Guyana Times International

E-Link fibre optic cable rehabilitation to begin soon-HPS

The Guyana Government is engaging with a consortium to begin rehabilitation work on the fibre optic cable. According to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, he is in possession of some of the latest reports on the progress being made in this regard, “seeking to restore the fibre optic cable to its original design, and indeed its original purpose, transmission of bandwidth from Brazil to Castellani in Georgetown.”

Guyana Marriott opens in grand style

The Gy$1 billion project was affected by several defects which are in the process of being corrected. It has been some four years since the agreement was signed between Guyana and Brazil for a fibre-optic cable to link Government facilities and provide additional broadband internet capacity, locally.

The E-Government project will comprise a data center, a transmission network and data network. The data centre, or control centre, is to be housed in the

compound of Castellani House. Government had announced that the connection would have allowed for, in addition to connectivity, a range of services such as “E-Health” allowing for video consultation, movement of information to and from health centers.

Security will also benefit as the project would allow quick transmission of information including video and data between police stations. The project intends to enable the setting up of an “E-library” which would allow for access to textbooks and other teaching aids, via the internet.

The ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of the much anticipated internationally branded Marriott Hotel was on Thursday undertaken by President Donald Ramotar.

The President also unveiled the hotel’s plaque as he was joined by several officials of the hotel, government ministers and members of the local private sector.

There was much fanfare at the opening which

gave invites the red carpet experience. President Ramotar was given a key as were the other guests, with a message from Bill Marriott, first host and General Manager which read, “world- class service comes from more than a building. It comes from people-our brilliant hosts.”

President Ramotar during his brief remarks called the ceremony ‘historic’ since a brand of such stature has opened its doors in Guyana.

The luxury hotel brags of 197 guest rooms and suites that offer views of the ocean at every turn. Its Ballroom has the capacity to accommodate between 400 to 700 persons at any time depending on the set up. It can also be transformed into four sections to host smaller events.

The hotel also has five boardrooms and an open style kitchen to allow patrons to dine in the restaurant and watch their

meals being prepared by expert chefs. Its indoor gym will cater mainly for its guest but membership will eventually be offered to the public. In addition, daily passes will also become available once the hotel is open to the public.

The nine storey Hotel is Located at the mouth of the Demerara River in Kingston, Georgetown. (GTI will provide more details in our next edition)

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EDITORIAL

Choosing a Government

General elections present one of the most critical decisions we will be making as citizens of this democracy. And it should be made after due consideration and deliberation. Choosing a Government may now seem to be routine, but that is only because in the 22 years, those in office have never threatened our inalienable right. It was not always like this.

In choosing a Government, we have to ask, “Why Government?” Governments are supposed to create and maintain the overarching conditions that will allow us, the citizens, to fulfill our capabilities so that we may live a happy life.

However, the Government uses, and is constrained by, the resources of the State and available to the State. There are those that would bemoan our economic circumstance. But we have to look at where we are compared to where we were when this Government took office. A journey can only be measured from where it began.

No Caribbean country experienced the abyss into which this country had been plunged by the PNC. We were the poorest of the poor, the pariah of the region: officially we were a Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) low development country.

Today, that debt has been managed and we are now a medium human development country. In the field of economic development, there is nothing more difficult than reversing an economy that had been plunging downwards for decades. It was not only the physical infrastructure and productive facilities that had been devastated, but the most important human and social capital.

But successive PPP/C Governments did perform the herculean task of turning the economy around and today we are outperforming every economy in Caricom. Jamaica and Barbados are now in the clutches of the IMF, which has cautioned T&T that its future growth prospects are challenging as the country’s energy resources dwindle.

Guyanese cannot afford to risk turning the economy at this stage over to, at best, inexperienced hands that can only quote from their theoretical position papers. Or at worse Carl Greenidge, who ruined it in the 1980s.

Our macro-economic progress is expressed in the higher and rising standard of living experienced by the average Guyanese. Availability of every conceivable type foodstuff and clothes in stores; house-lots and homes; phones, computers, cars, and other consumer goods have raised the horizons of Guyanese expectations. We are on an upward trajectory.

In the social services sector, our hospitals have moved light years from the days when rats chewed on children’s toes. Yet medical services are still free. Our life expectancy has increased by a decade. Schools have been rehabilitated; curriculum revamped; teachers retrained and the educational standards recalibrated.

The results have been exemplary. Infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, have been rehabilitated. The security situation, which was very precarious and untenable because of opposition recalcitrance and ambitions, has been stabilized through the Government’s firm and decisive initiatives.

But this does not mean that Guyana is out into the clear. We can see the promised land but who will guide us to it? Our economy is still comparatively underdeveloped. The traditional economy has been stabilised.

The Government has taken the initial steps to shift our economy to a new quantum level with the LCDS-based green economy and Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). Exxon has just announced “good prospects” for oil.

As Guyanese make up their minds in these final weeks, we believe there is a simple but profound question that they can ask of and then answer by themselves. Is your life better or worse off than it was a decade ago?

In addition to your material progress, you can gauge your status by your expectations. From a decade or five years ago, how did you assess your prospects? And what are those prospects today?

It is now a world of infinite possibilities. Stick with the tried and true.

Bartica booms as Brazilian businesses expand

By Devina Samaroo

Regional Chairman of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni),

Gordon Bradford has recognised the great influence the Brazilians have towards the economical development of the mining township.

Bradford, during a telephone interview with this newspaper last Friday, highlighted the fact that the Brazilians have been significantly contributing towards the growth and expansion of the various sectors within the sub-region.

According to the Chairman, Bartica has experienced a massive economic transformation, with local businesses flourishing and the transportation sector continuously expanding, as persons pour into Region Seven for mining purposes. “They brought businesses upon businesses in Bartica,” he exclaimed, pointing out that Bartica now has more business operations than ever before, from hotels and guest houses to food courts and malls, bars and clubs, boutiques and salons, among many others.

As it relates to hotels and accommodations, Bradford noted that Brazilians pay approximately six times the amount an average Guyanese would to rent a room or a house, resulting in the local landlords and landladies earning more money, contributing to an increase in their spending power, which then leads to a greater demand for certain goods and services, meaning the other businesses would have to maintain the appropriate supply to fulfil that increasing demand.

This economical cycle is just a fraction of how the community of Bartica is prospering under the Brazilian influence.

In addition to the businesses and accommodation suites, Bradford noted that the foreigners have contributed heavily towards the expansion of the transportation sector. Before, there were hardly any motor vehicles operating

on the roads of Bartica. But now, in order to meet that high demand for transportation required by the Brazilians, many have found job opportunities in this sector – leading to a gradual growth in the taxi industry.

The speedboat sector also experienced massive growth as a result of the presence of the Brazilians. Bradford noted that in addition to the boats that ply the Bartica-Parika route, job opportunities were opened up for boat operations within the interior and riverine areas. Bradford also applauded Brazilians’ contributions through the provision of a variety of Brazilian products on the local market.

Furthermore, he noted that they established two churches in Bartica, which not only benefited the Brazilian community, but saw the participation of Guyanese youth in the various church activities. Therefore, aside from the massive economical transformation, Bradford acknowledged and applauded the Brazilians for their contribution towards the social atmosphere within the Region.

In addition to that, Bradford noted that it would be remiss of him not to mention their valuable contributions in the mining sector. He explained that they brought new and improved mining technologies to the local miners, resulting in

better productivity. “The technologies they bring are better than what the Guyanese were using, because of the techniques, you see the Guyanese find more fruitful areas to mind the gold…,” he said.

Impact

But, the Brazilian influence in Bartica is not all glorious, as highlighted by the Regional Chairman. He noted that their culture and normal demeanour has a negative impact, particularly on the younger people within the community. In fact, he explained that the entire culture of mining does not mix well with a “righteous upbringing”, and therefore, their existence in the community could pose a threat to the accustomed standards set by Guyanese. However, that aside, Bradford said the Brazilians have done incredibly well in changing the Bartica economy for the better. “As far as their influence in Bartica goes, it is definitely a positive one, they have positively impacted the community,” he applauded. However, due to the ongoing crisis in the gold mining industry, the bustling activities are slowly dying down due to the inactivity in the mining sector. While this appears to be slightly worrying for the Bartica economy, Bradford was optimistic that a sudden boost will soon occur to continue to advance the community and its economy.

Cause of death of West Coast Demerara teen inconclusive

The autopsy performed on the body of 17-year-old Devika Ramodar, who was discovered dead last Saturday afternoon at Blankenburg foreshore, West Coast Demerara (WCD) was inconclusive. The post-mortem was performed at the Ezekiel Funeral Home by Dr Nehaul Singh on Monday.

This newspaper was told that samples of several body parts were taken and would be analysed by investigators. The investigators are presently working on the theory that the teenager, who went missing on April 4, might have been raped, murdered and then dumped at the foreshore.

The father of the dead teenager, who witnessed the post-mortem, told this publication on Monday that the family was hoping to take possession of the body so that his daughter could be given a decent funeral.

He added that the two young men who were arrested for his daughter’s death remain in custody, but the Police have not been telling the family much. When asked about the relationship his daughter and the two men shared, he stated that they were friends.

He also confirmed

that his daughter and a workmate had a confrontation on the day she went missing, but he was not certain why. After the confrontation, she left work about 10:30h and met one of the young men who promised to take her to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) to solicit a job.

A friend of the teenager subsequently phoned the teenager’s mother, Jagranie Omadatt, relating what had occurred. Her mother attempted to contact her, but the calls went unanswered. Upon seeing the missed calls, the now dead teenager called her mother back and reportedly told her she was heading to Demerara Distillers Limited to look for a job. Omadatt reportedly gave the teenager a curfew and said if she did not comply, she would thereafter file a missing per-

son’s report. That was the last time the grieving mother heard from her daughter.

This publication was told that the teenager might have been seeing both of the suspects, since one of them reportedly dropped her home a few days before she went missing.

It is believed that after the other young man found out, he confronted her at work hence the commotion. The suspects have both denied meeting the teenager on the day she went missing although they confessed to making arrangements to meet.

The two men were arrested on Thursday last and have since been assisting with investigations. Once there is no evidence against them, they will be released.

Ramodar, of Lot 59 Bella Dam, West Bank Demerara, was found in a semi nude state and bore several marks of violence.

Following the discovery, Police sought the assistance of the missing teen’s parents to identify the corpse owing to its state. She was positively identified by a mauve top that she left home with, a bangle she was wearing and a black and silver ring. The investigation is ongoing.

AG files Affidavit in Answer to Greenidge’s lawsuit

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall on Wednesday filed a sworn Affidavit in Answer with the court on behalf of Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh in the matter brought against him by Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge.

Last month, Greenidge filed legal proceedings asking the court to block Government from spending the US$32.16 million policy-based loan that was recently granted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

When the matter was called up on Wednesday, the AG submitted the affidavit in answer to Greenidge’s lawsuit in the Chambers of acting Chief Justice Ian Chang. Justice Chang also granted leave to the plaintiff to file a response to the AG’s affidavit. The matter was scheduled to be called again on April 23.

Following the hearing, Nandlall pointed out that the monies were deposited in the Consolidated Fund three weeks before the proceeding was instituted; hence, they can only

be disbursed in accordance with provisions of the Constitution and the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003. The AG further noted that the High Court has no power or jurisdiction to interfere with the Executive’s expenditure of these funds, unless it is established that the same is being done in violation of the Constitution or the law.

At the hearing on Wednesday, the Chief Justice shared the same view on the matter. Nandlall went on to explain that with the loan proceeds being paid into the Consolidated Fund, they now form part of the pool of resources that comprise that one Consolidated Fund.

“The event of withdrawing the proceeds of this loan from the

Consolidated Fund is, therefore, logically, indistinguishable from the withdrawal of any other sums that form part of that Consolidated Fund. Furthermore, when sums are deposited into the Consolidated Fund (whether the proceeds of policy-based loans, or tax or non-tax revenues collected), they do not sit in the said Fund with a specific earmarked intended for future use. Instead they form part of the general pool of resources that make up that Fund,” he outlined.

Public gimmick According to the Legal Affairs Minister, if the Court is to issue any orders specially regarding or restricting the withdrawal of this policy-based loan, then it will be violating the constitutional doctrine of the separation of powers.

Why doesn’t the coalition want young people to know the past?

Dear Editor,

The idea being advanced by the coalition parties, APNU and the AFC, that voters must forget the past when making their decision at the polls is unfortunate. The AFC hopes that since our young people know nothing about the past and are therefore not burdened by it they will vote for the coalition.

If our youth know nothing of their history, shouldn’t these supposedly responsible coalition leaders educate them, inform them and tell them about it? Is the coalition planning to win on the ignorance of our youth? Are they banking on it?

Why does the coalition not want young people to know about the past? Are they ashamed, guilty, or afraid of being unmasked as something they are not?

If youthful ignorance is being praised by the coalition one wonders what kind of education our children will receive should they win. A revisionist history of events? A blank of so many years

because some want us to forget?

History matters. Writers and philosophers have said it in so many ways that not knowing your history, or willfully forgetting it leaves you rudderless and directionless, and could condemn you to repeating the mistakes of the past. It is from experience that we know what works and what should be corrected or abolished.

Because none of the parties is giving a clear vision of the future it has in mind, we have no alternative but to evaluate them from their past record. Who kept promises? Who subverted justice? Who condoned corruption? Who killed and who justified the killings?

The list is long and the sad state of affairs is that no one side comes out unscathed. This is why it is especially important for young voters to know all of the history if they are to make an informed choice at the polls.

It is an especially difficult choice. One side fears a return to Burnhamism and the other a continuation of Jagdeoism. Most vot-

ers see it as a choice between two evils and since Indian Guyanese will see one party as the lesser evil and African Guyanese another, by and large, race-based voting will continue.

What a boon it would have been had just one party admitted to mistakes made in the past and given assurances that there would be no such recurrence. What a missed opportunity for true greatness to have put all of Guyana first and leave partisanship behind.

But we have no such leaders. We only have petty politicians and grubby, little opportunists. There is not a single statesman among the lot of them. Who is to blame for this sorry state of affairs, them or us?

I fear it is us as I watch thousands jig themselves merrily to nonsensical campaign messages including ones that tell us that our future lies in forgetting the past.

Given this sad state of affairs, Guyana will continue to lose no matter who wins at the polls.

Ryhaan Shah

Good marriages should last

Dear Editor, I attended the PPP/C rally in Linden on Sunday and left with a sense of anger mixed with sadness.

I came face to face with some realities that I would not normally confront in the normal course of my busy life – realities that sadly surface only in the season of politicking and rallies.

The first stark reality was that the PPP/C, in office since 1992, has done a tremendous amount of work to bring Guyana to the place it is today. They must have!

Speaker after speaker could not have rolled out that countless list of achievements if it were not so. Not in front of such a crowd, and not with an Opposition alliance hungry for a chance to punch

holes in their credibility. Why this sense of anger? Anger that a party that has such a tremendous record of achievement, that has done so much for so many, would have to work so hard at justifying their right to govern.

Another reality that was disturbing, only because it should have been so obvious to the conscious man, was the popularity of former President Bharrat Jagdeo, in Linden territory, I might add.

Especially, after reading that Brigadier David Granger had dismissed his presence in the PPP/ C’s lineup as a waste of time because he was so unpopular.

Besides wondering whether Granger was on another planet, cause I was listening now, I came upon another reality. That was the

military nature of the alliance that was creeping up on the population.

As the PPP/C rolled out its countless list of achievements in all ten regions, in Linden alone two water treatment plants, new hospital, nursing school and on and on, I wondered, does one discard a good wife because he has been married too long?

Is loyalty to purpose and devotion to the people cause for dismissal?

And the sadness returned because the APNU/AFC alliance is calling for change, and as if that isn’t enough cause for sadness, the fact that there are some who may believe them, is sad indeed.

Vote wisely!

Name withheld by request

Summit of the Americas can easily be described as tremendous success

Dear Editor,

The just-concluded Seventh Summit of the Americas in Panama can easily be described as a tremendous success mainly because the Presidents of the United States Barack Obama and Cuba Raul Castro warmly shook hands and sat side by side each other on Friday and Saturday.

Secretary of State John Kerry also had discussion with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodríguez and, as further evidence of trade relations between Cuba and the United States, Castro had discussions with President of the US Chamber of Commerce Tom Donahue.

The historical Cuba/US relationship attracted more than 2000 journalists from all parts of the world, including China, Africa, and hundreds from Cuba and the US, and there was tight security in the city, which forced the closure of half of the city on Friday and Saturday.

Obama was a bit cautious when he said that even as a “new chap-

ter” in relations was launched”, we have our differences, Government to Government, with Cuba on many issues.

Cuba’s presence on the blacklist – which also includes Iran, Sudan and Syria – has been a major sticking point in the negotiations.

I understand that now that Obama has made a favourable decision. Congress has 45 days to decide whether to override his recommendation. Cuba is clamourng for the embargo to be lifted because it is the main reason for the island’s economic troubles.

Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza said that “this Summit in Panama has such a special dimension because Cuba’s President was present and UN Chief Ban Ki-moon emphasised that “the presence of President Castro embodies a longing expressed by many in the region”.

Obama said on Saturday he was not interested in what transpired in the past. “We have to move for-

The PNC abandonedneglected,Amerindians

Dear Editor,

I read a letter on April 11 under the headline, “The PPP/C is using scarce tactics on its campaign trail”, written by one Corey Roberts which seems to be a bogus name. Never mind I am responding to the letter since my name was mentioned.

Corey Roberts has a problem with my estimation of the crowd of ten persons that were listening to washedout speakers at a PNC/ APNU+AFC coalition election campaign meeting held at the Kumaka Market Square in the Santa Rosa Amerindian village, Moruca, in Region One (BarimaWaini).

But in the letter, why didn’t Roberts give her estimation of the listening crowd if my estimation was wrong? It therefore means that my estimation was correct which was supported by Santa Rosa village residents.

The Presidential Candidate of the PNC/ APNU+AFC coalition David Granger very recently turned up for a political rally at the Kumaka Play Ground in Santa Rosa village on April 10 where the crowd was estimated to be around 30 persons. Can Roberts correct me if I am wrong?

Roberts said in the letter that social media is buzzing with comments against the ruling party and salutation for the coalition.

Those who post these

comments of blatant ignorance are just a circle of PNC lackeys who have lost their Amerindian identity and are miserably ignorant of the hardships and misery their parents and grandparents passed through under the illegal and dictatorial PNC regime prior to 1992.

Roberts may be one of these PNC lackeys who should consult with her parents or grandparents on what life was like under the barbaric PNC regime which never won a free and fair election.

As a result, the PNC keeps changing its name at every general election. For the May 2015 elections it is now the APNU+AFC coalition. Roberts should post these comments on social media.

It was the PNC regime prior to 1992 that neglected and abandoned the Amerindian people of Guyana. And it is the democratically elected PPP/C Government that took the Amerindian communities out of neglect and abandonment and placed them firmly on the road to self-determination and economic empowerment.

The Amerindian communities of Guyana are now socially and economically safe and secure under the PPP/C Government, hence their support for the PPP/C party at the upcoming elections for the continued development of their communities.

Peter Persaud

People do anything for power, including showing contempt for

Dear Editor,

ward – we have to focus on the future”, stressing the need for an integrated region and the emphasis on youths and education.

He also spoke about the respect for human rights and freedom of speech. He said that he has voted US$1 billion to improve Central America and that there will be an exchange programme for 100,000 students from the US to Latin America, and another 100,000 from Latin America to the United States.

During the past year, he added, there has been a better relationship between the US and Cuba since far more Americans visited Cuba and there was also an increase of export to the island.

Guyana was represented at the Summit by the Foreign Minister and Ambassador Bayney Karran. President Donald Ramotar attended the conference with US President Barak Obama in Jamaica with other Heads of Caricom.

Oscar Ramjeet

In pursuance of power, people can do anything, even showing contempt for their ethnicity.

From birth, ethnicity takes precedence over any other form of identification since it precedes your nationality. So, to deny your ethnicity in order to co-habit with the devil in pursuit of power is the height of hypocrisy.

To support my argument, let me illustrate two practical cases where ethnicity takes precedence over nationality.

Firstly, if you are a couple of one race and the husband suspects his pregnant wife of having an affair with another race, it is obvious at birth ethnicity will be used to justify his suspicion, or not, apart from DNA testing in case of doubt.

Secondly, if the Police

ethnicity

need assistance from the public to capture two low profile criminals named Sharma Bencock and Arqueth Kissoon, what criteria would they use to describe them for purpose of identification, given that their names are already ‘confusing’?

Would they say two Guyanese criminals are on the loose and the Police need your assistance in capturing them, or would they describe them in terms of ethnicity?

In Guyana, people are free to plait their hair to look like a Rastafarian or alienate themselves from their ethnicity in pursuit of political largesse, but you cannot expect ethnic support if you mingle with the sheep and dance with the wolves.

For me, I am extremely proud to be an East Indian.

D Singh

GPHC successfully delivered 1467 babies in first quarter of 2015

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation has reported that for the first quarter of 2015 the hospital successfully delivered 1467 babies. The health institution delivered 1492 babies, however 25 of those babies were still births.

Out of the 1492 deliveries 326 were born to teenage mothers ranging from under 14 to 19 years old.

During, the first quarter of 2015, the hospital saw an increase in deliveries compared to the same period last year. During, the first quarter

of 2014 the hospital successfully delivered 1299 babies. In total the hospital delivered 1325 babies during this period, but 26 were still births.

Deliveries in January 2015 surpassed the other months with a total of 565 babies being delivered. January 2014, which also had the highest amount of deliveries for the first quarter of the year, saw a total of 485 babies being delivered.

The first quarter of 2015, also saw an increase in teenage deliveries compared to last year which saw 282 babies born to teenage mothers. GPHC’s maternity ward admitted 2373 patients for this period. (GPHC)

TUF, URP cleared to contest upcoming elections

The United Republican Party (URP) and The United Force (TUF) have announced that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has given approval for them to participate in the May 11 General and Regional Elections. However, in the Regional Election, URP would only be contesting nine of the Regional Electoral Districts.

“This officially makes the URP the political party contesting the third highest amount of Electoral Districts in the upcoming General and Regional Elections, behind the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change (APNU/ AFC) Coalition, who are contesting all Ten Geographic Constituency and Regional Elections Districts. The URP therefore is entering this election as the third force, giving the electorate a fair opportunity to participate in the democratic process of electing a new Government,” the General Secretary Rawle Aaron said. Alluding to the party’s preparedness for the upcoming elections, Aaron said URP has succeeded in gathering an abundance of supporters throughout the country.

Meanwhile, in an in-

terview with Guyana Times International, TUF Presidential Candidate Marissa Nadir confirmed that the party has been granted permission to contest in both the Regional and General Elections, noting that the approval comes as no surprise. According to her, “TUF has always been in line with the PPP/C, APNU and AFC in participating in all the geographic constituencies.”

Nadir said although TUF has been away from the spotlight in recent years, it has retained its traditional supporters. On the other hand, the Independent Party led by Mark Benschop is claiming to be the “third force” in the electoral race, although it is contesting just six of the Geographic Constituencies, being Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Region Three (Essequibo

Govt denies Webster, cash jet pilot link

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon on Wednesday said as far as Government is aware, the Human Services and Social Security Minister Jennifer Webster is not associated with Guyanese pilot Khamraj Lall who was charged with money laundering in the United States (US) late last year.

According to Dr Luncheon, the Government has not received any information on the Minister, who is scheduled to leave office later this month, or any other Minister in the Administration with respect to the matter.

He was responding to queries on whether Government could confirm the Minister’s involvement in the matter. On social media, there is widespread speculation that Minister Webster is the “senior Government official” implicated in the money laundering case.

Islands-West Demerara), Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and Region 10 (Upper DemeraraUpper Berbice).

Meanwhile, Healing The Nation Theocracy Party (HTNTP) will only be contesting the Regional Elections but only in Region Four. Efforts to contact the other two political lightweights – Organisation for the Victory of the People Party (OVPP) and the National Independence Party (NIP) – proved futile.

With just less than one month away from what is considered to be one of the most important General and Regional Elections in the history of Guyana, the political lightweights have expressed much excitement and optimism as the day looms closer.

the American authorities in Georgetown or the Guyana Police Force which may be involved in the investigations.

“I can assure you that we have absolutely no information whatsoever from any source official that a Government Minister or specifically Minister Webster is in any way associated with or engaged with pilot Lall in those offences of which he was accused and charged in North America.”

Dr Luncheon, who was at the time addressing journalists at the Office of the President (OP), said while such reports have not reached Government, inquiries could however be made with the appropriate organs including

Lall was in December, 2014 charged in San Juan, Puerto Rico, after he was caught with US$620,000 on board his private Jet.

“Minister came with a letter of resignation which primarily dealt with the status of her health condition that she felt was not improv-

ing and a commitment to this Administration to continue to serve in the context of her personal concern of her health. I think she plucked down her preference, my health in preference to my job. It was on that basis that she offered her resignation,” Dr Luncheon stressed.

