its majority to defeat the PPP/C government on a vote to determine the composition of the Committee of Selection. Then Prime Minister Samuel Hinds had proposed that there be a tenmember Committee of Selection with five members for the Government, four members for APNU and one member for the AFC.

Gail Teixeira at that time said that the issue is to ensure that there is a balance of the parties’ strength in Parliament and that it must be based

on the number of seats that the parties held in Parliament. The PPP/C had also accused APNU and AFC of using their one seat majority back then for partisan political interests and at the same was undermining the constitution and parliamentary norms and traditions.

The four sectoral committees – Economic Services, Natural Resources, Social Services and Foreign Relations – were formed pursuant to the constitutional changes of 2001 brought about by the Herdmanson Accord. They were intended to increase the input of the Opposition in governance in real time by having them scrutinize governmental operations in real time, unlike the Public Accounts Committee.

The Chairs of the Committees are split between the Opposition and the Government and are alternated annually. The government’s action in using its majority to tip the control of the committees might be seen as going against the spirit of inclusiveness the constitutional change sought to inspire.

Problems of rice industry could...

is committed to overcoming the barriers to market access. We want to make sure that we practise what is called economic diplomacy. We’ve been good in selling rum; we must also be good in selling rice. This Administration, through its economic diplomacy, will use its foreign service to continue to open new markets for rice. But more important, rice exporters must demonstrate their own capability, their own capacity to penetrate foreign markets for our rice,” the President remarked.

He went on to say finding new markets for rice was the most pressing of the many chal-

lenges that the industry faced. He stated that this needed to be addressed especially given the fact that paddy farmers have demonstrated their capability of increasing their production to meet demand.

Another issue, Granger highlighted, is the lack of storage in the rice producing communities. He pointed to the Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) area, where paddy was laid out on the corner of the roadway to dry with lorries parked, waiting to transport the product to the mills. He urged that this be one of the matters discussed and a resolution be arrived at.

Furthermore, the President stated that farmers must reduce their cost of production, transportation and storage. “All of these costs are too high and they continue to make Guyana’s rice too expensive and uncompetitive … We have to continue to find new ways to reduce production costs, otherwise we will lose our markets,” he underscored.

The Head of State concluded that rice was too big to fail and his Administration would continue to lend support to the thriving sector.

Guyana Govt mulls return of rice flour

As rice farmers continue to wonder about the future of the rice industry in Guyana, the Agriculture Ministry Monday stated that consideration was being placed on the possibility of mixing rice flour with wheaten flour.

Permanent Secretary George Jervis told the attendees at the National Rice Industry Conference that while Government was placing focus on such an initiative, there was nothing preventing the Private Sector from exploring such an idea as well.

These comments came in light of a rice farmer’s suggestion at the said conference that rice flour should be mixed with higher quality wheaten flour so as to ensure soaring production of the staple.

The farmer conceded that the mixing of the flours was a “ticklish” suggestion, but he urged the other participants to forget about the politics and focus on the future of the rice industry instead. “Our rice is going to Trinidad, going to Jamaica, and they mix it and send it back right here. We buy it and we eat it and we say it tastes good. Why can’t we do the same here?” questioned the farmer.

According to the man, if there is a mixture of 50 per cent of rice flour with 50 per cent of wheaten flour, such a move could result in the country saving foreign exchange on wheaten flour purchases. It would also help in securing a ready market for at least 400,000 bags of paddy or 25,000 tonnes of rice, he added.

Meanwhile, newly-appointed Chairman of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Claude Housty, stated that rice flour was healthier because of its higher digestable protein content, low calories and high fibre.

However, Housty explained that the low gluten content makes the flour difficult to bind and results in the flour goods being hard. “If you get health conscious go to rice flour, don’t worry with

wheat,” he said, while noting that rice flour has been used to make bread, pastries and even ice cream.

The GRDB’s Chairman urged that the country seek assistance from the Philippinesheadquartered non- governmental International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Global Rice Science Partnership to produce high quality rice, its by-products and valueadded rice products.

Since the election of a new Government in Panama, the country, which had been purchasing over 60,000 tonnes of rice from Guyana, has reduced its purchases. Venezuela has also cut back on the amount of rice it would usually import from Guyana. This has pushed farmers and millers to find other markets globally where the prices for rice are lower.

Red Thread pushes for Gy$15,000 uniform voucher assistance

One of Guyana’s leading NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) Red Thread is pushing for an increase in the value of the school uniform vouchers from Gy$1500 to Gy$15,000.

Government announced its intention to scrap the Gy$10,000 “Because We Care” Cash Grant initiative which undoubtedly benefited many children in the country; however, it was keen on sustaining the Gy$1500 uniform voucher programme.

With the phasing out of the cash grant, Government had noted that there is a high possibility of additional money being pumped into the school uniform voucher programme.

However, Red Thread’s contention is that the Gy$1500 offered is simply insufficient and cannot adequately assist a family to get a single child ready to return to school. “We appreciate the reported commitment of Government to continue the school uniform voucher programme and its promise to consider increasing the amount.

We would like the amount per voucher to be increased from the present sum of Gy$1500 to at least Gy$15,000,” the organisation said in a media release.

In addition, Red Threat noted that there were some issues with regard to using the voucher. “The voucher is used to purchase different school items, ready-made pieces of the uniform, uniform materials or stationery. Depending on what we buy, if the item costs less than the voucher amount, we have to take something else even if we don’t need it. We also have to pay the difference if the balance on the voucher is not sufficient to cover the cost of the extra item taken,” the organisation ex-

Young mother dies after giving birth at GPHC - relatives seeking answers

Another tragedy plagued the Georgetown Public Hospital after a 21-year-old mother died three days after giving birth to a healthy bouncing baby boy.

Akeisa Richardson, of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, gave birth on Friday last and passed away on Monday, for reasons unknown.

According to a release from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Richardson was experiencing seizures and was therefore immediately transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where she was being monitored.

However, she subsequently died. The release did not detail what could have caused her sudden death; however, it noted that a post-mortem examination has to be performed to ascertain what exactly went wrong.

This newspaper spoke with the godfather of the newborn, Jamal Mark, who was at the hospital at the time when the young mother gave birth. He explained that she was healthy and perfectly normal after giving birth but for reasons unknown, she fell into a coma on Saturday. “She was never

sick, never. The only sickness she was experiencing was the sickness that came with pregnancy. Nothing was wrong with her,” he contended.

He told this newspaper that when he received information about her demise on Monday, the doctor did not provide much detail about the situation. “We are still waiting on a response from the doctors because they do not believe that it was a natural cause. They do not believe that her heart gave out,” he related.

Meanwhile, Mark asserted that the doctor handling the case does not speak English fluently, which adds to the frustration the family is experiencing at this time. “I think

when you hiring doctors, especially foreign doctors, they should be vetted properly. I do not know what the process is, I am not a doctor but I think they need to take into consideration other people. The doctor that looked after Akeisa, he can’t even speak English properly so we couldn’t understand what was going on,” he posited.

Death rate

In the period 20072011, Guyana had a reported maternal mortality ratio of 86 deaths per 100,000 live births (this figure was estimated at 280 deaths per 100,000 by UN agencies and the World Bank in 2010).

However in 2013, the Health Ministry, based on the estimated number of births, recorded a maternal death rate of 79.7 per every 100,000 live births.

In 2014, a United Nations (UN) report ranked Guyana as the second in the Caribbean for the highest maternal deaths. Haiti recorded 380 deaths between 1990 and 2013, followed by Guyana with 250. The main direct causes recorded last year were mostly due to hemorrhagic conditions, hypertension in pregnancy, eclampsia and adverse effects relating to bleeding.

Business people’s uncertainty contributing to economic slump – Greenidge

plained.

As such, Red Thread recommended that there be an increased voucher and arrangements in place so that if there was a balance, it should be given to the customer in cash so she/he was not forced to make an unnecessary purchase.

Moreover, Red Thread said it was in strong agreement with recommendations made by other officials concerning breakfast for schoolchildren as many of them attend school in the morning without having a meal. “In 2001 to 2011 when Red Thread organised a literacy programme for schoolchildren at our centre, we were forced to provide a meal at each session after one child told us he couldn’t focus on the work because he was hungry and we realised that this was a widespread problem,” it pointed out.

Red Thread said that these little adjustments would help to ease the “already heavy burden” on grassroots parents, especially single parents. As such, it is calling on the Government to seriously consider the recommendations.

Businessmen’s uncertainty and lack of trust in the economy is a contributing factor to the economic downturn currently being experienced. So says Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, who has expert knowledge in the field of finance and business. Previously, many experts struggled to give reasons for the economic slump. Businessman and politician Clinton Urling recently told the Guyana Times International that “I would have thought that given the fact that the elections are over and we have a new Government, that consumers’ confidence would have been restored, but businesses, especially for the retail stores, is really slow. I don’t understand and I don’t have an explanation as to why.”

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin appeared reluctant to accept that economic activity was dwindling, claiming that this notion was just a perception and that there was no credible data to support this concept.

But Greenidge,

“Government’s spending is critical to any economy. So a lot of people are anxiously waiting on Government to make an injection” – PSc chairman Norman mc lean

who had served as Finance Minister under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Administration, believes that the economic downturn was more of a runon of what was already happening in the fiscal year of 2014. “After the budget of 2014, I don’t think the rate of growth has been the same because of the uncertainty as regards the date of an elections, the parliamentary standing of the Government, the disputes over the budget, a number of projects couldn’t go forward because they were cut, and the Government itself although it did go

spending in areas where monies weren’t approve, did not actually continue with the same rate of spending on capital as they had perhaps done in the previous years,” he suspected.

Greenidge, who is also a Vice President, assured that the Finance Minister “knows what he is doing and he is fully aware of what concerns exercise the minds of businessmen and the business community”. On that note, the Minister believes that businessmen were basically waiting to see what the 2015 budget will offer before they decide on their next course of economic action.

Emancipation Day events to look out for

The African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) is celebrating its 22nd anniversary this year and is hosting its 21st Emancipation Day Festival at the National Park on August 1, 2015.

This is ACDA’s first Emancipation during the International Decade for People of African Descent, which began January 2015 and will end December 31, 2024.

ACDA’s theme for Emancipation 2015 is "Rekindling Our Past Glory through Youth Innovation”. The subtheme is “Building Strong Families through Entrepreneurship."

These themes are chosen firstly in recognition of the importance of youths knowing the history and legacy of their ancestors who have been on Earth for three million years, as manifested by the skeleton of Lucy (Dinkenesh), and secondly the need

Movement, started in 1839. Freed Africans combined their resources to buy villages so that they did not have to return to plantation life and cheap punitive labour. Therefore, ACDA will honour the village of Wakenaam in Essequibo, which has a rich and interesting history.

The global African leaders being celebrated for Emancipation 2015 are Luzia, a young African woman whose skeleton was found in Brazil in 1975; King Tutankhamun, the “Boy King”; Marcus Garvey, who founded the United Negro Improvement Association just over 100 years ago in 1914; Imhotep, an Egyptian and black African known for being the world’s first multi-genius; Anesi and Osine Ikhianosime, teenage Nigerian brothers who built a mobile web browser alternative to Google Chrome; Winifred

tional performers, such as Blakk Rasta (number one reggae artist in Ghana),and Djoniba (African group from the U.S.A.); African stilt walking; mask dancing; dazzling dance performances; and a Surinamese cultural presentation: “fire eating. The local line-up includes Natural Black, Lisa Punch, Charmaine Blackman-Alves, First Born, X-Factor, Shontell Gittens (Jnr Calypso Monarch), Divine Stars, Mystique, Flame of the Hearts, Young Bill Rogers and many others.

The educational booths at the National Park on August 1 will feature ‘World of Africa’, ‘AfricanVillage Movement’, African hairstyles, African history, African music, African names and African inventions.

The Children's Parade and Fun Centre activities will include the “Hello Africa” Children’s

to build Guyanese families through economic strength via entrepreneurship.

Celebrating a proud legacy

ACDA annually celebrates an African country because most Guyanese of African descent cannot trace their ancestral roots to a particular African nation. Hence, ACDA chooses one country every year to educate persons about African countries and to remind them that Africa has 54 countries and is not a single country like China or India or the United States.

As is tradition, ACDA honours an African country every Emancipation Festival by building an educational booth for that country. This year, the country to be honoured is Niger (The Republic of Niger).

One of the greatest entrepreneurial acts by freed Africans in world history was the Village

Selby, a young Ghanaian entrepreneur who costarted Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative when she was just 15, and Michael Akindele, a 30-year-old Nigerian phone entrepreneur who has been making great strides in the mobile device market.

Emancipation activities

Emancipation Festival 2015's list of activities includes African Street Theatre, Main Street, (10am to 5pm daily) from July 27 to July 31; Emancipation Spiritual Tribute in collaboration with the House of Santeria (Bishop Irving) July 29 to 31 at the Square of the Revolution/ Cuffy Monument; Ancestors Night on July 29; All Nations, July 30; Folk Night/Emancipation Eve on July 31, and Emancipation Day celebrations on August 1 at the National Park, gates open from 10am.

There will be interna-

petition and the cassava pone eating competition.

