Guyana times international

West Coast man dies in police custody at Parika

By Bhisham mohamed

Acarpenter was on Wednesday morning found dead in the Parika Police Station lock-ups after he was reportedly beaten hours after being arrested and taken into custody following a report of damage to property against him.

The discovery was made around 08:45h by Police ranks who went to conduct routine checks on prisoners.

The dead man has been identified as Zaharudeen Rozan, 38, formerly of Lot 18 Hague Back, West Coast Demerara (WCD) and of Cornelia Ida Housing Scheme, WCD.

Police in an initial statement said that the man was found lying on the floor of the lock-ups and was still alive, but this might not have been the case since reports reaching this newspaper suggested that the man was already dead.

Police ranks at the detention facility remained tight-lipped about the incident.

The death of Rozan comes in wake of renewed criticisms of the way the Guyana Police Force and the Police Service Commission handled the recent promo-

tions of two officers who were charged for allegedly torturing a teenage boy back in 2009.

Regarding Rozan, this newspaper understands that there were about three other prisoners in the lock-ups and they are being grilled by a team of investigators who travelled up to the Police station.

In addition, the man might have been crying out for pain, but was reportedly ignored by the ranks on duty.

Following the discovery, Rozan was reportedly left for well over an hour before he was taken to the Leonora Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Police stated that the man was arrested on Tuesday evening about 21:10h following a report of damage to property that was made against him.

At the time of his arrest, this newspaper understands that the man was manhandled by the Police after he resisted arrest. Rozan was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time.

At the home of the dead man, his mother, Raimoon Rozan, told this publication that her family was informed of her son’s death about 16:30h by a group of Police officers who visited their house.

She said that the Police questioned her about her son. She said the lawmen told her that Rozan was arrested on Tuesday evening and while in custody, he hit his head on a metal pole and subsequently died.

She admitted that her son was a heavy drinker and normally got into trouble. She went on to say that her son worked with them on the rice field, but left after he started to drink heavily.

The woman further disclosed that after he left home, he drove a minibus and then worked as a carpenter.

The man’s wife, Swabera Hussein, explained that they separated well over a year ago. Their union produced three children aged 13, 10 and seven. She stated that she ac-

companied one of her children on a school tour and upon their return, she received the devastating news from her brother-in-law.

Initially, she was told that her husband met in an accident and died, but later she learnt that he was arrested and placed in the lock-ups.

Damaged fence

The neighbour whose fence was allegedly damaged said that he was not at home but received a telephone call from a

following an alleged beating by Police ranks at the Leonora Police Station.

Asif Raheem Khatoon, 38, of Lot 102 Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD, died as a result of injuries he reportedly received while in Police custody. Khatoon was arrested after his wife lodged a report of domestic violence.

After his apprehension, the Police ranks reportedly gave him a sound thrashing. The injured man was thrown

ter returning home from the medical facility.

A Post-Mortem Examination revealed that he died as a result of multiple injuries to his neck and body.

According to the report, the man suffered a broken jaw and a ruptured ligament in his throat.

friend who told him that Rozan was “rocking” the gate to get into the yard.

During the commotion, a few staves broke and a neighbour summoned the Police. It was at this point, Rozan was allegedly beaten and thrown into the Police truck which sped away.

This incident comes less than five months after a father of four died

into the lock-ups, but was released a few days later without being charged or placed before the court.

While at home, Khatoon cried out for pain and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) where he was admitted due to the extent of his injuries. However, he took self-discharge and went home.

He died moments af-

In addition, the autopsy performed by Dr Nehaul Singh also revealed that Khatoon received severe injuries to his chest which resulted in a massive blood clot forming in his body. The matter was investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) but nothing has come out of the matter.

In the case of Rozan, the Police in a release stated that an investigation has been launched into the man’s death by the OPR.

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EDITORIAL

Elizabeth Harper

The Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), after much internal discussions, on February 21 announced career diplomat Elizabeth Ann Harper as its Prime Ministerial candidate for the upcoming May 11 General and Regional elections. The announcement no doubt came as a surprise to those in the Opposition camp and lots of supporters of the PPP/C.

While stating the rationale behind the party’s decision, General Secretary Clement Rohee explained that Harper was both qualified and competent to function as Guyana’s Prime Minister were the PPP/C to win the upcoming elections. He said her selection was unanimous, hinting that the party stayed true to the agreement it had back in 1992 which led to the formation of its ‘Civic’ component.

The PPP/C’s current Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar appeared confident and upbeat about victory after making the announcement. But their confidence and optimism could not stave off the attacks from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) which entered a formal coalition on February 14.

These attacks started moments after the announcement on social media and when responses were sought from the coalition leaders to the PPP/C’s decision. Any critical analysis of the comments made by the APNU/AFC coalition about Harper’s selection will reveal that there is an attempt to create a storm in a tea cup.

The Opposition appears to be arguing that Harper’s alleged lack of political experience will make her an incompetent PM if she were to be elected at the polls. The Granger-led coalition is also arguing that Harper’s selection will not affect the outcome of the 2015 polls, as she is unable to garner mass electoral support.

That aside, the coalition group is unable to make any formidable criticism of Harper’s selection as the PPP/C’s PM candidate. It cannot criticize her qualifications; moral stock or her integrity when compared to Nagamootoo.

When compared to Nagamootoo, Harper is seen as a cut above the edge and someone with the ability to move Guyana away from the politics of revenge, hate and vendetta which have been endorsed by Nagamootoo when one considers his actions and utterances in the past.

Why should Harper, who is a mature woman, be criticised for being ambitious? If she was unveiled as APNU’s PM Candidate or a Minister in its proposed Government of National Unity, would there be such a frenzy in our society?

She could swing more non-traditional support towards the PPP/C in what could be Guyana’s most historic and closely contested elections. Harper is also seen as an appealing candidate to women from all walks of life and stands as a beacon of hope for those women who are fearful to accept such roles in a political system that is dominated by male chauvinists.

This means that she will face many hurdles and challenges as she prepares to hit the campaign trail especially from a coalition that apparently has no respect for women who are outspoken and passionate about a cause or opponents of bullyism.

Ask Vanessa Kissoon, Gomatie Singh, Volda Lawrence, Valerie Garrido-Lowe and a string of others who have suffered various degrees of injustices at the hands of their male dominated party.

The PPP/C’s decision to select Harper, who is the mother of three girls (Michelle, Melissa and Natasha), is strategic and does not appear to be based on the colour of her skin, nor a desire of the party to appeal to race. The PPP/C has not made any reference to the need for the party to campaign in AfroGuyanese communities with a candidate of the same ethnicity.

There is no record, public or otherwise, that Harper was brought on board by the PPP/C because she was never affiliated with its bureaucracy. Therefore, the Opposition parties may be underestimating Harper’s appeal as a woman of substance and a professional with an excellent track record.

She is quite similar to Janet Jagan. And just like Janet, she may be able to cause a major upset at the upcoming elections.

Region must “stay the

course”

with renewables and efficiency – CDB

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has stepped up its drive to encourage Public and Private Sector investments in sustainable energy -energy efficiency and renewable energy projects as a matter of priority, in spite of lower oil prices.

To this end, the Bank is expanding the range of funding and technical assistance programmes that can be tapped by Governments and commercial interests. In a recent interview, Head of the Bank’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Unit, Tessa Williams Robertson said the multilateral funding agency was particularly keen to support projects in solar, wind and geothermal energy, as priorities, but would support other renewable energy options such as bio-energy.

“We are looking at the inclusion of renewable energy and energy efficiency components in all of our projects wherever the opportunity presents itself,” Williams Robertson said. This approach is consistent with the Bank’s Climate Resilience Strategy, which recognises the critical role of sustainable energy in achieving climate resilience, and contributes to the achievement of targets set within the Caricom Sustainable Energy Strategy.

Williams Robertson advised that the Bank is now

developing special products to support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on concessionary terms.

Two such special facilities are the geothermal energy development facility and the proposed Sustainable Energy for the Eastern Caribbean (SEEC) Programme.

The Bank is in discussions with donors and contributors on the establishment of the geothermal facility. Last year, the CDB; Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to collaborate on the promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the Eastern Caribbean, with a special focus on geothermal energy development.

“Our objective is to support the development of geothermal – from exploration, studies, all the way through to field development and plant installation. Developing geothermal is not low cost, and much of the investment will need to come from the Private Sector. It is also highly technical covering a range of disciplines; so it makes sense for us to work with credible developers/investors who have the capacity and the experience,” Williams Robertson explained in a recent interview.

Final stages of approval

The SEEC is under consideration by European Union (EU) Caribbean Investment Fund and DFID for grant funding, and is now in the final stages of approval. “We will be blending the CDB market resources with those grant resources to produce a more attractive interest rate for our member countries in the Eastern Caribbean for investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Also, we expect to be financing not only investments, but technical assistance for building capacity and strengthening legislative and regulatory frameworks,” Williams Robertson said. Effective energy efficiency interventions in Government buildings and in street lighting will necessitate collaboration between Government and the electric utility in an effort to reduce Public Sector electricity bills. In some cases, the reduced Government expenditure could have a beneficial impact on high Government indebtedness and fiscal deficits.

CDB has made energy security a cross-cutting theme in its new Strategic Plan 2015 to 2019. This means that energy security is a consideration in all of the technical assistance and investment projects which CDB finances.

Gang-raped teen too traumatised to give statement – mother

The 18-year-old Bellevue, West Bank Demerara (WBD) teenager, who was allegedly gangraped by a group of men on Old Year’s Night, is still not in a frame of mind to give a written statement to the Police, according to his mother.

During a telephone interview with this publication, the woman disclosed that several Police ranks from the Leonora Police Station visited her son, but after an assessment of his condition, the ranks were asked to return, after relatives claimed that he was not quite ready to speak.

“After the family talk… we decide that lets wait lil bit more… he nah really ready to tell the public what happen to he… is like he shame and want keep it to he self,” the teen’s mother stated.

He, nevertheless, provided the names of three people who might have participated and orchestrated the horrific attack on December 31, 2014. Two of the persons identified work at a supermarket in Vreed-enHoop, WBD, where he

was employed prior to the incident.

The other, the mother said is a well known character in the area and might have been the master mind behind the rape. After the incident, Police had arrested him but due to the constitutional 72-hour detention period, he was released on both occasions.

She added that the Police have been in contact with the family and admitted that it is up to her son to provide them with a statement. A senior Police rank reiterated that the Police are waiting on the statement noting that it is critical to the investigation.

He stated that while the names have been provided, a statement on what occurred is vital, especially in this case. The three persons, he added have already been contacted and have all denied being involved in the alleged rape.

However, the woman said that her son is on the road to recovery and has started to move around. While she is happy that he is reintegrating into society, she is concerned that her son

will remain traumatised for the rest of his life.

“Every time he see a car coming in he direction, he run in the house and collect a cutlass as if somebody coming to do he something,” the woman stated. The mother disclosed that once she had to run behind him and take away a cutlass because he had started to behave hysterical.

She is hoping that once the statement is provided to the Police, justice would be served.

On the day in question, the teen was invited to a party organised by his best friend at a house in Vreed-en-Hoop.

After the party, he was reportedly drugged and allegedly raped by at least 10 men. After the incident, the best friend’s step father allegedly attempted to further harm him but he managed to escape.

He went to his sister’s home and after giving a brief synopsis of what took place, he went speechless. He was subsequently hospitalised for more than two weeks but was discharged and is at home on the road to recovery.

Two marijuana traffickers nabbed in Berbice

Police in Berbice found two persons on separate occasions on Wednesday with a quantity of cannabis which is believed to be for the purpose of trafficking.

Reports are that at about 10:30h, a party of Police Officers acting on information stopped a 24-year-old man in Vrymen’s Erven, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). A search was carried out and 815 grams of cannabis was found on the man.

The drug was dis-

covered concealed in a multi-coloured bag marked karibee rice. The man who is a labourer of lot 46 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam was at the time carrying the bag on

his back in which the illegal substance was found.

He is in custody awaiting charges.

Four hours later, Police on the West Coast of Berbice made a similar discovery. According to a source close to the Police, ranks were on anti-crime duties and were conducting a stop and search exercise when they stopped a white Toyota Fielder, bearing registration number PRR 2749 with a driver and four passengers. One of the passengers – a 32-year-old cash crop farmer of Number 22 Bel Air, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) who was sitting in the front

passenger seat had in his possession a black and pink haversack.

The haversack was searched and parts of the illegal plant were found in a plastic wrapped parcel. The cannabis was weighed in his presence and amounted to 699 grams. The farmer told Police that he purchased the parcel in New Amsterdam. He too is in is custody awaiting charges.

Commander of B Division, Assistant Commissioner Brian Joseph had recently promised to weed out the cultivation of the illegal drug in Berbice.

AFC-APNU merger and opinion polling

Dear Editor,

One would have thought that the opposition AFC and PNC (APNU) would have used some kind of measuring device to test support among their followers, if not the nation at large, for their plan to merge to contest the upcoming General and Regional elections.

Instead, the parties rushed headlong into an alliance without considering the views of supporters. And it was done in secret. And we now learn that aside from a handful of top officials, no one else was asked about their views of the proposed merger between the PNC and AFC.

Now there are recriminations and falling out in support, even public condemnation and ridicule of both parties with the latter being affected with more falling out than the PNC, whose supporters want to strangle the negotiators for giving up so much.

Had the parties done so, that is; test support for their proposed marriage, they would have gotten an idea of where that position stands regarding voters. And as such the parties would have made an informed decision about whether to form an alliance.

PNC supporters are

upset that the party has given away the store and AFC supporters feel betrayed that their party is so desperate for a man that it is willing to accept anything.

In modern politics, politicians use available tools to determine support for proposed policies and proposed positions.

Opinion polling is very critical in politics in the modern era. Bill Clinton successfully used opinion polling in the US when he was President to test support for his plans and became one of the most popular and successful American Presidents. Every President thereafter used that strategy in America to test, influence, and shape public opinion and support.

Polls are conducted every week in the US and over a dozen of pollsters conduct surveys for various entities weekly on support for candidates, parties and on policies.

So why isn’t the AFC utilizing the same device to make decisions?

Dick Morris could have conducted an opinion poll for AFC as it did in 2006 showing it winning the election. Or Cadres could have conducted a poll as it did for AFC in 2011 showing it winning

the election.

Leading personalities in the AFC are complaining they were not consulted about entering into negotiations with the PNC for a marriage. The party’s supporters are also angry about the merger.

How could experienced politicians like my friends Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan make such blunders to sign an agreement and not even bother to consult with key individuals much less its supporters? So even if the party did not want to conduct a poll, could it not have asked its supporters where they stand on a proposed union with the PNC? AFC supporters are not pleased with this marriage.

Opinion polling is critical in modern politics and parties are encouraged to use them to determine their support as they campaign for the upcoming general and regional elections. The polls will assist them to tailor their campaign message to bolster support.

Also, the PPP/C could have had an opinion poll conducted to determine support for various proposed Prime Ministerial candidates.

Vishnu Bisram

Was there no Guyanese who could have been appointed GFF General Secretary?

Dear Editor,

Guyanese have always been known to be amongst the best certified and qualified in the Caribbean and in some instances, in the world.

Guyanese throughout the length and breadth of Guyana must be hurt and feel worthless, offended and disrespected at the breaking news – Trinidadian Richard Groden is the General Secretary to the national football authority, the GFF

After eyebrows were raised and frustration expressed, the chairman of the GFF Normalization Committee Clinton Urling, a gentleman who has gained much respect from many, indicated that FIFA and CONCACAF were consulted and as a result, the appointment was made.

As is the practice, the filling of a position as important and prestigious as the General Secretary of the GFF, must be adequately and widely advertised. Was this done?

Were Guyanese given an opportunity to apply for

this position?

Can the Guyanese public be informed of the job description and job specification of that of the General Secretary?

How does one know why Guyanese were over looked?

It is important to state that while the appointment of Mr Groden is temporary, it does not change the situation. Are we sure that all is well with the reputation of Mr Groden? Is he above board?

Are there no Guyanese who can match the certification, qualification, experience and ability of Mr Groden? Why all the secrecy?

The state of our football is at a crucial juncture, hence, special care and attention must be taken when dealing with such matters of great significance. The slightest wave can rock the boat over.

Guyanese, being as honest, understanding as they are, will definitely accept the appointment if the playing field is level. If the playing

The AFC’s desperate damage control mode

Dear Editor, When Raphael Trotman said that the AFC came out of the coalition negotiations a winner with only 10 percent of the votes, he was making a desperate attempt at damage control. He was referring to the deal which saw them (supposedly) getting more than their fair share of political status in that alliance of sorts.

Of course, I am compelled to add that they did get more than their fair share, to hammer out a Prime Ministerial post deal with a 40 per cent partner is good politics. However, I must caution Trotman with that smart talk of being a winner.

Must I remind him of what did take place after the 1964 coalition with the same PNC? Let me give you the answer. Soon thereafter they kicked the United Force’s Peter D’Augiar to the curb and took full control of all things political in this country.

The PNC loves to be in control, that is their modus operandi and there is no reason to believe that they have relinquished that idea.

You are playing around with an experienced party that has near five decades of this sort of behaviour, so hear me and hear me well AFC; you are doomed! So, that fancy footwork in they being a winner is mere idle talk. The PNC/ APNU will never tolerate a miniature junior partner being so vocal and powerful in any partnership with them … period. It is not going to happen. It never happened in the past and certainly wouldn’t happen now. Lest they think that this writer is scaring anyone, I am not. All I am doing is laying out the cards on the table in plain talk. Meantime, the onlooker electorate are shocked as to the course of events. I say the people will help this AFC/ PNC mishmash coalition by voting them out into the cold.

Neil Adams

A prayer for our nation

Dear Editor,

As we celebrate another anniversary of republican status, let us pause to give God thanks for his leading thus far and his continual guidance in the years to come.

Almighty and Eternal God, you know the longings of our hearts and the desires of our souls to live in peace and prosperity. In your goodness, watch over those in authority, so that people everywhere may enjoy freedom, security and peace.

Father, you guide and govern everything with order and your love. Look down upon our national leaders and fill them with

the spirit of your wisdom. May they always act in accordance with your will and their decisions be for the peace and well-being of all. God bless Guyana.

O Lord, bring righteous people who fear you, to lead our nation into the future. Establish godly leaders who will glorify you as they lead.

And let their tenure be as welcome as the light of morning, at sunrise and like the brightness after rain that bring green grass to the earth (II Samuel 23: 3- 4).

O God, your plans are firm, faithful and forever. The purposes of your heart prevail through all

the generations. Let your mighty perfect will be done in the coming elections (Psalms 33: 11).

So we ask you for godly, good leaders, who will bring joy, to those they lead. Do not allow wicked persons to gain public office, but only those who honour and fear you (Proverbs 29: 2).

If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways. Then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and will heal their land (II Chronicles 7: 14). Lord, hear us. Amen! P John

What should constitute our Republic Day parade

field is not level, then Guyanese have the right to ask questions and overtly vent their feelings.

Was the overall cost for such an appointment taken into consideration? Will the powers that be, now see it convenient and respectful to formally inform the nation of the true picture of this unproductive development?

Guyanese are certainly patiently waiting on such an explanation. Please! Do not take Guyanese for granted. It is imperative that we should not make the mistakes of the past. Instead let us focus on what can be done now to take football and its development to the next level.

The life of the Normalization Committee comes to an end in September, 2015. While we respect you as human beings, we expect you to do the best, within your power, to really and truly normalize the situation of football and bring it back to a level of respectability.

Neil Kumar

Dear Editor,

I wish to thank the Albertown Police Station for heeding my desperate plea on Monday night and turning up in my Queenstown neighbourhood to shut down the Banks DIH post-Mash noise.

This was after 21:00h. It took the Police an hour to get there, but they did, and for that I am very grateful.

I intended to check whether there is any law that allows a commercial entity to plop itself down in a residential neighbourhood and emit from 10:00h in the morning and onwards a thumping, raucous racket – I think it’s called music –until whenever they decide to turn it off.

But is this about legality or about being good citizens?

And since I am on the subject of the annual dutty wine that serves to mark our Republican status, I am stating here that I will vote for whichever party is willing to change this annual parade and by doing so change our nation.

We are bent on copying Trinidad and Brazil. Since we are bereft of creativity and cannot make anything of our own, I move that we copy the more decent nations and have a Republic Day parade that we can all be proud of. It is a day to parade our best and finest.

I want to see our Army and Police in dress uniform marching in perfect order down our streets before bands that have rehearsed and are in perfect tune and harmony.

Our Fire Service, Drug Enforcement Unit, our schools and clubs, our Girl Guides and Boy Scouts, our judo and

shakti masters and students, and our commercial sector who will build and display aesthetically pleasing floats to a theme and can compete for prizes – these should constitute our Republic Day parade.

Note that I am not asking for better education or economic systems, or a cleanup of corruption. Whichever of the two Presidential Candidates has the cojones to institute a decent Republic Day celebration will, in that one decisive move, turn this country around.

He will be stating that ours is a proud, law abiding nation where the attributes of decency, neighbourliness, morality, and all around pleasantness like good manners and courtesy are the ones we encourage and reward.

These are the characteristics on which progressive nations are built.

What we have and will continue to have for a long, long time is leadership that will now send around a cleanup crew to pick up the droppings of litter that the dutty winers have left behind.

I usually flee my home on dutty wine day. This year I stayed. Next year, I will flee again unless the incoming President changes the nature of our Republic Day parade.

Given that this will not happen, would he at least change the parade route?

The citizens of Queenstown and Kitty have more than done their duty for country and the annual dutty wine should now be inflicted on another neighbourhood.

Ryhaan Shah

“No rift in the PPP” -

Rohee says merits of party’s decision to select Harper as PM candidate will soon become evident

The PPP/C’s Prime Ministerial candidate, Mrs Elisabeth Harper, has resigned as DirectorGeneral of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This disclosure was made on Wednesday by General Secreta ry of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Mr Clement Rohee, who said, “My information is that she has already done so.”

Speaking at the Party’s weekly press conference held at Freedom House, he fielded questions on Harper’s selection as the incumbent Head of State’s running mate, and also stated that Harper will be active on the PPP/C’s campaign trail.

Responding to criticisms that she is not a ‘vote getter’, Rohee simply said, “Let’s wait on May 11 and see.”

He also noted that while there have been some comments to the effect that Harper is ‘not popular’, the current presidential candidate of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, is similarly not popular.

Rohee also stressed that the Party’s Prime Ministerial candidate is a career diplomat, and is “a very credible” indi-

vidual.

He attributed criticisms of the Party’s selection as coming from “cynics and pessimists”, but coupled this recognition with the fact that there has also been overwhelming expression of support for her selection.

Rohee highlighted the fact that Harper’s selection seems to have spurred “panic” in the APNU/AFC alliance’s camp. “The People’s Progressive Party takes note of the serious panic in the APNU-AFC camp following the announcement that one of Guyana’s outstanding daughters, Mrs. Elisabeth Harper, is our Prime Ministerial Candidate for the May 11 general and regional elections,” he said, adding:

“It is indeed interesting to note how the announcement of Mrs Harper’s candidacy has caused pandemonium in the already unpopular and weak APNU/AFC coalition, which hurriedly strung together a press release attacking the PPP/Civic’s choice for Prime Minister Candidate….

“It is clear that, through an act of desperation, the APNU-AFC appears shell-shocked due to the fact that our Prime Ministerial can-

didate is an outstanding but yet humble woman, as against their power-hungry Prime Ministerial candidate.”

Rohee surmised that the “harsh and disparaging comments” coming from the ‘alliance’ is an effort to downplay the significance and impact of Harper’s selection, particularly as it relates to its chances at the upcoming polls.

The involvement of the Party’s Civic component was also addressed at the news conference.

Rohee explained that while former member of the Civic component Dr Henry Jeffery advocated for a greater degree of organisation among the individuals comprising this group, no such move was made.

“The Civic component is a rather loose arrangement that is associ-

ated with the PPP…. The Civic component does not have a structure; there is no leader…some people just don’t want to be in any organisation. They don’t like organizational structures…some people were not comfortable with any organizational form being given to the civic component,” he said.

Rohee disclosed that the individuals who form part of the Civic component prefer to remain members of civil society and contribute to the development of Guyana, as opposed to members of a labeled, organised grouping.

Harper, the PPP General Secretary stated, hails from civil society; and like other such persons, has an interest in contributing to the development of the country, this time from a dif-

ferent position.

Following precedent from 1992, the Party’s Prime Ministerial candidate is taken from the Civic component, while its presidential candidate is taken from the PPP.