Lall, who was travelling with his father and the co-pilot of the aircraft, had initially told officials that he and his father had only US$5000, but later allegedly said they had US$12,000. On closer inspection of the plane, officers found US$150,000 wrapped in plastic bags and a blanket under an exit seat. As the search continued, several black garbage bags with another US$470,000 in cash were found in a compartment near the engine.

Guyanese should be proud of Marriott – Govt

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon said that Guyanese should be proud of the establishment of the five-star Marriott Hotel which has opened its doors to the public on Thursday, as it will lend to the strengthening of the economy.

The US$51 million flagship Marriott Hotel, in Kingston, Georgetown, opened its doors to the public with an official ribbon cutting ceremony – accomplishing that feat despite the naysayers, litigation, protests, parliamentary motions and the plethora of resistance to one of Government’s key developmental projects.

Dr Luncheon, at his post-Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday said Cabinet had reflected on the opening of the iconic entity and clearly felt that Guyanese can

Flashback: Former president Bharrat Jagdeo and marriott Vice president Andrew Houghton turned the sod to signal the start of construction of the hotel in the presence of prime minister Samuel Hinds; president Donald ramotar; ministers Dr Ashni Singh, Irfaan Ali and Dr Bheri ramsaran and former minister manniram prashad. Also in photo are former republic Bank managing Director John Alves (partly hidden), SCG CEO Micheal Zhang and other top officials

be proud of the achievement of the new five-star hotel.

“It is not only its lo-

cation at the mouth of Demerara River; on the Atlantic sea coast of Guyana”, Dr Luncheon

PPP/C’s rice support plan: Development fund, price support and millers’ quota proposed

By IndrawattIe natram

If re-elected the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will implement a quota system for rice millers, establish a price support system and create a development fund all in the interest of advancing the rice industry in Guyana, former President Bharrat Jagdeo told a large meeting of industry stakeholders Wednesday morning in Essequibo.

Despite large yields, both millers and farmers have been complaining of low prices and the lack

of markets. Government has taken the stick for some of these woes and farmers egged on by the Opposition have staged numerous protests pressing demands for better conditions.

Jagdeo told the farmers that a new bidding system will be introduced, noting that with the allocation of quotas, bidders will be invited to propose their market prices. The highest bidder who gets the contract will benefit farmers directly ensuring faster payments as well as available markets. He said the system will

have two criteria whereby millers will have to submit the price as well as documents to show that they have a line of credit on their account that will ensure the purchasing of the paddy and also timely payments.

The former President added that over the years the Government had also assisted millers in the form of advances to pay farmers. He further stated that with this system, bidders will have the opportunity to create a competitive market in the industry. Sharing excerpts from the PPP\C mani-

said, “but also the most likely impact on the entertainment, hospitality, travel and tourism sec-

tors of the economy of Guyana, that will forever be noteworthy”.

He said the close to 200 room capacity entity translates into jobs for hundreds of Guyanese in these sectors. “Not only direct employment, but also the myriad of other forms of employment and job creation that attends the operation of a 200 bed capacity fivestar hotel in the capital city.”

According to him, the presence of the hotel in Guyana contributes to the list of achievements that is part of the integrated plan of the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

“In addition, its impact, also, when put into operation, the casino and the entertainment centres also expect to contribute to the overall impressive impact that the

achievement will provide Guyanese and Guyana”, Dr Luncheon related.

The 197-room hotel, complete with the 29,000 square foot entertainment complex that will house a casino, restaurant and nightclub all of which will be privately operated, separate and distinct from the hotel and its operator.

The Marriott Guyana Hotel boasts services of an international standard and facilities such as business, fitness and entertainment centres, guest rooms to meet various preferences and meeting spaces that could accommodate as many as 700 persons. There are also facilities that are tailored for the visually and hearing impaired.

The glass finish of Marriott allows picturesque views of the city of

festo, Jagdeo told farmers that if re-elected, the Government would put in place a price support system, which will ensure a stable market prices. He said empha-

sis will also be placed on diversification which will help the agricultural sector. He said the Development Fund will aid diversification as well as job creation.

Increase in production

Acknowledging some of the challenges in the industry, Jagdeo explained that farmers were often faced with two sets of problems, noting that these were compounded by the rapid growth and the volume of rice produced. He went on to say that the rapid growth in the industry has resulted in farmers being faced with marketing problems and delayed payments. Jagdeo said the industry also has other external factors affecting it and named bug infestation as one.

“Guyana is producing more rice, over 600,000 tonnes as compared to 100,000 tonnes 20 years ago. Because of the rapid growth of production, we are faced with the issue of getting remunerative markets,” he also highlighted.

He said as a result

of the high volume of rice, the Government through the rice stakeholders was making every effort to seek out more markets. At present, Guyana is exporting its rice to 32 countries as compared to three to four countries in the past. “From a US$10 million industry, rice is now US$250 million industry, so market is a problem and it’s a private agreement between farmers and millers…” Jagdeo added. Infrastructure investment Turning his attention to infrastructure, the former President said that Government has spent billions in strengthening drainage and irrigation systems.

“Look at the spending on drainage and irrigation – Gy$54 billion across Guyana, because this region (Region Two) produces 20 per cent of rice – sluices, culvert and entire range”, look at it in the comparative way, Jagdeo stated. He noted that drainage and irrigation is the “life blood” of any agricultural industry.

Guyanese back from US int’l leadership programme

Local US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires

Bryan Hunt met with Miriam Jainarine upon her return from the United States after participating in an Embassy-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) exchange.

In a release, the Embassy said Jainarine, the Project Coordinator of Mibicuri Community Developers – Black Bush Polder, participated in an IVLP exchange on “Capacity Building to Empower Girls”, from March 2-20, 2015. She shared her IVLP experience with the Chargé d’Affaires and other US Embassy representatives.

One of the main objectives of the programme was emphasising the importance of girls’ and women’s leadership, civic participation and volunteerism as components of civic life in the US and around the world. During the programme, Jainarine and her counterparts from 12 countries visited several cities, including Washington, DC; Seattle, Washington; Denver, Colorado; and New York, New York.

These visits provided varied insights and understanding of cultivating leadership in young women and encouraging them to take action to improve communities.

Through in-depth discussions, meetings, and site visits, the IVLP participants had an opportunity to explore creative partnerships between

Non-Governmental

Organisations, community groups, public and private schools, and Government agencies that address issues of concern to girls and women.

The empowerment of women and girls is not only important for an equitable society, it is essential to building stronger economies, achieving internationally recognised development goals, and improving the quality of life of women, men, families, and communities.

Advancing the full participation of women and girls in the political, economic, and social realms of their countries remains a key goal of US foreign policy.

Hunt reaffirmed the US Government’s commitment to working with and strengthening the role of civil society organisations which support the development of

women and girls. He encouraged Jainarine to build on the many professional linkages made with US institutions and other IVLP participants from countries across the globe to strengthen her work and that of her organisation for the benefit of the Guyanese people.

Hunt commended Mibicuri Community Developers for their contribution to enabling women to empower themselves through access to social and economic resources.

The IVLP is the Department of State’s premier professional exchange programme. The programme brings together emerging leaders in their respective professions to learn how US experts in their professions operate, and to share best practices with the other programme fellows who hail from across the globe.

Guyanese should be proud...

Georgetown in the front or the Atlantic Ocean in the rear. According to the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) an estimated 12.2 per cent of Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) came from travel and tourism in 2011 up from 11.5 per cent in 2010. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that this sector will grow from Gy$35.1 billion to Gy$42.3 billion by 2021, nearly doubling

from 2011 to 2021, making this hotel a worthwhile investment.

The Hotel is owned by Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI), a company owned by the Government of Guyana through its shareholding company NICIL. AHI was incorporated in Guyana on September 10, 2009 under the Companies Act 1991.

NICIL is the Government-owned company lawfully entrusted to pursue investments on behalf of the

President visits ExxonMobil’s Deepwater Champion oil rig

President Donald Ramotar paid a visit to the ExxonMobil drillship, the Deepwater Champion, on Wednesday. The Deepwater Champion is drilling for oil under licence from the Government of Guyana in the Stabroek block, some 120 miles offshore Guyana within Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

The President and party travelled by helicopter from Ogle Aerodrome and were given a 360 degree view of the drillship from the helicopter.

After a short briefing aboard, the Party returned to Ogle. The President was accompanied by Mr.

Robert Persaud who, in his capacity as Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, is the focal point in the Government for Esso Exploration, and coordinator of the visit with Mr. Jeff Simons, Country Manager of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). EEPGL is the local subsidiary of ExxonMobil, the largest publicly-traded Oil and Gas Company in the world.

Minister Persaud is coordinating the development of a National Oil and Gas policy on which he has invited and encouraged wide stakeholder participation and comment.

State, including public-private partnerships and in September 2009, AHI, the special purpose company to pursue the Marriott project. Construction of the hotel started in early 2012 following the sod-turning ceremony in November 2011, but ever since 2009, AHI had been actively looking for partners, locally and internationally, interested in entering into a PublicPrivate Partnership to develop the hotel.

Guyana Gov’t launches training programme on health threats for health care workers

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Cuban Government on Monday officially launched a fiveday training programme for health workers, in both private and public institutions in the area of emerging and reemerging Public Health Threats (PHT).

The workshop is being facilitated by two Cuban professionals and focuses heavily on the

Ebola virus which is still on the radar, since its last outbreak in 2014. The sessions are being held at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, and have as its primary goal the education of participants on infection, prevention and control (IPC) of the virus.

The programme has already commenced with a similar five-day course which was completed in Berbice, Region Six; however it was officially launched on Monday, ac-

cording to Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud.

He also noted that this type of training is important as it helps health care practitioners to be prepared for PHTs which can emerge at anytime.

Touching on examples of these threats, the CMO pointed out that Ebola, which is also a main focus in the training session, is one of the perfect examples of why the training is need-

The PPP/C formula for victory: Getting their messages to stick (Part One)

By MK Singh

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) can win the forthcoming elections. Their track record of accomplishments is very impressive, but that could only work to their advantage if they are able to get their messages of ‘success and hope’ to stick with voters. The foundation of accomplishments is already there.

Under the PPP/C governance, the country has witnessed unprecedented economic growth over the past eight years; while pride and freedom have returned to a once politically fatigued nation under the People’s National Congress (PNC) rule. Having cleaned the untold mess that the PNC had created and brought back the country into solvency with positive growth rates, the PPP should have the edge in this election.

ed. He said although Guyana handled the situation well in terms of its preparedness, there is still a lot that can be done, because despite putting up barriers such as travel restrictions, diseases still pass through from time to time.

The CMO also pointed out that Guyana is working along with the rest of the world to ensure that there will not be another pandemic of measles.

He urged the participants to carefully analyse situations and cases. He explained that social activities of patients are also important, because they can help the care provider to understand the situation better.

He also encouraged the practice of communication as a key component of treatment.

Meanwhile, Guyana Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) Representative Dr. William Adu-Krow pointed out that every year, there will be a new or re-emerging public health threat, and for that reason the training session is important. In addition, Dr. Midalys Hernandez, Director of the Cuban Medical Brigade told the participants to make the best of the training.

Also present at the ceremony was Cuban Ambassador to Guyana Dr. Julio Marchante, who lauded the relationship between the two countries, and expressed his joy in being able to once again partner with Guyana.

The facilitators are Dr. Ivan Sergio Reyes Salazar, Internal Medicine Specialist and Dr. Raul ConradoBocourt Acosta, Epidemiologist and Infections Control Officer. (GINA)

On the other hand, the PNCR is asking the Guyanese people to forget their failure as a government and to give them another chance to govern. Well, the PNCR had several chances before, and only brought on more distress to the Guyanese people. Now that they have re-branded themselves as “A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)” party, they hope that this new label would wipe away their past failings and help to cast them as a new force with new ideas.

But who in his right sense can ask anyone to forget the past or forget history? Let’s heed the wisdom of George Santayana: “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” PNCR wants Guyanese voters to forget about election rigging in the past, to forget about the non-accountability of 150+ AK47s from the Army; and to forget about David Granger’s and Moses Nagamootoo’s refusing to appear before the Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI). Former President Bharrat Jagdeo has asked Granger to come clean on his role in election rigging, the AK47s issue, and Granger’s failure to appear before the CoI. Granger’s indifference or refusal to address these issues shows the potential for weakness in his leadership.

What type of political landscape has developed in Guyana over the past three to four years, in particular? A Parliament whose public rating was abysmal; a Parliament noted for cutting development funds; a Parliament that voted against the Amerindian Development Fund; a Parliament that voted against the funding for the Cheddi Jagan airport expansion; and a Parliament which was best known for its gridlock. At the public level, there are approximately 600,000 registered voters in Guyana. This figure represents a huge increase in the voters list by about 37 per cent over a four-year period. How is this possible? Over 100,000 new voters have been added to the list? How does the Elections Commission explain this dramatic increase? Has the country’s youthful population (below 18) declined and the older (18+) segment exploded? What’s the geographic or demographic distribution of the 100,000 new voters? GECOM should explain this unusually high increase.

Which political party will benefit from this huge increase in voter registration? Based on past voting pattern, at least (three in every four), 450,000 voters are likely to vote. We believe that a high turnout rate will favour the PPP/C. The PPP’s goal is to achieve at least 51 per cent of the votes cast on May 11, 2015. They must work hard on turnout rates. They must convince the “undecideds” within their strongholds to vote. They must consolidate their base and not take anything for granted.

They must narrow or even eliminate their 2011 loss of votes, particularly in the Corentyne to the AFC. Whether that was due to political apathy or indifference, or some other reason, this is a huge chunk of voters to whom careful attention should be given. If messages are fashioned to meet their tastes, many of them would likely change their minds and decide to cast their votes. Other methods should be employed to energise this group of voters. We would speculate that low turnout rate would work to the disadvantage of the PPP/C.

GT&T says PUC decision will further delay liberalisation

The Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) decision to dismiss the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company’s application to increase rates for several services will further delay the liberalisation process.

This is according to GT&T Chief Executive Officer RK Sharma, who told Guyana Times International that it is a lost opportunity that would have removed a roadblock in the path of liberalisation.

Sharma said the PUC’s decision clearly reflects the fact that Guyana has a less than clear vision for its future of telecommunication sector. Unless changes are made, he predicts that the country will continue to lag behind.

“We are disappointed by the PUC’s rejection of our effort to modify rates to reflect changes in the market since the last comprehensive rate review was done over a decade ago. It is an unfortunate outcome for consumers, who would have received enhanced services and seen their long distance rates cut,” Sharma explained.

He said anyone who reads the PUC order will see that it is really just a “laundry list of grievances” that are without merit in a modern telecommunication sector, noting that it is not based on a logical adherence to the law, a reasonable consideration of the voluminous record, or consistent with past PUC decisions and rulings.

“As an example, it wrongly assesses our long history of investments. The truth is, we have fulfilled all of our obligations and invested US$250 million since our last rate change and more than US$391 million since our contract began,” the CEO pointed out.

Sharma stated that the order also arrived

at strange conclusions, such as using the very frequent rate increases for the power and water utilities as a justification for denying the company’s first request in 15 years for a rate adjustment.

More so, he noted that, it is clear that the PUC did not consider the practical effects of its decision, which will force consumers to pay higher long distance rates.

“We have already filed an appeal, and we believe it is essential to keep pushing – after all, Guyana is one of very few countries such as Cuba in the western hemisphere that does not have 3G wireless service. This is nothing short of baffling.”

The PUC order, he further stated, is emblematic of the frustrating distance between the Government’s words and actions when it comes to modernising the telecom sector.

“But let me be clear –even with this setback, we stand ready to work with the Government to finally develop a clear and consistent plan based on proven industry practice, fairness to all regardless of connection or influence, and the rule of law for moving our country forward on telecoms.”

However, the PUC is contending that GT&T only made the application because it wanted to give effect to a minimum of 15 per cent return on capital dedicated to public use. The 15 per cent return is provided for under the terms of the license which entitles the telephone giant to receive a minimum rate of return of 15 per cent on capital dedicated to public use.

“GT&T has been in operation, by way of monopoly, for the past 24 years and yet cannot fulfill that obligation which they undertook when the agreement was signed. There was no condition for the provision of spectrum – and being a monopoly for the land line service they choose to ignore the requests of potential consumers, blaming it on “spectrum,” the commission said.

On this note, Sharma disclosed that GT&T has repeatedly requested the spectrum necessary to provide 3G and believes its competitor has done the same. He added that the Government could facilitate the deployment of 3G at any time by releasing spectrum to the legally licensed carriers.

PPP/C hosts media interaction with new members on Top-up List

– Dr Clive Jagan believes PPP/C has stayed true to Dr Cheddi Jagan’s principles

– Dr Mahender Sharma believes the PPP/C’s developmental

agenda over the last two decades is quite impressive

The People’s Progressive Party / Civic (PPP/C) on Wednesday afforded representatives of the media the opportunity to interact with new members of the Party whose names appeared on the Top-Up List of candidates for the upcoming May 11 general and regional elections in Guyana. At a press conference at the party’s Freedom House headquarters, PPP/C’s Executive Secretary Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha introduced five of the new candidates on the List to media operatives. They are: Dr. Telita Smith, Dr. Vishalya Sharma, Dr. Mahender Sharma, Ms. Vanessa Benn and Dr. Clive Jagan.

Speaking first as a youth who has accomplished so much under this Government, Dr. Telita Smith said she is 26 years old and a medical doctor based at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). She noted that she joined the PPP/C because “I wanted to be ‘a soldier’ and to continue to promote the develop-

ment within the country.”

Medical Superintendent at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, Dr. Vishalya Sharma said she joined the PPP list “because I see strategic leadership, a good vision as well as a dynamic set of youths who are ready to take Guyana forward.”

Dr. Mahender Sharma, the Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), said he believes that the developmental agenda which the PPP/C has pursued over the last two plus decades is quite impressive. “It’s a developmental agenda that I want to be a part of… having worked with the administration for the last 17 years, I can attest to the manner in which they do business and I find that to be honourable and respectful in every engagement that I’ve had with them,” Dr. Sharma commented.

Dr. Sharma, who is the son of controversial television owner and politician Mr. Chandra Narine (CN) Sharma,

dismissed the assertion that there is a “conflict of interest” with him being the Head of a State Agency (GEA) and also being on the PPP/C candidates List.

“Resigning from office? The way I read that article, it appeared as if Stabroek News inserted my name in that article, as nothing in the GEA Act precludes me from being a member of a political party and serving as the CEO of the agency,” Dr. Sharma stressed as he put the question of his resignation from GEA to rest.

Ms. Vanessa Benn, an Agriculture and Forestry Specialist, said she is “very proud” to be on the PPP/C’s candidates List. She noted that in 1992 “the PPP/C went on a charge ‘time to rebuild, time to change’. We are rebuilding and making changes in Guyana in a very positive way. We have been doing that for 23 years now and I believe that, with the positive vision and work of the PPP/C, we will continue in this positive direction.”

Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s nephew, Dr. Clive Jagan, who is also on the PPP/ C’s Top-Up List of candidates, declared that: “I have been a part of the PPP/C since 1985, but now I still see that the PPP is the party that would take us forward with proper development of our nation, the only party that has democracy at heart and freedom of our people to exercise their right to vote.”

Dr. Jagan, responding to the question whether the PPP/C has moved away from the principles of his iconic uncle, explained that the “media seems to be biased” during elections time, a period dubbed as ‘the silly season’.

“In terms of moving away from his (Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s) principles I don’t agree because I’ve seen development…presumptions are made that they are moving away but there has been no valid proof that the Opposition or anyone has come out to say that the PPP/C has moved away,” Dr. Clive Jagan declared.

New jobs coming to Orealla, Siparuta – Ramotar tells residents

Government has been aggressively pursuing a people-centred development course and President Donald Ramotar has assured residents of Orealla and Siparuta that this will result in new job opportunities for them and other Guyanese.

The President on Monday visited the two riverain Amerindian communities along the Corentyne River, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), which has a combined population of about 1800.

He told the residents of the Administration’s pursuit of plans to build a deep water harbour in the Berbice River and a highway from Linden to Lethem to link Brazil, “so that Brazil and South America can do international trade through Guyana”.

Government is also working with the Surinamese to bridge the Corentyne River, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

“These are projects that will transform our country, transform the lives of our people, and that is why we are preparing our people through education… we want our people prepared and ready,” the President said.

Government, he added, is expending large sums to ensure the country’s human resources are highly qualified and skilled to take advantage of the opportunities that will be presented.

These, he said will directly impact the prospects available to residents in Orealla and Siparuta by opening up new avenues for business from which they can capitalise.

“That will create new kinds of jobs, plenty of jobs and even the road itself -you have to have mechanic shops, tyre shops, vulcanizing shops, hotels, restaurants all of which can generate lots of jobs for people. Those are the things that the Opposition want to cut from the budget.”

The President said the global trends have shown that countries that focus extensively on the development of its human resources have progressed rapidly, and that is the direction Guyana is heading with the hope of having a highly skilled workforce that will attract more investments.

In this context, the Government has been focusing heavily on the social sector to improve people’s

quality of life, particularly education, which receives the largest portion of the social sector annual budget.

These provisions include free text books, uniforms, education grants for school children and transportation and meals for children to attend school regularly. Much investment has also been made in the provision of education for hinterland children, including the construction of dormitories.

Similarly, the health sector has recorded numerous strides, and in Orealla, there are now two resident doctors. In the past these villages had only health workers and visiting doctors. Persons from the community have also been trained as doctors and will return to serve.

Ramayya reluctantly apologises to “Zulfi”

With a contempt of court motion filed against him for failing to adhere to a court order to apologise to People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha, Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive Member Veerasammy Ramayya is now trying to make amends. After appearing before Justice Nareshwar Haranand in the New Amsterdam High Court on March 3, Ramayya was given seven days to issue an apology via both print and electronic media to Mustapha after he was found guilty of spreading libellous information about the PPP/C official. Veerasammy was ordered to read and issue a specifically craft -

ed document, but instead, on March 7, the AFC Executive appeared on his television programme on controversial station DTV Channel 8, in Berbice, where he said:

“I was ordered by the court and I am not very comfortable with what I have to do or say. On behalf of myself and the TV station, we want to apologise to Zulfi Mustapha for the allegation that was made on this television programme. So that ends this episode with a very big full stop.” He was also supposed to have a printed apology appear in one of the local newspapers within that sevenday time period, which he also failed to do. As a result, a contempt mo-

Gonsalves concerned about slow pace of CSME implementation

Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves said that while countries across the region have been successful at the Caricom Single Market (CSM), they are yet to reach the “economy” aspect of that accord.

Gonsalves, in an invited comment on Monday evening, told this newspaper more still needs to be done by regional countries in terms of their tenacity and speed to see the full realisation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Guyanese over the years have been humiliated by immigration officials in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. Similar treatment has been meted out to citizens of Jamaica and some of the smaller Caribbean islands.

Gonsalves, while acknowledging this, said Guyana remains a pillar in the community of the CSME, noting that “the issue is that everybody has benefited from the Caribbean Single Market but has not reached the economy as yet.”

According to him, many of the issues are in order, including trade,

and the free movement of people and capital. However, he noted that progress for many of these countries “is not moving as fast as we would want it to be but we accept the independent community of states and we have to persuade those who are a little slower to catch up with all the institutional arrangement in place.”

Gonsalves said “I am not a pessimist, I see a number of things coming out of CSME, sometimes I myself am a little disappointed at the slow pace, but I don’t allow it to frustrate me.”

CSME is an integrated development strategy envisioned at the 10th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the

Caribbean Community which took place in July, 1989 in Grand Anse, Grenada.

The Grand Anse Declaration has three key features including the deepening of economic integration by advancing beyond a common market towards a single market and economy, the widening of the membership and expansion of the economic mass of the Caribbean Community and the progressive insertion of the region into the global trading and economic system by strengthening trading links with non-traditional partners.

The CSME was implemented through a number of phases, first being the Caricom Single Market (CSM). CSM was initially implemented on January 1, 2006 with the signing of the document for its implementation by six original member states. However, the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the CSME had been provisionally applied by twelve member states of Caricom February 4, 2002 under a Protocol on the Provisional Application of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

Sterling, GGMC murder accused appear in court

The infamous duo of ex-Policemen who pretended to be Policemen and allegedly killed Sterling Products Limited Security Guard Wilbert Stewart and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Engineer Trevor Abrams made their first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday.

Orin Arthur and Rayon Paddy appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry.

The first charge stated that in December 2014, at Providence, East Bank Demerara, Arthur and Paddy stormed the compound of Sterling

Products Limited with the intention of robbing it and Stewart was killed during the botched robbery.

The second charge detailed that Arthur and Paddy, with Stephen Prescod, murdered Abrams on February 27 in the vicinity of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL). They were not required to plead to either of the charges. It was reported that the accused admitted to killing the men.

Arthur and Paddy were busted on March 28 with the guns at their hideout in Diamond New Scheme. Police officers were on the lookout for

Guyanese man who swallowed 72 packages of cocaine sent to jail

Adrug smuggler who risked his life by swallowing more than 70 bags of cocaine before boarding a flight to Manchester, United Kingdom has been jailed. An X-ray revealed dozens of bags, each the size of a ‘large gherkin’, in Wade Williams –the drugs were later found to be worth £200,000 (US$213,000)

Wade Williams, 53, was stopped by Border Force officers on Valentine’s Day after his flight from Barbados landed at Manchester Airport.