Sports activities will include five miles freedom race, 75 balls circle tennis competition for area mix teams, eight-over softball cricket competition for area teams (males and females), eight-over tape ball cricket competition for area teams (males), five a-side and penalty shootout small goal football competition for area teams and under 13 years teams, five a-side small goal football match for females, domino competi-

tion for areas, 60 meters children’s race (boys and girls), 40 meters and 60 meters races for the blind, six-over cricket competition for the blind, five aside small goal football matches for veterans, and ice-cream competition for the children and the blind.

The teams participating in the events are from Georgetown, East Bank, East Coast and West Coast Berbice.

According to ACDA, the “aim of these events is to see the youths in action demonstrating their

skills in the spirit of the Emancipation season”. For more information on Emancipation events, call ACDA on 225-8420 or 225-8223.(Information provided by ACDA) Look out next week Sunday for our special 2015 Emancipation Day Sunday Magazine featuring interesting facts and details on Emancipation events (Cover photo: Dance performances would be seen at the upcoming Emancipation celebrations

Parade, and prizes will be given out for Most Creative Costume/ Float, Best Dressed Group Competition and Best Costume Display Competition. The Children's Centre will have folk games, face painting, storytelling, colouring and bouncy castles.

Fashion competitions will hand out prizes for Best African Dressed Male, Best African Dressed Female, Best African Dressed Child and Best African Dressed Family.

In the music, dance and poetry segment, prizes will be awarded for the group dance competition, rap & reggae competition, Shanto singing competition, drumming competition, Young and Gifted Performer (Male), Young and Gifted Performer (Female), and poetry competition.

Prizes will also be given out to winners of the metemgee cooking com-

Reviving the go-kart tradition in Guyana

The Guyana National GoKart Derby seeks to preserve and promote the fine tradition of nonmotorised go-kart design, construction and competition in Guyana.

The newly-formed organization began in May 2015. The first derby, which will feature nonmotorised, handmade go-karts, would be held Sunday, Aug 9, 2015 on the inner circuit at the National Park.

The Guyana National GoKart Derby was

founded by the Wilson family of Georgetownlocal company ARKW Trading, owned by Aubrey Wilson, and London-based Green Mango Media with managing director, producer/journalist Amanda Wilson and creative director Andrea Wilson. (ARKW Trading recently joined the importing and exporting trade between Guyana and the British Virgin Islands, with solid plans to expand in 2015.)

“We teamed up with

the Protected Areas Commission to revive the go-kart tradition in Guyana. The inner circuit of the park is an ideal location for a secure racetrack with ramps, buffers and catch nets/ ropes,” said Amanda Wilson in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine

Green Mango Media is based in London and has strong ties to the Caribbean. The company is behind the 2010 beautifully shot and painstakingly researched doc-

umentary “Noel Lloyd: A Patriot Man”, which profiles the Virgin Islands political activist the late Noel Lloyd, and the soon to be released film “Cuffy: Face of a Rebellion”, the story about the 1763 Berbice Rebellion and Guyana’s only national hero Cuffy.

“The Guyana National GoKart Derby was founded in tribute to the memory of our father Aubrey Wilson Snr, who sadly passed away last year. He was a very creative and active man and a big fan of building go-karts with us when we were small. It was a wonderful way for us to get together as a family and to do something fun and educational. We wanted to do celebrate his life in a meaningful way and we hope the derby will bring families and communities together,” Amanda pointed out.

Currently, according to Amanda, she and team are working hard to organise the first Guyana National GoKart Derby. They are running workshops to help people design and build their own go-karts, and are visiting communities to hand over gokarts that have been donated by sponsors from all over the world and ARKW Trading.

Wortmanville, Tiger Bay and Albouystown communities were the first communities to receive go-karts. More presentations will be made in the coming weeks.

“We are so excited about this first derby because we have had an amazing response on social media and some great support from communities and media here in Guyana. We are promoting the event as

much as we can to try to get as many young people as we can involved in what will be a fun day for all the family. It's about bringing people together,” Amanda said cheerfully.

There are four categories in the derby: 6 to 10 years, 11 to 13 years, 15 to 16 years and the Open Adult Race. All gokarts will be inspected before the race. All racers must wear a helmet and be fully clothed. Gokarts will start from an 8ft ramp and race to the finish line. The fastest racer will progress to the next round. Winners of categories 6 to 10 years, 11 to 13 years, and 15 to

have a gift for the faster female driver, most creative go-kart and lots of back-to-school packs and trophies and medals as well,” Amanda declared.

The Guyana National GoKart Derby has been working hard with the authorities and its generous sponsors to get everything ready in time for August 9. It is a big team effort - a lot of work goes into an event of this kind and so Amanda and her team are grateful for all the help and good wishes they have received so far.

“We wanted to do something to make our father proud. We know

16 years will race for the championship trophy and top prize – a trip to Kaieteur Falls.

“We have been working to line up some great prizes for the winners. The over fastest go-kart driver – the fastest child - will win a trip for two to Kaieteur Falls. It will be an amazing experience to see the beautiful Kaieteur Falls. We also

he would have loved to see so many people showing an interest in the event and in building gokarts with their friends and families. We want to preserve the tradition of making non-motorised go-karts, of having fun designing and building them - and then racing them, while promoting healthy competition. We want to bring communities and families together, and we want to make the Guyana National GoKart Derby a successful and significant event in our nation's calendar. We know August 9 is going to be a great day out for everyone. We have been overwhelmed with the response so far, and because of this huge interest, we hope to run regional heats, as well as workshops in schools next year before the big finals - so that the whole of Guyana can get involved,” Amanda disclosed.

Gates to the highly anticipated event at the National Park will open from 9am on August 9. Admission is free. For more information email nationalgokartderby@gmail.com or check out Guyana National GoKart Derby on Facebook.

The Shaping of guyaneSe LiTeraTure

Sankofa

PartII

By PetamBer Persaud

(Extract of an interview with Eric M. Phillips, based on his book, “Know Thyself A-Z”, March 2014, Georgetown, Guyana. Phillips is a civil rights and cultural activist who has visited more than 40 African countries. In part one, we discussed the golden age of Africa and the misinformation peddled about that continent.)

PP ….But something happened and changed all of that – it is called slavery…

EP Yes, there was a purposeful attempt to make Africans seem inhuman, that they had no real culture, that they needed to be saved. So during slavery, there was a period of misinformation that was funded by the private sector and the government so as to justify chattel slavery.

PP And because of this misinformation, Africa was called the Dark Continent. Referring to your foreword again, you wrote, ‘[S]lavery stole Africa’s light and replaced it with darkness’. And this book will throw some light on that subject. So please

open the true Africa to us…

Let’s start at the beginning, at ‘A’ - Aesop.

EP Aesop was African. People believed he was Greek European; he wrote 656 fables – we know of the dog and the bone, we know of the sour grapes, and many others but we’ve never learnt or

we were never taught to appreciate that those fables were written by an African, Aesop, out of which came Anancy, and Brer Rabbit etc. Those tales were moral education…

PP …with entertainment value…

EP…and we need to

get back to that especially against immorality we are seeing today. And these stories were written so very long ago.

PP Yes, we need to pay more attention to those high ethical standards and it is possible as you stated in your ‘Foreword’ when you discussed ‘Sankofa’- the mythical bird that flies forward with its head looking back . But back to the book, the next letter…

EP The next letter is ‘B’, and people were surprised when I chose ‘Baboon’ for ‘B’ but I wanted to use that to lead into mathematics because the baboon bones were used 35,000 years BC by our ancestors to count; the Lebombo and the Ishango bones were counting instruments.

Of course, the first book was written in China about mathematics but India during the days of early Hinduism there were two periods when mathematics was developed. But the baboon bones started mathematics and people don’t know this…

PP…interesting…

EP The Ishango bones are in a museum in Belgium where you can actually see them. From the

baboon bones and mathematics, I wanted to go into the pyramids because the mathematics of the pyramids is extraordinary. We talk about Pythagoras and Pi but Pythagoras were not in the picture when the pyramids were built. The pyramids are full of Pi’s so it meant that the Ishango and the baboon bones were used, and ultimately today, most people don’t know, that the father of the internet was a Nigerian named Philip Emeagwali, even though the US created the internet for the military but it couldn’t work until this particular gentleman put together 65,000 thousandmicroprocessors which were processing over three billions equations, and that’s what made the internet work and that’s why we have the internet today.

PP Fascinating. Fascinating like building the pyramids which was an engineering feat at that time…

EP …and even now they are trying to build a pyramid with all the technological advancement and they can’t.So that’s ‘B’. ‘C’ is George Carver and this was an incredible guy. He has three patents; he

took the poor peanut and created 300 products, he took the potato and created seventy five different products and he was one of the architects of soil rotation in the United States during slavery and discrimination…his achievements were monumental and so was his fame …

PP ‘D’ for Rudolph Dunbar a Guyanese musical genius; we’ll discuss in detail later…

EP ‘E’ for emancipation, touching on the subject in the United States and Brazil.‘F’ the Fulani – the women considers themselves to be the prettiest African women … PP …these in the photographs are lovely…

EP Then we come to the great Marcus Garvey…Next is Hannibal the greatest military leader and strategist. ‘I’ as in Imhotep – the father of ancient medicine and philosopher and poet…2000 years before Hippocrates

was born…

PP We’ll skip George James, another Guyanese, and return to those two Guyanese for a special session.

EP ‘K’ for Kemet –the first great civilization in Africa.‘Lucy’ was an incredible find. In 1974, the skeletal was found in Ethiopia of a female 3 feet 71/2 inches tall and weighing 64 pounds and when it was carbon dated, it was found this person lived 3.3 million years ago and therefore proving life came out of Africa… (To be continued)

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

What’s happening:The Guyana Annual Magazine 2014-2015 issue in now available at Guyenterprise Ltd., Lance Gibbs and Irving Streets, Tel # 2269874

Beautifying Guyana

The Guyana Beautification Project is an initiative for youths to aid in the rebuilding of Guyana by simply starting with a countrywide clean-up and beautification campaign.

The project was started May 23, 2015, by Clayon F. Halley, the Walter Rodney Youth Movement members and a few of Halley’s friends.

“While my friends and I were awaiting the election results, May 13, we started throwing suggestions around

paign across Guyana; to educate the public on proper waste disposal methods; and to facilitate public consultations,after which project members will submit to the government recommendations for solid waste management.

“Fact is we know that this project would be a challenging one and didn't expect success in the beginning, but surprisingly we have seen the domino effect of the clean-up campaign and a

in relation to what we would want to see happen irrespective of which party took office and the consensus was a clean-up campaign. The idea for a clean-up campaign came about because we were fed up of the fact that we dwell in a very nasty country and no one seems to be bothered,” expressed Halley in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

The project’s objectives are to mobilize young people to take on the responsibility of cleaning their environment and maintaining its cleanliness; to have a domino effect clean-up cam-

reduce in solid waste on the roadways and in public spaces, which suggests that we are on the road to our former glory as the ‘Garden City’,” Halley declared.

The project is designed in three phases: cleaning of public spaces (bus parks, avenues, main streets); cleaning of communities, which presents the opportunity to share waste disposal tips with community members; hosting of streetfairs and other activities aimed at dissemination of information and changing the mind-set of patrons in relation to how they dispose of garbage.

Also in this phase, the project members will be exploring a theory they call “Trash into Cash” - identifying trash that can generate income.

“We engage mainly through our activities; however what we have done to ensure that we maintain a solid relationship with youths and the public and allow members from volunteer groups and the public to be a part of our management team so they can sit at meetings and relay the info to their members/peers,” Halley pointed out.

The Guyana Beautification Project will be having its first Environmental Street Fair on August 8 at the Square of the Revolution tarmac. Halley and his team have decided to expand the event to facilitate a Youth Expo, in keeping with World Youth Day celebrated August 12.

According to Halley, the expo will celebrate the achievements of youths by having them showcase their businesses, products, services and talents. He added that the “expo serves as a motivation for other youths who may be hesitant to follow their dreams”.

Youth NGO's will also have the opportunity to display their work and their upcoming project/activities.

“This project has a one-year life span, but who knows? Come May 2016 we might still have a load of trash on our hands. In the future, we have plans for in-school activities, street fairs in different regions, and a‘cleaner greener campaign’ - just to name a few. Members of the public can help by volunteering for various activities, finding out what is needed for a specific activity and making a donation or by simply

supporting our fundraising ventures,” Halley noted.

The clean-up advocate urges people to desist from littering and to learn to keep their environs clean by simply starting with their yards, parapet and drains. He also encourages the public to plant a flower or fruit tree wherever possible. Halley believes if we all follow what he advises then we will have “a cleaner, greener Guyana”.

For more information, visit Guyana Beautification Project on Facebook.

St Peter’s Roman Catholic Church

In September 1872

Bishop James Etheridge SJ, together with Fr. Aloysius Casati SJ, journeyed to Beterverwagting to inspect a plot of land proposed for a church and cemetery.

Five years later, on June 29, 1875 the church was blessed and dedicated to St. Peter. The corner stone is still in place.

The first confirmation ceremony, over which the Bishop officiated the same year, accepted 120 supplicants to the Blessed Sacrament.