Also, since 1992, Rohee pointed out, there has never been a meeting where members of the Civic component “sat around a table and asked the Party to agree or disagree” on a candidate.

“(What we are doing now is) no different from what we did in 1992 and all the other years that followed,” he said.

Rohee said that, as General Secretary, he recommended Harper’s selection to the PPP’s Executive Committee. “This party believes in reaching out…the PPP is not afraid of change, or of reaching out to persons in our country, to Guyanese of distinction who are prepared to serve in governmental capacity,” Rohee said.

All considered, Rohee rubbished the assertion being peddled that there is division in the PPP/C ranks. “As far as I personally am concerned, there is no rift in the PPP with respect to the Party’s selection of Harper’s candidature,” Rohee stressed.

The PPP General

Secretary also vehemently rejected the idea that the Party is “sheltering” Harper from the media.

“That is your (the media’s) word, not ours… we would like to dissociate ourselves from any indication of that sort…I take objection — to put it rather strongly and firmly – (to the assertion) that the Party is sheltering Mrs Harper,” he said. Rohee assured that its Prime Ministerial candidate would make herself available to the media at the appropriate time, as she deems fit.

“We are moving with our own pace, not the pace of the media…the media will have the opportunity at the appropriate time to meet with our prime ministerial candidate to have an engagement with her,” he said. Coming from the Civic component, Harper is not a card bearing Party member. She was the only nomination made to the Party’s Executive Committee, which concluded its deliberations on the matter only minutes before the announcement was made.

The 57-year-old’s selection, announced last Saturday, gives her the distinction of being the first woman to be nominated to that post.

Ending hunger, malnutrition top priority for Caribbean

Over the last two decades efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition in the Caribbean have made substantial progress, but these need to be further strengthened, according to Food and Agriculture organisation (FAO) Director-General José Graziano da Silva.

Since 1990 the prevalence of undernourishment in the Caribbean fell from 27 to 20 percent, but even now more than 7.5 million people still suffer hunger while obesity is another challenge the region faces, he noted in a statement on Monday to agriculture ministers from the Caribbean Community (Caricom). They were meeting ahead of this week’s Caricom summit which is also slated to take place in The Bahamas.

“Ensuring food security and nutrition for all needs to be our main goal,” Graziano da Silva said, noting how the Caricom nations are addressing this by bringing together a series of strategies that tackle the “multiple dimensions of food insecurity”. “This is a winning combination, and FAO is proud to play an active part in all these efforts,” he said. At a Caricom level this is represented by Caricom’s Food and Nutrition Security Action Plan approved in 2011. The FAO Director-General noted that at a national level many of Caricom’s 15 member states are developing national action plans in response to the Zero Hunger Challenge

launched by the United Nations SecretaryGeneral.

Speaking to the ministers, the FAO DirectorGeneral stressed how a vibrant agricultural sector helps to drive sustainable and inclusive development in the Caribbean. “Agriculture creates employment opportunities, especially important for the youth, and is critical to reduce rural poverty. Agriculture can supply the Caribbean tourism industry,” he said, adding that local production can help recover and revitalise traditional crops and increase self-sufficiency during times of volatile international food prices and food import bills.

Graziano da Silva noted how the island nations of the Caribbean are particularly vulnerable to extreme natural events such as hurricanes, how these are made more frequent, violent and unpredictable by climate change, and how they threaten agriculture, food security and sustainable development. In this context, he underscored the importance of disaster risk management, rais-

ing preparedness levels, adapting to climate change and building resilience.

FAO’s DirectorGeneral outlined to the assembled agriculture ministers the main aspects of the organization’s three regional initiatives noting how they will provide important support to formal discussions and priority setting that will take place at the next FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2016.

The first of FAO’s regional initiatives centres on supporting countries’ food and nutrition security efforts through zero hunger and malnutrition programmes; improving food and feed systems to address the food import bill; building resilience, and; strengthening agriculture, food security and nutrition governance and policy. The second focuses on strengthening family farming, recognising that in the Caribbean as in many other parts of the developing world, family farmers play a crucial role in increasing local availability of food thus reducing hunger and malnutrition.

FAO’s third regional initiative works to improve food and feed systems and is specifically designed for the Caribbean. It aims to boost and add value to local production; recover local products; reduce the dependency on food imports and; a provide employment opportunities, especially for youth, in agriculture and aquaculture.

Black History Month: ACDA showcasing African inventors

Black History

Month has been celebrated primarily in the month of February for the last five decades with the aim of promoting research and preserving, interpreting and disseminating information about Black life, history and culture. In Guyana, the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA) has sought to enlighten Guyanese about Black history.

This year, ACDA has put on an African Cultural Exhibition themed “Is African Inventions reclaiming and benefiting from our stolen legacy” at its Thomas Lands, Georgetown headquarters. It features information and pictures on

many inventions unrecognised as African innovativeness.

“We also share with them lots of information about inventions that were done by Africans that are now owned by others, because they couldn’t patent it as slaves or the patents

items invented by people of African descent.

Despite having to compete with the annual Mashramani celebrations, ACDA was able to facilitate tours by several schools whose students were apprised of African culture and the

something we talk to the students about…the basis of competing with young people all over the world is Maths and Science,” he pointed out.

The exhibition was opened earlier this month. Last year, ACDA hosted an entrepreneurship conference and has been effective in linking several young participants with business financing.

Africans came to Guyana initially as slaves and have consequently lost much of their culture, an ordeal that Dr Phillips believes remains unrecovered. Related organisations have failed to attract young people bringing into question the future of such traditions. Given this reality, ACDA has crafted a succession plan that now sees the involvement of more young people in its management.

were taken by others,” explains Dr Eric Phillips, ACDA’s Head.

He cited the automobile as an example of this. Charles Patterson, who was born a slave, built an automobile before Henry Ford, whose name is widely associated with the development of the car. Other inventors to suffer a similar fate are Fred Jones who developed refrigeration for trucks, Phillip Emeagwalli who created processes to innovate Internet apps and Patricia Bath who invented a laser surgical device. There are many others.

Innovation

ACDA is placing focus on Science, Technology and Mathematics with the aim of reinvigorating a sense of creativity among youths via the exhibition and its school programme. Phillips lamented that a lot of emphasis was being placed on phonics and not enough on Maths, Science and Technology.

“We need to force our young kids to get back to things we did a long time ago with our hands; innovation is about Maths and Science and that’s

The Association has a school programme where it incorporates African history and culture. It also offers free culture lessons on Saturdays where interested persons can learn drumming, dancing and participate in storytelling. “ACDA cannot do it alone,” Dr Phillips said, insisting that African history has to become part of our schooling. “Mash is once a year and a lot of things happen, but we do not teach history,” he lamented.

Because of the piecemeal approach to understanding culture, Dr Phillips, a lecturer at the University of Guyana believes that “we are losing a lot of it”.

“It needs to be institutionalised; the media also has a great role to play, we need to deliberately reach out because we are fractured,” Phillips told this newspaper.

Black History Month is celebrated in the United States and Canada in February and the United Kingdom in October.

The precursor to Black History Month was created in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in the US announced the second week of February to be “Negro History Week”. This week was chosen because it encompassed the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and of Frederick Douglass on February 14, dates Black communities had celebrated together since the late 19th Century.

6000 homes in Guyana’s hinterland to receive solar panels

Despite its massive drive to expand its services, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc may not be able to provide electricity to every Guyanese home. Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon made the statement on Wednesday during an announcement that some 6000 homes will receive 65-watt solar panels in GPL’s “off grid” areas.

Hinterland communities in Regions One (Barima-Waini); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazuni); Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); and Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) will

A home in Potarinau, Region Nine benefiting from a solar power unit given by Government

benefit from the Gy$166 million project which will see homes being powered by the solar panels.

“It completes a project initiated by the PPP/C

[People’s Progressive Party/Civic] that saw already some 13,000 panels installed exclusively in households in Amerindian communities,” Luncheon told jour-

Massive development in pipeline for next five years

….Minister Baksh tells

Essequibians

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh, has assured Essequibians that the PPP/C Government has massive development in place for the next five years, and development will continue.

Minister Baksh, speaking at the 45th Republic Anniversary flag-raising ceremony at Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast, said a railway service between Guyana and Brazil is one of the proposed projects in the pipeline that will add to the country’s development. The minister said the two countries are already linked by a massive bridge and road network.

Minister Baksh said the country has developed significantly since Guyana attained republican status through collective effort and not by individual effort. He said all Guyanese have a right to celebrate their country’s republic anniversary and said teachers must be recognised because of the important role they are playing in moulding the nation. The minister said

that farmers must also be recognised for their contribution to development and for adding to the country’s GDP every year. He said they are the ones who put food on the table every day for Guyanese and singled out rice, sugar and cash crop farmers along with poultry and livestock farmers as hard-working people that have added to Guyana’s development over the past 45 years.

The minister said the fishing industry has also contributed significantly to Guyana’s development since it gained republican status and said fishermen who are hardworking and face the high seas to get fish for the nation must be recognised for their work and for contributing to the country’s development. He said the para-military also deserves recognition for its contribution towards protecting and securing the country and its borders and for ensuring that there is peace since Guyana became a republic 45 years ago.

Minister Baksh said all Guyanese workers including nurses, doctors, public servants,

T&HD workers and the private sector must be recognised for their contribution to national development. He said the private sector which is the engine of growth must be commended for making a massive contribution towards the development of the country during the 45 years of being a republic.

Minister Baksh, who served as regional chairman for Region 2 for some 19 years, said the PPP/C Government has transformed the region over the past 22 years. He said there is development in every area, and that the Government has pledged to continue development for the next five years. According to the minister, some Gy$220M was approved by Cabinet for the setting up of a rice crisp factory to add value to rice, which is produced in abundance on the Essequibo Coast, and added that jobs will be created for young people. Further, he said a call centre will also be set up on the coast and hundreds of jobs will be created for Essequibians.

believe they will be going to Sand Hills, Upper Berbice River”.

The 6000 panels will be distributed to households in selected hinterland and coastal riverine communities, through Government’s Unserved Area Electrification Programme (UAEP).

The project, piloted by Minister with responsibility for energy, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, is at its final phase.

photo) nalists on Wednesday.

These Amerindian communities are off the grid of the power company, Luncheon related, continuing that despite its transmission and distribution, many homes may remain without the much needed service.

“As you know GPL is on a “rambunctious” expansion mode, but there are, of course, limits to those expansion. There are communities that are likely to continue to be off grid, even with the more optimistic expansion of the grid associated with the current initiatives and benefits,” the Cabinet Secretary noted. He continued: “I don’t believe that they will end up in Bara-Bara up the creek and I don’t

“His expectations are that the Hinterland Electrification Unit, an entity which falls within the Prime Minister’s cluster, his expectation are that these 6000 systems will be installed soonest,” Dr Luncheon said.

As was done in the earlier phase, the project will be relying on trained residents of the various communities to assist in the installation of the systems on the selected homes, the Cabinet Secretary said.

At the onset of the project close to three years ago, Government had underestimated the number of households and had provided some 13,000 panels for the communities.

“Long before we were finished distributing the

13,000 panels, it became clear that there were serious underestimation as there were as many as 3000 additional households,” Luncheon related.

Asked if there is any hope of such a project expanding, Dr Luncheon related that Housing Minister Irfaan Ali had indicated that in the wave of the expansion of the housing drive, the project could very well continue. He said too that because hydro and solar power belong in the category of clean and renewable energy, the possibilities are unlimited where that was concerned. “So yes, I could very well see solar panel installation picking up and making a decisive contribution to both off and on grid homes.”

The distribution of the panels began as early as 2012 in several Amerindian communities. The solar panels, worth G$75,000 each, were handed over to the Amerindian communities of Tapakuma/ St Denys, Wakapao, Akawini, St Monica, Karawab, Mashabo, Betany, Mainstay, Capoey and Kabakaburi in Region Two by the Prime Minister’s Office.

113 Guyanese teachers sacked last year

…porn, sexual misconduct among reasons cited

The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) in Guyana last year sacked some 113 teachers for various disciplinary infractions, the body said in a statement on Monday.

According to the TSC, it continued to execute its Constitutional mandate of appointing, promoting, transferring and taking disciplinary action against teachers in nursery, primary and secondary schools in all regions of Guyana. Towards this end, 703 junior appointments were made, 217 senior posts were filled and 113 teachers were dismissed.

In addition, the Commission said it appointed and placed 183 trained Class I Grade I and Class III teachers from the Cyril Potter College of Education.

In selecting persons as junior teachers, the TSC said it continued its policy of appointing matriculated graduates of secondary schools – those who would have passed English Language and Mathematics with acceptable grades – as Temporary Qualified

Masters and Mistresses.

These selectees attended orientation sessions arranged by the Commission, where they were encouraged to remain in the profession, and upgrade themselves by entering the teachertraining and other institutions.

“The Promotion exercise to fill the vacancies of Heads, Deputies and Senior Teachers by and large was highly competitive, although there were some applicants who failed to meet the established criteria that were set. The absence of suitable housing for teachers in many hinterland and riverine communities made

it difficult to encourage teachers from the coastland to accept postings to schools in those areas,” the TSC release noted.

Meanwhile, in the exercise of its disciplinary function, the TSC said it dismissed 113 teachers including 60 who failed to give adequate statutory notice. Besides, the Commission said appropriate action was taken against teachers who left classes unattended by attending the University of Guyana without approval of release.

The Commission said it adopted a zero tolerance approach to more serious cases of sexual misdemeanours, inappropriate teacher-student relationships and pornography. “Stern action was also taken against those who breached the education code with regards to the administering of corporal punishment in schools,” the Commission added.

The Senior Promotions Vacancy List (2015) has been advertised and the promotion exercise is expected to conclude well before the start of the new academic year.

Venezuelan who overstayed time in Guyana fined Gy$30,000

AVenezuelan national was brought to Court One of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday charged with overstaying his time in Guyana.

Relegio Perez pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Tuesday for failing to comply with the commission he was granted in January.

Chief Magistrate

relegio Perez overstayed his time in Guyana

Sewnarine-Beharry detailed that the defendant had been granted permission to stay in Guyana between January 16 and

February 16, however, he overstayed the time permitted.

The Magistrate fined the defendant Gy$30,000, along with one month imprisonment if the fine is not paid.

However, the defendant told the court that he was unable to pay the fine at the time. He was visiting Guyana and was staying in a hotel the entire time. Thus, he was sentenced to one month imprisonment.

Neesa Gopaul murder trial:

Mother said teen was “wayward” − Police Superintendent

When the trial into the murder of 16-yearold Neesa Lalita Gopaul continued on Tuesday at the High Court, Superintendent of Police Hugh Jessemy took the stand and testified that her mother, Bibi Sharima Gopaul had told him that her daughter became “wayward” when she was in second form.

The woman and her ex-lover, Jarvis “Barry” Small, are on trial for the murder of her teenage daughter. It is alleged that between September 24 and October 2, 2010, they murdered Neesa Gopaul at the

Emerald Tower Resort in Madewini, SoesdykeLinden Highway.

Jessemy told the court that he took an ordinary statement from the accused woman. The statement was tendered into evidence and the witness was asked to read it to the court. He narrated that the woman had told him that while in Form Two at Queen’s College, Neesa had become “wayward” and would even sleep out at times.

He added that the woman said that when her husband was alive, the teen never used to listen to him. As Jessemy continued

reading, the court heard that on September 23, 2010, Gopaul said that she along with her two daughters went into bed and they were watching television; however, she fell asleep around 22:00h and when she woke around 05:00h the following morning, her eldest daughter was not in bed.

Different direction

The officer said that the woman further related to him that about an hour later she realised that Neesa was nowhere in house and on September 25, she filed a missing person’s report with the Police.

continued on page 13

Guyana’s Parliament to be dissolved on February 28

The 10th Parliament of Guyana along with the 10 Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) will be dissolved on Saturday, President Donald Ramotar has announced, confirming earlier reports issued by this publication.

This announcement comes approximately 36 days after he proclaimed that the General and Regional Elections would be held on May 11.

In delivering this most recent proclamation on Tuesday, President Ramotar disclosed his reason for not dissolving Parliament on January 20 when he announced that elections would be held in May.

“I did not dissolve the Parliament at the same time because had I done so, the Claims and Objections Period, which also allows for transfers, would have been truncated. Were the latter to have occurred, thousands of Guyanese voters who changed their place of residence would not have been able to obtain their transfers and this could have led to them being disenfranchised. The Claims and Objection Period ended last Sunday, February 22, 2015, clearing the way for me to dissolve the Parliament.”

In his address to

the nation, President Ramotar reiterated his earlier position that he had no other choice than to prorogue the 10th Parliament in November 2014 and subsequently call elections, due to failed negotiations with the Opposition.

“As I explained then, that action was taken to allow the parties in Parliament additional opportunities to talk and hopefully resolve the pressing national issues that were confronting us …. Unfortunately, the Opposition refused to dialogue and I was left with no option, but to call elections for May 11, 2015.”

But shortly after setting a date for elections,

the President came in for major criticism over his failure to dissolve Parliament.

Legal parameters

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman was among persons who questioned the reason behind the President’s refusal to dissolve Parliament at the time.

Trotman had said that while there were no legal constraints, it has been the convention for three clear months of campaigning to be made available following the Parliament’s dissolution.

According to Trotman, Article 61 of the Constitution specifies that elections be held “within” three months

Duo charged for illegal gun possession

chandrana Kemraj attempted to dispose of a 9mm pistol when Police visited her home

Amother and her son were brought before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Tuesday in Court

One of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for the charge of illegal possession of several weapons.

It is alleged that Satyendra Kemraj was found with a gun and ammunition at a location on Austin Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, and then was led to the home of his mother where Chandrana Kemraj was about to throw another weapon through a window of her home.

Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry transferred the

Satyendra Kemraj, charged for possession of an unlicensed gun

matter to Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan in Court Two where Rural Counsel (RC) Jeffrey Grant prosecuted the case.

The Prosecutor detailed that the Police were acting on information when they approached the first defendant in Campbellville. A search of the premises uncovered another weapon with live ammunition.

According to RC Grant, Satyendra Kemraj was shown the items, told of the offence associated with it and arrested.

The defendant was then taken to his home in Fifth Street, Subryanville, Georgetown, where the second defendant, Chandrana Kemraj was seen throwing a 9 mm

pistol with a round of ammunition through a window of the house. RC Grant continued that a further search of the premises was made and more guns and ammunitions were found.

The mother and son duo was remanded until March 3.

of the dissolution of Parliament.

Trotman had acknowledged that there “may very well be a sixweek sprint” to elections, while outlining that some other Caribbean

countries have had just over a month. “It is not uncommon,” he had said.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall had explained that the Head of State could dissolve Parliament any date after February 12 this year. He argued that the Constitution required that Parliament “must be dissolved within three months” of the date announced for elections.

Nandlall had explained that the law also adumbrated another requirement: political parties must present their lists of candidates some 32 days prior to the planned date for elections to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The Attorney General said if one counted backwards and subtracted the 32 days which must be available for the political

parties to submit their lists, then the President can choose to dissolve Parliament any date before this time period expired. Thirty-two days before May 11 would be April 9.

President Ramotar on November 10, 2014, issued a proclamation proroguing the National Assembly just before the Alliance For Change (AFC) moved a No-Confidence Motion against his Administration. The Head of State insisted that the move was intended to ensure that development was not curtailed at the hands of the Opposition and the parties could engage in meaningful talks. But after Parliament’s prorogation, the parliamentary political parties say they were not interested in any such engagement.

Guyana inks US$32.16M IDB loans for security, environment management

Guyana last week signed two separate loans valued US$32.16 million with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to improve environmental management and strengthen citizen security.

The loans were signed at the Fourth IDB Caribbean IDB Governors Regional Meeting held in Freeport, The Bahamas, on February 19, 2015. Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh represented Guyana at the signing while, IDB President, Luis Alberto Moreno signed on behalf of the Bank.

According to a statement by the Bank the loan for environment management to the tune of US$17.16M is the second loan operation in the environment programme that was approved by the IDB in 2013.

Approval was made possible by full achievement of all the policy reforms agreed in 2013; as well as the maintenance of an appropriate macroeconomic policy framework. The programme will support the consolidation of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy

(LCDS) and REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation).

The activities under this operation include: (a) organising multi-stakeholder consultations; (b) supporting the implementation of a transparent, rules-based, and inclusive accountability and enforcement system for forest governance; (c) aiding MNRE’s efforts to minimize and manage forest degradation from extractive activities, in particular from mining; (d) integrating

land use planning; and (e) operating a reliable Monitoring, Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) for these activities.

According to the IDB the loan comes 50 per cent from the IDB’s ordinary capital, with a 30-year maturity, and a 6-year grace period, and 50 per cent from the IDB’s Fund for Special Operations, with a single payment upon a 40year gratuity, with a fixed interest rate.

Citizen security

Regarding the citizen security programme the

loan is valued at US$15 million. It was approved by the Board of Directors on December 10, 2014. It is the second in this sector since 2006 and is designed to build on the achievements of the Citizen Security Programme (1752/SF-GY) and to enhance sustainability of the achievements of that earlier operation, the IDB said.

According to the Bank the loan comes 50 per cent from the IDB’s ordinary capital, with a 30-year maturity, and a 6-year grace period,

and 50 per cent from the IDB’s Fund for Special Operations, with a single payment upon a 40year gratuity, with a fixed interest rate.

The citizen security programme helps communities better resolve conflicts in non-violent ways, improves police effectiveness and availability of crime data, and provides opportunities to rehabilitate and reinsert prisoners back into society.

Guyana´s homicide rates have nearly doubled since 2000, to 20.7 per 100,000, and the country suffers from high rates of robberies and domestic violence, with one out of every six women reporting physical abuse in the past year, the IDB said.

The project will focus on 20 communities that have the highest rates of homicides, robberies, burglaries and domestic violence. The operation will finance a series of surveys to measure changes in levels of crime victimisation and citizens’ perception of security, a national survey to understand the extent and causes of domestic violence and violence against women as well as a crime and violence

study in Amerindian communities.

The programme aims to certify 8400 individuals in vocational training and conduct 240 training workshops to community members, ranging from mentoring programs to job placement.

The project will set up an evidence-based community policing model that includes training, technological improvements, and crime and violence surveys to improve data availability. About 3400 officers are to receive community engagement training and 1700 will attend courses on forensic and investigation techniques.

Actions to improve rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners include a prison census in five prisons and the design a new case management system, among other outputs.

Half of the US$15 million loan is financed from the IDB´s Fund for Special Operations, which carries a 0.25 per cent interest rate and a 40-year amortization period. The remainder is financed from ordinary capital with a fixed interest rate and a 30-year amortization period.

Region 10 Children’s Mash lights up Linden

The staging of the annual children’s costume and float parade held in Linden on Friday brought the curtains down on the school’s Mashramani competitions in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Decked out in colourful costumes, hundreds of students from various schools across the Region, accompanied by their teachers, pranced through the streets along Republic Avenue and Greenheart Street, Mackenzie. Scores lined the streets to get a glimpse of the fun and excitement, as the Nursery and Primary School students, led by banners and costumes made their way through.

The mini revellers did not fall short of dis-

playing the coming together of Guyana’s six races and unity under the theme of this year’s Mashramani theme “One People, One Culture, One Celebration.”

Participating in the float parade were students of the Regma, One Mile, Watooka Day, and Christianburg Primary Schools, along with the Wisroc, Watooka Day, West Watooka Day and Pine Street Nursery schools, among others. The activities culminated at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground where the schools participated in calypso. A number of schools within the Region were also awarded trophies for their participation in the Children’s costume competition held earlier this month.

US says Guyana can be example of peaceful elections

The United States has said that Guyana has the opportunity to lead the Caribbean in the holding of free and peaceful elections come May 11.

In commemoration of this year’s Mashramani observances, a number of activities were organized by the Regional Department of Education. The Region 10 Children’s costume competition saw two exciting days of intense competition between students of the Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels. The students took to the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground (MSC) in Linden on February 3 and 4, where they entertained the audiences in the areas of dance, including masquerade and physical display and costume display. Despite constant showers of rain, hundreds of Lindeners braved the weather over the course of the two days to show support.

Neesa Gopaul murder trial...

According to the officer, the woman also narrated to him that on October 3, she received a call from a Police officer informing her that her daughter’s body was found; as such, she went to the Lyken Funeral Home and identified her, based on the clothing she had on the night she went missing, that is a many-coloured dress top and black tights.

Jessemy went on to tell the court that he also assisted with investigations and on October 4, he along with Gopaul, Mohammed Kayum and a party of Policemen went to the woman’s house at Lot 13 Leonora, West Coast Demerara, where they conducted a search.