The incident adds to another highprofile case, with another smuggler caught at Manchester Airport last month.

It is understood Williams, of Georgetown, Guyana, began to ‘produce’ the packages after high-tech border checks and during questioning and he was promptly taken for an X-ray.

The scan confirmed he had swallowed 1.5 kilos of high-purity cocaine in 72 small packages – each the size of a ‘large gherkin’.

The drugs’ likely street value once cut would have been £200,000. The bags were so potent that had just one of them split, it could have been fatal.

The case was handed over to the National Crime Agency’s policing team at the airport.

Williams was questioned and charged with importing Class A drugs.

He appeared before Recorder Robert Crawford at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court and was jailed for five years after pleading guilty to the charge.

There was also an order for his deportation and the destruction of the drugs.

Rob Miles, head of the National Crime Agency’s Manchester border investigation team, said: “This dem-

onstrates the desperation shown by smugglers to get illegal drugs into the UK. His actions were foolish to say the least – had just one of the 72 packages swallowed by Williams broken or split, it is likely the consequences would have been fatal.

“It also shows that it doesn’t matter how well traffickers hide the drugs, we can still find them and stop them.”

Border staff use search techniques including sniffer dogs, carbon dioxide detectors, heartbeat monitors and scanners to find stowaways, illegal drugs, firearms and tobacco.

Criminal investigations launched as a result of Border Force seizures are undertaken by officers from the National Crime Agency’s Border Policing Command.

Anyone with information about activity which may be linked to smuggling should call 0800 59 5000. (Excerpt from Manchester Evening News)

High-profile murder trial opens in Berbice

Amixed jury was empanelled in the Berbice Assizes on Monday before Justice Franklyn Holder to decide the fate of the man accused of the murder of Gary Simon also called “Fat Bull” and “Bull” on December 18, 2004.

Abdulssalam Azimullah, also called “Sato”, is on trial for the shooting of the Corentyne man.

them or information on them after they had committed a daring robbery on the roadways, posing as uniformed Police officers during a roadblock. The men allegedly made off with over Gy$900,000 in cash and items after robbing the three employees of a Poultry Farm.

In Court One on Monday, Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru did not go into any details regarding the case, stating that investigations were still underway. He asked the court for some time for their conclusion.

Arthur, Paddy and Prescod were remanded to prison until April 28.

State Prosecutor Natasha Backer is expected to outline the facts which led to Simon’s death when the trial opens today (Tuesday).

The accused is being defended by Attorney Kim John-Kyte.

The matter has been making headlines ever since the Preliminary Inquiry (PI). It had been reported in the media that during the initial PI which saw three persons before the Magistrate for the December 18, 2004 killing, that one of the key witnesses gave evidence which was inconsistent with her statement to Police. Hence, she was deemed a hostile witness and after further investigations, Police placed her before the court for perjury.

During the perjury trial, it was reported that an Attorney who was defending the murder accused in the PI, had paid her to lie to the court.

In March 2014, the State’s key witness was shot at point blank range at a house on the Corentyne. The shooter tried to shoot her a second time, but the gun snapped and she survived the incident.

This will be the first trial before Justice Franklyn Holder for the February session of the Berbice Assizes.

In August 2009, the Attorney was also placed before the court. At the end of the PI, Magistrate Chandra Sohan found that there was not enough evidence to commit the accused and freed the three of them. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) insisted on a retrial and Azimullah was rearrested in June 2012 and committed to stand trial in the High Court.

East Bank Berbice new road nears completion

The first phase of the Bermine/ Lightown, East Bank Berbice road project will soon be completed.

This disclosure was made last Thursday during a visit to the site by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who expressed satisfaction at the work done thus far.

Under the Gy$391 million project, nine miles of road is being resurfaced with bitumen. Bitumen is being used on the road to ensure durability in light of the increasing vehicular traffic.

According to Hinds, while that section of the road is being rehabilitated, the four mile stretch from Islington to Bermine remains in a worrying state.

“I am very pleased to say how much this piece of road is appreciated

from Bermine Bridge to Highbury. I know from way back in the 70’s that this East Bank Berbice (road) had always been a challenging area for the engineers. For the

roads to be done in the Glasgow from Islington, the soil is pretty challenging. But we have got this piece in and I understand that the Regional Democratic Council has

in their plan to do from Highbury to Mara.”

One resident, Pooran Singh, of Brothers Village, East Bank Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), told

this newspaper that after 45 years, he is now able to “live in peace.”

He was referring to the newly resurfaced road in the vicinity of Sisters Village. Another resident, Roshan Khan of Sisters Village echoed similar sentiments.

The contract had been awarded to H Nauth and Sons Civil Engineering Contractors.

Meanwhile, another contract to provide remedial work to the troubled Islington/Glasgow/ Edinburgh area was given to Associated Construction Service at the cost of Gy$386 million. That project has been completed but residents, while not pleased that the Bermine/ Lightown road was not given priority, they are happy with the quality of the work done.

CIOG’s

In response, Hinds said soon that section of the road will be permanently fixed. “At the Central Government level we are working with the World Bank to rehabilitate the road from Islington to the Bermine Bridge. Those negotiations are far advanced with the feasibility and the economic assessments already completed and are positive.”

He added, “We are working hard to ensure that we are returned (to Government) so that we can keep this progress going and then have a good road right through from Islington to Mara.”

Asked what would be the cost of the four mile stretch from Islington to Bermine Bridge, Hinds said it is still to be determined.

annual fundraising dinner in Canada set for May

The Canadian Support Group of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) is set to host its annual fundraising dinner billed for May 2.

During the dinner, which will be held at the Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT), Scarborough, Canada, invitees would be edified on the actions taken to help the poor and needy. Additionally, the support group would use the opportunity to seek their generous contributions so that the CIOG can continue to serve the less fortunate people of Guyana.

In a release on Sunday, CIOG said the contributions will continue to make a significant difference in the lives of others via a number of existing programmes.

“For example, to ensure that the knowledge of Islam is circulated, our teachers working in several regions must be paid to travel and conduct Madrasah classes. To provide for the vulnerable, our orphan sponsorship programme meets the nutritional, educational and medical needs of children for just US$30 a month per child. To strengthen bonds in the community,

our social services include assisting poor Muslim families with the burials of their loved ones. To safeguard the happiness of our children, the 375 orphans currently registered in our programmes are treated to a delicious meal, games, rides and presents every year at an annual fun day,” CIOG explained.

It was also pointed out that Zakaat can also be donated at the dinner and will be used only for its intended purpose. It was also stated that all donors will receive a tax deductible receipt from the International Development Relief Foundation (IDRF) for their donations made.

The event is one in which the members of Canada come together to lend a helping hand to the executives of the CIOG in Guyana; to show them how much they appreciate the great effort they are making to help the people of Guyana.

The event will be chaired by the Imam of the Taric Mosque, Shaikh Imran Ali while the keynote speech will be delivered by ShaikhAbdool Hamid. The event is being led by Dr Abdullah Hakim Quick.

Caricom-USA Summit photos

Jamaica Gov’t focuses on growing maritime sector

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, said the growth of the shipping and maritime sectors is a priority of the Government in keeping with the economic growth strategy.

“This includes strengthening the country’s identity as a maritime country. We want to attract and develop a more diversified range of maritime activities through infrastructure development, capacity building, education and training and business expansion,” she pointed out.

She was speaking at opening on Monday of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) fiveday Women in Maritime Affairs (WiMA) conference, which opened on Monday at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay.

She noted that Jamaica is keen on developing industries in ship repair and maritime construction, which are being successfully operated in countries such as the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago, while there is an expanded range of training opportunities available across the Caribbean.

“There is heightened awareness

in the sector, fuelled by expanded training opportunities through institutions such as the Caribbean Maritime Institute. Today, many Caribbean states are deriving significant income and employment from non-traditional areas such as ship repair and construction, bunkering and international ship registration,” she said.

The Information Minister, in her presentation, welcomed the move to establish a WiMA for the Caribbean. The association will be formed during the staging of the five-day conference.

She said the development is historic and will change for the better, “the face, focus and future of the maritime industry in the Caribbean.

The Information Minister said the foundation for the formation of Caribbean WiMA has been laid through the “outstanding” work of the Maritime Association of Jamaica (MAJ).

The conference, which is being attended by representatives of 15 Caribbean states, is being held under the theme: ‘Maritime Women of the Caribbean…Achieving Regionally… Advancing Globally’. (JIS)

Carter Centre holds strategy talks with GECOM

With less than a month left for the General and Regional Elections to be held on May 11, 2015, the Carter Centre is progressively establishing its presence in Guyana.

A precursor team of medium-term observers visited the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Friday last to meet with the GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, to discuss the strategic directions of their Observer Mission.

Team Leader and Assistant Director, Global Development Initiative, Jason Calder indicated that the Carter Centre may be looking to establish a core medium observer team of four persons to lead its Mission. He further stated that Carter Centre planned to have six medium-term observers comprising three teams of two persons each which can be deployed by April 22, 2015. The Carter Centre is expected to have at least 30 short-term observers deployed closer to Election Day. A total of 42 persons are expected to complete the Carter Centre’s Observer Mission.

Calder also discussed a preliminary logistical plan for the three medium-term observer teams which is as follows: (a) one

team to cover Regions Two, Three, and Seven; (b) another team will cover Regions Five and Six; and the other team to cover Regions One, Eight, and Nine.

GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Surujbally expressed his satisfaction that the Carter Centre is once again taking a keen interest in observing elections in Guyana. Dr Surujbally also gave a commitment to the Carter Centre representatives that GECOM will assist the team in whatever information requirements they may have.

He also advised the Carter Centre representatives to send all plans and other training materials they intend to use, during their Election Observer Mission to GECOM, so that those materials can be assessed by GECOM for accuracy and completeness.

The GECOM Chairman also asked the Carter Centre to agitate for peace and serenity before, during and after the elections, and to help explain to the public the need for calm as citizens await the final official results. He further emphasised that GECOM will not be sacrificing accuracy for expediency when it comes to the delivery of the election results.

Vanessa Kissoon should have seen it coming – Selman

B y G omatie G an G adin

Former Member of Parliament for the PNCled A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Africo Selman, who has since mounted the political platform for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), says that the exclusion of her former colleague, Vanessa Kissoon from the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)-led APNU and Alliance For Change (AFC) coalition list of candidates for the upcoming General and Regional Elections is not surprising but was rather expected.

The list was submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Tuesday when Nomination Day was held at City Hall. However, it had to be adjusted after the Elections Commission indicated to the APNU+AFC coalition that there was a need for more women representatives to be included on the list.

Of the 75 persons who were named on the list which was submit-

ted on Tuesday, only 19 were women.

The APNU and the AFC subsequently added 11 more members after GECOM had found fault with the list, bringing the total number to 96, but it is still unclear, how many of the 11 are women. While, the list was the most talked about by the party, Kissoon’s name was noticeably absent.

When questioned by media operatives on why Kissoon’s name was not present on the party’s official list of candidates for the upcoming election, Leader and Presidential Candidate David Granger responded stating that Kissoon had already served two terms and as such, the

decision was taken to not include her.

He refused to comment when it was pointed out that several others such as Amna Ally had already also served two terms and were still on the list.

He also refused to divulge whether Ms Kissoon was officially consulted on the decision and what had been her response.

Expected decision

However, speaking to this newspaper via telephone on Saturday evening, Selman related that the decision taken by the party was not particularly surprising but was rather expected since there was no place in the parcontinued on page 21

No time for complacency –APNU/AFC warns youths

The PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition has warned the youths of Georgetown not to become complacent on May 11 when General and Regional Elections are held in the country.

The warning was issued on Friday during the coalition’s second youth rally which was held at Hadfield Street, Georgetown in the vicinity of the White Castle Fish Shop. Taking the stage first was Region 10 (Upper EssequiboUpper Takutu) Chairman Sharma Solomon, who told the youths that they were the future of Guyana, and if they wished to see the change that they wanted, then they must not stay home on Election Day but come out and vote for the coalition.

“It is the young people in this world, in this country who will help to change this world. It is against the backdrop of our future, that we must vote on Election Day on May 11… the best choice for change is what we have now…deliver a resounding victory for the coalition,” Solomon told the youths.

He noted that in voting, they should be mindful and vigilant of the strug-

gles that have been fought over the years, the ills that exist under the current Government, and the sacrifices which have been made by the people of this land.

“The decision we make now, decades from now it will affect us, affect our children and grandchildren… come out and vote…vote early and vote wisely…,” he encouraged them.

Meanwhile, Veronica Gouveia, a youth activist who hails from the Essequibo Coast, told the gathering that she was there to target the votes of the women and young people, especially the ones voting for the first time, since it is important that they understand the importance of voting.

Gouveia said young people must “get rid” of the notion that they will not make a difference in society if they vote. “If you don’t vote, don’t complain after because every vote counts,” she emphasised.

Former APNU Member of Parliament Annette Ferguson, speaking on the issue of health and medical services in the country, told the mammoth crowd that they must vote on May 11 to remove the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration which continues to provide

citizens with poor healthcare services.

Ferguson said that it was a shame that in the 21st Century, pregnant women and mothers are still “doubling up and tripling up” at the Georgetown Public Hospital. In bashing the Government, Ferguson said there is always a shortage of drugs at the health centres and hospitals across the country. On this note, she promised the group that should they vote for the coalition, it will ensure that there is a greater promotion of health services to address the needs of the people.

On the other hand, Alicia Roopnaraine, daughter of Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and Executive Member of APNU, said the time has come for young people to be given better educational and employment opportunities, noting that these will be guaranteed under a coalition Government.

She condemned the state of the University of Guyana (UG), the poor wages and salaries of teachers and the high unemployment rate in Guyana, noting that the current situations were unacceptable.

PPP/C promises Lindeners more jobs, better opportunities

By Gomatie GanGadin

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic continues to deliver its message of hope during the campaign promising Region 10 residents on Sunday better social and health services as well as the setting up of a Linden Development Fund and the building of homes for retirees.

PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper has promised better social and health services for Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), should the party be re-elected on May 11 when General and Regional Elections are held in the country.

Speaking to a large crowd at Wismar, Linden, which welcomed her with

loud cheers, Harper related that if elected Prime Minister she would work to ensure that the rights of all women were protected and that opportunities for their empowerment were provided.

“The PPP/ C has always realised the critical role women can play and should play in our nationbuilding process. Our list presented on Nomination Day abides by that institution. Our Party believes in the full respect for the human rights, in particular the rights of women: our right to choose and be involved in the political life of our country; our right to decent work and equal pay and our right to further education to develop our careers; to have businesses and to fully develop our homes.”

Harper said: “as Prime Minister of Guyana, I

will, therefore, work with his Excellency, President Donald Ramotar and the Cabinet and with other stakeholders to ensure that the progress made for the past two decades in empowering our women and girls is safeguarded and further enhanced,” Harper, a former Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, told the crowd.

Meanwhile, in talking up the Party’s plans for the Region should the Party be returned to power, the former diplomat related that the PPP/C Government has realised and was fully aware that there was always more that can be done to bring development to communities in Guyana and as such, this has been reflected in the Manifesto which is being put together by the Party for

the elections to be held on May 11.

She disclosed that some of the changes which can be expected would include a Development Fund, a sports facility and Information Communications Technology (ICT) parks and infrastructure. “… in our Manifesto, emphasis has been placed for Linden and Region 10 in the following areas: we will create a special development fund for the region. This will be patterned after the Amerindian Development Fund to encourage jobs and wealth creation activities. We will establish a sports facility in Linden, ICT parks and infrastructure will be established. We will strengthen the capacity of the regions and district hospitals

to reduce referrals to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation particularly concerning pregnancy; We will establish and equip health centres and polyclinics to offer a better service,” she said.

The Prime Ministerial Candidate went on to state that the Party would seek to establish sub-regional diagnostic centres in the hinterland, recruit foster families and promote foster care, establish a programme for single parents to be assisted and supported so that they can receive further training while ensuring that daycare services are provided for those who work.

Also speaking at the rally was former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who told the gathering that it was

time they changed the PNC-led Regional Administration since they were doing nothing to develop them. He noted that should the Region endorse the PPP/C, they can be guaranteed a better life, more opportunities and a higher standard of living. “It is time to change this Regional Administration. You have to kick them out. Give us the power too here and you will see progress. Just give us at least one seat,” he noted.

Other speakers at the rally included PPPC’s candidate, Pamela Sauers-Rambarran; Junior Finance Minister, Juan Edghill; PPP/C’s Youth Rep and Linden resident, Dr Gregory Harris; Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon and Works Minister Robeson Benn.

Caribbean Airlines updates baggage policy

With effect from April 15, 2015, passengers utilising the services of Caribbean Airlines will be entitled to one free carry-on and one free piece of checked luggage, with the option to pay for up to three additional checked pieces. However, each checked bag must not exceed 50lbs.

In a statement on Tuesday, Caribbean Airlines explained that the new baggage policy applies immediately to all passengers who would have purchased their tickets on or after February 1, 2015.

“All baggage fees, dimensions and weight restrictions based on passenger destination, along with other optional services can be viewed via our website at: http://caribbean-airlines.com/index.php/optional-fees,” the airline explained.

Business class passengers, customers enrolled in its Caribbean Miles and Seven, passengers purchasing flexible economy fares and customers who purchased their tickets before February 1, 2015 will be exempted from the baggage fee for their 2nd checked bag.

Additionally, members of the Heaven Rewards Loyalty programmes who have earned silver, gold or executive gold status will be exempted, in

addition to passengers travelling to and from London. “Business class passengers on international services now have an increased baggage allowance of three complimentary checked pieces with a weight limit of 50 lbs per bag.”

It also pointed out that passengers, who choose to travel with carry-on baggage, will be entitled to one piece of carry-on not exceeding 22 lbs and one personal item which could be in the form of a laptop, briefcase or small bag.

“Customers will enjoy the convenience of paying for their extra bags ahead of their travel date via our Ticket Offices and Reservations Call Centres, or at their departure airport where our agents are equipped with Smart Hand Held Computers to ensure a quick seamless experience,” the airline said.

Caribbean Airlines first announced its intention to revise its baggage policy in December 2014. The roll out of the new baggage policy began on December 18, 2014 on flights to and from Toronto. “The new checked baggage policy, whereby Caribbean Airlines passengers now have the option to pay for additional checked baggage, is in alignment with prevailing industry trends,” the airline added.

Manickchand condemns destruction of PPP/C campaign flags in Region 5

Campaign material belonging to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) such as flags, posters and billboards were either completely destroyed, ripped down or tampered with throughout Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Education Minister Priya Manickchand said.

“This thuggery and bullyism speaks of an intolerance for freedom of expression and association that has no place in a 2015 Guyana,” Manickchand said in a release.

She said it was reminiscent of an era where persons were jailed and killed for holding and expressing a political view. “It comes on the heels of embarrassing displays of disorder exhibited by the PNC/APNU/ AFC on Nomination Day where rules were broken and people affected,” Manickchand said. She

said Guyana has come a far way in promoting basic fundamental rights such as the freedom to associate and express oneself.

“It would be a crying shame if we were to revert to that dark time when our people were intimidated and bullied for expressing their views. Citizens and the supporters of the PPP/C are asked to be vigilant against this type of be-

haviour and are asked to report this unlawful behaviour to the Police, GECOM and/or the Party if this is to re-occur,” she said.

Manickchand added that supporters were specifically asked also not to reciprocate this type of “hooliganistic, criminal, backward behaviour”. “This is not what we stand for as a party. Let us use this time to discuss ideas and solutions to our challenges and to craft the best way forward for our beautiful Guyana. We will address this unlawfulness and bullyism with our vote on May 11. On May 11, we must vote to protect the freedoms we have gained and we must vote specifically to prevent us as a people from returning to that horrible time in our country’s history where bullyism like this was the order of the day. On May 11, we must vote PPP/C.”

Brazilian woman failed to declare US$11,000 – court told

ABrazilian woman was Wednesday arraigned for failure to disclose a large sum of US currency at the airport before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The woman, Marisa Silva Cardosa, of Ituni Street, Bel Air Park, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which read that on December 4, 2014

at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), she failed to declare US$11,000 to Customs and Immigration.

According to the details of the charge on the day in question, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force seized more than US$11,000 from the woman which she failed to declare con-

trary to the 2009 AntiMoney Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. Cardosa’s lawyer, Mark Waldron, requested that the court released his client on her own recognisance, as SOCU has withheld the seized money. Cardosa was, however, granted bail in the sum of Gy$100,000 and ordered to return to court on April 23.

Ethnic relations body monitoring election campaign …but cannot sanction violators

By Devina Samaroo

Staffers of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) have been discreetly monitoring election campaign meetings across the country despite there being no Commission in place.

But former Chairman of the constitutional body, Bishop Juan Edghill said there was nothing wrong with the activities of the staff. He said, however, because of the absence of a fully constituted ERC, they would not be able to sanction anyone.

This publication, during the current elections period, has noticed ERC staff at most of the

Bishop Juan Edghill

major public rallies of the various parties.

Contacted on the issue, President Donald Ramotar pointed out that the ERC cannot officially execute its mandate without a

Chairman.

But Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ERC, Yvonne Langevine said the Commission can monitor the campaigns without a Chairman. She said the staff has always been involved in the monitoring of elections and even if the Commission did not have a Chairman, it could still compile reports of its findings. Further, she explained that the ERC did not announce its intention of observing the elections season, because they fear victimisation. According to the CEO, ERC staffers were abused and attacked by members of the pubic

continued on page 23

Sea Adventurer expedition explores Guyana’s beauty

The Sea Adventurer, an expedition ship, is in Guyana ready to be part of the cruise lines that have stopped in Port Georgetown to experience Guyana’s vast display of forest and nature.

Early on Friday, the expedition ship docked in the Demerara River.

Captain of the ship, Peter Gluschke, explained to this publication that the expedition had been destined for Essequibo. However, the tide was low and prevented the ship from anchoring itself in the Essequibo River.

Nevertheless, Captain Gluschke stated that it is still an experience for his exploring passengers. He informed that the Sea Adventurer is not a run of the mill cruise as it goes to places and countries that are not on the normal routes for cruises. He said that his cruise attracts a clientele that is interested in actually seeing what other countries have to offer in the way of flora and fauna.

Thus, it is places “like this” that the Captain has been cruising all around the world, such as the Far East, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, etcetera. He said that there are enough cruise ships that visit the big cities and developed countries. The Sea Adventurer goes to countries that are known for their “quiet life with nature not so

much disturbed.”

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh, informed Captain Gluschke that he came to the right place. He commented on the full display of flora and fauna that Guyana boasts, speaking at length about Guyana’s “877 species of birds… and a Bird Sanctuary in the Botanical Gardens.”

Guyana is one of the few countries to have such a sanctuary, he proudly informed Captain Gluschke.

Director Haralsingh enlightened the Captain about these facts, adding that passengers would be treated to a tour of the nations’ capital by Evergreen Adventures Tours, as they are educated on the history and beauty behind the makeup of the capital city.

Also, the wonders of Essequibo with its for-

Vanessa Kissoon should have seen...

ty for those who dared to challenge the leadership. She noted that those like Kissoon who dared to challenge the party’s leadership are often times victimised and this was a clear case of this.

“I didn’t expect Vanessa to be on the list. I don’t even think Vanessa expected to on be on the list. She has had a lot of challenges with the party’s leadership; she has a lot of confrontations with Amna Ally and there has been vindictiveness towards her, so I really wasn’t surprised to see that she was not on the list… she is being victimised because she would have been involved in controversial matters in the party and she has embarrassed the Presidential Candidate David Granger,” Selman related.

Meanwhile, according to Selman, from her point of view, Kissoon

more than deserves to have her name on the list since she has worked tirelessly for the party. “Vanessa is a hard worker, she is committed to young people. She genuinely cares about youths and children, being a teacher and also a mother.

Vanessa has chosen to stand up for herself, she doesn’t allow anyone to railroad her but she is a good person,” Selman told this publication.

Selman, a former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Executive left the party after stating that she refuses to be a rubberstamp parliamentarian and a young leader who was made to suffer constant verbal and emotional abuse, at the hands of the elders within her party whenever she expressed independent or dissenting views on political matters within what was supposed to be the comfort of her own party.”

ests and Islands, and the world known single fall Kaieteur Falls were among the places listed as must sees by the Director.

To honour the occasion, as it is the first time that the Sea Adventurer came to Guyana, although its predecessor Clipper’s Adventurers has been here several

times, the GTA Director gave Captain Gluschke several books on Guyana’s flora and fauna with an artefact as a souvenir. It is expected that these publications would better edify the passengers on Guyana’s contributions to nature.

Hotelier Manager, March Warmenhoven gave a tour of the impressive vessel to this publication along with several other media entities. He explained that the vessel has been in use since the time of the Soviet Union and has proven quite useful on the tough waters that the line chooses to go.

Guyana an emerging pioneer in green economic policy making

Asupplement to US TODAY, prepared by United World Ltd, has recognised Guyana’s effort to pursue a green economy. The 12-page supplement on Guyana, titled “Why Guyana?”, examines among other things, why the country is “the ideal base to do business in South America and the Caribbean”.