The parish and church has since changed hands over the years. They were under

the charge of Plaisance from 1877-1905, Buxton from 1919 to 1929, and then back to Plaisance from April 1929January 1930; back to Buxton from 1930 -1935, and returned to Plaisance from 1935 to the present.

Around 37 priests have served the parish over the past 130 odd years.

A school called St. Peter’s RC Primary was built next to the church and opened sometime before 1892. The church bell was a gift from parishioner Mr Francis Faria in 1904 and is still in use today.

Around 1920 the church was repaired,

painted, and extended to include an apse, an aisle with Gothic arches between the nave and the aisle, and a new altar.

Subsequent modifications occurred in 1948 with the building of the Lady altar and the altar of St Teresa. The church hosted a Scouts’ Jamboree in 1995.

According to the Guyana National Trust News Vol 7 Issue 2 December 2008, the parish community has celebrated the 50th, 75th, and centenary anniversaries of the church, and restoration works were to be completed for the observance of St Peter’s feast day of June 29, 2008.

Renovations were also carried out on the Catholic cemetery in BV in 2014.

On June 29, 2015, the church celebrated its 140th anniversary with

a mass at which Bishop Francis Alleyne blessed the former St. Peter's school building which held its second function since the return of the school to the church.

The building,according to the St Peter’s RC website on Facebook, would be a Parish Hall among which the Sunday School will be held.

Coconuts A ‘national conversation’ on pertinent social issues

By Anu Dev

When I was in primary school, my mom used to regularly douse my hair in coconut oil. I hated the smell and I hated the feel of the slippery oil on my hair and the inevitable tendrils of oil that would snake down my neck. When it was time for my hair to be soaked in oil, I pouted, I whined and I cried- you know those tears of anger and frustration that spring to your eyes when you know you’re being deeply wronged.

As I got older, my mom eventually caved to my whining and I no longer had to suffer through the horrors of the coconut oil hair treatment. Of course, for some odd reason, my hair was no longer as silky, smooth and luxurious as it used to be. Whether my callow mind just didn’t realize that it was the coconut oil that’d moisturized my hair, or whether I was just too stubborn to admit it, I’m still not quite sure.

But time marches on and there I was, my first year of med school, not quite pleased with my hair- still a bit too dry for my liking. So I hopped onto the Internet for a remedy to my ailment and angst. And lo and behold! All of the beauty gurus and hair wizards were extolling the virtues of coconut oil. “No!”I thought, “Could it be? My nemesis is to be my salvation?”

I came to grips with the truth of my situation and on my next visit, I sheepishly asked my mom to procure some coconut oil for me. To her credit, she didn’t say, “I told you so.”Just like she didn’t when I admitted that she was right about cod liver oil, vitamins and so many other things.

But yeah, though it might seem like it so far, this article isn’t about the trials and travails of my hair. It’s like the title says- it’s about coconuts. They’re everywhere! Coconut oil is being pushed as some sort of miracle liquid. They say, “Use it for you hair! Use it as a body scrub! Cook with it! Use it to remove makeup! Use it to heal sunburn!”And on and on and on the list goes on.

And imagine the Americans had convinced us a while back that coconut oil wasn’t healthy for cooking. And our local coconut oil industry collapsed under free trade in U.S. and European “vegetable” oils. After they had to reverse themselves, they then went into market the very same coconut oil!

Yes, we still manufacture some coconut oil, but unfortunately most of the ones I’ve seen aren’t as “pure” as the ones on the international market. Just the other day in Survival Supermarket, I saw a bottle of Crisco Coconut Oil- it looked amazingly pure. We really shouldn’t be importing that- we should be making that right here at home and exporting it!

Coconuts really do have a lot to offer- coconut water being one of my favorites. There’s not much that’s more refreshing than a tall, cold glass of coconut water on a hot day. And it’s good for you! It’s chock full of electrolytes and it’s healthier than sports drinks because it has less calories and sodium. And the branches of the coconut trees are used to make brooms! Coconut milk is used in cooking in so many cultures. Conkie, anyone?

And we have so many coconut trees in Guyana! We really need to do more with them. We should capitalize on everyone going gaga over coconut oil and market it like that. Make soaps, lotions, hair products- the whole 9 yards. And coconut water! Why are we importing canned coconut water?

The bottom line is that our entrepreneurs have to step up to the crease and the government has to provide incentives for them to bat on a more even wicket. Just think of all the jobs that’ll be created. It’s pretty coconuts that we aren’t doing more with our coconuts.

The Caribbean Voice, supported by Cara Hotel, Office Resources Inc. (a NYC-based business), Save Abee Foundation (a Florida-based NGO) will be hosting a timely national stakeholders conference addressing social issues such as suicide and various forms of violence.

The conference is described as a “national conversation” on suicide and related issues – domestic and other forms of violence; teenage pregnancy, rape and incest; alcoholism and drug abuse and family and relationship issues such as lack of empathetic communication, self-worth and self-acceptance with the hope that viable programs/ plans can emerge to tackle these issues nationally and that such programs/plans will foster collaboration between NGOs and private and public sector institutions and agencies.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Bibi Ahamad, Managing Director of The Caribbean Voice, said that “Guyana has the highest suicide rate in the world and evidence point to connections between suicide, on the one hand, and abuse, sexual crimes, drugs and alcoholism on the other hand. This reality is coupled with fact that there is no concerted action plan to enable redress and that whatever activism is taking place is done in an ad hoc manner with no mapping, follow up or long term planning/implementation”.

According to Ahamad, NGOs such as Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness and CPIC Monique’s Helping Hands are involved in some aspects of the event.

“Its importance cannot be over emphasized,

especially if the expectations are achieved: to enable a national, collaborative, concerted, long-term effort to tackle suicide and related issues. Invited are NGOs, some cabinet members, selected media, diplomats and international agencies as well as other stakeholders such as the police,” Ahamad mentioned.

There is no registration fee as the entire cost is underwritten by The Caribbean Voice and the conference sponsors, but seating is very limited so pre-registration is mandatory and attendance will be on a first-come basis.

Ahamad noted that the information/evidence gathered will be “used to drive dis-

cussions at the conference, towards arriving at planning and implementation in a concerted, collaborative, coherent manner so as to maximize resource use and ensure that the approach is truly national in addressing suicide and related issues”. For further details call 223-2637 or 6216111.

This week's Crossword

Deja vu…

…on political accusations

Seems that some people – especially politicians –never learn. When the PPPC entered office in 1992 after the first free and fair elections in 28 years, they promised “no discrimination, no victimisation, no recrimination”. Even though former President Desmond Hoyte had initiated mass “retrenchment” in the Public Service under IMF pressure (pretty much like what’s going on in Barbados) the PPP put a halt to that.

But because they felt the need to have folks they could “trust” in the upper, decision-making echelons, they did make some changes there. Trouble was, their strategy was poor- they waited too long to make their move. In these situations, if you don’t make your changes immediately, folks settle back into their “entitlement” zone. The PNC, didn’t waste much time, and under the leadership of a very acerbic and confrontational Hoyte as Opposition leader, accuse the PPP for engaging in “ethnic cleansing”.

Following, as it did, earlier accusations of harassment by the PPPC on the return of “state property” – notably cars, furniture and even drapes –the accusations set the stage for very bitter political engagements. Charges of the PPPC “taking away” land from PNC supporters and giving it to theirs at Boeraserie led to Hoyte going as far as advising them to “shoot to kill” if anyone stepped on their land. Hamilton Green, vying for the PNC’s leadership – on the platform that Hoyte was “too soft on the PPP” –raised the temperature on the East Coast by charging discrimination house lot allocation in “PNC areas”. Etc., etc.

This week's Puzzle

The problem in politics with this approach is that sooner or later, you’ll be asked: “Wah yuh gine do about it, budday??!!” You have to “put your money where your mouth is”. Or else you’re seen as a “Christmas blow blow” or, worse yet, as a “sell out”. Hoyte’s taking to the streets after 1997 can be seen as an almost inevitable segueing into actions to match his earlier, strident rhetoric. And of course that led to “slow fyaah…mo fyaah” and the cataclysmic events which occurred between 20002008.

Whether it’s a case of “abused opposition” becoming “abusing government”, or the PNC just wants the PPP to get a taste of what it felt it got from 1992, the wholesale firings and accusations of “stolen assets” are flying fast and furious against PPP appointees. But more to the point, the PPP has now defined the coalition government’s moves as “witch hunting” and “ethnic cleansing”.

Whether the PPP intends to go gown the post-1992 road already pursued by Hoyte’s PNC or not, we point out the results of “unintended consequences” to both parties.

Knock got knock back, no?

…on PPP’s leadership

Seems that your Eyewitness will have to revisit this (vexed) topic of Nagamootoo’s place in the PPP leadership once again. For years and years, the man who would be President – but is now PM without a portfolio – has insisted he was one of the “top” leaders of the PPP, which he joined right after he and Granger used to play marbles at Whim while in short pants.

Now unless Nagamootoo has lost some of those marbles on the way to “town” and long pants, how could he not know that the PPP was running a “criminal syndicate” for twenty three years – as he now claims?? Since he was a “top” leader during at least 20 of those 23 years, is he now saying such a vast undertaking was carried out without his knowledge?

That wouldn’t say much for the “topness” of his leadership, would it?

Or was he just a fella who let out hot air from his orifices, as his critics claim?

…on suicide

As the number of groups addressing suicide multiply exponentially, the suicide rates are keeping pace. Reminds this Eyewitness of the number of groups “assisting” Haiti – while collecting billions. But the country’s still as poor as ever.

A creative streak Natasha Azeez is a shining example for single mothers

Natasha Azeez’s resilience is indeed an inspiration to all. A multi-talented single parent who is known as folk character “Janie Gyal” and has no qualms about being a clown, Azeez talks to Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, about being a single parent, pursuing an art career and being involved in theatre arts while embracing her profession as a clown.

Sunday Magazine: What do you do?

Natasha Azeez: Some people call me “jack of all trades”, but I am a master of all. In addition to photography, video editing, filming, I am also a single mother of one daughter, an actress, make-up artist, face painter, henna artist, typist, can do all types of documentation, storyteller, puppeteer, clown, graphic artist, event planner/coordinator and co-facilitator of children’s’ art workshops.

Sunday Magazine: What motivated you to pursue an art career?

Natasha Azeez: I always had a knack for photography, but after I started working with arts lecturer at the University of Guyana, Mr. Michael Khan, being around an artist like him made me realise my love for the arts. After taking up the folk character of Janie Gyal for ‘Saturdays with Brer Anansi and Friends’ at the national library in 2012 and participating in the Inter-Guianas Cultural Festival, I realised that I had a natural talent for the arts.

So with the guidance and support from Mr. Khan, I got involved in acting and began getting creative with my hands. Ideas were coming and I had the opportunity to create, investigate, explore and experiment. I took a chance and found out I was a natural at this. There is a saying, “Find what makes you happy and you will never work a day in your life”, and that’s exactly what is happening with me.

Sunday Magazine:

Are you formally trained or self-taught?

Natasha Azeez: When one is creative, it is so easy to just try new things and it flows. We learn from our mistakes and move on. However, in art there is no wrong way, just different. In addition to that I did take designing classes when I attended the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama in 2013. I have a knack for being creative, new and different so this made it very easy for me.

I must also give kudos to Mr. Khan, also known as Ole’ Man Pappie. His personality, enthusi-

asm, generosity, guidance and support have helped me tremendously in achieving my goals thus far. I can always rely on Mr. Khan for guidance on an initiative if I’m unsure.

Sunday Magazine: Tell us a bit about working as a clown.

Natasha Azeez: I began working as a typist for Mr. Khan about six years ago, then one day, I had the opportunity to assist Mr. Khan at a birthday party and found that I had really enjoyed working with them. Even Mr. Khan said, “Natasha I like how you worked with the children.” I love cartoons; as old as I am I still sit and wait for cartoons on a Saturday morning. So it comes naturally at a party when a child strikes up a conversation with you about an animated film or their favourite cartoon.

I recall Mr. Khan planning a themed boys’ party and did not know anything about it. He said: “I think it’s Benton”. I asked who was “Benton” and realised he meant Ben 10 - the boy who can turn into alien monsters from his omnitrix watch. Mr. Khan looked at me and asked how I knew about that. I think right then that he saw something in me that I didn’t even know was there. So I began to attend parties with him and the flow was very natural. So a big thanks to Mr. Michael Khan for seeing me before I saw myself.

As funny as it may sound, I take pleasure in putting on my clown costume, picking up my bag with the games and face paint and going to a birthday party where I get to be among the children and bring joy to their little souls. I must add that not only the children are entertained, but the adults too! While Mr. Khan is celebrating his 30th year as a clown, I have only just begun. This is my fourth year and I know I have some big

shoes to fill.

Sunday Magazine: Describe your Janie Gyal character.

Natasha Azeez: Janie Gyal is a Guyanese folk character like Ole’ Man Pappie, Sitira Gyal and others. Now Janie Gyal was considered the village beauty queen in some villages across Guyana and she was always in search for a man who would sweep her off her feet. Pregnant women would often times call Janie Gyal to help them around the house during the last trimester of their pregnancy.