The Superintendent of Police added that on October 6, 2010, he applied for an extension to keep Gopaul and Small in custody and it was granted. The witness is expected to be cross-examined by defence attorneys.

Also on Tuesday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Joel David took the stand and testified that in October 2010,

he was stationed at the Brickdam Police Station and was involved in the investigations into the teen’s murder. The officer told the court that on October 6, he went to the Ruimveldt Station where he joined then Sergeant Mitchell Caesar during an interview with Small. He said that Caesar put the murder allegations to the man and cautioned him afterwards.

David related that the accused denied the allegation and informed them that he would tell them a story that would take them in a different direction and that Gopaul would be charged as an accessory, but he would only do so in the presence of his attorney, whom he identified as Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos,

The officer continued that the following day, the Senior Counsel showed up at the Police Station and Small told him in front of the two same officers that he wanted to tell the Police a story, but De Santos refused to be part of such conversation and left.

David further told the court that he had

from page 10

witnessed a confrontation between Gopaul and Small. He was then cross-examined by defence lawyers for both accused. The trial continues before presiding judge, Justice Navindra Singh.

In a congratulatory message to Guyana on achieving 45 years as a Republic, US Secretary of State, John Kerry said: “On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana as you celebrate 45 years of independence on February 23.”

Kerry said “Your nation will hold national elections this year. I am confident that it will serve as an example of the peaceful exercise of the right to vote. Your actions will strengthen the entire region’s commitment to democratic institutions.”

Kerry noted that Guyana participates positively in the region through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, the Caribbean Community, and the Union of South American Nations. “The United States stands with you as a partner and friend in the Inter-American System and in continuing to strengthen and revitalize the Organization of American States. We will continue to work together to achieve energy and environmental sustainability, as agreed upon during the recent Caribbean Energy Security Summit. I

uS Secretary of State John Kerry

wish you all a joyful Mashramani and Guyanese Republic Day.”

Only recently Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said that international observers are critical to the credibility of the upcoming election, noting that she is heartened that some of the top organisations have already indicated their willingness to work in Guyana. The Minister explained that international observation is very important for the up-coming election and noted that since 1992, “there have always been observer missions in Guyana, and 2015 will be no different.”

Minister RodriguesBirkett asserted this stance, indicating that President Donald Ramotar has already informed the Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States (OAS),

Caribbean Community (Caricom), and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) that Guyana will be requesting their overseeing roles. She added that this message came from the very time Parliament was prorogued on November 14, 2014.

Touching on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Foreign Affairs Minister highlighted that the entity did the usual, that is, it requested the United Nations (UN) to come in and look at the systems, and to see if the country is prepared for the May 11 General and Regional Elections, as it is important to have the body give a vote of confidence to the systems in place.

According to Rodrigues-Birkett, the UN mission is important in assisting Guyana, as it moves towards Election Day. She stated that she is sure that the visiting members would have already conveyed their observations to GECOM, as they did meet with her in her capacity as Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, President Ramotar, and other major players within the fraternity of the election framework. It should be noted that the UN does not necessarily observe elections, as in the case of the Commonwealth or Caricom, but can do so “in circumstances when the General Assembly or the Security Council so approves.

President confident Guyana’s sugar industry will return to 'glory days'

Even as many remain pessimistic that the Guyana’s sugar industry will once again flourish, President Donald Ramotar has assured that the sector will return to its glory days, provided that market prices remain constant. He was at the time speaking on the programme “At Home with the President” on the National Communications Network (NCN). The Head of State said he strongly believed the sugar industry was on the road to revival, since there were many systems put in place by his Administration and the management of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), to ensure that the road to recovery was travelled

successfully.

He, however, noted that the rate of recovery would, and could only, be expedited if the current market prices improved over the coming months. “… in recent years, the prices of sugar fell, so while the industry is showing signs of recovering, the international prices at this time are very unfavourable. I hope by the second crop of this year, it will improve. That [market prices] will help the sugar industry to continue to play the major role it has played in our economy for years. That is the major challenge for us; it is a difficult period that we are coming out of due to the market prices. We are working very hard, the management; they are working very

The sugar industry contributes around five per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and provides direct employment for approximately 16,000

hard to continue moving forward. Many measures are being undertaken to control costs, to reduce operational costs and to look at new revenue streams, like selling molasses, generating other types of sugars and so

on. So we are generally looking at more streams to bring in revenue,” the President expressed.

According to Ramotar, had the situation not arisen where the European Union (EU) removed the pref-

has been meeting its required targets.

The grinding operations at GuySuCo ended on December 24 with the Corporation announcing that it surpassed its 2014 sugar production target of 216,000 tonnes, raising hopes that the industry was beginning to turn the corner after a dismal 2013 performance.

erential prices for the country’s sugar, the industry would have been booming and would have been at the height of success today.

Targets

“Sugar historically has been playing the most important role in the economy, but from 2010, we have had a big blow to the sugar industry when European Union cut our prices and removed the preferential price that we had for our sugar and that has had a big impact on us. As a result, the need for restructuring is there and this is very much costly,” he lamented.

He, however, noted that he was optimistic that the prices would once again increase and this situation would soon be overcome since the industry has been performing well over the past months and

Meanwhile, using lessons learnt over the past few years, the Guyana Government announced in January that it applied for a loan of US$7.5 million, which was given by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to enhance the capacity of GuySuCo to produce and harvest sugarcane on selected estates.

The loan, which was approved by CDB’s Board of Directors on December 11, 2014, seeks to reduce operational costs, improve mechanisation, improve maintenance of the extensive drainage system; secure irrigation and flood protection; and provide for the development of critically needed nonsugar agricultural production such as rice.

The loan, which marks the CDB’s third intervention in the sugar industry in Guyana, will address several considerations that should result in improved productivity of sugarcane cultivation and sugar production.

No need for “Civil Society” Speaker, says Ramkarran

Former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran says the proposal by the Alliance For Change/A Partnership For National Unity (AFC/APNU) coalition to nominate a speaker from civil society is unnecessary since the rules of operation at Parliament dictate neutrality.

According to him, while the perception that the Speaker tends to favour the political party

continued on page 15

The parties in the recently signed Cummingsburg Accord indicated that if they are elected they will allow for the Speaker to be nominated from Civil Society. “I don’t think it matters one way or the other,” Ramkarran told this publication in an invited comment. “If the alliance wins, they can find an acceptable person from within their ranks to be speaker.”

Coomacka gets multimilliondollar solar water system

Residents of the Coomacka community have now been brought a step closer to having access to potable water, with the completion of the Coomacka Solar Powered Water System, designed and constructed under the Coomacka Water Project.

At an opening ceremony held at the Coomacka recreation ground on Saturday, the multi-million system well was declared officially opened to residents of the community. The project was funded by the Rotary Clubs of Georgetown, Wilmington, Wilmington Downtown, Coastal

President Ronald Burch-Smith, Service Projects Director Ralph Persaud, Wilmington Rotary Club Director Michael P Beaudoin, Rotary District Governor (2014-2015) Elwin Atmodimedjo and Rotary District Governor Vanessa Ervin, among others.

In an address to those in attendance, Community Development Council (CDC) Chairman and Health Worker Dexter Harding noted that there was need for a sustainable water system in the community, prior to the project. He added that following consultations

struct the well, water distribution system, elevated storage tanks and a solar powered water pump to supply the community with a safe source of water ”, which have all been constructed. The contract for the

residents of coomacka are elated over the project

Pender, Wilmington East, Cape Fear and the Coomacka community.

In attendance at the ceremony held at the community’s recreation ground were residents of Coomacka, in addition to Rotary Club of Georgetown

with the Rotary Club of Georgetown, and sister clubs, the drilling of the well commenced in June 2014.

Low operational cost

According to an overview of the project, “the Coomacka Water Project was designed to con-

construction of the well, which was signed with Andre Webb, commenced July last year and was completed in September.

“The system has a very low operational cost, since Guyana enjoys 10 hours of sunlight daily”, an overview

from page 14

No need for “Civil Society...

that has nominated him/ her is true in some cases, most speakers have tried to maintain an even balance. Ramkarran who presided over the Eighth and Ninth Parliaments said for him maintaining neutrality was not a difficult task.

“It is not difficult; the rules are there and you just implement them,” he pointed out while acknowledging that in many instances the members of the party from which he came would be upset at rulings that were not in their favour. In many instances the rulings were on minor issues, Ramkarran said.

“They (the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Members of Parliament) were very hostile to any kind of negative ruling… once or twice I would receive objection from the opposition but the majority of the time it came from my own colleagues.”

He has acknowledged that the coalition is attempting to send a mes-

sage to the public that it is not interested in dominating the Parliament, but maintained that once the rules are followed there should be no problem with the Speaker’s ruling, irrespective of which sides of the House he was nominated or whether that person is “non-partisan”

Asked whether he would accept the challenge if nominated by the opposition to be the Speaker, Ramkarran, who maintains that he is not interested in political office said, “I have no expectation that I would be asked to be Speaker or anything else.”

Current Speaker Raphael Trotman at a recent press conference explained that the move vindicates a long held position by the AFC that the speaker should be impartial at all times. This he explained is an important part in the process of healing a divided society.

Despite this position, Trotman said on several

occasions his rulings created tension. “The speaker must at all times try to be impartial and that is what I sought to do when I was speaker; I know that it caused great concern among my colleagues in the AFC and I’m sure as it did too at times with the APNU,” he explained.

“It is important in the context that of our divided and fractured Guyana that if we want to have healing we must have a Speaker who is Speaker for all and individual partisan positions will not enter his or her decision making and neither would any political party expect or demand that the speaker rules or makes decision in their favour,” Trotman posited.

He believes that this is best for Guyana. In an earlier interview with this publication, Trotman had made it clear that he would not be Speaker with or without a win by the coalition.

ACDA slams Opposition for attacking Harper’s PM candidacy

Eof the project states. The construction of the distribution system commenced last November and was supported by five Rotarians and the community. Personnel from the Guyana Water Inc also assisted in the project.

Atmodimedjo, during an address to the gathering on Saturday noted that it was Rotary’s intention to give back to and work along with communities. He said that projects such as these give satisfaction to Rotary and applauded the efforts of others involved, referring to them as “champions in the community”. He told residents to ensure that everyone in the community benefited from the project and to utilise it as a source of income and revenue.

xecutive Director of the African Cultural Development Association, Dr Eric Phillips has flayed the Opposition for attacking newly-unveiled Prime Ministerial Candidate for the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Elisabeth Harper.

He called on the Opposition to show some “class” and tell voters what it would do for them. Dr Phillips’ comments were made on his Facebook page. “Don’t know why the combined Opposition would comment negatively on the selection of Ms Harper as PM candidate…have some class and tell us what you will do for us…. steups…show us dignity,” Phillips posted.

In another post, Dr Phillips a lecturer at the University of Guyana, said: “The Opposition needs to focus on what they can do…Elizabeth can’t help the PPP, but to have an official statement just doesn’t make sense. Show leadership and class; young voters are the key target, they

would see this as ‘politicians are all the same’”.

A number of pro-Opposition commentators have criticised Harper’s decision to run with the PPP/C.

The PPP/C on Saturday announced Harper, who is also Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry as its Prime Ministerial Candidate to contest the May 11 General and Regional Elections. The revelation was made by President Donald Ramotar and Party General Secretary Clement Rohee.

“A little too late” –

Opposition says of Harper’s selection as PM candidate

By Vahnu Manikchand

General Secretary of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Joseph Harmon, has stated that the appointment of the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Director General, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, as the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is a “manifestation of a power struggle” within the party.

Harmon told Guyana Times International shortly after the announcement was made by the ruling party on Saturday that after analysing the move, it was clear that the PPP could not have found a consensus candidate within the party so they had to look outside for someone with credibility.

“They had to compromise on the candidate because of the struggle for leadership within the PPP party,” he stated. Harmon underscored that the ruling party has been rumoured to consider a lot of persons for the position including its General Secretary Clement Rohee and even Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett.

Harmon claimed that the party would have used Minister Rodrigues-Birkett to attract Amerindian votes but following the incident at Aishalton and recently Moco Moco,

they realised that such a move will not work.

He further stated that Amerindians have more access to information now and no longer depend on the release by a Government Minister.

The APNU General Secretary believes that with the appointment of Harper, the ruling party is hoping to get “legitimacy” but added that no one – no matter how legitimate or competent –can undo the damages within the PPP/C party.

“They’re hoping that she will bring legitimacy to an administration that is deep in a sea of corruption and incompetence… but one person can’t make the whole system legitimate,”

Harmon said. He nevertheless acknowledged that Harper is a “decent” public servant who has displayed great competence in her role over the years at the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Harmon continued that the party is robbing

the Public Service of a person who did fairly well and is putting her in the political arena, where she has little or no experience. “They are putting her out there to deal with issues that she never dealt with over the years,” he added.

Meanwhile, when contacted by this publication on Saturday the Alliance for Change’s (AFC) Moses Nagamootoo, briefly commented that Harper’s appointment is a little too late. “She is a fine, charming lady but I don’t think it will change the outcome of the PPP/C’s fate come May 11,” expressed Nagamootoo.

This move by the PPP/C comes as a surprise to many as there have been much speculation over the past weeks since the party announced that it will return to the May 11 polls with President Donald Ramotar as its Presidential Candidate.

Govt to ramp up coffee production in Pomeroon

The Agriculture Ministry is looking to increase the production of coffee in the Pomeroon River for export purposes.

This was revealed by the Minister Ali Baksh during ‘Political Scope’ a televised show on the state owned, National Communications Network (NCN).

According to Baksh, the Ministry has realised that more focus needs to be placed on the other sectors in the Agriculture industry.

He disclosed that the Ministry has already been contacted by several overseas-based investors who have expressed an interest.

To this end he noted that systems are being put in place to ensure that the project becomes a reality.

“We have received the interest of several overseas-based investors for the project and so we have already set up a plant there for the farmers to go back to coffee production,” Baksh said. While he did not disclose when full operations at the plant will commence, he alluded that it can be expected before this year ends.

Meanwhile, the Minister noted that while the ministry has always placed rice and sugar on its priority list, emphasis will now be placed on coconut cultivation on a larger scale. He said the aim is to create a successful agricultural sector; allowing Guyana to regain recognition as the ‘food basket of the Caribbean.’

Guyana is one of the earliest territories to plant coffee in South America, with the Dutch introducing it before the French and later British. According to some accounts, the Guianas were

the first territories in the New World to cultivate and export coffee.

Eventually, for a period, both coffee and sugar plantations would dot the colony’s coastland before sugar became the main export, and coffee estates were sold, abandoned or converted to sugar plantations.

At present, coffee production is being undertaken by the Blue Flame Women’s Group of Bunbury /Hosororo in Region One (Barima/Waini) which targets regional markets for export.

The commodity, which was subjected to limited consumer testing, has been touted as having a distinct flavour, probably attributable to the fertile lateritic soil and unique environmental conditions of the North West District, a locale which is also commonly referred to as the organic region of Guyana.

The Industry operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), and the British High Commission Cocoa Research Unit of Trinidad and Tobago.

Another multimillion-dollar Popeyes franchise opens in Georgetown

By Devina Samaroo

Signalling further development in the local economy, Guyana Restaurant Inc. has opened its third Popeyes franchise at Water and America Streets, Stabroek, Georgetown.

During the grand opening ceremony on Saturday, Chairman of Guyana Restaurant Inc Ram Lalbadhur Singh spoke of the significant achievements the franchise has made since commencing operations in 2010.

“Over the years, business has developed at a pace where it is now necessary to have a third store since the demand for our products is increasing. It is found that there is a need in this

part of Georgetown for a facility of this type because of several offices and businesses which are located in the area. The consistent growth of the economy over the years also added to the encouragement of having an expanded business operation,” Singh explained.

This new branch has created employment for 36 persons and will provide additional employment for local businesses that the restaurant will source raw materials from.

Though he did not reveal the cost of this new franchise, Singh disclosed that Guyana Restaurant Inc. is seeking to establish other branches across the country in areas like Berbice, West Demerara and possibly the Essequibo Coast.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh who delivered the feature address, acknowledged the impor-

tance of this new franchise to the business sector in Guyana.

“Every day, some-

times unconsciously, a transformation is unfolding before our very eyes… This is a transformation

we shouldn’t take for granted. It is testimony of the changes that our country have been undergoing over the years; it is reflective of the continued abiding faith of Guyanese entrepreneurs… it is also testimony of continued confidence by both local and international businesses in the Guyanese economy,” the Minister said.

Former Attorney General of Guyana Charles Ramson, along with several prestigious local entrepreneurs, was among those present during the opening ceremony.

Only in September 2014, the franchise had opened its second restaurant at the cost of Gy$700 million (US$3 million) on Camp Street, Georgetown.

Govt recommits to free, just society

President Donald Ramotar said his Government’s policies were all aimed at promoting a just and free society where all citizens were allowed to practise their beliefs and cultures without fear. He made the remarks in a message

to mark Guyana’s 45th Republican Anniversary.

Below is the full text of message: Inspired by a vision of a united, just, democratic, and prosperous society, Guyana threw off the yoke of British colonialism in 1966 and just four years later, in

February 23, 1970, elevated our status to that of a Republic. Today, 45 years on, Guyanese of every walk of life, in every village in every region have come together to celebrate this historic milestone.

As we celebrate our Republic, we first of all

recall and salute the heroism, the sacrifices and the selflessness of our people who made it possible for all of us to live in this strong and vibrant democracy. We remember and salute our brothers and sisters all across the country and our friends across the world, whose solidarity made it possible for us to defeat colonialism and establish this Republic. All of them, through their determined struggles, ensured that Guyanese today, more than at any time before, enjoy the right of living in a just, united and prosperous country.

Accordingly, as a nation, we renew, on this historic day, our pledge to build a better life for all, working closely with all sectors of our society. As we renew our pledge on this the 45th anniversary of our Republic, we also take pride in,

and celebrate, the progress we have made since 1970 and more so since 1992 towards a better life for all and a more united society. We renew our pledge knowing that today is better than yesterday and tomorrow will bring even more joy than today.

As we renew this pledge, our people are conscious of the fact that, as their community gets clean water, electricity, health centres and proper roads, as many move from informal to formal housing, their turn will surely come as day follows night. This, they know, because they have seen the determined efforts of this democratically elected Government since 1992, to ensure a better life for all. Indeed, working together, we have helped to restore the dignity of all Guyanese through the broadening access to

basic services previously denied to them; in opening the doors to education; the economic opportunities that have been created and in the gathering pace of our country’s economic growth that creates the resources for further advances in improving the lives of all our communities.

Our policies and our programmes are all based on the quest for a just society in which individuals and communities are free to practise their beliefs, their traditions and their cultures without fear. As we rededicate ourselves to building a better life for all, we are conscious that some of the legacies of the past continue to disfigure our nation in the present; that we have not wholly removed the cancer of poverty from our society; that we have only moved slowly

Glenn Lall covering Lexus fraud paper trail

…to stave off IRS jail time – sources

The absence of the owner of Kaieteur News, Mohan “Glenn” Lall was quite noticeable at the court hearing in Georgetown on February 6 in which his Gy$100 million tax fraud case was settled “amicably” with the Guyanese tax authorities.

His attorneys advised the court that he, along with his co-defendants ― wife Bhena, and “friends” in the fraud, Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan were in the United States, where the fraud allegedly originated.

While it was widely reported that Glenn Lall had fled the jurisdiction and was hiding out in the US, this newspaper has received credible information that Lall is actually trying desperately to clean up

the paper trail of the financial fraud in the US.

He is desperately trying to avoid the inevitable investigation by the US Internal Revenue Services (IRS) about the unreported transfers of large sums of money along with several discrepancies in the records of the purchase of the two Lexuses in the US, without mandatory filings on them. This has prevented his return to Guyana at this time.

The first discrepancy to be cleared up is the two luxury Lexus LX570 SUVs that were shipped as per Bill of Lading 112932 to Guyana from the US supposedly had VIN# JTJHY7AX6D4096745 and VIN# JTJHY7AX6D4094851.

But before a vehicle can be shipped from the US, it must satisfy the US

GECOM

As part of its preparations for the staging of the upcoming General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has sworn in Returning Officers for each of the 10 districts. These officials are responsible for the conduct of elections in the various districts.

At the ceremony where the group took the oath of office, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield stated that they had undergone an expansive management training programme in September 2014. He noted that the group of mostly men was “knowledgeable of the issues to be treated with and with guidance provided by us (GECOM Secretariat) they will be the ones who will be carrying out the mandate of the Commission”.

According to an advisory for contesting polit-

Customs and Border Protection that any and all liens on the vehicles have been resolved to the satisfaction of the lien holder.

According to Regulation 19CFR part 192, “the provisional owner must provide to Customs a separate writing from the thirdparty-in interest which expressly provides that the subject vehicle may be exported.

According to our information, Invoice # L33913X123 of 12-32012 allegedly supplied by Lexus of Rockville Centre, 700 Sunrise Highway, Rockville Centre, NY 11570, details that one used LEXUS LX570 SUV 2013 VIN # JTJHY7AX6D4094851 was sold for US$44,158.00.

Interestingly from the same company Invoice # L33913X126 dated three days later (12-6-2012) purported to

have sold “Used Lexus LX570 SUV 2013” VIN # JTJHY7AX6D4096745” for the identical US$ 44,158.00.

Because of this amazing coincidence in prices for two supposedly different vehicles, and the fact that two Lexuses were purchased three days apart by two individuals who did not have driving licences, has been raised in Guyana, Lall is allegedly attempting to have the records altered.

From the paperwork submitted to the GRA by the Brijnanans, they supplied a New York State Certificate of Title for VIN # JTJHY7AX6D4094851, which showed a mileage of 9580 miles as of 3-14-13. It indicated a lien from Toyota Motor Credit Corp.

However, there was no letter from the lienholder showing that the debt had been satisfied and that it could be shipped out of the country.

The US IRS will eventually investigate who paid off the lien, which was very

substantial, and the source of the funds.

It is alleged that Glenn Lall might have been the payer since he used the vehicle once it was cleared in Guyana, under registration PRR 8399.

On the second vehicle shipped in as “VIN # JTJHY7AX6D4096745”, at no time did the Brijnanans provide a Certificate of Title for this vehicle to the GRA, which accepted on its documentation that it did not inspect the chassis.

However, the Brijnanans did submit a NY State Certificate of Title for a completely different LEXUS LX570 2013, VIN # JTJH7AD7D4100270 with only 15 miles as of 9-25-12. This would have been a NEW vehicle.

Observers say that the IRS and the US Customs eventually will also have to investigate the car dealer for the alleged fraud - creating an invoice for one used vehicle with a particular VIN # JTJHY7AX6D4096745 when actually a new vehicle was sold to the Brijnanans three months earlier.

This new vehicle which would have cost at least US$40,000 more than the invoiced used one, and was actually shipped to Guyana, had a lien from JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, which would have had to be completely paid off. In this case also, there was no letter from the lienholder indicating that the lien was paid off. This letter would have indicated the trail of the funds that took care of this requirement before the vehicle was shipped.

Sources say that Glenn Lall will not leave the US until he clears up all these alleged discrepancies which sought to defraud both the US and Guyana governments. If he does not, criminal charges could be laid against him, the car dealer and the Brijnanans by the IRS and the US Customs.

swears in Returning Officers – urges them to stage “impeccable 2015 elections”

ical parties, “as soon as practicable after the receipt of all the ballot boxes and the envelopes and packets delivered to the Returning Officer, the Returning Officer shall, in the presence of such persons entitled to be present…, ascertain the total votes cast in favour of each list in the district by adding up the votes recorded in favour of the

list in accordance with the Statement of Poll, and thereupon publicly declare the votes recorded for each list of candidates.”

The Returning Officers in order of district from 1 to 10 are Murphy De Souza, Rabinauth Boodram, Kushaldeo Bipath, Melanie Marshall, Clairmont Mingo, Alfa

Mohamed, Glendon Fredericks, Dwayne Marco, Carlos Melville and Lorna Marks.

“The coming together of these Returning Officers is being done at a time when we are bringing our list in order,” the Chief Elections Officer informed. GECOM is in the Claims and Objections Period following which the Revised List of

Electors will be compiled. Full support

According to Lowenfield, all necessary support will be available to ensure the efficient conduct of Elections 2015. “You can rest assured that guidance will be provided by the secretariat to you in every subset of your operations. We will be working to ensure that notwithstanding ge-

ography, all materials and other requirements for the efficient conduct will be provided so you can do an excellent job,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a brief charge to the Returning Officers, GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally stated that the team had a mandate to deliver a flawless electoral process. “If you read your training manual regards in the functions of the Returning Officer, there are thoughts that reflect our desire that you create history; create history in conducting an impeccable election,” he urged. “I expect that you carry out that oath that you just took to such a degree that no one can fault us later.”