It cites among one of the reasons the fact that Guyana is green and peaceful. According to the supplement, Guyana has emerged as a pioneer in green economic policy making.

It also recognises that the country has taken the lead on important issues like climate change, and is pioneering in green creation, through its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) agreement with the Government of Norway.

According to the supplement, the country’s proximity to markets in North America, South America, the Caribbean and even Western Africa makes the country a natural crossroads of commerce and diplomacy.

Emphasising, the peaceful aspect of the

country, the newspaper quoted Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett as saying that Guyana stands in principle, on many internal issues, “whether it has to do with Palestine or climate change, we do not change or negotiate on it”.

“We also believe that we should, and have as many friends and allies as possible. We are a small country, and we do not believe in conflict. There is a large focus on peace and we have been discussing it in the region. That is why it is very important especially at this time when we see so many conflicts in the world,” the Foreign Minister is quoted as saying.

It noted that these peaceful attributes of the country have helped it to secure foreign direct investment in agriculture, forestry, mining and petroleum, among other sectors, and that Guyana boasts an enviable array of natural resources including gold, diamonds, timber and bauxite.

It also quotes President Donald Ramotar as saying

that “Guyana is also very well situated.”

According to the supplement, President Donald Ramotar explained that Guyana acts like a bridge between the Caribbean and South America.

“We see we have the possibility of helping the Caribbean to link up with South America too and broaden their relations. The financial and economic crisis hit the region very hard. If we could develop more of a relationship with the south, we think global impacts could be made a little less,” he explained.

The President noted that “Guyana is a free, open, transparent, democratic society where there are very warm and welcoming people.”

The president called Guyana a place where Americans can do business or can come to relax and see nature at its best.

The USA TODAY supplement also examines among other aspects, Guyana as a regional gateway, its prudent policymaking, focus on education, powerful hydro-potential and tourism opportunities.

UG taking baby steps in fixing campus woes … but UGSS heartened, hopeful

By heMa RaMchaRRan

The University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) says the administration of the institution has been taking small steps in fixing the many woes on the Turkeyen Campus.

UGSS President Joshua Griffith told this newspaper in an interview that following the recent strike action he was pleased to announce that there has been full resumption of classes and some of the proposals put forward by the students and lecturers have been addressed.

For nearly five weeks students, lecturers, representatives from the University of Guyana Workers Union and the

University of Guyana Senior Staff Association were on strike on the grounds of the institution, demanding salary increases and better working conditions.

However, the strike finally ended on March 3, 2015 following the signing of a Terms of Resumption agreement between the Unions and the UG Administration. Griffith told this publication that following the resumption of classes, a few of the issues that had plagued the campus were addressed. He highlighted that only recently the University was a beneficiary of 2000 new combinations as part of an arrangement with Gafsons Industries Limited.

He pointed out that apart from that, projectors and fans have been installed in the classrooms, there is free access to the Internet and the surroundings are no

longer deplorable. He stated that changes will be made gradually; however, for now they are trying their best to address some of the issues that can be handled at their level.

While addressing issues that were dealt with, he also noted that there were still some concerns that have not been addressed as yet, pointing out that security was one such. On this note, he stated that on Wednesday evening a student’s car was broken into, stressing that security has been one issue that needs immediate attention since the lives of students and staff are at risk.

Another concern that has arisen from time to time is the maintenance and conditions of the washrooms. He said that he and his team are working on this matter and hopefully it will be resolved soon.

Regions 1, 9 hit by drought

…Govt deploys team to provide water, food

By Vahnu Manikchand

Following extended periods of dry weather, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) has been hit by a severe case of drought, causing all the water wells to dry up and frequent bush fires to break out – the latest of which destroyed several farms at Aranaputa on Thursday.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon told a news conference Friday that Government was continuing to monitor the situation which he said was caused by the low seasonal levels of rainfall in Region Nine and parts of Region One (BarimaWaini). He explained that this was as a result of frequent periods of severe drought experienced in the north-east region of neighbouring Brazil. This region has been

experiencing droughts since 2011 resulting in millions migrating to São Paulo. However, even this major city is at risk of ending up without water since the February rains were not extensive.

Already in Region Nine, residents do not have access to potable water for domestic and agriculture use. The drought has also attracted a resurgence of pests that are attacking the few crops that survived the drought.

Dr Luncheon disclosed that in response to this situation, the Civil Defence Commission was mandated to coordinate a response which is being led by the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs; Local Government; Housing and Water; and Public Works along with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). “A report had been provided to Cabinet on the developments so far and it

would seem that the fundamental intervention would be sourcing water from accessible sources – rivers that still flow and such like – and depositing that water onto tractors and trailers in tanks,” he stated.

The HPS further explained that those tanks would then be transported to the affected households and farmers. Dr Luncheon went on to say

that GWI has reported that wells are all dried up and that the water table was so low that even deeper wells are presently dried up. He added that Government was committed to continuing its efforts until the drought lessened. He could not immediately say what was the cost of this intervention by Government. “This situation is anticipat-

ed to continue as long as rain fall did not take place and the intervention of distribution of water to villages and areas surrounding accessible sources will have to continue for that duration of time,” the Cabinet Secretary pointed out, adding “this low seasonal rainfall will be overcome by additional or the expected levels of rainfall”. How long?

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who has oversight responsibility for the Guyana Hydrometeorological Department, indicated to this publication that he could not say how long the drought was expected to last. “The region is currently experiencing a pattern of dry weather and we are monitoring it,” he said. The Minister added that the Government was doing whatever it could to assist persons in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, a resident of Lethem, Daniel Gajie, said that they currently have limited access to water. He disclosed that since in September last year, the region has not experienced any extensive rainfall. “It is very difficult to cope with because we have limited supply of water so we have to conserve. The place is very dry,” he related to this newspaper.

Ethnic relations...

during the last elections period in 2011 and as a result, they decided to go undercover this time around.

Meanwhile, former Chairman Edghill explained that to his knowledge, the body can indeed monitor the elections process. Edghill clarified that the staffers can go into the fields to record the speeches at the political rallies, public meetings, and on television programmes.

However, as it relates to pronouncing on a violation or administering sanctions to anyone for breaching the laws, the ERC cannot do that without a Chairman. In fact, Edghill said that it was the practice of the ERC to make those records all year round, not only during the hype of an election campaign season.

Sometime in February, the President had announced that the ERC would become fully operational in time for elections with the swearing in of 10 new Commissioners and the election of a new Chairperson. However, to date, that has not yet materialised.

Integral

The ERC is said to play an integral role as a constitutional entity which serves to protect and preserve the inter-

ests of all stakeholders as far as creating an atmosphere of tolerance and harmony among the different races and ethnic groups in Guyana’s diverse society.

The ERC has been virtually dysfunctional since 2011, when then Opposition Leader Robert Corbin had secured an injunction against the body, barring the Chairman and two Commissioners from taking any decision, recommendation or issuing any direction on behalf of the constitutional body.

Corbin was also granted an order to have the current Commissioners and Chairman of the ERC refund to the state all monies they had collected after August 2007, when the life of the Commission had expired.

However, in November of that same year, the injunction filed against the ERC officials was thrown out of the High Court. The Judge had said that the case was baseless. The Commission’s Chairman at that time, Edghill, who was also blocked from performing his duties, resigned from the post, to join the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) election campaign.

Gary Best throws weight behind APNU/AFC – raises

further fears of disastrous military Govt

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

Former Chief-ofStaff of the Guyana Defence Force, Rear Admiral Gary Best has thrown his support behind the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)-led A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition arguing that the has confidence it will deliver the change Guyana needs. Observers said this resonated with Burnham’s vision of “changing” Guyana’s society through militarisation. Burnham believed that Guyanese were “too indisciplined”.

Best has now joined the long list of former security force and military officials who were brought into the PNCR after Brigadier David Granger became leader of that party or later endorsed the APNU/AFC coalition as fears and concerns mount about the militarisation of the coalition and the creation of a military party.

Best, who served as the Army’s Chiefof-Staff under the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), in a statement to the me-

dia said the PNC-led coalition was the “best political party capable of managing the affairs of our country”.

He had succeed as Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Edward Collins who himself was part of the PNC/APNU protests in 2011.

So far, ex-Police Commissioner Winston Felix had joined the coalition ahead of the 2011 elections along with former Army Lieutenant Joseph Harmon. Former Assistant Commissioner Paul Slowe has also joined and declared support for the coalition.

There has been several dozen noticeable expolice, paramilitary and military officials serving the coalition from the level of its security de-

tail to those occupying seats in Parliament. One of them is Captain Mike Archer who serves as the Public Relations Officer for APNU. During the last campaign a platoon of ex-military men from New York joined a similar number from Guyana and were deployed across the county to mobilise the old PNC base.

Best justified his decision to join his old comrades in arms by claiming, “Each of these two political parties (referring to the AFC and APNU) worked vigorously, though independently, to put an end to division in our country. Their bold decision to work together is not only manifest of a deep commitment to unity politics, and unity leadership, but also the be-

ginning of a movement for unity in everything we do as a nation.”

When the AFC had been formed by one member each from the PPP/C (Ramjattan) PNCR (Trotman) and WPA (Holder) they had vowed that they would never join with either of the two larger parties but would remain independent. They had also vowed to would rotate their leadership but this was unilaterally jettisoned by present leader Ramjattan.

Best however argued that he has confident in both Granger and his running mate Moses Nagamootoo to deliver on their promises of running a Government of integrity, unity, fairness and transparency.

DPP rubbishes Kaieteur News report on retrial of PM’s son

– says it remains independent, governed by Guyana’s laws

The Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Saturday bashed the Kaieteur Newspaper, hours after it published an article under the caption “DPP’s recommendation to retry PM’s son smacks of Govt interference – APNU+AFC.”

In the article, the DPP Chambers’ integrity was questioned with allegations suggesting that political interference had led to the Chambers’ recommendation that the son of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds be retried on a domestic violence charge although he was already found guilty.

But the DPP Chambers said the article is nothing but misleading. In a release, the Chambers said, “this Office is an independent Office and all legal advice is given in accordance with the Laws of Guyana and the facts contained in Police files received from the Guyana Police Force.”

Alluding to the matter involving Samuel Hinds Jr, the DPP Chambers explained that the case was heard by one Magistrate, and although she had convicted the defendant based on the evidence, he was never sentenced.

“The issue in this case therefore is whether one Magistrate can hold a trial, hearing the evidence and convicting the defendant and a different Magistrate sentence the said defendant.”

This issue the Chambers said is addressed in Section 35 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Procedure) Act, Chapter 10:02.

The law states that, “the court shall at the conclusion of the hearing or within six weeks thereafter at a subsequent sitting give its decision in the cause, either by dismissing the complaint or by making such order against the defendant as the case requires. Where before the court gives decision, the Magistrate ceas-

Editor-in-chief of Kaieteur

es to exercise jurisdiction in the magisterial district or to hold office it shall be lawful for him, within six weeks of the conclusion of the hearing, to lodge with the clerk of the court his written decision. The court shall read the decision at the earliest opportunity after notice to the parties and the decision when read, shall be deemed to be the decision of the court.”

The Chambers emphasised that the law clearly states that the Magistrate who hears the matter shall give the decision. It was further emphasised that one Magistrate cannot hear the matter and another give the decision.

“Decision has been interpreted by the courts in judicial precedents to mean a final adjudication, which includes a verdict and a sentence.

As such, since there was no sentencing prior to the departure of the trial Magistrate, the mere verdict cannot be deemed a final adjudication of the matter; and most importantly another Magistrate who did not hold the trial cannot sentence the defendant. This is contrary to the law.

UNDP should approach Govt with mediation proposal – Luncheon

Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr Roger Luncheon has condemned the procedural approach undertaken by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Office in Guyana regarding its mediation proposal, the Eminent Persons Initiative (EPI).

At his post-Cabinet media briefing on Friday, Dr Luncheon said while the EPI is a welcomed programme, taking into consideration that it may be useful in light of the upcoming May 11th General and Regional Elections, the procedural approach was misdirected.

The HPS pointed out that Cabinet was informed about the proposal by the UNDP’s local office through the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and is of the view that the proposal should have been taken to Central Government instead of the Commission.

“Where the Eminent Persons Initiative is concerned, the PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) Administration contends that it is misdirected to GECOM in the first place, and it should be brought to the attention of Central Government with whom UNDP should and must engage,” the Cabinet Secretary stated.

Dr Luncheon further explained that mediation is not within the ambit of responsibilities that GECOM is constitutionally mandated with. “This ain’t exactly GECOM’s cup of tea. GECOM is constitutionally charged, in terms of the elections, with managing the elections and this foray into mediation of

possible conflict arising during or as a result of the elections isn’t GECOM’s business. GECOM is constitutionally focusing on management of elections,” he emphasised.

When established, the EPI will comprise of a group of eminent Guyanese who will act as mediators, in the face of any contention with the elections and the electoral process, to the contending parties.

On the other hand, as it relates to the observer missions’ report, Dr Luncheon explained that he has not received the report on the electoral needs assessment which was done by the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the United Nations (UN), the Organisations of American States (OAS) and Commonwealth.

Jagdeo, Ali attend large PPP/C fundraising dinner in Toronto

The Committee to Re-Elect the PPP/ Civic Government on Friday hosted a fundraiser in Toronto, Canada.

The Dinner and Dance held at Elite Banquet Hall, 1850 Albion Road, Toronto, was well-attended and was graced by the presence of former President Bharrat Jagdeo and Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali as well as other party officials.

The Committee had urged patrons to come out “to hear the latest update on one of the most important and defining elections in the history of Guyana, from these prominent and

PPP/C urges Guyanese youths to vote wisely

Members of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on Friday called on the nation’s youths to vote wisely come May 11.

In encouraging the young population to vote wisely, Dr Peter Ramsaroop outlined that the PPP/C Administration continues to embark on policies that will secure the future of its people.

“The PPP/C has been giving tremendous opportunities to the young population from ever since, and opportunities are what give you the chance to develop,” Dr Ramsaroop said as he addressed the press at Freedom House.

According to Dr Ramsaroop, the party continues to make the necessary changes that foster sustainable development. He said too that the Government’s decision to have a separate unit to deal with the perception of corruption is a step in the right direction.

Former Member of Parliament and A Partnership for National Unity member, Africo Selman, who was also present, said Guyana is not where it should be due to the Opposition. However, she said there is a genuine commitment on the part of the PPP/C to ensure that Guyana receives universal secondary education in the not so distant future, pointing out that the country has already attained universal primary education.

According to Selman, the youths of Guyana must not allow themselves to be misled by the other political parties, noting that they must compare the past to the present. She added that youths should not be caught up with the slogan “Time to Change,” alleging that the APNU+AFC coalition Presidential Candidate

from page 12

David Granger does not have the leadership skills to move the country forward. She said Granger demonstrated his poor leadership skills in the 10th Parliament, when he instructed his Members of Parliament to join hands with the Alliance for Change (AFC) to cut critical funding from the nation’s budget.

However, she said for more than 22 years, the PPP/C has been transforming the economic landscape of Guyana.

Meanwhile, Roshini Boodhoo, another representative of the PPP/C, spoke of the importance of youth empowerment. “We often hear ‘that children are the future’ or ‘the youths are the future leaders.’ The People’s Progressive Party has paved pathways and continues to move us along the path of development,” she said.

Boodhoo added, “we have seen across the years that we have been moving forward and as youths we all have dreams and aspirations

to move forward and with the PPP/C, it is for a fact that we have been moving forward from the inception.” As a cultural advocate, she believes it is very important to have youths involved in extra-curricular activities.

Former beauty queen Olive Gopaul on the other hand indicated that with the PPP/C opportunities are given to everyone regardless of their age, ethnicity or geographic location. She noted that parents and teachers ought to work together as a society, noting too that individuals need to capitalise on available opportunities.

Sarah Brown and former AFC General Secretary Sixtus Edwards were among other PPP/C representatives who bashed the Opposition for stymieing the growth and development of the country.

They are also of the strong opinion that only under a PPP/C Government could Guyana move forward, having suffered at the hands of the Opposition.

Ramayya reluctantly apologises...

tion was recently filed in the court against him and now he is expected to appear before Justice William Ramlal on Friday. However, just two days before he is slated to make his court appearance, where he could possibly face serious jail time for breaching the court order, Ramayya issued the apology in the Kaieteur Newspaper on Wednesday, April 15.

While it appears the AFC Executive is trying to correct his mistake, reports indicate that he still did not properly apologise to Mustapha via electronic media.

The entire court matter began after Ramayya and the owner of the DTV television station in Berbice, Gregory Rambarran, were slapped with a libel lawsuit in 2012 for spreading lies and mis-

HIV/AIDS prevalence in Guyana on the decline – NAPS

National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) Director, Dr Shanti Singh said that a new report has indicated that HIV/AIDS is on the decline in Guyana.

The Health Ministry through NAPS on Wednesday hosted a consensus meeting at the Regency Suites Hotel that brought together officials representing various in-country partners involved in the multi-sectoral national response to HIV. Partners included Government Ministries; United Nations agencies; the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR); the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV & AIDS (PANCAP); Civil Society Organisations; various categories of health care workers; and Persons Living With HIV (PLHIV).

Dr Singh underscored that the most recent estimate has revealed an HIV prevalence of 1.4 per cent (2013) which shows a steady decline from the 2.4 per cent reported in 2004. Work on modelling of new national estimates for 2014 with projections for future years is ongoing and will be finalised by May 10, with support from technical experts

from UNAIDS.

The NAPS Programme Director stated that there were 751 new cases of HIV reported during 2014 while the number of AIDS cases reported was 105. Most affected was the productive age group 2549 which comprises 61.7 per cent of the reported cases. The proportion of all deaths attributable to HIV/AIDS has declined from 9.5 per cent in 2002 to 4.8 per cent in 2012. The estimated male to female ratio for HIV cases was 1.09 in 2014 while that for AIDS was 1.4. The rate of TB-HIV coinfection has steadily declined from 31 per cent in 2012 to 22 per cent in 2014.

In addition, it was pointed out that Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission

(PMTCT) services was provided at 188 health care facilities and this included routine HIV testing for all pregnant women, which revealed a 1.9 per cent prevalence of HIV among this population during 2014.

Dr Singh noted that at the end of 2014, there was a total of 5041 PLHIV enrolled at the 22 HIV care and treatment sites countrywide of which 4295 were on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). The survivability of patients on ART after 12, 24, 36, and 60 months were reported at 81.2 per cent, 75 per cent, 72.4 per cent, and 63 per cent respectively. Care and support services included home based care provided to 716 patients, PLHIV peer support, and the provision of a total of 3689 food hampers to 937 PLHIV.

Training, assessment

“During 2014, more than 5218 healthcare workers and other individuals were trained in a wide range of subject areas an effort to increase knowledge and build capacity to support the HIV response,” she said. Among the major achievements, was the Biological and Behavioural Surveillance continued on page 26

leading information about Mustapha.

The charges claim that Ramayya made libellous claims regarding Mustapha during the height of the elections campaign in 2011.

The defendants were represented by AFC Executive and Attorney-at-Law Khemraj Ramjattan, while Mustapha was represented by Attorney Adrian Anamaya.

Ram tries to muzzle Jagdeo

…with frivolous, vexatious claim – lawyer

Controversial political commentator Christopher Ram has filed a private charge against former President Bharrat Jagdeo alleging that he breached the Representation of the People Act for remarks he made at a public meeting in Babu Jaan, Corentyne, Berbice early last month.

A summons was issued by Magistrate Charlyn Artiga of the Whim Magistrate’s Court for Jagdeo to answer to the charge.

This newspaper was told that the charge was filed by Ram in his capacity as the informant in the Corentyne Magisterial District and reads: “That on Sunday, March 8 Jagdeo made statements to the public at large at a public meeting held in Babu John, Corentyne…”which can result in racial or ethnic violence or hatred among the people” as set out in Section 139 D of the Representation of the People Act.

In his court papers, Ram states that Jagdeo said: “The Opposition consistently shout about the racism of the PPP, but they practise racism. The Opposition beat drums at six in the morning and say let us throw out those coolie people.”

Meanwhile, Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos said he will be representing the former President at the Whim Magistrate’s Court on April 20 in relation to the charge.

Describing Ram as a known

Government critic, De Santos said the holder of a British passport “seems to have an unnatural obsession with the former President”.

De Santos noted that he has examined the allegation and the section of the law under which the charge has been laid, and in his view, it is frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the process of the court in which it has been filed.

Abuse of law

He further went on to state that it is a gross misinterpretation and colossal misuse and abuse of Section 139D of the Representation of the People Act, Chap1:02.

The Senior Counsel noted that while he will not speculate in relation to the motive which inspired the institution of the charge, he

will, however, state that “it constitutes an abridgement of the constitutional right and freedom of my client to speak and express himself freely”.

De Santos further noted that the unprecedented use of a criminal charge to muzzle speakers at public political events was an assault on the democratic right of political leaders to speak freely on matters of national interest as well as a violation of the democratic right of the citizenry to receive such information.

He said that the case was nothing more than political sensationalisation and mischief.

However, the Attorney-at-Law has expressed faith and confidence that the matter will be speedily reviewed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

HIV/AIDS prevalence...

Survey (BBSS) conducted among key affected populations (sex workers; men who have sex with men (MSM); transgenders; miners; and loggers). The survey revealed a reduced HIV prevalence among female sex workers from 26.6 per cent in 2005 to 5.5 per cent in 2014, among MSM from 21.2 per cent in 2005 to 4.9 per cent in 2014 and among miners from 6.5 per cent in 2000 to one per cent in 2014. Male sex workers, transgenders, and loggers who were being surveyed for the first time showed a prevalence of 5.1 per cent, 8.4 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively.

HIV testing was done at 62 fixed sites and a number of mobile sites with a total of 54,816 tests done during 2014. Testing was also done among prisoners and TB patients and blood donors were routinely screened for HIV.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against HIV was provided to 52 persons who had needle stick injuries and 17 persons who were victims of sexual assault. This latter figure, Dr Singh noted, was an indication that not all assault victims were coming forward to be treated. There was also a disparity in the numbers of males and

females presenting for treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections with only 18 per cent of the 5127 reported STI cases being male. Transitioning programme In relation to transitioning from donor-funded support to Government, Dr Singh highlighted that this has already commenced and is moving ahead, with already significant staff transitioning to Government. Other areas of transitioning included the absorption of 25 per cent PEPFAR supported Antiretrovirals (ARVs) in 2014 and the commencement of the transitioning of the Global Fund Supported ARVS in 2015. All laboratory supplies in support of the HIV treatment programme, CD4 test, Viral Load, and DNA PCR have been fully transitioned.

Health Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Joseph Hamilton, in delivering his remarks on behalf of the Ministry, noted that significant progress has been made in providing services to PLHIV, which has now resulted in their living much longer. He pledged the support of the Government in ensuring the continuation of a fullfledged HIV programme in light of the decreasing donor funding.

An overview of our Dutch built heritage

By Lennox J Hernandez

The Dutch arrived in the Caribbean as slave traders, for the Spanish especially, in the early 1600s. Historians agree that the first European settlements in Guyana were Dutch, beginning circa 1616, with a small fort on an island the Dutch named Kijkoveral, located in the Mazaruni River, near the mouth of the Cuyuni River.

In fact, according to Andrew Gravette, in

bank of the Berbice River, opposite Crab Island, and Fort Willem Frederick (originally built by the French as Fort Le Dauphin) at the mouth of the Demerara River on its right bank.

The existing Dutch built heritage comprises mainly forts and accompanying structures, three of which are well known: Fort Kijkoveral on the Mazaruni River; Fort Zeelandia on the Essequibo River; and Fort Nassau on the Berbice River.

Essequibo River and any invading ships. All that remains today are brick foundations, a brick archway, and a brick revetment on the southeastern side of the island.

The greatest evidence of Dutch presence in Guyana is the remains of their mid-18th century fort and administrative complex on Fort Island near the mouth of the Essequibo River. The brick Fort Zeelandia (1740-1744), a brick wharf and an administrative building that housed

his book “Architectural Heritage of the Caribbean” (2000) “the first structure to be built by the Dutch in the Caribbean was that at Fort Kyk-over-al.”

Another writer, Carolien Loomans, in an article entitled Georgetown (Guyana) Town on Plantation Structure, notes that the earliest permanent plantation settlement in Guyana was on the Pomeroon River (Essequibo) since 1624, then in Berbice since 1627 and in Demerary (Demerara) since 1746.

Apart from the existing sites discussed here, there are a number of sites located on historic maps, but nothing remains there today.

Fort Nova Zeelandia, for example, on the right bank of the Pomeroon River (near Cabacaburi) alongside a settlement named New Middleburg.

Fort St Andries (St Andrew) on the right

Bricks

There are other historic Dutch artefacts, however, such as the windmill on Hog Island in the Essequibo River. Built of brick and granite block, with coral in the mortar, this artefact is located on the northeast coast of the island, and is said to be on a former Dutch estate named Lyksburg.

Windmills were used along the coast of Essequibo and Demerara during that time; this particular one was constructed c 1768 and according to the late Joel Benjamin, was “partly made from materials from Fort Kijkoveral which had been demolished not long before.”