However, when Janie Gyal was around, the wives would be very mindful of their husbands making contact

Natasha Azeez: Everything and everyone. Sometimes the environment you’re in can contribute significantly to one’s ideas. My daughter inspires me. Sometimes I find that I may go somewhere and see something that may give me an idea. I discuss it with Mr. Khan and he would best advise me as to what I can add or subtract to make it better. As long as I get an idea I put my pencil to paper and sketch it out, that helps me greatly. Inspiration is all around, you just have to look.

Sunday Magazine:

As a single parent, what’s your determination?

with her. The name Janie Gyal was not given to a girl child at birth, but rather a nickname that was acquired due to the young girl’s physical appearance, moral character and behaviour with men in the village.

I took on the character of Janie Gyal with Ole’ Man Pappie (Michael Khan) after he began his research on Guyanese folklore in 2012. This has continued over the last three years with us travelling nationally and internationally telling traditional Guyanese folktales using marionette puppets.

Our mission is to educate the modern generation of Guyanese traditional village live and create environments where the public can interact and get a firsthand look on how our fore parents grew up.

Sunday Magazine: What inspires you?

Natasha Azeez: I am determined to be different, unique and share my work with the world. I hail from a single parent background where my mother worked all her life to support myself and two small brothers.

As a mother myself, I am determined to give my daughter a better life and make her proud of me.

As an artist I hope to inspire other young people especially young women to follow their dreams, go after what you want, don’t allow the negatives to keep you down but rise above it and shine as the star you are.

Listen to your heart. No one said your life will be easy, but you make it happen for you. Be you, be independent, and take joy and pride in everything you do. (Cover

West Indian disarray…

…in the air

So what else is new? We’ve been rapped again – this time by our own Caribbean Development Bank – that we need to re-look at our airline industry. For a region made up of islands but still hanker for some sort of unity – but more importantly depend on foreign tourism, you’d think that transportation links between the territories and the between the territories and the metropolitan countries would be way up on the agenda of CariCom, no?

No! For the longest while each territory insisted that it had to have its own airline. Not just a kind of prestige thing but seemingly as a sine qua non of being “independent”. Like having your own flag and coat of arms and such like. So we in Guyana had our Guyana Airways…with our Golden Arrowhead and name proudly emblazoned on the side. Some cynics felt that these airlines mainly served to flatter the ego of our political leaders so that when they went abroad, they could deplane from their “national airline” in style.

Be as it may, these airlines were never profitable since both foreign tourists and returning natives only used them during the holidays. While Marxists point out that all capitalist businesses form one series of “booms and busts”… with our airlines, it was mostly “busts” and had to be highly subsidized. So since ego can only go “so far”, by 2000, Guyana privatized its airline and in 2011, Jamaican Air was sold to Caribbean Airlines, owned by the Trinidadian Government. This last one must’ve been a hard one to swallow since Jamaica always has a “thing” about those “uppity” Trinis who refused entry to their citizens with gusto.

So right now we have Caribbean Air, BahamanAir and LIAT…which collectively had to be subsidized to the tune last year of US$1B!!! Now that’s a tune with a heck of a HIGH note!! So what to do? Since Jamaica’s venture to produce and sell Ganja on a mass scale will take some time (not least because of spliffs are ever to become legal over-the-counter items, the multinationals will ensure they take the bulk of the profits) we can wait on them to fund a consolidated truly “Caribbean Airlines”. But this must be done.

Your Eyewitness hereby proposes that CariCom finally gets off its collective haunches, and like they did with CXC, set up an autonomous body to organize and run a Caribbean-wide Airlines that at long last be professionally run.

And one that won’t have to give five free tickets to every politician’s friends and friendly charity.

The airline business is a “hawk eat hawk” business in the skies.

…in the law School

Here was the new, always dapper and mustachioed Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs about to have a chat with the law students at UG. As the self proclaimed “legal luminary” of the new government, you couldn’t blame him for expecting these apprentices – not even wet behind the ears – to look up to him with awe as he dropped legal pears of wisdom and clever bon mots.

Sadly, he’s still dusting himself off after running into what he must think was a buzz saw. Seem the budding lawyers’ve already imbibed the fundamental legal maxim that “attack is the best defense”! Before the AG could even strike his pose, the students waded into him. What does he have to say about UWI’s Hugh Wooding (necessary for them to practice) increasing their fees by a third? And so on…

The AG didn’t even get ask whether – if the government subsidizes their legal education – would the students serve as prosecutors for two years after their return?

Or whether UG law School should become a campus of UWI?

…in cricket

Now that’s it’s clear that there will be no changes in the WICB’s makeup or modus operandi, only CPL can save WI cricket.

Deed Transfer or Changing Property Ownership

By: RakeshRampeRtaB, esq

Usually, when one speaks of wanting a “Deed Transfer,” one is not talking about selling property; rather, they are speaking about a transfer of ownership rights and interests in a property. This includes scenarios in which an owner may do a Deed Transfer and still retain some percentage of ownership in a property.

Once a Deed Transfer occurs, the new Deed and supporting documents are registered with the county clerk’s office in which the property is located. This is to prevent others from claiming ownership of one’s property.

In New York City, this is done through ACRIS (or the automated city register information system).Whenever a Deed Transfer is done, one should get it registered immediately.

Because a Deed Transfer involves the ownership of real property (or real estate/ land), one has to be extremely careful that it is done properly.

An important aspect is selecting the appropriate description to identify the new ownership; said another way, it is to choose the proper legal language to describe how interests, rights, and title to a property is to be passed between persons.

Of course, anowner’s intent is key.But who owns a building? It is a person (or entity) whose name is listed on the Deed that was most recently or last to be recorded with the county clerk’s office.

This person alone has the legal right to do a Deed Transfer. Of course, in our community, this rule is ignored often.

A Deed Transfer may occur and still an owner’s intent or desire is not fully met, because of a mistake in the legal language used when the transfer occurred. It is not uncommon for landowners to be told this many years later, when it may not be possible

(or too difficult) to fix because other persons whose names are on the Deed, or who have significant interests may not wish to change anything.

Other concerns with Deed Transfers include scenarios such

is called a “Quitclaim Deed.” This is just one of numerous types of Deeds used to transfer property.

Importantly, deciding to do a Deed Transfer must include thoughts about any unpaid mortgage or

as when interest passes to a person who then dies, resulting in that interest going to someone entirely new. Another is passing property without paying transfer tax.

Our lawmakers made this easy by allowing us to use what

loan associated with a property.One should check their mortgage contract to see if it includes a clause or term that requires one to get their lender's consent to do a Deed Transfer, failure of which gives that lender a right to ask for the

entire mortgage to be paid immediately. It is debatable, however, as to whether lenders really enforce this provision. One reason that it exists is, arguably, to deter Deed Transfers involving fraud which, incidentally, is not uncommon in New York City.

This has been so especially given the rise of the real estate market before its well-known problems, in recent years. The increase in real estate sales has resulted in subsequent Deed Transfers, some of which involved fraud, creating tremendous problems. Homeowners should do all they can to avoid problems when they wish to do a Deed Transfer.

This article is for informational uses only. It is not legal advice. To get legal advice, please contact an attorney. This attorney may be reached at (917) 943-1336 or rrampert@yahoo.com.

Inspired by the ‘little things in life’

Artist Paloma Bristol captures everyday life through her intricate paintings and sculptures.

Bristol uses colours and forms in a “non-representational way” rarely depicting objects in the “natural world”.

Highway, which was done for Carifesta X,” Bristol remembered.

After receiving formal training at E. R. Burrowes School of Art, where she studied fine arts for three years with a major in painting and minor in sculpture, Bristol graduated with a diploma in Art Education. She has since conducted and

participated in numerous art exhibitions and fashion shows.

Bristol mainly works with canvas and oil; however, she creates sculptures (using clay and paper) and designs (whether it is Mashramani costumes or designer gear).

“As long as the work is art related I can handle it, be it interior decorating, face painting, landscaping and all other art related projects,” she outlined.

With 80 per cent of her art work being described as “detailed”,

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine , Bristol said that even in still life and portraits, she tends to add a bit more warm colours with much emphasis on light and its changing qualities.

“I love to take a simple composition and make it look extraordinary. I'm still exploring when it comes to my style of work, but for now I can say I love abstract and surrealism more,” the artist noted.

Always an avid art lover, from a very tender age, Bristol draws inspiration from “the little things in life”: whether she begins with a sketch when bored or a great idea while involved in an art project.

“In school, I was always involved in art activities,” she recalled. Placed in art class, Bristol had no art teacher at her secondary school; however, perseverance and determination allowed her to complete her first large scale painting at 15 years old, and later fully enter the art field in 2009.

“At age 15, I did my first large scale painting about masquerade on the seawalls between Sheriff Street and Conversation Tree along Rupert Craig

The third place winner of the drawing category for the 2012 Guyana Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition, Bristol received accolades for her piece, "Men on the other Side".

The artist aims to pursue a degree in Fine Arts at the Edna Manley's College of Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica. She also aspires to be a curator at the National Art Gallery at Castellani House, or curate her own art gallery where she can “support young budding artists and exhibit their work for all to see”.

Buffalo Pond

Buffalo Pond, near Karanambu Lodge on the Rupununi River, is accessed via a tiny stream. Hundreds of Victoria amazonica cover almost the entire surface of this small, shallow oxbow lake. The air at the pond is filled with a light, sweet, fragrance of the lilies.

The pond can also be quite busy with several species of heron (capped, striated, boat-billed, blackcrowned night-) and egrets (snowy, great, cocoi).

Wood storks, blackcollared and great black hawks lurk in the trees at the water's edge. A few giant river otters can also be seen popping their heads up beside distant lily pads.

Buffalo Pond offers adventures and an idyllic opportunity for birding and fishing enthusiasts to experience nature at its best.

TTimes Notebook

he new A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change [APNU+AFC] Government is less than three months old. But even at this early stage, it has shown a worrying willingness to turn its backs on virtually all its promises. It has sought to make excuses and has so far abandoned all the arguments it used as mantra while the parties were in the Opposition.

One of their mantras was their criticism of the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government for a lack of consultation. No matter how much the PPP/C Government consulted with people, the APNU-AFC Opposition were ferocious in their attack on the PPP/C Government for what APNU-AFC called a total lack of any consultation by the Bharrat Jagdeo and the Donald Ramotar-led PPP/C Governments. Indeed, in the 10th Parliament, they used the allegation that the PPP/C was not consulting enough to block important legislative actions.

Well, now

APNU+AFC is in Government, it has a golden opportunity to demonstrate its own commitment to the consultative process. It is only three months, but what is clearly emerging is a new Government that has a total disregard for consultations. Its adherence to this component of good governance is appalling and demonstrates that the criticism of the then PPP/C Government was merely a political strategy and was criticism for criticism’s sake and as a strategy to stymie development. If anything the people of Guyana expected from the new Government, given its long history of being critical of the PPP/C Government, it was greater fidelity to the concept of consultations.

Last week, we found out that the APNU+AFC and Granger-led Government has no intention to implement a reduction in VAT and in providing a 20 per cent salary increase, as they had promised in Opposition, in many budget debates, particularly in the 10th Parliament and as it committed in

APNU+AFC has abdicated its responsibility to the people

its 100-day programme that was included in its manifesto.

The PPP/C had since the introduction of VAT argued that the VAT rate was fair and was the appropriate VAT rate as determined by various studies. The then People’s National Congress (PNC) and afterwards the APNU+AFC combination argued that the appropriate rate for Guyana should be considerably lower than the present VAT rate. They argued that their own studies showed that a VAT rate below 10 per cent was fair and appropriate for Guyana.

During the campaign, APNU+AFC argued that Guyana can afford to reduce the VAT rate and that it will make this a priority action within its first 100 days in Government. It totally rejected the PPP/C Government’s argument that lowering the VAT rate would negatively impact on Guyana’s fiscal situation.

Similarly, it argued that Guyana’s fiscal situation leading up to the elections and even long before the elections,

throughout the Jagdeo and the Ramotar-led Governments, placed Guyana in a position to provide at least a 20 per cent pay increase. In a way, this was an unwitting commendation of the PPP/C Government in that the then Opposition was agreeing that the PPP/C had led a development trajectory that made a large pay increase viable.

We should note that throughout those days and those arguments by the then PNC, followed by APNU and AFC, other countries around the world were either freezing or providing wage and salary increases much lower than two per cent. APNU+AFC denounced the incredible record of the PPP/C of giving at least five per cent pay increase each year for the almost 22 years in Government. It took the side of the Guyana Public Service (GPSU) as that union made the most unreasonable demands on the PPP/C Government.

Well, the proof is in the pudding and it is APNU+AFC with responsibility for the pudding. The pudding being

offered by APNU+AFC to the people of Guyana is not the recipe it promised and committed to before the elections. Its arguments that a reduced VAT and a 20 per cent pay increase were not only possible, but will happen within 100 days of it being in Government are now being rejected by its own Finance Minister and Cabinet. Where are its economists who made extensive arguments that both a VAT reduction and a 20 per cent increase were not only possible now, but must be priorities for the new Government?

But we ask another question, who did this Government consult with and what agreements did those consultations bring about?

Has this Government which argued so extensively and ferociously for more consultation when the PPP/C was in Government given up on consultation? Is it now taking up a posture that Governments know best?