Having observed the work of several of the Returning Officers before, Dr Surujbally said he had no doubt that they would deliver despite questions about their ability.

Incident at Aishalton: DPP recommends no charges against Presidential Guard

The Director of Public Prosecutions

(DPP) Shalimar AliHack has advised that no charges be filed against the Presidential Guard accused of slapping the Aishalton teacher who reportedly heckled President Donald Ramotar during a visit to the community in December last.

According to reports, the teacher’s Attorney Nigel Hughes received a letter from Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud informing him of the DPP’s decision. It was further reported

that the Commissioner’s letter to Hughes stated that following Police investigations carried out on the matter, a report was compiled and submitted to the DPP. Subsequently, the DPP advised that no charges be filed against the guard.

The teacher at the centre of controversy is John Adams, who has filed a complaint against the Presidential guard stating that he was accosted and slapped across the face by the guard during a political meeting.

Adams had claimed

that he was roughed up and slapped after he voiced concerns about the state of the country and the President’s constant blaming on the Opposition parties and independent media.

A purported recording of the proceedings was subsequently released.

Following widespread speculation on the matter, the Presidential Guard Service claimed that the teacher was never physically assaulted by any of the Presidential guards but rather, was warned about his behaviour.

Residents of the Aishalton community had also begun calling for the teacher to step down from his post following the incident. They claimed that the teacher would bring alcohol to school among other actions that displeased the community.

The teacher had also complained that he was not expecting any results from the matter because of the length of time the investigations took.

Avon pulls plug on Guyana

Avon, one of the world’s leading beauty and cosmetics companies, has announced its decision to cease operations in Guyana and the Caribbean with effect from the end of campaign five 2015, which was February 17.

Corporate Communication Officer for Avon Products located in New York Lindsay Fox told this publication that Avon will no longer

accept orders from territories in the Islands market that fall under US distribution. She stated that the company will now focus its resources on restoring the health of the US business to deliver future growth.

When asked for a more transparent reason for pulling the plug on the operations in Guyana, thus affecting many livelihoods, Fox said she is unable to

share any more information in that regard.

Reports indicate that as many as 16 Caribbean nations will be greatly affected by this decision.

However, Fox pointed out that Hawaii, Guam and Saipan and the other islands served through Avon Puerto Rico distribution will not be affected by the closure of these Islands markets.

Local agents were made aware of this transition via a brief email. The message further warned them to desist from promoting Avon products.

According to one displaced representative, the termination came without any warning or prior notice.

Speaking on behalf of the other representatives in Guyana, she said many are gravely concerned about the heavy impact it will have on their livelihoods.

Avon Products, Inc, known as Avon, is an American international manufacturer and direct selling company in beauty, household, and personal care categories. It is the fifth-largest beauty company and second largest direct selling enterprise in the world, with 6.4 million representatives.

“King Pearai” is 2015 Calypso Monarch

Manoel Pereira, also called “King Pearai” was on Saturday evening crowned the 2015 Calypso Monarch when the final was held at the Demerara Park (Thirst Park) before a huge audience.

The judges gave their decision just after the stroke of midnight on Saturday – one that was very much accepted by the audience. Dressed in a costume made of colourful feathers and straws, his performance was enough to dethrone the 2014 monarch, Lester “De Professor” Charles who performed “Stop abusing women.” He was adjudged the second best.

Coming in third was Kenroy Fraser who performed “De Tecking Pay” while the fourth position was shared by former Junior Calypso Monarch, Diana Chapman out of Linden who sang, “No Politics In Calypso” and John Marcus who performed “The Law Is An Ass.”

Moments after winning the title, the Pomeroon River born singer was speechless but managed to give thanks to his managers Bonny Alves and Charmaine Blackman.

As the win sunk in, he said that he was elated to have won the title for the first time, noting that he started to perform calypso seven years ago. He reminisced that he never thought he would make it to the final of the National Calypso competition more so, to win. Pereira, who also participated in the Health Song competition, claimed that he has been singing for the past 35 years.

Initially, the father of two stated that after the first draft of the lyrics for “King Pearai” was written, his managers thought that it needed some modification if it were to win the competition. This, he noted, was done and was proud to reiterate “I am the monarch.”

On this note, he explained that as the monarch, he intends to work with other calypsonians to develop the industry. He added that for the longest while, they have been neglected and treated unfairly, hence he will work to enhance social commentary in Guyana which will ultimately gain its due respect.

During his performance, he made native Amerindian sounds that caught the attention of the crowd.

In his piece, he said that Amerindians are being treated unfairly and are being taken for granted; making reference to its vegetation that is being harvested for overseas market. His rhyming indeed captivated the hearts of the audience and more so, the judges.

The former monarch, “De Professor” came with something differ-

Corbin to hit the campaign trail for APNU/AFC coalition

Former Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Robert Corbin is set to make a return to the political arena when the Alliance for Change ― a Partnership for National Unity (APNU-AFC) preelection coalition launches its elections campaign.

Corbin who has not been in the limelight since the 2006 elections will be a feature in the AFC―APNU’s coalition campaign. This is according to General Secretary of the A Partnership for National Unity, Joseph Harmon who was at the time speaking at the two parties’ joint press conference on Friday.

According to Harmon, the party has realised that its past members as well as it present members can make all the difference in the results of the elections and as such, the party intended to make use of every available member.

Meanwhile, Harmon also revealed that Corbin has been playing a silent but pivotal part in healing the wounds suffered by Lindeners following the fallout between Congress Place and key

leaders in the mining town.

“Corbin is heading a one-man commission to Linden in an attempt to solve the prevailing issues between that region and the party,” Harmon said. “Mr Corbin was actually asked by the leadership of the PNCR to go to Linden to deal with that matter.

Several weeks ago, we had a General Council meeting at which the problem which had existed in Linden was raised and it was fully ventilated at that meeting. As a consequence of the recommendations, Mr Corbin was appointed to head a one man commission to go to Linden to deal with that matter,” he explained. This, he said has

proven to be successful and as such reinforced the need for Corbin to be on board, adding that this has cleared the way for elections campaigning to be taken to that region.

The General Secretary told media operatives that now that all of these issues are being addressed and will no doubt be solved, Region 10’s Chairman Sharma Solomon has been selected to manage the party’s campaign in that region.

“I can say to you now that based on the excellent work that he did, we’ve been able to start moving our campaign forward. The campaign team has been named. Mr Sharma Solomon is our campaign manager and the issues are being

ent this time around which shocked the audience, since they are accustomed to hearing him “bash” the Government. He chose to educate men about domestic violence and how they should treat women. His supporters were close to the stage but his performance did not

move many in the audience. A favourite for the monarchy, Roger Hinds also called “Young Bill Rogers”, who performed “Guyanese Fed-up,” failed to get the nod from the judges. There were other performances that persons thought were a recap of the previous years.

addressed and it will not affect our campaign”, the General Secretary further stated.

Corbin, who earned his spurs as a teenager during the ethnic cleansing in Wismar back in 1964, was first elected to the National Assembly of Guyana in 1973, became one of the leading lights in the PNC, serving the party as Senior Vice Chairman and General Secretary as well as holding a number of government ministries, including the office of Deputy Prime Minister from 1985 to 1992.

He was elected PNC chairman in 2000, and in December 2002 became acting party leader following the death of Desmond Hoyte. In February 2003, he was officially chosen to lead the PNC.

A disappointing defeat for the PNC in the 2006 legislative elections saw Corbin’s leadership coming under scrutiny, although ultimately his two prospective challengers withdrew before a contest could be organised and his leadership was affirmed. In July 2012 Corbin was succeeded as party leader by David Granger.

Police continue probe into death of tyre shop owner

As police continue their investigations into the execution of South Road businessman, Randolph Singh on Wednesday evening, no arrest has been made but the police are working with several leads that can be of assistance.

Guyana Times International was told that the police have retrieved at least six .38 spent shells. A senior police rank stated that a background check on the man’s life is presently being conducted. This, he noted is important in determining the motive behind the killing.

At about 22:00h on the night in question, Singh, 41 of Lot 207 Charlotte Street, Georgetown was riddled with bullets while in the company of two employees. According to information received, as the men sat opposite the vulcanizing shop, a man who was armed with a firearm approached and discharged several rounds in their direction and escaped on a motorcycle.

From all indication, Singh was the tar-

get and would have received the blunt of the attack while another employee, Dilbert Mohamed, 33 was also shot at his right elbow. Both men were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where Singh was pronounced dead on arrival and Mohamed was treated and sent away. A senior police rank told this publication that investigators have ruled out robbery and they are now trying to ascertain whether Singh had any enemies. The rank added that based on reports, the businessman only returned from the United States of America less than a week ago thus leading in the direction that ‘some deal went sour’.

Dismissal of magistrates based on solid grounds

The decision by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to dismiss two magistrates recently was based on sound grounds, according to a reliable source.

City Magistrates Geeta Chandan-Edmond and Magistrate Chandra Sohan were both dismissed by the JSC for a number of incidents dating back since 2013. A source familiar with the work of the Commission explained that these decisions have been pending for a while.

“The Commission recently begun functioning so all the matters that have been pending are now being brought up and are being looked at. So there was no special reasons that the two magistrates were dismissed, the Commission was able to review the matter and make decisions they found to be appropriate.”

In relation to Sohan’s dismissal, it was pointed out that he left the country back in 2013 without being granted permission for leave. But the most important issue at hand is some discrepancies that have been found in the magistrate’s conduct in the courtroom.

“There have been some funny happenings with matters that he presided over whereby; his court records on decisions handed down varies from the records taken by the police prosecutors. It was reported that he would make an oral pronouncement on matters (which the prosecutors would record) but write something different on the court Jacket.”

The source further stated that when the magistrate was called up before the Commission, he refused to cooperate and his lawyer had even

walked out on him.”

On the other hand, the source further revealed that there were a lot of matters filed against Magistrate ChandanEdmond that would have led to her eventual dismissal. However, he rubbished claims that this action was in some way linked to a particular case that she was presiding on, that is, the assault charge against the son of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. Chandan-Edmond had found Samuel Hinds Jr guilty of assault on February 6, but had deferred sentencing until February 20, pending a probation report.

“This (Saturday) morning was the first time the Commission heard about the case with the Prime Minister’s son. We had no concerns about that, it didn’t cross the minds of the Commission at all and it definitely could not have influenced its decision to dismiss the magistrate because the Commission does not know or aware of what cases are being tried in courts unless a matter has been brought to its attention.”

According to a statement released by her attorney, Nigel Hughes, on January 16, last year, Chandan-Edmond was written to by the Judicial Service Commission in relation to the follow-

ing allegations; absence from a Magistrate’s Association meeting to discuss the Sexual Offenses Act, medical leave for two days between the 5th and 7th June 2013, absence for sick leave, failure to report absence of work to the Chancellor, inability to deliver 19 decisions, failure to respond to queries from the Chief Magistrate and departure from Guyana on the 20th day of January 2013 without approval.

The attorney alleged that at that time there was no allegation of misconduct leveled against his client nor was there any hearing or any invitation to any hearing on the allegations for the entire year of 2014.

He went on to state that on the February 18, 2015, the Magistrate attended the Judicial Service Commission where Counsel for the Magistrate inquired about the rules under which the Commission intended to deliberate , the procedure to be adopted particularly whether it was an adversarial or inquisitorial proceeding during which it was pointed out to the JSC that there was no rule which required the Magistrate to notify the Chancellor and or seek his permission prior to her departure from the country.

Govt recommits to free...

towards building a truly egalitarian society; that we still have challenges to overcome. As we renew our pledge for a better life for all, we need to work together. I, therefore, call on all Guyanese, from all stations of life to rededicate ourselves and work together on the big challenges facing our country so that as today is better than yesterday, tomorrow must be better than today for all the people of our country.

Fellow Guyanese, we need to dedicate ourselves to the building of a socially cohesive nation, always working to create a common identity as Guyanese, united in diversity, bound together by the same vision of creating a harmonious society based on truly universal values. Mashramani is an important signpost in our national life. It symbolises the dawn of freedom and democracy. It represents a call to sus-

Huge percentage of male domestic violence victims suffer in silence

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) within the Health Ministry, Dr Shamdeo Persaud said approximately 25 per cent of the men who participated in recent gender-based violence workshops have admitted to being abused by their significant other.

This disclosure was made during an interview with this newspaper after one such workshop on Thursday at the Ocean View International Hotel.

Dr Persaud said while only 25 per cent of the men have bravely admitted to being victims of domestic abuse, there are many who remain silent.

“It’s very under reported…more and more it’s not reported. So we have less than 5 per cent of all the cases reported are men. But in the groups, it’s different,” he said.

As a part of the Health Ministry’s strategic plan to curb the issue of domestic violence, the CMO said the root of the problem is being analysed. “We find that a lot of it is centered on the issues that men aren’t dealing with, so we’re deliberately focusing on men to try to hear from their perspectives and try to address those issues”.

On that note, Dr Persaud said in some

Guyana’s

cases, several abused men eventually resort to violence against their partners. “Because of the role, they have issues and it builds up in them and eventually it becomes a point where it is unbearable and they resort to violence,” he explained.

Workshops were held in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Region Six (East-Berbice Corentyne) and Region Ten (Upper DemeraraUpper Berbice). Workshops are currently being conducted in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

A total of 50 men from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Salvation Army Men’s Social Centre attended the first session in Region Four.

The session was headed by the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry Permanent Secretary, Pastor Patrick Findlay who delivered an extensive presentation on the

difference between gender roles and the rights of men and women in society.

“This is all about a conversation with men, engaging men and encouraging them and reminding them that they are a significant part of the solution to the whole issue of gender-based violence in society,” Administrator of the Men’s Affairs Bureau, Pastor Diego Alphonso said.

He said it is quite unfortunate that “every time we talk about men in Guyana it seems like we have to talk about gender-based violence with males being the main perpetrator.”

Alphonso explained that these burning issues in society need constant intervention from the relevant authorities and as such the Men’s Affairs Bureau will be collaborating with various organisations to conduct similar activities with the aim of addressing the problem.

National Suicide Prevention Plan to be launched soon

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud said the National Suicide Prevention Plan should be launched soon, but the reintroduction of the suicide hotline is highly unlikely. “We are trying to have a comprehensive launch… but we have some fine-tuning to do. We were targeting the end of March but it will be a little later,” Dr Persaud noted.

contact a professional for counselling.

Meanwhile, Dr Persaud pointed out that before the suicide prevention plan can be launched, a monitoring unit first needs to be in place. “All of our strategies come with a monitoring and evaluation framework”.

from page 18

tain the national effort that brought about freedom, which is critical in consolidating our democracy and promoting national unity. It calls on all Guyanese to unite and defeat poverty and underdevelopment. It calls on all of us to work together for a better future. Let us, therefore, renew our pledge to build a better life for all. Wherever you are, at home or abroad, I wish you a happy Mashramani.

Alluding to the suicide hotline, he explained the original hotline had many challenges which may make it difficult to be reintroduced. “The original hotline had very few subscriptions… We don’t have personnel to put the hotline back in effect; persons did not want to work after working hours,” he explained.

Nonetheless, the CMO said various methods are being explored to have it restructured. When asked about the possibility of a national network of counsellors, Dr Persaud said the procedure is not as easy as it sounds.

“A national register can only be compiled if they are legally employed and designated and licensed, so we are unable to publish a list just in the open because you have to be careful with counselling. If the person just commits then it will always be a question of who contributed or not, so we have to set some standards”.

The idea of a national network of counsellors was recently suggested by a local non-governmental organisation, The Caribbean Voice (TCV). The aim is to provide an alternative to the suicide hotline, so persons with suicidal thoughts can access the registry and

He explained that in order to measure the success of the aims and objectives listed in the strategy, they will have to establish an effective system to determine the flaws in order to develop new initiatives to correct those errors.

According to the CMO, the National Suicide Prevention Plan will include several of the previous programmes, such as the Gatekeepers’ Programme. “We’re hoping to have that rolled out in a more organised fashion among faithbased leaders in social groups, among women’s groups at the churches, so they can now have the opportunity to discuss suicide in a more open manner,” he added.

Jagdeo to chair economic council

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo has been appointed Chairman of the National Economic Council, a commission which was recently established by President Donald Ramotar to accelerate growth in Guyana.

Jagdeo’s appointment was announced on Friday by President Ramotar, who in a statement said that though he was proud of the progress made thus far, greater focus and attention can lead to enhanced performance in many crucial areas.

As such, he said the National Economic Council will bring greater support to his Government in enhancing and accelerating its transformational and modernisation agenda for Guyana.

“The economic transformation and modernisation of our country are priorities that require the skills of every bright and experienced mind as well as an enabling framework,” the President said just before announcing that Jagdeo would lead the Council.

Based on his wealth of experience in the field

of economics, both on the local and international stage, Jagdeo is the ideal individual for the position, the President said.

He pointed out that the former President served for a number of years as the pivot in the modernisation of the country’s economy, noting that he crafted many strategies including the National Development Strategy, the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Low Carbon Development Strategy.

“More importantly, as Head of State for over a decade through a most crucial and rewarding period, former President Bharrat Jagdeo has much to offer and has kindly agreed to assume this responsibility as chair of the National Economic Council. Further his growing international profile and work can be useful for this effort,” President Ramotar added.

Pro-bono

The National Economic Council will, among other things, assist in conceptualising and crafting economic strategies and initiatives as well as support in the oversight in the implementation of vari-

ous projects and strategic interventions.

“The Council I anticipate can give impetus to the already successful efforts of ensuring that my Government continues to be responsive to the socio-economic needs of our people,” he added.

President Ramotar said while Jagdeo has made clear his non-interest in any constitutional post, Government will ensure that it taps into

his vast experience and competence in making Guyana a more prosperous nation. The former President will be offering his services on a pro-bono basis.

The work of this Council will commence almost immediately. According to the President, the composition and terms of reference of the Council will soon be made public.

In addition to chair-

ing the National Economic Council, Jagdeo will assist the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in crafting its Manifesto for the upcoming General and Regional Elections billed for May 11.

An economist by training, Jagdeo was appointed President of Guyana in 1999 following the retirement of former President Janet Jagan, who was ill at the time. Prior to that, he had served as the Finance Minister.

In 2001, he was elected as President and was subsequently re-elected in September 2006.

During his tenure as President, major economic and social reforms were undertaken in Guyana. When he relinquished office, Guyana was concluding its fifth consecutive year of strong economic growth, often out-pacing all other countries in South America.

Under his watch, external debt had been almost halved, and external reserves were almost three times their 2006 level.

Unprecedented investment in social services took place during

the Jagdeo’s presidency, thereby transforming the education, health, transportation housing and water sectors within the country.

In September 2005, the former President was elected Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a position he held until September 2006. Also in 2006, he was identified by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as one of their inaugural “Young Global Leaders.”

In 2010, Jagdeo was one of six persons who received the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Champion of the Earth award for their fight to preserve the forests and combat climate change. He was also honoured with the Pushkin Medal by the Government of Russia and the Pravasi Bharativa Samman Award by the Government of India. These are just a few of the many awards he has received to date.

Today, he holds a number of global leadership positions in the areas of sustainable development, green growth and climate change.

Trotman says AFC not worried over resignations

Despite the resignations of two of the party’s executives and threats that more are in the offing, Alliance for Change (AFC) founder, Raphael Trotman says that the party is not at all worried by the developments.

Earlier in the week Trotman had ruefully admitted that he was not going to be returned as Speaker even if the AFC-APNU coalition were to win the elections. Speaking at the first ever joint press conference of the APNU-AFC coalition, which was held at Office of the Opposition Leader’s office on Friday since the coalition was announced, Trotman placed a brave face on the developments and claimed that even as the party would have lost the two key members, it was not a matter of concern since with the loss of the two, the party has gained “hundreds”. “For every Balwant Persaud and Sixtus Edwards that we lose, we are getting hun-

dreds to replace them. It is not a matter of concern,” he boasted. Trotman went on to say that the duo’s resignations was a welcome move since according to him, they were never active members in the party. “Edwards had not been active for almost three years and Mr. Balwant Persaud both of whom I worked with in 2011 and I have not seen them since. Mr. Balwant Persaud came when he was hounded by the PPP/C. I believe based on the feedback that I have been given, I believe that he has been compromised and he is being made to sing a song,” Trotman told media operatives. Trotman, however, had not been very active in AFC party matters since he had distanced himself from party work during the tenth Parliament. Questioned on whether this has raised any concern in the party’s constituency, Trotman responded in

the negative noting that the party was becoming inundated with calls and emails from persons wanting to join the party’s cause.

Responding to the claims that the party has always been seen as a middle ground between the other two parties and as such, runs the risk of losing its supporters’ due to the coalition, Trotman stated that while the party was actively working to determine whether this was true, its followers have thus far, expressed support for the coalition.“We are dealing with it. It

is not unanticipated… We are working assiduously, we are fanning out around the country, what we’ve found is that when we explain, people are understanding and perhaps we undervalue the appreciation for us and love for the party. Despite the predictions that people will leave in masses, it’s been marginal…,” Trotman shared.

As it relates to the party’s members, he noted that prior to signing of the agreement on February 14, the Executives and the members were engaged in frequent discussions

and were able to give their input. He said that too that the biennial conference which was held in December gave the council full permission to proceed with discussions with APNU and Civil Society for the coalition and as such, he does not believe that there is anything to be worried about.

Edwards who tendered his resignation earlier in the month, explained that he felt betrayed by the party which he helped build pillar by pillar after its formation back in 2006. He admitted that while he said he resigned for “personal reasons”, many National Executive Members and others who were familiar with the internal politics of the party know that there was more to his decision to depart the AFC. “The reason why I left the party is because of the people within there are not keeping with their core values”, he said sternly. He explained that back

in 2006 when the AFC was formed, the party Executives and members swore that they would remain neutral offering hope to those who were willing to leave their homes in the PPP/C and PNC to join a journey to heal and change Guyana. However, the coalition has taken this away. Meanwhile, businessman Persaud announced his resignation from the party last Thursday at his place of business in Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown. Persaud said that the AFC has betrayed his trust and that of thousands of its supporters who believed the party when it promised never to align or join forces with the PNCled A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). He explained that the party has also compromised the foundation upon which it was built and its founding principles which set it apart from the other two main political parties in Guyana.

Govt to toughen stance against companies siphoning off workers’ NIS, PAYE

By Devina Samaroo

Minister of Labour, Dr Nanda Gopaul and President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Carvil Duncan on Monday flayed employers who default on remitting their workers’ National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and tax deductions.

They threatened that serious action would be taken against those in breach.

Almost daily retired Private Sector workers complain of missing NIS contributions owing to their former employers’ failure to remit their contributions that were deducted. Only recently, one of the country’s top corporations – the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)

– admitted to failing to remit over Gy$1 billion in NIS contributions for its workers. The Corporation later said it was in the process of working out an arrangement to make the payments.

Both Duncan and Gopaul were at the time addressing the opening session of the FITUG’s Fifth Delegates’ Conference at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (Red House), Kingston. In addition to NIS and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions, Duncan made reference to the non-remittance of union dues and also some employers resisting trade unions’ rights to organise their workers. “We have encountered serious difficulties by some employers who have been resisting trade unions’ rights to organise their workers, and on the other hand, who have been collecting workers’ dues and not handing it over to the trade unions,” Duncan, who also heads the Guyana Labour Union, said. He reaffirmed that employers should not be allowed to breach the laws, and stringent action must be taken to ensure they accordingly comply and discontinue the defiance against trade unions.

Dissatisfaction

On the issue of workers’ deductions not being remitted to the respective authorities, such as the NIS and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for PAYE tax, Minister Gopaul expressed his deepest dis-

satisfaction about the situation. “Any employer who fails to deduct and remit to the Guyana Revenue Authority should face the full force of the law,” he declared.

In further venting his disgust at the situation, the Minister speculated that employers use

be remitted to NIS so workers can have their protection and sickness benefits immediately upon filing a claim,” the Minister noted. He said more stringent measures must be in place to stop this “bad management practice”.

“This practice must be brought to an end and employers must be prosecuted,” the Minister exclaimed.

He also highlighted that the manner in which management would terminate an employee’s employment was a grave concern. The Minister opined that employers sometimes dismiss an employee without paying his/her required ben-

workers’ money for personal benefit or to reinvest into their entities instead of remitting the deductions to the respective agencies.