Forts

Kijkoveral, meaning “See-over-all”, is an island of about 0.61 hectares (1.5 acres) that provided the Dutch with a commanding view of the

higher than three courses of brick above ground.

Canals

Of great historic and environmental importance to Guyana, is the Dutch-built system of canals in Georgetown, some of which were later filled in by the English and post-independence Guyana, to create avenues.

Georgetown is unique in having a grid pattern that originated according to the layout of former plantations, giving us now a number of parallel lanes of roads separated by avenues.

Loomans tells us that in 1746, Andries Pieterse, from Essequibo, received permission to lay out a sugar plantation on the “uninhabited river Demerary.” The land at the river mouth could easily be inundated by water from the sea, as well as by rainwater from inland, hence, ditches and broad canals were dug, connected to kokers (sluices) at the entry to the Demerara River.

These kokers were opened at low tide to drain the surplus water on the land and were

closed at high tide to keep the salt water out.

James Rodway, writing of the canals and many drainage ditches in 1920, commented, “We may say that these extensive lines of drainage were more necessary then than they would be now, and yet now and again we can see that our sluices are far too few for a very heavy rainfall.”

This observation is probably of even greater significance today.

Loomans sums up Georgetown’s layout: “the former plantation structure is still clearly recognizable in the city

in the shape of the eastwest broad drainage canals and green structures. Here used to be the boundaries between the plantations with their drainage canals.”

A map of Georgetown in 1904 seen in a 2004 Master’s thesis entitled Conservation Plan for Georgetown, Guyana, by Bjorn van Raaij, Delft University of Technology, shows the Main Street canal filled in while the parallel streets east of Main Street – Carmichael, Waterloo, Camp, etc –are still canals.

a church, the Court of Policy and a slave vendue (public place for the sale of slaves at an auction) are the extant remains.

While the administrative building is intact, the river has claimed most of the eastern rampart and bastions of the fort. The third important fort is Fort Nassau on the Berbice River. We know little of the early forts immediately after the Dutch arrived in 1627, but by the 1670s, the Dutch headquarters was on, or near, the present Fort Nassau site.

The ruins are spread along the right bank of the Berbice River for about 1,250 metres (4,100 ft) in an east-west bend of the river from the Torani creek, westwards. The major ruins at the site are the grave plots, the Court of Assembly building steps, the bridge, the warehouse, and the Lutheran church, but nothing is

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

By PetamBer Persaud

Each storyteller has his/her own signature; some are recognizable in a flash while others are revealed incrementally: sound-by-sound, wordby-word, episode by episode, during the performance. Such a signature or trademark is intend-

ed to make an audience more inclined to the delivery and its author- or less inclined - an undesirable response to any storyteller worth her/his salt. A signature usually comes at the end of whatever is being offered, but in oral literature anything gives, so for World Storytelling Day 2015, my signature

was revealed at the beginning like a prelude of what’s to come…

“Wen laas yuh siddown pon a good session of storytelling? Wen laas yuh hear from Auntie Cumsie. Or from Peter Kempadoo (memba Jarai?) or Peter Jailall? Wen laas yuh hear from Marc Mathews, Ken Corsbie an ‘all a dem boy…? Wen laas yuh hear bout Nancy Tory, Stupidy-Bill and Sensible-Bill?

Wen laas yuh siddown round de fiah-side waiting foh de sada roti to swell up? Wen laas yuh siddown round the coal-pot waiting fuh de cow face fuh geh saafsaaf? Wen laas yuh siddown round the mud oven waiting foh de salara foh done…?

Wen laas yuh siddown waiting, hungry foh mo story, more storytelling…? Wen laas, wen laas yuh siddown in de hammock swinging between two trees and tell story to de granpickanie?

Wen laas yuh siddown in de moonlight an hear ‘bout moongazer, massacuraman, kanaima and sukantie? Wen laas yuh siddown in de back-

dam, under de silk cotton tree and see white lady an Dutch man pon white horse calling yuh foh show yuh weh dem bury dem treasure?

Wen laas yuh siddown pon de koker, near de black water canal an hear ‘bout wata mooma, mermaid, wata baby? Wen laas yuh siddown pon de sea walls an spirits chase yuh way?

Wen laas yuh siddown pon de back step drying hair in de hot sun and suddenly feel coldcold an yuh know jumbie deh bout, an yuh spit and fire off two cuss words?

Wen laas yuh hear dis waan about Banwarie and Balgobin…?

Yuh already know about Balgobin but just a little refresher –Balgobin is a quiet boy who appears to be stupid but he always gets the correct answers, very often stumping the teachers and school inspectors…

Now yuh dying waiting, hungry waiting foh know who is Banwarie…

Remember wah ah seh ‘bout signature earlier? Well, Banwarie signature was “bear yuh chafe” – bear your punishment, better days coming…

Banwarie was Balgobin’s uncle –Balgobin’s father and Banwarie were jahaji bai or ship-brothers, a term used to describe men crossing the kala pani on the same ship from India to Guyana.

Banwarie was well read; having knowledge of all the best literature of his time like the Mahabarata, the Puranas, the Panchatantra, the Hitopadesa, and the Upanishads.

And he used his knowledge to good effect becoming the spokesman of his group, a sage, riddler and storyteller. He was also humane and had an endearing hu-

mour…”

That was part of my contribution to World Storytelling Day 2015, but there were other contributions coming from representatives of foreign agencies based here, like Mexico, China, The Confucius Institute, Russia and Argentina among others.

benefits thereof. What benefits? Enhance comprehension skills and expression skills, enhance listening skills and oral delivery/interaction, help with lateral and critical thinking, and most importantly, expand the imagination, encouraging creativity.

There were other contributions came from local entertainers, dramatists, storytellers, and readers including Ron Robinson, Al Creighton, Lavonne George, Michael Khan, and Vanda Radzik.

It was an evening well spent. The entertainment was grand and the education was timely, warranting more such sessions in order to reclaim our community spirit and reap all the

World Storytelling Day 2015 was celebrated in Guyana under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. The event was staged in the Conference Room of the National Library on Thursday, March 19, 2015. (Photos by Jason Yhap)

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

Update on the 2012 KamakusaTepui Expedition

Since the 2012 Mt Kamakusa expedition to Guyana, at least three undescribed plant species have been discovered among its collections.

In 2013, research botanist and associate curator at the Smithsonian Institute(SI),Kenneth Wurdack in his report noted that many more would emerge from the cryptogams (plants and fungi that reproduce by spores not seeds), which have never been studied from theregion.

Notable among these three is a new species of Tryssophyton (Melastomataceae), a tuberous epiphyte (a plant that grows upon another plant, harmlessly deriving moisture and nutrients from the air, rain and sometimes surrounding debris, instead of being parasitic). With whorled leaves and bright purple flowers, Wurdack states that it appears to be endemic to the summit.

For about five weeks in May-June 2012, a small team of US scientists,along with several local personnel and Amerindian guides were based in Imbaimadai, Region Seven, before trekking to Mt Kamakusa, a 5,511 feet high (1,691 meters)

tepui believed to be the third highest tepui within Guyana not bordering another country. It is however, one of the least explored or surveyed regions. The last and so far only known scientific expedition was in 1960 when botanist Stephen Tillet reached the lower slopes of the mountain to collect some 40 plant specimens.

During the 2012 expedition, more than 1,100 collections were made under Karen Redden, Kenneth Wurdack or Erin Tripp, which spanned the range of elevations encountered (1,600-5,511 feet).

Redden (University of the District of Columbia and SI Research Associate), Wurdack (SI), Tripp (University of Colorado, Boulder), and graduate student Aleksandar Radosavljevic (Chicago Botanic Garden and Northwestern University) were the American expedition members who reached the study area after a 28 mile (45 km) overland hike.

Starting at Imbaimadai and making a western approach, Wurdack in his report noted it was “one of the longest approaches on foot by any BDG ex-

pedition to date.” This was due, he said, to the Partang rapids and eastern flank cliffs that made it impossible to reach the mountain by an other route.

Describing the climb to its summit, Wurdack states that it required a 2.5 hour near vertical scramble of 1,500 feet elevation over one linear mile, as they traversed three of four total escarpments of the tepui.

The Amerindian contingent first reached the summit June 5 by cutting a line, and the U.S. contingent followed, to begin collecting specimens June 7-8.

The exposed rocky summit of Kamakusa, Wurdack reveals, was blanketed by nearly impenetrable shrub thicket.

The 2012 expedition, part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Biological Diversity of the Guiana Shield Program (BDG), was supported by the National Geographic Society (NGS/Waitt Grant to Redden, PI). It looked to document plant diversity in the region for scientific studies as well as for ensuring data for future conservation planning. (Photos credit: Erin Tripp and Ken Wurdack) (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Four conferred with Sabga awards

The Caribbean needs to take the next step and use technology not just for entertainment and education but to create novel applications, services and processes to be able to compete globally.

This is the advice from University of the West Indies Prof Patrick Hosein.

Based at UWI’s St Augustine campus, Hosein was one of four award recipients at the 2015 Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence, held at Hilton Trinidad, St Ann’s, on Saturday night.

Hosein is a computer scientist, electrical engineer and mathematician who has worked with some of the major cellular communications companies in the world, such as AT&T, Ericsson and Huawei.

He has been granted 38 international patents in telecommunications and wireless communications.

“We have started mainly with web and mobile applications, but these are the low hanging fruit. The next step, the development of novel services and processes, requires more in-depth expertise and, of course, significant investment in advanced research,” he said in his acceptance speech.

Hosein noted, for example, through the use of advanced mathematical, engineering and computer science techniques, Google has improved the process for searching content on the Web, while Facebook has improved the process for keeping in touch with friends and family.

“So far we seem to be

Awardees, from left, professor of Science and technology (Guyana) Suresh Narine, Dr paloma mohammed-martin for Arts and letters, (Guyana) and Herbert Samuel Entrepreneurship, (St Vincent and the Grenadines) pose for

understanding what it will take to achieve what these companies have achieved,” he said.

“Hopefully, with the help of this award, I can help produce graduate students who can get us

where we need to be,” he said.

Also receiving awards were St Vincent and the Grenadines energy consultant and creator of the Welectricity App, Herbert Samuel, as well as two persons from Guyana—poet, playwright and academic Dr Paloma Mohamed Martin and bio-technologist Prof Suresh Narine.

Narine pointed out that the Caribbean is vulnerable to world challenges such as the shortage of food and fresh water, climate change, the collapse of financial institutions, and the shortage of labour.

He said in order to deal with these challenges, the Caribbean must come together.

“Our region receives less than one per cent of the world’s foreign direct investment, and oth-

er than for Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname, has a crippling dependence on imported fuel. Yet we do not have a regional strategy for alternative green sources of energy,” said Narine.

“The vast potential of hydropower in Guyana and Suriname could benefit significantly from regional investments and regional supply agreements for electricity, to the benefit of energy security for many of the neighbouring states,” he noted.

Among the prizes each laureate received is TT$500,000 (US$83,000) to support their work and professional development.

In attendance at the event was acting President Raziah Ahmed and founder of the awards, Anthony N Sabga. (Trinidad Express)

‘Time to cut cord from Privy Council’- TT’s Opposition leader

PORT-OF-SPAIN,

TRINIDAD: The People’s National Movement (PNM) will table a bill in Parliament to abolish the Privy Council “as a matter of priority” should it win the general election due this year, PNM political leader Dr Keith Rowley said on Monday.

This as Attorney General Garvin Nicholas said the issue of the CCJ “is a matter for Cabinet”.

Responding to a call from President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Sir Dennis Byron, 71, for the CCJ to be immediately made Trinidad's highest court, Rowley said the PNM

would present a bill to MPs regardless of the extent of the party’s majority if victorious.

Sir Dennis, in an interview with TT media, said there was no reason why legislation could not be tabled on the issue this year, even with a general election due.

“It is a good time

for Trinidad to abolish appeals to the Privy Council,” Sir Dennis said, saying the move could also help in the fight against crime by bolstering the administration of justice more generally. The remarks came ahead of this week’s commemoration of the CCJ’s tenth anniversary.

With the move likely to require a special majority bill, Rowley said the PNM would table legislation in Parliament early if victorious at the next election, notwithstanding the majority it may hold in the chamber.

“If the PNM does not have enough seats we will bring the matter to the Parliament,” the Opposition Leader told reporters at a media briefing at the Opposition Leader’s Office, Charles Street, Port-of-Spain.

“It will be for the Government then to convince the Opposition by reasoned argument that it should be supported, especially since it was supported by the UNC before. It should not be too difficult to remove the politics and allow the public interest to prevail.”

Rowley would not commit to a specific timeline – such as abolition within the first 100 days of a PNM government –but said abolishing the Privy Council would be “a priority” and a bill would be “an early item.”

“It will remain for us a priority,” the Diego Martin West MP said. “It is going to be an early item because it is one of the unfinished items of business that Trinidad has and Jamaica has committed to it. Our support for the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is

not wavering. We believe whether we are in government or in opposition that is how we should go. We did support the Government when the Government said it will do it. The Government offered the partial arrangement in relation to the criminal aspect of it and leaving the civil. That could not be done because the treaty requirements were not met.”

Contacted on Tuesday at Qatar where he was on official business, Attorney General Gavin Nicholas said, “It is a matter for Cabinet.”

However, Rowley warns the move must be made lest the nation find itself removed from the Privy Council by a British government . The Opposition Leader disclosed that in meetings with British MPs he has lobbied for them to call for UK authorities to cut the cord. He said, “I met with a number of British parliamentarians recently from various parties in Britain when they came to visit Trinidad and Tobago and they paid a courtesy call on the Opposition Leader and I told them in no uncertain terms that in so far as they are able to, when they get

back to London, use their good offices to assist the British to ask us to leave so that we can take the politics out of this business here and press on with completing our independence by having our own Caribbean Court of Justice.”

Rowley said ordinary citizens cannot access justice given high legal costs to take matters to the London-based Privy Council.

“It is a very expensive arrangement as you know and it denies a lot of people access to that court only if the exchange rate alone is taken into account,” Rowley said.

“If you want a matter to be taken to the Privy Council you have to be a millionaire, otherwise you cannot access that court. And that is not fair to the average person in Trinidad and Tobago. We want a final court of appeal where the average person can approach the court without requiring to become a millionaire.” He said pending any change, the Privy Council will be respected.

“In so far as the Privy Council remains our final court of appeal, we will respect it and will use it,” the PNM political leader said. (TT Newsday)

Empathy and being human

By Anu Dev

“If

you could stand in someone else’s shoes… hear what they hear. See what they see. Feel what they feel. Would you treat them differently?”

– Empathy: The Human Connection to Patient Care

Isaw a video recently that gave me a lot to think about and mull over. It was titled “Empathy: The Human Connection”. Now right up front lets distinguish between “sympathy” and “empathy” – which both concern peoples’ feelings. You feel empathy when you’ve “been there” and sympathy when you haven’t. You feel compassion but not necessarily feel their feelings.

The video took viewers through a hospital, showing patients, doctors and family members. It used text to nonverbally show what might be going on with that particular person during that particular time, what might be on their mind. It really brought home to me that as a future doctor, what my future patients might be like. They’ll be persons from across the broad spectrum of society. They’ll come from widely different backgrounds, cultures and have different social pressures. They might, as the video mentions, be terminally ill, visiting their Dad for the last time, or been recently divorced. One will have to – for the duration – enter into the world of the “other” to really feel as they do.

We’ve had classes about “empathy” and what it means to be empathetic and the “neuroscience” behind empathy. They also really caused my mind to churn. They made me wonder about whether in my everyday life, how much time I actually take to put myself in other people’s shoes. They made me think back to the times that the people around me were empathetic to the things I was going through. And made me wonder about why even though we’re all wired with empathy, why so many of us really don’t take enough time to be empathetic. It’s supposed to be in our nature, so why then do we find it so easy to just tune out the people around us and just not listen to the things they have to say?

The video really hit home the idea that we really don’t know what’s going on with the people around us. Most of the people in the video, I wouldn’t have had any idea about what they were going through if not for the text above their heads. As a doctor, I probably won’t know many of my patients for an extended period of time. But if I take the time, I can get at least some inkling about the patient’s life other than the fact that they have cancer. And by putting myself into their shoes, I can be more sensitive about how I inform them of their diagnosis and treatment options.

I usually get really anxious when visiting the doctor or dentist. Fear is one of the strongest emotions I feel. I’m usually more comfortable with the doctors that communicate with me. I appreciate it when the doctor reassures me that, “The injection will feel like just a tiny prick”- even if that’s a little white lie. I guess those are the doctors that actually took the time to empathize with me. Like Dr. Clive Jagan who took time to chat with me and distract me while he extracted FOUR of my baby teeth – without me even noticing! And in my experiences the empathetic doctors were the ones I genuinely liked and trusted.

All individuals are different – a cliche…but not often put into practice. We react differently to triumphs, to tragedies. How as a doctor I might feel about a particular disease mightn’t be exactly how the patient who was just diagnosed with the disease might feel, but I’ll have to do my best to relate to the patient for that at least that little while. Most persons have so much more going on under the surface than they’ll initially let on. Some people might never let on what’s going on in their personal life unless someone is concerned enough to take an interest in finding out the root of the problem.

We could all do with being a bit more empathetic in our everyday life. A little care and concern goes a long way.

By Alexis Rodney

Former President and founding leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the late Dr Cheddi Berret Jagan was remembered in a fond and yet analytical manner Monday evening when his Party hosted the 15th annual lecture series in his honour, on the lawns of Red House.

Under the theme “Cheddi Jagan, his Nationalism, his Regionalism and his Internationalism”, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves delivered an articulate presentation, chronicling the life of a man considered the “father of the nation”.

According to Gonsalves, Jagan, who had embraced Marxism, had dedicated his life to the total development of Guyana. He had also used that philosophy to formulate ideologies, combined with an acceptance of real life principles to make judgments in the real world. Dr Gonsalves said he came to this knowledge because he had rubbed shoulders with the former political leader, sharing many stages with him at countless events in Guyana.

“Cheddi Jagan was a leader of extraordinary quality. His intellect, his honesty, his decency, his humility and calm, his personal charisma, his commitment to the poor and working people, his promotion of national independence and socialist democracy and his quintessential humanity constituted the brightness which sparkled and illuminated,” Gonsalves told a crowd of diplomats, PPP/Civic supporters and special invitees.

According to him, Dr Jagan made an immense contribution to the development of Guyana and the Caribbean. But what was most impactful was Gonsalves’ recollection of Jagan’s approach to racism, and his tireless effort to smother its growing tendencies from among the people he held dear to his heart. “Cheddi Jagan was a finished civilised personality, absolutely devoid of race or colour or prejudice.

“Indeed he was anti-racist to the core and called for national unity.”

Quoting the leader’s book, the “West on Trial”, Gonsalves re-

lated that while Jagan never denied the existence of race issues in Guyana, he grounded it in an economical analysis, tracing its economical origins. “This early division of labour occupationally and geographically according to race, intended to prevent integration and aroused racial hostility,” Gonsalves read from Jagan’s book. Continuing from the book, Gonsalves relayed

the former leader’s idea that in the early days of Guyana’s civilisation, there was never conflict between African and Indians as, up to the mid 1920s , both races had one common enemy; the White planters.

“At that stage, the Indian sugar workers accepted the African militant trade union leader Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow as their ‘Black Crosby’. The class struggle then tended to take on a racial appearance of black versus white and African and Indian against European. It was only when the Indians began climbing out of the logee environment and to compete on the middle-class level of jobs and position of prestige, that conflict began, clearly indicating the economic basis of racism,” Gonsalves read.

Early life

Cheddi Jagan was born on March 22,

1918 in Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice. He was the eldest of 11 children born to parents who came from India to British Guiana as indentured labourers. His mother Bachaoni, and his father Jagan, along with two grandmothers and an uncle, were brought from Uttar Pradesh, India, in 1901. His family grew up in rural poverty and worked in the cane fields to support themselves. By the age of 15, Jagan’s father wanted to make sure his son attended school and sent him to Queen’s College in the capital city of Georgetown, about 100 miles away, for the next three years. In Georgetown Jagan saw life differently, coming as he did from a poor background. After he graduated from high school, finding a job was almost impossible. Finally his father decided to send him to the United States to study dentistry. Jagan left for the United States in September 1936 with two friends and did not return to British Guiana until October 1943. He lived in Washington DC for two years and attended Howard University, taking a pre-dental course, worked two summers in New York, and spent the last five years in Chicago at Northwestern University. At school, he was a dedicated student, and his hard work

earned him a free tuition scholarship for his second year at Howard and in 1938, entry into Northwestern for a fouryear dental programme. He was elected to the colonial legislative body, the Legislative Council, in November 1947, after he returned home, as an independent candidate from Central Demerara constituency. On January 1,1950, the PPP was founded, with Jagan as its Leader, Forbes Burnham as its Chairman and Jagan’s wife, Janet ,as Secretary. Later breaking off links with Burnham, Jagan was active in the Government as a labour activist and Leader of the Opposition. After 28 years in opposition, the PPP won the October 5,1992 election with about 54 per cent of the vote, and Jagan became President. By this time, he had long since abandoned MarxismLeninism and recast himself as a democratic socialist.

Jagan suffered a heart attack on February 15, 1997 and was taken to Georgetown Hospital before being flown by US military aircraft to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, DC, later that day. He underwent heart surgery there and died in Washington on March 6, 1997. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds succeeded him as President and declared six days of mourning, describing Jagan as the “greatest son and patriot that has ever walked this land”.

Gonsalves said Jagan’s life’s experiences undoubtedly fashioned his vision, philosophy and sociocultural outlook and political programmes. In the Caribbean, he was a witness to and a participant in the fight against colonialism, and for independence, political democracy and socialism. He said the controversies and debates surrounding the federal experiments and regional integration and the building of a political force in Guyana among the working people, small farmers and the progressive elements of the national bourgeoisies.

“In the process of his political practice in Guyana, Cheddi Jagan spearheaded the establishment of the People’s Progressive Party in 1950, led the PPP in a historic, nationalist triumph in 1953 and then again in 1957 and1961, and much later in 1992”.

Trivializing…

…ethnicity

Some folks insist on “playing the fool” on Nagamootoo’s denial of his heritage and ethnic roots. One tactic is to trivialize it. Take Ralph Ramkarran’s excuse for Nagamootoo in his Stabber column. Ramkarran reduced ethnicity on his “passing” as “Mixed” when he was feeling his oats as a youngster. What does “looks” have to do with ethnicity??

A fella of “Indian” heritage can be fair and aquiline, like say, the McDooms (Afghan?) or as curly haired, dark and snub-nosed as the Nagamootoos of Tamil Nadu. Ethnicity has to do with one’s culture and place of origin and it’s a totally contextual category. You can even have a short, stocky “Chinese” looking fella like the first, great Indian leader of Guyana – Dr Jang Bahadur Singh. He came from Nepal.

But what Ramkarran and all those rushing to defend Nagamootoo’s denials of his Indian ethnicity – even as he seeks to exploit it to deliver the 11 per cent to the PNC – is that, by definition, ethnicity is a very politicized term. It’s associated with mobilizing people along self-identified criteria as “a people” with presumed common interests –to secure power. It has nothing to do with young Ramkarran being the “village ram”, as he would have us believe. (But really???)

It would have to do, for instance, with him having to attend a Christian Congregation School and forced to recite “The Lord’s Prayer” because the “Indian” prayers – Muslim and Hindu – were deemed to be “pagan”.

Or as Jagan recounted – being refused a job in the Civil Service because that was for the “Coloured People”. Or it would have to do with Critchlow – for all his forward thinking on labour issues – opposing Indian Guyanese struggle to obtain the franchise.

The sickening thing about it is that fellas like Ramkarran and Nagamotoo know all about this. So why play the fool by using ethnicity on one hand to trawl for votes but on the other hand, deny their own affiliation?? It’s simply that they still haven’t actualised the truths of men like Walter Rodney and Bob Marley. They still haven’t overcome their “mental slavery”.

Growing up in an environment where to be “Indian” was to be “uncivilized” and “uncouth” these two ambitious men want to jettison that part of their identity to be accepted by those who have real power. They want to “go along to get along”.

So let’s get off this nonsense that Nagamootoo’s gratuitous rejection of being an “Indian” was to emphasis his “wider” Guyanese identity.

Was it on the basis of his “Guyaneseness” he forced Granger to give him 12 seats?? …Jagan’s meritocracy

Cheddi Jagan’s only begotten son, Joey, weighed in on the Opposition-manufactured issue that the PPP/C’s list “contained the names of sons, daughters and wives” of members . He says his father was totally against this. Unfortunately, the only example he offered was he being denied being on a list on in a role in or out of the party or Government.

He neglected to note that Dr Jagan never stopped his wife Janet from being on a “list” or from being in Parliament or being a Minister. Indeed, we know that his father’s last act was to designate his wife as his successor to the presidency.

In fact we’re told Mrs Jagan had it in writing. This of course, was to the great chagrin of Nagamootoo, who’d been told (so he says) that Dr Jagan had anointed him.