Has it consulted with the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) and GPSU and other unions? Has it consulted with the Private Sector and consumer or-

ganisations before deciding that 2015 is not a good time for the reduction of VAT and a pay increase of 20 per cent?

The truth is that APNU+AFC has consulted with no one because it now has become convinced that the previous PPP/C Government was right that Guyana’s fiscal situation could not afford a reduction of VAT and a 20 per cent increase of wages and salaries. The truth is also that APNU+AFC was never committed to consultation. It did not consult with the Amerindians before it discontinued the Community Empowerment Programme that employed about 2000 young Amerindians. It did not consult with anyone before deciding it would discontinue the “Because We Care Gy$10,000 per child” Programme. There is a serious aversion to consultation by the APNU+AFC Government. In the process, it has betrayed the people of Guyana.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times.notebook@gmail. com.

Star of the week

Raynauth

Jeffrey is pedalling his way to become a cycling star. The 21-year-old was encouraged to take up cycling as a career by a neighbour who still supports him to this day. Starting off with a mountain bike, he rode from his home at Annandale, East Coast Demerara, to Mahaica at the age of 14, and would do so very often. After grooving into the cycling habit, his neighbour gave him a racing bike (10-speed) and encouraged him to participate in a race at the National Park. He placed third and was motivated to work harder in order to succeed. His persistent training led to him falling ill and being bedridden for three months. After recuperating, he recommenced training but could not reach his goals. After some time, he was finally ready for the road. He started to participate in races, but this time, against the champions. The first three-stage race he participated in was a breakthrough. He took the lead as the group travelled from Berbice to Georgetown. Members of Team Coco saw his potential and offered him a spot. A former Carton Wheeler and Continental Cycle Club cyclist, Jeffrey, accepted the offer and has since been creating heat waves on the road with his team members. The young cyclist has gotten the exposure and experience by riding locally and abroad. He has participated in various races abroad: Colombia, Antigua, Anguilla, Suriname, Dominica, Mexico, Scotland and Curacao. In 2013, Jeffrey was the champion of the Digicel Breast Cancer Awareness race meet. There are many challenges this young cyclist faces, but with determination he endeavours to become an international champion. The cyclist said “it [cycling] is a hard sport, but when you put your mind to it, you can live your dream”. Recently, he copped second place in local races, despite breaking his collar bone in May 2015. Now, Jeffrey’s eyes are set on the 2016 Olympics in Brazil as a potential cyclist to represent Guyana. He is confident that he will make it once the necessary support is garnered.

Undercover asset

Satiricus always admitted he wasn’t the brightest bulb in the room. Any room. So he wasn’t too embarrassed when he discovered that the “asset recovery” programme launched by the Government had nothing to do with ex-workers of the Government services filching office supplies and stuff.

Satiricus’d been fretting that after two months of “auditing” no asset had been recovered beyond some old cars. And those’d been turned in voluntarily! It was only when he read the interview with Naga Man, (who’d been raised to the high office of Vice Poomba) what “assets” the Government was talking about.

The Naga Man referred to the recent “Confessions of a Hit Man” on TV. Unlike what Satiricus first thought, Naga Man wasn’t talking about Neeshan “D’Hitman” Parboo, the chutney singer whose greatest hit was that sublime love ballad “Ah love yuh mo’ dan rum”. As a Vice Poomba, those days were now done: Naga Man now had to get home before 2 am.

No. He was referring to the selfconfessed one-man killing machine Shawnsy, who’d made more hits (if he’s to be believed) than The Terminator. Naga Man revealed that the Hit Man had recently been on a “recky” near his house. Satiricus gasped! It was now obvious to him that Naga Man was a highly trained undercover agent. Even he, who’d

looked at the MI6 TV series and all the James Bond movies, hadn’t known that you referred to “reconnaissance missions” as “reckys”. No wonder Jagan had picked him as his successor!!

Vice Poomba Naga Man then made everything fall into place when he next revealed that he thought that The Hit Man thought that he, Naga Man, was “either an asset or a target”. Now this was the “assets” that the Government must’ve been trying to “recover”!! From his deep knowledge of spy-craft gleaned from the aforementioned MI6 and James Bond movies, Satiricus knew that “assets” were spies who were buried into enemy territory to be “activated” when necessary.

So when the Government –dominated by all those military brass – launched the “audits to recover assets” this was just code for “operations to uncover enemy spies”. And this explained more. No wonder GrainJa had been suspicious of the Naga Man initially and had rejected him. GrainJa’s “spy-dar” was highly refined after 40 years of military training.

“So Naga Man is clearly in grave danger,” said Satiricus to himself through clenched teeth. “He was not EITHER an asset or a target: he was BOTH an asset and a target!”

It was time for the Naga Man to come in from the heat.

Dozens of Guyanese and Trinidadians sponsored and partook in consecration services for the opening of a new temple in the Frisco suburb of Dallas, Texas, last week. Many Guyanese live in Dallas and worship at their own small temple. Some 4,000 partook in the consecration services of what is considered to be the largest Hindu Temple in the state of Texas and perhaps in the U.S.

The temple, some 34,000 sq feet, is somewhat modeled after the Hanuman Temple in Central Trinidad. His Holiness Swami Ganapathy Datta led devotees in the traditional chanting of prayers from the Vedas during the consecration ceremony called Kumbhabhisheka. In photo: New York-based Guyanese activist Vishnu Bisram is seen with His Holiness Swami Ganapathy Datta.

“I was not pressured” – DPP

In light of allegations made by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, in a media release, maintained that she was not pressured into recommending charges against former Public Service Minister Dr Jennifer Westford.

The DPP recommended that criminal charges be brought against Westford for allegedly illegally attempting to transfer several Government vehicles into her name.

However, the PPP/C Opposition, in what appears to be an attempt to defend Westford, hit back with claims that the DPP was pressured to advise charges be instituted against the former Minister.

But the DPP did not take lightly to those claims. In response to these allegations, AliHack strongly affirmed that all legal advice given to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in relation to criminal matters was based on

statements contained in the files and the law.

On that note, the DPP maintained that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is an independent office and prides itself in being independent. Meanwhile, Westford was charged on Wednesday. On the same day, the DPP issued another recommendation to the Police for charges to be brought against former Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran for his verbal attack on female activist Sherlina Nageer in the lead-up to the 2015 Elections.

…and cynicism deepens

While we (and the Germans) may scoff at the pretensions of the French for trying to punch above their weight category, nothing expresses your Eyewitness jaded view of politics than that Gallic shrug of the shoulders, one lifted eyebrow and unturned palms that accompanies their worldweary expression: “Plus ca change…” The more things change, the more they remain the same.

Take this budget business. When the Opposition secured their razor thin majority to control the house, they fought tooth and nail to roll back the proposition that the Budget was the Executive’s responsibility. They chopped and hacked three successive budgets – the last two times even in the face of the courts ruling that an Opposition just can’t do that.

If their cherry-picking chopping were allowed, the resulting budget would their artifact -not the Executives, ruled the Courts. “Not so!” cried not only the APNU and the AFC but also the fella who was supposed to be a neutral referee in the House: the Speaker. Trotman jumped feet first into the fray saying in effect that the Chief Justice didn’t have all his marbles. If the majority Opposition in the Assembly wanted to use a chain saw on the budget, then – paraphrasing the inimitable Bobby Brown – it’s their prerogative!!

It had nothing to do with who’s the “Executive” or the “Opposition” – it’s all about the numbers in the House. But here it is, after first backing down from its braggadocio on not consulting the PPP, who were defeated (?) by a mere 5000 votes from being the Executive, the Minister of Finance sat down with them on the Budget.

But just to make it clear where they were coming from, the goodly Minister was careful to point out: “at the end of the day, the Executive is responsible for the budget”!! Plus ça change… (You, dear readers, have to do the Gallic gestures, OK?)

How many times have we experienced this sort of backpedaling? Shall we count the ways?

Salary increases for Public Servants, Policemen,

Plus ça change…

nurses and all other government workers who normally vote for APNU? Lowered VAT? And you know their responses: “Hey! We have to look at the impact of these actions, OK? So we hadn’t thought of this when we made the promise, OK? Not OK? So what are we to do? Commit hara kiri? Hey! That was a rhetorical question, OK?”

For a host of reasons (gold prices, loss of rice markets, sugar travails, political uncertainty, etc) the economy appears headed into a free fall. So this Eyewitness will offer this gratuitous advice to the government.

Don’t cut PPP’s nose to spite Guyana’s face. Consult!! …and Ramjattan’s quarantine continues

While this Eyewitness knows that “all skin teeth na laugh”, Ramjattan’s sequestration since he snagged the Ministry of National Security isn’t even a smile. This has serious implications for the parliamentary notion of Ministerial responsibility. So with upraised arms, we ask: exactly what is Ramjattan, as Minister of National Security responsible for?

We know he’s not responsible for Immigration, which was hived off to former COP Winston Felix, under the rubric of “Citizenship”. As to what else is covered under that umbrella, only time will tell. We also know that President Granger has some expertise in this area: witness the endorsement in the U.S. after his speech at his alma mater? And we saw this after his summons to Ramjattan to suggest a plan, when the latter was fumfering on the crime wave.

Then of course, there’s Brigadier Collins in Berbice and Commodore Best in Georgetown.

But the most alarming trend has been Harmon pronouncing on all crime matters, most recently on Sean Hinds’ warbling.

Is (gasp!!) Ramjattan just a token?

…on crime

As we head into another upsurge of criminal violence, the focus as usual is on the perpetrators and their angst and not the victims.

GRA Rocks!!

Satiricus wanted to know what all the fuss was about when the Government announced that the top 20 bosses of the GRA were asked to take their leave. And this wasn’t your ordinary gardenvariety “leave”. Some of these bureaucrats had as much as six months or more leave piled up!!

“Boy!!” exclaimed Satiricus, “What dedication these folks had shown to their job. If they got so many days available, it must mean they didn’t leave their desks in SEVEN years at least!!!”

“Sato me friend,” replied his friend Cappo, while they were bending their elbows at the back street bar, “Abee cane cutters does get six months leave every year. Abee na get pay though!”

“But it wasn’t just dedication, Cappo,” continued Satiricus. “The bad PPCEE government used to force them GRA workers to work night and day, to harass people for taxes. But that was still above and beyond the call of duty, wasn’t it?”

“Suh wha happen now?” Inquired Cappo.

“Bai, Cappo… this new Government, is all full of love and compassion,” he grinned. “They insist that the Bosses must take their leave. The Minister knew how worn out these worker bees of the GRA must be because of the bad PPCEE. He even said they must “recharge their batteries”.

But Cappo was worried. “Who gon collect all de taxes duh run de country?” he asked fretfully.

“Chap, why you worrying yuh head,” replied Satiricus. “The new Government know we Guyanese are the most law abiding people in the world! We does pay we taxes.”

“Really?” asked Cappo with a doubtful look, dominated by raised eyebrows. “Me na pay tax since me barn!”

“Cappo, you don’t work enough money to pay taxes,” sighed Satiricus. “You don’t count! I talking about all the big ones – they does pay their taxes, as soon as it is due!”

“So why de PPCEE been gat all dem workers hassling people fuh pay taxes?” Cappo wanted to know.

“Budday!! The PPP didn’t trust Guyanese,” said Satiricus. “They think people would cheat. But this Government know better. They know that Guyanese would rather starve than cheat on their taxes. And that’s why they don’t need any bosses to collect taxes.”

“Me na know about dat,” mumbled Cappo doubtfully.

“Listen Cappo, what you know?” said Satiricus sternly. “This Government so sure the taxes will come in like water, they allowed the Boss of Bosses to take his leave…AFTER he heard all his assistants were going away!”

“Bai, da is confidence!!” said Cappo in relief.

NY-based Guyanese support legislative bill to recognise minority faiths

The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), led by Guyanese Ashok Ramsaran, and the Federation of Hindu Mandirs comprising mostly of and led by Guyanese, joined a number of other advocacy groups and community leaders last week at a press conference organised by New York State Senator Tony Avella, to urge New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign into law, Senate Bill S.903/Assembly Bill A.8122, which would explicitly recognise Hindu, Sikh and Islamic faiths in the State’s religious incorporation law.

The Bill amends the definition of “Clergyman” and “Minister”, to include Pandit, Swami, Guru, Granthi, Imam, Moulvi, Maulana, and other religious titles.

For the Bill to become law, it must be signed by the Governor who has not indicated any sign of approval or non-approv-

al.

The Bill will go a long way in assuring religious freedom for minorities in the New York State which is home to hundreds of ethnic groups and people of all faiths.

Senator Avella, who represents a large district comprising of Guyanese, South Asians, and other immigrant communities of all faiths, helped to push through the Bill in the State legislature. Senator Avella said he was “proud to have worked with Assembly Member Brennan and my colleagues in the legislature to pass this Bill in both houses”.

Assemblyman Jim

Brennan, Chair of the New York State Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions, also urged the Governor to sign the Bill into law.

Among the groups and individuals joining Senator Avella to urge the Governor to sign the Bill are GOPIO, Federation of Hindu Mandirs (USA), Hindu Temple Society of North America, the Sant Sagar Gurudwara, Bellerose, the Kapurthala Sports and Cultural Club, the Shaheed Udham Singh Society, the Al-Muneer Foundation, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan

Mandir and other religious and cultural institutions.