On that note, Dr Gopaul also pointed out that while some employers comply with that requirement, they were not timely in doing so, and as such, workers were unable to immediately access their benefits. “NIS benefits should

efits – another violation of the law. Nonetheless, with the Ministry’s intervention, Dr Gopaul is optimistic the situation will improve. “Last year, we tripled the amount of benefits made payable by employers for violating these laws. In the past, we used to collect an average of Gy$16 million; last year, we collected in excess of Gy$50 million on behalf of workers who have been victimised.”

“A true patriot who has served

our country well”

- Elizabeth Harper brings a burst of freshness to the PPP/C, says Rohee

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) on Saturday made one of the most unexpected announcements by naming Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Elizabeth Harper as its Prime Ministerial Candidate to contest the May 11 Regional and General Elections.

The revelation was made by President Donald Ramotar and General Secretary of the PPP/C Clement Rohee at a hastily called press conference on Saturday at the party’s headquarters. According to Rohee, the tradition of having the Central and Executive Committees involved in the process of selecting the Prime Ministerial Candidate from the Civil Society was maintained. It was in this process he said, that the Ambassador was chosen.

“The Central Committee of the PPP, the second highest decision making body of our party after Congress has just concluded a historic meeting. The Central Committee unanimously endorsed the nomination presented by the Executive Committee and reaffirmed the tra-

dition established since 1992 whereby the PM candidate would be a member from Civil Society,” Rohee told media operatives.

He noted that while there were several other contenders in the race for the position, it was Harper who managed to receive the unanimous votes of the Committee due to her wealth of experience and qualifications.

“Mrs Elizabeth Ann Harper brings to the table, that sparkle; that burst of freshness that will energise and inspire membership, supporters and well wishers to work hard for the party’s victory at the polls. Mrs Harper has for years, laboured in the ravines of international diplomacy in service of our people and nation. She is a proven servant of the people in service of our country and nation. She is a proven servant of the people of Guyana. The consummate public servant and totally committed to placing at the disposal of the PPP Government, her invaluable skills and experience she has accumulated over the years and which will contribute immensely to a strong, sta-

ble and secure Guyana,” the General Secretary shared.

Meanwhile, President Donald Ramotar in a brief statement told media operatives that while there were many contenders for the position, he was happy that the choice was Harper, who has time and again proven that she is a Guyanese by working for the good of the country.

“While we have had many tried, tested and youthful leaders who have enjoyed their democratic right, we are fo-

Ramotar expressed.

Ramotar noted that he strongly believes that with Harper running alongside him in the upcoming elections, the PPP/C will not only win the election, but will do so with a majority since he had every confidence in Harper’s ability.

“Her experience, dynamism and loyalty for this country will complement her leadership qualities,” he said.

hold the title of Director General at the Ministry. She has previously served as Director, Department of the Americans 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.

cused on renewal and reached out to the best in the interest of the people of Guyana. There are many well deserving individuals within and outside of our ranks who received our attention and consideration… Chosen was a Guyanese who has served our nation with distinction –not a partisan but a patriot who for her entire career as an outstanding diplomat has dedicated her service to ensuring our great land remain united and sovereign,” President Donald

Harper, 57, who hails from Kitty, Georgetown, has worked in the foreign service for decades. Harper succeeds outgoing Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds who has held that position since 1992 when the PPP/C was voted into office for the first time in 28 years.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in French from the University of Guyana as well as the title of the Best Graduating Student (1981-1986) as well as a Certificate in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Oxford, England.

The newly-elected PM candidate who also holds the Golden Arrow of Achievement Award, began her career at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in 1976 as a Registry Clerk, moving her way to

She has been a member of Guyana’s delegation to various meetings of the Caribbean Community, The Latin American Economic System, The Association of Caribbean States (ACS), The United Nations (UN), the Commonwealth, the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), among others.

Harper has served in several other positions as Ambassador to Caricom (2003 to present), Non-resident High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago (2003-present), Non-resident High Commissioner to Barbados (2004-present), Non-resident High Commissioner to Grenada (2006-present and Non-resident High Commissioner to St Kitts and Nevis.

Mahaicony accident: All 7 victims drowned – PME

Apost-mortem examination (PME) conducted on the bodies of the seven persons who were killed in the Burma Road accident at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, confirmed that they died as a result of drowning.

The examination was conducted by State Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh on Tuesday morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) mortuary. The teacher, 41-year-old Shondell Duke and the six children of Augsburg Primary School were killed on Friday afternoon when the car they were travelling in ran into a nearby trench. All seven occupants died before they could have been rescued.

The dead children are seven-year-old Martina Persaud; nine-year-old

Justin Abel; 10-year-old Asiyah Abel and sevenyear-old Raydon Abel along with nine-yearold Atisha Woolford and Asaficia Fraser, all of Burma, Mahaicony.

Reports revealed that the senior teacher took the children to participate in a Mashramani programme at Calcutta

Primary School and were on their way home when the accident occurred. The bodies of the seven occupants were removed from of the water minutes after passersby saw the wheels of the toppled car in the water.

Officials told this publication that investigations have commenced by

the Region Five Regional Democratic Council (RDC), the Public Works Ministry and the Police Traffic Department to determine the cause of the accident, which is considered to be one of Guyana’s most tragic incidents in recent times.

Following the accident, several Government Ministers travelled up to the mourning community to offer condolences to the grieving families. Additionally, Government has since announced that it will be bearing the cost of funeral expenses for the seven victims.

Moreover, several agencies have been expressing their sympathy towards to the families. Only on Tuesday, the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) said

that it is “profoundly saddened” by the tragedy.

“The Commissioners believe that this is indeed a national tragedy and joins the rest of the nation in offering our sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased. The RCC is driven by the conviction that the children of our nation are our most precious and valued possession and resources. Their deaths, in such bizarre circumstances, are always difficult to contend,” the Commission stated. In addition, the Commission is calling for a day of mourning and a minute of silence to be observed in all schools throughout the country.

The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) also conveyed its

sadness. “It is even sadder to learn that six of those who succumbed shared the innocence of children. This is certainly a great loss to the families and our nation. The CIOG wishes to express to all the parents of the children, the relatives of the teacher and all family members of those who perished our deepest and sincere sympathies,” the religious organisation said.

While there is no way to tell the definite cause of the accident, the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department has been reporting that speeding and drunk driving continues to be the case of most accidents, whether fatal or non-fatal.

In light of this, the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) has renewed calls for road users to be more responsible in their day to day activities on the roadways to help put an end to the frequent road carnage.

The Council observed that of recent, there has been an increase in the number of serious road accidents in and around the city, mainly due to speeding, recklessness and driving under the influence (DUI), which reflects total neglect to our traffic laws.

Donald Rodney denies his irresponsibility caused brother’s death

Donald Rodney last Friday denied suggestions that his irresponsibility caused the death of his older brother, Political Activist and Historian Walter Rodney, on the night of June 13, 1980, as the Commission of Inquiry continues.

Under cross-examination by People’s National Congress (PNC) attorney, Basil Williams, the witness explained that when he was given the package that night by ex Guyana Defence Force (GDF) member Gregory Smith he did not open it because he had previously seen the box in which the walkie talkie device was contained so there was no need to check it.

Rodney had previously testified that he became involved in his brother’s work around 1979 and during that time there were many threats against the Political Activist as such he (Donald) began ‘shadowing’ him as a form of protection. The man had also told the Commission that he did not receive any training to take up such a role.

Against this backdrop, Williams put to

the witness that if he had been trained then he would have checked to see what was in the bag and not just handed it over to his brother. “I had seen the box before… I didn’t consider it necessary (to double check)” he stated to which the attorney said “well it cost him his life”.

The PNC lawyer further put to the witness that he did not open the package because he knew that it contained explosive devices and did not want to trigger it. He responded reiterating that he had seen the box before. Chairman of the Commission Sir Richard Cheltenham then asked Rodney whether as a “go between” he did not think it necessary, despite seeing the box before, to open it just to be satisfied with its contents.

The witness said “I didn’t consider it at the time,” he mentioned. Donald added that he is unsure whether Dr Rodney had taken the object out after he was handed the package. “He hadn’t taken out the object from the bag because he would have relied on you to do so before when

you took it from Gregory Smith,” the attorney suggested to the witness, who responded “if he didn’t then I won’t know why he didn’t take it out the bag.”

“I don’t know if he knew (it was a sensitive device being taken to him), I don’t know and I would be very surprised if he did,” the witness replied when asked about

his brother’s knowledge of the explosives.

“How would I know that he knew that there was danger and if so I would have to say, he won’t have known it was associated with danger because it would mean that both he and I will be exposed to whatever danger it was,” he continued saying.

Furthermore while

being cross-examined by Attorney Christopher Ram, who is representing the WPA, Donald said that his brother was never known to be violent or reckless.

Ram had also asked the witness whether he had any concerns about Smith having dealings with his brother and if he had expressed such with Dr Rodney. The

witness noted that he never did.

On the other hand, Barbadian Attorney Andrew Pilgrim questioned the witness on events prior to his brother’s death specifically around the time ‘Father Darke’ was killed. Donald recalled that he witnessed the stabbing to death of ‘Father Bernard Darke’ in 1979 which occurred in the presence of a police officer who had ignored what was happening by turning the other way.

Father Darke was a Catholic Priest who was stabbed to death during a protest outside of the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where Dr Rodney was being tried for allegedly burning Congress Place. He was killed by Bilal Ato who was subsequently sentenced for murder.

This, the eight round, of the Commission of Inquiry into the death of the political scholar has gone on break until March 23 when it will resume and run until March 27. That sitting will be the last until the May 11, General and Regional Elections are held.

‘Live in Peace and Love’

Aloving father and husband who upheld strict values, a devout Catholic, and someone who passionately and significantly contributed to his country, the late Paul Edward Fredericks, lovingly called “Eddie”, will forever be remembered as a remarkable individual.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, his youngest daughter, Andrea, described her beloved father as “fun-loving, very dedicated, worked extremely hard, stickler for standards, and was the head of his family.”

“He loved his family, faith and education and our home revolved around that. I truly admired the teamwork between my dad and mom. The love they had for each other was incredible. I have nothing but happy memories of him. He was a friend to everyone, irrespective of race or religion,” she recalled.

Additionally, Andrea pointed out that her father came from a tightknit family of 11 children and was dedicated, down to his last days, to his religion.

“One of the last things he said to me is to remain dedicated to our

faith. He was at peace and ready to go. He had a good life. We were very close and I could have freely talked to him. Usually the last words between dad and us were always, ‘I love you’. His family was everything to him. It [family] was always foremost in his mind. Our family had no tension whatsoever. My sister and I always felt loved and that love resonates in our families,” Andrea said tearfully.

Although he was busy with various professional positions he held, the doting husband maintained his late wife Marjorie’s garden. She

died in 2009.

“He knew she would be angry with him if he didn’t maintain her garden, and he lovingly continued to do so until his death. Mom was the love of his life and made him what he was. They were a great team,” Andrea mused.

A warm individual, Fredericks was also proud of his dining table because he and his wife enjoyed entertaining others. He is remembered as a hospitable and loving person, and Andrea said those qualities she emulates. Fredericks was also especially proud of sharing his birthday with Martin Luther King, and would always encourage his family and friends to live in “peace and love”. He loved cricket and boxing and was a “wonderful storyteller”. Andrea remembers the story of “Tommy Toe” she and her sister heard as children, which he also narrated to his grandchildren. “Tommy Toe” is a story of a little boy whose toe was bitten off by a piranha, which was eventually caught, the toe retrieved from it (piranha) and reattached to the boy’s foot.

One of the many attributes Andrea admired about her father is his patriotism. “He worked really hard to get his education. He had a drive and ambition to keep achieving and had numerous lucrative opportunities to go live abroad, but saw the potential of his country and chose to stay to contribute. He significantly contributed to the sugar industry, becoming the first Guyanese Director in the sugar industry. He always had a vision for Guyana and believed his country will become a great nation, but he would say not in his lifetime, however he continued to help build his country in whatever way he could,” Andrea noted.

Not only was “Eddie” a loving husband, father, and grandfather but a loving father-in-law also. Andrea’s husband, AJ, a Canadian, recalled Fredericks as being an

“amazing individual”.

“He was part of the generation of transition that happened in Guyana from the colonial time to independence. His great grandparents came as indentured servants from India to work in the sugar industry and he worked in the same industry to help develop it. He was truly a remarkable individual. He was very supportive to me and offered great advice. He was also very kind. He accepted and really guided me, and was a diplomat in managing relationships. For these and many other attributes I will remember him as an amazing guy,” AJ expressed.

Fredericks was born Jan 15, 1929 in Buxton, East Coast of Demerara. He attended the Buxton Methodist School, Buxton Congregational School, Modern Educational Institute, where he obtained his Cambridge Junior Certificate; Enterprise High School, where he obtained his Cambridge Senior Certificate, and the College of Law in

Management”. Then in 1988 he was awarded the Royal Order of the Polar Star – Officer First Class from Sweden. In 1995 he was awarded the Order of Orange Nassau for his service as honorary consul to Sweden for 17 years. In Guyana, Fredericks significantly contributed to the work

London. In 1964 he qualified as barristerat-law and, in that same year, was admitted to Guyana Bar. In 1973 he was admitted to the Trinidad and Tobago Bar. Notably, he served as company secretary and director on numerous boards in Guyana.

In 1979 he was appointed honorary consul for Sweden, and in 1983 was appointed honorary consul-general of the Netherlands.

In 1984 he was awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH) for “Excellence of Service in Private Sector

of the St Joseph Mercy Hospital and the Rotary Club activities.

Fredericks expended his time developing his country, spending vacations with his two children (Cheryl and Andrea), telling the story of “Tommy Toe” and being a loving grandpa to his six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

The funeral of the late Paul Edward Fredericks would be held at 10:30am, Tuesday Feb 24 at St Theresa’s Church in Campbelville. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Masquerade bands heat up Essequibo Mashramani celebrations

By IndrawattIe naItram

The masquer-

ade bands’ parade brightened the Essequibo Region Two atmosphere in anticipation of this year’s Mashramani celebrations.

A Guyanese tradition, masquerade bands are a source of awe and revelry and, for some young children, remain an unforgettable experience.

Even today, I get anxious whenever I hear the masquerade drums. The sound is upbeat, and brings a rush of childhood memories. I can still remember my first encounter with a masquerade band.

ade band. Individual groups do not only play for fun, in keeping with the festive Christmas season, many capitalize on the incentives reaped from performing.

The masquerade band could be dated as far back as the 18 century. In fact, it was originally practiced by slaves: the celebration after hard work. The practice transfers from generation to generation.

In the multicultural region of the Essequibo Coast, masquerade celebrations are common in villages like Henrietta, Danielstown, Dartmouth, Charity and Supenaam.

Men and boys take

corporated into this year's Mashramani celebrations. The region hosted the National Masquerade competition, where colourful bands from various regions clashed for the “King of the Road” prize, best “Bam- Bam Sally” and best musical band, among other prizes.

The event saw three bands participating from the Essequibo Coast, with large, colourful and energetic contingents. Hundreds of persons gathered at various points to view the occasion as the bands took to the Essequibo Coast road.

The entire Anna Regina town was trans-

My recollection is more vivid of ‘BoomBoom Sally’, a man in a costumed dress with a protruding rear. His antics were something to witness. When I see a masquerade band, I am still mesmerized.

Growing up in the country, in almost every village, older boys become part of a masquer-

pride in putting together their costumes, and the night before Christmas Eve, young boys could be seen moving from house to house with their "bad mad cow" seeking monetary incentives for their efforts.

Most recently, the Region Two administration outlined a plan to have the activity in-

formed into a kaleidoscope of colours, as flouncers gyrated to the sizzling sounds pounded out of the "goat skin" drums. The energy portrayed by the "mad" cow created a very enthusiastic audience and an exuberant day in Anna Regina.

Culture was revitalised when the var-

ious bands clashed at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground. It was a feast for the eyes as everyone united and danced to the tunes of flutes in unison.

The masquerade competition has truly set the stage for the celebration of Mashramani in the Region.

Linden masquerade band "Torch" emerged first for the competition. Essequibo’s "Village Ram" from Onderneeming copped third position with their band image and excellent performances.

As in every other region, Mashramani in the

Cinderella county is celebrated with much enthusiasm and energy. The hive of activity is usually at the Anna Regina community centre ground as the parade wends its way from Three Friends’ bridge to the ground.

Persons are decked out in colourful costumes and glittered faces and dance to music blaring from sound systems. Those who are not in parade groups, place themselves along the roadways to view the spectacle.

At the ground on “Mash day”, persons from all over converge to witness the program put

together by the Region Two administration. Leading up to Mashramani day, many other activities are planned by the Mashramani committee such as the Best Decorated Building competition; a national chutney competition, and clean up campaigns. Mashramani is a much-anticipated activity in Region Two, an activity that many persons look forward too. It fosters togetherness and unity of the people; it is truly a celebration after hard work.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature For the Love of Books

Part II

By PetamBer Persaud

(This is the second instalment in a series prompted by Valentine’s Day and its attendant expressions of love and its association with red roses, books and culture.)

(Interview with Oonya Kempadoo [OK], Georgetown, Guyana, Jan 2008. Kempadoo’s first novel, “Buxton Spice”, was an instant success. It was on the London bestseller list throughout 1999, and translated into French, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese and Hebrew.)

OK “…there were two books, which I read while I was growing up in Golden Grove – “Cannery Row” by Steinbeck, and “Miguel Street” by Naipaul. Both set on one street, similar to the street on which I live – and seeing the possibility of capturing observations and characters and sort of social sketch and something so enjoyable to read, [it] occur[red] to me as something I could attempt one day. So that was the first and strongest influence. Since then I’ve

been reading all sorts of literature from Scottish to Indian and Irish authors.”

(Extract of an interview with Berkley Semple, Georgetown, Guyana, Aug 22, 2011. Semple won the Guyana Prize for Literature in 2004 with his first book of poetry “Lamplight Teller”.)

BS “Patrick McKenzie, a former minister of agriculture in Guyana, is a close cousin of mine, and I have been reading his memoir, “Strength of My Spirit”, recently. He is a good, attentive prose writer. So I have writers in the family, but my people are mostly readers, consumers of books. My maternal grandfather, Jacob McKenzie, was a prolific reader of historic things, who use to memorize all kinds of poetry and recite them, even long passages of Shakespeare. That was certainly my point of departure. I was a hungry reader before I started writing. I like the sound of words, the tone and rhythm and cadence.”

(Charuamanie Bissundyal, Guyana. A versatile writer with six

novels, five collections of poems, four screen scripts, ten plays among other bits of academic writing.)

CB “… there were other factors like the fact that my family members were ardent readers of the Valmiki and the Tulsidas Ramayana, the Mahabharat …”

PP “Very important influences – it is important if you want to write well, you must be well read.”

CB “Right. So that was one aspect. Then there was the whole philosophy of poetry. If you read the Tulsidas Ramayana – the … Poetry is all about beauty and nature. That’s where Tagore got his influence.”

(Excerpt of an in-

terview with Brenda DoHarris conducted in front of Bishops High School, Georgetown, Guyana, January 2010. The main part of the interview was conducted in Kitty village where her first novel, “The Coloured Girl in the Ring”, was set.)

PP “Talking about school and books, what were some of the books that influenced your writing?”

BD “One of them is Buchi Emecheta’s “Second Class Citizens” – well all her books, not just that one. Buchi Emecheta is a Nigerian woman novelist who has written a lot on women’s issues especially women in the post-colonial environment. One of her best books I think is “Second

Class Citizens”, in which she details what life was like in England for blacks and others who went there in the 1950s and how hard life was finding housing etc., in the face of discrimination; trying to find jobs in a society that was patently racist at the time.

I’ve also read Merle Hodge. Her books were a tremendous influence especially, “Crick Crack Monkey”, a novel I am teaching presently in one of my classes, and Haiti’s Edwidge Danticat.”

Peter Jailall has authored five books of poems including “The Healing Place”, 1993, “Yet Another Home”, 1997, and “When September Comes”, 2003. He was a finalist in the 2002 Mississauga Arts Award

for Established Literary Artist.

PP “…We have talked about writing, what about reading, getting children to read.”

PJ “First and foremost, we can do the oral – tell stories and recite poems, get them comfortable with the oral, let them flow. Before you read, you have to deal with the scarcity of books. First, let’s get the books, good books, colourful literature, attractive books. Now back to the community, it is important that parents, and guardians and grownups read to children, get them to listen to words, words forming picture and music as in poetry. Teachers should read more and more to children, find poems and stories that tell about different lands, peoples and cultures, poems and stories about science and other subjects and learning will become easy.” (To be continued)

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

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Gearing up…

…for voting

Well, the Preliminary Voters List (PVL) is out. In most democracies this would’ve hardly earned a mention – but not in Guyana. With the PNC’s history of rigging elections during its 28 loooong years of the dictatorship, the list of electors looms large in our collective memories. Oldsters would remember horses and assorted farm animals grazing in yards where voters were supposed to live according to the 1968 list.

More recently, we’d remember it took the efforts of Caricom, Carter Centre, the UN and a phalanx of “interested Governments” – and an extra two years for the life of the Hoyte Government – to produce the list for the 1992 elections.

After that blessed event, which resulted in the ignominious defeat of the PNC – followed by four other defeats – we’ve had a permanent Elections Commission. It’s supposed to do nothing else between elections, but ensure that the list is “up to date”. Hundreds of millions of dollars are allocated annually to the autonomous agency for this task.

And what does this entail?? We’ll cut out all the names in the intermediate lists that culminates in the final “Official List of Electors” (OLE) – which is the one that’ll authorise folks to vote on May 11. Suffice it to say that the PLE’s extracted from the National Register of Registrants (NRR) – a list of all Guyanese over 18. As we all know, this is updated by GECOM’s periodic “registration” exercises when they contact everyone over 14 and add them to the NRR.

The problem is they’re also supposed to subtract from the NRR all those who’ve passed away. And here it gets tricky. Even though it’s been 22 years since GECOM’s been in existence, before every election, thousands of dead people will appear on the list.

And the Mandarins of GECOM will intone in stentorian tones that they’re not getting the info on the deceased from the General Registrar’s Office (GRO). Now that the current size of the PLE was given as 567,125 compared to the roughly 492,000 in 2011, you can bet your bottom dollar that this cry will be heard once again – when the thousands of dead folks are identified in the “claims and objections” period.

Last year there was a preview of the coming cacophony when the PPP/C scrutineers found that even notable figures like former President Arthur Chung – who died in 2008 – still eligible to vote. But in addition to the “living dead”, the increase of 75,000 eligible voters in only three years is mind boggling for a country with only 750,000. And we have TV!!

Who says that voters’ lists are dull?? …for reporting on voting

The Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) has been reconstituted and the Media Code was duly signed. So right away, this Eyewitness has a complaint for the MMU to address. From what was reported, it’s not only the obligation of the media to give coverage to the political parties – the political parties must also make themselves available to the media for interviews or confirmation of information.

According to the Editors of this newspaper, for months now, Khemraj Ramjattan, leader of the AFC (sole leader now that Trotman has become “the Invisible Man”) has been unwilling to talk to any of our reporters. Even your trusty Eyewitness in his Clark Kent guise.

To make matters worse, Ramjattan just doesn’t say “no comment” or “I don’t want to talk”.

His standard riposte is “Haul yuh ass”, before hanging up. Now we know his pals over at the Muckraker concocts his “statements” for him.

The Editors should ask the MMU if they can do the same in the interest of equal treatment of the media!

…for J’Ouvert

OK, we stole “play Mas” from the Trinis…and they didn’t say nothing. But now we going for J’Ouvert?? Jeez!!! Are we only creative in rigging elections?

Visit the National Museum for the history of Mashramani

An informative showcase on the history of Mashramani, with colourful displays, banners and books, is currently open at the National Museum.

At the launching of the exhibition, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony said the exhibition has become a “tradition” and “offers different dimensions to Mashramani”. He added that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport did not only focus on songs and dance, but also highlights the “intellectual” aspect of the celebration by holding

lecture series. He also described the exhibition as “beautiful”.

Nadia Madho, the museum’s administrator, encouraged students to visit the exhibition to get a better insight on the history of Mashramani.

Under the theme “One People, One Culture, One Celebration”, the annual exhibition seeks to give a complete picture of what Mashramani means to Guyanese. For more information, contact the National Museum on 225-7191. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

UK-based Guyanese actress on the rise

Born Oct 31, 1993 in Georgetown, Guyana, Letitia Michelle Wright is a UK-based actress known for her roles in

“Glasgow Girls”, “My Brother the Devil” and “Urban Hymn”.

Migrating to London with her mother at age six, Letitia first fell in love with acting at her primary school when she got the opportunity to play a young Rosa Parks onstage. “I felt so comfortable,” she recalled. “I even did the whole American accent!”