For some obscure reason, Joey didn’t mention that his Godfather Burnham had made his son-inlaw a Minister. Or that Granger’s daughter and sonin-law are on his list.

…hate

This Eyewitness knows Glenn Lall hates the owner of RGI 89.5. But he trivializes his hate when he descends into inanities like questioning why the MMU didn’t cite RGI 89.5 for favoring the Government.

89.5 doesn’t carry opinions or interview, wanker!!

Scenes from the Guyana Marriott hotel official opening ceremony

This week's Crossword

…with Marriott

After 45 years Guyana’s finally getting a “brand name” hotel – an internationally recognised brand – the Marriott. The Pegasus, after all, opened just a few months before we became a Republic. And unfortunately suffered from all the vicissitudes that were inflicted on the rest of the country in those years.

It had been part of an international chain – owned by British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) when the Brits were still flying in here.

But as the economy went into its death dive, so did the hotel and its standards, as it switched owners and names like a hot potato. Now some are saying that there are lots of hotels and hotel rooms in Guyana… so what’s the fuss? Well as Prezzie’s been saying until he’s now probably blue in the face – international visitors look forward to international standards.

And ever since Conrad Hilton launched his American hotel chain overseas on the premise that business and the discerning traveller would buy quality standards…that’s been the golden rule in the hotel business.

As Prezzie and every exec who’s tried to lure well-heeled folks down here, their first question is, “Where will I stay?” They have this image of the third world being full of sleazy, fleabag hotels – and the only thing that’ll disabuse them of that notion is to give them a brand they know and can relate to positively. And that’s the Marriott!!

Three years ago when Pressie justified the need for the Marriott by pointing to the oilmen that would be flocking to our shores, folks like Glenn Lall of the Muckraker scoffed.

But now that ExxonMobil – the largest oil company in the entire planet says that the black gold’s about to flow, what say they now?? And where’s all those oil tycoons and their ancillary manpower gonna sleep? Well now we know – the Marriott!!

This

week's Puzzle

But it’s not just the businessmen and the tourists, is it?? There’s the children of the overseas Guyanese who want to come “home”, but aren’t looking forward to sleeping on their grandmother’s couch. They also want standards…which all hotels in Guyana should deliver.

This Eyewitness isn’t even going to talk about jobs and all the other direct benefits the Marriott will bring. But he knows that just the fact that Guyanese can now tell their relatives from New York and Toronto that they can now stay at the Marriott is enough.

And think about it: we too can visit and have dinner or lounge at the poolside whenever we feel like it!!

…on salaries

The Opposition sure as heck kicked up a storm for the last three years about the Presidential salary and pensions and benefits and such like. Granger and Greenidge and Nagamootoo (don’t worry about Ramjattan – he doesn’t count any more) obviously believe to the depth of their being that pocketing these monies is evil and beyond the pale.

Seems to this Eyewitness that now that Granger and his helpmate Mr 11 per cent Nagamootoo are convinced that they will soon win the elections and capture the Presidency…they should make a public announcement (proclamation?) that they will reject those salaries!!

Stand to reason, doesn’t it?? These two men of God (David and Moses) surely wouldn’t want to sully their lilly-white reputations by collecting this inflated salary, would they?? Naaaaah!! So we expect them to renounce the “super salary” and that to this effect they’ll pass a law that within one day of assuming office they’ll chop their salaries like they did with the PPP/C budgets!!

What was that about the three VPs’ salaries?? …on being Guyanese

Dennis Wiggins gave Nagamootoo the benefit of the doubt that maybe the fella from Whim was being whimsical when he said he wasn’t an Indian – but “Guyanese”. Wiggins also gave a lecture on multiple identities that Nagamootoo would do well to read and absorb.

Guyanese veteran artist Winslow Craig is widely known for his supreme craftsmanship, inventiveness and insight.

Craig was born at Caria Caria on the Essequibo River. He studied at the E R Burrowes School of Art and graduated with distinction in 1989. In 1996 he was awarded the Commonwealth Arts and Crafts Award (1996). He was recently awarded the portfolio for the design and model of the Indian Arrival Monument to be erected at Palmyra, Berbice and is working on a steel sculpture for the athletics track at Leonora.

The artist has exhibited extensively at home and abroad, notably in New Zealand, Belize, China, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Venezuela and the USA.

Craig is known for his thought-provoking, magnificent sculptures. Some of his art pieces are part of the National Collection housed at Castellani House.

His most recent piece “Saving Seeds” is a tribute to his father who died last year. According to Akima McPherson, artist and lecturer at the University of Guyana, “while it [“Saving Seeds”] stands in tribute to the man his father was, it speaks to the role Craig envisions for fathers – a role he feels is not being performed adequately by today’s fathers”.

“Saving Seeds proposes an antidote for the ill which has befallen our times whereby mothers raise boys without appropriate male role present...” McPherson explained.

She went on to say that over the years “Craig has revisited, reworked, expanded and conflated early themes of social and moral responsibility, bonded families, concern for youth, reliance on the Divine, overcoming adversity and victory on struggle. And whereas, some of his early explorations of these themes were largely derivation of his Christian faith and familiarity with Biblical verse, today his explorations are derivative of his experiences as a father and a partner, a brother and an uncle”. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Jamaican author releases first children’s book series

Jamaican author Taliba Morgan has released her debut children's book series called ‘Lizzy and the Magic Coat’. Unlike her brothers and sisters of the Morgan Heritage reggae band, who are predominantly music practitioners, Taliba has directed her attention to writing and hopes her first effort will impact the socialisation of minors in a positive way.

Lizzy and the Magic Coat tells the story about a curious young girl who is a witch in training. However, in order to complete her magical training, she must learn important values such as obeying her parents, among other behavioural practices normally required by parents of their children. On Lizzy's journey, she also encounters various situations, which teach her important life lessons.

An excited Taliba Morgan told the Jamaica Gleanor that Lizzy and the Magic Coat was inspired by her young daughter and her late mother.

"I have always had an interest in the arts - even as a child I used to write short stories. I started off acting and my father sent me to theatre school, so I later developed an interest in screenplay writing," Morgan said.

"I first wrote this story as a gift to my daughter. However, I decided that I wanted it to be published, because reading is fundamental and this is something my daughter can remember me for," she said.

The book was published independently through Amazon's 'CreateSpace' publishing arm. Taliba Morgan said she decided to push the book using her own resources, after being sidelined by several pub-

lishers who were more focused on lending their services to more established writers.

Lizzy and the Magic Coat is available for purchase on Amazon Europe, Amazon Great Britain, Kindle, and Barnes & Noble. Amazon digital outlets are selling copies for US$9.99 while Barnes and Nobel are selling their copies at US$10.28.

The author will also launch a literacy campaign called 'Dream 1000' this summer in support of the book. To keep up with the campaign, persons may log on to www.little-lizzy.com.

A donation of 1,000 copies of the book will also be made to community-based organisations, and charities in New York.

"The campaign is geared towards building literacy. We will also partner with some companies to donate schoolbags and other supplies like calculators, pens, pencils, etc," Morgan said.

Lizzy and the Magic Coat will be a seven-part series, and Morgan, who owns her own production company called Nagrom Films, hopes the story will eventually be transformed into a cartoon. She is now looking for potential investors, plus a distribution deal in the Caribbean for the book.

"We are hoping somebody from the Caribbean will see this article and come on board because we want to be distributed in that market as well," she said.

Taliba Morgan also disclosed that she has the support of her siblings from Morgan Heritage, who have been promoting her work via social media.

(Jamaica Gleanor)

After years of knocking on the door,

has etched his name in the calypso record books, doing so in style on Saturday evening at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port

Spain.

Brother

crowned Humorous

the Grand Stand with laughter and applause during his performance.

Ebony’s song, “Sign

When the 1763 Berbice Rebellion was ending, after the Dutch succeeded in eventually quelling the uprising one year later, many then free Africans were terrified at the prospect of becoming slaves once more. They wanted to get as far as possible from the brutal place that would enslave them again.

They formed a plan in which about 18 slaves comprising men, women and children would use a Sandcofa tree, hide in its dug-out trunk and someone would roll it out into the Berbice River. The tides, they thought, would carry them far from their harsh surroundings to some safe place where they could start a new life.

Tragically, however, the person whom they had entrusted to roll the log into the river betrayed them. The Creole slave told Dutch authorities of the escape plot and the Dutch carried out their inhuman punishment.

They waited until the group entered the tree trunk then they lit both ends and rolled the log into the river. Trapped in the trunk on the river, the Africans suffered terrible deaths as the Dutch forced others to

watch the horrific scene from shore. They wanted the occasion to serve as a warning to anyone who harboured thoughts of escape.

Descendants from Glasgow to Gangaram along the Berbice River are still talking about this event in villages hundreds of years later. They call the tree trunk the ‘Seamaster log’ and claim that it appears in the river from the 24th to 25th February each year.

Witnesses describe it as “extremely large with a rough trunk” of about “200 feet long”. Bobbing up and down in the water, it always appears travelling against the tide moving toward the Atlantic Ocean.

Some claim it would either give off a stench of burning bodies, or one could hear screams coming from within.

It has been reported that when this period in February arrives, the East Indians of Gangaram to Betsy Village and the blacks would perform rituals in respect for the lives dreadfully lost that day so long ago.

The event has since taken on the status of a legend, and the log is now presumed to have the power to bestow good

or evil upon those who appease or displease it by their words or actions. As such, puja rites are performed where food and flowers would be offered, and flags planted along the route the log is said to have taken.

In addition, some puja ceremonies appeal to the log to keep evil from their village, and ritual animal sacrifices that involve draining its blood into the ground or river would substitute for flowers and food.

One Christian sect pays homage to the place where it is believed the log originated. They visit a place called Raganite, Upper Berbice where it is believed a lime factory once stood and from where the log emerges and returns to each February.

Drumming, prayer, song and dance illustrate respect for the log, and altars keep candles and perfumed rainwater while food and flowers are offered in reverence to the log.

It is the firm belief that the Seamaster log should never be touched by humans for fear of death by fire or drowning.

There are claims that in 1985, the Guyana Sugar Company (Guysuco) once captured

Establishing the early Church

In 1652, Jesuit Denis Meland arrived on the mainland of South America where he first met the indigenous Indians of the Guianas --at the time the name given to the north coastlands of the continent.He wrote back to his superiors of the wonderful opportunity that had arisen to spread the word of God.

Later, between 1683 and 1686, three Franciscan priests and a brother attempted to introduce the Catholic faith into the Corentyne but were unsuccessful as the Dutch refused their efforts to minister among the indigenous and African slave populations.

Then in 1769, English Jesuit James Chamberlain arrived in Demerara, also a Dutch possession at that time. Despite labouring for 10 years, he made little success;Leonard Neale, from Maryland, took over in 1779. He too would leave, discouraged, in 1783.

In 1805, after the colonies were united under British rule, Englishman Charles Waterton arrived to manage his uncle’s coffee and sugar plantations, and saw the great need for a more significant presence of the Church for the Catholic population.

Despite his 1817 letter to Church officials in Rome, little was accomplished. It wasn’t until1819 that James Buckley was appointed first Vicar Apostolic in Trinidad and took on the responsibility of overseeing all English and Dutch Caribbean religious affairs.

In 1824,Buckley sent Fr. Joseph Anthony Rendon to

Georgetown for the Easter season and in 1825, the cornerstone was laid for a chapel in Brickdam.

John Thomas Hynes OP, 1799-1869

Buckley then recruited 27-year-old Irish priest,Fr John Thomas Hynes, OP (Order of Preachers), who was ordained to the priesthood in 1822,to work in British Guiana.

On Sept 19,1826, Hynes, along with another priest, Denis O’Callaghan,arrived to begin the first organized attempt to establish the Catholic Church in Guyana.

Hynes worked tirelessly for eight years after his arrival then returned to Europe in 1834 after seeing an increase in Catholic parishioners. His replacement, William Clancy, arrived in 1837 and was appointed Vicar Apostolic.

Hynes was nominated to be Bishop England’s assistant bishop in Charleston, USA but did not receive the position. He was however appointed bishop in Rome on July 22, 1838.

According to Hynes' diaries, Clancy began causing problems in the colony so that by 1843, a British Guiana delegation was reported to be arriving in Rome to complain about “the degraded state of that Vicariate to the Holy See.”

On Aug 9, 1843, Hynes received notice that he was once again to be sent to British Guiana, though he had applied to go to New Brunswick. He was appointed Apostolic Administrator of British Guiana on Sept 12, 1843.

In July 1844, Bishop Hynes

returned from Rome to British Guiana to take over from Clancy.Hynes’ diaries tell of the conflict between himself and Clancy.

In his Sat July 13, 1844 entry, he notes upon his arrival: “Sent message through Mr. T. Burke to Dr Clancy to surrender the church - received a flat refusal.”

According to the book“Macnamara's Irish Colony and the United States Taking of California in 1846” it took a scandal to return Hynes to British Guiana where he faced the threat of an implosion of the Church, created by Clancy.

Hynes immediately went back to work among his parishioners, and on Sept 21, 1846, he was appointed Vicar Apostolic of British Guiana.

His return was after emancipation and during the influx of indentured immigrants, particularly Catholic Portuguese from Madeira, which greatly increased the

Grenada woos TT tourists

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) is on a mission to have all the hotel rooms on the island filled throughout the year. As part of that quest, the agency has set its sights on the TT market and is currently on a promotional tour. Grenada’s Culture Minister Brenda Hood said on Monday: “Inter Caribbean tourism is very important to the industry and TT is a very powerful destination and therefore we have to take every opportunity to come to TT and promote Grenada.

“We congratulate the Government of TT for the partnership that we have developed as we promote the destination. In this way the hoteliers can feel good about what they have to offer. We want people to follow what is going on in Grenada. It is an island that is safe and there are lots of opportunities and products that we

Grenadian entertainer tallpree, left, with chrislyn Lashington, corporate communications officer, Grenada tourism Association; Brenda Hood, Grenada’s minister of culture and Heritage; rudy Grant, cEo Grenada tourism Association, and Shirma Wells, director, Spicemas corporation, at a media conference at the radisson Hotel, port-of-Spain, last thursday

have to offer.”

Hood, who spoke at a press conference hosted by the GTA at the Radisson Hotel in Port-of-Spain, said on May 29 Grenada will be launching its Spice Mas and she expects to see greater connectivity. Veteran hotelier Sir Royston O Hopkin, chairman of Spice Island Beach Resort, said CAL and LIAT bring approximately 80 per

need for Catholic ministering.

Recognizing the need, in 1847, Bishop Hynes arranged for Ursuline sisters to come to minister to the rapidly growing number of Catholics.

On June 29, 1847, six sisters and two postulants (persons who apply to serve in a religious order) arrived from the Ursuline convent in Athlone.On August 31, 1847, they opened St Roses School for girls, and by 1851, St Ann’s orphanage.

However, Hynes was finding it harder to attract Catholic clergy to minister on a regular basis. Eventually, a request was made by the Holy See to the General of the Jesuits,for the British Guiana Catholics.

The Jesuit influence

On March 24, 1857, in a ceremony at Meadowbank Church, Bishop Hynes and four priests handed over the care of the Church in Guiana

to the three arriving Jesuit missionaries: James Etheridge SJ and two Italians, Aloysius Emiliani from the Roman Province, and Fr Clement Negri from Naples.

James Jones, Frederick de Betham, Henry Segrave and Peter Sherlock from the English Province; another Italian, Joseph Pavarelli and a Maltese, Benedict Schembri would arrive eight months later, in November.

On Oct 25, 1857, Bishop Hynes left the colony for Ireland before heading to Rome. He is said to have resigned as Vicar Apostolic in 1858 and retired to Monkstown, south Dublin in Ireland where he lived from 1861-68.

John Hynes died March 30, 1869 in Paris, France and was buried at St Finbarr’s cemetery in Cork, Ireland, the only bishop to be buried there. (To be continued)

cent of the tourist traffic to Grenada. GTA CEO Rudy Grant said the agency intends to strengthen its marketing thrust, not only in the region, but globally.

“The experience in Grenada is authentic. We are approaching our marketing in a strategic way and we are looking at the data in a scientific way of who visits from around the world,” he said. (TT Guardian)

In many countries, the wife of the head of state is often referred to by the unofficial title of “First lady”.

The title is said to have originated in the US where it came into general use by the end of the 19th century.By the following century,the term also came into global use, without translation, even in countries where the head of state’s wife was not prominent or played an active role in the state.

The first lady does not receive a salary for her role as hostess to the many ceremonies and occasions she must attend as protocol demands, but in the US especially, her character and appearance play a significant role in her acceptance by the public.

In addition, the first lady often uses her influence to bring awareness to social or cultural issues of concern to the nation her husband has been elected to lead.

From its independence in 1966, Guyana has been graced with seven first ladies, one of whom briefly held the title when her husband became president.

The premier first lady in Guyana’s history was Doreen Chung, wife of then newly independent

Guyana’s first president, Arthur Chung.

Born Doreen Ng- SeeQuan, at Windsor Forest, WCD, Mrs Chung served as first lady from March 1970 to October 1980. She died Sept 2009, aged 77.

When a new constitution was introduced in Guyana in 1980, Forbes Burnham became president and his wife, Viola Burnham first lady.

Mrs Burnham was born Nov 26, 1930 and in 1967 married Forbes Burnham.

As first lady, she was active in the Guyana public service and in women’s rights, and in 1984 received the country’s second highest honour, the Order of Roraima.

She also served as vice president and deputy prime minister from 1985, after her husband died, to 1991.

Viola Burnham died in Oct 2003 at 72 yearsold.

Upon the death of Forbes Burnham, Hugh Desmond Hoyte became president, and his wife Joyce Hoyte would take up the mantle of Guyana’s next first lady from August 1985 to October 1992.

Despite her low public profile, those who knew her say she was committed to her husband’s po-

litical career and was very charitable.

While little is documented about her life, her most personal tragedy has been made most public: in April 1985, a road accident claimed the lives of both their daughters, leaving Mrs Hoyte with a lifelong anguish from which some say she never recovered.

After former president Hoyte passed away in Dec 2002, she remained alone at their North Road home until

her death in Feb 2011 at the age of 77.

At the change of government in 1992, American-born Janet Jagan became the country’s next first lady as wife of the now late President Cheddi Jagan.

Mrs Jagan played an active role from 1943, when she arrived in Guyana, in many aspects of Guyana’s political history, before and after President Jagan came to office, including becoming the first female president of the nation in Dec 1997,after his March 6, 1997 death.

Born Oct 1920, Mrs Jagan was active in the then Opposition People’s Progressive Party, and remained committed to helping the poor even after the party came into office in 1992.

As first lady, she was the Guyana representative at the UN for three months in 1993, and chaired the National

Commission on the Rights of a Child.

After resigning from the presidency in 1999, Mrs Jagan died in Aug 2009 at 88 years old.

From March 6, 1997 to Dec 19, 1997, after the death of President Cheddi Jagan, Yvonne Hinds, wife of Prime Minister Sam Hinds, who became president at the time, assumed the role of first lady.

Even before her appointment, and continuing presently, Mrs Hinds, as chairperson of the Guyana Relief Committee, played a significant role in the social welfare of the poor and those who suffer tragedy in their lives.

She relinquished her almost 300-day role of first lady when former first lady Janet Jagan became Guyana’s president in Dec 1997.

First generation British-born Varshni Jagdeo married for-

mer president, Bharrat Jagdeo in 1998 and became Guyana’s first lady when he became president of Guyana in 1999. However, they divorced in 2007.

As first lady, she took an active interest in the welfare of children, and in charitable work.She became patron of the Kids First Fund, a charitable NGO that provides emergency medical assistance for poor and needy children.

After President Jagdeo demitted office in Dec 2011, current president, Donald Ramotar took office and his wife, Deolatchmee Ramotar has become Guyana’s seventh, and current, first lady.

Mrs Ramotar was born July 26, 1949, and grew up on the Essequibo Coast. After finishing school, she taught briefly at the primary school in whose village she grew up. She then moved to Georgetown to start studying at the Government Technical Institute, before opting for a career in nursing. She retired in 2010 and, after her husband was elected president in 2011, has since focused on promoting relevant social issues in Guyana, while hosting several religious and cultural events. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Mt. Kamakusa is a little explored tabletop mountain or tepui at the extreme eastern edge of the Pakaraima Mountains, about 18 air miles northeast of Imbaimadai and 14 miles west of Kamakusa village.

Its east-facing sheer cliffs, with a rapid drop of more than 5,000 feet to the lowland jungle, directly intercept Caribbean tropical trade winds and give rise to an environment that is among the wettest on Earth.

The western slopes form the headwaters of the Partang River, a tributary of the upper Mazaruni River, and create a small rain shadow that gives way to an extensive mosaic of savannas, scrub, and short canopy forests. (Text:Kenneth Wurdack.

Photos by Erin. Tripp and Ken Wurdack)

Bartica Regatta lives on!

By Devina Samaroo

Despite the ongoing uncertainty in the local economy in Bartica, its muchanticipated Regatta 2015 turned out to be a grand success.

The Bartica Regatta is usually held during the Easter weekend every year in the mining town of Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and features a variety of exciting activities including water sports (main event- boat racing); cricket, football; boxing; talent shows; musical concerts’ street parades, and an exhilarating Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant.

Throughout the

years, the event which has earned itself a place on the National Tourism Calendar has attracted much investment, sponsorship and multitudes of tourists from near and far.

However, this year, due to the changes in the mining economy and the local political atmosphere, the overwhelming support usually received has dwindled.

According to Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford and Bartica Regatta Committee Coordinator Elisabeth Moonsammy, the usual sponsorship, which was sought from companies in the mining industry, was scaled back due to the low gold declarations

in the mining sector.

In addition to the loss of support from the Private Sector, Bradford said the Government also provided minimum assistance to this national event.

Aside from the obstacles endured in the sponsorship aspect, Bradford and Moonsammy highlighted that this year’s Regatta fell in the midst of an elections campaigning season, which usually impacts everything in its path negatively.

Bradford and Moonsammy regrettably related that the organising committee was unable to host the traditional Miss Regatta Pageant due to the lack of sponsorship.

The Regional Chairman disclosed that notices were put out calling on young ladies to participate in the pageant, but there was no support from that end either, which he assumed was owed to the intense political climate.

As a result, the favoured pageant was replaced with a simple fashion show where local talent was displayed.

While very much disappointed in the chain of events, the Regional Chairman and the Committee Coordinator were happy that people still turned out to have a memorable time.

“People turned out, not in the numbers they usually would, but they came out,” he related.

On Saturday evening, the streets of Bartica be-

came festive with the annual “Street Jam” which attracted a reasonable crowd.

There was also an exciting football competition among local teams.

The biggest event was the hotly-anticipated powerboat and Jet Ski races on Sunday, where an abundance of tourists flocked the Golden Beach Circuit to be part of the massive celebrations.

According to Moonsammy, the turnout was spectacular considering the various constraints encountered during the planning phase.

There were, however, only nine races in the activity this year, when the other years would be packed with some 20-25 races.

Replacing the usual pageant in the evening was the fashion show which received splendid reviews from the few who attended. Local designers including the famous Sonia Noel displayed their collections during the show. Then, in closing the curtains on the weekend of activities, the organisers successfully pulled off the super concert featuring Chutney singer Ravi B and Soca superstar Nadia Batson on Monday night. In light of these challenges, Moonsammy said the committee has already started to review this year’s planning process to identify where they went wrong and to develop strategies to avoid the mistakes next year.

His appreciation for Bob Marley music and Red Stripe Beer is well known, and he proved during his short visit that he is comfortable with the Jamaican Patois. But a littleknown fact about United States President Barack Obama is that he really loves Jamaican food.

According to U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica Luis G. Moreno, the president was given a sampling of 12 of Jamaica's more famous dishes on his first night in the island.

Although Moreno is not sure exactly what the president ate, it is

believed that ackee and salt fish, jerk chicken and fried plantains were on the menu.

Obama, who stayed at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel during his nearly 24-hour stop in the island, was very impressed with the meals and conveyed his appreciation to the chef.

"I don't know exactly what the chef did, although I did speak with him and he told me that the feedback that he got was excellent," noted Moreno.

The U.S. president was in the island for some serious business, including bilateral talks with Prime Minister Portia

Simpson Miller and discussions with 14 Heads of Government from the Caribbean Community, but made time to visit the Bob Marley Museum in St. Andrew less than two hours after disembarking Air Force One at the Norman Manley International Airport.

The 44th U.S. president has long made it clear that he is captivated by the music of the iconic reggae artiste, and was clearly pleased about getting more acquainted with the history of the legendary singer whose albums are among his prized possessions.

According to the

Brother Ebony crowned Humorous Calypso Monarch in...

Language”, was simple and effective, with him explaining signs made by his friend Cassandra. Of course, his reply at the end of each verse carried a political connotation.

Preceding Brother Ebony, Mr. Mike started the competition with “Adult Toy” and he received a good reception. He was followed by Ninja, with “Level the Playing Field”, and Kid Kalaloo and Brother Alpha with “Deafy Claire” and “I Ain’t Hold Nobody”, respectively.