“Recognition of New York State’s diversity of people of different faiths and from different ethnic origins is important for continuing social progress and this Bill is an important step in that direction. Senator Avella and Assemblyman Brennan are to be complimented for their efforts”, said Jhairam Persaud, the Guyaneseborn President of GOPIO Upper New York Chapter.

Both the Guyanese Naidoo Veerapen, General Secretary, Federation of Hindu Mandirs (USA); CoChair of GOPIO Cultural Council and GOPIO Life Member and Ashook Ramsaran; President of GOPIO International thanked Senator Avella and Assemblyman Brennan for their contribution and acknowledged their support to the Bill.

Tax reform, wage hike needed to jumpstart economy – Gaskin

By Devina Samaroo

It is the hope of the Government that the presentation of the 2015 Budget next month will serve as the ignition to help jumpstart the economy, but social commentator and economist Ramon Gaskin believes that this can only work if the estimates include allocations to implement a complete overhaul of the tax system, better revenue collection measures and increased wages for the public servants and pensioners.

“What the budget can do to stimulate the economy, to move it, I don’t know what the Minister will do, but I do believe that in this country tax rates are very high –corporate rate, income tax rate, the VAT rate is very high and those need to be reduced because taxes take a lot of money out of your pocket and reduces the purchasing power of the citizens and capacity of companies to reinvest,” he affirmed.

In addition to tax reform, Gaskin said Government needed to be more robust in its approach to prevent smuggling and earn revenue from other available means rather than burdening the citizenship with heavy taxes.

“In terms of raising revenues, I think the Minister has to look at that as the first order of business … should collect real revenue and reduce the burden on the companies and the citizens for the VAT, income tax and corporate tax and we should start collecting royalties from these people [natural resources extraction companies] as starters,” he stated.

Gaskin pointed out that there were many companies in the logging and mining sectors who were exempt from paying royalties for

the minerals they extract. He noted strongly that this should not be and Government should have a concrete approach to address this issue if it was serious about revenue collection.

“It should look at charging royalties on bauxite; you are not supposed to go extract minerals without paying royalties,” he asserted, noting that this was the practice in other countries.

The A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration has been under immense pressure to come up with measures that can help drive the economy. The budget will be presented in Parliament soon and all stakeholders are undoubtedly holding their breaths to see the policies Government intended to implement to help in this process.

This newspaper recently reported that there was a high possi-

bility that a stimulus package will be included in the budget.

A stimulus package is a package of economic measures put together by the Government to stimulate a floundering economy. The objective of a stimulus package is to reinvigorate the economy and prevent or reverse a recession by boosting employment and spending.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) – the main umbrella body of the local business community – already stressed on the need for the inclusion of a stimulus package in the budget.

Late, lazy, incompetent

Meanwhile, Gaskin believes that the Government lingered too long and allowed the economy to reach this stage because of its failure to complete and present the budget in a punctual fashion.

“It should have been presented since June, since May they were in office and I don’t know, there is no good reason why it wasn’t presented as yet. It should not have taken so long to do, there was already a budget prepared by the previous people and all they had to do was rework it … it is taking far too long and in my opinion is that the people at Finance started to work too late, or they lazy or they are incompetent,” Gaskin asserted.

PSC Chairman Norman Mc Lean had noted that one of the reasons the economy was currently in a slump was the fact that there was no budget.

“Remember, the Government has a situation where they haven’t put forward a budget as yet, so all the spending they are doing is 1/3 of what was put forth by the previous Government and Government’s spending is critical to any economy,” he stated.

Angelina Jolie wants son to take over charity

Hollywood actress-filmmaker Angelina Jolie wants her eldest son, Maddox, to run the charity she named after him in Cambodia in the future and has hired him as a researcher on her new film.

The 40-year-old Oscar-winning actress adopted Maddox, 13, from an orphanage in western Cambodia in 2002. She says he will take over the Maddox JoliePitt Foundation, which she set up there 12 years ago “to help local families overcome problems associated with poverty in the region and to help preserve the remarkable habitat and wildlife for future generations,” in the future, reported People magazine.

Asked if he would be involved in her upcoming Netflix film, “First they Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers,” about the country’s Khmer Rouge communist regime, dur-

ing which 1.7 million civilians died in the 1970s, the director said, “Maddox will be on set every day after school and involved behind the scenes. And yes, Maddox is already involved in the Foundation and will take over my role when he is older.

“As Maddox and I prepare the film we will be side by side learning about his country. He is turning 14 next week and this is a very important time for him to understand who he is. He is my son but he is also a son of Cambodia.

“This is the time for

our family to understand all that that means to him and to us. My desire to tell this story in the most truthful and accurate way possible will be my tribute to the strength and dignity of all Cambodian people.”

Jolie, who has five other children with husband Brad Pitt, still feels a “deep connection” to Cambodia.

“I want to respect its history and bring a film to the world that will not only show the hardships of war but the dignity and resilience of a people I deeply respect.” (Indian Express)

Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner in no rush to file divorce

Actor Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are reportedly focusing on spending time together as a family and are in no “rush” to file for divorce.

The former couple, who were spotted together with their three children on Saturday, are spending most of the summer in Atlanta, Georgia, where Garner, 43, is currently filming the drama “Miracles from Heaven”, reported People.

“He’s going to be there for most of the summer. That was the plan. He’s happy to be there with the family,” a source said.

The pair, who plan to divide their assets via mediation, are not in a rush to file for divorce and instead are “concentrating on being a family right now,” the insider said.

“Garner’s finishing a film, so there hasn’t been like, ‘Okay, let’s get this done now,’ because they always were like, ‘This is happening and still moving forward’. I don’t think they’re talking about it.”

Affleck, 42, and Garner, who were married for 10 years, will

continue to live on the same property when they return to Los Angeles. (Indian Express)

Miranda Lambert ‘trying to process everything’ post Blake Shelton split (pic saved as Miranda)

Country star Miranda Lambert is reportedly sad and trying to process everything after her divorce from Blake Shelton got finalised.

The two stars called it quits after 10 years of marriage.

As Miranda Lambert’s fans continue to express shock that

“Steve Jobs” to screen at New York Film Festival

“Steve Jobs”, the new film about the Apple cofounder written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Danny Boyle, will be screened at the New York Film Festival on October 3 as the fest’s Centerpiece selection.

Michael Fassbender stars as Jobs, heading a cast that includes Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels, Michael Stuhlberg and Katherine

Channing Tatum reportedly exits “Gambit”

After setting a start date, “Gambit (2016)” has now suffered a major setback as its lead star Channing has reportedly dropped out of the 20th Century Fox film.

The deal between Tatum and the studio is in serious jeopardy and may fall apart. Tatum and his creative partner Reid Carolin were initially set to produce the movie, reported Ace Showbiz.

However, it is not clear whether the producing duo will still be involved in producing capacity, or whether Simon Kinberg and Lauren Shuler Donner will move forward without the help

of any other producers.

Representatives for Fox and Tatum could not immediately be contacted for comment. Latest news said that the “Magic Mike” actor had been involved with screentests for the film’s female lead with Lea Seydoux (“Blue is the Warmest Color”) in the contention. Other sources close to the film’s crew suggest that director Rupert Wyatt will soon have to find a new leading man.

As of now, plot and cast details of the film are still scarce. “Gambit” is set to hit US theatres on October 7, 2016 following the release of “X-Men: Apocalypse” on May 27, 2016.

Waterston, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The New York Film Festival is familiar territory for Sorkin and Scott Rudin, one of Job’s producers: They premiered their film “The Social Network” at NYFF in 2010.

Based on Walter Isaacson’s biography of “Jobs”, the film is scheduled to be released by Universal on October 9. (Indian Express)

Tatum will next be seen in this Christmas release “The Hateful Eight”, in which he stars alongside Samuel L Jackson and Kurt Russell. The 35-year-old actor will also co-star with George Clooney and Scarlett Johansson in “Hail Caesar” which will arrive in the US on February 5, 2016. (Indian Express)

Kate Winslet re-enacts the famous Titanic pose

Hollywood actress Kate Winslet, who made millions sob with her heart wrenching romance in ‘Titanic’ opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, recently re-enacted the famous pose from the film, where the duo are seen with their arms outstretched on the boat.

her marriage to Blake Shelton has ended, the singer is staying focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

“She’s doing the best she can and taking it day by day,” a source said of Lambert, who fell for Shelton after performing with him for a concert special in 2005.

Rumors of trouble in their marriage had dogged Shelton, 39, and Lambert, 31, since their 2011 wedding, but the source says the finalisation of their divorce has left Lambert “sad and trying to process everything.” (Indian Express)

Kate Winslet did the same pose while scaling a cliff on NBC’s ‘Running Wild’ with Bear Grylls.

Fans were thrilled to be reminded of one of the most romantic films of all time and Kate Winslet immediately began

Not doing ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ sequel: Henry Cavill

“M

an Of Steel” star Henry Cavill has denied rumours that he is going to star in the upcoming “Fifty Shades Of Grey” sequel.

The 32-year-old actor was rumoured to be starring in the erotic movie franchise’s latest installment, “Fifty Shades Darker”, as Anastasia Steele’s boss Jack Hyde, reported Contactmusic.

“Basically, what I can say is I can’t say anything about it right now”, the British actor said. However, the star said that he will not be starring alongside Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson in the movie, adding, “It would be a lot of fun to continue this ruse… but I’m not doing it.”

I would love to work with Kajol, says husband Ajay Devgn

Actor Ajay Devgn is happy with the buzz that his wife Kajol’s comeback film, “Dilwale”, is creating.

Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan reunite on the big screen after 2010 film “My Name Is Khan”.

The “Drishyam” star, who was in Bulgaria to prep his directorial venture “Shivaay” when the Rohit Shetty’s team was shooting the film in the city, said their meeting was not planned. “I was already in Bulgaria when Rohit and his team came to shoot ‘Dilwale’. I was prepping for ‘Shivaay’ and they all came to meet me there. I am happy about ‘Dilwale’. It’s a big film and has been

creating a lot of buzz. It’s a much awaited film,” he told PTI.

“Dilwale”, which has an ensemble cast of Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Johnny Lever, Kabir Bedi among others, releases on December 18.

This is the first time Kajol is teaming up with Rohit, who worked with Ajay in “Singham” and “Golmaal” series.

Asked if there are any plans of working with Kajol in the near future, Ajay said, “I would love to work with Kajol. But we don’t have any script in our hands. The moment we get the right script, we will definitely work together.”

Shah Rukh Khan takes Amitabh Bachchan’s Twitter advice

Shah Rukh Khan, who is currently shooting for Rohit Shetty’s ‘Dilwale’ in Bulgaria, seemed to be a having an off day re-

cently. The actor took to Twitter to share his woes about how he craves to meet people who have no problems and complexes.

Picking up on his de-

sire to be all by himself, veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan was quick to dole out some words of advice to Shah Rukh Khan. Looks like it defi-

nitely made sense to Shah Rukh Khan as he changed his mind immediately and decided to go out and meet some people. (Indian Express)

I don’t see cinema as ‘dark or ‘light': Farhan Akhtar

Offbeat, dark and independent cinema has evolved and is gradually getting acceptance in the Hindi film industry, but for actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, cinema is not “light or dark”, but is predominantly about a good story, fresh characters and new cultures.

“I don’t think of cinema as dark or light. For me, the story should be good and that we should get something new to see, a new culture and fresh characters. Being based on reality as far as possible is always appreciated,” Farhan said.

Stunned by “Masaan”, Farhan raved about the film and called it “a work of art”.

“It’s an amazing film. Truly, it is a work of art. My congratulations to the director Neeraj (Ghaywan), to the entire cast, to everybody who

Salman Khan regrets not meeting APJ Abdul Kalam

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has expressed his deep regret on not meeting former President APJ Abdul Kalam, saying he should have made the effort to see him.

Kalam, who served as Indian’s 11th President from 2002 to 2007 and came to be known as ‘People’s President’, died on Monday after he collapsed during a lecture at IIM Shillong on Monday. He was 83.

Salman said it is his loss that he could not meet Kalam. In a series of tweets,

has worked on this film from the bottom of my heart. Being a part of the fraternity of filmmakers, you feel really proud of a film like this. And whoever hasn’t watched the film till now, I recommend them to please go and watch the film.”

“Welcoming a new breed of talent now with this wonderful person called Neeraj Ghaywan

Sanjay

who is joining the ranks of some very talented filmmakers. I feel very proud to be a part of such a time of making movies,” he added. The story of “Masaan” revolves around four lives which intersect along the Ganga ghats in Benares: a low-caste boy falling hopelessly in love, a daughter ridden with guilt of a sexual encoun-

ter ending in a tragedy, a hapless father with fading morality, and a spirited child yearning for a family, long to escape the moral constructs of a small town. It stars Richa Chadha and Sanjay Mishra with newcomers Vicky Kaushal and Shweta Tripathi. (Indian Express)

Dutt turns 56: B-town friends waiting for him to come out of jail

Actor Sanjay Dutt turned 56 on Wednesday and the film fraternity, including Anil Kapoor and his “All The Best: Fun Begins” co-star Ajay Devgn, are waiting for him to come out of jail.

Salman also condoled Kalam’s death and called him a “true inspiration”.