Beginning her career in 2009, Letitia has worked her way up the UK film indus-

try ladder. At age 17, the actress became one of the leads in a fourpart drama, “Chasing Shadows”, which premiered in 2011. The series focused on the work of a missing persons field unit charged with tracking down serial killers who prey on impressionable and vulnerable people.

She also appeared in the 2011 television drama film, “Random”. In 2012, she played Nyla in Idris Elba’s production “Victim”, and

Aisha in the awardwinning drama “My Brother the Devil”. She was named Screen International star of tomorrow in 2012.

Letitia, who was named one of Screenterrier’s top British teenage actresses in 2013, also appeared in series two of the British television drama series, “Top Boy”, which is set in East London and looks at the lives of the young, ambitious and sometimes reckless.

In 2014, she played an activist named Amal in the movie “Glasgow Girls”, a story based on a group of seven young women in Glasgow, Scotland, which highlighted the poor treatment of failed asylum seekers.

In October 2104, the 21-year-old actress wrapped up shooting the starring role

for the movie, “Urban Hymn”. The film follows a troubled young female offender, Jamie Harrison, who possesses an amazing singing voice, and an inspiring and unconventional care worker, Kate, who encourages her to use it. The movie is scheduled for release this year. (http://guyanesegirlsrock.com)

Mashramani 1973: Flashback

Aclipping from the Guyana Graphic narrates the festivities of Mashramani celebrated in 1973. The article was published Saturday Feb 24, 1973. For those of us who were not present 42 years ago, here is a vivid lookback at the Mash activities of that year:

“There was a riot of colour, gaiety and scintillating pan music in the streets of Georgetown for over six hours yesterday as a number of floats, costumes and steel bands in Carnival style tramped in the city and suburban areas to highlight the Mashramani celebrations in Georgetown.

Thousands of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the impressive float parade and the gaily dressed revellers in the costume bands as they danced and jigged in wild abandon.

The infectious music from the many steel bands in the parade entranced the crowds and trampers alike.

The costume band of the People’s Army was, perhaps, the most impressive. Comprising 250 soldiers, it was led out of Camp Ayanganna by the winner of the best costume parade, Miss Monica Godette, garbed

in her elaborate costume that spread out around her like the feathers of a peacock.

The costume band itself was divided into seven groups each featuring soldiers in a different colour costume and wearing a different head dress.

Another float theme “Just Married” put on

by the Youth Division of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Youth, also sent the crowds, especially the youths, wild with laughter, as it sought to convey the reason why the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18.

The parade featured an 18-year-old couple about to be married.

Preserving our heritage through pictures

A total of 16 floats and 10 costume bands took part in the parade.

For the first time, the Mashramani parade did not move en bloc through the city.

“The reason for this,” said Mr Frank Pilgrim, one of the organizers, “is to spread the Mashramani spirit through the medium of the parade more widely across the city, and also to give people an incentive to get out of their homes and come down to the National Park if they wanted to see the float parade and costume bands in their entirety.”

Mr Pilgrim also assured those who missed the opportunity of seeing the entire float and costume parade would be given another opportunity to do so when it assembles at the Parade Ground to begin another trek through the city at 2.00 p.m. today.

Just after the floats and the bands took off from the National Park, a section of it went into Kitty while the rest turned into Vlissengen Road. At the junction of Vlissengen and North Road the parade again split up, part of it continuing along Vlissengen Road into Lodge while the other section turned

This week's Crossword

Team building for Guyana…

…with the good and the bad

Well, the choices in front of the electorate on May 11 are becoming clearer by the day. On Saturday, anticipating his re-election, President Ramotar created a “New Economic Council” (NEC) and placed former President Jagdeo in charge.

While the exact details haven’t been released yet, the former President will “assist in conceptualising and crafting economic strategies and initiatives as well as support in the oversight in the implementation of various projects and strategic interventions.”

We rather suspect the Council will be composed like – and perform along the lines of - similar institutions in modern economies. As such, we should see along with Jagdeo, some other high level economists, statisticians and analysts providing “sophisticated guidance to the President”.

In this globalised world that’s still being integrated under all sorts of liberalising regimes, there’s no economic decision that can be taken in isolation any longer – even in a small economy like Guyana’s.

This week's Puzzle

And who’s better to fill this role than the former President who began his stint in government as a Junior and then a Senior Minister of Finance?? It’s said that you can’t teach success – it can only be achieved through a confluence of personal characteristics, training and experience. And once you’ve achieved success, it becomes part of the architect’s “gut reactions” which can’t be duplicated.

But what do we have on the other side – the PNC which became PNCR then PNC R1G then APNU and now APNU-AFC – for guidance on matters economic? Carl Greenidge, that’s who!! A man who was Burnham’s and Hoyte’s Finance Minister who presided over their bankrupted economy so far into the hole that even the IMF refused to deal with them!

The point is you have no one in the PNC/APNU/ AFC coalition who can inspire any confidence in economic development, the way Jagdeo can. Clive Thomas?? Well, he complained that APNU wasn’t meeting with him and WPA even once a month! We wonder about the Donkey Cart Economist Khemraj, who jumped ship from AFC to APNU as a Granger acolyte. Has he slunk back to Florida?

Thing is, just as success breeds success, failure breeds failure. There’s no one in the new coalition who really know the difference between “Moutar” and “guitar”. As such they just make sounds that have no meaning – especially when it comes to economic matters. If folks like Nagamootoo and Ramjattan stay true to form, we can expect them to start undermining any Granger administration. Jagdeo, on the other hand, has every incentive to ensure that his legacy of high level growth in the Guyanese economy continues uninterruptedly. Go with winners!!

…and with the ugly Meanwhile, over in the Opposition, more dirt’s emerging on the mountain of labour that produced a mouse – APNU-AFC. And a dirty, stinking mouse it is. This Eyewitness has spent an awful lot of time exposing the hypocrisy of the AFC – but mainly as political pimps who sold their supporters for a mess of pottage to the PNC. And a mess is what it’ll be!

…and the West Indies team

We know “one swallow doesn’t make a summer”. But you gotta admit…that overwhelming victory over Pakistan did feel good, no?? How sweet it is!!

The Legendary Pomeroon River

By Isahak BasIr, CCh

Of the seven great rivers of Guyana, the river Pomeroon is unique in its history. It is the deepest river in Guyana without any sand banks or islands, and discharges its waters into the Atlantic Ocean in northwest by west direction, unlike the Essequibo, Berbice and Corentyne rivers, which discharge their waters into the ocean in a northeast direction.

In the last 250 years, the 200-odd mile Pomeroon River has lost eight miles of its original length by erosion, of which the cycle has replaced one mile in the last 20 years, where sea vegetation provides beautiful landscapes.

The Pomeroon River is the most populated one in Guyana and runs parallel to the seacoast for 20 miles, beginning from Charity to Plantation Glen Hurst.

While there are many special facilities like schools, health quarters, churches, shops or sports ground, all means of transportation is by boat. At an early age, parents would teach their children practical lessons on how to paddle their way

Dutch in 1620, and cultivated cotton. Remnants of a Dutch hospital at Siriki and a huge bronze bell being part of the Dutch Fort, recorded as Fort Zeelandia, is located in the back lands of plantations Panama and Caledonia in the Lower Pomeroon.

We know of Kyk-overal, Fort Island and Fort Nassau, which were built with baked bricks and cement, but there was also the Pomeroon Fort that was built with "pitch pine" materials. Sadly, the forest has fuelled its disappearance.

Other historical happenings include the St Louis Church, built in 1896 at Siriki, and the consecration of the Kabacaburi Mission in 1872. A bronze bell at Kabacaburi with the inscription of the first Amerindian convert to Christianity is still visible.

Economic activities

While there are several Amerindian communities in the perimeter of the Pomeroon River, it still has the largest contingent of Portuguese dwellers - other than the capital city of Georgetown.

The Portuguese pio-

Dawa Pumping Station.

At Charity, the river, leading up to the Cuyuni ridge, has changed its course beginning from a northeast direction running up its source in a southwest direction. This area facilitates the growing of coffee, citrus and ground provision, but also experienced several mudslides in the past 150 years.

Like the Essequibo and the Demerara rivers, the upper Pomeroon has deposits of bauxite, columbite and gold. James Tilsbury, Joseph Scadd, M. Sankar, Edron Gouveia and Manson

to school, and crossing the river.

Early History

This river was first inhabited by the Cariwanna tribe, which left many historical landmarks, one of which is the largest shell mound in Guyana, located in the upper Pomeroon at Siriki.

An original Dutch plantation now known as Charity is now the main transit point for the North West District, Venezuela and Trinidad. Charity is also the point where the river is traditionally described as Lower and Upper Pomeroon.

With the exception of the brief Spanish occupation, the Pomeroon River was occupied by the

neers came to Pomeroon in 1837, reoccupied the Dutch abandoned cotton fields, rehabilitated the existing canals and began cultivating coconuts and ground provisions to subsidise the remaining sugar estates on Essequibo.

The labour on the Pomeroon estates were freed slaves, Amerindians and later, indentured Indian workers. The latter migrated from the coast in three groups to the Upper Pomeroon between 1910 and 1940.

In 1960, a magnificent piece of engineering was completed when a huge "pump station" was built in the middle of the Tapacooma River, a tributary of the main Pomeroon, which was the

Melville were the five pork knockers who found traces of gold in 1944. The legendary village is still occupied by Caribs, Warraus and Arawaks, its original occupants.

At Kabacaburi Mission, located 16 miles up the Pomeroon River, there is the legendary Dutch punt that sank with gold and had its 50-meter metal chain held to a huge sukcohen tree. The huge metal links of the chain were noticeable up to the mid1940s.

In 1948, the bi-monthly cargo steamer the M.V. Pomeroon was directed to pull up the submerged Dutch punt; but the vessel tilted in a dangerous position and the effort was aborted when the winch brought up two

huge pieces of pitch pine wood.

Charity presently faces the strongest current of the Pomeroon, and is susceptible to movement to the existing riverbank and structures. However, the Pomeroon River is the supply reservoir for five-mile wide Tapacooma Lake, on which 55,000 rice lands are dependent.

River diversity

The diversity of the two riverbanks is very strange since the right bank is alluvium clay forest, suitable for coconuts and cotton, while the left

bank is a combination of bagasse, suitable for the production of rice, cassava and cattle rearing.

Some of the peculiarities of the Pomeroon River forest include the greenheart logs; straight grain and Kabakali logs, unlike logs of Region One, have a purple heart. Its forest allows the habitation of three species of wild hogs, two species of deer, tapir, jaguar, labba, agouti, land turtle and many venomous snakes. Most times in the year, the smooth black water dominates the 150 miles of river.

The traditional fresh

water black river whale, electric eel and silver scale piranha are part of the river’s large aquatic family. Unlike the Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice rivers, the tide height in the Pomeroon River is about five feet.

The Pomeroon River changed its course several thousand years ago. The river has a 90-degree U-turn at one point, leaving a three-mile trail of bagasse to the nearest point of the seacoast at the Somerset area. (Isahak Basir, CCH, is a historian who resides in Essequibo)

Art exhibition honours Republic Anniversary

“The Spirit of Revolution”, a recently opened art exhibition at Castellani House on Vlissengen Road, showcases priceless paintings and sculptures from the National Collection, and celebrates Guyana’s 45th Republic Anniversary.

The exhibition features artists Desmond Ali, Carl Anderson, Jorge Bowen-Forbes, E.R. Burrowes, Ben Chinapen, Stephanie Correia, Philbert Gajadhar, Stanley Greaves, Cletus Henriques, Betsy Karim, Cyril Kanhai, Donald

Locke, Philip Moore, Bernadette Persaud, Terence Roberts, Doris Rogers, Ron Savory, Emerson Samuels, Angold Thompson, Aubrey Williams, Winslow Craig, Lynus Clenkein, George Hope, Omawale Lumumba, Linden Maxwell, Gary Thomas, Ronald Taylor and Kenneth Warde.

In his notes on the exhibition, Alim Hosein stated that “the choice of February 23 as the date for Guyana’s achievement of republican status makes a clear reference to resistance and the achievement of free-

dom through personal struggle”.

He pointed out that “resistance, rebellion and revolution are themes shaped by the slavery and colonial legacy of Guyana, and they gain special meaning from the characteristics of the 1763 revolution and the other memories of resistance in our history”.

Hosein said too that in “our day and age, resistance and revolution mean the proposing of a different scale of values, so that we can give equal value to the Guardian Spirit of our indige-

nous peoples (Stephanie Correia, 1984) and the wayside Preacher (Stanley Greaves, 1959) as to the religions, gods and values of others”.

Hosein spoke of the “revolutionary spirit” found in Philip Moore’s “urgently-titled” Run Rohan Run (2001) and Clive Lloyd: Bat and Ball Fantasy (1983-85), which “celebrate two Guyanese champions and the revolutionary spirit that made them giants in the world arena of cricket, one of the great forms of West Indian resistance”.

Continuing his description of the “revolutionary spirit” found in the featured artists’ paintings and sculptures, Hosein noted: “The spirit of revolution in Guyana’s art means not destruction or denial of the other, but the quiet insistence that one’s presence matters in the scheme of things. Therefore, the spirit of revolution is an expression of everlasting, multi-faceted human value. This spirit seeks freedom, unity, and progress, and it identifies itself with the struggle for those values anywhere in the world, and in any form that expresses the unboundable capacity of the

Month of activities planned to celebrate life, work of Dr Cheddi Jagan

The ruling’s People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Tuesday announced a list of activities to be undertaken in March to commemorate the life and work of former President and founder of the PPP, Dr. Cheddi Jagan. Those activities would be performed under the theme “Cheddi Jagan: His Vision, our Living Guide”. Among the activities planned is the Babu John wreath laying and commemorative activity on March 8, which will be preceded by a cycle race from New Amsterdam to No. 54 Village, Corentyne.

It is expected that thousands of party members, supporters and friends would participate in this annual monumental activity.

President Donald Ramotar, former President Dr. Bharrat

Jagdeo, and PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee are expected to deliver feature addresses.

Other activities planned are the Annual Cheddi Jagan Lecture, on March 23 at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre; the Cheddi Jagan Fitness Walk, at the National Park on March 15; the Annual Family Fun Day, at State House also on March 15; a book and

photographic exhibition, at the National Library on March 16; a Night of Reflection on March 13, and wreath-laying activities at Lethem and Karasabai in Region Nine and Mountain Kopinang and Kato in Region Eight.

Additionally lectures, video-shows and other commemorative activities are expected to take place in all of the ten geographic regions of Guyana.

The PPP statement acknowledges that both Dr. Cheddi Jagan and his wife Janet died in the month of March, in 1997 and 2009 respectively.

The ruling party cordially invites all Guyanese to participate in these events, aimed at honouring this great leader and statesman whose dedication and commitment to the cause of a better Guyana is unmatched.

Chris Brown’s Canada concerts canceled after singer denied entry

R&B singer Chris Brown, whose California probation stemming from a 2009 plea to assaulting singer Rihanna was revoked last month, said on Tuesday he was denied entry into Canada for concerts in Montreal and Toronto.

Concert promoter Live Nation said “due to immigration issues” Brown’s Tuesday show in Montreal with R&B artist Trey Songz and rapper Tyga was canceled as well as their Wednesday performance in Toronto.

“The good people of the Canadian government wouldn’t allow me entry,” Brown, 25, wrote

on Twitter.

It is unclear where and when Brown, whose probation was revoked by a judge last month for leaving Los Angeles County without court permission, was denied entry into Canada. He has a court date on March 20 and could face jail time.

Messages left with Canada’s Border Services Agency were not immediately returned, and Brown’s publicist and attorney did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

It is not uncommon for performers with legal troubles to be denied

entry to foreign countries. Brown postponed a British tour in 2010 after he was denied a visa.

The “Turn Up the Music” singer has been on probation since 2009 following his guilty plea to assaulting Rihanna, who was his girlfriend at the time. He was jailed for 2-1/2 months last year for violating the terms of his probation.

In 2013, a four-concert festival in Canada that Brown was set to headline was canceled due to the singer’s health concerns. Prominent sponsors had also pulled out of one of the festival dates because of Brown’s inclusion.

Former GAWU President dies in New York

PPP Stalwart and former Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) President, Albert Boodhoo, formerly of Sheet Anchor, Canje, Berbice passed away in a New York Hospital last Friday afternoon. He was 72.

He did a fantastic job for the PPP in the early days, and championed the cause of the sugar workers. He was so dedicated and honest that he rose to become president of the GAWU, the bargaining agent of the 20,000 sugar workers in Guyana.

He represented the sugar workers steadfastly, with his heart and head at all times, and never went after personal gains.

His brother, Sam, wrote on his Facebook page: “Albert left school at an early age, hardly reached fifth standard. He was an avid reader, always reading about the political struggles of the working-class people all over the world. His conversations on ‘super-surplus’ and ‘super profits’ will leave his audience spellbound and resolute to action.

“His several visits to

Leningrad and Moscow, in Russia, and other Eastern-bloc countries enabled him to network with leaders around the world. On many occasions he accompanied Dr. Cheddi Jagan to international conferences of working-class people in the Eastern bloc countries.

“I believe Albert’s life in the 1960s signalled a turning point. His voice, his protests, and his ideas embarrassed the governing party. And they wanted to muzzle him; to shut him up; to make an example of him

to deter the rise of other young protesters.

“The government falsely accused Albert, Balchand Persaud, and Arnold Rampersaud for the shooting death of a young man named Clifford. All the accused were freed from the charge.

Albert Boodhoo’s purpose was always to serve the people; to find a political solution for every issue; and to find an economic solution for every downtrodden person with dreams of a better life. He migrated to the US in 1990, before the PPP went into power.

Unfortunately, he fell while watching the President Obama swearing-in ceremony in January 2009. He was in a wheelchair thereafter, and developed heart problems. He had a triple by-pass recently, and died last Saturday.”

Dozens of persons posted messages of condolence on Facebook, including senior diplomat, Odeen Ishmael, who was his favourite. Albert is survived by his widow, Leila and three grown children.

Condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace.

Costumes, music, Mashramani! – Guyanese commemorate 45th Republic Anniversary

Photos by Carl Croker and MarCeano narine

Guyanese turned out in their thousands, braving the fleeting early morning showers to celebrate 45 years of Guyana being a Republic. Thousands picnicked at prominent locations, such as the National Park, Botanical Gardens and seawalls to enjoy a splendid day with their friends and families as they lived out the true meaning of Mashramani – celebration after hard work. Others assembled

at convenient sections along the Mash tramp route in Georgetown to witness the annual costume and float parade.

This year, the floats were brilliantly decorated, displaying the amazing talent and creativity of local designers, adding to the pulsating carnival-like atmosphere.

The revellers that accompanied the floats were also decked out in elaborate costumes, some of which were extremely revealing, definitely giving those lining the streets something to look at.

Some of the spectators were especially wowed by Digicel’s flamboyant Mash Band while others were amazed by the creativity displayed in the Health Ministry’s Wellness Warriors’ float.

“I love Digicel! I’m sure they will win,” a group of girls declared as the float made its way down Vlissengen Road.

Another spectator, an eight-year-old student of East La Penitence Primary School was elated to be on the streets after having missed her school’s Mashramani celebrations. “I love it. My

mummy always brings me out,” she said as she savoured the taste of her cotton candy.

Even foreigners were amazed by the unity displayed among all Guyanese as they trotted down the roads to the beat of the energetic Soca music.

“I love it. I find it very relaxed. This is my tenth Mashramani,” an American national told this publication as he and his family stood on the parapet to witness the grand parade.

Belizean Otto Bevis said he was enjoying the festivities for the first time in Guyana and was having a blast, given the friendly people and the colourful floats and creative designs that have blown him away.

President Donald Ramotar, members of the Cabinet and members of the Opposition also took to the streets to join in the fun as they campaigned for the upcoming General and Regional Elections, slated for May 11.

When this newspaper fought through the crowd to greet the Leader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), David Granger, he and Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, were seizing the opportunity to take pictures with Mash Day celebrants. The Opposition’s mash band was a fusion of the signature looks of APNU and AFC, with green being the dominant colour.

continued

Costumes, music...

Granger acknowledged the vibrant atmosphere, as he noted that Mashramani was now a great rallying opportunity for political parties.

“It is more than just a national celebration. It became a political rally in favour of coalition…,” the Opposition Leader said.

And indeed so it was, as the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) – the youth arm of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) – was well represented with a massive float decorated with signs and slogans urging all Guyanese to vote for the PPP/C.

President Ramotar had a spectacular time as he made his way through the crowds of spectators, waving his Golden Arrowhead flag in the

air.

When this publication met up with the Head of State, he was very elated to see the love and togetherness being exuded by all Guyanese. Several persons this publication spoke to urged the parties to likewise unite for the overall betterment of Guyana. Julian Duncan stated that unity was important for development and though people agree and disagree on a range of topics, they should be “one mind” towards developing Guyana.

This publication also caught up with Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony who was quite thrilled about the success of Mashramani 2015.

Bigger and better

He disclosed that only 27 Mash bands signed up to participate in this

year’s parade, but, nonetheless, registered his utmost satisfaction because the floats were much bigger and more elaborately put together.

Many spectators agreed with Minister Anthony as they voiced their opinions on the improvements made to this year’s celebrations.

The word “Mashramani” is derived from the Arawak language and means “celebration after hard work”. It is one of the most colourful of all the country’s festivals. There are spectacular costume competitions, float parades, masquerade bands, and dancing in the streets.

Mashramani 2015 was celebrated under the theme “One People, One Culture, One Celebration”.

Protests continue in Venezuela as teen shot by police is buried

Sporadic protests flared in different parts of Venezuela on Wednesday, a day after a policeman shot dead a teenager during a demonstration against President Nicolas Maduro’s government in the volatile city of San Cristobal.

The worst unrest was again in San Cristobal, where distraught relatives of 14-year-old Kluibert Roa held a wake and funeral following his killing on Tuesday.

Witnesses said dozens of masked protesters faced off with security forces in streets blocked with rubbish and tires, and two police motorcycles were burned in the Andean city, a center of last year’s anti-Maduro protests and violence that killed 43 people.

Local authorities declared a day of mourning, and many shops stayed closed in fear of trouble as well as to honor Roa.

“My son was neither an opposition supporter nor a ‘Chavista,’ he was my son, the apple of my eye,” his father, Erick Roa, said at the funeral. “They killed an innocent person.”

Some 200 students and neighbors are camping out at the site of Roa’s death and have installed an altar in his honor. Maduro, the

successor to late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, condemned Roa’s death but also charged that violent radicals in San Cristobal and elsewhere are seeking to oust him.

The exact circumstances of Roa’s death remain unclear.

Relatives and students insist he was a bystander to the protests and targeted at point-blank range, while authorities say he was shot when police were cornered by thugs.

A 23-year-old policeman has been detained and charged.

The case has exacerbated tensions amid a severe economic crisis and government crackdown on opposition leaders it accuses of conspiring to topple Maduro with U.S. aid. Foes say Maduro is panicked at his falling popularity and the prospect of losing control of parliament in a vote later this year. (Reuters)

Cuba says fast track to restoring ties ‘depends on U.S.’

Cuba would agree to restore diplomatic relations with the United States in time for the April Summit of the Americas if Washington quickly and convincingly removes the Caribbean country from a list of state sponsors of terrorism, a senior Cuban official said yesterday.

Diplomatic ties were severed in 1961, and negotiators for the two longtime adversaries will meet in Washington on Friday, following up on the first round of talks held in Havana last month.

If the sides move fast enough, they could reopen embassies in each other’s capitals in time for the April 10-11 summit in Panama, where U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro could meet for the first time since agreeing on Dec. 17 to restore ties and exchange prisoners.

A senior Cuban official put the onus on Washington to first strike Cuba from the terrorism list, which can apply sanctions to banks doing business with the designated countries. “It depends on what the United States does. It does not depend on

Cuba,” Gustavo Machin, deputy director of U.S. affairs for the Cuban foreign ministry, told reporters on Wednesday. “It depends on whether we are really taken off the list of terrorist countries.”

In Washington, a senior U.S. State Department official said re-establishing diplomatic relations should not be tied to Cuba’s place on the terrorist list. If Cuba insists on linking them, it could delay restoring ties, the official suggested.

The official said a State Department review about whether to remove Cuba from the list will be completed “very soon,” in weeks at

most.

“But we don’t think that should be linked to the restoration of diplomatic relations,” said the official, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity.