Bunny Brown (Bunny B) also received thunderous applause for his rendition of “Tame, Tame, Tame”, a song in which he related how several politicians changed their ways. There was loud laughter when he did the verse on Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism Dr Lincoln Douglas, who was sitting in the front row. The Minister jokingly threw a nuts bag at Bunny B and took the song in stride as he sang and demonstrated along with Bunny B.

Defending monarch Myron B performed “Ebola Scare” but did not click as accustomed.

Brown Boy (Knolly Brown) did “Captain Rowley”, while Snakey (Heaven Charles) performed “Cah Rhyme”. The latter dressed the part along with his dancers.

In the second round, competitors were allowed to sing a song of a humourous nature not limited to his repertoire, but most of them sang one of their own.

Again Brother Ebony solicited thunderous laughter and applause from the audience with his performance of “My Wife”. Snakey and Bunny B also impressed with their performances of “The Dhoti Song” and “Old Party Singers”, respectively.

It was quite clear that it was Ebony’s night and the judges’ only problem was who to place second. Somehow it seems they did not get it right as the audience booed and shouted “no, no” as the results were announced.

museum's tour guide, Natasha Clark, the president started to sing and dance when the Marley anthem, ‘Exodus’, was being played, and revealed that he had been listening to it while making his way to Jamaica on Air Force One. He also sang along with Marley as the hard-hitting ‘Ambush in the Night’ was played.

Seemingly fired up by the Marley message, Obama, on Thursday, captured hearts and disarmed critics as he greeted the 'massive' and asked 'what a gwaan?' at the start of a meeting with youth leaders from across the region at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus.

It was no wonder, then, that the U.S. pres-

ident declared his intention to visit the country again with his family, which includes wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha. "We will have to return with the girls sometime in the future," said Obama not long before he left the island with 48 bottles of Red Stripe Beer and pleasant memories. (Jamaica Gleanor)

For the third time on the night the audience gave a thunderous round of applause to Brother Ebony as he was announced the winner. (TT Express)

J’can bamboo charcoal ready for export

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Jamaica’s first major supply of internationally certified organic bamboo charcoal, totalling 9,600 pounds, is scheduled to be shipped to the United States (US) on Wednesday.

The charcoal, valued at approximately J$551,904 (US$4, 800), will be transported from Kingston to Houston, Texas, aboard a vessel, scheduled to dock in Jamaica on Tuesday, and is expected to arrive

at its destination within nine days of departing the island.

The supply of bamboo charcoal, which has been certified for export to the US under the US Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Programme (USDA/NOP), has been provided through a partnership involving three entities, two local, and the other, American.

These are: the supplier, Nelson’s Super Farm in St Mary, which operates the first organ-

Senior Director, technical Services, Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), and chairman, Bamboo and Indigenous materials Advisory committee (BImAc), Gladstone rose (left), and managing Director, Janitorial traders limited (Jtl), roger chang, discuss product

ic bamboo charcoal factory to be established in Jamaica; Kingston-based packager and exporter, Janitorial Traders Limited (JTL); and US distributor, Jamaican Jeems Company Limited.

The overall engagement forms part of the Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce’s Bamboo Products Industry Project, being administered by the Bamboo and Indigenous Materials Advisory Committee (BIMAC) at the Bureau

of Standards Jamaica (BSJ). The BIMAC is chaired by Gladstone Rose, who is also the BSJ’s Senior Director for Technical Services.

The project is consistent with the Government’s Job Creation and Economic Growth strategic priority, focusing on the development and growth of key productive sectors; development of micro, small, and medium sized enterprises; and facilitating protection of the

J’can bamboo charcoal ready...

natural environment.

Global trade for bamboo is estimated to value approximately US$10 billion.

Managing Director of JTL, Roger Chang, tells the Jamaican media that the charcoal has been packaged in 1,600 six-pound bags bearing the ‘Jamaican Jeems Products’ label, and the USDA organic certification mark.

The bags were stacked into 160 boxes and loaded into a 20-foot container, at JTL’s facility located on Stanton Terrace, on Friday, April 10, with the proceedings observed by Rose.

The container was transported to the Kingston port the same day, where it is being held until the vessel’s arrival for shipment along with other cargo, to the United States.

Early indications suggest that the charcoal, which is currently produced solely for export, is slated for distribution to the Sprouts Farmers Market chain of stores, which operates over 150 outlets across the USA, with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona.

BIMAC points out that Haiti is being targeted, while “enquiries” have come from a “poten-

tial” buyer in Trinidad and Tobago.

A total of 19 million pounds of charcoal are being targeted for production and export over the next two years, under the bamboo project. Data from BIMAC’s registry of suppliers indicates that upwards of 3,000 acres are currently available for charcoal export production.

Regarding the domestic market, BIMAC indicates that while there have been “expressions of interest” from a “handful” of supermarkets and jerk centres, “the local market is still being developed”.

BIMAC adds that “there are other members of the Bamboo Products Industry Project (who) are getting themselves ready to penetrate the local market.”

Local bamboo charcoal production commenced in 2012, and retailing thereafter, coinciding with Jamaica securing membership to the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR).

BIMAC commenced training of bamboo stakeholders in 2012, with a view to creating a diversified and sustainable bamboo products industry. (JIS)

TT opens Embassy in Panama

PORT-OF-SPAIN,

TRINIDAD: Prime Minister KamlaPersadBissessar on Monday identified economic benefits as one of the core reasons behind Government’s decision to establish an embassy in Panama.

Addressing the formal opening of the embassy in Panama City, prior to her departure from the Central American nation, the Prime Minister said the “strong commercial relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and Panama” and “benefits to trade that will come with the expansion of the Panama Canal” are two reasons why the embassy was established.

Noting that TT and Panama have had bilateral relations for the last 21 years, Persad-Bissessar recalled that Panama was also the first Central American nation to establish a resident embassy in Portof-Spain in 1995. “This is one of

the reasons why today is a momentous occasion, as we in Trinidad and Tobago will become the first English-speaking Caricom country to establish a resident mission in Panama City,” she explained.

Noting that the TT Partial Scope Agreement Bill was passed last month in both Houses of Parliament and assented to by the President on April 1, PersadBissessar said, “This agreement will support economic relations between both countries through the expansion of trade in goods.

She said the agreement will boost trade in areas such as construction services; energy services; port services and information, communication and telecommunication.

Stating that TT and Panama signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Sector Cooperation in March 2012, Persad-Bissessar said this agree-

ment expired on March 12 and “consideration is being given to renewing the agreement given its significance to TT as a net exporter of energy, and to Panama as a net importer.”

Regarding air service collaboration, Persad-Bissessar said Panamanian airline COPA has initially offered three to four flights per week to one to two daily flights. She said the airline now offers one to two two daily flights out of TT and this “ has impacted significantly and positively on the ease of travel to Central and South America with benefits to tourism and business in both countries.”

She also said there is “significant interest in Panama” by the local private sector. Persad-Bissessar said in March, a 28-member delegation from the TT Manufacturers Association participated in a trade mission to the EXPOCOMER Exhibition hosted in Panama. The Prime Minister said Panama and TT have also initiated discussion on a number of other agreements which would see enhanced cooperation in areas such as culture, education, sport, technical cooperation and tourism.

Noting the common vision of both countries is reflected through bodies such as the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Persad-Bissessar said Trinidad provided “meaningful support to Panama” for its candidatures to international organisations such as the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for 2014-2016 and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). (TT Newsday)

Jamaica, US sign energy cooperation agreement

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: The Governments of Jamaica and the United States last Thursday signed a Statement of Intent outlining the planned areas of co-operation on the development and deployment of energy-related technologies between both countries.

The document was signed by Jamaica's Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell, and Secretary of the United States Department of Energy Dr Ernest Moniz at the Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa in St Andrew.

The Statement of Intent outlines the possible provision of technical assistance for the modernisation of the energy infrastructure; development of the energy renewable sector; fuel diversification especially in

relation to the acquisition of natural gas; and the strengthening of the governance structure.

Minister Paulwell said Jamaica was very pleased that part of the agreement had to do with the issue of natural gas.

"Jamaica has attempted, for many years, to implement a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, but we have been hindered because we just did not have access to liquefied natural gas, and so one of the important achievements is the American support for our accessing natural gas," Paulwell said.

He added that the Government is aiming to have Jamaica identified as a possible hub allowing natural gas to be delivered to the rest of the region.

"Those are some of

Jamaica’s Energy minister phillip paulwell (second left), and Secretary of the united States Department of Energy Dr Ernest moniz (right) shake hands after they signed a Statement of Intent outlining the planned areas of co-operation on the development and deployment of energy-related technologies between both countries. the signing took place at the Eden Gardens Wellness resort and Spa in Kingston. looking on are junior energy minister Julian robinson (second right) and chairman of the Rural Electrification Programme, Rev Garnett Roper

things we will be looking at, and we are also looking at energy conservation and efficiency in both the public and private sectors and the US promised to assist us," Paulwell said.

He said, too, that the Government was committed to ensuring the success of the collaboration by providing the necessary support to facilitate work with the US Department of Energy.

For his part, Dr Moniz noted that the visit of President Barack Obama was an indication of the US Government's commitment to working with its neighbours on clean energy and energy security.

Dr Moniz was part of the delegation of the US president, who left Jamaica last Thursday. (Jamaica Observer)

Partnerships key to development of technology and innovation in Jamaica

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining, Hilary Alexander, has underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in the development of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in the island and the Caribbean.

Such collaboration, she argued, will allow for the combining of resources to leverage STI for progress.

"If we can pool the resources, to some extent,

to be able to share some of the research imperatives and the funding thereof, then I think we will get somewhere," she said.

The Permanent Secretary was speaking at the opening of an STI workshop at the Scientific Research Council (SRC) in Kingston, last Wednesday.

She noted that in developing STI, policymakers in the Caribbean need to look critically at existing research and tailor these to meet the needs of the respective implementing country, or region as a whole.

Jamaica’s permanent secretary in the ministry of Science, technology, Energy and mining, Hilary Alexander (right), converses with Executive Director Scientific Research Council Dr Cliff Riley during the opening ceremony for the National Workshop on Science, technology and Innovation policy and Indicators last Wednesday

"We have to focus on what makes sense for this country and, perhaps, for the region; it is not a cut and paste situation. We are very fond... of taking something that works in another environment and picking it up and saying 'well, it worked there, it is going to work here'. Well no, our situation is ours, our environment is particular," she said.

The NCST's mandate is to enable the people of Jamaica to understand the role of science and technology in their daily lives and how the disciplines can be used to provide growth, jobs, wealth and generally, a better quality of life for all.

The NCST is expected to advance research, popularise science and

technology as well as make recommendations to the Government for policy action in the area.

The Commission consists of 28 members drawn from a cross section of society.

The two-day workshop will seek to, among other things, link the science and technology thrust to innovation and entrepreneurship. It involves a wide cross section of representatives from the private sector; Planning Institute of Jamaica; Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining; Northern Caribbean University; University of Technology; and the University of the West Indies.(JIS)

Youth forum attendees in Jamaica say Obama inspired them

three hundred and fifty young leaders from Jamaica and the caribbean participated in last thursday’s town hall meeting with president obama

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

The hundreds of young people who got the opportunity to see President Barack Obama in person and

hear him speak at last Thursday's youth forum at the University of the West Indies left impressed and inspired by the man who holds the distinction of being the first black president of the United States.

Speaking with the Jamaican media after the event, several participants spoke glowingly of Obama, describing him as charismatic, dynamic, inspirational, diplomatic, and an "extraordinary human being". For most of them, their only disappointment was that they didn't get the chance to ask him any questions.

After a brief presentation, in which he focused on entrepreneurship

continued on page 47

J’can Gov’t launches US$3.9 million watershed project

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Government has launched a US$3.9 million project to protect the Yallahs and Hope River areas from degradation, while seeking to improve water resource management.

The five-year project, which is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), through the Global Environment Facility, will also seek to achieve institutional strengthening and capacity building for integrating biodiversity into watershed management.

Delivering the keynote address at the launch on Monday at the Terra Nova Hotel in St Andrew, Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change Robert Pickersgill said the project should create eco-

nomic and sustainable livelihoods, as it will boost agriculture and forestry in watershed communities.

"Through these activities, more than 200 community persons will be trained in various areas, such as land husbandry, best practices, fire management, ecotourism and other small business ventures," the minister noted.

Pickersgill, who pointed out that degraded lands will be restored under the project, said people should expect higher water yield, and sustainable land management in the Yallahs and Hope River watershed areas, which can only redound to greater efficiencies and effective results.

"Other beneficial activities will include the reforestation of 400 hectares of degraded

land, development of six on-farm demonstration plots, and the commissioning of market studies for development of alternative livelihoods in four communities in the Yallahs and Hope watershed management areas," said Pickersgill.

The minister also announced that the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has granted Ja$11 million for the implementation of a watershed area management mechanism for Black River, St Elizabeth.

The watershed area mechanism, said Pickersgill, would be gradually implemented in several watersheds and has several components that integrate community and Government agencies, planning and action, for which the community takes ownership. (Jamaica Observer)

Youth forum attendees in...

and launched the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative, Obama allowed 11 random questions from the floor, but for the pool of 350, it was not nearly enough.

Jermaine Case, who was representing the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network, the University of the West Indies STAT and the Inter-American Development Bank Civil Society Group, was in awe.

from page 46

For Gabrielle Elliott Williams, President Obama was not lacking in dynamism, charm or inspirational appeal.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

On the subject of the foreign direct investments, the US president said it was up to the individual governments to decide what's best for their people and to ensure that they stand to benefit from the input in the long-term.

For that, Jamaica's Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna called him an extraordinary human being.

"It's not often that you find leaders who get it that young people are the future generation of power and what he's very clear about is not giving ad hoc things to make them feel good but he's putting in place mechanisms to build that generation of power," she told the Jamaican media.

Obama left Jamaica Thursday evening, almost 24 hours after he had arrived. (Jamaica Observer)

Mergers good for TT economy

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Finance Minister Larry Howai says international mergers will insulate the TT economy from the backlash of falling energy prices.

He said it can no longer be business as usual for Government because of the decline in foreign revenue, so it is important to form sustainable mergers.

“Preliminary indications indicate that the first half of this year we shall run a deficit but it will be lower than originally forecasted and considerably better than our revised forecast, based on reduction of revenues consequent with the fall in energy prices,” he said.

The minister said with the expected lifting of sanctions against Iran and the continued build up of oil inventories in the United States, revenue and expenditure initiatives have to be fast tracked in the coming months to insulate the TT economy against the effects of those changes. He said the chemical complex to be built at La Brea will make a positive contribution to that effort, providing a boost to the economy.

“Foreign direct inves-

tigation from this project alone is US$850 million or TT$5.4 billion,” he said

During construction phase of the project, Howai said, 3,000 people will be employed and when the plant is fully operational, 184 people will get permanent well paying jobs.

“TT is no stranger to large petrochemical concerns. Our petroleum industry and downstream activities are highly developed and recognised the world over. This DME plant will be the first of its kind here,” he said.

“Its high oxygen content, lack of sulphur or other noxious compounds and ultra clean combustion make DME a versatile and promising solution in the mixture of clean renewable and low

carbon fuel,” Howai added.

His Cabinet colleague, Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine, commenting on the US$70 million acquisition of BG Group’s assets by Royal Dutch Shell, said that merger will offer opportunities for upstream industries.

“Shell has been looking for an upstream position in the exploration and production business. I think Shell brings advantages to TT and one of these advantages is access to capital,” he said.

Ramnarine said he and a ministerial team will meet with Shell officials this week to discuss the company’s plans for TT.

“Shell now has a dominant position in the Liquid Natural Gas business in TT,” he said.

Ramnarine said it might take about nine months for the deal to be finalized as regulatory issues have to be addressed.

Royal Dutch Shell and BG Group have key stakes in TT's energy sector, with both companies holding significant shares in LNG export/producing company Atlantic in Point Fortin. (TT Guardian)

Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has escaped unhurt after being involved in a hit-and-run incident in Vancouver, Canada.

The 38-year-old "Green Lantern" actor was hit by a car when he was leaving the parking lot at the ShangriLa Hotel, Vancouver, reported Ace Showbiz.

"It was a hit and run in the parking lot apparently, but there were no injuries," said Vancouver police Constable Brian Montague.

Police are investigating the incident and will ask Reynolds whether he wants to proceed with any charges since he was not injured.

According to Montague, police have an "idea" of who was driving. The driver of the car that hit the actor was allegedly paparazzi, but the police did not state whether the driver had been identified or located.

In an email, Reynolds' publicist Leslie Sloane shared details of the incident, "While walking, Ryan was struck by a paparazzi driving a car through an underground parking garage. The man

fled the scene. Ryan is okay."

The hotel also released a statement confirming that there was an incident in the building's residential parking lot, but it did not mention the exact name of the victim. "We have extended our full assistance to the authorities who are handling the matter," the statement read.

Reynolds, who hails from Vancouver, was in town to film "Deadpool". (TOI)

Madonna kisses Drake on stage

Rapper Drake received a surprise kiss from singer Madonna, whom he invited to his headlining set at music festival Coachella.

The crowd was excit-

ed when the 28-year-old brought out Madonna on the stage, but they went even wilder when he and the pop diva made out during the performance on Sunday, reports aceshowbiz.com.

Madonna, who inspired one track on Drake's "If You're Reading This It's Too Late" mixtape, invaded his set to perform some of her own songs like "Human nature", "Hung up" and "Express yourself".

Towards the end of "Express yourself", she planted a kiss on Drake's lips. Numerous people in the audience weren't the only ones who were left shocked. Drake himself clearly didn't expect such a thing would happen.

After she let got of him, Madonna walked off the stage while telling the crowd, "I'm Madonna, b**ch!" Meanwhile, Drake could only laugh before saying, "What the f**k just happened?" (TOI)

Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel welcome baby boy

SThe couple's representatives said Biel and Timberlake, 34, have named the boy Silas Randall Timberlake, ac-

Justin Bieber was kicked out from Coachella festival after being chokehold by the security at the entrance, it has been reported.

According to TMZ.com, the 21-yearold singer and his team walked to the

artist's entrance where Drake was performing, when they were stopped by security and told the area was at capacity and they couldn't come in.

Eyewitnesses told the website that the 'Baby' hitmaker argued with security, saying that there was no way he could stand in a big crowd because he would get bombarded by fans.

According to reports, Bieber didn't stand down and security was pissed and at that point a Coachella staffer came up to Bieber and said she would escort him inside the artist's area.

The staffer grabbed Bieber by the arm and began walking him and his security team inside, when Coachella security came up from behind and put Bieber in a chokehold and the singer was then ordered to leave the festival.

Sources close to Bieber said that the singer voluntarily left the venue, and they're considering taking legal action against the security guards. (TOI)

Simon Cowell considers adoption

Music mogul Simon Cowell and his partner Lauren Silverman are considering adopting a child.

The 55-year-old 'X Factor' boss and Silverman welcomed their first baby, son Eric, last year and have spoken of their desire for the boy to have siblings.

But Cowell believes adoption may be the couple's best option for a second child, reported Daily Star.

"Myself and Lauren want to have more children of our own but we could adopt as well. I wouldn't rule out it happening. It's a good idea. I'm beginning to warm to the idea of adopting," Cowell said.

David Arquette, Christina McLarty tie the knot

David Arquette has officially exchanged vows with girlfriend Christina McLarty in an intimate ceremony in Los Angeles on April 12.

The couple were married amongst close family and friends and were joined by their 11-month-old son, Charlie West, and their two basset hounds for the ceremony, People Magazine reported.

Arquette and McLarty, have been together for two years and got engaged in 2014, two months after the birth of their son. (TOI)

cording to People magazine.

"Both mother and baby are doing well and the father is ecstatic," the representatives said.

The representatives did not specify when Biel, 33, had given birth.

Timberlake and Biel have been married since October 2012.

The couple had kept details of the pregnancy tightly wrapped, confirming they were expecting only on Timberlake's 34th birthday in January.

"Thank you everyone for the B'day wishes! This year, I'm getting the greatest gift ever. Can't wait," he wrote on Instagram, where he posted a picture of himself kissing Biel's belly. (TOI)

In the latest trailer of Marvel's ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’, Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson is seen with light saberlike weapons similar to the ones used in "Star Wars" films.

The 30-year-old actress will reprise her role of Black Widow in the superhero-action film, which is the sequel to 2012 movie ‘The Avengers’.

The mysterious pair of weapons unleashed by Johansson's character has sparked speculations that the upcoming film has a possible ‘Star Wars’ connection in the form of a tribute.

‘Avengers: Age of

Neil Nitin Mukesh: 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' boost to my career

Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh has pinned his hopes on upcoming Salman Khan-starrer Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, which he terms as one of the most important films of his career.

The 33-year-old actor, who made a successful debut with ‘Johnny Gaddaar’ in 2007, had a string of flops at the boxoffice in the recent past,

including ‘David’, ‘3G’ and ‘Shortcut Romeo’.

Neil is thrilled about working for ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’, which reunites Salman with filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya of Rajshri Productions.

The actor, who plays Salman's younger step brother, Ajay Singh, said his complex role is new for a Barjatya film, which is known for its too good characters.

On his experience of working with Salman, Neil said it is a dream sharing screen space with the ‘Dabangg’ star.

"I am honoured to work with Salman Khan. He is one of the best human beings I have come across. It is so rare to find the combination of a mega superstar, who is so chilled out and relaxed and at the same time a people's person. He is concerned about everybody on the sets. It does not matter to him how big or small a person is. That shows his stature. His presence is intimidating but when you know him he is like a baby," Neil said.

The New York actor revealed he is undergoing physical training for an upcoming action sequence in the movie. (TOI)

Farah Khan: Won't make experimental films under pressure

Filmmaker Farah Khan, whose films are marked by dollops of dance, songs and melodrama, says she may make an experimental film like Kalki Koechlin- starrer ‘Margarita With A Straw’ if she finds a good script. However, she asserts she won't make it under any sort of critics' pressure.

"If I love a script, I will surely make it," the ‘Happy New Year’ director said at a screening of ‘Margarita With A Straw’.

"If I will get a script like this (‘Margarita With A Straw’) or I would feel that I can go for this script, then I would def-

initely make it. But I won't go ahead with it just because critics want me to make such films. I won't take that pressure on me," she added.

‘Margarita With A Straw’, directed by Shonali Bose, narrates the struggle of a cerebral palsy affected girl (played by Kalki Koechlin) with the normal activities in her life.

Not only the film, but Kalki also has garnered a lot of appreciation in the international circuit for her performance. (TOI)

Bollywood’s version of ‘Dumb and Dumber’

Step aside 'Dumb and Dumber'.

Our very own desi version 'Welcome To Karachi' is here. The film's protagonists, two incredibly stupid friends Kedar Patel (Jackky Bhagnani) and Shammi (Arshad Warsi) embark upon an adventurous journey. The duo sets out for the U.S. in a boat, but ends up in Pakistan. And that's just the beginning.

Vashu Bhagnani's 'Welcome To Karachi', the trailer of which released earlier this week, is an out-and-out laugh riot, where these two find themselves in extraordinarily hilarious situations — from being captured by the Taliban to being suspected as Talibani terrorists. "We wanted to capture the goofball sincerity and endearing stupidity of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels in ‘Dumb and Dumber’. Our message is very simple, we just want audiences to laugh their heads off," says Jackky Bhagnani.

Jackky and Arshad were last seen together in the film 'F.A.L.T.U.' "The

'Kick', 'Bang Bang!' nominated for stunt awards in U.S.

Bollywood blockbusters ‘Kick’ and ‘Bang Bang!’ have been nominated in Taurus World Stunt Awards alongside Hollywood biggies like ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ and ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’.

Salman Khan-starrer ‘Kick’ is up against ‘The Expendables 3’, ‘22 Jump Street’ and ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ for Best High Work Award.

It is also nominated in Best Stunt Rigging category along with ‘22 Jump Street’, ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’, ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ and ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’.

Hrithik Roshanstarrer ‘Bang Bang!’ which has several deathdefying stunts, may bag the Best Fight award if it manages to defeat ‘300: Rise of an Empire’,

‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ and ‘John Wick’.

The Hindi movie with power-packed action scenes is also nominated for Best Specialty Stunt award. It will vie against ‘Dumb & Dumber To’, ‘Fury’, ‘Need for Speed’ and ‘Pompeii’.

‘Bang Bang!’, which also stars Katrina Kaif, may get honoured with Best Overall Stunt By a Stunt Woman at a ceremony to be

held in California on May 9. Other contenders are ‘Need for Speed’, ‘Pompeii’, ‘The Sacrament’ and ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’. Taurus World Stunt Awards in the form of a Taurus statuette is given annually to members of the Taurus World Stunt Academy for outstanding stunt and stunt-related achievements in eligible, theatrically released motion pictures.

(TOI)

Revealed! Ranbir, Katrina's 'secret' party spot

two are spot on with their comic timing. Get ready to hold your sides," says the film's lead heroine Lauren Gottlieb, who plays an ISI agent in the movie. 'Welcome To Karachi' releases May 21. (TOI)

Irrfan Khan hopes to meet Dan Brown

Irrfan Khan, who has starred in Hollywood hits like ‘Life Of Pi’ (2012) and ‘The Amazing SpiderMan’ (2012), is now off to the U.S.A to begin the first round of preparations for American filmmaker Ron Howard's next. The film is the third installment in Dan Brown's ‘Robert Langdon’ series.