(Indian Express)

Imran Khan engages students while shooting for ‘Katti Batti’

Imran Khan will be seen in the upcoming romantic comedy ‘Katti Batti’ opposite Kangana Ranaut. The actor while shooting at a college for the film was seen indulging in long conversations with the students.

Imran and Kangana, who will be playing the role of college students in ‘Katti Batti’, have shot for the same in Flames

college, Pune. It is the first film ever to be shot in the college.

While Imran shot for his part of the film, he didn’t return to his vanity, instead chose to spend time talking with the students of the college. A bunch of students would wait for him near his vanity and as he finished his shot and returned, he would talk about film making, dif-

ferent kinds of films and world cinema with them.

Directed by Nikhil Advani ‘Katti Batti’ will be released on the September 18. (Indian Express)

The “Khalnayak” star, who has given hits like “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.”, “Vaastav: The Reality” and “Saajan”, is in jail for illegal possession of arms during the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts and riots.

On his birthday, some of the celebrities took to the micro-blogging site Twitter to wish the actor: * Ajay Devgn: A very happy birthday to my elder brother, waiting for

you to come.

* Anil Kapoor: Happy Birthday to the original stud @duttsanjay. You’ll always have our love and support, waiting for you to come back!

* Rana Daggubati: Wish the coolest and the toughest of them all a very happy birthday!! The SanjayDutt!! Waiting for you sir!! (Indian Express)

Sonam Kapoor lands 7 million Twitter followers

Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor has reached the 7 million follower mark on micro-blogging site Twitter. The 30-year-old “Khoobsurat” actress said she will celebrate this milestone with her fans by

chatting with them online. The actress, who was last seen on the big screen in “Dolly Ki Doli”, will star alongside Salman Khan in Sooraj Barjatiya’s “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo”, which will release on November 12. She has also begun

shooting for the biopic of Indian flight attendant Neerja Bhanot, who was murdered while saving passengers from terrorists on board the hijacked Pan Am Flight 73 in 1986. The film will hit theatres next year. (Indian Express)

Red Steel's fighting spirit praised after rebounding from bottom to win CPL

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel Coach

Simon Helmot has praised the fighting spirit of his players after they rebounded from the bottom of the table to win the third edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Red Steel defeated the 2014 champions Barbados Tridents by 20 runs in the final at the Queen's Park oval on Sunday.

"I am really proud of this team," said Helmot.

"I thought we put up a great fight throughout the season and then to play 10 games in 16 days and to come out victorious is an enormous effort."

Red Steel, losing semifinalist in 2013 and 2014, arrived for their home matches in Trinidad at the bottom of the standings.

This year, on the way to the final four, Red Steel defeated inaugural champions Jamaica Tallawahs and Barbados Tridents, last year's champions.

"We were only bottom because we played fewer games than everyone else," he said.

"But it is a daunt-

ing prospect knowing that other teams have got points in front of you. That can be difficult to handle mentally and emotionally."

Dwayne Bravo's men also endured a tough route to the final by beating Chris Gayle's Tallawahs a second time and also getting

team that have done that before."

Red Steel successfully defended their 178 for five, playing before a sold-out crowd at Queen's Park Oval on Sunday.

They stifled the Tridents' dangerous batting line-up, to take their first ever CPL title.

"In the final I thought

past Guyana Amazon Warriors in the second semi-final eliminator.

"It was a unique experience," said the Red Steel coach.

"The fact that we played 10 matches in 16 days and out of those we were able to win seven, it was an extraordinary effort and I certainly have not been involved with a

we batted exceptionally well," Helmot pointed out.

"We knew when we have strong partnerships at the top we have success and that has happened throughout the tournament and that really gave us a launching pad to accelerate at the back end of the innings."

(CMC)

'We

want to qualify for the World cup,' says mariappa

Adrian Mariappa is already looking ahead to his next assignment as a Reggae Boy.

The Crystal Palace defender, who was a consistent performer at the recently concluded CONCACAF Gold Cup where the Boyz made it to a historic final, says the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers represent another frontier he and his teammates hope to conquer.

"We are focused on what we have to do as we want to qualify for the World Cup. We have been together now for pretty much two months just working and playing football together," said Mariappa.

"That (playing together for a long time) allows us to understand each other better, and you can see that in the performances on the pitch," he added.

Mariappa believes that the Copa America experience was of high value and manifested itself at the Gold Cup, and lessons learnt from both competitions, he claims, should make the team stronger going into World Cup qualifiers.

"Going forward into those games, we are pretty focused on trying to qualify for the World Cup," he said.

Jamaica open their World Cup qualification campaign in a two-way

tie against little-known Nicaragua, starting in Kingston on September 4, with the return leg set for Managua four days later.

The Boyz are seeking to cement their place in Group B of the fourth round of the CONCACAF qualifiers. Costa Rica and Panama have gained automatic places, while Haiti, like Jamaica, will meet Grenada in a playoff series against Grenada with the hopes of advancing.

Assuming that Jamaica and Haiti advance from the qualifying play-off round, then Group B could easily be considered the proverbial zone of death.

Mariappa, reflect-

ing on the Gold Cup final which the Boyz lost 1-3 to Mexico on Sunday in Philadelphia, said Jamaica had a promising start to the contest but were quickly put on the "back foot" by the Central Americans.

"I thought we started really well, and they (Mexico) scored a really good goal and after that we still had a couple of chances. I think early in the second half they put us on the back foot.

"But it's football and it's about small margins, and today we came out on the wrong side of that... we've been together for while and we lose together as a team," Mariappa ended.

Jamaica open against Barbados in Women's Super50

ST JOHN'S, Antigua —

Defending champions Jamaica will lock horns with Barbados in the feature match of the opening round of the Regional Women's Super50 Tournament, which bowls off next week in Trinidad.

The contest will be one of three games in the opening round which will also see last year's losing finalists Guyana coming up against North Windwards and hosts Trinidad and Tobago taking on South Windwards.

Last season, Jamaica hammered Guyana by 218 runs in the final at Windsor Park in Dominica to claim their fifth title.

T&T finished third, with Barbados taking fourth spot and St Vincent and the Grenadines finishing fifth.

Grenada and St Lucia finished sixth and seventh, respectively.

This year, organisers the West Indies Cricket Board have combined the talent of Dominica and St Lucia to form the North Windwards, while Grenada and St Vincent

and the Grenadines have been amalgamated to form the South Windwards. Each team will play each other once in a round-robin preliminary phase with the two top teams clashing in the final on August 16 at the National Cricket Centre in Couva.

Matches will be 50 overs per side.

The tournament will also be used to select a squad for the home series against Pakistan, which bowls off from October 10 to November 2 in St Lucia and Grenada. (CMC)

McKinnon dominates GSSF practical shoot

Practical shooters of Guyana were on Saturday given a chance to display their accuracy and speed while managing power, compliments of the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) with the support of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Ryan McKinnon emerged as the leading marksman, collecting 350 points to cop the overall top honours. Ray Beharry (241.64) and Mohamed Qualander (213.21) finished second and third respectively.

So dominant was McKinnon’s performance that he won all four categories, namely Yoga without the Toga, Over Under, Zig Zag and Mad Dash.

It was another fun afternoon in the blistering sun at the GDF Timehri Ranges as new and experienced shooters alike showed up to test their skills against each other in four challenging courses of fire.

Built around safety, the sport simultaneously measures the ability of the competitor to shoot rapidly and accurately with a full-power handgun in a fun, fair,

and competitive environment.

The Match Director and President of the Federation, Vidushi Persaud commended the dedication and hard work of members before she declared the match open.

The safety element for this match was monitored by Guyana’s internationally certified Chief Range Officers: Michael Blake (Range Master) and Ryan McKinnon.

Competitors’ scores are tabulated by dividing total points by the time it takes to shoot those points on the targets in each stage which results in a Hit Factor (HF). The highest HF wins full stage points and the percentage difference in HFs is calculated and points are awarded to the other competitors against this.

The shooter with the highest accumulated points from all stages in a match wins overall. All the stages in this match were designed to be dynamic, thus no set arrangement of the targets. Courses of fire in the sport are often designed so that the shooter must be inventive.

International cricket in Guyana in 2016 – Cameron

Cricket-starved Guyanese fans could witness the return of international cricket to the National Stadium, Providence, next year, according to West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron.

The Providence, East Bank Demerara venue last hosted a One Day International (ODI) in July 2013, but the last Test match was played there in May 2011 and the last T20 International was during the World T20 tournament in May 2010.

Since then, the venue has hosted several regional age group and senior cricket matches, as well as the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) regional T20 competition.

Quizzed by this publica -

tion about the possibility of Test cricket returning to these shores, Cameron said, “What I can say to you is that based on the schedule of cricket in the last two years that you will

have international cricket in Guyana next year.”

Cameron was at the time in Guyana addressing concerns of local stakeholders during the WICB Town Hall meeting at the Guyana Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, Bourda, Guyana’s former international cricket venue.

According to the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Programme, the West Indies are down to host Australia and South Africa for a tri-series in June 2016, then India a month later for a fourTest series.

The National Stadium was built in time to host matches in the 2007 50-over Cricket World Cup. It has since hosted two Test matches, 13 ODIs and six T20 Internationals.

(Avenash Ramzan)

Rodrigues names Lady Jags Olympic Qualifying squad

Head Coach of the Guyana women’s football team, Mark Rodrigues on Wednesday announced a 19-member squad that will travel to the Dominican Republic to face St Kitts on August 21 and Cuba on August 23 in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) 2016 Women’s Olympic Qualifiers.

Rodrigues’ announcement comes after a rigorous one-week training camp featuring 22 players that concluded last weekend.

Goalkeeper Ruth George is the lone locally based player selected, with Rodrigues turning to players from his historic 2010 Gold Cup squad as well as from his 2012 under-20 group who are from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Ashley Rodrigues was once again named Captain, and will have the De Souza sisters Kayla and Briana, along with Ashlee Savona, Calaigh Copeland, Otesha Charles, Mariam ElMasri, Olivia Gonsalves, Alison Heydorn, Kailey Leila, Chantal Lynch,

Kelly Pelz-Butler, Brittany Persaud, LeahMarie Ramalho, Justine Rodrigues, Martyne Alphonso, Derienne Busby and Chante Sandiford.

Coach Rodrigues said he was excited to have a

was also great to see the developmental maturity of our players after such a long layoff, and see the U20s step up to fight and earn spots.”

“This is a much more experienced squad than 2010, but we must re-

is his staff, that focus is what Guyana will put on the field with the intention and hope of dictating the game.

“We have adopted and trained in a new system of play that’s very exciting and adaptable to what-

gers will ignite and get us as close to peak mental and physical performance as possible early in the game,” Rodrigues noted.

In the absence of an International friendly, the Lady Jags resorted to playing a Georgetown

wide pool of players to select from, with a few higher level identified players still not in attendance who may be available for later rounds pending Guyana’s advancement.

It was the first time since 2010 that the women were coming together and Rodrigues said: “It

member that other countries have also been developing their female players, while also reaching out to their Diasporas for higher level players, so we do not know what to expect from our competition until game day.”

The women’s Head Coach is of the opinion, as

ever our opponents may bring to the field. The players’ procedural memory was exhausted at the end of the camp. That was part of the camp’s training plan, so that when we kick start that part of the brain on August 20 (training – the day before the first game), their trig-

U-17 boys team and the Digicel Schools’ Football National Champions Christianburg/Wismar Secondary. Rodrigues attributed good team selection to how the players reacted during the two contests despite being outmuscled in the two scrimmages, and the con-

tribution to the team during encampment.

The Head Coach says that he welcomes the high expectations for the team, noting “the team has embraced the fact that everyone’s expectations are based on our achievements in 2010 and rightfully so. It was a great, historical achievement for Guyana football” He added, however, “while it’s great to reflect and rejoice on the past and the legacies created and setback then, we must now, first and foremost, remain focused on what we have to do on August 21 and 23, and that is to win our group to advance”.

The Squad: Ashley Rodrigues (Captain); Kayla De Souza; Briana De Souza; Ashlee Savona; Calaigh Copeland; Otesha Charles; Mariam ElMasri; Olivia Gonsalves; Alison Heydorn; Kailey Leila; Chantal Lynch; Kelly Pelz-Butler; Brittany Persaud; LeahMarie Ramalho; Justine Rodrigues; Martyne Alphonso; Derienne Busby; Ruth George and Chante Sandiford. (GFF Press release)

WICB Regional U-15 Tournament

Bowlers give Guyana easy win

By Rajiv Bisnauth

An abject bat-

ting display by Jamaica paved the way for a crushing nine-wicket victory by Guyana in Round Four of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-15 OneDay Tournament played on Tuesday at the Albion Sports Complex.

A combination of good bowling and some injudicious shot making by the Jamaica batsmen saw the visitors routed for 27 in 17.2 overs. The target of 28 proved to be too meagre for Guyana’s strong batting line-up. Eventually, only one batsman was dismissed, and when the target was achieved Guyana had 42.1 overs to spare.

Robin Williams (2) was the batsman dismissed. Jason Sinclair was unbeaten on 13 and Orlando Jailall on two. The hosts took wickets at regular intervals to deny momentum for the visiting side.