Obama would need to inform Congress of any decision to remove Cuba from the list, a notification that requires 45 days to become official, which is not enough time before the summit. The American side has said Obama’s notification alone should be sufficient because Congress cannot overturn the president under current law. “I cannot say today, right now, if the act of making the announcement would be a sufficient guarantee,”

Machin said.

U.S. officials have shown a willingness to expedite the six-month review process and remove Cuba before the summit. Cuba was added in 1982, when it aided guerrilla movements during the Cold War.

The United States is insisting that as part of any accord, its diplomats have freedom to travel around Cuba and meet with a variety of Cubans, including dissidents. The senior State Department official acknowledged it has been challenging to find a bank willing to handle diplomatic accounts in Washington for Cuba, which remains under a variety of U.S. sanctions. (Reuters)

Comments on Luncheon’s presidential aspirations deemed ‘idle speculation’

Serving as President of Guyana was acknowledged by Dr. Roger Luncheon as an aspiration he held in the lead-up to the 1997 General and Regional elections. However, the ‘speculation’ surrounding the circumstances as to why he was not endorsed by the party

as its presidential candidate, remains that, speculation, according to him.

“There is much speculation, but it remains that, it remains in the realm of idle speculation,” the current Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) said yesterday, in an invited comment.

Former member of the ruling People’s Progressive Party, Ralph Ramkarran, commented on Dr. Luncheon’s presidential bid, in a recent column.

Asked to respond to the charges made by Ramkarran, he said, “I did want to run, but the decision of the Central Committee is binding on all members. Mrs. Janet Jagan was the candidate who was endorsed. We have always had multiple candidates, this is nothing new. I think that year we had five candidates.”

He dismissed the assertion that there were sinister reasons for

Dr. roger luncheon

him not being endorsed by the leader on the People’s Progressive

Party/ Civic (PPP/C) leadership ticket in 1997.

Following precedent from 1992, the PPP/C’s prime ministerial candidate is taken from the Civic component, while its presidential candidate is taken from the PPP.

This year the trend is no different, with the incumbent Head of State, Donald Ramotar, as the Presidential candidate, and former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elisabeth Harper, as its Prime Ministerial candidate.

VC mouth open and true story jump out

When mouth open story does always jump out. No matter who mouth it is. And a lotta people openin dem mouth nowadays. Rum Jhaat on de other hand hardly openin he mouth these days though, except when a large in fronta he.

But Cement Roti does open he mouth at dem press conferences and then fuhget whah he seh by de time de next one come around. After de Pee-P-P win, he might not get to do another press conference.

De U-Gee workers open dem mouth fuh more money just like dem public servants not too long ago. Then dem march in de streets and open dem mouth fuh more money again and again, and dem still ain’t done yet.

De Vee-See fuh U-Gee also been opening he mouth. But finally de other day he open he mouth again and de story that he had always want to come out finally come out. That is, de U-Gee people don’t wuk, yet dem want more money. All de time, he was holdin back.

Is de same problem wid de public servants. It look like people lookin fuh less wuk and more money, when de rule is that when yuh need more money, yuh supposed to wuk more hard. But this striking and walkin is too hard fuh dem. Soon dem gon be back pun campus teachin five hours a week rather than marchin whole day.

And that is de problem wid plenty people in this country. Dem want tings whah dem ain’t wuk to achieve. One man want two Lexus just like that. Nagga man want to be Prezzie when he never wuk fuh that.

Wid elections just about de corner, it gon be another story in all de parties, including dem who done marry and dem who still single. Nagga divorce one party and now he marry again. But nutten ain’t change because is de same demands all over again.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Somebody seh if Nagga was a woman, not a man woulda be able to satifsy that kinda appetite. Not even See-Hen, nor he son.

Thousands of T&T residents warned not to drink from oily contaminated water

The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) on Tuesday night shut down its Caroni Water Treatment Plant after an oily sheen was seen in the water. However, it was too late to prevent the contami¬nated supply reaching thousands of customers.

An alert went out shortly after daybreak yesterday (Wednesday), advising customers not to use the water if they detected a kerosene-like smell in their supply. They were also advised to empty all water stored in tanks and clean out the tanks with cleaning agents before refilling.

The authority said that up to late Wednesday, there had been no reports of people falling ill from drinking the water.

However, 60 schools were closed and children sent home early, as a precaution.

According to WASA’s senior manager of corporate communications, Daniel Plenty, a substance was spotted around 7.15 p.m. on Tuesday and the operations ceased immediately.

The facility was restarted at 12.45 a.m. after the river was cleared

of the oily substance, as well as clean-up and disinfection works on the plant.

Plenty told the Express the sheen was observed by WASA employees working on the plant that is situated on the river bank. Sections of the river form part of the facility. The plant extracts water from the Caroni River, which is then distributed via two major pipelines to north and south regions of Trinidad.

He said the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) was immediately contacted.

Plenty said: “We immediately stopped operations at the plant because what would have been

happening there is that water from the river is being drawn into the plant for treatment. At that point, of course, if you have an oily substance in the water, that is also being drawn into the plant.

“After the plant was stopped, we had to engage in clean-up activity in relation of removing any residue of the oily substance from the various places at that plant before restarting.

“The EMA was contacted and they have a full-scale investigation that is being done right now. They are checking for the source of the contamination and they are also making checks along the system of irrigation to the water supply.”

No water supply was

cut to homes, businesses or institutions, Plenty said.

He gave the assurance WASA was doing all it could to supply clean and safe water for its customers.

Plenty said: “The authority assures customers that the supply from the plant is safe and meets World Health Organisation standards. However, flushing exercises are currently being carried out in order to eliminate any residue of the substance that may have entered the distribution system.

“The authority apologises for the inconvenience and thanks customers for their patience and understanding.” (Trinidad Express)

From the sands of Linden to the sands of the coastline…

Colin Gittens realises his dream of becoming an Engineer

Many take for granted the engineering marvels that protect and enhance lives. This was not so for Colin Gittens, a young enthusiastic boy who took his first school trip at the age of nine to Georgetown. One of the places he visited was the Georgetown Seawall, and this may have been the beginning of an incredible journey for him.

“There I was; a boy from Linden wondering who built the long stretches of concrete walls and why and how these structures were built,” recalled Colin Gittens, a Monitoring Technician attached to the Sea and River Defence Unit, of the Public Works Ministry.

Today he is on the path of becoming a Coastal Engineer.

Colin knew that his zealousness alone will not help him on his career path, thus he enrolled and completed a Diploma in Civil Engineering as a part-time student at the Government Technical Institute (GTI).

The four years at GTI, Gittens said, gave him the foundation he needed to excel and gain entrance to the University of Guyana.

Shortly after completing GTI, the young professional embarked on his tertiary education. Over the years his dedication to his job, experience and excellent work ethic helped him to receive a full Government scholarship in 2013 to attend the University of Guyana.

This aspiring young Engineer has been working with the Ministry for the past seven years, two of which were spent in the Force Account Unit (FAU) as a Checker on road projects.

He was soon to realise his journey had just begun.

“There was an opening in the Sea and River Defence Unit in 2010 and I immedi-

ately applied. I think what gave me the edge was that I was working there and I was also a student at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) pursing a diploma in Civil Engineering,” he disclosed.

Currently the 28-yearold’s responsibilities include monitoring and overseeing sea and river defence projects along the coastal belt.

Now in his final semester to complete his Diploma in Civil Engineering, Gittens will read for his Degree at the same institution. After that, he is eyeing the Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands to pursue his Masters.

Inspiration

The former Linden Foundation Secondary and Mackenzie High school student credits Public Works Minister Robeson Benn; Kevin Samad, Chief River and Sea Defence Officer; and Senior Engineers Jermaine Braithwaite and Maitland Stewart as his role models. The young professional is also appreciative of the support given to him by his wife Kezia Gittens. “She is my rock, and understands the long hours.”

Behind the negotiations scene

Satiricus was satiated with political news. As a self confessed political news junkie, he had to admit that with the goings on surrounding the actual launch of the KFC/Pee-an-See coalition, his cup had runneth over.

It started with the drama when RumJhaat told GrainJa it was “leader or nothing” before he would sign along the dotted lines!

Satiricus breathed a sigh of relief when the Jhaat skinned his teeth and confessed it was “just a thing ah trying. I mean, how much can GrainJa take?” thought Satiricus. It was enough for GrainJa to sit at the same table at the Georgetown Club with the NaggaMan – Satiricus noted GrainJa’s gritted teeth – but to be UNDER him??!!

But Satiricus also noticed the NaggaMan and RumJhaat also made great efforts to pull themselves up and not offend GrainJa’s delicate sensibilities. Not once did they pick their noses or even wiped their noses with the backs of their hands. It may be that the Georgetown Club atmosphere got to them. Their only faux pas was when they ordered a bottle of rum with fried Banga Mary as cutters.

GrainJa gently told them that they had to buy drinks by the glass and order hor d’oeuvres like cheese and cherries on a toothpick. But they could order as much as they

wanted: he’d pay since he was a member.

The two KFC honchos didn’t need to be told again. But they did raise a fuss when they switched to beers and the waiter didn’t leave the bottles on the table; insisting on pouring it out into glasses.

RumJhaat and NaggaMan had never drank beer from glasses before. But more than that, they were disoriented that their table top couldn’t be covered with beer bottles like in the rum shops they habitually frequented.

And so it was, within an hour, RumJhaat and NaggaMan would’ve handed over their firstborns if GrainJa had asked them.

“OK…OK..me guh tun tek de PM wuk,” slurred NaggaMan. “Once wan police car gon put on siren when meh drive.”

“You’ll get siren,” agreed GrainJa.

“But what about de name me suggest?” said RumJhaat carefully. “Partnership Alliance for National Trust – Yes! – “PANTY! ?”

“Absolutely not!!” said GrainJa firmly. “Can you see me telling people “Vote PANTY! while waving one in the air?? Let us just stick to the original names.”

“OK Boss!” said NaggaMan. “But me can tek home some a dis cheese thing?? Me gat fuh mek up wid me grand son since me tell he fuh shut ‘e so and so mouth.”

The Invisible Man

Satiricus was perplexed. “Flummoxed would be more like it,” he thought. He was wondering how the heck a fella could be made invisible! He just couldn’t figure it out. But the living proof was there for all NOT to see: the TrotterMan had disappeared.!! And he Trotter wasn’t exactly anorexic to begin with!!

As a kid, Satiricus had read about this Englishman who’d invented a way to make himself invisible. It had something to do with “refraction” and other such things that had made young Satiricus’ eyes glaze over in school. Physics (among most things that called for “maths”) wasn’t exactly Satiricus’ strong point.

Problem was, the Englishman didn’t know how to reverse the process and discovered that an “Invisible Man” just can’t have a life. While it was attractive for a while, that quickly wore thin… and he had to turn to a life of crime to survive. And Satiricus realised that TrotterMan was literally living out the story of the Invisible Man.

Here it was TrotterMan was a very prominent leader…being a co-leader of the KFC party and everything. He and RumJhaat had agreed to rotate leadership, but when RumJhaat’s turn came, TrotterMan balked. “Why should I step aside for that uncouth moron,” thought TrotterMan as he pouted and refused to step down.

But when he called for a vote, he lost and this infuriated the TrotterMan even more. Couldn’t they see how superior he was to RumJhaat??

He would never wipe his nose with the back of his hand! So he decided to make himself invisible – that would teach RumJhaat and all the other ingrates a lesson!! TrotterMan announced he had a “mysterious illness”, but it was actually selfinduced, to create invisibility.

So gradually the TrotterMan was not seen nor heard from. He would show up at events but on account of his invisibility even cameras couldn’t pick him up for the news.

But RumJhaat saw the TrotterMan’s departure as an opportunity to remake the KFC in his image. He brought in his buddy, the Nagga Man, who not only wiped his nose with the back of his hand, but picked his nose and rolled the boogers with his fingers!

And lo and behold, GrainJa of the Pee-an-See saw value in their crassness since he felt that there were a lot of crass people out there who’d vote for Pee-an-See with them aboard. He made an offer that RumJhaat and Nagga Man couldn’t refuse.

And the TrotterMan was suddenly wishing he could be back in the KFC. He was even willing to wipe his nose with the back of his hand.

But he just couldn’t reverse his invisibility. He had lost corn and husk. “Would he now turn to a life of crime, like the original Invisible Man?” wondered Satiricus.

Trinidad to host major conference on Chikungunya virus

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) says it will host a three-day conference focusing on the Chikungunya virus and other mosquito borne diseases.

The March 3-5 conference is being held under the theme “Chikungunya in the Caribbean: Meeting Today’s Challenge and Preparing for the Future”.

CARPHA said the consultation will bring together international experts representing different fields of activity related to Chikungunya and other mosquitoborne diseases.

CARPHA Executive Director, Dr C. James Hospedales, said the aim of the meeting is to support the Caribbean in its response to the Chikungunya epidemic and the growing challenge to health, social and economic systems.

“The meeting also provides a unique opportunity to renew efforts to position mosquito-borne diseases as a high priority in the public health agenda, and examine the potential for publicprivate partnerships, as government alone cannot solve the problem,” he added.

CARPHA has said the emergence of the Chikungunya virus in the Caribbean in 2013, has led to more than 800,000 suspected cases in the Caribbean and Latin America to date.

The agency noted that the impact on health and the economies of the region has been considerable, especially as a significant proportion of persons affected have long-term complications of joint pain and impairment of function.

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.

The two species can also transmit other mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue, yellow fever, and Zika virus.

The three-day meeting will discuss the long term impact of Chikungunya, surveillance and outbreak response, entomological surveillance, control and management, clinical care and services as well as laboratory services, research and innovation, and communication strategies and experiences.

IMF praises Jamaica for “resolute implementation” of its economic programme

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Wednesday praised the Jamaica government for its “resolute implementation” of its economic programme designed to strengthen the foundation for growth and employment in the country.

An IMF delegation has ended a two week visit to the island and according to its leader, Jan Kees Martin, “there is significant improvement in business and consumer confidence, which reached a two-year peak in September-December 2014”.

He said unemployment declined 0.7 percentage points from a year earlier to 14.2 per cent in October 2014, and “confidence in Jamaica’s economic policies is growing, as illustrated by the narrowing sovereign bond spread relative to the emerging market average”.

The IMF has just concluded the seventh review of the four-year US$958 million External Fund Facility (EFF) and said upon approval by its board, Jamaica would receive approximately US$40 million in financing.

Martin said he expects inflation to fall to around five per cent reflecting both declining oil prices and a reduction in macroeconomic imbalances.

“At the same time, growing confidence and improving competitiveness are projected to stimulate demand and increase economic activity to just over two per cent in the financial year 2015/16.

He said the external position is strengthening, net international reserves remain well above program goals, and the current account balance is projected to improve through this year and next.

“The programme is on track and policy implementation remains strong. All quantitative performance targets through end-December were met.

“However, the indicative target on tax revenue was narrowly missed. The Fund mission reached preliminary understandings with the authorities on economic policies that will accelerate the pace

of reforms so as to further unlock growth and bolster financial stability.

“These reforms have required society-wide sacrifices and staunch efforts by the Jamaican people but are expected to yield growth and employment dividends over the medium term,” Martin said. He noted that reforms to spur growth by expanding the economy’s productive capacity are progressing, noting that to lower the cost of electricity on a durable basis, the government has approved investments in new power plants.

Martin said that the government tabled the national budget in Parliament last week and expects its adoption before end-March 2015, which will be the first time ahead of the new fiscal year. He said the draft budget offers room for additional spending, in particular on medication and medical supplies. Funding for these expenses is envisaged through additional revenue mobilization.

During their visit here, the IMF Mission met with Finance and Planning Minister Dr. Peter Phillips, Bank of Jamaica Governor Brian Wynter, Financial Secretary Devon Rowe, senior government officials, as well as representatives of the private sector and civil society.

Benjamin Madden gets wife Cameron Diaz’s name inked

Actress Cameron Diaz’s husband Benjamin Madden has got her name tattooed across his chest.

The Good Charlotte rocker, 35, showed off his fresh new ink, which features ‘Cameron’ written underneath his collarbone in elaborate cursive, via his Instagram account, reported Us magazine.

“Thinking bout you #LuckyMan,” Madden captioned the shirtless selfie.

The permanent move comes just over a month since the couple tied the knot on January 5 at the 42-year-old actress’ Beverly Hills pad in front of family and friends including Nicole Richie, Drew Barrymore, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samantha Ronson, Lionel Richie, Toni Collette, Nancy Juvonen, among others.

The couple dated just over a year before getting married. (Indian Express)

John Travolta’s ‘awkward’ runins with Scarlett Johansson, Idina Menzel at Oscars

Actor John Travolta avoided any Oscars flubs this time but still managed to be an internet sensation by catching actress Scarlett Johansson unaware by kissing her and later caressing Idina Menzel’s face on the stage during the ceremony.

Travolta, 61, made news at last year’s Oscars when he called Menzel as Adele Dazeem while announcing her as the winner for the best song for Frozen’s ‘Let It Go’.

This time, the duo arrived on stage to present the Oscar for best song.

While Menzel took a jibe at his previous goofup by introducing him as Glom Gazingo, Travolta, while endearingly holding her chin said to her, “My daring, my beautiful, my wickedly talented Idina Menzel,” leaving the singer embarrassed.

Earlier on the red carpet, as Johansson posed for the cameras, Travolta

leaned in from behind, planted a kiss on her cheek and slid his hand around her waist.

The actor’s ‘A Love Song for Bobby Long’ costar did not react but her stiff posture made her discomfort evident to the cameras.

Travolta’s behaviour evoked criticism from many online users, who called his antics ‘creepy’.

“I think John Travolta is definitely going to win one of these years

for Best Inadvertent Performance Artist,” one Twitterati said.

“Why is John Travolta playing a Tim Burton villain tonight?” another tweeted. “There is no escaping John Travolta. He will get you,” said one.

“Stay weird. Unless you are John Travolta, in which case please be less weird,” one user said while referencing writer Graham Moore’s acceptance speech. (Indian Express)

Marc Anthony proud of ex Jennifer Lopez

M arc Anthony says he is supportive of ex wife Jennifer Lopez as she works really hard and deserves everything that she has achieved in her life.

The ‘American Idol’ judge has opened up about her marriage and private life in “True Love” and though Anthony would still not comment on his divorce, he is happy with her book debut, reported E! News.

Judi Dench found refuge in films post hubby’s death

Oscar-winning actress Judi Dench has revealed she took a lot of work post her husband Michael Williams’s demise in 2001 to overcome the grief of his loss.

The 80-year-old actress’ husband of 30 years passed away after battling lung cancer.

Dench said because of her own situ-

ation she could relate to her ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ character, who originally travels to India because her husband has just died and she is at a loose end but does not want to impose herself on the children, reported the Daily Express.

“I can understand that because when it happened to me. I did three films, really, really fast, with only a day or so in between. I filmed ‘The Shipping News’ in Halifax (Nova Scotia) with Kevin Spacey and then I went straight into ‘Iris’ and then ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’.

“That was my adventure, I suppose. Grief generates a huge energy in you and it’s better for everybody if you harness it to do something,” she said. (Indian Express)

Leonardo DiCaprio helps Rihanna throw 27th birthday party

Superstar Leonardo DiCaprio has reportedly helped throw R&B star Rihanna a star-studded affair for her 27th birthday.

The bash took place at a private home in Beverly Hills and went past 4 AM in the morning, reported Us magazine.

“There were balloons that spelled out her name set up,” a source said.

The ‘FourFiveSeconds’ hitmaker dressed in a plunging dress and kept her dark locks down and slicked back.

Rihanna was sur-

prised to see a leopard print three-tier cake.

Celebrities Naomi Campbell, Mick Jagger, Beyonce, Jay Z, Russell Simmons, model

Angela Martini, Tommy Chiabra, and Richie Akiva were present at the occasion. (Indian Express)

It was suffocating being in LA, says Chris Hemsworth

Actor Chris Hemsworth, who has relocated to his native country Australia from Hollywood hub LA, says he is happy to be not constantly surrounded by showbiz.

“I was proud of her. I know what it takes and I know her very, very well. I just did everything in my power to be supportive of her,” he said on Meredith Vieira Show.

Lopez was so comfortable with her ex that she allowed him to share stories during the writing process. Anthony, on his part, still wants to keep the matter a bit more private.

“I don’t talk about it much as a whole; I just think that’s private. I really do and I never have and I’m not sure I ever will. I don’t think it’s for public consumption. It’s hard enough as it is,” he said.

The ‘Blackhat’ actor moved to Australia with wife Elsa Pataky, daughter India, two, and twins Tristan and Sasha, 11 months, reported Female First.

“We’ve been back for four or five months and it’s amazing. Being in LA, and I can’t complain about the place because it’s given me so much, you’re constantly reminded about the industry, every step you take down the street.

“There are billboards of films you’re not in or want to be in or ones that you are in, everyone you know talks about the business and it’s suffocating. Being back here this time, I really noticed the difference. You feel like a human being again,” Hemsworth said. (Indian Express)

Nicole Richie debuts pixie cut

Actress Nicole Richie, who dyed her hair bright-pink a few weeks ago, has now got a pixie haircut. She debuted the new style star at designer Tom Ford’s Fall 2015 fashion show on Friday night, reported

The 33-year-old ‘Candidly Nicole’ star teamed her pixie cut with a long-sleeve, sequin turtleneck gown for her front row appearance at the show. (Indian Express)

Abhishek Bachchan shoots at Aishwarya point

Abhishek Bachchan was recently shooting for his upcoming movie ‘All Is Well‘ at Trimbakeshwar, Nasik, at a point apparently named after his wife Aishwarya.

The story behind the Aishwarya point is that

12 years ago, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan met with an accident while shooting for the film ‘Khakee’.

The actress was hit by a bus and fractured her left foot.

Abhishek, who was shooting for an action sequence at the same

place took it to Facebook to share how life comes in circles. The actor wrote, “How life comes a full circle. I was shooting today at this location which is called Aishwarya point!!! Yup you read it correct. This is the same location where 12 yrs ago Aishwarya was shooting for Khakee and had an accident where a bus crashed into her.”

Abhishek, who feels more than blessed for his wife surviving the accident, further wrote, “She miraculously survived (thank God!).This is that very spot, hence the name. And today I shot here a car chase with a truck.”

Anushka Sharma too busy for actor Salman Khan

Recently, when Salman Khan was in Dubai at the launch event of a store and was asked about the ongoing Cricket World Cup down under, Salman Khan wittily remarked about the Indian Vice Captain Virat Kohli, who also happens to be in relationship with actress Anushka Sharma, that he finds him “too metrosexual and too interested in how he looks and loves to shop”.

Seems like Anushka, like a true blue girlfriend, has not quite liked this statement of his as recently when, at the promotional event of her upcoming movie ‘NH10′, she was asked whether after working with Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, she would like to work with Salman Khan, the actress quickly replied, ac-

cording to a report published in DNA, “Anybody would love to work with Salman. But as of now, I have three releases this year (‘NH 10′, ‘Bombay Velvet’ and ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’) and after that I will start shooting for Karan Johar’s film.”

But there were rumours that the actress was approached for ‘Sultan’ opposite Salman. Anushka refuted this and said, “I have still not been approached for YRF’s Sultan. I have not even spoken to Ali

Abbas Zafar about the film. I don’t know where these rumours started.”

Another actress, who got a second lease of life in Bollywood because of Salman Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez is said to have been in talks for Karan Johar’s magnum opus ‘Shuddhi’, as the makers haven’t yet zeroed in any actress for the movie.

Salman and Jacqueline have earlier worked together in the 2014 blockbuster ‘Kick’. (Indian Express)

Soha Ali Khan: Will not take a break post marriage

Actress Soha Ali Khan, who tied the knot with Kunal Khemu on Jan 25 this year, says she’ll not take a break and would continue to do films even after marriage.

Soha was present at a promotional event here when she was asked if

the audience would see her in films after marriage.

To that she said: “Yes, yes, of course you’ll see me in films. You’ll see me in October 31st”.

“In few day’s I’ll start shooting for ‘Ghayal once again’. It will be an action-packed, great fun

Shah Rukh Khan’s dedication left ‘Raees’ director Rahul Dholakia impressed

The director of Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming movie ‘Raees’, Rahul Dholakia, is mighty impressed with the superstar. In a report published in BollywoodHungama.com, when Rahul went to SRK again after a year with the narration of a movie plot, that required some changes in the second half, he remembered all the details of the first narration.

“I went back to him with the second-half of the script after almost a year. He remembered details from the first narration that even I had forgotten. This kind of dedication coming from a superstar of his stature left me deeply impressed,” Rahul stated.