The talented actor hopes to meet author Dan Brown and co-star Tom Hanks as he prepares for the film. Irrfan says, "This trip is to decide my look in the film, what I will wear etc. Ron and I have been discussing how we will approach the role. We've also spoken about the character's accent.” (TOI)

Asprawling penthouse in a partially-occupied building on Pali Hill is Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif's 'secret' party spot, according to reports.

While they have a sea-facing apartment on Carter Road with a terrace which every guest raves about, lovebirds Ranbir Kapoor and

Katrina Kaif have found another spot for occasional get-togethers with a select set of friends.

A source close to the couple informed Mirror that the topfloor in a partially occupied Bandra highrise, Sandhu Palace, has caught the fancy of the couple. No, they aren't planning another

real estate investment. The penthouse is owned by a close friend who is game for midnight bashes away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi. It was last Friday, Ranbir and Katrina, along with RK's director buddy, Ayan Mukerjee, producer Aarti Shetty and actor Aditya RoyKapur among others let their hair down. The occasion was the birthday bash of one of the owners' sons. One of the guests present told Mirror, "It was a crazy party with flashing psyche deli lights, trance music and even a projector in the living area. The apartment is like one you'd find in New York's Upper East Side and is the perfect party place." (TOI)

Salman Khan clocks five years on Twitter

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has completed five years on micro-blogging site Twitter.

With more than 11 million followers, the 49-year-old may be a little behind with the numbers when compared to the other two Khans - Shah Rukh and Aamir, who have over 12 million followers, but has always kept fans updated by interacting with them on regular basis.

The ‘Dabangg Khan’ completed five years on Monday. He was trending on Twitter by the keywords #5YearsOfSalmanOnTwitter.

Salman, who made his Bollywood debut with 1988 film ‘Biwi Ho To Aisi’, also shares a fan following of more than 20 million on Facebook.

Some of his blockbuster films include ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’, ‘Hum Dil De

Chuke Sanam’ and ‘Wanted’.

The actor will next be seen in Kabir Khan's ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ in which he will star opposite Kareena Kapoor Khan.

He'll also be making his comeback to Rajshri Productions with ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’. (TOI)

Unbeaten Berbice eyeing title in final round – but

Essequibo confident of an upset

By Rajiv Bisnauth

ront-runners

FBerbice will attempt to put themselves firmly out of the reach of title-chaser Essequibo when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19, ThreeDay tournament resumes today (Thursday) with the third and final round games.

The Berbicians are on a roll, having won both their games, and they are favourites to lift the title when they take on Essequibo at the Enmore Community Centre ground.

The two sides are separated by nine points, and an outright win by either side will see them virtually sew up the title.

The two sides enter the game on a high, following confident victories in the previous round. Berbice romped to their second consecutive victory on Tuesday over Demerara by 216 runs and a huge haul of the points, including victory against the National Under-17 team in the opening round.

Essequibo on the other hand thrashed the National Under-17 team by 109 runs on Tuesday.

Both sides have at their disposal a strong batting line-up, as well as a quality bowling attack in both spin and pace departments.

However, Berbice Coach Adrian Amsterdam insisted there is no way his side will take the Essequibians lightly.

“Essequibo has been playing some good cricket, but I think my boys are playing even better cricket in all departments of the game,” Amsterdam said.

Meanwhile, Essequibo Coach Vibert Johnson admitted that

while the task ahead is definitely a tough one, he anticipates an outright win for his team.

“Berbice has proven that they are the better team in the tournament, but they will definitely come under some pressure. Our confidence level is high and I am positive of an outright win,” Johnson boasted.

The Berbice lads are currently on 24.8 points, followed by Essequibo on 15.8, Demerara on 7.1 and the National Under17s 1.2 points. According to the playing conditions, 12 points is awarded for an outright victory.

Demerara will clash with the National Under-17 team in the other second round game at the Everest Cricket Club ground. Play in both games starts at 10:00h on each day.

The teams read: Berbice: Shemron Hetymer (Captain), Balchand Baldeo, Leon Andrews, Ritesh Omrao (wicketkeeper), Samuel Kistasammy, Brandon Persaud, Kassim Khan, Daniel Lewis, Joel Seetaram , Ameer Khan, Omar Weatherspoon, Grisean Grant, Parmanand Ramdhan, Clifton Lindie, and Zachary Persaud.

Essequibo: Nathan Persaud, Parmesh Parsotam (Vice-captain), Travis Drakes (Captain), Jadewnel Hartman, Neiland Cadogan, Jonathan Fernandes, Keanu Harry, Denzil Harry, Akinie Adams, Sachin Persaud, Looknauth Khinkoo, Mahendra Mahase, Satesh Latchana, and David Williams.

Demerara: Travis

Persaud (Captain), Ronaldo Renee, Malcom Hubbard, Akshaya Persaud, Sherfane Rutherford, Tevin Imlack, Carlton Jacques, Gavin Moriah (Vice-captain), Ershad Alli, Vivian Albert, Daniel Basdeo, Tariq Dharamlall, Mark Hamilton, and Chetnarine Pooran. Guyana U-17 squad: Raymond Perez, Joshua Persaud, Adrian Sukwah (Vicecaptain), Ramnarine Chatura, Bhaskar Yadram, Kevin Sinclair, Richie Looknauth, Ronaldo Ali Mohamed (Captain), Timothy McCalmont, Steve Deonarine, Ashmead Nedd, Joshua Jones, Stylus Tyndall, Asif Ally, Sagar Hatheramani, RomainMuniram, and Tameshwar Motieram.

Barbadian surfer impresses in China, Australia

Barbados can boast of being home to one of the world’s best Under 21 surfers. Chelsea Tuach, the third ranked junior surfer in the world for the second consecutive year, is now also ranked in the top 10 of the World Surf League’s (WS) Women’s Qualification Series (WQS).

With seven heat wins under her belt and an excellent average heat total for the year of 13.25 on the WSL Women’s Qualification Series, Tuach has proven that she is among the best female surfers in the world. Her two third place finishes at the 6000 WSL QS in Hainan Island, China and at the 1000 WSL QS at Merewether, NSW, Australia have cemented her place in the top ten and are the highest finishes at this level of a Barbadian surfer in the history of our sport. Tuach was also a podium finisher at the WSL Junior Pro event in Merewether, ending 4th out of 48 of the world’s best juniors and a semifinalist at the Pro Junior in Cocoa Beach, Florida. She also secured an impressive second place at

the Corona Women’s Pro in Puerto Rico in March.

Halfway through the season, Tuach remains focused on her goal of making it on the elite WSL World Championship Tour, which is only open to the top 16 female surfers in the world.

Tuach, who returned home last night for a short break, had this to say: “I have been travelling and competing for the past three-anda-half months in China, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Puerto Rico and I am happy with my results so far. I have come out on top of some of the best surfers in the world

so that gives me confidence moving forward. I am happy to be home to practise in some warm water at my favourite break in the whole world, Soup Bowl!

“I will be training hard and trying to push my surfing over the next few weeks in preparation for the ISA World Surfing Championships in Nicaragua and the WSL 6000 Los Cabos Pro in Mexico,” she said.

“I want to thank my coach, Jim Hogan and my sponsors Roxy, Dragon, Dakine, the Art & Sports Promotion Fund, Chefette, Futures and Surfer Girl Suncare for their continued support.” (Barbados Advocate)

CFU Club Championship kicks off in Trinidad Jamaica wins five gold medals in South Africa

Fifteen clubs from the region will start the 2015 edition of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship which kicked off in Trinidad on Wednesday.

The clubs, two from Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, and Haiti, and one from Antigua and Barbuda, the United States Virgin Islands and The Bahamas, will compete in four preliminary round groups to be contested from Wednesday to next Monday.

They include Jamaica's Waterhouse FC, who debuted in the tournament last year before being eliminated.

Waterhouse FC would have started their campaign against Antigua & Barbuda's SAP FC on Wednesday’s opening day at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

"Last year, for the CFU Club Championship, we went into the tournament very focused, well prepared with an intention to do well. What aided us was

that most clubs in the region apparently did not know much about us in terms of competing effectively at that level. So we went in as the underdogs," said club captain and national goalkeeper Richard McCallum.

"This year we are going in just as focused, but the level of [financial] support we had last year is missing this year. Nonetheless, our intention is to do just as good as we did last year, and hopefully we can take it much further."

The group winners will advance to the final phase scheduled for May 20-25 in a straight knockout format.

The top three teams at the CFU Club

Championship will secure berths to the CONCACAF Champions League.

Group One -- Alpha United FC (Guy), Central FC (Tri), Inter Moengotapoe (Sur).

Group Two -DirectTV W Connection FC (Tri), SAP FC (Atg), Guyana Defence Force (Guy), Waterhouse FC (Jam).

Group Three -America FC (Hai), Montego Bay United FC (Jam), SV Excelsior (Sur), Club Sportif (Glp).

Group Four -- Don Bosco FC de Petion Ville (Hai), Helenites Sporting Club (Vir), Unite Sainte Rose (Glp), Lyford Cay FC (Bah). (Jamaica Observer)

Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls get support from Ramson's - as they prepare for World Cup

ambassadors

Andeanna Bacchas (left) and Danielle Francis at the end of the Sunshine Series held in January at the National Indoor Sports centre in Jamaica

Chas E Ramson Limited, through its flagship Ramson's brand, has committed to being the official food sponsor of the Sunshine Girls, pledging food supplies to the tune of Ja$1 million.

As the girls are currently preparing for the World Cup, they will be able to enjoy tasty and nutritious meals from the high-quality brands distributed by Chas E Ramson Ltd.

"We are very pleased with the outpouring of support from corporate Jamaica and in particular the food supplies provided by Chas E Ramson," said Marva Bernard, president of Netball Jamaica.

"This sponsorship will greatly assist in the girls' physical preparation for the games."

Christopher Ramson, assistant general manager at Chas E Ramson Ltd, in outlining the reason for Ramson's support, stated: "We view this as an extension of our corporate social responsibility. Further, our company places a high premium on the positive values of tenacity, good sportsmanship and team spirit embodied by the Sunshine Girls.

"This represents a good fit with Ramson's values. Additionally, it gives us great pleasure to sponsor a team that has such great Jamaican grass-roots support. We

Olympian Kenneth Edwards and Subrina Richards led the way as Jamaica bagged five gold medals in as many divisions at the International TaekwonDo Federation’s (ITF) African Taekwon-Do Cup in Pretoria, South Africa last weekend.

Edwards and Richards, Jamaica’s topranked male and female fighters, spearheaded the effort as Akino Lindsay, Tashauna Grannum and Tye McKay also added to the country’s gold med-

al haul. Edwards defeated South Africa’s Gert Ungerher in -85 kg male sparring, setting the stage for high-schooler Akino Lindsay to stop Mozambique’s Jose Delanie in +85 kg male sparring.

Another Jamaican high-schooler, Richards, confirmed her rank as the island’s top female fighter by outclassing South Africa’s Bronwen Bradley in black belt light weight action to open her 2015 international season on a high.

Meanwhile,

Grannum announced her return from injury, stepping into the ring to easily beat South Africa’s Jenine Hutchinson in the middleweight black belt final.

McKay, Jamaica’s sole practitioner in patterns, took gold in his pet event, beating Job Abnerio Chiote of Mozambique.

The tournament, among the events marking the 60th anniversary of taekwon-do, featured strong rivals from the home team, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Madagascar. (CMC)

TT’s Thompson still rolling in Florida

Amber Thompson again flew the Trinidad and Tobago flag with distinction in the United States during the recently-held Winter Equestrian Festival events at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre in Wellington, Florida.

The 16-year-old, who is the same age as her Argentine thoroughbred Vertigo, was awarded ribbons almost every time she competed during the month, jumping courses with obstacles up to 1.2 metres high.

Thompson’s very best performance was delivered in the penultimate competition when she placed second in the Classic Show Jumping Class. One of the final riders in the event edged her by halfsecond to claim the top prize.

Earlier in the competition, Thompson had

been beaten by less than a second again when she placed third from a field of 40 in the Children’s Modified Jumper Class.

Thompson and Vertigo placed eighth in the speed class, before subsequently finishing fourth in the Classic Show Jumping Class. The duo participated in the “Clear Round gets a Ribbon” leg of the competition and were awarded blue ribbons for producing two clear rounds. (TT Express)

Berbician shines at Bodybuilding Championship in Guyana

Bwish the Sunshine Girls great success in the upcoming Netball World Cup."

The Sunshine Girls finished fourth in the last Netball World Cup, which was held in Singapore in 2011. This year's World Cup tournament will be held in Sydney, Australia, in August.

The latest International Netball Federation World Rankings published on April 3 show no change in the relative positions of the top 10 netball nations. However, fourthranked Jamaica has closed the gap to only 12 points behind number three-ranked England. (Jamaica Observer)

oasting a sharp physique, Corentyne’s Chetram Nagesar emerged the overall champion of the annual Novices Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship organised by the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) on Saturday night.

Competing in front of a packed audience at the Theatre Guild in Kingston, Georgetown, the 21-year-old of Tej Mohal Gym earned his place in the final showdown by earlier outperforming four other competitors to win the 132-pound class.

Nagesar was a crowd favourite from the onset, and he did not let his fans down, finishing the night as the best athlete

on show. The Men’s Physique category was won by Stabroek News Sport Journalist Emmerson Campbell of BodyMaxx Gym, while Caerus Cipriani of Fitness Paradise and Yannick Grimes of BodyMaxx took second and third respectively.

By virtue of being the lone entrant, Janica Pluck of Buddy’s Gym was crowned Miss Bikini.

Other winners included Rashleigh Bentick of

Fitness Paradise Gym in the Under-21 and Bantamweight divisions, Jamal Tinnie of Fitness Paradise Gym in the Lightweight category, Kris Williams of Buddy’s Gym in the Welterweight division, and Julio Sinclair of Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) in the Heavyweight segment. Last year’s Novices champion Sylvester Andrews and reigning Flex Night International champion, Godfrey Stoby both guest posed at the event. The event was made possible by Fitness Express, Cyrex Gym, AlHaaq, Subs and Salads among others.

Next up on the GABBFF programme is the Senior Championships in July.

Guyana Jaguars deserve PCL win, says Chattergoon

By RavendRa Madholall

The Guyana Jaguars were ecstatic following their resounding 2014/2015 West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) revamped Professional Cricket League (PCL) four-day tournament win, according to Hemnarine Chattergoon.

Having triumphed with a title after a drought of 17 consecutive years, the former West Indies and Guyana under-19 batsman proudly believes the Guyanese lads thoroughly deserved the championship, regaining the prestigious trophy.

The elegant righthander, who still plays professionally in Canada since taking up residence more than a decade ago, stated that the double-round should also help West Indies’ cricket greatly so that they can bring better results at the international level.

Guyana Jaguars ended impressively with 148

points winning an exceptional eight matches, losing only one game and engaged in a draw.

The Berbician Chattergoon, the eldest brother of the four that played for Guyana including former West Indies opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon,

has credited the local cricket in Guyana for the consistency shown by the senior players on this occasion.

He rated the transformation from the local to the regional level as excellent.

“Success is always important and what

Kallicharran impressed with talent pool in Guyana

Former West Indies Test player, Alvin Kallicharran, who is conducting a Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Youth Developmental Programme across the country, said he is impressed with the vast young talents he has met over the past days.

On Wednesday, he visited the Enterprise and Enmore grounds on the East Coast of Demerara and had sessions with the youths of those areas. Some players highlighted a number of challenging issues with their techniques and Kallicharran was able to have a practi-

cal assessment of these pressing issues by creating drills and scenarios to emphasise and address the matters at hand.

Speaking to the youths and coaches after the drills, he said, “Guyana is not short of cricketers in any way; there are a lot of talents present who need to be nurtured to go on to the higher levels.”

Kallicharran also touched on the need for fast bowlers to improve, noting that for this to happen, the right pitches have to be produced and fast bowlers must bowl a lot more overs in train-

ing and competitions.

Earlier this week, he conducted similar sessions with players at Albion and Blairmont Community Centres in Berbice, and the Ghandi Youth Organisation in Georgetown.

To date, all sessions conducted by Kallicharran have been met with high commendations from cricketers and coaches. The former left-handed batsman stated that the GCB initiative to have past players like him coaching the young cricketers should help a great deal in the developmental aspect of the game in Guyana.

Guyana Jaguars team achieved this year by winning the tournament was very heartening and a sign of the strategic structure of our cricket back home locally. I just want to take this opportunity to congratulate them too and I am confident they can return to

winning ways from this year,” Chattergoon, who also played for Canada at the highest level, commented.

Albion spinners Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo were amazing churning out some captivating bowling performanc-

es snapping a combined 128 wickets.

Left-arm orthodox test player Permaul once again proved his ability with 67 scalps while his fellow international colleague, the leggie Bishoo emerged with 61victims.

Chattergoon further declared that the discipline, determination, perseverance, commitment and temperament were some of the ingredients for Jaguars’ successful run and once utilised effectively in the future, they should be an unbeatable side again.

Guyana Jaguars’ loss came to Barbados Pride at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. The Bajans were eventually dethroned but finished the competition as the second-place winner.

Meanwhile, Guyana last won the tournament in 1998 when they shared the spoils with Leeward Islands tallying ten titles since the regional longest version cricket was introduced in 1968.

Alpha United open CFU tourney with 3-0 win over Inter

With goals from Daniel Wilson (26th), Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson (56th) and Kithson Bain (90th), Guyana’s Alpha ‘the Hammer’ United outclassed Suriname’s Inter Moengotapoe 3-0 in the first game of Group One when the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship kicked off on Wednesday. It was the sixth meeting between the two South America-based clubs; the first in approximately three years, with the Suriname side winning the previous five clashes.

The game which kicked off at 16:00hrs at the Guyana National Stadium was played infront of a small crowd at the country’s premier venue as coach Wayne Dover’s men took at least 20 minutes to put together a ‘proper knock’ but eventually came into their own.

Alpha United, aiming to compete at the CONCACAF Champions League, started with Ronson Williams between the uprights, defenders Jamaal Smith, Quincy Madramootoo, Kirk Duckworth and Kris Camacho, while in the midfield Panamanian Manuel Vargas teamed up with Richardson and Jamaican Wayne Ellis, and up front, Bain was joined by Wilson.

With both teams holding down the number one spot in their respective countries, the football displayed was

Moengotapoe

obviously far from the best, nonetheless, it was the Guyanese side who dominated the contest to finish with the three important points.

Alpha United will now face Trinidad and Tobago’s Pro-League side Central FC on Sunday April 19, while Suriname will face the Twin Island Republic team on Friday at the same venue. Only one team will exit the group.

Former England International and Central FC head coach Terry Fenwick sat in the stands, paying close attention to two of his virgin opposition and Alpha United showed why they have stood tall on the local scene for a number of years.

Bain sent a through pass to Wilson who went one-on-one with Inter Moengotapoe goalkeeper Huiswoud Obrendo and the dapper forward made no mistake in tactical-

ly finishing to an open net to give his club the 1-0 advantage – a score that stood until the early stages of the second half. Despite having a few ‘certain-goal’ chances in the first half, Alpha United had to wait almost ten minutes to double their score, thanks to their captain Richardson. It was a simple header as the striker netted from point-blank range when he pounced on a ball that the Surinamese keeper could not get a hand on properly after saving a solid shot by the Panamanian. In the 60th minute, Suriname’s Stekkel Romano forced Alpha’s Williams to pull off a beautiful save when he hammered a right-footed volley just inside the 18-yard area.

Alpha United, already controlling the pace of the game and the position, scored their fi-

Blackwood hundred, Taylor burst fail to stop England charge

NORTH SOUND, Antigua –Jermaine Blackwood’s maiden Test century coupled with an incisive newball burst from Jerome Taylor, temporarily raised West Indies’ hopes of carving out a match-winning position but England stormed back to end day three of the opening Test on top here yesterday.

The 23-year-old right-hander carved out a superb, unbeaten 112 as West Indies, responding to England’s first innings of 399, were dismissed for 295, 25 minutes before tea at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

Taylor then grabbed two early wickets in an excellent display of pace and swing which reduced England to 52 for three inside the first hour of the final session.

However, Gary Ballance and Joe Root restored order to the innings in an unbroken fourth wicket partnership worth 64, allowing England to snatch an

overall lead of 220 heading into the fourth day.

Ballance stroked an unbeaten 44 while the in-form Joe Root was on 32, with Taylor taking two for 12 from eight testing overs.

However, it was the unflappable Blackwood who stole all the headlines, and was the impetus behind West Indies’ progress early in the day.

Resuming the day on 30 with West Indies on 155 for four, Blackwood negotiated challenging spells from the England seamers – especially after lunch – to reach three figures for the first time in his fledgling sixTest career.

All told, he faced 224 balls in 5-1/2 hours at the crease and counted 14 fours and two sixes.

He enjoyed his share of luck, dropped by James Tredwell at gully on 43 in the eighth over of the morning from seamer Ben Stokes, but never wavered as he raised his half century 1-1/4 hours before lunch.

Ambrose wants bouncer rule relaxed

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Former fast bowler and cricketing legend Sir Curtly Ambrose believes the rule that restricts bowlers to only two shortpitched deliveries per over should be revisited. The former West Indies pacer, who is currently the team’s bowling consultant, said it takes away from the excitement involved in a good rivalry between batsman and bowler.

“I believe that if a bowler is overdoing the short ball, then the umpire should step in and say, ‘space it out’.

“But how could you be bowling to a batsman who can play the short ball very well, hit you out the park twice and then you as a fast bowler, you can’t do (anything)? You have to go back to bowling the length ball and wait until the next over, and to me that takes

away the excitement,” he said.

“I said so before and I will say again, there is no better excitement in cricket than a great fast bowler against a great batsman who can take you on,” he added.

The rule, which first came about in 1991, was first referred to as the “bouncer rule” and its job was to restrict the bowler to one bouncer per over per batsman.

In the beginning, it was an “experimental” rule, and in 1994 it was turned into what we see in the current law book.

The current law states that a bowler shall be limited to two fast shortpitched deliveries per over. A fast short-pitched delivery is defined as a ball which passes or would have passed above the shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease.

However, Sir Curtly said he is focused on improving the crop of fast bowlers currently under his tutelage.

“Obviously, it’s not going to happen overnight. Sometimes, it’s frustrating because you speak to them all the time and explain certain things and they understand, but somewhere along the line they stray away from the script and that sort of thing but I have to be patient. Of course, I want to see results overnight, really, but I am a realist and it’s going to take some time,” he said.

In November of last year, Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died in hospital, in Sydney, two days after the international batsman was struck on the head by a ball during a domestic match. (Antigua Observer)

Alpha United open CFU tourney with...

nal goal of the game, compliments of Bain.

The Grenadian international turned sweetly between two defenders upon collecting a pass from substitute

Sheldon Holder and nicely slipped it past the out-stretched goalkeeper, much to the delight of the small but appreciative crowd. After the game, Dover

from page 52

spoke of his happiness to finally get the better of the side that had defeated him on each of their five previous matchups and he lauded his men for playing as expected.

the hour mark. He drove an innocuous delivery from offspinner James Tredwell to Stokes at cover, to depart with the score on 192 for five.

Chanderpaul was one of two Windies batsmen to perish in the session, as captain Denesh Ramdin fell for nine, ten minutes before lunch, nicking a leg-side catch to the wicketkeeper off a short ball from Broad.

Going to lunch on 69 with West Indies on 234 for six, Blackwood played positively on resumption, taking 14 runs from the fourth over after lunch by Stokes. He cleared the long off ropes with the first ball of the over before collecting two successive off-side boundaries, to move into the 80s.

Chanderpaul scored 46 off 139 balls in 189 minutes, and struck eight fours. He looked in good touch, collecting a pair of off-side boundaries in the day’s third over by seamer Stuart Broad, and seemed to be closing in on yet another Test half-century when he perished just before

He calmly brought up his century an hour after the lunch interval, when he punched Tredwell down the ground for a single.

Once Blackwood reached the landmark, however, Holder’s discipline dissipated and he chipped Tredwell to cover two balls later, where Ballance took an easy catch at 276 for seven.

The innings then declined rapidly. Kemar

Roach was caught at the wicket off Tredwell for five, Taylor was run out without scoring attempting an impossible single and Sulieman Benn was caught at short leg by Root off pacer Jimmy Anderson.

Tredwell was the leading bowler with four for 47 while Anderson (2-67) and Broad (2-67) picked up two wickets apiece.

Taylor then rocked England, with the visitors slumping to 20 for two in the seventh over of the innings. Jonathan Trott had his misery extended on his return to Test cricket when he fell for just four with the score on 15, edging a drive at a full length delivery that swung late, giving Ramdin a low catch behind.

In his next over, Taylor induced captain Alistair Cook to spar at a widish delivery, and Benn at gully snared a simple catch. First innings century-maker Ian Bell joined Ballance to add 32 for the third wicket and had made 11 when he charged down the pitch looking for a non-existent run and was run out, after being sent back. (CMC)