The tourists won the toss and batted on a flat dry-looking pitch, but their decision backfired as they collapsed without showing a fight.

Left-arm spinner

and Man-of-the-Match

Ashmead Nedd (3-3) was the pick of the Guyanese bowlers while medium pacers Alphius Bookie (2-2); Qumar Torrington (2-7) and Haifa Walters (2-14) all combined to decimate a clearly dispirited Jamaica side in which only opening batsmen Kirk Mckenzie offered any meaningful resistance in getting to 13.

Seven batsmen were dismissed without scoring.

The visitors suffered an early blow, losing Zavier Burton in the fourth over. Burton (6) was run out after a mix-up with his partner Mckenzie.

From that point, Jamaica imploded. On a two-paced pitch, the hosts’ bowlers put the brakes on the scoring, and panic took hold of the batsmen.

Roberto Simpson (0) was removed by medium pacer Torrington, while Mckenzie (13) and Mario Duncan (1) were dismissed by Walters in his fourth over.

Torrington then uprooted the middle stump of George Seymour (2), as Jamaica lost half their side before the end

of the 11th over.

Nedd brought himself on and completely confounded the lower-order batsmen. He discovered the turn available on the pitch, and immediately removed Kevon Anniford and Romanie Jacob within the space of three balls.

Nedd spun one sharply to find the edge of Anniford’s bat him without scoring and Jacob was clean bowled also without scoring.

Alphius Bookie then got into the act, removing Michael Thompson (0) before a brief shower sent the players off.

When play resumed, Nedd had Andre Blake caught and bowled also without scoring, while Bookie claimed the final wicket of Christopher Green caught at the wicket for three.

Guyana will play the Windward Islands in the final round on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium.

Other final round games will see Barbados opposing Trinidad and Tobago at Albion, while Jamaica faces the Leeward Islands at the Everest Cricket Club Ground.

Fraser-Pryce now eyes double in Beijing

STOCKHOLM, Sweden –

Jamaican star

Shelly-Ann FraserPryce has made an about turn and now says she could defend both her sprint titles at the World Championships in Beijing next month.

The 28-year-old, who won both the 100 and 200 metres four years ago in Moscow, had said earlier this month that she would focus only on the 100 metres at the Bird’s Nest.

However, speaking yesterday ahead of her 100m outing at the Diamond League meet here today, Fraser-Pryce said the 200m was now back in play.

“I was down to do the 100 and relay, but the 200 is still possible,” Fraser-Pryce told a media conference.

“My coach did say earlier that I was not running the 200 but last week I was in practice and he said I should do a 100, a 200 and a 250.”

She continued: “I said: ‘Why am I going all that way? I’m not running 200 at the world

champs?’ And he said: ‘Who says you’re not running?’ so I said: ‘You did!’ and he said: ‘I’ve changed my mind. I’m not sure.’

“The thing is, I’ve already earned a spot in the 200 as champion, so I wouldn’t be taking it away from anybody else.”

Fraser-Pryce is one of the most successful women sprinters of the modern area. She won gold in the 100 metres at the Beijing Olympics seven years ago and successfully defended the title at the London Olympics in 2012, along with picking up silver in the 200m

With obviously more success in the straight sprint, Fraser-Pryce said a lot more thought usually went in to her execution of the half lap.

“The 200 for me is def-

Gayle, Bravo top aggregates in 2015 Hero CPL

KINGSTON, Jamaica –Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo topped the aggregates in the just concluded Hero Caribbean Premier League, though their respective franchises experienced contrasting fates.

The left-handed Gayle, who led Jamaica Tallawahs, finished with 430 runs at an average of 61.50 and a strike rate of 160, hammering a highest score of 105, along with three half-centuries.

He was ahead of St Lucia Zouks’ Andre Fletcher who carved out 369 runs while Marlon Samuels, the influential St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, was third in the aggregates with 325 runs.

Only three other

batsmen made it into the 300-run club. Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Lendl Simmons managed 317 runs, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel’s Jacques Kallis got 304 while Kieron Pollard, the Barbados Tridents’ talismanic captain, scored 303 runs.

Gayle was by far the leading run-scorer for Tallawahs and was just one of two players to get over 200 runs. Chadwick Walton scored 243.

Tallawahs, the 2013 champions, were knocked out by Red Steel in the first semifinal, after finishing fourth in the preliminary round.

Bravo, meanwhile, was outstanding with the ball as he propelled Red Steel to their first CPL title. He finished

the tournament with 28 wickets at an average of 11 and an economy rate of seven.

Tallawahs leftarm seamer Krishmar Santokie picked up 16 wickets while Amazon Warriors off-spinner Sunil Narine snared 14 wickets.

Bravo, the Red Steel skipper, was at his most brilliant in the first semi-final against Tallawahs, picking up

a regional T20 careerbest five for 23, to earn his side a 27-run win at Queen’s Park Oval. He picked up two for 19 from three overs in the second semi-final Red Steel captured by six wickets but went wicket-less in the final last Sunday as the hosts pulled off a 20-run win. (CMC)

cooper hopes T&T can boost mental aspect for World cup

initely more strategic,” she explained. “When I get to the start line I am thinking ‘do I go hard for the first 50, do I go 80 per cent and then blast the last 100?”

Fraser-Pryce has not raced since clocking a world-leading 10.74 seconds in Paris three weeks ago and said she was looking forward to hitting the track again.

“I didn’t come out of the blocks very well in Paris but my transition from 30 to 70 metres was the best part of my race,” she noted.

“I’ve been training hard since and running some longer distances over 200m, which I don’t like. I’m looking forward to getting my racing started again tomorrow.”

(CMC)

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad –Captain Joelisa Cooper says Trinidad and Tobago still need to address the mental side of their game, as they prepare for a challenging campaign in the Netball World Cup next month.

Pointing to the tour of Europe last May, Cooper said those results had shown up a lack of mental toughness and said it was still an area of concern.

“Honestly, we have not alleviated that (lack of mental strength) because we have not had access to a psychologist,” Cooper told the Trinidad Express newspaper.

“I’m praying [for the squad] because I’m very satisfied with them physically but something needs to be done with the mental aspect. I’m just praying and trying to support each player as a captain.”

T&T suffered a clean sweep to England in May, losing the opening game in Somerset, 65-42, going down in the second game 67-42 in London, before being hammered 69-36 in the final encounter in Liverpool.

In the subsequent Open Championship in Belfast, T&T lost four of their five outings. They went down 63-42 to England, lost 53-46 to

Wales, were beaten 4542 by Scotland and also edged 46-42 by South Africa. Their only victory came against 52-40 victory over Northern Ireland.

However, Cooper said T&T had prepared well and were focused ahead of the August 7-16 tournament in Sydney, Australia.

“We have been training very hard for the past two years,” she said. “We were drilling for a week and it was a really gruelling and testing camp. However, I think we are up for the challenge.”

(CMC)

ASHES 2015: James Anderson burst helps England take charge

England’s James Anderson acknowledges the crowd, after completing his 5-wicket haul against Australia, on the first day of the third Ashes Test

England bounced back from their Lord’s humiliation to seize control of the third Ashes Test in an astonishingly one-sided first day at Edgbaston. Feeding off the passion of a boisterous crowd at the venue where they famously ignited their 2005 Ashes campaign, England bundled out the tourists for 136 on a seaming pitch and reached 133-3 at the close.

A potent James Anderson took his best Ashes figures of 6-47, and Steven Finn marked his first Test appearance for two years with the wickets of Steve Smith and Michael Clarke after Australia had won the toss and chosen to bat.

On a day punctuated by short rain delays, the mood of England and their supporters was lift-

ed further still by the sight of Ian Bell flaying the Australia attack around the ground under floodlights in the evening session. Five balls after reaching fifty, however, Bell tossed his wicket away with a needless heave at Nathan Lyon that took a fraction of the gloss off England’s nearperfect day.

Despite Bell’s frivolousness, England were unrecognisable from the meek outfit that had been bowled out for 103 on the fourth day of the Lord’s Test, as Australia romped to a 405-run victory.

The tourists’ innings duration of 36.4 overs was two balls fewer than England’s at Lord’s. They will rue some injudicious shots from their middle order. But on a pitch offering just enough sideways movement and car-

T&T get swimming gold at Special olympics

Great effort: Kenya’s Joseph Njenga Njunie makes a diving save during a 2015 Special olympics World Games beach volleyball match at Alamitos Beach, in long Beach, california, USA, on monday

The Trinidad and Tobago Special Olympics team struck gold on day one of competition in aquatics at the Uytengsu Aquatics Centre in the University of Southern California, as part of the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles, California on Sunday.

Swimmers Nikolai Lalla, Jariah Walker and Chavez Lamy all won gold medals in their categories while Shania Surujbally and Jaleel

Pierre won ribbons. Nikolai Lalla finished his 50 metre breaststroke in 38.43 seconds, while Jariah Walker and Chavez Lamy finished their 25m backstroke in 23.23 seconds and 16.85 seconds respectively. Meanwhile, Shania Surujbally was fourth in her 50m backstroke in 1:00.93. Jariah Walker was sixth in his 25m back doing 25.02 which he had bettered earlier in the day when he did a 22.09.

Platini announces FIFA presidency bid

Ury to assist their bowlers, England put themselves well on course to take a 2-1 lead in the series with two matches to play.

EFA president Michel Platini ended weeks of uncertainty on Wednesday when he announced that he would stand for the presidency of FIFA in place of outgoing Sepp Blatter. The former French international, who has been UEFA president since 2007 and a FIFA executive committee member since 2002, said he want-

ed to “to give FIFA back the dignity and the position it deserves.”

Platini, who played in three World Cups for France and led them to the European championship title in 1984, said he had written to the 209 member-associations of FIFA, who each hold one vote in the presidential election, to inform them of his decision.

“This was a very per-

sonal, carefully considered decision, one in which I weighed up the future of soccer alongside my own future,” he said in the letter, according to a statement published on the UEFA website (www.uefa.org).

“I was also guided by the esteem, support and encouragement that many of you have shown me.”

“There are times in life when you have to take your destiny into your own hands.”

Blatter was re-elected for a fifth term as president on May 29, but four days later said he would lay down his mandate amid the worst crisis in FIFA’s history. Blatter will remain as president until the election on February 26.

Guyana’s Pompey named to Pan American Athletes Commission

By TreisTon Joseph

Guyana’s greatest female quarter-miler, Aliann Pompey continues to make strides in her postathletics career, becoming the first Guyanese to be named to the Pan American Athletes Commission.

Pompey’s appointment to the Commission came after the just-concluded Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, where Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) President KA Juman Yassin nominated the Commonwealth gold medallist.

The four-time Olympian thanked Yassin for the confidence shown in her ability and pointed out the reason the Pan American nations voted her in to the Commission.

“First, thanks to Mr Juman-Yassin for his nomination and the GOA for their continual support of my endeavours.

“The athletes and Pan Am participants who voted for me are

aware of the integrity with which I competed, and have faith that I will go to bat for their collective interests. The Pan Am countries have made leaps over the past few years and have proven themselves a force in sports,” Pompey stated in an invited comment to this newspaper.

In addition, Pompey indicated her eagerness to carry out her new mandate, “as a representative for the region in all the Pan Am sports, I am tasked with looking at the big picture. For the next eight years, the scope of my work has increased exponentially and I am excited to start! I hope this gives more credence to my assessments on Guyana’s sports development,” the five-time World Championships athlete noted.

Meanwhile, Pompey, despite a packed schedule, indicated that she hoped at some point in the future she was able to spend a bit of time in Guyana in order to aid the development of sport.

Crawford rides away with GBTI title sport

Romello Crawford continued his rise in local cycling when he won the eighth annual Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Corriverton Branch 60-miler on Sunday.

Crawford, who arrived in Guyana hours before the event, wasted no time in signaling his intentions and was the first out of the pack. He was never challenged and slowly increased the distance between himself and the second rider.

The Trojan Cycle Club athlete took all ten sprint point prizes up for grabs.

Despite the heavy rainfall, none of the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) or Corskel Cycle Club riders were able to keep up with the top finishers from Trojan. Jubal Crawford was a distant second in a race which was dominated by the cousins.

Andrew Hicks also wearing Trojan colors was third ahead of his teammate Toran Harris. Wasim Hassnu Hassnu of FACC was fifth with the former President of Trojan,

Ramsuchit sixth. Seasoned campaigner Marcia Dick led the females to the finish line to give the FACC a win. The second place went to Christine Matterson and third, to Whitney Poyer.

For the beginners, Balram Narine of Corskel was first ahead of his teammate Curtis Dey. Roopchan Kidnauth was the only cyclist not from the Upper Corentyne to place in that catego-

ry finishing third. The fourth place went to Alex Burnet.

The seniors started in from of the bank’s Corriverton Branch and proceeded to Adventure village before returning to the point of origin to finish while the females rode from Number 66 Village to the finish line and the beginners from Number 51 Village to the finish line.

Twenty-eight riders started the race with

the winners receiving cash and other incentives.

Manager of the Corriverton Branch Keiola Blackman in brief remarks thanked all of the participants and promised the bank’s continued support for sport and the community. She noted that the bank’s sponsorship of the event was one way in which the bank gives back to the community.

(Andrew Carmichael)