Rahul further adds that it wasn’t difficult to convince Shah Rukh Khan

at all. “I had gone to narrate the script to Shah Rukh (Khan) with my producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar. I think Shah Rukh got interested. Because at mid-point he said he’s doing the film. I felt like a schoolboy who has just been told he has passed. It’s every director’s nightmare that an actor would get bored during the script narration.”

Rahul who begins shooting for Raees in February-end is now working on Shah Rukh Khan’s look and accent. “He plays a man from the ghetto in Gujarat. He will dress and speak in a particular manner.”

Raees, the film about Prohibition in Gujarat, will be largely shot by its director Rahul Dholakia on a sprawling set in Mumbai representing the slums of Ahmedabad.

“It’s very practical and logical to not take Shah Rukh Khan into the crowds. He is a star with a mammoth following. And he has a massive following in Gujarat. To shoot with him on the streets in Ahmedabad is not only impractical it’s probably suicidal,” Rahul adds. (Indian Express)

Katrina Kaif reveals secrets behind her glowing skin

Don’t take your skin for granted, says actress Katrina Kaif, who believes in the use of sunscreen, right intake of water and ensures that her makeup is removed well. The brand ambassador of the skincare range of L’Oreal Paris also says that women must take care of their body and skin according to their age.

“We shouldn’t take our skin for granted, especially since we are often exposed to dirt, heat and pollution daily. We should never underestimate the need for a sunscreen to protect your skin from strong UV rays,” the 31-year-old told IANS in an email interview.

movie. I’ll get a chance to work with Sunny sir (Sunny Deol) in it. So, I’m really looking forward to it.” she added.

Soha further expressed her desire to share screen space with her husband Kunal Khemu.

“We have already done two films together…Obviously… I believe Kunal (Kunal Khemu) is a great actor and it will be fun working with him. Also we’ll get a chance to spend some time together (while working). But the script should be special. We have not got the special script yet,” Soha said.

Directed by Shivaji Lotan Patil, “October 31st” also stars Vir Das in the lead. (Indian Express)

“Through the day I drink lots of fluids, especially water to have my face feel fresh and hydrated. I always remove my makeup once I’m home for the day/night and use a moisturiser to not let my skin dry, even when I’m at home,” she added.

L’Oreal Paris’s Skin Perfect range is backed by 10 years of research at the global and Indian L’Oreal Research and Innovation Labs. The new range

from the brand addresses the skincare needs specific to that age.

Talking about the need for a range that suits different age groups, she said: “Every decade in a woman’s life comes with a changing set of priorities. It also comes with a changing set of skincare needs. L’Oreal Paris is addressing these needs of every Indian woman who might be prone to skin problems at some point in her life.”

Katrina agrees that while women are asked to take care of their skin with home remedies and traditional beauty products in addition to maintaining healthy food habits, from a young age, she stresses on the need to use special products later in life.

“As we grow older, the demands of a hectic lifestyle take a toll on your body and your skin. This is why, it is essential to use products that replenish the vitality of your skin. Through its Skin Perfect range, L’Oreal Paris has personalised skincare for every age group, making it easy for Indian consumers to improve their skin tone leaving it with a healthy glow,” she added.

The Skin Perfect collection comprises three ranges to address skincare issues at every age — 20+, 30+ and 40+.

For the brand, Katrina has shot for a television commercial with Lisa Ray, who has been signed by L’Oreal Paris to endorse the new range. Katrina says Lisa is an absolute professional and full of life.

(Indian Express)

Kajol to make a comeback in Bollywood in 2016

After her much publicized comeback film with Ram Madhvani did not work out, the firebrand actress Kajol is now all set to stage a comeback.

Speaking to a leading newspaper, Kajol went on record to state that her next film (untitled) will be releasing in 2016. The said film is being made under her home production and it will apparently roll out in July – August this year. (Indian Express)

Exciting times for Guyana’s rugby – new Technical Director

Newly-appointed Technical Director of Guyana’s rugby, Angus Thomson, believes the time has come for Guyana to venture onto the global scene and be recognised for what it’s worth.

Guyana has been a dominant force in the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) region, with the Men’s team being the current holders of the NACRA 7s and 15s titles, lifting both trophies in the same year, a feat never before achieved by a Caribbean nation.

Prior to that, the men had won the 7s title an unprecedented six years in succession, while the ladies has also won the 7s three years in a row.

Addressing media operatives at his introductory press conference on Tuesday at the Guyana Olympic Association headquarters on High Street, Thomson, a Guyana-born official who was bred in Scotland and lives in Australia, said his aim was to build on the structure that already exists.

His long-term goal, however, is to en-

sure Guyana competes against the top nations of the world, and his first major assignment is the Hong Kong Sevens set for March 27-29, followed by the Olympic Qualifiers in June and the Pan Am tournament in Toronto, Canada.

Thomson, who first linked up with Guyana’s rugby five years ago when the Men’s 7s team was in Las Vegas, said he was amazed by the success of the country, given the small number of clubs and the number of persons who play the game.

Thomson is hoping to create a culture where the players can think beyond success at the re-

gional level, but was cognisant of the challenges that surround the sport locally, key among them funding and the lack of matches between the “big competitions”.

He noted that for too long Guyana has been stuck at a point where the country has to compete at the major competitions without the luxury of having what can be dubbed preparation games against high-quality opposition.

This, of course, is partly due to the constant battle by the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) to secure funding to send the team to compete at major tour-

naments, much less fund such preparatory games.

GRFU Patron Christopher “Kit” Nascimento said the Union was in a much tougher position this year with regard to funding, noting that the Men’s 7s and 15s teams were being prepared simultaneously to defend their NACRA titles.

Nascimento, a former President of the Union, said nothing is remotely possible if they did not secure the finances, with a budget pegged at US$100,000. He put up a case for Government and Private Sector support for the Ruggers, noting that the benefits of the

exposure for the country at events such as the Hong Kong Sevens and Olympic Qualifiers were enormous.

Nascimento said matches in those tournaments will be played in front of thousands of spectators and viewed on television by millions across the globe, hence the country’s tourism potential will be enhanced.

Training

GRFU President Peter Green divulged that the Technical Director’s role was to lead Guyana’s chances in qualifying for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil. According to Green, he

will also be working with the country’s Men’s 7s and 15s squads, as well as the Ladies programme, which was recently resuscitated.

Meanwhile, the local ruggers will be intensifying their preparations for the upcoming international engagements, starting with the home game in the NACRA 15s against Barbados on March 7 at the National Park rugby field.

Training will be supervised by a team of technical staff, led by Technical Director Thomson and Head Coach/Player Theodore Henry, at the National Park from 16:00h each day. The squad for the Barbados game is expected to be finalised by Monday, according to GRFU General Secretary Terrence Grant.

Nascimento called on all Guyanese to come out in their numbers and support the local lads as they hunt a successful defence of the 15s title. He is urging all sport-loving and patriotic Guyanese to don yellow or green apparel or a combination of both colours and cheer on the “Green Machine.”

CGI, GCB congratulate Guyana Jaguars on victory

Several rain stoppages failed to save two-time defending West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-Day champs Barbados Pride from a convincing and historic victory by the rampaging Guyana Jaguars at the Kensington Oval on Monday.

Set an improbable 333 for victory, the Jags went about their task with admirable professionalism and game awareness, scoring the highest total in the match and the highest fourth innings total by a regional team at Kensington Oval for victory.

A joint statement from Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) follows: “This was an impeccable team effort with al-

most all the batsmen who failed in the first innings putting their hands up to be counted in the second innings, resulting in an eventual resounding and sweet victory. Narsingh Deonarine topscored with 90, Shivnarine Chanderpaul crafted 64, Rajendra Chandrika laid the platform with 60, and Raymon Reifer and Anthony Bramble saw the Jaguars home with an unbeaten 41 and 27 respectively.

Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) wish to record warmest felicitations and congratulations to the entire team for such a great victory. This win displayed the sort of character that our team is capable of, since they were playing catch up with Barbados

throughout the match until the fourth day. Rain almost robbed us of completing this revenge victory against our arch rivals, Barbados, but the Jaguars held their nerves to score at nearly three and a half runs per over in this innings to record the highest run rate for the match. Not to be forgotten is the management team who obviously had our team well and truly motivated to complete this crucial seventh round win which was almost a final. Congrats to all and sundry on a job well done.”

With the win, the Guyana Jaguars extended their lead in the tournament with 107 points with six victories, a clear 25 points ahead of second-placed Barbados Pride on 82 points.

BCB congratulates Permaul on Sportsman-of-the-Year award

The President, executives and members of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) extended congratulations to West Indies left-arm spinner Veerasamy Permaul on being Guyana’s 2014 Sportsman-of-the-Year.

“We, the BCB, is very proud of Permaul once again as he continues to be a shining light in Berbice’s cricket and copping the 2014 Guyana Sportsman-of-the-Year award is well-deserved,” a release from the Board stated. The Board said it would also like to take this opportunity to wish

him continued success in the ongoing regional first-class cricket tournament, and was very confident that he would soon regain his place in the West Indies Test and One-Day International (ODI) Teams.

Permaul, who is fast developing into a genuine allrounder, is one of 17 Berbicians to have played Test cricket for the West Indies.

He has represented West Indies in four Tests and six ODI and has 20 international wickets to date.

Mullings appeals Split Decision loss to atwell

What seemed like a straightforward decision in the main fight at the “Caribbean Collision” boxing card has now been thrown into controversy following an appeal by Sakima Mullings, who ended up on the unfortunate end of the results on Saturday night.

Guyanese Clive Atwell won the 12-round contest against the Jamaican by Split Decision to become the World Boxing Council (WBC) Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) Junior Welterweight champion in front of a fair-sized crowd at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

According to a report in the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, Mullings filed a petition on Sunday shortly after he returned to the island, calling for the result to be overturned and a rematch ordered, citing poor decisions by Referee Eion Jardine.

Two judges, Francis Abraham of Guyana and McKenzie Granger of Trinidad, scored the fight 118-111 and 116112, respectively, for the Guyanese boxer, while Clifford Brown of Jamaica scored the bout in favour of Mullings 115-113.

Mullings is contending that Atwell headbutted him, opening up a cut over his left eye, but Jardine failed to deduct a point. The Jamaican welterweight champion also said he knocked Atwell down during the fight, but the referee ruled it a slip.

Mullings is also accusing Atwell of holding excessively in the fight, especially in the later rounds, when he [Mullings] had found his range.

The Jamaican pugi-

list, whose loss against Atwell was his first to a Guyanese fighter and the second of his career, has lodged an appeal to the Fight Supervisor and President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Peter Abdool, to have the tape reviewed to verify the soundness of his allegations against the Referee.

This publication was able to confirm on Wednesday that Abdool, who is also CABOFE’s

President, was in receipt of the petition. It was understood that Abdool reviewed the fight in its entirety on Wednesday and was due to reveal his findings at a press briefing today (Thursday).

The crux of the matter is whether the cut above Mullings’ eye resulted from a head-butt or a legal punch and if Atwell was indeed knocked down or had actually slipped. It is understood that point deductions for holding are not reversible, as they are given solely at the discretion of the Referee.

Mullings also told the Gleaner that he has the utmost respect for Abdool and believes he will make a fair and just decision.

Boxing report

With a partisan crowd cheering him on, Atwell dominated

Fudadin anxious to play in CPL

Following the official Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2015 Draft last month, Test batsman Assad Fudadin was snapped up by the local franchise, as one of six newcomers in the Guyana Amazon Warriors 15-man squad for this year’s tournament.

Fudadin joined Australia’s Brad Hodge, West Indies veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sir Lanka’s Thisara Perera and local superstars Devendra Bishoo and Paul Wintz as the newcomers in the Guyana Amazon Warriors outfit.

exclusive interview recently.

to mix with a few international players, who are specialised in oneday cricket, so it will be a good opportunity for me to experience and I want to thank the management unit for putting their faith in me,” he said.

Guyanese Leon Johnson, Steven Jacobs and Robin Bacchus were not selected, along with New Zealander James Neesham, who was part of the team last season.

the early exchanges by landing some powerful jabs that rocked the Jamaican and forced him on the defensive. Mullings managed to land a few of his own, but nothing to shake Atwell, who was clearly the fitter fighter, as he skilfully created space when needed and swayed from a few power punches.

At the end of the fourth round, the judges had the card 38-38, 40-36, 39-37 in Atwell’s favour, but Mullings started to attack in round five with the aim of notching up valuable points. However, his chances took a blow in round six when he suffered a nasty cut above the left eye, prompting Atwell to launch a vicious attack on his opponent.

With blood gushing from the wound, Mullings was peppered by Atwell with some ferocious jabs and hooks, but the Jamaican got into the action towards the end of round eight by unleashing a flurry of punches on the Guyanese. Atwell was ahead on the judges’ card at the end of eight, with scores of 76-76, 8074, 79-74.

The final four rounds were shared by the boxers, as Atwell used his punches to good effect in rounds nine and 10, before Mullings found a new leash of life in the final two rounds, going on the offensive from the moment the bell rang. The ploy was quite understandable as the only means of a victory at that point for Mullings was a knockout, but he was up against a game Atwell, who withstood bravely everything that was thrown at him.

Fudadin was bought by the franchise in Round 15 for US$5000, and is among eight Guyanese in the lineup, a clear indication that the Warriors management unit was keen to continue giving the local players an opportunity to showcase their talents.

“Obviously, it’s a great opportunity for me to represent the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the first time,” the 29-year-old Fudadin said during an

With three Tests and three T20 games under his belt, Fudadin said he was excited to be part of the third edition. The left-handed batsman, who is currently recovering from a finger injury he sustained during the West Indies recent Test tour to South Africa, said he was eagerly looking forward to tap into the vast experience of the international quartet – Sri Lankan trio Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lasith Malinga and Thisara Perera and the Australian, Brad Hodge.

“It will be a good experience for me, since I will get the opportunity

Other members of the squad are Trinidad’s Sunil Narine, Lendl Simmons and Denesh Ramdin and Guyana’s Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul and Ronsford Beaton.

The CPL is the Region’s premier T20 tournament, attracting sold-out crowds and millions of viewers across the globe.

The third edition of the CPL, labelled by organisers as the Biggest Party in Sport, is set to take place from June 20 to July 26.

The Amazon Warriors lost at the final hurdle in the previous two editions, to Jamaica Tallawahs in 2013 and Barbados Tridents in 2014.

Windies aim to buck recent history against Proteas

Abuoyant West Indies will try to defy a run of recent poor results and extend their winning streak, when they take on South Africa in another crucial Group B match in the ICC Cricket World Cup here tomorrow.

Only last month, the Caribbean side were completely outplayed by the Proteas on African soil, battered 4-1 in a five-match One-Day International series where they appeared out of their depth at times.

And the stats make for dire reading. The one-wicket win in Port Elizabeth last month was the first time West Indies had beaten South Africa in an ODI in nine years. More depressingly, in the three previous bilateral series, South Africa swept the Caribbean side 5-0 in each. In their last World Cup meeting in India four years ago, South Africa came away with a comfortable seven-wicket triumph in Delhi. It underscores the nature of the task West Indies face when they walk out at the Sydney

chris Gayle

Cricket Ground tomorrow.

Importantly, however, they enter the contest on the back of a good run, having defeated Pakistan and Zimbabwe convincingly to compensate for their embarrassing loss to Ireland in their opening game.

Coach Stuart Williams said the side had learnt a lot from the recent South Africa series and believes the

next meeting between the two sides can be different.

“The series against South Africa was more about learning about our game and where we need to go,” Williams pointed out.

“We were playing the number one team in the world. Now it’s not a series, it’s just a one-off game in the World Cup so it’s a different mindset, and we’re prepared for Friday.

“The guys have been [supporting each other], they have been working hard, they have been responding to my coaching and we’ve been doing fine up to this day.”

West Indies have responded brilliantly ever since losing to Ireland. Against Pakistan, they amassed 310 and then wiped out their opponents for 160, in a clinical all-round effort at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

They stepped it up in even further against Zimbabwe, piling up an incredible 372 for two –the fifth highest total in a World Cup game – to trounce the Africans by 73 runs in Canberra.

On the heels of these performances, Williams believes the Windies were beginning to fire on all cylinders. While he praised the batting unit, he said the bowlers were also now starting to find their momentum.

“We always stress on roles and achieving our goals in the team. Lendl Simmons has been doing well for us also, he has a hundred and a fifty in another game … (Denesh) Ramdin has been doing well and everybody has been chipping in and contributing, including (Darren) Sammy and (Andre) Russell,” Williams explained.

“But I think we had a question mark over our bowling from the Ireland game and from since that [game], Jerome Taylor put up his hand, being the senior statesman and leading our attack. He’s put up his hand and is doing a good job for us.

“Ever since the Ireland game I have not been really worried because we know as a team what we want to do and what we wanted to achieve and it’s just the way the guys have responded [that has been pleasing]. They showed character against Pakistan and topped it off against Zimbabwe.”

He added: “From the Ireland game, it was good to see how the guys responded. I think it showed character. All of the senior guys stuck together – Darren Sammy, (Chris) Gayle, Marlon (Samuels) – and said ‘guys, we can do this. Ireland was just a little blip. We’re going to come back.’ I’m just happy for the way the guys have responded since the Ireland game.”

Squash starts season with handicap tournament

The Guyana Squash Association and telecommunications giant Digicel have teamed up to serve off the annual Bounty Farm Ltd Handicap Squash Tournament on Tuesday at the Georgetown Club squash courts.

The tournament kicked off with 12 matches. Ashley De Groot, Ben Mekdeci and John Maikoo were among some of the winners.

De Groot with a +1 handicap to Alex Cheeks +7 was able to pull off the win in two straight sets that ended 15-8 and 15-9.

Mekdeci with a -11 handicap to David Fernandes +8 battled his way to victory in two straight sets at 16-14 and 15-12.

Maikoo holding a +7 advantage to Timothy Jonas +10 was able to win the match in three sets 2-1 at 15-11, 10-15 and 15-9.

Full results: John Maikoo +7 defeated Timothy Jonas +10 1511, 10-15, 15-9; Ingram Edwards +4 defeated Stephen Fernandes +7 15-12, 8-15, 15-11; Dwayne Jan +9 defeated Andrea King+8 8- 15, 1513, 15-13; Joe Mekdeci 0 defeated Taylor Fernandes+6 13-15, 1512, 15-9; Daniel Islam +7 beat Robert Hiscock +8 16-14, 15-5; Shane Seebarran +11 beat Jonathan Fernandes +9 15- 11, 15-11; Sarah Lewis +11 defeated Robin Low +10 18-16, 8-15, 1510; Anthony Islam +9 defeated Haopei Yang +10 15-13, 15-9; Raphael De Groot -13 defeated Medhi Ramdhani +5 1511, 15-12; Kyle Waldron +10 defeated Jonathan Edwards +12 15-10, 158; Ashley De Groot +1 beat Alex Cheeks +7 158, 15-9; and Ben Mekdeci -11 defeated David Fernandes +8 16-14, 1512.

thirty-two Guyanese boxers shortlisted for overseas engagements

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has shortlisted 32 boxers from nine gyms to go into training for possible selection for upcoming overseas engagements. Nine of the boxers are from the Guyana Defence Force Gym while eight are being pulled from Sebert Blake’s Forgotten Youth Foundation in Albouystown.

GBA president Steve Ninvalle said that Guyana has been invited to tournaments in Barbados and French Guiana next month.

In addition, there is also a Pan Am Games qualifier in May. He noted that it is the largest batch of boxers called to trials since his tenure commenced in 2009.

Barbados will host the annual Horace Phillips Memorial competition on March 21 and has asked for four boxers and a referee/judge. French Guiana is coming good on a promise to involve Guyana in its development of the sport and is requesting nine fighters inclusive of two females.

French Guiana has also asked for a minimum of two referee/ judges. The competition in the South American country begins on March 21.

The shortlisted fighters would be under the supervision of a panel of six coaches. The boxers shortlisted are: Rose Hall Jammers: Tyron Lashley

and Jamal Eastman.

Tiger Eye: Michael April.

Essequibo Boxing Gym: Glenroy Smith.

Police: Imran Khan and Dennis Thomas.

Young Achievers: Jason Phillips.

Harpy Eagles: Quincy Small, Travis Hubbard and Keevin Allicock.

Republicans: Kevin Allicock, Nankumar Singh, Klaus Daniels, Anandram Dharamraj and Jason Barker.

Forgotten Youth Foundation: Delon Charles, Seon Griffith, Orin Bancroft, Ron Smith, Dewani Lampkins, Junior Henry, Taseka Howard and Theresa London.

GDF: Clairmont Gibson, Aquincy Harvey, Eon Bancroft, Desmond Amsterdam, Markember Pierre, Trevon King, Enoch John, Quincy Boyce, Dwon Thompson.

The coaches are Francisco Roldan, Terrence Poole, Sebert Blake, Wincel Thomas, Clifton Moore and Adrian Thomas.

Wilson, O’Brien seal Ireland’s thrilling win

Gary Wilson and Kevin O’Brien struck brisk half-centuries as Ireland held their nerve to clinch a thrilling two-wicket victory in their World Cup Pool B match against United Arab Emirates in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Wilson hit 80 off 69 balls while all-rounder

O’Brien smashed 50 off 25 to help Ireland overwhelm UAE’s total of 278-9 with four balls to spare for their second consecutive win of the tournament.

sive boundaries ion the 48th over. Ireland needed 12 at that stage and tailenders George Dockrell and Alex Cusack held firm to see them through.

Earlier, Shaiman Anwar registered UAE’s first World Cup century to help them overcome a poor start and post a strong total.

The 35-year-old right-hander scored

Javed (42), a World Cup record for the seventh wicket, to lift UAE who were reeling at 78-4 in the 21st over.

Anwar became the second batsman to score an ODI hundred for the Emirati nation, who are making their second appearance at the event after also qualifying in 1996.

Anwar, who hit 10

reaching the 100-run mark in 79 deliveries.

Ireland were guilty of bowling too short to Anwar, who had scored his previous highest of 67 in the last match against Zimbabwe, and Javed as UAE plundered 147 runs in the last 15 overs.

Needing almost 10 runs an over at one stage, Wilson and O’Brien smashed 72 in their sixth-wicket stand off just six overs to revive their chase.

needing 36 runs to win.

O’Brien, who was dropped on 24, hit eight fours and lofted Amjad Javed (3-60) for two consecutive sixes but fell on the next ball with his team still

Wicketkeeperbatsman Wilson got Ireland, who beat West Indies in their first match, closer but was dismissed by Mohammad Naveed (2-65) after hitting the bowler for two succes-

Windies aim to buck...

Especially heartening for the West Indies camp has been the return to form of talisman Gayle. The usually prolific opener has struggled over the last 20 months, with just a halfcentury and an average of 14 to show for his efforts.

However, he came big against Zimbabwe with a stunning 215 –the first double century in a World Cup and the fastest one ever – to end his worrying slump.

Together with Marlon Samuels, who hit a career-best 133 not out, they put on 372 for the first wicket – the highest partnership for any wicket in ODIs.

With Gayle in form, West Indies will be even more confident of a positive result, and Williams said it was a plus seeing both Gayle and Samuels hit form at such a critical time in the tournament.

“It was just brilliant to watch. Making 200 in a one-day game is not an

easy feat and you know the longstanding injuries that Chris Gayle has been having … so it was just pleasing to see,” said Williams.

“It was an excellent partnership with Marlon Samuels. You can’t forget Marlon, he played his part as well and got his highest score. It was just an excellent innings. (Darren) Bravo went down [injured] in the last game and we asked him to bat at number three – he’d been batting at number four for a while – and he actually put up his hand and said he wanted to do it. Actually, he volunteered to do it.”

Bravo has been ruled out of consideration for the South Africa game, having failed to recover from a hamstring injury.

SQUAD – Jason Holder (captain), Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, , Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Darren Sammy, Andre Russell, Denesh Ramdin, Sheldon Cottrell, Kemar Roach, Nikita Miller, Sulieman Benn, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor. (CMC)

106 off 83 balls and dominated a breezy 107-run stand with

fours and a six, raised his bat and went down on his knees after

The duo came together with Ireland looking to bundle their opponents out having reduced them to 131 for six in the 35th over.

Anwar eventually fell in the 49th over, skying Max Sorensen for Wilson to complete a comfortable catch. Off-spinner Paul Stirling (2-27) struck in his second over to dismiss Andri Berenger (13) and then picked up Krishna Chandran for a duck in his third to deny UAE a strong start after they were put in to bat first.

O’Brien came into the attack for Ireland and dismissed set opener Amjad Ali (45) and Swapnil Patil (two) in his first two overs to further stifle the UAE innings.

O’Brien, however, proved expensive in the final overs, eventually conceding 61 off seven overs. (Reuters)